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In this episode, we sit down with Dario Berrebi to unpack one of the most overlooked shifts in brand storytelling: becoming the guide, not the hero. Think Yoda, not Luke Skywalker.

We explore why purpose-driven brands struggle with positioning, how to tell stories that resonate without sounding self-important, and why solving boring problems beats chasing cool ideas.

You’ll walk away with a smarter way to communicate your value—one rooted in empathy, simplicity, and timeless storytelling structure.

WE COVERED:

• Why most purpose-driven brands get storytelling backwards
• The “Hero’s Journey” framework—and how to flip it for your customer
• How to stand out by solving boring, painful problems
• Real talk: what scrappy SMBs can do instead of trying to look “premium”
• Tactical brand building on a tight budget: second-hand gear, focused offers, and positioning
• How to make your brand feel human, not polished to death
• The power of telling the truth—even when it’s messy

FOR WHO?
If you’re a founder, marketer, or creative working on a mission-driven product—and you're tired of performative branding that doesn't convert—this episode gives you a more grounded, actionable playbook.Most brands position themselves as the hero.

Support the show

• Do you have a question you'd like me to answer on the podcast or feedback to share? Leave me a message here.
• You'll find all the show notes, transcripts, and past guests at stunandawe.com
• Up your growth game with our hands-on Growth Marketing Course
• For inquiries about sponsoring the podcast, email marketing@stunandawe.com.
• Support the show on Patreon

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Account-based marketing (ABM) used to be expensive, slow, and reserved for enterprise teams. But that’s changed. In this solo episode, we walk through a smarter, faster, more human approach to ABM, one that even small B2B teams can run using AI, psychology, and clear structure.

We break down how to build a focused account list, how to personalize outreach without sounding robotic, and how to align sales and marketing around real signals, not wishful thinking.

You’ll learn how to combine AI agents and human-first strategy to warm up leads, engage buying committees, and track what actually moves the needle. If your team is sick of spraying cold emails and hoping for the best, this one’s for you.

WE COVERED:

• Why modern ABM works best with small teams and smart tools
• How to build a high-intent target list using AI and intent data
• The psychology behind warming up accounts before outreach
• What real personalization looks like (and why most teams fake it)
• Why buying committees need tailored messages, not a single CTA
• How to use AI agents to do the heavy research for you
• The playbook for launching multitouch campaigns that actually convert
• How to measure success beyond clicks: engagement, velocity, and pipeline

FOR WHO?
If you’re a founder, GTM lead, or marketer inside a B2B startup (especially in tech, sustainability, or Web3), and you’re trying to make outbound work without burning your list or your reputation, this episode gives you the playbook.

Support the show

• Do you have a question you'd like me to answer on the podcast or feedback to share? Leave me a message here.
• You'll find all the show notes, transcripts, and past guests at stunandawe.com
• Up your growth game with our hands-on Growth Marketing Course
• For inquiries about sponsoring the podcast, email marketing@stunandawe.com.
• Support the show on Patreon

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Michael Maximoff is the co-founder of Belkins, the #1 B2B appointment-setting agency, and a leader in revenue growth strategies. In this edition of Growth Leap, Michael breaks down how he scaled Belkins to 8 figures by focusing on acquisition, retention, and revenue alignment.

We dove into why traditional marketing and sales silos no longer work, how to make outbound effective in 2025, and why retention is the key to sustainable business growth. Michael also shared insights on structuring sales teams, setting up shared KPIs, and integrating marketing, sales, and customer success into a single revenue engine.

Michael discussed the importance of founder-led sales in the early years, how he structured compensation to drive retention, and why the best growth teams obsess over long-term value instead of short-term wins. We also covered the role of partnerships, content-driven outbound, and how to stay financially disciplined while scaling.

We covered:

• Why acquisition and retention must go hand in hand for growth
• Outbound sales in 2025: How to make it work without spamming inboxes
• Sales and marketing alignment: How shared KPIs transform results
• Founder-led sales: Why early-stage CEOs must drive sales themselves
• Financial discipline: How tracking every dollar helped Belkins scale
• Building trust in B2B: Why relationships matter more than volume

Whether you’re a startup founder, sales leader, or marketer looking to scale without burning cash on ineffective tactics, this episode is packed with insights on how to build a sustainable growth machine.

Support the show

• Do you have a question you'd like me to answer on the podcast or feedback to share? Leave me a message here.
• You'll find all the show notes, transcripts, and past guests at stunandawe.com
• Up your growth game with our hands-on Growth Marketing Course
• For inquiries about sponsoring the podcast, email marketing@stunandawe.com.
• Support the show on Patreon

Follow us:

• LinkedIn
• Twitter