Sub-Summit

Doug Sandler

Books guestsus

19
Episodes: 2026
First episode

About Sub-Summit

At the crossroads of innovation, growth, and connection, this podcast takes you inside SubSummit 2026—the premier gathering for leaders shaping the future of subscription, membership, loyalty, and recurring revenue. From the months leading up to the conference through the live energy of the event and the insights that follow, each episode delivers conversations with the brands, solution providers, and thought leaders redefining customer relationships and building the next generation of commerce. With exclusive interviews, behind-the-scenes access, and real-time takeaways from Kansas City, listeners will hear the strategies, partnerships, and bold ideas emerging from an industry that touches the majority of U.S. consumers and fuels a multi-trillion-dollar economy. Whether you’re a fast-scaling brand, an innovative solution provider, or a leader looking to deepen customer loyalty and lifetime value, this podcast is your front-row seat to the connections, conversations, and breakthroughs that make SubSummit the place where the future of recurring revenue takes shape—and the event you’ll want to experience in person.

Publisher: Doug Sandler
Category: business · business
Language: en
Explicit: No
First episode: 31 Mar 2026
Latest episode: 12 Aug 2026

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Latest episodes

19 episodes in the feed.

12 Aug 2026
Adam Pivko: How Direct Meds' 4,000 Monthly Ads Drive Growth
They ran their best vitamin ad on Grindr; they launch 4,000 ads every month, and they routinely push compliance to find the edges, all while turning losses into lessons. Join us in this SubSummit episode as Direct Meds’ Adam Pivko reveals how risky creative, relentless testing, and an AI‑driven engine of experiments deliver massive growth in healthcare, and why playing it safe might be the riskiest move of all. In this episode, Doug and Adam Pivko discuss: Performance marketing as data acquisition, not just revenue generation High-velocity creative testing: 4,000+ ads monthly for insights Balancing provocative creative with compliance in healthcare advertising Full-funnel optimization: CPA vs LTV and last-click attribution focus AI and internal tooling powering creative scale and customer experience Key Takeaways: Treat media buying as data acquisition and learn more from failed ads than occasional early successes. Run thousands of inexpensive static ad variants rapidly across platforms to identify winning creative angles before investing in expensive productions and scaling. Balance bold creative with legal collaboration to push boundaries while staying compliant safely and ethically. Focus on CPA relative to LTV using last click attribution for immediate performance signals while investing in customer service, product delivery, operational excellence, and retention strategies to convert acquisitions into patients who maximize lifetime value. Build internal AI tooling and orchestration to scale creative production and insights while retaining human agents for empathetic, high-complexity healthcare customer care interactions. “One of our best performing ad campaigns of all time for a personalized vitamin brand was on Grindr. We ran: “put something healthy in your mouth for once,” and it like blew up.” - Adam Pivko About the guest, Adam Pivko, and Direct Meds: Adam Pivko is the Chief Marketing Officer at Direct Meds and a long-time operator in the recurring revenue and subscription space. At Direct Meds, he focuses on building and scaling high-volume, high-value creative engines, leveraging a “creative ladder” framework to systematically test and improve ad performance. His company is Direct Meds. Adam’s company, Direct Meds LLC, bridges the gap between customers and affordable, convenient telemedicine prescriptions. Their streamlined platform offers access to a robust network of board-certified doctors and a dedicated nursing layer, providing personalized support to help you achieve your health goals. Complete a quick medical questionnaire, receive approval from Direct Meds’ healthcare team, and have your prescriptions shipped directly to your door—all without the need for insurance. Connect with Adam Pivko: LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/adampivko/ (https://www.linkedin.com/in/adampivko/) Company: https://www.tryautumn.com/ (https://www.tryautumn.com/) | https://directmeds.com/ (https://directmeds.com/) SubSummit will be at Nashville City Center from June 21- 23, 2027. Join the waitlist HERE: https://subsummit.com/#waitlist (https://subsummit.com/#waitlist) Book your meeting with Christopher George from SubSummit here: https://meetings.hubspot.com/chris3306/linkedin-profile?uuid=0c103e97-4adc-4c16-bbe6-794c92ab9c61 (https://meetings.hubspot.com/chris3306/linkedin-profile?uuid=0c103e97-4adc-4c16-bbe6-794c92ab9c61) About SubSummit: SubSummit brings together thousands of executives and operators from established enterprises, direct-to-consumer, fast-growing startups, innovative tech companies, active investors, and more. These pioneers come from across a broad range of industries, including e-commerce, media, publishing, retail, streaming, SaaS, digital, automotive, and beyond. From FabFitFun to Walmart+ to MasterClass, the world’s leading brands leverage SubSummit to remain catalysts in consumer engagement and product experiences. Website: https://subsummit.com/ (https://subsummit.com/) LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/subsummit/ (https://www.linkedin.com/company/subsummit/) Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/sub_summit/ (https://www.instagram.com/sub_summit/) Show notes by Podcastologist: Hanz Jimuel Alvarez Audio production by Turnkey Podcast Productions. (https://t.sidekickopen77.com/s1t/c/5/f18dQhb0S7lM8dDMPbW2n0x6l2B9nMJN7t5XWPdSD1CW2zq9rs4Y8_jsTmtwR3JwfC-103?te=W3R5hFj4cm2zwW4mKLS-4fPf-FW3XWJt643Pr3GF4cQb1fmLXp1&si=8000000000242417&pi=a234d7d8-f11b-4fd4-feb6-16232278dc85)You're the expert. Your podcast will prove it.
5 Aug 2026
Melanie Fox: How Dollar Shave Club Keeps Customers Coming Back
Want to know how Dollar Shave Club turned a one-product gimmick into a multi-product routine that sticks? Tune in as Melanie Fox spills the lifecycle playbook, recency–frequency–monetary flows, churn scoring, trial swaps, and the exact moments they nudge customers from blades to a full bathroom routine. In this episode, Doug Sandler and Melanie Fox discuss: Full grooming routine expansion Platform migrations and scaling Data-driven personalization and split testing Email-led retention and one-click actions Recency–frequency–monetary flows and churn scoring for segmentation Key Takeaways: Dollar Shave Club evolved from a single-product razor delivery into a multi-category brand by expanding product lines, targeting household adoption, and emphasizing routines to boost loyalty and lifetime value sustainably. Email remains the fastest channel for testing and learning customer behaviors at scale. Implementing recency–frequency–monetary flows and churn scoring enables precise lifecycle segmentation, letting teams tailor retention tactics and avoid gifting promotions to at-risk customers. Trial sizes and surprise samples drive trials, lowering friction to adoption and increasing chances of subscription add-ons. Full Story and behavioral analytics reveal real customer journeys, uncovering friction points and informing targeted product placement on account pages. “Something that brands should look more into is additive subscriptions... if you have someone that has two or more products with you, they've developed some type of routine.” - Melanie Fox About Melanie Fox and Dollar Shave Club: Melanie Fox is the director of lifecycle marketing at Dollar Shave Club, bringing hands-on experience scaling retention programs, lifecycle strategy, and multi-channel messaging for a category-defining subscription brand. At Dollar Shave Club, she leads email and text messaging initiatives, drives personalization through behavioral data and split testing, and uses recency, frequency, and monetary flows along with churn scoring to precisely segment and retain subscribers. Under Melanie’s guidance, Dollar Shave Club evolved from a single-product razor delivery into a multi-category routine brand focused on household adoption and additive subscriptions. Melanie’s playbook emphasizes understanding real customer journeys with tools like FullStory, minimizing churn with targeted lifecycle flows, and leveraging product trials and household-focused assortment, including a new women’s line and an electric razor line, to deepen routines and increase long-term retention. Dollar Shave Club website: https://us.dollarshaveclub.com/ (https://us.dollarshaveclub.com/?srsltid=AfmBOoqRzCcBdh_srermrjKpep3hK7HX_C9EaVHk5lcvGRBhuNOPzTzl) Connect with Melanie Fox: LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/melanie-fox-15494511b/ (https://www.linkedin.com/in/melanie-fox-15494511b/) SubSummit will be at Nashville City Center from June 21- 23, 2027. Join the waitlist HERE: https://subsummit.com/#waitlist (https://subsummit.com/#waitlist) Book your meeting with Christopher George from SubSummit here: https://meetings.hubspot.com/chris3306/linkedin-profile?uuid=0c103e97-4adc-4c16-bbe6-794c92ab9c61 (https://meetings.hubspot.com/chris3306/linkedin-profile?uuid=0c103e97-4adc-4c16-bbe6-794c92ab9c61) About SubSummit: SubSummit brings together thousands of executives and operators from established enterprises, direct-to-consumer, fast-growing startups, innovative tech companies, active investors, and more. These pioneers come from across a broad range of industries, including e-commerce, media, publishing, retail, streaming, SaaS, digital, automotive, and beyond. From FabFitFun to Walmart+ to MasterClass, the world’s leading brands leverage SubSummit to remain catalysts in consumer engagement and product experiences. Website: https://subsummit.com/ (https://subsummit.com/) LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/subsummit/ (https://www.linkedin.com/company/subsummit/) Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/sub_summit/ (https://www.instagram.com/sub_summit/) Show notes by Podcastologist: Hanz Jimuel Alvarez Audio production by Turnkey Podcast Productions. (https://t.sidekickopen77.com/s1t/c/5/f18dQhb0S7lM8dDMPbW2n0x6l2B9nMJN7t5XWPdSD1CW2zq9rs4Y8_jsTmtwR3JwfC-103?te=W3R5hFj4cm2zwW4mKLS-4fPf-FW3XWJt643Pr3GF4cQb1fmLXp1&si=8000000000242417&pi=a234d7d8-f11b-4fd4-feb6-16232278dc85)You're the expert. Your podcast will prove it.
29 Jul 2026
Bill McHenry: How Widgeteer Is Transforming Physical Commerce
