Brand Groupies

Carey Balogh

Launched in 2018 by Brand Groupies Founder & CEO Carey Balogh, this podcast shines a spotlight on the ultimate insiders - the brand groupies - powering the ever-evolving built world. Each episode dives into the stories, passion, and creativity driving national leaders in architecture, design, real estate, and beyond. As a women-owned strategic communications agency, we've spotlighted visionary executives for over a decade, leveraging Social Media, Public Relations, and Podcasting as an interconnected ecosystem to build brand visibility and drive business growth. We make our clients impossible to ignore. www.brandgroupies.com

  1. #71: Sandy Crisafulli of Caryl Communications

    6D AGO

    #71: Sandy Crisafulli of Caryl Communications

    Sandy Crisafulli is the president and co-owner of Caryl Communications, a boutique PR firm founded in 1984 and built on strong relationships, strategic storytelling, and nimble execution. In this episode, Sandy shares her journey from the firm’s first full-time writer to owner, and how a 360-degree approach across content, media relations, and operations helps Caryl deliver meaningful results for clients. She breaks down what effective storytelling looks like today, including how to answer the critical questions: what is it, who cares, and why do they care. Tune in for practical insights on authenticity, adaptability, and staying relevant in a rapidly changing media landscape. 02:05 - Introduction of guest Sandy Crisafulli and overview of her career and agency 04:10 - How Sandy and Carey connected at a women’s conference 04:53 - Sandy’s early PR career story and mentorship from founder Caryl Dixon 06:55 - The early days of remote work using fax machines 07:42 - How Sandy became the agency’s second owner during the pandemic 08:05 - Lessons learned across different roles at the agency 09:47 - What has kept Caryl Communications thriving since 1984 11:28 - The difference between a good story and one that drives results 12:50 - The #1 advice for brands: embrace authenticity 13:36 - Thoughts on AI in PR and how small agencies stay nimble 14:30 - Joining a global boutique PR network to stay current with AI trends 17:29 - Helping clients cut through the noise with strategy 18:38 - Why visibility is important—and how earned media still leads the way 21:50 - Advice for companies who think they don’t have “enough” for PR 22:07 - What top-tier service looks like in PR today 23:04 - Examples of Caryl Communications’ clients and projects 25:40 - How Sandy’s creative hobbies help her in her PR work 27:15 - Running an indie record label with her husband for over 30 years 28:25 - Learning silversmithing and staying humble through the process 29:46 - Where to find Sandy and Caryl Communications online

    30 min
  2. #70: Mark Schaefer, Global marketing authority and author

    JAN 15

    #70: Mark Schaefer, Global marketing authority and author

    Mark Schaefer is a globally recognized author, keynote speaker, futurist, and marketing strategist, and the voice behind GROW, one of the world’s top marketing blogs. In this episode, Mark shares his career path from corporate marketing to becoming one of the most trusted thought leaders in the industry. He discusses the principles behind his bestselling book Known, why personal branding is more critical than ever in an AI-driven world, and how marketers can stand out by embracing humanity, creativity, and vulnerability. Mark also dives into insights from his latest book, Audacious, and shares what businesses are still getting wrong - and how to future-proof their brands in an era of rapid technological change. Tune in for practical advice on building trust, staying relevant, and winning as a human in the age of AI.

    38 min
  3. Special LIVE Episode with Labor Lounge Podcast

    10/07/2025

    Special LIVE Episode with Labor Lounge Podcast

    In this special episode, Labor Lounge Podcast and Brand Groupies Podcast go LIVE from the 11th Annual Women Business Leaders Forum by NJBIA.   Labor Lounge Hosts Anthony and Cyndie are joined by powerhouse podcast producers Carey Balogh and Lauren Sleeman of Brand Groupies for a behind-the-scenes look at how the podcast is made - and why podcasting is a powerful tool for brand visibility, business development, and executive thought leadership. https://eascarpenters.org/ https://cctmarketing.org/ https://brandgroupies.com/ 00:00 – Opening welcome to the Labor Lounge LIVE session01:26 – Cyndie introduces the hosts and Brand Groupies team02:43 – Anthony promotes upcoming podcast guests and platforms03:54 – Carey shares how Brand Groupies podcast began05:25 – Lauren explains why podcasting is the new PR06:31 – Cyndie describes how she met Brand Groupies and started the show08:33 – Anthony talks about challenges and benefits of launching a podcast09:53 – Lauren explains how Brand Groupies handles production for clients11:07 – Carey emphasizes consistency and social media amplification12:51 – Lauren reveals the “dirty little secret” of podcast guesting14:09 – Cyndie and Anthony share what recording days are like16:05 – Advice for anyone considering starting a podcast17:35 – Brand Groupies’ success stories and podcast performance18:49 – Audience Q&A: cost, ROI, and marketing benefits25:23 – Closing discussion on using podcasts to grow your brand

