Marketer of the Day with Robert Plank: Get Daily Insights from the Top Internet Marketers & Entrepreneurs Around the World

Do you ever feel like you want a bigger life, but your actions, routines, and mindset don’t match the size of your goals? Maybe you’ve hit a big milestone and then felt lost, or you’re staring at your own “Everest” and quietly wondering if you have what it takes. How do you stay driven after success, push through fear, and keep going when motivation disappears? In this episode, Mark Pattison shares a blueprint for doing hard things on repeat. Mark is a former NFL wide receiver, the first NFL player to complete the Seven Summits, an Emmy Award-winning storyteller, and a media leader who helped take Sports Illustrated from #17 to #1. He’s also the author of Finding Your Summit: How to Build Resilience and Faith to Rise Above Life’s Challenges, host of the Finding Your Summit podcast, and the subject of the NFL Films documentary Searching for the Summit. Mark reveals the system that has allowed him to excel across wildly different arenas, pro football, extreme mountaineering, media, and speaking. He explains how he uses Big Hairy Audacious Goals (B-HAGs), a relentless daily routine, and a “pyramid of success” built on consistency and discomfort to keep progressing, even when fear, doubt, or fatigue hit hard. Mark Pattison’s story isn’t just about climbing the world’s highest peaks or winning trophies, it’s about proving that discipline, consistency, and effort can turn ordinary beginnings into extraordinary outcomes. From the NFL to Everest to Emmy-winning storytelling, Mark has built a life around big goals, relentless preparation, and an unshakable mindset that treats failure as a teacher, not a verdict. https://youtu.be/k_3mu0a0eEA?si=rGRSNv3tjN_7LuQJ If you’ve felt stuck, under-challenged, or unsure what’s next after a big win or a painful loss, this episode offers a clear challenge: decide what your Everest is, build the routine to support it, and commit to giving “a little more” than you have before. The views from your next summit may be closer than you think, if you’re willing to climb. Quotes: “I’ve kind of coined my life ‘making the impossible possible,’ because I think so many times we put limitations on what we can do or we don’t think big enough.” “Success started to come when I stopped chasing the reward and started chasing the challenge. I wasn’t going after the trophy; I was going after growth.” “Everybody in life has the choice to be bad, average, good, great, or exceptional. I choose to be exceptional, and that means it takes a little more to make a champion.” Contact Details: Visit Mark Pattison's Facebook Page Connect with Mark Pattison on LinkedIn Explore Mark Pattison's Official Website Follow Mark Pattison on Instagram Dive into the YouTube Channel of Mark Pattison Follow Mark Pattison and Find Your Summit on TikTok Follow Mark Pattison on X and Find Your Summit Get a copy of Finding Your Summit: How to Build Resilience and Faith to Rise Above Life’s Challenges on Amazon

Modern advertising is louder, faster, and more crowded than ever, yet so much of it feels forgettable. In an AI-saturated landscape where campaigns blur together and creativity is often watered down by committees, truly distinctive work is rare. Today’s guest, Kyle Duford, associate partner at Optimism (a five-time Ad Age Small Agency of the Year), is on a mission to bring back magic, momentum, and meaning to marketing for brands like Airbnb, DoorDash, Bachan’s Barbecue Sauce, and Habit Burger. In this episode of Marketer of the Day, Kyle Duford reframes what optimism really is, and what it isn’t. It’s not blind positivity or fake happiness. Instead, Kyle defines optimism as the belief that tomorrow can be better with intentional change and hard work. He shares how Optimism uses this mindset as a strategic engine to design ideas people choose, ideas that build belief, earn attention, and turn cultural energy into growth. Rather than chasing vanity metrics, his team focuses on real business drivers: deeper customer connection, brand differentiation, and momentum that actually moves the needle. https://youtu.be/mWYj_EErXrw?si=HVlWVjQgrxBvQYWV You’ll hear specific stories from campaigns for Bachan’s and Habit Burger, where Optimism took “ordinary” food products and transformed them into irresistible, talk-worthy brands. Kyle explains how his team starts with a rigorous brand and competitive strategy, then chooses the right mix of executions, TV spots, YouTube shorts, outdoor, social, stunts, events, or print based on the problem they’re solving, not the latest marketing fad. He also unpacks why independent agencies are critical to saving great