Sales POP! Podcasts

The secret to AI ROI isn't the software—it's the process. Antony Baker shares a masterclass on mapping workflows to identify high-impact "quick wins." From cleaning bloated sales pipelines to using specialized "Mates" for meeting notes, this episode provides a blueprint for operational efficiency. With the competitive window closing fast, learn why data transparency and precise prompting are the new prerequisites for business survival. Insight: Stop treating AI as a chatbot and start treating it as a digital teammate. Listen now to stay ahead of the curve.

By engineering zero-emission snowplows that double as microgrid assets. CEO Marc Manning explains how these 2025 hybrid-electric vehicles deliver more torque than dual diesel engines while generating up to $60k/year in revenue through Vehicle-to-Grid (V2G) power. This dual-use technology solves the "idle asset" problem, providing airports with peak shaving and emergency backup power. With Buy America compliance and FAA-compliant performance (7,500 tons of snow/hr), Kodiak is turning seasonal machinery into year-round infrastructure. Listen to the Expert Inside podcast for the complete engineering breakdown on decarbonizing heavy industry.  

Are you a vendor or a partner? Whitney Ferris argues that "transactional selling" is a relic of the past. To survive today's complex B2B landscape, you must master the human elements of the deal. High-impact performers focus on three pillars: Meaningful Urgency: Tying solutions to real business risks, not fake deadlines. Radical Consistency: Building an untouchable reputation through reliable follow-through. Ethical Outcomes: Prioritizing "win-win" deals that ensure long-term referrals. By balancing disciplined preparation with genuine empathy, you transform your sales desk into a value engine.

Recruitment entrepreneur Kevin Downey reveals why his system thrives on cold B2B email: simple, human copy, and flawless compliance. Forget the marketing jargon and complex subject lines. Your email should mimic a voicemail: direct, conversational, and hyper-focused. Start with a clear pain point, offer a brief solution, and use a Call to Action (CTA) that only asks for a simple reply. Downey's data shows that simple, vague subject lines outperform gimmicks. Crucially, personalization should be minimal (First Name is enough)—overdoing it signals automation. Measure only the Reply Rate, ignore opens, and follow the simple rule for compliance: include a physical address and an easy opt-out.

Why do most referral campaigns fail? Because they ignore the emotional core of the client experience. In her book, The Referral Client Experience, Stacey Brown Randall explains that anxiety and uncertainty define the initial "New Client" stage. If you don't address that "quiet voice" of concern with clear onboarding and emotional reassurance, you undermine trust. You must identify your Referral Hot Zones—the specific moments in your journey when clients are most likely to talk about you. These are not random. Analyze where past referrals originated (e.g., after successful project completion, during a specific milestone).  

In the competitive world of medical aesthetics, many practices struggle because they view "sales" as a dirty word. But here's the truth: sales is simply an extension of patient care. Terri Ross, a top industry expert, argues that the most successful cash-based practices shift their focus from pushing procedures to consulting on solutions. Your Actionable Takeaway: Abandon the "icky" sales stigma. Embrace emotional selling by asking deep, open-ended questions to uncover the true motivations behind a patient's desire for treatment. Patients buy on feeling, not just facts. When you genuinely serve, you automatically sell.

Why do some sales professionals consistently outperform everyone else? The answer often boils down to two things: leveraging what makes them unique and relentless self-investment. In a powerful discussion with Sales POP! host John Golden, sales executive and coach Patrick Engasser detailed how he turned perceived challenges into his most significant competitive advantages. His blindness and guide dog, Elvis, became instant, memorable conversation starters.  

Struggling to feed your content calendar? You are overlooking the most efficient content engine available: Podcast Guesting. A single 30-minute conversation can populate your marketing channels for weeks, all while establishing you as a thought leader. Forget scripted sales pitches. Modern audiences crave authenticity. By sharing genuine stories and "giving away the farm" in terms of value, you build rapid trust. This approach creates a library of multimedia assets—audio, video, and text—that your sales team can use to validate expertise and close deals faster. Victoria Bennion   

For sales teams and high performers, a confusing compensation plan is a fast track to disengagement. Scott Trumpolt joins the Sales POP! podcast to explain why the best compensation plans prioritize clarity over complexity. The biggest mistake companies make? Hiding the math. Whether it's base salary or variable commission, employees need to see exactly how their efforts translate to dollars. But it goes deeper than that—Scott suggests linking pay directly to Career Architecture.

