What's Shaping My Thinking
The ideas influencing how I approach communication, marketing, and human behavior.
They Ask, You Answer
Marcus Sheridan
What it reinforces:
Buyers don’t want to be sold to—they want clarity. This book sharpened my belief that the most effective marketing removes friction by answering real questions, directly and transparently. It’s a mindset I apply when building content strategies that prioritize trust over tactics.
12 Rules for Life
Jordan Peterson
What I take from it:
Structure creates stability. While not a marketing book, it reinforces the importance of clarity, responsibility, and disciplined thinking—principles that carry directly into how I approach communication, leadership, and decision-making.
Smartless
Why it stands out:
Great communication doesn’t always look polished—it looks human. This podcast is a reminder that authenticity, curiosity, and humor create connection in a way scripted messaging often can’t. That translates directly into how audiences engage with brands.
Do This, Not That
How I apply it:
This podcast strikes a strong balance of tactical marketing insight and real-world application. It reinforces the importance of staying current while filtering trends through a practical lens—focusing on what actually drives results, not just what’s new.
Evolving Marketing Landscape
I don’t just follow trends, I evaluate how they shape behavior, communication, and business outcomes.
Artificial Intelligence
When AI first entered the mainstream, I’ll admit, I had reservations as a creative. But what I’ve seen since is a shift, not a replacement. AI isn’t the work; it’s the accelerator. I use it to streamline execution, surface insights, and scale personalization, allowing more space for what actually drives impact: strategy, creativity, and human understanding.
Transparency
We’ve moved past the era of polished perfection. Audiences are looking for clarity, honesty, and connection and they can tell when something feels manufactured. I approach communication with a focus on trust-building, helping brands show up in a way that’s real, consistent, and worth engaging with.
Short-Form Video
Attention is earned in seconds. Short-form video isn’t just a trend; it’s a shift in how people consume and connect with information. I see it as an opportunity to deliver value quickly, communicate clearly, and create moments that feel immediate, human, and engaging without overproduction.
Leadership in Practice
I pay attention to how leaders communicate, decide, and build trust—then put it into practice.
Brené Brown
Leadership through vulnerability
Her work reinforces that trust isn’t built through perfection—it’s built through honesty. I carry that into how I communicate, especially in moments of uncertainty or change, where clarity and vulnerability matter most.
Susan Cain
Leadership doesn’t require volume
Susan Cain reshaped how I think about influence. Leadership isn’t always loud—it’s often thoughtful, observant, and intentional. I bring that perspective into collaborative environments, making space for different voices and approaches.
Simon Sinek
Start with purpose
His focus on “why” sharpened how I think about alignment. Whether building a campaign or communicating change, I anchor messaging in purpose so people understand not just what’s happening—but why it matters.
Gary Vaynerchuk
Decisiveness and ownership
Gary Vee represents a bias toward action. While not every approach is universal, his willingness to move, test, and own outcomes reinforces the importance of momentum—something I value when turning strategy into execution.