AI is changing how people discover brands — but most marketers are either panicking or chasing the wrong things. In this episode, Erik Huberman, founder & CEO of Hawke Media ($600M+ revenue, 6,000+ brands), breaks down the Modern Marketer's Playbook for building trust, visibility, and real growth in an AI-first world.We cover SEO vs. GEO, why trust is your most valuable asset, the biggest AI marketing mistakes to avoid, and what's actually working right now.🔍 Get a free GEO/LLM visibility audit from Eric's team: https://hawkemedia.com/free-consultation/Connect with Erik Huberman:Instagram/LinkedIn: @ErikHuberman🌐 hawkemedia.comTIMESTAMPS:0:00 – Introduction & Why AI Hype Is Overblown2:28 – SEO vs. GEO: What's the Real Difference?9:06 – The 3 Pillars: Awareness, Nurturing & Trust14:06 – Trust & Third-Party Validation16:30 – Nurturing in an AI World29:01 – Biggest AI Marketing Mistakes31:16 – What's Actually Working with AI34:28 – Erik's AI Tech Stack36:41 – The Next 6–12 Months of AI Marketing🎟️ Join us at The Gathering: https://www.thegatheringfestival.com📬 Sign up for our Inner Circle Newsletter for exclusive insights, early access, and behind-the-scenes moments from the world’s boldest brand builders: https://go.thegatheringfestival.com/newsletter🔔 Subscribe to our channel for more legendary content from The Gathering. The Gathering: More than North America's #1 Brand Festival - it's where the world’s boldest brands and leaders build what lasts.Join us October 21–24, 2026 | Banff, Canada.

How today’s most impactful leaders build courage like a muscle, expand their capacity, and create connected cultures that last.

In this episode, Mandy Balak sits down with Jon Gordon, Leadership Coach and Best selling author 18 books including The Energy Bus and The Power of Positive Leadership, to explore what it really takes to lead with courage, clarity, and conviction in 2026 and beyond.

They unpack why leadership is so much harder in practice than on paper, the core traits that separate leaders who last from those who burn out, and how to build “capacity” so your problems never feel bigger than you. Jon shares candid stories from his own journey—from being naturally negative and almost losing his marriage, to rewiring his brain through 20+ years of daily gratitude walks.

From working with Super Bowl–winning coaches and world-class executives, Jon breaks down the habits, practices, and culture-building moves that make a real difference: how to listen like a leader, remove the “pebbles in the shoe” that hold teams back, and turn positive principles into daily practices your people can actually feel.

Whether you’re a CEO, founder, or emerging leader, this conversation will help you rethink how you show up for your team—and how to lead with more courage, connection, and hope.

Links & Resources:

• The Energy Bus

• The Power of Positive Leadership

• The Gathering Festival

Connect with Jon Gordon:

• Jon Gordon on Instagram (@jongordon11)

• jongordon.com

Connect with Mandy Balak:

• Mandy Balak on LinkedIn

If this episode sparked ideas for your leadership, share it with your team and use Jon’s principles and practices as a prompt for your next leadership meeting.

Want to experience this in person?

The Gathering brings together senior brand leaders who are building brands that last. If you lead a brand that invests in trust, culture, and transformation, this is your community.

🎟️ Join us in Banff, October 21-24, 2026

Premium experience for senior marketers and founders

→ ⁠thegatheringfestival.com/tickets⁠

📅 Work with us

Brand retreats, Experience Labs, and Events

→ Book a discovery call: ⁠thegatheringfestival.com/contact⁠

🎧 More resources

→ Subscribe to The Gathering Podcast on ⁠ Spotify⁠ or ⁠Apple Podcasts⁠

→ Follow @thegatheringfestival on⁠ Instagram⁠ + ⁠LinkedIn⁠ + ⁠YouTube⁠

Get the Pinterest Experiential Brand Principles here: Pinterest Playbook

In this episode, Mandy Balak sits down with Sean Doyle, Director of Global Brand Experiences and Group Creative Director of Experiential at Pinterest, the “positive corner of the Internet.” They unpack how Pinterest uses real-world experiences to build brand belief, stand out from the “blandemic” of sameness, and turn online inspiration into offline action.

From Cannes to Coachella to Davos, Sean shares the experiential principles that guide Pinterest’s most iconic work, how Gen Z is reshaping the experience economy, and why brands can’t afford to ignore IRL connection.

Whether you’re a CMO, founder, or creative leader, this conversation will help you rethink how your brand shows up in the real world—and how to design experiences your customers will never forget.

Links & Resources:

• Pinterest Experiential Principles

• Pinterest Predicts: annual trends report

• The Gathering Festival

• Montana Experiential Brand Retreat (limited seats)

Connect with Sean & Pinterest:

• Sean Doyle on LinkedIn

Connect with Mandy Balak:

• Mandy Balak on LinkedIn

If this episode sparked ideas for your brand, share it with your team and bring the Pinterest principles into your next creative meeting.

Want to experience this in person?

The Gathering brings together senior brand leaders who are building brands that last. If you lead a brand that invests in trust, culture, and transformation, this is your community.

🎟️ Join us in Banff, October 21-24, 2026

Premium experience for senior marketers and founders

→ thegatheringfestival.com/tickets

📅 Work with us

Brand retreats, Experience Labs, and Events

→ Book a discovery call: thegatheringfestival.com/contact

🎧 More resources

→ Subscribe to The Gathering Podcast on Spotify or Apple Podcasts

→ Follow @thegatheringfestival on Instagram + LinkedIn + YouTube