Best Kelly Hager Podcasts (2025)

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#680: Agile is about more than velocity, with Gabrielle Wieczorek 27:12

1d ago27:12

27:12

This show is brought to you by the Online Scrum Masters Summit, taking place virtually on June 17-19, with more information at: http://www.onlinescrummasterssummit.com What if the most powerful tool for driving agile transformation isn’t a framework or a ceremony—but a dashboard? Today’s guest believes data may be the most underused lever for agili…

1
#679: Growing a brand by focusing on the details that matter with Dominic Minogue, Dirty Water 23:23

3d ago23:23

23:23

There are a lot of great ideas for products and brands out there, but sometimes the difference between success and failure lies in getting the details right and understanding the customers and users of your product. Today we’re going to talk about growing a brand by focusing on the details that matter. To help me discuss this topic, I’d like to wel…

1
Pandora w/ William McNamara 2:37:15

4d ago2:37:15

2:37:15

Today, Kara and Liza discuss the episode “Pandora” (Season 4, Episode 15), the abduction of Alicia Kozakiewicz by an online predator, and interview the fascinating William McNamara (Stealing Home, Copycat). SOURCES: CBS News Mass.gov Boston Herald Boston.com Los Angeles Times CNN Nevada Appeal People BBC The Lancet The Guardian New York Post BBC Wi…

1
You Should Read: Anything We Suggest; Happy Birthday To Us! 1:20:12

4d ago1:20:12

1:20:12

Send us a text We can't believe it, Should-Heads, but our podcast is five years old! We discuss our favorite episodes and guests, plus goals of where we would like to go from here. We've also got very fun stories about Julia, forever our Kristy Thomas. LINKS MENTIONED: Baltimore convention goes very wrong Judy Blume's novel Forever... is on Netflix…

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#678: AI gains emotional intelligence with Joshua Goldberg, Zenapse 23:56

5d ago23:56

23:56

Have you ever wondered why, despite having access to advanced AI tools, your marketing strategies still don’t hit the mark? Could it be that you’re focusing on the wrong data and missing the emotional connections that truly drive consumer behavior? Today we’re exploring the intersection of AI, emotional intelligence, and marketing with Joshua Goldb…

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#677: Why thought leadership is more important than ever with Benjamin Shapiro, host of the MarTech Podcast 36:19

8d ago36:19

36:19

If content rules, why does it feel like there are 100,000 royal families? In a world drowning in blog posts, videos, and AI-generated everything, content has never been more abundant—or more commoditized. So how do brands cut through the noise? Today’s guest has a few thoughts on that—and more. Ben Shapiro, host of the MarTech Podcast, has had fron…

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#676: The consumer is no longer navigating the map—they are the map, with Ken Hughes, the King of CX 36:22

10d ago36:22

36:22

The consumer is no longer navigating the map—they are the map. Welcome to the era of the Blue Dot Consumer: always centered, always scrolling, and always expecting the world to orbit around them. What does that mean for your brand? Everything. From the rise of instant gratification to the evolution of seven—yes, seven—active generations, the custom…

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Risk w/ Erica Tazel 2:10:37

11d ago2:10:37

2:10:37

This week, Liza and Kara recap “Risk” (Season 4, Episode 12), discuss the wild crimes of corrupt NYPD officer Michael Dowd, and interview the delightful Erica Tazel (Justified, Lovecraft Country). SOURCES: The New York Times 1 The New York Times 2 The New York Times 3 The New York Times 4 New York Post Wikipedia - Michael Dowd (police officer) New …

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You Should Read: Stephen King (a starter kit for beginners!) 1:14:39

11d ago1:14:39

1:14:39

Send us a text You Should Read: Stephen King! (With special guest Mom of the Pod Becky Hall)! Should-Heads, our favorite mom is back to discuss Stephen King! We've got great recommendations for you and no matter your comfort level with horror, there are a handful of stories you'll love without losing any sleep. Links mentioned: John Lithgow Open le…

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#675: Being true to customers and your values with Phyllis Rothschild, CMO at Pete & Gerrys 30:10

12d ago30:10

30:10

Consumers today aren’t just buying products, or even experiences—they’re buying into values. As more people align their shopping habits with brands that reflect their personal beliefs, how can companies authentically connect with their audience without coming across as performative? Joining us today is Phyllis Rothschild, Chief Marketing Officer at…

