Brilliantly Wrong: Marketing. Creativity. Startups.

Alex Stonehouse
  • 5.0 (3)
  • MARKETING
  • UPDATED WEEKLY

A podcast for marketers, founders, creatives, and anyone willing to embrace risk for extraordinary outcomes. Alex Stonehouse and his guests dive deep into the art and science of marketing, startup growth, creativity, and mastery from a perspective that challenges the conventional.

  1. Raise the Banner: How Video Builds Trust in the Messy Mid-Funnel with Pennant Video Founder, Tim Bradley

    JAN 21

    Raise the Banner: How Video Builds Trust in the Messy Mid-Funnel with Pennant Video Founder, Tim Bradley

    In this episode of Brilliantly Wrong, Alex Stonehouse sits down with Tim Bradley, Founder of Pennant Video, a mid-funnel video agency behind some of the most emotionally resonant and strategically sharp videos in B2B. Tim’s story is one of clarity, craft, and conviction. From answering a Craigslist job post in 2011 to building one of the most recognizable creative brands in B2B video today, Tim breaks down how the industry evolved, why video is the most misunderstood medium in the marketing toolkit, and why the “messy middle” of a buyer’s journey is where trust is truly won. Together, Alex and Tim unpack: Why top-of-funnel ads sell the click, but mid-funnel video earns the beliefThe Video Marketing Trifecta: Differentiation, Demonstration, and ValidationHow Anthem, Explainer, and Customer Story videos work together to build momentumWhy care, craft, and creative risk outperform shortcuts and AI-driven samenessHow to use video to strengthen sales, sharpen positioning, and unify a go-to-market engineThe mindset behind Pennant’s powerful tagline: “Raise the Banner”Whether you're a founder, a marketer, a creative, or someone realizing your brand needs to earn trust long before a demo request, this episode will change how you think about video, strategy, and storytelling.

    45 min
  2. Storytelling, Design, and Epic Adventures with Megan Whitehouse

    11/18/2025

    Storytelling, Design, and Epic Adventures with Megan Whitehouse

    In this episode, Alex Stonehouse sits down with Megan Whitehouse, a freelance designer and endurance athlete based in Seattle, to discuss her unconventional journey from Wisconsin to the Pacific Northwest. Megan shares how she transitioned from studying consumer behavior to pursuing design full-time The conversation explores Megan's approach to creative work, including her philosophy that great design goes beyond aesthetics to tell compelling stories that resonate with audiences. She opens up about the challenges and rewards of freelancing, her process for working with clients, and how she's working to align her career with her passion for cycling and the outdoors. The episode takes an inspiring turn as Megan recounts her solo 2,000-mile bike-packing journey down the Pacific Coast—a 27-day adventure that took her from Seattle to the Mexican border. She discusses the profound moments of solitude, unexpected connections with strangers, and how endurance sports have become her form of therapy and creative problem-solving. Megan also reflects on training for Ironman competitions, leading women's cycling groups in Seattle, and her philosophy of saying yes to challenges before knowing exactly how she'll accomplish them. The conversation touches on the importance of disconnecting from constant stimulation, the value of life experiences in fueling creativity, and her goal to merge her professional work with her athletic pursuits in the outdoor industry.

    49 min
  3. Great Design Tells a Story with David Somerville, Principal at Smrvl

    11/11/2025

    Great Design Tells a Story with David Somerville, Principal at Smrvl

    In this episode, Alex Stonehouse sits down with David Somerville, Principal at Smrvl, to explore the philosophy behind great design and why the best work doesn’t just look good, it tells a story. David shares lessons from his time leading creative direction at The Atlantic, Defense One, and beyond, before building his own design studio rooted in curiosity, play, and lateral thinking. Together, they unpack how emotion, imperfection, and intuition bring design to life, and why every brand needs to make people feel something before asking them to do something. You’ll hear: - How design and storytelling work together - Why flaws can make brands more human - The tension between structure and spontaneity - What brands can learn from the way we play games This is a conversation about creativity, connection, and the messy, magical process of making design that feels alive.

    1h 26m
  4. Founder-Led, Fun-Fueled, Fractional Marketing with Amanda Wallman

    10/20/2025

    Founder-Led, Fun-Fueled, Fractional Marketing with Amanda Wallman

    What makes a marketing partner more than just another agency? Amanda Wallman, founder of Alpine Edge Marketing, joins Alex Stonehouse to share her journey from alpine ski racing to running a founder-led consultancy helping startups and small businesses grow. We talk about: Why being founder-led creates deeper trust and stronger partnerships. How lessons from ski racing apply to marketing, growth, and testing strategies. The importance of clarity, consistency, and momentum in building brands. Why marketing is a business solution, not just campaigns. And how to bring back the fun, creativity, and energy that unlock better results. Whether you’re a founder, a marketer, or somewhere in between, Amanda’s insights on building authentic, human-centered marketing strategies will leave you inspired.

