Customers First Podcast

Due to personal reasons, I will be stepping away from Customers First & the podcast to focus on my family. I want to thank you all for your loyalty and support you have shown me over the last 4 years, and I am forever grateful to each and every one of you. After today, there will be no new content being posted for an undetermined period of time. I ask that you respect our privacy during this time.

On this episode of the Customers First podcast, I'm joined by Jamaul Ford, a second-generation entrepreneur who embodies the essence of empathy and community-driven business practices. Our discussion dives deep into his entrepreneurial journey, where he shares insights garnered from a diverse range of experiences in B2B collaborations, emphasizing the power of genuine connection in business. As we...

On this episode, I welcome Mr. Mike Viane, a certified business and executive coach, to the Customers First Boardroom. With an impressive 30-year career in the movie industry, including roles at major studios like Warner Bros, Mike brings invaluable insights into the intersection of business acumen and storytelling. Currently, he's the owner of Focal Point Coaching, where he helps a range of clien...

On this episode of the Customers First Podcast, we delve into a thought-provoking conversation with Sonja Price, a future-of-work strategist, executive branding expert, and career acceleration coach. With extensive experience working with professionals from leading companies such as Google, Meta, and Microsoft, Sonja has dedicated the past 15 years to empowering ambitious individuals by helping th...

On this episode, I had the pleasure of speaking with Alison Dixon, the Chief Customer Experience Officer at Portnox, a leader in zero-trust network access control. Alison's unique insights stem from her diverse background, which encompasses various roles in HR, sales enablement, and IT. As we dove into the conversation, Alison shared her journey of building a customer experience organization from...

On this episode of the Customers First Podcast, I have an insightful conversation with Ken Cox, President of River City Internet Group and the mind behind InLink.com—a platform dedicated to providing small businesses and solopreneurs with the essential tools needed for success. Ken passionately shares his journey from a challenging childhood to becoming a key player in the tech industry, illuminat...

On this episode of the Customers First Podcast, I engage in an insightful conversation with Alexis Boyett, a dynamic entrepreneur whose career encompasses modelling, acting, and immersive experience design. As the founder of Company with Character and The Bippity Platform, Alexis embodies a vision rooted in connection, creativity, and empowerment, guiding individuals to forge deeper connections wi...

On this episode of the Customers First Podcast, I had the pleasure of speaking with Al Kushner, a renowned thought leader and author known for his expertise in AI-driven personal branding strategies on LinkedIn. As the conversation unfolded, Al shared invaluable insights and practical tips aimed at helping professionals leverage the power of LinkedIn to build their brands and foster authentic rela...

On this episode, I dive into an enlightening conversation with Ryan Rael, a certified customer experience strategist and founder of Tight Ship CX. We explore how businesses can elevate their customer experience by streamlining operations and optimizing customer journeys while leveraging the right technology.  Ryan details the importance of customer feedback and technology in shaping exceptional cu...

On this episode of the Customers First podcast, I engage in a powerful discussion with Amita Sharma, co-founder of NourishDoc, a holistic wellness platform designed specifically for midlife women. Amita shares her journey through the debilitating symptoms she faced, underscoring how these experiences motivated her to create a platform that emphasizes empathy, personalization, and trust to meet the...

On this episode of the Customers First Podcast, I engage in an enlightening conversation with Dustin Jensen, the founder of AIA System, a pioneering venture in the realm of AI applications. We delve deep into the nuanced world of customer experiences and how AI can serve as an essential ally in creating memorable interactions. He emphasizes that AI is not the flashy tool many perceive it to be, bu...

On this episode, I am joined by Chris Gillen, a distinguished leadership advisor, coach, and speaker who has dedicated his career to fostering cultures of trust and accountability in organizations. We delve into the central themes of his latest book, "The Villain Trap," which explores how blame undermines leadership and erodes the foundation of effective team dynamics. Chris, with over 35 years of...

