In this insightful episode of the What It Takes podcast, we sit down with Morris Isaacson, the Chief Marketing Officer of Empeon, whose career spans more than two decades across brand strategy, digital marketing, and high-growth tech leadership. Morris has led marketing for iconic global brands like Polaroid, played a key role in a $1.1B IPO, and built data-driven marketing engines inside fast-scaling organizations. He breaks down the real evolution of modern marketing—from the creativity-first “Mad Men” era to the analytics, attribution, and performance-driven landscape companies operate in today. This episode is packed with career lessons, leadership insights, and a behind-the-scenes look at how top CMOs build brands that grow revenue, teams, and long-term impact. This is a masterclass in building a valuable career, leading high-performance teams, and staying ahead in one of the fastest-changing industries in the world. 💡 In This Episode, We Discuss: ◼️ Morris’s unconventional start: From psychology major to entertainment marketing◼️ Why marketing has shifted from art to science◼️ How to prove your value and win budget from data-driven CFOs◼️ The Polaroid comeback: Rebranding a nostalgic icon◼️ How to build a marketing team from zero◼️ The real ROI of trade shows — and how to execute them right◼️ Aligning sales and marketing for accurate pipeline data◼️ Career compensation: When your salary finally reflects your value◼️ What Morris looks for when hiring modern marketing talent◼️ The one skill that will make you irreplaceable today◼️ Final advice: Why doing what you love leads to a fulfilling career ⏱️ Chapters 00:00 Introduction & Podcast Purpose1:11 Guest Introduction: Morris Isaacson, CMO of Empeon2:18 The Unforgettable First Job Interview5:27 Early Career: From IDT to Yeshiva University9:21 The Polaroid Turnaround Story11:29 Building & Managing Marketing Teams16:35 The Evolution of Marketing: Data vs. Creativity19:08 Mastering Trade Shows & Proving ROI32:20 Career Advice: Compensation, Mistakes, and Hiring40:01 Final Thoughts: The 22-Year Career Reflection 🔗 Connect with Morris Isaacson: LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/misaacson/ 🔗 Connect with Tuli Kraus: X (Twitter): https://x.com/TuliKraus Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/blackbird.recruiting/ LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/tuli-kraus/ This episode is sponsored by Blackbird Recruiting. Tired of sifting through unqualified résumés? Let Blackbird Recruiting find you top talent so you can focus on building your business. Visit blackbirdrecruiting.com to learn more.

How does faith rewire your entire career? In this powerful episode of the What It Takes podcast, we sit down with Mrs. Esther Bergman, the CFO of Chai Lifeline, who oversees a massive $45 million budget dedicated to helping families with critically ill children. Esther takes us on her incredible journey from a Spanish-speaking immigrant taking a job as a store greeter to becoming the financial leader of one of the most impactful non-profits. She pulls back the curtain on her unique philosophy that you don't work for your boss, you work for God, and shares how this mindset opened doors no degree ever could. She reveals how a prayer for fish in Costa Rica was directly answered, the time she saved a $100M organization from collapse, and why she schedules her "depression" for 5 AM. This is a raw, inspiring, and deeply spiritual conversation about the power of showing up, the true meaning of money, and how to lead with compassion—even when you have to let someone go. 💡 In This Episode, We Discuss: ◼️ Esther’s journey from Costa Rica to CFO without a finance degree ◼️ The Costa Rica “Fish Market Miracle” and talking to God in everyday life ◼️ Her grandmother’s powerful lesson: “Money is like fire” ◼️ The brutal cash flow crisis that threatened to shut down a $100M organization ◼️ How to transition from an individual contributor to a leader who builds other leaders ◼️ The art of firing someone with kindness and a prayer for their future ◼️ Why being multi-talented can be a curse for your career ◼️ The $15 million secret behind Chai Lifeline’s volunteer force ◼️ How to make a lateral career move that sets you up for long-term success ◼️ Her advice for anyone wanting to build a meaningful career in finance or non-profit ⏱️ Timestamps 00:00 Meet Esther Bergman: The CFO Who Works for God 1:04 The Costa Rica Fish Market Miracle 7:50 Immigrant Story: First Job as a Store Greeter in Brooklyn 10:53 The Kleinfeld Bridal Breakthrough 22:56 Switching from Customer Service to Finance 34:51 How to Fire Someone with Compassion 38:25 The $45M Budget of Chai Lifeline & The $15M Secret 43:02 The Crisis: A $100M Organization Frozen by Fraud 44:37 The Brilliant Idea That Saved the Company 50:50 Final Advice: How to Build a Career with Purpose 🔗 Connect with Esther Bergman LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/esther-bergman-87579117/ 🔗 Connect with Tuli Kraus X (Twitter): https://x.com/TuliKraus Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/blackbird.recruiting/ LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/tuli-kraus/ This episode is sponsored by Blackbird Recruiting. Tired of sifting through unqualified resumes? Let Blackbird Recruiting find you top talent so you can focus on building your business. Visit blackbirdrecruiting.com to learn more.

