The Marketing Gateway

Latest Episodes

  • Episode 122 – Interview with Adam Collins Part 2

    And we’re back with Adam!

    And here we go with part 2 of our interview with Adam!

    About Adam:

    Adam Collins earned his MBA from the University of Missouri–St. Louis (UMSL) in December 2019 and continues to fuel his passion for lifelong learning. He recently began a Graduate Certificate program in Social Media and Digital Marketing at UMSL, further expanding his expertise. Professionally, Adam serves as a Project Manager in UMSL’s Planning, Design, & Construction division, a role that perfectly aligns with his 20+ years of experience in the construction industry. He takes pride in contributing to his alma mater, overseeing campus improvements ranging from renovations to equipment upgrades. His work connects him with a diverse range of colleagues, enhancing the university’s infrastructure in meaningful ways. Beyond his job, he remains actively involved in the UMSL Alumni Association and the student-led Board Game Club. Adam is also an entrepreneur and board game enthusiast. He has launched a podcast, a YouTube channel, and an independent publishing company—all centered around board gaming. Passionate about bringing people into the hobby, he collaborates with local libraries and community colleges to introduce modern board games to new audiences. He has even helped organize game days for children at the library. His podcast, Eat Lunch & Board Game, explores games that fit into a typical lunch break, whether 30 or 60 minutes. Inspired by his own experiences starting a lunchtime gaming group at work, Adam has interviewed a wide range of guests from the board game industry, gathering their insights and recommendations. His son occasionally joins in for special review episodes, and together, they’ve also launched a YouTube channel, Reviews from the Attic, where they share their thoughts on board games. When he’s not gaming or working, Adam enjoys reading (often about board gaming), biking with his kids, “running” with his son, and hiking with his family

    Adam’s plugs: https://beardedboardgames.com/

    (A list of STL farmers markets: https://www.stlmag.com/dining/st-louis-farmers-markets-guide/)

    Contact Adam: https://www.linkedin.com/in/adam-f-collins/ https://www.youtube.com/@eatlunchboardgamepodcast146

    (more…)

  • Episode 121 – Interview with Adam Collins

    Cards game, now board games!

    Have you ever thought about getting a board game from a farmer’s market? Well now you have! Today we are posting part 1 of our interview with Adam Collins where we talk about that, and so much more!

    About Adam:

    Adam Collins earned his MBA from the University of Missouri–St. Louis (UMSL) in December 2019 and continues to fuel his passion for lifelong learning. He recently began a Graduate Certificate program in Social Media and Digital Marketing at UMSL, further expanding his expertise. Professionally, Adam serves as a Project Manager in UMSL’s Planning, Design, & Construction division, a role that perfectly aligns with his 20+ years of experience in the construction industry. He takes pride in contributing to his alma mater, overseeing campus improvements ranging from renovations to equipment upgrades. His work connects him with a diverse range of colleagues, enhancing the university’s infrastructure in meaningful ways. Beyond his job, he remains actively involved in the UMSL Alumni Association and the student-led Board Game Club. Adam is also an entrepreneur and board game enthusiast. He has launched a podcast, a YouTube channel, and an independent publishing company—all centered around board gaming. Passionate about bringing people into the hobby, he collaborates with local libraries and community colleges to introduce modern board games to new audiences. He has even helped organize game days for children at the library. His podcast, Eat Lunch & Board Game, explores games that fit into a typical lunch break, whether 30 or 60 minutes. Inspired by his own experiences starting a lunchtime gaming group at work, Adam has interviewed a wide range of guests from the board game industry, gathering their insights and recommendations. His son occasionally joins in for special review episodes, and together, they’ve also launched a YouTube channel, Reviews from the Attic, where they share their thoughts on board games. When he’s not gaming or working, Adam enjoys reading (often about board gaming), biking with his kids, “running” with his son, and hiking with his family

    Contact Adam: https://www.linkedin.com/in/adam-f-collins/ https://www.youtube.com/@eatlunchboardgamepodcast146

    (more…)

  • Episode 120 – Would You Pay $16.5 Million for a Trading Card?

