Anyone can scale up and produce content, but gaining market trust can make or break your brand’s success. Today, AI is shaping how content is created, published, and distributed at scale, and many brands are prioritizing efficiency without stopping to ask what it costs…putting their credibility at risk. The real danger is publishing faster than you can verify. AI can surface information, but it cannot validate accuracy or insight, which raises a critical question: who is accountable for what gets published? As AI becomes woven into everyday workflows, the future of content depends on whether teams can build systems that don’t just move fast, but help people trust what they’re reading.
In this episode of Straight to Voicemail, Rachel Elsts Downey talks with Jesse Bourgeault-Trickey, Global Deployment Manager at Happeo. Jesse shares how organizations can trust the content they publish when AI is involved, and why verification, ownership, and communication matter more than ever. Drawing from his work helping global teams deploy digital workplaces, he explains how trust is built through systems, not shortcuts.
You’ll learn:
Jump into the conversation:
(00:00) Why we wanted to hear from Jesse
(00:09) Why speed can undermine trust
(01:06) The rise of AI in everyday content
(01:35) Trust but verify as a content framework
(02:10) The role of subject matter experts
(02:46) Finding and fixing content gaps
(03:13) What verified content looks like
(03:45) Using AI on trusted knowledge
(04:20) Keeping teams informed as content changes
(05:11) How trust is reinforced over time
Straight to Voicemail is for CMOs, CEOs, and Heads of Marketing in B2B tech who want insights from the people who’ve been there. Each episode centers on one big question answered like a voicemail you’ll want to play again.
Don’t miss this conversation! Follow Straight to Voicemail and explore Genius Cuts for more B2B content strategy insights.
When you enter a new market, every move hinges on one thing: whether buyers trust you enough to pay attention.
In this episode of Straight to Voicemail, Rachel Elsts Downey calls Christie Horsman, Head of Marketing at UpCodes, to dig into why customer trust has to be the center of any scaling strategy. Christie shares how she approaches new markets by studying the category, understanding how buyers evaluate options, and mapping where her product fits. She explains how trust is built through people, not brands, and why thought leadership, influencer partnerships, and customer proof matter more than ever in AI driven search.
You’ll learn:
Jump into the conversation:
(00:00) Why we wanted to hear from Christie
(00:09) Why trust decides whether your strategy works
(00:20) Why Christie understands how to scale in new markets
(01:20) The different ways to approach new markets
(01:40) How to position against incumbents
(02:16) Why trust matters more than paid ads
(03:20) How influencers and ambassadors build credibility
(04:00) Why thought leadership drives trust in AI search
(06:20) Scaling through reviews and lighthouse customers
(07:40) How trust fuels your funnel
Straight to Voicemail is for CMOs, CEOs, and Heads of Marketing in B2B tech who want insights from the people who’ve been there. Each episode centers on one big question answered like a voicemail you’ll want to play again.
Don’t miss this conversation! Follow Straight to Voicemail and explore Genius Cuts for more B2B content strategy insights.
These days, AI-generated content is everywhere: it's in your feed, ads, and even in real life. Businesses can now scale and create faster than ever, but does this content actually connect with audiences? At its core, great content is personal. No matter how much AI helps us scale, we can’t lose sight of the fact that humans are essential to creating content that resonates.
In this episode of Straight to Voicemail, Rachel Elsts Downey sits down with Jimmy Girot, Director of Marketing at Intterra. Jimmy shares his insights on why content marketing is more important than ever, even as AI continues to shape the landscape. He discusses how AI can amplify human-driven content by optimizing your operations, but emphasizes that the human touch, authenticity, and emotional connection must remain at the heart of every marketing strategy.
You’ll learn:
Jump into the conversation:
(00:00) Why we wanted to hear from Jimmy
(00:10) The role of content in today’s marketing strategy
(01:00) Why content marketing is essential, even in the age of AI
(02:00) How to keep content human while using AI
(03:00) The power of starting small with content marketing
(03:40) Scaling content without losing authenticity
Straight to Voicemail is for CMOs, CEOs, and Heads of Marketing in B2B tech who want insights from the people who’ve been there. Each episode centers on one big question answered like a voicemail you’ll want to play again.
