Épisodes

  • Eight Years of Podcasting: What an Architect Learned About Building Authority | Iron Age Marketing 004

    Eight Years of Podcasting: What an Architect Learned About Building Authority | Iron Age Marketing 004
    Jan 26 2026
    Welcome to Episode 004. Lance Cayko has been podcasting longer than almost anyone I know in the business space. Almost nine years now with Inside the Firm. That's not a typo. He's an architect with F9 Productions out in Denver-Boulder, running a vertically integrated empire: architecture company, contracting company, real estate development. His wife's a realtor. It's like everyone in the ecosystem gets paid for every part of the building process. But here's what makes Lance's story hit different: He grew up in a town of 500 people in Northwest North Dakota. First person in his entire family to graduate with a bachelor's degree. Native American heritage. And when the media started pushing this defeatism narrative that the American Dream is dead, he looked around at what he built and said, "I am the American Dream." That's why he started the podcast. Here's what we dig into: The seven-year mark. Lance hit year seven in his architecture business - the point where you've officially survived the incubator period. Most businesses fail before that. He looked around and thought, "We gotta tell our story." The slog that pays. Lance calls it a "beautiful slog" - like a deep hike with a reward at the end. Started with one Friday show, then added Monday Morning Coffee inspired by Bill Burr. Now he's turning away more guests than he accepts. Pod Match changed everything. Real monetization. Dell sponsored them for two years and bought their entire staff laptops. Corporate sponsors pay their office mortgage. They sell courses like Revit Rocketship and the Architect to Builder course. Now they're considering appearance fees because demand is so high. The authority effect. When potential clients Google him, there are hours of content showing exactly who they're getting in bed with. In an industry where people move to Colorado and don't know anybody, that transparency wins. The network leverage play. Bring on local engineers, realtors, people you want to network with. Give them a spotlight. Pick their brain. They feel like celebrities and remember you when referrals come their way. Competitors as collaborators. Lance met a competitor who beat him for an award, took her to lunch, realized they were complementary not competitive, and got three big jobs from her referrals this year. What stuck with me: The more positivity, openness, and truth you put out there, the more the universe reciprocates. Call it God, call it the universe, call it whatever noun you need. But it seems to work. Oh, and Lance has a fishing YouTube channel. Colorado's number one fishing content. Because of course he does. Websites Referenced: - https://www.insidethefirmpodcast.com/ - https://f9productions.com/ - https://revitrocketship.teachable.com/ - https://www.youtube.com/@fishingwithlance - https://podmatch.com/
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    29 min
  • From 5% Acceptance Rate to Waiting List: Dave Gulas on Building Trust Through Podcasting | Iron Age Marketing 003

