Shows / Best Story Wins
Best Story Wins
Welcome to “Best Story Wins,” a podcast for marketing and branding professionals looking to unlock their growth potential. Hosted by Column Five—a B2B marketing agency that specializes in brand and content marketing for SaaS companies—each episode features insightful conversations with industry leaders who are winning customers’ hearts and minds by building world-class brands.
Tune in to hear expert insights, hard-won lessons, and key strategies to take your own marketing efforts to the next…
Episodes
Best Story WinsBecoming Marketing’s Big Sister with Trish Seidel of Teal
It’s a tough time to be a marketer. Teams are lean, expectations are high, and AI is everywhere—but automation can only take you so far if your brand voice…
Best Story WinsThe Cult of Rebranding in B2B with Matt Maynard of Asana
Brand teams are obsessed with differentiation, but what if distinctiveness is the real power move? And while you're chasing loyalty, your competitors are…
Best Story WinsSmarter GTM for Marketing Leaders with Brandon Redlinger of The Forge
Many go-to-market strategies sound good on paper but fall apart in practice. The issue isn’t the lack of talent, but rather the misalignment, timing, or wrong…
Best Story WinsWhat Smart Brands Do Differently with Harrison Iuliano Moving you to BCC
The old agency model is broken, and smart brands aren’t waiting around to fix it. Instead, they’re building lean, strategic ecosystems where storytelling…
Best Story WinsHow to Build Micro-Communities That Last with Allison Stadd of Shipt
The brands that move first on human connection build an edge no algorithm can touch. The question is: Will you move fast enough to matter? In this episode…
Best Story WinsB2B is Broken, here's how to fix it with Victoria Gamlen CMO of Boundary Analytics
Most B2B marketers are stuck proving short-term wins. Not because it drives the best results, but because it’s the only story the numbers can tell. Could this…
Best Story WinsThe CMO Comeback Story with Michael Duda of Bullish
Marketing leaders are under more pressure than ever, and many are stuck playing defense. With budgets tightening and short-term wins taking priority, how can…
Best Story WinsHow InfoTrust Builds Brands People Actually Believe In with Chase Howell of InfoTrust
Marketers are pumping out more content than ever, yet consumers somehow trust it less than their own data. Impressions are meaningless if you’re not driving…
Best Story WinsStartup Storytelling in the AI Age with Ben Parr of Octane AI
Today, anyone can build an AI product on a weekend. To stand out in the market, you must rely on your story. In this episode, we are joined by Ben Parr…
Best Story WinsWhy AI Can’t Replace Intuition with Hiten Shah of Dropbox
Today, thinking about AI completely replacing humans is impossible. Why? Because it means replacing creativity, context, and more importantly, intuition. Hiten…
Best Story WinsWhy You Shouldn’t Publish Without a “So What” with Drew Evans of Notion
If your content doesn’t have a ‘so what,’ you shouldn’t bother hitting publish. Drew Evans, who leads B2B content strategy at Notion, joins the show to talk…
Best Story WinsBrand, Boldness, and the Bottom Line with Gabe Larsen of Kustomer
If your brand only shows up when a customer has a problem, you’ve already lost the game. In this episode, we sit down with Gabe Larsen, CMO of Kustomer, to…
Best Story WinsThe Power of Scrappy Creativity with Megan Brunner of Adobe
B2B marketing doesn't need to be predictable or stale. As people’s attention span is shrinking, shouldn’t B2B content be as vibrant and creative as…
Best Story WinsThe Future of B2B Content Is Video-First with Laura Wilkinson of Vidyard
In today’s world, attention spans are shorter than ever. With this in mind, marketers need to let go of outdated content tactics to embrace the future of B2B…
Best Story WinsWhy Brand Awareness Is the New Revenue Driver with Jenny Thai of Vanta
Most B2B content today feels generic: AI-generated fluff, generic SEO blog posts, and bland corporate jargon no one reads. Meanwhile, the brands that stand…
Best Story WinsHow AI Is Redefining B2B Marketing Forever with Stewart Hillhouse of storyarb
The marketers who know how to wield AI as a force multiplier are already outpacing everyone else. Are you evolving fast enough to stay relevant? In this…
Best Story WinsHow to Build Brands That Actually Stand Out with Ross Crooks of Column Five
Every brand creates content, but only a few stand out. AI has made it easier for everyone to produce high-quality content, yet most brands get stuck in a cycle…
Best Story WinsHow Mews Builds Emotion Into Every Brand Move with Michael Fitzsimmons of Mews
It can be easy to lose sight of the need for deep emotional connections in a world where everyone seems obsessed with AI, automation, and bottom-funnel…
Best Story WinsThe Secret to Un-Ghosting Prospects with Matt Hogan of HG Insights
