Brand Rescue: Public Relations Unfiltered

Hosted by Whitney Lee

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Episodes

207

Latest episode

Jun 2026

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About the show

Welcome to Brand Rescue: Marketing + PR Guidance for Small Businesses — the show that cuts through the fluff and gives you real, tactical advice to grow your business. From paid ads and social media to press coverage and strategy, we make marketing simple and effective for small business owners like you. Each week, get practical insights, real-world examples, and behind-the-scenes truths on what it really takes to build visibility and grow your brand — with straight talk and support from Your Marketing Heroes.

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60 recent

June 15, 202641 min

Growing a national substack and traveling across the nation with Amy Cavanaugh

The media world doesn’t look the way it did even a few years ago. Independent publishers, niche newsletters, and direct audience connections are creating new opportunities for brands that know how to tell the right story.Whitney sits down with Amy Cavanaugh, editor of American Weekender, to discuss building a travel and food publication, growing an audience through platforms like Substack, and what businesses need to understand about earning meaningful media coverage in today’s landscape.In This Episode, We Cover:How independent publishers are reshaping mediaWhy Substack has become a powerful tool for audience growthCommon mistakes brands make when pitching mediaThe value of authentic relationships in building visibilityHow strong storytelling helps businesses stand outEnjoyed the episode? Subscribe, leave a review, and connect with Whitney for more practical marketing and PR insights.American Weekender WebsiteAmerican Weekender InstagramConnect with Whitney on InstagramConnect with Whitney on LinkedInYour Marketing Heroes Website

June 1, 202625 min

The Disease That Every Business Owner Faces

Self-employment isn’t just a business model, it’s a mental game. For a lot of entrepreneurs, the hardest part isn’t strategy or execution, it’s what happens in your head when doubt, anxiety, and scarcity start driving the decisions.In this episode, Whitney Lee gets real about the emotional weight of running a business solo. She breaks down how imposter syndrome shows up at every stage, why scarcity thinking is so sticky, and how self-awareness becomes a practical tool, not just a buzzword, for staying steady when things feel uncertain.Instead of pretending mindset work is about “thinking positive,” Whitney focuses on what it actually looks like to coach yourself through spirals, make clearer decisions, and stop attaching your worth to every business outcome.In This Episode, We Cover:Why imposter syndrome doesn’t go away—it just changes shapeHow scarcity mindset quietly influences pricing and decisionsWhat self-coaching actually looks like in real timeThe difference between awareness and overthinkingWhy emotional resilience is part of your business strategyIf this hit home, subscribe to Brand Rescue, leave a review, and connect with Whitney Lee for more honest conversations about what it really takes to run a business without spiraling in the process.Connect with Whitney on InstagramConnect with Whitney on LinkedInYour Marketing Heroes Website

May 25, 202649 min

Why I Fell Off the Map for 3 Years and How it Changed Everything

Everyone loves to talk about “freedom” in business until life forces you to find out whether you actually built it.In this episode, Whitney shares the less polished side of entrepreneurship, navigating full-time travel, recovering from a serious car accident, and figuring out how to keep moving when life completely changes your plans.The conversation dives into the pressure business owners feel to constantly perform success online, the fear of sharing more personally, and what it really means to build a business that supports your life instead of running it. Less aesthetic hustle culture. More honesty about resilience, adaptability, and trust.In This Episode, We Cover:The reality behind the “freedom lifestyle” onlineHow unexpected setbacks expose weaknesses in your businessWhy so many founders struggle to show up authentically onlineThe difference between looking flexible and actually being flexibleBuilding a business around real life, not just contentSubscribe to Brand Rescue and connect with Whitney for more direct conversations about building smarter brands and businesses.Connect with Whitney on InstagramConnect with Whitney on LinkedInYour Marketing Heroes Website

May 18, 202645 min

How This Artist & SAHM Landed a Multi-6 Figure Deal with Outback Steakhouse with Lindsey Jenneman

“Follow your passion” sounds nice on a Pinterest quote. Building an actual business from it? That’s the part nobody really talks about.Whitney sits down with artist Lindsay Jeneman to talk about turning creative work into a real business, from painting pet portraits to landing international brand partnerships. They get into the messy middle of entrepreneurship: trusting yourself before there’s proof, investing in your growth, and figuring things out while you’re still building the plane midair.This episode is a reminder that most successful businesses aren’t built from certainty. They’re built from consistency, smart risks, and deciding to take yourself seriously before everyone else does.In This Episode, We Cover:Why creative businesses stay stuck in “side hustle mode”The role self-investment plays in business growthHow creators attract bigger brand opportunitiesThe difference between passion and strategyLearning to trust the process before the results show upIf you enjoyed this episode, subscribe, leave a review, and connect with Whitney Lee for more direct conversations about branding, business, and building something that actually lasts.Lemme Paint Dat WebsiteLemme Paint Dat InstagramConnect with Whitney on InstagramConnect with Whitney on LinkedInYour Marketing Heroes Website

May 11, 202616 min

Should You Do Pro Bono Work?