    Yeah, we won’t be catching them all actually…

    It may be time to check your attic for all your old trading cards! You could make a killing!

    May is mental health awareness month. If you need assistance in finding help, or you would like to donate to help others get the help they need, visit https://mhanational.org/

    SOURCES  

    https://www.sportscardspro.com/game/baseball-cards-1989-donruss/ken-griffey-jr-33  

    https://allvintagecards.com/honus-wagner-t206/  

    https://www.msn.com/en-us/money/companies/over-26-million-cards-graded-in-2025-how-the-market-exploded/ar-AA1TwBmj  

    https://www.si.com/collectibles/million-dollar-cards-are-exploding-again-could-2026-shatter-the-hobby-record  

    https://www.tcgplayer.com/content/article/A-Short-History-of-Pikachu-Illustrator-the-Most-Expensive-Pok%C3%A9mon-Card/d26cffe2-6e5f-4720-8519-a6317c11c060/  

    https://www.cllct.com/sports-collectibles/sports-cards/why-a-12-year-old-was-once-sued-over-a-12-nolan-ryan-rookie-card  

    Pokemon Card Market Update: What’s Hot and What’s Cooling in Spring 2026

    https://www.thepricedex.com/guides/most-expensive-pikachu-cards

    Logan Paul’s video: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pmkpzIi0udY

    (more…)

  • Episode 119 – The Strange, Sad Tale of GameStop

    Their X feed is kind of wild, I can’t lie.

    I’m sure we are all well aware of GameStop’s many misguided desicions, but this most recent choice is a very interesting one! Let’s talk about it!

    May is mental health awareness month. If you need assistance in finding help, or you would like to donate to help others get the help they need, visit https://mhanational.org/  

    SOURCES  

    https://www.sec.gov/Archives/edgar/data/1326380/000119312526202468/d138475dex99.htm  

    https://finance.yahoo.com/markets/stocks/articles/ebay-says-half-cash-half-162705157.html   https://kotaku.com/new-gamestop-program-leads-employees-to-lie-to-customer-1791874332

    https://www.coindesk.com/business/2026/01/24/gamestop-s-usd420-million-bitcoin-move-sparks-speculation-of-selling  

    https://investor.gamestop.com/news-releases/news-details/2026/GameStop-Announces-Long-Term-Performance-Award-for-Ryan-Cohen/default.aspx

    (more…)

  • Episode 118 – Why Bob’s Not So Great At Selling Burgers

    He’s no Jimmy Pesto.

    It’s in the name of the show, you’d think he’d be good at it!

    May is mental health awareness month. If you need assistance in finding help, or you would like to donate to help others get the help they need, visit https://mhanational.org/

    SOURCES

    Why Do So Many Restaurants Fail? (Episode 89) – https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MVfBCqtje2A

    Menu at Bob’s Burgers: https://www.zippia.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/04/bobs-burger-menu.jpg

    Menu at Alamo Drafthouse: https://drafthouse.com/news/get-a-taste-of-the-bobs-burgers-movie

    Complete Guide to Restaurant Profit Margins (With Industry Averages)

    https://20somethingfinance.com/what-is-the-united-states-poverty-line/

    (more…)

  • Episode 117 – How To Make Email Marketing Actually Work

    Report as spam.

    We’ve talked about email marketing a little bit before, but is there a way that it could actually work in the age of spam filters and limited attention? Let’s talk about it!

    May is mental health awareness month. If you need assistance in finding help, or you would like to donate to help others get the help they need, visit https://mhanational.org/

    SOURCES  

    https://www.benchmarkone.com/  

    https://dripify.com/why-email-campaigns-fail/  

    Why Email Marketing Doesn’t Work: Addressing Common Pitfalls and Strategies for Success

    (more…)

  • Episode 116 – Why Spirit Airlines Really Got Grounded

    Was it really that convenient though?

