Brand & Banter

Amanda Shuman
  • 5.0 (9)
  • MARKETING
  • UPDATED WEEKLY

Where bold ideas meet brilliant execution—Brand & Banter is the podcast that dives deep into the genius behind today's biggest branding wins. Hosted by branding and marketing expert Amanda Shuman, Brand & Banter goes beyond the polished pitch decks and news headlines to uncover the heart of the creative process. Think of it as your chance to eavesdrop on the conversations happening behind the branding curtain.

  1. MAY 5

    The Brand Partnership Myths Keeping You Invisible

    Why are some creators landing brand partnerships again and again, while others feel like they are doing everything right and still getting overlooked? For Kahlea Wade, founder of Alora Society, the answer has very little to do with follower count, pitching more, or calling yourself an influencer. After working behind the scenes managing brand partnerships from pitch to payment, Kahlea has a clear view into what actually makes someone attractive to brands and where most people are quietly missing the mark. In this episode, we break down the biggest myths keeping people invisible in the brand partnership space. Kahlea walks through why partnerships start long before the pitch, what brands are really evaluating before they ever respond to outreach, and how positioning shapes whether someone is seen as a credible partner. We also talk about the difference between personal brands and traditional influencers, why follower count is often misunderstood, and how creators can become monetizable well before hitting major milestones. This conversation challenges the common advice around partnerships and replaces it with a more strategic way of thinking. From how brands assess fit to what makes someone easy to say yes to, Kahlea shares what actually moves the needle and how to position yourself so opportunities feel like a natural next step instead of a constant uphill climb. In this episode, you'll learn: Why brand partnerships start with positioning, not pitching What brands are looking at before they ever respond to outreach The difference between a personal brand and a traditional influencer Why follower count does not determine your ability to monetize What makes someone credible and attractive to brands How to position yourself so partnerships feel aligned and natural Links Mentioned Alora Society Alora Society Instagram Plannable Ready to build a brand that actually works for you? Leave a Review: If you loved today's chat, please leave a review. It helps us to not only keep the banter going but bring even more incredible guests to the mic. Join the Banter: If you are ready to create a cult brand that turns heads and starts conversations, head over to carrylovedesigns.com/podcast to sign up for our email list. You will get fresh marketing insights, bold ideas, and maybe even a little sass delivered straight to your inbox. Thanks for listening and remember, behind every bold brand is a story worth bantering about. Substack → https://theamandashuman.substack.com/ Instagram → https://instagram.com/theamandashuman

    42 min

  2. APR 21

    Buying a Business: The Real Acquisition Playbook (Wildcatter Ranch Case Study)

    What happens when you buy a business… and on the very first day, you are already paying for problems you did not expect? For Dr. Kalli Doubleday, that moment came almost immediately after acquiring Wildcatter Ranch. The deal was done, the keys were handed over, and within hours, ownership stopped feeling theoretical and became very real as things started to fall apart.  In this episode, we get into what it actually looks like to acquire a business from the inside. Kalli breaks down the decision to buy versus build, what banks really look for during the acquisition process, and why partnerships are often more complex than they appear on paper. She shares what most people underestimate before signing a deal, how quickly operational challenges surface after closing, and what it takes to stabilize a business in real time. We also talk about staffing, systems, and the financial realities of stepping into an existing operation that does not come without its own set of problems. This conversation walks through what it really takes to turn an acquisition into a functioning, sustainable business. From navigating immediate challenges and making high-stakes decisions to thinking long-term about growth, culture, and profitability, Kalli shares what year one actually looks like and what every buyer should be prepared for before making the leap. Links Mentioned Wildcatter Ranch & Resort Wildcatter Ranch Instagram Dr. Kalli Doubleday Instagram  Plannable Ready to build a brand that actually works for you? Leave a Review: If you loved today's chat, please leave a review. It helps us to not only keep the banter going but bring even more incredible guests to the mic. Join the Banter: If you are ready to create a cult brand that turns heads and starts conversations, head over to carrylovedesigns.com/podcast to sign up for our email list. You will get fresh marketing insights, bold ideas, and maybe even a little sass delivered straight to your inbox. Thanks for listening and remember, behind every bold brand is a story worth bantering about. Substack → https://theamandashuman.substack.com/ Instagram → https://instagram.com/theamandashuman

