Brand on the Rocks

Your customers are distracted. And if your message isn't clear, you're leaving money on the table. That's where Brand on the Rocks comes in. Hosted by Ryan Holck, creator of Distill Your Story, this show cuts through the clutter and serves up marketing insights in neat, sip-sized pours you can actually use. Every episode you'll get one of three pours: Straight Up (Solo Shots): Ryan distills complex marketing concepts into quick, practical lessons you can take straight to your business. Shared Pours (Conversations): Honest, engaging interviews with entrepreneurs, marketers, and creators who've built brands people actually remember. On the Rocks (Real-World Reviews): Live audits and breakdowns of real websites, campaigns, and messaging, Showing what works, what doesn't, and how to fix it. If you're ready to cut the jargon, sharpen your story, and pour more clarity into your marketing, this show is for you. It's ti

Brand on the Rocks is a business podcast hosted by Ryan Holck, with 38 episodes on record and a Required Pod Score of 80. PitchCentric scores this show on Booking Probability, Listen Score, and live audience signals refreshed every 24 hours.

Ryan Holck hosts Brand on the Rocks, a business show with 38 episodes published.

Our AI reads these to draft pitches. Use them as grounding for a pitch that cites a real guest and a specific topic.

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  Episode #24

  The Psychologically Safe Sales Method: How to Sell Without the Ick Factor with Julie Jones

  Jul 21, 202646 minS1

  Ready to transform your sales conversations from awkward to authentic? In this episode of Brand On The Rocks, the conversation dives deep into what it really takes to build trust while selling—and why typical high-pressure tactics are driving clients away instead of drawing them in. Forget everything you thought you knew about sales scripts and persuasive pitches. The discussion explores a fresh, psychologically safe approach to selling that prioritizes trust, curiosity, and consent over conversion gimmicks. Listeners will discover practical frameworks for making every sales call feel like the start of a real relationship—not a transaction. Episode highlights include: Why “selling” often feels so uncomfortable—and the core misconceptions undermining your sales mindset. The key to psychologically safe sales: how to disarm skepticism and invite your prospects into honest, open conversation. Simple, actionable strategies to set expectations, build credibility, and create safety so clients share real obstacles and buy-in for all the right reasons. Real-world advice for handling objections, holding space in silence, and staying in your own lane as a business owner. Tools and next steps for dialing in your process—from auditing your sales calls to using new tech to craft scripts that finally sound like you. You’ll walk away with a healthier sales mindset, practical frameworks for guiding conversions with clarity, and a blueprint for turning new buyers into loyal, raving fans. So pour yourself a glass, hit play, and discover how selling with trust and humanity can grow your business. Don’t forget to follow Brand On The Rocks for candid talks, actionable strategies, and bold brand wisdom.. 00:00 Discovering a passion for coaching 03:06 Realizing the demand for sales training 07:11 Creating psychological safety in sales 10:38 Approach to sales conversations 15:52 Initial client assessment questions 19:35 Active listening and client engagement 21:16 Building client trust and loyalty 23:51 Analyzing and auditing sales calls 28:50 Understanding Sales Cycle and Pricing 33:45 Using silence in sales conversations 37:04 Ethical vs. high-pressure sales tactics 38:56 Shifting the sales mindset 42:59 Adapting communication strategies 44:50 Encouraging listeners to subscribe About the Guest Julie Jones is a sales expert, consultant, and creator of the Psychologically Safe Sales Method. She helps service-based business owners ditch outdated persuasion tactics and embrace a trust and relationship-first approach. Her frameworks have helped hundreds of entrepreneurs find confidence in selling—and create clients who stick for the long haul. juliejones.coach @juliejones_coach www.linkedin.com/in/julie-jones-coach Try the sales app: https://buylingo.app/ Connect with Ryan Ryan helps coaches, consultants, and small business owners clarify their message and tell the story behind the work. https://distillyourstory.com/ https://ryanholck.com https://www.linkedin.com/in/ryanholck/

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  Episode #23

  Origin Stories That Stick: The Repeatable Framework Every Founder Needs with Ryan Holck

