In Episode 91 of the Digital Velocity Podcast, Erik Martinez sits down with environmental scientist and sustainability expert Sheryl Barbosa to uncover how artificial intelligence (AI) is driving the next wave of sustainability for direct-to-consumer (DTC) businesses. Sheryl brings more than 20 years of experience across industries and business sizes, from Fortune 50 corporations to local nonprofits, and offers a unique perspective on how technology and environmental responsibility can work together to create measurable impact.

For DTC brands, these opportunities are vast and tangible. Erik and Sheryl discuss how AI can:
• Improve targeting in direct mail campaigns to minimize waste while maximizing response rates.
• Optimize packaging design, materials, and supply chain sourcing to cut down on excess materials and emissions.
• Enhance logistics by identifying smarter routing patterns that reduce fuel consumption and shipping costs.
• Forecast inventory needs more accurately, helping prevent losses from overproduction or spoilage.
• Identify cost-effective green alternatives that are now often cheaper than traditional materials, overturning the myth that sustainability is always more expensive.

Sheryl and Erik bring the conversation to life with real-world examples—from cutting down on direct mail waste to streamlining delivery routes—that illustrate how AI can drive both efficiency and sustainability. Their discussion shows how even small operational improvements can ripple outward, creating a positive impact not only for businesses but also for communities and the environment.

For leaders of direct-to-consumer brands, whether scaling a fast-growing ecommerce operation or running a locally rooted small business, the takeaway is clear: AI and sustainability are not competing goals but complementary strategies. When used intentionally, AI becomes a catalyst for reducing environmental impact, building brand trust, and unlocking new avenues of profitability—all while advancing a healthier, more sustainable future.

In Episode 90 of the Digital Velocity Podcast, Erik Martinez speaks with Lucas Petty, founder and CEO of AI Daddy, about how companies can strategically integrate artificial intelligence in their business and marketing processes to drive growth, innovation, and long-term success. Lucas shares his personal journey from having his own startup disrupted by AI to becoming an AI strategist and educator helping businesses adopt these transformative tools.

This conversation dives into why many organizations are still only dabbling with AI, and how fear, habit, and misconceptions often prevent meaningful adoption Lucas outlines a practical four-step framework for adoption—People, Process, Strategy, Tools—that enables teams to identify real pain points, build effective workflows, and achieve measurable ROI with human teams and AI working collaboratively together.

Listeners will learn:
• Why automating tasks without a people-first mindset leads to stagnation
• How to reframe AI adoption as change management rather than tool exploration
• The difference between horizontal AI tools (like chatbots, note takers, and researchers) and vertical, function-specific AI use cases
• Why simplifying AI governance and training employees on privacy settings is critical to protecting IP
• How successful AI adoption has helped companies realize revenue growth of 50% or more without additional staff

Whether you’re leading a DTC brand, scaling a marketing team, or rethinking enterprise processes, this episode offers a roadmap to integrate AI thoughtfully, balance efficiency with human expertise, and future-proof your business in an era of rapid technological change.

In Episode 89 of the Digital Velocity Podcast, Erik Martinez welcomes Evan Blumenthal, certified EOS Implementer and business revenue growth consultant, to unpack how the Entrepreneurial Operating System (EOS) empowers businesses to overcome stagnation, clarify leadership roles, and drive meaningful, measurable progress.

Evan shares his personal journey from Walmart associate to family business executive to EOS consultant, explaining how this flexible yet structured framework helped revitalize a 147-year-old family-run company and can do the same for DTC and entrepreneurial brands struggling with misalignment, unclear vision, or process bottlenecks.

This episode is imperative for founders, executives, and team leaders seeking:

• Clear definitions for accountability and leadership structure through tools like the Accountability Chart
• Practical guidance on how to identify, discuss, and solve persistent business problems at their root
• How to use 90-day goals and short-term prioritization to accelerate long-term success
• A culture-first approach to growth, powered by shared core values and disciplined execution

Whether you're scaling a high-growth ecommerce brand, leading a lean marketing team, or stuck at a plateau in your business, Evan offers a compelling case for how EOS creates traction by helping organizations focus, simplify, and thrive—one quarter at a time.

Listen to learn how EOS can transform your business from reactive chaos to strategic momentum.

In Episode 88 of the Digital Velocity Podcast, Erik Martinez sits down with David LaCombe, Chief Marketing Officer at Imperatives Delivered, to unpack what truly effective marketing leadership looks like in today’s fast-moving digital landscape. From his unique start as a paramedic to his rise as a go-to-market strategist, David shares insights that challenge conventional thinking around marketing strategy, technology, and team development.

