In this episode of Get Real, we’re keeping it in the family. Cari and Dana sit down with Cari’s husband, Mark Smith, Partner and Chief Software Analyst at ISG, to unpack what’s really happening inside enterprise AI and why most companies are still getting it wrong.

With more than three decades leading software innovation at SAP, Oracle, and Ventana Research, Mark has seen every wave of technology hype come and go. Together, the trio breaks down the current state of AI in business: what’s real, what’s still experimental, and how leaders can separate the marketing buzz from meaningful progress.

They also dig into continuous learning, leadership in the age of automation, and why curiosity—not panic—is the most valuable skill for the future. And because this is Get Real, there’s plenty of laughter along the way—covering everything from Taylor Swift’s storytelling skills to frosty paws, airline snacks, and the (possible) addition of a third Samoyed to the household.

What You’ll Learn:

• Why most companies aren’t failing at AI—they’re just learning faster than ever
• The real difference between generative and agentic AI (and why it matters)
• How to lead through technological transformation without losing your people
• Why continuous learning beats “set-it-and-forget-it” automation every time
• How LinkedIn influence and authentic thought leadership still drive B2B impact
• What marketers get wrong about their tech stacks—and how to fix it
• The Samoyed traits that make for better leaders (yes, really)

Get ready for an honest, funny, and refreshingly human take on the tech that’s changing everything from the enterprise to the living room.

Partner marketing doesn’t always get the spotlight—but for Ryan Shonts, Partner Marketing Leader at Wiz, it’s where real growth happens.

In this episode of Get Real, hosts Cari Baldwin and Dana Harder dig into the complexities (and opportunities) of partner marketing with Ryan, whose career has spanned MongoDB, hyperscalers like AWS and Microsoft, and now Wiz—the world’s fastest-growing cloud security company.

They break down what it takes to turn channel partnerships into revenue engines, how to navigate endless acronyms (CSPs, ISVs, GSIs, oh my), and why content can’t just be a logo-slap exercise if you want campaigns that actually deliver pipeline.

But it’s not all business—Ryan also shares his growing vinyl collection, his guilty-pleasure cocktail recipes, and what Wiz really means when they say the culture is “magical.”

What You’ll Learn:

• How Ryan fell into partner marketing and why it touches every part of go-to-market strategy
• The unique challenges of scaling partnerships at a hypergrowth company like Wiz
• Why tri-partner campaigns and co-branded content are unlocking serious pipeline
  How to shift from reactive, quarter-by-quarter campaigns to long-term, strategic planning
• The role marketplaces play in reducing friction—and where they add new complexity
  Why authentic relationships (and being yourself) matter more than any KPI

Rapid-fire realness includes Ryan’s take on cloud security misconceptions, the underrated skill every partner marketer needs, and why margaritas are better when you keep them simple.

If you’ve ever wondered how to make partner marketing less of a “bolt-on” and more of a business driver—or you just want to virtually cheers about a good mezcal margarita—this episode is for you.

In this episode of Get Real, Cari and Dana sit down with AI expert, trainer and advisor Nicole Leffer for a candid conversation on how to actually get value from tools like ChatGPT and Gemini.

Nicole’s path has been anything but linear, going from national magazine editor to chocolate startup founder turned SaaS marketer. Now she’s now helping marketing teams get smart about how they prompt, plan and execute with AI, allowing them to get the most from their tools, time and talent.

In this episode we explore:

• The difference between using AI for speed vs. strategy
• Why foundational marketing knowledge is more important than ever
• How “zennials” may have the edge when it comes to AI adoption
• What not to let AI agents do (like mess with your Instacart account)

Plus, Nicole shares her favorite personal use cases (travel recs and house hunting tips included), and what she’s keeping an eye on as AI capabilities evolve.

Fun, fast and full of real talk—just how we like it.

In this episode of Get Real, Cari Baldwin and Dana Harder sit down with legal tech founder, celiac disease advocate, and all-around powerhouse, Matti Neustadt.

With a background in applied physics, a CISSP certification, and a career that’s spanned semiconductor supply chains, privacy law, and AI-driven workflows, Matti brings a uniquely sharp perspective to the world of in-house legal operations. She’s the founder of V4 Final, a platform built to help in-house counsel streamline workflows, prove their value, and focus on what actually matters—without needing to code or redline their own contracts (yep, that happens more than you think).

