Advertise on podcast: Coffee with Curtis

In this episode of Coffee with Curtis, Robert is joined by David Zeff, co-founder and CEO of Whistle, a leading outbound SDR company helping B2B tech companies generate qualified pipeline. David is also a long-time friend and former colleague of Robert’s from their time at Graduway, where they worked together in a high-performing sales team that helped drive incredible growth and success. Together, Robert and David discuss what made that sales culture so powerful, why outbound sales is far from dead, and what companies often get wrong when building SDR teams. David shares how Whistle grew from an accidental first client into an international SDR business, and explains why cold outreach should be treated as a marketing channel, one that delivers not just meetings, but valuable market insight. They also explore AI in sales, where it helps, where the hype goes too far, and why human trust, judgment and connection still matter. A practical and honest conversation about sales, SDRs, outbound, AI, entrepreneurship and why great selling is still one of the most important skills in business.

In this episode of Coffee with Curtis, Robert speaks with Carson Heady, Managing Director of Microsoft Elevate Nonprofit (or North America), sales leader, keynote speaker, podcast host, and author of 'Moneyball Sales: How I Generated Over $1 Billion in Revenue Using AI and LinkedIn & How You Can Too'. Carson shares how modern sales has moved beyond hustle, volume, and random activity. Instead, great selling is about purpose, probability, trust, data, relationships, AI, and consistent value creation. Robert and Carson discuss why every seller needs a clear “why,” how to stack the odds in your favour, why “trust precedes the transaction,” and how LinkedIn can become a serious engine for credibility, connection, and revenue. They also explore the role of AI in sales, with Carson explaining why AI is not replacing great sellers but it is replacing lazy prospecting. Using his James Bond analogy, Carson describes AI as “Q”: the toolmaker and intelligence partner, while the seller remains the strategist, relationship-builder, and decision-maker. This is a powerful conversation about the future of sales, social selling, enterprise relationships, and how to build a modern sales system that compounds over time.

In this episode of Coffee with Curtis, Robert sits down with Shahni Ben-Haim, founder and CEO of SBH Media Relations, to explore why PR still matters in a world dominated by social media, AI and the attention economy. Shahni breaks down the difference between public relations, media relations and marketing, and explains why earned media still plays a critical role in building trust, credibility and authority for B2B companies. Together, they discuss how startups and growth-stage businesses can use PR to elevate their profile, support sales, strengthen founder brands and turn media coverage into a wider content engine. They also dive into the changing media landscape, the role of thought leadership, the rise of human-led brands, and how AI is reshaping the way companies are discovered, researched and trusted. If you work in B2B marketing, growth, communications or founder-led business building, this is a smart conversation on why PR is far from dead and why it may be more valuable than ever.

In this episode of Coffee with Curtis, Robert is joined by Nicola Anderson, CEO and founder of Capacity to Grow. They discuss the importance of evolving leadership and the need for clarity in business growth. Nicola emphasizes the importance of understanding one's capacity, the role of people in business, and the need for motivation within sales teams. Nicola also highlights the impact of personal branding, the importance of creating a positive work environment, and the evolving role of women in the construction industry. The conversation culminates in a key takeaway about the art of delegation and trusting team members to foster growth.

In this episode of Coffee with Curtis, Robert is joined by Brian Spivak, CEO of Barzel Media. Brian shares his journey from a salesman to the founder of Barzel Media, an agency that connects brands with pro-Israel creators. He discusses the impact of the October 7th events on his career, the challenges faced by influencers advocating for Israel, and the importance of authenticity in influencer marketing. Brian also highlights the political landscape brands navigate today and shares success stories from his agency. The conversation touches on the future of influencer marketing, the role of AI, and the lessons learned in leadership and resilience throughout his entrepreneurial journey.

In this episode of Coffee with Curtis, Robert is joined by Marcus Hemsley, founder of Fountain Partnership. They discuss the current landscape of performance marketing, emphasizing the importance of nurturing existing customer relationships over chasing new leads. He highlights the balance between brand and performance marketing, the role of trust in building customer relationships, and the impact of AI on marketing strategies. Marcus also shares insights on effective business growth strategies, the significance of purpose in business, and his personal commitment to environmental sustainability through the Million Tree Pledge.

In this episode, Robert sits down with award-winning broadcaster and media coach Steve Orr, co-author of Podcasting for Small Business, to unpack why audio is thriving in the attention economy. With 30+ years in radio, Steve shares what traditional broadcasting can teach modern podcasters about structure, storytelling, and sustaining momentum. They explore the intimacy of audio, why podcasting builds trust in a way other channels can’t, and how small businesses can use it to drive visibility, thought leadership, and real revenue impact. They also dive into why most podcasts “podfade” and how to avoid it, the three-act narrative structure every host should understand, and media training tips for hosts and guests: Focus. Prepare. Practice. If you’re a founder, marketer, or leader considering podcasting as part of your strategy, this conversation is a practical playbook on how to plan, launch, and sustain it without losing the human element that makes audio powerful. Connect with Steve Orr on LinkedIn.

