Episode 116 – Appreciated Branding & Earning Word-of-Mouth in Crowded Markets with Reid Holmes
Release Date: 11/13/2025
Episode 139 — How To Build a Multi-Six-Figure Brand With One Life-Changing Cold Call With Ethan Dowie
Call The Damn Leads
In this episode of Call The Damn Leads, I sit down with my guy Ethan Dowie, founder of Indigo and one of the sharpest minds in the branded-merch game. Ethan didn’t come into the industry with experience, money, or a fancy network… he came in with a cell phone, a notebook, and the willingness to make 500 cold calls. And on call #496, everything changed. That single outreach — one conversation with a buyer at Zappos — turned into hundreds of thousands of dollars in orders and opened the door to a multi-six-figure merch company built on systems, relationships, and high-touch service....
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Episode 138 – Kill the Ego, Start the Conversation & Stop Pitch-Slapping with Lidia Axe
Call The Damn Leads
Lidia Axe – Business Coach for Solopreneurs, Sales Mindset Strategist, Author, Host of “Conversations That Convert” In this episode, Drewbie is joined by the fiery, hilarious, and deeply insightful Lidia Axe, a former corporate director turned business coach who helps solopreneurs overcome the mindset blocks stopping them from selling with confidence. Lidia shares her transformational sales story—how a kids club turned into a boutique gift shop, and how her passion for the products helped her understand one of the most important principles in sales: 👉 If you deeply believe in the...
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Episode 137 – Understanding Customers Through Psychology with Dr. Chris Gray
Call The Damn Leads
Dr. Chris Gray – Consumer Psychologist, Founder of The Bycologist, Behavioral Marketing Expert In this episode, Drewbie sits down with world-renowned consumer psychologist Dr. Chris Gray, whose three decades of experience in marketing, psychology, and behavioral science have helped brands decode how customers actually think, feel, and buy. Dr. Gray shares an unbelievable story from early in his career—a sales meeting gone wrong that turned into one of the most transformative projects of his life. What began as a devastating rejection ended with multimillion-dollar partnerships, a...
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Episode 136 – Build Real Relationships and Business with Melanie Gorman
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In this episode, Drewbie welcomes the brilliant and authentic Melanie Gorman, a trained mental health therapist turned powerhouse sales strategist and business builder. Melanie shares her unconventional path—from therapist and bartender to selling for John Gray (Men Are From Mars, Women Are From Venus) and eventually launching her own company, Crownsville Media. She breaks down how relationship psychology gives you an unfair edge in sales, why authenticity dissolves pressure, and how slowing the conversation creates more sales opportunities—not fewer. Melanie dives into the real fears...
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Episode 135 – How to Launch a High-Impact Podcast with Virginia Elder
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In this episode, Drewbie sits down with podcast strategist and agency owner Virginia Elder, whose entire career in podcasting started by accident—thanks to debt, diapers, and financial podcasts that gave her hope during tough times. Virginia shares how she paid off $80,000 of debt on a modest household income, started a financial podcast to fill a gap she saw in the market, and unexpectedly built a thriving podcast production agency serving financial professionals, coaches, and business owners. From how to use a podcast to land clients, stay top-of-mind, build authority, and create...
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Episode 134 — How Swyvvl Empowers Real Estate Agents with Chad Link
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In this week’s Call The Damn Leads, I sit down with Chad Link, real estate veteran and co-founder of Swÿvvl.com — a revolutionary new platform built to disrupt the traditional real estate industry. Chad’s been in the business for nearly two decades, training hundreds of agents and helping more than a thousand clients buy and sell homes. After seeing firsthand how much money was being siphoned off by giant real estate tech platforms like Zillow, Redfin, and Realtor.com, he decided to build a better way — one that gives power (and money) back to agents, buyers, and sellers. In this...
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Episode 133 – Stand Out, Get Seen & Stay Consistent with Audrey “The Tech Diva” Wiggins
Call The Damn Leads
Audrey Wiggins – “The Tech Diva” Digital Marketing Strategist • Show Host • Brand Builder Episode Summary In Episode 133, Drewbie sits down with digital marketing powerhouse Audrey “The Tech Diva” Wiggins to break down what it really takes to stand out, get noticed, and stay consistent in a crowded online marketplace. From how the iconic nickname Tech Diva was born, to why so many entrepreneurs still look unprofessional online in 2025, Audrey brings wisdom, humor, and straight talk to the conversation. Together, Drewbie and Audrey unpack branding fundamentals, content creation,...
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Episode 132 — How to Win with Content, Consistency, and AI with Keith Kakadia
Call The Damn Leads
In this episode of Call The Damn Leads, I sit down with Keith Kakadia, the founder and CEO of Socially In, one of the top social media agencies in the country. With more than 14 years in sales and digital marketing, Keith’s built a powerhouse team that helps brands dominate online — all while staying true to the fundamentals of human connection. We dig deep into what really works in modern sales and social media. From losing a $60,000 deal over one extra page in a proposal to mastering AI tools and automations that streamline client relationships, Keith shares the hard lessons and smart...
