Some brands sell products. Great brands create a feeling.

In this episode, Jeff sits down with his dear friend KC Clarke: a brand builder, storyteller, and marketing executive whose career has spanned some of the world’s most recognized brands, including Adidas, Vans, TravisMathew, and Chemical Guys.

Jeff and KC first met on the first day of their USC, MBA program while both were working full time. Since then, their friendship has grown through career changes, personal milestones, and countless conversations about ambition, identity, and what it takes to evolve.

Together, they explore what truly makes a brand unforgettable, the power of emotional connection, community, curiosity, and a clear point of view. KC shares insights from his journey in brand and marketing, the lessons he’s learned working with global companies and high-growth brands, and why understanding people is at the heart of building something meaningful.

This conversation goes beyond marketing. It’s about taking risks before you feel ready, overcoming fear and imposter syndrome, learning through failure, and trusting the process of building a career and a brand with purpose.

Because the brands that last, don’t just sell products, they create a connection and leave a lasting impact.

In this episode:

(02:11) - Jeff and KC’s friendship and how they met at USC (03:48) - Is an MBA worth it, and how to decide what is right for your career (05:55) - Why your dreams are often on the other side of fear (08:54) - KC’s career journey from sports to brand leadership (11:28) - How curiosity shaped KC’s path through marketing and brand (13:16) - The power of building a network without expectation (15:31) - Why career growth is rarely a straight line (18:08) - How to move through fear, imposter syndrome, and starting over (20:39) - What great brands understand that average brands miss (24:59) - Why emotional connection is one of the strongest competitive advantages (26:20) - The difference between marketing and brand (27:50) - Why a great product is required, but not always enough (29:50) - What founders should know before spending money on marketing (31:10) - How to understand your customer beyond demographics (32:09) - Why consumer feedback matters, especially the uncomfortable feedback (33:43) - The role of community in building brand loyalty (37:25) - How to lead creative teams without crushing creativity (40:00) - KC’s advice for anyone starting a career in marketing or brand (46:22) - What building Gentle Menace taught KC about entrepreneurship (48:18) - Why “fail fast, fail cheaply” matters when launching something new (50:51) - How perfectionism can slow down creativity and execution (57Why personal growth is KC’s current definition of success

Connect with KC:

• LinkedIn | https://www.linkedin.com/in/kevinkcclarke/
• Gentle Menace Instagram | https://www.instagram.com/gentlemenace

Connect with us:

• Your Daily Retreat Website | http://www.ydretreat.com
• Follow Sam on Instagram | http://www.instagram.com/samanthasagot
• Follow Jeff on Instagram | http://www.instagram.com/jeffhauser_
• Your Daily Retreat Instagram | https://www.instagram.com/ydretreat

Produced by Eliza St John | Email info@ydretreat.com Original Music by Dario Forzato | http://www.darioforzatomusic.com This Podcast is Hosted by Podbean.

Most people hear the word “sales” and immediately feel uncomfortable.

They think of pressure, scripts, awkward conversations, or convincing someone to buy something they don’t need.

But what if sales was never meant to feel that way?

In this episode, Samantha shares a practical masterclass on what it really means to become a great seller and why learning this one skill can completely change the way you build relationships, grow your business, lead people, and build the life you want.

Drawing from more than 14 years in sales, building businesses, and leading high-performing teams, Sam shares the principles that have helped develop thousands of entrepreneurs sell with confidence while staying true to who they are.

This isn’t about becoming more convincing. It’s about becoming more connected. It’s about asking better questions, building relationships, following up with intention, and learning how to serve people at a higher level.

Because the people who make the greatest impact aren’t the ones who know all the right sales techniques. They’re the ones who genuinely care enough to help others win.

