Call The Damn Leads

Episode 128 is a special Christmas Day solo episode where Drewbie steps away from interviews and tactics to deliver a heartfelt message directly to the Call the Damn Leads community. Recorded for Christmas morning 2025, this episode is all about gratitude, reflection, and appreciation for the listeners, readers, and supporters who make the Call the Damn Leads movement possible. Drewbie shares what this year has meant to him and his family, reflects on the growth of the show and the community, and reminds listeners that the real win in sales isn't just revenue—it's the life you're building for yourself and the people you love. To top it off, Drewbie gives listeners a Christmas-only gift as a thank-you for showing up—even on a holiday. This episode isn't about calling leads today. It's about remembering why you do it every other day of the year.     Episode Highlights A personal Christmas message from Drewbie to the Call the Damn Leads community Gratitude for listeners, readers, and supporters of the movement Reflecting on an incredible year of podcast growth and impact Celebrating thousands of copies sold of Call the Damn Leads Why the listener is the real "greatest gift" of the year A reminder that sales is a vehicle to a better life—not the destination Honoring all holidays and traditions, not just Christmas The importance of pausing to appreciate progress A Christmas-only giveaway for loyal listeners Why consistency—even in personal growth—creates better holidays year after year Setting the tone for an even bigger 2026 When not to call the damn leads (today only!)     Special Christmas Gift 🎄 🎁 FREE Call the Damn Leads T-Shirt Drewbie's Christmas gift to you for being a loyal listener. How it works: Use code: CHRISTMASTEE Valid ONLY on Christmas Day Expires at midnight Christmas night You pay shipping — the shirt is on Drewbie 👉 Grab yours at: https://callthedamnleads.com     Key Takeaways 1. Gratitude matters. Success feels different when you take time to acknowledge the people who helped you get there. 2. Sales is a tool—not the goal. The real reward is the life you're creating for your family. 3. Consistency compounds. Listening, learning, and showing up—even on holidays—adds up. 4. Community creates momentum. Movements don't grow alone—they grow together. 5. Reflection fuels growth. Pausing to appreciate progress makes future wins even bigger. 6. Holidays are about people, not pipelines. Today is for family. Tomorrow, we're back to work. 7. You're never "just a listener." You're part of the Call the Damn Leads movement.     🎯 Call to Action Call The Damn Leads "By sales professionals, for sales professionals - Tales of your wildest sales stories and tactics to succeed in your sales career across various industries." Join Drewbie Wilson, a sales veteran with over 20 years of experience, as he brings you insider stories, humor, and actionable strategies to excel in your sales journey. Your weekly dose of: Wild Sales Stories: Engaging tales of real-life sales adventures. Proven Tactics: Actionable strategies to boost your sales game. Humor: A fun and energetic perspective on the world of sales. Expert Insights: Learn from seasoned professionals in various industries. Don't miss out on the insights, humor, and strategies that can take your sales career to new heights! Sales professionals, entrepreneurs, and small business owners striving to enhance their sales, marketing, and personal growth to achieve financial success and time freedom. If you'd like to be a guest on our show please leave your contact information and a brief message selling us on what makes your story worth sharing! https://callthedamnleads.com/pages/podcast Follow Drewbie: https://www.facebook.com/drewbierides Follow Call The Damn Leads: https://www.instagram.com/callthedamnleads     Follow Drewbie 📘 Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/drewbierides 📸 Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/callthedamnleads  