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#674: The continued evolution of e-commerce with Eitan Koter, Vimmi 36:57

15d ago36:57

36:57

With the rapid rise of shoppable video, AI-driven recommendations, and immersive technologies like AR and VR, are traditional e-commerce strategies becoming obsolete? Today, we’re joined by Eitan Koter, Co-Founder and Co-CEO of Vimmi, a shoppable video SaaS company revolutionizing e-commerce. Eitan is also the host of the "Mastering eCommerce Marke…

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#673: Predictive and proactive customer experiences, with Vinod Muthukrishnan, Cisco 28:51

17d ago28:51

28:51

Customer expectations have skyrocketed—people now demand instant, personalized, and seamless interactions across every touchpoint. But are companies truly meeting these expectations, or are they still stuck in reactive customer service models? What if AI could completely transform the customer experience into something proactive, predictive, and ev…

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Closet w/ Bailey Chase 1:58:42

18d ago1:58:42

1:58:42

This week, Kara and Liza cover the SVU episode “Closet” (Season 9, Episode 16), discuss the tragic life of professional soccer player Justin Fashanu, and interview the talented Bailey Chase (Saving Grace, Longmire). SOURCES: Britannica BBC 1 BBC 2 The Guardian Daily Mail The Pink News These Football Times WHAT WOULD SISTER PEG DO: LGBT National Com…

1
You Know What We Should Read? We Don't! (With Kathy Coe) 1:04:11

18d ago1:04:11

1:04:11

Send us a text Hello, Should-Heads! We had such a great time with this episode a few weeks back that we decided to make it a regular feature. Our friend Kathy came back to help us choose what our next reads should be and we discuss how this experiment went last time. Also, you can text the podcast now! There's a link in each episode's show notes. F…

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#672: What can we learn from teaching others about AI? Featuring Greg Shove, CEO of Section 37:46

19d ago37:46

37:46

AI is no longer just a tool—it’s reshaping business strategy, workforce morale, and even personal productivity. But are executives truly prepared to treat AI as a strategic thought partner, or are they still viewing it as just another tech trend? Joining us today is Greg Shove, CEO of Section, an AI education company on a mission to train the next …

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#671: Going national while staying true to your local roots with Jay Rushin, H&H Bagels 22:27

22d ago22:27

22:27

How do you take something that's iconically local and make it feel authentic—everywhere? That’s the challenge facing every regional brand trying to scale. When your name is practically synonymous with a place—like H&H is with New York City—growth isn’t just about expansion. It’s about staying true to what made you iconic in the first place. Today, …

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#670: Embracing Chaos to Get Better Results with Mark DeCarlo 41:39

24d ago41:39

41:39

We talk a lot about agility, and today, we’re going to talk about how lessons of agility can come from unexpected places - like the set of Seinfeld - where - for those superfans like me - our guest played Alec Berg - which should be said in more of a Jon Houseman manner, and while guest starring there (plus other shows like Curb Your Enthusiasm, Tr…

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Terrorized w/ Tarek Bishara 2:03:41

25d ago2:03:41

2:03:41

This week, Liza and Kara discuss the episode “Terrorized” (Season 18, Episode 1), dissect the unspeakably horrific Pulse nightclub shooting in Orlando, and interview the wonderful Tarek Bishara (The Tale, FBI: International). SOURCES: The New York Times Wikipedia - Omar Mateen ABC News CNN Wikipedia - Apple–FBI encryption dispute Los Angeles Times …

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#669: It's already time to start planning for the holiday shopping season with Carey Cockrum, Cella by Randstad Digital 28:52

26d ago28:52

28:52

Retailers are facing a rapidly evolving landscape where consumer expectations, AI advancements, and social media platforms like TikTok are redefining engagement. It feels like the holiday shopping season just ended, but when do retailers start planning for the next one, and some retailers already behind the curve for this season? Joining us today i…

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#668: The Five Levels of AI with Courtney Baker, Knownwell 33:26

29d ago33:26

33:26

As AI continues to evolve, how can marketing leaders ensure they’re staying ahead of the curve instead of simply keeping up with it? And how do you navigate the complexities of using AI while maintaining a personal, human touch in your campaigns? Joining us today is Courtney Baker, Chief Marketing Officer at Knownwell and co-host of the AI Knowhow …

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#667: The Evolving Role of Visual Data in Construction with Marca Armstrong, Sensera 25:22