    From 5% Acceptance Rate to Waiting List: Dave Gulas on Building Trust Through Podcasting | Iron Age Marketing 003
    Jan 20 2026
    Welcome to Episode 003 Dave Gulas runs a logistics company. Third-party fulfillment, warehousing, transportation - the kind of business you'd never guess could use a podcast. That's exactly why I wanted to talk to him. Dave's the president and co-founder of EZDC 3PL. When he started his founder journey, the biggest help came from conversations with other entrepreneurs going through the same thing. So he thought: what if those conversations were public? The audience benefits, the guest gets exposure, and it creates evergreen content. From idea to first published episode? Less than 30 days. No equipment. No background. Just started. Two years later, his show Beyond Fulfillment is ranked in the top 2% globally with over 200 episodes. He went from a 5% acceptance rate (asking 20 people for every yes) to having a waiting list of 5-10 people weekly asking to be on. Here's what we dig into: The logistics puzzle. In an industry with 10,000+ faceless, nameless three PLs, having the founder out there interviewing successful entrepreneurs and providing value changes everything. When your clients are trusting you with their entire inventory - their livelihood - that visibility builds credibility before you ever have a sales conversation. The digital handshake. People know, like, and trust you before you've done any work. That parasocial relationship puts you three steps ahead in sales because the trust is already built. Broad beats narrow. Dave interviews founders across all industries - pre-launch to multiple exits. The best business lessons often come from industries you'd never expect. You don't have to be in the same space to learn something valuable. The bond of storytelling. Everyone wants to be heard. When guests share their journey - the dark nights, the failures, the pivots - something happens. Dave's had guests tell stories they've never shared on any other podcast. That creates a friendship that lasts beyond the episode. Celebrate your own progress. One of the best lessons from 200+ conversations: don't compare yourself to someone 20 steps ahead on social media. Stories of people going to the depths of despair and coming back through perseverance and resilience - those hit different than Instagram highlights. The messenger matters as much as the message. Clichés are clichés because they're true. But 30 people can tell you the same thing, and only one will make it stick because that's the person you resonate with. What stuck with me: Dave's the last person you'd expect to start a podcast. No knowledge, no equipment, no background. Just started. Kept doing it. The world's a mucky place sometimes. Podcasting builds relationships that leave you walking away thinking "that was an awesome person, my life is enriched for knowing them." That positivity compounds. Want to check out what Dave's doing? Beyond Fulfillment is available everywhere podcasts live. Website Referenced:
    • Beyond Fulfillment Podcast & EZDC 3PL @ https://davegulas.com/
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    17 min
  • Why Most Podcasters Quit (And How Susie St. Angelo Made It to Year Two): Iron Age Marketing Season 2 Episode 002

    Why Most Podcasters Quit (And How Susie St. Angelo Made It to Year Two): Iron Age Marketing Season 2 Episode 002
    Jan 12 2026
    Welcome to Episode 002 of the reboot. Last week I had my competitor on. This week? One of my actual clients. Susie St. Angelo runs SOS for Your Life - a health and wellness podcast that's been going strong for over a year now. She's a recovering banker turned health coach, and six years ago when her daughter-in-law and niece suggested she start a podcast, she was terrified. Now she's knocking out episodes quarterly, building relationships that matter, and doing it all without ever watching her own content. (Neither do I, for the record. Ain't nobody got time for that.) Here's what we dig into: The expectation versus reality problem. Susie thought podcasting would attract hundreds of thousands of listeners and flood her health coaching business with clients. Instead? It became a creative outlet for sharing knowledge and building genuine relationships. The goal shifted from mass appeal to meaningful impact. The Circle of Life approach. Her podcast covers everything from hypnotherapy to spirituality to finances - all the things that affect health beyond just diet and exercise. That broad approach attracts different people at different times, which is exactly the point. Why being on camera is scarier than talking to clients. Even as a coach who talks to people for a living, Susie was nervous about recording. The difference? Permanence. But once she committed, she just let it evolve organically. The generational divide on podcasting. Her traditional family doesn't quite get it. Her younger relatives and friends are all in. But here's the thing - her friends toot her horn better than she does herself. (Note to Susie: toot more.) The joy factor. This isn't a moneymaker for her. It's fun. It's joyful. She bulk records quarterly, has a system that works, and doesn't overthink it. That's sustainability right there. Why over-preparation kills conversations. She mentioned the shortest podcast conversation that never made it to air - bored out of her mind because she'd already read everything about the guest. Now she keeps some standard questions but lets things flow organically. What stuck with me most: She's starting year two and never would've guessed she'd make it this far. That's real growth. Not the "I hit 100K downloads" kind, but the "I built something sustainable that brings me joy and serves people" kind. The relationships she's built through podcasting - bringing guests back for second and third conversations, making referrals, staying connected - that's the actual ROI nobody talks about when they're selling you on podcasting as a business strategy. Life's too short to work with clients you don't like. Find your people, build something real, and stop worrying about whether your hair looks perfect on camera. Want to check out what Susie's doing? SOS for Your Life is available everywhere podcasts live. Websites Referenced:
    • SOS for Your Life Podcast (available on all major platforms)
    • Susan St. Angelo Coaching LLC (Facebook)
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    26 min
  • The Death of Surface-Level Marketing: Iron Age Marketing Season 2 Episode 001

