The Lens You Didn't Know You Needed

The Tragedy Academy

What happens when creative power, marketing wisdom, and startup energy collide? In this episode, Jay sits down with Julie Matzen to explore the journey from agency leadership to startup empowerment. With honesty, laughter, and depth, they unpack the emotional architecture of business: the fear of becoming irrelevant, the power of validation, and the truth that failure isn’t a wall—it’s a lens.
The conversation moves from the dangers of letting AI write your ad copy to the Gen X struggle of feeling unseen, all the way to the radical idea that access to wisdom should be affordable. Through shared metaphors, unapologetic insights, and unexpected childhood stories, Julie and Jay remind us that the real power in business—and in life—comes not from polish, but from presence.
"Don't let AI be your art. The paintbrush doesn't get the credit."
Bio: Julie Matzen is the co-founder of Boarderline and founder of the MayDay Agency. With over 25 years in branding and digital strategy for top-tier brands, Julie now focuses on democratizing access to expert advisors for startups and mid-sized businesses. Through Boarderline, she's building a platform that empowers emerging entrepreneurs to gain real insights from the minds that helped build the world's biggest brands.
📌 Key Takeaways
✨ [00:14:00] – "AI can automate, but it can't validate."
🧘 [00:20:00] – Insight without experience is dangerous—it’s just expensive noise.
🔥 [00:36:00] – Gen X has the tools. It's time to show younger generations how to use them.
🤖 [00:03:00] – AI is a mirror, not a muse.
💭 [00:48:00] – Validation isn’t weakness. It’s water for the seed.
📚 Chapter Timestamps
🚢 [00:00] – Shifts and Ships in Business
🧠 [05:00] – The Wisdom of Gen X and the Value of Lenses
🪞 [10:00] – AI as Mirror, Not Muse
🎭 [15:00] – The Fear of Aging Out
💬 [21:00] – Validation, Vulnerability, and Starting Over
📉 [30:00] – Marketing That Misses the Point
🎯 [38:00] – Emotional Triggers and Human Branding
📚 [48:00] – The Value of Experience
🌀 [55:00] – Final Metaphors and Messages
CTA for the Show
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We explore the human experience through tragedy and triumph—with laughter, candor, and depth.
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CTA for the Guest
Learn more about Julie Matzen at:
https://theboarderline.co
https://www.linkedin.com/in/julie-matzen-1696aa52
Support her mission to make expert advice accessible to small businesses and emerging founders.
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