Trust isn’t built on quick fixes, it’s earned through clear plans and flawless execution.

In this episode of Straight to Voicemail, Rachel Elsts Downey connects with Melissa Bryant, Founder of 6 Degrees West. With years of experience in rev ops and go-to-market execution, Melissa specializes in guiding companies through complex product launches, pivots, and operational challenges. Her unique approach focuses on delivering clarity and confidence, ensuring that trust is at the heart of every client relationship.

You’ll learn:Why trust is not about quick fixes but clear, actionable plans.How Melissa uses data-driven strategies and AI to align sales, marketing, and operations into a cohesive force.How to eliminate friction in client relationships to scale faster and smarter.

Jump into the conversation:
(0:00) Melissa Bryant’s secret to earning client trust from day one
(00:46) The power of a clear roadmap in building trust
(01:27) Why the first two weeks of client engagement are crucial
(02:52) Aligning teams to create trust across departments
(03:58) Leveraging AI and automation to scale faster and smarter
(04:47) Melissa’s key takeaways on trust and client partnerships

Straight to Voicemail is for CMOs, CEOs, and Heads of Marketing in B2B tech who want insights from the people who’ve been there. Each episode centers on one big question answered like a voicemail you’ll want to play again.

Don’t miss this conversation! Follow Straight to Voicemail and explore Genius Cuts for more B2B content strategy insights.

What if the secret to high-growth execution isn’t speed but clarity?

In this episode of Straight to Voicemail, Amanda Smith calls Robin Daniels, Chief Business Officer at Zensai. With two decades leading marketing at companies like Salesforce, LinkedIn, Box, and WeWork, Robin’s learned that fast growth without alignment is just chaos. His playbook? Nail your North Star, optimize your team, then execute like crazy, with just enough agility to pivot.

You’ll learn:

• Why clarity is the foundation for scalable execution
• How to build alignment across large, high-stakes teams
• Why Robin always leaves 30% of the roadmap open for change

Jump into the conversation:
(00:00) Amanda tees up the episode(00:35) Meet Robin Daniels
(01:35) Why everything hinges on clarity
(03:30) How WeWork aligned priorities and leadership direction
(04:45) Assessing and adjusting team to meet goals
(05:07) Execute fast while staying agile and focused
(06:03) The danger of rigid plans in growth

Straight to Voicemail is for CMOs, CEOs, and Heads of Marketing in B2B tech who want insights from the people who’ve been there. Each episode centers on one big question answered like a voicemail you’ll want to play again.

Don’t miss this conversation! Follow Straight to Voicemail and explore Genius Cuts for more B2B content strategy insights.

Amidst all the AI noise, Rachel Rizzuto argues the real differentiator is still human connection.

In this episode of Straight to Voicemail, Amanda Smith taps Rachel Rizzuto, Director of Marketing at GadellNet Consulting Service. Rachel focuses on combining marketing expertise with deep technical knowledge to help clients navigate the evolving role of AI.

You’ll learn:
How GadellNet is leveraging AI efficiencies to reinvest in real, human-to-human interactions
Why value-driven content (not just clicks) builds lasting trust with stakeholders
Practical ways B2B marketers can partner with internal experts to produce smarter, faster content

Jump into the conversation:
(00:00) The big question on trust in a world vying for everyone’s attention
(00:25) Introducing Rachel Rizzuto of GadellNet Consulting Services
(00:55) Doubling down on human connection in an AI-driven world
(02:02) Measuring trust through client engagement and relationships
(02:48) Using AI to create content faster with subject-matter experts
(04:28) Why humans remain essential to technology

Straight to Voicemail is for CMOs, CEOs, and Heads of Marketing in B2B tech who want insights from the people who’ve been there. Each episode centers on one big question answered like a voicemail you’ll want to play again.

Don’t miss this conversation! Follow Straight to Voicemail and explore Genius Cuts for more B2B content strategy insights.

In this episode of Straight to Voicemail, host Amanda Smith taps with Chelsea Castle, Head of Content & Brand at Close, as she shares how founder-led storytelling is shaping the future of B2B content.

With a background in journalism and brand strategy, Chelsea shares how her team is creating smarter content that goes beyond attention-grabbing to actually drive business outcomes. From reinvigorating Close’s content engine with its CEO to creating product stories that resonate on a human level, Chelsea breaks down what it takes to stand out in a crowded CRM market.

In this conversation, you’ll hear about:

• How Chelsea is using founder-led content to revamp Close’s brand vision
• The “hivemind” approach to daily collaboration with her CEO
• Why storytelling is key, even when the product isn’t “sexy”
• How Close is making conceptual product series that cut through the noise

Jump into the conversation:
(00:00) Meet Chelsea Castle
(01:12) Reimagining content through founder-led storytelling
(01:59) The Blueprint Series and smart content distribution
(02:28) The LinkedIn Sprint and collaborative content creation
(03:18) Turning product storytelling into compelling, human content
(03:39) The Desiree Demos series and brand-driven content innovation

Building trust across your go-to-market team isn’t just a strategy. It’s the backbone of your success.

