Experiential Alchemy: A Podcast by Agency EA

About Experiential Alchemy: A Podcast by Agency EA

Experiential Alchemy is powered by Agency EA, a full service brand experience agency in the heart of Chicago. In each episode, President and CXO Rick Cosgrove and CEO Lucy Stratton chat with brand-side leaders in tech, sports, e-commerce and more about their career paths, advice they have for young professionals, and their thoughts on the future of experiential and event marketing...with some amusing, unexpected anecdotes along the way. For more information on Agency EA, visit www.agencyea.com.

Publisher

Agency EA

Category

business

Language

en

Explicit

No

First episode

26 Oct 2021

Latest episode

14 Sept 2026

Latest episodes

24 episodes in the feed.

1. 

   14 Sept 2026

   Steph Kelch & Benja Juster - HubSpot

   Episode SummaryIn this live episode of Experiential Alchemy, recorded on-site during load-in at HubSpot UNBOUND, hosts Lucy Stratton and Rick Cosgrove sit down with HubSpot's Stephanie Kelch and Benja Juster. The conversation explores the strategic rebrand from INBOUND to UNBOUND, moving beyond a single marketing methodology to embrace a boundless, unstoppable GTM mindset. Steph and Benja share their distinct paths into experiential marketing, the power of complementary team strengths, and how intentional space design drives meaningful connections. Meet the Guests Stephanie (Steph) Kelch: Director of Global Experiential, Creative Production & Event Technology at HubSpot. With over two decades of experience starting from golf course banquets, into agency life and enterprise tech events, Steph leads event strategy, operational execution, and attendee-centered experiences. Benja Juster: Lead Creative Producer of Global Events at HubSpot. Coming from San Francisco's underground immersive art, festival, and theater scene, Benja brings an artistic storytelling lens to B2B events to turn corporate gathering spaces into engaging environments. What You’ll Learn From Methodology to Mindset: The vision behind transitioning HubSpot's flagship event from INBOUND to UNBOUND to represent a limitless go-to-market approach. Loop Marketing Realized: How HubSpot integrates its modern marketing playbook directly into event keynotes, messaging, and overall attendee journeys. Purpose-Driven Space Design: How structured exchange hubs—The Sync (role-based), The Sector (industry-based), and The Spot (community-based)—facilitate intentional networking. Tactile & Experimental Activations: A look at on-site experiences, including the Plasticity Lab (exploring neuroplasticity via interactive slime) and "The Unlock" (an NFC-enabled event story hunt). Diverse Strengths in Event Production: How combining corporate scale expertise with experimental festival backgrounds elevates experiential marketing output. Connect with Us Website: https://agencyea.com/contact/ (https://agencyea.com/contact/) Instagram: @agencyea (https://www.instagram.com/agencyea/?hl=en) LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/agencyea (https://www.linkedin.com/company/agencyea) YouTube: agencyEA (https://www.youtube.com/user/agencyEA)

2. 

   6 Aug 2026

   Danielle Damiano Medeiros - LinkedIn

   In this episode of Experiential Alchemy, hosts Lucy Stratton and Rick Cosgrove sit down with Danielle Damiano Medeiros, Global Head of Tentpole Experiences, Events & Exec Engagement COE at LinkedIn. Danielle shares her unconventional path to high-level tech event marketing, detailing how her background in advertising, hospitality, and executive assistance shaped her agile leadership style. The conversation explores how physical brand activations fuel digital engagement, why experiential marketing is taking center stage in the era of AI, and how parenting refines crucial corporate skills. Meet the Guest Danielle Damiano Medeiros is the Global Head of Tentpole Experiences, Events, and Executive Engagement Center of Excellence at LinkedIn . With over two decades of multifaceted career experience spanning advertising (BBDO), media sales (ESPN), hospitality, executive assistance, and tech startups, Danielle brings a grounded, highly tactical perspective to large-scale brand experiences. She currently leads LinkedIn’s presence at major global industry events, including Cannes Lions, the World Economic Forum in Davos, and the IAB Newfronts. What You’ll Learn How Non-Traditional Career Paths Build Event Superpowers: How working in executive administration and bartending sharpens time management, crisis control, C-suite communication, and hospitality instincts. Bridging IRL Activations with Digital Amplification: Strategies for extending the life and reach of physical events beyond the venue floor using tools like LinkedIn Live, Event Ads, and Thought Leader Ads. Leading from the Ground Up: Why true event leadership requires a "roll-up-your-sleeves" mindset regardless of agency or company size. The Rise of Experiential Marketing in an AI Era: Why audiences—especially Gen Z—are hungrier than ever for authentic, in-real-life connection and community. Leadership Lessons from Parenting: How raising a toddler teaches crucial professional skills like patience, prioritization, and managing high-stress situations. Connect With Us Website: agencyea.com Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/agencyea/ (https://www.instagram.com/agencyea/) LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/agencyea (https://www.linkedin.com/company/agencyea) YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@agencyEA (https://www.youtube.com/@agencyEA)

3. 

   25 Jun 2026

   Barkley Dean - Salesforce

   In this episode of Experiential Alchemy, hosts Lucy Stratton and Rick Cosgrove sit down with Barkley Dean, Vice President of Executive Experiences at Salesforce. Barkley shares his fascinating career progression from backpacking in Europe to licking stamps at a travel incentive company, eventually leading to high-profile roles on both the agency and brand sides of experiential marketing. He provides unique insights into how technology revolutions—from paper tickets to AI—are reshaping the industry and details what it takes to orchestrate flawless event experiences even when things go completely sideways behind the scenes. Meet the Guest Barkley Dean is the Vice President of Executive Experiences at Salesforce. With a career spanning nearly three decades, Barkley started in travel and incentive programs before transitioning to large-scale B2B conferences at agencies like George P. Johnson. For the past 15 years, he has driven experiential innovation on the brand side at Salesforce, navigating the massive scale of hallmark events like Dreamforce while maintaining a keen focus on marketing strategy, registration foundation, and cutting-edge attendee experiences. What You’ll Learn The Value of Agency Foundations: Why starting your career on the agency side provides a broader understanding of operational processes, budgets, and brand diversity before moving to the client side. Technology as a Job Enhancer: How AI is redefining day-to-day event management roles by eliminating manual data analysis and freeing up time for human creativity and contextual strategy. The Power of Spatial Narrative: How mocking up physical floor layouts (like the Salesforce Campground) serves as a visual story that guides attendees naturally through a brand's ecosystem. Crisis Management Excellence: Crucial takeaways on how to pivot a stadium-level production in under 72 hours when unexpected back-end sabotage threatens an event. What Leaders Look For: Why longevity and depth within a role stand out on a resume over rapid "lily-padding" between companies. Connect with Us Website: agencyea.com (https://agencyea.com/) Instagram: @agencyea (https://www.instagram.com/agencyea) LinkedIn: Agency EA on LinkedIn (https://www.linkedin.com/company/agencyea) YouTube: agencyEA

Reach and audience

Public platform figures. Ratings count people who left a rating, not total listeners.

YouTube views

76,120

Score snapshot 15 Sept 2025

Spotify

5.0 / 5

2 ratings

Podcast Authority Score: 57 / 100

A composite of feed quality, social presence, YouTube performance and engagement. Read the methodology.

Quality

60

Social presence

0

YouTube

76

Engagement

60

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Books guests

Based on episode analysis; this does not confirm that the show is currently accepting guests.

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