Best Mark Simos Podcasts (2025)

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How to Improve Your Co-Founder Relationships, With Dr. Matthew Jones 37:01

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6d ago37:01

37:01

Points of Interest 00:00 – Introduction: Marcel introduces Dr. Matthew Jones and frames the co-founder relationship as a critical driver of business health and day-to-day well-being. 01:14 – Origin Story: Matt explains how mediating friends’ founder conflict revealed a gap between business coaching and psychological expertise for co-founders. 02:20…

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From Losing Money to Strong Profits-Real Client Case Study, With Carson Pierce 35:53

13d ago35:53

35:53

Points of Interest 00:00 – Introduction: Marcel welcomes recurring guest Carson Pierce to the Agency Profit Podcast and introduces a new format—walking through a real, anonymized client assessment to show how Parakeeto diagnoses and solves profitability challenges. 02:00 – Every Agency’s Problems Are Unique but Familiar: Carson explains that while …

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The Future of AI Enabled Sales for Small Agencies, With Simo Lemandez 31:01

20d ago31:01

31:01

Points of Interest 00:00 – 00:39 – Introduction: Marcel introduces Simo Lemhandez, founder of Folk CRM, one of Europe’s fastest-growing SaaS startups recognized by Product Hunt. 00:42 – 02:18 – Defining Folk CRM: Simo explains Folk’s mission to redefine CRM as an AI-native platform that centralizes all client touchpoints and automates busywork. 02:…

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49 - Terry Simo - Brief Border Wars 2 1:36:43

15d ago1:36:43

1:36:43

49 - Terry Simo | Brief Border Wars 2 This episode can be found on pushingcardboard.com, as well as wherever you get your podcasts. (On youtube, it's still audio-only.) Small unit tactical Napoleonic game from Lock'n'Load GMT September newsletter Free pdf of optional rules for GMT's Wolfpack New from Osprey- General Orders Sengoku Jidai GMT finally…

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Optimizing Annual Planning for Agency Growth, With Kristen Kelly 39:22

27d ago39:22

39:22

Points of Interest 00:01 – 00:55 – Introduction: Marcel welcomes Kristen Kelly and frames Q4 as prime season for annual and quarterly planning, noting the high cost of leadership offsites demands clear outcomes. 01:18 – 03:10 – Why Planning Feels Hard: Kristen cites common hurdles—turning history into forward plans, aligning stakeholders, and build…

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Building Trust at Scale in the Age of AI, With Stephen Woessner 48:16

1M ago48:16

48:16

Points of Interest 00:00–01:02 – Introduction: Marcel welcomes Stephen, a veteran agency operator, author, and CEO of Predictive ROI focused on helping agencies sell more by adding value. 01:02–03:09 – Who Predictive ROI Serves: Stephen explains their exclusive focus on agencies and their expertise in business development through authority position…

1
Parakeeto vs. Project Management Tools: What’s the Real Solution?, With Kristen Kelly 42:39

1M ago42:39

42:39

Points of Interest 00:00 – 01:30 – Introduction: Marcel welcomes Parakeeto’s Kristen Kelly back to discuss a recurring misconception in agency operations—the belief that a better project management or PSA tool can solve profit management challenges. 01:30 – 03:25 – The PM Tool “Silver Bullet” Myth: Kristen explains how leaders and PMs often adopt n…

1
How to Increase Your Price, With Casey Brown 47:55

2M ago47:55

47:55

Points of Interest 00:00 – 01:15 – Introduction: Marcel introduces Casey Brown, author of Fearless Pricing and founder of Boost Pricing, highlighting her experience generating over $1B in client profit. 01:15 – 02:15 – Defining a Pricing Geek: Casey explains her passion for pricing as the intersection of psychology, process, and data, with a missio…

1
Accrual Accounting & Revenue Recognition for Agencies, With Carson Pierce 36:03

2M ago36:03

36:03

Points of Interest 0:50 – 2:07 – Introduction: Marcel and Carson set up the challenge of revenue recognition in agencies, where payments and work schedules rarely align, creating distorted profitability metrics. 2:19 – 3:22 – Cash Accounting Pitfalls: Carson shares a client example where tracking only bank deposits caused wild swings in monthly pro…

1
What's Your Core Selling Identity? With Mark Drager 44:21

2M ago44:21

44:21

Points of Interest 00:08 – 01:42 – Introduction: Marcel introduces Mark Drager, founder of Sales Loop, and sets the stage for discussing his Core Selling Identity Framework. 01:42 – 04:06 – Early Career in Film and Television: Mark shares his beginnings in film school, early TV roles, and the realization that career progress in the industry was too…

