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AdYack

by American Advertising Federation of the Greater Lehigh Valley

Design Visual Arts Marketing

Season 6

Ad Yack: Season 6, Episode 8: Sarah Dams & Tiffany Sondergaard

Welcome back to AdYack. Today’s episode is a special one. Not only because I’m joined by two absolute powerhouses in the Lehigh Valley advertising and PR world — Sarah Dams of Sarott Design and Tiffany Sondergaard of TS Brand Elevation — but because this also marks my final episode as host of AdYack. And honestly, it feels fitting that Sarah is here for this conversation. It was during her presidency of the Greater Lehigh Valley Ad Club back in 2020 that I asked her if I could step into the hosting role. Neither of us could’ve imagined then what the next five years would become — the conversations, the laughter, the creativity, the stories, and the incredible people this podcast would connect me with along the way. This episode really captures everything AdYack has always been about. We cover creativity, public relations, client stories, navigating rejection, the changing landscape of communication, and what it actually takes to build meaningful work and meaningful relationships in this industry. It’s smart, honest, energetic, and a whole lot of fun. Before we jump in, I just want to say what a privilege it has been to host this show for the past five years. I’m deeply grateful to every guest who took the time to share their stories, experiences, insights, and creativity with me. These conversations mattered to me, and I hope they mattered to many of you listening as well. And a huge thanks to the video team at Turnstone Creative for their incredible production support and partnership throughout this journey. They helped bring this show to life episode after episode, and I couldn’t have done it without them. Tip of the cap to 3Seed Marketing for the great work on season 5 & 6 graphics. So with that… let’s close this chapter the right way. Here’s my AdYack with Sarah Dams and Tiffany Sondergaard.

Ad Yack: Season 6, Episode 7: Barbara Berger

Greetings AdYackers, In this latest episode, I sit down with Barbara Berger, author of Yes, No, Maybe, three little words that change everything. It was a powerful exploration of how we make decisions and, more importantly, how we learn to trust ourselves in that process. Barbara’s work centers around something deceptively simple: learning how to recognize a true yes, an honest no, and the often-overlooked maybe; that in-between space where clarity hasn’t fully arrived yet. Her book invites us to slow down, tune in, and stop forcing answers before we’re ready. What’s so powerful about her approach is the way she brings it all back to something deeper, using simple language and a real sense of wonder to remind us that we already have what we’re looking for. That clarity, that connection, that inner knowing…it’s already there. And when we begin to trust that we not only see it in ourselves, but in others too. We talk about her work as a career and executive coach and how she helps people reconnect with their genuine selves, not the version shaped by expectation, but the one that feels true at the core. And this one got personal. Barbara helped me recreate my resume several years ago and guided me through a job search process that, at times, felt messy and wildly uncertain. That “messy middle” we try so hard to avoid? We dove right into it, because as uncomfortable as it is, that’s where the real growth happens. It’s where we learn to sit with not knowing, to trust the unfolding, and to make choices that are aligned rather than reactive. This conversation is an invitation; to pause, to listen more closely, and to honor whatever is true for you in every moment… So, I hope you say ‘yes’ to giving this one a listen. Here is my Ad Yack with Barbara Berger

Ad Yack: Season 6, Episode 6: Mary Lengle

Today on the podcast, I get to talk to someone whom I admire, because they were willing to pivot from a good career in publishing to one completely outside their comfort zone to build something meaningful. I’m talking about Mary Lengle. Early in her career, Mary worked at Rodale, where she built a reputation as a talented publicist promoting books for some remarkable people — from Denise Austin to Gary Player, LL Cool J, and Morgan Freeman. She enjoyed the work and was building a successful career. But like many creative people, Mary had this quiet feeling inside her that she was meant for something more. Not just helping tell other people’s stories, but helping build something that connected with her own passions and purpose. And for Mary, that passion had been there since childhood. She grew up around the game of golf, learning from her grandfather that golf isn’t just a sport — it’s a game that brings people together. Eventually, that inner voice got louder. Mary realized that if she wanted to create the kind of life and work that truly resonated with her, she would have to take a leap. So, she made a bold decision: she left Rodale and partnered with PGA instructor Eric Cogorno. What started as a shared belief in the power of the game has grown into something much bigger. Together they’ve built a global golf instruction platform, creating content and community for golfers all over the world. I wrote about Mary in my book because her story captures something I believe deeply — that creativity often begins the moment you stop waiting for permission and start trusting that instinct that tells you there’s more out there. Here is my AdYack with Mary Lengle