    58 min

  3. APR 7

    What Actually Signals 'High-End' to Clients (and What Doesn't) with Cassie LaMere

    Why do some brands feel instantly high-end… while others never quite get there? For Cassie LaMere, founder of Cassie LaMere Events, that difference comes down to details most people overlook. After spending over two decades working inside luxury fashion, hospitality, and high-end event production, she has seen firsthand what actually shapes a client's perception and what quietly signals the opposite. Because in her world, "high-end" is not something you say. It is something people feel the moment they experience you. In this episode, we get into what actually communicates a premium experience and where many brands unintentionally miss the mark. Cassie breaks down how language, environment, and attention to detail shape perception, why being immersed in your client's world matters more than calling yourself luxury, and the subtle shifts that instantly elevate or diminish how your brand is experienced. We also talk about the role of privacy, the importance of anticipating needs, and how pricing, when misaligned, can quietly signal a lack of confidence. This conversation walks through what it really takes to create a brand that feels high-end without needing to say it. From refining how you communicate and present your work to understanding the expectations of a more discerning client, Cassie shares how to build an experience that speaks for itself and earns trust before a single word is said.   Links Mentioned Cassie LaMere Events Cassie LaMere Events Instagram Plannable Ready to build a brand that actually works for you? Leave a Review: If you loved today's chat, please leave a review. It helps us to not only keep the banter going but bring even more incredible guests to the mic. Join the Banter: If you are ready to create a cult brand that turns heads and starts conversations, head over to carrylovedesigns.com/podcast to sign up for our email list. You will get fresh marketing insights, bold ideas, and maybe even a little sass delivered straight to your inbox. Thanks for listening and remember, behind every bold brand is a story worth bantering about. Substack → https://theamandashuman.substack.com/ Instagram → https://instagram.com/theamandashuman

    50 min

  4. MAR 24

    How Authentic Community Leadership Becomes Your Competitive Advantage

    What if the real reason people trust your brand has nothing to do with your marketing? For Tori Clark, founder of Spa Luxe, community involvement wasn't a business strategy. It was personal. It started with a childhood shaped by the people who showed up. Raised by a single dad, she grew up surrounded by a community that stepped in, supported her family, and helped guide her path. Years later, when she found herself inheriting a struggling company headed toward bankruptcy, those early lessons about relationships and community suddenly became the blueprint for how she built her brand. In this episode, we get into how Tori built Spa Luxe around genuine community leadership and why that relational approach has become one of the brand's greatest strengths. She shares the difference between transactional giving and real involvement, how she chooses which causes to support, and why showing up with time and talent often creates a deeper impact than simply writing a check. We also talk about how that trust translates into brand awareness, referrals, and a retention rate far above the spa industry average. This conversation walks through what it really looks like to build a business people want to support. From community relationships and team culture to retention, referrals, and long-term brand trust, Tori shares how authentic leadership can create the kind of business growth that no ad campaign can buy. Links Mentioned Spa Luxe Spa Luxe Instagram: @thespaluxetx Ready to build a brand that actually works for you? Leave a Review: If you loved today's chat, please leave a review. It helps us to not only keep the banter going but bring even more incredible guests to the mic. Join the Banter:  If you are ready to create a cult brand that turns heads and starts conversations, head over to carrylovedesigns.com/podcast to sign up for our email list. You will get fresh marketing insights, bold ideas, and maybe even a little sass delivered straight to your inbox. Thanks for listening and remember, behind every bold brand is a story worth bantering about. Substack → https://theamandashuman.substack.com/ Instagram → https://instagram.com/theamandashuman

