The Age of Authenticity: Justin Brady about Podcasts, Creativity, PR, and the Future of AI

In this insightful episode of Maxwell’s Iowa CoffeeCast, host Maxwell welcomes Justin Brady—creator and host of The Iowa Podcast and founder of the PR firm Cultivate Strategies—for a wide-ranging, caffeinated conversation about the evolving landscape of streaming audio, digital content strategy, authenticity in branding, and the increasingly complex role of AI in storytelling.

The discussion kicks off with a deep dive into the current state of podcasting and digital media. Justin shares how the game has fundamentally changed: simply having a podcast or showing up on major platforms like YouTube, Apple, or Spotify isn’t enough anymore. Audiences are increasingly tuning out generic, promotional content and tuning into authenticity. According to Justin, today’s challenge isn’t how to publish—anyone can do that—it’s how to “out-authenticity” your competition and genuinely deliver value.

Maxwell and Justin unpack what this shift means for small businesses, especially local Iowa brands and mom-and-pop shops. Justin stresses that people don’t want to hear about your product—they want to hear about themselves. He encourages business owners to shift focus away from self-promotion and toward content that resonates with their audience’s interests and problems. Using relatable anecdotes, like a call with an especially helpful bank representative, the duo illustrates how authentic human interaction—even in something as ordinary as customer service—can become powerful content.

The conversation turns toward AI, with Justin offering a nuanced perspective on its use in content creation. Rather than replacing the creative process, he believes AI can actually enhance authenticity when used correctly—as a tool for summarizing, transcribing, or organizing information. But he’s quick to warn that relying on AI to generate original content is a mistake. “If AI is getting in the way of that humanity,” Justin says, “you’re doing it wrong.”

Maxwell and Justin also explore how big brands and marketing agencies are often just as lost in the new digital ecosystem as small businesses. Many are still clinging to outdated tactics, missing the mark by pushing content instead of building real relationships. They touch on the rise of live audio platforms like X Spaces and the slow disruption of Google Search by AI-powered tools like ChatGPT and Grok.

The episode wraps with a discussion on creative storytelling in the age of automation. Whether it's singer-songwriters releasing vinyl to connect with fans, or filmmakers returning to analog methods for a more soulful product, Justin underscores a vital point: tools like AI can support the creative process, but story and human connection must always lead.

Recorded at the IowaPodcast.com studio in Des Moines’ East Village, this episode is a must-listen for entrepreneurs, content creators, and anyone navigating the noisy world of digital storytelling. Grab your favorite brew and listen in for a grounded yet forward-thinking conversation that blends tech, strategy, and a whole lot of heart.