There’s a common belief that pro bono work is either “good exposure” or a total waste of time. In reality, it’s neither, unless you’re being intentional about it. Otherwise, it just becomes unpaid work that quietly eats your bandwidth.Whitney breaks down how solopreneurs and small business owners can approach pro bono work strategically, so it actually supports growth instead of distracting from it. The goal isn’t to say yes more often, it’s to know when it genuinely benefits your business long-term.She also unpacks how easy it is to fall into overworking for free under the idea of “building your portfolio,” and why that mindset needs boundaries if you want to scale sustainably.In This Episode, We Cover:When pro bono work actually pays off (and when it doesn’t)How to evaluate opportunities for long-term business valueWhy boundaries matter more than “experience building”How to turn select free work into paid clients laterThe mindset shift from obligation to strategyIf this episode made you rethink free work, subscribe, leave a review, and share it with someone stuck in the “just take the opportunity” cycle.Connect with Whitney on InstagramConnect with Whitney on LinkedInYour Marketing Heroes Website

May 4, 202633 min

How Her Company Got Featured on Real Housewives with Chelsea Gaytan

Most people think luxury event businesses grow through perfect aesthetics and word-of-mouth. Chelsea Gaytan’s journey shows it’s not just about being talented, it’s about being seen in the right rooms, in the right way.Chelsea went from corporate America and working as a flight attendant to building a successful wedding and event planning business by getting intentional about PR, partnerships, and visibility. Not passive exposure, but strategic positioning that actually attracts high-end clients.In this conversation, Whitney and Chelsea break down what it really takes to move from service provider to in-demand brand. They unpack how media exposure and relationships can accelerate growth when they’re used with intention, not left to chance.In This Episode, We Cover:Chelsea’s transition from corporate and flight attendant life into luxury event planningHow PR becomes a growth tool when it’s tied to positioning, not just pressWhy strategic partnerships can outperform traditional word-of-mouthWhat luxury branding actually looks like beyond aestheticsHow to turn visibility into actual business opportunitiesIf this episode helped reframe how you think about growth and visibility, make sure you’re subscribed to Brand Rescue. And if you’re listening in, leave a review or connect with Whitney.BTO Events WebsiteBTO InstagramConnect with Whitney on InstagramConnect with Whitney on LinkedInYour Marketing Heroes Website

April 27, 202625 min

The One Question That Will Change the Way Your Client/Boss Views You

Most people think PR equals press. More features, more visibility, problem solved. But if you don’t know what that coverage is actually supposed to do for your business, you’re just chasing headlines with no real strategy behind them.Whitney gets into why PR only works when it’s tied to clear goals and how skipping that step leads to results that look impressive but don’t drive growth. It comes down to asking better questions, getting aligned early, and building a strategy that supports the business, not just the ego.In This Episode, We Cover:Why media coverage alone isn’t a strategyThe key questions to ask before pitching anythingHow to align PR with real business goalsVisibility vs. actual impactIf your PR efforts feel busy but not effective, this will reset how you think about it. Subscribe, leave a review, and connect with Whitney for more clear, no-BS business strategy.Connect with Whitney on InstagramConnect with Whitney on LinkedInYour Marketing Heroes Website

April 20, 202632 min

The most valuable PR that money can't buy with Coley Arnold

Building a business solo might sound impressive, but it’s usually the slowest way to grow. Most founders don’t need more hustle, they need better support and smarter strategy. This episode pushes back on the idea that you have to do everything alone to be successful.Whitney talks with Coley Arnold about her journey from running a vintage market to building Foundress, a community designed to actually support women entrepreneurs. They break down why community isn’t just feel-good—it’s a real advantage when you’re trying to scale.They also get honest about self-doubt, pivots, and building something that’s aligned instead of just impressive on the outside. Because growth that looks good isn’t the same as growth that works.In This Episode, We Cover:Why community is a strategic advantage (not a bonus)Moving from scrappy startup to sustainable businessHandling self-doubt without stalling your momentumBuilding a brand that actually aligns with your valuesIf you’re done trying to do it all alone, this one’s worth a listen. Subscribe, leave a review, and connect with Whitney for more no-BS business strategy.ResourcesFoundressTits Up PodcastConnect with Whitney on InstagramConnect with Whitney on LinkedInYour Marketing Heroes Website

April 13, 202620 min

How We went From Small Town Agency to International

Most business owners say they want to grow but they are still making decisions like they are staying small. Playing it safe feels smart until it starts capping your revenue.Whitney breaks down how she scaled her PR agency from a small town business to an international one without waiting until she felt ready. It came down to sharper positioning, smarter investments, and getting honest about the mindset holding her back.She also calls out the beliefs that keep you stuck operating below your potential and what it actually takes to step into bigger opportunities.In This Episode, We Cover:Why staying local can limit your growthHow niching down opens bigger doorsMaking strategic investments before you feel readyThe mindset shift required to scaleIf you are done playing small, this is your cue. Follow, leave a review, and connect with Whitney for more direct business strategy that actually works.Connect with Whitney on InstagramConnect with Whitney on LinkedInYour Marketing Heroes Website

April 6, 202633 min

Content Creator vs. Influencer - Which is right for your brand? with Lexi Romano

Most brands don’t have a content problem. They have a connection problem. If your marketing looks polished but still isn’t landing, this episode gets into why audiences trust people over perfectly packaged brand messaging.Whitney sits down with Lexi Romano to talk about what makes content actually work today, from authentic storytelling to better creator partnerships. They break down why so much influencer marketing falls flat, what brands keep getting wrong, and how to create content that feels human without losing strategy.In This Episode, We Cover:Why polished content often underperformsHow to make your brand feel more humanWhat brands get wrong in creator partnershipsWhy integrity matters in influencer marketingHow to create content people actually connect withIf this episode hit home, make sure you’re subscribed to Brand Rescue and leave a review. For more sharp, honest business strategy, connect with Whitney.Lexi's WebsiteLexi's InstagramLexi's TikTokConnect with Whitney on InstagramConnect with Whitney on LinkedInYour Marketing Heroes Website