

Sweat Equity
Marketing Examined
Welcome to the best creative brainstorming session you've ever had. Hosts Alex Garcia & Brian Blum discuss the biggest marketing moves of the week and show you how you can implement these in your own business. Influencer marketing, growth marketing, content marketing - it's all here. Creativity. Breakdowns. Playbooks. Without the fluff.
Episodes
Mentioned books

Oct 7, 2025 • 44min
The Untold Secrets Behind a $200M Beauty Empire
Brian sits down with Brent Ridge and Josh Kilmer-Purcell, founders of Beekman 1802, for a live-recorded conversation in NYC. They share behind-the-scenes retail stories, tactics for building loyal communities, and insights from their new book, GOAT Wisdom.As always, appreciate you all listening, and don't forget to leave us a review and submit your questions for Alex and Brian at the email address below. See you next week.--------------------WANT FREE GAME? Or just have a question for Brian & Alex?Submit your questions here: www.marketingexamined.com/podcastOR email us at podcast@marketingexamined.com--------------------WATCH THE PODCAST ON YOUTUBE:For full video versions, and short highlights of every episode, head tohttps://www.youtube.com/@marketingexamined?sub_confirmation=1NEWSLETTER:For growth playbooks, deep dives, and marketing case studies, get subscribed atwww.marketingexamined.com--------------------Follow Alex & Brian on Twitter and IGwww.twitter.com/@alexgarcia_atxwww.twitter.com/@brian_blum1

33 snips
Sep 30, 2025 • 34min
Content Strategists Create Viral Content Ideas For 3 Brands Live (No Planning)
Hosts dive into live brand audits, crafting unique content strategies on the spot. They suggest wild makeovers for a golf fashion brand and propose dramatic transformation reveals to drive engagement. Ideas abound for creating a history channel on golf fashion and a humorous narration format to poke fun at bad styles. A designer sporting-goods brand is assessed for its outlandish products, while strategies for building community through exclusivity and pop-up events take center stage. The team explores techniques to make drinking anecdotes shareable and relatable.

23 snips
Sep 23, 2025 • 23min
Unlock Your Brand's VIRAL Storytelling Potential (The 2025 Playbook)
Brian and Alex dive into the art of top-of-funnel storytelling, spotlighting Heritage Ring as a prime example. They explore the deep emotional desires behind products and how broadening story appeal taps into various cultural interests. Learn about the importance of packaging content with relatable hooks and the strategy of trojan-horse content that captivates first, then sells. They also discuss aligning storytelling with a brand’s life cycle, and how different types of CTAs can influence audience engagement. It’s a treasure trove of marketing wisdom!

34 snips
Sep 16, 2025 • 48min
How I Would Build A Creator Marketing Strategy In 2026
Yash Chavan, founder and CEO of Saral, shares his insights on the future of influencer marketing. He discusses the shift from product seeding to structured partnerships and highlights the importance of meaningful collaborations for deeper engagement. Cost-effective strategies for small brands are explored, focusing on relationship building and nurturing top performers. Yash also delves into innovative monetization strategies for creators, including performance-based models and gamified engagement. The conversation underscores the vital role of storytelling and automation in enhancing brand visibility.

32 snips
Sep 9, 2025 • 54min
How Brands Can Master Content in 2026
Discover how brands can thrive in 2026 by acting like TV channels, crafting viral series that captivate audiences. Learn the importance of social media in driving retail traffic and the unexpected effects of viral content. The shift to community-driven marketing and episodic storytelling is emphasized, highlighting the need for authentic connections. Explore the power of challenge content and influencer strategies to enhance brand visibility, while understanding consumer behavior to create urgency and boost sales.

11 snips
Sep 2, 2025 • 20min
Why Nobody Trusts Your Brand (And How To Fix)
Explore how brands can establish trust in a saturated market. Learn about building in public, harnessing social proof, and showcasing expertise through relatable examples. Discover how transparency and authenticity foster audience loyalty. Dive into the power of storytelling and visual engagement in enhancing credibility. Finally, grasp the importance of organic content strategies in gaining trust while navigating the challenges posed by AI-generated media.

21 snips
Aug 26, 2025 • 27min
10 Content Styles To Blow Up Your Brand in 2025 (steal these)
Dive into dynamic strategies that transform standard marketing into viral sensations. Discover how a car brand successfully turned its vehicle into a playful family adventure zone. Explore innovative content that combines curiosity, humor, and relatability to keep audiences engaged. Unpack the unique storytelling methods from campaigns like the Ritz Paris that captivate viewers' attention. Plus, get insights on blending different content formats to elevate brand visibility in unexpected ways!

34 snips
Aug 19, 2025 • 20min
7 Binge-Worthy Brand Strategies You’ll Want to Copy
Explore the art of captivating storytelling for brands, turning mundane moments into engaging narratives. Discover how a revitalized bowling alley and a unique coffee brand illustrate the power of visual storytelling. Learn about leveraging influencer marketing and gamification to boost brand visibility. Dive into innovative content creation strategies that emphasize personal journeys and interactive experiences, showcasing how creativity can revolutionize brand presentation in today's digital landscape.

55 snips
Aug 12, 2025 • 24min
The $500M Micro-Influencer Strategy That Nobody is Talking About
Dive into the world of micro-influencers and discover budget-friendly strategies for impactful content creation. Learn how successful brands leverage content series to boost follower growth and engage audiences. Explore the strategic use of micro-influencers for scalable brand content and the importance of clarity in brand collaborations. Plus, get insights on navigating TikTok's algorithm to transform influencer marketing into a powerful storytelling tool, fostering authentic creator partnerships for long-term brand success.

6 snips
Aug 5, 2025 • 43min
The Secret Formula for Viral Content (Reviewing 10 pieces of 10/10 content)
Discover the secret formula for viral content as the hosts break down ten standout pieces across various industries. From analyzing a dating advice series to the integration of influencers, they highlight fresh strategies for engagement. Learn how unconventional inspirations can fuel creativity and how brands can craft captivating stories through visual innovation. Explore unique approaches that blend luxury with relatable, humorous content, showcasing how striking visuals can elevate audience connection.