“You don’t need to be an expert to be valuable—you just need a perspective.”

In this episode, I sit down with personal brand strategist, educator, and prolific content creator Brian Mikula to unpack the real reason so many professionals hold themselves back from showing up online. If fear of judgment, burnout, or “not being expert enough” has kept you from building your brand—this episode is for you.

Whether you're climbing the corporate ladder or launching your own thing, this episode challenges everything you’ve been taught about personal branding—and offers a real, practical roadmap to start building equity in your name (without losing your sanity in the process).

“You can't teach give-a-shit.”

That quote sums up the conversation I had with seasoned marketing executive Anne Marie Benard.

Anne Marie shares her journey across industries. From Target and energy sponsorships to media, healthcare, and now higher education at the University of Utah.

But this isn’t just a résumé rundown, it’s an honest, insightful and often hilarious deep dive into how to make bold career moves, lead with EQ, and navigate professional pivots without losing your identity in the process.

Whether you're a rising professional trying to stand out in a crowded market or a seasoned leader in your own season of reinvention, Anne Marie brings equal parts strategy and soul.

About Anne:

Anne Marie Benard is an accomplished marketing and communications leader with a proven ability to build high-performing teams and drive significant results in large, complex organizations. Her career spans diverse sectors, including retail, energy, media, healthcare, and higher education, where she has consistently exceeded expectations in developing and implementing innovative marketing strategies.

Starting with a foundation in retail analytics and brand strategy at Target Corporation, Anne Marie has progressed to lead teams, manage multi-million-dollar budgets, and consistently achieve ambitious financial and campaign goals.

Her expertise in strategic planning, brand management, sponsorship negotiations, digital and traditional media, public relations, team building, and stakeholder management makes her a highly effective leader in dynamic, fast-paced environments.

Connect with Veronica:

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/vromney/

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/vromney/

If you found value in today's episode, I would appreciate it if you could leave a rating and review.

Think you need a big, dramatic life moment to tell a powerful story?

In this episode, I sit down with bestselling author, master storyteller, and 61-time Moth StorySLAM winner Matthew Dicks to explore the magic of everyday storytelling—and how the smallest moments often carry the biggest impact.

From his life-changing “Homework for Life” practice to the science of what makes a story stick, Matthew walks us through the exact tools and mindset shifts that can turn anyone into a better storyteller—on stage, on camera, or around the dinner table.

Whether you’re a speaker, entrepreneur, or someone who just wants to communicate more powerfully, this episode will transform the way you see your own story—and help you share it in a way that truly connects.

About Matthew:

Matthew Dicks is the internationally bestselling author of six novels and three nonfiction titles:

Storyworthy: Engage, Teach, Persuade, and Change Your Life Through the Art

of Storytelling

Someday Is Today: 22 Simple, Actionable Strategies to Propel Your Creative Life

Stories Sell: Storyworthy Strategies to Grow Your Business and Brand

His novels have been translated into more than 25 languages worldwide.

Matthew is a record 62-time Moth StorySLAM champion and 9-time GrandSLAM champion whose stories have been featured on their nationally syndicated Moth Radio Hour.

His solo show “You’re a Monster, Matthew Dicks” debuted at Theater Works in Hartford, CT in 2023.

He has also performed in the New York City Comedy Festival in 2022 and 2023. Teacher of the Year and a Connecticut Teacher of the Year finalist.

Matthew’s client roster includes Google, Salesforce, Amazon, Microsoft, Smucker’s, the FBI, The Eric and Wendy Schmitt Foundation, Yale University, MIT, and many more. He also works with Olympic athletes, world-class mountaineers, standup comedians, magicians, attorneys, breast cancer survivors, the children of Holocaust survivors, world champion memorizers, the clergy, and more.

Matthew is also the CEO of Storyworthy — a company that creates and distributes online education on storytelling, marketing, sales, and branding. He is also the founder and artistic director of Speak Up, a Hartford-based storytelling organization that produces storytelling shows throughout New England.

Connect with Veronica

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/vromney/

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/vromney/

If you're serious about advancing your career in marketing and you're looking for some personal insights into how then I invite you to schedule a free Pathway to Promotion call with me: https://pathwaycall.com/

If you found value in today's episode, I would appreciate it if you could leave a rating and review.

