GTM Innovators

AI has made it easier than ever to produce content, launch campaigns, and optimize performance at scale. But has it actually made marketing better?  In this episode of GTM Innovators, Kyle James sits down with Joey Lai, B2B Marketing Director at Mastercard, for a candid and deeply thoughtful conversation about what’s being lost as AI tools become embedded in everyday marketing work.  Drawing on her experience across fast-growing startups and large enterprise organizations, Joey argues that while AI accelerates output, it often erodes the critical thinking, creativity, and human insight that separate average marketing from great marketing. Together, they explore why optimization has become easier, originality has become rarer, and why the next generation of marketers faces a very real risk of outsourcing their thinking along with their tasks.   This conversation goes beyond AI hype to examine:  Why more content does not mean better marketing  How critical thinking and judgment are becoming true competitive advantages  The unintended consequences of relying on AI too early in a marketer’s career  Why human connection, curiosity, and hard thinking still matter more than speed  How leaders can develop teams that use AI as a tool, not a crutch  If you’re a GTM leader, marketer, or builder navigating the AI era, this episode challenges a simple assumption: just because marketing is easier to execute doesn’t mean it’s easier to do well.

In this episode of GTM Innovators, host Kyle James sits down with Michael Cole, SVP of Marketing at Everflow, to explore how Generative Engine Optimization (GEO) is redefining the rules of search and discoverability. As AI tools like ChatGPT and Gemini become the new front doors to information, long-tail SEO is giving way to a world driven by citations, partnerships, and authentic content. Michael shares how leading brands are adapting—building relationships with publishers, rethinking affiliate strategies, and creating human-led content that fuels visibility across AI-powered ecosystems. If you’ve ever wondered what replaces SEO in the age of AI, this conversation is your new playbook.

In this episode of GTM Innovators, Kyle James sits down with Chris Manfredi, Global Director of Analyst Relations at Sprout Social, to explore the power of analyst relations as a trust-building force in go-to-market strategy. With over a decade of experience navigating firms like Gartner, Forrester, and IDC, Chris shares how AR serves as a strategic connective tissue across product, marketing, sales, and the C-suite. From managing 1,500+ analyst touchpoints a year to synthesizing insights for executive decisions, Chris offers a behind-the-scenes look at what makes AR truly impactful, especially in today’s AI-driven, insight-saturated landscape. Whether you’re new to AR or looking to take your program to the next level, this conversation is packed with practical wisdom, human-centric perspective, and bold ideas for the future.

In this episode of GTM Innovators, we sit down with Phil Portman, founder and CEO of Textdrip, to explore how SMS is evolving from a simple communication tool into a powerful, intent-based automation channel for modern go-to-market teams. Phil shares his entrepreneurial journey from flipping houses to building a scalable, compliant SMS platform designed for regulated industries. We dive into how Textdrip leverages AI (without losing the human touch), the dos and don’ts of SMS campaigns, and why deliverability and trust are the new battlegrounds in business texting. If you’re curious about how to integrate SMS into your GTM strategy the right way, this episode is for you.

In this episode of GTM Innovators, we sit down with Mark Kilens for a conversation that brings us back to the GTM fundamentals. Mark is the VP of Marketing at EasyLlama and Founder of TACK. Mark shares how the most effective go-to-market strategies today are rooted in community, education, and trust. From building scalable programs to fostering authentic engagement, Mark’s insights may sound simple—but they’re powerfully foundational. Whether you're refining your GTM motion or starting from scratch, this episode is packed with timeless advice on creating real demand through human connection.

In this episode of GTM Innovators, host Kyle James sits down with John Baldino, President of Humareso and co-host of the But First Coffee Podcast, for a candid conversation on the future of AI in the workplace. This discussion explores how organizations must balance innovation with responsibility when adopting AI technologies. John shares his insights on building trust, maintaining ethical standards, and preserving the human element as AI continues to reshape the way we work. From recruitment to performance management, this episode offers practical advice for leaders navigating the rapidly evolving landscape of technology and talent.

In this episode of GTM Innovators, we sit down with Scott Newman, Chief Strategy Officer at OneSource, to explore how AI is fundamentally transforming the BPO industry. Scott shares how OneSource is leveraging its platform, CalibrAIte, to move beyond traditional contact center operations—empowering frontline agents, automating coaching and QA processes, and generating the structured data companies need to truly adopt AI. From real-time feedback loops to global scalability, Scott offers actionable insights and hard-won lessons on what it really takes to innovate in one of the most human-centric corners of the business world.

In this episode of GTM Innovators, host Kyle James sits down with Sara Rosso, Senior Director of Product Marketing at Smartcat, for a wide-ranging conversation on the evolving role of AI in global go-to-market strategies. From her roots in engineering to her marketing leadership across companies like HubSpot, Automattic, and now Smartcat, Sara shares how AI is transforming content localization, translation workflows, and the very nature of cross-border collaboration. Tune in as we explore why AI might just be the new Babelfish—and what that means for product marketers, enterprise teams, and the future of global communication.