advertising in a world dominated by holding companies and safe, committee-approved ideas.Kyle dives into the role of AI in advertising, outlining why Optimism uses AI to iterate, not ideate. Humans set the strategy and originate the ideas; AI helps rapidly explore variations, visualize directions, and speed up production, without replacing the creative leap that only people can make. He ties this into a bigger conversation about the generational divide in media consumption, from Gen X’s analog-to-streaming evolution to how Gen Z and Gen Alpha navigate a fragmented, choice-rich world where there is no longer a single “monoculture.” If you’re a marketer, founder, or brand leader wondering how to stand out when audiences are overwhelmed, distracted, and skeptical, this conversation will give you a powerful new lens. Kyle introduces “Optimism: A Case for the Only Idea That Has Ever Actually Worked,” a research-backed, story-driven book that shows how optimism has consistently driven breakthroughs in business, science, art, and life. If you’ve been feeling like your brand is stuck in the “mushy middle” of lookalike messaging and safe campaigns, Kyle’s perspective on optimism, creativity, and momentum may be exactly what you need to break through. Quotes: “If you look at what makes a human, a company, a brand, anything different than all the other things like it, you start finding these little idiosyncrasies of people that are just so fucking gorgeous.” “The independent agency is still very important in advertising, and it’s the independent agency who has the ability to; really form an opinion of a brand that's going to move the needle.” “Our definition, my definition is that optimism is the belief that tomorrow could be better with some change, that we can work hard together or solo, whatever the task is at hand to achieve better.” Contact Details: Explore Kyle Duford's Official Website Connect with Kyle Duford on LinkedIn Check out the Optimism Website Follow Kyle Duford on Instagram Get a Copy of Optimism: A Case for the Only Idea That Has Ever Actually Worked on Amazon

For many retirees, the fear isn’t just living longer, it’s outliving their money. Housing-rich but cash-poor seniors often feel trapped, thinking their only choices are to downsize, rent, or lean on family. Today’s guest, Kevin Guttman, CRMP, is one of only about 210 Certified Reverse Mortgage Professionals in the U.S., and he’s on a mission to change the conversation around retirement cash flow, home equity, and reverse mortgages. In this episode of Marketer of the Day, Kevin explains how reverse mortgages have evolved from their early days in 1961 into a tightly regulated, post-2015 financial tool designed to help seniors age in place, eliminate mandatory mortgage payments, and tap into home equity without giving up ownership. He breaks down what a reverse mortgage really is (and isn’t), why so much of the negative press is based on outdated or incomplete information, and how the program can provide tax-free cash flow, a growing line of credit, or a way to finance a new retirement home without adding a monthly mortgage payment. Kevin shares real-life stories from his book, A Reverse Mortgage Changed My Life, including clients who went from putting groceries on credit cards to finally being able to sleep at night, couples who avoided seven-figure mistakes by not selling and renting, and retirees who used a reverse mortgage to move into low-maintenance homes that fit their health needs, without financial panic. He also explains the math behind why there’s usually still equity left at the end, even when interest is deferred, and how appreciation and conservative lending limits work in the homeowner’s favor.Beyond the product itself, Kevin emphasizes financial education, strategic use of debt, and the wealth-building power of real estate. He and Robert discuss why schools don’t teach money fundamentals, why parents need to take the lead, and how misunderstandings about homeownership and retirement planning can quietly cost families millions over the long term. https://youtu.be/P0iNdMei5fY?si=1Gm0NG6MaQcB6U0x Finally, Kevin explains why it’s critical to work with a true specialist, a Certified Reverse Mortgage Professional, instead of a general loan officer or financial advisor who dabbles in the space. He walks through his streamlined 22-day process from application to closing, his no-pressure, education-first approach, and the resources he offers through his website and book for anyone considering a reverse mortgage. If you or your loved ones are approaching retirement and worried about cash flow, this conversation will give you a grounded, up-to-date look at whether a reverse mortgage could be a smart part of your plan. Quotes: "Real estate is strategic debt. People who own real estate have a forty-times higher net worth than people who rent." "People hear 'reverse mortgage' and the wall goes up, but they're going off of inaccurate or outdated information." "If you don’t make your property tax payment, you’re going to be foreclosed on, whether you have a regular mortgage, a reverse mortgage, or no mortgage." Contact Details: Explore Kevin Guttman's Official Website Visit Kevin Guttman's Facebook Page Connect with Kevin Guttman on LinkedIn Follow Kevin Guttman on Instagram Get a Copy of A Reverse Mortgage Changed My Life on Amazon

