Episodes

  • Rethinking B2B Marketing in 2025 with Employee Generated Content (EGC), with Katie Street
    Jun 18 2025

    Your best marketing content creators probably aren't who you think they are.

    Most founders assume it has to be them. They overlook the thought leaders already inside their team. They default to safe, scripted content that feels awkward and inauthentic.

    But what if the future of marketing wasn’t about personal branding at all…

    What if it was about empowering your entire team?

    In today’s episode, I’m joined by Katie Street, founder and MD of Street Agency and host of the chart-topping podcast Marketing in the Madness.

    Katie works with some of the world’s top marketing tech companies and believes we're at a turning point—where brands that don’t show up with real, human content will get left behind. In an AI-driven world, authenticity and trust are your unfair advantage. And if you’re not visible, someone louder (and less qualified) will be.

    Together we unpack:

    • How to move beyond founder-led content to team-powered marketing
    • Why authentic, human content beats polished scripts every time
    • Shifting from a scarcity mindset to one of empowerment when leading your team
    • The rising importance of in-person events in an AI-driven world

    👆 If you're a founder or leader looking to scale your marketing authentically, connect with us below.

    About Katie Street

    Katie Street is the founder and MD of Street Agency, an award-winning sales and marketing expert with recognition from BD 100, The APHIS and Beamer. She's also a passionate advocate for women in business and host of the "Marketing in the Madness" podcast. Katie's expertise lies in transforming traditional marketing approaches into authentic, people-powered strategies that actually convert.

    Connect with Katie Street on LinkedIn.

    More from James:

    Connect with James Johnson on LinkedIn or at peer-effect.com


    More from James:

    Connect with James on LinkedIn or at peer-effect.com


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    32 mins
  • Why Most Partnership Strategies Fail (and How to Fix Them), with Stefan Ross
    Jun 11 2025

    Most founders wait too long to think about partnerships.

    They wait until sales hit a ceiling.
    Until delivery starts to buckle.
    Until the team is stretched too thin.

    But what if partnerships weren’t a backup plan?

    What if they were the foundation of scale?

    In today’s episode, I’m joined by Stefan Ross, a go-to-market operator who’s built revenue and partnership functions from seed to pre-IPO.

    Together we unpack:

    • The right way to scale your delivery model without building an inflated team
    • Why most partner programs feel “fluffy”
    • The shift founders need to make to go from doing it all to scaling through others

    👇 If you’re a founder or leader looking to scale more sustainably, connect with us below.

    About Stefan Ross

    Stefan is a seasoned GTM leader with deep experience in building and leading high-growth software companies like Celonis and Pigment. He’s led revenue functions from early-stage to pre-IPO, with a particular focus on developing scalable partner ecosystems.

    His expertise lies in transforming partnerships from misunderstood side projects into key drivers of repeatable revenue and long-term scale.

    Connect with Stefan Ross on LinkedIn here.

    More from James:

    Connect with James Johnson on LinkedIn or at peer-effect.com.

    More from James:

    Connect with James on LinkedIn or at peer-effect.com


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    36 mins
  • The Power of 'Deep Work' for Founders – Reconnecting with Self and Having Fun, with Freddie Birley
    Jun 4 2025

    What if having more fun was the key to being a better founder?

    Seriously. Not just to feel good, but to actually unlock better decisions, more creativity, and a business that’s built to last.

    In this episode, I sit down with Freddie, founder of POP and one of the most insightful coaches I know. We talk about something that doesn’t get spoken about enough in founder circles: how to reconnect with yourself as you scale.

    Not in a fluffy way. But in a practical, energising, real kind of way.

    Together, we unpack:
    • The internal work that often gets left behind.
    • The difference between grinding through growth and actually enjoying the ride.
    • Why so many founders feel guilty for wanting things to be fun
    • Practical advise on how to make your scaling journey more enjoyable

    If you’re feeling stretched, stuck, or like you’re starting to lose the spark you had at the beginning… give it a watch!

    About Freddie:
    Freddie has always been fascinated by what makes people tick. She started out in anthropology, then spent years headhunting top-tier venture investors, meeting 1000s of people across the tech ecosystem.

    That curiosity led her into coaching, where she’s trained with some of the world’s leading thinkers in psychology, philosophy, breathwork, and leadership development. Through her practice, POP, she now works with ambitious founders and investors—helping them scale their impact without losing themselves in the process.

    Her clients include 100+ VC-backed founders, from early-stage to unicorns, backed by funds like Sequoia, General Catalyst, Lightspeed, Atomico, and Northzone.

    More from James:

    Connect with James on LinkedIn or at peer-effect.com


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    36 mins
  • Authenticity First – The Unspoken Key to Scaling Sustainably, with Emma Serlin
    May 28 2025

    What if the key to unlocking better leadership isn’t strategy or scale but something far more personal?

