PODCAST · business
Close The Deal Podcast
by Ewell Smith
Most people aren’t stuck—they’re living with broken promises to themselves. This is where that changes.The Close The Deal Podcast features real conversations with high achievers who are facing the decisions they’ve been avoiding and committing to what comes next. Hosted by Ewell Smith. Visit www.CloseTheDeal.com to put you name on the Close The Deal Board
Episodes
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The AI Sales Trap: Why Human Connection Still Matters with Christopher Hughes #140 Close The Deal
AI is changing how we sell. But are we sacrificing the human connection that actually closes deals? In this episode of Close The Deal Podcast, Ewell Smith talks with Christopher Hughes, a sales professional with more than 25 years of experience, about the growing dependence on artificial...
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Private Equity Buyouts: The Risks Business Owners Overlook | John Scott #139 Close The Deal
A private equity buyout can deliver a big check. But what happens after the deal closes? For business owners, private equity offers a chance to monetize years of hard work and address succession challenges. But the payout may come with a loss of control, staffing pressures, and an uncertain...
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Your Time Management Problem Isn’t What You Think: Amanda Van Der Heiden #138 Close The Deal
Think you have a time management problem? Amanda Van Der Heiden says the real problem may be your priorities, communication, or leadership. In this episode of Close The Deal Podcast, Amanda joins Ewell Smith to break down why productivity hacks alone often don’t solve the problem—and what busy...
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How to Make Your Ideas Land with Andrew Hurteau #137 Close The Deal
You have the knowledge. You have the experience. But can you get what’s in your head across to someone else in a way that actually makes an impact? That’s the communication problem Andrew Hurteau helps professionals solve. Andrew spent the first half of his career as a professional actor,...
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The AI Risks Small Business Owners Aren’t Thinking About | Sara Skowronsk #136 Close The Deal
Are you using AI in your business without thinking about what happens when it touches employee data, hiring decisions, terminations, or critical business systems? AI can make a business faster and more efficient, but small business owners also need to understand the risks they may be creating…
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How to Get Unstuck: Clarity, Competency and Courage with Mark Reynolds #135 Close The Deal
You know what you need to do—but you still aren’t doing it. What’s actually keeping you stuck? Army veteran and executive coach Mark Reynolds joins Ewell Smith to unpack a problem almost every entrepreneur, executive, and business owner encounters: knowing something needs to change but failing to...
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Why Your High-Ticket Offer Isn’t Selling with Esther Stewart #134 | Close The Deal
What if your high-ticket offer isn't the problem? Esther Stewart, CEO of Cottn Owl, joins Ewell Smith on the Close The Deal Podcast to explain why struggling offers often come down to positioning, messaging, and an unnecessarily complicated sales funnel. Esther breaks down how to better…
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James Trawick: The Commitment He Delayed While Building Hondo Rodeo Fest #133 | Close The Deal
James Trawick built one of the most ambitious rodeo and music festivals in America. But despite the success, there was still a commitment he'd been postponing. In this episode of Close The Deal, James shares the story behind Hondo Rodeo Fest, the challenge of launching in New Orleans, and the...
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The Hidden Cost of Entrepreneurship with Kris Grey of Creatapult #132 | Close The Deal
Kris Grey helps organizations recover failing projects and scale operations through better systems and project management. But behind the business success was a harder truth: years of neglecting his health, relationships, and personal priorities while trying to survive entrepreneurship. In this...
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Andrea Sells Cadillac: The Visibility She Couldn’t Avoid #131 | Close The Deal
Andrea Anderson built a massive online audience helping people buy cars and negotiate confidently. But success created a new problem: visibility. In this episode of Close The Deal, Andrea opens up about growing beyond the screen and confronting the one thing she still struggles with - public...
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Marriages Need This Commitment - Rock Sandretto #130 | Close The Deal
Success can quietly damage a marriage if couples aren’t intentional. In this episode of Close The Deal, Rock Sandretto shares the commitment he and his wife are making to protect their relationship while continuing to grow multiple businesses together. After battling addiction during the opioid...
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She Finally Commits to Releasing Her First Album - Aideen Ni Riada #129 | Close The Deal
This episode is about a decision most people avoid: choosing what you really want over what feels safe. The Decision Aideen had to choose: 👉 Stay focused on a stable business 👉 Or finally step into her identity as a singer The Commitment She commits to releasing an 8-song album by January 1st…
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Sam Caruso’s Commitment to Scale Before November #128 | Close The Deal
This episode is about a decision most entrepreneurs avoid— Do you stay comfortable, or do you scale when the opportunity shows up? Sam Caruso is facing that moment right now. The Decision Sam has momentum, clients, and opportunity. But now he must choose: → Keep things manageable and predictable…
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He Built a $1.4M Business - Now He Has to Make the Call #127 | Close The Deal
Most entrepreneurs don’t struggle because they can’t build. They struggle because they avoid the decision that comes next. Heath Holmes already proved he can build—taking a business to $1.4M in just over a year. Now he’s at a crossroads that will define everything moving forward. Franchise the...
