Welcome to The Delighted Customers Podcast — your go-to resource for practical insights and thought leadership in leadership, change management, and customer experience. Ranked among Apple's Top 20 in U.S. Management and featured in Forbes, we deliver expert tips and inspiring stories to help you lead with impact and drive meaningful change.
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What does it take to create experiences customers love, craft campaigns that captivate, and drive measurable results? Insights Unlocked features candid conversations with the builders, creators, and innovators driving some of the world’s most impactful digital transformations. Tailored for marketing, product, UX and CX leaders, each episode delivers actionable insights to help you create customer-first strategies and stay ahead in today’s competitive landscape. Each episode is about 30 minut ...
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Hop on the bus with Joseph Michelli, Ph.D. (Customer Experience Professional, New York Times #1 Bestselling Author and Business Consultant). Joseph and his business-savvy guests provide a rollicking, wisdom-rich ride to customer experience excellence.
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#162 Compassionomics in Action: Measurable Impact for Business Leaders and Healthcare alike
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38:40
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38:40What if just 40 seconds of genuine compassion could tangibly lower a cancer patient's anxiety—and what if this "wonder drug" holds the key not just for healthcare, but for every leader who wants to create more fulfilling workplaces and customer experiences? The impact of this question is profound. On this episode of the Delighted Customers podcast,…
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Redefining a beloved brand: What Zoom’s transformation teaches modern business leaders
39:34
39:34
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39:34Episode page: https://bit.ly/44hNGCc Episode description: In this episode of Insights Unlocked, Zoom CMO Kim Storin joins host Johann Wrede for a candid conversation about the realities of leading through transformation. Kim shares why change is harder than most leaders admit and how Zoom is evolving from a company known for meetings to a full mult…
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Innovation-ish: Practical tools for everyday innovators
51:51
51:51
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51:51Episode web page: https://bit.ly/49ucDxK Episode summary: In this episode of Insights Unlocked, UserTesting’s VP of Design Jason Giles sits down with Tessa Forshaw and Rich Braden—co-authors of Innovation-ish and longtime instructors of design thinking at Harvard and Stanford—to explore what truly drives innovation and why most people hesitate to p…
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How customer-centric marketing fuels real growth
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39:32
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39:32Episode web page: https://bit.ly/3XIsfGJ ----------------------- Episode summary: In this episode of Insights Unlocked, Nathan Isaacs talks with marketing powerhouse Bill Macaitis—former CMO of Slack, Zendesk, and Salesforce—about how B2B companies can scale efficiently by prioritizing customer experience, building authentic brands, and embracing n…
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#161 Navigating the Post-Truth Era: Building Brand Trust with Emotional Inquiry
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30:42Is it really possible to build trust with customers in a business landscape overflowing with misinformation and emotional volatility? That burning question is at the heart of my conversation with Michael Forsberg, Director of Client Experience at BrandTrust. In an era many call "post-truth," business leaders face steep challenges in distinguishing …
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What most marketers miss about marketing effectiveness with Sorin Patilinet
46:35
46:35
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46:35Episode web page: https://bit.ly/49xoJWL ----------------------- Episode summary: What does it really mean for marketing to be "effective" in today’s complex, data-rich environment? In this episode of Insights Unlocked, Sorin Patilinet—PepsiCo’s Global Marketing Insights leader and author of Marketing Effectiveness—joins UserTesting CMO Johann Wred…
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#160 Rethinking Valuation: Why Customer Metrics Matter More
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31:25
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31:25What if the financial metrics you rely on to measure your company's success are actually steering you away from long-term customer loyalty and sustainable growth? In our latest episode of the Delighted Customers podcast, live from Harvard Business School, I dive into this burning question with Rob Markey, professor at Harvard and seasoned veteran a…
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AI employees and the future of work with Surojit Chatterjee
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48:02
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48:02Episode web page: https://bit.ly/4qwkj8C ----------------------- Episode summary: In this eye-opening episode of Insights Unlocked, host Mike Mace chats with Surojit Chatterjee—former Chief Product Officer at Coinbase and current founder and CEO of Ema—about the sweeping changes generative AI is bringing to the workplace. Surojit unpacks his vision…
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#159 The Serial Fixer Trap: Boundaries, Burnout, and Better Leadership
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27:51
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27:51Are you unknowingly sabotaging your own well-being at work—and at home—by trying to fix everyone else's problems? So many of us find purpose and validation in helping, supporting, and "solving" for others. But what happens when that good intention tips into burnout, resentment, and codependent relationships? In this episode, I dig into the hidden c…
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Finding the content-market fit your customers care about with Ross Simmonds
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46:35
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46:35Episode web page: https://bit.ly/4nZFApH ----------------------- Episode summary: How do you know when your content is hitting the mark? And once you do, how can you scale it efficiently and strategically? In this episode of Insights Unlocked, host Nathan Isaacs sits down with Ross Simmonds, CEO of Foundation, a B2B content marketing agency known f…