The biggest challenge in B2B marketing isn’t so much generating demand, but it’s keeping folks from ghosting you, even long before they enter your pipeline. In…
Best Story WinsHow to Stand Out From the 85% with Egan Montgomery of Backstroke
About 85% of competing software companies are pretty much the same. The winning companies focus on staying in the 15% that represents an opportunity to truly…
Best Story WinsHow to Build a Billion-Dollar Brand Through Story with Obaid Durrani of Clay
Your biggest competitive advantage in B2B isn't your product; it's the story that people tell themselves about your company. Today's winning brands shape the…
Best Story WinsHow to Cut Through Digital Noise with Andrew Gori of Autodesk
It’s smart, it’s fun, and it might just change how you think about content. In today’s noisy digital world, Autodesk knows how to stand out: by telling stories…
Best Story WinsThe Power of Creative Restraint with Nate Skinner of Squarespace
The more you post, the less your audience cares. With brands trapped in an endless cycle of content production, is the key to standing out doing less? In this…
Best Story WinsThe Future of B2B Is Bold, Not Boring with Kyle Lacy of Jellyfish
The biggest mistake B2B marketers make today is prioritizing metrics over creativity. Brands that play it safe and shy away from bold risks are destined to…
Best Story WinsWhat It Takes to Lead Through Change with John Onoda of iQ 360
When the stakes are high, will your brand rise to the challenge—or collapse under the weight of public scrutiny? In today’s episode of Best Story Wins, we’re…
Best Story WinsThe Art of Balancing Creativity and Strategy with Drue Stinnett of HubSpot
Great content doesn’t just inform—it inspires, builds, and connects with an audience on a deeper level. In today’s episode, we’re excited to chat with Drue…
Best Story WinsDoing Less, But Better with Lindsey Slaby of Sunday Dinner
When everything feels urgent, it’s easy to lose focus. With leaner teams, tighter budgets, and increasing pressure to prove value, many organizations are stuck…
Best Story WinsWhy You Should Be the Future Version of Your Client with Adam Robinson of RB2B
Your next big marketing move isn’t buried in your paid ads or latest campaign—it’s staring you down in the mirror.In this episode, Adam Robinson, CEO and…
Best Story WinsHow to Blend AI and Emotional Storytelling with Dan Levy of LivePerson
Great marketing is born at the intersection of art and science, where strategy effectively meets creativity. In this episode, we chat with Dan J. Levy, Senior…
Best Story WinsHow to Turn Community Into Competitive Edge with Santi Pochat of LinkedIn
LinkedIn has consistently proven it’s at the top of its game, no matter the economic climate. What’s the secret behind their success? In today’s episode, Santi…
Best Story WinsTurning Food Into a Movement with Elie Ayrouth of Foodbeast
Social media is flooded with short-lived food trends and recipes, but a few brands know how to keep their edge. In this episode, Elie Ayrouth, the brains…
Best Story WinsReinventing Creative Operations with Tamara Austring of Zapier
Routine processes can stifle innovation and allow competitors to pull ahead. How can companies stay agile to deliver fresh, impactful work? In this episode, we…
Best Story WinsBuilding Trust Through Tech with Chris Ollier of Bonterra
When your customers don’t speak tech, how do you help them choose wisely—and trust you along the way? In this episode, we welcome Chris Ollier, Senior Director…
Best Story WinsHow to Use AI to Power Every Transaction with Stephanie Paturzo Swingle of Instacart
In this episode we host Stephanie Paturzo Swingle, B2B Marketing leader at Instacart. We uncover how she’s using innovative strategies—like AI-powered smart…
Best Story WinsDesigning Seamless Brand Experiences with Kira Klaas of Later
Great companies don’t just sell products—they leverage their brand to create connections that resonate. In this episode, we’re thrilled to welcome Kira Klaas…
Best Story WinsHow to Align Sales and Marketing Teams with Travis Keith of J.P. Morgan
“Sales enablement is the bridge between marketing and closing deals." For this episode of Best Story Wins, we’re joined by Travis Keith, VP of Strategic Client…
Best Story WinsThe Secret to Staying Creative in Fast-Changing Times with Alan Roll of Airtable
The world of content is constantly changing, and only the best marketers can adapt to these evolving trends. In today’s episode, we’re joined by Alan Roll…
Best Story WinsFrom UFC to B2B Saas — Lessons in Branding with Radu Ranga of C1
The differentiation of the brand and the owning of the brand comes by making sure everything is aligned. In this episode, we are joined by Radu Ranga, Senior…
Best Story WinsWhat Makes Creativity Human with Christopher Clarke of Intuit
Is your brand talking at people, or with them? In this episode, we dive deep into the mind of Christopher “Toph” Clarke, Executive Creative Director at Intuit…