1
Jose Francisco Pérez Colón - A Contemporaneous Violinist From Dominican Republic In Europe 36:42

2M ago36:42

36:42

In this episode, Jose Francisco shares his incredible story of starting the violin at 17 in the Dominican Republic, overcoming lack of resources, and rising to perform internationally. He discusses his early inspirations, the importance of finding one's own voice in music, and the challenges he faced along the way. This conversation also touches on…

1
How to Build a More Profitable Retainer Model for Your Agency 40:34

2M ago40:34

40:34

Points of Interest 1:08 – 1:44 – Defining Retainers: Marcel and Carson introduce the topic of retainers, noting how different agencies define them in varied ways. 2:05 – 2:37 – Core Benefit of Retainers: Carson explains that retainers create recurring revenue and provide clients with consistent access to agency resources. 2:50 – 3:33 – Historical C…

1
Achieving More Freedom as a Creative, With Matt Essam 42:34

3M ago42:34

42:34

Points of Interest 00:00 – 01:09 – Introduction: Marcel introduces guest Matt, founder of The Creative Life and bestselling author, highlighting his mission to help creatives design businesses that align with their lifestyles. 01:14 – 02:24 – Coaching High-Level Creatives: Matt explains his role as a coach for award-winning creatives seeking fulfil…

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48 - Jim Owczarski and all things Napoleonic. And a wee flood. 2:00:20

2M ago2:00:20

2:00:20

48 - Napoleonics with Jim Owczarski. And a wee flood This episode can be found on pushingcardboard.com, as well as wherever you get your podcasts. (On youtube, it's still audio-only.) Don't forget to complete our episode survey! Cardboard Central under water GMT August update Now available: Against the Iron Ring from Vuca Brief Border Wars 2 Kickst…

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The Hidden Cost of Low Utilization, With Carson Pierce 36:04

3M ago36:04

36:04

Points of Interest 00:01 – 00:51 – Introduction: Marcel welcomes Carson Pierce back to the show and introduces the episode’s focus on utilization, specifically the hidden costs of low utilization in agencies. 01:18 – 01:50 – Why Utilization Matters Now: Marcel notes that many agencies are struggling with overstaffing and underutilization in a diffi…

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Operationalizing and De-Risking Positioning, with Mike Grinberg 35:47

3M ago35:47

35:47

Points of Interest 1:10 – 2:03 – Introduction: Marcel welcomes Mike Grinberg, founder of Proofpoint Marketing, who specializes in helping boutique firms strengthen positioning to compete against large incumbents. 2:15 – 3:54 – Competing with “IBM”: Mike explains his role as helping boutique firms reduce client risk perception so they can win agains…

1
Insights from Europe on Global Competition, Talent, and AI, With Carson Pierce 40:16

3M ago40:16

40:16

Points of Interest 0:00 – 0:17 – Opening: Marcel reflects on building production-level software using low-code tools without prior coding experience, setting the stage for a discussion on rapid change in the agency landscape. 1:01 – 3:40 – Conference Context & Audience: Marcel shares his experience at Web Summer Camp in Opatija, Croatia, hosted by …

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The Untapped Lever: Maximizing Agency Value Through People & Leadership, with James Friel 40:15

3M ago40:15

40:15

Points of Interest 0:00 – 1:25 – Guest Introduction: Marcel welcomes James Friel, serial entrepreneur, investor, and leadership expert, to discuss building scalable, profitable businesses through effective operations and leadership. 1:26 – 3:08 – Journey from Corporate to Entrepreneurship: James shares his transition from aerospace and software eng…

1
The Most Common Agency Pricing Mistakes, With Kristen Kelly 26:01

4M ago26:01

26:01

Points of Interest 0:00 – 0:13 – Introduction: Marcel Petitpas introduces the importance of pricing in agency profitability, emphasizing that even great delivery and project management can’t compensate for poor pricing strategy. 1:00 – 1:39 – The Problem with Pricing Guesswork: Kristen Kelly explains that most agencies lack a formal pricing framewo…

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47 - Beware the Ides of March | Andoni Orive and New Cold War 1:20:11

