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PODCAST

Is Anything Real In Paid Advertising?

What’s actually working in marketing — and what’s just noise? Hosted by Adam W. Barney, author of Make Your Own Glass Half Full and founder of Scale Smarter, this podcast brings honest, high-energy conversations with the operators, creators, and founders redefining how business growth really works. From agency leaders and AI innovators to storytellers and strategists, Adam dives into what drives sustainable success — not vanity metrics. Together, they unpack the systems, creativity, and human

business marketing

All Episodes

25:55

Scaling Smarter: Agency Growth, Balance & Real ROI |...

Is Anything Real In Paid Advertising? ·

2025/08/13

Anthony Tsigourakos, co-founder of SmartSpend Advertising and growth advisor at Good Name Consulting, knows the hidden costs of scaling. After helping dozens of agencies break through plateaus, he’s learned that real growth isn’t just about adding clients or revenue…it’s about protecting your capacity, your margins, and your energy.In this episode, we dive into:Why most agencies think they’re scaling when they’re actually stallingThe balance between execution, strategy, and personal

en

25:09

Beyond Clicks and Chaos | Ep. 9 with Patrick Cumming...

Is Anything Real In Paid Advertising? ·

2025/08/06

What actually works when paid ads stop performing?In this episode, Patrick Cumming, Head of Marketing at KleintBoost, joins Adam W. Barney to cut through the noise and talk shop: what’s real, what’s BS, and why most agencies are still chasing vanity metrics.We go deep on:💥 How to audit your funnel without losing your mind📊 The real KPIs that matter for sustainable growth🧠 Client psychology, performance myths, and decision-making under pressure🤖 Why attribution is broken, and how to

en

16:43

Breaking the Vice Stigma | Ep. 8 with Pauline...

Is Anything Real In Paid Advertising? ·

2025/07/30

What do you do when Google, Meta, TikTok, and every other ad platform shut the door in your face? You break the rules, rewrite the playbook, and scale anyway.In this episode of Is Anything Real in Paid Advertising?, I talk with Pauline Schmiechen: badass founder, consultant, and builder of multiple high-traffic adult platforms, who’s thriving in the shadows of mainstream media.With 3 million+ users a month and zero access to traditional ad platforms, Pauline isn’t asking for

en

22:54

Ep. 07: Alignment Over Algorithms – A Real Talk with...

Is Anything Real In Paid Advertising? ·

2025/07/23

In Episode 07 of Is Anything Real in Paid Advertising?, we dive deep with Lea Miner, Founder of Intention & Insight, who’s building something truly different: a business rooted in resonance, not just reach.What started as a small somatic journey experiment on Meetup grew to a thriving 600+ person community in just six months, without a dollar in ad spend.We unpack:Why marketing fails when you skip the “why”The cost of ignoring message–market alignmentHow Lea uses AI to deepen, not

en

27:24

Ep. 06: From Grind to Growth: Micro-Niching, Daily...

Is Anything Real In Paid Advertising? ·

2025/07/16

What if the real growth play wasn’t grinding on social media or spending wildly on ads?In this episode of Is Anything Real in Paid Advertising?, I sit down with Ziv Raviv, Founder & CEO of Kivi Media, creator of Daily Cookie, host of Beyond Six Figures, and author of The Fully Booked Coach, for a masterclass in scaling through soul-first strategy.Ziv built a $600K/year coaching business without burning out on content or ad spend...and he’s here to show you how.We unpack:Why most coaches

en

24:39

Ep. 05: Creative Metrics, Messaging Clarity, &...

Is Anything Real In Paid Advertising? ·

2025/07/09

Nuria Garcia of NbN Marketing joins me for a raw dive into the behind-the-scenes reality of creator-led growth. From ad platform bias to client miseducation, this episode unpacks the truth about scaling creative work with integrity, even when it gets messy.We cover:The hidden constraints behind Meta Ads and TikTokWhat Nuria does when client scripts kill performanceWhy real storytelling still wins in 2025Building an agency while creating content for 3M+ views🔗 Learn more about Nuria’s work:

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19:35

Ep. 04: Creative Chaos, AI Mood Boards - A Real Talk...

Is Anything Real In Paid Advertising? ·

2025/07/02

AI may be getting flashier, but is it making your creative work better or just…blobbier?In this episode of Is Anything Real in Paid Advertising?, I sit down with Christina Magaña, Founder of Modish Creative and creative strategist behind some of the most vibrant, soulful branding campaigns in the game.We dive into:Why AI-generated visuals are hitting a ceiling (and sometimes a wall)What agencies are missing when it comes to real creative impactHow short-form video is helping founders cross

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21:41

Ep. 03: Funnels, AI, and the Human Touch – A Real...

Is Anything Real In Paid Advertising? ·

2025/06/25

Is AI driving deeper connections, or just more noise?In this episode, I’m joined by Nathalie Doremieux, Co-Founder of Podcast LeadFlow, who reveals how to transform podcast listeners into qualified leads through strategic AI-powered conversations. We unpack how the Human → AI → Human model outperforms generic automation, and why quality, not quantity is the future of podcast monetization.From membership site mastery to funnel strategy that doesn’t sacrifice humanity, Nathalie breaks down

en

23:05

Ep. 02: PMax, AI, and the Myth of...

Is Anything Real In Paid Advertising? ·

2025/06/18

Performance Max can scale. But only if you control the inputs.Otherwise? You’re handing the wheel to a robot with no map.In this episode of Is Anything Real in Paid Advertising?, I’m joined by Ben Lund, founder of Rise Marketing Group and ex-Googler, to unpack what’s real...and what’s wildly misunderstood...about AI-driven campaigns in 2025.We get into:⚙️ The real value of human strategy in an AI world📉 Why Performance Max fails when left unchecked🧠 The mindset behind building a 7-figure

en

19:27

Ep. 01: Scaling with Soul – A Real Talk with Kristi...

Is Anything Real In Paid Advertising? ·

2025/06/11

In this kickoff episode of Is Anything Real in Paid Advertising?, I sit down with Kristi Broom, Co-Founder of Rising Tide Cooperative to talk candidly about building inclusive cultures, evolving leadership identities, and embracing AI without losing your edge.We dive into:Scaling while staying grounded in your valuesUsing transparency and empathy as strategic toolsWhy “being in the weeds” on purpose is part of Kristi’s leadership playbookThe magic of brave spaces over just “safe” ones📬

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2:41

Ep. 00: Is Anything in Paid Advertising Even Real?

Is Anything Real In Paid Advertising? ·

2025/06/10

You’ve seen the headlines. You’ve heard the hype. You’ve probably even burned budget on a “proven funnel.”But let’s be honest: is anything in paid advertising even real?In this kickoff episode, host Adam W. Barney (author, strategist, energy coach, and $100M+ ad spend veteran) lays out why this podcast exists, who it’s for, and what to expect in the episodes ahead.🎙️ Expect unfiltered conversations with agency founders, marketers, and skeptics who’ve been in the trenches—plus real systems,

en

31 results

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