
Unchurned - The No. 1 podcast for Customer Success
The Unchurned podcast brings you the stories that will help you forge incredible customer relationships, prevent churn, & build institutional knowledge. The CS & BS series is a part of the Unchurned podcast wherein, with each episode, our hosts - Kristi Faltorusso, Jon Johnson, Josh Schachter, and special guests uncover the secrets of top leaders and innovators of companies so that you can advance your career and the performance of your customer success team.
Unchurned, and the CS&BS series, are presented by UpdateAI - https://update.ai/
Latest episodes

5 snips
Nov 20, 2024 • 32min
Meet the Woman Who Coined the CSQL ft. Rachel Orston (Instructure)
Rachel Orston, Chief Customer Officer at Instructure, shares her insights on the intersection of customer success and revenue goals. She discusses the challenges of implementing a variable compensation model and emphasizes the importance of cultivating collaboration across teams. Rachel also highlights the significance of engaging educational institutions effectively, sharing strategies for enhancing user adoption of their platform. Listeners will appreciate her perspective on fostering genuine connections with customers beyond immediate crises.

Nov 18, 2024 • 31min
Can Lean Teams Navigate Their Customers to Achieve BIG Impact? ft. Aanal Patel (Crunchbase)
#updateai #customersuccess #saas #business
Aanal Patel, Senior Director of Customer Success at Crunchbase joins the hosts Jon Johnson & Josh Schachter to discuss how she and her team navigated a significant downsizing in July 2023, cutting half of their Customer Success team while maintaining top-tier service for their users. She also sheds light on Crunchbase's strategic partnership with Perplexity, how they enhanced customer onboarding with automated processes, and their plans for 2025.
Timestamps
0:00 - Preview,
1:15 - Meet Aanal Patel, Senior Customer Success Director at Crunchbase
1:47 - Overview of Crunchbase
4:40 - Using internal data for prediction and risk mitigation
7:37 - Team structure & current hiring
9:28 - Team downsizing and adaptation
13:15 - Implementing an automated onboarding process
16:30 - Strategy to ensure a positive customer experience
20:22 - Celebrating milestones with customers
22:18 - Plans for 2025
25:08 - Accessibility of AI-driven insights
28:00 - Partnership with Perplexity to integrate Crunchbase data
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👉 Follow the podcast
Youtube: https://youtu.be/JprAz-o-dWk
Apple Podcast: https://apple.co/3dfWXmD
Spotify: https://spoti.fi/3KD3Ehl
👉 Connect with the guest
Aanal Patel: https://www.linkedin.com/in/patelaanal/
👉 Connect with hosts
Jon Johnson: https://www.linkedin.com/in/jonwilliamjohnson/
Kristi Faltorusso: https://www.linkedin.com/in/kristiserrano/
Josh Schachter: https://www.linkedin.com/in/jschachter/
👉 Sign up for UpdateAI - the only Zoom virtual assistant for customer-facing teams.
👉 Be the first to know when a new episode of Unchurned is dropped. Sign up for our newsletter at https://blog.update.ai/
________________
Keywords:
How to keep your customers happy , customer success manager, customer support, customer success management, Customer Success Manager role, Senior Customer Success Director, Crunchbase, historical insights, predictive insights, growth insights, funding predictions, market researchers, lead scores, churn risks, customer-driven approach, high-growth companies, renewals, July 2023 downsizing Crunchbase, knowledge training tutorials, automated onboarding, AI search feature, Crunchbase and Perplexity partnership, customer satisfaction.
______________________
Unchurned is presented by UpdateAI
About UpdateAI
At UpdateAI our mission is to empower CS teams to build great customer relationships. We work with early & growth-stage B2B SaaS companies to help them scale CS outcomes. Everything we do is devoted to removing the overwhelm of back-to-back customer meetings so that CSMs can focus on the bigger picture: building relationships.