    45 min
  5. The Three Cs of Modern Marketing: Content, Communications, and Creative with Sarah Schaffer, Founder of Bond Studios

    10/15/2025

    The Three Cs of Modern Marketing: Content, Communications, and Creative with Sarah Schaffer, Founder of Bond Studios

    In this episode of Brilliantly Wrong, Alex Stonehouse sits down with Sarah Schaffer, Founder & CEO of Bond Studios, to explore The Three Cs of Modern Marketing: Content, Communications, and Creative. Sarah brings a journalist’s eye for truth and storytelling into the marketing world, building brands rooted in trust, clarity, and authenticity. We talk about how journalistic ethics translate into communications strategy, why listening is the most underrated agency superpower, how to avoid the “hot take express” on LinkedIn, and why the future of marketing depends on both market savvy and storytelling substance. Whether you’re a founder, marketer, or comms leader, Sarah’s perspective will sharpen the way you think about brand, trust, and how to connect with your audience in meaningful ways.

    47 min
  6. Authenticity, Adaptability, and Advocacy with Peyton Tackes

    10/05/2025

    Authenticity, Adaptability, and Advocacy with Peyton Tackes

    In this episode of Brilliantly Wrong, Alex Stonehouse sits down with Peyton Tackes, Director of Marketing and Communications at Ross • Scalise, to explore her journey through agency life, entrepreneurship, and in-house legal marketing. Peyton shares how she balances data-driven marketing with authentic storytelling, why educating clients can be the most powerful form of marketing, and what it’s like to build a personal brand while being a military spouse who moves every two years. We cover everything from navigating attorney buy-in and using data to drive change, to the importance of resilience shaped by athletics, and Peyton’s insights into the evolving role of marketing leaders. Enjoy!

    46 min
  7. The FLOW Framework for Personal Branding with Alyssa Olerud, Founder and CEO of Fearlyss Media

    09/23/2025

    The FLOW Framework for Personal Branding with Alyssa Olerud, Founder and CEO of Fearlyss Media

    In this episode of Brilliantly Wrong, I sit down with Alyssa Olerud, Founder and CEO of Fearlyss Media, to talk about how service-based entrepreneurs and leaders can build powerful personal brands without overcomplicating social media. Alyssa shares how she left her corporate career to start her own business, why she believes in “feeling the fear and doing it anyway,” and how she created her signature F.L.O.W. Framework (Foundation, Lifestyle, Offer, Wisdom) to help clients find their voice, tell their story, and attract business through authentic content. Along with host, Alex Stonehouse, they discuss: What it takes to start a business without a safety netWhy mindset matters more than a marketing planThe role of storytelling in turning social media into revenueHow to balance authenticity with professionalism onlineThe origin of the FLOW Framework, and how to implement it to improve your personal brand and presence online Hope you enjoy! Don't forget to subscribe, share, and give us a 5-star rating if you enjoy this episode with Alyssa.

    46 min
  8. How to Write Like a Content Chameleon with Kerri Linsenbigler, Managing Editor at Rightlever

    09/16/2025

    How to Write Like a Content Chameleon with Kerri Linsenbigler, Managing Editor at Rightlever

    What does it take to build a career around storytelling in B2B SaaS while still keeping your own creative spark alive? In this episode, I sit down with Kerri Linsenbigler — writer, editor, marketer, and self-described content chameleon. We talk about: How to balance your personal voice with brand voice.Why embracing variety across channels makes you a stronger writer.What B2B brands still get wrong about content and messaging.The role of community-driven content in making customers feel a sense of belonging.Kerri’s creative side project, Kerri On Travel, and why passion projects matter.If you’ve ever wrestled with finding your voice as a marketer, or wondered how to create content that’s clear, human, and memorable, Kerri offers great advice that you can act on immediately.

    41 min
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Ratings & Reviews

5
out of 5
3 Ratings

About

A podcast for marketers, founders, creatives, and anyone willing to embrace risk for extraordinary outcomes. Alex Stonehouse and his guests dive deep into the art and science of marketing, startup growth, creativity, and mastery from a perspective that challenges the conventional.

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