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The BedBuzz

The BedBuzz

Hosted by Harry Roberts and Jimmy Hill

Episodes

75

Latest episode

Jun 2026

Language

EN-US

About the show

Our mission is to create an entertaining and informative platform where we dive into the world of our Mattress Firm family, the mattress industry, and all things sleep. We uncover the captivating stories of Mattress Firm employees and industry veterans and explore their journeys, experiences, and the valuable lessons they've learned while having fun and selling beds. In addition to the storytelling, we'll also share practical tips and tricks of the trade along with the importance of sleep wellness. Our host, Harry Roberts, is one of the original founders of Mattress Firm, the largest sleep shop chain in the United States. Our Co-host, Jimmy Hill, has broad experience in mattress retail, mattress wholesale and building a mattress brand from the ground up. Together, Harry and Jimmy's contagious passion, enthusiasm, and sense of humor will have you waiting for their next episode.

Listen to episodes

60 recent
June 5, 2026Episode 121 hr 13 min

Steve Rigby: Managing to S.M.I.L.E. and the Power of Self-Management

Steve is the bestselling author of Circle Selling, S.M.I.L.E., and his newest Amazon bestseller, Managing to S.M.I.L.E. In this episode, Steve joins us for a powerful conversation about leadership, self-management, personal growth, and helping others reach their full potential.You'll learn why great leaders don't control people...they empower them. Steve shares practical lessons from his newest book, including the "Six Serving Men" framework, why curiosity is more valuable than knowledge, and how the best managers help people get where they want to be.Along the way, you'll hear stories about mentorship, humility, personal responsibility, fitness, reading, lifelong learning, and the simple habits that separate high performers from everyone else.Key Takeaways:• Why self-management is the foundation of lasting success• The Six Serving Men: What, Where, Why, When, How, and Who• Why managers should cut strings instead of pulling them• How to empower people without micromanaging• The importance of curiosity, kindness, and humility• Why reading remains one of the most powerful growth tools available• Leadership lessons from Steve's newest book, Managing to S.M.I.L.E.Whether you're a salesperson, manager, business owner, or simply someone looking to become a better version of yourself, this episode is packed with wisdom you can apply immediately.

May 21, 2026Episode 1157 min

Jody Putnam, Chief Retail Officer of Mattress Firm, on Winning Memorial Day Weekend

Our guest is Jody Putnam, Chief Retail Officer of Mattress Firm and one of the best leaders in the business.Jody shares his incredible journey from delivering beds and working operations to leading retail sales for the largest mattress retailer in the world. This episode is packed with real talk about leadership, sales, urgency, creating customer trust, and what separates top performers from the rest.A few highlights from the show:• Why the best salespeople always “find a way”• How creating urgency drives consistent success• Why great leaders focus on helping people win today and preparing them for tomorrow• Memorial Day weekend selling strategies and how to maximize one of the biggest sales events of the year• His unforgettable first big Tempur Pedic sale that changed the way he sold foreverJody’s message heading into Memorial Day weekend is simple: Have fun and sell beds.Perfect timing as we get ready for one of the biggest weekends of the year.Take a listen, get fired up, and let’s go win big.

May 8, 2026Episode 1054 min

Innovation, Sleep, and Success with Todd Youngblood

Our guest is Todd Youngblood—an inventor, entrepreneur, and true mattress industry pioneer whose uncle actually invented the waterbed! Todd shares his incredible journey from developing airbeds with built-in pumps, to creating products sold at Walmart and Target, to building Chilipad and now launching Geli Sleep.A few highlights from the episode:• How solving one simple problem turned into a $300 million business• Why great execution always beats a great idea• The importance of understanding the customer journey and what problem your product solves• Lessons from building products with Walmart, Target, Brookstone, and beyond• Why retail success depends more on the RSA understanding the product than the product itself• Todd’s newest innovation, Geli Sleep, and how it could change pressure relief and sleep technology foreverOne of our favorite takeaways: “Great products and great businesses start by solving real problems.”This is a fun one with a lot of practical lessons for anyone in sales, leadership, or retail.

April 24, 2026Episode 91 hr 10 min

Tempur-Pedic Secrets to Selling More and Winning the Floor

This episode features TJ Hathorne and Jesse Abreu from Tempur-Pedic, and it’s loaded with practical on the floor insights. If you’re selling on the retail floor right now, especially with Memorial Day around the corner, this is one you don’t want to miss.A few highlights:• Simple ways to create urgency without pressure and stay “in the pocket” longer with customers• Powerful Tempur-Pedic selling tips from demos to positioning that actually moves the needle• A great reminder “Pressure relief puts you to sleep… spinal alignment keeps you asleep”• How top performers personalize every presentation instead of using a one size fits all approach• Real world techniques to overcome common objections like “too hot” or “I don’t like foam”It’s practical it’s fun and there are a ton of nuggets you can use right away on your next guest.Give it a listen and pick up one or two things to put into action today.

April 10, 2026Episode 832 min

Why Customers Buy Today Not Tomorrow: The Power of Urgency

This episode is all about creating urgency and helping our guests make great decisions today so they can start sleeping better tonight.A few highlights from the show: Great salespeople create urgency because they believe they are helping, not pushing  It starts with an enthusiastic greeting and a strong first impression  Use the sale event. If they don’t hear it and feel it, it doesn’t exist  Inventory and delivery timing are powerful tools to close today  Price increases and supply uncertainty can create real, honest urgency  The question “how soon do you need your mattress?” can change the entire conversation  Enthusiasm wins. The guest will match your energy every time Bottom line: be prepared, be confident, and have fun with it. When we do that, we create a better experience and we sell more beds.