  Jun 30, 202651 minS1

  What’s the story behind your business, and can you tell it clearly enough that people remember it, repeat it, and trust it? In this episode of Brand on the Rocks , Ryan Holck takes you behind the bar to unpack the power of origin stories, the “why” behind your work, and what it really takes to build a brand story that sticks. Ryan shares why so many businesses struggle to explain what makes them different, and what happens when you leave too much space for people to fill in the blanks. He also pulls from his own experience in marketing, lessons from comedy, and a simple framework for turning your story into something clear, useful, and repeatable. In this episode, you’ll hear: Why your brand story matters more than your marketing budget. How to use everyday details and memorable moments to connect with people. What Jeff Foxworthy and Phil Robertson can teach us about storytelling that works. A six-part origin story framework you can actually use. How to adapt your story for podcasts, sales calls, social content, and more. Why repetition is what makes a story stick. If you’ve ever struggled to explain your work in a way that feels clear and compelling, this conversation will help. You’ll walk away with practical tools to shape your origin story, sharpen your message, and share the right thing the right way, every time. So grab a pen and a drink, and tune in. Then follow Brand on the Rocks for more straight-up conversations about messaging, storytelling, and brand clarity. _______________ 7 Clarity Questions: What motivated you to start? What was the catalyst moment? What problem did you notice? What barriers stood in your way? What choice or solution did you pursue? What changed because of it? What’s the next step you want your listener to take? _______________ Episode Chapters 00:00 The Power and Pitfalls of Brand Origin Stories 02:20 Brand Storytelling Lessons from Childhood Campfires 05:43 When a Brand Lacks a Clear Story 07:44 Lessons from Phil Robertson on Making Stories Repeatable and Why It Matters 10:28 Comedian-Approved Storytelling 14:01 Foxworthy and Leno on Clarity, and Cutting the Fluff 18:36 The 6-Part Framework for Your Origin Story 23:53 Picking Your Brand Story and What It Proves 32:54 The Right Details: What to Include and Edit 39:03 The Mad Libs Formula to Make Storytelling Easier 42:12 Adapting Your Origin Story Across Platforms 44:38 Practice, Repeat, Clarify 47:57 Personal Brand Stories vs. Brand Clarity Work 49:13 Putting Your Brand Story to Work _______________ Connect with Ryan Ryan helps coaches, consultants, and small business owners clarify their message and tell the story behind the work. https://distillyourstory.com/ - Brand Messaging and Website Services https://ryanholck.com - Fractional CMO and Strategy work https://www.linkedin.com/in/ryanholck/

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  Episode #22

  Why Better Marketing Won’t Fix a Broken Team (The LEARN Framework for Leaders) with Jim Carbaugh

  Jun 16, 202647 minS1

  Ready to lead your team (and yourself) with clarity? On this episode of Brand On The Rocks, Ryan Holck sits down with leadership guide Jim Carbaugh for a dynamic pour of wisdom on why most marketing problems are actually leadership problems in disguise, and what to do about it. Here’s what’s on tap for this episode: Discover the source of confusing messaging and frustrating team dynamics. Jim Carbaugh unveils his LEARN framework; Listen, Ethics, Attitude, Respect, and No. And how it builds resilient cultures in businesses, schools, and teams. From practical tools to actionable mindset shifts, you’ll walk away with a leader’s playbook for cutting through distraction, clarifying values, and actually moving your culture (and business) forward. Highlights include: How most marketing issues trace back to gaps in leadership, not creativity. Practical steps to create real buy-in and common language—so your values aren’t just words on a wall. The underrated power of “no” in building boundaries and driving alignment—at every level of your organization. Why attitude is not an emotion, but a daily choice—and how leaders can model positivity, even in tough moments. Tips for adapting culture when your team grows, changes, or onboards new members. You’ll learn how to build trust, turn honest feedback into team growth, and use Jim Carbaugh's LEARN matrix for diagnosing and fixing issues, before they derail your brand’s momentum. Connect with Jim Carbaugh Jim Carbaugh is a speaker, educator, and leadership guide committed to helping individuals and organizations build strong, values-driven cultures. Jim brings a practical, real-world lens to leadership development. He is the creator of the LEARN Framework—Listening, Ethics, Attitude, Respect, and No—which equips schools and organizations with a clear, repeatable foundation for positive climate and culture. Jim is also the co-founder of the TeachForward Initiative, a nonprofit dedicated to empowering educators and leaders to create lasting impact. He is the author of the graphic novel The Shop Secret and is preparing to release his upcoming book, LEARN, A Transformative Educational Framework That Inspires Character, Resilience, and Leadership . As a TEDx speaker and thought leader, Jim challenges others to lead with character and purpose in a chaotic world. Graphic Novel " The Shop Secret, LEARN What Pap Knew " New Book " L.E.A.R.N., A Transformative Educational Framework that Inspires Character, Resilience and Leadership " LinkedIn Facebook X All Points Leadership Connect with Ryan Holck Brand Messaging Services Fractional CMO and Strategy work LinkedIn Facebook