    29 min
  4. #69: Adam Taylor of Splendor

    01/21/2025

    #69: Adam Taylor of Splendor

    Adam Taylor is the founder and CEO of Splendor, one of New Jersey's leading web design, branding, and marketing agencies. With over 25 years of experience in the industry, Adam shares the story behind starting his agency in 1999 and how he has scaled it into a world-class creative agency, focusing on key industries like real estate. He also discusses what sets Splendor apart from other agencies, and the growing importance of branding in the AEC industry. Tune in for insights and advice from a seasoned entrepreneur on building and growing a successful agency. https://splendordesign.com/ https://brandgroupies.com

    46 min
  5. #68: Sheley Brien of Brien Contracting

    09/17/2024

    #68: Sheley Brien of Brien Contracting

    Sheley Brien is the Vice President of Brien Contracting, a leading figure in the commercial construction industry alongside her husband, Chris. With over 20 years of diverse experience in the financial and medical industries and a remarkable journey up the corporate ladder, she is a dynamic force in the world of entrepreneurship, mindset, and leadership. Sheley is also the host of More Action Podcast, sharing candid personal experiences and insights from her guests to empower others in their personal and professional growth.  https://briencontracting.com https://brandgroupies.com

    36 min
  6. #67: Darren Magarro and Dan Enrico of DSM

    08/20/2024

    #67: Darren Magarro and Dan Enrico of DSM

    Darren Magarro is the Founder and President of DSM, and Dan Enrico is Vice President of Strategy at DSM, a talented band of strategists, analysts, and creatives who amplify brands. Darren founded DSM in 2007 and focuses most of his time on being a brand ambassador for clients and the agency while leading all new business efforts. He has won many awards over the years, including being a finalist for EY Entrepreneur of the Year in 2017 and 2018, NJBIZ 40 Under 40 in 2013, and he has led DSM to four Inc. 5000 Awards. As the head of DSM’s digital team, Dan builds custom marketing strategies for clients and holds certifications in various digital marketing disciplines, including SEO, PPC, e-commerce marketing, app store advertising, and paid social media management. With 15 years of experience in digital marketing, Dan was named one of the Best Under 40 in Marketing and Advertising by the NJ Ad Club. https://thedsmgroup.com  https://brandgroupies.com

    45 min
  7. #66: Evan Troxel of TRXL

    07/23/2024

    #66: Evan Troxel of TRXL

    Evan Troxel is an industry-leading design and technology expert passionate about connecting people. He is a licensed architect in California with over 25 years of architectural design, working on large public projects in K-12 schools, higher-ed, and civic projects for clients. Evan is best known for his podcasts focusing on the AEC industry. He brings his experiences together on the Archispeak, TRXL, and Confluence podcasts. Evan also has experience in architectural education. For over a decade, he was a professor of emerging technologies in the architecture department at California State Polytechnic University, Pomona (Cal Poly Pomona), and Mt San Antonio College (Mt. Sac) in southern California. Evan strives to better the architectural community in meaningful ways. https://www.trxl.co https://brandgroupies.com

    40 min
  8. #65: Josh Miles of Bold Brand

    06/26/2024

    #65: Josh Miles of Bold Brand

    Josh Miles is the Founder of Bold Brand, a branding consultancy specializing in the AEC industry. He is a seasoned brand strategist, marketing filmmaker, and fractional CMO for AEC and tech firms. Josh is the author of Bold Brand 2.0 – How to Leverage Brand Strategy to Reposition, Differentiate and Market your Professional Services Firm. As a past TEDx presenter, he has delivered keynotes from the Midwest to the Middle East, including hosting the OG Design Podcast, Obsessed Show, The Josh & Torrey Show, and he formerly co-hosted the PSM Show. Josh previously served as CMO for SMPS HQ, and co-founded MilesHerndon, a branding agency specializing in brand strategy, corporate identity, and website design. https://boldbrand.com  https://brandgroupies.com

    22 min
See All (72)

Ratings & Reviews

5
out of 5
15 Ratings

About

Launched in 2018 by Brand Groupies Founder & CEO Carey Balogh, this podcast shines a spotlight on the ultimate insiders - the brand groupies - powering the ever-evolving built world. Each episode dives into the stories, passion, and creativity driving national leaders in architecture, design, real estate, and beyond. As a women-owned strategic communications agency, we've spotlighted visionary executives for over a decade, leveraging Social Media, Public Relations, and Podcasting as an interconnected ecosystem to build brand visibility and drive business growth. We make our clients impossible to ignore. www.brandgroupies.com

Information

  • Creator
    Carey Balogh
  • Years Active
    2018 - 2026
  • Episodes
    72
  • Rating
    Clean
  • Copyright
    © All rights reserved
  • Show Website
    Brand Groupies