March 27, 2026Episode 751 min

Bob Hellyer on Building the Mattress Industry | 40+ Years of Leadership & Innovation

This week we sit down with a true legend of our industry — Bob Hellyer.Bob is a fourth-generation mattress guy who literally grew up in a factory and went on to help shape some of the biggest brands and ideas in our business. This episode is packed with stories, insights, and a few all-time “golden nuggets.”A few highlights from the episode: From a Chicago mattress factory in the 1800s to today’s industry — Bob shares an incredible family legacy  Behind-the-scenes stories of building Stearns & Foster into a luxury powerhouse The real story of how “no flip” mattresses changed the industry forever Why “a mattress is still sold, not bought” (and why that matters to all of us)  A powerful leadership takeaway: Performance = Potential – Interference And of course… some hilarious industry stories you won’t want to miss If you love this business, this is one of those episodes that reminds you why we do what we do.

March 13, 2026Episode 632 min

Purple's Annie Rodenbeck: Integrity, Leadership & Growing a Career in the Mattress Industry

We’re excited to share a great conversation with Annie Rodenbeck, Field Sales Manager at Purple and a longtime friend of the mattress industry.Annie’s story starts out selling mattresses on the retail floor and has grown into a leadership career helping others succeed. Along the way, she shares some great insights and a few memorable stories.A few highlights from the episode:Annie’s journey from South Dakota to Texas and how she got her start “slinging springs.”What made the early days of MattressPro such a special culture.Her thoughts on what separates average salespeople from great ones—integrity, engagement, and following the process.Leadership lessons from her brother Brian and the impact he had on so many people in our industry.Balancing career, leadership, and family while raising twins.And of course… her craziest mattress sale ever (involving a banana box and a very confused customer).It’s a fun, heartfelt episode about leadership, culture, and why the mattress business is such a special industry.

February 27, 2026Episode 545 min

From Sales Floor to CEO: Brandon Bain (Bedhead) on Personal Brand & What’s Next

Our guest is Brandon Bain, Co-Founder & CEO of Bedhead  (and yes… he started on the sales floor at Mattress Firm).What you’ll hear in this episode:From Fish Camp to Founder: Brandon shares how he entered Mattress Firm through the first corporate sales internship program (back in 1998) and what that experience taught him about the entire business — not just the sales floor.The “Trusted Advisor” mindset: His early belief that we should be less like order takers and more prescriptive (like a doctor) — and how asking better questions changes everything.Build your personal brand: Brandon breaks down why learning marketing and building a network can help you “control your own destiny,” even while you’re crushing it on the floor.What retailers get wrong (and how to fix it):Not having a clear USP (Unique Selling Proposition) (what makes you different)Sticking with “we’ve always done it this way” marketingMerchandising without a real strategyAnd the big one: not retargeting past customers — “dig where the gold is.”The 5-question rule: His best tip for selling more today: ask one or two more great questions than you normally would — and listen closely to the answers.A wild sales technique that worked: Brandon tells the story of a “split ticket everything” partnership that consistently delivered 200% to budget by treating the store like it was their business.🧠 If you’re a sales associate thinking “what’s next for me?” — leadership, ownership, entrepreneurship — Brandon’s story is proof the skills you’re building right now can take you anywhere. BedheadNetwork.com Now Available (Exclusive Hub for the Mattress Industry)

February 13, 2026Episode 454 min

Work Hard, Play Hard: Building a Dream Team Culture with Katy & Greg Law

We’re joined by Katy & Greg Law from Sweet Dreams Furniture & Mattress — two incredible entrepreneurs who’ve built a Dream Team culture that customers (and competitors) can feel the second they walk in the door.A few highlights you’ll love:💍🏁 Katy & Greg’s “triple-crazy” start: graduated, got married, moved, and opened Sweet Dreams in 2002🎯 Culture that wins: how they built clear vision + values, and make sure every teammate knows them, lives them, and leads with them🎨 A killer line from their book-of-the-month (Unreasonable Hospitality): “Customer service is black & white… hospitality is in full color”🤝 The real differentiator: they’re not in it for transactions — they’re building customers for life🎉 Most memorable sale stories:Katy’s legendary pink Easter Bunny roadside “Easter Sale” stunt (yes… really 😄)Greg’s “small favor, lifetime relationship” story that turned into years of referrals and friendship — all from helping a guy find a tiny bed-frame partSweet Dreams doesn’t just talk about culture… they live it!

January 30, 2026Episode 345 min

Books That Built Us: Leadership, Sales & Life Lessons

A brand-new episode of The BedBuzz is live and we’re having a blast talking about the books that built us: the ones that shaped the way we lead, sell, think, and live.A few highlights from the show:“Read 10 pages a day.” Simple challenge, big impact — especially during downtime in the store.Sam Walton’s Made in America — merchandising obsession, humility, and the power of “Satisfaction Guaranteed.”Steve Rigby’s SMILE — our required read for new sales associates: a people-first philosophy that creates extraordinary sales.Gratitude that changes everything: 365 Thank Yous — one note a day can change your mindset and open doors.Culture + energy wins: The Fred Factor, Fish!, and Red Shoes Living — bring the vibe, make people feel seen, and watch what happens.Habits over hype: Atomic Habits — get 1% better every day with systems that actually stick.Jimmy’s all-time favorite: The One Minute Manager — fast, simple, and a leadership game-changer.Harry’s “if you’re in sales, you’ve gotta read it” pick: The Greatest Salesman in the World — a book that changed his life at 23.We wrap with a simple takeaway: Books build people. People build businesses. Pick one book, read 10 pages a day, and put it to work.

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