Don’t miss this conversation! Follow Straight to Voicemail and explore Genius Cuts for more B2B content strategy insights.
As automation grows, the brands that stand out will be the ones whose content still feels written by, and for, people.
In this episode of Straight to Voicemail, Rachel Elsts Downey sits down with Corey Perlman, Social and Digital Marketing Speaker at Impact Social. Corey shares his approach to leveraging AI without losing authenticity in content. He talks about how AI can support content creation while emphasizing the importance of human input to maintain quality, relatability, and trust with your audience.
You’ll learn:
Jump into the conversation:
(00:00) Why we wanted to hear from Corey
(00:15) Why AI can't replace human touch in content creation
(01:05) Meet Corey Perlman from Impact Social
(01:35) Using AI as a tool, not a replacement
(02:10) The importance of human editing in AI content
(02:40) Creating content that resonates and builds trust
(03:10) Practical tips for using AI in social media
(03:35) How AI can help you scale your content
Straight to Voicemail is for CMOs, CEOs, and Heads of Marketing in B2B tech who want insights from the people who’ve been there. Each episode centers on one big question answered like a voicemail you’ll want to play again.
Don’t miss this conversation! Follow Straight to Voicemail and explore Genius Cuts for more B2B content strategy insights.
Most marketing teams struggle to prove that content drives real business results, and without that proof, it’s often the first thing cut.
In this episode of Straight to Voicemail, Amanda Smith talks with Chelsea Lassen, Director of Content, Comms, and Storytelling at Cority. With a background spanning industries from LED lighting to glamping, Chelsea shares how she turned social media into a demand engine, building relationships that drove measurable revenue impact.
You’ll learn:
Jump into the conversation:
(00:00) Why we wanted to hear from Chelsea
(00:10) The power of content in driving business outcomes
(00:39) Meet Chelsea Lassen from Cority
(01:25) Building a social-first demand engine
(02:00) How content created 43% of inbound leads
(02:34) When brand awareness turns into real pipeline
(03:14) Why being human builds audience trust
(03:40) Creating inside jokes and feedback loops with your audience
(04:08) How long-term brand investment pays off
(05:12) Redefining content as a relationship tool
Straight to Voicemail is for CMOs, CEOs, and Heads of Marketing in B2B tech who want insights from the people who’ve been there. Each episode centers on one big question answered like a voicemail you’ll want to play again.
Don’t miss this conversation! Follow Straight to Voicemail and explore Genius Cuts for more B2B content strategy insights.
Digital fatigue is real. Buyers are tuning out, skipping ads, and scrolling past the messages that once worked. Online channels feel louder yet less effective, and the cost of standing out keeps climbing.
In this episode of Straight to Voicemail, Rachel Elsts Downey talked with Charlie Riley, Head of Marketing at OneScreen.ai, to explore the offline strategies driving real B2B demand. Charlie shares how in-person events and out-of-home advertising help brands break through the noise, create warmer conversations, and move deals faster.
You’ll learn:
Jump into the conversation:
(00:00) Why we wanted to hear from Charlie
(00:10) How digital fatigue is changing demand
(00:30) Why events matter again
(00:51) Big industry events and niche gatherings
(01:16) What shifts when you meet buyers in person
(01:41) Using out-of-home around key events
(02:20) Why buyers notice real-world ads
(02:44) The two channels driving demand in 2025
Straight to Voicemail is for CMOs, CEOs, and Heads of Marketing in B2B tech who want insights from the people who’ve been there. Each episode centers on one big question answered like a voicemail you’ll want to play again.
Don’t miss this conversation! Follow Straight to Voicemail and explore Genius Cuts for more B2B content strategy insights.
In this episode of Straight to Voicemail, Rachel Elsts Downey connects with David Nour, CEO of Avnir, to discuss the reality behind AI’s promise: it’s only as smart as the data you feed it.
He warns CMOs that “Garbage in, garbage stays.” AI can’t clean up bad data, and most B2B orgs are swimming in it. He shares how Avnir unlocks real relationship intelligence by enriching the data that actually matters. Forget automation overload. It’s time to focus on depth, not volume.