Bill McHenry breaks down why modern brands must treat operations as a growth lever, not just marketing, while navigating tariffs, cash-flow pressure, and the lightning-fast demands of social commerce. Expect practical lessons on vendor relationships, inventory strategy, and moving faster without breaking the business. In this episode, Doug Sandler and Bill McHenry discuss: Tariffs, duties, and upfront cash impact Vendor relationships and communication Inventory strategy and demand validation Social commerce (TikTok) and product velocity E‑commerce costs and packaging/fulfillment realities Key Takeaways: Upfront tariffs and duties can drain working capital, thus only import inventory with confirmed demand or built-in financing to avoid crippling cash-flow gaps. Deep, proactive vendor relationships and direct communication unlock flexible terms, prioritized production, and collaborative problem-solving when supply shocks hit. Viral social commerce can produce sudden, massive demand that outpaces lead times and cash cycles. Rising per-order costs for shipping, packaging, and fulfillment are compressing margins, requiring immediate unit-economics recalculations and tests of pricing, bundling, or minimum-order thresholds. Integrity turns service recovery into a competitive advantage that preserves retailer trust and long-term revenue. “The only other promise I'll make is I have integrity, and we'll follow up and follow through.” - Bill McHenry About Bill McHenry and Widgeteer Inc: Bill McHenry is an innovative leader in the world of sales and marketing with over 25 years of extensive corporate and entrepreneurial experience. As a creative and energetic problem solver, Bill has helped launch a number of exciting new products and companies, building them from the ground up, including Widgeteer. As the founder and President of Widgeteer, Bill uses his comprehensive industry experience to bring innovative European housewares brands to North America. As the company has grown, he has been able to grow the logistics part of the business, creating a bridge between international factories and retailers in North America. Throughout his noteworthy career, Bill has served in key capacities for a number of varied and high-profile companies, including Carnation, a division of Nestle Corporation, 3M, and North American Philips in upper executive positions in sales, marketing, and business development sectors. Widgeteer Inc website: https://www.audible.com/about (https://www.audible.com/about) Connect with Bill McHenry: LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/billmchenry/ (https://www.linkedin.com/in/billmchenry/) Email: bmchenry@widgeteerinc.com (mailto:bmchenry@widgeteerinc.com) SubSummit will be at Nashville City Center from June 21- 23, 2027. Join the waitlist HERE: https://subsummit.com/#waitlist (https://subsummit.com/#waitlist) Book your meeting with Christopher George from SubSummit here: https://meetings.hubspot.com/chris3306/linkedin-profile?uuid=0c103e97-4adc-4c16-bbe6-794c92ab9c61 (https://meetings.hubspot.com/chris3306/linkedin-profile?uuid=0c103e97-4adc-4c16-bbe6-794c92ab9c61) About SubSummit: SubSummit brings together thousands of executives and operators from established enterprises, direct-to-consumer, fast-growing startups, innovative tech companies, active investors, and more. These pioneers come from across a broad range of industries, including e-commerce, media, publishing, retail, streaming, SaaS, digital, automotive, and beyond. From FabFitFun to Walmart+ to MasterClass, the world’s leading brands leverage SubSummit to remain catalysts in consumer engagement and product experiences. Website: https://subsummit.com/ (https://subsummit.com/) LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/subsummit/ (https://www.linkedin.com/company/subsummit/) Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/sub_summit/ (https://www.instagram.com/sub_summit/) Show notes by Podcastologist: Hanz Jimuel Alvarez Audio production by Turnkey Podcast Productions. (https://t.sidekickopen77.com/s1t/c/5/f18dQhb0S7lM8dDMPbW2n0x6l2B9nMJN7t5XWPdSD1CW2zq9rs4Y8_jsTmtwR3JwfC-103?te=W3R5hFj4cm2zwW4mKLS-4fPf-FW3XWJt643Pr3GF4cQb1fmLXp1&si=8000000000242417&pi=a234d7d8-f11b-4fd4-feb6-16232278dc85)You're the expert. Your podcast will prove it.
22 Jul 2026
Bolong Li: How Amazon Audible Uses AI to Go Global Faster
Bolong Li explains how AI slashes time-to-market for international launches while arguing that human judgment and local relevance remain the decisive advantages for building trust in new markets. Learn the three-phase playbook Audible used to expand globally and practical guidance on when to automate and when to localize. In this episode, Doug Sandler and Bolong Li discuss: AI-driven efficiency vs. human judgment Localization vs. globalization trade-offs Market entry sequencing (phase-based approach) Cultural behavior and channel differences Pricing, offers, and willingness-to-pay variations Key Takeaways: AI helps with repetitive tasks, but rarely replaces brand-level taste and judgment. Treat market entry as phased experiments: start with similar markets, then add language localization, then tackle fundamentally different markets. Local channels, partners, and trust mechanisms (e.g., KOLs, messaging apps) determine how customers discover and adopt brands. Offers and pricing must reflect market maturity and customer familiarity. Use AI for synthesis and insight (e.g., reviews, SEO, app store optimization) to prioritize fixes, then apply local human oversight to craft culturally relevant campaigns. “AI is actually raising the floor for a lot of the operations, but it doesn't necessarily raise the ceiling.” - Bolong Li About Bolong Li and Amazon Audible: Bolong Li is Amazon Audible's Head of Global Acquisition and Core Retention, leading the company's end-to-end membership growth strategy. Audible, an Amazon company, is a leading creator and provider of premium audio storytelling, offering audiobooks, podcasts, and Audible Originals to millions of listeners worldwide. Since joining Audible in 2013, Bolong has built expertise across customer retention and acquisition, helping shape how audiences discover and enjoy audio content. Recognized by Forbes as one of the Outstanding Chinese leaders in North America, he believes great leadership is measured not only by business results, but also by continuous learning, compassion, and personal growth. Amazon Audible website: https://www.audible.com/about (https://www.audible.com/about) Connect with Bolong Li: LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/bolongli/ (https://www.linkedin.com/in/bolongli/) Audible Profile: https://www.audiblecareers.com/Meet-Bolong-Li (https://www.audiblecareers.com/Meet-Bolong-Li) SubSummit will be at Nashville City Center from June 21- 23, 2027. Join the waitlist HERE: https://subsummit.com/#waitlist (https://subsummit.com/#waitlist) Book your meeting with Christopher George from SubSummit here: https://meetings.hubspot.com/chris3306/linkedin-profile?uuid=0c103e97-4adc-4c16-bbe6-794c92ab9c61 (https://meetings.hubspot.com/chris3306/linkedin-profile?uuid=0c103e97-4adc-4c16-bbe6-794c92ab9c61) About SubSummit: SubSummit brings together thousands of executives and operators from established enterprises, direct-to-consumer, fast-growing startups, innovative tech companies, active investors, and more. These pioneers come from across a broad range of industries, including e-commerce, media, publishing, retail, streaming, SaaS, digital, automotive, and beyond. From FabFitFun to Walmart+ to MasterClass, the world’s leading brands leverage SubSummit to remain catalysts in consumer engagement and product experiences. Website: https://subsummit.com/ (https://subsummit.com/) LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/subsummit/ (https://www.linkedin.com/company/subsummit/) Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/sub_summit/ (https://www.instagram.com/sub_summit/) Show notes by Podcastologist: Hanz Jimuel Alvarez Audio production by Turnkey Podcast Productions. (https://t.sidekickopen77.com/s1t/c/5/f18dQhb0S7lM8dDMPbW2n0x6l2B9nMJN7t5XWPdSD1CW2zq9rs4Y8_jsTmtwR3JwfC-103?te=W3R5hFj4cm2zwW4mKLS-4fPf-FW3XWJt643Pr3GF4cQb1fmLXp1&si=8000000000242417&pi=a234d7d8-f11b-4fd4-feb6-16232278dc85)You're the expert. Your podcast will prove it.
15 Jul 2026
Eric Steckling: Building Ollie, A Gimmick-free Oral Care Brand (hosted by Eric Bandholz)
Building a product people love isn't always enough, especially if they never need to buy it again. Eric shares why he shifted from durable grooming tools to replenishable oral care, and how embracing constant experimentation helped him uncover bigger opportunities. In this episode, Host of E-Commerce Conversations Eric Bandholz and CEO of Ollie Eric Steckling discuss: Building durable vs. essential consumable product businesses The "at-bats" approach to product innovation Recognizing distractions versus real opportunities Using customer behavior to validate ideas Scaling through subscriptions, content, and retail Key Takeaways: A durable product can become a growth challenge when customers rarely need to buy it again. Treat every product launch as an affordable experiment, giving yourself more chances to discover what truly resonates with customers. Customer opinions are valuable, but purchases are the ultimate measure of demand. Knowing when to walk away from an idea can be just as important as knowing when to keep improving it. The strongest brands don't rely on a single growth channel; they build momentum by combining great products, compelling content, subscriptions, paid acquisition, and eventually retail. “As long as you're making changes, as long as you know what to do next, then I think you need to keep going.” - Eric Steckling About Eric Steckling and Ollie: Eric Steckling is a bootstrapped direct-to-consumer founder behind Brio, a men’s grooming brand known for durable trimmers, and Ollie, an oral care brand focused on high-performance, everyday essentials like toothpaste, mouthwash, and whitening strips. He’s obsessed with product development, creative marketing (especially short-form video), and using constant “at-bats” to turn ideas into hero products that drive real customer lifetime value. Connect with Eric Steckling and Ollie: LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/eric-steckling-95955131/ (https://www.linkedin.com/in/eric-steckling-95955131/) Website: https://olliesmile.com/ (https://olliesmile.com/?srsltid=AfmBOoqRcO2GMug1mss_PROfZsV-sErqAR-QdMbFh-C0XIOkk-sR-eEs) Connect with Eric Bandholz, host of ECommerce Conversations: Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/ericbandholz/?hl=en (https://www.instagram.com/ericbandholz/?hl=en) Website: https://www.bandholz.com (https://www.bandholz.com) Podcast: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/ecommerce-conversations/id874457373 (https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/ecommerce-conversations/id874457373) Join our newsletter: https://wwspodcast.com/ (https://wwspodcast.com/) SubSummit will be at Nashville City Center from June 21- 23, 2027. Join the waitlist HERE: https://subsummit.com/#waitlist (https://subsummit.com/#waitlist) Book your meeting with Christopher George from SubSummit here: https://meetings.hubspot.com/chris3306/linkedin-profile?uuid=0c103e97-4adc-4c16-bbe6-794c92ab9c61 (https://meetings.hubspot.com/chris3306/linkedin-profile?uuid=0c103e97-4adc-4c16-bbe6-794c92ab9c61) About SubSummit: SubSummit brings together thousands of executives and operators from established enterprises, direct-to-consumer, fast-growing startups, innovative tech companies, active investors, and more. These pioneers come from across a broad range of industries, including e-commerce, media, publishing, retail, streaming, SaaS, digital, automotive, and beyond. From FabFitFun to Walmart+ to MasterClass, the world’s leading brands leverage SubSummit to remain catalysts in consumer engagement and product experiences. Website: https://subsummit.com/ (https://subsummit.com/) LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/subsummit/ (https://www.linkedin.com/company/subsummit/) Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/sub_summit/ (https://www.instagram.com/sub_summit/) Show notes by Podcastologist: Hanz Jimuel Alvarez Audio production by Turnkey Podcast Productions. (https://t.sidekickopen77.com/s1t/c/5/f18dQhb0S7lM8dDMPbW2n0x6l2B9nMJN7t5XWPdSD1CW2zq9rs4Y8_jsTmtwR3JwfC-103?te=W3R5hFj4cm2zwW4mKLS-4fPf-FW3XWJt643Pr3GF4cQb1fmLXp1&si=8000000000242417&pi=a234d7d8-f11b-4fd4-feb6-16232278dc85)You're the expert. Your podcast will prove it.
8 Jul 2026
Startup CPG Podcast founder Daniel Scharff and Former CEO of Brightland Todd Hoffman
