In this episode of Search With Sean, I’m joined by a panel of leading News SEO and digital publishing experts to discuss the biggest challenges facing online news publishers today and how the industry can adapt in a rapidly changing search landscape.

Joining me for this discussion are:

Barry Adams – https://www.linkedin.com/in/barryadams/

Nicola Agius – https://www.linkedin.com/in/nicola-agius-8b330956/

Steven Wilson-Beales – https://www.linkedin.com/in/swilsonbeales/

Alison Moss – https://www.linkedin.com/in/alison-moss-804a5537/

Clara Soteras Acosta – https://www.linkedin.com/in/clara-soteras-acosta/

Jordan Mazza – https://www.linkedin.com/in/jordanmazza/

The panel discuss:

- How AI search, AI Overviews, and changing user behaviour are reshaping the future of news discovery

- Why publishers need to focus less on chasing traffic and more on loyalty, retention, and creating audiences that return

- How Google Discover is evolving and why traditional publishing strategies need to change

- The importance of understanding audiences, identifying what they truly value, and creating content around their needs

- Why quality, originality, expertise, and unique perspectives are becoming more important in an AI-driven search environment

- The role of communities, newsletters, podcasts, events, and other channels in building stronger relationships with audiences

- Whether publishers should prioritise subscriptions, brand building, audience engagement, or a combination of approaches

- How independent journalists, creators, and personal brands are changing the way people consume news

- Why people increasingly trust individuals and experts rather than just traditional media organisations

- How publishers can improve transparency, demonstrate expertise, and rebuild trust with audiences

- The impact of AI-generated content and misinformation on the future of journalism

- How niche publishers and specialist brands can compete against larger organisations

- The future role of journalists, content creators, and human-first storytelling in digital publishing

Thank you to our partner, SEO Gets, the easy-to-use analytics and reporting tool for your GSC & GA4 data. Be sure to check out the tool and use code search10 for 10% off: https://seogets.com/

In this Real Talk With Sean episode, I’m joined by Jack Chambers-Ward, Mordy Oberstein, Matthew Pyke, and Dawn Anderson for a wide-ranging discussion that goes beyond just AI - focusing on how marketing teams are structured today, how industry conferences are evolving, and where AI is heading in the future of search and digital marketing.

My Guests:

Jack Chambers-Ward — https://www.linkedin.com/in/jlwchambers/

Mordy Oberstein — https://www.linkedin.com/in/mordyoberstein/

Matthew Pyke — https://www.linkedin.com/in/matthewjpyke/

Dawn Anderson — https://www.linkedin.com/in/msdawnanderson/

Topics Covered:

- Breaking Down Silos in Marketing Teams: How SEO, PPC, dev, and brand teams can work more collaboratively

- Team Structures in an AI Era: Why organisations are shifting toward integrated “growth” models

- Internal Communication & Leadership Alignment: Why cross-team communication and senior ownership is critical for change

- AI Search vs Traditional SEO: How teams are adapting to evolving search behaviour

- Revenue vs Commercial Impact of Marketing: Moving beyond vanity metrics toward real business outcomes

- The State of Industry Conferences: Sponsorship influence, speaker selection, and content quality concerns

- What Makes a Strong Conference Talk: Case studies, practical insights, and avoiding generic narratives

- Conference Format & Audience Mismatch: Why 20-minute talks and “beginner + expert” blending is problematic

- Lack of In-House Voices: Why operator and brand-side perspectives are underrepresented

- AI Security, Risk & Build Quality: Concerns around AI-built tools, SaaS risk, and unintended vulnerabilities

- Speed of AI vs Safety & Governance: Regulation lag, accountability, and responsibility debates

- Cultural Pushback on AI Content: Fatigue, sameness of outputs, and growing scepticism

- Future Skills in Marketing Teams: Soft skills, technical awareness, and becoming “T-shaped” communicators

Thank you to our partner, SEO Gets, the easy-to-use analytics and reporting tool for your GSC & GA4 data. Be sure to check out the tool and use code search10 for 10% off: https://seogets.com/

In this episode of Search With Sean, I’m joined by a panel of e-commerce SEO and digital marketing experts to discuss the biggest challenges facing online retailers today and how brands can adapt to a rapidly changing search landscape.

