Brand Story Podcast
The Brand Story podcast features in-depth conversations with marketers, leaders, and brand storytellers about their professional journeys and the impact they’re making on the world around them.
Community in Advertising featuring Gina Grillo
President and CEO of The ADVERTISING Club of New York
Community in Advertising
Gina Grillo, President and CEO of The ADVERTISING Club of New York, joins us on episode 88 of Brand Story to talk about building community in advertising, staying relevant through change, and why it’s time to rethink who gets a seat at the table. From championing diversity to shaking up the ANDY Awards, Gina shares what it takes to lead with intention—and why bravery still matters in creative work.
Fearless Design featuring Aya Baeshean
Partner, VP, & Global Head of Design at Known
Fearless Design
What does it look like to lead with both intuition and intention? As Partner and Global Head of Design at Known, Aya Baeshean brings a fresh, fearless perspective to the world of branding. In episode 87 of Brand Story, Aya shares how her early experiences as a multicultural, multilingual child shaped her creative voice and ultimately her approach to leadership. She opens up about the power of immersive travel and volunteer work, the importance of emotional safety in creative teams, and how breaking down traditional structures can lead to better, faster, more human work.
Designing Iconic Products featuring Robert Brunner
Founder/Partner at Ammunition
Designing Iconic Products
Industrial design impacts our daily lives more than we realize. But what separates good design from great design? In episode 86 of Brand Story, we hear from Robert Brunner, Founder/Partner at Ammunition, about the philosophy behind creating industry-defining products. From game-changing innovations like Beats by Dre and Square to the balance of risk, creativity, and business strategy, we dive into the impact design has on shaping culture and brand perception.
Say it Well featuring Terry Szuplat
Former President Obama speechwriter and founder of Global Voices Communications
Say it Well
In episode 85 of Brand Story, host Steve Gillman welcomes back Terry Szuplat, former speechwriter for President Obama and author of the award-winning book “Say It Well: Find Your Voice, Speak Your Mind, and Inspire Any Audience.” Terry shares insights on the power of storytelling in leadership and communication, emphasizing how compelling narratives can drive connection and inspire action. He discusses the core beliefs that motivate individuals to engage with organizations and the importance of effective communication.
Season 4 Favorite Moments featuring Steve Gilman
Season 4 Favorite Moments
From content marketing and branding to creative strategy and AI, this season of Brand Story featured insights from professionals at the forefront of their industries. In this episode, we revisit some of our favorite moments, showcasing advice on innovation, leadership, creativity, and staying ahead in an ever-evolving landscape.
Whether you’re a new listener or a longtime fan, this episode is packed with actionable tips and inspiring stories to help you elevate your work and sharpen your skills—no matter your field.
Featuring guests Dana Herra, Maya Guice, Ross Martin, Alison McCauley, and Tara Lawell with host, Steve Gilman.
Customer-Centric Innovation featuring Alicia Knight
Senior Product Business Consultant at Southwest Airlines
Customer-Centric Innovation
The best brands don’t become successful by standing still — they change and evolve alongside their customers. As a Senior Product Business Consultant at Southwest Airlines, Alicia has seen her fair share of change — in fact, she’s leading it. In episode 83 of Brand Story, Alicia shares insights from the airline industry and the changes she’s seen over the years. We also discuss the importance of understanding what you’re trying to accomplish as a brand and the opportunities we all have to make the customer experience better.
The Creative Leader featuring Tara Lawall
Chief Creative Officer at Rethink
The Creative Leader
Being a successful creative leader takes three things — strong communication, a willingness to collaborate, and the ability to challenge yourself. In episode 82 of Brand Story, Chief Creative Officer at Rethink, Tara Lawall, talks about the transition from being a senior creative to a creative director and how having a supportive culture plays a role in the successful creative campaigns at Rethink. You’ll hear about the “crafts” that help lead new ideas, how to embrace different forms of creativity, and why being a teacher can be a huge benefit for new leaders.
Making Marketing Better featuring Ross Martin
President and Co-Founder of Known
Making Marketing Better
Are you building brand love or animosity? Whether it’s targeting the wrong people, publishing bad creative, or even oversaturating the market, there are many different ways marketing efforts can harm rather than help your brand. In episode 81 of Brand Story, Ross Martin, President and Co-Founder of Known, shares the different ways companies are wasting money and opportunity on misguided marketing practices, and how we can avoid it.
Redefining the News featuring Tim Huelskamp
Co-Founder & CEO of 1440
Redefining the News
Human first, transparency, accountability, and relentless curiosity. These are the standards that define 1440 — the daily newsletter that keeps millions of Americans informed about the latest headlines, without motives. In episode 80 of Brand Story, Co-Founder & CEO of 1440, Tim Huelskamp, shares the story of how 1440 came to be, the impact taking care of your team has on your customers, and how his company is helping redefine the news landscape.
Creative Optimism featuring Lauren Smith
Executive Creative Director at 72andSunny
Creative Optimism
When you hear the phrase “72 and sunny” you’re probably picturing blue skies, sunshine, and comfortable temperatures. That’s the feeling the ad agency, 72andSunny, grabs hold of every day. In episode 79 of Brand Story, Lauren shares stories from her time as Executive Creative Director of 72andSunny, including how her team tackled the United Airlines rebrand of 2020. She unpacks the work behind building a multichannel campaign, and how important it is to look ahead to build brands for the long term.
Connect with Taylor!
Collaborate With Someone Who Cares About Your Future
You have goals. You have metrics. You have dreams for your brand and marketing. We’re going to make them happen. Let’s work together.
Find Full Episodes
Read the news about Brand Story’s fourth season.