Nov 13, 2024 • 22min
Leveraging AI and Executive Business Reviews to Elevate Customer Satisfaction and Growth ft. Paul Staelin (Vercel)
Paul Staelin, Chief Customer Officer at Vercel and a seasoned leader in SaaS, joins Josh Schachter to discuss innovative strategies for customer success. They delve into the game-changing role of AI in streamlining customer support and enhancing response times. Paul emphasizes shifting from Quarterly Business Reviews to Executive Business Reviews, fostering stronger relationships with executive stakeholders. With insights on net dollar retention and proactive support, this conversation reveals how to elevate customer satisfaction and drive growth in today’s fast-paced market.

Nov 11, 2024 • 32min
How You Can Understand Customer Needs & Exceed Their Expectations ft. Rohan Shah (Extend)
#updateai #customersuccess #saas #business
In this episode, Josh Schachter, Founder & CEO of UpdateAI sits down with Rohan Shah, the Chief Revenue Officer and Co-founder of Extend to discuss the importance of understanding and addressing customer pain points to generate revenue and create value.
We also look at how Rohan assembled a personal adviser network to stay updated on industry trends and build a knowledgeable team. He emphasizes hiring motivated individuals, fostering a diverse team with complementary skills, and creating a strong company culture that adapts to remote and hybrid work environments.
Timestamps
0:00 - Preview & Intros
7:13 - Understanding customer needs and delivering value
15:15 - Managing growth through culture and employee motivation
21:20 - Managing post-sales success as a CRO
24:26 - Communication gap between teams
29:07 - Gathering the voice of the customer
___________________________
👉 Follow the podcast
Youtube: https://youtu.be/JprAz-o-dWk
Apple Podcast: https://apple.co/3dfWXmD
Spotify: https://spoti.fi/3KD3Ehl
👉 Connect with the guest
Rohan Shah: https://www.linkedin.com/in/rohanshah8/
👉 Connect with hosts
Jon Johnson: https://www.linkedin.com/in/jonwilliamjohnson/
Kristi Faltorusso: https://www.linkedin.com/in/kristiserrano/
Josh Schachter: https://www.linkedin.com/in/jschachter/
👉 Sign up for UpdateAI - the only Zoom virtual assistant for customer-facing teams.
👉 Be the first to know when a new episode of Unchurned is dropped. Sign up for our newsletter at https://blog.update.ai/
________________
Keywords:
How to keep your customers happy, customer success manager, customer support, customer success management, Customer Success Manager role, Product growth, Sales-driven model, Usage-driven model, Customer engagement, Product-led growth, Sales-led growth, Revenue alignment, Net revenue, Customer success, Renewal expansion, Revenue goals, customer needs, generate revenue, customer pain points, delivering value, end consumers, UpdateAI, CS teams, knowledge management, managing employees, leadership, remote work, hybrid work environment, relationship building, customer trust, customer service, consumption-based revenue model
______________________
Unchurned is presented by UpdateAI
About UpdateAI
At UpdateAI our mission is to empower CS teams to build great customer relationships. We work with early & growth-stage B2B SaaS companies to help them scale CS outcomes. Everything we do is devoted to removing the overwhelm of back-to-back customer meetings so that CSMs can focus on the bigger picture: building relationships.