    Turns out, cheap airfare isn’t enough to keep Spirit Airlines going! They have stopped all operations recently, so let’s talk about why!

    May is mental health awareness month. If you need assistance in finding help, or you would like to donate to help others get the help they need, visit https://mhanational.org/

    SOURCES: https://docs.google.com/document/d/1YrKmzoKES0PiD0LDs_JjPJLBrf16otJP9GjeN_YP7Kg/edit?usp=sharing

    (more…)

  • Episode 115 – Interview with Alicia Underwood

    I’m so glad we got to meet Alicia at the AMA event in early April!

    Today, we are talking to Alicia Underwood from TwentyThree LLC and The Social Box LLC! We were lucky enough to meet in person at the AMA event and MDMC!

    Alicia’s Plugs:

    https://www.thesocialbox.co/

    https://www.heytwentythree.com/

    About Alicia: Alicia Underwood is the founder of TwentyThree, LLC, a digital communications and influencer marketing agency based in St. Louis. With 15 years of experience in social media strategy and brand storytelling, she partners with enthusiastic, values-driven brands to help them stand out in a crowded digital landscape. Through TwentyThree, Alicia leads strategy, creative, and execution across social media, paid media, and influencer marketing. She works with clients across healthcare, hospitality, and luxury, and is known for blending data, creativity, and culture into campaigns that move people and deliver results. Alongside her client work, Alicia is building The Social Box, a software platform designed to simplify influencer marketing workflows. She also teaches and speaks on the business of social media and influencer marketing, including at MDMC, one of the Midwest’s largest digital conferences. Additionally, she serves on the board of Social Media Club St. Louis and the Advisory Council for Asian American Dream in New York, and previously served as President of the Lafayette Square Business Association. Alicia is passionate about storytelling, community building, and helping brands grow with clarity and confidence. She lives in Webster Groves with her husband, two boys, and two cats. She also enjoys Pilates, reading, and cooking in her free time.

    Contact Alicia:

    https://www.linkedin.com/in/aliciaunderwood/ https://www.instagram.com/twentythree.digital/

    (more…)

  • Episode 114 – Makreting Confessionals from MDMC!

    I’m Holly, and this is my confessional.

    Today, we are listening to some marketing confessionals from the Midwest Digital Marketing Conference!

    Interested in going next year? Visit their website for updates about 2027 dates and location! https://bestmarketingconference.com/

    The people featured in this video:

    Andy: https://www.linkedin.com/in/andyhudsonstl/

    Wes: https://www.linkedin.com/in/morganwes/

    Charles: https://www.linkedin.com/in/charleslpurnell/

    Ryan: https://www.linkedin.com/in/ryangreen83/

    Sean: https://www.linkedin.com/in/seanjjordan/

    Holly: https://www.linkedin.com/in/holly-wooten-b29829186/

    Ben: https://www.linkedin.com/in/benkniffen/

    Mindy: https://www.linkedin.com/in/mindychoo/

    Daniel: https://www.linkedin.com/in/daniel-collart/

    Tessa: https://www.linkedin.com/in/tessagc/

    Schalene: https://www.linkedin.com/in/schalenehouston/

    Kelly: https://www.linkedin.com/in/kellywiethuchter/

    Matt: https://www.linkedin.com/in/coble/

    Vernon: https://www.linkedin.com/in/vernonross/

    (more…)

  • Episode 113 – How To Be A Great Networker

    And not just on social networks.

    A short episode for you all today! Lets talk about some tips for networking! And what better enviornment to talk about it than the Midwest Digital Marketing Conference!

    This month is donate life month. If you are interested in becoming an organ donor, or you would just like to know more, please visit https://donatelife.net/.

    (more…)

Powered by