On this episode of the Customers First podcast, I'm joined once again by Amy Kehs, a seasoned brand strategist and communication expert focused on enhancing the visitor experience in museums. With over two decades of experience in public relations, Amy has developed a deep understanding of how to foster meaningful connections between institutions and their audiences, particularly in the wake of th...

On this episode of the Customers First Podcast, I welcome back Angie Robinson, a valued member of our Customers First family and a leadership development facilitator. Angie shares her rich background and journey from a successful corporate HR career to establishing her coaching business focused on empowering leaders through self-awareness and development. With over 25 years of experience in HR acr...

On this episode of the Customers First podcast, I have the pleasure of speaking with David Sauers, co-founder and CEO of Royal Restrooms, a company redefining the portable restroom industry. We delve into David's journey, exploring the pivotal moments that led him to transform what was once considered a functional necessity into an experience that enhances any event. With a focus on creating luxur...

On this episode of the Customers First Podcast, I engage in a deeply insightful conversation with Jaime Raul Zepeda, a Workplace Culture Architect and Executive Leader. Jaime brings a wealth of experience in enhancing employee engagement and cultivating high-performance environments. We delve into the connection between cultivating a people-first culture and driving business success, exploring how...

  On this episode of the Customers First Podcast, I had the privilege of speaking with Joshua Hart, an expert in conflict management and communication training. With nearly two decades of experience, Joshua has honed his skills in helping organizations navigate complex interpersonal dynamics. We explored the transformative journey that led him to specialize in conflict resolution, beginning with h...

On this episode of the Customers First Podcast, we delve into leadership with Jim Carlough, an accomplished business strategist and author of "The Six Pillars of Effective Leadership: A Roadmap to Success." Drawing upon over thirty years of professional experience, Mr. Carlough asserts that effective leaders are cultivated through deliberate practice and mentorship. He recounts his early leadershi...

On this episode, we chat with Mark Shaw, a customer experience expert with a rich background in enhancing interactions across sectors like theme parks and hotels. Mark's journey from hospitality enthusiast to customer experience leader reveals his passion for creating joyful moments.  He distinguishes between customer service and customer experience, emphasizing the latter as a holistic approach e...

On this episode of the Customers First Podcast, I speak with Danny Snow, a renowned customer service expert deeply rooted in the Disney tradition of excellence. Danny shares invaluable insights shaped by his impressive track record and extensive experience creating unforgettable customer experiences. As a second-generation Disney cast member, he discusses how his early exposure to Disney's culture...

On this episode of the Customers First Podcast, we welcome Damon Lembi, a seasoned leader in the learning and development space, as we delve into the intricacies of building a customer-centric culture through effective leadership. As the CEO of Learn It, a live learning platform that has empowered over 2 million learners, Damon brings a wealth of knowledge from his sports and business backgrounds....

On this episode of the Customers First Podcast, I engage in a transformative conversation with Katherine Lazaruk, an internationally certified image consultant and leadership coach. Katherine's journey from a professional opera singer to a sought-after keynote speaker and consultant is fascinating and deeply inspiring. We dive into her motivations for writing her book, "Executive Being: Humanizing...

On this episode of the Customers First Podcast, I speak with Diane Yarborough, the driving force behind Castaway & Company. We delve into the transformative nature of customer-centric cultures. Diane brings over twenty years of invaluable experience from her time at Disney, where she honed her skills in shaping leaders and cultivating cultures that inspire employees and customers.  Diane shares he...

On this episode of the Customers First Podcast, I had the privilege of engaging with Delphia Howes, an esteemed leader in human resources, diversity, and inclusion. With over two decades of experience, Delphia has built a remarkable career and is also the author of "Including You: Leading Inclusion from Where You Are." We delved into the transformative power of diversity and inclusion (D&I) in org...

On this episode, I speak with Sylvie DiGiusto, the world's first 3D immersive keynote speaker, whose innovative presentation approach reshapes how we engage with audiences. Sylvie brings a wealth of experience from her 20-year corporate journey in retail and tourism, where she honed her skills in leadership development, building one of the most prominent leadership academies in Europe. Our convers...