

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

Dec 30, 2025 • 24min
How To Charge An ABSURD Amount For Your Product
In today's episode, Brian & Alex dive into the luxury pricing strategy of Jacques Marie Mage. Topics covered include what stories to tell about your products, which tactics to use to influence buying psychology and why most high priced items practice the art of delayed gratification. You'll want to bust out the notepad for this one. Enjoy!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

Dec 23, 2025 • 52min
This Company is Taking Down Hollywood With Creators
In this episode, I interview Simon Kim, one of the founders of Creator Camp who's building a studio that's empowering creators to take over the big screen. And they're funding the movies themselves. Like Baron Ryan's Two Sleepy People film that was written, shot, produced, and in-theatres in less than 100 days. This is Camp Studios and how they're taking down hollywood.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

5 snips
Dec 16, 2025 • 35min
The 7 Shifts Top Brands Are Quietly Betting On for 2026
Explore the future of branding with insights on seven macro trends. Discover why nano influencers are outperforming big names in ROI. Learn how to effectively scale creator networks and improve ad performance through Meta partnerships. Dive into the untapped potential of YouTube ads and the success of high-value products on TikTok Shop. Experience the shift towards brand marketing and the power of live shopping events in creating memorable connections.

17 snips
Dec 10, 2025 • 1h 12min
Brand Predictions To Build A Cult Following In 2026
Tatum Brandt, a brand strategist and founder of a creative studio specializing in fitness and wellness, returns to share eye-opening predictions for 2026. She emphasizes the need for brands to create more touchpoints and higher production values to thrive in a competitive landscape. The duo discusses innovative strategies like niche-focused accounts, hiring creators for authenticity, and embracing AI thoughtfully. Tatum also predicts a grunge revival in brand visuals, showcasing the shift away from polished aesthetics toward authenticity and rawness.

68 snips
Dec 2, 2025 • 37min
The 22 Immutable Laws Of Content (Don't Break These)
Discover the essential laws of content creation that brands must adhere to for success in 2026. The hosts dive into the art of crafting effective hooks and the significance of familiarity in keeping audiences engaged. Learn the nuances of differentiation, brand perception, and the importance of diverse content funnels. They advocate for testing new ideas, even flops, while stressing the value of visuals and world-building. Plus, insights on leveraging social content as a data source for fresh ideas make this discussion a goldmine for creators.

17 snips
Nov 25, 2025 • 25min
The Viral Marketing Cheat Code: 7 Steps To Guarantee A Winning Campaign
Dive into the art and science of virality with a seven-step framework designed for success! Discover how major brands craft viral moments through relatable narratives and creator engagement. Learn about the power of teasing, gamifying, and using scarcity to drive excitement. Explore real-life examples, such as a successful churro campaign, to understand the mechanics behind building buzz. This episode reveals actionable insights for any brand looking to create memorable and engaging marketing.

9 snips
Nov 18, 2025 • 23min
Decoding The 4 Reasons Brand FAIL (and how to avoid)
Discover the four critical reasons brands fail and learn how to avoid them. Brian reveals Prime's trust issues and discusses how transparency can rebuild credibility. Misjudging the market is explored with Lululemon's messaging shifts. The pitfalls of inconsistent positioning are highlighted with Feastables. Understand the importance of continuous product innovation using Allbirds as a cautionary tale. Plus, find out how top brands like On and Skims innovate and engage with their audiences effectively.

18 snips
Nov 11, 2025 • 27min
The Art Direction Playbook for Brands (From A to Z)
Explore the transformative power of art direction in brand storytelling. Dive into the differences between world building and visual aesthetics. Discover three approaches to art direction on social media and learn how consistency can amplify brand identity. Hear how cinematic techniques are influencing branding and the dynamics of creator collaborations. Uncover the significance of color, lighting, and shapes in setting a tone, and why nostalgic inspirations forge strong emotional connections. Embrace a strategic and meaningful approach to art direction for 2026 and beyond!

39 snips
Nov 4, 2025 • 49min
If You're Starting On LinkedIn In 2026, Do This
Tommy Clark, Founder of Compound, is a LinkedIn ghostwriting expert who helps B2B brands thrive online. He explains why LinkedIn is a goldmine for lead generation and shares tips on defining your core brand focus. Tommy emphasizes the power of personal stories to stand out and outlines a winning content strategy, recommending 5-7 posts weekly. With insights on targeted connections and using thought leader ads to boost organic posts, Tommy encourages listeners to commit to consistent execution for tangible results by 2026.

33 snips
Oct 28, 2025 • 37min
Creating Viral Content Ideas For Our Subscribers Brands (No prep)
Dive into thrilling live brand audits with unique content strategies! Discover how to maximize location-based content with a tier system and create engaging ASMR nature reels. Learn to avoid generic collabs by using curiosity-driven hooks and explore docu-style profiles for captivating storytelling. Brian introduces innovative formats like relatable horror stories and educational carousels to demystify hair-removal technology. Embrace bold visual styles and gamified challenges to enhance shareability and audience connection!


