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In this deeply human episode, Optidge’s own HR Manager, Sarah Cuesta, joins Danny Gavin to explore what AI can’t do: lead with empathy, resolve team conflict, or build psychological safety.

Drawing from her unique path from clinical hypnotherapy to people operations, Sarah unpacks how trust, structure, and culture fuel successful teams, especially in remote environments.

Whether you’re managing a team or just part of one, this is your blueprint for building stronger human connections in the age of tech.

An Optidge "Office Hours" Episode:

Our Office Hours episodes are your go-to for details, how-to’s, and advice on specific marketing topics. Join our fellow Optidge team members, and sometimes even 1:1 teachings from Danny himself, in these shorter, marketing-focused episodes every few weeks. Get ready to get marketing!

Episode Highlights:

• Sarah, HR strategist and former clinical hypnotherapist, emphasizes the importance of trust, clear communication, and intentional leadership to foster team success, especially in remote work settings.
• She shares why even the smartest AI and most sophisticated tools can’t replace empathy, feedback, conflict resolutions, or human trust in teams.
• In her opinion, effective remote leadership requires proactive management, empathy, and regular check-ins to ensure understanding, engagement, and a strong team culture.
• She advocates for structured team onboarding, safe communication practices, and maintaining rhythm through consistent touchpoints to build trust and clarity.
• Sarah sheds light on Optidge core values in action, sharing how Optidge executes on mentorship, communication, and excellence.

Episode Links:

• Sarah Cuesta-Dawson on LinkedIn
• Thrivetastic Business Services

Follow The Digital Marketing Mentor:

• Website and Blog: thedmmentor.com
• Instagram: @thedmmentor
• Linkedin: @thedmmentor
• YouTube: @thedmmentor

Interested in Digital Marketing Services, Careers, or Courses? Check out more from the TDMM Family:

• Optidge.com - Full Service Digital Marketing Agency specializing in SEO, PPC, Paid Social, and Lead Generation efforts for established B2C and B2B businesses and organizations.
• ODEOacademy.com - Digital Marketing online education and course platform. ODEO gives you solid digital marketing knowledge to launch/boost your career or understand your business’s digital marketing strategy.

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Before he was building ad campaigns, Jack Hepp was building houses. Now he runs Industrious Marketing, helping local businesses grow through hands-on paid media advertising strategy.

In this episode, Jack shares how getting fired early shaped his marketing career, discusses the mentors who sharpened his skills, and why clear pricing and clean strategy always win over smoke and mirrors, specifically in regard to local businesses and Google Local Services ads (LSAs).

Episode Highlights:

• Jack Hepp’s background in construction and mentorship shaped his approach to marketing, emphasizing responsibility, adaptability, and long-term thinking in paid media strategies.
• He advocates for a “listen first” approach in client interactions, and stresses the importance of honest, constructive feedback.
• Jack discusses the value of Local Service Ads (LSAs) for certain industries, but warns they should be complemented with traditional campaigns for consistent lead generation.
• He prefers transparent, tiered pricing models based on ad spend, and emphasizes that clear scope, reporting, and communication are essential for building trust and setting expectations with clients.

Episode Links:

• Jack Hepp on LinkedIn
• Industrious Marketing

Follow The Digital Marketing Mentor:

• Website and Blog: thedmmentor.com
• Instagram: @thedmmentor
• Linkedin: @thedmmentor
• YouTube: @thedmmentor

Interested in Digital Marketing Services, Careers, or Courses? Check out more from the TDMM Family:

• Optidge.com - Full Service Digital Marketing Agency specializing in SEO, PPC, Paid Social, and Lead Generation efforts for established B2C and B2B businesses and organizations.
• ODEOacademy.com - Digital Marketing online education and course platform. ODEO gives you solid digital marketing knowledge to launch/boost your career or understand your business’s digital marketing strategy.

Send us a text

Mohammad Anwar, President and CEO of Softway and Culture+, shares how embracing love, empathy, and honest, human-centric leadership transformed his approach to business and marketing.

From early culture shocks in both Saudi Arabia and rural Kansas, to guiding executives through challenges today, his story highlights how trust, storytelling, and people-first communication drive organizational success and personal growth.

This episode offers practical insights for leaders steering through change and technology-driven transformations, sharing conversation about themes discussed in his upcoming book, “Love as a Change Strategy,” which will be released later this month.

Episode Highlights:

• Growing up between cultures shaped Mohammad’s empathy, perspective, and openness as a leader.
• A Catholic boarding school experience in his younger days taught him to advocate for change and respect diverse traditions.
• Near-bankruptcy forced a personal reckoning, leading him to adopt love as a business strategy.
• The leadership philosophy of University of Houston’s Coach Tom Herman transformed Mohammad’s approach to culture and mentorship.
• Love and vulnerability are not abstract ideals, but measurable, actionable tools for change management.

Episode Links:

• Mohammad Anwar on LinkedIn
• Softway
  Culture+
  Love as a Business Strategy (podcast
• Love as a Business Strategy (book)
• Love as a Change Strategy (NEW book, available this month!)

Follow The Digital Marketing Mentor:

• Website and Blog: thedmmentor.com
• Instagram: @thedmmentor
• Linkedin: @thedmmentor
• YouTube: @thedmmentor

Interested in Digital Marketing Services, Careers, or Courses? Check out more from the TDMM Family:

• Optidge.com - Full Service Digital Marketing Agency specializing in SEO, PPC, Paid Social, and Lead Generation efforts for established B2C and B2B businesses and organizations.
• ODEOacademy.com - Digital Marketing online education and course platform. ODEO gives you solid digital marketing knowledge to launch/boost your career or understand your business’s digital marketing strategy.