Coffee with Curtis

In this episode of Coffee with Curtis, Robert is joined by David Zeff, co-founder and CEO of Whistle, a leading outbound SDR company helping B2B tech companies generate qualified pipeline. David is also a long-time friend and former colleague of Robert’s from their time at Graduway, where they worked together in a high-performing sales team that helped drive incredible growth and success. Together, Robert and David discuss what made that sales culture so powerful, why outbound sales is far from dead, and what companies often get wrong when building SDR teams. David shares how Whistle grew from an accidental first client into an international SDR business, and explains why cold outreach should be treated as a marketing channel, one that delivers not just meetings, but valuable market insight. They also explore AI in sales, where it helps, where the hype goes too far, and why human trust, judgment and connection still matter. A practical and honest conversation about sales, SDRs, outbound, AI, entrepreneurship and why great selling is still one of the most important skills in business.

In this episode of Coffee with Curtis, Robert speaks with Carson Heady, Managing Director of Microsoft Elevate Nonprofit (or North America), sales leader, keynote speaker, podcast host, and author of 'Moneyball Sales: How I Generated Over $1 Billion in Revenue Using AI and LinkedIn & How You Can Too'. Carson shares how modern sales has moved beyond hustle, volume, and random activity. Instead, great selling is about purpose, probability, trust, data, relationships, AI, and consistent value creation. Robert and Carson discuss why every seller needs a clear “why,” how to stack the odds in your favour, why “trust precedes the transaction,” and how LinkedIn can become a serious engine for credibility, connection, and revenue. They also explore the role of AI in sales, with Carson explaining why AI is not replacing great sellers but it is replacing lazy prospecting. Using his James Bond analogy, Carson describes AI as “Q”: the toolmaker and intelligence partner, while the seller remains the strategist, relationship-builder, and decision-maker. This is a powerful conversation about the future of sales, social selling, enterprise relationships, and how to build a modern sales system that compounds over time.

In this episode of Coffee with Curtis, Robert sits down with Shahni Ben-Haim, founder and CEO of SBH Media Relations, to explore why PR still matters in a world dominated by social media, AI and the attention economy. Shahni breaks down the difference between public relations, media relations and marketing, and explains why earned media still plays a critical role in building trust, credibility and authority for B2B companies. Together, they discuss how startups and growth-stage businesses can use PR to elevate their profile, support sales, strengthen founder brands and turn media coverage into a wider content engine. They also dive into the changing media landscape, the role of thought leadership, the rise of human-led brands, and how AI is reshaping the way companies are discovered, researched and trusted. If you work in B2B marketing, growth, communications or founder-led business building, this is a smart conversation on why PR is far from dead and why it may be more valuable than ever.

In this episode of Coffee with Curtis, Robert is joined by Nicola Anderson, CEO and founder of Capacity to Grow. They discuss the importance of evolving leadership and the need for clarity in business growth. Nicola emphasizes the importance of understanding one's capacity, the role of people in business, and the need for motivation within sales teams. Nicola also highlights the impact of personal branding, the importance of creating a positive work environment, and the evolving role of women in the construction industry. The conversation culminates in a key takeaway about the art of delegation and trusting team members to foster growth.

In this episode of Coffee with Curtis, Robert is joined by Brian Spivak, CEO of Barzel Media. Brian shares his journey from a salesman to the founder of Barzel Media, an agency that connects brands with pro-Israel creators. He discusses the impact of the October 7th events on his career, the challenges faced by influencers advocating for Israel, and the importance of authenticity in influencer marketing. Brian also highlights the political landscape brands navigate today and shares success stories from his agency. The conversation touches on the future of influencer marketing, the role of AI, and the lessons learned in leadership and resilience throughout his entrepreneurial journey.