The Claw

Eric Holtzclaw talks with Karen Chalmers, VP of Marketing & Partnerships at interVal, about the surprising truth behind small business valuation, the $84 trillion wealth transfer, and how interVal is helping advisors and business owners take control of their futures. Learn how AI and storytelling intersect in the financial space—and why you need to know what your business is really worth.

To connect with K...

In this episode of The Claw, host Eric Holtzclaw, Chief Strategist at Liger, sits down with Paul Clark—angel investor and co-founder of VentureSouth. Together, they explore how VentureSouth makes startup investing accessible for newcomers and seasoned investors alike, with a special focus on high-growth companies in the Southeastern U.S.

Paul shares his journey from medieval history scholar to investment b...

In this episode of The Claw, host Eric Holtzclaw talks with Aby Varma, founder of Spark Novus, about helping marketers move beyond AI experimentation and toward strategic adoption. They explore the evolution of AI in marketing, the importance of purpose-driven integration, and how to shift the conversation from tools to transformation.

Aby also shares how Spark Novus is empowering CMOs and marketing teams ...

In this episode of The Claw, Eric Holtzclaw sits down with Jason Kramer, Founder and CEO of Cultivize, to explore how a better CRM strategy can transform sales and marketing alignment. They discuss common tech gaps, the ROI of follow-up automation, and why most companies are leaving money on the table. Jason shares his journey from graphic designer to CRM expert, offers actionable insights for complex sale...

In this episode of The Claw, Eric Holtzclaw sits down with William King, Co-Founder and CEO of SuperCopy, to talk about one of the biggest pain points in marketing: keeping your brand voice consistent, across every channel, team, and piece of content.

In this episode, you'll hear about:
- The power of defining brand voice and audience before content ever gets created
- Why brand guidelines often fail in e...

In this episode of The Claw, Eric Holtzclaw sits down with Dr. Julian Reed—professor at Furman University and founder of ActivEd—to explore how movement is transforming learning. Julian shares the science behind kinesthetic education, the challenges of scaling an edtech startup, and how Active Ed is helping students nationwide learn through motion. From classroom innovation to state-level contracts, this i...

What really motivates people to take action? Whether it’s improving employee health, increasing workplace safety, or driving engagement in company initiatives, incentives matter. But how do you design rewards that actually work?In this episode of The Claw, Eric Holtzclaw sits down with Don Doster, CEO of Go Pivot, to explore the science behind behavior change, employee engagement, and corporate wellness strategies that drive real r...

In this episode of The Claw, Eric Holtzclaw is joined by Luis Scott, the founder of Eight Figure Firm Consulting. Luis shares his fascinating journey from being a lawyer to creating a consultancy that helps law firms scale to eight-figure revenues. Luis and Eric dive into the complexities of marketing within the legal field, navigating ethical rules that vary by state, and pushing the boundaries when it comes to self-promotion. Lui...

In this episode of The Claw, Eric Holtzclaw, Chief Strategist at Liger, sits down with Stefanie Beach, Founder and CEO of SMB Media Consulting. Stefanie shares the journey behind building her agency, offering insights into how SMB helps brands achieve revenue goals through digital media strategies. They discuss the challenges of entrepreneurship, evolving client needs, and the importance of flexibility in scaling a business. Stefan...

In this episode of The Claw, Eric Holtzclaw, Chief Strategist at Liger, is joined by Greg Brooks, CMO and Partner at SearchTides. Together, they dive into the fast-paced world of marketing, where it's never a "set it and forget it" game. Greg shares his unique background as a professional poker player and how it shaped his approach to marketing strategy. They also discuss the evolving challenges in SEO and how forward-thinking comp...

In this episode of The Claw, host Eric Holtzclaw, Chief Strategist at Liger, welcomes Jon MacDonald, CEO and founder of The Good. Jon shares how his unique background in computer science and visual arts helped him bridge the gap between functionality and user experience. He touches on the evolution of digital experiences from the early days of Flash to today’s optimized e-commerce environments, highlighting the importance of usabil...

In this episode of The Claw, Eric Holtzclaw sits down with Darren Horwitz, founder of TenTen Group, to discuss large-scale global brand transformations. Darren shares insights into how TenTen helps organizations navigate rebranding, offering services around planning, building, and managing the entire process. Darren dives into the five critical pillars to consider when rebranding a company. He also shares insights on the importance...

In this episode of The Claw, host Eric Holtzclaw interviews Jim Pietrusznski, CEO of Soulsight, a brand design agency specializing in consumer packaged goods and services. Jim shares insights on how his agency builds and revitalizes brands by connecting human truths with product truths to evoke subconscious emotional responses. He discusses the importance of empathy in brand relationships, the evolution of his career, and the agenc...

In this episode of The Claw Podcast, host Eric Holtzclaw sits down with Steve Gielda, President and Co-Founder of Ignite Selling, to explore the vital relationship between sales and marketing. They discuss strategies for bridging the common gaps between these functions, focusing on aligning efforts to support successful product launches and drive revenue growth. Steve shares actionable insights on identifying key decision-makers, u...

In this episode of The Claw, Eric Holtzclaw, Chief Strategist at Liger, is joined by Mike Petchenik, owner and founder of Petchenik Media Group. Together, they dive into the world of media consulting, covering everything from earned media and PR to crisis communications and media training. Whether it's dealing with viral social media posts or internal company issues making headlines, this episode equips you with the tools to handle...

In this episode, Eric sits down with John Miller, founder of Scribewise and author of "Playing It Safe Sucks: A Manifesto for Courageous Marketing." John shares his journey from PR to founding a content marketing agency, discusses the evolving landscape of content marketing in the age of AI, and emphasizes the importance of courageous marketing strategies for building brand awareness and trust.

Listen in for insights into the signi...

 In this episode of The Claw, Eric delves into brand strategy with Kate DiLeo, founder of The Brand Trifecta. Kate shares her journey from pursuing a PhD in linguistic anthropology to becoming a successful brand architect. She discusses her innovative Brand Trifecta methodology, focusing on authentic messaging that drives customer conversion.

Join Eric and Kate as they explore the synergy between sales and marketing, the importance...

In this episode of The Claw, Eric is joined by Max Traylor of MaxTraylor.com. Max delves into his journey from running a traditional marketing agency to becoming a consultant's consultant. Max shares insights on productizing consulting services, emphasizing the importance of focusing on high-ticket, low-volume engagements before scaling to broader models like group workshops or courses. He also discusses the value of specialized kn...

In this episode of The Claw, host Eric, Chief Strategist at Liger, discusses with guest Anita Toth, also known as the Hidden Revenue Hunter, the importance of relational marketing in B2B contexts. The conversation highlights how C-suite executives and marketing leaders need to understand their customers beyond mere transactions to build lasting relationships. Anita emphasizes that customer relationships are emotional, and maintaini...