Fault Lines

Most brands are losing consumer trust because of inauthentic content, and they don’t even realize it. Christine Wilson is the founder of M2M Consulting. In this conversation, she reveals the counterintuitive approach that’s helping brands build genuine credibility and connect with younger audiences. If you’re tired of feeling like your marketing is just noise, this episode is your game-changer.
Dive into Christine’s journey from a mom-focused marketing consultant to a full-service digital agency leader, and discover how authenticity became the secret weapon in a world overwhelmed by misinformation. She breaks down how influencer marketing evolved from mom bloggers to TikTok stars, and why real stories (and real vulnerability) are the keys to winning trust today.You’ll discover:
The true power of authenticity in social media and why Gen Z and millennials crave real connections over polished ads
How trustworthy influencers grow their communities and how brands can borrow that trust ethically
The emerging impact of AI on content creation and why transparency around AI-generated content is vital for credibility
Practical tactics for crafting messaging that feels genuine, from creative briefs to storytelling that highlights authentic user experiences
Future trends like live streaming, AI ethics, and the importance of emotional connections in video content
In a landscape riddled with skepticism, those who master transparency and authenticity unlock unprecedented opportunities. Ignoring these shifts risks falling behind, but embracing them can propel your brand into true consumer loyalty.
Perfect for digital marketers, small business owners, and brand strategists, this episode arms you with the insights to navigate trust in the digital age. If you’re ready to build credibility that lasts (and turn browsers into loyal fans) hit play now.
Christine Wilson is the founder of M2M Consulting, a digital marketing agency celebrating over 13 years of helping brands forge authentic connections with their audiences. She’s a trusted voice on influencer marketing, trust-building, and the future of content, especially in a world where digital authenticity is king.

Trust is under pressure across higher education, public policy, and emerging technology, and Katie Steen-James has spent her career working right in the middle of it. In this episode, Katie joins Richard Roman, Ph.D. to share what she’s learned from years of policy advocacy, student lobbying, and institutional strategy, and why so many organizations struggle to connect with the people they serve.
Katie reflects on how early experiences at the University of Missouri shaped her understanding of trust, why transparency matters more than polished messaging, and how personal stories can often move people more effectively than data alone.
The conversation also turns to her new role at the Open Source Initiative, where she’s helping shape the future of open source AI at a time when definitions, standards, and incentives are all in flux.
If you care about higher education, public trust, policy influence, or the future of AI, this episode offers a clear-eyed look at what it takes to build credibility in a divided world.
 

Most leadership advice focuses on charisma or titles, but the real secret to inspiring trust and authentic influence lies in simple, powerful habits you can start today. Erin Seheult, Ph.D. of WITH Leadership uncovers the four foundational habits of genuine leadership and how they enable you to lead with authenticity, confidence, and compassion, no matter your personality or position.
Discover the moment that transformed Erin's understanding of leadership at age eight, and how a small act of kindness shaped her lifelong approach. She shares her journey through transformational and authentic leadership theories, revealing that true influence isn’t about being the loudest or most charismatic, but about cultivating self-awareness, core values, relational transparency, and balanced decision-making. These habits, which anyone can develop, create leadership that is sustainable, trustworthy, and deeply impactful.
In this episode, you’ll learn practical strategies to:
Build trust through small, intentional actions rooted in authentic care
Cultivate self-awareness and set personal values that guide your decisions
Practice relational transparency to foster genuine connections
Make balanced decisions under pressure, even when mistakes happen
Shift from “I don’t know” as a weakness to a powerful leadership tool
Erin shares stories from her experience as a college RA, highlighting how embracing vulnerability and asking questions built trust and transformed teams. She challenges common misconceptions like leadership being reserved for extroverts or those with titles, emphasizing that leadership is a behavior, not a position.
Her insights reveal why authenticity is the highest frequency you can operate on and how it sustains your ability to meet high expectations without sacrificing integrity. Understanding leadership as a community-builder, Erin advocates for teaching young people about the power of genuine connection, especially in a culture obsessed with individual achievement.
Her perspective on trust, community, and authentic influence offers a refreshing, no-nonsense blueprint for anyone serious about becoming a more effective, compassionate leader.
Perfect for aspiring leaders, managers, educators, and anyone committed to leading with purpose and greater integrity. This episode is your roadmap to cultivating trust, authenticity, and resilience in every relationship.