They cover a lot of ground in this one:

• Matti’s winding path from Intel engineer to law school night student to tech startup founder
• What most people (and tech companies) get wrong about working with lawyers
• Why NDAs are underrated (but should never be hiding sneaky clauses)
• How to think about AI as a tool for accelerating junior talent—not replacing senior expertise
• What it’s like living with celiac disease as an executive constantly on the go—and how businesses and event planners can do better

Plus, rapid-fire insights on Bend’s startup scene, the best gluten-free bagels in the country, and why the world desperately needs gluten-free baklava.

This one’s part legal insight, part startup therapy, part survival guide for celiacs—so yeah, it’s already a Get Real classic.

In the first episode of our newly revamped Get Real podcast, co-hosts (and longtime agency leaders) Cari Baldwin and Dana Harder share what’s new for the show and what’s changing in their world. No guests, no fluff—just two marketers talking candidly about AI’s impact on content strategy, the ups and downs of remote work, and why personal growth matters as much as business growth.

From vision boards and world travel to getting real about networking, they open up about how they’re approaching 2025—and why now is the time to rethink how you connect, create, and lead.

What You’ll Learn:

• How AI is reshaping content strategy and search visibility for B2B marketers
• Why remote work changes company culture (and what that means for clients)
• The importance of getting back to in-person networking
• How to balance big business goals with personal wins
• A behind-the-scenes look at what’s ahead for Get Real

During this Marketing Gets Real podcast episode, Cari and Dana sat down with Gemma Hood, Founder and CEO of the company culture consultancy Culturehood. The group discussed imposter syndrome and career growth, workplace happiness versus engagement, and maintaining appropriate work/life balance. Some key takeaways include:

• The importance of employee engagement over happiness and how engagement leads to discretionary effort and commitment to the company's mission.
• The role of leadership in cultivating a positive culture and being involved in employee experience initiatives.
• Changing employee expectations around work-life balance, personal growth opportunities, and authentic company culture.
• Strategies for keeping culture and engagement top of mind like running engagement surveys and implementing peer recognition.

RELATED LINKS

• Connect with Gemma here!
• Check out Culturehood.
• Learn more about Unreal Digital.

Nowadays, we are bombarded with vast information, making it crucial to effectively convey complex data in a visually appealing and easy-to-understand manner. This is where the role of data visualization comes in. Data visualization is a powerful tool that allows us to present complex data in a visual format. The main goal is to communicate insights and trends effectively, making it easier for people to understand and make informed decisions.

During this Marketing Gets Real podcast episode, Cari and Dana chatted with Meg Maffitt, VP of Business Strategy, Marketing, and Communications for the water information tech company True Elements. The group discussed how to uncover the powerful techniques and strategies that can transform intricate data into compelling visual narratives. Some key takeaways include:

• Meg’s winding career path from anthropology and art history to pharmaceuticals, environmental advocacy, and water conservation.
• The role of water intelligence in making informed decisions about water resources.
• Visualizing complex water data and educating audiences at different stages of understanding were discussed as important challenges in marketing water intelligence solutions.
• The speaker shared their experience starting a driver training company with a new paradigm focused on safety through highly trained instructors and parental participation.

RELATED LINKS

• Connect with Meg here!
• Check out True Elements.
• Learn more about Unreal Digital.

Podcasting has become an incredibly practical and strategic approach to fostering meaningful relationships with target audiences and accounts. By featuring industry experts, thought leaders, and influential guests, you can engage prospective buyers throughout the sales funnel and establish a strong rapport — through insightful conversations, valuable insights, and thought-provoking discussions.

During this episode of the Marketing Gets Real podcast, hosts Cari and Dana chat with Devin McDonnell, Founder of Devenio Podcasts, about how podcasting offers a unique opportunity to showcase your expertise, build credibility, and cultivate long-lasting connections with your audience. Some key points discussed include:

• Why podcasting became an important channel for driving engagement and fueling B2B marketing initiatives.
• How video is an emerging trend in podcasting that can boost discoverability and engagement.
• How Account-based marketing strategies using podcasts can help build relationships with target accounts.
• The new tools that allow B2B marketers to accurately measure podcast ROI by tracking listener journeys.
• Why video and derivative content are important for B2B marketers to fuel marketing efforts on a limited budget.

RELATED LINKS

• Connect with Devin here!
• Check out Devenio Podcasts.
• Learn more about Unreal Digital.