In this episode of Straight to Voicemail, Rachel Elsts Downey calls Megan Klingaman, Director of GTM & ABM at Gravity Global. With extensive experience leading GTM efforts both at the agency and client level, Megan talks about aligning cross-functional teams, activating multi-channel campaigns, and earning trust to drive real business outcomes.

You’ll learn:

• How to create alignment between sales and marketing teams through effective trust-building strategies
• The importance of tying go-to-market actions back to business goals
• Real-world examples of leading go-to-market efforts

Jump into the conversation:
(01:23) Why establishing trust in go-to-market can be challenging
(02:00) How aligning GTM actions with business goals drives success
(02:51) The role of data in building trust
(03:30) Overcoming sales and marketing misalignment
(04:30) The importance of understanding lead quality, not just lead quantity
(05:02) Listening to clients’ past experiences to rebuild trust
(05:45) Tailoring GTM strategies to fit each client’s unique needs
(06:07) How Megan leverages GTM frameworks to help achieve business goals

Straight to Voicemail is for CMOs, CEOs, and Heads of Marketing in B2B tech who want insights from the people who’ve been there. Each episode centers on one big question answered like a voicemail you’ll want to play again.

Don’t miss this conversation! Follow Straight to Voicemail and explore Genius Cuts for more B2B content strategy insights.

How do you build trust with a consumer segment your brand has never tapped?

In this episode of Straight to Voicemail, Rachel Elsts Downey connects with Matthew Mazzone, Chief Creative Officer at LSKR and a former campaign strategist. His work blends political storytelling with brand-building for major consumer brands, always with a focus on real connection over surface-level hype.

You’ll learn:

• Why trust is your brand’s biggest growth lever
• How to connect with untapped consumers
• What creative teams can learn from campaign trail storytelling

Jump to the conversation:
(00:00) Why Matthew Mazzone focuses on building trust
(00:36) Why resonance matters more than disruption
(01:09) Matthew’s business philosophy to persuade audiences toward action
(01:26) How emotional connection drives tangible results
(01:41) Why emotional connection is the most effective path to action
(01:58) The rarity of genuine connection and lessons from influencers
(02:35) The core principle at LSKR
(02:41) The importance of values alignment
(03:51) Building campaigns that reflect the people you want to reach
(04:00) The ultimate goal of building genuine connection and trust

Straight to Voicemail is for CMOs, CEOs, and Heads of Marketing in B2B tech who want insights from the people who’ve been there. Each episode centers on one big question answered like a voicemail you’ll want to play again.

Don’t miss this conversation! Follow Straight to Voicemail and explore Genius Cuts for more B2B content strategy insights.

Trust is the hardest thing to scale, and the only thing that makes offshoring work.

In this episode of Straight to Voicemail, Rachel Elsts Downey connects with Brad Stevens, Founder and CEO of Outsource Access, one of the fastest-growing offshoring companies in the U.S. With a focus on transparency, culture, and authentic leadership, Brad has helped hundreds of companies tap into offshore talent without losing the personal touch.

You’ll learn:

• Why “doubts, fears, and concerns” (DFCs) are the biggest barriers to offshoring, and how to address them head-on
• How to build trust not just with clients, but with your own employees when offshoring enters the picture
• The role of transparency, culture, and human connection in making offshore teams feel like part of the family

Straight to Voicemail is for CMOs, CEOs, and Heads of Marketing in B2B tech who want insights from the people who’ve been there. Each episode centers on one big question answered like a voicemail you’ll want to play again.

Don’t miss this conversation! Follow Straight to Voicemail and explore Genius Cuts for more B2B content strategy insights.

Trust isn’t built on transactions; it’s built on presence.

In this episode of Straight to Voicemail, Rachel Elsts Downey taps D’Ana Guiloff, a seasoned community builder known for creating spaces where people feel seen, connected, and engaged. Whether she’s hosting live events, sparking conversations online, or simply showing up authentically, D’Ana has built a reputation for trust that drives real community impact.

You’ll learn:

• Why trust starts with showing up as a real person, not just a brand.
• How to create authentic, memorable experiences that users carry with them long after the event.
• The role of community and consistency in building trust that lasts for years.

Straight to Voicemail is for CMOs, CEOs, and Heads of Marketing in B2B tech who want insights from the people who’ve been there. Each episode centers on one big question answered like a voicemail you’ll want to play again.

Don’t miss this conversation! Follow Straight to Voicemail and explore Genius Cuts for more B2B content strategy insights.