NexGen CMO Podcast

Hosted by Kelly Hopping

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Oct 2025

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About the show

Join Kelly Hopping as she explores the dynamic world of marketing leadership and the relentless pursuit of sales and marketing alignment on The NexGen CMO Podcast. In candid conversations with both seasoned CMOs and emerging sales and marketing talent, Kelly explores the challenges and triumphs that shape today's marketing landscape and leaders – and the strategic maneuvers that can help propel you to the forefront of B2B marketing. Whether you're a current CMO seeking effective team alignment strategies or a rising demand gen leader charting your career path, The NexGen CMO Podcast delivers actionable insights and innovative perspectives, ensuring you stay ahead in the ever-evolving world of marketing trends.

Listen to episodes

41 recent

October 1, 202538 min

Brian Gladstein on cybersecurity marketing transformation at Tufin

In this episode, Kelly Hopping sits down with Brian Gladstein, CMO of Tufin, to explore how marketing, data, and customer alignment can drive transformation in a rapidly shifting security landscape. Brian shares his journey from engineer to marketing leader, the lessons he’s learned guiding organizations through disruption, and the pivotal role of trust, transparency, and customer voice in reshaping a brand. From leveraging data-driven funnels to building customer advisory boards and partnering with analysts like Gartner, Brian explains the strategies that helped Tufin pivot from firewall management to broader network security posture management, tripling cloud revenue and reigniting growth. Tune in to hear how to lead with clarity during times of chaos, align sales and marketing around shared truth, and turn change into opportunity.

July 23, 202539 min

Bruno Bertini's advice on becoming a modern CMO

In this episode, Kelly Hopping sits down with Bruno Bertini, Chief Marketing Officer at 8x8, to explore what it takes to build an impactful career in marketing and lead with authenticity in today’s tech-driven landscape. Bruno shares how his unconventional journey—spanning customer experience, sales, and marketing—shaped his deep understanding of buyer psychology and organizational transformation. From orchestrating AI-powered brand strategies to leading a company-wide pivot from UCaaS to CX, Bruno offers pragmatic insights on harmonizing long-term brand equity with short-term revenue pressure. He discusses building marketing culture from the inside out, developing nuanced customer messaging, and why he believes zigzagging through disciplines is a leadership advantage, not a liability. Tune in to hear how Bruno leverages AI to scale messaging, the importance of emotional buyer insights, and why curiosity is the new superpower for modern CMOs.

July 16, 202537 min

Ed Breault on communicating with clarity and leading with curiosity

Ed Breault, CMO of Malbek, joins Kelly to share his journey from nuclear energy to MarTech to legal tech, and why seeking discomfort fuels his growth. Together they unpack boardroom communication strategies, AI-first mindsets, and the importance of building diagnostic pipelines. With stories of “buzzsaw” boardroom moments and lessons in pacing, Ed offers tactical advice for navigating executive visibility and embracing curiosity-driven leadership.

June 26, 202540 min

Zarina Stanford on Mission-Driven Authentic Leadership

What does it take to lead with purpose and drive business growth marketing? Zarina Stanford, CMO of Bazaarvoice, joins Kelly to share her journey, the power of being mission-driven, and how presence and engagement shape leadership. Together they dive into cross-functional alignment, the art and science of marketing, and offer practical advice for aspiring leaders on finding their voice and embracing agility.

May 20, 202535 min

Bryan Law on Brains, Data, and Distinction

What happens when you blend data, psychology, and storytelling in marketing leadership? In this episode, Bryan Law, CMO of SentinelOne, joins Kelly to share his thoughts on just that, while highlighting his journey to the C-suite. Together, they dive into the art and science of impactful marketing, from how testing, emotional resonance, and brand distinction drive results, to the power of storytelling in both learning and brand building. Plus, tune in for advice on how to balance speed with thoughtfulness and other advice for aspiring CMOs.

May 6, 202539 min

Sydney Sloan on GTM, Leadership, and Business Alignment

How can marketing leaders drive both growth and customer success?  Sydney Sloan, CMO at G2, shares the ins and outs of leading GTM teams, from alignment to execution. Sydney shares her career journey with Kelly, including lessons from her time as an Executive in Residence, and how aligning marketing with business goals creates impact.  Listen in as they discuss maturity models, sales enablement, leadership development, and the evolving role of marketing as a driver of business strategy.

April 15, 202529 min

Wesleyne Whittaker on Peanut Butter & Jelly: Helping Sales and Marketing Stick Together

Want your sales and marketing teams to be like peanut butter and jelly, instead of like oil and vinegar?  Wesleyne Whittaker, Founder & Chief Transformation Officer at Transformed Sales, and Kelly share advice to help make it happen.  In this episode, Wesleyne shares her journey from a chemist to a successful sales strategist and leadership expert. Listen in as they discuss the importance of leadership in sales and how to empower teams for better performance. Together they emphasize the need for collaboration, data-driven decision-making, and having the heart of a teacher in sales management.

April 1, 202531 min

Taylor Hatfield on How Authenticity Wins in Modern Selling

What does being a softball coach and a sales coach have in common?  Taylor Hatfield, Executive Sales Coach at Lushin, says authenticity.  In this episode, Kelly and Taylor discuss Taylor's journey from being a collegiate softball coach to a sales coach, the importance of authenticity in selling, and how this all relates back to marketers.  Listen to learn more about the importance of understanding personality types, sales psychology, and the significance of empowering teams through positive beliefs rather than fear-based leadership.

March 18, 202534 min

Arun Lal on the Power of Community and AI

How can marketers build and leverage engaged audiences? Arun Lal, VP of Marketing at DocketAI, says communities play a critical role. Tune in for a conversation between Kelly Hopping and Arun on the importance of community building in startups and the challenges and opportunities in marketing AI products. In this episode, Arun emphasizes the need for a shift in how businesses approach workflows with AI, advocating for a re-imagination of processes rather than mere automation.

March 4, 202532 min

Alicia Hale on the Future of AI in B2B Marketing

What will the CMO role look like in 3-5 years? Kelly Hopping and Alicia Hale, SVP of Growth Marketing at Demandbase and a two-time CMO, explore the future of the CMO role and how AI will make an impact. Tune in for an energetic conversation around how AI is transforming marketing strategies, enhancing personalization, and reshaping job roles. Together they explore how AI is empowering CMOs to become more data literate and strategic, allowing them to focus on deeper human elements of marketing.

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