The Talent GTM Podcast

The Talent GTM Podcast is a reflection of our commitment to speaking with talented professionals in urban and rural communities across the US and Canada – beyond the traditional “tech hub” – on a range of topics spanning sales, entrepreneurship, and people management.

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30. Maximizing Talent: Strategies for Development and Retention

Season 2, Episode 13 | June 2, 2023 | 48:22

Our guest, Cara Isaacs, HR Business Partner at Invoca, shares the challenges and significance of nurturing talent and unveils innovative strategies for retaining top performers. Learn how managers and leaders can invest in their talent—even with limited resources.
29. Taking the Risk Out of Hiring

Season 2, Episode 12 | May 19, 2023 | 57:35

Joined by former Candidate Labs COO Kendra Morales, we discuss the evolving recruiting and hiring landscape—exploring key shifts taking place and unveiling proven strategies to minimize the risk of hiring the wrong individuals.
28. What is Community-Led Growth and Its Impact on Hiring

Season 2, Episode 11 | May 8, 2023 | 36:35

Community-led growth has become a popular concept in tech (both B2B and B2C), referring to ways that companies leverage constituencies that include customers, partners, prospects, and others to generate sustainable growth for the business.

In this podcast, we speak with Leslie Greenwood, founder of Chief Evangelist Consulting, who shares more on community, where it typically sits within a business, and some of the skills & behaviors that make for being a great practitioner of a community manager in a business.

27. Hiring for Diversity and Why You’re Making it Worse

Season 2, Episode 10 | April 28, 2023 | 53:11

Companies are rushing to adopt diversity hiring without acknowledging the deep-rooted challenges holding them back. In this game-changing episode, we expose the harsh reality behind the seemingly noble initiative of hiring for diversity.

26. The Place of Industry Background in GTM Hiring: Discussion with Cara Felleman

Season 2, Episode 9 | April 21, 2023 | 49:11

It’s understandable that revenue leaders often prioritize hiring salespeople with a deep background in a specific vertical or industry. But does this result in better sales hires? Conversely, should it be avoided altogether if industry background has often impeded learning how to challenge existing norms?

In this podcast, Blueprint Co-Founder and VP of Sales, Chuck Brotman, speaks with Cara Felleman, an early-stage sales leader and tech investor, to get her insights on topics ranging from team building in the CPG tech space to women in leadership roles.

25. What Does Product-Led Growth (PLG) Mean for Sales Hiring?

Season 2, Episode 8 | April 7, 2023 | 31:41

In this episode, Brendan Short, Founder & CEO of Groundswell, shares a brief narrative of PLG history and concepts, how it’s impacting investments in sales hiring, and what competencies in sellers tend to get higher prioritization in a PLG world.

24. From Wall Street to Tech — A Discussion With Elizabeth Andrew

Season 2, Episode 7 | March 31, 2023 | 53:24

It is known that the tech world does not always understand career changes and non-linear narratives. Elizabeth Andrew worked as a financial services revenue leader for Wells Fargo, building her sales playbook and coaching her sellers before leaving the industry to focus on raising a family and serving her community in voluntary positions.

This podcast discusses her narrative and the challenges and opportunities she found transitioning back into tech leadership.

23. What is Successful Career Pathing?

Season 2, Episode 6 | March 23, 2023 | 58:31

Even in the age of side hustles, it’s common for talent to focus on traditional narratives about career success.

Ryan Williams launched a successful coaching practice on the backs of prior success as a sales leader and operator. In this podcast, we explore how the new age of career development can open up new opportunities.

22. Myths, Truths, and Lies About Becoming an Entrepreneur

Season 2, Episode 5 | March 16, 2023 | 60:04

Listen to the personal journies of three women entrepreneurs—Stacie, Monica, and Krissy—as they discuss the realities of being your own boss and what is actually possible, from unexpected events to hard truths.

If you’re a working mom or a woman navigating your next career move, this is the episode you simply cannot afford to miss. And guess what? We’re here to tell you that you absolutely can have it all! So tune in now and get ready to take your next big step!

21. Hiring for Potential in Presales

Season 2, Episode 4 | March 10, 2023 | 40:10

As Yuji Higashi, the co-founder of the Presales Collective and a former presales leader at multiple successful startups, thinks many companies may be looking to invert the traditional relationships between SC/AEs to optimize for today’s buyers – who demand a significantly higher level of product and solution acumen from sales teams.

In this podcast, Yuji shares more on his journey into the presales profession and why he thinks the function is more important than ever.

20. Finding Talent in Plain Sight

Season 2, Episode 3 | March 3, 2023 | 50:31

Wanting to hire for aptitude is not an uncommon aspiration. Russell, a former basketball scout & software engineer who went on to executive-level GTM roles with IBM and other VC & PE backed companies, shares some unique insights about what this means in practice and the required process.
19. Rebounding After a Layoff

Season 2, Episode 2 | March 1, 2023 | 38:24

In this week’s episode, we delve into a topic that has become all too common recently – getting laid off. Losing a job can be a significant challenge, but it’s important to remember it’s not the end of the world.