This episode dives deep into how purpose-driven businesses can align vision and execution, why marketing leaders must demonstrate causation (not just correlation), and how artificial intelligence can accelerate—not replace—critical thinking. David also offers a powerful reminder: “Be effective before you're efficient. Because scaling something broken just gives you more broken.”

Whether you're a Direct-to-Consumer (DTC) brand leader, startup founder, or part of a marketing agency navigating client pressure and internal change, you'll learn:

• How to embed critical thinking and measurable impact into your marketing team
• The difference between experimenting with AI and operationalizing it with purpose
• Strategies to balance innovation with day-to-day execution—without losing focus
• Why clarity of vision, shared conviction, and constant communication are the keys to organizational transformation

Packed with practical advice and deep reflection, this episode helps marketers and executives rethink what leadership means in an AI-enabled, outcomes-driven business world.

In Episode 87 of the Digital Velocity Podcast, Erik Martinez is joined by Corey Morris, CEO of Voltage and author of *The Digital Marketing Success Plan*, to explore how companies can eliminate guesswork and wasted spend in digital marketing by implementing a strategic planning framework. Corey introduces the START process—a five-step framework (Strategy, Tactics, Application, Review, Transformation)—that guides marketing teams in aligning digital channels with business outcomes.

Together, Erik and Corey examine common pitfalls such as budget duplication, 'CEO drive-bys,' and siloed KPIs, and reveal how a well-documented and agile plan can bridge the gap between marketing activity and business profitability. Whether you're running a Direct-to-Consumer ecommerce brand, managing an agency, or optimizing B2B campaigns, this episode delivers cross-industry insights for digital marketers ready to turn chaos into clarity and drive measurable ROI.

Corey's Book - The Digital Marketing Success Plan
Reach Corey at his website: Corey Morris.com

In Episode 86 of the Digital Velocity Podcast, Erik Martinez welcomes Dugan Bridges, founder and Chief Creative Director of F7 Film Distillery, to explore how cinematic storytelling is transforming digital marketing. Bridges shares his journey from screenwriter and director to helping brands connect with audiences through high-impact video content.

This episode dives into the hidden cost-benefit analysis behind professional video, why still photography is no longer enough, and how emotion, music, and visual storytelling forge lasting brand impressions. From startup case studies to Direct-to-Consumer (DTC) brands seeking scalability, listeners will learn how to repurpose high-resolution video for long-term marketing ROI, overcome production fears, and redefine their content strategy in a video-first world.

Whether you're in retail, SaaS, or B2B, Dugan makes the case that video isn’t just a ‘nice-to-have’—it’s essential for trust, memorability, and market differentiation in today’s digital economy.

In Episode 85 of the Digital Velocity Podcast, Erik Martinez sits down with Pat Barry, President of demystifAI and a seasoned data scientist, to tackle one of the thorniest challenges in modern marketing: how to measure and forecast performance in a world full of fragmented data.

From McDonald’s digital tracking systems to direct-to-consumer (DTC) marketing attribution puzzles, Pat shares his cross-industry experiences using AI and synthetic data to fill in gaps, build more accurate forecasts, and drive smarter decision-making. They unpack the often-misunderstood limitations of Google Analytics, the data blind spots caused by Safari, cookies, and ad blockers, and the growing role of generative AI in turning incomplete data into actionable intelligence.

Whether you're a CMO building next year’s budget or a performance marketer struggling with conflicting reports, this episode offers deep insights into:
• Why most digital data is not as accurate as you think—and how to manage it
• How synthetic data can simulate realistic scenarios for forecasting and strategy
• Ways to test AI-generated forecasts for precision using statistical models
• What every DTC brand must know about attribution, consent loss, and multi-device journeys

Tune in to learn how to use AI as your data 'time machine'—not just for insights, but for impact.

Contact Pat:
demystifAI - Company Website
LinkedIn - demystifAI
LinkedIn - personal

In Episode 84 of the Digital Velocity Podcast, Erik Martinez speaks with Brian Joseph, CEO and co-founder of RevJen Group, to explore the powerful intersection of leadership and professional development. Drawing from decades of experience in scaling for-profit and nonprofit businesses, Brian shares insights on building purpose-driven cultures, confronting organizational challenges head-on, and reframing sales as an act of service.

Listeners will learn:
- Why executive burnout silently spreads through entire teams—and how to prevent it
- How intentional networking (both in-person and digital) drives sustainable growth
- Strategies to create space for deep thinking in an always-on world
- Why starting with a “blank slate” mindset is essential for turnarounds
- The truth behind the phrase, “Nothing happens without a sale”

Whether you're running a DTC brand, leading a nonprofit, or managing a high-growth team, this episode is a must-listen for leaders seeking clarity, connection, and real business momentum.

Contact Brian via:

Linkedin -Brian Joseph
Linkedin - RevJen Company
RevJen.com - Company Website