Training That Works

Rustin Schroeder | Host of Training That Works
  • 5.0 (10)
  • BUSINESS

Training That Works is the podcast for sales leaders who are tired of programs that don't move the number. Host Rustin Schroeder sits down with directors, VPs, and Chief Learning Officers to unpack what actually drives performance — from onboarding and sales enablement to leadership development and coaching at scale. Every episode is a real conversation with someone who has built and run training inside companies you know. No theory, no buzzwords, no recycled frameworks. Just the strategies, mistakes, and breakthroughs that separate training that checks a box from training that changes results. New episodes weekly. Subscribe and start building programs your people actually use.

  1. Build Authority Using Video with Scott Skibell

    MAY 5

    Build Authority Using Video with Scott Skibell

    Most leaders are quietly destroying their credibility every time they turn on a camera. In this episode of Training That Works, Rustin Schroeder talks with Scott Skibell about how video, when done right, becomes the fastest way to build authority, influence, and trust at scale. Scott spent six years at LinkedIn doing something almost no one else was doing in corporate training. He brought in live streaming gear, built his own role from scratch, and turned subject matter experts, product managers, and sales reps into on-camera talent who could deliver global training in 30 minutes. While most companies were still herding 100 people onto Zoom calls with bad audio and worse PowerPoints, Scott was producing TV-quality training that made rising leaders look like rockstars before they ever walked into a room. What started as a smarter way to deliver training turned into something much bigger. Scott realized the real product was credibility itself. The same principles that make a good video, clean delivery, looking at the camera, an authentic on-screen presence, are the same six principles Robert Cialdini wrote about in Influence. Authority. Social proof. Liking. Reciprocity. Scarcity. Commitment and consistency. Stack them, and you stop being someone who shares information and start being someone people actually follow. Here is the part most professionals will not say out loud. They know their Zoom presence is hurting them. They know the senior VP who fumbles a screen share loses the room. They know the salesperson firing off AI-generated emails sounds like every other salesperson firing off AI-generated emails. And they know that in a world about to be flooded with AI avatars and synthetic voices, the people who show up authentically on camera, using a prospect's name, referencing their actual situation, recording it themselves, are going to win the trust everyone else is busy automating away. In this episode you will learn how to build that on-camera presence, how to apply the six principles of influence in everything you record, and why personalized video is the single highest-leverage tool a seller or leader has right now. If you want people to stop scrolling past you and start trusting you, this is the episode. Scott Skibell, founder of Skillcasting and former senior video producer for LinkedIn's global learning organization. 🎙️ Training That Works — where top performers share what actually works. 🔥 Email Magic™ turns average communicators into credible, respected voices.  👉 email-magic.com

    36 min
  2. Build Real Executive Power with Dr. Peter A. James

    MAR 3

    Build Real Executive Power with Dr. Peter A. James

    In this episode of Training That Works, Rustin Schroeder talks with Dr. Peter A. James about what it really takes to build real executive power inside today’s organizations. After surviving three corporate layoffs during the 2008 recession, Peter faced a decision that most leaders avoid. Stay safe with a steady paycheck or step into uncertainty and design a career built on freedom, influence, and impact. What followed was a shift into executive coaching that transformed not only his own trajectory, but the leaders and organizations he now serves. From healthcare to pharma to technology, Peter helps executives strengthen morale, elevate culture, and drive measurable performance from the inside out. In this conversation, he breaks down why so many leaders get in their own way, how morale directly impacts customer experience and profitability, and why executive coaching is not a luxury but a competitive advantage. He shares the mindset required to make bold career moves, the discipline behind real leadership growth, and the uncomfortable questions that unlock clarity and authority at the top. If you are a business leader who wants more influence, stronger teams, and real organizational momentum, this episode will challenge you to think bigger and lead differently. 🎙️ Training That Works — where top performers share what actually works. 🔥 Email Magic™ turns average communicators into credible, respected voices.  👉 email-magic.com

