

CMO School
Jessica Shirra | Fractional CMO
CMO School is the go-to podcast for marketers and Fractional CMOs ready to step into leadership, own their expertise, and build a career or business that actually works for them. Whether you're looking to elevate your skills, transition into a CMO role, or scale your Fractional business, this podcast delivers strategies, expert insights, and the mindset shifts you need to create a career you love.
Hosted by Jess Shirra—a 15+ year marketing leader, Fractional CMO, and founder of Fractional CMO School—this show takes you behind the scenes on what actually works in marketing, business, and leadership. Jess has worked with powerhouse brands and creators like Lululemon, Pottery Barn, Strava, Jenna Kutcher, Lori Harder, and more—and now, she’s sharing those lessons with you.
Each episode, we dive into proven strategies, practical insights, and candid conversations on topics like:
How to step into leadership as a marketer and own your expertise
How to confidently price your services and build a business that supports the life you want
What it really takes to succeed as a Fractional CMO
How to show up as a CMO for your clients, deliver powerful strategy, and lead teams effectively
Lessons from experts across marketing, mindset, and entrepreneurship to help you grow
Whether you're a corporate marketer exploring the Fractional path, a new Fractional CMO figuring it all out, or a seasoned leader looking to scale and systematize your business, CMO School will give you the tools, insights, and confidence to create a career that gives you freedom, fulfillment, and flexibility—on your terms.
New episodes drop weekly! Subscribe now and start building a marketing career that lights you up.
Hosted by Jess Shirra—a 15+ year marketing leader, Fractional CMO, and founder of Fractional CMO School—this show takes you behind the scenes on what actually works in marketing, business, and leadership. Jess has worked with powerhouse brands and creators like Lululemon, Pottery Barn, Strava, Jenna Kutcher, Lori Harder, and more—and now, she’s sharing those lessons with you.
Each episode, we dive into proven strategies, practical insights, and candid conversations on topics like:
How to step into leadership as a marketer and own your expertise
How to confidently price your services and build a business that supports the life you want
What it really takes to succeed as a Fractional CMO
How to show up as a CMO for your clients, deliver powerful strategy, and lead teams effectively
Lessons from experts across marketing, mindset, and entrepreneurship to help you grow
Whether you're a corporate marketer exploring the Fractional path, a new Fractional CMO figuring it all out, or a seasoned leader looking to scale and systematize your business, CMO School will give you the tools, insights, and confidence to create a career that gives you freedom, fulfillment, and flexibility—on your terms.
New episodes drop weekly! Subscribe now and start building a marketing career that lights you up.
Episodes
Mentioned books

8 snips
Jan 9, 2026 • 59min
The AI Playbook Every Fractional CMO Needs to Get Hours Back and Stay Ahead with Callan Faulkner
In this conversation, Callan Faulkner, AI coach and founder of The Uncommon Business, shares insights from scaling a $4M company using AI in just 18 months. She emphasizes the evolution from AI Offloader to AI Architect, highlighting the importance of building systems that enhance creativity and reclaim time. Callan details three essential AI projects for CMOs: the Brand Guardian, Sales Wizard, and Money Coach, while also warning against common mistakes and the need to document personal frameworks for effective AI use.

Dec 16, 2025 • 16min
How to EASILY Hit 6 Figures as a Fractional CMO With 1-2 Clients
If six figures as a Fractional CMO feels out of reach — like something only “top-tier marketers” or “big-name consultants” can do — this episode is going to shift that belief fast. Hitting six figures isn’t a stretch goal in this role. It’s actually the simplest part of the business when you structure it the right way.In this episode, I break down:• The biggest mindset blocks keeping marketers underpaid• Why high-ticket clients are more common than you think• How scope (not skill) is the reason your pricing feels “too high”• Three simple paths to six figures — even if you prefer light delivery• What it actually takes to build a six-figure FCMO business that feels easyIf you’ve been questioning whether this level of income is possible for you, I want this episode to show you just how accessible it really is.Ready to take the next step?If you’re ready to step into the Fractional CMO role but want support as you do it, Fractional CMO School is a 6-month coaching program + community to help you confidently land high-ticket clients and build a 6-figure (and beyond) business as a Fractional CMO.🎓 Learn More → http://www.fractional-cmo-school.com/

