He Said, She Said: Razor Branding™ Podcast

In this episode of the He Said, She Said: Razor Branding Podcast, Jaci and Michael Russo talk with Robert J. Pelletier, CEO of Pacific Hardwood, about how he turned a traditional manufacturing business into a $20M industry leader through storytelling, relationship-building, and relentless content creation. From using Instagram to drive $8M in sales to embracing AI for content planning, he offers a blueprint for how even the most “unsexy” businesses can build powerful, profitable brands—without selling out or sounding like robots. Whether you’re building custom floors or scaling your startup, this conversation will shift how you think about brand-building, personal voice, and the future of marketing.

In this episode of the He Said, She Said: Razor Branding Podcast, Jaci and Michael Russo sit down with Cairo Marsh, Founder and Executive Partner of relativ*, a marketing consultancy known for crafting brand experiences rooted in empathy and human connection. Cairo brings a global perspective—shaped by his upbringing in the Bronx and his time living and working in Tokyo—to the conversation. He shares how cultural experiences and customer service roots shaped his approach to marketing, branding, and what he calls “Relationshipnomics”: the business value of building meaningful relationships between brands and people. If you’re looking for ways to create deeper impact through branding and strategy, this episode delivers a fresh perspective that’s both practical and powerful. Cairo Kenan Marsh is the founder of relativ*, a marketing consultancy focused on relationship-driven brand strategies. With a career spanning the U.S. and Asia, Cairo blends cultural insight, customer service philosophy, and strategic marketing expertise to help brands foster authentic, lasting connections. He’s passionate about helping companies deliver value through empathy, innovation, and purpose.

In this episode of the He Said, She Said: Razor Branding Podcast, Jaci and Michael Russo welcome Stewart Cohen, an award-winning photographer, filmmaker, and creative entrepreneur. Stewart shares his insights on the evolution of content creation, the power of authentic storytelling, and how brands can stand out in a fast-moving digital world. Whether you're a marketer, creative, or business leader, this episode is packed with valuable lessons on leveraging high-quality visuals to elevate your brand. As the owner of Stewart Cohen Pictures, he has built a career capturing compelling visual stories for Fortune 500 brands, advertising agencies, and editorial clients. He also leads SuperStock, a visual licensing company managing over 22 million assets, blending the art of production with the science of distribution.

In this episode of the He Said, She Said: Razor Branding Podcast, Jaci and Michael are joined by Dave Behar, entrepreneur, Chief Executive Athlete, and two-time Amazon bestselling author. Dave shares insights on leadership, branding, and the power of collaboration. From his work with NIL programs to his approach to building brands through strategic partnerships, Dave offers a fresh perspective on what it takes to create a culture of winning—both in business and in life. Key Takeaways The Chief Executive Athlete Mindset: Dave’s approach blends athletic discipline with leadership to drive success in business. He emphasizes the importance of staying ready and adaptable, much like an athlete on the field. Collaboration is Key: Success often comes from helping others succeed first. Dave discusses the value of collaboration and investing in relationships. The Power of NIL Programs: Dave shares his thoughts on the evolution of Name, Image, and Likeness (NIL) programs and the need for clearer guidelines to ensure fairness and long-term sustainability. Branding Starts with Purpose: Dave’s branding philosophy focuses on aligning a brand’s personality, purpose, and messaging to create authentic connections. Winning Through Peak Performance: As a two-time bestselling author, Dave talks about his Peak Performance book series and how developing a winning mindset is key to both personal and professional growth.

In this episode of the He Said, She Said: Razor Branding Podcast, Jaci and Michael Russo sit down with Matt Mathison, entrepreneur, investor, and founder of MBL Partners. Matt shares insights from his new book, Leadership Orbit, a guide to redefining leadership and creating momentum through consistent micro habits. From building strong company cultures to mastering time management, Matt breaks down the key elements of successful leadership that go beyond titles and authority. Whether you’re a business owner, team leader, or someone looking to develop your personal brand, this episode is filled with practical takeaways and thought-provoking strategies. Matt Mathison is a seasoned entrepreneur, investor, and operator with nearly 25 years of experience spanning sectors like financial services, technology, real estate, and energy. As the co-founder of MBL Partners, Matt focuses on problem-solving and empowering leaders to thrive through innovative solutions. His dynamic career has included leadership roles at Fifth Partners, where he helped build, fix, and scale businesses globally. A former collegiate athlete, Matt brings grit and determination from his athletic background into the business world. He holds a finance degree from Brigham Young University.