You’ve hired a sales team, but they’re not performing the way you hoped. You’re still the one carrying the weight of bringing in revenue, and the dream of “someone taking sales off your plate” feels further away than ever.

Sound familiar?

In this episode, Michael and Veronica break down exactly why your sales team might be struggling and spoiler alert: it’s not about their talent. It’s about your leadership.

If you’ve been caught in the trap of micromanaging, unclear expectations, or trying to delegate sales without direction, this conversation will shift everything. They walk you through the mindset and systems needed to create real sales leadership inside your company, so your team can finally sell without you.

About Michael:

A New York Times and Wall Street Journal bestselling author, Michael Port has written nine books -- including the mega-hit Book Yourself Solid and The Referrable Speaker, co-authored with our mutual friend, the visionary Andrew Davis.

Michael has delivered keynote speeches on some of the world’s most prominent stages and built and sold multiple successful companies along the way.

‍From 2014 to 2024, Michael served as CEO of Heroic Public Speaking. Under his leadership, the company achieved double-digit growth in 9 out of 10 years and became renowned for its unwavering integrity, unmatched Faculty, and transformational training programs.

Today, Michael focuses on teaching, mentoring the Faculty at HEROIC, and continuously enhancing the efficacy of HEROIC’s programming…

Connect with Veronica

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/vromney/

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/vromney/

If you're serious about advancing your career in marketing and you're looking for some personal insights into how then I invite you to schedule a free Pathway to Promotion call with me: https://pathwaycall.com/

If you found value in today's episode, I would appreciate it if you could leave a rating and review.

What does it take to go from the NFL to the boardroom—and bring your whole identity with you?

In this live-recorded episode of The Rainmaker Podcast, I sit down with six-time Pro Bowler, TV personality, and entrepreneur Brandon Marshall for an unfiltered conversation about building a brand, breaking mental health stigma, and bridging the gap between content and commerce.

Brandon opens up about the emotional complexity of navigating his relationship with the NFL after retirement, his personal journey with mental health, and the pivotal moment that transformed how he shows up in business and life. From hustling into locker rooms to creating I AM ATHLETE, he shares how he went from being under siege in his own brand to becoming a powerful media entity and mental health advocate.

We talk about the power of purpose, how to structure brand deals with integrity, and why understanding your audience is everything.

If you’re ready for a bold, vulnerable, and wildly inspiring take on entrepreneurship and identity-driven marketing, this one’s for you.

About Brandon

Brandon Marshall is the creator of the wildly successful unscripted podcast I AM ATHLETE and the newly launched daily show Paper Route.

Within just a few seasons, the platform has grown to over 1 million YouTube subscribers—fueled by raw, real conversations around sports, culture, and identity. Co-hosted by Marshall and fellow former NFL stars, I AM ATHLETE is known for pushing boundaries and challenging the traditional definition of celebrity.

A six-time Pro Bowl wide receiver, Brandon spent 12 years in the NFL, where he shattered records and earned a reputation as one of the top wideouts in the game. But his impact didn’t stop on the field. Brandon has become a powerful voice in the mental health space, using his personal journey to break stigma and drive change.

Today, he’s the founder and CEO of House of Athlete and HOA+, a lifestyle wellness brand built to help athletes of all levels train like pros—mentally and physically. Through his work, Brandon continues to redefine what it means to be an athlete, entrepreneur, and advocate.

A two-time Emmy nominee for his role on Inside the NFL, Brandon has also been a recurring guest on The Drew Barrymore Show and is widely considered a pioneer in mental health awareness.

Connect with Brandon

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/bmarshall/?hl=en

X: https://x.com/bmarshall?lang=hi

YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@IAMATHLETE

Connect with Veronica

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/vromney/

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/vromney/

If you're serious about advancing your career in marketing and you're looking for some personal insights into how then I invite you to schedule a free Pathway to Promotion call with me: https://pathwaycall.com/

If you found value in today's episode, I would appreciate it if you could leave a rating and review.

Ever wonder how some brands create die-hard fans who wouldn’t dream of buying from anyone else? In this episode, I sit down with Bill Neff, a marketing powerhouse known for his work with YETI and beyond, to break down the secrets behind brand loyalty, community-driven marketing, and authentic storytelling.