You’ll learn:
Jump into the conversation:
(00:00) Why Rachel wanted to talk to David
(00:41) The 3 truths about AI no one is talking about
(00:47) Why clean data is the real enabler of AI
(01:21) How Avnir scores relationships to quantify trust
(02:26) The myth of more and why chasing quantity hurts strategy
(03:18) A $10M missed opportunity rooted in hidden relationships
(04:08) Final thoughts and where to learn more
Straight to Voicemail is for CMOs, CEOs, and Heads of Marketing in B2B tech who want insights from the people who’ve been there. Each episode centers on one big question answered like a voicemail you’ll want to play again.
Don’t miss this conversation! Follow Straight to Voicemail and explore Genius Cuts for more B2B content strategy insights.
Audience trust lives with people, not logos. That’s exactly why brands need to start investing in influencers with intention.
In this episode of Straight to Voicemail, Rachel Elsts Downey talks with Justin Levy, Director of Content and Social Media at ZoomInfo, about why creator partnerships are one of the smartest investments a brand can make. With 15 years of building influencer programs, Justin breaks down how influencer relationships expand reach, deepen credibility, and unlock audiences brands can’t access on their own. He also shares how to choose the right creators, what smart cross‑platform investment actually looks like, and why starting with small, structured pilots is the fastest path to proof.
You’ll learn:
Jump into the conversation:
(00:00) Why we called Justin Levy about influencer marketing
(00:09) From affiliate links to creator-led brands
(00:35) The core reason brands should invest in influencers
(00:54) Why audiences trust creators over logos
(01:24) How platform influence has evolved, and why LinkedIn isn’t enough
(02:11) Where to invest beyond LinkedIn: podcasts, newsletters, YouTube
(02:37) Why brands should start small with creator pilots
(03:05) Choosing platforms and setting smart guardrails
(03:22) The brands that wait will fall behind
Straight to Voicemail is for CMOs, CEOs, and Heads of Marketing in B2B tech who want insights from the people who’ve been there. Each episode centers on one big question answered like a voicemail you’ll want to play again.
Don’t miss this conversation! Follow Straight to Voicemail and explore Genius Cuts for more B2B content strategy insights.
Building trust in brand content is harder than it seems, especially in a world full of quick fixes and AI-driven solutions.
In this episode of Straight to Voicemail, Amanda Smith speaks with Erika Childers, Director of Content and Brand at Qualytics. With years of experience in B2B content marketing, Erika shares why trust is built in the details: through authenticity, consistency, and the human touch in every piece of content. She also discusses how brands often miss the mark when they prioritize scale over connection.
You’ll learn:
Jump into the conversation:
(00:00) Why we wanted to hear from Erika
(00:10) Meet Erika Childers and the importance of trust in content
(01:00) How scaling content can hurt trust
(01:40) Why authenticity matters more than ever
(02:10) The role of humans in content creation
(02:40) Building trust through consistent messaging
(03:20) Why people-first content wins every time
(03:50) Erika’s insights from her experience at Qualytics
Straight to Voicemail is for CMOs, CEOs, and Heads of Marketing in B2B tech who want insights from the people who’ve been there. Each episode centers on one big question answered like a voicemail you’ll want to play again.
Don’t miss this conversation! Follow Straight to Voicemail and explore Genius Cuts for more B2B content strategy insights.
Most B2B teams treat content as a marketing tool, but its real job is to guide trust through every stage of the buyer’s journey.
In this episode of Straight to Voicemail, Rachel Downey talks with Adam Sockel, Senior Content Marketing Lead at Orum. With 17 years in the field, Adam shares how content builds awareness, educates prospects, and strengthens customer relationships long after the deal closes.