4M ago1:20:11

1:20:11

47 - Beware the Ides of March | Andoni Olive and New Cold War This episode can be found on pushingcardboard.com, as well as wherever you get your podcasts. (On youtube, it's still audio-only.) Here's a seelection of things mentioned in this episode: Alfred Leonardi has died Dana Lombardy is publishing a 3rd Edition of his Norad game Ols School Tacc…

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Recurring Revenue, More Freedom: Navigating the "Let's Build a SaaS" Trap, With Stephen Neville 38:43

4M ago38:43

38:43

Points of Interest 0:00 – 1:05 – Introduction: Marcel introduces Stephen Neville, CEO of BugHerd, highlighting his background in agency work and his transition into running a SaaS company that helps agencies streamline QA and client feedback. 2:24 – 3:10 – The Dream of SaaS: Marcel and Stephen discuss the allure many agency owners feel toward build…

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Fractional COO vs. Operational Intelligence: What Agencies Actually Need , With Kristen Kelly 32:41

4M ago32:41

32:41

Points of Interest 0:00 – 1:20 – Guest Introduction: Marcel introduces Kristen Kelly and sets the stage for a deep dive into the roles of fractional COOs versus building operational intelligence within growing agencies. 1:21 – 2:25 – The $1M Growth Threshold: Kristen explains how agencies crossing the $1M mark often face operational strain and conf…

1
Going from Solo Consultant to Firm Builder, With Michael Zipursky 39:03

4M ago39:03

39:03

Points of Interest 0:31 – 1:09 – Welcome & Guest Intro: Marcel introduces Michael Zipursky, founder of Consulting Success, highlighting his global impact helping consultants build six- and seven-figure businesses that align with their ideal lifestyles. 2:33 – 4:11 – Consulting Success Origins: Michael shares how his early ventures led to launching …

1
How to Choose the Right Project Management Tool for Your Agency , With Carson Pierce 36:42

5M ago36:42

36:42

Points of Interest 0:00 – 1:14 – Introduction & Context Setting: Marcel introduces Carson Pierce, Parakeeto's Head Consultant, to discuss project management tools in the agency space and the fundamentals that remain relevant despite ever-changing software options. 1:14 – 4:01 – Common Tools Used by Agencies: Carson outlines the most frequently used…

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46 - Castelnuovo 1539 | Quebec 1759 35:39

5M ago35:39

35:39

No interview this month, just news and a look at two games. Castelnuovo 1539 from Draco Ideas and the classic Quebec 1759 from Columbia, which is out in a new 50th Anniversay edition. This episode can be found on pushingcardboard.com, as well as wherever you get your podcasts. (On youtube, it's still audio-only.) Castelnuovo 1539 from Draco Ideas i…

1
The 3 Key Financial Metrics for Agency Success, With Jon Morris 33:28

5M ago33:28

33:28

Points of Interest 0:00 – 1:00 – Opening: Marcel introduces the episode’s focus on financial visibility and growth, and welcomes returning guest Jon Morris, CEO of Fiscal Advocate and creator of EngineBI. 1:00 – 2:55 – Jon’s Background: Jon shares his journey from founding Rise Interactive to launching Fiscal Advocate, emphasizing the value of fina…

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The Role of Timesheets in Agency Profitability, With Kristen Kelly 33:37

5M ago33:37

33:37

Points of Interest 1:08 – 2:17 – Why Time Tracking Still Matters: Kristen and Marcel introduce the episode’s goal—to reframe time tracking from a frustrating chore into a strategic advantage for agencies. 2:28 – 4:59 – Debunking Common Misconceptions: Marcel breaks down the three common arguments against time tracking, particularly the mistaken bel…

1
Proper Revenue Recognition for Agencies, With Rich Brett 38:37

5M ago38:37

38:37

Points of Interest 1:09 – 2:28 – Meet Rich Brett: Rich shares his background in agency finance and how he now serves 12–15 agencies monthly by bridging gaps between finance, operations, and strategy. 2:29 – 4:03 – The FinOps Mindset: Rich defines FinOps as the intersection of finance and operations—connecting financial data with the reality of agen…

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Top-Down vs Bottom-Up Forecasting, With Kristen Kelly 34:41

6M ago34:41

34:41

Points of Interest 0:00 – 1:00 – Introduction to Forecasting Challenges: Marcel and Kristen set the stage by identifying forecasting as a critical but often misunderstood aspect of agency operations, particularly in scaling businesses. 1:06 – 2:30 – Defining Forecasting’s Importance: They explain how forecasting provides the necessary visibility to…

