Avoiding the Meatball Sundae: Seth Godin (from 2008)

"A meatball sundae is messy, disgusting, and ineffective. It's the result of combining two perfectly good items that don't go well together." Seth Godin

In this conversation I had with Seth Godin back in 2008. It’s even more relevant today!

Welcome marketing visionary and best-selling author Seth Godin to the show for a conversation that blends wisdom, wit, and a sprinkle of dark chocolate. The duo dives into the ideas behind Seth’s then-new book, Meatball Sundae: Is Your Marketing out of Sync?, and explores what it really means to align traditional business models with modern marketing tactics.

Seth unpacks the core metaphor of Meatball Sundae—how slapping trendy marketing toppings (like social media or viral videos) on a boring, bland product (the "meatball") doesn't make it appealing; it makes a mess. He emphasizes that businesses need to rethink their offerings from the inside out, not just the way they promote them. Great marketing, he argues, is about authenticity, alignment, and having the courage to say no to things that don't serve your mission—even if they're shiny or popular.

Phil keeps the conversation upbeat and focused, digging into the practical side of marketing in a changing world. Together, they riff on how to make 2008 a standout year—by being intentional, embracing change, and focusing on the work that truly matters.

Seth wraps the episode with a classic Godin flourish—simple advice delivered with quiet intensity: “You go make it great.” And of course, there’s a delicious sidebar about melting Scharffen Berger 82% dark chocolate over something (perhaps marketing failure?) to make it all go down a little smoother.

Key Takeaways:

• Don’t add trendy toppings to a business model that doesn’t fit. Rebuild the meatball first.

• Modern marketing works only when your product and your values are aligned.

• The ability to say no is a superpower in business—and in life.

• Start your year by choosing to make it great, not wait for it to happen.

This short but powerful conversation is a perfect blend of marketing insight and motivation. It’s an episode that reminds listeners that real impact starts with bold choices—and maybe a bit of dark chocolate, too.

Get a copy of Meatball Sundae on Amazon, for about the price of 10 meatballs or a really good sundae. Just don't eat them together.