Build a Better Agency Podcast

Stephen Boehler, co-founder of Mercer Island Group and agency search expert, and Robin Boehler, agency and search consultant, share their client-focused playbook. They stress making everything about the prospect, standing out with clear positioning, being selective about pursuits, and preparing teams to present confidently. They also touch on how AI raises the value of strategy and why being findable and memorable matters.

Kat Duncan, a talent acquisition pro with 20+ years helping agencies hire, shares fresh takes on modern recruiting. She contrasts talent acquisition with HR and calls recruiting a people-first sales craft. Short timelines, respectful candidate communication, systemized hiring, and hiring for potential over pedigree are highlighted in lively, practical conversation.

Discussion of how buyers research and choose agencies long before pitches happen. Examination of data showing early vendor preference and the rise of trust brokers. Focus on building visible authority, social proof, and machine-readable positioning. Practical homework exercises for auditing discoverability, revamping case studies, and running a 90-day authority sprint.

Julian Goldie, an agency owner and AI/SEO specialist who reinvented his SEO business with automation. He recounts his ChatGPT-driven pivot. Topics include auditing tasks to find high-impact automations, picking and simplifying an AI tool stack, practical QA and human-in-the-loop safeguards, and using AI to multiply content, cut costs, and create new revenue streams.

Nancy Harhut, agency owner and behavioral science author, studies decision-making shortcuts to boost marketing. She explores autonomy bias and choice framing, social proof nuances, pricing perceptions like left-digit effects, and how AI can support — not replace — persuasive work. Practical, research-backed tactics for B2B and B2C are highlighted.

Noel Andrews, founder of JobRack and offshore hiring specialist who places full-time team members from Eastern Europe and South Africa. He discusses removing blockers so teams focus on high-value work. They cover how international hires surprise agencies with technical skill and culture lift. Practical tactics for building remote culture, clarity in roles, and spotting operational improvements are highlighted.

Cade Dannels, an AI strategist who helps agencies turn their own data into practical AI systems. He explores using AI beyond content—onboarding it like a new team member, automating lead sourcing and qualification, and baking agency frameworks into workflows. Short, actionable steps for DIY automation, team experiments, and keeping outreach human are highlighted.

A persuasive case for making professional development mandatory rather than optional. Concise strategies for budgeting, skills audits, and protected learning time. Discussion of high-demand skills like AI fluency, data literacy, and business acumen. Practical steps to turn teams into strategic advisors and reduce turnover through visible, repeatable L&D systems.

John Arnold, talent strategy expert and co-owner of Celerity, discusses hiring and retaining top agency talent. He covers why human skills matter more as AI rises. They explore assessment-driven hiring, a head-heart-briefcase framework, practical interview sequences and work-sample tests. Topics include remote vs hybrid trends, red flags like lack of curiosity, and using data and assessments to predict fit.

Tom Fishburne, cartoonist and marketer behind Marketoonist, uses cartoons to spotlight agency culture and creativity. He talks about analog thinking rituals, why many briefs fail, the role of humor in communication, and balancing human insight with data and AI. Expect sharp takes on creative sameness, protecting thinking time, and finding fresh viewpoints.