Podcast
CMO School
Hosted by Jessica Shirra | Fractional CMO · EN
CMO School is the go-to podcast for marketers and Fractional CMOs ready to step into leadership, own their expertise, and build a career or business that actually works for them. Whether you're looking to elevate your skills, transition into a CMO role, or scale your Fractional business, this podcast delivers strategies, expert insights, and the mindset shifts you need to create a career you love.
Hosted by Jess Shirra—a 15+ year marketing leader, Fractional CMO, and founder of Fractional CMO School—this show takes you behind the scenes on what actually works in marketing, business, and leadership. Jess has worked with powerhouse brands and creators like Lululemon, Pottery Barn, Strava, Jenna Kutcher, Lori Harder, and more—and now, she’s sharing those lessons with you.
Each episode, we dive into proven strategies, practical insights, and candid conversations on topics like:
How to step into leadership as a marketer and own your expertise
How to confidently price your services and build a business that supports the life you want
What it really takes to succeed as a Fractional CMO
How to show up as a CMO for your clients, deliver powerful strategy, and lead teams effectively
Lessons from experts across marketing, mindset, and entrepreneurship to help you grow
Whether you're a corporate marketer exploring the Fractional path, a new Fractional CMO figuring it all out, or a seasoned leader looking to scale and systematize your business, CMO School will give you the tools, insights, and confidence to create a career that gives you freedom, fulfillment, and flexibility—on your terms.
New episodes drop weekly! Subscribe now and start building a marketing career that lights you up.
46episodes
Episodes
Newest firstAll episodes
Fractional CMO School: Inside the Top Training Program for Fractional CMOs + Marketing Leaders
Dec 900:46:38Tap to summarizeIf you’ve been curious about what actually happens inside Fractional CMO School — the structure, the support, the strategy, and how marketers and fractional CMOs are scaling to six figures and beyond — this video gives you the full inside tour.I’m sharing the real story behind the program, why I created it, what makes it different, and what students are experiencing once they get inside. If you’ve wondered whether becoming a Fractional CMO is right for you — or you want a clearer, more sustainable way to lead as a marketer — this will give you a clear picture of what’s possible.Inside this episode:• How I went from burnt-out marketer to six-figure Fractional CMO• The gap I saw in this industry and why Fractional CMO School exists• A behind-the-scenes look at the 6-month structure, coaching + support• The real transformations students are seeing (income + identity shifts)• What the fractional CMO role can unlock in your work, income, and lifeWhether you’re an experienced marketer who’s ready to move out of execution and into leadership — or you’re already a Fractional CMO and want a better way to build your business — this episode will help you understand whether this path is right for you.____If you’ve been curious about Fractional CMO School and want to learn more, this is your chance to peek behind the curtains.Ready to take the next step?If you’re ready to step into the Fractional CMO role but want support as you do it, Fractional CMO School is a 6-month coaching program + community to help you confidently land high-ticket clients and build a 6-figure (and beyond) business as a Fractional CMO.🎓 Learn More → http://www.fractional-cmo-school.com/
Transcribe →The Work Beneath the Work: How I Rewired My Beliefs About Money, Success, and Worthiness (with Jess Belsky)
Dec 200:56:49Tap to summarizeYou can do everything “right” — build the strategy, put in the hours, chase the next level — and still feel stuck. Like there’s something invisible holding you back from the growth you know you’re capable of.I’ve been there. And what I learned is this: it’s not your strategy. It’s your subconscious.When I started working with Jess Belsky, a Transformational Leadership Coach and Hypnotherapist, I thought I was fixing my money mindset. But the real shift came when I started rewiring my subconcious beliefs — the ones that were shaping how I led, what I earned, and how I showed up in my life and business.In this episode, we unpack:How subconscious patterns keep high-performing leaders from reaching their next levelThe exact inner work that changed how I think, lead, and run my business (and life)What it looks like to reprogram your beliefs so your conscious and subconscious are alignedIf you’ve been pushing harder but not getting further, this episode will help you see what’s really been in your way — and how to finally lead from the inside out.Ready to take the next step?If you’re ready to step into the Fractional CMO role but want support as you do it, Fractional CMO School is a 6-month coaching program + community to help you confidently land high-ticket clients and build a 6-figure (and beyond) business as a Fractional CMO.🎓 Learn More → http://www.fractional-cmo-school.com/
Transcribe →Finding Your Ideal Fractional CMO Clients (And Red Flags to Avoid)