The Brutal Truth About Being A Creative Director | How a Borough Park Kid Landed HBO, Polaroid, and Brother ft. Sam Ash How data and storytelling can build a career? In this episode of the What It Takes podcast, we sit down with Sam Ash (not the music store!), a marketing powerhouse and the unconventional creative mind behind iconic campaigns for HBO, Brother, Polaroid, and countless brands in the frum world. Sam takes us on a hilarious and insightful journey from his Borough Park Yeshiva days to the top of the advertising world, pulling back the curtain on how he launched the Brother P-Touch, made Paint fascinating, and why he never wears the same "professional" face twice. He shares profound lessons on faith, family, and why today's consumers don't want to think, they want to feel. This is a raw, funny, and deeply authentic conversation about the power of a great idea, the importance of knowing your "why," and what Jewish marketing is missing. 💡 In This Episode, We Discuss: ◼️ Sam’s journey from a Yeshiva kid in Borough Park to a sought-after creative director ◼️ The hilarious story of launching the Brother P-Touch and the "aha" moment that created a new product category ◼️ His philosophy that you're not selling the drill, you're selling the hole! Why benefits always beat features ◼️ The challenge of balancing a demanding creative career with family life and faith ◼️ Why the frum community is the last great bastion of print advertising and how to use it effectively ◼️ His unexpected encounter with John Ratzenberger (Cliff from "Cheers") and the life lesson about money and family ◼️ How to "niche yourself" to break into a creative career ◼️ The problem with AI, SEO, and why they can't replace true talent and insight ◼️ What most Jewish marketing is missing and the agencies that are getting it right ◼️ His advice for business owners on how to choose the right creative agency ⏱️ Timestamps 00:00 Meet Sam Ash: The Unconventional Creative 3:09 From Borough Park to Big Brands: A Yeshiva Kid's Origin Story 5:07 The Brother P-Touch Launch: Selling the Hole, Not the Drill 22:45 Faith in the Workplace: Wearing a Kippah in Corporate America 27:16 The John Ratzenberger Story: A $150,000 Lesson on Priorities 35:48 How to Break Into a Creative Career: Niche Yourself 41:29 The State of Jewish Marketing: The Last Bastion of Print 43:10 Sam's Final Advice: How to Pick the Right Creative Agency 🔗 Connect with Sam Ash LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/samash180/ 🔗 Connect with Tuli Kraus X (Twitter): https://x.com/TuliKraus Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/blackbird.recruiting/ LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/tuli-kraus/ #WhatItTakesPodcast #Marketing #Advertising #BrandStrategy #CreativeDirector #Entrepreneurship #JewishBusiness #Startup #CareerAdvice