Dec 9, 2025 • 47min
Fractional CMO School: Inside the Top Training Program for Fractional CMOs + Marketing Leaders
If you’ve been curious about what actually happens inside Fractional CMO School — the structure, the support, the strategy, and how marketers and fractional CMOs are scaling to six figures and beyond — this video gives you the full inside tour.I’m sharing the real story behind the program, why I created it, what makes it different, and what students are experiencing once they get inside. If you’ve wondered whether becoming a Fractional CMO is right for you — or you want a clearer, more sustainable way to lead as a marketer — this will give you a clear picture of what’s possible.Inside this episode:• How I went from burnt-out marketer to six-figure Fractional CMO• The gap I saw in this industry and why Fractional CMO School exists• A behind-the-scenes look at the 6-month structure, coaching + support• The real transformations students are seeing (income + identity shifts)• What the fractional CMO role can unlock in your work, income, and lifeWhether you’re an experienced marketer who’s ready to move out of execution and into leadership — or you’re already a Fractional CMO and want a better way to build your business — this episode will help you understand whether this path is right for you.____If you’ve been curious about Fractional CMO School and want to learn more, this is your chance to peek behind the curtains.Ready to take the next step?If you’re ready to step into the Fractional CMO role but want support as you do it, Fractional CMO School is a 6-month coaching program + community to help you confidently land high-ticket clients and build a 6-figure (and beyond) business as a Fractional CMO.🎓 Learn More → http://www.fractional-cmo-school.com/

Dec 2, 2025 • 57min
The Work Beneath the Work: How I Rewired My Beliefs About Money, Success, and Worthiness (with Jess Belsky)
You can do everything “right” — build the strategy, put in the hours, chase the next level — and still feel stuck. Like there’s something invisible holding you back from the growth you know you’re capable of.I’ve been there. And what I learned is this: it’s not your strategy. It’s your subconscious.When I started working with Jess Belsky, a Transformational Leadership Coach and Hypnotherapist, I thought I was fixing my money mindset. But the real shift came when I started rewiring my subconcious beliefs — the ones that were shaping how I led, what I earned, and how I showed up in my life and business.In this episode, we unpack:How subconscious patterns keep high-performing leaders from reaching their next levelThe exact inner work that changed how I think, lead, and run my business (and life)What it looks like to reprogram your beliefs so your conscious and subconscious are alignedIf you’ve been pushing harder but not getting further, this episode will help you see what’s really been in your way — and how to finally lead from the inside out.Ready to take the next step?If you’re ready to step into the Fractional CMO role but want support as you do it, Fractional CMO School is a 6-month coaching program + community to help you confidently land high-ticket clients and build a 6-figure (and beyond) business as a Fractional CMO.🎓 Learn More → http://www.fractional-cmo-school.com/

Nov 25, 2025 • 23min
The Fractional CMO Trap: When You’ve Built Yourself a Job
If your Fractional CMO business doesn’t feel like the freedom you wanted, this episode is for you.So many experienced marketers end up stuck in what I call the Fractional CMO Trap: the place where you’ve technically built a business, but it still feels like a job.In this episode, I’m breaking down:What the Fractional CMO Trap isThe two doors that usually lead you into it — and how to back yourself out of each oneHow to redesign your business to gives you the freedom (and income) you set to to createA simple 30-day reset plan to help you reclaim your time, tighten boundaries, and build a Fractional business that’s sustainable If you’ve been feeling stretched, stuck, or like you’re constantly proving your value this episode is going to change how you run your business. Ready to take the next step?If you’re ready to step into the Fractional CMO role but want support as you do it, Fractional CMO School is a 6-month coaching program + community to help you confidently land high-ticket clients and build a 6-figure (and beyond) business as a Fractional CMO.🎓 Learn More → http://www.fractional-cmo-school.com/

23 snips
Nov 18, 2025 • 1h 15min
Next-Level AI: How to Use AI as a Fractional CMO
AI is moving so fast it’s hard to keep up. Some days it’s magic, other days it’s chaos. ChatGPT forgets what you told it three prompts ago. It starts using formatting you hate. It spits out content that feels flat or off-brand. Or worse — it makes stuff up and says it with confidence.This episode is about going beyond “just using AI” — and learning how to make it a tool that makes you sharper, faster, and more strategic… while delivering work that genuinely moves the needle for your clients.Jim Carter III is the AI strategist and tech founder behind some of the biggest personal brands in the world — Lewis Howes, Jay Shetty, Ed Mylett, Matthew Hussey, Jay Abraham, and Gary Vee — plus he’s worked with global companies like Verizon, Yahoo!, and AT&T. Jim doesn’t just “use AI” — he builds it into the way businesses run so it’s producing consistent, high-value results.In this episode we cover:How to get AI to produce high-quality work on the first try — without endless back-and-forth or rewrites.How to set up Custom GPTs and projects — and when each approach gives you the best results.Advanced ways to use AI for strategy work — not just content creation.The biggest mistakes even experienced marketers make with AI (and how to avoid them).Where AI is headed in the next 12–18 months so you can stay ahead of the curveIf you already see the value of AI but want to start using it at a level most marketers aren’t even touching yet, this episode is for you.Ready to take the next step?If you’re ready to step into the Fractional CMO role but want support as you do it, Fractional CMO School is a 6-month coaching program + community to help you confidently land high-ticket clients and build a 6-figure (and beyond) business as a Fractional CMO.🎓 Learn More → http://www.fractional-cmo-school.com/

