Go Fungal

Hosted by Matt Cornelison, Fungi Media

Business Marketing

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Latest episode

May 2026

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About the show

This podcast is for marketers, communicators and storytellers on a mission to make meaningful connections with their audience. Easier said than done. We talk about ways to do that and more...and we keep it fun.

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60 recent

May 19, 202623 min

Journey from Heritage Brand to Viral Product Campaign

Brands are fighting harder than ever to break through a congested landscape. Matt sits down with guest Michael Shmarak to unpack how creative PR, timing, and human connection helped revive the historic Smith Brothers cough drop brand and turn it into a national retail success story. Michael shares the behind-the-scenes thinking that helped transform Smith Brothers from a forgotten legacy brand into a product carried in over 42,000 stores across the US and Canada. Michael explains how great marketing happens when brands tap into emotion, personality, and culture—not just product features. What you’ll learn in this episode: - Why personality and storytelling matter more than product specs in marketing - How Michael took a cultural moment from the Chicago Blackhawks and leveraged it into a success campaign. - Why human connection still beats technology when it comes to building trust and brand loyalty - Michael’s perspective on “moments-based marketing” and creating cultural relevance in real time Check out Michael on LinkedIn!

April 29, 202624 min

What Great Mentorship Actually Looks Like

As AI continues to reshape how work gets done, it’s also quietly changing how people learn to do the work in the first place. Matt sits down with Antonio Garcia to unpack a growing concern: AI may be accelerating output, but it’s also threatening the job experience that junior professionals need to advance. Drawing from his own experience, he breaks down what actually makes a great mentor, and how intentional guidance can be career defining. In an attempt to bridge the generational gap, Antonio has helped start a mentorship program, Strength in Numbers. It’s a Chicago based group focusing on senior professionals taking accountability for young people's progress. What you’ll learn in this episode: - Why AI may be limiting early-career, on-the-job learning opportunities - The key traits that separate good mentors from great ones - How mentorship can be the defining factor in a young professional's careers. Check out Antonio on LinkedIn! https://www.linkedin.com/in/amgarcia/ Don't forget to check out Strength in Numbers below. https://strengthinnumbers.cargo.site/

March 24, 202615 min

Breaking Through AI Noise: B2B Branding and Self-Service Ads with Steve Robinson

With the rise of AI tools changing how buyers research, traditional intent-based marketing like Google Ads is losing its edge. Matt travels to Milwaukee to sit down with guest Steve Robinson, a B2B marketing strategist. Steve discusses why B2B marketers need to return to fundamental branding and audience building to cut through the increasing noise of AI. To help marketing leaders adapt, Steve has developed Path3. This platform empowers B2B marketers to execute self-service advertising across multiple channels without needing deep technical expertise in each individual platform. What you'll learn in this episode: - Why B2B marketers must shift their focus from catching intent to building an audience. - How Path three allows marketers to push creative out to various platforms and pull metrics back in. - The growing importance of authentic social proof and a strong brand position in an AI-saturated world. Check out Steve on Linkedin! https://www.linkedin.com/in/stevedrobinson/

March 19, 202624 min

A Futurist’s Approach to Storytelling

An effective way for your audience to make sense of what's new is to connect it to what's known. Today, Mike Bechtel is here to teach you techniques to tell better stories. In his work as a futurist, he helps companies understand what's new and next. His strategies include using silence, a three act structure and analogies to stop from just adding to the noise. Stick around to learn how to implement these into your own storytelling. Learn something new in this week's episode! Check out Mike on LinkedIn https://www.linkedin.com/in/mikebechtel/

February 24, 202622 min

How Agency Owners Get Unstuck

You’re a Founder who built your agency from the ground up. Congrats on getting this far! The bad news is, what helped you grow, isn’t going to help you scale. At this phase, it’s time to shift priorities, get clearer processes and delegate operations among your Senior people. If stagnancy and heavy workload is bogging you down, Isabelle Papoulias, Head of Operations and Marketing at EliteOps is here to help. With sharp experience as a COO, she’s bringing tips and tricks for getting yourself unstuck while generating lasting improvement with your team. This episode, expand your perspective! Check out Isabelle on LinkedIn! https://www.linkedin.com/in/isabellepapoulias/

January 27, 202620 min

Leadership: Improv Ain't No Joke

Is improv your missing leadership skill? Just ask Marcy Freeman, a Global Marketer with over 20 years of experience. She’s developed brand strategies and product campaigns as an Executive Leader. She's also an avid improver who’s performed with Chicago’s Second City. This episode, Marcy walks us through her journey to becoming a performer, and all the ways it has made her a more active listener, leader and brainstormer. As crazy as it sounds, spontaneity may be the quality your leadership style is desperately lacking. Figure out how to use it this episode! Check out Marcy on LinkedIn! https://www.linkedin.com/in/marcyefreeman/

January 13, 202621 min

How Comms Pros are Landing Gigs Today

In the comms world today, it’s never been harder to stand out. This week, Brooke Kruger of KC Partners is advising you on what interviewers want to hear. Brooke has a variety of interview tips up her sleeve that are going to wow comms leaders. Those include knowing your passions and studying the job you're applying for like you’ve already got it. We give you all that and more this week! Check out Brooke on LinkedInhttps://www.linkedin.com/in/brookechilenkruger/

December 30, 202525 min

How Presence Fuels Your Team's Productivity

You’re the reason your business isn’t growing (and that’s good news). Take it from Brad Farris who has specialized in coaching agency and marketing leaders for 25 years. Brad encourages leaders to slow down, take time to reflect and assess their process before half-hearted productivity. If you feel like there's something standing in the way of you and your vision, you may actually be the answer you’re looking for. Tune in this week for more! Check out Brad on LinkedIn!https://www.linkedin.com/in/bradfarris/

December 17, 202525 min

CMOs Need to Embrace Two New Skillsets

AI is flipping marketing workflow on its head. That’s what Manny Rivera say’s. He’s led platform transformations for Coca Cola, Salesforce and Ford Motor Company for over 25 years. Along with how skilled he is in traditional brand functions, he’s guiding his clients into the future on how to integrate AI tools into organizations' everyday operations. His biggest message is the importance of two significant skillsets that are emerging. Learn what they are this episode Check out Manny on LinkedIn!https://www.linkedin.com/in/mannyrivera1/

December 2, 202523 min

How to Have Hard Conversations at Work

Most leaders aren't happy with how they show up during hard conversations with employees. Sondra Imperati, Founder of Persistent Courage, has spent her career guiding leaders in the corporate setting and now through one-on-one coaching, to help them get unstuck. As it turns out, you need to start with your values. Sondra has her own incredible story of leaving her job and marriage in order to pursue a life of persistent courage. In this episode, she teaches us where to start when we're stuck by analyzing your core self. We dive deeper in this episode! Find Sondra on LinkedIn! https://www.linkedin.com/in/sondraimperati/