The SpotOn Spotlight Podcast

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Creative & Storytelling

Leadership & Organizational Performance

Marketing & Brand Strategy

People & Culture

Sales & Business Development

The Future of Work Is Fractional: Work With Meaning

The way we work and lead is undergoing a revolution. Across industries, executives are leaving corporate burnout behind and redefining success on their own terms. The result? A new model of leadership built on flexibility, trust, and purpose: fractional leadership.

In this episode of SpotOn Spotlight, host Ian Murray sits down with Ford Knowlton, founder of Work With Meaning and author of the FracStack Substack, to explore how the fractional executive movement is reshaping the modern workforce. Together, they unpack what’s driving this rapid growth, why so many leaders are walking away from corporate life, and how community and meaning are becoming the new measures of success.

From the $5.7B rise of fractional leadership to the growing demand for purposeful, trust-based work, Ford shares how Work With Meaning is helping executives find fulfillment and companies access world-class leadership, without the burnout.

If you’re rethinking your career, your culture, or the future of leadership, this conversation will help you see why the future of work is fractional — and deeply human.

The Power of Connecting: How Helping First Builds Long-Term Business Value

In this episode of SpotOn Spotlight, host Ian Murray sits down with Todd Wilkowski, attorney, fractional general counsel, and trusted advisor at Frost Brown Todd. Todd is more than a legal strategist; he’s a servant leader and a gifted connector who believes that generosity and relationship-building are the true engines of sustainable business growth.

Together, they explore the difference between social media as consumption and social networking as connection, the shift from “business development” to “relationship development,” and why leaders who focus on helping others first create reputations that compound into opportunity, loyalty, and long-term success.

If you’re a business owner, leader, or executive looking to grow your influence and impact through meaningful relationships, this is a conversation you won’t want to miss.

SEO in the Age of AI: Cutting Through the Noise to Generate Real Leads

In this episode of SpotOn Spotlight, Ian sits down with Scott Sutter, entrepreneur and digital marketing strategist, to tackle a big question: Is SEO really dead—or just evolving?

Scott shares candid insights on how search is changing in the age of AI, introducing concepts like answer engine optimization and generative experience optimization. He explains why SEO still matters for local, service-based businesses, and how AI tools are making lead generation faster, cheaper, and more accessible than ever.

Whether you’re a business leader trying to cut through the noise, or just curious about the future of SEO and AI-driven marketing, this conversation will give you actionable ideas to help you get found and generate real leads.

Insurance Evolved: Proactive Risk Management for Today’s Businesses – Jonathan Theders (OneDigital)

On this episode of the SpotOn Spotlight, we sit down with Jonathan Theders, Principal & Market Leader – Ohio South at OneDigital, to discuss how business leaders can shift their mindset from simply buying insurance to proactively managing risk.

Jonathan brings decades of experience helping companies uncover hidden vulnerabilities, reduce exposure, and protect their people, assets, and future. At OneDigital, his team partners with clients to design strategies that are much more than insurance products—empowering businesses to make informed decisions, mitigate risk, and embrace growth with confidence.

We’ll explore practical steps leaders can take to safeguard their organizations, how technology and data are reshaping risk management, and why a proactive approach to risk is more important than ever in today’s business landscape.

How Marketing Fuels Brand Strategy in Traditional Industries – Paul Moran (DBL Law)

What does it take to make marketing matter in industries that have long ignored it?

In this episode of SpotOn Spotlight, Ian Murray sits down with Paul Moran, Chief Marketing Officer at DBL Law and Excel Title Services, for a candid conversation about what it means to lead with marketing—especially when you’re the first one through the wall.

With more than 30 years of experience, Paul has built a career helping companies in construction, law, and hospitality carve out their brand identity, tell better stories, and stand apart in saturated markets. From launching standout campaigns at Boca Restaurant Group to redefining positioning at Huseman Group and now DBL Law, Paul shares how he’s helped leadership teams see marketing not as an expense—but as a strategic advantage.

You’ll hear how Paul:
• Positions companies to do what’s right to help them stand out.
• Pushes creative storytelling into industries that traditionally play it safe.
• Navigates the internal challenge of convincing leadership to take marketing seriously.
• Builds trust and influence as a marketer in non-marketing cultures.

Whether you’re a CMO, a marketing manager, or a business leader in an industry still on the marketing sidelines, this episode is filled with practical insights—and a little inspiration—to help you lead the charge.

