How AI and Soft Skills Are Reshaping Marketing and the Future of Work With Stacey Force
In this episode of Response Drivers, host Rick Rappe sits down with Stacey Force, Fractional CMO at The Marketing Blender, to discuss how AI and soft skills are reshaping marketing and the future of work. They explore rethinking AI as collective intelligence, using micro-credentials to build stronger teams, and leveraging data to refine marketing strategies. Stacey also shares advice for marketers on staying adaptable in a changing landscape.
Why Timeless Marketing Principles Still Win in a Digital World With Brian Kurtz
In this episode of the Response Drivers podcast, host Rick Rappe sits down with Brian Kurtz, Founder and CEO of Titans Marketing, to talk about why classic direct marketing still drives results online. They break down Brian’s 41-39-20 rule, the importance of lifetime value, and why “don’t test whispers” should guide your creative. Brian also gives advice on turning proven principles into scalable, modern strategies.
Building High-Impact Marketing Strategies on Lean Budgets With Candace Chapman
In this episode of the Response Drivers podcast, host Rick Rappe sits down with Candace Chapman, Fractional CMO at Pairaphrase, to discuss building impactful marketing strategies on lean budgets. Listeners will learn how to leverage AI for faster execution, use customer feedback to refine messaging, and embrace data-driven testing to maximize ROI. Candace also shares why zero-click marketing and the jobs-to-be-done framework are key to future-proofing B2B growth.
Building Better Marketing Campaigns Using AI Without Losing the Human Touch With Jonathan Lo
In this episode of the Response Drivers podcast, host Rick Rappe sits down with Jonathan Lo, Fractional CMO at Salt Foundry, to discuss how AI tools can support smarter, more human-centered marketing. They explore the balance between automation and creativity, how empathy drives performance, and why strategy frameworks matter. Jonathan also shares how brands can stay trustworthy and effective in a rapidly evolving digital landscape.
Staying Relevant by Bridging Enterprise Strategy and Niche Execution With Francine Feder
In this episode of the Response Drivers podcast, host Rick Rappe sits down with Francine Feder, Fractional Chief Marketing Officer at OK4WD, to talk about bridging enterprise-level strategy with niche execution. They discuss aligning brand and performance marketing, building marketing structure in a fast-scaling business, and how to speak to niche audiences without alienating loyalists. Francine also shares how to stay creatively sharp in a data-dominated world.
How Strategic Branding Helps Construction Firms Win Better Clients and Talent With Perryn Olson
In this episode of the Response Drivers podcast, host Rick Rappe sits down with Perryn Olson, Principal at AltCMO, to discuss how construction firms can leverage branding to attract better clients and talent. They talk about overcoming the low-bid mindset, using ideal client profiles for growth, and how to stand out with B2B direct mail. Perryn also shares his insights on aligning marketing with internal operations to drive smarter strategy.
Scaling Smarter With AI and Direct Mail With Ernest Tavares III
In this episode of the Response Drivers podcast, host Rick Rappe sits down with Ernest Tavares III, Founder of First Step Growth, to discuss scaling smarter using AI, paid media, and direct mail. They explore why signal quality beats segmentation, how to use direct mail for retargeting, and what makes AI tools a secret weapon for lean teams. Ernest also shares tips for measuring performance with ROI-focused metrics.
Connecting the Dots: Turning Insights Into Scalable Strategies With Brad Schlachter
In this episode of the Response Drivers podcast, host Rick Rappe is joined by Brad Schlachter, Founder and CMO at Rise Business Ventures, to talk about turning insights into scalable marketing strategies. Brad shares how to build alignment across the full funnel, why pricing tests can unlock growth, and the overlooked power of emotional brand storytelling. He also gives advice on building trust to implement data-backed decisions.
Balancing Strategy and Execution To Drive Sustainable Marketing Growth With Michael Baer
In this episode of the Response Drivers podcast, host Rick Rappe is joined by Michael Baer, Fractional and Interim Chief Marketing Officer at TechCXO, to talk about how aligning strategy and execution leads to smarter marketing growth. They discuss why startups often confuse activity with progress, how to build cohesive brand experiences, and what it takes to make direct mail truly effective. Michael also shares how AI is accelerating execution and what that means for marketers today.
Building Smarter Marketing Systems Through Technology and Data With Dave Scott
In this episode of the Response Drivers podcast, host Rick Rappe is joined by Dave Scott, Founder and CEO of Evil Genius Games, to discuss building smarter marketing systems through technology and data. They explore how marketing leaders manage complex tech stacks, why AI will transform custom tool development, and how shared metrics unify marketing and sales. Dave also shares advice on balancing data with creative intuition in campaign strategy.