top of page

YOUR STRATEGIC PARTNER FOR DESIGN, MARKETING, AND PUBLIC ENGAGEMENT


He Snuck Onto Hollywood Lots. Then He Built a Brand Empire.
In this episode of Own Your Next, Jennifer McPherson is joined by Marc Gutman, Founder of Wildstory, to discuss building a brand through storytelling. Marc shares how sneaking onto Hollywood lots shaped his career, why brands need a clear narrative, and how businesses can use AI without losing originality. Marc also talks about mindset, belief, and staying in the game as an entrepreneur.
15 hours ago


Social Media Is Lying to You About What People Think
In this episode of Own Your Next, Jennifer McPherson is joined by Adam Probolsky, President of Probolsky Research, to discuss why social media often distorts public opinion. They explore why leaders misread online feedback, how representative polling reveals a clearer picture, and why gut instinct should not be disguised as data. Adam also talks about how AI is changing research workflows.
Jun 16


From Navy Ships to Fearless About AI
In this episode of Own Your Next, Jennifer McPherson is joined by Devon Hayes, Co-founder of Elevation Marketing, to discuss moving from military precision to business leadership, navigating costly hiring mistakes, and leveraging AI as a tool rather than a threat. Devon also shares insights on mindset shifts that turn challenges into opportunities.
Jun 9


How Small Businesses Break Into Big Companies (And Why It’s a Marathon, Not a Sprint)
In this episode of Own Your Next, Jennifer McPherson is joined by Alison Tierney, Director of Inclusive Business Partnerships at WSP in the U.S, to discuss how small businesses can successfully build relationships with large organizations and position themselves for long-term growth. They explore why patience is critical, how relationship-building creates opportunities, and the advantages small firms bring through agility and responsiveness.
Jun 3


Revolutionizing Proposal Development Through AI-Powered Solutions With Jennifer McPherson
In this episode of Own Your Next, Jennifer McPherson, President of Chickenango Marketing Solutions, to discuss the RFP PursuitAI Hub and its potential to revolutionize proposal development. Jennifer shares insights on how AI can reduce the time spent on early-stage proposal tasks by 75%, cutting down on manual effort and preventing mistakes. She also delves into the broader impact on firms, from increasing proposal quality to allowing teams to focus on win themes.
May 5


Behind the Message: A City PIO’s Role in Building Public Trust With Illianna Milldrum
In this episode of Own Your Next, Jennifer McPherson is joined by Illianna Milldrum, Communication and Engagement Specialist for the City of Loveland Public Works Department, to discuss building public trust through transparent communication. They explore balancing honesty with community expectations, managing communication during disruptive projects, and leveraging internal collaboration. Illianna also shares insights on using AI while keeping the human touch.
Apr 28


Designing a Life of Travel: Phil Lockwood on Family, Freedom, and ABC Trips
In this episode of Own Your Next, Jennifer McPherson is joined by Phil Lockwood, Co-founder of ABC Trips, to discuss designing a life centered on travel and freedom. They explore turning family adventures into a business, why curated experiences matter more than bookings, and how travel reshapes perspective. Phil also shares advice on making the mindset shift from “one day” to “day one.”
Apr 21


AI Is Reshaping Agencies and Brent Weaver Is Building the Conversation at Vistara
In this episode of Own Your Next, Jennifer McPherson is joined by Brent Weaver, CEO of E2M, to discuss how AI is transforming agency growth and operations. They explore why agency owners become bottlenecks, how fractional account management unlocks scale, and where AI creates new competitive advantages. Brent also talks about building community through Vistara and how leaders can stay ahead in an AI-first world.
Apr 14


Real Conversation About AI, SEO, and Client Trust With Josiah Bussing
In this episode of Own Your Next, Jennifer McPherson is joined by Josiah Bussing, Founder and CEO of Mountaintop Web Design, to discuss AI, SEO, and building client trust in a rapidly changing marketing landscape. They explore how AI is being used to improve internal operations, why SEO still depends on human strategy, and how businesses can avoid fear-based marketing narratives. Josiah also shares advice on using AI responsibly while keeping quality and relationships at the
Feb 3


From Engineer to Owner: Leading the Next Chapter of a Legacy Firm With Megan Franklin
In this episode of Own Your Next, Jennifer McPherson is joined by Megan Franklin, Principal and Lead Civil Engineer at SCE Engineering, to discuss stepping into ownership and leading the next chapter of a legacy firm. They explore why timing is rarely perfect, how company culture outweighs company size, and what it means to lead with trust and ethics. Megan also shares advice on embracing risk and staying flexible as a new owner.
Jan 27


Building Meaningful Businesses and the Mindset Behind Lasting Success With Mike Arzt
In this episode of Own Your Next, Jennifer McPherson is joined by Mike Arzt, Owner of The Public Works and Battery621, to discuss building meaningful businesses that stand the test of time. They explore the mindset required for long-term success, the role of persistence and relationships in business, and how personal growth directly impacts leadership. Mike also talks about learning from setbacks and why the next chapter can be the most powerful yet.
Jan 19


Building Trust and Engagement Through Public Infrastructure Communication With Jennifer McPherson
In this episode of Own Your Next, John Corcoran interviews Jennifer McPherson, President of Chickenango Marketing Solutions, to discuss how to build trust and engagement through public infrastructure communication. They explore the shift from traditional public meetings to creative pop-up outreach, how to translate engineering language into something the public can actually understand, and why active listening matters more than polished messaging.
Jan 13


Launching a Purpose-Driven Agency and Mastering the Art of Public Engagement With Jennifer McPherson
In this episode of Own Your Next, Jennifer McPherson is interviewed by Chad Franzen of Rise25 to discuss the challenges of launching a purpose-driven agency and the importance of public engagement in AEC industries. Jennifer talks about her personal journey from the corporate grind to entrepreneurial freedom, how she tackles the complexities of translating technical jargon into human-centered communication, and the critical role AI plays in enhancing marketing processes.
Jan 6
bottom of page