Join us as our guest, MC Lewers, shares her insights and advice on how to bounce back and come out stronger on the other side. Don’t miss this empowering and informative episode

18. Maximizing Efficiency with Fractional Leaders and Contractors

Season 2, Episode 1 | February 23, 2023 | 36:48

In this week’s episode, we’re joined by Jake Dunlap, the CEO and Founder of Skaled. Tune in as we delve into the topic of maximizing fractional leadership and utilizing industry specialists to maintain growth in challenging economic times.

17. Breaking into Presales with Mattie Stremic

Season 1, Episode 17 | May 19, 2022 | 34:13

In this episode, Mattie Stremic, the Head of Academy Programming at the PSA (a division of the Presales Collective), shares how she got into presales herself, some of the key skills required for success in the role, and how the Presales Academy is helping encourage professionals to transition into the profession!

16. Breaking into Customer Success with Angel Rogers

Season 1, Episode 16 | April 18, 2022 | 43:13

Angel Rogers shares her perspective on the field of Customer Success:

  • How is Customer Success different than Sales?
  • What soft skills lend themselves to the profession?
  • How can early talent and career switchers break into the profession?

15. Chris McDonough: From IC to Sales Manager

Season 1, Episode 15 | September 23, 2021 | 33:09

Chris McDonough shares his journey from individual contributor to sales manager.

14. Conversation with Rachel Shi: Sales, Career, and Personal Growth

Season 1, Episode 14 | September 6, 2021 | 32:20

In this episode, Rachel Shi shares her perspective on a range of topics:

  • Getting into sales from a non-traditional background
  • How to think about your own career development
  • Putting honesty and integrity ahead of conformity

13. Sales Back to Basics with Deb Berman

Season 1, Episode 13 | August 11, 2021 | 32:35

On this episode, we get back to basics in all things sales related. Deb gives us top tips all salespeople should be doing to improve their effectiveness. Whether you are starting off your sales career or working as an enterprise seller, these are the tips that can make all the difference in closing that deal.

12. Creating a Culture of Servant Leadership

Season 1, Episode 12 | July 30, 2021 | 38:56

Join Krissy as she speaks with Gio Gallo, ComplianceLine Co-CEO, as they talk about how to create a culture of servant leadership. During this podcast, we talk about how to practically implement and practice this leadership style and all the benefits and challenges that come with it at your current company.

11. Hiring Non-Traditional Talent

Season 1, Episode 11 | June 14, 2021 | 24:34

Hiring talent with non-traditional backgrounds for tech companies is evolving rapidly. Join Krissy and Josh as they discuss how companies can benefit from non-traditional hiring practices and how Axon is utilizing this approach.

10. Diversity as a Driver of Outcomes

Season 1, Episode 10 | May 26, 2021 | 55:55

Krissy and Ryan dive deep into corporate diversity initiative in the US and why organizations are struggling to obtain and measure impactful results.

9. The Gender Pay Gap

Season 1, Episode 9 | March 31, 2021 | 49:39

On the last day of women’s history month, Lindsay and Krissy get candid about the gender pay gap and what they think companies can do to be a part of the solution.

8. Trends in Office Space Amid COVID and Beyond

Season 1, Episode 8 | November 9, 2020 | 24:30

What’s the future of real estate and office space in our COVID-impacted world? Great discussion of trends with Nicole Miller, Senior Managing Director at Savills, who shares her perspective on ways to reincorporate space safely and effectively into our future planning.

7. Conversation with Nate Guggia

Season 1, Episode 7 | October 15, 2020 | 44:14

Conversation with Nate Gugglia with Job Portraits, spanning topics from his work in employer branding, social media, personal branding, and the future of work.

6. From Honkey-Tonk to Tech Sales: Discussion with Danielle Boyce

Season 1, Episode 6 | October 1, 2020 | 24:25

Chuck speaks with Danielle Boyce about her journey into tech sales and how she’s managed teams in her career that were often distributed across the globe.

5. What Really Happens on Maternity Leave?

Season 1, Episode 5 | September 28, 2020 | 28:36

Matt Lewers and Emily Bell co-host this special podcast where they talk about the myths and truths of what really happens on maternity leave post birth.

4. Nashville Tech Scene

Season 1, Episode 4 | September 21, 2020 | 22:21

Matt and Shaun discuss their take on the Nashville tech scene. A Silicon Valley native who relocated with his family to Middle Tennessee, Shaun offers a unique perspective on the market and what keeps him in the region.

3. Becoming an Entrepreneur: Discussion with Sam McKenna

Season 1, Episode 3 | August 31, 2020 | 42:52

Krissy Manzano speak with Sam McKenna, founder of #SamSales, about her journey into founding a business, touching on topics ranging from being a gracious loser and the often overlooked importance of time management skills to success in business.

2. The Art and Science of Employee Feedback: Interview with Taylor Howard

Season 1, Episode 2 | August 20, 2020 | 29:44

Interview with Taylor Howard, Operations Manager at H&M in Los Angeles, covering the importance of employee feedback, why so many first time managers struggle here, and some tips to get more comfortable at providing it.

1. Employee Experience: Interview with Gil Cohen

Season 1, Episode 1 | July 15, 2020 | 34:24

Gil Cohen, our inaugural guest on Blueprint’s first podcast, talks to us about employee experience, why it matters and where it belongs in an organization.