    The Death of Surface-Level Marketing: Iron Age Marketing Season 2 Episode 001
    Jan 2 2026
    Welcome to the reboot. After two years talking to authors, I'm shifting Iron Age Marketing toward the people I actually want to work with: coaches, creatives, and business owners using podcasting to build authority and generate real leads. And what better way to kick off Season 2 than by bringing on the competition? Vince Quinn runs SBX Productions. He does exactly what I do - podcast production for small businesses. Sports talk radio background, national shows, the whole nine yards. Meanwhile, I come from music, Dungeons & Dragons, and Magic: The Gathering. We could not be more different. And that's exactly the point. The word gets overused, but there's no escaping it right now: authenticity. It's the only thing that matters when you can't compete with Pepsi's billion-dollar advertising budget. When Vince talks sports radio, my eyes glaze over. When I mention Magic: The Gathering, he's probably thinking "what kind of weird person does the exact same job I do?" But that's why we both have businesses. My people aren't his people. His background attracts a completely different client than mine does. Here's what we dig into: The signal to noise ratio. The best thing podcasting gives you is the ability to put out an honest signal. Not the polished corporate BS. Not the Walmart version of your personality. The real you, with all the nuances and failures and things that make you human. Why pop music is designed to make you like it. Heavy rotation triggers familiarity in your brain. Familiarity breeds fondness. That's the Pepsi model - play it until people accept it. But when you're a small business? You can't afford that. You need the 10,000 true fans who find you authentic and stick around forever. The depth problem. Most people aren't pushed to examine why they think what they think. Vince's example: you need to explain what the letter A is in detail when you're a true expert. The most basic thing to you is mind-blowing for someone else. Marketing has flipped. The old model was surface-level - smile, wave, sell, move on. That only works when you have a war chest. Now? You need to be everywhere organically. TikTok, Instagram, YouTube, Apple Podcasts, Spotify. The only way to cut through is genuine voice. Both of us came from dying industries. Radio was hemorrhaging jobs when we got into it. We both saw the writing on the wall and jumped into something we barely understood - running an actual business. Five years later? The podcast production space is getting crowded because more people see the value. But there's room for all of us because we're all attracting different clients based on who we actually are. If you have any personality and willingness to market yourself, saying no to podcasting is nuts. Want to check out what Vince is doing? FreePodcastHelp.com - best URL I've ever seen. Otherwise, welcome to Season 2. Let's build something real. Website Referenced:
    • FreePodcastHelp.com
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    24 min
  • Melissa J Cave: Iron Age Marketing Podcast Episode 051