Startup CPG founder Daniel Scharff sits down with former Brightland CEO Todd Hoffman to unpack how a simple pantry staple became a premium DTC phenomenon. They break down emotional branding, gifting flywheels, subscription behavior, and the hard truths of e-commerce unit economics. In this episode, Startup CPG Podcast founder Daniel Scharff and Former CEO of Brightland Todd Hoffman discuss: Daniel Scharff’s perspective on DTC vs retail in food and beverage Todd Hoffman’s journey from Chloe’s to Brightland How Brightland became a premium, giftable pantry brand Subscription behavior and “habit-forming” CPG products Channel roles, unit economics, and scaling from DTC into retail Key Takeaways: Pairing a strong community voice (like Startup CPG) with an experienced operator creates a powerful lens on what actually works in modern CPG. Each channel- Amazon, DTC site, B2B, retail- must have a clearly defined job. Subscription models only sustain when the product naturally fits into a recurring, predictable habit in the customer’s life. Scaling from early adopters to the broader market increases acquisition costs and operational complexity, demanding disciplined financial thinking alongside founder ambition. “We used to joke around that our marketing budget was smaller than the mayonnaise fund that Unilever had.” - Daniel Scharff About Daniel Scharff and Startup CPG Podcast: Daniel Scharff is the Founder and CEO of Startup CPG, the world’s largest community of emerging consumer packaged goods (CPG) brands. Through Startup CPG, he helps entrepreneurs with free resources, media coverage, and events across 20 cities. He also hosts The Startup CPG Podcast, a top 0.5% globally ranked podcast featuring brand stories, grocery buyers, and industry experts. Connect with Daniel Scharff: Website: https://startupcpg.com/ (https://startupcpg.com/) LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/danscharff/ (https://www.linkedin.com/in/danscharff/) About Todd Hoffman and Brightland: As COO of Brightland, Todd Hoffman partnered with the Founder & CEO to define and execute the company’s next phase of growth. He rebuilt the operating model to support scale, led cross-functional planning across S&OP, finance, and commercialization, and improved unit economics through supplier restructuring, packaging and logistics optimization, and manufacturing changes. Connect with Todd Hoffman and Brightland: LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/todd-hoffman-97aa6a4/ (https://www.linkedin.com/in/todd-hoffman-97aa6a4/) Website: https://brightland.co/ (https://brightland.co/) Connect with Nick Trueman: Podcast: https://podcasts.apple.com/gb/podcast/winning-with-shopify/id1373351568 (https://podcasts.apple.com/gb/podcast/winning-with-shopify/id1373351568) Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/winningwithshopifypodcast/ (https://www.instagram.com/winningwithshopifypodcast/) TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@winningwithshopify (https://www.tiktok.com/@winningwithshopify) YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@winningwithshopify (https://www.youtube.com/@winningwithshopify) Join our newsletter: https://wwspodcast.com/ (https://wwspodcast.com/) SubSummit will be at Nashville City Center from June 21- 23, 2027. Join the waitlist HERE: https://subsummit.com/#waitlist (https://subsummit.com/#waitlist) Book your meeting with Christopher George from SubSummit here: https://meetings.hubspot.com/chris3306/linkedin-profile?uuid=0c103e97-4adc-4c16-bbe6-794c92ab9c61 (https://meetings.hubspot.com/chris3306/linkedin-profile?uuid=0c103e97-4adc-4c16-bbe6-794c92ab9c61) About SubSummit: SubSummit brings together thousands of executives and operators from established enterprises, direct-to-consumer, fast-growing startups, innovative tech companies, active investors, and more. These pioneers come from across a broad range of industries, including e-commerce, media, publishing, retail, streaming, SaaS, digital, automotive, and beyond. From FabFitFun to Walmart+ to MasterClass, the world’s leading brands leverage SubSummit to remain catalysts in consumer engagement and product experiences. Website: https://subsummit.com/ (https://subsummit.com/) LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/subsummit/ (https://www.linkedin.com/company/subsummit/) Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/sub_summit/ (https://www.instagram.com/sub_summit/) Show notes by Podcastologist: Hanz Jimuel Alvarez Audio production by Turnkey Podcast Productions. (https://t.sidekickopen77.com/s1t/c/5/f18dQhb0S7lM8dDMPbW2n0x6l2B9nMJN7t5XWPdSD1CW2zq9rs4Y8_jsTmtwR3JwfC-103?te=W3R5hFj4cm2zwW4mKLS-4fPf-FW3XWJt643Pr3GF4cQb1fmLXp1&si=8000000000242417&pi=a234d7d8-f11b-4fd4-feb6-16232278dc85)You're the expert. Your podcast will prove it.
1 Jul 2026
What Your Payment Declines Are Trying to Tell You — and How to Listen
With payment failures, most businesses see lost revenue—Payway sees a hidden opportunity. In this episode, you’ll learn how to turn declines into recovered revenue, stronger subscriber retention, and a smarter payment strategy powered by data. In this episode, Payway EVP Kim Miller and CTO Dan Nadeau discuss: Anatomy of a card-not-present transaction Types of declines and what “do not honor” really means Account updater and maintaining clean card data Smart retry strategies and payment recovery partners Balancing fraud prevention, interchange fees, and revenue growth Key Takeaways: Declined payments aren’t just a nuisance; they can be a rich source of revenue recovery, customer insight, and improved subscriber experience. Understanding which declines are genuinely retriable versus permanent is critical to building an effective recovery strategy. Proactive tools exist to reduce recurring declines and protect revenue. Blindly retrying failed payments is outdated; structured, data-driven retry strategies with specialized recovery partners deliver better results, faster. Payment performance directly impacts acquisition costs, churn, and interchange rates; treating payments as a strategic data asset, not just an expense line, unlocks meaningful growth. “Every decline is a churn, and that's a lost customer.” - Kim Miller “If you are not doing account updater, then you need to do it, because it's just absolutely mandatory for a recurring payment system.” - Dan Nadeau About Kim Miller, Dan Nadeau, and Payway: Kim Miller is a seasoned professional with experience in strategy, leadership, management, team building, marketing, sales, and customer success. My career began in advertising, evolved to marketing, which led to business development, which resulted in my current role as an executive. She is always looking to learn something new, whether it's industry-related, work-related, or otherwise. This way, she is never bored and gets to talk and engage with interesting people from all walks of life. Dan Nadeau is the Chief Technical Officer at Payway, a payments SaaS company focused on subscription and card-not-present transactions. In the Sub Summit Podcast, he explains how payment flows, decline codes, fraud signals, and tools like account updater and payment recovery can significantly improve authorization rates and reduce revenue loss in recurring billing systems. He also highlights how better payment data and analytics help merchants increase approvals and customer retention. Payway offers a SaaS platform that processes payments for businesses that rely on recurring payments. With advanced fraud protection, payment recovery, and seamless WooCommerce integration, Payway optimizes transactions while ensuring security and efficiency. Connect with Kim, Dan, and Payway: Website: https://www.payway.com/ (https://www.payway.com/) LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/thisiskimmiller/ (https://www.linkedin.com/in/thisiskimmiller/) & https://www.linkedin.com/in/daniel-nadeau-2997429/ (https://www.linkedin.com/in/daniel-nadeau-2997429/) Connect with Nick Trueman: Podcast: https://podcasts.apple.com/gb/podcast/winning-with-shopify/id1373351568 (https://podcasts.apple.com/gb/podcast/winning-with-shopify/id1373351568) Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/winningwithshopifypodcast/ (https://www.instagram.com/winningwithshopifypodcast/) TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@winningwithshopify (https://www.tiktok.com/@winningwithshopify) YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@winningwithshopify (https://www.youtube.com/@winningwithshopify) Join our newsletter: https://wwspodcast.com/ (https://wwspodcast.com/) SubSummit will be at Nashville City Center from June 21- 23, 2027. Join the waitlist HERE: https://subsummit.com/#waitlist (https://subsummit.com/#waitlist) Book your meeting with Christopher George from SubSummit here: https://meetings.hubspot.com/chris3306/linkedin-profile?uuid=0c103e97-4adc-4c16-bbe6-794c92ab9c61 (https://meetings.hubspot.com/chris3306/linkedin-profile?uuid=0c103e97-4adc-4c16-bbe6-794c92ab9c61) Website: https://subsummit.com/ (https://subsummit.com/) LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/subsummit/ (https://www.linkedin.com/company/subsummit/) Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/sub_summit/ (https://www.instagram.com/sub_summit/) Show notes by Podcastologist: Hanz Jimuel Alvarez Audio production by Turnkey Podcast Productions. (https://t.sidekickopen77.com/s1t/c/5/f18dQhb0S7lM8dDMPbW2n0x6l2B9nMJN7t5XWPdSD1CW2zq9rs4Y8_jsTmtwR3JwfC-103?te=W3R5hFj4cm2zwW4mKLS-4fPf-FW3XWJt643Pr3GF4cQb1fmLXp1&si=8000000000242417&pi=a234d7d8-f11b-4fd4-feb6-16232278dc85)You're the expert. Your podcast will prove it.
24 Jun 2026
Wowzitude Founder Susan Black: Building a 3 Million–Member Travel Community
A live virtual travel company went from a single Zoom walk for one lonely mom to nearly 3 million participants worldwide—powered by just three full-time humans and a stack of AI tools. In this episode, you’ll hear how a lean team, authentic experiences, and smart automation turned a COVID catalyst into a thriving global community. In this episode, Nick and Wowzitude Founder Susan Black discuss: Origin story of the virtual travel platform COVID as a catalyst for tour guides and audiences Building authentic, interactive live travel experiences at scale Using AI to personalize onboarding, support, and engagement Running a lean team and constantly experimenting with AI tools Key Takeaways: A deeply personal problem, like helping an isolated parent during lockdown, can become the spark for a scalable business model that serves millions. Live experiences with real human guides can create a powerful community. Strategic use of AI for onboarding, conversational support, and content workflows can enable a very small team to operate at a massive scale. Treating AI as a true collaborator unlocks more value than treating it like a simple search engine. “I didn't do it because I saw that there was a market need or a niche. I did it because during Covid, my mother was in lockdown and was going a little crazy as an older adult…” - Susan Black About the guest, Susan Black and her company, Wowzitude: Susan Black is the visionary behind Wowzitude, where she’s transforming how we experience travel. With over 40 years of leadership in the travel industry, Susan has fused her passion for exploration with cutting-edge technology to create live, interactive tours that connect people to the world in extraordinary ways. Under Susan’s leadership, Wowzitude has grown into a global platform reaching 1.2 million subscribers through partnerships with museums, alumni associations, travel agents, and more. Her innovative approach not only inspires travel but also fosters community and cultural connection, proving that virtual experiences can lead to real-world journeys. Connect with Susan and Wowzitude: Website: https://wowzitude.com/ (https://wowzitude.com/) LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/susanblackassociates/ (https://www.linkedin.com/in/susanblackassociates/) Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/susansocial/?hl=en (https://www.instagram.com/susansocial/?hl=en) Connect with Nick Trueman: Podcast: https://podcasts.apple.com/gb/podcast/winning-with-shopify/id1373351568 (https://podcasts.apple.com/gb/podcast/winning-with-shopify/id1373351568) Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/winningwithshopifypodcast/ (https://www.instagram.com/winningwithshopifypodcast/) TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@winningwithshopify (https://www.tiktok.com/@winningwithshopify) YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@winningwithshopify (https://www.youtube.com/@winningwithshopify) Join our newsletter: https://wwspodcast.com/ (https://wwspodcast.com/) SubSummit will be at Nashville City Center from June 21- 23, 2027. Join the waitlist HERE: https://subsummit.com/#waitlist (https://subsummit.com/#waitlist) Book your meeting with Christopher George from SubSummit here: https://meetings.hubspot.com/chris3306/linkedin-profile?uuid=0c103e97-4adc-4c16-bbe6-794c92ab9c61 (https://meetings.hubspot.com/chris3306/linkedin-profile?uuid=0c103e97-4adc-4c16-bbe6-794c92ab9c61) About SubSummit: SubSummit brings together thousands of executives and operators from established enterprises, direct-to-consumer, fast-growing startups, innovative tech companies, active investors, and more. These pioneers come from across a broad range of industries, including e-commerce, media, publishing, retail, streaming, SaaS, digital, automotive, and beyond. From FabFitFun to Walmart+ to MasterClass, the world’s leading brands leverage SubSummit to remain catalysts in consumer engagement and product experiences. Simply put, if you’re in subscription, membership, or recurring revenue, you’re at SubSummit. Website: https://subsummit.com/ (https://subsummit.com/) LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/subsummit/ (https://www.linkedin.com/company/subsummit/) Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/sub_summit/ (https://www.instagram.com/sub_summit/) Show notes by Podcastologist: Hanz Jimuel Alvarez Audio production by Turnkey Podcast Productions. (https://t.sidekickopen77.com/s1t/c/5/f18dQhb0S7lM8dDMPbW2n0x6l2B9nMJN7t5XWPdSD1CW2zq9rs4Y8_jsTmtwR3JwfC-103?te=W3R5hFj4cm2zwW4mKLS-4fPf-FW3XWJt643Pr3GF4cQb1fmLXp1&si=8000000000242417&pi=a234d7d8-f11b-4fd4-feb6-16232278dc85)You're the expert. Your podcast will prove it.
