Making Varsity with Brad Chandler

Stuck in a creative rut? You’re not alone—and you’re not broken. Most teams don’t lack ideas; they lack a system for unlocking them. In this episode, we expose the 7 biggest myths that kill creativity before it ever gets off the ground. Then we introduce a practical brainstorming tool called the Empathy Map—a simple framework that shifts your focus from guessing to knowing what your audience needs. Whether you’re...

So you’re showing up on Instagram, but the numbers just aren’t moving—and honestly, it all feels like a mystery. That’s where Jess Van Nuland comes in. After growing her own account from 500 to over 6,000 followers in just five months, Jess now coaches business owners, service providers, and creatives on how to build an Instagram presence that actually works. In this episode, she breaks down her full framework: Mindset, Execu...

Ever wonder who’s behind the scenes making your favorite podcasts actually happen? Meet Brian H. Waters — producer for The Ringer and Spotify, with over 1,200 podcast episodes under his belt. From cutting his teeth on NFL sidelines to now producing shows like The Masked Man Show, The Ringer Wrestling Worldwide, and The Press Box, Brian breaks down what really goes into world-class podcas...

What if you could build a multi-7-figure creative agency or business, starting with nothing but an iPhone? That’s exactly what Sunny Collabs did. In this episode of Making Varsity, I sit down with Hayden Roberts — Co-Founder and Creative Director of Sunny Collabs — to unpack the wild ride from side hustle to scaling one of Tampa’s fastest-growing content agencies.

We get into the nitty gritty of how Hayden and his co-founder Kayla t...

If you’ve ever felt like podcasting was reserved for loud, charismatic extroverts—this episode is your permission slip to think again. Remi Roy, founder of Shepact and host of The Driven Introvert Podcast, joins the show to share how introverts can thrive behind the mic. In this conversation, Remi unpacks her creative journey, her belief in “being a trier,” and the surprising advantages introverts bring to the world of content crea...

So you want to start a videography business, but you’re not sure where to begin. How do you move from side hustle to full-time career? In this episode of Making Varsity, I sit down with Jason Hylton — videographer, entrepreneur, and founder of Good Look Productions — to break down exactly how to launch and grow your videography business from scratch.

We talk about the step-by-step process for beginners: how to build your portfolio, ...

Some brands grab attention — but the best ones leave a lasting impact. What makes the difference? It’s not just strategy or design…it’s emotion. In this episode of Making Varsity, I sit down with Brie Shouppe, VP of Marketing at Envera Systems, to break down the psychology of storytelling and why brands that connect emotionally win every time.

We dive into the science behind why people buy, how brand messaging shapes trust, and the ...

Church leaders, are people actually finding your church online? Every day, thousands of people search for a church near them—but if your church isn’t showing up on Google, you’re missing out on real connections. Many churches lean heavily on social media, but overlook the power of SEO, Google Ads, and website optimization—the same strategies that local businesses use to attract new customers.

In this episode, digital marketing exper...

The TikTok ban scare was a wake-up call for creators and business owners who built their audience on rented land. If your entire marketing strategy depends on a social media platform, what happens when it disappears? In this episode of Making Varsity, marketing strategist and Marketing Happy Hour host Cassie Tucker breaks down why it’s time to own your audience by investing in channels you control — like email li...

Brad Chandler is a podcast coach, entrepreneur, and founder of Made By Varsity --- a creative marketing agency based in Kansas City. This show features conversations with marketing pros, leaders, and entrepreneurs who are crushing it in their field. Drawing from his 15+ years of leadership development experience, and wide network of friends in interesting places, Brad explores the stories and strategies of the ones brave enough to ...