1M ago25:22

25:22

When you think of cameras in construction, do you see them as just security tools—or could they be the key to unlocking full jobsite intelligence? Joining us today is Marca Armstrong, Chief Marketing Officer at Sensera Systems, a leader in jobsite intelligence solutions. Over the past decade, Sensera Systems has transformed how construction teams u…

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You Should Read: Our Favorite Books from Jennifer Weiner and Liane Moriarty (a Starter Kit episode)! 1:00:37

1M ago1:00:37

1:00:37

Send us a text Should-Heads, we’ve talked about doing starter kit episodes for years but we’re finally doing it! Every starter kit episode will feature at least one but usually two authors with extensive backlists and we’ll help you figure out where to start. Links mentioned: The Testaments: https://variety.com/2025/tv/news/handmaids-tale-sequel-th…

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Underbelly w/ Charlotte Ray Rosenberg 1:50:12

1M ago1:50:12

1:50:12

Today, Kara and Liza discuss “Underbelly” (Season 8, Episode 7), the crimes of 'Pimp Of The Year' Matthew Thompkins, and interview the delightful Charlotte Ray Rosenberg (Little Manhattan, Sneaky Pete). SOURCES: New York Post News Channel 10 Department of Justice NJ.com KUSA SHERLOC NBC News Washington Post United States District Court For The Dist…

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#666: Balancing AI-driven efficiency and responsibility with Pasquale DeMaio, Amazon Web Services 27:29

1M ago27:29

27:29

For many brands, AI is revolutionizing customer experience, but with increased adoption comes widespread concerns about job displacement, ethical risks, and trust. Is AI truly enhancing human capabilities, or is it simply replacing them? And how can companies balance efficiency with responsibility in AI-driven CX? Joining me today is Pasquale DeMai…

1
#665: Developing strategies that cut through the omnichannel noise, with Arianna Vogel, Foursquare 28:59

1M ago28:59

28:59

With the increasingly complex omnichannel customer journey, it seems like attribution is getting harder than ever—do you know which of your marketing tactics are really driving sales, or are you flying blind when it comes to measurement? Joining us today is Arianna Vogel, Senior Director of Product Marketing at Foursquare, a leader in location inte…

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#664: Tying CX outcomes to commercial goals with Markus Engel and Linzi Hindle at DHL 24:10

1M ago24:10

24:10

Recorded live at Medallia Experience in Las Vegas. Having a great customer experience is critical for many reasons, but some companies have had a hard time tying their success with CX to tangible ROI. Today we will talk about taking customer experience further and tying CX outcomes to commercial goals. To help me discuss this topic, I’d like to wel…

1
Brief Interlude w/ Kerry Butler 1:44:25

1M ago1:44:25

1:44:25

This week, Liza and Kara recap “Brief Interlude” (Season 14, Episode 23), discuss the tragic Sarai Sierra case, and interview the legendary Kerry Butler (Hairspray, Gilmore Girls: A Year in the Life). SOURCES: ABC News The New York Times New York Post BBC amNewYork WHAT WOULD SISTER PEG DO: 15 tips for traveling alone as a woman Next week’s episode…

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You Should Read: Fanfiction! (With Amanda!) 1:15:30

1M ago1:15:30

1:15:30

Send us a text As you know, we’re very in love with books…but we’re also in love with TV and movies. When we find a fictional place that feels like home, sometimes we find additional stories that let us stay there a bit longer. Our friend Amanda stops by to discuss her favorite fanfic stories. Links: Independent Bookstore Day catalog https://www.bo…

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#663: AI in retail marketing with Uldis Baumerts, Bryj 27:23

1M ago27:23

27:23

As AI reshapes the retail advertising landscape, are you leveraging it as a competitive advantage, or are you at risk of being left behind in a data-driven world? Today, we’re joined by Uldis Baumerts, Chief Operating Officer of Bryj Technologies, a leader in driving AI-powered innovations for the retail industry. Uldis has extensive experience in …

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#662: Making your returns strategy a competitive advantage with Katherine Lehman, ReturnBear 18:24

1M ago18:24

18:24

We are here at ShopTalk 2025 at the Mandalay Bay in Las Vegas and seeing and hearing all about the latest in retail, e-commerce, and more. How much are your product returns costing your business—and how much opportunity are you leaving on the table by treating returns as a cost center instead of a competitive advantage? Today, I’m excited to welcom…