Collecting email addresses is no longer enough. To succeed in the current digital landscape, marketers must transition from building lists to cultivating communities. In this deep dive, lead gen expert Jennie Wright explains why the human touch remains the ultimate competitive advantage in an AI-saturated market. What You'll Learn: Community Ecosystems: Why treating your list like a community reduces attrition and boosts engagement. Combating AI Fatigue: How to balance backend efficiency with the genuine connection audiences crave. Inbound Attraction: Strategies to keep your pipeline full through permission-based, value-driven offers. Wright emphasizes that while tools like AI can handle the data, they cannot replace the strategy. Listen now to discover how to humanize your automation and turn cold traffic into loyal brand advocates.

Building a business is hard. Building a $100M legacy without a safety net is a masterclass in resilience. Pranav Dalal, CEO of Office Beacon, bet on himself when the dot-com bubble burst—and he won. In this deep dive, Dalal shares the psychological shift required to bootstrap successfully. It's not just about saving money; it's about maintaining total control over your vision and values. From managing a distributed team across four continents to integrating AI without replacing human talent, Dalal offers a rare look inside a founder-led giant.

Is the pressure to hit your numbers actually killing your sales performance? Most sales professionals are taught to fixate on the close. Joe Terry argues that this attachment creates fear, which kills creativity and connection. In this expert interview, we unpack why the secret to extraordinary sales numbers is surrendering to the result. This isn't about giving up; it's about controlling the controllables. You cannot control if a prospect signs today, but you can control your mindset, your daily activity, and the experience you provide.

Can a "people-first" culture really drive a $50 million valuation? According to entrepreneur Andrew Hulbert, it was his single biggest competitive advantage. In a sector notorious for low wages and high churn, Hulbert built a cleaning and facilities powerhouse by doing the opposite of his competitors: he actually cared. In this masterclass with John Golden, we break down the tactical side of empathy. Learn why Hulbert prioritized "hiring for values" over skills and how he maintained a 90% retention rate while scaling rapidly. If you are struggling to keep top talent or preparing your company for acquisition, this episode provides the strategy you need.  

There is a fatal disconnect happening in B2B marketing: The "Dog Food vs. Cat Food" problem. Sahil Patel (Spiralyze) explains that if your Google Ad promises "Lowest Processing Fees" (Dog Food), but your landing page highlights "Premium Customer Support" (Cat Food), you've broken the user's trust immediately. This message mismatch is a primary driver of high bounce rates.  

Is money a taboo topic at your dinner table? It shouldn't be. On today's show, we are joined by Gino Barbaro, best-selling author of Happy Money Happy Family Happy Legacy. Gino shares his radical approach to blending entrepreneurship with parenting. He doesn't just teach his kids about money; he invites them to the table—literally. From sitting in on calls with accountants to discussing "money trauma," Gino treats his family with the same intentionality as his businesses. If you are an entrepreneur trying to balance scale with sanity, this episode is your manual.  

What if accountability wasn't about blame, but about support? That's the core philosophy Rob Marcus explores in this essential episode of Sales POP! podcast. Marcus argues that many organizations fail not because of effort, but due to a fundamental misunderstanding of accountability and a lack of proper leadership training. We dive deep into why simply promoting high performers into management is a recipe for disaster. Leadership is a learned skill, yet most managers lack the crucial ability to coach effectively. Coaching—asking, not telling—empowers teams to find their own solutions, fostering autonomy and ownership. Learn how to redefine accountability as a positive, mission-driven tool that aligns teams around clear, measurable expectations. Discover why leaders must model the standards they demand and how investing in coaching skills for your managers will build a self-sufficient, high-performing culture. This is the blueprint for crossing the divide from micromanagement to true team empowerment.

How do you guarantee every voice is heard and every mind is engaged in your next strategy session? We're unlocking the secret with learning and development veteran Jolynn Ledgerwood and the revolutionary LEGO Serious Play (LSP) method. Jolynn reveals why traditional meetings fail and how this hands-on process creates a level playing field, transforming quiet contributors into active participants.

