Politely Pushy with Eric Chemi

Hosted by Eric Chemi

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Episodes

138

Latest episode

May 2026

Language

EN-US

About the show

Tech guru and veteran CNBC and Bloomberg journalist Eric Chemi takes on modern business and what it takes to break through from a journalist’s perspective. It’s all about being assertive (!!) in a way that wins friends and nurtures relationships – what we at Bospar have branded “Politely Pushy”. From CEOs, founders and investors, to IT experts, luminaries, and other interesting sorts, Eric delivers straight talk in a relaxed “let’s have coffee” conversation that’s interesting, fast-paced, and fun.

Listen to episodes

60 recent

May 12, 202623 min

The Smart Response: How Bospar Helped Smarty Own the Tariff Moment

At the 27th annual PRWeek Awards, Bospar won Best in Financial Communications for its campaign with fintech platform Smarty, “How Smarty Owned the Tariff Moment.” The campaign prevailed over finalists that included Citi and a major IPO communications campaign, showing how strategic storytelling can help emerging financial technology companies compete with some of the largest global institutions.In this episode, Eric Chemi sits down with Bospar's VP of Media Relations, Brent Shelton, to discuss how Bospar's creative storytelling helped Smarty go toe-to-toe with some of the largest global institutions.

May 5, 202635 min

Thinking Strategic with Global PR Leader Cliff Edwards: Why PR Matters for Companies of Every Size

Behind every "disruptive" and "innovative" product or service is a team of expert communicators who fuel the company's story and break through in a competitive market. Mastery of storytelling is a must-have for survival.In this episode of Politely Pushy, Eric Chemi is joined by former tech journalist and PR expert, Cliff Edwards. Cliff shares anecdotes from his coveted roles at Bloomberg Businessweek, Netflix, and NVIDIA, where he deepened his knowledge of high-growth companies from the inside out and honed his craft as a seasoned storyteller. Tune in to hear Cliff discuss his pivot from journalism to global communications to gain a bird's-eye view of the tech industry. He also highlights how effectively leveraging PR and communications can mean the difference between growth and stagnation.

April 28, 202638 min

Queer Joy is Resistance: Winning Big for the LGBTQ+ Community

During the 27th annual PRWeek Awards, Bospar and San Francisco Pride celebrated winning Best in Community Relations for the "Queer Joy is Resistance" campaign. This campaign underscored the nonprofit's 2025 theme and the community's resilience during a complex cultural moment.In this special edition of Politely Pushy, Shaun Leavy and Patience Baldacci interview Executive Director of San Francisco Pride, Suzanne Ford. Hear how the team activated the campaign, carried momentum into 2026, and positioned for the challenges ahead.Bospar continues to lead strategic public and media relations for San Francisco Pride while helping the nonprofit promote the 2026 Pride Celebration. Learn more: https://sfpride.org/

February 11, 202635 min

Reshaping Corporate L&D Through the Lens of Analyst Josh Bersin

AI has been the main character in every conversation across every layer of business. This year, industry analyst Josh Bersin proposes a shift in AI's role: from an individual productivity tool to a tool for problem assessment.In this episode, Eric Chemi sits down with Josh to discuss the evolution of the $400B corporate learning segment of the HR industry, the relationship between analysts and startup companies, and how to assess business health through corporate leadership.Dig into Josh's latest research and advisory work with his newly released HR and Leadership Imperatives for 2026 report: https://joshbersin.com/imperatives/

February 3, 202634 min

Preparing for Tech Conferences With a PR and Marketing Partner

Award season and conference season go hand-in-hand. In the PR world, CES signals the beginning of another exciting event calendar. Eric Chemi is joined by Bospar's Emily Roberts and Caroline Kamerschen to explain why integrating PR, media relations, and digital marketing efforts ahead of tech industry conferences, such as NVIDIA GTC and RSA, is a critical investment.Promoting new products through demos and feeding the customer pipeline is only scratching the surface of what's possible at industry events. Are you planning to attend or exhibit at conferences this year? This episode details how a dedicated PR and marketing partner can help plan memorable activations, seize key media opportunities, engage analysts, and sustain post-show momentum.

January 27, 202639 min

Reddit, Credibility, and the Future of B2B PR in the Age of AI

Where do people turn when seeking information, yet are tired of sales-minded responses? Maybe Google, but increasingly, the answer is Reddit.In this episode, Eric Chemi chats with Bospar colleagues Connor Grant and Emma Rafanello to unpack why Reddit has become the most influential–and misunderstood– platform in B2B marketing and PR. Widespread AI-generated content has driven platform users to more community-based spaces that prioritize credibility and authenticity. The conversation covers the differentiation of Reddit vs. other major platforms, including LinkedIn; how karma and moderation shape user trust; and why “stop landing messages and start answering questions” may be the most important shift B2B brands need to make.

January 18, 202641 min

The Shift to GEO: Understanding the New Roles of PR, Social Media, and Marketing

We want answers fast. Not just any answers. We want relevant, peer-contributed, and verified answers. What happens if those answers are wrong, primarily when referring to your business and the offerings you provide?In this episode of Politely Pushy, Eric Chemi peels back the curtain on GEO (generative engine optimization). The episode features critical considerations outlined by:Bospar Principal Curtis Sparrer underscores the need for a GEO and AI search solution to uphold brand safety and keep pace with LLM updates.Bospar VP of Social Media, Connor Grant, highlights how social media platforms have become archives that LLMs scrape for relevant data. One of the key platforms contributing to AI search results is Reddit. Yet, while Reddit is one of many sources for assessing brand visibility, Jennifer Devine, founder of Freshwater Creative, shares that diversification across signals and platforms is paramount.It's time for a new playbook. Tune into this episode for expert insight into GEO and its impact on your brand.

January 13, 202637 min

How To Increase Launch Velocity With Nathan Bowser

"Frequency and authenticity are the two biggest drivers of engagement in today's channels."In this episode of Politely Pushy, Eric Chemi connects with Nathan C Bowser, a product strategist, podcast host of "The Tech Glow Up," and founder of Awesome Future. Interacting with Fortune 1000 companies and interviewing 300+ technology leaders has fine-tuned Nathan's data-meets-creative approach to helping businesses and the innovative go-to-market leaders behind them succeed. Tune into this episode as Nathan shares their insights into an AI-everywhere marketplace, coaching teams on nailing singular metrics, and the power of customer storytelling.

December 17, 202517 min

Celebrating 10 Years of Bospar

2025 was the 10th anniversary of Bospar, the "politely pushy" PR and marketing firm. Throughout the past decade, Bospar defied conventions and delivered winning results for companies across healthcare, finance, tech, and more.Eric Chemi sits down with Bospar Principals Curtis Sparrer, Chris Boehlke, and Tom Carpenter to discuss 10 years of lessons learned and achievements made.Cheers to the next 10 years!

October 21, 202551 min

Inside Retail’s AI Transformation with Greg Buzek of IHL Services

Retail is at an inflection point, and AI is the lever. In this episode, Eric Chemi chats with Greg Buzek, Chief AI Officer at IHL Services, as he breaks down how leading retailers are moving from pilot projects to sustained AI implementation.