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Hire Faster Because Your Family Needs You More - Tom Cox #126 | Close The Deal
Entrepreneurs are told to chase work-life balance - but what if that idea is completely wrong? In this episode, Tom Cox breaks down why trying to balance everything leads to failure in both business and family life. He shares a better approach focused on presence, consistency, and intentional...
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Why Entrepreneurs Fail at Money: Tom Cox #125 | Close The Deal
Most business owners don’t have a sales problem—they have a money problem. In this episode, Tom Cox breaks down why entrepreneurs who are great at their craft still struggle financially. From misunderstanding cash flow to ignoring margin, this conversation dives into the real issues holding...
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Nobody Calls Anymore: The Pick Up the Phone Sales Advantage - Scotty Baudoin #124 | Close The Deal
Pick up the phone sales may be the simplest growth strategy most companies overlook. In this episode of the Close The Deal Podcast, Scotty Baudoin explains how consistent outreach to warm contacts can generate stronger relationships and measurable revenue growth. The Outgrow method focuses on...
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Luxury Brand Positioning: How to Escape the Commodity Trap: Kathryn Porritt #123 | Close The Deal
Luxury brand positioning is the disciplined strategy of moving out of the commodity market and into premium authority. In this episode of the Close The Deal Podcast, Ewell Smith speaks with Kathryn Porritt about how founders can protect margins, reposition mastery, and stop competing on price.…
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How to Close More B2B Deals by Asking for Feedback on LinkedIn #122 | Close The Deal
Most LinkedIn outreach fails because it starts with a pitch instead of a conversation. What You’ll Learn ⏺ Why feedback outperforms cold pitching ⏺ How to structure high response outreach ⏺ When automation helps and when it hurts ⏺ What cash collected really means in sales Short Episode Summary...
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Why Most Businesses Fail and How to Build Product Demand #121 | Close The Deal
Half of all businesses fail within five years, and the leading cause is lack of product demand. What You’ll Learn Why demand generation determines survival How owned, earned, and paid marketing differ The 3D framework for structured growth Why authority and visibility matter more than ever Saul...
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Networking Fundamentals That Turn Conversations Into Referrals #120 | Close The Deal
Networking works when people understand how referrals actually happen. What You’ll Learn • How to become referable • How to create real connections • Why communication drives trust Angie Weidel explains the practical networking fundamentals most professionals never learn and how they directly...
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How CEOs Create LinkedIn Demand Without Hiring a Team #119 | Close The Deal
LinkedIn has quietly become one of the most effective demand channels for CEOs who know how to use it. What You’ll Learn How to create LinkedIn demand efficiently Why CEO visibility drives revenue What metrics actually signal buying intent Short Episode Summary Matt Hunt explains how founders can...
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Believe Again: Why Belief Is the Key to Leadership with Chris Widener #118 | Close The Deal
There comes a point in every career and every life when confidence takes a hit. Sometimes what you need most isn’t another strategy or tactic. It’s belief. In this episode of Close The Deal, Ewell Smith sits down with Chris Widener to explore why belief is the foundation of leadership, personal...
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The Future of Sales and the Last Mile Seller With Victor Antonio #117 | Close The Deal
AI is changing how buyers research, but not how they decide. What You’ll Learn ‣ Why buyers hesitate despite better information ‣ How confidence drives decisions ‣ What the last mile seller does differently Victor Antonio joins Close The Deal to explain how AI reshapes buyer behavior and why…
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Why Cold Calling Live Builds Real Sales Skill #116 | Close The Deal
Cold calling still works, and recording it live may be the fastest way to build real sales confidence and execution skill. What You’ll Learn • Why cold calling still outperforms most outbound strategies • How recording calls live sharpens execution • What rejection teaches faster than training •...
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How AI Helped a Veteran Music Producer Create 50 Songs in 90 Days #115 | Close The Deal
Creativity does not fade with age or technology. It fades when creators stop creating. You Will Learn • How a veteran music producer used AI to create 50 songs in 90 days • Why momentum matters more than perfection for creators • How to use AI without losing your creative voice • What separates...
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Working on the Business Not in It with Sam Caruso #115 | Close The Deal
In this episode of Close The Deal, Sam Caruso, Vistage Chair, shares why working on the business instead of in it leads to clearer thinking, better leadership decisions, and stronger long term growth. You will learn How working in the business keeps leaders stuck Why better questions lead to…
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One Call Trust Method with Ari Galper #114 | Close The Deal
Ari reveals the system behind trust based selling and why the old way of selling no longer works. He shares the moment that changed everything, the process that stops ghosting, and how to use the One Call Trust Method to build trust fast. This episode will help you shift from chasing prospects to...