In this episode of Call The Damn Leads, I sit down with the down-to-earth and wildly authentic Jody Durand — a lifelong farmer turned sales pro and author of Country Boy Soul. From growing up on "Walton Mountain" to literally sitting next to Zig Ziglar on his very first flight (without even realizing it), Jody's story is a masterclass in grit, humility, and the power of influence. We talk about how a life of hard work on the farm shaped his sales approach, why saying no is one of the most powerful words in sales, and how old-school relationship building still wins in a high-tech world. Jody's got decades of experience in agriculture sales and business, and he brings raw honesty and humor to every story. If you've ever doubted your ability to sell, this conversation will remind you that true sales success comes from caring deeply, staying curious, and being willing to get your hands dirty — figuratively and literally.     Episode Highlights 🚜 From Farm Life to Sales Life: How Jody's roots in agriculture taught him the value of consistency, preparation, and patience — lessons every sales pro can learn from. ✈️ The Day He Met Zig Ziglar: A once-in-a-lifetime meeting that planted the seeds of a career he didn't even know he'd have. 💥 The Power of Hitting Rock Bottom: Losing everything taught Jody the drive and discipline to sell with purpose and passion. 🧠 Influence Over Sales: Why the best salespeople don't "sell" — they influence by connecting and caring. 🙌 The "No" That Opens Doors: How to reframe rejection as a tool for growth instead of a setback. 💡 Sales Lessons from the Barnyard: Jody's analogy between farming and selling — preparing, planting, nurturing, and harvesting. 🧩 End-User Thinking: Why great salespeople start with the end result in mind and build backward from the customer's perspective. ❤️ Vulnerability Sells: How being open and authentic creates deeper trust and longer-lasting relationships.     Key Takeaways Influence Beats Information: Sales isn't about talking the most — it's about asking the right questions and listening with intent. Rejection is a Gift: A "no" is not the end — it's an opportunity to understand your customer better and get closer to "yes." You Don't Need Fancy Words: If a sixth grader can't understand your pitch, you're overcomplicating it. Keep your message clear, relatable, and direct. Sales is Farming: Plant seeds (relationships), water them consistently (follow up), and be patient — your harvest will come. Hard Work Never Goes Out of Style: No shortcut beats good old-fashioned effort, consistency, and genuine care for the people you serve. Build Trust by Being Real: People buy from people — especially those who are honest about their flaws and open about their journey. Focus on the End User: Think like the person or product you're helping. When you understand what they truly need, your pitch becomes effortless.     How to Connect with Jody Durand 💻 LinkedIn : Jody Durand 📘 Book: Country Boy Soul available on Amazon and Audible ▶️ YouTube: Country Boy Soul Channel 💬 "If you want to connect, hit me up on social or throw up the bat signal — I'll find you."     🎯 Call to Action Call The Damn Leads "By sales professionals, for sales professionals - Tales of your wildest sales stories and tactics to succeed in your sales career across various industries." Join Drewbie Wilson, a sales veteran with over 20 years of experience, as he brings you insider stories, humor, and actionable strategies to excel in your sales journey. Your weekly dose of: Wild Sales Stories: Engaging tales of real-life sales adventures. Proven Tactics: Actionable strategies to boost your sales game. Humor: A fun and energetic perspective on the world of sales. Expert Insights: Learn from seasoned professionals in various industries. Don't miss out on the insights, humor, and strategies that can take your sales career to new heights! Sales professionals, entrepreneurs, and small business owners striving to enhance their sales, marketing, and personal growth to achieve financial success and time freedom. If you'd like to be a guest on our show please leave your contact information and a brief message selling us on what makes your story worth sharing! https://callthedamnleads.com/pages/podcast Follow Drewbie: https://www.facebook.com/drewbierides Follow Call The Damn Leads: https://www.instagram.com/callthedamnleads  

In this epic episode of Call The Damn Leads, Drewbie Wilson sits down with creative powerhouse Paul Pape, the self-proclaimed "Santa for Nerds," to talk about how gaming principles can transform your business, boost creativity, and make entrepreneurship actually fun. Paul spent two decades designing custom collectibles for clients like Disney, Universal, and Nickelodeon before founding Gamify Business, a coaching platform that helps creatives and entrepreneurs build stronger, more successful businesses—by turning their real-world goals into a live-action role-playing adventure. From character sheets to "boss fights," Paul breaks down how you can translate gaming strategy into business mastery. Whether you're a lifelong gamer or a sales pro looking to bring more creativity and energy into your process, this episode is packed with practical magic.     