Word & Mouth Blog
Where food, hospitality, branding, and human behavior all crash into each other. I write about restaurants, wine, placemaking, customer experience, and the small details that make people talk about a business long after they leave.
For even more snarky takes on marketing, pop culture, branding, and the internet, visit my Substack, Burnt Popcorn & Branding: Substack
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A mix of hospitality, branding, customer psychology, hospitality culture, and internet behavior from someone who’s worked behind the scenes in marketing long enough to know what feels authentic and what feels painfully forced.
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Yes. Especially if your marketing currently sounds like ChatGPT wrote it.
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No LinkedIn thought leadership energy here. Just strategy, storytelling, and occasional side-eye toward trends, Chat-GPT written branding advice, and “disruptive” ideas that all look the same.
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People in marketing, hospitality, branding, retail, wine, or anyone who secretly judges restaurants by their menu design before reading the food list.
AI Posters Are Everywhere, and People Are Already Over
AI-made posters are everywhere. They look polished, but people scroll past. Here’s why sameness is costing small businesses attention and trust.
Your Wine Story Is Killing Your Sales
Stop using wine jargon that confuses customers. Learn why simple, human descriptions sell more wine than technical tasting notes. Real wine marketing examples and actionable tips inside.
Growth Opportunity for Fitness Brands? Making People Feel Like They Belong
Fitness brands can’t grow by targeting athletes alone. The next opportunity? Marketing movement as belonging, not performance.
People Aren’t Buying Your Aesthetic. They’re Buying a Promise.
Your brand isn’t a vibe—it’s a promise. Here’s why consistency, not aesthetics, builds trust (and repeat customers).
I Haven’t Emailed My Community in Two Years- Let’s Talk About That
Why I stopped emailing, what’s changed, and what you can expect from me now—no noise, just real insights and honest connection.
The Netflix Effect: Does Binge-Watching Make TV Shows Forgettable?
Thoughts on why Netflix shows don't stick around in our memories. Explore how binge-watching changed TV, impacted our viewing habits, and why some stories deserve the wait.
The Wine Marketing Strategy in the Post-Brain Rot Era: What’s Next?
Wine marketing strategy still stuck in 2018? Consumers want real connection, not more content. Here’s how brands can shift from algorithm-chasing to authentic engagement post-brain rot era.
The Cost of Banning TikTok: More Than Just a Social Media Platform
The upcoming TikTok ban threatens jobs, marginalized voices, and access to vital information. Here's why this loss matters deeply.
Word of the Year for 2025: Align
Fixing a hidden gas leak taught me to focus on alignment - post cancer treatments—syncing habits, energy, and choices to live with intention in 2025.
Advertising in a Slowdown: Why It’s Time to Play Offense
Smart brands invest in advertising during downturns to dominate the conversation, gain market share, and drive growth.
How TikTok Taught Me More Than My Doctors (and How to Prepare for a TikTok Ban)
TikTok has been a lifeline for me. It’s not just another app—it’s where I’ve learned more about post-cancer life, menopause, ADHD, and overall health than I ever have from a doctor.
Rediscovering Starbucks’ Core: A Lesson in Staying True to Your Brand
Starbucks' shift back to its core values offers key lessons for hospitality businesses—focus on quality, experience, and customer connection.
Is the Food Industry Failing? Here’s How It Can Stop Cutting Corners and Get Real
The food industry is at a tipping point. It's time for businesses to prioritize transparency, quality, and fair treatment of employees.
Finding Normalcy in the Chaos: Using Social Media When Parenting Feels Overwhelming
Navigating the challenges of parenting a sick child, this piece explores how social media can provide connection, comfort, and a sense of normalcy—while also highlighting the balance needed to avoid comparison traps.
5 Reasons that Branding Matters in Social Media Marketing
Five reasons why branding matters when it comes to social media marketing. Your brand is how you connect with your community.
What Brands Are Losing by Ignoring Marketing Feedback Strategies
Want better customer feedback? Learn how smart marketing feedback strategies can give you real insights, boost engagement, and level up your business.
My Journey Through Early Menopause: What I Wish I’d Known
Early menopause at 38 left me lost and struggling—until I found the truth about hormone therapy. Here’s what every woman needs to know when it comes to Perimenopause and menopause and your body.