Customers First Podcast

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 leadership journey, which commenced with his...

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 encompassing every brand interaction...

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 of exceptional service informs the...

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. Our conversation revolves around f...

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 Business, One Leader at a Time," a...

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 her fascinating journey in her early ...

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 organizational settings and how unders...

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...

On this episode of the Customers First Podcast, I had the privilege of speaking with the inspiring James Robbins, a transformative leader and motivational speaker. Our conversation began with his remarkable journey from humble beginnings on a cattle ranch to influential leadership roles. This journey profoundly shaped his views on leadership, inspiration, and motivation. James emphasizes a powerful truth: while leaders are accounta...

On this episode of the Customer's First Podcast, I am joined by Liz Weber, a distinguished business advisor, author, and organizational culture expert, to delve into the intricacies of leadership and company culture in today's fast-paced environment. Liz, with her vast experience and MBA in international business, shares her journey from a rewarding career with the State Department to becoming a trusted consultant for executives n...

On this episode of the Customers First Podcast, I discuss the transformative power of customer experience and brand storytelling with Timothy Kalinowski, president of Lore. A master storyteller and brand strategist, Tim empowers brands to connect meaningfully with their audiences. 

Tim shares his journey from marketing enthusiast to leading branding figure, recounting his motivation to establish Lore a decade ago. Frustrated with t...

In this episode of the Customers First Podcast, I chat with DJ Soults, the first certified Unreasonable Hospitality Coach. DJ reveals how businesses can elevate customer experiences by going above and beyond expectations. He shares his transformative approach that helps organizations turn ordinary customer interactions into extraordinary ones.

Our conversation dives into practical strategies for both attracting new customers and de...

On this episode of the Customers First Podcast, I have an inspiring conversation with Brad Huebner, a former Marine and dedicated business coach specializing in guiding contractors. Based on his military experience, Brad underscores the vital leadership, determination, and perseverance qualities that shape his coaching approach. With a remarkable track record of over 2,500 construction projects, he is committed to helping tradespeo...

On this exciting episode of the Customers First Podcast, I enjoyed chatting with Sam Mizrahi, a trailblazer in Canada's luxury residential market and the visionary behind Mizrahi Developments. We dive into his latest landmark project, The One, poised to redefine the Toronto skyline as Canada's tallest skyscraper at an impressive 85 stories.

Sam's journey began at just 16 when he jumped into entrepreneurship and explored various ind...

On this episode of the Customers First Podcast, I have an insightful conversation with Jesse McCullough, founder of Keystone Pharmacy Insights and a leadership coach. After his Customers First record-breaking Spotify episode in 2024, Jesse returns to discuss leadership and awareness, sharing his journey from a farm kid to a pharmacist and his leadership challenges in various sectors. 

A key moment in Jesse's life came in 2014 when ...

On this episode of the Customers First Podcast, Tacey chats with Brian Kurtz, founder and CEO of Titans Marketing LLC, who shares insights from his extensive career in direct marketing and his book, "OverDeliver." Brian emphasizes creating extraordinary customer experiences and building relationships in today's competitive landscape.

He shares his journe...

On this episode, Tacey dives into the essential elements of employee engagement with Asha Sarode, founder of Uniquity Consulting. With her extensive background in various industries, including healthcare, law, and technology, Asha brings a wealth of knowledge about the complexities of workplace culture and the unique individual contributions needed to foster a thriving environment.

Asha shares her enlightening realizations from her...

On this episode of the Customers First Podcast, I have an enlightening discussion with Matt Lyles, a distinguished keynote speaker and customer experience consultant. We explore the profound impact of simplicity in creating memorable customer experiences. With an extensive background in brand management at FedEx, Matt shares valuable insights into how he has transformed customer experiences across...

On this episode of the Customers First Podcast, I reconnect with Angie Robinson, Customers First Regular, dynamic leadership and life coach, as we delve into the critical importance of intentional leadership development. Angie's extensive background in human resources, coupled with her experience of over two decades in corporate settings, has equipped her with unique insights into nurturing impact...