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#661: Creating a world-class student experience with Mike Milliron, IMG Academy 24:46

2M ago24:46

24:46

We are recording live at Qualtrics X4 in Salt Lake City and seeing and hearing all about how to create and enable amazing customer experiences. If the student experience is the heart of a world-class academy, what happens when you realize there is room for improvement—and what do you do about it? Today’s guest is Mike Milliron, Chief Operating Offi…

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Exile w/ Aimée Spring Fortier 2:07:07

2M ago2:07:07

2:07:07

This week, Kara and Liza cover the SVU episode “Exile” (Season 20, Episode 6), discuss the bizarre disappearances of Hannah Upp, and interview the wonderful Aimée Spring Fortier (FBI). SOURCES: The New Yorker The Virgin Islands Daily News The New York Times WHAT WOULD SISTER PEG DO: The National Alliance to End Homelessness Next week’s episode will…

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#660: Enabling and accelerating customer experience improvements using AI with Isabelle Zdatny, Qualtrics 26:56

2M ago26:56

26:56

We are recording live at Qualtrics X4 in Salt Lake City and seeing and hearing all about how to create and enable amazing customer experiences. Today we’re going to talk about enabling and accelerating customer experience success by augmenting your teams and processes with AI. To help me discuss this topic, I’d like to welcome Isabelle Zdatny, Head…

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#659: The current state of the job market with Sue Keith, Landrum Talent Solutions 26:45

2M ago26:45

26:45

This episode is brought to you by Landrum Talent Solutions, a national recruiting firm specializing in marketing and HR positions. We’ve talked about volatile job markets before on this show, but has it been anything like what is currently going on? What should marketers looking for employment be expecting, and what should employers looking to hire…

1
#658: Winning retail by reducing customer frustration with Jean-Christophe Pitié, ContentSquare 22:42

2M ago22:42

22:42

We are here at ShopTalk 2025 at the Mandalay Bay in Las Vegas and seeing and hearing all about the latest in retail, e-commerce, and more. If customer acquisition costs are rising and conversion rates are falling, how will your brand survive the next wave of digital disruption—and who’s already getting it right? Today, I’m thrilled to be joined by …

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Truth Embargo w/ Keeley Miller 1:47:45

2M ago1:47:45

1:47:45

This week, Liza and Kara discuss the worst-rated episode of SVU on IMDB, “Truth Embargo” (Season 25, Episode 2). They also dissect the trend of flash robberies at retail stores in major American cities and interview the delightful Keeley Miller (Elsbeth, FBI: Most Wanted). SOURCES: Deadline Los Angeles Daily News Daily Breeze Yahoo ABC 7 WHAT WOULD…

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You Should Read: Our Favorite Books from Book of the Month Club! (With Mom of the Pod Becky!) 1:05:52

2M ago1:05:52

1:05:52

Send us a text Hello, Should-Heads! We're giant fans of the Book of the Month Club and we've been subscribers for years. Mom of the Pod Becky comes on and we discuss our favorite picks and the ones we hope to get to soon. Book News: Tori Woods and Daddy's Little Toy And there's an update! She was arrested. For Fun! Mom's Advent Calendar Minisode Ep…

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#657: Augmenting front-line employees with AI for better experiences, with Fabrice Martin, Medallia 22:42

2M ago22:42

22:42

We are here recording live at Medallia Experience at the Wynn in Las Vegas, and have been seeing and hearing some amazing things about how AI can enhance the customer experience as well as enable teams at organizations to create more meaningful connections with customers. Today we’re going to talk about how AI can help to create better experiences …

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#656: Integrating CX and EX to create better customer outcomes with Sasha Fard, Capital One 27:04

2M ago27:04

27:04

We are here at Medallia Experience at the Wynn in Las Vegas and seeing some examples of amazing customer experience and employee experience and the latest updates from Medallia. Companies often separate Customer Experience (CX) and Employee Experience (EX) into different silos, but what if the real key to competitiveness and long-term success is in…

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#655: AI and Automation in the supply chain with Nick Stuart, RSM 23:18

2M ago23:18

23:18

We are here at eTail Palm Springs and seeing and hearing the latest and greatest in e-commerce and retail. AI and automation are transforming retail operations, from customer experience to supply chain efficiency. But as we move into 2025, retailers face increasing tariffs, labor shortages, and cost pressures. How can AI not just improve margins bu…

