The Selling Podcast

Hosted by Mike Williams and Scott Schlofman

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321

Latest episode

Oct 2026

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About the show

Feeling stuck in a sales slump? Pipeline looking thinner than a supermodel on a juice cleanse? Want to grow your business faster than a startup funded by a lottery winner? Then buckle up, buttercup, because "The Selling Podcast" is your new obsession! Join your seasoned (slightly graying but still very spry) sales pros, Mike and Scott, who collectively boast over 50 years of crushing quotas (and racking up enough airline and hotel points to live perpetually in a suite). They're not just here to drop wisdom; they're here to deliver a potent mix of "deep-ish thoughts and some truly mediocre advice" (their words, not ours... mostly) on everything from closing monster deals to navigating the wild ride of life. Every week, prepare for unfiltered stories, battle-tested philosophies, hard-earned insights, and enough random tangents to keep you laughing – and learning! They even drag in some special guests (who usually offer the really deep insights, just between us) to elevate the conversation even further. Whether you're a seasoned sales manager, a hungry rep grinding for commission, or just someone who wants to understand the human element of persuasion, Mike and Scott cut through the fluff with their signature blend of sharp sales strategies and hilarious banter . Stop wishing for more sales, start getting them! Hit subscribe, join the conversation, and let Mike and Scott help you sell better, live better, and most of all... enjoy all of it!

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60 recent

October 21, 202629 min

Sharks and Sales: A Dive with Leah

Join us for a fun conversation about sharks and life lessons! Leah, a ten-year-old shark enthusiast, joins us today, bringing a youthful perspective and a love for these majestic creatures. We kick off with a light-hearted banter about her age and the unique reason for her appearance on the podcast: to help lower our average listener age! Shark Stories and Insights Leah shares her fascination with sharks, explaining how crucial movement is for their survival. "Sharks need to swim to live because their blood needs to flow!" Leah tells us about a marine biologist who trained lemon sharks, inspiring us to appreciate the wonders of marine life. "When sharks stop moving, they suffocate!" — Leah We delve into fun facts about sharks, such as their incredible ability to constantly replace teeth, making them practically toothless-proof! Leah reveals that sharks lose teeth frequently but grow them back faster than humans can. Adventures and Experiences Scott recalls a recent trip to Florida, where he searched for shark teeth on the beach. Leah expresses her curiosity about how so many shark teeth end up in one place, leading to a playful exploration of shark trivia. Mike also shares his thrilling experiences of cage diving with great white sharks, sparking Leah's interest in possibly trying it someday. "It would be cool to swim with sharks!" she exclaims. Reflections As the conversation flows, we reflect on the lessons learned from sharks: the importance of movement, resilience, and a curiosity for the world around us. Leah’s vibrant energy reminds us that exploration and learning never stop, no matter your age. Join us for this delightful episode filled with laughter, insights, and a fresh perspective on life and sales from a ten-year-old shark lover!

October 14, 202631 min

Frictionless Selling: Are You Making It Too Hard For Your Customers To Buy?

Friction kills deals before price ever does. Scott and Enigo Montoya break down how to make selling feel so easy that customers actually want to buy—and why common sales process mistakes can quietly cost you revenue.What starts with a painfully relatable checkout experience turns into a practical conversation about the hidden blockers that make buyers walk away. From endless paperwork and overcomplicated forms to reps who have to “check with my manager” before every decision, Scott and Enigo explain how unnecessary steps drain momentum and trust.In this episode, you’ll learn: Why Amazon-level convenience has reset customer expectations How to simplify paperwork without cutting corners Why empowering sales reps to make decisions can keep deals moving How thoughtful upselling and bundling can make buying easier Why discounts should reward loyalty and volume—not panic Scott and Enigo share examples from retail, medical sales, pest control, car buying, and more. They also explore why many reps hesitate to ask for the sale—and why friction may be the silent deal killer behind customers who simply disappear.If you want to improve the customer experience, streamline your sales process, and close more deals, this episode is for you.

