In this episode of Digital Marketing Masters, I’m joined by Ben Albert, Marv Paul, Sabrina Scott, and my cohost Mahek Anam to unpack our biggest takeaways from PodCamp Toronto 2026, the “unconference” that thrives on community, inclusivity, and real human connection.

We explore why podcasting is less about perfect tech and more about producing an authentic listener experience: embracing imperfection, front‑loading the best moments, and prioritizing conversations that build genuine relationships. From improv and empathetic listening workshops to hallway chats and extended lunches, we share how the in‑between moments often deliver the most insight. We also cover the continued rise of YouTube and full‑episode social posts, cross‑platform listening habits, and why being a connector at events matters.

You’ll also hear quick spotlights on each of our shows, from spirituality and wellness, to tech and the evolving internet, to raw business conversations, and our own evolving format at Digital Marketing Masters in the age of AI. If you’ve been waiting to start a podcast, Sabrina’s challenge is simple: record on your phone today and ship it. And if you’re optimizing your current show, consider leading with your strongest clips, publishing everywhere your audience listens or watches, and nurturing the small group, in‑person moments that make this medium unforgettable.

Sabrina Scott: https://www.sabrinamscott.com/
Marv Paul: https://hellofrommarv.substack.com/
Ben Albert: https://realbusinessconnections.com/
Mahek Anam: https://www.instagram.com/girlintheehood/
Matt Rouse: https://www.linkedin.com/in/mattmrouse

Looking for a podcast guest? Author Matt Rouse
Hook Digital Marketing | Hook Digital Marketing Canada
Market your local business on autopilot: SMB Autopilot

In this episode of Digital Marketing Masters, new co-host Mahek Anam sits down with Matt Rouse (author of Will AI Take My Job Too?) and Katie Brinkley (author of The Social Shift) to unpack the paradox of social media in the age of AI.

Content is easier to produce than ever, yet audiences crave real human connection. We explore why authenticity is becoming a strategic necessity, not a buzzword, and how community, not check-a-box posting, wins when algorithms shift and attention fragments. Katie reminds us of social media’s original purpose, building community, and why showing up as a real human is the only way to cultivate meaningful relationships online.

Matt shares his 3-10-30 rule for video attention, the importance of having a recognizable “face” for your brand, and why platform cultures demand tailored content instead of frictionless cross-posting. We discuss using AI to augment creativity (not replace it), from animating real photos into short videos to repurposing authentic long-form podcasts. Finally, we dive into the coming shift where AI agents personalize discovery from our pockets, and how consistent, specific identity signals across platforms can train models to associate your name with what you want to be known for.
Bottom line: use AI wisely to amplify what’s uniquely you and build communities algorithms can reference but never replace.

Looking for a podcast guest? Author Matt Rouse
Hook Digital Marketing | Hook Digital Marketing Canada
Market your local business on autopilot: SMB Autopilot

In this episode of Digital Marketing Masters, I sit down with product development and consumer insights expert Kay Allison to explore how AI can supercharge audience research and product innovation. We discuss why so many entrepreneurs (and big brands) mistakenly project their own preferences onto customers, how to recognize different decision-making styles and motivations, and the importance of uncovering real human conflicts, those tension points between what people want and what’s available. Kaye shares practical, low-cost methods to mine authentic customer conversations from Reddit, reviews, and social platforms, plus how to structure prompts for AI tools to identify segments, surface unmet needs, and turn messy qualitative data into actionable insights.

We also dive into advanced and “poor man’s” workflows: using Reddit’s Answers, exporting forum threads into docs, and uploading them to AI for synthesis; directing models to targeted sources and timeframes; and crafting context-rich prompts that specify role, data, output, and formatting. Kaye outlines a replicable prompt framework and offers her custom GPT for sorting customer data. We wrap by connecting these skills to broader problem-solving—from consumer research to complex health contexts—while emphasizing ethical use and the power of better questions to get better answers.

Kay: https://kayallison.com/

https://serve.podhome.fm/episodepage/digital-marketing-masters/276

(00:02) Opening and guest introduction: Kaye Allison

(01:27) Kaye’s one‑breath background and philosophy on consumer insight

(03:06) Entrepreneurs are not their customers: assumptions and humility

(04:28) Different decision styles and motivations beyond business growth

(06:13) Moving past basic AI use cases to learn your audience

(06:35) Mining Reddit and reviews; social listening with AI

(10:08) Hands‑on with Reddit Answers and broadening competitive sets

(11:32) Scrappy workflows: collecting posts and analyzing with AI

(12:07) Low‑cost tools, brand mentions, and what to ask AI

(12:32) Finding conflicts, segments, and gaps in consumer data

(14:10) Directing AI research: where to look and time windows

(16:01) Human nuance vs aggregates; walls around data sources

(18:36) Fragmented health data and DIY analysis with AI

(21:01) Asking better questions: from focus groups to prompting

(23:04) Context engineering and prompt structure best practices

(26:06) Non‑diagnostic framing and advocating with your doctor

(27:33) How to contact Kaye and her custom GPT offer

Looking for a podcast guest? Author Matt Rouse
Hook Digital Marketing | Hook Digital Marketing Canada
Market your local business on autopilot: SMB Autopilot

Looking for a podcast guest? Author Matt Rouse
Hook Digital Marketing | Hook Digital Marketing Canada
Market your local business on autopilot: SMB Autopilot