    Melissa J Cave: Iron Age Marketing Podcast Episode 051
    Mar 24 2025
    In today's episode of Iron Age Marketing, I talk to Melissa J Cave, author of the fantasy novel Traitor's Son. Let's Meet Iron Age Creator Melissa J Cave Melissa J Cave is a project manager and a veteran who has spent most of her life traveling, first as a military brat and then in the Air Force and Department of Defense. She has always been fascinated by new places, cultures, languages, and history, and there is no better place to indulge that interest than in fantasy writing. She currently lives in Virginia, where she is failing to grow strawberries for the third year running. Exploring Fantasy Writing with Military Veteran Melissa J Cave In this first of three segments of episode 51 of the Iron Age Marketing podcast, host Nicky P talks with guest Melissa J Cave, a military veteran and debut author, to discuss her new fantasy series 'Traitor Son: First Book of the Empire of the Stars.' Melissa shares her background as a 'military brat' and soldier, and how these experiences have informed her writing. They delve into the misconception that military discipline stifles creativity and discuss the importance of diverse life experiences in storytelling. Melissa also talks about the themes in her series, such as post-war promises and hope, in contrast to the grimdark genre. With six books written before publishing the first, Melissa explains the advantages of completing an entire series ahead of time for tighter storytelling. The Intersection of Romance, Family, and Marketing: An Author's Journey In this second of three segments of episode 51 of the Iron Age Marketing podcast, host Nicky P & author Melissa J Cave dive into the writing and marketing journey of an experienced author who has been crafting stories since childhood. Beginning with a simple romance idea in 2019, the story expanded into a multi-book family saga, including elements of action and politics. The author discusses the importance of romance in storytelling, particularly in appealing to male readers. She shares insights on marketing strategies, using platforms like Net Galley and Book Sirens to gather feedback and generate buzz. The episode also covers building an audience through email lists and maintaining an online presence, focusing on marketing primarily to romance readers. Navigating Self-Publishing and Gender Dynamics in Historical Fantasy Literature with Melissa J Cave In this third and final segment of episode 51 of the Iron Age Marketing podcast, host Nicky P discusses with guest Melissa J Cave., who discusses her unique approach to writing fantasy literature, focusing on realistic character development and gender roles in historical contexts. The conversation explores Melissa's decision to self-publish her books, driven by a desire to maintain creative control and effectively target different audiences on platforms like Instagram and TikTok. Melissa further delves into how she handles negative reviews, the limitations of traditional publishing, and the importance of showcasing the complementary roles of men and women in her medieval city-building narrative. Hopefully, today's episode with Melissa J Cave serves as both inspiration and education in your own journey to bring your creation to the world. Melissa J Cave Resources & Extra Media
    • https://melissajcave.com/
    • https://geni.us/traitorson-global (Amazon link)
    Shill Need help connecting with or growing your audience for your book, comic, TTRPG, or other creative endeavor? Check out Nicky P @ ironagemarketing.com
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    36 min
  • C S Johnson: Iron Age Marketing Podcast Episode 050

    C S Johnson: Iron Age Marketing Podcast Episode 050
    Mar 17 2025
    In today's episode of Iron Age Marketing, I talk to C S Johnson, genre-defying novelist of multiple young adult series'. Let's Meet Iron Age Creator C S Johnson C. S. Johnson is the award-winning, genre-hopping author of several novels, including young adult sci-fi and fantasy adventures such as the Starlight Chronicles series, the Once Upon a Princess saga, and the Divine Space Pirates trilogy. With a gift for sarcasm and an apologetic heart, she currently lives in Atlanta with her family. Navigating Indie Publishing with Author C. S. Johnson In this first of three segments of episode 50 of the Iron Age Marketing podcast, host Nicky P talks with guest C. S. Johnson as she shares her extensive experience in writing, discussing her journey from vanity press beginnings in 2007 to crafting a vast collection of 40 books and multiple audiobooks. She delves into her strategies for maintaining creative control, her perspectives on traditional versus indie publishing, and the importance of genres in making money as a writer. The conversation also touches on balancing being a homeschool mom with writing, the challenges of staying disciplined, and the need for hopeful characters in fiction. Don't miss insights into her favorite genres, particularly romance, and her views on the evolving landscape of modern storytelling. The Power of Independent Writing & Crowdfunding: A Conversation on Creativity In this second of three segments of episode 50 of the Iron Age Marketing podcast, host Nicky P & author C S Johnson discuss the significance of the "Iron Age" ethos coined by RazörFist and how it benefits all writers, regardless of political leanings. The dialogue touches upon the downsides of the 'story by committee' approach and why individual creativity matters. The conversation highlights Brandon Sanderson's remarkable Kickstarter success, underscoring the potential of self-publishing. They delve into the importance of character connection in storytelling and the emerging popularity of graphic novels among younger readers. The discussion wraps up with insights on the critical role of family support and the value of investing in one's creative vision, despite the associated financial risks. Navigating Your First Book Release: Insights for Aspiring Authors In this third and final segment of episode 50 of the Iron Age Marketing podcast, host Nicky P discusses with guest C S Johnson her advice for authors who are gearing up to release their first book. They discuss common pitfalls to avoid, such as lack of passion and poor character development, emphasizing the importance of writing what you believe in. The conversation touches on the challenges faced by new authors, comparisons with established names like Stephen King, and the significance of creating relatable protagonists. The speaker also reflects on their own journey, including lessons learned from their initial publication and the influence of cultural phenomena like Marvel and Harry Potter on their writing. The discussion concludes with thoughts on staying true to oneself and engaging with social media in the post-COVID era. Hopefully, today's episode with C S Johnson serves as both inspiration and education in your own journey to bring your creation to the world. C S Johnson Resources & Extra Media
    • https://www.csjohnson.me
    • https://www.substack.com/@writercsjohnson
    • https://www.x.com/writercsjohnson
    • https://www.kickstarter.com/projects/writercsjohnson/slumbering-the-starlight-chronicles-1-the-graphic-novel
    Shill Need help connecting with or growing your audience for your book, comic, TTRPG, or other creative endeavor? Check out Nicky P @ ironagemarketing.com
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    33 min
  • Joseph Battaglia: Iron Age Marketing Podcast Episode 049

