Sales is NOT a Dirty Word

Aleasha Bahr

Are you a DFY service provider who wants to convert over 50% of your sales conversations without acting like a douchebag? Then this is for you. In this value packed podcast, creator of the Black Sheep Sales Method™, Aleasha Bahr, brings her signature humor and ”keeping it real” sass to deliver a powerful blend of actionable solo sales episodes and expert interviews. In her solo episodes, she shares easy-to-implement sales strategy that will catapult your sales without pressure, pitching or pretending to be someone else. In her expert interviews, she carefully curates only the most bad ass black sheep guests to share their refreshing, unconventional approaches to all things business, mindset and life. Aleasha and her clients regularly convert 80% of their calls and show you how to do the same with the Black Sheep Sales Method™ - ”Because if it’s a fit, it’s a fact and there’s no selling involved.”

  1. 6D AGO

    The Smart Way to Increase Sales Without Trashing the Competition

    One of the phrases that can put many on the defense is, “We’re also talking to a few others.” Sometimes it’s said plainly.  Other times it’s softened into something like, “We’re still exploring our options.”  Either way, it tends to trigger the same reaction: the urge to explain, justify, or subtly compete. You start thinking about how to stand out, how to defend your pricing, how to make sure you’re not the one who gets cut. The trouble is, that instinct almost always works against you. Over-explaining erodes confidence. Competing in comparison pulls you into someone else’s frame. And trying to prove your value in that moment often does the opposite. In this episode of Sales Is NOT a Dirty Word, I break down how to handle competition talk without tightening up, avoiding it all together or overexplaining.  Instead of reacting, I walk through how to slow the conversation down, stay anchored, and lead it in a way that builds trust rather than pressure. This episode covers: Why conversations about competitors don’t have to feel awkward, transactional, or forced How to redirect comparison talk with clarity, confidence, and intention The kinds of questions that help prospects think more clearly about what they actually need Why being genuinely comfortable with “this might not be the right fit” often increases your close rate A real client example where filtering out the wrong fit protected both the deal and the relationship If you’ve ever wished you had better words when someone brought up your competition, this episode gives you language that feels natural and authority that doesn’t need to be announced. Want help crafting what to say in your specific situation? Book a Sales Level-Up Call and we’ll build it together: https://calendly.com/aleasha/salesteam-levelup 01:00 – What NOT to do when your prospect mentions other options 01:40 – How to empower instead of persuade 02:30 – Using client pain points with other providers to guide the convo 03:20 – Real example: ad agencies and account access red flags 04:15 – The difference between guiding and convincing 05:00 – When to gently suggest they're looking for a different kind of support 06:00 – Sample questions that highlight gaps in your competition 07:20 – Why trust comes from transparency, not perfection 08:00 – A simple phrase to offer value without attachment 08:45 – Final reminder: You’re not here to win a debate. You’re here to help them choose the right fit. #SalesIsNotADirtyWord #SalesWithIntegrity #BlackSheepSales #ProspectEmpowerment #CompetitionInSales #SalesStrategy #SalesConversationTips #SalesBoundaries #TrustBasedSelling #AleashaBahr #ClientFitMatters #DiscoveryCallTips #SalesConfidence #ServiceProviderSales #SalesMessaging #HighIntegrityBusiness #SalesPodcast #HandlingObjections #NoMorePressureSelling For more insights on selling without pressure, pretending, or performative tactics: 📌 Website: https://aleashabahr.com/ 📌 LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/aleashabahr/ 📌 YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@aleashabahr