Nov 400:19:05Tap to summarizeNot every client is a fit for a Fractional CMO — and the wrong ones can derail your business, your confidence, and your sanity.When you’re building your Fractional CMO business, it’s easy to say yes to anyone who wants to hire you. But fit matters more than opportunity. The right clients make your work easier, your results stronger, and your business more sustainable.In this episode, I’m breaking down:How to identify your ideal clients as a Fractional CMOThe red flags that signal a partnership won’t workThe hard lessons I learned from saying yes when I shouldn’t haveAnd the filters I now use to choose clients wiselyIf you want to attract clients who truly value your leadership, and build a business that feels as good as it looks, this episode is for you.Ready to take the next step?If you’re ready to step into the Fractional CMO role but want support as you do it, Fractional CMO School is a 6-month coaching program + community to help you confidently land high-ticket clients and build a 6-figure (and beyond) business as a Fractional CMO.🎓 Learn More → http://www.fractional-cmo-school.com/
Transcribe →Why You Need a Niche as a Fractional CMO (Even If You Don’t Want One)
Oct 2800:13:06Tap to summarizeWhen I first started as a Fractional CMO, I did not want to niche. I was scared it would limit my opportunities, make me miss out on clients, or box me into something I’d get bored of. But the truth is — niching was such a catalyst to my growth. In this episode, I’m sharing:What happened when I tried to serve everyoneHow I tested different niches behind the scenes Why I eventually chose a niche and how it was the catalyst to growth (AND time freedom) If you’re still figuring out your niche — or resisting the idea altogether — this episode will help you see why narrowing your focus might be the best move you can make.Ready to take the next step?If you’re ready to step into the Fractional CMO role but want support as you do it, Fractional CMO School is a 6-month coaching program + community to help you confidently land high-ticket clients and build a 6-figure (and beyond) business as a Fractional CMO.🎓 Learn More → http://www.fractional-cmo-school.com/
Transcribe →Rewire Your Subconscious for Business Growth with Mindi Huebner
Oct 2100:58:20Tap to summarizeYou can have the best strategy in the world, but if your subconscious isn’t on board, you’ll find yourself spinning in the same patterns.In this episode of CMO School, I sit down with Mindi Huebner to unpack the identity shifts and subconscious rewiring that allow high-achieving women to grow businesses that feel as good as they look.We talk about:Why strategy alone won’t work if your subconscious is stuck in old patternsHow to spot the limiting beliefs and identities running your business behind the scenesCommon conditioning loops like “rest is lazy” or “my worth = my output”Small steps you can take today to start rewiring your subconscious and closing the “identity gap”If you’ve ever felt like you’re doing everything “right” but still not getting where you want to go, this conversation will help you understand why, and what to do differently.Ready to take the next step?If you’re ready to step into the Fractional CMO role but want support as you do it, Fractional CMO School is a 6-month coaching program + community to help you confidently lead, land high-ticket clients, and build the business you want.🎓 Learn More → Fractional CMO SchoolEpisode Resources:Mindi’s Instagram: mindihuebner.com/IG Mindi’s Subconscious CEO Identity Quiz: mindihuebner.com/ceoquizMindi’s FREE Identity Alignment Call: mindihuebner.com/id
Transcribe →How I Got Started As A Fractional CMO (and Why I Built Fractional CMO School)
Oct 1400:19:53Tap to summarizeI get asked all the time how I got started as a Fractional CMO — what background you need, what steps to take, and what I’ve learned along the way.So today, I’m breaking it all down for you. In this episode I’ll be sharing:My career background and how it set me up to become a Fractional CMOThe misconception I had around my own experience and readiness for this role The early months of trial and error — what I tried, what worked, and what didn’tThe biggest lessons I learned in that first yearAnd ultimately, what led me to create Fractional CMO School and help other marketers build their own thriving businesses as Fractional CMOsIf you’ve been curious about becoming a Fractional CMO, or you’re already in the role and figuring it out as you go, this episode gives you a real behind-the-scenes look at how to get started.Ready to take the next step?If you’re ready to step into the Fractional CMO role but want support as you do it, Fractional CMO School is a 6-month coaching program + community to help you confidently land high-ticket clients and build a 6-figure (and beyond) business as a Fractional CMO.🎓 Learn More → Fractional CMO School
Transcribe →Why So Many Fractional CMOs Burn Out (and How to Reset)
