[Top Author & Direct Response Series] How Real Experience Becomes a Bestseller With Travis Cody

Jon Schumacher is the Head Webinar Guy at JonSchumacher.com, where he helps coaches, consultants, and companies attract and enroll more clients through webinars and online sales systems. He specializes in "call-booking webinars" that convert audiences into qualified sales conversations using a structured, trust-based framework. Jon has hosted more than 400 webinars, generating millions in client revenue for himself and his clients, and he also hosted the Webinar Mastery Summit. His work focuses on turning complex marketing systems into repeatable processes that consistently fill calendars with sales calls. In this episode… A webinar can do more than educate an audience — it can create trust, move prospects closer to a decision, and open the door to meaningful sales conversations. But what separates a webinar that simply shares information from one that consistently gets qualified people to book calls? Jon Schumacher, a webinar strategist who has helped thousands of professionals improve their online presentations, says the key is building a call-booking webinar that pre-sells, persuades, and earns trust before the call to action. He highlights the importance of framing the opportunity around audience desires, difficulties, and discovery before addressing objections. Instead of overwhelming prospects with information or rushing into a pitch, Jon recommends using contrast content, value-added registration bonuses, and a clear next step that feels logical and helpful. The result is a webinar experience that gives high-value prospects enough clarity and confidence to schedule a conversation. In this episode of the Inspired Insider Podcast, Dr. Jeremy Weisz sits down with Jon Schumacher, Head Webinar Guy at JonSchumacher.com, to discuss how to build webinars that convert trust into sales calls. Jon breaks down webinar promotion, registration bonuses, the three D's framework, objection handling, and replay follow-up. He also shares how AI agents help create webinar and sales assets.

Travis Cody is the Founder of Bestseller By Design, where he helps founders, consultants, and experts turn their knowledge and experience into bestselling books. With a background in Hollywood screenwriting, copywriting, and journalism, he is the author of 19+ books and has worked with leading marketers, including Russell Brunson and Brian Kurtz. He has helped clients achieve #1 Amazon rankings and raise millions in funding through strategic storytelling and publishing. Travis is also known for his creative approach to relationship-building, direct response marketing, and his perspective on the ethical use of AI in writing and publishing.  In this episode… Breaking into a new industry is often a mix of strategy, persistence, and relationships. While skills and credentials matter, real opportunities usually come through trust and connections built over time. How do entrepreneurs and creators establish credibility and grow meaningful relationships from the ground up? According to Travis Cody, a writer and publishing strategist, breaking into new spaces requires a mix of persistence, creativity, and relationship-driven thinking. He explains that real breakthroughs often come from showing up consistently, taking unconventional action, and building genuine connections rather than relying on traditional gatekeeping systems. He highlights how combining storytelling with direct response principles can open doors that credentials alone cannot. Travis also emphasizes that humility and willingness to learn in new environments can accelerate trust and opportunity. Together, these approaches allow creators to stand out and build lasting influence even in highly competitive industries. In this episode of the Inspired Insider Podcast, host Dr. Jeremy Weisz sits down with Travis Cody, Founder of Bestseller By Design, to discuss breaking into new industries through relationships, storytelling, and marketing strategy. They explore how Travis transitioned from screenwriting to publishing success, how creative outreach builds credibility, and how AI can be used ethically in writing. He also shares insights on direct response marketing and building authority through books.

