Make It Happen Mondays - B2b Sales Talk With John Barrows

This conversation is one that hits close to home. Jonathan Domsky isn’t just a business and life coach for entrepreneurs — he was my coach during one of the most difficult periods of my life. After losing my dad and watching my business wobble, I felt like I was stuck in neutral. Outwardly things looked fine, but internally, I was spinning. Jonathan helped me reconnect with my core values, rediscover my “why,” and realign the direction of both my business and life.In this episode, we dig into what it really means to grow — not just your company, but yourself. We talk about the hidden tension between external achievement and internal fulfillment, how most people misunderstand their values, and why your next level of success starts inside.Jonathan’s approach doesn’t stop at goal-setting and accountability. He helps leaders untangle the inner knots that are quietly holding them back. If you’re a high-performer who’s hit a wall, or just feeling like something’s off, this ep

This week’s episode of Make It Happen Mondays hits deeper than most—with someone who’s more than just a guest: Roderick Jefferson is family. A globally respected sales enablement leader, keynote speaker, and author of The Stroke of Success, Roderick shares the story of how a relentless hustle nearly cost him everything—after suffering a stroke that left him with just a 2% chance of survival.We unpack what really matters when life slams the brakes on your career, your health, and your identity. From the early warning signs he ignored, to the mental, emotional, and physical battles of recovery, Roderick opens up about the shift from burnout to balance—and how vulnerability, connection, and purpose have taken center stage in his leadership and life.This is not just a conversation about sales or business—this is about perspective, resilience, and redefining success. If you’re feeling the weight of burnout, or just need a moment of clarity in the chaos, don’t miss this one.And if you’re looking for a keynote speak

In this high-energy episode, John sits down with one of today’s most influential voices in sales, Leslie Venetz—author of the USA Today bestselling book Profit-Generating Pipeline, featured in the Wall Street Journal, and the creator behind 100+ million views of sales content online.Leslie brings a no-BS, battle-tested framework for building a healthy, sustainable pipeline—and the conversation hits hard on key topics like territory planning, ideal customer profiles, and owning your patch like a CEO. From her Montana roots to global stages, Leslie shares how her ability to relate across cultures and industries has shaped her sales philosophy.John and Leslie dive deep into tactical tips, strategic alignment, and the shared frustration of overlooked fundamentals in sales. Whether you’re an AE, manager, or just trying to generate more qualified pipeline, this one’s a masterclass in doing the work—smartly.Are you interested in leveling up your sales skills and staying relevant in today’s AI-driven landscape? Visit

Rex Galbraith has worn almost every sales hat over his 20+ year SaaS career, and for the last decade, he’s helped build Consensus into the category leader for interactive demo automation. In this episode, John and Rex dive deep into why traditional product demos are failing today’s buyers—and what to do instead.You’ll hear how Rex and his team use unideal customer profiles (UCPs) to actively disqualify bad-fit prospects, how automating parts of the demo process frees reps to sell smarter, not harder, and why focusing on retention over acquisition is the mindset shift modern sales orgs need.Rex also opens up about leading through tough moments—rebrands, layoffs, even running the company out of a grocery store—and the values that kept him grounded through it all. If you care about sales efficiency, buyer enablement, or becoming the kind of AE who thrives in the AI era, this one’s for you.Are you interested in leveling up your sales skills and staying relevant in today’s AI-driven landscape? Visit www.jbarrows.c

Dave Govan is the Founder and CEO of G2 Strategic Advisory Services, with a career that spans $100M+ as a rep and $2.3B+ as a CRO. From early-stage startups to global tech titans, Dave has operated across nearly every stage of company growth — and he’s seen it all.In this episode, we dive into what’s broken in today’s go-to-market (GTM) strategy and how AI is exposing the cracks — especially among lazy leadership and outdated sales execution. Dave breaks down why business acumen, not tactics, is the key differentiator for today’s reps, and how founders often derail their own growth by scaling the wrong way.Whether you’re a CRO, founder, or seller trying to thrive in today’s shifting landscape, this conversation is packed with honest insights and actionable advice from one of the most experienced operators in the field.Are you interested in leveling up your sales skills and staying relevant in today’s AI-driven landscape? Visit www.jbarrows.com and let’s Make It Happen together!Connect with John on L