In this episode:

(04:08) - The hidden reason you’re uncomfortable selling (05:53) - How to think about sales differently (07:29) - How to sell without feeling pushy (09:05) - Why relationships will always outsell products (09:51) - The three different levels of relationships in sales (13:33) - The Farmer Mindset leads to more sales (16:32) - The FORM Strategy - how to ask better questions that build trust (20:11) - How to build sales confidence every day (26:12) - Why belief is more powerful than any sales script (29:25) - How to nurture relationships through follow-ups (33:34) - How to follow up with intention, not pressure (39:07) - The Leadership Mindset - how to grow beyond selling for yourself (42:42) - Why coachability is your greatest competitive advantage (46:33) - Sales phrases you should never use (47:19) - The A or B Close every seller should master (47:59) - Why trust is the foundation of every sale (48:32) - How to measure success beyond the sale

Connect with us:

• Your Daily Retreat Website | http://www.ydretreat.com
• Follow Sam on Instagram | http://www.instagram.com/samanthasagot
• Follow Jeff on Instagram | http://www.instagram.com/jeffhauser_
• Your Daily Retreat Instagram | https://www.instagram.com/ydretreat

Produced by Eliza St John | Email info@ydretreat.com Original Music by Dario Forzato | http://www.darioforzatomusic.com This Podcast is Hosted by Podbean.

Most people think branding begins with a logo, a website, or the perfect social media strategy.

But long before someone clicks “follow” or becomes a customer, they’ve already experienced someone more powerful: the person behind the brand.

Because people don’t just connect with what someone creates.

They connect with what that person carries, their values, their presence, their authenticity, and their alignment.

In this episode, Sam welcomes branding strategist, executive mentor, and founder of Divine PR, Jackie Minsky, for a conversation that uncovers the foundation behind every meaningful brand.

Drawing from her expertise in public relations, marketing strategy, and consumer psychology, Jackie reveals why conscious branding begins long before a marketing strategy. It begins with aligning who you are, what you believe in, and how you show up. Because the brands that leave the deepest impact aren’t built by chasing attention, but by living in alignment.

Together, Sam and Jackie explore what conscious branding really means in a world obsessed with aesthetics and performance, and why branding is ultimately less about perception and more about embodiment. You’ll also hear why understanding your audience at an emotional level matters more than chasing trends, and how your beliefs and internal state quietly shape the success or failure of your brand.

Whether you’re building a business, growing a personal brand, or stepping into a new season of leadership, this episode will challenge you to look beyond your strategy and ask a deeper question:

Does your brand truly reflect the person you’re becoming?

In this episode:

(02:03) - Jackie’s journey to discovering conscious branding (05:54) - What branding actually means in today’s marketplace (07:01) - Why product, service, and personal brands require different strategies (09:04) - What conscious branding actually means and why it changes everything (12:36) - Why chasing authority without alignment will always feel exhausting (15:11) - Authenticity vs Aesthetics: what actually builds trust? (18:25) - Should you build a personal brand or a business brand? (20:05) - Why every entrepreneur should build a personal brand (21:30) - How to uncover a brand that genuinely reflects who you are (25:35) - The difference between creating content and building a business (29:18) - Why knowing your audience matters more than going viral (34:19) - Why great marketing starts with great branding (36:39) - The marketing planning framework behind high-growth brands (38:42) - How to know when it’s time to pivot your marketing strategy (41:23) - Why alignment shapes the way people experience your brand (47:46) - 3 simple shifts to strengthen your brand from the inside out

Connect with Jackie:

• Website |

  http://thedivinepr.com

• Instagram | https://www.instagram.com/jackie_minsky/
• Podcast - Business Alchemy with Jackie Minsky | https://open.spotify.com/show/1Mjig6w4R29khe7Du8PsZY
• LinkedIn | https://www.linkedin.com/in/jackie-minsky-5900151b6/

Connect with us:

• Your Daily Retreat Website | http://www.ydretreat.com
• Follow Sam on Instagram | http://www.instagram.com/samanthasagot
• Follow Jeff on Instagram | http://www.instagram.com/jeffhauser_
• Your Daily Retreat Instagram | https://www.instagram.com/ydretreat

Produced by Eliza St John | Email info@ydretreat.com Original Music by Dario Forzato | http://www.darioforzatomusic.com This Podcast is Hosted by Podbean.