    8 min

  2. FEB 12

    When Being “Nice” in Sales Turns Into Self-Sabotage

    Repeat after me - some money is NOT better than no money.  In this Sales is NOT a Dirty Word episode, I walk through a real client situation that exposes how easy it is to agree too quickly, stay vague to preserve harmony, or assume clarity will come later.  Those small boundary lapses rarely feel urgent in the moment, but over time they erode trust, damage mental health and compromise results. What this conversation keeps returning to is a simple but often resisted truth: boundaries are not performative self-care. They are structural. They make responsibility, scope, and value explicit, which is what actually protects working relationships. Inside this episode, you will learn: Why exceptions and special arrangements tend to fail without shared context How to articulate scope clearly without defensiveness or rigidity What to say when requests drift beyond what was originally agreed upon Why betting on future potential creates misalignment rather than goodwill The language and reframes to use to prevent difficult conversations later, rather than managing them after the fact If you have ever felt uneasy about an agreement but moved forward anyway, or worried that naming your limits would damage the relationship, this offers a more grounded way forward. If you want support developing clear, humane boundary language or navigating complex client dynamics without escalation, you can book a Sales Level-Up Call and we will work through it together in real time:  https://calendly.com/aleasha/salesteam-levelup 01:18 – The “special rate” client story that sparked this episode 02:40 – When assumptions backfire: budget complaints and blurred lines 04:05 – The danger of betting on potential instead of present reality 05:15 – Why clients can’t value what you don’t name 06:30 – Three ways to respond to out-of-scope requests 08:10 – How to frame boundaries with confidence and clarity 09:50 – Why no boundaries = lost clients and revenue 11:00 – The myth of “some money is better than no money” 12:10 – A powerful reframe: boundaries make you more referable #SalesIsNotADirtyWord #SalesBoundaries #PeoplePleaserRecovery #ClientCommunication #HighIntegritySales #ServiceProviderLife #ScopeCreep #ClientExpectations #SalesWithoutPressure #BlackSheepSales #AleashaBahr #SalesMindsetShift #PricingWithConfidence #SalesCoaching #SalesStrategy #EmotionalIntelligenceInSales #ClientRedFlags #SalesPodcast #NoMoreDiscountDeals #BoundariesBuildTrust Connect With Aleasha: Website - https://aleashabahr.com/ LinkedIn - https://www.linkedin.com/in/aleashabahr/ YouTube - https://www.youtube.com/@aleashabahr

    13 min

  3. JAN 30

    The Language Patterns That Undermine Trust in Sales

    After reviewing hundreds of sales calls, there are phrases people use in sales conversations that quietly sabotage the sale. The intention is usually to be polite. However, on an unconscious level, they erode trust, clarity, and authority. Buyers do not need more politeness. They need clarity. And a confused mind always says no. In this episode of Sales Is Not a Dirty Word, I break down the most common language patterns I hear people unintentionally use on sales calls that make buyers hesitate or mentally check out.  These are habits people use without realizing it, and once you hear them, you cannot unhear them. Phrases like “I think,” “kind of,” “maybe,” and “does that make sense?” weaken credibility and create confusion.  You will also learn why the fear of overpromising often causes service providers to undersell themselves. That fear shows up in language, and buyers feel it immediately. Inside this episode, discover: • How uncertain language creates buyer doubt • Why confusion, not price, stops sales from closing • What confident, experience-based authority sounds like • How to ask check-in questions that create clarity If you want direct feedback on where your language may be costing you sales, book a Sales Level Up Call: https://calendly.com/aleasha/salesteam-levelup Because the problem many times isn’t your offer - it’s your language.  03:10 Why saying “I think” undermines authority 04:25 How soft language creates buyer hesitation 05:40 Why “does that make sense?” causes confusion 06:55 Confusion vs price as the real reason deals stall 08:05 Opinion language vs experience based authority 09:15 How fear of overpromising leads to underselling 10:25 What buyers actually need instead of politeness 11:30 Final thoughts on clarity, confidence, and trust   #SalesIsNotADirtyWord #SalesConversations #SalesLanguage #SalesCommunication #AuthenticSelling #SalesCoaching #ServiceProviderSales #HighTicketSales #SalesConfidence #SalesStrategy #SalesPsychology #BlackSheepSales #EthicalSelling #SalesSkills #ConversionOptimization Connect With Aleasha: Website - https://aleashabahr.com/ LinkedIn - https://www.linkedin.com/in/aleashabahr/ YouTube - https://www.youtube.com/@aleashaba

    12 min

  4. JAN 15

    Disrupting Delayed Decision Patterns in Sales Without Pressure

    Most people are not bad decision makers. They are just repeating the same decision pattern (without realizing it) and wondering why nothing changes. In this new Sales is NOT a Dirty Word episode, I break down one of the most overlooked responsibilities in highly effective, ethical selling.  Helping someone recognize the decision pattern that is keeping them stuck. Not through pressure, information dumping, or manipulation. Instead, it’s about clarity, asking better questions, reflecting behavior honestly, and allowing someone to examine their own choices without shame or force. If you sell a product or service that genuinely helps people, this will change how you think about sales conversations, objections, and what it actually means to serve someone well. What You’ll Discover When Listening: Why repeating the same decision always produces the same result How to identify decision patterns that keep buyers stuck The difference between telling (which creates resistance) and questions that create insight Getting clearer on qualification that protects you from nightmare clients If this resonates, there is a strong chance decision patterns are already showing up inside your sales process. Your messaging. Your qualification. Your close. Each one either reinforces clarity or quietly allows the same stuck loops to repeat. If you want a clear, honest look at what is really happening inside your sales conversations, book a Black Sheep Sales Audit. This is not a pitch. It is a diagnostic. 👉 Book your audit here: https://calendly.com/aleasha/salesteam-levelup Key Moments [01:40] Why pushing for a yes creates refunds, resentment, and regret [03:55] Why telling is selling and why it never works [04:30] How to reflect someone’s priorities back to them without confrontation [05:10] The mindset shift that unlocks a different decision [06:00] Why clarity feels relieving, not salesy [07:20] How breaking decision patterns improves more than just sales #SalesIsNotADirtyWord #EthicalSales #SalesMindset #DecisionMaking #ConsultativeSelling #SalesLeadership #BusinessGrowth #BlackSheepSales #SalesPsychology #BuyerBehavior #SalesConversations #DecisionPatterns #SalesStrategy #FounderSales #ConsultativeSales #SalesCoaching #ClientAlignment #SellingWithIntegrity Connect With Aleasha: Website - https://aleashabahr.com/ LinkedIn - https://www.linkedin.com/in/aleashabahr/ YouTube - https://www.youtube.com/@aleashabahr