In this episode of the He Said, She Said: Razor Branding Podcast, Jaci and Michael Russo are joined by William Vanderbloemen, CEO of Vanderbloemen and author of Be the Unicorn. William shares his incredible journey from pastoral ministry to building a successful executive search firm for faith-based organizations. With humor and wisdom, he dives into how focusing on human-to-human (H2H) skills, creating niche marketing strategies, and embracing change have been the cornerstones of his success. Packed with actionable insights, this episode is a must-listen for leaders, marketers, and anyone striving to make an impact.

In this episode of the He Said, She Said: Razor Branding Podcast, Jaci and Michael Russo sit down with Dr. Mechelle Roberthon, a dynamic leader in professional development and workplace culture. Dr. Roberthon shares her inspiring career journey, from discovering her passion for teaching adults to becoming a sought-after consultant in employee engagement and organizational growth. Together, they explore the critical connection between workplace culture and branding, highlighting how every employee interaction shapes your brand. This conversation is filled with practical advice for leaders looking to create a thriving workplace that attracts and retains top talent.

In this episode of the He Said, She Said: Razor Branding Podcast, Jaci and Michael Russo are joined by Elissa O’Dell and Mia Pokriefka, the innovative minds behind Huxly, a creative tech agency redefining how brands engage with their audiences. Elissa and Mia share their journey into the world of AI-powered chat experiences and how they’ve moved beyond traditional chatbots to create personalized, story-driven interactions that resonate. Listeners will discover: How Huxley uses interactive storytelling to forge meaningful connections Why Instagram DMs are the next frontier for building customer relationships. The ethical considerations and mental health impacts of chat-driven interactions. How brands can embrace emerging technology to build trust  If you’re curious about the future of marketing and how technology can create authentic, human-like conversations, this episode is a must-listen!

In this episode of the He Said, She Said: Razor Branding Podcast, Jaci and Michael Russo welcome Sarah Segal, founder of Segal Communications, for an engaging conversation about her transition from broadcast journalism to PR and what it takes to succeed in today’s evolving communications landscape. Sarah shares insights from her career, including the art of storytelling, the challenges of earned media, and how PR intersects with marketing in a rapidly changing world. Listeners will learn: The growing overlap between PR and marketing—and why it matters Tips for businesses to get the most out of PR and influencer marketing Why adaptability and authenticity are the keys to lasting success Whether you’re a business leader looking to amplify your message or simply curious about the behind-the-scenes of modern communications, this episode is packed with practical advice and inspiring stories.

In this episode of the He Said, She Said: Razor Branding Podcast, Jaci and Michael Russo sit down with direct mail expert Wilson Zehr, CEO of Zairmail, to explore why traditional marketing tactics like direct mail are resurging in today’s digital-first world. Wilson shares his expertise, explaining how direct mail cuts through the digital noise and remains a highly effective tool for building memorable, personal connections with customers. Listeners will gain insight into: How direct mail stands out in a crowded digital landscape Tactics for crafting memorable mail that avoids the trash pile The science of targeting the right audience with high precision Combining direct mail with digital touchpoints for a powerful, multi-channel approach Whether you’re curious about reviving old-school marketing methods or finding new ways to connect with your audience, this episode contains strategies to make traditional methods work for modern business. Wilson Zehr is an accomplished entrepreneur, academic, and thought leader in the fields of marketing, innovation, and business strategy. With over 25 years of experience in the technology and telecommunications industries, he has founded or participated in 6 large-scale technology startups, raising over$60 million in venture capital funding in his career.