Nov 12, 2025 • 26min
Do I Have the Right Background to Be a Fractional CMO?
If you’ve ever wondered if you’ve got the right experience to be a Fractional CMO, this episode’s for you.I’m breaking down why there’s no “perfect” background for this kind of work — and why that’s actually the best news. Whether you’ve been in one industry or role your whole career, or jumped around, , you’ve built skill sets that uniquely prepare you for this role.In this episode, I share what kind of experience you really need in this role, how to position your background as your superpower, and how to start leading with the confidence of a CMO.Ready to take the next step?If you’re ready to step into the Fractional CMO role but want support as you do it, Fractional CMO School is a 6-month coaching program + community to help you confidently land high-ticket clients and build a 6-figure (and beyond) business as a Fractional CMO.🎓 Learn More → http://www.fractional-cmo-school.com/

Nov 4, 2025 • 19min
Finding Your Ideal Fractional CMO Clients (And Red Flags to Avoid)
Not every client is a fit for a Fractional CMO — and the wrong ones can derail your business, your confidence, and your sanity.When you’re building your Fractional CMO business, it’s easy to say yes to anyone who wants to hire you. But fit matters more than opportunity. The right clients make your work easier, your results stronger, and your business more sustainable.In this episode, I’m breaking down:How to identify your ideal clients as a Fractional CMOThe red flags that signal a partnership won’t workThe hard lessons I learned from saying yes when I shouldn’t haveAnd the filters I now use to choose clients wiselyIf you want to attract clients who truly value your leadership, and build a business that feels as good as it looks, this episode is for you.Ready to take the next step?If you’re ready to step into the Fractional CMO role but want support as you do it, Fractional CMO School is a 6-month coaching program + community to help you confidently land high-ticket clients and build a 6-figure (and beyond) business as a Fractional CMO.🎓 Learn More → http://www.fractional-cmo-school.com/

Oct 28, 2025 • 13min
Why You Need a Niche as a Fractional CMO (Even If You Don’t Want One)
When I first started as a Fractional CMO, I did not want to niche. I was scared it would limit my opportunities, make me miss out on clients, or box me into something I’d get bored of. But the truth is — niching was such a catalyst to my growth. In this episode, I’m sharing:What happened when I tried to serve everyoneHow I tested different niches behind the scenes Why I eventually chose a niche and how it was the catalyst to growth (AND time freedom) If you’re still figuring out your niche — or resisting the idea altogether — this episode will help you see why narrowing your focus might be the best move you can make.Ready to take the next step?If you’re ready to step into the Fractional CMO role but want support as you do it, Fractional CMO School is a 6-month coaching program + community to help you confidently land high-ticket clients and build a 6-figure (and beyond) business as a Fractional CMO.🎓 Learn More → http://www.fractional-cmo-school.com/

13 snips
Oct 21, 2025 • 56min
Rewire Your Subconscious for Business Growth with Mindi Huebner
You can have the best strategy in the world, but if your subconscious isn’t on board, you’ll find yourself spinning in the same patterns.In this episode of CMO School, I sit down with Mindi Huebner to unpack the identity shifts and subconscious rewiring that allow high-achieving women to grow businesses that feel as good as they look.We talk about:Why strategy alone won’t work if your subconscious is stuck in old patternsHow to spot the limiting beliefs and identities running your business behind the scenesCommon conditioning loops like “rest is lazy” or “my worth = my output”Small steps you can take today to start rewiring your subconscious and closing the “identity gap”If you’ve ever felt like you’re doing everything “right” but still not getting where you want to go, this conversation will help you understand why, and what to do differently.Ready to take the next step?If you’re ready to step into the Fractional CMO role but want support as you do it, Fractional CMO School is a 6-month coaching program + community to help you confidently lead, land high-ticket clients, and build the business you want.🎓 Learn More → Fractional CMO SchoolEpisode Resources:Mindi’s Instagram: mindihuebner.com/IG Mindi’s Subconscious CEO Identity Quiz: mindihuebner.com/ceoquizMindi’s FREE Identity Alignment Call: mindihuebner.com/id


