Most businesses don’t have a marketing problem.

They have an agency selection problem.

We’ve seen it too many times: brands overpaying, underwhelmed when they can't align, and stuck in partnerships that never deliver.

In this episode, we unpack what actually makes a great agency relationship work:

• Transparency in pricing and expectations (Jack)

• Strong communication and knowing when to go in-house (Ellie)

• Culture, case studies, and team health (Sarah)

We also flip the lens, what agencies themselves need to fix if they want to survive in 2026.

Because the best results don’t come from hiring the biggest name… they come from hiring the right fit.

🎧 Listen here:

#marketingleadership #digitalmarketing #agencygrowth #marketingstrategy #careerdevelopment

Burnout nearly ended Mike Mudie’s corporate career but it also sparked a completely new path.

In this episode of Digital Cheesecake, we talk about how stepping away from corporate life led Mike to launch Authentic Brew and rethink how work, energy and wellbeing should fit together.

Timestamps:

00:00 – Introduction

02:15 – Early signs of burnout 06:40 – The moment everything changed

11:20 – Life after corporate marketing

16:05 – Starting Authentic Brew 21:30 – Managing energy as a founder

25:10 – Advice for marketers in high-pressure roles

Follow Digital Cheesecake for more conversations with marketing leaders and founders.

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In this episode of Digital Cheesecake, we’re joined by Wizz Selvey, founder of Valerie, to talk about navigating perimenopause while leading, building, and performing in demanding marketing careers.

A hot topic as we come down from International Women's Day.

Women are often expected to manage symptoms quietly while continuing to perform at the same level professionally but Wizz is challenging that silence.

We explore the stigma surrounding menopause at work, what conversations are still missing, and how leadership evolves when your health and priorities shift.

Topics covered in this episode include:

• The moment Wizz decided to start Valerie

• Why menopause is still rarely discussed in the workplace

• Performing at work while managing symptoms

• What people don’t talk about enough with perimenopause

• Building a brand in the women’s health space

• How leadership evolves over time

If you’re interested in marketing leadership, career longevity, and the realities women face in the workplace, this is an important conversation.

#menopause #womenshealth #IWD #IWD2026 #internationalwomensday #perimenopause