Nov 6, 2024 • 33min
Can Sales & CS Team Up to Take Customers to Success? ft. Nicole Guarino
#updateai #customersuccess #saas #business
Nicole Guarino, the Director of Customer Success at Cambridge Mobile Telematics (CMT) joins hosts Jon Johnson, Principal CSM (Key Accounts) at UserTesting, and Josh Schachter, Founder & CEO of UpdateAI, to discuss the pivotal roles of sales and customer success in driving business expansion. Nicole sheds light on her transition from sales to customer success, sharing the challenges and insights she’s gathered along the way.
Timestamps
0:00 - Preview, BS, distracted driving & intros
14:10 - Nicole shares her company's goals & hurdles
20:25 - KPIs for CSMs
23:00 - Should CS offer support for renewals?
26:05 - Focusing on net new revenue & current revenue
29:20 - We are all revenue, we are all gonna win
30:05 - CS & Sales collaboration
__________________________
👉 Follow the podcast
Youtube: https://youtu.be/JprAz-o-dWk
Apple Podcast: https://apple.co/3dfWXmD
Spotify: https://spoti.fi/3KD3Ehl
👉 Connect with the guest
Nicole Guarino: https://www.linkedin.com/in/nicole-guarino-15a6468/
👉 Connect with hosts
Jon Johnson: https://www.linkedin.com/in/jonwilliamjohnson/
Kristi Faltorusso: https://www.linkedin.com/in/kristiserrano/
Josh Schachter: https://www.linkedin.com/in/jschachter/
👉 Sign up for UpdateAI - the only Zoom virtual assistant for customer-facing teams.
👉 Be the first to know when a new episode of Unchurned is dropped. Sign up for our newsletter at https://blog.update.ai/
________________
Keywords:
How to keep your customers happy, customer success manager, customer support, customer success management, Customer Success Manager role, Product growth, Sales-driven model, Usage-driven model, Customer engagement, Product-led growth, Sales-led growth, Revenue alignment, Net revenue, Customer success, Renewal expansion, Revenue goals, Enterprise client relationships, Telematics, Distracted driving, Safe driving habits, Technical account management, Usage-based insurance, Cambridge Mobile Telematics.
______________________
Unchurned is presented by UpdateAI
About UpdateAI
At UpdateAI our mission is to empower CS teams to build great customer relationships. We work with early & growth-stage B2B SaaS companies to help them scale CS outcomes. Everything we do is devoted to removing the overwhelm of back-to-back customer meetings so that CSMs can focus on the bigger picture: building relationships.

Nov 4, 2024 • 27min
How Crucial Are CSMs in Empowering Sales Success? ft. Brian Weinberger (CRO, Sisense)
#updateai #customersuccess #saas #business
Brian Weinberger, CRO at Sisense, joins the host, Josh Schachter, Founder and CEO at UpdateAI, to discuss the gap between sales and post-sales with actionable insights and lessons from his experience. He also shares insights into his dual focus on sales and customer success and emphasizes the importance of creating long-term customer relationships.
How Crucial Are CSMs in Empowering Sales Success?
Timestamps
0:00 - Preview
0:40 - Meet Brian Weinberger, CRO at Sisense
9:00 - Breaking down silos between sales and CS teams
11:07 - Brian's transition to CRO
12:28 - Land with a plan
16:30 - Role of CS as a champion for the customer
18:25 - Challenges and solutions in integrating sales and CS
24:46 - AI as an Enablement Tool
___________________________
👉 Follow the podcast
Youtube: https://youtu.be/JprAz-o-dWk
Apple Podcast: https://apple.co/3dfWXmD
Spotify: https://spoti.fi/3KD3Ehl
👉 Connect with the guest
Brian Weinberger: https://www.linkedin.com/in/brianweinberger/
👉 Connect with hosts
Jon Johnson: https://www.linkedin.com/in/jonwilliamjohnson/
Kristi Faltorusso: https://www.linkedin.com/in/kristiserrano/
Josh Schachter: https://www.linkedin.com/in/jschachter/
👉 Sign up for UpdateAI - the only Zoom virtual assistant for customer-facing teams.
👉 Be the first to know when a new episode of Unchurned is dropped. Sign up for our newsletter at https://blog.update.ai/
_____________________
Unchurned is presented by UpdateAI
About UpdateAI
At UpdateAI our mission is to empower CS teams to build great customer relationships. We work with early & growth-stage B2B SaaS companies to help them scale CS outcomes. Everything we do is devoted to removing the overwhelm of back-to-back customer meetings so that CSMs can focus on the bigger picture: building relationships.

