

Customer Success Talks
Real Challenges, Experts Advice
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!
Episodes
Mentioned books

Apr 1, 2026 • 10min
CSM Quick Lesson: Revenue Focus, Mindset & Tactical Tips Revealed
CSM Quick Lesson with Marija Skobe-PilleyIn this Quick Lesson, unlock your selling potential as a CSM! Don't think of it as selling—bring value. Learn tactical tips: financial & workflow probing. Understand needs and drive upsells while strengthening trustYou can find the full conversation below:YouTube -https://youtu.be/F26r0xo05SASpotify - https://open.spotify.com/episode/5G7b9z2Y1D193LbSwQqglu?si=a8mvS7EVRaS2QnBL8AvcOALinkedin:Marija Skobe-Pilley - https://www.linkedin.com/in/mspilley/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.success6Explore Our Podcast Website - https://cstalkspodcast.com/ #CustomerSuccess #RevenueFocused #SalesTips #CSMTips

4 snips
Mar 25, 2026 • 56min
Becoming a Customer Success Leader for the First Time | How to Navigate Your First Leadership Role
Stefan Kiefer, a senior customer success leader with a decade in CS and years leading teams at SoSafe. He talks about moving from individual contributor to leader, structuring CS teams, and preventing silos. He covers coaching vs mentoring, building trust and authority, handling imposter syndrome, and practical management tradeoffs like setting guardrails and doing the unpleasant work.

Mar 18, 2026 • 12min
CSM Quick Lesson: AI Skills & Strategy for 2025 & Beyond!
CSM Quick Lesson with Kelley TurnerCustomer success doesn't require a specific background. In fact, the most diverse teams often excel in this role. Professionals from digital marketing, sales, consulting, and even food service bring unique abilities. The key is prioritizing effectively, looking ahead, and understanding the customer's world. Using AI tools like Vitally and ChatGPT can help gather insights, automate tasks, and personalize interactions. Being clear on the question to get right data and outputs is one of the core skills in 2025 for a CSM.You can find the full conversation below:YouTube - https://youtu.be/x98IkZMMiSESpotify - https://open.spotify.com/episode/46dVCGqtxFDJ6dRgGlXksQ?si=c_tLRcH1TgqebFRKFmqo0ALinkedin:Kelley Turner - https://www.linkedin.com/in/kelleyturner/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.success6Explore Our Podcast Website - https://cstalkspodcast.com/

Mar 11, 2026 • 53min
How to Write Messages That Get Replies | Jen Allen-Kanuth
Jen Allen-Kanuth, sales trainer and co-founder of DemandJen with 18 years in frontline selling. She breaks down why intention matters and how the law of least effort shapes email design. Learn quick AI-driven personalization tactics, subject line and preview tricks that win attention, and simple phrasing that invites replies.

Mar 4, 2026 • 12min
CSM Quick Lesson: How To Build Success & Partnerships with Anika Zubair
In today's CSM Quick Lesson with Anika Zubair!CSM needs to proactively focus on customer business outcomes, not just product features. By understanding and aligning with customer goals, CSMs drive strategic partnerships and business growth. It is not just about product knowledge; it is about enabling customer success. You can find the full conversation below:YouTube - https://youtu.be/GOSTIG69n-8Spotify - https://open.spotify.com/episode/1B7stSF6APgBjCE1LzlnRI?si=mV_-Zx3WTuWX8nhmE16c9QLinkedin:Anika Zubair - https://www.linkedin.com/in/anikazubair/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.success6Explore Our Podcast Website - https://cstalkspodcast.com/

Feb 25, 2026 • 41min
Everyone Has a Brand—Are You Controlling Yours?
In this episode, I had such a real and human conversation with Sandy Yu, founder of Revenue Retention Advisors and a long-time advocate of authentic personal branding. She unpack what it truly means to build a personal brand that reflects who we are not just the job title on our LinkedIn profile.Sandy shares how personal branding begins with identity, self-awareness, and understanding how others perceive us. She explains why every professional—especially in Customer Success—benefits from taking ownership of their brand, gathering honest feedback, and showing up consistently with authenticity and intention.From defining our audience, to leveraging LinkedIn more strategically, to creating meaningful content that aligns with your values, this conversation offers practical, human, and deeply grounded guidance for anyone looking to grow their career and strengthen their professional presence.Whether you’re transitioning into Customer Success, developing your voice, or simply trying to understand how to present yourself with confidence, this episode will remind you that:Everyone has a brand.Authenticity matters.And building your brand is a marathon—not a sprint.In this episode, I had such a real and human conversation with Sandy Yu, founder of Revenue Retention Advisors and a long-time advocate of authentic personal branding. She unpack what it truly means to build a personal brand that reflects who we are not just the job title on our LinkedIn profile.Sandy shares how personal branding begins with identity, self-awareness, and understanding how others perceive us. She explains why every professional—especially in Customer Success—benefits from taking ownership of their brand, gathering honest feedback, and showing up consistently with authenticity and intention.From defining our audience, to leveraging LinkedIn more strategically, to creating meaningful content that aligns with your values, this conversation offers practical, human, and deeply grounded guidance for anyone looking to grow their career and strengthen their professional presence.Whether you’re transitioning into Customer Success, developing your voice, or simply trying to understand how to present yourself with confidence, this episode will remind you that:Everyone has a brand.Authenticity matters.And building your brand is a marathon—not a sprint.Get to know how Sandy helps the Go-to-market team solve their challenges and all the resources she shares. www.revenueretention.netConnect with Us:Sandy Yu - https://www.linkedin.com/in/sandysyu/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.success6Explore Our Podcast Website - https://cstalkspodcast.com/