17 Jun 2026
Fraud Deflect CEO Scott Adams: Winning the War on Chargebacks and “Friendly Fraud”
Most “fraud” on your statement isn’t a hacker; it’s your own customers hitting the dispute button. In this episode, you’ll learn how a veteran merchant‑turned‑founder built a company to stop chargebacks at the source and keep subscription and e‑commerce brands from losing their ability to process payments. In this episode, Doug and Fraud Deflect CEO Scott Adams discuss: What chargebacks are and how the dispute ecosystem works Friendly fraud, first‑party misuse, and subscription businesses Building Fraud Deflect from real merchant pain points Working with Visa, Mastercard, PayPal, and alternative payments Entrepreneurship, co‑founder marriage, and avoiding burnout Key Takeaways: The chargeback system is heavily weighted toward the cardholder, so merchants must proactively defend their revenue instead of reacting after money disappears. “Friendly fraud” and first‑party misuse are often more dangerous than classic stolen‑card fraud because they’re harder to detect and easier for customers to justify. Deep understanding of chargeback rules, thresholds, and card‑brand programs can save you from suddenly losing your merchant account. Listening to merchants will help solve profitable problems and build tools that actually get adopted. Clear communication, defined roles, and intentional boundaries are critical when your co‑founder is also your spouse, and just as important for any startup team. “What my co-founder and I started Fraud Deflect around was to bring solutions together and create our own solutions that help the merchant not only beat those chargebacks but ideally save the sale before it even gets to that point.” - Scott Adams About the guest, Scott Adams and his company, Fraud Deflect: Scott E. Adams, Fraud Deflect’s co-founder, is well known and respected in the online business community, the card-not-present payment community, and the affiliate and Internet marketing community. He successfully combines exceptional IT skills and cutting-edge anti-fraud mechanics to solve problems and quickly improve a company’s ROI. Scott learned he was an entrepreneur and fraud fighter when, early in his career, he grew a small $5M direct response company that was losing their merchant account to a company with revenue of $25M annually and a healthy chargeback rate of 0.7%. During his decade leading that company, He created one of the earliest affiliate metrics tracking systems and developed his own proprietary anti-fraud software. Connect with Scott and Fraud Deflect: Website: https://frauddeflect.com (https://frauddeflect.com) LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/speakerscotteadams/ (https://www.linkedin.com/in/speakerscotteadams/) Join our newsletter: https://wwspodcast.com/ (https://wwspodcast.com/) SubSummit will be at Nashville City Center from June 21- 23, 2027. Join the waitlist HERE: https://subsummit.com/#waitlist (https://subsummit.com/#waitlist) Book your meeting with Christopher George from SubSummit here: https://meetings.hubspot.com/chris3306/linkedin-profile?uuid=0c103e97-4adc-4c16-bbe6-794c92ab9c61 (https://meetings.hubspot.com/chris3306/linkedin-profile?uuid=0c103e97-4adc-4c16-bbe6-794c92ab9c61) About SubSummit: SubSummit brings together thousands of executives and operators from established enterprises, direct-to-consumer, fast-growing startups, innovative tech companies, active investors, and more. These pioneers come from across a broad range of industries, including e-commerce, media, publishing, retail, streaming, SaaS, digital, automotive, and beyond. From FabFitFun to Walmart+ to MasterClass, the world’s leading brands leverage SubSummit to remain catalysts in consumer engagement and product experiences. Simply put, if you’re in subscription, membership, or recurring revenue, you’re at SubSummit. Website: https://subsummit.com/ (https://subsummit.com/) LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/subsummit/ (https://www.linkedin.com/company/subsummit/) Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/sub_summit/ (https://www.instagram.com/sub_summit/) Show notes by Podcastologist: Hanz Jimuel Alvarez Audio production by Turnkey Podcast Productions. (https://t.sidekickopen77.com/s1t/c/5/f18dQhb0S7lM8dDMPbW2n0x6l2B9nMJN7t5XWPdSD1CW2zq9rs4Y8_jsTmtwR3JwfC-103?te=W3R5hFj4cm2zwW4mKLS-4fPf-FW3XWJt643Pr3GF4cQb1fmLXp1&si=8000000000242417&pi=a234d7d8-f11b-4fd4-feb6-16232278dc85)You're the expert. Your podcast will prove it.
10 Jun 2026
Building a Subscription Empire: Battlbox & Good Ranchers Share How They Did It
Two very different brands—survival gear and premium meat—used the same playbook to build massive subscription businesses: obsessive focus on quality, ruthless clarity on their ideal customer, and relentless work on retention. In this episode, they unpack the real levers behind 60k+ subscribers, multi‑million dollar recurring revenue, and long-term loyalty that survives rising costs and shifting ad platforms. In this episode, Nick, Ben Spell (Good Ranchers CEO), and John Roman (Battlbox CEO) discuss: Launching and evolving subscription-first business models Quality is the foundation for retention and LTV Finding and focusing on the right customer persona Churn prevention, win-back strategies, and feedback loops Tech stack choices, A/B testing, and subscription infrastructure Key Takeaways: Starting with a single, subscription-only product can force clarity on positioning and economics before expanding into one-time purchases and new channels. When the product quality is truly superior, retention marketing becomes far more effective than discount-driven tactics. Treat subscription platforms as revenue enablers, not just expenses. Proactive churn management, through timing, outreach, and listening to cancellation reasons, can be more powerful than pouring budget into acquisition. Clearly defined customer personas drive better ad choices, partnership strategies, and a healthier lifetime value. “You can trick people into buying things, but if you don't have a quality product, they're not going to subscribe, and they're not going to keep buying.” -Ben Spell About Ben Spell and Good Ranchers: Founded by Ben and Corley Spell to connect people to honest, quality food. By sourcing all meat from local, independent U.S. farms, they bring remarkable quality and real community back to the American table. Connect with Ben: LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/benspell (https://www.linkedin.com/in/benspell) Website: https://www.goodranchers.com/ (https://www.goodranchers.com/) About John Roman and BattlBox: John Roman is an experienced D2C and B2B strategist currently serving as CEO at BattlBox. Battlbox is your monthly subscription for hand-picked outdoor, survival, EDC, and cool gear chosen for you to carry, use, or add to your emergency stash. Connect with John: LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/john-roman (https://www.linkedin.com/in/john-roman) Website: https://www.battlbox.com/ (https://www.battlbox.com/) Connect with Nick Trueman: Podcast: https://podcasts.apple.com/gb/podcast/winning-with-shopify/id1373351568 (https://podcasts.apple.com/gb/podcast/winning-with-shopify/id1373351568) Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/winningwithshopifypodcast/ (https://www.instagram.com/winningwithshopifypodcast/) TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@winningwithshopify (https://www.tiktok.com/@winningwithshopify) YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@winningwithshopify (https://www.youtube.com/@winningwithshopify) Join our newsletter: https://wwspodcast.com/ (https://wwspodcast.com/) SubSummit will be at Nashville City Center from June 21 - 23, 2027. Join the waitlist HERE: https://subsummit.com/#waitlist Book your meeting with Christopher George from SubSummit here: https://meetings.hubspot.com/chris3306/linkedin-profile?uuid=0c103e97-4adc-4c16-bbe6-794c92ab9c61 About SubSummit: SubSummit brings together thousands of subscription, membership, and recurring revenue enterprises, direct-to-consumer startups, and active investors. Leading brands leverage SubSummit to remain catalysts in consumer engagement and product experiences. Website: https://subsummit.com/ (https://subsummit.com/) LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/subsummit/ (https://www.linkedin.com/company/subsummit/) Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/sub_summit/ (https://www.instagram.com/sub_summit/) Show notes by Podcastologist: Hanz Jimuel Alvarez Audio production by Turnkey Podcast Productions. You're the expert. Your podcast will prove it.
5 Jun 2026
Built on Trust: How Swanson Vitamins is Making D2C Subscription-First
A 56-year-old wellness brand is rewriting its direct-to-consumer playbook, turning subscriptions from a buried feature into the core of its customer experience. Discover how Swanson is using personalization, internal culture change, and a deep trust with customers to double subscriptions and build true relationship commerce. In this episode, Doug, Erin Del Ponte, and Meghan Carlson discuss: Legacy D2C brand evolving into subscription-first Reframing subscription as a brand experience, not a transaction Site, naming, and payment changes to reduce friction Internal alignment, education, and marketing Data-driven, personalized subscription growth and lifetime value Key Takeaways: A strong subscription program should feel like an extension of the brand. Moving beyond “set it and forget it” requires continuous optimization based on changing trends, features, and customer behavior. Internal education and buy-in are critical to confidently communicating the value of subscriptions. Frictionless enrollment, flexible management, and modern payment options all contribute directly to higher adoption and retention. The long game of subscription success is lifetime value: using data, personalization, and cross-functional alignment to deepen relationships over time. “When we think about subscription, it's not just a transaction; it's an extension of how we come to life as a brand.” - Erin Del Ponte Check out the featured companies: Swanson Vitamins here: https://www.swansonvitamins.com/ (https://www.swansonvitamins.com/?srsltid=AfmBOorrxl1aKvhfyvS98X4UwChRlnLXgQADx4DJ6ssgcI2v3exVQGRZ) OrderGroove: http://www.ordergroove.com/ (http://www.ordergroove.com/) About the guest, Erin Del Ponte: Erin Del Ponte is a senior marketing executive with over a decade of experience driving growth for consumer brands across CPG, DTC, and eCommerce channels. Specializing in omnichannel marketing, brand strategy, digital transformation, and global expansion, she has successfully led marketing organizations for both high-growth startups and established brands, delivering double-digit revenue growth, increasing customer lifetime value, and strengthening brand equity. Connect with Erin Del Ponte: LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/erindelponte/ (https://www.linkedin.com/in/erindelponte/) About the guest, Meghan Carlson: Meghan Carlson is a customer success and account management professional with a strong background in client services, project execution, and relationship management. As Manager of Customer Success at Ordergroove, she