    In this episode of The Peer Effect podcast, I sit down with Emma Serlin, Founder and CEO of London Speech Workshop, to explore the unexpected ways authenticity can shape your leadership and business.

    As both a communication expert and a founder who’s navigated burnout, Emma shares lessons that are as practical as they are profound.

    Together, we unpack:

    • Why your personal values might be your strongest hiring filter
    • How vulnerability and self-awareness can transform team culture
    • What to do when your gut says “no” (but your head says “maybe”)
    • Tools for shedding shame and owning your story as a leader
    • How to reconnect with your purpose when the spark is gone

    About Emma Serlin:

    Emma Serlin is the Founder and CEO of London Speech Workshop, a leading communication coaching company helping individuals, from CEOs to emerging leaders speak with clarity, confidence, and impact.

    She's the creator of The Serlin Method®, a powerful framework for transforming the way people connect through communication. Emma is also a trained life coach, award-winning theatre director, and the author of two fantastic books!

    Connect with Emma Serlin on LinkedIn to learn more about her work and the London Speech Workshop.


    More from James:

    Connect with James on LinkedIn or at peer-effect.com


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    34 mins
  • Transforming Cooking & Events Through Tech Innovation, with a Startup Enthusiast
    Dec 19 2024

    What does it take to scale a startup without losing sight of your vision?

    In this episode of the Peer Effect podcast, Jonathan Cornelias, shares the lessons learned from building four companies, including Elevent Inc, a marketplace connecting experience providers and companies to deliver unique, memorable virtual and physical experiences.

    Jon opens up about the mindset and strategies that have helped him navigate the challenges of scaling a business while staying true to his vision.

    Together we’ll dive into:

    • Why belief in your idea and finding joy in the journey are essential for long-term success.
    • The power of disciplined experimentation, prioritising ideas by impact, confidence, and effort, and iterating step by step.
    • Why an effective go-to-market strategy often matters more than product perfection early on.
    • How learning from others’ successes and mistakes can shortcut your path to growth.

    Jon’s insights will inspire you to embrace challenges, bet on yourself, and stay focused on what truly works for your business!

    Connect with Jonathan Cornelias on LinkedIn to follow his journey and learn more about Elevent Inc.



    More from James:

    Connect with James on LinkedIn or at peer-effect.com


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    25 mins
  • Redefining Success & Integrating Work and Life, with Kelly Ryan Bailey
    Dec 11 2024

    What if work-life balance isn’t the answer?

    As founders, the pressure to keep moving forward can feel relentless. But what if the secret to success isn’t sprinting harder, but intentionally slowing down?

    In this episode, I sit down with Kelly Ryan Bailey, a serial entrepreneur who’s launched 15 startups, one of which sold for $300m, to explore the power of pausing. Kelly has mastered the art of aligning personal and professional success, turning moments of reflection into a framework for sustainable growth.

    Together, we dive into:

    • Why aligning personal and business goals is critical for long-term success.
    • The role of intentional pauses in preventing burnout and fueling creativity.
    • Kelly’s “growing forward” method for reflecting and resetting goals.
    • How redefining success can lead to a more authentic, fulfilling life—without sacrificing financial growth.

    More from James:

    Connect with James on LinkedIn or at peer-effect.com


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    27 mins
  • Separating Identity from Business and Building Boundaries as a Founder, with Sean Campbell
    Dec 5 2024

    Has your identity become wrapped up in your business?

    Setting boundaries and separating your identity from your business could be the first step to building a successful business sustainably.

    Sean Campbell, Co-Founder & CEO at Cascade Insights, has navigated this very issue for the past 25 years and has learned through the ups and downs of running two businesses.

    Together we unpack:

    • How to separate your identity from your work.
    • The importance of delegating and creating space for your team.
    • Why it's important to expose yourself to information you disagree with.

    For more, follow Sean Campbell on LinkedIn to learn more about his current business, Cascade Insights.

    More from James:

    Connect with James on LinkedIn or at peer-effect.com


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    24 mins
  • Mastering Hiring & Building Teams that Thrive, with Akbar Karenga
    Nov 27 2024

    What is the true cost of a bad hire for your company?

    In this episode, we’re joined by Akbar Karenga, founder of Maarusi, a talent and people consultancy driven by his passion for diversity, equity and inclusion.

    Akbar is an expert in high-stakes hiring and shares powerful tips for founders who need to hire fast without skipping steps.

    Together, we discuss:

    • The key difference between hiring to grow versus hiring to simply keep up.
    • When to bring in pro recruiters and how to create an effective, unbiased hiring process.
    • The hidden financial and cultural costs of a bad hire—and how to avoid them.

    Connect with Akbar Karenga on LinkedIn for more hiring strategies and insights.

    More from James:

    Connect with James on LinkedIn or at peer-effect.com


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    24 mins