1
Taking Action on Profitability Improvements, With Mandi Ellefson 40:55

6M ago40:55

40:55

Points of Interest 0:00 – 1:18 – The Real Growth Blocker: Mandi kicks off by addressing how many agency owners avoid growth-driving actions not due to lack of knowledge, but due to fear and discomfort. Commitment to transformation must outweigh resistance. 2:22 – 3:53 – Mandi’s Mission at Hands-Off CEO: Mandi shares her focus on helping service-bas…

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45 - David Thompson | Supply Lines of the American Revolution Northern Theater 2:03:49

6M ago2:03:49

2:03:49

PC 45 - David Thompson | Supply Lines of the American Revolution An in-depth interview with designer David Thompson, including a focus on his upcoming American Civil War game, and a long look at Amabel Holland's Supply Lines of the American Revolution: Northern Theater. Here's some links to things in the episode: Charles S Roberts Awards ballots ar…

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How Parakeeto Helps Agencies Improve Profitability, With Kristen Kelly 35:41

6M ago35:41

35:41

Points of Interest 2:14 – 3:18 – Founding Insight: Parakeeto was created to help agencies easily answer crucial financial questions by replacing guesswork with structured systems. 3:23 – 4:39 – How Agencies Make Profit: Strong delivery margin is key. Parakeeto targets a 50%+ delivery margin and 20–30% net profit as benchmarks. 5:45 – 6:58 – Why Pro…

1
Driving Agency Profitability Through Smarter Contracting, With Tiffany Kemp 30:05

6M ago30:05

30:05

Points of Interest 1:14 – 2:53 – Introduction: Marcel introduces Tiffany, who explains her firm’s mission to help agencies use contracts as strategic tools rather than just legal formalities. 3:06 – 4:08 – Why Contracts Get a Bad Rap: Many agencies view contracts purely as legal protection, missing their potential to strengthen client relationships…

1
Pricing & Scoping for Agencies, With Marcel Petitpas 26:24

7M ago26:24

26:24

Points of Interest 0:00 – 0:14 – Introduction to Pricing Framework: Marcel introduces a universal pricing formula that applies across all billing models, setting the stage for simplifying agency profitability assessments. 0:54 – 1:38 – Solo Episode Overview: Marcel explains that the episode will draw from his All Agency Summit presentation, coverin…

1
Profit First for Agencies, With Mike Michalowicz 38:08

7M ago38:08

38:08

Points of Interest 0:30 – 1:31 – Meet the Guest: Marcel introduces Mike as a prolific author and entrepreneur, best known for Profit First, and previews their deep dive into simplifying profitability for service businesses. 2:00 – 3:36 – From Struggle to Simplification: Mike shares how his own entrepreneurial failures led him to journal his learnin…

1
Can Learning Improvisation Improve Mental Health For Classical Musicians? 36:32

7M ago36:32

36:32

Chris talks with a classical violinist and PhD researcher, about the emotional toll of traditional training and how improvisation supports well-being. She explores nervous system regulation, perfectionism, and mindfulness techniques that help musicians feel more confident, expressive, and whole. This conversation offers practical tools and mindset …

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44 - Solomons Campaign | Blue vs Gray | Verdun 33:19

7M ago33:19

33:19

No interview this time, but a look at three very different games. Something for everyone. Links: Live Cardboard #6 Tariff Roundtable GMT April Newsletter with their detailed response to the tariff situation Mike Nagel's new Relative Range imprint MMP pauses the move of their printing to China Pushing Cardboard website has revamped the Polls section…

1
The Three Immutable Laws of Profitability, With Marcel Petitpas 48:34

7M ago48:34

48:34

Points of Interest 1:02 – 1:38 – Intro: Marcel introduces the session as a condensed version of his All-in Agency Summit talk, aimed at equipping agencies with the key levers to diagnose and improve profitability. 3:05 – 3:18 – 80/20 Profitability Focus: The goal is to give agencies 20% of the knowledge that provides 80% of the insight needed to ta…

1
Songwriting Strategies: A 360 Degree Approach (Part 2) w/ Mark Simos- Creative Strings Podcast Ep.15 44:02

7M ago44:02

44:02

By Christian Howes

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Songwriting Strategies: A 360 Degree Approach (Part 1) w/ Mark Simos- Creative Strings Podcast Ep.14 46:56