Born in a farmhouse with no electricity, losing his mother at birth, and growing up in a one-room schoolhouse with torn dictionaries, Colonel Charles Cone had every reason to believe life would keep him small. Instead, he spent 30 years in the U.S. military, became a Navy and then Air Force pilot, flew in three wars, earned the first computer science degree ever awarded at Texas A&M, and is still flying and working out with a trainer at 100 years old. In this episode, Charles shares the remarkable journey behind his autobiography, A Burning Desire to Fly, and how a “dumb farm kid” with hay fever, no role models, and almost no resources built a life of service, courage, and quiet excellence. We explore the defining moments that shaped him: the psychologist who wrote “a burning desire to fly” on his file and unintentionally gave him a lifelong mantra; being assigned to a plane he didn’t want, deciding to excel anyway, and becoming the youngest patrol plane commander in the Pacific; surviving a harrowing typhoon flight with almost no fuel and no navigation; and the day his crew including his roommate died in a crash on the very day he was to leave the Navy, a tragedy that led, through another twist of fate, to meeting his future wife. Charles reflects on living through World War II, Korea, Vietnam, the Cuban Missile Crisis, and the entire arc of aviation and computing from punch cards and 1K memory to smartwatches and self-flying aircraft while holding onto simple, old-school values of duty, faith, and persistence. https://youtu.be/8djRJrN-p00?si=D-oDT1g35hKdBEFT Charles also shares the “unflashy” secrets behind his longevity and impact: decades of disciplined physical fitness, continuing to learn and contribute long after retirement, saying yes to service (from Lions Club projects to flying mercy missions), and treating every assignment even the ones he didn’t want as worth doing to the best of his ability. If you’re feeling stuck, discouraged, or tempted to coast into later life, this conversation is a living rebuttal: a 100-year case study in why you don’t quit, why you keep your body and mind engaged, and why, as Charles sums it up in his favorite quote and life lesson, you “never give up.” Quotes: "I’m just an ordinary old jerk, and it’s kind of surprising to me when I wake up now and then and say, ‘Well, you’re what they call an author,’ and you’re not really an author, you’re just a plain old guy." "I guess I realized that my persistence had gotten me a long way; there was that sort of thing of not giving up. Don’t give up, and I still say that today." "All of us get discouraged at one time or another in some circumstance, and if you can just sit back and get rid of that discouragement and say, ‘Well, let’s get on with it, let’s do what needs to be done,’ if it means quitting and changing, change, but don’t just fret about it." Contact Details: Get a Copy of A Burning Desire to Fly on Amazon Explore Charles Cone's Official Website

Many people don’t lose their love for reading and deep thinking; they just get buried under responsibilities, distractions, and endless screens until their imagination quietly slips into the background. Today’s guest, Barry J. “BJ” Spaulding, a former federal law enforcement officer and military veteran turned science fiction author, shows how stories can pull us back into wonder, responsibility, and faith. After 32 years of service, a divorce, retirement, and the pandemic, Barry finally returned to his teenage dream of writing, and the result is a growing catalog of books, including Dark Star, The Fight for Survival, and Who’s to Blame. In this episode of Marketer of the Day, Barry shares how his background in the Army, law enforcement, and Dungeons & Dragons helped him build believable universes, flawed heroes, and grounded military sci‑fi. He explains why Dark Star took 15 years to fully come together, how he weaves real-world tactics, emotional trauma, and survival decisions into epic space battles, and why he refuses to write “perfect” heroes. His stories blend science fact, combat