Ad Yack: Season 6, Episode 5: Ben Levy

I’ve always believed that the way we show up to present is the message. Not the slides. Not the bullet points. Not the perfectly formatted deck we spent three hours obsessing over at midnight. Our energy is…. the message. Because people don’t remember what you said, they remember how you made them feel when you said it. And if your energy is off… no amount of beautiful typography will save you. Which is why I reached out to Ben Levy; presentation coach, communication expert, and author of ‘Stop Reading Slides’ How To Nail Creative Presentations and Sell Your Best Ideas. Ben’s spent years helping industry leaders, advertising teams, and creatives move beyond the raw information… and connect with the human beings in the room. We talk about why so much communication fails, not because the ideas are bad, but because we’ve forgotten how to deliver them as actual human beings. We get into attention, authenticity, creative confidence… and why so many of us use our slides as a shield instead of a bridge to the people we’re trying to reach. This conversation is funny, honest, and truly inspiring, because becoming a better presenter has less to do with performance… and more to do with connection. So if you want your ideas to connect — not just exist — this one’s for you. Here is my AdYack with Ben Levy.

Ad Yack: Season 6, Episode 4: Brandon C. Lay

Welcome back to AdYack, the podcast where we pull at the threads of creativity until something unravels. Today’s episode went deeper than I expected—in the best way possible. I sat down with filmmaker Brandon C. Lay, whose new film ‘Finger Laced Crown’ follows a spray-paint artist named Lemon Drop as she navigates both her creative passion and the high walls of the fine art world. The film officially dropped on streaming platforms— Prime Video, Fandango at Home, and Hoopla—on December 5th, 2025, after making the rounds through local premieres and landing a distribution deal with Buffalo 8. It’s already picking up recognition, including Best Foreign Feature at the Unrestricted View Film Festival. In our conversation, Brandon opened up about the sacrifices artists make—the kind that don’t show up in behind-the-scenes footage. We got into his writing process, how he works with actors, the filmmakers who shaped him, and the movies that made him want to pick up a camera in the first place. He also dropped some advice for young filmmakers. Whether you’re making films or just trying to make anything that matters, you may want to listen to this one. But what really stayed with me was the meaning behind Finger Laced Crown. It’s not just the name of the film—it was a revelation. One of those moments that lands softly but stays with you. And once you hear it, you’ll understand why. Here’s my AdYack with Brandon C. Lay.

Ad Yack: Season 6, Episode 3: Abriella Milazzo

Welcome to AdYack—the podcast where we explore the messy, magical, and wildly misunderstood world of creativity, with people bold enough to actually live it. Today, I sit down with Abriella Milazzo—she’s a yoga instructor, a holistic educator, an artist and an author of two books, whose work exists at the crossroads of movement, mindfulness, and imagination. Here’s the thing about Abriella: she doesn’t just practice creativity—she embodies it. The way she teaches, the way she writes, the way she simply walks through the world—it all comes from a place of wonder. For her, creativity isn’t a light switch—it’s the foundation she builds her life on. In this conversation, we get into: Why creativity is still so misunderstood—and why we box it in as “art” or “aesthetic.” What it looks like to reclaim creativity as a raw human instinct, not just a polished professional skill. How Abriella keeps her creative flow alive when life is messy, uncertain, or uninspired. And yes—we even detoured into Jonathan Livingston Seagull, that strange little 1970s book that cracked me open in a completely unexpected way. At its heart, this episode is about remembering—remembering the creative pulse that’s always been inside you, even if you were told to bury it. If you’ve ever thought creativity was something you lost, missed, or didn’t have permission to claim—this one’s for you. Because the truth is, creativity isn’t something you find. It’s something you finally decide to live. Here’s my AdYack with Abriella Milazzo.

Ad Yack: Season 6, Episode 2: Theron Cook

Welcome back, AdYakers, to Episode 2 of Season 6! Today’s guest is more than an artist—he’s a living manifesto for perseverance and creative transformation. Theron Cook is an award-winning muralist and brand strategist with over 17 years of experience bringing art into public spaces, businesses, and community spirit. He founded Don’t Quit Omniversity and the TCA Don’t Quit Foundation, driven by a mission to serve, inspire, educate, and empower both creative students and business owners. His work isn’t just about aesthetics—it’s about resilience, story, and bringing people together through visual communication. In this episode, we talk about the elusive state of flow—that moment when creativity, time, and purpose align. We explore what it means to use design not just as a tool, but as a way to heal, uplift, and connect. And yes, we dig into the belief that art is everything—a philosophy Theron lives through every mural, workshop, and foundation effort. This conversation was a profound one, as Theron shares incredible stories about his life, his family, and his work in the community. So settle in—today’s episode is about art, resilience, transformation, and the power to never quit, even when life tries to hold you down. Here is my AdYack with Theron Cook.

