Sorry. Not Sorry. You'll Want To Hear This.

Rutger Bregman challenges us to create ripple effects from small personal changes that benefit entire communities.

Jefferson Fisher revolutionises everyday communication by eliminating power-draining language and embracing uncomfortable directness.

A hotel chain’s tone-deaf Mother’s Day spam highlights the need for sensitivity in seasonal marketing.

And Golden North’s Giant Twin ice cream becomes a lens for examining whether sharing still resonates in modern advertising.

Get ready to take notes.

Talking About Marketing podcast episode notes with timecodes

02:00 Person This segment focusses on you, the person, because we believe business is personal.
Creating Space for Moral Ambition

Starting with Rutger Bregman’s “Moral Ambition: Stop Wasting Your Talent and Start Making a Difference,” our hosts explore the delicate balance between self-care and societal impact, thanks to Bregman’s appearance on the Making Sense podcast with Sam Harris. Steve introduces the concept of a “Draper Day” (inspired by Mad Men’s Don Draper), suggesting we all need occasional disappearances for genuine recharge – not just mental health days, but proper disconnection.

David connects Bregman’s philosophy to the recent Australian federal election, where voters rejected divisive politics that “pointed fingers” and embraced competition over cooperation. The discussion reveals how entropy means nothing maintains itself without effort – whether that’s democracy, business culture, or personal wellbeing. As David notes, every day requires doing “the next necessary thing” to make life better for yourself and those around you.

11:30 Principles This segment focusses principles you can apply in your business today.
The Art of Not Apologising (And Other Communication Revelations)

Jefferson Fisher’s “The Next Conversation” provides a masterclass in communication refinement that had both hosts reconsidering their linguistic habits. This young Texan attorney’s approach centres on three transformative principles that challenge comfortable communication patterns.

First, stop cheapening apologies – replace “sorry I’m late” with “thank you for waiting.”

Second, eliminate minimising language like “just” that undermines your right to participate. David recalls teaching university students, particularly women, to stop diminishing their contributions.

Third, deliver difficult news directly – the segment’s most confronting lesson involves firing an employee without false pleasantries that raise cruel hope before crushing it.

Steve’s admission of chronic over-apologising and David’s observations about gendered language patterns reveal how these seemingly minor shifts dramatically alter perceived authority and confidence.

24:00 Problems This segment answers questions we've received from clients or listeners.
When Mother’s Day Marketing Hits Raw Nerves

Michael Mills’ scorching Facebook post about receiving multiple Mother’s Day lunch promotions after his mother’s death launches a necessary conversation about marketing sensitivity. The hotel chain’s spam campaign represents a broader failure to consider diverse customer circumstances during emotionally charged holidays.

Our hosts highlight positive examples, including Café Belgiorno‘s thoughtful approach acknowledging that for some, Mother’s Day involves cherished memories rather than current celebrations. Etsy’s proactive strategy emerges as best practice – sending pre-emptive emails asking if customers want to opt out of Mother’s Day and Father’s Day promotions entirely. This segment underscores how genuine empathy in marketing requires anticipating customer pain points, not just chasing seasonal revenue.

27:30 Perspicacity This segment is designed to sharpen our thinking by reflecting on a case study from the past.
The Evolution of Sharing (Through the Lens of Ice Cream)

Golden North‘s marketing journey provides fascinating insight into changing social dynamics through their iconic Giant Twin – an ice cream designed to be snapped and shared. From early provenance-focused ads emphasising their Laura, South