The Modern Customer Podcast

This week on The Modern Customer Podcast, Josh Linkner—globally recognized innovation expert, bestselling author, tech entrepreneur, and professional jazz guitarist—shares his insights on how leaders can unlock creativity, overcome fear-driven barriers, and build a culture where bold ideas thrive. From embracing AI as a co-pilot to applying frameworks like the 'To-Test List' and 'Judo Flip,' Josh shares actionable strategies for tackling challenges with creativity and adaptability. Whether leading teams or enhancing customer interactions, this conversation delivers practical insights to spark bold innovation. 🎧 Tune in now to start 2025 with a mindset of bold innovation and fearless creativity!  👉 Visit https://joshlinkner.com/ to learn more about Josh Linkner and his work.   Key Highlights for Easy Listening: 01:57 Balancing Automation with Human Compassion in Customer Service 03:28 Turning Challenges into Opportunities with Creative Problem-Solving 05:28 Using the 'To-Test List' and 'Judo Flip' to Drive Creative Problem-Solving 08:52 Driving Innovation Through Small, Manageable Steps 09:55 The Power of Empathy, Artistry, and Emotional Intelligence 11:25 Create Memorable, Human-Centered Customer Interactions 14:59 Cultivating a Creative Mindset for Problem-Solving 17:25 How Leaders Can Build a Culture of Safety, Creativity, and Bold Innovation 22:29 Rapid Fire Questions with Josh Linkner   Blake Morgan is a customer experience futurist, keynote speaker, and author of three books on customer experience. Her new book is called The 8 Laws of Customer-Focused Leadership: The New Rules for Building A Business Around Today’s Customer. Follow Blake Morgan on LinkedIn For regular updates on customer experience, sign up for her weekly newsletter here. 

The U.S. hotel industry saw occupancy rates reach 67% in October 2024 (Statista, 2024). In such a high-demand period, success isn’t just about elegant rooms or luxurious amenities—it’s about how every guest feels during their stay. In this episode of The Modern Customer podcast, Bashar Wali, Founder & CEO of This Assembly and Practice Hospitality, shares his expertise on crafting exceptional guest experiences through emotional intelligence, authentic connections, and a culture of care. Drawing from decades of experience, Bashar dives into the power of hiring the right people, turning routine interactions into meaningful moments, and addressing guest feedback with transparency and empathy. Whether it’s building team loyalty or creating memorable experiences, this conversation offers actionable insights every hospitality professional can apply right away. Tune in now to discover how emotional intelligence and a people-first approach are redefining hospitality success.   Key Highlights for Easy Listening: 05:31 The Power of Emotional Intelligence in Building Hospitality Teams  07:53 Understanding Emotional Connections: Love Languages in Guest Experiences  12:29 Memorable vs Transactional Experiences: What Truly Matters to Guests  15:07 Service Recovery: Addressing Bad Reviews with Transparency  18:53 Creating a Culture of Care: Retaining Top Talent in Hospitality  21:27 Key Takeaways and Final Thoughts on Elevating Guest Experiences   Learn more about Bashar Wali and his work at hotelier.life.   Blake Morgan is a customer experience futurist, keynote speaker, and author of three books on customer experience. Her new book is called The 8 Laws of Customer-Focused Leadership: The New Rules for Building A Business Around Today’s Customer. Follow Blake Morgan on LinkedIn For regular updates on customer experience, sign up for her weekly newsletter here. 

This week on The Modern Customer Podcast, Meridith Elliott Powell—an award-winning sales keynote speaker and master certified business growth strategist—reveals how embracing uncertainty can fuel growth, resilience, and success in both life and business. With over 600,000 learners completing her LinkedIn course, Meridith shares powerful insights on mindset shifts, the often-overlooked power of small details, and actionable strategies for entering 2025 with clarity, purpose, and momentum. If you're ready to turn uncertainty into your greatest advantage and step confidently into the new year, this episode is packed with insights you won’t want to miss! Blake Morgan is a customer experience futurist, keynote speaker, and author of three books on customer experience. Her new book is called The 8 Laws of Customer-Focused Leadership: The New Rules for Building A Business Around Today’s Customer.

This week on The Modern Customer Podcast, Damon Covey, General Manager of Unified Communications and Collaboration at GoTo, dives into how unified communication tools are elevating customer experience in modern contact centers. Damon shares how GoTo enables businesses to meet customers on their preferred channels—whether it’s SMS, social media, or web chat—fostering deeper connections and creating seamless experiences. From simplifying IT operations to leveraging AI for faster agent onboarding and smarter workflows, GoTo equips businesses with the tools to deliver efficient and meaningful interactions. If you’re looking to enhance customer experience and stay ahead in the evolving world of modern contact centers, this episode is a must-listen! Key Highlights for Easy Listening: 04:47 Why Unified Communication Is Critical to Simplify Customer Interactions 08:41 How to Bridge the Gap in Customer Service Using Better Tools 12:49 What Challenges Arise When Setting Up Communication Channels Like SMS, Social Media, and Web Chat in Contact Centers 18:46 The Intersection of AI Implementation and Change Management 21:35 The Future of Contact Centers and the Transformative Role of Conversational AI This episode of The Modern Customer Podcast is sponsored by GoTo. Blake Morgan is a customer experience futurist, keynote speaker, and author of three books on customer experience. Her new book is called The 8 Laws of Customer-Focused Leadership: The New Rules for Building A Business Around Today’s Customer.

