The SDM Show

Host Rob Cairns is joined by digital marketing expert Ryan Waterbury to discuss the strategic mindset needed for 2026. Rather than focusing on vague New Year's resolutions, the duo dives into the importance of measurable goals, time-blocking, and auditing business tools to maintain an agile and efficient agency.

In this episode, host Rob Cairns and marketing expert Bridget Willard dive deep into the concept of patience as a fundamental, yet often overlooked, strategy in marketing. They explore why small business owners and entrepreneurs struggle with delayed gratification and offer practical advice on shifting from a "feast or famine" mindset to one of consistent, long-term growth.

In this episode, Rob Cairns sits down with Henry DeVries, an author, publisher, and marketing expert, to discuss the transformative power of writing a book to grow a professional service business. They explore the shifting landscape of the book industry, the rise of audiobooks, and why being an author is the ultimate marketing tool for consultants and agencies.

Rob Cairns sits down with David Wilder, a media strategist and founder of Trust Point Exposure, to tackle the complexities of AI in 2025. They discuss the rapid transition of AI into the mainstream, its impact on the manufacturing and job markets, and why businesses must shift toward "Answer Engine Optimization" to remain visible in a search landscape dominated by AI overviews.

In this episode, host Rob Cairns sits down with content creator and filmmaker Jake Isham to discuss the evolution of storytelling, the impact of AI, and practical advice for entrepreneurs looking to build a digital presence.

In this podcast episode, host Rob Cairns and guest Todd Jones review the state of copywriting and digital marketing throughout 2025. They discuss the practical use of artificial intelligence in content creation, emphasizing that while AI is useful for summaries and social media posts, it often lacks the creativity needed for remarkable results. A significant portion of the conversation focuses on the power of storytelling, specifically the importance of developing a founder story to build human connections in a commoditized market. The speakers also address industry shifts, noting that customer experience and emotional targeting are becoming more vital as traditional digital playbooks lose their effectiveness. Finally, they highlight the potential risks of AI replacing junior-level roles, which could disrupt the long-term development of skilled professionals in the field.

In this podcast episode, Rob Cairns and Warren Laine-Naida review the evolving landscape of SEO as 2025 comes to a close. They highlight how artificial intelligence has fundamentally changed search by providing direct answers, requiring creators to structure content into clear, verifiable "chunks" for better visibility. The discussion emphasizes that while technical performance remains vital, successful digital marketing now relies on a holistic approach that connects a user-friendly website with active social media engagement. Laine-Naida argues that off-page SEO and genuine relationship-building are more critical for discovery than the specific platform or CMS used. Ultimately, the source advises businesses to prioritize trust and authority through case studies and facts rather than outdated tricks like keyword stuffing. The conversation concludes by reminding listeners that SEO is a long-term commitment requiring patience, adaptability, and a willingness to experiment.

In this podcast episode, host Rob Cairns and marketing expert Bridget Willard conduct a comprehensive review of the 2025 marketing landscape. They emphasize that small businesses must prioritize foundational stability, such as functional websites and accurate analytics, over flashy, expensive ad campaigns. The conversation highlights social media as a vital component of SEO, noting that active engagement on platforms like Twitter and LinkedIn helps brands stay relevant in AI-driven search results. They also discuss the nuanced role of AI, framing it as a tool that requires human expertise to produce authentic, high-quality content. Finally, the pair advises businesses to maintain human connections and exercise cultural sensitivity during times of global political turmoil.

In this podcast episode, Rob Cairns and Ryan Waterbury conduct a comprehensive year-in-review for 2025 while looking ahead to 2026. The hosts discuss the critical importance of customer support systems and the technical challenges of WordPress core updates during the busy holiday retail season. A significant portion of the conversation focuses on artificial intelligence, highlighting its role in streamlining agency processes and commoditizing traditional web development. They also emphasize the necessity of digital visibility and email marketing as essential tools for lead generation in an increasingly noisy online landscape. Finally, the duo explores the need for business backup plans due to recent major cloud service outages and the impact of evolving privacy regulations on data collection.

Episode 616 The Future of Work – Augmenting Humans with Practical AI. Cairns is joined by guest Derek Crager, the founder of Practical AI, to discuss the current state and future of artificial intelligence. The conversation centers on the rapid advancements in AI, such as the release of Gemini 3, and the hosts’ belief that AI is an augmentative tool rather than a replacement for human labor, citing historical technological revolutions like the printing press and the agricultural revolution. Crager explains that Practical AI, his enterprise-level product, is designed to provide practical, instantaneous, and secure knowledge to industrial manufacturing workers, functioning as a "Pocket Mentor" to reduce cognitive load and increase productivity. The discussion also touches upon the high failure rate of corporate AI adoption and the importance of educating the public about AI to diminish fear and skepticism.