Question Everything

Hosted by Curiosity

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Aug 2026

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About the show

Part interview, part therapy, part Price Is Right, the Question Everything podcast puts your favorite CMOs and thought leaders in the hot seat. Question Everything is hosted by Ashley Walters, CMO and partner at Curiosity: an independent, full-service creative agency based in Cincinnati.

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44 recent

August 4, 2026Episode 1041 min

The growth playbook behind Mike & Ike's We Got'chew with Meenakshi Trehan, Chief Growth Officer at Just Born

The growth playbook behind Mike & Ike's We Got'Chew with Meenakshi Trehan, Chief Growth Officer at Just Born Meenakshi Trehan is responsible for growing some of the most iconic candy brands in the world, including MIKE AND IKE, PEEPS, HOT TAMALES and GOLDENBERG'S PEANUT CHEWS. As Chief Growth Officer at Just Born, she's helping beloved brands with decades-long histories find new ways to show up for today's consumers. In this episode of Question Everything with Meenakshi, we cover how MIKE AND IKE turned a product truth into the "We Got'Chew" brand campaign platform, the best ways to modernize legacy brands, and celebrity partnerships that actually build brand equity. What you'll learn in this episode: How legacy brands should (and should not) use their heritage How MIKE AND IKE and Curiosity arrived at the new "We Got'Chew Platform" The four keys for a successful legacy brand Meenakshi's proven leadership advice for CMOs Why Knicks player Josh Hart was named President of Candy Operations The story behind Kenan Thompson's directorial debut for MIKE AND IKE's We Got'chew How family-owned companies like Just Born can outperform corporate machines Balancing playful creative with meaningful business results Resources: Learn more about MIKE AND IKE and Curiosity's We Got'Chew campaign Meet Josh Hart, MIKE AND IKE's President of Candy Operations See how PEEPS ignited social during this year's big game Learn more about the family-owned company, Just Born Connect with Meenakshi on LinkedIn

July 7, 2026Episode 4240 min

How brands can find better insights with Adam Wilson, Co-Founder of D/CAL

Adam Wilson has spent his career helping brands stand out. After years at creative agencies and a stint leading brand marketing at Carhartt, he now leads strategy and creative at D/CAL, the agency he co-founded with Tony Hawk. In this episode of Question Everything, Adam shares why so many CMOs struggle to differentiate their brand, how brands can think like creators to earn attention, and how CMOs can get the most from their agency partners. What you'll learn in this episode: How CMOs are being set up to fail and what agencies can do to help Why you can't rely on quantitative data to differentiate your brand Why you need to differentiate further upstream The best use case for AI in agencies Why there should be some pushback in your agency relationship Why D/CAL's advisory board is filled with cultural tastemakers like Skateboarder Tony Hawk and Music Producer Paul Blair Why brands need to start thinking like creators What CMOs get wrong about Creatives and what Creatives get wrong about CMOs Resources: Learn more about D/CAL on their website See D/CAL's advisory board Check out D/CAL's latest work Connect with Adam on LinkedIn

June 2, 2026Episode 4135 min

How to pitch creative work with presentation coach Ben Levy

Like most creatives in ad land, Ben was taught how to make great work, not how to sell it. He let his work "speak for itself" until he realized that great ideas don't win unless they've got a great pitch behind them. With few actionable frameworks or guides available, he took matters into his own hands, teaching himself the art of pitching. That journey led him to build a 10-session course, author two books, and coach some of the industry's top creatives on how to "sell it great." In this episode of Question Everything, Ben shares how to uncover the invisible brief every client has, shake off presentation nerves, and answer the four questions a pitch must address to win. What you'll learn in this episode: What the client's invisible brief is and how to solve it The four or five motivations your clients have behind the work The most powerful tool for presenters, and how to use it Why you should get comfortable with silence in presentations Two exercises to shake off nerves before big presentations How a presentation changes when it's virtual vs in-person How to stop "hiding behind your deck" The four questions you must answer for a winning pitch Resources: Learn more about Ben and his Sell It Great program on his website Get a copy of Stop Reading Slides, Ben's guide to creative presentations Plan your next creative presentation with Ben's Practical Pitch Planner Find more on REI's #OptOutside Black Friday campaign Connect with Ben on LinkedIn