Tired of hearing about AI theory? In this sharp, action-packed episode, we move past the hype and dive into the concrete strategies for leveraging AI in your business, straight from industry maven Len Ward (Cemmexis). The biggest blocker to AI adoption isn't the tech—it's data chaos. We uncover why AI is only as powerful as the data it consumes and give you the non-negotiable steps for building a clean, structured "Data Lake." This foundation is the secret to getting instant, actionable insights.  

Stop treating cost management as a necessary evil. According to veteran financial expert Duane Deason, sustainable success hinges on weaving cost discipline into the DNA of your organization—starting with proactive planning, not reactive panic. The biggest mistake leaders make is assuming the financial crisis will pass and neglecting structural cost controls. Actual efficiency comes from balancing growth-focused Visionaries with detail-oriented Operators on your leadership team. Operators ensure the business runs lean, which is essential even when profits are booming.

Why are your deals ghosting you after a great first meeting? Because you missed the crucial step: securing the next meeting while the energy is high. Elite sales pros understand that buying decisions are more emotional than logical. Ditch the generic, fact-based questions and opt for evocative, storytelling prompts. Try this instead: Don't ask, "What's your biggest pain point?" Ask, "What is that one thing in your business that truly makes you want to pull your hair out?" This question bypasses logic, elicits a story, and reveals the emotional stakes you need to solve. Lee Salz - https://salesarchitects.com/

The days of treating social selling like a content quota are over. According to experts John Golden and Matt Watson, modern success in the AI-driven digital world requires intentionality, focus, and a deep commitment to quality over volume. The core realization is that your prospects aren't just researching your company; they are researching you as an individual, often using AI to compile a composite profile. This makes your online persona and engagement style more critical than ever before.  

How to Answer 'Overqualified': Strategy to Secure Senior Roles Today, we dive into the second critical strategy for mid-career success: mastering your value proposition and defeating the biggest biases. 1. Master Your Value Proposition and Relevancy You must deeply understand your unique value and exactly where it intersects with market demand. Define Your Differentiator: What is your signature strength? Pinpoint the one thing that makes you stand out—whether it's crisis management, technical depth, or strategic leadership. Align with Needs: Research the industry's most pressing challenges. Map your history directly to these needs and articulate exactly how you solve their future problems. Communicate Current Value: Avoid telling old "war stories." Articulate the lessons learned from past achievements and explain precisely how those lessons apply to the company's current situation. Make your history relevant and current.   John Tarnoff - https://johntarnoff.com

Trust isn't just a soft skill — it's a strategic asset vital for leadership success, sales growth, and organizational change. On the Sales POP! podcast, John Golden interviews Darryl Stickle, a trust expert with decades of experience, about how to cultivate trust in emotionally charged and uncertain times. Highlights include: Understanding trust as a balance of uncertainty and vulnerability. The importance of starting with small vulnerabilities to invite reciprocity. The four levers of trust: ability, benevolence, integrity, and transparency. How acknowledging today's trust crisis and showing empathy can rebuild connections. Why consistent communication and under-promising are key to maintaining trust.  

Inside-Out Leadership: Cultivating Trust, Culture & Team Success On Sales POP!, John Golden sits down with Whole Teams Advisory's Blayne Kelly and Hilary Andrews to explore how leaders can transform organizations by focusing inward first. They emphasize that thriving companies don't just happen—they are built intentionally through culture, trust, and continuous feedback. Highlights include: Conducting real culture audits to align stated values with daily actions. Creating psychological safety to unlock honest dialogue and innovation. Shifting feedback from criticism to a constructive, strength-based conversation. Practicing delegation to empower teams and resist micromanagement. Embracing leadership agility to adapt quickly in a fast-changing business world. This episode is a must-listen for executives and managers ready to lead with purpose and build teams that perform at their best.

