Authentic Voices https://authenticvoices.podbean.com Authentic Voices is a podcast about human connection in a world that increasingly feels filtered, automated, and disconnected. Hosted by Shawnna Sumaoang, each episode features honest conversations with leaders, creators, builders, and thinkers navigating what it means to stay authentic as technology reshapes how we work, communicate, and relate to one another.

From leadership and identity to trust, ambition, burnout, relationships, and belonging, Authentic Voices explores the very human questions emerging beneath a rapidly changing world. These are conversations about the people behind the titles, the pressure to perform, and the growing need for something real.

]]> Tue, 25 Aug 2026 15:40:22 -0700 https://podbean.com/?v=5.5 en Copyright 2026 All rights reserved. Business 1440 episodic Shawnna Sumaoang Shawnna Sumaoang No false https://feed.podbean.com/authentic-voices/feed.xml https://pbcdn1.podbean.com/imglogo/image-logo/21250303/Authentic_Voices_Podcast_Cover_1400x1400.jpg Authentic Voices https://authenticvoices.podbean.com 144 144 Episode 8: Where AI Stops and Trust Begins Episode 8: Where AI Stops and Trust Begins https://authentic-voices.podbean.com/e/episode-8-where-ai-stops-and-trust-begins/ https://authentic-voices.podbean.com/e/episode-8-where-ai-stops-and-trust-begins/#comments Tue, 25 Aug 2026 15:40:22 -0700 authentic-voices.podbean.com/485ab3e6-fc57-3ade-a928-a376c1909277 In this episode of the Authentic Voices podcast, Stan Sorensen, Chief Marketing Officer at Altabank, discusses how leaders can embrace AI without compromising the trust and human connection at the center of their brands. Drawing on his experience across technology, healthcare, and financial services, Stan explains why authenticity begins with speaking the customer’s language, where automation can improve efficiency, and why human judgment must remain part of high-stakes decisions. He also shares how Altabank uses AI for analysis, communication, and operational support while protecting its local, relationship-driven identity. His advice to marketing leaders is to experiment boldly, measure honestly, and never be afraid to acknowledge when an AI use case simply does not work.

]]> In this episode of the Authentic Voices podcast, Stan Sorensen, Chief Marketing Officer at Altabank, discusses how leaders can embrace AI without compromising the trust and human connection at the center of their brands. Drawing on his experience across technology, healthcare, and financial services, Stan explains why authenticity begins with speaking the customer’s language, where automation can improve efficiency, and why human judgment must remain part of high-stakes decisions. He also shares how Altabank uses AI for analysis, communication, and operational support while protecting its local, relationship-driven identity. His advice to marketing leaders is to experiment boldly, measure honestly, and never be afraid to acknowledge when an AI use case simply does not work.

]]> Shawnna Sumaoang false No 1736 8 full Episode 7: Strategy Before Scale Episode 7: Strategy Before Scale https://authentic-voices.podbean.com/e/authentic-voices-podcast-ep-7-strategy-before-scale/ https://authentic-voices.podbean.com/e/authentic-voices-podcast-ep-7-strategy-before-scale/#comments Tue, 18 Aug 2026 10:28:34 -0700 authentic-voices.podbean.com/e9a94dfd-67ac-3c66-b82d-51a80d47a49f In this episode of the Authentic Voices podcast, Tracy O’Brien, CMO and Principal Consultant at Tenmile Marketing, explores why strong brand and messaging strategy must come before AI-powered content creation. She explains how stakeholder conversations, audience insights, and a clearly defined point of view give AI the foundation it needs to create relevant, differentiated work. Tracy also shares how marketers can use AI to adapt messaging across audiences, scale content production, and support organizational alignment without losing human judgment or brand consistency. Her advice is to remain continuously involved, keep feeding AI authentic human perspectives, and never treat strategy as something that can be set and forgotten.

]]> In this episode of the Authentic Voices podcast, Tracy O’Brien, CMO and Principal Consultant at Tenmile Marketing, explores why strong brand and messaging strategy must come before AI-powered content creation. She explains how stakeholder conversations, audience insights, and a clearly defined point of view give AI the foundation it needs to create relevant, differentiated work. Tracy also shares how marketers can use AI to adapt messaging across audiences, scale content production, and support organizational alignment without losing human judgment or brand consistency. Her advice is to remain continuously involved, keep feeding AI authentic human perspectives, and never treat strategy as something that can be set and forgotten.