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Why Logic Will Never Close the Deal with Corey Cousins #113 | Close The Deal
Logic does not close deals. Emotion does. In this episode of the Close The Deal Podcast, Corey Cousins breaks down the biggest mistake salespeople make and why relying on logic, features, and data often causes prospects to hesitate, stall, or disappear. Corey is the Vice President of Sales at...
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How to Stand Out With Podcasting and Build Authority in the Age of AI Search #112 | Close The Deal
Standing out has never mattered more. With AI Search rewriting the rules, the voices that rise to the top are the ones backed by real authority and real conversations. That is why podcasting has become such an essential tool for entrepreneurs and creators. In this episode, Ewell Smith sits down...
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5 In-Home Sales Secrets That Close More Deals | Dominic Caminata #111 | Close The Deal
Want to raise your in-home close rate without high-pressure tactics? Dominic Caminata from Grosso University breaks down five proven steps that turn more kitchen-table conversations into confident yes decisions. Learn how to slow down to speed up, build trust fast, present with clarity, and use…
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11 Billboard Ad Mistakes That Burn Your Budget (And How to Fix Them) #110 | Close The Deal
Are your billboard ads doing more harm than good? In this episode of the Close The Deal Podcast, veteran marketer and outdoor advertising expert Eric Murr breaks down the 11 most common billboard ad mistakes that drain budgets, confuse audiences, and sabotage sales. From bloated designs and...
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3 Gaps That Hold Back Sales Growth W/ Nicole Vorkapic #109 | Close The Deal
Why do so many founders hit a wall at one, three, or ten million in revenue? Sales strategist Nicole Vorkapic reveals the three hidden gaps that keep businesses from scaling—and how to fix them fast. In this episode, Close The Deal Podcast host Ewell Smith sits down with Nicole to unpack the...
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The $1 Networking Hack That Makes You Unforgettable W/ Ewell Smith #108 | Close The Deal
Ever leave a networking event and realize no one remembers you? Ewell Smith shares a simple, low-cost trick that guarantees you’ll stand out and stay remembered - long after the meeting ends. ## Visit www.CloseTheDeal.com to see all episodes. The Close The Deal Podcast is where decisions and…
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5 Minutes of Guts: How Courage Closes More Sales (+ DISC explained) Angie Weidel #107 | Close The Deal
Fear stops more deals than rejection ever will. In this episode of The Close The Deal Podcast, host Ewell Smith sits down with Angie Wedell, founder of Blended Strategies, to talk about courage, confidence, and the mindset that helps salespeople close with authenticity. Angie shares her “Five...
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The #1 Mistake People Make in a 1-Minute Pitch (BNI, Chamber, etc.) #106 | Close The Deal
Most business owners and sales professionals make the same mistake when giving their 1-minute pitch at a networking meeting — they try to promote more than one thing. In this episode of the Close The Deal Podcast, Ewell Smith explains why a clear, single-message pitch is far more powerful. You’ll...
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Stop Chasing Leads: Dealership Goldmine Revealed:Russell Richardson @RussFlipsWhips #105 Close The Deal Podcast
Learn how top sales and marketing trainer Russell Richardson turned social media into a dealership goldmine - and why consistency closes more deals. What if you could stop chasing leads — and make customers come looking for you? In this episode of the Close The Deal Podcast, Ewell Smith sits down...
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How AI is Flipping SEO on Its Head / 5 Big SEO Mistakes: Lonnie Jones #104 Close The Deal
SEO isn’t what it used to be—and AI is changing the rules faster than anyone expected. In this Close The Deal Podcastepisode, host Ewell Smith talks with Lonnie, founder of Local SEO Help, about how AI, Google updates, and voice search are transforming visibility for every business online. From...
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AI or Die? !!! How to Leverage AI In Sales (AI Tools to Use) : Kevin Hays - #103 Close The Deal
Sales is changing faster than most people realize, and artificial intelligence is leading the charge. In this episode of the Close The Deal Podcast, I sit down with Henry Hayes, founder of Disrupt Ready and adjunct professor at LSU, to unpack what AI really means for sales pros today. We dig into...
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Role Playing Overcoming Top 5 Sales Objections W/Lisa Laird (Part 2) #102 Close The Deal
Knowing how to overcome objections is one thing - but hearing it in action is where the real learning happens. In Part 2 of this Close The Deal conversation, sales trainer Lisa Laird role-plays the most common objections salespeople face from owners and demonstrates exactly how to respond with...
