In this episode of Training That Works, Rustin Schroeder talks with Chris Keksz about what the future of BDR training really looks like. Chris pulls back the curtain on the realities of developing entry-level reps, why so many new hires fall apart after early success, and what leaders can do to prevent that slide. He shares how structure, consistency, and simple baseline fundamentals can completely change the trajectory of a rep… but only if leaders protect those fundamentals from erosion. Then he reveals the moment AI training bots entered his world and how everything about ramping, shadowing, and ongoing development shifted almost overnight.

As the conversation unfolds, Chris opens a loop most leaders never consider. AI can now mimic live conversations, regenerate real objections from real calls, and give reps endless practice without burning out managers. But he explains why this new capability only works when it sits on top of a strong foundation of basics, shadowing, peer examples, and a healthy, fun culture. He paints a picture of a future where reps get promoted faster, teams stay aligned longer, and managers finally keep training fresh instead of watching it go stale. Business leaders will walk away with a clearer vision of how to combine human coaching with AI tools to build teams that grow fast, stay consistent, and love the work they’re doing.

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In this episode of Training That Works, Rustin Schroeder talks with Noah Wickham about the unconventional training system behind My Amazon Guy… a system that takes people with zero experience and turns them into fully capable e-commerce operators. Noah opens the door to how MAG built a true internal talent engine, why most agencies fail when they try to hire “experienced” people, and the surprising reason their competitors are filled with My Amazon Guy alumni. He also reveals the hidden advantage of pairing every new hire with a mentor and why direct, immediate feedback changes the speed of growth inside any team.

As the conversation deepens, Noah shares how his company runs weekly all-department trainings, why they encourage radical candor, and how they use quarterly culture index assessments to keep people aligned, fulfilled, and in the right role. He tells the story of employees who started with nothing, grew into high-level contributors, and transformed their lives in the process. And he leaves an open loop most leaders don’t expect… what happens when someone isn’t trainable for the role you hired them for?

This episode is packed with real, tactical insight for business leaders who want a training program that actually produces talent. If you want to build a system that grows people fast, creates loyalty through development, and becomes the backbone of your company’s scale… this conversation with Noah is a blueprint worth studying.

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🔥 Email Magic™ turns average communicators into credible, respected voices. 👉 email-magic.com

In this episode of Training That Works, Rustin Schroeder talks with Nic Padilla about why most companies train backwards and how the simple act of teaching the why can transform performance at scale. Nic pulls back the curtain on building teams across the United States, Australia and Europe, and explains how a small-town kid from Castle Rock learned to communicate so clearly that he became the go-to trainer for global partners. From his early days shadowing executives at Dish Network to running real world follow up sessions with thousands of agents, Nic reveals how great training is built on clarity, context and consistent reinforcement.

As the conversation unfolds, Nic shares surprising moments from inside the industry, including the CEO who took the exact same training tests as the frontline reps and why that single decision changed the entire culture. He walks through the mistakes most trainers make, the overlooked danger of skipping the why, and how shadowing and real time feedback create a level of alignment that scripted modules never can. Business leaders will hear how to use simple nudges, better questions and human connection to improve customer experience, reduce confusion and speed up skill adoption inside any team.

This episode gives leaders a powerful look at the future of training, from AI assisted coaching to relationship driven communication that keeps customers engaged. Nic’s story proves that when teams understand the why behind the work, everything else becomes easier to teach, easier to execute and far more effective.

🎙️ Training That Works — where top performers share what actually works.

🔥 Email Magic™ turns average communicators into credible, respected voices. 👉 email-magic.com

In this episode of Training That Works, Rustin Schroeder talks with Catherine Elliott about the shifting landscape of sales coaching and the surprising role AI is beginning to play. Catherine opens up about the evolution she has seen in more than a decade of leading teams across SMB, enterprise, and strategic segments. She shares the moment she realized that real learning rarely comes from glossy slides or perfectly polished training decks… and how the best coaching still happens in the messy, unfiltered moments right after a call. But then she reveals something unexpected: the rise of AI tools that can now surface engagement metrics, analyze patterns across thousands of conversations, and pressure-test reps through avatar-based simulations.

As the conversation unfolds, Catherine exposes the tension every leader feels. AI can accelerate skill development faster than any manager ever could, but it still can’t replace the human elements that shape elite sellers: the discomfort of real role plays, the nuance of silence on a call, the value of hearing peers dissect the real story behind a win. She contrasts the promise of scalable, data-driven insights with the irreplaceable energy of getting people together in a room. For business leaders, this episode offers a clear look at what training will look like next… and what will never change. Catherine leaves listeners with a simple challenge: the future will reward those who combine new tools with timeless coaching truths.