]]> Shawnna Sumaoang false No 1456 7 full Episode 6: Beyond Adoption - Measuring AI’s Real Value Episode 6: Beyond Adoption - Measuring AI’s Real Value https://authentic-voices.podbean.com/e/episode-6-beyond-adoption-measuring-ai-s-real-value/ https://authentic-voices.podbean.com/e/episode-6-beyond-adoption-measuring-ai-s-real-value/#comments Mon, 10 Aug 2026 01:00:00 -0700 authentic-voices.podbean.com/4feb2158-9cfe-3f21-9cde-a450b9d019c4 In this episode of the Authentic Voices podcast, Denis Scott, Senior Vice President of Marketing at Larridin, discusses why AI adoption alone is not enough to prove meaningful business value. He shares how organizations can measure proficiency, productivity, workflows, token spend, and tangible outcomes rather than simply tracking tool usage. Denis also explores the growing cost of AI for marketing and creative teams, how CMOs can justify those investments to CFOs, and why human judgment, creativity, and brand voice remain essential. His perspective is clear: AI can help marketers move faster and accomplish more, but the most distinctive and valuable work still requires a human touch.

]]> In this episode of the Authentic Voices podcast, Denis Scott, Senior Vice President of Marketing at Larridin, discusses why AI adoption alone is not enough to prove meaningful business value. He shares how organizations can measure proficiency, productivity, workflows, token spend, and tangible outcomes rather than simply tracking tool usage. Denis also explores the growing cost of AI for marketing and creative teams, how CMOs can justify those investments to CFOs, and why human judgment, creativity, and brand voice remain essential. His perspective is clear: AI can help marketers move faster and accomplish more, but the most distinctive and valuable work still requires a human touch.

]]> Shawnna Sumaoang false No 1384 6 full Episode 5: The DNA of Digital Transformation Episode 5: The DNA of Digital Transformation https://authentic-voices.podbean.com/e/episode-5-the-dna-of-digital-transformation/ https://authentic-voices.podbean.com/e/episode-5-the-dna-of-digital-transformation/#comments Thu, 06 Aug 2026 08:01:18 -0700 authenticcustomervoices.podbean.com/fe202a0c-cb1b-3324-96d0-b0e4ab42feea In this episode of the Authentic Voices podcast, we sit down with David de Rego, VP of Product Marketing at Acumatica, to explore how customer voice shapes every stage of modern digital transformation. David shares lessons from his decades of experience leading product marketing, demand generation, and GTM strategy at high-growth B2B companies, and how he’s seen customer stories evolve from “proof points” to strategic inputs that inform roadmap, messaging, and culture. David offers practical advice for marketing and product teams looking to elevate customer insights into a true strategic advantage.

]]> In this episode of the Authentic Voices podcast, we sit down with David de Rego, VP of Product Marketing at Acumatica, to explore how customer voice shapes every stage of modern digital transformation. David shares lessons from his decades of experience leading product marketing, demand generation, and GTM strategy at high-growth B2B companies, and how he’s seen customer stories evolve from “proof points” to strategic inputs that inform roadmap, messaging, and culture. David offers practical advice for marketing and product teams looking to elevate customer insights into a true strategic advantage.

]]> Shawnna Sumaoang false No 1026 5 full Episode 4: Rewiring the Early-Stage Startup Episode 4: Rewiring the Early-Stage Startup https://authentic-voices.podbean.com/e/authentic-customer-voices-podcast-ep-4-purposeful-advocacy-at-scale-elevate-moments-that-matter/ https://authentic-voices.podbean.com/e/authentic-customer-voices-podcast-ep-4-purposeful-advocacy-at-scale-elevate-moments-that-matter/#comments Wed, 17 Dec 2025 12:12:39 -0800 authenticcustomervoices.podbean.com/f76aea87-49a1-31da-9adc-e4a08db18109 In this episode of the Authentic Voices podcast, Deirdre Mahon, Vice President of Marketing at super{set}, shares how early-stage startups can build with customers rather than simply building for them. She explains why founders need domain expertise, early design partners, and the willingness to hear “no” as they refine their product and market fit. Deirdre also discusses why product-led growth should never eliminate direct customer conversations and how the language customers use can become some of a company’s most effective messaging. Her perspective is clear: the strongest startups stay close to customer pain, build trust early, and turn authentic customer insight into products, stories, referrals, and growth.

]]> In this episode of the Authentic Voices podcast, Deirdre Mahon, Vice President of Marketing at super{set}, shares how early-stage startups can build with customers rather than simply building for them. She explains why founders need domain expertise, early design partners, and the willingness to hear “no” as they refine their product and market fit. Deirdre also discusses why product-led growth should never eliminate direct customer conversations and how the language customers use can become some of a company’s most effective messaging. Her perspective is clear: the strongest startups stay close to customer pain, build trust early, and turn authentic customer insight into products, stories, referrals, and growth.