In this episode of Coffee with Curtis, Robert is joined by Michael Rosen, an experienced comms expert and Head of Communications at Kingsley Napley. They discuss the evolving landscape of communication and public relations, exploring the differences between communication and marketing, the impact of digital media and AI on the industry, and the importance of personal branding in professional services. Michael shares insights on how to navigate the challenges posed by AI, the future of communication professionals, and the significance of measuring ROI in communication strategies.

In this episode of Coffee with Curtis, Robert is joined by Maxine Marks, the founder of Luxury Property in Israel, known as the Pink Lady. They discuss the importance of branding in real estate, the dynamics of running a family business, and the impact of social media on client relationships. Maxine shares her journey of building a unique brand around the color pink, her marketing strategies, and the significance of creating a community for her clients. The conversation also touches on legacy, client experience, and advice for aspiring entrepreneurs.

On this episode of Coffee with Curtis Business, Robert is joined by Alex Dwek, COO of Nas Company—the global media and education powerhouse behind Nas Daily, Nas Academy, and Nas.io. Alex shares the journey from scaling Uber and Grab in Southeast Asia to helping transform Nas from a viral content brand into a full-fledged ecosystem reaching 500 million views a month. The conversation explores how businesses can adopt a media company mindset, why personal brands often surpass corporate ones, and how AI is expediting the journey from concept to market. Alex also unpacks his latest initiative: mentoring 100 people to launch and monetize their own businesses in just 30 days—no audience required. From breaking down the secrets of building trust and brand alignment through content to using AI as a creative co-founder, Alex offers sharp, actionable insights for entrepreneurs, executives, and creators alike. If you’ve ever wanted to turn attention into opportunity, this episode is a masterclass in doing it at speed and scale.

On this episode of Coffee with Curtis Business, Robert is joined by Steve Burg, VP Strategy at Webz.io. They delve into the intricacies of performance marketing, exploring methodologies, the importance of content with purpose, and the evolving role of AI in marketing strategies. They discuss the buyer journey, lead scoring, and maximizing conference ROI, while emphasizing the need for marketers to understand their audience deeply. Steve shares insights from his extensive experience, highlighting the significance of creating memorable experiences and the impact of gamification in marketing. The discussion wraps up with a look at the current hype cycle of AI and its practical applications in the marketing realm.

In this episode of Coffee with Curtis, Robert is joined by Adam Kosky—an ex-Meta, ex-Spotify seasoned customer success leader—to explore how CS is evolving from a support function into a true driver of growth. They dive into how AI is reshaping CS, the power of storytelling, and why aligning sales and success teams is critical. From building community to launching client-facing podcasts, this episode is packed with fresh takes on turning customer success into your company's unfair advantage.

In this episode of Coffee with Curtis, Robert is joined by Lior Illouz, co-founder of HeyBonds and ex-Meta. They explore the intersection of technology, culture, and business, diving into the evolution of podcasting, AI’s impact on content creation, and the nuances of navigating cultural differences in global business. Lior reflects on key lessons from his time at Meta, highlighting the power of feedback, vulnerability, and embracing failure to drive innovation. The conversation covers the role of strategic partnerships in scaling growth and adapting to fast-changing markets. Lior also unpacks the vision behind HeyBonds, an AI-powered relationship coach designed to personalize guidance for individuals and couples, democratize relationship therapy, and boost emotional intelligence. Additional insights include fundraising strategies and the broader goal of transforming HeyBonds into a full-spectrum relationship platform.

In this episode of Coffee with Curtis, Robert is joined by Rosie Purr, an account executive at Giddy Up and B2B comedy content creator who blends tech sales expertise with a passion for humor. They dive into Rosie’s sales journey, her use of comedy to connect with audiences on LinkedIn, and how authenticity drives real engagement. Rosie breaks down her creative process and they both reflect on the evolving sales landscape, where marketing, humor, and personal branding increasingly intersect. The conversation explores LinkedIn’s unique culture of support, the growing role of humor in business content, and the balance between entertainment and education. Rosie also shares her viewership stats, insights into the creator economy’s growth, and thoughts on shifting from social to interest-based content discovery.

In this episode of Coffee with Curtis, Robert is joined by AB Lieberman, CEO of Clicks Talent. The conversation covers the evolution of influencer marketing, the growing demand for authenticity in content, and AI’s expanding role in the industry. AB unpacks his journey from freelancer to CEO, shares the mission behind Clicks Talent, and offers practical advice for building high-impact influencer programs. They examine the shift from traditional social media to interest-based platforms like TikTok and strategies for capitalizing on these trends. Other highlights include moving beyond persona-based targeting toward engagement-first approaches, the rising potential of TikTok and LinkedIn for B2B marketing, and the power of user-generated content. AB also delves into the emergence of AI influencers and the challenges of balancing automation with human creativity in content production.