Brand Strategy Unwankified

Hosted by Bec Hughes | Brand Strategy Mentor

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130

Latest episode

Jun 2026

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About the show

The Brand Strategy Unwankified podcast, hosted by Bec Hughes, is the no BS space for brand designers and creators who want to learn brand strategy and sell it as a service. If you’re over the jargon and gatekeeping of the ‘exclusive club’, and want practical, honest tools, tips and insights, you’re in the right place. ~ Why listen… this podcast is dedicated to helping brand designers confidently add strategy to their skillset and create a lucrative revenue stream. ~ What you’ll hear… real talk on pricing, selling, frameworks, and processes, with expert insights and case studies. ~ The vibe… cheeky, straight-talking, simplified, and totally unwankified. Subscribe and let’s dive in!

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60 recent

June 9, 2026Episode 13024 min

130. It's Time to Ditch Mission, Vision and Values

"Mission, Vision and Values" is everywhere in brand strategy. But what if it's not brand strategy at all? If you've ever completed an MVV exercise with a client and then wondered how to actually turn it into branding, this one is for you. I tackle why Mission, Vision and Values belongs in a different strategic discipline and what brand strategy actually needs to do instead, including: • Why MVV produces 'brand narcissism' and leaves the customer out of the conversation • Replaying a founder's values back to them is the easy gap, not the important one • The most common brand values are HR documents in disguise • What a customer-focused brand strategy actually needs to answer Knowing the difference between founder strategy and brand strategy is the upgrade your clients actually need from you. Connect with me Learn Brand Strategy - The Brand Method program Find me on Instagram

June 3, 2026Episode 12917 min

129. Why You Need a Brenemy - The Villain Strategy

The villain strategy is having a moment. But trendy brand strategy concepts are only useful if you know how to use them. If you've heard about brands defining their "enemy" and thought it sounded good but weren't sure how to apply it for a client, this one's for you. I tackle the "brenemy" concept and give it the framework it's been missing, including: Why standing against something is just as powerful as standing for something How your ego influences the enemy you choose to challenge How to shape a strong villain strategy using four key criteria A good villain strategy is more than a clever concept to impress your client with. In this episode you'll learn how to make it a proper brand strategy tool. Connect with me Learn Brand Strategy - The Brand Method program Find me on Instagram

May 27, 2026Episode 12842 min

128. Creating Opportunities With 100 Rejections with Liz Mosley

In this episode I'm joined by Liz Mosley, and she has a challenge for you... 100 challenges actually. We talk about Liz, her business and creativity, and her hot takes on the design industry. We cover: • How Liz unintentionally built a personal brand and why that was the best way • Advice she has ignored • Being vulnerable, building in public, and setting healthy boundaries • Her thoughts on where the design industry needs to do better • How being rejected by Chris Do has created an avalanche of opportunities And so much more! About Liz Mosley Liz is a branding designer, podcast host, public speaker, and content creator. Her work is grounded in the belief that creativity isn’t about perfection. It’s in the showing up, trying new things, and learning as you go. As a vocal advocate for reframing rejection and failure, Liz encourages other creatives to see them not as things to avoid, but as essential parts of both the creative process and the human experience. Connect with Liz on Instagram Listen to the Building Your Brand Podcast Connect with Bec Hughes: Check out The Brand Method Find me on Instagram

May 22, 2026Episode 12720 min

127. Is Your Brand Strategy Leaking Value?

No one wants a leaky brand strategy. Could you be devaluing what you create for your clients without you even knowing it? If you've ever handed over a 50-point questionnaire, wrestled with AI for hours, or sent a Loom instead of presenting your work live, this episode is for you. I tackle the most common brand strategy leaks and how to plug them, including: Why your discovery process might be working against you How to use AI as a strategic assistant, not a strategic replacement Why more research is not always the answer The cost of keeping your client at arm's length Find your leaks, plug them, and deliver work you can actually stand behind. Connect with me Learn Brand Strategy - The Brand Method program Find me on Instagram