In this episode of GTM Innovators, host Kyle James sits down with Jon White, SVP of Product at Crayon, to explore how AI is reshaping the world of competitive intelligence. Jon shares how Crayon is helping go-to-market teams move beyond manual research and outdated battle cards by harnessing AI to surface real-time insights, identify emerging competitors, and enable sales teams with smarter, more strategic content. From parsing call transcripts to tracking digital footprints, Jon walks us through the evolving tech stack for modern competitive enablement—and what’s coming next. Whether you're in sales, product, or marketing, this is a conversation you won’t want to miss.

In this episode of GTM Innovators, Kyle James chats with Finn Thormeier, founder of Project 33, about how B2B founders and execs can unlock growth by building authentic, strategic personal brands. Finn breaks down what separates real thought leaders from content noise, how to turn subject-matter expertise into consistent demand, and why controversial takes (when done right) drive results. If you're leading a GTM motion and want your voice to cut through, this episode is your playbook.

In this episode of GTM Innovators, we sit down with Jenn Steele, founder and CEO of SoundGTM, to explore how B2B partnerships are evolving as a powerful growth strategy. Jenn shares her journey from IT leadership to marketing powerhouse—spanning roles at HubSpot, Amazon, and beyond—and why she believes traditional partner marketing is broken. We dive deep into the challenges of scaling B2B partnerships, the role of AI in optimizing demand generation, and how companies can leverage their ecosystems for smarter growth. Whether you’re a GTM leader, startup founder, or marketing strategist, this conversation is packed with insights on modernizing your partnership approach and driving real revenue impact.

In this episode of “Ditching Buyer Personas: Mastering Hyper-Personalization in Modern GTM,” host Kyle James sits down with serial entrepreneur and content aficionado Nick Zeckets the CEO at Air Traffic Control to explore the evolving landscape of AI-driven marketing. From delivering the right content at precisely the right time to automating relevance at scale, Nick shares why traditional buyer personas are losing their power—and how organizations can embrace hyper-personalization for more meaningful engagement. Tune in for a deep dive on leveraging real-time data, refining your content strategy, and empowering teams across sales, marketing, and customer success to create truly individualized experiences.

In this episode of GTM Innovators, host Kyle James sits down with Sheri Otto, founder and CEO of Growth Lane Strategies, to explore the evolving role of AI, behavioral science, and demand generation in modern go-to-market (GTM) strategies. As businesses struggle to connect content to revenue, Sheri shares her expert insights on how AI can go beyond just content creation to drive real engagement, improve segmentation, and optimize the customer journey. From identifying high-intent buyers to leveraging AI for strategic decision-making, this conversation is packed with actionable takeaways for marketers, sales teams, and product leaders looking to elevate their GTM motions. Tune in to discover how AI is reshaping demand generation and why the best-performing companies are embracing it as a strategic growth partner—not just an automation tool.

In this episode of GTM Innovators, we sit down with Tim Macchi, Growth Product Manager at TeamGantt, to explore how AI is reshaping the way we build and optimize products. From using AI agents for QA testing to accelerating market research and streamlining product analytics, Tim shares his hands-on experience with automation and AI-powered workflows. We dive into how product managers can leverage AI to work smarter, reduce inefficiencies, and unlock new growth opportunities. Whether you're a product leader, marketer, or innovator looking to stay ahead of the AI revolution, this conversation is packed with insights you won’t want to miss!

Demand generation is undergoing a major transformation, and AI is at the center of it all. In this episode of GTM Innovators, host Kyle James sits down with Prashant Kaw to explore how AI is reshaping demand gen workflows, disrupting traditional attribution models, and redefining go-to-market strategies. From hyper-personalization to the rise of dark social, we dive deep into the biggest challenges and opportunities for marketers in an AI-driven world. Tune in for insights that will help you stay ahead in the evolving landscape of B2B marketing.

In this episode of the GTM Innovators Podcast, host Kyle James sits down with John Marcus III, founder of Fractional Ventures, to explore the cutting-edge intersection of AI and sales. John introduces the transformative concept of AI Qualified Leads (AIQL), dives into the power of bespoke data for uncovering non-obvious customer insights, and shares why context is the cornerstone of successful AI implementations. Packed with actionable advice and forward-thinking perspectives, this conversation is a must-listen for anyone looking to elevate their sales strategy and embrace the future of go-to-market innovation.

In this episode of GTM Innovators, I sit down with Mike Redbord to explore how AI is transforming customer success and support. From leveraging automation to streamline operations to the evolving role of CS professionals, Mike shares insights on balancing technology and human connection in modern B2B SaaS.

Hosted by Kyle James, this podcast dives deep into the world of B2B SaaS, featuring conversations with experts in go-to-market strategies. With over 15 years of experience across customer success, sales, marketing, and more, Kyle brings a wealth of knowledge and a passion for storytelling to every episode. In Season 1, we tackle five key questions shaping the future of B2B SaaS: How are AI and automation transforming teams? What’s the impact of AI-powered personalization on the customer journey? How are companies leveraging big data to enhance decision-making and experiences? What roles do integrations and cloud platforms play in scalability? How critical is omnichannel communication for retention and CX? Each week, we’ll learn from innovators who share their successes, challenges, and lessons learned. Tune in, share, and join us as we explore the strategies driving B2B SaaS forward!