🎙️ Training That Works — where top performers share what actually works.

🔥 Email Magic™ turns average communicators into credible, respected voices. 👉 email-magic.com

In this episode of Training That Works, Rustin Schroeder talks with Connor Gallo about the mindset, habits, and coaching systems that turn average sellers into consistent performers. Connor reveals why most reps fail under pressure, how leaders unintentionally set their teams up to lose, and the specific training shift that completely changed his results. He opens a loop most leaders never consider… what if the reason your team isn’t executing has nothing to do with talent and everything to do with what you’re not practicing?

Connor pulls back the curtain on situational selling, scenario training, and the teach… observe… coach loop that sales teams rarely execute correctly. He explains why practice should feel harder than the live call, how great leaders show their reps what “good” actually sounds like, and why art and science must work together if you expect repeatable performance. You’ll hear how he builds teams that can respond instantly under pressure, why tiny daily improvements beat big “event-style” trainings every time, and how discipline from his college football career shaped the coach he is today.

This conversation is packed with real, in-the-trenches insights for business leaders who want a team that is prepared, confident, and impossible to rattle. Connor shares how to create a culture where feedback is normal, vulnerability accelerates growth, and every rep knows exactly how to react the moment it matters most. If you want training that actually sticks, this episode will change how you lead.

🎙️ Training That Works — where top performers share what actually works.

🔥 Email Magic™ turns average communicators into credible, respected voices. 👉 email-magic.com

In this episode of Training That Works, Rustin Schroeder talks with Travis Uale about how a walk-on football player became a transformative sales leader inside one of the fastest growing software companies in the country. Travis opens up about the exact moments that shaped him, from being buried on the depth chart to learning hard lessons that would later define the way he builds high performance sales teams. He shares why most training fails before it ever begins, how real retention is built long before the instructor starts talking, and what happens when leaders stop talking at their reps and start preparing them like athletes preparing for game day.

As the conversation unfolds, Travis reveals the simple structure he uses to turn average contributors into confident performers. He explains how Lucid runs drill sessions that focus on only one part of the call instead of the whole thing, why reps need ten or twelve repetitions instead of one, and how film review turns small daily actions into measurable wins. Business leaders will hear the exact system he would implement if he were running training across the entire organization, including the prep, the practice, the homework, and the accountability that makes skills stick long after the session ends.

This episode gives leaders a clear look at how athletic discipline, real coaching, and structured repetition can turn potential into performance. It is a powerful reminder that the path from walk-on to leader is built one rep at a time.

🎙️ Training That Works — where top performers share what actually works.

🔥 Email Magic™ turns average communicators into credible, respected voices. 👉 email-magic.com

In this episode of Training That Works, Rustin Schroeder talks with Jeff Moss about turning ordinary training into an unforgettable experience that actually drives results.

Jeff reveals how most companies waste time on content-heavy training that no one remembers, and what it takes to build sessions people talk about for months. He shares how shifting from “information delivery” to “experience design” changed everything from employee engagement to performance outcomes.

You’ll hear the surprising role energy and emotion play in learning, the simple mindset that separates effective trainers from forgettable ones, and the strategy Jeff uses to make every participant feel like the training was built just for them. This episode will challenge how you think about development, leadership, and what it really means to create transformation inside your organization.

🎙️ Training That Works — where top performers share what actually works.

🔥 Email Magic™ turns average communicators into credible, respected voices. 👉 email-magic.com

In this episode of Training That Works, Rustin Schroeder talks with Razan Naqeeb about how listening is the ultimate advantage in sales, leadership, and training.

Razan shares how her career transformed the moment she stopped trying to sell and started truly hearing her clients. She explains how active listening uncovers hidden needs, strengthens trust, and turns one-time buyers into long-term partners. Her approach flips the traditional sales playbook: less pitching, more presence.

You’ll learn how she trains teams to listen between the lines, why silence is often more powerful than strategy, and how this skill fuels both customer success and leadership development. Razan reveals what most onboarding programs miss, how to fix communication breakdowns fast, and why listening is the single most profitable skill most professionals ignore.

If you lead, sell, or train people, this episode will show you how mastering the art of listening can unlock performance you didn’t think was possible.

🎙️ Training That Works — where top performers share what actually works.

🔥 Email Magic™ turns average communicators into credible, respected voices. 👉 email-magic.com