You’ll learn:
Jump into the conversation:
(00:00) Why we wanted to hear from Adam
(00:10) Why emotional connection drives every buying decision
(00:31) Meet Adam Sockel from Orum
(01:00) How content builds awareness and trust
(01:41) Moving from awareness to education
(02:00) Using data to differentiate your brand
(02:41) How content supports the customer after the sale
(03:20) Building long-term trust through continuous education
(03:45) Closing thoughts from Adam Sockel
Straight to Voicemail is for CMOs, CEOs, and Heads of Marketing in B2B tech who want insights from the people who’ve been there. Each episode centers on one big question answered like a voicemail you’ll want to play again.
Don’t miss this conversation! Follow Straight to Voicemail and explore Genius Cuts for more B2B content strategy insights.
In B2B marketing, trust is the ultimate currency…but it’s built one interaction at a time.
In this episode of Straight to Voicemail, Amanda Smith connects with Jeff Coyle, Head of Strategy at SiteImprove. Jeff shares his expertise on how content can build trust throughout the entire buyer journey, from awareness to purchase and beyond. He discusses the importance of knowing your customer, delivering value consistently, and creating content that speaks to each stage of the journey.
You’ll learn:
Jump into the conversation:
(00:00) Why we wanted to hear from Jeff
(00:18) Meet Jeff Coyle and the role of trust in B2B
(01:00) Why knowing your customer is key to building trust
(01:40) How content fits into every stage of the funnel
(02:00) The importance of consistent, valuable content
(02:40) Creating content for multiple buyer personas
(03:10) How to show expertise through your content
(03:40) Why trust must be maintained after the sale
Straight to Voicemail is for CMOs, CEOs, and Heads of Marketing in B2B tech who want insights from the people who’ve been there. Each episode centers on one big question answered like a voicemail you’ll want to play again.
Don’t miss this conversation! Follow Straight to Voicemail and explore Genius Cuts for more B2B content strategy insights.
Building trust starts long before the first sales call.
In this episode of Straight to Voicemail, Rachel Elsts Downey connects with Selma Chauvin, Chief Revenue Officer at Agorapulse, to explore why content is the most valuable lever a CRO can invest in. Drawing from her experience leading global revenue teams, Selma shares how trust, education, and connection drive acquisition, retention, and expansion in modern B2B sales.
In this episode, you’ll learn:
Jump into the conversation:
(00:00) Why we wanted to talk to Selma Chauvin
(01:07) Why content is the most important lever for a CRO
(01:42) How cultural differences shape the buying journey
(02:12) Building trust before sales even begin
(02:23) Aligning content with the sales message
(02:36) How content drives retention and expansion
(02:50) Selling to marketers who see through surface-level content
(03:19) The scalability advantage of strong content
(03:40) Final thoughts from Selma Chauvin
Listen to the full episode to learn how content creates connection, scales trust, and drives sustainable revenue growth.
Straight to Voicemail is for CMOs, CEOs, and Heads of Marketing in B2B tech who want insights from the people who’ve been there. Each episode centers on one big question answered like a voicemail you’ll want to play again.
Don’t miss this conversation! Follow Straight to Voicemail and explore Genius Cuts for more B2B content strategy insights.
Every brand says they want trust, but few realize how quickly the wrong content can break it.
In this episode of Straight to Voicemail, Rachel Downey talks with Stephanie Yoder, Director of Content at Rebrandly. Stephanie shares how thoughtful content earns trust, why salesy messaging breaks it, and how brands can use every touchpoint to prove credibility. She also explains how branded links drive 39% higher clicks by showing audiences exactly where they’re headed.
You’ll learn:
Jump into the conversation:
(00:00) Why we wanted to hear from Stephanie
(00:27) Why content is a brand’s best trust-building tool
(01:00) How marketing language can break audience trust
(01:20) What people-first content looks like
(01:40) How helpful content drives stronger relationships
(02:00) The importance of giving value before promoting products
(02:20) Why branded links create trust through transparency
(02:40) How Rebrandly connects content and credibility
(02:47) Closing thoughts from Stephanie Yoder
Straight to Voicemail is for CMOs, CEOs, and Heads of Marketing in B2B tech who want insights from the people who’ve been there. Each episode centers on one big question answered like a voicemail you’ll want to play again.
Don’t miss this conversation! Follow Straight to Voicemail and explore Genius Cuts for more B2B content strategy insights.