Ranked #1 by ACSI in multiple categories for the second year, Samsung is raising the bar in customer care. From proactive solutions with SmartThings to AI-powered multilingual support, Samsung is redefining what it means to put the customer first. Their Beyond Boundaries program takes service to even the most remote areas, while their 10,000-strong team of passionate employees ensures every interaction feels personal and meaningful. Mark Williams, Head of Customer Care at Samsung Electronics America, leads the charge in combining innovation and empathy to deliver exceptional customer experiences. Under his leadership, Samsung’s approach integrates cutting-edge technology with a culture that empowers employees to go above and beyond for customers. Tune in to discover why customer experience is part of Samsung’s DNA and how their approach creates loyalty for life. Blake Morgan is a customer experience futurist, keynote speaker, and author of three books on customer experience. Her new book is called The 8 Laws of Customer-Focused Leadership: The New Rules for Building A Business Around Today’s Customer.

This week on The Modern Customer Podcast, Karen Dillon—New York Times bestselling author and former editor of Harvard Business Review—shares insights from her book The Microstress Effect and explores how microstress affects leaders, teams, and customers, while providing actionable strategies to address it. Karen unpacks the impact of these small, everyday stressors and shares practical strategies to reduce their toll. From fostering a customer-centric mindset to creating balance through delegation, boundaries, and self-awareness, she offers actionable insights to empower leaders and transform customer experience. Don’t miss this engaging conversation filled with insights to manage stress, inspire teams, and enhance your approach to customer experience. Tune in now! Blake Morgan is a customer experience futurist, keynote speaker, and author of three books on customer experience. Her new book is called The 8 Laws of Customer-Focused Leadership: The New Rules for Building A Business Around Today’s Customer.

Robert Glazer, an entrepreneur and bestselling author, dives into high-performance leadership and customer experience strategies. He discusses the pivotal role of clarity and accountability in teams, emphasizing alignment with shared goals. Glazer also highlights the alarming rise of ghosting in professional communication, advocating for better accountability. Furthermore, he explores the connection between employee incentives and improved customer service. Finally, he shares tips on balancing responsibilities and maintaining mental health for effective leadership.

How do you turn everyday customers into passionate superfans? This week on The Modern Customer Podcast, Brittany Hodak, author of Creating Superfans, reveals her proven strategies for building customer loyalty that goes beyond the product. Brittany dives into her SUPER framework, sharing how brands can engage customers on an emotional level, personalize experiences, and create long-lasting relationships. From the importance of storytelling to balancing technology with human connection, Brittany offers actionable insights that can transform your customer experience approach. If you want to create superfans and transform your brand's loyalty strategy, this episode is packed with practical tips and inspiration. Tune in now! Blake Morgan is a customer experience futurist, keynote speaker, and author of three books on customer experience. Her new book is called The 8 Laws of Customer-Focused Leadership: The New Rules for Building A Business Around Today’s Customer.  

How does a fast-food giant like Jack in the Box stay relevant after 74 years?  This week on The Modern Customer Podcast, Ryan Ostrom, Chief Marketing Officer at Jack in the Box, shares how the iconic fast-food brand keeps its customers coming back for more. With experience at GNC, Yum! Brands, Sears, and Reebok, he brings a fresh perspective on modern marketing and customer experience. Ryan also opens up about tackling delivery challenges, optimizing quality, and reimagining stores to enhance the guest experience.  Whether you’re curious about AI in marketing or how a fast-food giant stands out in a crowded market, this episode is packed with actionable ideas and inspiration. Don’t miss Ryan’s insider tips for staying ahead in a competitive market—tune in now! Blake Morgan is a customer experience futurist, keynote speaker, and author of three books on customer experience. Her new book is called The 8 Laws of Customer-Focused Leadership: The New Rules for Building A Business Around Today’s Customer.

This week on The Modern Customer Podcast, David Edelman, senior lecturer at Harvard Business School and former CMO of Aetna, shares a five-part framework for using AI to drive growth based on his book, "Personalized: Customer Strategy in the Age of AI," co-authored with Mark Abrahams. With decades of experience helping top brands enhance their CX, David shows how companies can leverage AI to drive meaningful growth and create lasting customer loyalty. He explains how AI can empower customers, enable perfectly timed interactions, and support every stage of a growth-focused CX strategy. David also addresses key challenges, such as maintaining human oversight and avoiding intrusive interactions, to ensure AI-driven CX builds trust and protects brand integrity. Blake Morgan is a customer experience futurist, keynote speaker, and author of three books on customer experience. Her new book is called The 8 Laws of Customer-Focused Leadership: The New Rules for Building A Business Around Today’s Customer.