Customer Success Talks
Customer Success Talks

Customer Success Talks

Real Challenges, Experts Advice

Overview
Episodes

Details

Welcome to Customer Success Talks: Real Challenges, Expert Advice – the podcast for everyone passionate about CS! Whether you're transitioning into CS or a CSM with around three years of experience, this podcast is here for you. Our discussions tackle day-to-day CSM challenges in a practical way, ensuring value for everyone. Hosted by Bayron Toruno, a true CS enthusiast, each episode features in-depth conversations with industry experts, real-life stories, and actionable advice. Join us and be part of our community, where we grow and succeed together!

Recent Episodes

How to scale Customer Success: Strategies for Growth
NOV 26, 2025
How to scale Customer Success: Strategies for Growth

In this episode, we had the pleasure to learn from Denny Burda, who explored what it really takes to scale Customer Success effectively.

From driving revenue growth to enhancing customer engagement, he unpacks the strategies, tools, and mindsets that help CSMs build scalable, high-performing programs.

Denny shares practical insights on leveraging data, experimentation, and collaboration across teams to uncover new growth opportunities.

Whether you’re a CSM managing a large portfolio or a leader aiming to optimize your CS organization, this episode offers actionable strategies to take your customer success efforts to the next level.

Key Takeaways:

- Customer Success is a dynamic and evolving discipline.- Scaling requires creativity, collaboration, and experimentation.

- Focus on middle-performing customers for growth opportunities.

- Use data insights to drive meaningful customer engagement.

- Automate and streamline processes to maximize efficiency.

- Build strong relationships at scale by combining technology and empathy.

Denny also gave us a sneak peek into The Revenue Lab — a 6-week series starting January 15, 2026, in collaboration with CS Connect, designed to help CS professionals tie their work directly to revenue impact.


Check it out: https://www.tickettailor.com/events/csconnect/1923015


Connect with Us:

Denny Burda - https://www.linkedin.com/in/dennyburda/

Bayron Toruno - https://www.linkedin.com/in/bayron-toru%C3%B1o-solano-3a9408113/

Follow us on:

Instagram - https://www.instagram.com/cstalkspodcast/

Tik-Tok @customer.success6

Explore Our Podcast Website - https://cstalkspodcast.com/

play-circle icon
50 MIN
How to Speak Memorably: Communication & Presentation Skills with Bill McGowan
NOV 12, 2025
How to Speak Memorably: Communication & Presentation Skills with Bill McGowan

In this episode, I had the pleasure of recording with Bill McGowan—Emmy Award-winning journalist, bestselling author of Speak, Memorably: The Art of Captivating an Audience, and communication coach to leaders at Amazon, Facebook, Uber, LinkedIn, and more.We dive deep into what it really takes to communicate memorably in today’s remote-first business world. From avoiding jargon and filler words to mastering storytelling and empathy, Bill shares practical strategies for making every conversation, presentation, and client interaction impactful.You’ll learn:- The art of listening with empathy to build trust.- How storytelling makes you stand out from the noise.- Ways to structure a presentation like a filmmaker for maximum impact.- A simple technique to deliver bad news without damaging relationships.Whether you’re an early-career Customer Success Manager or a professional who wants to sharpen communication skills, this episode is packed with actionable insights to help you rise above the noise, engage your audience, and be remembered.

Check out Bill's website, where you can find his book and more resources - https://www.claritymediagroup.com/speakmemorably

Connect with Us:

Bill McGowan - https://www.linkedin.com/in/bill-mcgowan-7103b/

Bayron Toruno - https://www.linkedin.com/in/bayron-toru%C3%B1o-solano-3a9408113/

Follow us on:

Instagram - https://www.instagram.com/cstalkspodcast/

Tik-Tok @customer.success6

Explore Our Podcast Website - https://cstalkspodcast.com/

play-circle icon
44 MIN
Strategic Customer Success: How CSMs Win Trust & Influence Action | Chad Horenfeldt
OCT 29, 2025
Strategic Customer Success: How CSMs Win Trust & Influence Action | Chad Horenfeldt

In this episode of Customer Success Talks, host Bayron Toruño sits down with Chad Horenfeldt, VP of Customer Success and author of The Strategic Customer Success Manager. Together, they explore what it really takes to move beyond firefighting and product support into becoming a strategic advisor customers rely on.

You’ll learn:

- Why trust and value are the foundations of customer success

- How to prepare for impactful customer meetings without burning out

- The power of motivational interviewing and social proof in influencing customers

- Practical tips for setting effective call-to-actions that actually get followed through

- How to leverage AI tools to save time and elevate conversations

- The top three skills every Customer Success Manager needs to grow into a strategic role

Whether you’re new to CS or looking to uplevel your career, this conversation will give you actionable strategies to build credibility, drive business outcomes, and future-proof your career in the age of AI.

Check out Chad's website, where you can find his book and more resources that will impact your goal to become a strategic CSM - https://www.strategiccustomersuccess.com/

Go can go back to the episodes mentioned during the episode:

Driving Business Growth as a Strategic Advisor with Anika Zubair - https://youtu.be/GOSTIG69n-8?si=wmH_6Ux_v1sxNN9n

The Power of Persuasion in Customer Success: Practical Strategies | Dr. Christopher Phelps - https://youtu.be/LEx_hqfPNyQ?si=Tztg08T9Rwdc-8cU

Connect with Us:

Chad Horenfeldt - https://www.linkedin.com/in/chadhorenfeldt/

Bayron Toruno - https://www.linkedin.com/in/bayron-toru%C3%B1o-solano-3a9408113/

Follow us on:

Instagram - https://www.instagram.com/cstalkspodcast/

Tik-Tok @customer.success6

Explore Our Podcast Website - https://cstalkspodcast.com/

play-circle icon
52 MIN