Whitney Teal on the Power of Communications Over Marketing (North Fulton Business Radio, Episode 881)
Whitney Teal, founder of The Teal Bridge, joins host John Ray for an insightful conversation about why most small businesses are focusing on the wrong thing when it comes to visibility. A self-described communications specialist, not a marketer, Whitney breaks down how reframing your outreach around communications rather than marketing can lead to deeper client relationships, more meaningful engagement, and content that actually resonates.
She explains the importance of vulnerability in business, explains how to present authentically on podcasts and social media without oversharing, and explains why she believes podcasting is one of the most underutilized tools for building trust. Drawing on her radio background and current work with service-based businesses and thought leaders, Whitney offers a refreshing and practical take on what it means to show up, sincerely and consistently, for your audience.
John Ray is the host of North Fulton Business Radio. The show is produced by John Ray and North Fulton Business Radio, LLC, an affiliate of Business RadioX®, and is recorded inside Renasant Bank in Alpharetta.
Key Takeaways from this Episode
- Stop saying “marketing.” Instead, start thinking “communications.” It changes how you show up and how others connect with you.
- Podcast guesting and hosting are powerful tools for storytelling, not selling.
- Vulnerability builds trust, but there’s an art to doing it well and meaningfully.
- You don’t need to chase trends or go viral. Consistency, authenticity, and relationships win.
- Thought leaders, lawyers, CPAs, and nonprofits can all thrive with message-first strategies, even in highly regulated industries.
- Your brand isn’t what you say; it’s what others say when they see or meet you.
Topics Discussed in this Episode
00:00 Introduction to North Fulton Business Radio
02:00 Guest Introduction: Whitney Teal
02:16 Whitney’s Background and Career Journey
05:54 The Evolution of Marketing and Social Media
09:11 The Importance of Communication Skills
11:15 The Value of Media Training
12:58 Being a Podcast Guest and Host
18:35 The Importance of Delivery for Thought Leaders
19:05 The Power of Podcasts in Business
19:37 Challenges of Self-Promotion on Social Media
23:24 The Art of Vulnerability in Marketing
24:39 Authenticity in Business Communication
27:14 Building Relationships Through Marketing
30:09 Identifying Marketing Issues in Your Business
33:31 Success Stories and Client Testimonials
35:58 Contact Information and Final Thoughts
Whitney Teal, The Teal Bridge
Whitney Teal, a trailblazing visualizer, has extensive experience in the marketing industry. Her beginnings in radio kickstarted her journey as an entrepreneur. She co-founded her first business in 2015 and since has helped start four additional businesses specializing in services for thought leaders and SMBs including her current venture, The Teal Bridge.
Whitney is also a founding member and ambassador of the FEW (Fellowship of Extraordinary Women) Atlanta Chapter and hosts the podcast If I Ever Live to Be, highlighting personal stories and tips for navigating life the best way possible.
Website | LinkedIn | Instagram
Renasant Bank supports North Fulton Business Radio
Renasant Bank has humble roots, starting in 1904 as a $100,000 bank in a Lee County, Mississippi, bakery. Since then, Renasant has become one of the Southeast’s strongest financial institutions, with over $17 billion in assets and more than 180 banking, lending, wealth management, and financial services offices throughout the region. All of Renasant’s success stems from each banker’s commitment to investing in their communities as a way to better understand the people they serve. At Renasant Bank, they understand you because they work and live alongside you every day.
Website | LinkedIn | Facebook | Instagram | X (Twitter) | YouTube
Beyond Computer Solutions supports North Fulton Business Radio
If you’re a law firm, medical practice, or manufacturer, there’s one headline you don’t want to make: “Local Business Pays Thousands in Ransom After Cyberattack.” That’s where Beyond Computer Solutions comes in. They help organizations like yours stay out of the news and in business with managed IT and cybersecurity services designed for industries where compliance and reputation matter most.
Whether they serve as your complete IT department or simply support your internal team, they are well-versed in HIPAA, secure document access, written security policies, and other essential aspects that ensure your safety and well-being. Best of all, it starts with a complimentary security assessment.
Website | LinkedIn | Facebook | YouTube
About North Fulton Business Radio and host John Ray
With over 880 episodes and having featured over 1,300 guests, North Fulton Business Radio is the longest-running podcast in the North Fulton area, covering business in our community like no one else. We are the undisputed “Voice of Business” in North Fulton!
The show invites a diverse range of business, non-profit, and community leaders to share their significant contributions to their market, community, and profession. There’s no discrimination based on company size, and there’s never any “pay to play.” North Fulton Business Radio supports and celebrates businesses by sharing positive stories that traditional media ignore. Some media lean left. Some media lean right. We lean business.
John Ray is the host of North Fulton Business Radio. John and the team at North Fulton Business Radio, LLC, an affiliate of Business RadioX®, produce the show, and it is recorded inside Renasant Bank in Alpharetta.
The studio address is 275 South Main Street, Alpharetta, GA 30009.
You can find the full archive of shows by following this link. The show is available on all the major podcast apps, including Apple Podcasts, Spotify, Google, Amazon, iHeart Radio, and many others.
John Ray also operates his own business advisory practice. John’s services include advising solopreneurs and small professional services firms on their value, their positioning and business development, and their pricing. His clients are professionals who are selling their expertise, such as consultants, coaches, attorneys, CPAs, accountants, bookkeepers, marketing professionals, and other professional services practitioners.
John is the national bestselling author of The Generosity Mindset: A Journey to Business Success by Raising Your Confidence, Value, and Prices.
