Make It Happen Mondays - B2B Sales Talk with John Barrows

This episode is different.
Devin Reed returns to the podcast—but this time, it’s not about content strategy, marketing tactics, or growth frameworks. It’s about something far more personal and far more relevant.
After posting a powerful message about how “business as usual” feels disconnected from reality right now, Devin made a conscious decision to stop staying quiet. That post sparked this conversation.
Together, John and Devin unpack what it means to:
Speak up without becoming divisive
Use your platform responsibly
Navigate uncertainty without pretending everything is fine
Find your voice when you’re not sure what to say
Lead with integrity in emotionally charged times

This is a raw, thoughtful discussion about privilege, responsibility, fear of backlash, and the tension between staying silent and standing for something. It’s not about politics. It’s about humanity. It’s about leadership.
If you’ve been feeling the disconnect…
If you’ve been unsure how to show up…
If you’ve been wrestling with whether to speak or stay quiet…
This conversation might help you find clarity—and maybe even a little courage.
Are you interested in leveling up your sales skills and staying relevant in today’s AI-driven landscape? Visit www.jbarrows.com and let’s Make It Happen together!
Connect with John on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/johnbarrows/
Connect with John on IG: https://www.instagram.com/johnmbarrows/
Check out John's Membership: https://go.jbarrows.com/pages/individual-membership?ref=3edab1
Join John's Newsletter: https://www.jbarrows.com/newsletter
Connect with Devin on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/devinreed/
Check out Devin's Website: https://www.thereeder.co/

In this episode of Make It Happen Mondays, John sits down with Saif Khan, Regional VP of EMEA and APAC at Semrush, one of the top SaaS platforms helping digital marketers drive visibility, traffic, and growth. But this episode isn’t just about tools or tactics—it’s about the real human side of sales leadership.
From growing up in a council estate in West London to building elite sales teams across two continents, Saif shares how a single ride-along with his uncle sparked his lifelong passion for sales. He breaks down how five years in retail taught him more about buyer psychology than any formal sales training ever could—and why emotional intelligence, not just methodology, is the real differentiator in today’s market.
The conversation dives into:
• How burnout creeps in even during “success”
• Why Saif hit pause on his career for a solo journey through Southeast Asia
• The coaching crisis in frontline management
• The line between AI augmentation and AI dependency—and what it means for the future of leadership.
Whether you’re an SDR, a VP, or somewhere in between, this episode is packed with real stories, fresh takes, and valuable lessons for anyone navigating the evolving world of modern sales.
Are you interested in leveling up your sales skills and staying relevant in today’s AI-driven landscape? Visit www.jbarrows.com and let’s Make It Happen together!
Connect with John on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/johnbarrows/
Connect with John on IG: https://www.instagram.com/johnmbarrows/
Check out John's Membership: https://go.jbarrows.com/pages/individual-membership?ref=3edab1
Join John's Newsletter: https://www.jbarrows.com/newsletter
Connect with Saif on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/saif-khan-cism/
Check out Saif's Website Semrush: https://www.semrush.com/
Check out these additional links for Semrush
Employment Opportunities: https://careers.semrush.com/jobs/
Apple Podcast: https://podcasts.apple.com/es/podcast/technically-her/id1871241654?l=en-GB
Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/7nBfeFVia9d7ClK7CVOBcV?si=9ef5467e40644435
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/semrush_life/#
Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/@SemrushLife
LinkedIn:

In this episode, John sits down with Ashley Herd, a former General Counsel and HR executive turned founder of Manager Method — a movement and book that gives managers the real-world tools no one else teaches. She’s also a LinkedIn Learning instructor, podcast host, and a powerful advocate for human-first leadership.
Ashley brings a sharp legal and HR background from brands like KFC and McKinsey, and shares how those experiences opened her eyes to a problem most companies ignore: we don’t train our managers.
This conversation dives into:
Why most managers are set up to fail
Her signature framework: Pause. Consider. Act.
How to shift from micromanagement to trust
The three leadership styles: Tight Jeans, Sweatpants, and Cozy Joggers
What KFC taught her about recognition and culture
How to support employees during grief, loss, and hard times