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Episode 131 – How to Convert More Leads Today with Chris Smith
Call The Damn Leads
In this explosive episode, Drewbie sits down with world-class salesman and internationally bestselling author Chris Smith, creator of The Conversion Code, to break down the true science of sales and why most people overcomplicate what should be simple. Chris shares his outrageous first week selling for boy-band mogul Lou Pearlman, what he learned from boiler room “Wolf of Wall Street” environments, and how he turned those fundamental lessons into a multi-7-figure career, award-winning companies, and one of the most respected sales frameworks in the world. From sales psychology to KPIs,...
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Episode 130 – Selling Creativity Without Selling Out with Miriam Schulman
Call The Damn Leads
In Episode 130, Drewbie sits down with Miriam Schulman—artist, entrepreneur, and sales strategist for creatives—to break down one of the hardest sales challenges out there: selling your creativity without losing your confidence or your integrity. Miriam shares her unconventional journey from Wall Street to full-time artist, and how learning to sell personal training packages gave her the exact skills she needed to finally make a living from her art. Together, Drewbie and Miriam unpack why creatives struggle so much with pricing, confidence, and marketing—and how those struggles mirror...
info_outlineSales and marketing are changing fast, and if you’re still out there just shouting features and discounts, you’re getting drowned out in the noise. In this episode of Call The Damn Leads, I sit down with Reid Holmes, veteran creative director, author of Appreciated Branding, and brand strategist who’s spent 30+ years helping companies earn loyalty by delivering real value and unexpected delight.
We dig into why word-of-mouth still beats advertising, how to build brands people are proud to share, and why the best sales conversations are about helping people transform—not just closing deals.
If you’ve ever wondered how to stand out in a sea of “me-too” competitors, this conversation is for you.
🔥 Episode Highlights
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Disarming objections the smart way – Reid shares a killer story about flipping a sales conversation by saying “I’m not sure you’re the right client for us either.”
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Excuses are buying signals – Why objections like “now’s not a good time” are actually proof that your product is needed more than ever.
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From Pain Island to Happy Island – How to sell the transformation your product creates, not the “boat” that gets them there.
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The Appreciated Branding mindset – Why it’s not about pushing more ads but about earning gratitude through proactive problem-solving.
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Costco & cultural currency – The retail giant proves that when you delight customers, they become your marketing team.
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Referrals are everything – How keeping current customers entertained and educated creates raving fans who send you more business.
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The plateau of indifference – Why most brands get lost in crowded markets and how “unexpected delight” pulls you above the noise.
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Winter-learns, not win-or-learns – Reid’s approach to small pilot programs that test ideas cheaply but can scale huge.
💡 Key Takeaways
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Stop selling the boat. Customers don’t care about your features—they care about getting from their pain to their desired transformation.
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Flip the script. When you push back gently on prospects, you position yourself as a trusted advisor, not a desperate salesperson.
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Word-of-mouth is the most powerful marketing. Your current customer always knows your next customer. Treat them accordingly.
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Crowded categories demand differentiation. In markets where everyone looks the same, the brand that surprises and delights wins.
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Attention is earned, not bought. In today’s noise-filled world, appreciation is your most valuable currency.
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Referrals and retention = growth. Don’t just chase new business—educate, entertain, and appreciate your current clients so they stay and send others.
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Marketing has evolved. The interruption model is dead. The future is about solving problems in meaningful, memorable ways.
🔗 How to Connect with Reid Holmes
📖 Book: Appreciated Branding
🌐 Website: ReidHolmes.com – free chapter + resources available
🔗 Linktree: linktr.ee/reidholmes
📱 LinkedIn: Reid Holmes
📣 Call to Action
If you’re tired of fighting in the “laundry detergent aisle” where every brand looks the same, listen to this episode with Reid Holmes and learn how to build a brand people thank instead of just tolerate.
Then share this with someone you know who’s doing marketing the wrong way—spamming instead of serving. Help them see there’s a better path.
And if you’ve got a crazy sales story of your own, head over to callthedamnleads.com/podcast and let’s get you on the show.
📣 Call to Action
Call The Damn Leads
“By sales professionals, for sales professionals.” Each week, Drewbie Wilson, a sales vet with 20+ years in the game, brings you humor, real-world stories, and powerful strategies to help you excel in your sales career.
Expect a wild mix of:
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Real Sales Stories: Tales that entertain and inspire
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Proven Tactics: Practical tips for boosting your sales game
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Humor and Energy: Fun takes on the ups and downs of sales life
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Expert Advice: Learn from seasoned pros across different fields
Whether you’re in sales, an entrepreneur, or just looking to grow your business skills, don’t miss out on these invaluable lessons and entertaining stories. Want to be a guest? Pitch your story at
👉 https://callthedamnleads.com/pages/podcast
Follow Drewbie
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/drewbierides
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/callthedamnleads