Joining me for this discussion are:

Dena Warren – https://www.linkedin.com/in/dena-warren-b44106139/

Daniel Brooks – https://www.linkedin.com/in/danielmbrooks/

Joshua Squires – https://www.linkedin.com/in/joshsquiresrva/

James Brockbank – https://www.linkedin.com/in/james-brockbank/

Dan Taylor – https://www.linkedin.com/in/danielrwtaylor/

The panel discuss:

- Attribution challenges and measurement in modern e-commerce

- How AI-driven search is reshaping product discovery

- Feed optimisation, schema, and product variants for AI visibility

- Personalisation, audience understanding, and brand reputation

- How small and large retailers can adapt in an AI-first world

- Aligning SEO, content, PR, and paid teams for maximum impact

Topics covered include:

- GA4, privacy changes, and the evolving nature of attribution

- AI search, agentic commerce, MCP/UCP, and emerging search trends

- Product feed optimisation and Merchant Centre considerations

- Product PR, digital PR, and editorial roundup strategies

- First-mover advantages for smaller retailers

- Measuring ROI and performance across multiple AI-driven touchpoints

- Preparing for AI agents and multi-channel discovery

Thank you to our partner, SEO Gets, the easy-to-use analytics and reporting tool for your GSC & GA4 data. Be sure to check out the tool and use code search10 for 10% off: https://seogets.com/

In this Real Talk With Sean episode, I’m joined by Azahara Corrales, Kristina Bergwall, and Genie Jones to discuss the evolving role of AI in digital marketing and SEO. We discuss how businesses should balance traditional search with AI search, how to future-proof marketing strategies, and the importance of understanding your audience before embracing AI tools.

We also touch on the significant impact of AI on workplace environments and digital marketing roles, as well as the ethical challenges businesses face as technological advancements reshape their operations.

My Guests:

Azahara Corrales - https://www.linkedin.com/in/azahara-corrales/

Kristina Bergwall - https://www.linkedin.com/in/kristina-bergwall/

Genie Jones - https://www.linkedin.com/in/genie-jones/

Topics Covered:

- Balancing Traditional Search and AI Search: How much effort should be dedicated to each, and what factors influence this decision?

- Audience Research: The importance of knowing your audience before adopting AI-driven tools and strategies.

- AI Visibility Tools: How AI is reshaping SEO and why understanding your brand and data is crucial before investing in AI visibility tools.

- Workplace Impact: How AI is reshaping roles within digital marketing teams and the wider workplace.

- Traditional Marketing Meets AI: Integrating AI into traditional marketing strategies without losing the human-driven creativity and understanding of the market.

- The Evolving Role of AI in Digital Marketing: Will AI replace traditional marketing roles, or will it create new ones?

- Ethical Considerations in AI Marketing: Addressing the challenges of transparency and trust in AI-driven marketing strategies.

- Future-Proofing Marketing Strategies: Practical advice on how businesses can adapt their SEO and marketing strategies to stay ahead of AI-driven changes.

- AI and Creativity: Can AI ever replace the human creative touch in marketing, or will it always require human input?

Thank you to our partner, SEO Gets, the easy-to-use analytics and reporting tool for your GSC & GA4 data. Be sure to check out the tool and use code search10 for 10% off: https://seogets.com/

Host: Sean Barber - / https://www.linkedin.com/in/seanrbarber/ - He & Him

In this episode of Real Talk With Sean, I’m joined by Louise Linehan, Daniel Brooks and Rena Bowden for a thought-provoking conversation on the future of digital marketing, the impact of AI, and how businesses need to adapt.

We tackle some of the most pressing topics in today’s industry, including how AI is reshaping roles, the increasing complexity of communicating with the C-suite, and the risks and ethical dilemmas posed by AI-driven digital surveillance.

My Guests:Louise Linehan – https://www.linkedin.com/in/louise-linehan/

Daniel Brooks – https://www.linkedin.com/in/danielmbrooks/

Rena Bowden – https://www.linkedin.com/in/reenabowden/

Topics Covered:

- What digital jobs will still exist by 2030 and how AI is reshaping the workforce

- The rise of new roles like content systems designers and brand evangelists as responses to AI

- Shifting communication strategies: How to effectively engage the C-suite in the age of AI

- Best practices for communicating the value of SEO and AI visibility to top executives

- The fine line between digital surveillance and privacy: How much is too much?