]]> Deeto, Inc. false No 1079 4 full Episode 3: Building Human-Centered Customer Experiences Episode 3: Building Human-Centered Customer Experiences https://authentic-voices.podbean.com/e/episode-3-from-empathy-to-impact-building-human-centered-customer-experiences/ https://authentic-voices.podbean.com/e/episode-3-from-empathy-to-impact-building-human-centered-customer-experiences/#comments Wed, 12 Nov 2025 15:12:01 -0800 authenticcustomervoices.podbean.com/b613f743-da21-3285-943a-53d81806a679 In this episode of the Authentic Voices podcast, Jennifer Edwards, VP of Customer Experience at Five9, shares how authenticity, trust, and creativity shape her approach to building human-centered experiences across customers, partners, and employees. She reflects on why many companies overpromise on “customer obsession,” the need to replace outdated NPS metrics with real-time insight, and how AI can make feedback more intuitive and human. Her vision for the future is one where technology amplifies authenticity and customer voice becomes the true driver of lasting growth.

]]> In this episode of the Authentic Voices podcast, Jennifer Edwards, VP of Customer Experience at Five9, shares how authenticity, trust, and creativity shape her approach to building human-centered experiences across customers, partners, and employees. She reflects on why many companies overpromise on “customer obsession,” the need to replace outdated NPS metrics with real-time insight, and how AI can make feedback more intuitive and human. Her vision for the future is one where technology amplifies authenticity and customer voice becomes the true driver of lasting growth.

]]> Deeto, Inc. false No 980 3 full Episode 2: Rethinking GTM with Authenticity Episode 2: Rethinking GTM with Authenticity https://authentic-voices.podbean.com/e/episode-2-from-reviews-to-revenue-rethinking-gtm-with-authenticity-advocacy-and-ai/ https://authentic-voices.podbean.com/e/episode-2-from-reviews-to-revenue-rethinking-gtm-with-authenticity-advocacy-and-ai/#comments Wed, 05 Nov 2025 08:00:00 -0800 authenticcustomervoices.podbean.com/b3e2ec9d-d767-3459-947c-a878eac3d946 In this episode of the Authentic Voices podcast, Sydney Sloan, CMO at G2, shares her perspective on how authentic customer voice is reshaping modern go-to-market strategy. Drawing on her experience leading teams at some of B2B’s most iconic brands, Sydney discusses the shift from traditional SEO to AI-powered discovery, the power of peer reviews, and the evolving role of customer feedback in brand building. She also reflects on how customer voice fuels category creation, campaign strategy, and trust at scale—offering thoughtful lessons for anyone building customer-led programs today.

]]> In this episode of the Authentic Voices podcast, Sydney Sloan, CMO at G2, shares her perspective on how authentic customer voice is reshaping modern go-to-market strategy. Drawing on her experience leading teams at some of B2B’s most iconic brands, Sydney discusses the shift from traditional SEO to AI-powered discovery, the power of peer reviews, and the evolving role of customer feedback in brand building. She also reflects on how customer voice fuels category creation, campaign strategy, and trust at scale—offering thoughtful lessons for anyone building customer-led programs today.

]]> Deeto, Inc. false No 1035 2 full Episode 1: Why Polished Isn’t Always Powerful Episode 1: Why Polished Isn’t Always Powerful https://authentic-voices.podbean.com/e/episode-1-unfiltered-customer-voices-why-polished-isnt-always-powerful/ https://authentic-voices.podbean.com/e/episode-1-unfiltered-customer-voices-why-polished-isnt-always-powerful/#comments Thu, 23 Oct 2025 15:36:52 -0700 authenticcustomervoices.podbean.com/88c427be-8239-3b33-951e-31efbc40c063 In this episode of the Authentic Voices podcast, Captivate Collective co-founders Liz Richardson and Deena Zenyk share why the most powerful customer stories are often the least polished. They discuss how authenticity drives trust, the importance of embedding advocacy across the entire customer journey, and how AI is reshaping what “real” customer voice means. Tune in for fresh insights on measuring impact, building genuine connections, and the future of customer-led growth.

]]> In this episode of the Authentic Voices podcast, Captivate Collective co-founders Liz Richardson and Deena Zenyk share why the most powerful customer stories are often the least polished. They discuss how authenticity drives trust, the importance of embedding advocacy across the entire customer journey, and how AI is reshaping what “real” customer voice means. Tune in for fresh insights on measuring impact, building genuine connections, and the future of customer-led growth.

]]> Captivate Collective co-founders Liz Richardson and Deena Zenyk share why the most powerful customer stories are often the least polished. Deeto, Inc. false No 1547 1 full