Welcome to the world’s most entertaining marketing podcast.

Note: Beginning in 2026, The Marketing Companion has a new owner and host, Sandy Carter. The podcast will continue to offer the brightest ideas in marketing today and will remain on the same site where you enjoy podcasts today. New episodes of the podcast are available on Sandy’s website.

The archive of past shows hosted by Mark Schaefer over nearly 13 years will remain here.

Mark Schaefer is a globally-recognized marketing author, futurist, college educator, consultant, and keynote speaker. Every other week, Mark brings one of his “marketing companions” alongside him to do a deep dive into the trends of today that forge the marketing innovations of tomorrow.

The Marketing Companion –among the top 1 percent of all podcasts on iTunes — is always fun, always interesting, and always on-target with insights and ideas that will turn up your marketing intellect to an “11.” Find a topic in the guide below or push one of the subscribe buttons to get episodes delivered free to your email account every other week.

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Reviews

Could not be better, two intriguing and thought-provoking minds who possess the perfect balance of intellect and entertainment – Rany Bowden

The marketing podcast equivalent of a Snicker’s bar wrapped in bacon. Satisfying, intreating, and leaves you wanting more. – Rosemary O’Neil

Mark & Tom live up to the podcasting holy trinity: educate/inform/entertain – Jamie Wallace

What’s a pod cast? – Mark’s mother?

How Shein and Temu threw a bomb at eCommerce conventions

Shein and Temu seem to be breaking every eCommerce convention. Are these the new rules of marketing?

From Paycheck to Purpose: Why I Stopped Growing My Business

I stopped growing my business. I'm leaving money on the table. And it's all part of a plan that started 25 years ago.

The first voice-synthesized podcast episode

When Mark Schefer lost his voice, he turned to AI to help with the first voice-synthesized podcast episode.

A New Commercial Strategy: Creators and Community

Market dynamics are pushing creators and community to the forefront of marketing strategy. Influencers are wielding unprecedented power. Is it timwe to get onboard?

Cutting through the hype of Custom GPT

Creating a custom GPT is all the rage. Mark Schaefer and Paul Roetzer cut through the hype.

The marketing pillars of our future

Looking into the future seems hazardous these days, but here are six marketing pillars we can count on to carry us into the coming years.

Is it time for you to try messy marketing?

Is messy marketing a new trend? Maybe companies should annoy you to get your attention!

The Generosity Paradox: Why Corporate Giving Can Be Perilous

Corporate generosity is expected now, but the paradox is, it can do more harm than good. Mark Schaefer and Keith Jennings discuss on The Marketing Companion.

Is it possible to achieve human marketing at scale?

We live in a complex world where customers long for the human touch. But in an AI-crazed world, can human marketing scale? Mark Schaefer and Dennis Yu explore the idea!