In Episode 12 of The What It Takes Podcast, we sit down with Rob Farmer, a global auto industry veteran with over 24 years of experience at Nissan Motor Company and General Motors. As Senior Director & Chief Market Intelligence Officer for the Americas at Nissan, Rob led a team of 50+ across four global locations, driving insights straight to the CEO’s desk.We dive deep into his career journey—from working in Shanghai, navigating the complexities of global automotive markets, to pioneering AI-driven analytics that cut development timelines, optimized brand tracking, and opened new business growth opportunities. Rob shares how he built a career that makes an impact on a global scale, the lessons he learned, and how he empowers teams to succeed in a fast-evolving industry.🎙 What you’ll learn in this episode:How Rob leveraged AI and advanced analytics to transform decision-making at NissanThe strategies behind entering new markets and categories successfullyLessons on leadership, upskilling, and building high-performing global teamsInsider perspectives on navigating the auto industry on a global scaleWhether you’re an aspiring executive, an automotive enthusiast, or someone curious about how insights and data drive big decisions, this episode is packed with actionable lessons and inspiration.A special thanks to our sponsors:United Refuah HealthShareAn affordable alternative to health insurance. Learn more at http://bit.ly/46s0F6fThe 3rd month of membership is free for new applicants. Enroll by 8/31 with code BLACKBIRDBlackbird RecruitingHelping businesses find the best talent with a personal, hands-on approach. Visit BlackbirdRecruiting.com to learn more about how we can you great employees.

Episode made possible by Blackbird Recruiting. Check em out Blackbirdrecruiting.com After building a tech business and working with giants like Google and Microsoft, Hillel Fuld SHUT IT ALL DOWN after October 7th. He now commands one of the most powerful pro-Israel voices online, reaching BILLIONS of impressions. In this bombshell conversation, he exposes the uncomfortable truths about Zionism, the open miracles happening in Israel, and why he believes there is "zero justification" for any Jew to live outside their homeland today. Hillel Fuld is a leading Israeli tech strategist and a powerhouse advocate for Israel, with a massive following across social media platforms. IN THIS EPISODE, WE DISCUSS: ◼️ The shocking reason Israel is being "decimated" in the PR war—and what they're doing wrong ◼️ How Zionism is as core to Judaism as Shabbat, and the Gemara that proves it ◼️ The modern-day "gun to your head" argument for why Jews must leave now ◼️ Debunking the biggest Aliyah myths: salaries, language, and quality of life ◼️ Incredible, open miracles from the war that prove divine intervention ◼️ How the Israeli job market really works (it's not about your resume) ◼️ The one thing that still drives him crazy about living in Israel after 30 years 00:00 Introduction & Banter 00:31 The Accidental Tech Guru: Hillel's Origin Story 03:10 The Game-Changing Assistant & Business Transformation 04:55 The October 7th Pivot: Shutting Down for Israel 07:48 Why Israel is Losing the PR War 10:25 Defining Zionism & The Core of Jewish Identity 14:24 The Modern-Day "Gun to Your Head" Argument 16:53 Addressing the "I'll Go When Mashiach Comes" Viewpoint 21:54 The "Open Miracles" of the Israel-Hamas War 23:58 A Personal Story of Divine Intervention: The Australian Visa 29:08 Israel as a Practical Paradise: Debunking Aliyah Myths 32:13 How the Israeli Job Market Really Works 41:56 What Actually Drives Him Crazy About Israel 48:35 The Flip Side: The Magic of Israeli Community 51:22 Final Plea: Make a Plan CONNECT WITH HILLEL: X (Twitter): https://x.com/hilzfuld Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/hilzfuld/?hl=en Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/HillelFuld/ LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/hilzfuld/

💡 I Found the Key to Hiring A-Players For 50% Less On this episode of The What It Takes Podcast, we sit down with Aaron Klein, Founder & CEO of Real Hires, the company that’s helping businesses hire top talent from 40+ countries without breaking the bank. Aaron shares how to: 🚀 Hire top-tier talent smarter and faster 💻 Build high-performing remote teams across time zones 💰 Cut hiring costs in half without compromising quality ⚡ Avoid the biggest mistakes companies make when hiring globally If you’re a founder, manager, or HR leader, this episode will change the way you approach hiring—saving you time, money, and headaches. 🎯 Stop settling for “good enough” talent. Learn how to get A-players, for less.