Oct 30, 2024 • 28min
The Reality of Promotions and Navigating Career Growth ft. Rachel Tsui (Komodo Health)
#updateai #customersuccess #saas #business
Rachel Tsui, Head of CS at Komodo Health, joins hosts Jon Johnson, and Josh Schachter to gear up for Halloween with a light-hearted discussion about costumes and candy choices before diving deep into the intricacies of customer success. Rachel highlights the innovative use of healthcare data to identify patient trends and enhance service delivery. The conversation explores how Komodo's customer success team navigates post-sales processes, strategically collaborates with account management, and the essential role of data-driven decisions. Jon and Rachel also delve into career growth challenges, touching on the balancing act of flat organization structures, professional development, and the evolving expectations of newer workforce generations. Join us for a captivating journey through customer success strategies, organizational dynamics, and how they shape the future of innovation at Komodo Health.
Timestamps
0:00 - Preview, Halloween & Intros
7:30 - Customer Success at Komodo Health
10:28 - KPIs for customer success at Komodo
12:00 - Plans and Priorities for the Q4
13:22 - Focusing on separating support from CS activities
16:03 - Managing expectations around promotions
20:06 - Navigating career growth
23:50 - Cross-functional Collaboration and Tools for knowledge sharing
___________________________
👉 Follow the podcast
Youtube: https://youtu.be/JprAz-o-dWk
Apple Podcast: https://apple.co/3dfWXmD
Spotify: https://spoti.fi/3KD3Ehl
👉 Connect with the guest
Rachel Tsui: https://www.linkedin.com/in/racheltsui
👉 Connect with hosts
Jon Johnson: https://www.linkedin.com/in/jonwilliamjohnson/
Kristi Faltorusso: https://www.linkedin.com/in/kristiserrano/
Josh Schachter: https://www.linkedin.com/in/jschachter/
👉 Sign up for UpdateAI - the only Zoom virtual assistant for customer-facing teams.
👉 Be the first to know when a new episode of Unchurned is dropped. Sign up for our newsletter at https://blog.update.ai/
________________
Keywords:
How to keep your customers happy, customer success manager, healthcare map, health data, AI, big data, Komodo Health, customer success, net dollar retention, CSM, customer engagement, healthcare platform, data platform, CS team, account management, product utilization, strategic initiatives, executive relationships, customer influence, renewal rate, Gainsight, CRM, AMs (Account Managers), team structure.
______________________
Unchurned is presented by UpdateAI
About UpdateAI
At UpdateAI our mission is to empower CS teams to build great customer relationships. We work with early & growth-stage B2B SaaS companies to help them scale CS outcomes. Everything we do is devoted to removing the overwhelm of back-to-back customer meetings so that CSMs can focus on the bigger picture: building relationships.

Oct 23, 2024 • 39min
Mastering Customer Relationships and Peanut Butter Cups ft. Reanna Dempsey (Unanet)
#updateai #customersuccess #saas #business
Reanna Dempsey, VP of CS at Unanet, joins our hosts, Josh Schachter, Jon Johnson, and Kristi Faltorusso, to explore how executive engagement, data management, and product adaptability have led to improved client retention rates. They also discuss her innovative approaches, including multithreading customer interactions. Reanna emphasizes the critical role of persistence and strategic involvement from internal executives to connect with key stakeholders, while also adding a lighter note, on enjoying Reese's pumpkins. Plus, we'll touch on the unexpected challenges Customer Success Managers (CSMs) face in securing CEO attention and provide actionable strategies for building long-term executive relationships.
Timestamps
0:00 - Preview, BS & Intros
8:53 - Stepping in to level up CS initiatives
12:29 - Customer feedback & internal data
15:40 - Service Levels for different customers
18:40 - Ongoing process of cultivating successful business partnerships
22:20 - Difficulties CSMs face in getting CEO attention
25:20 - Strategies to get the executive buy-in to facilitate customer interactions
28:10 - Importance of multithreading approach
29:00 - Setting realistic expectations for executive relationship-building
31:27 - Communicating the importance of tracking & maintaining data
___________________________
👉 Follow the podcast
Youtube: https://youtu.be/JprAz-o-dWk
Apple Podcast: https://apple.co/3dfWXmD
Spotify: https://spoti.fi/3KD3Ehl
👉 Connect with the guest
Reanna Dempsey : https://www.linkedin.com/in/reanna-dempsey-9402076/
👉 Connect with hosts
Jon Johnson: https://www.linkedin.com/in/jonwilliamjohnson/
Kristi Faltorusso: https://www.linkedin.com/in/kristiserrano/
Josh Schachter: https://www.linkedin.com/in/jschachter/
👉 Sign up for UpdateAI - the only Zoom virtual assistant for customer-facing teams.
👉 Be the first to know when a new episode of Unchurned is dropped. Sign up for our newsletter at https://blog.update.ai/
________________
Keywords:
How to keep your customers happy, customer success manager, customer support, customer success management, Customer Success Manager role, Unanet, CRM solutions for project-based businesses, Customer success strategies, Team growth in customer success, Transforming customer success roles, Stakeholder engagement ratings, Quarterly and annual executive engagements, Data accessibility challenges, Product certification gaps, Customer feedback in product offerings, Customer Success Managers (CSMs), Executive buy-in, client touchpoints.
______________________
Unchurned is presented by UpdateAI
About UpdateAI
At UpdateAI our mission is to empower CS teams to build great customer relationships. We work with early & growth-stage B2B SaaS companies to help them scale CS outcomes. Everything we do is devoted to removing the overwhelm of back-to-back customer meetings so that CSMs can focus on the bigger picture: building relationships.