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#158 The Art of Communication: Delivering Difficult News with Compassion
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32:17
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32:17Is it possible to deliver life-changing news—with compassion—without sacrificing precious time or the physician's own well-being? It's a burning question for healthcare professionals everywhere, and the impact of getting it right goes far beyond the exam room. Not only does compassionate communication ease patient anxiety and foster loyalty, but it…
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Why empathy still wins in an AI-powered world with Sara Fortier from Outwitly
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35:45
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35:45Episode web page: https://bit.ly/43n2Y89 ----------------------- Episode summary: In this episode of Insights Unlocked, host Nathan Isaacs sits down with Sara Fortier—founder and CEO of Outwitly, Silicon Valley design veteran, and author of the upcoming book Design Research Mastery. Together, they explore the enduring relevance of human-centered de…
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What happens to innovation, team dynamics, and trust in organizations when a significant portion of employees are emotionally fragile, risk-averse, and struggle with interpersonal interactions? In this episode of the Delighted Customers podcast, I dive into the profound impact of generational shifts on workplace culture, leadership, and customer ex…
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Flipping the funnel starts with knowing your customers with Sangram Vajre
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46:35
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46:35In this episode of Insights Unlocked, host Nathan Isaacs sits down with Sangram Vajre—co-founder of Terminus and GTM Partners, bestselling author, and pioneer of the Flip My Funnel movement—to explore how customer-first thinking reshapes business growth. Sangram recounts the moment of inspiration that led to flipping the traditional sales funnel on…
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#156 Turning Data Into CX Impact: Storytelling That Sticks
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23:19
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23:19What's stopping CX leaders from turning mountains of customer data into executive-ready stories that prompt real change? In this episode, we dig deep into one of the most urgent—and often overlooked—challenges for customer experience (CX) teams: crafting compelling, actionable narratives from all that customer insight. Data is everywhere, but too o…
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All the questions you had about synthetic users but were afraid to ask
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42:51
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42:51Episode web page: https://bit.ly/42dkHi0 ----------------------- Episode summary: In this thought-provoking episode of Insights Unlocked, host Lija Hogan sits down with Dr. John Whalen—cognitive scientist, author, and founder of Brilliant Experience—to explore how artificial intelligence is reshaping the way teams conduct customer research. With de…
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#155 The Evolving State of Customer Experience: Insights and Future Trends
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23:28What happens when a profession built on human insight faces a tidal wave of change—from evolving business demands to the rise of AI? How do CX leaders stay relevant and drive meaningful results in this new landscape? This episode digs deep into the shifting world of customer experience (CX) with Greg Melia, CEO of the Customer Experience Profession…
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Build your Plan B: How content entrepreneurship can unlock freedom and meaning
43:52
43:52
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43:52Episode web page: https://bit.ly/46shU5A ----------------------- Episode summary: Joe Pulizzi—bestselling author, founder of the Content Marketing Institute, and creator of the Content Inc model—joins host Nathan Isaacs to talk about redefining work, meaning, and success in the age of AI and economic uncertainty. From his transition after a success…
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#154 How Political Extremes Shape Customer Loyalty and Brand Evangelism
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29:09
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29:09What drives customers to cling fiercely to a brand, even when it means paying more or overlooking problems others wouldn't forgive? Is our political identity quietly fueling a new kind of "super loyalty" that's transforming customer behavior, for better or worse? In this episode of the Delighted Customers podcast, I dive into these burning question…
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Unlocking SaaS growth with fast, focused customer research with Asia Orangio
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41:44
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41:44Episode web page: https://bit.ly/46FFJbA ----------------------- Episode summary: In this episode of Insights Unlocked, we dive deep into the intersection of customer research, growth strategy, and fast decision-making with Asia Orangio, founder and CEO of DemandMaven. Host Lija Hogan, principal of experience research strategy at UserTesting, guide…
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#153 Navigating Crisis with Integrity: Strategies for Building Trust in Customer Experience
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34:35What happens when your company's reputation—and your customers' trust—hangs by a thread? Are you ready for a moment when a crisis isn't just possible, but inevitable? In this episode, I dive deep into one of the most critical topics for today's leaders: how strategy, communication, and integrity intersect to protect (and sometimes rebuild) your org…
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Why brand matters and how CMOs are playing out of position
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42:38
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42:38Episode web page: https://bit.ly/3K2NcZn ----------------------- Episode summary: In this episode of Insights Unlocked, Joe Chernov, a seasoned B2B marketing leader and Executive in Residence at Battery Ventures, joins host Johann Wrede to unpack the modern CMO’s biggest trap—playing out of position. Joe shares the pivotal career moment that pulled…
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#152 Toyota's Secret Weapon: Applying the A3 and Nemawashi for Customer Loyalty