Trust usually peaks in the sales process and drops at kickoff. So, how do you stop the free fall?
In this episode of Straight to Voicemail, Amanda Smith connects with Mason Cosby, CEO of Scrappy ABM. As a founder leading a services business, Mason has seen firsthand where trust breaks down and shares the systems his team uses to close that gap early. From internal handoffs to client comms, this conversation is packed with clarity and practical fixes.
You’ll learn:
Jump into the conversation:
(00:00) Why we wanted to hear from Mason
(00:45) Meet Mason Cosby and the trust drop-off point
(01:34) Why delivery teams feel like strangers after the sale
(02:12) How Scrappy ABM makes internal team members visible
(02:22) Tactics for keeping trust across the handoff
(02:34) What sales teaches us about expectation setting
(03:09) A simple format for daily client comms
(03:52) The rule Mason uses to reset expectations
Straight to Voicemail is for CMOs, CEOs, and Heads of Marketing in B2B tech who want insights from the people who’ve been there. Each episode centers on one big question answered like a voicemail you’ll want to play again.
Don’t miss this conversation! Follow Straight to Voicemail and explore Genius Cuts for more B2B content strategy insights.
AI can speed you up, but it can also make your content sound the same as everyone else.
In this episode of Straight to Voicemail, Amanda Smith talks with Nathan Thompson, Senior Director of Product Marketing at copy.ai. Nathan shares how context, not prompts, keeps AI output on brand, how to unify voice across go-to-market, and a simple workflow that keeps humans in control.
You’ll learn:
Jump into the conversation:
(00:00) Meet Nathan Thompson
(00:10) What real, human content sounds like
(00:34) Where AI helps and where it hurts
(00:54) Meet Nathan Thompson from copy.ai
(01:03) Why context beats clever prompts
(01:26) The voicemail question
(01:46) Unifying brand voice across GTM
(02:08) Strategy, draft, polish, publish
(02:45) The prompt myth
(03:21) Fixing context to personalize
(03:40) Onboarding AI like a new hire
(03:48) Closing thoughts and resources
Straight to Voicemail is for CMOs, CEOs, and Heads of Marketing in B2B tech who want insights from the people who’ve been there. Each episode centers on one big question answered like a voicemail you’ll want to play again.
Don’t miss this conversation! Follow Straight to Voicemail and explore Genius Cuts for more B2B content strategy insights.
Getting attention is easy. Earning trust is harder, especially in healthcare, where trust can literally mean life or death.
In this episode of Straight to Voicemail, Rachel Downey connects with James Furbush, VP of Marketing at Prosperity Behavioral Health. James has spent years leading go-to-market efforts in healthcare, where trust with buyers isn’t optional. Drawing from real-life moments and one memorable quote from Jurassic Park, he breaks down how to navigate the tension between visibility and credibility.
You’ll learn:
Jump into the conversation:
(00:00) Why we wanted to talk to James
(00:26) Meet James and the problem of attention vs trust
(01:00) A life lesson from his mom that shaped his approach
(01:36) How trust gets broken in marketing
(02:00) Why “should” matters more than “can” in strategy
(02:20) The natural tension between trust and attention
(03:20) Where marketing needs to hold the line
(04:00) Why giving freely builds long-term trust
(04:40) The risks of chasing attention without permission
Straight to Voicemail is for CMOs, CEOs, and Heads of Marketing in B2B tech who want insights from the people who’ve been there. Each episode centers on one big question answered like a voicemail you’ll want to play again.
Don’t miss this conversation! Follow Straight to Voicemail and explore Genius Cuts for more B2B content strategy insights.
Board alignment is harder than ever. Budgets are tight, expectations are high, and every decision feels under a microscope.
In this episode of Straight to Voicemail, Rachel Downey connects with John E. Lepto IV, CRO at Clear Go-To-Market, a buyer intelligence firm serving private equity-backed SaaS companies. With deep experience across sales, healthcare tech, and private equity ops, John shares how strategic clarity helps leaders earn trust in the boardroom even without a formal board himself.