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  Episode #21

  Brand Messaging Clarity: The Four Cs Every Entrepreneur Needs with Ryan Holck

  Jun 2, 202637 minS1

  Ready to make your business unforgettable—and actually get your message heard? In this episode of Brand On The Rocks, Speaker A goes solo from the studio to break down a recurring struggle for business leaders everywhere: standing out and truly connecting (not just selling) in a noisy world. Here’s what you can expect: Discover the Four C’s framework—a powerful tool for business leaders who want to cut through the noise, attract the right clients, and create memorable messaging that translates into real growth. Highlights include: Why being “clear in your own head” isn’t enough—and how most marketing problems are really messaging problems. The #1 reason your best clients might walk away (hint: it’s not about price or quality, but clarity). The secret to showing up at networking events and conferences so that people actually remember—and want to connect—with you. The Four C’s for standout messaging: Clarity, Confidence, Credibility, and Consistency —and how to master each, with candid stories from real-world encounters. How clarity attracts the right clients and repels the wrong ones (and why that’s the sign of a truly strong brand). Why confidence isn’t just delivery, but owning your message so deeply it becomes second nature. The role of credibility and trust in every interaction, and the pitfalls of “spammy” sales tactics that kill relationships. Simple steps to build lasting consistency—so you’re remembered, not ignored, no matter the platform. Bonus: Speaker A’s offer for a free story audit and details on joining an exclusive business leader cohort focused on mastering your message. You’ll walk away with actionable insights to sharpen your message, build trust, and finally get the traction your brand deserves. So pour yourself a glass, tune in, and learn how to get clear, get remembered, and get growing. Don’t forget to follow Brand On The Rocks for more candid strategies, audits, and bold ideas served straight up every week. 00:00 "Why Clarity in Messaging Matters" 03:05 "Memorability at Networking Events" 06:39 "The Four Cs Framework" 08:12 "Clarity: Speaking to Your Ideal Client" 15:05 "Confidence: Owning Your Message" 19:52 "Credibility: Building Trust with Honesty" 25:20 "Consistency: Stop Reinventing Your Message" 30:12 "The Four Cs Recap" 33:52 "Join the Cohort & Free Story Audit" 36:39 "Closing Thoughts" Connect with Ryan Holck https://distillyourstory.com/ - Brand Messaging and Website Services https://ryanholck.com - Fractional CMO and Strategy work https://www.linkedin.com/in/ryanholck/

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  Episode #20

  Why Repelling the Wrong People Grows Your Brand and the Network You Actually Need with Diana Alt

  May 19, 20261h 5mS1

  What if your brand’s real superpower isn’t attracting everyone. But boldly repelling the wrong crowd? In this episode of Brand On The Rocks , Ryan Holck is joined by executive and career coach Diana Alt for a candid, energetic conversation on why brands (and people) need to stop fearing “repelling” and start getting clear in their message and values. Here’s what you’ll take away: Why repelling people is essential to building an authentic brand, and how to embrace it, not avoid it (00:00). Breaking free from outdated definitions of success and defining your own professional path (10:47). Bridging generational differences: What Gen X, Millennials, and Gen Z want from work—and what you can learn from each other (14:18). The Orbit Model: A practical approach for nurturing your professional network and staying top-of-mind for real opportunities (41:00). Proven networking hacks: How to lead with curiosity, build relationships that matter, and nail your message in any room (29:03, 46:28). This episode is packed with actionable frameworks for aligning your values, building a network that actually supports you, and crafting a sharper, more memorable message. Pour yourself a glass, hit play, and follow Brand On The Rocks for weekly conversations that challenge, clarify, and inspire your brand journey. Episode Overview & Timestamps 00:00 “Repelling People: The Secret to Brand Clarity” 04:28 “Networking Redefined: Real Conversations in the New Normal” 10:47 “Success on Your Terms—Not the World’s” 14:18 “Rethinking Millennial and Gen Z Stereotypes” 19:09 “Values in Action: Moving from Paper to Practice” 29:03 “Curiosity & Authentic Networking” 33:23 “The Four Modes of Networking” 41:00 “Orbit Model: Mapping Your Professional Circle” 46:28 “Follow-up & Long Game Relationships” 52:31 “Progress, Not Perfection” 1:00:45 “Speaking Your Brand Message—So People Get It” 1:02:44 “Connect with Diana Ault: Podcast & Community” About the Guest Diana Alt is a career and executive coach who helps leaders find professional success on their own terms. She helps people align their life and their work in a way that feels good – not like a long, slow march to oblivion. Connect with Diana Alt Website: dianaalt.com LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/dianakalt/ ) Work Should Feel Good Podcast: workshouldfeelgood.com Connect with Ryan Holck Schedule a call https://DistillYourStory.com https://www.linkedin.com/in/ryanholck/ https://www.facebook.com/rholck

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