Podcast
Sidetrekked
Podcast
Sidetrekked
Your unofficial agency of record
Episode 001
In this episode of Sidetrekked, Emilee and Shayne are joined by Trekk HubSpot Administrator Jillian Hazy. The three discuss their personal process for organizing their email inboxes (2:00), what to do about lackluster email open rates (8:00), deliverability best practices (15:20), and the most important email metrics to measure (20:00). In Problem Solved, they dig into how one client achieved a major internal comms win by having fun with email (24:12). Finally, in Mics at the Bar, they sample La Tuna (30:33).
Episode 002
In this episode of Sidetrekked, Emilee and Shayne are joined by Trekk founder and CEO Laura Bennett. The three tackle that age-old question: How do I get more leads?! (3:41). They go into the discovery questions they ask with new lead gen clients (11:22), as well as some traditional marketing tactics that are surprisingly successful in a digital world (20:55). In Problem Solved, they discuss a recent Trekk lumpy that saw a 30% meetings booked rate (25:02). Finally, in Mics at the Bar, they sample The Barbara (33:47).
Episode 003
In this episode of Sidetrekked, Emilee and Shayne are joined by Trekk Technical Director Sam Basille to discuss how Trekk is navigating AI usage for ourselves and for our clients (1:06). They also discuss why some companies are still skeptical about AI (10:00), how we developed and adopted our own policy on best practices for AI usage (16:00), and their current favorite AI tools. In Problem Solved, they discuss how we used AI to create a product selector that streamlines the customer experience (27:00). Finally, in Mics at the Bar, they sample a cocktail called The Commodore (41:00).
Episode 004
In this episode of Sidetrekked, Emilee and Shayne are joined by Trekk Creative Director Mike Wilson to discuss 2025 marketing and design trend predictions (0:40). They cover retrofuturism (3:25), increasing data privacy regulations (16:40), and short-form video (24:40). Mike shares one of his favorite design principles (5:30) and Emilee outs herself as an art deco hater (14:40). In Problem Solved, they discuss the wide range of video work we've been doing for one client (31:50). Finally, in Mics at the Bar, Mike mixes up a cocktail called The Bronx (36:30). Spoiler: this one leaves the ladies speechless... in a bad way. p.s. Be sure to stick around for One More Thing (40:05)!
Episode 005
In this episode of Sidetrekked, Emilee and Shayne are joined by Trekk Art Director Chris Brown. The three of them discuss why print still connects with people (6:00), the difference between designing for print and digital (12:20), and how to pair print and digital marketing to create a powerful, cohesive message (20:12). In Problem Solved, they look at how variable data and imagery demonstrated the power of high-quality, personalized print for the meal delivery industry (28:04). Finally, in Mics at the Bar, they sample an Addington (34:20).
Mics at the bar
Tequila no.268
Episode 001
La Tuna
- 1 jigger tequila
- 2 teaspoons lemon juice
- 2 dashes Angostura bitters
- Club soda
Shake tequila, lemon juice, and Angostura bitters well with ice and pour over ice cubes into double Old Fashioned glass. Fill with club soda and garnish with lime slice. Sprinkle salt on tops of ice cubes.
Non-Alcoholic Version
Substitute your favorite non-alcoholic tequila and aromatic bitters.
Vodka no.277
Episode 002
Barbara (Russian Bear)
- 1 jigger vodka
- ½ jigger creme de caçao
- ½ jigger heavy cream
Shake well with ice and strain into a chilled cocktail glass.
Straight Vodka for Zakuski
When planning a truly different kind of cocktail party or buffet dinner party (see cards 180 and 199), the Zakuski cries out for attention; and chilled vodka is essential. Serve it straight from the bottle or from ice pitchers or decanters; just be sure that you have plenty of shot glasses or liqueur glasses for drinking the vodka neat, and a certain supply of mixes and juices for guests who do not like their vodka straight.
Non-Alcoholic Version
Substitute your favorite non-alcoholic vodka. Chocolate extract, chocolate powder, chocolate flavoring, and chocolate syrup are all great options to consider in place of the Creme de Caçao.
Bourbon & Irish no.72
Episode 003
Commodore
- 1 jigger bourbon
- ½ jigger curaçao
- ⅓ jigger Rose's lime juice
- Club soda
Shake bourbon, curaçao, and lime juice well with ice and strain over ice cubes into Old Fashioned glass. Fill with soda and garnish with lime or orange twist, pineapple stick or cherry.
Non-Alcoholic Version
Substitute your favorite non-alcoholic whiskey and orange juice in place of the curaçao.
Aperitifs no.35
Episode 001
Negroni
- ½ jigger Campari
- 1 jigger gin or vodka
- 1 jigger of sweet red vermouth
Stir well with ice and strain into a chilled cocktail glass. Garnish with orange or lemon peel. May be served on the rocks with a splash of club soda.
Aperitifs no.21
Episode 001
Addington
- 1 jigger sweet red vermouth
- 1 jigger dry white vermouth
- Club soda
- Lemon twist
Pour vermouths into Old Fashioned glass and stir well with ice. Fill with club soda and garnish with lemon twist.
Addington Cooler: Prepare as above but use highball glass instead of Old Fashioned glass.
Addington White: Prepare as above but substitute sweet white vermouth for sweet red vermouth; garnish with maraschino cherry.
Scotch & Canadian no.233
Episode 001
Canadian Mountie
- 1 jigger Canadian whisky
- ½ jigger Cointreau
- 1 tablespoon grenadine
- 2 tablespoons lemon juice
Shake well with ice and strain into a cocktail glass; garnish with lemon twist.
Brandy no.91
Episode 001
Alabama
- 1 ½ jiggers brandy
- 1 ½ teaspoons lemon juice
- 1 teaspoon curaçao
- ½ teaspoon superfine sugar
Shake well with ice and strain into sugar-rimmed cocktail glass; garnish with orange peel.
To sugar-rim glass: Dip rim of glass first in honey, then in sugar. Stand upright and fill.
Alabama Mist
Follow instructions above except: Do not strain into sugar-rimmed cocktail glass. Instead, fill brandy snifter or saucer champagne glass with crushed ice and strain mixture over ice. Serve with straw.
Blends & Rye no.63
Episode 001
New York Sour No. 2
- 1 jigger blended whiskey
- ½ jigger lime juice
- 1 teaspoon sugar Dry white wine, chilled
Shake whiskey, lime juice, and sugar well with ice and strain into sour glass or wine glass. Fill with chilled white wine. Garnish with lime twist.
Gin no.112
Episode 001
Bronx No. 2
- 1 jigger gin
- ¼ jigger dry vermouth
- ¼ jigger sweet vermouth
- ⅓ jigger orange juice
Shake well with ice and strain into cocktail glass.
Golden Bronx
Follow the above recipes but add 1 egg yolk before shaking.
Low-Calorie Drinks no.151
Episode 001
Cuba Libre
- 1 ounce light rum
- ¼ lime
- 3 ounces cola
Pour light rum over ice into Old Fashioned glass; squeeze lime into glass; add 3 ounces cola; place spent lime in glass.
Cherry Libre
Follow above instructions but add ½ teaspoon sour cherry syrup to glass before pouring in cola.