Enrico Palmerino is the Founder and CEO of Botkeeper, an AI-powered bookkeeping automation platform that helps accounting firms streamline and scale client accounting services. Under his leadership, Botkeeper developed Infinite, its core AI-powered platform for accounting firms, which was later acquired by Xendoo. Enrico leads Botkeeper's mission to help accounting professionals automate manual tasks, improve accuracy, and build more scalable practices. He previously co-owned SmartBooks and co-founded ThinkLite, and he also serves on the board of Fidelity Bank, has advised Geisel Software, and is an investor and advisor to several tech companies.  In this episode… AI is transforming accounting, but the biggest shift is not just faster software — it is a new way for firms to serve clients, manage capacity, and stay competitive. As demand for bookkeeping rises and accounting talent becomes harder to find, how can firms use automation without sacrificing trust, accuracy, or control? Enrico Palmerino, a serial entrepreneur and accounting technology innovator, believes AI should help firms scale their expertise rather than replace it. He highlights how Botkeeper evolved from solving his own bookkeeping pain points into a platform that helps accounting firms automate categorizations, reconciliations, journal entries, document workflows, and practice visibility. By moving from direct SMB services to a firm-focused model, Botkeeper gave accountants a way to improve margins, reduce manual work, and support more clients without overloading their teams. Enrico also explains why adoption depends on trust, showing firms that AI can strengthen client service while preserving ownership of the relationship. In this episode of the Inspired Insider Podcast, Dr. Jeremy Weisz sits down with Enrico Palmerino, Founder and CEO of Botkeeper, to discuss AI, automation, and the shift in accounting firms. Enrico explains Botkeeper's move from SMBs to firms, how AI improves bookkeeping workflows, and why the Xendoo acquisition accelerated its roadmap. He also shares advice on pricing, profitability, and entrepreneurship.

Jon Ferrara is the Founder and CEO of Nimble, a CRM company that helps businesses build and manage relationships through modern contact and relationship management tools. A pioneer in the CRM industry, he previously co-founded GoldMine Software, one of the earliest CRM platforms for small and mid-sized businesses. He has helped grow Nimble into a widely used platform with integrations across tools like Microsoft 365 and Google Workspace, as well as a strong presence in the Microsoft partner ecosystem. Jon is also known for his focus on authentic relationship-building, blending AI with human connection, and his journey toward purpose-driven leadership. In this episode… Managing business relationships today is a balance between efficiency and authenticity. While automation tools improve workflows, they can also make interactions feel impersonal. How can professionals use technology to grow relationships without losing the human connection? For Jon Ferrara, a CRM pioneer, building strong business relationships requires shifting away from systems focused only on pipelines and reporting and instead prioritizing tools that support real human connection. He explains that effective relationship management happens when contact records are automatically enriched from sources such as email and LinkedIn, allowing users to focus more on engagement than manual entry. He highlights the importance of making relationship-building accessible to everyone in an organization, not just sales teams. This approach helps businesses stay organized while still being deeply personal in their outreach. He also emphasizes blending AI with intentional human actions to build trust and long-term relationships. In this episode of the Inspired Insider Podcast, host Dr. Jeremy Weisz sits down with Jon Ferrara, Founder and CEO of Nimble, to discuss building technology that supports authentic relationship management. They explore why most CRMs fail at true connection, how AI can enhance — not replace — personalization, and how Nimble makes relationship-building easier across teams. Jon also shares lessons on service-driven business and personal resilience.

Ara Ohanian is the CEO of Netstock, a global provider of AI-powered inventory optimization and supply chain planning software for mid-market businesses. An experienced B2B SaaS and enterprise software leader, he brings deep insight into the challenges companies face when managing inventory, forecasting demand, and scaling operations. Ara leads Netstock's mission to help businesses reduce stockouts, lower excess inventory, and unlock working capital. He has held executive roles at Systech, Unite Us, Infor, and Dubilier & Co., bringing broad expertise across supply chain, ERP, compliance, and growth strategy. In this episode… Inventory can either fuel growth or quietly drain cash from a business. When companies rely on spreadsheets or outdated planning systems, they risk tying up working capital in the wrong products while missing demand for the right ones. So how can growing businesses forecast smarter, reduce stockouts, and keep cash moving? Ara Ohanian, a seasoned B2B SaaS and enterprise software leader, says businesses need better visibility into what inventory they should have in the future, not just what they have today. He highlights the importance of using predictive planning tools to help companies make faster decisions when demand shifts, supplier costs change, or disruptions hit the supply chain. The main impact is more efficient inventory management, fewer missed sales, and less working capital tied up in excess stock. Instead of relying on manual spreadsheets, businesses can use AI-powered insights to anticipate demand across warehouses, markets, and product categories. This gives mid-market companies a stronger chance to compete with larger enterprises that have historically had access to more sophisticated planning resources. In this episode of the Inspired Insider Podcast, Dr. Jeremy Weisz speaks with Ara Ohanian, CEO of Netstock, to discuss smarter forecasting for inventory and cash flow. Ara explains predictive ERP overlays, demand planning across warehouses, and retail forecasting challenges like pricing, promotions, and shelf life. He also shares leadership lessons on culture and curiosity.