partners with clients to drive business growth, optimize customer experiences, and deliver measurable results through strategic account leadership. She also holds an MBA with a concentration in Marketing from The University of Texas at Dallas. Connect with Meghan Carlson: LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/meghanscarlson/ (https://www.linkedin.com/in/meghanscarlson/) SubSummit will be at Nashville City Center from June 21 - 23, 2027 Join the waitlist HERE: https://subsummit.com/#waitlist (https://subsummit.com/#waitlist) Book your meeting with Christopher George from SubSummit here: https://meetings.hubspot.com/chris3306/linkedin-profile?uuid=0c103e97-4adc-4c16-bbe6-794c92ab9c61 (https://meetings.hubspot.com/chris3306/linkedin-profile?uuid=0c103e97-4adc-4c16-bbe6-794c92ab9c61) About SubSummit: SubSummit brings together thousands of executives and operators from established enterprises, direct-to-consumer, fast-growing startups, innovative tech companies, active investors, and more. These pioneers come from across a broad range of industries, including e-commerce, media, publishing, retail, streaming, SaaS, digital, automotive, and beyond. From FabFitFun to Walmart+ to MasterClass, the world’s leading brands leverage SubSummit to remain catalysts in consumer engagement and product experiences. Simply put, if you’re in subscription, membership, or recurring revenue, you’re at SubSummit. Website: https://subsummit.com/ (https://subsummit.com/) LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/subsummit/ (https://www.linkedin.com/company/subsummit/) Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/sub_summit/ (https://www.instagram.com/sub_summit/) Show notes by Podcastologist: Hanz Jimuel Alvarez Audio production by Turnkey Podcast Productions. (https://t.sidekickopen77.com/s1t/c/5/f18dQhb0S7lM8dDMPbW2n0x6l2B9nMJN7t5XWPdSD1CW2zq9rs4Y8_jsTmtwR3JwfC-103?te=W3R5hFj4cm2zwW4mKLS-4fPf-FW3XWJt643Pr3GF4cQb1fmLXp1&si=8000000000242417&pi=a234d7d8-f11b-4fd4-feb6-16232278dc85)You're the expert. Your podcast will prove it.
5 May 2026
Logan Karam: Inside Fabletics’ Playbook for Real-World AI Adoption
Artificial intelligence isn’t just changing technology—it’s redefining how work gets done. In this episode, you’ll hear from Fabletics’ AI Program Director, Logan Karam, as she previews her upcoming SubSummit session and shares how her team is turning AI from a buzzword into real, measurable business impact. In this episode, Doug and Logan Karam discuss: Surface-level vs. deep AI adoption in organizations Blending structured and unstructured data with AI in workflows Leadership, culture, and task forces for AI enablement Why tool access and training alone don’t drive adoption The power of AI champions and security-first AI rollout Key Takeaways: Many companies stall at surface-level AI use because they don’t invest the time to deeply understand capabilities or rethink how work is actually structured. Real AI impact comes from redesigning workflows, identifying where time is lost, standardizing processes, and embedding AI directly into how tasks get done. Adoption is driven by culture and leadership: curious, hands-on teams combined with leadership that mandates rethinking work will move faster than any one “type” of department. Measuring AI success requires looking beyond basic usage metrics and focusing instead on cycle times, output volume, performance improvements, and behavior shifts. Individual power users and AI champions can dramatically shape how an organization adopts AI, but they must be supported by strong security practices and a cross-functional partnership with IT. “My thinking has really shifted from adoption is not just an educational problem, but it's a design problem. You have to really change how the work actually happens, and there's a lot of work that goes into that.” - Logan Karam About the guest, Logan Karam: Logan Karam is a Program Director, AI at Fabletics, bringing expertise in program leadership and strategic operations within the apparel retail sector. Their background demonstrates a focus on driving program initiatives and optimizing business processes. Within Fabletics, Logan has progressed through several roles, including AI Program Lead and Operations & AI Program Lead Senior Manager, Strategy. Earlier, at TechStyle Fashion Group, they served as Senior Manager, Strategy & Operations, contributing to strategic planning and operational improvements within the apparel and accessories retail environment. Logan holds a Bachelor of Science degree from Stanford University and graduated from Lutheran High School of Orange. Connect with Logan Karam: LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/logan-karam/ (https://www.linkedin.com/in/logan-karam/) Fabletics: https://www.fabletics.com/ (https://www.fabletics.com/) SubSummit will be in Kansas City, May 13-15, 2026 Attend SubSummit FOR FREE Here: https://subsummit.com/hosted-merchant-meetings-program/ (https://subsummit.com/hosted-merchant-meetings-program/) You can also register here: https://subsummit.com/tickets/ (https://subsummit.com/tickets/) Book your meeting with Christopher George from SubSummit here: https://meetings.hubspot.com/chris3306/linkedin-profile?uuid=0c103e97-4adc-4c16-bbe6-794c92ab9c61 (https://meetings.hubspot.com/chris3306/linkedin-profile?uuid=0c103e97-4adc-4c16-bbe6-794c92ab9c61) About SubSummit: SubSummit brings together thousands of executives and operators from established enterprises, direct-to-consumer, fast-growing startups, innovative tech companies, active investors, and more. These pioneers come from across a broad range of industries, including e-commerce, media, publishing, retail, streaming, SaaS, digital, automotive, and beyond. From FabFitFun to Walmart+ to MasterClass, the world’s leading brands leverage SubSummit to remain catalysts in consumer engagement and product experiences. Simply put, if you’re in subscription, membership, or recurring revenue, you’re at SubSummit. Website: https://subsummit.com/ (https://subsummit.com/) LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/subsummit/ (https://www.linkedin.com/company/subsummit/) Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/sub_summit/ (https://www.instagram.com/sub_summit/) Show notes by Podcastologist: Hanz Jimuel Alvarez Audio production by Turnkey Podcast Productions. (https://t.sidekickopen77.com/s1t/c/5/f18dQhb0S7lM8dDMPbW2n0x6l2B9nMJN7t5XWPdSD1CW2zq9rs4Y8_jsTmtwR3JwfC-103?te=W3R5hFj4cm2zwW4mKLS-4fPf-FW3XWJt643Pr3GF4cQb1fmLXp1&si=8000000000242417&pi=a234d7d8-f11b-4fd4-feb6-16232278dc85)You're the expert. Your podcast will prove it.
28 Apr 2026
Domonique Brown: Bridging Customer Experience and Retention with AI
In a world where AI is transforming every part of commerce, this episode dives into how customer experience teams can use it to reduce churn, extend lifetime value, and build loyalty that actually lasts. Learn how a leading DTC brand experiments with AI, CX data, and retention flows to meet customers where they are and keep them coming back. In this episode, Doug and Domonique Brown discuss: AI’s role in retention and post-purchase experience Turning voice-of-customer data into real-time CX improvements Understanding churn drivers beyond price and discounts Automating CX with chatbots while preserving human touch Experimentation and strategy for AI-first retention workflows Key Takeaways: When brands obsess over front-end offers and ignore the post-purchase journey, churn rises and lifetime value drops. To truly own the customer experience, teams need shared success metrics and a steady drumbeat of customer data flowing across the organization. Relying on discounts as a catch‑all fix is a mistake; most cancellation attempts are rooted in UX friction, convenience issues, or lack of education—not just price. AI chatbots are ideal for handling high-volume, repeatable, time‑sensitive requests, which lets human agents focus on the nuanced, emotional, and complex situations where they add the most value. Whether you’re a fast-growing newcomer or a long‑established brand, you must keep experimenting with AI and iterating your systems to stay aligned with evolving customer behavior and expectations. “No matter where you are as a brand, whether you are just getting started or whether you are a legacy brand, we're all in the same place. We're experimenting to learn and meet our customers wherever they are.” - Domonique Brown About the guest, Domonique Brown: Domonique Brown is the Head of Customer Experience at Liquid I.V., where she has spent the past seven years leading customer support operations, CX technological innovation, voice of consumer data and analytics, and AEO/GEO initiatives. She brings nine years of experience in the direct-to-consumer subscription space, primarily across beauty, health, and wellness brands. At SubSummit 2026, her expertise centers on AI in customer experience, strengthening collaboration between CX and retention teams, improving the end-to-end subscription experience, and building loyalty programs that drive deeper customer engagement and long-term retention. Connect with Domonique Brown: LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/domonique-brown-42229baa/ (https://www.linkedin.com/in/domonique-brown-42229baa/) SubSummit will be in Kansas City, May 13-15, 2026 Attend SubSummit FOR FREE Here: https://subsummit.com/hosted-merchant-meetings-program/ (https://subsummit.com/hosted-merchant-meetings-program/) You can also register here: https://subsummit.com/tickets/ (https://subsummit.com/tickets/) Book your meeting with Christopher George from SubSummit here: https://meetings.hubspot.com/chris3306/linkedin-profile?uuid=0c103e97-4adc-4c16-bbe6-794c92ab9c61 (https://meetings.hubspot.com/chris3306/linkedin-profile?uuid=0c103e97-4adc-4c16-bbe6-794c92ab9c61) About SubSummit: SubSummit brings together thousands of executives and operators from established enterprises, direct-to-consumer, fast-growing startups, innovative tech companies, active investors, and more. These pioneers come from across a broad range of industries, including e-commerce, media, publishing, retail, streaming, SaaS, digital, automotive, and beyond. From FabFitFun to Walmart+ to MasterClass, the world’s leading brands leverage SubSummit to remain catalysts in consumer engagement and product experiences. Simply put, if you’re in subscription, membership, or recurring revenue, you’re at SubSummit. Website: https://subsummit.com/ (https://subsummit.com/) LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/subsummit/ (https://www.linkedin.com/company/subsummit/) Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/sub_summit/ (https://www.instagram.com/sub_summit/) Show notes by Podcastologist: Hanz Jimuel Alvarez Audio production by Turnkey Podcast Productions. (https://t.sidekickopen77.com/s1t/c/5/f18dQhb0S7lM8dDMPbW2n0x6l2B9nMJN7t5XWPdSD1CW2zq9rs4Y8_jsTmtwR3JwfC-103?te=W3R5hFj4cm2zwW4mKLS-4fPf-FW3XWJt643Pr3GF4cQb1fmLXp1&si=8000000000242417&pi=a234d7d8-f11b-4fd4-feb6-16232278dc85)You're the expert. Your podcast will prove it.
21 Apr 2026
Robbie Giles: The New Playbook for Performance Marketing
