loader from loading.io

Episode 127 - Turning Hard Work and Heart into Sales Success with Jody Durand

Call The Damn Leads

Release Date: 12/23/2025

Episode 139 — How To Build a Multi-Six-Figure Brand With One Life-Changing Cold Call With Ethan Dowie show art 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....

info_outline Episode 138 – Kill the Ego, Start the Conversation & Stop Pitch-Slapping with Lidia Axe show art 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...

info_outline Episode 137 – Understanding Customers Through Psychology with Dr. Chris Gray show art 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...

info_outline Episode 136 – Build Real Relationships and Business with Melanie Gorman show art Episode 136 – Build Real Relationships and Business with Melanie Gorman

Call The Damn Leads

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...

info_outline Episode 135 – How to Launch a High-Impact Podcast with Virginia Elder show art Episode 135 – How to Launch a High-Impact Podcast with Virginia Elder

Call The Damn Leads

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...

info_outline Episode 134 — How Swyvvl Empowers Real Estate Agents with Chad Link show art Episode 134 — How Swyvvl Empowers Real Estate Agents with Chad Link

Call The Damn Leads

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...

info_outline Episode 133 – Stand Out, Get Seen & Stay Consistent with Audrey “The Tech Diva” Wiggins show art 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,...

info_outline Episode 132 — How to Win with Content, Consistency, and AI with Keith Kakadia show art 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...

info_outline Episode 131 – How to Convert More Leads Today with Chris Smith show art 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,...

info_outline Episode 130 – Selling Creativity Without Selling Out with Miriam Schulman show art 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_outline
 
More Episodes

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