May 5, 2026Episode 750 min

Brand strategy lessons from Heidi Hackemer: how brands break through

What it takes for brands to break through with Heidi Hackemer, Principal of Hackemer Heidi Hackemer is the Principal of strategy consultancy Hackemer, where she fearlessly tackles the brand world's most interesting challenges. Her approach to breakthrough strategy isn't flashy – it's rooted in the fundamentals. From Google and Nike to the Obama White House, she's started every assignment the same way: the 4C's framework, a whiteboard, and a Diet Coke. In this episode of Question Everything, Heidi shares what brands can do to create space in a crowded landscape, what legacy brands need to make a comeback, and why CMOs need to be the bravest people in the room for a brand to grow. What you'll learn in this episode: The thinking behind Oatly's infamous "Wow No Cow" Super Bowl spot Heidi's big win for the Obama's comms department The three dimensions of a breakthrough campaign Why Unilever allowed Axe to scale with minimal oversight Why CMOs who are cautious are pissing money away Why you should listen to classical music when building presentation decks How to use the 4C's framework for both legacy and challenger brands What legacy brand who has lost their way but can make a comeback Heidi's proudest career moment and one she'd re-do. Resources: Watch Oatly's 'Wow No Cow' Super Bowl spot Hear more from Heidi on her Substack Learn more about Hackemer Connect with Heidi on LinkedIn

April 16, 2026Episode 630 min

Agency leadership and ownership lessons with Christy and Whit Hiler of Cornett

Christy and Whit Hiler are the powerhouse duo driving huge growth for Cornett, the nationally acclaimed, independent ad agency based in Lexington, Kentucky. Since becoming Cornett's owner in 2020, Christy has led the agency to four Ad Age Small Agency of the Year wins. Beyond running the shop, she's driving the Own It movement – working to increase women and nonbinary ownership across the industry. Alongside Christy through it all is her partner, Chief Creative Officer Whit Hiler, known for wallet-opening work that's captured the attention – and long-term commitment – of iconic national and regional brands In this bonus episode of Question Everything, you'll hear how Christy defines her role as an owner, why she champions a promote-from-within culture, and why CMOs should partner with agencies that treat themselves like a client. What you'll learn in this episode: The story behind Cocaine Bear, and why the Hilers own the rights When ownership stopped being a title and became part of Christy's identity Why an agency's people and culture are the ultimate growth engine What happens when you start treating your agency's brand like a client's The keys to a successful agency rebrand Resources: Watch the movie trailer for Cocaine Bear Learn more about the Own It movement Learn more about Cornett on their website Connect with Christy on LinkedIn Connect with Whit on LinkedIn

April 7, 2026Episode 529 min

How to get better PR coverage with Campaign US Editor Luz Corona

Why you're not getting press coverage and how to fix it with Luz Corona, Editor of Campaign US Luz Corona sits at the center of the advertising industry, covering the brands and agencies shaping culture. Beyond managing headlines, she's also leading must-hear conversations with the industry's top voices as a host of Campaign US's Campaign Chemistry podcast. In this episode of Question Everything, Luz breaks down what it takes to land on Campaign's Agency of the Year list, who's really making an impact on DEI in marketing, and how to get out of the inbox and into the headlines. What you'll learn in this episode: Times when great creative wins awards over business results The conversation the industry should be having right now Why Campaign US's "Leading Women" matters Brands and agencies actually improving DEI in marketing Four keys to a winning Campaign US agency award entry Why your creative campaigns aren't scoring headlines Why the industry is in its indie era And, do Ad Age, Adweek, and Campaign really get along? Resources: Subscribe to Campaign US for more advertising news See Lush's statement against anti-immigration sentiment Read more on how the industry can improve in DEI For an example of genius creative, watch Spotify's Spreadbeats campaign Our podcast episode with Pedro Lerma, Founder and CEO of LERMA/ Connect with Luz on LinkedIn

March 3, 2026Episode 438 min

Purpose-driven marketing that drives growth with Pedro Lerma of LERMA/

Why purpose-driven work pays off, Founder and CEO of LERMA/ Pedro Lerma leads one of the most culturally impactful agencies in the world. The Founder and CEO @ LERMA/ has two small agency of the year awards, an A-list standout appearance, and an Ad Age agency executive award under his belt. Not to mention, his small agency has produced multiple Super Bowl spots for clients Avocados from Mexico and He Gets Us. In this episode of Question Everything, Pedro shares LERMA/'s method for producing work that both connects with and shapes culture, the tool he developed to combat AI bias, and how the "He Gets Us" client reacted when their 2024 Super Bowl spot went viral for the wrong reason. What you'll learn in this episode: How LERMA/ takes DEI a step further – and how that translates to results The three things LERMA/ and their clients do to practice cultural fluency What the creative process for a Super Bowl spot looks like Why trust isn't built by being perfect, but by being accountable Why Luis Messianu, Richard Edelman, and Pedro Lerma formed the MEL agency What being a service-minded leader looks like The headline that should've been written after the viral 2024 He Gets Us Super Bowl campaign How LERMA/ is combating generative AI bias Why LERMA/ shifted from being multicultural to a cross-cultural agency Why Pedro went back to school and got his degree at 53 Resources: Learn more about LERMA/ on their website Watch LERMA/'s viral He Gets Us campaign See more about the book Primal Leadership by Daniel Goleman See more about the book How to Win Friends and Influence People by Dale Carnegie Connect with Pedro on LinkedIn