    28 min
  3. Make Them Think or Don’t Teach with Lemar Ortiz

    FEB 24

    Make Them Think or Don’t Teach with Lemar Ortiz

    In this episode of Training That Works, Rustin Schroeder talks with Lemar Ortiz about why most corporate training fails and what leaders must do differently if they actually want behavior change. Lemar pulls back the curtain on what he learned teaching middle school and why those same principles outperform most sales enablement programs today. He explains why information transfer is not training, why 10 percent of learning happens in the session itself, and why forcing participation is not optional if you want results. From calling on reps with cameras off to building sessions around behavioral outcomes instead of slide decks, he shares the exact mindset shift that separates effective trainers from time-wasters. They also dive into the 70-20-10 learning principle, how AI tools can accelerate enablement but not replace strong facilitation, and why trainers must stop treating adults like employees and start treating them like students. If you lead a sales team, run enablement, or want your training to actually change performance, this conversation will challenge the way you think about learning and development. This episode is a must-listen for sales leaders, enablement professionals, and business executives who are serious about building high-performing teams through effective training and measurable behavior change. 🎙️ Training That Works — where top performers share what actually works. 🔥 Email Magic™ turns average communicators into credible, respected voices.  👉 email-magic.com

    21 min
  4. Worth Buying with Kevin Salquist and Kurt Winter

    FEB 10

    Worth Buying with Kevin Salquist and Kurt Winter

    In this episode of Training That Works, Rustin Schroeder talks with Kevin Salquist and Kurt Winter about what actually makes a business worth buying and why most sellers misunderstand it. While everyone else is chasing software, AI, and the next big tech wave, Kevin and Kurt explain why they focus on old-school industrial and manufacturing companies that have quietly survived every major economic shock of the last 25 years. They break down how they evaluate acquisition targets through real-world filters like long-term resilience, communication with owners, margin structure, and whether a company truly has a moat or just looks good on paper. You’ll hear why 10 to 20 years of financial history matters more than flashy growth, how founders make mistakes without realizing it, and the subtle red flags that cause them to walk away from deals others would chase. The conversation also dives deep into training and leadership after an acquisition. Kevin and Kurt explain why most corporate training fails, why mentorship beats modules, and how culture gets destroyed when leaders roll out programs they didn’t help build. From spotting the 5 percent of true creators inside a company to deciding when someone simply doesn’t belong, this episode gives business leaders a rare look at how serious operators think when real money and real people are on the line. If you’re a founder preparing to sell, an investor looking to acquire, or a leader trying to build teams that actually perform, this episode will change how you think about what’s really worth buying… and what isn’t. 🎙️ Training That Works — where top performers share what actually works. 🔥 Email Magic™ turns average communicators into credible, respected voices.  👉 email-magic.com

    40 min
  5. This Discipline Fuels Performance with Andrew Spennacchio

    FEB 3

    This Discipline Fuels Performance with Andrew Spennacchio

    In this episode of Training That Works, Rustin Schroeder talks with Andrew Spennacchio about the discipline that actually drives long-term performance in sales and leadership. Andrew reflects on early career pressure, couch hopping, learning SPIN selling before landing a job, and how having his back against the wall forced real ownership. Together, they unpack why most training fails, why mindset matters more than content, and how treating yourself like a sales opportunity changes how you grow. The conversation goes deeper into the often ignored link between physical health, mental clarity, and professional output. Andrew explains why energy, focus, and daily habits directly impact confidence, credibility, and execution. He shares how discipline outside of work shows up in performance at work, why hyper-focus beats constant consumption, and how teaching what you learn is the fastest way to master it. This episode is for sales leaders and business professionals who want sustainable performance, sharper thinking, and training that actually sticks. 🎙️ Training That Works — where top performers share what actually works. 🔥 Email Magic™ turns average communicators into credible, respected voices.  👉 email-magic.com

