Expertise
Build a podcast that builds your brand
The best brand podcasts don’t start with a mic. They start with a message worth hearing. Here’s what we’ve learned—and what every brand leader should consider before pressing the record button.
Create a space for real conversations
Podcasting can be a powerful tool for brands to build credibility, spark meaningful connections and create content that sticks. From Trader Joe’s (Inside Trader Joe’s) to Shopify (Shopify Masters) to Dior (Dior Talks), brands across all industries are using podcasts to go beyond promotion and offer something valuable to their audiences.
When we launched Brand Slam: The Winning Brands Podcast, our goal was to focus on stories worth hearing, told by people with something real to say. We wanted to create a space where CMOs, creatives and cultural movers could talk honestly about branding—what works, what doesn't and what they’ve learned along the way. It was about connection. We built something that’s helped us generate new business, strengthen relationships and earn national recognition.
Find the gaps, then tell the stories
Before you launch a podcast, ask yourself what conversations aren’t happening but should be? Too often, brands rush to create content without asking why it matters. A good podcast fills a gap. Maybe your customers don’t understand the thinking behind your product. Maybe your team is sitting on insights that really should be shared.
That’s where the opportunity lives.
Start by identifying the stories only your brand can tell, or that your people are uniquely positioned to explore. These should be stories that reflect your culture, your point of view and your audience’s mindset. Then ask: Do you have the voices to tell them well? And if not, who can you welcome in?
Brand Slam works because it gives real people space to share real lessons, from CMOs running national campaigns to entrepreneurs still figuring it out. We don’t just chase big names. We look for the right voices—people who bring insight, honesty and energy to the mic. CMOs like Tory Pachis of Amica broke down how a Celtics jersey sponsorship helped grow his target audience. Liquid Death’s Andy Pearson gave a masterclass in marketing a can of water with attitude. Industry pros like Ellen Kaplan of José Andrés Group and NFL legends Devin McCourty and Will Blackmon shared how great brands—like great teams—are built on bold ideas.
The format is flexible. The perspective is always honest.
Your podcast can do the same. But it starts by listening to the silence and deciding to say something worth hearing.
Keep it going—or don’t start at all
Plenty of podcasts launch with excitement. New logo, big guest, dramatic intro music. But by episode three, the momentum’s already fading. The truth is, energy at launch won’t carry you. Commitment and a plan will.
We built the podcast with a small, committed team of people who made time for prep, editing, promotion and follow-through. Our co-hosts, (add)ventures CEO Steve Rosa and former sportscaster Joe Kayata, bring energy, empathy and expertise to every episode. Guests often come from our own networks or from friends of the show. We treat every invitation as a conversation starter and much more than a booking. And we keep it going, month after month, building an engaged and trusting audience.
Treat a podcast launch like any brand initiative. Assign ownership. Invest in decent equipment. Make space in the schedule for editing and promotion. Create supporting content to help episodes live beyond the listen, such as blog posts and social media video clips that point back to your podcast.
Most importantly—set realistic expectations. You don’t need to commit to a 30-episode run. Start with 6, 8, or 10 episodes and treat it like a season. See how it feels. See who listens. Look for signs of traction. Adjust as you go.
Do it for the right reasons
Podcasting is about building something real—episode by episode, story by story. So stay curious. Keep asking better and better questions. Let conversations evolve. And don’t lose sight of the people you're trying to reach. The impact may not show up overnight, but if your intent is clear, your content honest, and the story’s strong, people will find you.
And when they do, they’ll stay for what’s real.
Want to listen in? Check out Brand Slam wherever you get your podcasts—or visit addventures.com/brand-slam for recent episodes.
