CMOs Off Script

80% of B2B buyers now use AI search engines to research purchases before they ever talk to sales. So is AEO (Answer Engine Optimization) the real deal, or just the latest marketing buzzword? In this episode, Amanda, Laura Hill, and Nisha dig into what the shift from SEO to AEO and GEO actually means for marketers, especially in the high-stakes world of health tech. The conversation gets real about the part that keeps them up at night: optimizing for channels you don't own. From Reddit reportedly driving a chunk of AI search results, to G2 and third-party review sites, to competitors building their own listicles, the team unpacks how brand reputation now lives in places you can't fully control, and what to do about it.

Are we using AI smarter or just more? In this episode of CMO's Offscript, Laura, Amanda, and Nisha get real about the AI conundrum hitting marketing teams right now: more tools, more content, more overwhelm and somehow, less thinking. They dig into why AI is creating a DIY trap that's overloading individuals, burying reviewers in slop, and quietly eroding the critical thinking skills we all need. Plus, Nisha shares how she built a personal AI chief of staff that actually works (and how it took a full Saturday to set up right). In this episode: Why the person reviewing AI content is now the most overwhelmed person on your team The difference between using AI as a thought partner vs. handing it your brain How to use agents for the mind-numbing stuff and protect your thinking for everything else Why the brief isn't dead (but your strategy still has to come from you) The line between helpful automation and a car that drives you to the pharmacy without asking If you're a marketer navigating the AI era and wondering why it all feels like too much, this one's for you. Subscribe for new episodes and drop your thoughts in the comments. How are you using AI on your team right now?

In this episode, we dive into the growing debate around Answer Engine Optimization (AEO), sparked by a bold claim that “90% of the AEO playbook is BS.” Is AEO overhyped? Or are marketers just approaching it the wrong way? Our panel breaks down what’s real, what’s noise, and what’s actually working right now. From content strategy and brand consistency to the challenges of attribution in an AI-driven world, we explore how teams can stay effective without chasing every new trend. Key topics: -The truth behind AEO hype vs. reality -Why content and brand still matter more than ever -The role of Reddit, reviews, and third-party platforms -Why attribution is getting harder (and messier) -Practical strategies to stay focused and drive results If you're navigating AI search, LLMs, and evolving marketing tactics, this conversation will help you cut through the noise.

What actually works in B2B go-to-market as we head into 2026? In this episode of CMOs Offscript, Amanda, Laura, and Nisha break down insights from the latest B2B Go-To-Market Report and debate what’s real, what’s overhyped, and what marketers should actually be investing in this year. We dig into: Whether AEO (AI Engine Optimization) is replacing traditional SEO How AI is really impacting pipeline, quality, and conversion (not just volume) Why PR may be more critical to AI discovery than the data suggests The role of human judgment in an AI-driven marketing world How teams should think about scaling, testing, and efficiency in 2026 If you’re responsible for growth, demand, or revenue in B2B, this is a candid, practical conversation about what to double down on and what to rethink.

As we wrap up 2025, marketing leaders are already deep in planning for 2026. But with more tools, more channels, and more “shiny objects” than ever, prioritization has never been harder. In this episode of CMOs Offscript, we talk candidly about the challenge of staying focused in a world that constantly pulls marketing teams in a dozen directions at once. We reflect on where experimentation helped, where it distracted, and why many teams are realizing they did not fully solve the problems they set out to tackle. We cover: Why prioritization has become harder for marketing leaders The impact of shiny objects on focus and execution What it really means to slow down and finish work end to end Why old school marketing fundamentals still matter How leaders can set better examples for focus and alignment in 2026 This conversation is about stepping back, tightening the process, and committing to fewer priorities that actually move the business forward. If you are heading into 2026 feeling overwhelmed by options and underwhelmed by results, this episode is for you.

It’s 2025, and we’re heading into budget season with a lot changing at once. In this episode of CMOs Offscript, we kick off with a big career move: Nisha steps into a Chief Growth Officer role, owning both product and marketing to close the gap between what a brand promises and what the product actually delivers. From there, we get into what 2026 planning really looks like for modern marketing teams, including headcount, rising costs, tech stack decisions, and why “utility players” (strong generalists who can flex) are becoming more valuable than ever. We cover: Why brand and product are becoming synonymous The shift toward marketing owning more revenue outcomes Budgeting for 2026 with rising costs and market uncertainty Hiring for speed, AI fluency, and adaptable “utility players” Building AI workflows across tools like GPT, Gemini, Perplexity, and more Why simplifying your tech stack matters (and why HubSpot is becoming the center of gravity) The return of in-person connection: conferences, owned events, and field marketing What real sales and marketing alignment looks like before and after events If you’re planning for 2026 and trying to balance speed, strategy, and execution, this conversation will help you think clearer about where to invest and what to cut.

Over the past few weeks, something has felt off with AI tools we rely on every day. They forget context. They miss obvious details. They agree instead of challenge. And they confidently return answers that are just wrong. In this conversation, we unpack what is really happening with large language models, why faster output is not the same as better thinking, and what this means for marketing, sales, and content teams moving forward. We talk about: Why AI can feel less reliable even as it becomes more powerful The danger of speed without measurement or strategy Where authenticity and human judgment still matter most Why marketing teams may need to start operating more like product teams What we believe the next phase of AI adoption looks like heading into 2026 AI is not the problem. How we use it might be. This is a candid, unfiltered discussion about where AI helps, where it fails, and how teams can cut through the noise instead of adding to it.

In this episode of CMOs Offscript, the team welcomes back Jeff Hill for a deeper dive into AI-powered data enrichment, martech stacks, and the evolving role of RevOps.
The conversation explores how platforms like Clay, Apollo, ZoomInfo, and HubSpot fit into modern marketing, the real costs and ROI of enrichment tools, and why AI-driven intent data and automation are reshaping ABM. The team also discusses the balance between specialized versus all-in-one solutions, the pressure to deliver revenue impact from the tech stack, and how marketing ops roles are evolving to meet new demands.
If you’re navigating tech stack sprawl, evaluating enrichment platforms, or figuring out how AI can accelerate your marketing operations, this episode is packed with insights you can put to work right away.

AI is transforming how search works—and what it means for marketers. In this episode of CMOs Offscript, Nisha, Amanda, and Laura sit down with Jeff Hill, CEO of Breezy Hill Marketing, to unpack the shift from traditional SEO to Answer Engine Optimization (AEO) and Generative Engine Optimization (GEO). They explore how AI is influencing outbound and inbound campaigns, why pillar content still matters, and how to ensure your brand stands out in a sea of AI-generated sameness.

Before you can chase leads, you need a strong foundation. In this episode of CMOs Offscript, we dig into the often-overlooked groundwork that drives sustainable marketing results. From sharpening positioning and messaging to truly understanding your buyers, we explore why skipping the fundamentals leads to wasted effort and “me-too” marketing.
We also tackle the tension between quick wins and long-term strategy—how to manage pressure for instant ROI, leverage conferences effectively, and align with sales on what really moves the needle. Whether you’re building a brand from the ground up or optimizing an established program, this conversation will help you prioritize the essentials that set you up for lasting growth.