🔥 Episode Highlights 🎮 Santa for Nerds: How Paul built a 20-year career creating custom collectibles for major brands and fans around the world. ⚔️ Gamify Your Business: The origin story of "Dungeons & Dragons: Business Edition" and how it helps creatives understand sales and entrepreneurship. 🧙‍♂️ Build Your Character Sheet: How to identify your strengths and weaknesses to create a balanced "party" (aka your business team). 💡 Sell Yourself, Not Your Stuff: Why storytelling and personal branding will always beat a hard sales pitch. 🪄 Speak the Language: How Paul translates complex business terms like ROI and CTA into gaming analogies that actually make sense for creatives. 👥 Find Your Party: Why you shouldn't try to "solo" your business journey—and how to find teammates who fill your gaps. 🧩 Defeat Imposter Syndrome: Turning weaknesses into opportunities through playful, data-driven self-awareness. 💰 Speedrun Your Success: How to turn passion into profit by focusing on your "seed"—the unique twist that sets you apart. 🚀 Laser Focus for Creatives: Why it's better to be a specialist sniper than a scattershot marketer when building your brand. 📘 Free Resource: Grab the first two chapters of The Creative Player's Handbook to Business at GamifyBusiness.com.     💡 Key Takeaways 1. Creatives Are Entrepreneurs Whether you design art, write code, or sell products, creativity is the engine of innovation—and you can build a business that reflects that. 2. Sell the Story, Not the Stuff People don't buy products; they buy people. When you tell your story authentically, you make it easy for customers to connect and commit. 3. Build Your "Party" Wisely You don't need to be great at everything. Identify your weak spots and recruit others whose strengths complement yours. 4. Translate Business into Play If words like ROI and KPI make your eyes glaze over, reframe them in language that fits you. Gamifying the process keeps you engaged and consistent. 5. Find Your Unique "Seed" Your "seed" is the one thing that makes your creative work different from everyone else's. Build your brand around that and success follows. 6. Focus Like a Sniper, Not a Shotgun Don't try to appeal to everyone. Target your ideal customers with precision and consistency—they're the ones who will become your raving fans. 7. Speedrun the Process—But Follow the Map Overnight success is a myth, but with strategy, consistency, and the right party members, you can level up faster than you think.     💬 Connect with Paul Pape 🌐 Website: gamifybusiness.com 🎁 Free Download: The Creative Player's Handbook to Business — First two chapters free when you sign up on the site. 🎨 Other Projects: paulpapedesigns.com 📺 YouTube: Paul Pape Designs     🎯 Call to Action Call The Damn Leads "By sales professionals, for sales professionals - Tales of your wildest sales stories and tactics to succeed in your sales career across various industries." Join Drewbie Wilson, a sales veteran with over 20 years of experience, as he brings you insider stories, humor, and actionable strategies to excel in your sales journey. Your weekly dose of: Wild Sales Stories: Engaging tales of real-life sales adventures. Proven Tactics: Actionable strategies to boost your sales game. Humor: A fun and energetic perspective on the world of sales. Expert Insights: Learn from seasoned professionals in various industries. Don't miss out on the insights, humor, and strategies that can take your sales career to new heights! Sales professionals, entrepreneurs, and small business owners striving to enhance their sales, marketing, and personal growth to achieve financial success and time freedom. If you'd like to be a guest on our show please leave your contact information and a brief message selling us on what makes your story worth sharing! https://callthedamnleads.com/pages/podcast Follow Drewbie: https://www.facebook.com/drewbierides Follow Call The Damn Leads: https://www.instagram.com/callthedamnleads  