experience, and speculative fiction in a way that still feels human and uncomfortably honest about what people do when the stakes are life and death. Barry also dives into the deeply personal inspiration behind Who’s to Blame, a story about a man named George who spends his life blaming God for every tragedy, until God finally brings him to heaven for a direct, no-excuses conversation. Through that lens, Barry explores blame, loss, faith, and personal responsibility, asking hard questions like: What part did I play in what happened? and Do we create our own heaven and hell? If you’ve ever wondered how modern faith, free will, and suffering could be explored through a compelling story instead of a dry debate, this episode lays out a powerful blueprint. https://youtu.be/bYx9q-h23Yc?si=WRRRmtnLCYW5z5Ck Along the way, Barry and Robert talk about why reading and writing are more important than ever in a tech-saturated world, how books slow your mind down, force you to visualize, and create a private dialogue between the words and your soul in a way movies and social media can’t match. Barry shares practical insights into his writing process, why he often writes without an outline, how reader feedback sharpened his character development, and what’s coming next (including a twist-filled vampire novel, a heartfelt story for his daughter, and a Dark Star prequel and sequel). If you love science fiction, military thrillers, faith-driven stories, or need a nudge to pick up a book, and maybe a pen. Again, this conversation will rekindle your imagination and remind you why stories matter. Quotes: "I wanted to create a believable universe. I didn't want it to be just things appear, things are there, and there's no real explanation behind it." "I will tell people over and over again: don't stop reading. Technology is wonderful, but it can't replace a good book on a quiet evening." "When you're reading, it's between the words on the page and your soul. You envision what's on the pages. You can't do that in a movie theater." Contact Details: Visit Barry J. Spaulding's Official Website Discover The Fight for Survival available now on Amazon Read Who’s to Blame today available now on Amazon Explore the thrilling world of Dark Star available now on Amazon

Most creators don’t struggle because they lack expertise. They struggle because tech overwhelm, scattered tools, and indecision keep them from turning their knowledge into a scalable business. In this episode of Marketer of the Day, Bryan McAnulty, founder of Heights Platform, shares how solopreneurs can use AI-powered tools to build profitable online courses and communities, without sacrificing authenticity or getting buried in tech headaches. Brian pulls back the curtain on Heights Platform, an all‑in‑one course creation and community platform used by creators in over 100 countries. Instead of using AI to churn out low-quality “slop content,” Heights uses AI to act like a virtual assistant and coach, helping you set up your programs, structure offers, handle technical details, and even plan your marketing, while you stay focused on the one thing only you can do: teaching from your real-world experience. You’ll hear how features like live lessons, built‑in video calls, and gamified communities make it easy to deliver a premium, high‑touch learning experience. Bryan explains how you can run live cohorts directly inside your platform, automatically turn those sessions into course content, and use community features both to increase student results and to attract new leads with public community posts that rank in search, essentially turning your community into a living, SEO-friendly knowledge base under your own brand and domain. A big part of the conversation dives into pricing psychology and offer design. Bryan challenges the common trap of selling $10–$20 mini products and hoping volume makes up the difference. Instead, he walks through why most experts underprice themselves, why transformation and outcomes should drive your pricing (not video length or course size), and how adding community and live coaching can justify premium price points while delivering far better results for your students. https://youtu.be/_Vi-niuEZYs?si=EWdDlQeT8A_efrS5 Finally, Bryan shares a powerful perspective on thinking bigger with AI. As AI tools get faster and more capable, the real differentiator won’t be who has access to AI; it will be how you work, how you think, and how clearly you communicate your vision to these tools. From internal dev tools that used to cost tens of thousands to build, to weekend projects now powered by AI, Bryan shows how creators and entrepreneurs can ride this wave instead of getting left behind. If you’ve ever