Oct 700:24:45Tap to summarizeI talk to so many Fractional CMOs who are exhausted, underpaid, and questioning if they made the right move stepping into this role. That’s exactly why I made this episode.It’s not you - and it’s not the model. Most people are just running their business in a way that isn’t sustainable. If you’ve been feeling burnt out, like you’re trying to squeeze a full-time job into part-time hours, this one’s for you.What we cover:The biggest mistakes Fractional CMOs make that lead to burnoutWhat the role is actually meant to look likeHow the wrong clients can derail your business (even if you’re doing everything else right)How to reset if you’re already burnt the f out Think of this as a permission slip to stop doing it the hard way. You don’t have to overwork to prove your value. You don’t have to keep saying yes to clients who drain you. And you definitely don’t have to settle for building a business that feels heavier than the one you left. There’s a better way—and I want this episode to show you how to find it.Ready to take the next step?If you’re ready to step into the Fractional CMO role but want support as you do it, Fractional CMO School is a 6-month coaching program + community to help you confidently lead, land high-ticket clients, and build the business you want.🎓 Learn More → Fractional CMO School
Transcribe →LinkedIn for Fractional CMOs: From Profile to Pipeline
Oct 100:39:56Tap to summarizeLinkedIn isn’t just a place to park your work history — it’s where your next high-ticket client is scrolling right now. The question is: will they see you as another marketer, or as the strategic leader they’ve been looking for?In this episode, I’m joined by Mandy McEwen, LinkedIn pro, founder of Mod Girl Marketing and Lumin, and someone who’s been ahead of the curve on LinkedIn since before it was cool. Mandy shares exactly how Fractional CMOs can:Turn their profile into a landing page that actually sellsDitch the “pitch slap” and start conversations that feel realPost content that builds authority and trust (without getting lost in the noise)Use LinkedIn as a true sales channel to consistently fill their pipelineIf you’ve been treating LinkedIn like a resume, or posting and hoping someone notices, this episode will show you a better way.Ready to take the next step?If you’re ready to step into the Fractional CMO role but want support as you do it, Fractional CMO School is a 6-month coaching program + community to help you confidently lead, land high-ticket clients, and build the business you want🎓 Learn More → Fractional CMO School
Transcribe →How to Land Clients as a New Fractional CMO: A Behind-the-Scenes Coaching Call
Sep 2300:37:01Tap to summarizeStruggling to land your first clients as a Fractional CMO? You’re not alone - and this episode will show you exactly how to fix it.I’m coaching listener Deanna Keffer live on the podcast. After 20 years in corporate marketing, she made the leap into the Fractional CMO world and immediately ran into the same roadblock so many new Fractionals face: how do I actually get clients?Inside this episode you’ll learn:Why applying for jobs won’t get you Fractional CMO clients (and what to do instead)How to position yourself so people take you seriously and your online presence actually sells your expertiseThe exact outreach strategy I used to land my first clients — and how you can copy itWhat boundaries to set early so you don’t slide back into execution or burn out in your new roleIf you’re looking to land your first (or next) Fractional CMO clients, this episode will give you the exact steps you need to take.And if you don’t want to figure it out on your own? That’s exactly why I created Fractional CMO School. It’s my 6-month coaching program + community where you’ll get the playbook, the support, and the push you need to confidently step into the Fractional CMO role and start signing high-ticket clients.🎓 Learn More → Fractional CMO School
Transcribe →From Overwhelmed to His Biggest Launch Yet: Andy Kriebel’s Fractional CMO Client Case Study
Sep 1600:39:23Tap to summarizeMeet Andy Kriebel. He’s a Tableau Visionary (aka one of the world’s top data visualization experts), a global trainer, and the kind of teacher who’s helped thousands of people grow their careers. But when it came to marketing his own business? He was doing it all himself… and feeling stretched way too thin.That’s where my team and I came in. Andy joined our Fractional CMO program about six months ago, and since then we’ve been refining his strategy, tightening his focus, and freeing him up to spend more time doing what he does best: teaching.Inside this episode, you’ll hear Andy’s perspective on what it’s really like to hand off your marketing — the wins, the mindset shifts, and even the surprises. From hitting his biggest launch ever (while raising his average order value by $450 per member!) to nearly doubling last year’s revenue in half the time, Andy shares the behind-the-scenes of what changed once he stopped trying to do it all himself.If you’ve ever wondered what it could look like to have a marketing partner in your corner, this conversation will show you the before-and-after in real time.Ready to take the next step?If you’re ready for a Fractional CMO to step in and lead your marketing, this is what we do. My team and I build the strategy, manage the execution, and make sure your marketing is moving the needle so you can focus on running the business.🚀 Learn More → Fractional CMO Services
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