May 13, 2026Episode 12616 min

126. The Lean Brand Strategy Tech Stack

It's not about the tech, it's about what you do with it! In this episode I share my tips for creating a simple but effective brand strategy focused tech stack. This will ensure the apps streamline and support, but don't get in the way of your thinking. I cover: • The principles of a lean tech stack • The brand strategy activities that need or benefit from supporting apps • My own brand strategy tech stack Connect with me Learn Brand Strategy - The Brand Method program Find me on Instagram

April 10, 2026Episode 12534 min

125. Becoming a High-Ticket In-Demand Designer with Bec Morris

In this episode I talk to Bec Morris, one of the founding students of The Brand Method program, and very talented brand creator. I check in on Bec's journey with brand strategy to explore: • Why she wanted to invest in her brand strategy skills • What that journey has looked like for her • The impact it's had on her business and also her identity I'm honoured to have been part of Bec's journey, and proud to share her story with other designers just like her. I hope you can take some inspiration from how far Bec has come. About Bec Morris With over 15 years of experience across Sydney agencies, in-house roles, and running her own studio, Bec has developed a knack for digging deep into businesses and uncovering the insights that make brands unforgettable. From her thriving brand studio on the New South Wales south coast in Australia, Bec is all about helping brands shake things up and follow their own path. Connect with Bec Morris on Instagram Connect with Bec Hughes: Check out The Brand Method Find me on Instagram

April 2, 2026Episode 12413 min

124. Feedback that Doesn't Derail the Project

Feedback isn’t the problem, it's how you ask for it. If you’ve ever received vague, emotionally charged, or completely off-track feedback, chances are there's a problem with your feedback process. In this episode, I break down: • Why client feedback so often derails projects (and why it’s not actually their fault) • The role feedback should play in your process • Common mistakes designers make I'll share my simple SAGE framework to help you lead clearer, more focused feedback as a consultant. Because great quality feedback isn't luck, it’s leadership. Connect with me Learn Brand Strategy - The Brand Method program Find me on Instagram

March 27, 2026Episode 12319 min

123. Stop Saying a Brand is Not a Logo - Say This Instead

How many times have you said “a brand is not a logo”… and watched clients glaze over? In this episode, I tackle why that line doesn’t resonate, and what to say instead if you want branding to click for your clients. Because replacing 'logo' with 'design scheme' won't do it either. • We’ll have a quick reset on what a brand really is • Understand why that definition matters • Get to the nuts & bolts of how to talk about branding to prospective clients Connect with me Learn Brand Strategy - The Brand Method program Find me on Instagram

February 26, 2026Episode 12219 min

122. Brand Strategy Workshops 101

Let’s demystify the whole workshop thing. The thought of running a strategy workshop strikes fear into many creatives, but they don't have to be scary. In fact they’re one of the fastest ways to build strategic authority. In this episode I share: What a proper Discovery Workshop actually is (and what it’s not) The structure that keeps your workshop focused and valuable How to manage tangents, surface-level answers and energy dips Why questionnaires are a cop out (yep, I said it) What to do before and after to strengthen the strategy, and the relationship Connect with me Learn Brand Strategy - The Brand Method program Find me on Instagram

February 18, 2026Episode 12153 min

121. What It Takes to Grow a Studio With Em Sparrow

Em Sparrow, founder of Sparo Studios, shares her experiences and learnings as a successful studio founder, and why she implemented some big changes in 2025. We talk about: • The most important skills needed to scale a business • Em's experiences growing a team • The discomfort that is part of growth • Innovation as a mindset and growth strategy • One thing the Sparo Studios team prioritise in their brand strategy approach About Em Sparrow Originally from Canada, In 2019, Em Sparrow travelled across the world to Sydney Australia where she founded Sparo Studios. Since then, the agency has grown from a one-woman operation into a team of 12, with a combined 100+ years of industry experience. Em and her team build brands, websites, and marketing campaigns that help established businesses lead their space. Connect with Sparo Studios on Instagram Connect with Em on LinkedIn Connect with Bec Hughes: Check out The Brand Method Find me on Instagram