Welcome to our latest episode where we uncover the secrets to mastering charisma and boldness, inspired by Fred Joyal's Super Bold: From Underconfident to Charismatic in 90 Days. If you're looking to transform your approach to life and interactions, this episode is for you! Key Highlights: Differentiate Boldness and Confidence: Learn that confidence is how you perceive yourself, while boldness is about taking action. Start acting boldly to build your confidence. Action is Essential: Boldness can be developed through practice. Recognize doubts, act despite them, and embrace discomfort as a catalyst for growth. Practical Exercises: Engage in daily bold actions—whether it's initiating conversations or tackling public speaking. Track your progress to see how far you've come. Reframing Failure: View failure as a valuable teacher. Reflect on your experiences and use them to propel yourself forward. Cultivating Charisma: Charisma is rooted in authenticity. Be present, own your mistakes, and focus on building meaningful relationships.

In the latest episode of our podcast, John Golden sits down with Mell Balment, a leader in empathic leadership, to discuss how sensitivity can be a formidable asset in the workplace. As workplaces become more complex, the ability to lead with empathy is more important than ever. Mell introduces the concept of energetic sovereignty, which allows leaders to make choices that serve both their personal and organizational goals. She outlines three significant advantages: it prevents burnout, maintains clarity, and enhances a leader's presence. Listeners will learn how to identify their empathic type by reflecting on emotional responses and triggers. Mell shares actionable strategies for protecting energy, such as visualization, establishing boundaries, and taking restorative breaks.

Strategic pricing is a growth lever, not a calculation. Companies that align price with customer value typically see 15-25% revenue growth in year one. Key Pricing Psychology: The 3-Tier Model: Used by 70% of B2B SaaS companies, this model leverages psychology. The premium tier makes the middle tier (where most profit is captured) look like the "reasonable" choice. Persona-Based Pricing: Design pricing around the customer's jobs-to-be-done rather than linearly scaling features. Dan Balcauski - https://www.producttranquility.com/

In the world of high-ticket coaching, generic pitches are dead. Episode Host John Golden sits down with expert strategist Caroline Onyedinma to unpack the essential formula for scaling to seven figures: blending deeply human storytelling with the efficiency of AI content. Caroline confirms that for premium offers, trust isn't a bonus—it's the only currency. Stories are the most effective way to build that emotional resonance and establish brand authority with prospects considering a significant investment.

If your sales team feels unpredictable, you're not wrong—they are. Sales coach Andy Gole argues that salespeople are professional "platypuses": a one-of-a-kind blend of entrepreneurial spirit and corporate loyalty. They're independent and coachable. This psychological hybrid nature is key to their success, but also the root of their unique challenges. Ignoring this distinction is costing you top performers.

Stop losing leads to spam flags and regulatory fines. In today's hyper-regulated outbound world, AI and TCPA compliance are no longer optional—they are the core engines of revenue growth. In this must-listen episode, Sales POP! host John Golden sits down with Nima Hakimi, CEO of Converso, to break down how to achieve superior results while staying 100% compliant. Nima shares actionable insights from two decades of experience, including how his team leverages machine learning for caller ID reputation management and contact rate optimization (with up to 50% reported uplifts).

Meet Stela Roznovan, the TEDx speaker and insurance agency head whose personal transformation holds the key to next-level sales success. In this illuminating episode, Stela shares her inspiring story of pivoting from a concert pianist career to leading a multi-million dollar business, highlighting the vital role of adaptability and continuous learning in any high-stakes environment. We unpack the psychology of elite selling, moving beyond generic pitches to focus on genuine connection. You'll learn how to implement Stela's proven fundamentals for advancing sale and fostering deep client trust:

If your retirement strategy feels like riding a daily market rollercoaster, it's because you've been playing by Wall Street's rules. The standard advice—heavy on 401(k)s, mutual funds, and bonds—leaves your entire financial future dangerously exposed to volatility. This reliance on "cookie-cutter" portfolios is the single biggest blind spot in modern retirement planning. As institutional strategist Ben Mohr highlighted on the Sales POP podcast, the path to true financial resilience lies outside the public market. The solution is uncorrelated assets—investments whose returns aren't tied to the S&P 500.