    9 min

  5. 12/04/2025

    Why Curiosity Is the Most Underrated Skill in Sales

    Most salespeople spend their time perfecting their pitch, memorizing scripts, and thinking about how to close.  But here’s the truth: what separates a top performer from someone average in sales is not what you say - it’s what you ask. When you lead with curiosity, you stop guessing. You stop assuming.  Instead, you uncover what your prospects really want, what they truly need, and what they mean beneath the surface. In this episode of Sales is Not a Dirty Word, I break down exactly how to leverage curiosity at the center of every sales conversation to close more.  You will discover: ✔ How curiosity builds trust faster than any sales pitch ✔ How to uncover the real reason behind surface-level questions ✔ What to say when a buyer asks for pricing or packages too early ✔ How curiosity can dissolve objections before they even appear ✔ The mindset that creates clarity, confidence, and focus in every sales conversation ✔ Why assumptions on both sides often lead to lost deals If you want to close more clients without pressure and turn every conversation into a partnership, this episode gives you the exact mindset and approach to make it happen. Sales teams struggling with listening, rushing scripts, or losing deals too quickly will benefit enormously from this episode. If you want to take your full sales system to the next level, book a Black Sheep Sales Audit today: https://calendly.com/aleasha/salesteam-levelup #SalesIsNotADirtyWord #CuriosityInSales #SalesSkills #ActiveListening #SalesStrategy #AuthenticSelling #SalesLeadership #BlackSheepSales #SalesConversations #SalesTraining #HighTicketSales #EthicalSelling #SalesCoaching #BuyerPsychology #FitFirstSelling

    9 min

  6. 11/27/2025

    What Founders Get Wrong About Sales Compensation

    One of the most expensive mistakes founders make happens the moment a salesperson starts performing.  Revenue rises. Momentum builds. …and then the first large commission check appears.  Instead of celebrating the growth, the owner panics. They see the payout instead of the profit. Here’s the thing: a big commission check is not the problem. It is proof your business is scaling and that’s something to celebrate!  If your sales person is making good money - that means you’re making good money. You should definitely be making more than when they weren’t there.  And if you’re not - that’s a problem with the plan - not the rep. In this episode of Sales is Not a Dirty Word, common comp plan issues, how owners unintentionally sabotage their best performers and the ripple effect that can end up costing you a lot more money than you save.  Listen in to discover:  ✔ Why flat commission plans cap performance ✔ The mindset shift that makes big commission checks feel good, not scary ✔ How changing a working plan destroys trust and pushes talent out ✔ Why competitive compensation attracts the top 1 percent of salespeople ✔ How to create a tiered monthly ladder that encourages performance ✔ Why reducing commission always costs more through turnover and lost deals ✔ The real financial impact of replacing a salesperson and why sales has the highest churn rate You’ll learn how to design a comp plan you never resent paying and how to use incentives to shape the behaviors that move your business forward. If you want a compensation plan that matches your margins and growth strategy, book a Black Sheep Sales Audit at calendly.com/aleasha/salesteam-levelup  #SalesIsNotADirtyWord #SalesCompensation #SalesLeadership #CommissionPlan #SalesStrategy #SalesTeamSuccess #BlackSheepSales #SalesManagement #SalesHiring #SalesCoaching #SalesCompensationPlan #BusinessGrowth #FounderTips #SalesRetention #AuthenticSelling