In this special episode of Make It Happen Mondays, John sits down with Ryan Garland, an Account Executive at Coefficient, to dive into what happens when a rep actually cares about getting better. This isn’t a generic sales success story—this is the real, raw impact of putting in the work, embracing coaching, and taking ownership of your sales career.Ryan shares what drew him to John’s 1:1 coaching program, how he went from solid to standout by applying proven frameworks, and why most reps are leaving massive money on the table by being lazy and reactive. The conversation touches on the current sales landscape, AI’s impact, startup chaos, negotiation tactics that actually work, and what it means to take responsibility not just for results—but for your own personal growth.This is the kind of episode that reminds us why sales is still one of the most rewarding careers—if you show up for it. Ryan did. Now he’s winning because of it.Are you interested in leveling up your sales skills and staying relevant in today’

Dr. Lorenzo Bizzi is a professor of strategic management at Cal State Fullerton, globally published researcher, and author of Myths vs. Science of Selling — a book that challenges some of the most popular (but unproven) sales advice circulating in the industry today.In this episode, we dig into the difference between what sounds good in sales and what actually works. Dr. Bizzi shares research-backed insights that turn conventional wisdom on its head — including why being liked by customers doesn’t necessarily lead to more wins, how emotional empathy can actually hurt performance, and why active listening isn’t enough unless it leads to problem clarity for the buyer.If you’re tired of fluffy sales advice and want to get sharper about what really moves the needle, this episode is for you. Expect a refreshingly honest, practical conversation bridging the gap between research and real-world selling.Connect with John on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/johnbarrows/Conne

This week on Make It Happen Mondays, John sits down with Rory Sadler, Co-founder and CEO of trumpet, the leading digital sales room platform helping companies like Gong, HubSpot, and Personio increase sales velocity by transforming the buying experience.Before founding trumpet, Rory spent years on the front lines of SaaS sales—first as an individual contributor, then leading global teams at Hotjar. Along the way, he saw firsthand just how painful and chaotic buying software had become—and made it his mission to fix it.In this episode, Rory shares the aha moment that led to building trumpet, his early entrepreneurial grit (selling sweets and DJing as a teen), and why entrepreneurship is way different than just working at a startup. We also dive into:Why buyer enablement is the new sales enablementHow mutual action plans build real trust and alignmentWhat sellers are still getting wrong about personalizationThe massive opp

In this episode of Make It Happen Mondays, John Barrows sits down with Guy Rubin, CEO of Ebsta, the revenue intelligence platform that guarantees increased quota attainment—and was recently acquired.Guy shares the origin story of building Ebsta as a bootstrapped venture, the lessons learned through scaling without VC pressure, and how staying aligned with his values made the acquisition feel like a natural next step. But the real power of this episode lies in the data.We dive into insights from Ebsta’s 2025 Sales Qualification Report, which shows jaw-dropping stats—like how just 17% of reps are responsible for over 80% of revenue. It’s Pareto Principle in real-time, and it forces us to ask: What happens to the other 80% in an AI-first world?John and Guy dig into how the best reps qualify, the resurgence of full-cycle sales, and why the future belongs to reps who can ditch the features and start leading business conversations.This one’s a wake-up call

In this episode, John sits down with Dr. Yaniv Zaid—a global authority on persuasion, communication, and ethical influence. With a career spanning 22+ years, 2,500+ keynotes, and 11 bestselling books (including his latest, The New Bible of Sales: The Ten Commandments), Dr. Zaid brings razor-sharp insight into what makes people say “yes.”Together, they dive into the psychology of trust, how identity and narrative matter more than features, and the universal persuasion process that top sellers unknowingly follow. Yaniv also breaks down the fine line between manipulation and persuasion, shares why failure is one of the fastest paths to credibility, and challenges John on whether people really have to like you to buy from you.If you’re in sales, leadership, or just want to understand how to ethically influence others, this episode is packed with actionable strategies that blend science with story.Are you interested in leveling up your sales skills and staying relevant in today’s AI-driven landscape? Visit www.jba

