Conversations with retailers and their suppliers that shine a light on the most positive aspects of retail. Get tips about competing in brick and mortar retail, resources for retail sales training, retail-specific marketing advice, ways to make your retail operations run more smoothly, and much more. New episodes release every week!
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Bob Phibbs Podcasts
Nobody writes alone. This show is going to be different because it's real time marketing happenings. Inside Copy Chief we're rooted in the foundational stuff that's proven timeless, effective copy writing and marketing tactics. However, things change fast in this business and we're constantly examining what's making sales for people.
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CCR333: Why We Buy What We Buy In Stores with "The Retail Doc" Bob Phibbs
50:18
50:18
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50:18If you've ever walked into a store (or scrolled a sales page) and thought, "Man… where's the human in all this?" — this episode is for you. Bob Phibbs, better known as The Retail Doctor, has spent decades helping brands rediscover the art of real connection — and in this conversation, he and Kevin unpack what it means to sell with soul in a world t…
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John Robison didn't follow a traditional path. After engineering sound effects for Kiss and designing early video games, he built a thriving luxury automotive service business by rejecting the dealership playbook. In this episode, John explains why leasing models create service nightmares, how his autism gave him unusual focus for complex mechanica…
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CCR332: From Freelancer to Founder: How Chris Orzechowski Built a Business That Prints Email Profits
55:35
55:35
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55:35If you've ever hit that wall in your freelance career where you're booked solid, your income looks good on paper, but somehow you feel stuck, this episode is going to hit you square in the chest. Chris Orzechowski is one of the few freelance copywriters who managed to break free from the "busy but broke" trap. He's written for huge eCommerce brands…
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Fast facts & context System size: 270+ stores; 50 more in development Annual sales: “well over a quarter-billion” Category tailwind: US secondhand market ~$45B (2023) → projected ~$73B (2028) Sustainability: Americans landfill 11M+ tons of textiles yearly (~80 lbs per person) Merch mix: 90%+ used, locally sourced Tech stack: Fully proprietary POS, …
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In this episode, celebrated meeting design expert and corporate trainer Brian Walter joins the show to share his journey from retail beginnings to becoming a nationally recognized speaker and CEO of Extreme Meetings. Brian reveals the lessons learned from the sales floor, the art of customer service, and how retail shaped his approach to engaging m…
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CCR331: Cracking Global Markets with Transcreation Expert, Victoria Franco
30:26
30:26
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30:26In this episode, Kevin Rogers sits down with Victoria Franco to unpack transcreation—the blend of marketing strategy, cultural intelligence, direct response copy, and translation that turns English‑first offers into winners in Latin America. They break down why literal translation fails, how WhatsApp/DM culture flips the funnel, and why emotional r…
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When June sales went flat at her luxury women's store, Rebecca Weirda didn't make excuses. She rolled up her sleeves, had tough conversations with every team member, and turned a double-digit decline into a 42% sales increase the following month. In this episode, discover how the owner of Leigh's Fashions in Grand Rapids, Michigan built a 13,000 sq…
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💬 Guest: Patrick McCullough, President of Hallmark Business Connections 📅 Run Time: 35:15 🔗 Website: https://www.hallmarkbusiness.com ✉️ Episode Summary: In this episode, Bob chats with Patrick McCullough, President of Hallmark Business Connections, about how retailers can tap into the overlooked power of tangible outreach. From using Hallmark gree…
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CCR330: How Dave Munson Built Saddleback Leather on Faith, Grit, and Story
57:41
57:41
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57:41In this episode of Paid to Create, I sat down with Dave Munson, founder of Saddleback Leather and author of the new book They'll Fight Over It When You're Dead. Dave's story is one of relentless curiosity, unwavering faith, and a passion for building things that matter. We got deep into how a single leather bag turned into a brand people brag about…
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CCR329: Why Human Curiosity And Great Questions Will Never Be Replaced by AI with Lolita Allgyer
1:01:35
1:01:35
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1:01:35In this episode, I handed the mic to Lolita Allgyer—our brilliant messaging and story strategist here at Copy Chief—for a deep dive into what makes story-driven copy land with real emotional punch. This was more than just an interview. Lolita came in with the mindset of a strategist working with a client (me), and what followed was an honest, curio…
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CCR328: How Dani Wade Beat Out 50 Copywriters to Land an In-House Position with Jeff Walker (from a third world country, no less)
44:54
44:54