    Joseph Battaglia: Iron Age Marketing Podcast Episode 049
    Jan 16 2025
    In today's episode of Iron Age Marketing, I talk to Joseph Battaglia, novelist, IT professional and writer of The Dunce Whisperer. Let's Meet Iron Age Creator Joseph Battaglia Joseph Battaglia started writing shortly after being medically discharged from the Marine Corps for a vascular disorder resulting from lifting too many weights and being entirely too swole. His normal human body wasn't capable of withstanding the weight that his soul was capable of lifting. This condition led to the removal of one of his ribs. It's interesting to think that Adam the first person had also been removed of a single rib. Adam was created in the image of God which is just something interesting to think about, not drawing any conclusions. Joseph's first book was Planet of Babel: Dawn Edge. Perhaps the most intelligent Sci-Fi book ever penned. Some individuals claim it's the book Einstein wished he'd wrote. Fun fact, Albert Einstein was a late talker and didn't say his first word till he was three. Joseph was four when he started talking. Some people may draw the conclusion that talking late correlates to intelligence. Who knows? Probably though. Joseph Battaglia has worked in the I.T. field since 2011. Dealing with customers has always been painful for him to say the least. Now his horror for the past ten-plus years has been converted into the perfect story for you to be able to experience the same pain. An Interview with Jarhead, Author and IT Professional, Joseph Battaglia In this first of three segments of episode 48 of the Iron Age Marketing podcast, host Nicky P talks with guest, writer, Joseph Battaglia, an Italian-American from New Jersey with a background in the Marine Corps and over a decade of IT experience. Joseph discusses his transition to civilian life, his work in the government sector, and his passion for writing. He shares insights into his creative process, the role his wife plays as a co-author, and the humorous approach he takes to promote his books. The episode delves into the making of his latest book trailer and the persona he adopted for marketing purposes. Joseph also touches on the differences between his previous works in sci-fi grim dark and his current project in comedy fantasy. Exploring Fantasy Comedy Writing with Author Joseph Battaglia In this second of three segments of episode 48 of the Iron Age Marketing podcast, host Nicky P & Joseph Battaglia talk about the unique approach in writing comedy within a fantasy setting. Battaglia shares insights into the premise of his new book, describing it as 'Harry Potter meets Office Space,' and how it integrates magical tools in a bureaucratic fantasy world. They touch upon the importance of audience connection, relatable character experiences, and the balance of humor and narrative in writing. The discussion also highlights the target audience, the impact of customer service experiences on character development, and the importance of research, especially in genres like sci-fi. Embracing Humor and Self-Awareness: An Interview with AuthorJoseph Battaglia In this third and final segment of episode 48 of the Iron Age Marketing podcast, host Nicky P discusses with guest, Joseph Battaglia, his approach to creating a character that embodies self-awareness and stupidity. Joseph elaborates on the importance of being able to laugh at oneself, his YouTube persona, and the significance of developing a strong author identity to connect with the audience. They touch on the evolving nature of publishing and marketing in the digital age, the role of social media in building a following. The conversation concludes with reflections on the charm of being 'lovably stupid' and the journey of character development. Hopefully, today's episode with Joseph Battaglia serves as both inspiration and education in your own journey to bring your creation to the world. Joseph Battaglia Resources & Extra Media
    • https://mailchi.mp/7ad1665776e0/tale-of-the-dunce-whisperer
    • https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCeDktB7GM6ok8tmWuzO73FA
    • More when I get the book live