Best Story WinsRedefining What It Means to Be Rich with Gretchen Leslie of IWT
What does being rich mean to you? Is it just hitting a number? In this episode we are joined by Gretchen Leslie, President at I Will Teach You To Be Rich, as…
Best Story WinsHow to Fuse Data and Empathy to Win with Dorian Stewart of Federato
Branding isn’t about your appearance to your audience — it’s about the experience you cultivate for your audience. This week, we’re joined by Dorian Stewart…
Best Story WinsHumanizing AI in B2B Marketing with Joe Lazer of A.Team
Great innovations come from great teams working together, doing more than they could individually. And, to achieve this, companies first need to understand the…
Best Story WinsHow to Humanize Healthcare Design with Ryan Romero of Hoag
Healthcare has always been perceived as a very unauthentic sector in terms of brand and product. What are folks doing out there to change the landscape? In…
Best Story WinsThe Secret Behind Building a Retro-Futuristic Brand with Aaron Zide of Halcyon
How does a cybersecurity startup blend retrofuturistic vibes with innovative anti-ransomware strategies to stand out in a crowded market? Our guest today…
Best Story WinsLeading Creative Teams That Win with Josie Jeffries of Webflow
Clarity is the cornerstone of brand success. Understanding what your brand is to the core, and what it offers, enables you to craft a clear narrative and…
Best Story WinsThe Human Side of AI Design with Celene Osiecka of 247.ai
AI has been here for a long time — longer before the ChatGPT boom. And now that we’ve all seen it, it’s not going anywhere. In this episode, we are joined by…
Best Story WinsScaling Brand Communication Globally with Gwen Lafage of Sinch
As brands grow, communication channels tend to expand parallelly. What is the secret behind successful comapnies that can keep up and leverage with this…
Best Story WinsHumanizing Marketing in the AI Era with Alec Hanson of LoanDepot
How can embracing digital trends and authentic human connections redefine your marketing strategy in an AI-driven world? This week we sit down with Alec…
Best Story WinsHow to Use Humor As a Design Superpower with Soren Iverson of Iverson
The future of design isn’t just about function; it’s about fun. In this episode, we are joined by Soren Iverson, Product Designer at Iterate and creator of the…
Best Story WinsHow to Keep a Brand Alive in Fast-Growth Tech with Bob Galmarini of Databricks
‘A brand is a living, breathing thing. A stale brand is a dead brand’ In this episode, we are joined by Bob Galmarini, Senior Director of Brand Design at…
Best Story WinsBuilding a Movement, Not Just a Brand with Ian Elliott of Maap
Only 5% of the market is ready to buy, so how do you ensure your brand is at the top of people's minds when they purchase? In this episode, we are joined by…
Best Story WinsBringing Brand Back to B2B with Jason Miller of Tyk
B2B marketing is always changing, and today we're seeing brand make a major comeback. In this episode, we are joined by Jason Miller, Head of Brand Marketing…
Best Story WinsHow One Father Built a 3M-Download Sleep App with Francisco Cornejo of Storybook
Exhausted parents, demanding children, and the increase in screen time have created a cocktail of anxiety for everyone in the household before going to bed. In…
Best Story WinsWhy Community Is Midjourney’s Real Superpower with Erik Martin of Midjourney
As social and emotional beings, humans lean towards brands that foster community. So, how can you build one that deeply connects with your clients and…
Best Story WinsHow Data Shapes the World’s Best Brands with Bryan Saftler of Databricks
Sustaining success in the competitive B2B landscape is no easy task. But what strategies truly secure a company's future? In today’s episode, we are joined by…
Best Story WinsThe Strategy That Made GitHub a Household Name with Sam Oshin of GitHub
Most Fortune 500 companies rely on GitHub for planning, building, and collaborating on software. But how did they cultivate a brand with such a worldwide…
Best Story WinsHow to Win in a Crowded Market Category with Jon Miller of MarTech Entrepreneur
This week, we’re joined by Jon Miller, (Prev: Co-Founder/CMO of Marketo, Cofounder/CEO of Engagio, CMO of Demandbase), who shares his hard-won insights on all…
Best Story WinsDisrupting Wellness Culture with Melissa Rosenthal of Insight Timer
Disruption isn't just a buzzword—it's the lifeline of growth and innovation in today's business landscape. In this episode, Melissa Rosenthal, CMO at Insight…
Best Story WinsThe Four Cs Philosophy with Nick Levesque of Asana
In this episode, we are joined by Nick Levesque, Creative Director at Asana, who shares valuable tactics and approaches on going upmarket and migrating from an…
Best Story WinsHow to Balance Speed, Scale, and Design with Charlie Waite of Uber
Every day, Uber facilitates 27 million trips worldwide. How do they provide the best experience possible? In today’s episode, Charlie Waite, Director of…