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44:54In this powerhouse episode of Copy Chief Radio, Kevin Rogers chats with Daniella Wade—a strategic copywriter and entrepreneur from Trinidad and Tobago—about what it really takes to thrive as a freelance copywriter and what it's like to land an elite in-house gig with Jeff Walker's team at Internet Alchemy. Daniella shares her entrepreneurial journe…
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Episode Overview Five conversations with retail entrepreneurs and experts who've built successful businesses by focusing on customer relationships, finding creative solutions, and staying true to their mission. From lumber liquidation to rum cakes, these stories reveal the fundamentals that drive retail success. Featured Guests Tom Sullivan - Found…
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Only 5% of Retailers Are Leaders—How to Fix That
33:42
33:42
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33:42In this episode, Ann Ruckstuhl, SVP and CMO at Manhattan Associates, to unpack the hard truths and high hopes revealed in the 2025 Unified Commerce Benchmark. Ann brings her decades of experience—from the sales floor at Burdines to Silicon Valley startups and global tech leadership—to expose the growing gap between shopper expectations and retail e…
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CCR327: Behind The Copy with Chris Haddad – "Manipulate Responsibly"
1:12:43
1:12:43
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1:12:43In this special Behind The Copy session, I'm joined by one of the most legendary and unfiltered voices in copywriting—Chris "Mr. Moneyfingers" Haddad. If you've ever wondered how someone turns emotional pain and dark humor into multi-million dollar sales letters... Chris holds nothing back. We go deep into the psychology of persuasion, the evolutio…
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Wisdom Behind the Windows: The Greatest Challenge in Retail is Merging Technology with Human Touch
37:53
37:53
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37:53In this podcast episode, host Bob Phibbs, known as the Retail Doctor, discusses the evolving landscape of retail technology and the importance of human connection with guests Nikki Baird, Shep Hyken, Ethan Chernofsky, Lauren McGuire, Dax DaSilva and Dan Hodges. Podcast highlights include the complexities of in-store technology and the need for seam…
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CCR326: Introvert's Guide To Rich Relationships with Selena Soo
40:37
40:37
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40:37Most freelance copywriters are introverts—which makes the idea of networking feel about as natural as small talk at a corporate retreat (aka painful). But what if you could build powerful, career-changing relationships in a way that feels natural, rewarding, and even fun? That's exactly what Selena Soo teaches in this episode. She's built a thrivin…
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Wisdom Behind the Windows: Unlocking the Secrets to Employee Development and Customer Loyalty in Retail
36:15
36:15
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36:15In this episode of "Tell Me Something Good About Retail," hosted by Bob Phibbs, retail leaders discuss strategies for enhancing customer engagement, employee development, and adapting to change. Mark Fletcher, CEO of News Express, emphasizes experiential retail by creating community spaces in stores. Joy Poynter, CEO of Fleet Feet, highlights the i…
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CCR325: New Rules For Digital Marketing 2025 with Peter Hoppenfeld
38:39
38:39
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38:39Peter Hoppenfeld and I dive headfirst into the state of marketing in 2025 and what it means for freelance copywriters like us. We're talking about the major shifts happening right now, including how the FTC is tightening the reins on marketers, why bloated copy is losing its edge, and what it's going to take to connect with a younger, savvier audie…
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Wisdom Behind the Windows: How Can Retailers Build Stronger Connections with Their Customers?
32:42
32:42
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32:42In this episode of "Tell Me Something Good About Retail," Bob Phibbs, the Retail Doctor, explores the importance of human connection in retail with various guests. Patrick Burke, CEO of a men's clothing store in Ireland, discusses winning a retail excellence award and the value of customer relationships. His wife, Imelda, shares insights from runni…
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CCR324: Crushing Imposter Syndrome for Freelance Copywriters with Brian McCarthy
38:56
38:56
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38:56Brian McCarthy is a brilliant mindset coach who has transitioned from a career in direct response copywriting to helping creative professionals break free from imposter syndrome. In this episode, Brian shares his unique perspective on overcoming the mental and emotional blocks that keep many copywriters stuck. We dive into the origins of imposter s…
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CCR323: Fifty Copywriters Competed for a House Gig with Jeff Walker - What We Learned w/ guest Dan Walker
26:19
26:19
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26:19In this episode, I sat down with Dan Walker, son of Jeff Walker (product Launch Formula) and a seasoned leader at Internet Alchemy, to explore the intricacies of hiring top-tier copywriters through the innovative "Goods" process. We dove deep into the strategies behind finding copywriting talent that balances creativity, adaptability, and strategic…
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Wisdom Behind the Windows: How Can Retailers Foster Genuine Human Connections in a Digital Age?