felt stuck between too many platforms, too many decisions, and not enough momentum, this episode will give you a concrete path to launching (or relaunching) your online course and community with confidence. Quotes: "I don't see AI replacing the humans for this kind of expertise. Our goal is to assist you, because most people don't wake up every day excited to use software, they're excited about the outcome the software helps them achieve." "If every business has this magical AI agent that can do anything, then what makes the difference between you and any other business? If everyone can generate unlimited content and unlimited software, the difference comes down to how you do things." "There weren't really many platforms that were actually focused on helping your customers get results. Marketing is kind of a solved problem, but learning is not a solved problem." Contact Details: Visit Bryan McAnulty's Facebook Page Connect with Bryan McAnulty on LinkedIn Learn More About Heights Platform Start & Grow Your Creative Business with Creator Climb Brayan McAnulty Official Website Explore the YouTube Channel of Bryan McAnulty

From small chiropractic clinics to multi-location hotels, my guest Ephraim Epstein of Fit Solutions (fitsolutions.biz) reveals how modern cybercriminals operate like full-time sales teams prospecting, nurturing, and “closing” attacks on businesses that mistakenly think they’re too small to be a target. We dig into real-world ransomware stories, why Office 365 and Google Workspace email accounts are the #1 breach vector, and why SMS-based two-factor authentication is no longer enough to keep your company safe. Ephraim explains how 24/7 security monitoring, penetration testing, and smarter authentication can prevent the kind of total business shutdowns he sees far too often. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BdNwdnTf_hw We also explore how AI is changing the game not just for attackers, but for defense and operations. Ephraim shares how his team uses AI to reduce labor costs, automate SMS conversations that feel human, and deliver concierge-level experiences at scale, like hotel texting systems that book spa appointments, schedule room cleanings, and answer questions with a 74% engagement rate. Finally, he opens up about the entrepreneurial lessons learned from a failed CrossFit gym, why “side hustles” often backfire, and how complementary revenue streams (IT → cybersecurity → AI) helped Fit Solutions grow while staying focused on what they do best. If you’re a business owner wondering whether your systems are really safe and how AI can actually improve your bottom line, not just sound cool, this conversation will give you a practical, story-driven roadmap. Quotes: “Opportunities are wrapped in problems. Whenever I find a problem, I ask where the opportunity is and how I can turn it into an advantage.” “Side hustles are not really great if you chase a second revenue stream that doesn’t complement your main business; both the side hustle and your core business will suffer.” “Focus on the main thing, become amazing at it, and crush it, then add complementary revenue streams that feed and strengthen your core, instead of chasing random ideas that pull you in ten directions.” Contact Details: Connect with Ephraim Epstein on LinkedInEphraim Epstein Official Website

Visionary author and conscious leadership guide Bo Lockwood joins Robert Plank to share how a series of near-death experiences, a dark divorce, and a massive brain bleed awakened him to his true purpose: helping people “always be bold” and step into their power. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Zd53Loq8o1c Bo explains what New Earth Civilization really is (a state of consciousness, not a movement), how he’s gathering 1,000 change makers through PrincetonGreen.org, and the story behind his book Essence: A Gateway to Expansive Living, co-created with his 93‑year‑old spiritual mentor, Anne Emerson. You’ll learn about self-awareness, fear vs. fearlessness, letting go of attachment, and how spiritual entrepreneurs and business leaders can drive real, systemic change. Quotes: “Everything happening outside is a reflection of what’s going on inside of us. Life is a mirror.” “Unfortunately, we as humans tend to grow through struggle. It’s like a dandelion trying to break through asphalt—once it does, it begins to really bloom, and that’s how we grow too.” “It’s not fear no or fear none—it’s fear less. We always experience fear; it’s part of the human experience. The difference is that I feel the fear and do it anyway.” Contact Details: Connect with Bo Lockwood on Facebook Connect with Bo Lockwood on FacebookBo Lockwood on AmazonBo Lockwood Official Website