Rising cost per thousand (CPMs), fickle algorithms, and endless creative demands are rewriting the rules of performance marketing. In this episode, you’ll hear how a leading subscription marketer is using specificity, trust, and tight ad-to-landing-page congruency to turn attention into high-intent subscribers at scale. In this episode, Doug and Robbie Giles discuss: Meta CPM inflation and AI-driven algorithm shifts Building creatives that grab the attention of the right people, not just anyone Sequencing performance, precision, and trust at scale Messaging and visual congruency from ad to landing page Rethinking metrics: CTR, CVR, and the power of funnel rate Key Takeaways: As Meta gets more expensive and algorithmically sophisticated, brands must move beyond simple hook swaps and build genuinely distinct creatives for different audience segments. The path to scalable growth starts with precise performance marketing to identify what resonates, then layers on trust through believable promises, proof, and product quality. Creatives that win don’t just grab attention; it filters for the right intent so algorithms learn from qualified engagement instead of noisy clicks. Consistency between the ad message, landing page copy, and visual identity builds trust and can drive meaningful conversion lifts, especially at scale. Evaluating click-through rate or conversion rate on their own can mislead teams; optimizing for the combined funnel rate from impression to conversion is far more powerful. “I've learned that you can find similarities and learn lessons from companies that actually are very dissimilar.” - Robbie Giles About the guest, Robbie Giles: Robbie Giles is the SVP of Consumer Marketing at MasterClass, where he’s turning clicks into customers and marketing into momentum. He leads big-budget campaigns across Meta, Google, TV, and more—mixing sharp data with bold creative to fuel serious subscriber growth. Before that, he helped build the marketing engines at Fandango and Vudu, and got his start at Disney. Since 2015, MasterClass has been the place where you don’t just learn—you learn from the best. One membership gets you in the room (virtually) with world-class instructors across business, writing, sports, and more. Connect with Robbie Giles: LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/robbie-giles-a16a5b29 (https://www.linkedin.com/in/robbie-giles-a16a5b29) SubSummit will be in Kansas City, May 13-15, 2026 Attend SubSummit FOR FREE Here: https://subsummit.com/hosted-merchant-meetings-program/ (https://subsummit.com/hosted-merchant-meetings-program/) You can also register here: https://subsummit.com/tickets/ (https://subsummit.com/tickets/) Book your meeting with Christopher George from SubSummit here: https://meetings.hubspot.com/chris3306/linkedin-profile?uuid=0c103e97-4adc-4c16-bbe6-794c92ab9c61 (https://meetings.hubspot.com/chris3306/linkedin-profile?uuid=0c103e97-4adc-4c16-bbe6-794c92ab9c61) About SubSummit: SubSummit brings together thousands of executives and operators from established enterprises, direct-to-consumer, fast-growing startups, innovative tech companies, active investors, and more. These pioneers come from across a broad range of industries, including e-commerce, media, publishing, retail, streaming, SaaS, digital, automotive, and beyond. From FabFitFun to Walmart+ to MasterClass, the world’s leading brands leverage SubSummit to remain catalysts in consumer engagement and product experiences. Simply put, if you’re in subscription, membership, or recurring revenue, you’re at SubSummit. Website: https://subsummit.com/ (https://subsummit.com/) LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/subsummit/ (https://www.linkedin.com/company/subsummit/) Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/sub_summit/ (https://www.instagram.com/sub_summit/) Show notes by Podcastologist: Hanz Jimuel Alvarez Audio production by Turnkey Podcast Productions. (https://t.sidekickopen77.com/s1t/c/5/f18dQhb0S7lM8dDMPbW2n0x6l2B9nMJN7t5XWPdSD1CW2zq9rs4Y8_jsTmtwR3JwfC-103?te=W3R5hFj4cm2zwW4mKLS-4fPf-FW3XWJt643Pr3GF4cQb1fmLXp1&si=8000000000242417&pi=a234d7d8-f11b-4fd4-feb6-16232278dc85)You're the expert. Your podcast will prove it.
14 Apr 2026
Adam Pivko: Unlocking Better Marketing and Growing Subscription Brands
Most brands either drown in low-quality content or agonize over a few ‘perfect’ ads. In this episode, Adam Pivko shares how to get 1% better every day and build a modern creative engine that truly scales. In this episode, Doug and Adam Pivko discuss: Creative ladder framework CPA–LTV performance metrics Scaling creative with feedback loops Continuous testing and 1% daily improvement Media buying as data acquisition Key Takeaways: Treat creatives like a ladder, not a lottery, and that means ranking assets by effort and forcing every idea to “earn” its way up by proving performance at lower rungs first. Clicks and surface-level engagement can mislead; what truly matters is how efficiently you acquire customers and what they’re worth over time. Build a tight feedback loop between data and creatives. Chase 1% daily improvement instead of home runs because compounding small wins through continuous testing will move your business further than rare “hero” ads that you hope will save the quarter. When you see each dollar spent as a way to acquire better, richer insight, you expand what you’re willing to test, learn faster, and unlock more profitable scale. “To me, media buying is the acquisition of data, and the byproduct of buying better and better data is more profitable revenue.” - Adam Pivko Adam Pivko at SubSummit: Adam will be at SubSummit in May. His session is presented along with Phoenix Ha, catch her episode on The SubSummit Podcast as well. The title of the session is “Building & Deploying High-Volume, High-Value Creative Engines.” About the guest, Adam Pivko: Adam Pivko is the Chief Marketing Officer at Direct Meds and a long-time operator in the recurring revenue and subscription space. At Direct Meds, he focuses on building and scaling high-volume, high-value creative engines, leveraging a “creative ladder” framework to systematically test and improve ad performance. Adam is deeply driven by an ethos of getting 1% better every day, using continuous experimentation, CPA-to-LTV metrics, and data-driven media buying—where he views media buying primarily as the acquisition of better data. A frequent participant in the Sub Summit community, Adam shares his expertise with founders, CMOs, and growth leaders who are scaling paid media and creative at significant daily spend levels. Connect with Adam Pivko: LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/adampivko/ (https://www.linkedin.com/in/adampivko/) Company: https://www.tryautumn.com/ (https://www.tryautumn.com/) | https://directmeds.com/ (https://directmeds.com/) SubSummit will be in Kansas City, May 13-15, 2026 Attend SubSummit FOR FREE Here: https://subsummit.com/hosted-merchant-meetings-program/ (https://subsummit.com/hosted-merchant-meetings-program/) You can also register here: https://subsummit.com/tickets/ (https://subsummit.com/tickets/) Book your meeting with Christopher George from SubSummit here: https://meetings.hubspot.com/chris3306/linkedin-profile?uuid=0c103e97-4adc-4c16-bbe6-794c92ab9c61 (https://meetings.hubspot.com/chris3306/linkedin-profile?uuid=0c103e97-4adc-4c16-bbe6-794c92ab9c61) About SubSummit: SubSummit brings together thousands of executives and operators from established enterprises, direct-to-consumer, fast-growing startups, innovative tech companies, active investors, and more. These pioneers come from across a broad range of industries, including e-commerce, media, publishing, retail, streaming, SaaS, digital, automotive, and beyond. From FabFitFun to Walmart+ to MasterClass, the world’s leading brands leverage SubSummit to remain catalysts in consumer engagement and product experiences. Simply put, if you’re in subscription, membership, or recurring revenue, you’re at SubSummit. Website: https://subsummit.com/ (https://subsummit.com/) LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/subsummit/ (https://www.linkedin.com/company/subsummit/) Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/sub_summit/ (https://www.instagram.com/sub_summit/) Show notes by Podcastologist: Hanz Jimuel Alvarez Audio production by Turnkey Podcast Productions. (https://t.sidekickopen77.com/s1t/c/5/f18dQhb0S7lM8dDMPbW2n0x6l2B9nMJN7t5XWPdSD1CW2zq9rs4Y8_jsTmtwR3JwfC-103?te=W3R5hFj4cm2zwW4mKLS-4fPf-FW3XWJt643Pr3GF4cQb1fmLXp1&si=8000000000242417&pi=a234d7d8-f11b-4fd4-feb6-16232278dc85)You're the expert. Your podcast will prove it.
7 Apr 2026
Reba Hatcher: Meet Better Meat: ButcherBox’s Subscription to Shelf Strategy
What happens when a pure DTC subscription brand jumps onto retail shelves without “losing the box”? ButcherBox CCO Reba Hatcher breaks down the real risks, rewards, and data behind going from subscription to shelf. In this episode, Doug and Reba Hatcher discuss: Transition from subscription to retail Customer data and Voice of the Customer Packaging, labeling, and on-shelf presence Loyalty programs and in-person customer experiences Retention signals and subscription flexibility Key Takeaways: Going from subscription to shelf, ButcherBox leaned into retail because a huge portion of shoppers still decide dinner at 4 p.m., a moment the subscription model alone can’t reach. A tight, disciplined brand story has to live on a tiny piece of packaging. Channel-specific behavior should shape your product format, and after a failed experiment putting boxes on shelves, ButcherBox realized they needed to sell like the rest of the meat aisle—individual cuts, familiar presentation—while still signaling they’re different through design and claims. Real loyalty comes from embedding into everyday meals, not just special occasions. Human conversations can be your most advanced data tool, and through Sizzle Society and Chef’s Table dinners, Reba’s team hears unfiltered stories about freezers, family drama, and failed defrosts—context that reframes how ButcherBox designs experiences, messaging, and support. “We know we are the healthiest option for protein on the planet that you can get delivered... and we're here to transform the meat industry and become the world's first beloved meat brand, because there isn't one—that's our reason for being.” - Reba Hatcher About the guest, Reba Hatcher: Reba Hatcher is the Chief Commercial Officer at ButcherBox, where she leads top-line revenue growth and develops new, innovative revenue streams. She oversees pricing, merchandising, revenue retention, and partnerships for the direct-to-consumer meat brand, which recently expanded from a 100% subscription model into major retail channels, including Target and Costco. With a strong focus on being customer-obsessed, Reba champions data-driven decision-making, robust Voice of the Customer programs, and analog, in-person customer experiences such as ButcherBox’s Sizzle Society loyalty program and its Chef’s Table dinners. Connect with Reba Hatcher: LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/rebahatcher/ (https://www.linkedin.com/in/rebahatcher/) SubSummit will be in Kansas City, May 13-15, 2026 Attend SubSummit FOR FREE Here: https://subsummit.com/hosted-merchant-meetings-program/ (https://subsummit.com/hosted-merchant-meetings-program/) You can also register here: https://subsummit.com/tickets/ (https://subsummit.com/tickets/) Book your meeting with Christopher George from SubSummit here: https://meetings.hubspot.com/chris3306/linkedin-profile?uuid=0c103e97-4adc-4c16-bbe6-794c92ab9c61 (https://meetings.hubspot.com/chris3306/linkedin-profile?uuid=0c103e97-4adc-4c16-bbe6-794c92ab9c61) About SubSummit: SubSummit brings together thousands of executives and operators from established enterprises, direct-to-consumer, fast-growing startups, innovative tech companies, active investors, and more. These pioneers come from across a broad range of industries, including e-commerce, media, publishing, retail, streaming, SaaS, digital, automotive, and beyond. From FabFitFun to Walmart+ to MasterClass, the world’s leading brands leverage SubSummit to remain catalysts in consumer engagement and product experiences. Simply put, if you’re in subscription, membership, or recurring revenue, you’re at SubSummit. Website: https://subsummit.com/ (https://subsummit.com/) LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/subsummit/ (https://www.linkedin.com/company/subsummit/) Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/sub_summit/ (https://www.instagram.com/sub_summit/) Show notes by Podcastologist: Hanz Jimuel Alvarez Audio production by Turnkey Podcast Productions. (https://t.sidekickopen77.com/s1t/c/5/f18dQhb0S7lM8dDMPbW2n0x6l2B9nMJN7t5XWPdSD1CW2zq9rs4Y8_jsTmtwR3JwfC-103?te=W3R5hFj4cm2zwW4mKLS-4fPf-FW3XWJt643Pr3GF4cQb1fmLXp1&si=8000000000242417&pi=a234d7d8-f11b-4fd4-feb6-16232278dc85)You're the expert. Your podcast will prove it.
31 Mar 2026
Phoenix Ha: “Would I Actually Buy This?”: Creativity That Truly Converts