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How To Overcome Top 5 Sales Objections (Part 1) Role Playing with Lisa Laird #101 Close The Deal Podcast
Every salesperson has heard it before: “Leave your card.” “Just email me.” “I’m not interested.” In this episode of the Close The Deal Podcast, sales trainer and 20-year insurance veteran Lisa Laird reveals how to flip the top 5 most common objections into opportunities that close. Lisa shares…
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Creating Opportunity Through Change: Harlon Pearce #100 Close The Deal
At 79 years old, Harlon Pierce is still leading, innovating, and creating opportunities in the seafood industry. From Katrina to catfish, hear how he embraced change, built new markets, and mentored a generation of leaders. This milestone episode dives deep into crisis management, pricing...
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Avoid Insurance Nightmares This Hurricane Season: Jonathan Frazier #99 Close The Deal
Hurricane season isn’t just about weathering the storm - it’s about surviving the insurance battle afterward. In this episode, I sit down with Jonathan Frazier of Forefront 360 to reveal how preparation, documentation, and technology can save homeowners and businesses millions. Takeaways: Why…
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Mentorship: How Painter1 Franchise Fast-Tracks Success - #98 Close The Deal
What if you could fast-track your franchise success by learning directly from someone already doing it? That’s exactly what Painter1’s mentorship program delivers. In this episode of the Close the Deal Podcast, host Ewell Smith talks with mentor Keith and two new franchisees, Mikeand Dallas…
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The Sales Fix Most CEOs Don’t Know - Mike Pedersen #97 Close The Deal
What if you could overhaul your life—and your business—in 30 days? At 61, Mike Pedersen did just that. On this episode of Close The Deal, he reveals how he left a comfortable life in Arizona to travel the world, and in the process, built a powerhouse B2B consulting practice. We talk sales…
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Refuse the Ripoff: The Franchise That Fights Insurance Games - Ted Patestos #96 Close The Deal / Franchise Profits Episode
Are you done getting lowballed (screwed) by insurance companies? Ted Patestos was too—and now his franchise, Tiger Adjusters, helps homeowners and business owners fight back. With a model that puts franchisees in control and customers first, this low-overhead, high-impact business is rewriting…
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Jungle Driving: A Franchise Saving Teen Lives - Zachery Buetler #95 Close The Deal
What do you get when you mix UPS-level safety protocols, jungle animals, and teenagers learning to drive? A franchise that’s saving lives and building a business around it. Zach Butler joins me to share the story of Jungle Driving—a radically better, more effective, and wildly memorable driver’s…
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How to Build a Business That Runs Without You - Adi Klevit - #94 Close The Deal
Want more time, profit, and peace of mind in your business? Start with systems. On this episode of Close The Deal, Ewell Smith chats with Adi Klevit - founder of Business Success Consulting Group—about how entrepreneurs can document their way to freedom. You’ll learn: How to identify the first...
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When Politics Impact Sales - Chris Peterson #93 Close The Deal
Is your business unintentionally taking a political stance? In this episode of Close The Deal, Ewell Smith sits down with Chris Peterson, author of Red and Blue Customers, to explore how political identity subtly (and sometimes explosively) affects consumer behavior. Chris shares fascinating...
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What It Takes To Open A Diesel Barbershop - Shayne Brown - #92 Close The Deal
In this episode, Shayne Brown, founder of Diesel Barbershops, shares 10 success mindset quotes every franchise owner should know. From overcoming setbacks to leading creative teams, Shane has built a standout brand by doing things differently—and staying focused on what actually matters. You’ll...
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ABOUT THIS SHOW
Most people aren’t stuck—they’re living with broken promises to themselves. This is where that changes.The Close The Deal Podcast features real conversations with high achievers who are facing the decisions they’ve been avoiding and committing to what comes next.
Hosted by Ewell Smith. Visit www.CloseTheDeal.com to put you name on the Close The Deal Board
HOSTED BY
Ewell Smith
CATEGORIES
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Frequently Asked Questions
How many episodes does Close The Deal Podcast have?
Close The Deal Podcast currently has 151 episodes available on PodParley. New episodes are automatically indexed when they're published to the podcast feed.
What is Close The Deal Podcast about?
Most people aren’t stuck—they’re living with broken promises to themselves. This is where that changes.The Close The Deal Podcast features real conversations with high achievers who are facing the decisions they’ve been avoiding and committing to what comes next. Hosted by Ewell Smith. Visit...
How often does Close The Deal Podcast release new episodes?
Close The Deal Podcast publishes regularly with 151 episodes available. Check the episode list for the typical release schedule.
Where can I listen to Close The Deal Podcast?
You can listen to Close The Deal Podcast on PodParley by clicking any episode. We provide an embedded audio player for direct listening, and you can also subscribe via your preferred podcast app using the RSS feed.
Who hosts Close The Deal Podcast?
Close The Deal Podcast is created and hosted by Ewell Smith.
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