Business lessons, life, and liquor. Each episode, Jon Umstead and co-host Nic Hess go against the grain to talk straight about entrepreneurship, intrapreneurship, leadership, and building something fun from nothing.
Pull up a glass.
Against the Grain Podcast
Against the Grain Available Now at Amazon
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Against the Grain Available Now at Amazon ~~
AG Podcast Ep 9: Product Pairing
Jon and Nic talk through how products gain momentum when they travel together, with examples from retail, software, and food pairings like chicken and waffles. They also cover how substitution can open new markets, why anticipation matters before launch, and why leaders should stay close to frontline execution.
AG Podcast Ep 8: Product Placement
Jon and Nic welcome guest Ryan Berry, founder of Berry Digital Solutions and part of the team behind the Logan County Chronicle, to discuss the importance of product placement. Together, the group connects advertising, storytelling, and real-world examples from phones, bourbon, newspapers, and movie placements.
AG Podcast Ep 7: Marketing Earns Attention, Branding Earns Trust
Jon and Nic welcome their first guest, Kevin Morron, for a conversation about brand story, authenticity, and how personal identity shows up in work, recruiting, and even Bigfoot fandom.