In this episode, Doug and Phoenix Ha discuss: Subscription retention and LTV Community-driven social commerce Authentic, high-performing creative Future of live selling Building high-volume, high-value creative engines Key Takeaways: Brands obsessed with front-end acquisition but neglecting retention are essentially pouring customers into a leaky bucket, and real LTV power comes from keeping people past months 3, 6, 9, and 12. What used to be dismissed as “soft” brand or engagement data now clearly drives repeat purchase and advocacy, as seen in her examples of sneaker culture, TikTok discovery, and constant but thoughtful touchpoints. Authenticity in creative outperforms overproduced content. Churning out hundreds of weak iterations isn’t a creative engine; the operators winning are those who build systems that generate many high-quality variations rooted in real consumer behavior and self-skepticism (“would I actually buy this?”). Live selling is an under-exploited frontier for subscriptions. “The biggest currency is to be able to monetize off of a very authentic and genuine moment. And that's very difficult to do.” - Phoenix Ha About the guest, Phoenix Ha: Phoenix Ha is an e-commerce growth operator specializing in building high-velocity creative and performance marketing systems that drive scalable revenue for subscription and social commerce brands. She previously co-founded and led Ad Beacon, a first-party data platform built for the post–iOS 14.5 ad landscape, and helped scale social commerce at Instant Hydration, drawing on a background that spans media buying, SaaS, experiential brand building, and influencer/community management. Known for her focus on retention, community, and authenticity in creative, Phoenix challenges brands to ask, “Would I actually buy this—and keep subscribing?” Her work centers on turning real consumer behavior into high-performing creative engines, with a sharp eye on the future of live selling and long-term LTV growth. Connect with Phoenix Ha: LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/phoenixha/ (https://www.linkedin.com/in/phoenixha/) X (Twitter): https://x.com/_phoenixha (https://x.com/_phoenixha) Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/phoenix_ha (https://www.instagram.com/phoenix_ha) TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@phoenixha (https://www.tiktok.com/@phoenixha) SubSummit will be in Kansas City, May 13-15, 2026 Attend SubSummit FOR FREE Here: https://subsummit.com/hosted-merchant-meetings-program/ (https://subsummit.com/hosted-merchant-meetings-program/) You can also book your tickets here: https://subsummit.com/tickets/ (https://subsummit.com/tickets/) Book your meeting with Christopher George from SubSummit here: https://meetings.hubspot.com/chris3306/linkedin-profile?uuid=0c103e97-4adc-4c16-bbe6-794c92ab9c61 (https://meetings.hubspot.com/chris3306/linkedin-profile?uuid=0c103e97-4adc-4c16-bbe6-794c92ab9c61) About SubSummit: SubSummit brings together thousands of executives and operators from established enterprises, direct-to-consumer, fast-growing startups, innovative tech companies, active investors, and more. These pioneers come from across a broad range of industries, including e-commerce, media, publishing, retail, streaming, SaaS, digital, automotive, and beyond. From FabFitFun to Walmart+ to MasterClass, the world’s leading brands leverage SubSummit to remain catalysts in consumer engagement and product experiences. Simply put, if you’re in subscription, membership, or recurring revenue, you’re at SubSummit. Website: https://subsummit.com/ (https://subsummit.com/) LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/subsummit/ (https://www.linkedin.com/company/subsummit/) Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/sub_summit/ (https://www.instagram.com/sub_summit/) Show notes by Podcastologist: Hanz Jimuel Alvarez Audio production by Turnkey Podcast Productions. (https://t.sidekickopen77.com/s1t/c/5/f18dQhb0S7lM8dDMPbW2n0x6l2B9nMJN7t5XWPdSD1CW2zq9rs4Y8_jsTmtwR3JwfC-103?te=W3R5hFj4cm2zwW4mKLS-4fPf-FW3XWJt643Pr3GF4cQb1fmLXp1&si=8000000000242417&pi=a234d7d8-f11b-4fd4-feb6-16232278dc85)You're the expert. Your podcast will prove it.
31 Mar 2026
Mike Woodall: How Whisker Turned Cat Data Into Recurring Revenue
In this episode, Doug and Mike Woodall discuss: Brands excelling at subscriptions Whisker’s data-driven subscription and engagement strategy Subscription conversion experiments and UX changes Discount and offer testing for subscriber acquisition The feedback loop: community, CX, and continuous optimization Key Takeaways: Whisker’s growth engine is its own app ecosystem, which converts litter box buyers into highly engaged subscribers by feeding behavior and device data into CRM. The “hide buy-once” experiment shows how small UX changes can massively shift subscription mix without hurting revenue. Discounting is treated as a testable lever, not a default growth tactic, and Mike’s team is carefully watching whether aggressive first-order offers (35% sitewide and 50% off litter) deliver durable subscriber value or just front-load signups that quickly churn. Whisker’s active Reddit base and close partnership with the CX team surface real-world friction in the subscription experience, directly informing roadmap and UX changes. A subscription program is managed more like a living product than a one-time setup. “From the SubSummit conferences I've been to in the past, I've always garnered a lot from hearing from the speakers and from different companies about their successes as well as their shortcomings.” - Mike Woodall About the guest, Mike Woodall: Mike Woodall is the Director of CRM & Subscriptions at Whisker and an experienced digital marketing leader with over 12 years of expertise in email, CRM, and retention lifecycle marketing. He has built and optimized high-performing customer engagement programs for both startups and established enterprise companies. Mike has deep experience working with leading CRM and marketing automation platforms, including Braze, Oracle Responsys, Klaviyo, and Iterable. Known for his strengths in client retention strategy, growth forecasting, and cross-functional leadership, he effectively collaborates with executive teams while guiding marketing initiatives that drive long-term customer engagement and business growth. Connect with Mike Woodall: LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/mikejwoodall/ (https://www.linkedin.com/in/mikejwoodall/) Website: https://www.whisker.com/ (https://www.whisker.com/) SubSummit will be in Kansas City, May 13-15, 2026 Attend SubSummit FOR FREE Here: https://subsummit.com/hosted-merchant-meetings-program/ (https://subsummit.com/hosted-merchant-meetings-program/) You can also book your tickets here: https://subsummit.com/tickets/ (https://subsummit.com/tickets/) Book your meeting with Christopher George from SubSummit here: https://meetings.hubspot.com/chris3306/linkedin-profile?uuid=0c103e97-4adc-4c16-bbe6-794c92ab9c61 (https://meetings.hubspot.com/chris3306/linkedin-profile?uuid=0c103e97-4adc-4c16-bbe6-794c92ab9c61) About SubSummit: SubSummit brings together thousands of executives and operators from established enterprises, direct-to-consumer, fast-growing startups, innovative tech companies, active investors, and more. These pioneers come from across a broad range of industries, including e-commerce, media, publishing, retail, streaming, SaaS, digital, automotive, and beyond. From FabFitFun to Walmart+ to MasterClass, the world’s leading brands leverage SubSummit to remain catalysts in consumer engagement and product experiences. Simply put, if you’re in subscription, membership, or recurring revenue, you’re at SubSummit. Website: https://subsummit.com/ (https://subsummit.com/) LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/subsummit/ (https://www.linkedin.com/company/subsummit/) Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/sub_summit/ (https://www.instagram.com/sub_summit/) Show notes by Podcastologist: Hanz Jimuel Alvarez Audio production by Turnkey Podcast Productions. (https://t.sidekickopen77.com/s1t/c/5/f18dQhb0S7lM8dDMPbW2n0x6l2B9nMJN7t5XWPdSD1CW2zq9rs4Y8_jsTmtwR3JwfC-103?te=W3R5hFj4cm2zwW4mKLS-4fPf-FW3XWJt643Pr3GF4cQb1fmLXp1&si=8000000000242417&pi=a234d7d8-f11b-4fd4-feb6-16232278dc85)You're the expert. Your podcast will prove it.
31 Mar 2026
Jennifer Cline: Inside SubSummit: Where the Recurring Revenue World Connects
In this episode, Doug and Jennifer Cline discuss: What SubSummit is and who it serves How SubSummit differentiates itself from other conferences The “Crossroads of Commerce” theme and changing omni‑channel expectations Key trends in recurring revenue and customer experience Who will be at SubSummit and how to attend Key Takeaways: Sub Summit is built by people who have actually run subscription businesses, so its content is grounded in real operator experience rather than theory, and attendees leave with practical playbooks and solutions they can plug directly into their own recurring revenue models. Sub Summit is designed for intentional, problem-solving conversations, especially through daily industry roundtables where 6–10 merchants dig into specific challenges together. “Omnichannel” is no longer a buzzword at Sub Summit—it’s treated as a baseline expectation that brands truly live across product placement and marketing. Flexible options like visible pause/cancel features, buy-now-pay-later, and value-adding partnerships are presented as core levers for long-term retention and higher LTV. Sub Summit emphasizes relationship-building as much as learning, with examples of attendees forming ongoing peer groups and mentorships that persist long after the event. “We’re not talking theory, we’re not talking ambiguous ideas. It’s really practical knowledge, and you’re walking away with those playbooks that you can immediately apply to your business.” - Jennifer Cline About Jennifer Cline: Jennifer Cline is a data-obsessed marketing leader who turns audience insights, engagement metrics, and behavioral trends into high-impact strategies. As Chief Marketing Officer at SubSummit, she focuses on growing and supporting the global recurring revenue ecosystem—spanning subscription, membership, loyalty, and rewards. Jennifer thrives at the intersection of DTC, e-commerce, and retail, using data to refine messaging, optimize content, and uncover the next big shifts in consumer behavior. At SubSummit, the only event dedicated to the $3 trillion recurring revenue economy, she leads the charge in creating experiences where brands connect, learn, and leave with actionable strategies that drive real results. Connect with Jennifer Cline: LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/jennifermcline/ (https://www.linkedin.com/in/jennifermcline/) SubSummit will be in Kansas City, May 13-15, 2026 Attend SubSummit FOR FREE Here: https://subsummit.com/hosted-merchant-meetings-program/ (https://subsummit.com/hosted-merchant-meetings-program/) You can also register here: https://subsummit.com/tickets/ (https://subsummit.com/tickets/) Book your meeting with Christopher George from SubSummit here: https://meetings.hubspot.com/chris3306/linkedin-profile?uuid=0c103e97-4adc-4c16-bbe6-794c92ab9c61 (https://meetings.hubspot.com/chris3306/linkedin-profile?uuid=0c103e97-4adc-4c16-bbe6-794c92ab9c61) About SubSummit: SubSummit brings together thousands of executives and operators from established enterprises, direct-to-consumer, fast-growing startups, innovative tech companies, active investors, and more. These pioneers come from across a broad range of industries, including e-commerce, media, publishing, retail, streaming, SaaS, digital, automotive, and beyond. From FabFitFun to Walmart+ to MasterClass, the world’s leading brands leverage SubSummit to remain catalysts in consumer engagement and product experiences. Simply put, if you’re in subscription, membership, or recurring revenue, you’re at SubSummit. Website: https://subsummit.com/ (https://subsummit.com/) LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/subsummit/ (https://www.linkedin.com/company/subsummit/) Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/sub_summit/ (https://www.instagram.com/sub_summit/) Show notes by Podcastologist: Hanz Jimuel Alvarez Audio production by Turnkey Podcast Productions. (https://t.sidekickopen77.com/s1t/c/5/f18dQhb0S7lM8dDMPbW2n0x6l2B9nMJN7t5XWPdSD1CW2zq9rs4Y8_jsTmtwR3JwfC-103?te=W3R5hFj4cm2zwW4mKLS-4fPf-FW3XWJt643Pr3GF4cQb1fmLXp1&si=8000000000242417&pi=a234d7d8-f11b-4fd4-feb6-16232278dc85)You're the expert. Your podcast will prove it.

