Let’s Put the Hosts in the Hotseat

Are you feeling stuck in a cycle of “safe” marketing tactics that yield diminishing returns? Whether you are struggling with a “too many cooks in the kitchen” approach to content, or you’re terrified of the “snake-like gaze” of a top-tier reporter, you are not alone. In this special New Year’s edition of FiredUp!, hosts Morgan McLintic, Chris Ulbrich, and Nicole Pytel pull back the curtain on their careers to share the “war stories” that shaped their approach to agency life and brand building.

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This episode addresses the common pain points of early and late-stage startup marketers: the overwhelming “choreography” required to launch a high-quality podcast, the difficulty of landing top-tier media placements in a cluttered environment, and the strategic trap of creating “entertaining” content that fails to move prospects down the funnel. If you’ve ever wondered if you should “bet it all” on a creative stunt or how to handle 25 contradictory comments in a Google Doc, this episode of FiredUp! provides the roadmap you need for a successful 2026.

Nicole, Morgan, and Chris discuss:

Podcasting is a Team Sport: Launching a successful show requires more than just a microphone; it involves a complex choreography of editing, graphics, distribution, and guest management. To avoid podfading, invest in a production team—like Galati Media—to ensure professional quality from the start.
The “Message-Fit” Secret to PR: High-impact media pitching isn’t about big ideas; it’s about finding the perfect alignment between what your audience wants and the timing of your message. When you provide exactly what a reporter needs, the process becomes clean and easy.
Master the “RACI” Framework for Content: To prevent too many cooks from mangling your marketing assets, clearly define who is Responsible, Accountable, Consulted, and Informed. Establishing a “pecking order” before you start a project prevents stakeholder anxiety and protects the final product.
Audit for the Bottom of the Funnel: It is easy to get stuck writing entertaining top-of-funnel blog posts, but a library full of only gap content will slow your pipeline. Use visual case studies and “how-to-roll-out” guides to bridge the gap from awareness to conversion.
Calculated Risks Drive Results: Don’t be afraid of outlandish ideas if they align with your brand’s value proposition. Whether it’s putting a bank account online to prove security or hiring recognizable voices for pitches, bold moves are often what break through cluttered media environments.

As we head into 2026, take a hard look at your marketing. Are you leaning on white papers and blog posts just because they are comfortable? We challenge you to identify one tactic that makes you feel uneasy—whether it’s B2B TikTok, short-form video, or a bold PR stunt—and give it a try.

Thank you for listening! Tune in to all the episodes for practical tips on crushing your startup marketing goals. Don’t forget to follow, rate, and review the podcast, and tell us your key takeaways!