Generating leads is one challenge; scaling your business without descending into chaos is another. On the Expert Inside podcast, Shawn Quintero outlined a two-part strategy to master sales and delivery simultaneously. 1. The High-Converting Offer: Why Challenges Beat Webinars Passive, lengthy webinars are out. Focused, 3-to-5-day challenges are in. Why? Because they create momentum and build belief in a micro-result. Shawn's "One Client Away Challenge" is a perfect example: it solves the immediate need (getting a client) and sets the stage for the longer-term solution (scaling client delivery). 2. Break the Cycle with the BOAT Method Most service entrepreneurs hit a wall: they sell a lot (feast), get overwhelmed delivering the service, stop marketing (famine), and then start over. The B.O.A.T. method is your operating system for sustainable scale. Growth doesn't happen by doing more; it happens by implementing innovative, focused systems that allow you to grow with intention.

The most overlooked phase in the sales cycle is the silence: the gap between meetings. Master negotiator Andres Lares highlights this as a critical window for influence. Here are the keys to leveraging that time, focusing on the buyer, and overcoming the instinct to discount. 

In the competitive world of business, your clothing is a critical differentiator. We sat down with Anya Cheng, former big tech leader and CEO of Taylor AI, to explore how a custom AI system can perfect the wardrobe of the busy professional. Taylor AI is not just a tech tool; it's an integrated wardrobe solution that addresses the core challenges of men's fashion today: time, relevance, and sustainability. The model works on a feedback loop that continually refines your style profile.

Are you losing 25% of your high-value talent after parental leave? For sales organizations, turnover isn't just an HR metric—it's a severe revenue drain. Replacing a seasoned sales pro costs up to $200,000, making retention a strategic priority. This week on the podcast, we unpack the critical, often-overlooked moment where organizations hemorrhage talent: the return from parental leave.  We sit down with Karla Calinawan, founder of Fand Foundry and a leader who navigated three parental leaves in high-stakes tech environments. She argues that the post-leave transition is where leaders earn loyalty.

In this highly-anticipated episode, we host Shannon Lucas, co-CEO of Catalyst Constellations and author of Move Fast Break Burnout. She distills her 20+ years of corporate innovation experience into an essential guide for change agents. Discover the critical difference between a positive catalyst and a divisive disruptor (it's all about emotional intelligence). Learn the non-negotiable self-awareness techniques—like body scans and brief check-ins—to shield yourself from exhaustion. Plus, Shannon reveals how C-suite leaders can finally support catalysts and overcome deep-seated organizational resistance.

The rise of AI has redefined the job market, making single-skill expertise obsolete. That's why the journey of Serhiy Leshchenko, the founder of Ukraine's Beverly Productions, is mandatory listening for every modern creator and entrepreneur. Serhiy built his successful video and podcast agency by rejecting the one-track path, embracing what he calls a multifunctional skill set—the secret weapon for career longevity in the age of automation.

The evolution of search demands a tactical shift from generalized SEO to hyper-specific AI Optimization (AIO). We're moving beyond just keywords and focusing on the structured data AI models consume. Schema: The AI Translator: Your content is brilliant, but is it legible to an AI? Schema Markup is the language AI uses to understand context. Implementing structured data allows your information to appear in rich results, featured snippets, and—most importantly—in AI-generated answers.

Are you spending hours on social media only to generate lukewarm leads? The problem isn't the platform; it's the strategy. High-stakes clients—the ones who make or break your year—don't hire an entertainer; they hire an advisor. In this tactical episode featuring branding guru Nathan Schiess, we zero in on the exact content plan that separates the top-tier agents from the tire-kickers. It's about being intentional, empathetic, and relentlessly practical.

Matthew Pollard on The Introvert's Hidden Sales Advantages The sales floor is no longer a stage for the loudest performer. As Matthew Pollard, author of The Introvert's Edge, shared with John Golden, the modern, complex sales environment actually favors the quiet, strategic mindset of the introvert. It's time to retire the belief that introversion is a hurdle to overcome; it is, in fact, the source of your competitive advantage.

Why Your Ideal Investor Isn't Who You Think It Is Are you wasting time chasing billion-dollar funds that will never write a check your size? A critical mistake in startup fundraising strategy is poor investor targeting. The key to successful funding lies in aligning your capital need with the investor's fund size and expertise. In this actionable segment, industry veteran Jeffrey Fidelman pulls back the curtain on investor qualification and the strategic importance of choosing partners who bring more than just money to the table. We'll teach you how to analyze a fund's typical check size and portfolio focus to optimize your outreach.