In this episode of Call The Damn Leads, Drewbie Wilson sits down with Jason VanDevere, fourth-generation car dealer turned purpose-driven entrepreneur, to talk about stepping away from comfort, chasing passion, and the reality of building something that truly lights you up. From hilarious car lot stories (including a test drive that sounded like a shootout!) to a powerful four-step framework for success, Jason shares how he transitioned from his family's auto empire into creating Goal Crazy, a brand built on helping others design dream-driven lives. This one's packed with inspiration, real talk, and tactical steps for anyone looking to reinvent themselves, grow their business, and call their damn leads.     🔥 Episode Highlights From Balloons to Boom: Jason's wildest sales story — how a test drive full of exploding balloons turned into a closed deal. Breaking Family Expectations: Why Jason walked away from a secure legacy in the car business to chase something more meaningful. The Power of Sales Confidence: How mastering the art of selling became the foundation for every business venture he started afterward. The Four-Step Framework for Growth: Jason breaks down his proven process for success — Seek Expert Counsel, Set a 90-Day Goal, Execute Relentlessly, and Reflect Intentionally. The Real Meaning of "Call the Damn Leads": Why persistence, not perfection, builds your dreams. Building Without a Budget: How to create meaningful collaborations with influencers and communities without spending a dime. Start Small, Win Big: Why your first audience doesn't have to be huge to make a big impact. Purpose Over Pressure: Jason's mindset on how a powerful dream can help you overcome fear, rejection, and imposter syndrome. Free Resource: How to access Jason's free "Find Your Dream" course that's helped over 40,000 people discover their purpose.     💡 Key Takeaways 1. Sales is the Foundation for Every Dream If you can sell, you can do anything. The ability to communicate, persuade, and solve problems is the most transferable skill in life and business. 2. Seek Expert Counsel Find someone who's already done what you want to do and ask how they did it. Mentorship and modeling shorten the distance between where you are and where you want to be. 3. Set a Focused 90-Day Goal Clarity creates momentum. Identify one goal that, if accomplished, makes everything else easier or unnecessary — and commit to it. 4. Execute and Reflect Action beats ideas every day of the week. But reflection turns activity into growth. Ask yourself regularly: What's working? What's not? What do I need to change? 5. Build Relationships, Not Just Revenue When you reach out to influencers or potential partners, lead with value. Serve their audience first — that's how you earn collaboration, credibility, and trust. 6. Start Small, Stay Consistent Don't wait for perfection. Whether you're pitching podcasts or running workshops, start small, make mistakes, learn, and grow from every opportunity. 7. Dream Bigger Than Your Fear When your vision is clear and your "why" burns bright, rejection and setbacks lose their power. A big enough dream makes every challenge worth facing.     💬 Connect with Jason VanDevere Website: goalcrazy.com Free Course: goalcrazy.com/course — Find your dream and reignite your drive Book: Dream Driven – Available now on Amazon     🎯 Call to Action Call The Damn Leads "By sales professionals, for sales professionals - Tales of your wildest sales stories and tactics to succeed in your sales career across various industries." Join Drewbie Wilson, a sales veteran with over 20 years of experience, as he brings you insider stories, humor, and actionable strategies to excel in your sales journey. Your weekly dose of: Wild Sales Stories: Engaging tales of real-life sales adventures. Proven Tactics: Actionable strategies to boost your sales game. Humor: A fun and energetic perspective on the world of sales. Expert Insights: Learn from seasoned professionals in various industries. Don't miss out on the insights, humor, and strategies that can take your sales career to new heights! Sales professionals, entrepreneurs, and small business owners striving to enhance their sales, marketing, and personal growth to achieve financial success and time freedom. If you'd like to be a guest on our show please leave your contact information and a brief message selling us on what makes your story worth sharing! https://callthedamnleads.com/pages/podcast Follow Drewbie: https://www.facebook.com/drewbierides Follow Call The Damn Leads: https://www.instagram.com/callthedamnleads  