7M ago46:56

46:56

By Christian Howes

1
How to Appeal to More Clients Without Diluting Your Niche, With John Meyer 33:25

7M ago33:25

33:25

Points of Interest 1:04 – 1:46 – Introduction of John Meyer: Marcel introduces John Meyer, highlighting his experience as a successful agency owner, seller, and current business coach. 2:10 – 2:30 – John's Current Focus with Leadmore: John explains his mission with Leadmore: coaching agency owners to avoid solopreneur traps and scale their business…

1
How to Downsize Your Agency, With Carson Pierce 48:29

7M ago48:29

48:29

Points of Interest 0:00 – 0:23 – Small Cuts, Big Impact: Marcel explains how trimming small recurring expenses added up to $7K/month in potential savings. 1:32 – 2:44 – Market Uncertainty Hits Everyone: Carson highlights how client indecision is stalling agency pipelines across the industry. 3:04 – 3:23 – Opportunity in Unstable Times: Marcel frame…

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43 - Grant Dalgliesh | Columbia Games | Vae Victis 2:06:22

7M ago2:06:22

2:06:22

Enjoy an in-depth interview with Grant Dalgliesh of Columbia Games. We talk about what it was like growing up in the business, and then take a real good dive into their catalogue. Instead of a look at a single game this episode, I explain what I like about the French magazine, Vae Victis. And of course, plenty of news and general board wargaming ch…

1
Financial Planning for Agency Owners, With Jason Peck 32:56

8M ago32:56

32:56

Points of Interest 01:01 – 01:46 – Meet Today’s Guest: Jason Peck: Jason, a certified financial planner at EverWise Wealth Management, joins the show to share how agency owners can build wealth, protect their families, and stop relying solely on their business for financial freedom. 05:00 – 06:10 – Unique Challenges for Agency Owners: Jason outline…

1
Parenting Musicians: Sun & D.D. Jackson’s Journey Through Music 33:26

8M ago33:26

33:26

Discover the joys and challenges of parenting musicians in this heartfelt episode of the Creative Strings Podcast. Christian Howes sits down with 15-year-old songwriter Sun Jackson and her father, Grammy-nominated pianist and composer D.D. Jackson, explores their inspiring father-daughter bond through music.This episode dives into:🎶 The emotional s…

1
Building a Model for Your Agency, With Carson Pierce 35:40

8M ago35:40

35:40

Points of Interest 00:51 – 01:14 – Meet Today’s Guest: Carson Pierce: Carson, a fan favorite at Parakeeto, joins the show to discuss a key challenge for agency owners—transitioning from expert to CEO while managing financial complexities. 02:01 – 03:10 – The Common Agency Struggle: Many agency owners are incredible at their craft but struggle with …

1
Prove Your Value & Increase Retention, With Mari-Liis Vaher 41:04

8M ago41:04

41:04

Points of Interest 01:09 – 01:46 – Meet Today’s Guest: Mari-Liis Vaher: Marketing pro, entrepreneur, and author of The Greatest Marketer in the World, Mari-Liis is here to help agencies prove their value and keep clients happy. 03:04 – 03:40 – The Big Marketing Trust Issue: Ever had a client drop you out of nowhere, even though you were hitting all…

1
Understanding Your Agency Model, With Carson Pierce 32:55

8M ago32:55

32:55

Points of Interest 00:55 – 01:14 – Meet Today’s Guest: Carson Pierce: Carson, a fan favorite at Parakeeto, joins the show to chat about a big shift in the agency world—why more agencies are ditching big teams in favor of lean, contractor-driven models. 01:34 – 02:29 – Agencies Are Shrinking Their Core Teams: Carson talks about a growing trend—agenc…

1
Balancing Creativity and Profitability, With Tim Thompson 41:25

9M ago41:25

41:25

Points of Interest 0:00 – 0:32 – Show Introduction & Guest Introduction: Marcel introduces Tim Thompson, Owner and Chief Revolution Thinker at RevThink. He shares how they met at the MYOB conference, where they bonded over deep discussions on agency profitability and creative business management. 0:33 – 2:25 – Tim’s Background & The Journey to RevT…

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42 - Amabel Holland's Oblique, and an interview with Frank Davis 2:42:34

9M ago2:42:34

2:42:34

This episode features an in-depth overview of Amabel Holland's new game on Frederick the Great, Oblique. And we have an interview with legendary designer Frank Davis. Plus news, views, and chatter about the hobby as usual. I've been busy since last episode, so there's quite a list of links: My review of Rodger MacGowan's autobiography GoFundMe page…