Bill shares his journey from professional kayaking to becoming a key player in the outdoor industry, showing how passion and authenticity can fuel marketing success. We discuss what most brands get wrong about building a following, the power of grassroots engagement, and why storytelling—not selling—is the ultimate key to long-term success.

Connect with Veronica

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/vromney/

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/vromney/

If you're serious about advancing your career in marketing and you're looking for some personal insights into how then I invite you to schedule a free Pathway to Promotion call with me: https://pathwaycall.com/

If you found value in today's episode, I would appreciate it if you could leave a rating and review.

What if social media wasn’t really social—but instead, a space for self-discovery?

This week, Xanthe Wells, VP of Global Creative at Pinterest, joins me to unpack how Pinterest is redefining the way people interact with content, brands, and their own identities. Unlike other platforms, Pinterest isn’t about followers or fleeting trends—it’s about inspiration, aspiration, and personal growth.

Xanthe shares how Gen Z is using Pinterest differently, why identity-based marketing is the future, and how brands can tap into this shift to create more meaningful connections. We also discuss the evolution of social media, the changing landscape of digital marketing, and what brands need to do to stay relevant in 2025 and beyond.

If you’re looking to understand where digital marketing is headed and how to align your strategy with the changing behaviors of today’s consumers, this episode is packed with insights you won’t want to miss.

About Xanthe:

Xanthe is currently VP of Global Creative for Pinterest and runs the House of Creative under CMO Andréa Mallard.

Since arriving at Pinterest in November of 2022, Xanthe has been driving the brand's creative transformation and has been responsible for a major step change in creative output. Her team’s work has resulted in unprecedented ROI for each of the major initiatives she has led, most notably the launch of the global creative platform “It’s Possible,” the 2024 Pinterest Predicts campaign and report, the record-breaking Cannes Manifestival, Pinterest Presents and the best performing brand campaign in the company's history.

Her team’s creative output has beat all previous benchmarks and driven increased monthly active users on the platform, surpassing over half a billion MAU in 2024.

Connect with Xanthe:

https://www.linkedin.com/in/xanthewells/

Connect with Veronica

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/vromney/

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/vromney/

If you're serious about advancing your career in marketing and you're looking for some personal insights into how then I invite you to schedule a free Pathway to Promotion call with me: https://pathwaycall.com/

If you found value in today's episode, I would appreciate it if you could leave a rating and review.

How does a 175-year-old brand stay relevant in a constantly evolving market?

Tracey Panek, Levi’s brand historian, joins me to share how Levi’s balances heritage with innovation to remain a cultural icon. From historical accuracy in marketing to the brand’s deep connection with customers, Tracey offers a fascinating look into how storytelling shapes Levi’s identity.

We dive into what exactly the role of a brand historian plays in modern marketing, how Levi’s taps into its rich archives to inspire future campaigns, and why authenticity is the key to long-term brand success. Tracey also shares incredible stories from Levi’s history—including how a pair of jeans helped tow a broken-down car and why some fans insist on being buried in their Levi’s.

If you’re passionate about branding, storytelling, and marketing that stands the test of time, this episode is packed with insights you won’t want to miss.

About Tracey

Tracey Panek is the Historian for Levi Strauss & Co. and Director of Archives at the company’s world headquarters in San Francisco. She manages the day-to-day workings of the Levi Strauss & Co. Archives as a key corporate asset, answering historical questions, assisting designers, brand managers, executives and other employees whose work requires historical materials in the Archives. She regularly hunts for unique vintage Levi’s® garments and unusual Levi’s® items to add to the Archives.

Tracey is a contributor to Unzipped, the company’s blog, writing about company history, vintage Levi’s® garments, and behind-the-scenes work in the Archives. She narrates the video series From the Levi’s® Archives on YouTube and From the Levi’s® Archives on TikTok. Tracey is the media spokesperson for Levi Strauss & Co. heritage.

Connect with Tracey:

https://x.com/TraceyPanek

Connect with Veronica

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/vromney/

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/vromney/

If you're serious about advancing your career in marketing and you're looking for some personal insights into how then I invite you to schedule a free Pathway to Promotion call with me: https://pathwaycall.com/

If you found value in today's episode, I would appreciate it if you could leave a rating and review.