October 7, 202632 min

From Bodybuilding to the Boardroom: Steven Staines on the Sales Grind

In this episode of "The Selling Podcast," hosts Scott and Mike (joined by a "special guest" playfully introduced as Enigo Montoya) sit down with Steven Staines, the Director of Sales Development at Pinnacle West Medical. The central theme of the episode revolves around a provocative statement: Sales isn't "hard." While the hosts acknowledge that sales can be complex, complicated, and exhausting, they contrast the mental load of sales with physically or emotionally grueling jobs. Steven puts this into sharp perspective by comparing the challenges of sales to the life of his wife, a neonatal ICU nurse, whose decisions literally hinge on whether a child lives or dies while working 24-hour shifts. The discussion then shifts to the fundamentals of sales success, heavily referencing the "Student of the Game Handbook." Steven emphasizes that effective selling is less about a rigid scientific recipe and more about an artful application of fundamentals: Reconnaissance before selling: Understanding the clinic's pain points before walking in the door. Showing up as a business partner: Offering solutions (like billing services or faster product delivery) that make the practice's life easier, rather than just "bag barfing" product information. High Energy and Persistence: The critical need for resilience in the face of rejection and the willingness to put in the necessary activity numbers. Training the Next Generation: Steven shares his insights on hiring hungry, tech-savvy college graduates and the importance of field-riding and role-playing to build their confidence in introducing themselves to strangers. Ultimately, the episode is a masterclass in developing the thick skin and high-energy mindset required to survive and thrive in a professional sales career.

September 30, 202629 min

Why Your Current Sales Title is Holding You Back: From Sculptor to Sistine Chapel

Feeling creatively stuck in your current role? Join Scott and the (self-proclaimed) "heartless" Mike on this week’s episode of The Selling Podcast as they dive into an unlikely masterclass on professional evolution: the life of Michelangelo. Forget everything you think you know about the Renaissance master. Mike, who admits he usually remains emotionally detached from art, shares why Michelangelo’s work—specifically the gut-wrenching Pietà —finally broke through his pragmatism. This episode isn’t a stuffy art history lecture. It’s a high-energy discussion on why defining yourself by a single, limiting label is the fastest way to kill your sales career. Michelangelo didn’t see himself as a painter; he was a sculptor, through and through. Yet, when the Pope "assigned" him the four-year, neck-breaking task of painting the Sistine Chapel, he didn't quit. He adapted. He committed. And he created one of the most defining masterpieces in human history as a "side hustle." Scott and Mike use this historical pivot to challenge salespeople everywhere. Are you limiting your potential by calling yourself "just a hunter," "a closer," or "a brochure-pusher"? In this episode, you’ll discover: Why Your Title is a Trap: How self-limiting labels become self-fulfilling prophecies that stunt your professional growth. The "Sistine Chapel" Syndrome: Why you must be willing to take on assignments outside your wheelhouse to discover your true genius. Transferable Genius: How Scott went from door-to-door orthopedic sales to international consulting and financial planning by recognizing his adaptable skill set. Evolution, Not Abandonment: The crucial difference between pivoting your skillset (like a sculptor learning to paint) and making a completely random career jump (like a sculptor becoming a fly fisherman). The Long Game: How to view your career as a continual Renaissance, where your best work may not happen until the "second half." Whether you’re a sales newbie or a seasoned vet feeling bored, this episode of The Selling Podcast will light a fire under your professional stagnation. Tune in to learn how to channel your inner Renaissance man and realize that, like Michelangelo, your current skillset doesn’t have to define your future masterpiece. Don't take yourself too seriously, keep your eyes open for opportunities everywhere, and stop being a "stupid Raphael"—listen now!

September 23, 202633 min

What Your Hands Are Saying When You're Selling

In this episode of "The Selling Podcast," hosts Scott and Mike tackle the 90% of communication that isn't verbal: body language and hand gestures during sales presentations. Prompted by Scott's recent broken hand and subsequent awareness of his own gestures, the duo explores the critical nuances of non-verbal communication in sales. They contrast high-energy, large gestures used in public speaking with the smaller, controlled, and deliberate movements required for sales presentations to build trust and confidence. The episode provides a practical breakdown of specific hand gestures and body language habits, including: The power of open palms: Signifying openness and honesty. Fidgeting as a crutch: Why clicking pens, swiveling in chairs, or twirling objects signals confusion and lack of confidence. The aggression of pointing: Why you should never point directly at a customer, and what to do instead. The importance of stillness: How to control your body while listening to demonstrate engagement. Mirroring vs. Matching Energy: How to read the room and reflect the customer's vibe without mimicking their anxiety. Ultimately, the hosts encourage sales professionals to videotape themselves to identify distracting habits and practice delivering their message under the constraint of controlled, deliberate movement.

September 16, 202630 min

The Three Deadly Sins of Professional Selling

In this episode of "The Selling Podcast," hosts Scott and Mike dive deep into the foundational behaviors that separate true sales professionals from the amateurs. Moving beyond simple tactics, they identify three critical mistakes that a professional salesperson should never make. The discussion covers: Talking more than you listen: Drawing parallels to the medical field, they argue that "prescription without diagnosis is malpractice." Salespeople must act as diagnosticians, asking broad questions and narrowing down to root causes before presenting solutions. Lying, exaggerating, or hiding problems: Scott and Mike emphasize that honesty regarding product limitations builds long-term trust and protects reputation, which is far more valuable than a single commission check. Chasing unwilling prospects: The hosts discuss the futility of "splashing around the lake trying to catch one fish." They distinguish between desperation and persistence, advising sales professionals to accept "no" gracefully and focus their energy on engaged buyers.