CMO Without the Overhead: When Fractional Leadership Fuels Full-Throttle Growth – Toby Brauer

In this episode of the SpotOn Spotlight, we dive into the growing world of fractional leadership with Toby Brauer, Founder, Principal, and CMO at SolvStat. With a dynamic background in branding, go-to-market strategy, and startup growth, Toby has helped numerous small to mid-sized businesses sharpen their marketing focus, accelerate results, and scale with confidence—all without the overhead of a full-time executive.

Join us as we explore the topic, “CMO Without the Overhead: When Fractional Leadership Fuels Full-Throttle Growth.” Toby shares what sets a Fractional CMO apart from consultants and agencies, how to know when your business is ready for one, and why so many companies wait too long to get strategic about their marketing. We also discuss the common pitfalls businesses face before bringing in a marketing leader, how the fractional model creates agility, and what a successful transition from fractional to full-time leadership looks like.

Whether you’re a founder juggling too much, a marketing manager looking for clarity, or a business leader seeking scalable growth, this episode delivers valuable insights into building smart, sustainable marketing momentum. Don’t miss this engaging conversation with one of the Midwest’s leading fractional CMOs.

Built on Values: How Core Beliefs Shape the Way We Hire, Train, and Coach – Dakota Beerman

In this episode of The SpotOn Spotlight, Ian Murray sits down with business leader and owner/coach at Legacy Build, Dakota Beerman, to explore the transformative role of core values in building high-performing teams. From his roots in the family business to his current role as a coach, Dakota shares how clearly defined values serve as a north star for recruiting, onboarding, and developing talent.

Whether you’re an HR professional, a business owner, or a team leader, this conversation offers actionable insights on turning your company’s values into a practical framework for better hiring decisions, impactful training, and meaningful coaching. Learn how core values—when lived and reinforced—can become your company’s greatest competitive edge.

Fanatical Prospecting in 2025: Winning Strategies for Sales Success – Jessica Stokes (Sales Gravy)

In this episode of the SpotOn Spotlight, we dive into the world of modern sales prospecting with Jessica Stokes, Master Sales Trainer at Sales Gravy. With over a decade of experience in sales, training, and leadership, Jessica has coached thousands of sales professionals to master Fanatical Prospecting, a methodology pioneered by Sales Gravy founder Jeb Blount. Known for her ability to transform sales teams with real-world tactics, Jessica helps organizations fill their pipelines, overcome call reluctance, and increase revenue through relentless, high-impact prospecting.

Join us as we explore winning prospecting strategies for 2025. Jessica breaks down the evolution of prospecting, the most effective outreach methods, and the biggest mistakes sales professionals make when trying to build a pipeline. She shares practical insights on multi-channel prospecting and why picking up the phone is still one of the most powerful tools in a salesperson’s arsenal.

Whether you’re a sales leader, business owner, or frontline seller, this episode is packed with actionable strategies to help you stay ahead of the competition, book more meetings, and close more deals.

Tune in and take your prospecting game to the next level!

Servant Leadership: Building Stronger Businesses by Putting People First – Billy Southerland

In this episode of SpotOn Spotlight, we sit down with Billy Southerland, CEO of IronRoad, to explore the impact of servant leadership in business. With decades of leadership experience, Billy has built a thriving company by prioritizing people—both employees and clients—before profits.

Join us as we discuss the core principles of servant leadership, the challenges of implementing it in today’s business world, and how this mindset fosters stronger teams, deeper client relationships, and long-term growth. Billy shares practical strategies for embedding a culture of servant leadership, the power of leading with integrity, and why he believes servant leadership is the missing piece in many organizations.

Whether you’re a business leader, manager, or aspiring entrepreneur, this episode provides valuable insights and actionable takeaways to help you transform your leadership approach.

Learn how leading by serving can create lasting success in business and beyond!

Measuring Your Marketing: Aligning Strategies with Business Goals with Amy Connor (E8)

In this episode of the SpotOn Spotlight, we dive into the world of marketing metrics and strategy alignment with Amy Connor, CEO of CMO-OnLoan. With a rich background that spans over two decades in marketing leadership, Amy has honed her expertise at top companies like Procter & Gamble and Luxottica before founding CMO-OnLoan in 2016. Her passion lies in helping businesses think and act with agility while achieving measurable growth.

Join us as we explore the essentials of “Measuring Your Marketing: Aligning Strategies with Business Goals.” Amy shares her insights on determining the right metrics for each stage of the marketing funnel, the challenges of measuring ROI in complex marketing landscapes, and the importance of aligning your marketing efforts with your overall business objectives. Whether you are a seasoned marketing professional or a business leader looking to refine your approach, this episode offers actionable strategies and expert advice to help you drive meaningful results.

Learn from a marketing veteran who has helped countless businesses turn data into growth. Don’t miss this chance to transform your marketing measurement approach and align your strategy with success!

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