Sasha Orloff is the CEO and Co-founder of Puzzle, an AI-powered accounting platform helping startups, small businesses, and accounting firms gain real-time financial insights through a smart general ledger. Before Puzzle, he was a serial entrepreneur, serving as Co-founder and CEO of LendUp and Co-founder & Advisor to Mission Lane, with previous ventures collectively raising over $1 billion. Sasha also hosts the "Tech Finance" with Sasha Orloff podcast, where he interviews leaders shaping the future of finance and accounting. In this episode… For many businesses, accounting remains a slow, backward-looking process that delivers insights long after decisions have already been made. As AI reshapes industries across the economy, could financial operations become real-time, accurate, and proactive rather than reactive? What would it take to modernize one of the most critical yet overlooked functions in business? Sasha Orloff, a serial entrepreneur and technology innovator, says the key is to rebuild accounting systems from the ground up, with data integrity and AI at the core. He notes that traditional software lacks real-time intelligence, leading to inefficiencies and delays. By reengineering the general ledger, businesses can access faster, more reliable financial insights and automate complex workflows. AI-powered anomaly detection and reconciliation further improve accuracy while reducing manual effort. The outcome is a more scalable and intelligent financial system for companies of all sizes. In this episode of the Inspired Insider Podcast, Dr. Jeremy Weisz talks with Sasha Orloff, CEO and Co-founder of Puzzle, about transforming accounting with AI. They cover rebuilding systems for the AI era, using AI for accuracy over speed, why strong accounting drives growth, and strategies for adoption, customer trust, and go-to-market in a conservative industry.

Morgan Mizrahi is the Co-founder and COO of Rebillia, a subscription management platform that helps e-commerce, SaaS, and recurring revenue businesses automate billing, reduce churn, and grow revenue. An experienced e-commerce and retail leader, she brings hands-on insight into the challenges merchants face when scaling subscriptions. Morgan helped build Rebillia to provide flexible billing infrastructure, lifecycle management, and customer-centered workflows. She is also a podcast guest and industry voice on subscription commerce and long-term customer growth. In this episode… Traditional subscription models often lock customers into rigid plans. As expectations shift in the AI era, merchants need billing systems that adapt to customer behavior, changing preferences, and new revenue opportunities. What does a modern subscription model look like when it is built around choice instead of churn? For Morgan Mizrahi, a subscription commerce and e-commerce technology leader, the answer is flexibility. She explains how Rebillia challenges the old subscription playbook by helping merchants offer adjustable plans that customers can update throughout the subscription lifecycle. Instead of forcing buyers into one-size-fits-all recurring plans, this approach gives customers more control while helping businesses improve retention and increase lifetime value. Morgan also shares how flexible subscription infrastructure can support e-commerce, SaaS, AI-powered applications, and partnership-driven revenue models. In this episode of the Inspired Insider Podcast, Dr. Jeremy Weisz sits down with Morgan Mizrahi, Co-founder and COO of Rebillia, to discuss the anti-subscription model for modern commerce. Morgan explains flexible billing, reducing churn through customer choice, and how AI agents and vibe coders are reshaping monetization. She also shares how partnerships create new revenue opportunities.