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Sub-Summit

About Sub-Summit

Latest episodes

Adam Pivko: How Direct Meds' 4,000 Monthly Ads Drive Growth

Melanie Fox: How Dollar Shave Club Keeps Customers Coming Back

Bill McHenry: How Widgeteer Is Transforming Physical Commerce

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Startup CPG Podcast founder Daniel Scharff and Former CEO of Brightland Todd Hoffman

What Your Payment Declines Are Trying to Tell You — and How to Listen

Wowzitude Founder Susan Black: Building a 3 Million–Member Travel Community

Fraud Deflect CEO Scott Adams: Winning the War on Chargebacks and “Friendly Fraud”

Building a Subscription Empire: Battlbox & Good Ranchers Share How They Did It

Built on Trust: How Swanson Vitamins is Making D2C Subscription-First

Logan Karam: Inside Fabletics’ Playbook for Real-World AI Adoption

Domonique Brown: Bridging Customer Experience and Retention with AI

Robbie Giles: The New Playbook for Performance Marketing

Adam Pivko: Unlocking Better Marketing and Growing Subscription Brands

Reba Hatcher: Meet Better Meat: ButcherBox’s Subscription to Shelf Strategy

Phoenix Ha: “Would I Actually Buy This?”: Creativity That Truly Converts

Mike Woodall: How Whisker Turned Cat Data Into Recurring Revenue

Jennifer Cline: Inside SubSummit: Where the Recurring Revenue World Connects

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