In this mind-expanding episode, John sits down with MichaelAaron Flicker—entrepreneur, behavioral science strategist, and CEO of XenoPsi Ventures, where he oversees a portfolio of nine companies. He’s also the co-author of Hacking the Human Mind: The Behavioral Science Secrets Behind 17 of the World’s Best Brands, a must-read for anyone serious about sales, branding, or influence.They explore how behavioral science drives real-world buying behavior, why most sales tactics miss the mark, and how we can ethically use psychological principles to build trust, guide decisions, and grow businesses. From Five Guys’ focused menu strategy to the Sunken Cost Fallacy of Amazon Prime, this episode is packed with real-life behavioral insights sellers can use right now.If you’re ready to move beyond outdated tactics and understand how emotion, perception, and decision-making truly work, this one’s for you.Are you interested in leveling up your sales skills and staying relevant i

In this episode of Make It Happen Mondays, John Barrows sits down with branding icon David Brier—a man known as The Brandfather, whose work has generated over $9 billion in brand value across four decades. With 320+ international awards, a Presidential Ambassador for Global Entrepreneurship medallion, and praise from the likes of Daymond John, Grant Cardone, and Oren Klaff, David brings both gravitas and grit to this deeply insightful conversation.From his Brooklyn roots and obsession with typography to the powerful strategy behind Brand Intervention and his newest book, Rich Brand, Poor Brand, David shares how great branding isn’t just about looking good—it’s about thinking differently, taking risks, and telling stories that stick.You’ll hear why personal brand is one of the few things AI can’t replicate, why playing the long game is a winning move, and how authenticity is still the most underused superpower in mod

In this episode of Make It Happen Mondays, John Barrows sits down with Kevin Davis, the co-founder and CEO of Boogie Board—a company rethinking sales territory planning through the lens of data, transparency, and AI.Kevin’s journey started far from Silicon Valley, in a small Wisconsin town where he learned grit the hard way—from shoveling snow and driving plows to climbing the ranks in sales and ops. Despite saying he never should’ve been in sales, Kevin’s experience on both sides of the revenue engine gives him a rare perspective that’s now shaping how companies think about go-to-market strategy.They dive into Kevin’s “surfer, not hunter” sales philosophy, why current territory models are broken, and how we can rebuild them to create trust between reps and RevOps. Kevin also opens up about early tactical missteps, the importance of clarity in selling, and how Boogie Board is helping teams get smarter about where and how they sell.If you’re in sales leadership, RevOps, or just tired of guessing your way throu

Stephanie Chung grew up on an Air Force base with a Master Sergeant father—so structure, discipline, and high standards were her foundation long before she ever stepped into a boardroom. Today, she’s a #1 international best-selling author, executive coach, and the first African American to lead a major private aviation company.In this powerful episode, we dive into Stephanie’s remarkable career—from checking bags at an airline to completely transforming a private jet company’s brand and sales culture. Her new book, Ally: How to Lead People Who Are Not Like You, gives leaders real-world frameworks to lead with empathy, use privilege as a lever for good, and embrace curiosity over certainty.We explore what it really means to be a transformational leader in today’s world—especially as business becomes more diverse and emotionally intelligent. Stephanie shares why business acumen is still the most underrated sales skill, how Mary Kay helped shape her as a seller, and what she learned from growing up in a mil

Udi Ledergor is back on the pod—and this time, he’s bringing the fire behind Courageous Marketing, his new book that challenges everything safe, stale, and same-same in today’s crowded GTM world.As the former CMO of Gong during its hypergrowth years (multi-billion-dollar valuation, anyone?), and now Chief Evangelist, Udi knows firsthand how to build brands people actually love. In this episode, he and John dig deep into what separates average from iconic in today’s AI-drenched world of “best practices.”You’ll hear:Why courageous marketing requires risk, not just reachThe 10-20% “crazy idea” budget every brand needsHow sales and marketing can truly work togetherThe real difference between vanity metrics and valuable growthHow to craft a brand people feel, not just seeWhether you’re a marketer looking to break the mold or a seller tired of lead-gen lip service—this episode is for you.Are you interested in leveling up your sales skills and staying relevant i