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32:36
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32:36What if the real secret to customer loyalty and transformation isn't just about great ideas, but about how you build consensus within your organization—before you make a single move? Too often, even the smartest strategies can get derailed by resistance, misalignment, or simple miscommunication inside a company. That's why I was eager to dig into t…
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How to stop wasting research and turn customer insights into action with Jake Burghardt
37:35
37:35
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37:35Episode web page: https://bit.ly/3UXulRJ ----------------------- Episode summary: In this episode of Insights Unlocked, host Lija Hogan sits down with Jake Burghardt, author of Stop Wasting Research and ex-Amazon and ex-Microsoft. Together, they dive into one of the most overlooked challenges in customer research: why so much valuable insight never…
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#151 The Generous Leader: 7 Ways to Give of Yourself for Everyone's Gain
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31:42
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31:42What if the real secret to exceptional leadership isn't control, charisma, or even performance—but generosity? Could the "soft stuff" like listening, empathy, and vulnerability truly drive the hardest results in business? In this episode of the Delighted Customers podcast, I dig into that very question with Joe Davis, legendary former Senior Partne…
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Creating workplaces that work for all to thrive with Tara May
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38:44
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38:44Episode web page: https://bit.ly/4fEzKXi ----------------------- Episode summary: In this thought-provoking episode of Insights Unlocked, host Lija Hogan is joined by Tara May, CEO of Spirit Tech—a pioneering tech company where more than 90% of the staff are autistic. Together, they explore what it truly means to create inclusive workplaces, the bu…
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# 150 Delta's AI Fare Experiment: Will Smart Pricing Alienate Loyal Customers?
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27:43
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27:43Is AI-powered personalized pricing the next frontier—or the next fiasco—for customer loyalty and corporate reputation? That's the burning question I dive into with my guest, Dr. Peter Fader, on this episode of the Delighted Customers podcast. With Delta Air Lines rolling out AI-driven pricing and the world watching closely, the conversation takes a…
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Optimize with empathy: Gwen Hammes on turning behavior into brand impact
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30:57
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30:57Episode web page: https://bit.ly/4fEzKXi ----------------------- Got a question? Want to recommend a guest? Or do you want to tell me how the show can be better? Send me a voice message via email at [email protected] ----------------------- Episode summary:This week on Insights Unlocked, Nathan Isaacs sits down with Gwen Hammes, co-CEO of CRO…
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#149 The Heart of Service: A Blueprint for Human Centered AI in Customer Service
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27:40
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27:40What really makes customer service stick—not just as a business function, but as a transformative and human-centered experience—even in an era dominated by AI and automation? That's the burning question I dig into with my guest on this episode of the Delighted Customers podcast. If you've ever wondered why some organizations continually miss the ma…
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Every (buying) decision is emotional with Talia Wolf
30:22
30:22
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30:22Episode web page: https://bit.ly/3Jjar14 ----------------------- Got a question? Want to recommend a guest? Or do you want to tell me how the show can be better? Send me a voice message via email at [email protected] ----------------------- Episode summary:In this episode of Insights Unlocked, host Nathan Isaacs sits down with Talia Wolf—foun…
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#148 Rethinking AI Strategy in Customer Experience
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32:24
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32:24Is your business rushing into AI without really understanding how it fits into your strategy—or worse, letting "FOMO" drive your next big tech investment? On this episode of the Delighted Customers podcast, I challenge leaders to think beyond the hype and get real about the transformational (and sometimes risky) power of AI in delivering great cust…
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Conversion copywriting starts with customer research
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31:18
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31:18Episode web page: https://bit.ly/45oE6gF ----------------------- Got a question? Want to recommend a guest? Or do you want to tell me how the show can be better? Send me a voice message via email at [email protected] ----------------------- Episode summary: In this episode of Insights Unlocked, host Nathan Isaacs chats with Chris Silvestri, f…
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#147 Five Shoes for Change: Mastering Leadership Through Rapid Transitions and Change Management
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27:57
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27:57What makes change so difficult—even for organizations that know change is inevitable and even necessary for growth? If we all agree that staying in our comfort zones holds us back, why do we continue to resist change—and what can leaders do to help teams navigate it better? In this episode of the Delighted Customers podcast, I sit down with Dennis …
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A magician's take on message testing and marketing clarity
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35:34Episode web page: http://bit.ly/472L2m0 ----------------------- Got a question? Want to recommend a guest? Or do you want to tell me how the show can be better? Send me a voice message via email at [email protected] ----------------------- What do magicians and marketers have in common? A lot more than you think. In this episode of Insights U…
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