    54 min

  5. MAR 10

    What This Salon Learned After Spending $150,000 on Marketing Last Year

    How does a business go from chaotic cash flow to spending six figures on marketing?   For Chelle Neff, owner of Urban Betty Salon, it started with eight years of barely surviving, hoping payroll would clear, and realizing that hustle alone was not a strategy. In this episode, we get into how Chelle transformed Urban Betty from booth rental chaos into a three-location, experience-led brand doing $6.3M in revenue. She breaks down exactly what she spent on marketing last year, what actually paid off, and what she would never do again. We talk about the operational structure that changed everything, the level system that created stability and career paths for her team, and the marketing lessons every service-based business needs to hear, especially if you are investing money without tracking what is actually driving new clients. This conversation walks through the real work behind scaling a service business. From rebuilding culture and systems to treating marketing like a strategic investment instead of a guessing game, Chelle shares what it really takes to grow a brand that people trust, talk about, and keep coming back to. Links Mentioned Urban Betty Salon Urban Betty Instagram: @urbanbetty Ready to build a brand that actually works for you? Leave a Review: If you loved today's chat, please leave a review. It helps us to not only keep the banter going but bring even more incredible guests to the mic. Join the Banter:  If you are ready to create a cult brand that turns heads and starts conversations, head over to carrylovedesigns.com/podcast to sign up for our email list. You will get fresh marketing insights, bold ideas, and maybe even a little sass delivered straight to your inbox. Thanks for listening and remember, behind every bold brand is a story worth bantering about. Substack → https://theamandashuman.substack.com/ Instagram → https://instagram.com/theamandashuman

    45 min

  6. MAR 3

    Season 2: Why We Pressed Pause (And Why We're Back)

    After an abrupt end to Season One, I wasn't sure this podcast would come back. It's been almost a year since our last episode aired, and to be honest, I put off recording this opener for a while because I wasn't sure how I wanted to frame this next season. Season 1 didn't end with a big announcement. It ended because something inside the business shifted, and I had to choose where my energy went. The podcast (as much as I love it) wasn't the thing that could stay at that moment. In this episode, I'm sharing what changed and what ultimately made me come back to it. Season 2 (or Issue Two) is built differently, with a biweekly rhythm and a Substack companion that lets us go deeper and stay in conversation beyond the mic. It feels more aligned. And more intentional. And I'm excited to build it with you! Substack → https://theamandashuman.substack.com/ Instagram → https://instagram.com/theamandashuman

    9 min

  7. 04/25/2025 ·  BONUS

    Marketing Brief #10: How I Booked Two Speaking Gigs Without Pitching, Posting, or Paying

    In this bonus episode, I spill how a single, no-agenda coffee chat landed me two speaking gigs with no funnel, no fancy pitch, just showing up as myself. If you need a reminder that the best opportunities don't come from your inbox, but from being in the right room and making genuine connections, this one's for you. Want more behind-the-scenes, high-impact marketing moves? Join my insider email list at carrylovedesigns.com/podcast.

    6 min

  8. 04/22/2025

    How to Get Seen, Shared, and Sold Without a Marketing Budget

    What do you do when you're launching a product in a saturated category with no budget, no team, and zero brand recognition? You get scrappy—and that's exactly what Michael Franco is doing with Carne Shabu, a new Mexican-style beef jerky brand out of Austin, TX. In this episode, Michael shares how he's building buzz with content-first marketing, behind-the-scenes storytelling, and saying yes to every opportunity (even random bookshelf pickups that turn into influencer collabs). We talk about what's actually worked to drive sales, what hasn't panned out, and why content is his not-so-secret weapon. If you're building a product-based brand and figuring it out as you go, this episode is full of real talk and practical insight—plus a reminder that the best ideas often start in your own kitchen.   Links mentioned: Try the jerky: carneshabu.com TikTok that caught Amanda's eye: Watch here Follow Carne Shabu on Instagram: @carneshabu

    32 min
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Trailer

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About

Where bold ideas meet brilliant execution—Brand & Banter is the podcast that dives deep into the genius behind today's biggest branding wins. Hosted by branding and marketing expert Amanda Shuman, Brand & Banter goes beyond the polished pitch decks and news headlines to uncover the heart of the creative process. Think of it as your chance to eavesdrop on the conversations happening behind the branding curtain.

Information

  • Creator
    Amanda Shuman
  • Years Active
    2022 - 2026
  • Episodes
    77
  • Rating
    Explicit
  • Copyright
    © 2022
  • Show Website
    Brand & Banter

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