- The ethical challenges of AI in marketing: Managing trust and transparency in AI-generated content

- Will AI ever replace the creative and human side of marketing? Exploring the future of AI-driven creativity

Get curated digital marketing news and essential channel updates sent directly to you via Whatsapp - https://www.whatsapp.com/channel/0029VbB9zsvAe5VlZK5gmt1V

In this episode of Real Talk With Sean, I’m joined by Marc Sirkin, Lottie Namakando, Jack Lingard, and Ellie Wraith for an insightful, no-holds-barred discussion on the rapidly evolving world of SEO, AI, and digital marketing. We look into how AI is reshaping the industry, the future of education in an AI-driven world, and the skills that will matter most as we move forward. From the value of university degrees to the rise of AI agents, this episode covers it all, offering expert perspectives on what’s next in the digital space.

My Guests

Marc Sirkin – https://www.linkedin.com/in/marcsirkin/

Lottie Namakando – https://www.linkedin.com/in/lottie-n-1485423b/

Jack Lingard – https://www.linkedin.com/in/jack-lingard/

Ellie Wraith – https://www.linkedin.com/in/elliewraith/

Topics Covered:

- Is university still relevant in an AI-first world?

- The value of soft skills vs. technical expertise

- Can AI replace traditional learning and execution in digital marketing?

- The rise of AI-driven marketing tools and their limitations

- How digital marketing agencies are adapting to AI advancements

- The human side of AI: judgment, creativity, and strategy

- Will AI agents take over the digital marketing space?

- The challenges of validating AI-driven content

- The singularity: Are we already living in it? What does it mean for AI and marketing?

In this special panel show, I’m joined by an expert panel of voices in healthcare and digital marketing to discuss the growing influence of AI in healthcare. From the ethical concerns of AI-driven medical advice to the challenges of ensuring accurate and trustworthy information, we dive into how AI models like ChatGPT and Claude are reshaping the way patients access healthcare information online.

Our panel includes:

Sophie Randall, Director at Patient Information Forum (PIF)

Dr. James Davidson, Founder at MedCourse & White Coat SEO

Sarah Pokorná, CMO at HealthyLine | Co-Founder at Impulse Riot

Geoff Meakin, Healthcare SEO Consultant

Roger Donald, Head of Digital, Web Services at NHS England

Gavin Williams, Clinical Health Writer

Topics covered include:

- The ethical challenges of using AI for medical information

- The psychological impacts of AI-driven health searches

- How healthcare providers and professionals are adapting to AI

- Managing trust and transparency in AI-generated health advice

- The future of structured data, health literacy, and the role of government regulation

Connect with the panellists:

Sophie Randall - https://www.linkedin.com/in/sophie-randall-b005017/

Dr. James Davidson - https://www.linkedin.com/in/james-davidson-wcseo/

Sarah Pokorná - https://www.linkedin.com/in/sarah-pokorna/

Geoff Meakin - https://www.linkedin.com/in/geoff-meakin/

Roger Donald - https://www.linkedin.com/in/roger-donald-5a7a535/

Gavin Williams - https://www.linkedin.com/in/gavin-williams-health/

Filmed On: 22nd January 2026

Host: Sean Barber - / https://www.linkedin.com/in/seanrbarber/ - He & Him

In this episode of Real Talk With Sean, I’m joined by Christian Goodrich, Katie Stone, Emma Russell and Anthony Barone for a wide-ranging, no-filter conversation on where SEO, AI, search, media and digital trust are really heading as we move toward 2026.

We unpack what’s genuinely changing (and what isn’t), why some legacy models are under serious pressure, and how marketers, brands and publishers need to adapt - without chasing every new acronym or hype cycle.

About My Guests

Christian Goodrich – Head of Search Marketing & AI Search at SOZO

Katie Stone – Director of SEO at TrendyMinds

Emma Russell – Founder of Oxford Comma Digital

Anthony Barone – Co-founder of StudioHawk UK

Topics Covered:

Whether paid SEO tools still justify their cost in an AI-first world

Tool overload, subscription fatigue, and why many teams aren’t maximising what they already pay for

The rise of custom AI workflows vs legacy SEO platforms

What agentic AI could mean for search, e-commerce and lead generation

How branding, loyalty and trust change when AI intermediates decisions

Why websites may become “infrastructure” rather than the primary brand surface

Zero-click search, AI summaries and the shifting value of organic traffic

The future of news publishers in a world of AI answers and independent creators

Why YouTube, podcasts and social platforms are becoming primary news sources

Trust, bias, echo chambers and the dangers of over-personalised algorithms

Social media bans for under-16s: public safety vs free speech

Where responsibility really sits — platforms, governments or parents

What all of this means for SEOs, marketers and digital teams right now