    10 min

  7. 11/20/2025

    How To Stand Out When Everyone Is Using AI in Sales

    Everyone is racing to automate sales. Buyers are racing to avoid anything that sounds automated. People are talking about AI in sales like it is the magic solution to every problem. But if you have actually used it, you already know it is far from perfect. In this episode of Sales is Not a Dirty Word, I break down what AI consistently gets wrong in sales, how to use it in a way that drives sales instead of damages them.  AI tools are producing cold messages that sound robotic, repeat common errors, and chip away at trust with every send. Automation made it faster to reach people, but it also made it easier to sound like everyone else. Here is what you will learn: ✔ The real risk of relying on AI for sales communication ✔ How a high AI error rate can quietly damage your brand reputation ✔ What AI is actually useful for and where it should never be used ✔ Why trust and genuine human connection are now your strongest differentiators ✔ How creativity and personalization help you break through the noise ✔ The future of outreach and why pattern interrupts consistently win If your messages are not landing the way they used to, this episode explains why and shows you how to fix it quickly. When buyers are drowning in AI generated noise, you have to do something different to get a different result.  👉 Listen now and learn how to use AI as a tool, not a crutch. If you are ready to make your sales strategy more human, more personal, and far more effective, book a Black Sheep Sales Audit with me: https://calendly.com/aleasha/salesteam-levelup. Let us build a system that helps you stand out, not blend in. #SalesIsNotADirtyWord #SalesAndAI #AIFail #SalesLeadership #SalesStrategy #AuthenticSelling #HumanCenteredSales #SalesAutomation #SalesCoaching #SalesTraining #SalesSuccess #SalesProcess #SalesEthics #BlackSheepSales #TrustInSales

    10 min

  8. 11/13/2025

    The Science of Sales: How to Communicate, Connect, and Close Better with Shawn Karol Sandy

    Most salespeople are trained to talk, not to truly communicate. We’re told to “use this script,” “say this line,” or “overcome objections” as if we’re robots following a formula. But the reality is that the best salespeople are the ones who understand their prospect the best and LISTEN to them.  In this episode of Sales is Not a Dirty Word, I sit down with Shawn Karol Sandy, CRO and seasoned sales expert, to talk about the science of communication and why it changes everything about how we sell. Shawn breaks down how fear, empathy, and even basic human biology affect the way we connect and close. She shares how awareness, tone, and timing can completely shift a sales conversation from pressure to partnership. We get into what actually happens in your body when you sell, why so many people lead with fear without realizing it, and how small, intentional changes in how you communicate can make you instantly more trustworthy and effective. You’ll hear: ✔ The science of communication and how it shapes every sale you make ✔ How fear sneaks into sales conversations and shuts people down ✔ Why empathy and curiosity are the most powerful sales tools you have ✔ How to make every touchpoint a preview of what it’s like to work with you ✔ The small, 10% improvements that can completely change your results ✔ Why manipulation and outdated tactics no longer work in modern sales If you’ve ever walked away from a sales call thinking, “I said all the right things, so why didn’t it land?” this episode will show you exactly what’s missing. Because at the end of the day, selling isn’t about convincing. It’s about connecting. And once you understand how humans actually communicate, every part of your sales process becomes easier, faster, and more natural. 👉 Connect with my guest, Shawn Karol Sandy, on LinkedIn at linkedin.com/in/shawnsandy/ and keep learning how to sell with science, empathy, and confidence. #SalesIsNotADirtyWord #SalesLeadership #SalesCommunication #EmpathyInSales #SalesPsychology #SalesCoaching #SalesTraining #ModernSelling #AuthenticSales #SalesSuccess #SalesStrategy #BlackSheepSales #HumanCenteredSales #SalesMindset #B2BSales

    32 min
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Ratings & Reviews

5
out of 5
2 Ratings

About

Are you a DFY service provider who wants to convert over 50% of your sales conversations without acting like a douchebag? Then this is for you. In this value packed podcast, creator of the Black Sheep Sales Method™, Aleasha Bahr, brings her signature humor and ”keeping it real” sass to deliver a powerful blend of actionable solo sales episodes and expert interviews. In her solo episodes, she shares easy-to-implement sales strategy that will catapult your sales without pressure, pitching or pretending to be someone else. In her expert interviews, she carefully curates only the most bad ass black sheep guests to share their refreshing, unconventional approaches to all things business, mindset and life. Aleasha and her clients regularly convert 80% of their calls and show you how to do the same with the Black Sheep Sales Method™ - ”Because if it’s a fit, it’s a fact and there’s no selling involved.”

Information

  • Creator
    Aleasha Bahr
  • Years Active
    2023 - 2026
  • Episodes
    100
  • Rating
    Clean
  • Copyright
    © Copyright 2023 All rights reserved.
  • Show Website
    Sales is NOT a Dirty Word