In this episode of The What It Takes Podcast, we’re joined by Uri Kirschner, a seasoned real estate lawyer with over 30 years of experience, who’s also found a way to balance his legal career with something truly impactful: starting the 100 Ride, a charity cycling event raising money for Kupas Ezra and Tomchei Shabbos.Uri shares how he’s been able to juggle his busy law practice while creating an event that’s bringing together a community of cyclists to support an incredible cause. From overcoming challenges in the legal world to tackling the obstacles of running a charity, Uri offers invaluable insights into leadership, time management, and what it really takes to combine professional success with giving back.Whether you're in the legal field, running a business, or just looking for inspiration on how to merge passion and purpose, this episode has something for you. Tune in for lessons, laughs, and a peek into how Uri turned a love for cycling into a charitable movement that’s making a real difference!And if you want to join this incredible movement, sign up now at https://www.the100ride.com/mt-register

In this episode of The What It Takes Podcast, we sit down with Chaim Book, an expert employment lawyer who specializes in helping businesses stay compliant and navigate the complexities of employment law. With years of experience in the field, Chaim shares valuable insights into how employers can avoid costly legal issues, best practices for handling workplace disputes, and the critical role of having strong employment policies in place.From explaining the nuances of employment contracts to discussing the latest trends in labor law, Chaim breaks it all down for business owners and professionals who want to stay ahead of potential legal challenges.Huge thanks to our sponsor, MegaPayUSA, for making this episode possible. MegaPayUSA provides businesses with efficient payroll solutions and dedicated support to ensure your team gets paid accurately and on time. Visit MegaPayUSA.com/blackbirdrecruiting to learn more about how they can simplify your payroll process!

In this episode of The What It Takes Podcast, we’re joined by Yoni Rudansky, who made a bold move from learning in Kollel in Queens, NY, to building a thriving Jewish community in Louisville, KY. Yoni shares his incredible journey of starting from scratch in a new city, raising over $700K, and creating a vibrant community that’s flourishing today.We dive into how Yoni uses EOS (Entrepreneurial Operating System) to run his community-building efforts like a business, the challenges he faced in establishing roots in Louisville, and the rewards of seeing his vision come to life.Whether you’re interested in community building, faith-driven entrepreneurship, or making bold life decisions, Yoni’s story is a powerful example of what it takes to turn vision into reality.A special thanks to our sponsors:United Refuah HealthShareAn affordable alternative to health insurance. Learn more at http://bit.ly/46s0F6fThe 3rd month of membership is free for new applicants. Enroll by 8/31 with code BLACKBIRDBlackbird RecruitingHelping businesses find the best talent with a personal, hands-on approach. Visit BlackbirdRecruiting.com to learn more about how we can you great employees.

Disclaimer:This video is being published Motzai Shabbos Israel time.In this episode of The What It Takes Podcast, we sit down with Ron Coleman, a top-tier 1st Amendment lawyer, prominent legal blogger, and social media powerhouse with over 250,000 followers on X (formerly Twitter). Ron has built a massive online presence while maintaining a highly successful legal career, and in this episode, he opens up about how he’s navigated the intersection of law, blogging, and online influence.We dive into his journey from practicing law to becoming one of the leading lawyer bloggers in the country. Ron shares how he built his online following, the challenges he’s faced in managing his platform, and how social media has impacted his legal career and client relationships. We also discuss his experience working with the Trump team, the advice he has for attorneys looking to build their personal brand, and his thoughts on the future of the legal profession in the digital age.A special thank you to our sponsors:United Refuah HealthShareAn affordable alternative to health insurance. Learn more at http://bit.ly/46s0F6fThe 3rd month of membership is free for new applicants. Enroll by 8/31 with code BLACKBIRDMegaPayUSASimplifying payroll with cutting-edge technology and dedicated support. Visit https://www.megapayusa.com/BLACKBIRDRECRUITING to streamline your payroll process today!