What happens when 25 years of corporate procurement experience meets elite business school teaching? You get Giuseppe Conti—a world-class negotiation expert with a gift for turning complex tactics into everyday skills.In this episode, Giuseppe shares his journey from growing up in a family of teachers in Southern Italy to teaching negotiation and influence at institutions like Oxford and Cambridge. His new book, Negotiation + Influence = Success, distills a career’s worth of hard-earned wisdom into actionable strategies—and we break several of them down in this conversation.We cover tactical topics like:Who should make the first offer in a negotiation?How to handle procurement teams obsessed with price.How to influence internal stakeholders when you don’t have authority.Giuseppe blends humility, academic insight, and battle-tested experience in one of the most practical negotiation discussions we’ve had on the podcast. Whether you’re negotiating with a client, a boss, or your own team—this episode w

Eugene “Blue” Bowen joins John Barrows to unpack one of the most important AI sales reports of the year—straight from G2’s research desk. As a Research Principal focused on sales, tech, and AI, Blue co-authored G2’s latest study exploring how sales teams are actually using (or not using) AI in their day-to-day.Together, they dig into:Why most pipeline numbers are a lieThe myth of “fully automated” sales cyclesHow AI’s most powerful use case might be coaching—not prospectingThe real reason RevOps should be at the table (not in the backroom)What reps need to learn now before AI makes them irrelevantThey also explore the future of the SDR role, the strategic rise of RevOps, and why data quality is still the biggest thing holding teams back. If you’re trying to separate AI hype from real-world impact, this episode is your guide.Whether you’re in sales, RevOps, or leadership, don’t miss this insight-packed episode—and make sure to check out G2’s full report for even more data-driven takeaways.Are you interested in

Lori Richardson is a powerhouse in the sales world—and one of John’s favorite humans, period.In this deeply personal and insightful episode, Lori opens up about her incredible journey: escaping an abusive relationship at 19, raising a child on her own, and diving headfirst into a 100% commission sales role with no safety net. Her story isn’t just inspiring—it’s a masterclass in resilience, grit, and self-belief.Today, Lori is the founder of Score More Sales, a sales strategy and training company that starts with data—not guesswork—to help companies build truly effective sales teams. She’s also the host of the Conversations with Women in Sales podcast and one of the most impactful advocates for women in the profession.In this conversation, John and Lori discuss:What it takes to bet on yourself when the odds are stacked against youWhy sales fundamentals still matter more than everThe real role of data in driving sales performanceHow far we’ve come

Marcus Chan is a walking masterclass in disciplined growth. As CEO of Venli Consulting, he’s helped sales teams uncover $2M–$10M+ in hidden revenue through what he calls a Revenue Operating System—a system that’s generated $950M+ in results (and counting).In this episode, John Barrows reconnects with Marcus Chan to explore the grit, strategy, and mindset behind high-performing sales orgs. From his early days working in his family’s Chinese restaurant to turning underperforming teams into market leaders at Cintas, Marcus shares the frameworks that built his legacy—and are helping companies win big today.They dive into:How to diagnose revenue leaks and plug them fastWhy most sales teams are leaving millions on the tableThe power of direct feedback in a world that avoids itSwitching gears between B2B and B2C modelsWhy “not being in sales” is often the biggest sales lieIf you’re ready to challenge soft habits, sharpen your process, and uncover

Vince Beese knows how to close. As a fractional CRO and author of Red Zone Selling, Vince helps early-stage startups and fast-growing sales teams stop spinning their wheels and start running the plays that actually move deals across the finish line.In this conversation, John and Vince ditch the fluff and dive straight into what separates elite sellers from the rest. From his days in enterprise sales to building scalable GTM systems, Vince shares hard-earned insights on:Why sales has swung too far into science—and what it takes to bring the art backHow top reps lean into friction instead of avoiding itWhy false confidence from a bloated pipeline is killing your forecastThe power of disqualifying early and oftenWhat sales leaders should focus on instead of just top-of-funnel metricsThey also unpack Vince’s Red Zone Selling framework, breaking down how to qualify faster, sell smarter, and finish stronger—no matter your deal size or sales cycle