Welcome to this episode of Leaders Unleashed! I’m Steve Olenski, CMO of Stan Ventures, and today we’re joined by the one and only Dave Schneider, CEO of Shortlist.io 🎙️. Whether you’re an SEO enthusiast, agency owner, or marketer looking to future-proof your strategies, this episode is a must-watch!
In this engaging conversation, we dive into SEO secrets and trends of the past, present, and beyond 2025. Dave, a seasoned digital nomad who’s traveled to 60+ countries , brings a wealth of experience and insights to the table. We start by exploring how SEO has evolved over the years—from the early days of keyword stuffing and low-quality link schemes to the modern emphasis on user experience, mobile optimization, and high-quality content creation.
Fast forward to today, Dave shares how AI is changing the SEO landscape, enhancing productivity, and boosting content creation. But here’s the kicker: AI isn’t replacing anyone at Shortlist.io; it’s empowering teams to do more with less! We discuss how AI tools are helping marketers adapt and thrive without fear of job loss, making them more efficient and versatile than ever before.
Looking ahead to SEO in 2025 and beyond, Dave talks about the impact of new tech like Google’s SGE and the potential shift in search behavior. Will traditional content still drive traffic, or will AI-generated snippets and voice search take the lead? Dave shares why businesses need to focus on adaptability, building strong personal brands, and fostering genuine connections—both online and offline.
To wrap it up, Dave opens up about building the Philly Tech Entrepreneurs community and hosting the Philly Tech Connect Podcast. He discusses the importance of personal branding and how it’s becoming essential in the future of SEO and digital marketing.
This episode is packed with practical tips, expert opinions, and forward-thinking advice to help you stay ahead of the SEO curve.
Don’t forget to hit that subscribe button for more great content, give us a thumbs-up, and share your thoughts or questions in the comments below! Let’s shape the future of SEO together!
Meet the speakers

Steve Olenski
Podcast Host

Dave Schneider
CEO
Guest Bio

Dave Schneider
CEO
Dave Schneider is the CEO and founder of Shortlist.io, an inbound marketing agency. A Harvard graduate with a degree in Applied Mathematics, Dave left his corporate job in 2012 to travel the world with his wife, visiting over 60 countries. During this time, he co-founded and led NinjaOutreach, an influencer marketing platform, which he successfully exited. Dave has a proven track record of growing multiple businesses to over a million dollars in revenue, including both SaaS and agency models. He is known for his process-oriented approach to growth and has been a guest on numerous podcasts, sharing his expertise in digital marketing and entrepreneurship.