27:31
27:31
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27:31In this episode of "Tell Me Something Good About Retail," hosted by Bob Phibbs, the Retail Doctor, the focus is on the importance of human connection in retail. Bob introduces various guests who share their insights on creating meaningful customer experiences. Martin Lindstrom discusses the concept of tribes and the need for empathy in retail. Chri…
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CCR322: Living Like a Copywriter: Craft, Creativity, and Control with Eddie Shleyner
48:05
48:05
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48:05In this thought-provoking episode of Copy Chief Radio, Kevin Rogers sits down with Eddie Shleyner, creator of "Very Good Copy," to discuss the artistry, psychology, and daily practice of being a copywriter. Eddie shares the journey of writing his first book, the life lessons passed down from his grandmother, and how the craft of copywriting extends…
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CCR321: "If It's Hard, You're Doing It Wrong: The Path to Mastery with Jeremy Bellotti"
51:49
51:49
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51:49In this powerful episode of Copy Chief Radio, Kevin Rogers sits down with mindset master Jeremy Bellotti, founder of Personal Mastery®, to discuss the deeper levels of personal growth, high performance, and mastery. Jeremy takes listeners through the stages of personal development and how to move beyond survival-mode thinking to achieve sustainable…
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Guest: Paul Landry, Co-owner of Crossover Comics (Montreal) Location: 3560 Notre Dame West, Montreal (St. Henry neighborhood) Key Discussion Points: - Store founded in 2012 by high school friends combining library technology, retail, and comic shop experience - Mission to change comic store reputation from intimidating/judgmental to welcoming - Use…
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CCR320: W.R.I.T.E N.O.W. framework with Kevin Rogers
24:47
24:47
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24:47Being a writer is so much more than the words. John Carlton and I did a 25 episode podcast series together and the actual "writing of words" accounted for maybe a third of the conversation. The majority of the episodes were about the "living and thinking" behind the words. I've been pondering this more than ever since large language models came int…
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The Unexpected Marriage of Luxury Retail and Dining
33:14
33:14
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33:14In this episode of "Tell Me Something Good About Retail," host Bob Phibbs, the "Retail Doctor," converses with Charlie Koniver, principal at Odyssey Retail Advisors. They discuss the evolution of luxury retail, emphasizing the need for a human connection and collaborative strategies between developers and tenants. The conversation covers the impact…
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Battling Retail Burnout and Boosting Sales
32:24
32:24
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32:24In this episode of "Tell Me Something Good About Retail," host Bob Phibbs, the Retail Doctor, and Carol Leaman discuss the post-pandemic retail landscape, emphasizing the critical role of frontline workers. Carol highlights challenges in hiring and training, revealing that 61% of frontline managers report a decline in applicant quality. They stress…
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CCR318: Lizzie Mills builds a copywriting family business
33:31
33:31
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33:31Lizzie Mills was just 20-yrs-old and a new mom when she joined Copy Chief as one of the first members through the door in 2014. She felt like the greenest copywriter in the place, but not for long. The veteran copywriters were more than happy to guide her and show her the ropes. Today, Lizzie, along with her husband, Steve, lead their family busine…
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Josh Orr, the founder of Capital Commerce and host of the Retail Initiative Podcast, is one of the leading voices in eCommerce today. He specializes in helping brick and mortar retailers gain traction in their online sales. With his team, he’s helped hundreds of retailers create thriving and profitable eCommerce businesses. Apart from his company’s…
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Teen Trainee to Retail Innovator: An Inspiring Path
32:41
32:41
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32:41In this episode of Tell Me Something Good About Retail, host Bob Phibbs, the Retail Doctor, and Nicole Leinbach, founder of Retail Minded, delve into their extensive retail experiences. They discuss evolving consumer behaviors, the critical role of community collaboration for small businesses, and the impact of different generations on retail. Nico…
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CCR316: How Tom became Rich Schefren's new copywriter
37:12
37:12
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37:12Tom Hammaker's life in copywriting took a radical turn last month when he was hired to become Rich Schefren's copywriter. Better yet, Tom won the gig in a six-week competitive search against dozens of other copywriters – some with more than 20 years in the game. We called it "The Goods," and clearly Tom has them. In this episode you'll hear directl…
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Chris was involved from the very beginning of Ted Baker in 1988 and headed up the Retail Team for over 30 years as the company's Global Retail Director. During this time, Chris was responsible for many aspects of Ted's unique retail style and is considered one of the leading lights of the drive to create 'retail theatre.' Since leaving the brand in…
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CCR315: The Evocative Power of Scent and Story with Helida Dodd
37:24
37:24
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37:24In this episode of Copy Chief Radio, we explore the captivating world of perfume and its unexpected parallels with the storytelling engineer-turned-perfumer Helida Dodd. Helida shares insights into how creating a perfume is similar to crafting a narrative.By Kevin Rogers
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