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Spellbound w/ Kristen Hager 2:06:00

2M ago2:06:00

2:06:00

Today, Kara and Liza discuss “Spellbound” (Season 18, Episode 18), the disturbing crimes of lawyer/ hypnotist Michael Fine, and interview the wonderful Kristen Hager (Suits LA, Being Human). SOURCES: The New Yorker The Virgin Islands Daily News The New York Times WHAT WOULD SISTER PEG DO: Can Neurolinguistic Programming Really Transform Your Life? …

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You Should Read: All the Book News! (a minisode) 40:02

2M ago40:02

40:02

Send us a text You Should Read: All the Book News! (a minisode) Should-Heads, you wouldn't believe what's going on these days. There's so much book news that we needed a special episode just to break it all down. (And as a bonus, Rachael and Kelly give an update on how their reading resolutions are going.) STORIES MENTIONED: Roxane Gay's book list …

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#654: Translating research into cross-functional strategic change with Adam Hagerman, Indeed 22:56

2M ago22:56

22:56

We are recording live at Qualtrics X4 in Salt Lake City and seeing and hearing all about how to create and enable amazing customer experiences. It’s important to collect customer experience data, but if it’s not driving change across your organization, is it really helping your business? Today we’re going to talk about making meaningful cross-funct…

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#653: Accelerating speed to insights using synthetic feedback with Ali Henriques, Qualtrics 30:54

2M ago30:54

30:54

We are recording live at Qualtrics X4 in Salt Lake City and seeing and hearing all about how to create and enable amazing customer experiences. How long would you like to wait to get customer insights? Weeks or minutes? Today we’re going to talk about how increasing the speed to insights can be a game changer for brands, and how synthetic feedback …

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#652: The power of multimodal AI with Dani Yogatama, Reka 22:21

2M ago22:21

22:21

Is your organization just jumping on the AI bandwagon, or do you have a solution that will support your company’s needs in the short and long term? Welcome to this episode, brought to you by Reka, a developer of industry-leading, multimodal, AI models that enable individuals and organizations to deploy generative AI applications. Today we’re going …

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Hooked 1:35:31

2M ago1:35:31

1:35:31

This week, Liza and Kara recap the episode “Hooked” (Season 6, Episode 15) and discuss the mysterious murder of actor Bob Crane. SOURCES: Time Snopes Wikipedia - Gel bracelet Los Angeles Times Wikipedia - United States v. X-Citement Video, Inc. The New York Times Entertainment Weekly Wikipedia - Bob Crane Pittsburgh Post-Gazette WHAT WOULD SISTER P…

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You Know What We Should Read? We don’t! (With Kathy Coe) 1:09:53

2M ago1:09:53

1:09:53

Send us a text We’re not sure if there’s ever been a time when Rachael, Kelly AND our guest host Kathy have all been unsure of what to read next. Fortunately, we’re better at choosing for other people… Twitter and Instagram: wysr_podcastBy Kelly Hager, Julia Hall, Rachael Hall

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#651: AI and in-house creative teams with Jen Rapp, Superside 29:27

2M ago29:27

29:27

With AI’s ability to augment in-house creative teams, how does that change the way organizations should approach both their creative strategies and how they evaluate the value of creative as a business function? Today, we’re joined by Jen Rapp, Chief Marketing Officer at Superside. Jen has had key roles at iconic brands like Patagonia, Arc’teryx, D…

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#650: Maximizing your ad spend with Matt Wasserlauf, Blockboard 16:46

2M ago16:46

16:46

We are here at eTail Palm Springs and seeing and hearing the latest and greatest in e-commerce and retail. This year, many advertisers - especially retailers -- are being asked to do more with less. At the same time they have smaller budgets, they also must contend with an astonishing amount of waste: nearly 2/3 of every ad dollar spent actually go…

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#649: How to look at ROAS with Mitsu Kikuchi and Rocco Baldasarre of Shirofune 20:12

2M ago20:12

20:12

We are here at eTail Palm Springs and seeing and hearing the latest and greatest in e-commerce and retail. In digital advertising, are we chasing the wrong metrics? While short-term ROAS might look impressive, are we missing the bigger picture—whether those customers actually return? What happens when we shift our focus to Lifetime ROAS instead? To…

Podcasts Worth a Listen

Kelly Hager Podcasts

Podcasts Worth a Listen