Oct 16, 2024 • 45min
How to Understand and Delight Your Customers Inside & Out ft. Andrew Gaer & Sean Andrews (Bluebeam)
#updateai #customersuccess #saas #business
Josh Schachter (UpdateAI) and Kristi Faltorusso (ClientSuccess) are joined by Andrew Gaer, Senior Director of Customer Success, and Sean Andrews, VP of Global Customer Success at Bluebeam. In this episode, they explore Bluebeam's journey transitioning from a desktop application to a cloud-based SaaS model, focusing on the intricate details of customer success, internal team support, and transition challenges. They also discuss how Bluebeam leverages AI to enhance product functionalities while minimizing user disruptions and delve into the dynamics of community engagement and feedback for better customer satisfaction.
Plus, there’s a sprinkle of light-hearted banter and a playful detour into the world of fast food!
Timestamps
0:00 - Preview, Intros & Del Taco
7:30 - Transition from desktop applications to SaaS
10:30 - Challenges and Successes of Transitioning into a SaaS model
18:15 - Approach to Customer Enablement & CS
25:23 - Measuring and analyzing KPIs for customer success
35:20 - For your customers -- You are an expert on your product
38:50 - AI Integration and Product Enhancements
___________________________
👉 Follow the podcast
Youtube: https://youtu.be/JprAz-o-dWk
Apple Podcast: https://apple.co/3dfWXmD
Spotify: https://spoti.fi/3KD3Ehl
👉 Connect with the guest
Andrew Gaer: https://www.linkedin.com/in/andrewgaer/
Sean Andrews: https://www.linkedin.com/in/smandrews/
👉 Connect with hosts
Jon Johnson: https://www.linkedin.com/in/jonwilliamjohnson/
Kristi Faltorusso: https://www.linkedin.com/in/kristiserrano/
Josh Schachter: https://www.linkedin.com/in/jschachter/
👉 Sign up for UpdateAI - the only Zoom virtual assistant for customer-facing teams.
👉 Be the first to know when a new episode of Unchurned is dropped. Sign up for our newsletter at https://blog.update.ai/
________________
Keywords:
How to keep your customers happy, customer success manager, customer support, customer success management, Customer Success Manager role, customer success metrics, Bluebeam, SaaS, Desktop Applications, Cloud Services, Customer Success Approach, AI Integration, AI Operational Efficiency, Product Enhancements via AI, AI User Experience, Customer Transition Management, Customer Feedback, Customer Delight Index, Product Loyalty, SaaS Model Visibility, Community Engagement, Educational Resources for customers
______________________
Unchurned is presented by UpdateAI
About UpdateAI
At UpdateAI our mission is to empower CS teams to build great customer relationships. We work with early & growth-stage B2B SaaS companies to help them scale CS outcomes. Everything we do is devoted to removing the overwhelm of back-to-back customer meetings so that CSMs can focus on the bigger picture: building relationships.

Oct 2, 2024 • 46min
Are CSMs the CEOs of Their Customer Books? ft. Parul Bhandari, Jenny Calvert, Lawrence Waldman
In this engaging discussion, guests Parul Bhandari, a customer success expert, and Jenny Calvert, a strategic leader in the field, join Lawrence Waldman to explore the evolving role of Customer Success Managers. They advocate for a proactive, CEO-like mindset in managing customer accounts and emphasize the need for internal alignment and adaptability. Key topics include redefining success, the challenges of customer churn, and the significance of genuine customer feedback. Their insights aim to foster sustainable growth and improve retention strategies.