Most policymakers and farmers misunderstand each other, yet trust is the foundation that can transform agriculture’s future. Rod Snyder is the founder of Junction Strategies. He shares how building genuine relationships with rural communities has reshaped climate and sustainability efforts over the last 20 years.
From a pioneering trip to the UN climate summit in Copenhagen to creating a new office dedicated to agriculture at the EPA, Rod reveals how authentic engagement and incremental progress are changing the game.You'll discover:
How rural communities and government agencies can overcome decades of mistrust through real human connection
The critical role of stakeholder collaboration across farmers, corporations, nonprofits, and policymakers in advancing climate solutions
Why embracing imperfect, incremental innovations (like no-till farming and biotech research) is essential to long-term sustainability
The long-term vision for technology transfer and decarbonizing the global food system by 2050
Practical strategies to turn skeptics into advocates by framing climate resilience as farm survival
In a time when the politics of sustainability threaten to stall progress, understanding how trust is rebuilt (layer by layer) can accelerate meaningful change. For anyone navigating agriculture, climate policy, or rural development, this episode offers actionable insights to foster collaboration, bridge gaps, and push forward with confidence.
Rod Snyder is a leading advocate for sustainable agriculture and climate solutions, with two decades of experience working across government, nonprofits, and the private sector to cultivate trust and create impact.
Perfect for policymakers, farmers, climate advocates, and stakeholders committed to shaping a resilient, equitable future in agriculture. Don’t miss these lessons on leveraging trust as your most powerful tool for transformation.
 

Trust isn't just an abstract concept. It's grounded in vulnerability, dependability, and the stories that shape us. In this debut pilot episode, host Richard Roman dives into what trust really means in our personal and professional lives. He sits down with Sarah Glenn, founder and CEO of Completely Coaching, whose work transforming careers and lives is built on the foundation of trust, both earned and rebuilt. Sarah shares how trust manifests through vulnerability and dependability, illustrated with powerful analogies like tree rings and lotus flowers, revealing why trust is a delicate dance of proving and proving worth. You’ll discover:
How personal trust is about vulnerability, and professional trust hinges on dependability
The surprising ways childhood experiences, like school sports and relationships, shape our trust patterns today
Why trust often breaks down in institutions and social media, and how that impacts our societal fabric
Practical frameworks Sarah uses to rebuild trust, trust in yourself, in others, and within teams
The importance of boundaries, active listening, and setting clear goals to foster trust in coaching and leadership
This episode is perfect for anyone feeling cautious about trust, navigating change, or seeking to strengthen connections in a skeptical world. Whether you’re a leader, a team member, or someone working on personal growth, understanding trust from Sarah’s expert perspective offers a roadmap to resilience, vulnerability, and transformation.
Sarah Glenn is a results coach, executive coach, and leadership strategist known for helping over 4,700 individuals and 200 businesses rebuild confidence and redefine success. Her insights are grounded in her own journey of trust, resilience, and lifelong learning.
Tune in to learn how trust, once broken, can be restored, and how cultivating it can unlock new levels of influence, authenticity, and personal power. Because at the end of the day, trust isn’t just about others; it’s about trusting yourself first.
Ready to explore the real structure of trust and how to rebuild it? Hit play now and start your journey toward deeper connection and greater impact.

What does trust mean to you? Is it a feeling? A decision? Or something you only notice when it’s gone? Get an inside look at Trust Be Told, premiering March 20th! 
Hosted by Richard Roman, this show dives into the real stories behind trust in relationships, business, leadership, and society.
Subscribe now and join us on this journey. Because trust isn’t just an idea—it’s the foundation of everything that works.New episodes launching soon!