In this episode, you’ll learn:
Things to listen for:
(00:00) Why we wanted to talk to John
(01:40) From lending to SaaS to PE-backed GTM
(02:20) What Clear Go-To-Market actually delivers
(03:00) Why win-loss is more than “why we lose”
(04:10) Why John bets on service, not SaaS
(05:20) The two converging shifts in PE and SaaS
(07:00) What trust really means in boardroom settings
(08:40) Bringing clarity to win-loss and GTM strategy
(10:15) How Clear helps clients validate or challenge assumptions
(11:30) One piece of advice for CROs walking into the boardroom
Straight to Voicemail is for CMOs, CEOs, and Heads of Marketing in B2B tech who want insights from the people who’ve been there. Each episode centers on one big question answered like a voicemail you’ll want to play again.
Don’t miss this conversation! Follow Straight to Voicemail and explore Genius Cuts for more B2B content strategy insights.
When your company outgrows its original narrative, how do you shift the story without losing your audience?
In this episode of Straight to Voicemail, Rachel Elsts Downey taps Josh Privett, Communications Strategist and Principal Copywriter at Mantra. Josh discusses what it really takes to evolve your message and earn trust in the process.
You’ll learn:
Jump into the conversation:
(00:00) Why brand stories blur and how truth cuts through the noise
(00:57) Rebuilding trust by narrowing your message
(02:20) How a PT clinic won by owning their unique voice
(04:11) From “fix pain” to “better you” and a 77% growth spike
(05:21) Trusting your message is a business move
Straight to Voicemail is for CMOs, CEOs, and Heads of Marketing in B2B tech who want insights from the people who’ve been there. Each episode centers on one big question answered like a voicemail you’ll want to play again.
Don’t miss this conversation! Follow Straight to Voicemail and explore Genius Cuts for more B2B content strategy insights.
The key to credibility in sales? A business case your customer believes in.
In this episode of Straight to Voicemail, Rachel Elsts-Downey reaches out to Mike Genstil, Co-Founder and CEO of ValueCore. Mike talks about the disconnect between how sellers present ROI and how buyers perceive it, and offers a practical path to closing that gap with trust and transparency.
You’ll learn:
Jump into the conversation:
(00:00) Why we wanted to talk to Mike about ROI, trust, and real-world impact
(00:25) Introducing Mike Genstil of ValueCore
(00:51) How to prove ROI and win customer trust
(01:59) Why skipping “cost of the problem” is a missed opportunity
(03:25) Building trust by letting customers adjust assumptions
(04:49) The three essentials of delivering credible ROI conversations
Straight to Voicemail is for CMOs, CEOs, and Heads of Marketing in B2B tech who want insights from the people who’ve been there. Each episode centers on one big question answered like a voicemail you’ll want to play again.
Don’t miss this conversation! Follow Straight to Voicemail and explore Genius Cuts for more B2B content strategy insights.
Trust isn’t a soft skill, it’s a foundational asset.
In this episode of Straight to Voicemail, Amanda Smith connects with Dr. Denise Healy, Ph.D., CEO and Co-founder of Streets2Schools and an expert in organizational psychology. With a Ph.D. in the field and decades of executive experience, she leads with empathy and strategy, building cultures where trust isn’t just a value, but an operational tool. Her approach blends radical candor, emotional intelligence, and transformational leadership.
You’ll learn:
Jump into the conversation:
(00:00) Why trust gets talked about but rarely operationalized in leadership
(00:24) Meet Dr. Healy: How Streets2Schools turned trust into a core business function
(01:08) Denise breaks down the definition of trust leaders must align on
(02:06) How Denise uses team feedback to steer the company
(03:13) Real examples of incentive planning and strategic retreats
(04:50) Why violating stated values kills trust fast
(05:22) Radical candor and reliability: The twin pillars of trustworthy leadership
(06:15) Denise closes with two research-backed frameworks to explore
Straight to Voicemail is for CMOs, CEOs, and Heads of Marketing in B2B tech who want insights from the people who’ve been there. Each episode centers on one big question answered like a voicemail you’ll want to play again.
Don’t miss this conversation! Follow Straight to Voicemail and explore Genius Cuts for more B2B content strategy insights.