September 7, 202630 min

Integrity: The Missing Ingredient in Sales Perceptions

In this episode of "The Selling Podcast," hosts Mike and Scott engage in a deep philosophical discussion about the role of integrity in life and professional sales. Following up on previous conversations regarding trust and manipulation, they establish integrity as the necessary precursor and base for successful selling. The hosts explore defining integrity not just as a moral compass, but as "integer"—being whole, incorporated, and aligned in your intentions and actions, even when no one is watching. While acknowledging the unfortunate stigma that sales is an untrustworthy profession, they argue that top-performing professionals view integrity as non-negotiable. Mike and Scott introduce the "Integrity vs. Skill" matrix, asserting that while integrity without skill is admirable but ineffective, skill without integrity is merely manipulation. They also share personal anecdotes about tactical errors in judgment, the challenge of fluctuating moral compasses under pressure, and how they screen for integrity during the hiring process. Ultimately, they advocate for adopting a "fiduciary" mindset—placing the client's best interest first—as the future of the sales profession.

September 2, 202635 min

Why You Can't "Build" Trust (And What To Do Instead)

In this episode of "The Selling Podcast," hosts Scott and Mike engage in a philosophical debate regarding the nature of trust. Kicking off with some lighthearted banter and statistics showing men are slightly more trusting than women, they dive deep into whether trust is an inherent "on/off" switch or something that is incrementally earned over time. Scott argues that trust is a default setting—an on/off switch that exists until violated. He contends that you don't "build" trust; you only maintain it or lose it. Conversely, Mike views trust as incremental, built by stringing together successful experiences, much like adding fibers to a rope or verifying a rock-climbing knot. The hosts use real-world examples from extreme sports, marriage, and sales interactions to explore the roles of intent, confidence, and history in restoring trust after it has been broken.

August 26, 202632 min

"More Work" Cure for Burnout: Why Vacations Aren't Enough

In this episode of "The Selling Podcast," Scott and Mike tackle the pervasive issue of burnout in sales. They define burnout not just as tiredness, but as deep emotional, physical, and mental exhaustion where the simplest tasks feel overwhelming. Challenging conventional wisdom, the hosts argue that simply taking a vacation is not the answer, as it often leads to returning to an unmanageable pile of work. They also dismiss "mindless" vegging out on the couch as unfulfilling. Instead, Scott and Mike propose that the antidote to burnout is meaningful, productive work —specifically in the realms of service and family . Mike provides a rapid-fire list of 10 practical strategies to recognize, avoid, and recover from burnout, including separating self-worth from sales quotas, creating meaningful recovery time with loved ones, blocking off personal time, and continuing to learn new skills (like AI or magic tricks) to stay mentally sharp.

August 19, 202629 min

Why Sales Management Is Not Sales: The Final Sales Discovery Episode

This episode of The Selling Podcast concludes the five-part series on sales discovery by examining why sales management is not sales and what it truly takes to make the transition. Two Different Skill Sets and Philosophies Sales professionals and sales managers perform completely different roles; great sales reps do not automatically translate into great managers, much like elite athletes rarely make the most successful coaches. A salesperson focuses on selling products and developing accounts, whereas a sales manager focuses on developing high-performing people and multiplying the success of their team. Why Salespeople Want to Move into Management Many sales reps seek management tracks because they assume it will provide a simpler life, more money, and a ladder to climb since individual territories have limited upward mobility. Stephen Covey’s insight highlights the danger of spending a career climbing the wrong corporate ladder if management does not align with a person's true strengths and motivations. The Reality of Sales Management As a sales manager, your success is judged by everyone else's performance rather than your own, giving you only indirect control over the daily results. High-performing managers must resist the urge to jump in and close deals for their reps, focusing instead on mentorship, analytics, and shaping individual talent rather than creating miniature clones of themselves. Finding the Right Path If your motivation is to make money, control your time, and thrive as an individual contributor, you should stay in sales and focus on selling better and faster. If your deepest satisfaction comes from coaching, mentoring, and watching others succeed on stage, sales management is the proper path to pursue. SEO Tags sales management, sales career, sales discovery, selling podcast, sales coaching, sales leadership, individual contributor, sales mentor, career transition, sales training