February 3, 2026Episode 243 min

Super Bowl marketing lessons for CMOs with Dhani Jones

For the Super Bowl edition of Question Everything, we caught up with former NFL linebacker, now investor and entrepreneur, Dhani Jones. After founding two creative agencies, advising several startups, and serving as a board member across multiple categories, Dhani shares what it takes for brands to stand out in today's increasingly crowded marketing landscape. In the episode, you'll hear about Dhani's journey on and off the field and the lessons he's carried from the gridiron into the business world. He unpacks the parallels between the locker room and the boardroom, the Super Bowl ads that truly earn attention, and why playing it safe may be the fastest way for a CMO to lose their job. What you'll learn in this episode: The similarities between huddles in an NFL locker room and a boardroom How brands should approach their halftime strategy Why CMOs who don't take risks should find a new job The one thing that nobody knows about Tom Brady Dhani's view on creativity in advertising and why he was drawn to the industry post-NFL How to make sure your $7 Million Super Bowl spot isn't a flop Why Dhani designed his own major while attending Michigan What inspired Dhani to create the H.E.A.D.S. organization Resources: Connect with Dhani on LinkedIn Learn more about Dhani's foundation, Bowtie Cause See some of Dhani's all-time favorite Super Bowl spots: Verizon's Buzz Aldrin commercial Colgate's Every Drop Counts Cetaphil's Game Time Glow Budweiser's First Delivery Budweiser's "Bud" "Weis" "Er"

January 20, 2026Episode 243 min

How agencies can win more pitches in 2026 with Mercer Island Group

How to pitch and win in 2026 with Robin and Steve Boehler, Founders @ Mercer Island Group Robin and Steve Boehler have seen the good, bad, and ugly in countless pitches for culture-shaping brands like Starbucks, Microsoft, Abbott, and Nintendo. Lucky for us, they wrote a book on how agencies can shift the pitch spotlight from core capabilities and humble brags to solving your prospect's problems. Cause that's how you win. In this episode of Question Everything, we cover major insights every agency needs to hear from the Boehlers' new book, It's Not About You: Winning New Business In A Crowded Agency World. You'll learn what a prospect-friendly pitch looks like, how to get to the root of a prospect's problem quickly, and how to seal the deal before leaving the boardroom. What you'll learn in this episode: Why agencies need to stop talking about themselves in the pitch The five slides that agencies can use for every pitch deck The types of questions agencies need to ask during a Q&A session Making the most out of a 60-minute presentation Uncovering the prospect's problem, quickly What needs to be true to be invited to pitch Unconventional ways to sound like a genius in the room How agencies should think about scope What clients are looking for from agencies in 2026 Resources: Connect with Robin on LinkedIn Connect with Steve on LinkedIn Learn more about Mercer Island Group on their website Get a copy of It's Not About You: Winning New Business In A Crowded Agency World

January 6, 2026Episode 146 min

Gen alpha marketing strategy with Mintel's Diana Kelter

What CMOs need to know about Gen Alpha with Mintel's Director of Consumer Trends, Diana Kelter Diana Kelter, Mintel's Director of Consumer Trends, is always one step ahead of where consumer behavior is headed. By combining data, cultural observation, and brand analysis, she helps marketers understand not just what people buy – but why. In this episode, Diana unpacks the newest generation of consumers, Gen Alpha. You'll learn what makes these 15 and unders an experimental and disruptive generation, how they discover and evaluate brands, and why cross-category marketing is becoming one of the most powerful drivers of relevance and presence. What you'll learn in this episode: What sets Gen Alpha apart from Gen Z The powerful role of aesthetics in Gen Alpha's life Why the most successful brands must become Gen Alpha's "friends." Why Gen Alpha will seek out experimentation and disruption over stability and comfort Marketing strategies in response to the anti-algorithm movement How brands can act as guests and not landlords in consumer spaces How CMOs can earn Gen Alpha's trust What draws Gen Alpha to in-store shopping Gen Alpha's relationship with AI Resources: Connect with Diana on LinkedIn Learn more about Mintel on their website See more Mintel reports on Gen Alpha See how Rhode participates in cross-category marketing