    27 min
  6. How Elite Sellers Reset and Win with Kristine Maleri

    JAN 27

    How Elite Sellers Reset and Win with Kristine Maleri

    In this episode of Training That Works, Rustin Schroeder talks with Kristine Maleri about what really happens when even top performers have a brutal sales year… and how elite sellers reset, refocus, and win again. Kristine opens up about experiencing one of the toughest years of her 30-plus-year sales career, why tough years hit harder for high achievers, and the dangerous identity trap sellers fall into when the scoreboard isn’t in their favor. Drawing from her background as a competitive tennis player and decades in enterprise SaaS, Kristine breaks down how slumps actually form… the sneaky execution drift most sellers miss… and why fundamentals matter more when conditions are hardest. She shares practical frameworks for separating performance from identity, rebuilding momentum, doubling down on strengths, and using “workshopping the win” to replicate success instead of just analyzing losses. This conversation goes deep into how elite sellers think during adversity… how to fail fast without burning energy… how to qualify opportunities more honestly… and how intentional habits, repeatable excellence, and disciplined focus create predictable success. If you’ve ever questioned yourself after a down year or wondered how top sellers truly bounce back, this episode delivers a real-world playbook for turning setbacks into your next breakthrough. 🎙️ Training That Works — where top performers share what actually works. 🔥 Email Magic™ turns average communicators into credible, respected voices.  👉 email-magic.com

    27 min
  7. Building Teams That Care with Stephanie Gilley

    JAN 20

    Building Teams That Care with Stephanie Gilley

    In this episode of Training That Works, Rustin Schroeder talks with Stephanie Gilley about what it actually takes to build teams that care about their work, their customers, and each other. Stephanie shares her journey from the classroom to leading remote sales teams in the fast changing world of ed tech, and why her background as an educator reshaped how she thinks about leadership, training, and accountability. She explains why immersive, experiential training is the only kind that truly sticks, and why check the box learning fails both employees and organizations. Stephanie also dives into leading through major change, including navigating multiple company mergers without fear. She breaks down how leaders can motivate teams to deliver exceptional customer experiences, why modeling behavior matters more than mandates, and how honest feedback builds trust rather than resentment. From Radical Candor to growth mindset leadership, this conversation offers practical insight for business leaders who want training that works, teams that care, and cultures built to last. 🎙️ Training That Works — where top performers share what actually works. 🔥 Email Magic™ turns average communicators into credible, respected voices.  👉 email-magic.com

    20 min
  8. The Future of BDR Training with Chris Keksz

    12/08/2025

    The Future of BDR Training with Chris Keksz

    In this episode of Training That Works, Rustin Schroeder talks with Chris Keksz about what the future of BDR training really looks like. Chris pulls back the curtain on the realities of developing entry-level reps, why so many new hires fall apart after early success, and what leaders can do to prevent that slide. He shares how structure, consistency, and simple baseline fundamentals can completely change the trajectory of a rep… but only if leaders protect those fundamentals from erosion. Then he reveals the moment AI training bots entered his world and how everything about ramping, shadowing, and ongoing development shifted almost overnight. As the conversation unfolds, Chris opens a loop most leaders never consider. AI can now mimic live conversations, regenerate real objections from real calls, and give reps endless practice without burning out managers. But he explains why this new capability only works when it sits on top of a strong foundation of basics, shadowing, peer examples, and a healthy, fun culture. He paints a picture of a future where reps get promoted faster, teams stay aligned longer, and managers finally keep training fresh instead of watching it go stale. Business leaders will walk away with a clearer vision of how to combine human coaching with AI tools to build teams that grow fast, stay consistent, and love the work they’re doing. 🎙️ Training That Works — where top performers share what actually works. 🔥 Email Magic™ turns average communicators into credible, respected voices.  👉 email-magic.com

    33 min
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Ratings & Reviews

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out of 5
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About

Training That Works is the podcast for sales leaders who are tired of programs that don't move the number. Host Rustin Schroeder sits down with directors, VPs, and Chief Learning Officers to unpack what actually drives performance — from onboarding and sales enablement to leadership development and coaching at scale. Every episode is a real conversation with someone who has built and run training inside companies you know. No theory, no buzzwords, no recycled frameworks. Just the strategies, mistakes, and breakthroughs that separate training that checks a box from training that changes results. New episodes weekly. Subscribe and start building programs your people actually use.

Information

  • Creator
    Rustin Schroeder | Host of Training That Works
  • Years Active
    2025 - 2026
  • Episodes
    67
  • Rating
    Clean
  • Copyright
    © 2026 Training That Works
  • Show Website
    Training That Works