Emily Zertuche, Chief Brand & Innovation Officer at Visit Corpus Christi, spends her days shaping how the city shows up on the world stage. Her media diet reflects that same mix of strategy, curiosity and community. From must-open newsletters and thought-provoking podcasts to the surprisingly bingeable appeal of city council meetings, Zertuche shares the media she turns to for insight, inspiration and a better understanding of the world around her.
Where do you get your news first?
As a working mom, mornings are usually chaos, so I lean on shortcuts. I listen to “The Daily” while I’m pouring cereal and making coffee, which is a crisp 20-minute deep dive into worldly news. For local updates, I get pings from our local news outlet apps (download them!). There are also these curated newsletters from “Good Day Corpus Christi” and “Corpus Christi Patch” that give me the top local stories every day, all in one place. So, really, it’s a mix of news that keeps me informed without burying me. Very to the point and keeps me from doomscrolling.
What app do you open first in the morning?
Not glamorous, but: Outlook. Before I’m even out of bed, I skim my inbox and calendar to see my “outlook” for the day. (See what I did there?) My life runs on schedules and deadlines, so checking my calendar first thing gives me a sense of control.
Right after that, I open my Spotify and hit play on a curated EDM/house music playlist. It’s what hypes me up for the day and keeps it feeling like a party—until my 6-year-old switches me to blast K-Pop Demon Hunters for school drop-off, which is also still a party.
What newsletter always gets clicked open?
Substack’s “The Weekender” is my favorite way to wind down a busy week. It’s a curated, long-format digest of fascinating articles that blends my personal interests of travel, culture and marketing insights. Another one is Ad Age’s CMO Edition. I highly recommend it for marketers and creatives. It gives me the industry pulse I need, and it dives deep into the strategies behind successful campaigns. I never fail to open a Visit Corpus Christi newsletter filled with monthly events and happenings, and I love to hear about the latest community stories from The Bend’s newsletters.
What podcast do we need to be listening to?
I’ve been binging “Diary of a CEO” because Steven Bartlett pulls out surprisingly raw conversations that feel like eavesdropping on your most brilliant friend. Also, you cannot go wrong with a classic episode of “This American Life.” It’s my reset button after a long day, and it gives me a broader perspective of the very different lives we all live. And for the audiophiles, you must listen to “Dissect”—it’s my personal escape into music that breaks down albums track by track. It turns songs I thought I knew into literal works of art.
What books are making you think?
I struggle with ADHD, and Eckhart Tolle’s The Power of Now and A New Earth have been teaching me how to slow my mind down and become more aware of my personal inner voice. When your brain runs at speed, learning how to be present is such a gift. I also love Nate Silver’s On the Edge. It looks at how high-stakes gamblers, investors and entrepreneurs deal with risk, and it has me rethinking how I approach both work and parenting. Reid Hoffman’s Superagency offers an optimistic view of artificial intelligence and how it can make us more creative as a human race. And for fun, I’m finally reading Andy Weir’s Project Hail Mary. It’s from the writer of The Martian, a funny sci-fi adventure that keeps me from mindlessly scrolling.
Any other media you consume that people need to know about?
I’m not joking when I say that Corpus Christi city council meetings are my reality TV; watching policy debates and public comments is a crash course in how decisions really get made. Vox’s “Explained” and NerdWriter1’s videos break complex topics down into bingeable, aha-moment clips. Michael Baker’s Instagram account (@englishmanmike) has saved me more than once with his short, practical advice on office dynamics. “Uncensored CMO” keeps my marketing instincts sharp. By mixing civic engagement, education and pure entertainment, I stay curious and connected. I also love sharing these finds, because media is best when it’s a conversation.
How can people connect with you?
You can find me on LinkedIn and Instagram @emilyczertuche. LinkedIn is where I share my thoughts, fun wins and happenings at Visit Corpus Christi, marketing and building strong teams. Instagram is a blend of various side quests and hobbies coupled with music festivals, travel, kids and work life.
If you like longer reads, my Substack is where I dive into the challenges and joys of being a millennial CMO and travel nerd. So please reach out! I read everything and love hearing from other 9-5ers, music lovers or anyone who believes in the power of place.