    Shill Need help connecting with or growing your audience for your book, comic, TTRPG, or other creative endeavor? Check out Nicky P @ ironagemarketing.com
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    29 min
  • Hannah Parry: Iron Age Marketing Podcast Episode 048

    Hannah Parry: Iron Age Marketing Podcast Episode 048
    Jan 6 2025
    In today's episode of Iron Age Marketing, I talk to Hannah Parry, a trained pediatric nurse and thriller writer. Let's Meet Iron Age Creator Hannah Parry Hannah Parry trained as a pediatric nurse and then did a master's in creative writing at Birkbeck College, University of London. She has had four short stories published. Farrukh and the Matchmaker made the longlist of the BBC Short Story Award 2021. The Chrysalis was awarded a Pushcart Prize nomination in 2021. She does beta reading for established authors and was part of the editorial team on Mechanics' Institute Review Short Story Anthology in 2018. Hannah has written two middle-grade historical thrillers - Winter's Bite and Fever Quest - and two commercial fiction novels which she will publish as H.P. Parry. She developed Breathing for Both of Us, a psychological thriller, on the Curtis Brown Creative course in London and it was published in December 2023. The Baby Exchange, an upmarket fiction manuscript will be published in December 2024. An Insight into Self-Publishing with Hannah Parry In this first of three segments of episode 48 of the Iron Age Marketing podcast, host Nicky P talks with guest, writer, Hannah Parry, who has self-published multiple books, including middle-grade historical fiction thrillers and adult commercial psychological fiction. Hannah discusses her journey from attempting the traditional publishing routes to embracing self-publishing, the advantages of faster release times and higher royalties, and shares some of her personal and professional background, including her experiences as a nurse and her process of finding her readers. The conversation highlights the challenges and nuances of both traditional and self-publishing in today's literary landscape. Writing, Editing, and Horror: A Conversation with Author H P Parry In this second of three segments of episode 48 of the Iron Age Marketing podcast, host Nicky P & Hannah Parry discuss her previous output as well as current projects including her upcoming release 'The Baby Exchange,' scheduled for this month. The conversation explores the themes of her new book, including reality TV and the challenges of young adulthood but shifts quickly to the importance of appropriate endings in horror storytelling, with Nicky P referencing some of his favorites like 'The Mist' and authors such as Clive Barker. The author also lets us into her transition from writing for younger audiences to commercial women's thrillers. We're all pretty sure this is the first guest to describe what they do as commercial anything. Navigating Personal Writing and Cancel Culture With Hanna Parry In this third and final segment of episode 48 of the Iron Age Marketing podcast, host Nicky P discusses with guest, Hannah Parry, how personal experiences have shaped her writing. They muse over the balance between sharing personal elements in writing and the constraints of maintaining a public persona, particularly in light of the current political climate and cancel culture. The dialogue explores the use of pen names to protect identity, the role of honesty in connecting with audiences, and creative ways to market oneself while staying true to one's values. Hannah weighs in with her opinion on some of the strategies employed by previous guests including email marketing and the creative use of character personas to engage with readers. Hopefully, today's episode with Hannah Parry serves as both inspiration and education in your own journey to bring your creation to the world. Hannah Parry Resources & Extra Media
    • hannahparry.com
    • amazon.com/stores/Hannah-Parry/author/B008ZNCZ3Y
    • goodreads.com/author/show/6550520.Hannah_Parry

    Shill Need help connecting with or growing your audience for your book, comic, TTRPG, or other creative endeavor? Check out Nicky P @ ironagemarketing.com
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    36 min