In this powerhouse episode of Call The Damn Leads, I sit down with Marc Pickren, a turnaround CEO who has led massive sales organizations through chaos, COVID, and corporate comebacks. Marc has managed over 450 sales reps and taken companies that were bleeding cash — including one burning $400,000 a month — and turned them into multi-million-dollar profit machines. How? Through leadership, accountability, and understanding that productivity isn't about working harder — it's about working intentionally. From dealing with the remote-work crisis during the pandemic to redefining what productivity looks like in a distracted, AI-driven world, Marc brings an unfiltered perspective on what it takes to rebuild trust, performance, and profitability in sales teams today. If you lead a team, work in sales, or just want to learn how to transform chaos into clarity, this one's a masterclass.     🔥 Episode Highlights 💰 From $42 Million in Losses to 4.9 Million in Profit Marc shares how he took a company that had torched over $42 million in invested capital and was losing half its customers every year — and turned it into a profitable, thriving organization. His secret? A relentless focus on accountability, measurable productivity, and repurposing talent instead of wasting it. 📞 The 6.7-Hour Rule for Sales Success Through deep analysis, Marc's team discovered that 6.7 hours of productive activity per day was the magic number for reps to hit and exceed their goals. By structuring each salesperson's day around high-value activity, performance skyrocketed — proving that structure creates freedom. 🧩 The Power of Smart Redeployment When faced with layoffs, Marc didn't just cut people — he repurposed talent. Underperforming sales reps who understood customer value were moved into customer success roles, transforming potential losses into stronger retention and better client relationships. ⚙️ Accountability vs. Micromanagement Many leaders fear being "too controlling," but Marc breaks down the difference between accountability and micromanagement. Accountability is clarity. It's measurable. And it's what separates high-performing teams from those drowning in mediocrity. 💥 Life in the AI Super System Marc explains how we've evolved from the internet age to the mobile age — and now, to the AI age. He warns that we're all being trained as "nodes on the machine," distracted hundreds of times a day by digital noise. His solution? Get intentional. Reclaim your focus. Use AI to enhance human productivity, not replace it. 🧠 How to Compete in the Age of AI AI isn't coming for your job — complacency is. Marc shares insights from The End of Average, explaining that those who cooperate with AI will thrive, while those who compete with it will get left behind. Your new competitive edge is problem-solving, curiosity, and adaptability. 🔗 Build the Bridge Between Sales and Product Marc reveals one of the biggest untapped advantages in sales: feedback loops. Sales and marketing are on the frontlines with real customer insights — and when they feed that back into product development, innovation explodes. If you're not sharing what your customers are saying, your company's building in the dark.     💡 Key Takeaways Accountability drives results — you can't improve what you don't measure. Reallocate talent before you replace it. Skills can evolve with the right coaching. Structure your day around productivity, not busyness. AI is a tool, not a threat. Learn to work with it, not against it. Human connection still wins. Authenticity, empathy, and transparency are irreplaceable. Feedback is fuel. Great companies listen to their salespeople.     💬 How to Connect with Marc Pickren 💼 LinkedIn: Marc Pickren 🌐 Website: https://marcpickren.com/ Check out over 100 short, high-value clips on sales, leadership, and AI strategy. 💬 Message him directly: Marc's always open to questions — no pitch, just value. 🎥 Keep an eye out for his upcoming Sales Vibe Reel showcasing the high-energy environment that built his legendary sales culture.     🎯 Call to Action Call The Damn Leads "By sales professionals, for sales professionals - Tales of your wildest sales stories and tactics to succeed in your sales career across various industries." Join Drewbie Wilson, a sales veteran with over 20 years of experience, as he brings you insider stories, humor, and actionable strategies to excel in your sales journey. Your weekly dose of: Wild Sales Stories: Engaging tales of real-life sales adventures. Proven Tactics: Actionable strategies to boost your sales game. Humor: A fun and energetic perspective on the world of sales. Expert Insights: Learn from seasoned professionals in various industries. Don't miss out on the insights, humor, and strategies that can take your sales career to new heights! Sales professionals, entrepreneurs, and small business owners striving to enhance their sales, marketing, and personal growth to achieve financial success and time freedom. If you'd like to be a guest on our show please leave your contact information and a brief message selling us on what makes your story worth sharing! https://callthedamnleads.com/pages/podcast Follow Drewbie: https://www.facebook.com/drewbierides Follow Call The Damn Leads: https://www.instagram.com/callthedamnleads