If you're a founder, owner, or key leader, a health crisis—like a cancer diagnosis—is a seismic event that impacts more than your personal life. It can paralyze your business. In this powerful episode, we sit down with Deb Krier, a certified integrative cancer coach who successfully navigated her company through multiple health battles. She shares the essential, human-first strategies every entrepreneur needs to implement before the storm hits. This isn't theoretical advice; it's a proven roadmap for continuity, trust, and resilience.

Don't mistake high income for financial freedom. That's the hard-earned lesson from CPA and tech strategist Catrina Kraft. After losing 80% of her income overnight, Catrina realized that true wealth isn't about how much you earn, but how much you strategically protect. In this powerful episode, we break down the critical tax strategies and structural changes every entrepreneur, coach, and consultant must implement now to achieve resilient financial security.    

The biggest barrier to optimizing your sales operation isn't technology—it's a cultural one. Many teams view "process" as corporate handcuffs, believing it stifles the creativity needed to close deals. Process expert Nesanel Moeller breaks down this misconception: A clear process is actually the reliable, repeatable foundation that enables high-level creativity and customer connection.

Why do we sabotage our own success, even when we know what we should be doing? The answer lies in evolutionary psychology. Our brains are wired for ancient survival—seeking immediate safety and comfort—often directly opposing our modern goals of long-term achievement and risk-taking. Serial entrepreneur Kalin Karakehayov created the Grow Younger framework to combat this, arguing that self-improvement isn't about vague platitudes; it's about "tricking" your biology into better behaviors.

For many entrepreneurs, the goal isn't just surviving; it's building genuine financial resilience and freedom. But the self-employed life comes with hidden risks—no sick pay, no employer benefits, and total income volatility. Expert Financial Adviser Lisa Conway Hughes shared her top strategies for future-proofing your business.

Struggling with team alignment, scattered priorities, or communication breakdowns? This Expert Inside Interview episode with leadership specialist Will Watrous delivers the proven solutions you need to overcome these common challenges and build a thriving organization. Host John Golden guides this insightful conversation with Will Watrous, an experienced EOS implementer who specializes in helping leadership teams eliminate misalignment and accelerate growth. Drawing from years of hands-on experience, Watrous reveals the fundamental principles that turn good managers into exceptional leaders.

In a digital-first world, your website is often the first impression a potential customer has of your business. But what if that impression is leaving a huge part of the population behind? In our latest episode, we sat down with digital accessibility expert Mike Barton to discuss how shifting your mindset from legal compliance to strategic growth can unlock a world of new opportunities. Mike broke down why accessibility is a major business imperative, not just a feel-good initiative. He pointed out that people with disabilities and their support networks represent a market with a staggering $18 trillion in spending power—a market that is highly loyal and actively seeking brands that value inclusivity.

In this revealing conversation, John Golden sits down with Tamara Jackson, founder of Lead Reviver and strategic sales advisor, to uncover why most companies are implementing sales AI wrong—and how to fix it. Jackson challenges the common misconception that AI should replace salespeople. Instead, she advocates for a strategic partnership approach where AI handles data-driven tasks while humans focus on relationship building. "AI is most powerful when it supports your human sellers," Jackson explains, warning against the "easy button" mentality that leads to generic, ineffective automation. The conversation reveals a critical success factor many organizations overlook: comprehensive AI training. Just as with onboarding a new employee, your AI systems require extensive knowledge about your company's mission, products, and proven sales methodologies. Without this foundation, AI generates communications that prospects immediately recognize as automated.

What if the biggest challenge you face at work isn't a difficult client or a tight deadline, but something within you? On this week's episode, we're diving into the concept of the "shadow," a term for our hidden, unconscious behaviors. Drawing on insights from Steven D'Souza's work, we discuss how these unseen forces impact everything from team dynamics to major company decisions. You'll learn about D'Souza's unique four-lens framework, which helps you identify your own shadow patterns through a psychological, social, biological, and even spiritual perspective. Get ready to stop projecting and start owning your behavior. We'll offer practical tips for bringing more authenticity and self-awareness to your leadership and transforming your workplace culture from the inside out. Don't miss this one.