Feb 18, 2026 • 12min
CSM Quick Lesson: Turn Data into Engaging Narratives With Alexander Grabner-Jarlung
In today's CSM Quick Lesson with Alexander Grabner-Jarlung you will discover the ABCDO of Storytelling framework that offers a structured approach to using stories effectively in customer success. Each element—Answer, Bounce, Counter, Duo, and Object—provides a unique way to leverage storytelling. By incorporating emotion and anticipation into data presentation, stories make information resonate and create a lasting impact. Data sings when stories are used. You can find the full conversation below:YouTube - https://youtu.be/P8cgifrex5cSpotify - https://open.spotify.com/episode/4j9DCAxYjTl4l1Amrqk7Kc?si=CSbgWHgCRqiKzyVd7AmdhALinkedin:Alexander Grabner-Jarlung - https://www.linkedin.com/in/alexander-grabner-jarlung/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.success6Explore Our Podcast Website - https://cstalkspodcast.com/

Feb 11, 2026 • 36min
How to Build a Personal Brand That Stands Out: Mindset, Curiosity & Real Human Connection
In this powerful conversation, Morgan J. Ingram — Founder & CEO of AMP Social and one of the leading voices on personal branding & LinkedIn, joins me to break down what authentic branding really means today.This episode is not about AI — it’s about the mindset, consistency, and authenticity needed to build a brand that people trust.We talk about:- What personal branding actually is- Why AI will cause a massive trust crisis on social media- Why obsessiveness, curiosity & consistency beat talent- How to start building a brand even if you feel “nobody cares”- Finding your delivery mechanism: video, audio, or writingDiscover AMP: https://www.theampsocial.com/Connect with Us:Morgan J Ingram - https://www.linkedin.com/in/morganjingramamp/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.success6Explore Our Podcast Website - https://cstalkspodcast.com/If you’re transitioning into Customer Success, early in your CS career, or trying to build visibility on LinkedIn, this episode will reshape how you see branding forever.

Feb 4, 2026 • 9min
CSM Quick Lesson: Crazy CS Secrets Revealed! with Greg Daines
In today's CSM Quick Lesson with Greg Daines you will discover that instead of focusing solely on product fixes, prioritize helping customers define and achieve measurable results. Motivate behavior change, demonstrate early wins, and watch how those 'difficult' customers transform into your biggest advocates. You can find the full conversation below:YouTube - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tWCuYVBm32E&t=20sSpotify - https://open.spotify.com/episode/6pt3NDEKuG2WVC8pmeB7meLinkedin:Greg Daines - https://www.linkedin.com/in/gregdaines/Bayron Toruno - https://www.linkedin.com/in/bayron-toru%C3%B1o-solano-3a9408113/Check out Women in Customer Success - https://www.womenincs.co/Follow us on:Instagram - https://www.instagram.com/cstalkspodcast/Tik-Tok @customer.success6Explore Our Podcast Website - https://cstalkspodcast.com/

Jan 28, 2026 • 48min
ACE Framework: Activate Value, Cultivate Relationships & Expand Revenue
In this episode of Customer Success Talks, we have our good friend Thomas Voigt, Founder of The CS Academy, to explore how frameworks can transform the way Customer Success Managers operate.Thomas introduces the ACE Framework — Activating Value, Cultivating Relationships, and Expanding Revenue — a simple yet powerful structure that helps teams deliver measurable impact across the customer journey.Together, we unpack what it really means to activate value during onboarding, build and maintain strong customer relationships, and identify opportunities to expand revenue through collaboration and trust.What you’ll learn:- Why frameworks bring structure and clarity to Customer Success- How to activate value early in the customer journey- Practical ways to cultivate relationships that drive retention- The power of being human — and making your customers smileFor more information about the A.C.E framework and Thomas's services, visit his website:https://www.thecsacademy.net/frameworkIt is not the first time we talk about framework; take a look at Andrea Rijna's episode, where she covers the S.P.I.C.E method.https://open.spotify.com/episode/32GybVTI5YPagqFycfA1ml?si=lJHRxqKfSUqub-Cj0chXcQ https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=l74HK8xHMM8Connect with Us:Thomas Voigt - https://www.linkedin.com/in/thomas-voigt/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.success6Explore Our Podcast Website - https://cstalkspodcast.com/If you’re a Customer Success Manager, Team Lead, or CS enthusiast looking for practical strategies and a more human approach to success, this episode is for you.Subscribe for more conversations that help you level up your Customer Success game!#CustomerSuccess #ACEFramework #CustomerEngagement #RetentionStrategies #Onboarding #CSM #CustomerSuccessManagement