If you’re a frontline manager, a senior leader, or someone trying to improve your org’s leadership culture, this episode is packed with honest insight, practical frameworks, and real empathy for the people doing the hardest job in business: managing other people.
Are you interested in leveling up your sales skills and staying relevant in today’s AI-driven landscape? Visit www.jbarrows.com and let’s Make It Happen together!
Connect with John on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/johnbarrows/
Connect with John on IG: https://www.instagram.com/johnmbarrows/
Check out John's Membership: https://go.jbarrows.com/pages/individual-membership?ref=3edab1
Join John's Newsletter: https://www.jbarrows.com/newsletter
Connect with Ashley on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/ashleyherd/
Check out Ashley's Website: https://www.managermethod.com/
Get Ashley's Book "The Manager Method" Here: https://www.amazon.com/Manager-Method-Practical-Framework-Support/dp/B0F88XQ919/ref=sr_1_1?crid=3OXJB8FFOLV4P&dib=eyJ2IjoiMSJ9.gCPkw0XjqseVzVOGs73g3eB07oBsCIPccO7Bg_F6_pJUk_7hYRf_o4C7UEKTRNAKfZZubHS4muiYeQwrCl2bTruXHFHdVzSIcOgY2Ro0vyR55Lg6emhKDYAInm1NlGQq4aRtfUIBaphOf1El-r00xw.zVw99DEqK3s5Fks8X-BIFrh6_YByNw6CA-exZYjmUhw&dib_tag=se&keywords=ashley+herd&qid=1770643943&sprefix=Ashley+Herd%2Caps%2C142&sr=8-1

Amy Leneker is a recovering workaholic turned joy strategist—and her message couldn’t be more timely. In this episode, Amy joins John to share insights from her upcoming book Cheers to Monday, a science-backed guide to breaking the cycle of burnout and embracing joy as a leadership strategy.
A former C-suite executive and advisor to Fortune 100 companies, Amy opens up about hitting rock bottom—not once, but twice—and what it taught her about stress, success, and what really matters. She introduces her “Un-Stressing Method”: See, Sort, Solve, Celebrate—a practical and empowering framework that helps leaders manage their own stress while reducing the stress they place on others.
They also dive into concepts like the Stockdale Paradox, the difference between happiness and joy, and why emotional honesty is the new leadership superpower. This episode is packed with actionable tools, honest reflection, and a refreshing take on what it really means to thrive in today’s high-pressure world.
Are you interested in leveling up your sales skills and staying relevant in today’s AI-driven landscape? Visit www.jbarrows.com and let’s Make It Happen together!
Connect with John on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/johnbarrows/
Connect with John on IG: https://www.instagram.com/johnmbarrows/
Check out John's Membership: https://go.jbarrows.com/pages/individual-membership?ref=3edab1
Join John's Newsletter: https://www.jbarrows.com/newsletter
Connect with Amy on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/amyleneker
Check out Amy's Website: https://www.amyleneker.com/
Connect with Amy on IG: https://www.instagram.com/amy.leneker/
Get Amy's Book "Cheers to Monday" Here: https://www.amazon.com/Cheers-Monday-Surprisingly-Simple-Method/dp/1394388802
Check out Amy's Podcast "Less Stress, More Joy" Here: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/less-stress-more-joy-with-amy-leneker/id1864772376

In this episode of Make It Happen Mondays, John Barrows sits down with Jake Stahl, a former top-tier sales trainer turned psychological strategist and the creator of NeuroStrategy™—a groundbreaking approach that merges psychology, instructional design, and neuroscience to transform how companies train, sell, and scale.
As the founder and CEO of Orchestraight, Jake has reimagined the sales enablement process through a psychological lens, revealing what really drives human decision-making. In this conversation, he and John explore how sales reps can better connect, communicate, and build trust by understanding the subconscious factors that influence every deal.
They dive into topics like neuro-linguistic programming, instructional design, and the science behind engagement, unpacking how these tools can elevate your entire sales process—from first touch to closed won.If you’re tired of generic tactics and want to understand the deeper why behind successful selling, this episode delivers insight, science, and practical frameworks to sharpen your edge.
Are you interested in leveling up your sales skills and staying relevant in today’s AI-driven landscape? Visit www.jbarrows.com and let’s Make It Happen together!
Connect with John on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/johnbarrows/
Connect with John on IG: https://www.instagram.com/johnmbarrows/
Check out John's Membership: https://go.jbarrows.com/pages/individual-membership?ref=3edab1
Join John's Newsletter: https://www.jbarrows.com/newsletter
Connect with Jake on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/jakestahl/
Check out Jake's Website: https://orchestraight.com/
Connect with Jake on IG: https://www.instagram.com/jakethemindmechanic/
Get Jake's Book "Own the Room" Here: https://www.amazon.com/Own-Room-Communicate-Heard-Respected/dp/1968318259/
Check out the Own the Room Podcast with Jake Stahl Here: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/own-the-room/id1800525151