Ad Yack: Season 6, Episode 1: Melissa Smith

Welcome to Season 6 of AdYack. If you’re here, maybe you’ve made it through a few of your own battles. Maybe you're carrying big questions about your work, your worth, and what it all really adds up to. That’s exactly why I wanted to start this season with a conversation that doesn’t pretend to have all the answers—but does ask all the right questions. Today, I’m joined by Melissa Smith of Pakoil Company. Melissa is an account executive who works across the Pharmaceutical and OEM markets—with a focus on Medical Devices, Fire & Safety, First Responders, the Military, and Industrial OEM sectors. Pror to that she worked for Adams Outdoor Advertising and The Morning Call Media Group. But that’s just the resume. What we really talked about was what it means to stay human in the middle of all that. We talked about staying focused in a world that seeks to distract us. About presence, when life pulls you in ten different directions. and how sometimes, the bravest thing you can do is just... slow down and recharge. This episode is a reminder: you’re not alone. Your work—your art, your creativity, your heart—it matters. This season, I want to go deeper. I’ll be talking to people who’ve built things, broken things, and then got honest about what it all really meant. Melissa lives her life with intention. She chooses to see the world through the lens of positivity. And when it comes to work/life balance? It’s not a myth. It’s a fight worth showing up for—and Melissa shares how she does it. She’s sharp, generous, and grounded—and she knows that success without mindfulness is just noise. So here is my Ad Yack with with Melissa Smith.

Season 5

Ad Yack: Season 5, Episode 8: Matt Borrelli

On today’s episode of the podcast, I talk to someone I first crossed paths with back in 2005 at Kutztown University’s Annual Portfolio Review, right as this young, ambitious designer was about to graduate with his BFA in Communication Design. It was a random encounter… or so I thought. Fast forward 20 years, and one day, he reached out to me after reading one of my columns on creativity in Network Magazine… and a friendship was born. I’m talking about Mr. Matt Borrelli. But here’s the thing—Matt is no ordinary creative. He’s an award- winning copywriter, designer, and creative director who’s spent the better part of two decades working at advertising agencies in the Lehigh Valley. But more than that, Matt is someone who lives and breathes the craft of marketing. He’s a dreamer, a doer, and is always on the hunt for his next big idea. In this episode, we dive into the future of AI and how it’s shaking up the creative landscape, his creative process, and how he uses his insights and experience to help his clients drive results. Matt’s an inspiring guy, and he really understands the value that creative people bring to business. This episode is a rollercoaster of insights, and more than a few laughs along the way. Trust me—you do NOT want to miss this one. So grab your favorite beverage, kick back, and get ready to be inspired and entertained. Let’s get into it. Here is my AdYack….with Matt Borrelli. #creativity #marketing #creativedirection #adagency #advertising #design

Ad Yack: Season 5, Episode 7: AdYack LIVE!

Welcome to AdYack LIVE! On March 13th, the American Advertising Awards took place at Cedar Crest College in Allentown, Pennsylvania. I had the privilege of interviewing the winners live during the show, capturing their reactions, insights, and stories behind the campaigns that took home the hardware. From the rush of winning to the creative process behind these groundbreaking designs, you’ll hear firsthand from the brilliant minds shaping the future of advertising. These are the professionals pushing boundaries and creating work that helps brands cut through the clutter. The American Advertising Awards has always been one of my favorite nights of the year. It’s the one time when the advertising and marketing community in the Lehigh Valley comes together to celebrate innovation, creativity, and exceptional marketing. So whether you were in the room, heard the buzz, or are just curious to see what went down, join me now as we highlight the best of the best from the Lehigh Valley, straight from the American Advertising Awards floor. From Gold and Silver winners to Judges’ Choice and Best in Show, both professional and student entries are in the spotlight today. This is AdYack LIVE! Featuring Bill Childs & Donna Mugavero #AdYackLive #AmericanAdvertisingAwards #LehighValleyCreatives #LVAdvertising #MarketingAwards #CreativeExcellence #AwardWinningWork #BestInAdvertising #CreativeCommunity #CelebratingCreativity https://portfolio.aafglv.org/

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