Bill Lenihan is the Founder and CEO of ZOLA Intelligence (ZOLAi), a company delivering AI-driven enterprise technology solutions that are transforming energy infrastructure in emerging markets. Under his leadership, ZOLA has expanded across multiple countries, supported hundreds of thousands of off-grid facilities, and secured over $25 million in Series A funding. Bill has held operating and private equity roles at Goldman Sachs, Bain & Co., Calera Capital, and Switch Lighting, shaping his expertise in business expansion. He holds a BA in business and economics from UCLA and an MBA from The Wharton School.  In this episode… Across much of the world, access to reliable energy is still expensive, fragmented, and heavily manual. Communities and businesses often rely on outdated systems that are difficult to scale and maintain. What would it take to transform this broken infrastructure into an intelligent, connected energy network? According to Bill Lenihan, an entrepreneur and operator focused on energy access in emerging markets, the key lies in turning inefficient, fragmented systems into streamlined, intelligent platforms without needing to fully replace what already exists. He highlights the evolution from distributing solar-powered hardware in remote regions to building a data-driven, software-enabled model that improves deployment, maintenance, and financing. A major turning point came when large-scale operational challenges revealed the limits of manual coordination, accelerating a shift toward automation and intelligence. This approach has enabled more scalable, affordable, and sustainable energy access while improving outcomes for end users and operators alike. In this episode of the Inspired Insider Podcast, host Dr. Jeremy Weisz sits down with Bill Lenihan, Founder and CEO of ZOLAi, to discuss building an AI-native enterprise to solve global energy challenges. They explore the shift from hardware to software-driven energy services, how automation and AI scale infrastructure in emerging markets, and how data unlocks financing and access. Bill also shares insights on enterprise sales, telecom partnerships, and building a board with relevant operating expertise.

Sampo Parkkinen is the Founder and CEO of Revieve, a beauty technology company focused on helping global beauty, skin, health, and wellness brands deliver personalized digital experiences through AI, AR, and computer vision. A serial technology entrepreneur and operator, he has led Revieve since its founding in 2016 and grown it into a platform supporting brands and retailers across their digital consumer journeys. Sampo previously co-founded RapidBlue Solutions, where he served as COO before its acquisition by ShopperTrak. He is also a Venture Partner at Gorilla Capital, where he supports early-stage technology companies across the Nordics. In this episode… Beauty and wellness products are deeply personal, yet most e-commerce experiences still push consumers toward transactions instead of guidance. As AI changes how people discover products, how can brands create digital experiences that feel more helpful, personal, and trustworthy? For Sampo Parkkinen, a serial entrepreneur and investor focused on AI-powered customer experience, the answer is to shift from selling products to helping consumers buy with confidence. He highlights how personalized digital tools can replicate the value of an in-store advisor by listening to customer concerns, analyzing needs, and recommending relevant products across skincare, makeup, hair care, and fragrance. This creates a more intimate brand experience while improving acquisition, conversion, and loyalty. He also explains why reducing friction, avoiding generic quizzes, and positioning AI experiences as personal analysis can dramatically improve engagement. In this episode of the Inspired Insider Podcast, Dr. Jeremy Weisz sits down with Sampo Parkkinen, Founder and CEO at Revieve, to discuss AI, personalization, and the future of the beauty industry. Sampo explores AI-powered product guidance, personalized beauty retail, and how brands can reduce e-commerce friction. He also shares insights on SaaS pricing, onboarding, and his work with Gorilla Capital.

Mike Collins is the Founder and CEO of Alumni Ventures, a leading venture capital firm that enables individual accredited investors to access diversified venture portfolios and co-invest alongside top-tier VCs. He is a serial entrepreneur and experienced venture capitalist who has founded multiple companies, including Kid Galaxy, Big Idea Group, and RDM. He also launched Green D Ventures, Alumni Ventures' first alumni fund, where he oversaw the portfolio as Managing Partner. Mike has spent his career helping investors and entrepreneurs build innovative, high-growth businesses, and holds degrees from Dartmouth College and Harvard Business School. In this episode… What does it really take to succeed in venture capital, where uncertainty is constant, and failure is often part of the process? What separates investors who consistently build strong portfolios from those who don't? For Mike Collins, a seasoned venture capitalist and serial entrepreneur, success in venture capital comes from focusing on people over pure ideas and building disciplined, diversified portfolios to manage inevitable risk. He highlights that early-stage investing is less about certainty and more about judgment, trust, and pattern recognition developed over time. A key takeaway is that long-term success stems from striking a balance between conviction and humility and accepting that many investments will fail while a few yield outsized returns. He also emphasizes the value of co-investing and leveraging a global investor community to expand access and insight. In this episode of the Inspired Insider Podcast, host Dr. Jeremy Weisz sits down with Mike Collins, Founder and CEO of Alumni Ventures, to discuss venture capital, portfolio building, and entrepreneurial lessons. They talk about betting on people over ideas, managing risk through diversification, and lessons from sports and investing. Mike also shares insights on co-investing strategies and democratizing access to venture capital.