Buckle up, folks—it’s the big 5-0! 🥳 Episode 50 of the Crazy People Podcast is here, and we're celebrating this milestone with nothing less than a mic-drop masterclass in real talk, resilience, and rock & roll. Your favorite dynamic duo—Russ Broomell and Maurice Hofmann—welcomes the ever-insightful, LinkedIn Top Voice and international sales whisperer, Niraj Kapur, to the virtual hot seat.

Watch the full episode #050 for this Crazy People Podcast here: https://youtu.be/62cNgu4Dmw0

If you thought sales was just about pipelines and CRMs, think again. Niraj takes us on a whirlwind journey from cassette-tape rockstar dreams to becoming a top-tier sales coach who’s traveled across continents to close deals, build human connections, and—not-so-subtly—shame everyone still using “Hope you’re well” as a cold open.

In this truth serum of an episode, Niraj doesn’t just talk sales—he deconstructs it, slaps a bow tie on it, and redefines what it means to show up. We dig into why most people suck at opening sales (and how to fix it), why authenticity trumps automation every time, and how a simple act of kindness or a personal visit can do what 10,000 LinkedIn impressions never will.

We talk ghosting (no, not dating—worse: client ghosting), the lost art of the follow-up, and why European and American sales tactics are like cold brew vs. espresso—similar, but very different vibes.

And Niraj doesn’t hold back. From his time hustling door-to-door after hitting rock bottom on welfare, to winning back market share one face-to-face meeting at a time, his story is packed with grit, grace, and glorious 80s rock energy.

He also shares the five crucial habits every young sales pro should master, why your phone addiction might be killing your career, and what it really means to build trust instead of transactions. Oh—and if you’ve ever wondered how teenage kids and cats are basically sales training bootcamps, this episode is your gospel.

You’ll laugh. You’ll learn. You might even cry a little. But most importantly, you’ll walk away with real tools to sell better, live deeper, and lead with heart.

So whether you’re a cold-calling rookie, a LinkedIn guru, or just here for Niraj’s Bruce Springsteen obsession—hit play and let’s get crazy.

#SalesWisdom #CrazyPeoplePodcast #RussAndMaurice #NirajKapur #AuthenticSelling #LinkedInTopVoice #SalesLeadership #ColdCallingIsNotDead #RockstarMindset #HumanConnectionMatters #RussBroomell #MauriceHofmann

Ready to make sales human again?

The Digital Defender: Internet Freedom's Unlikely Hero

Buckle up, listeners! Episode 49 of the Crazy People Podcast introduces you to the internet's behind-the-scenes superhero—Christian Dawson—whose business card might as well read "Professional Internet Savior" (if he could fit all his jobs on it).

Watch Crazy People Podcast episode #49 here: https://youtu.be/sDzKuTlzmw4

Hosts Russ Broomell and Maurice Hofmann dive headfirst into conversation with Christian, who isn't just co-founder of the Internet Infrastructure Coalition; he's the guy who shows up at congressional hearings with the digital equivalent of "Wait, you're holding that map upside down!" When lawmakers threaten to break the internet with well-intentioned but technically clueless legislation, Christian is the adult in the room gently explaining why the delete button isn't actually a good solution for complex tech problems.

From late-night philosophical debates over legendary chili dogs at Ben's Chili Bowl to explaining how a single handcrafted scarf accidentally launched an e-commerce empire (hello, Etsy!), Russ and Maurice guide Christian through a wild ride across the digital landscape most of us take for granted. Did you know languages are literally vanishing from the web? Or that your favorite websites might disappear overnight because of a regulatory hiccup? Christian does—and he's been losing sleep over it for decades so you don't have to.

And just when you think the conversation couldn't get more intriguing, Christian reveals what ChatGPT really thinks about you. Spoiler alert: it's eerily accurate and might make you question every website you've ever visited.

Whether you're a tech aficionado who knows your IP from your DNS, or someone who still refers to "the Google," this episode delivers equal parts entertainment, education, and existential crisis about our digital future—all with enough wit to make even the most complex tech concepts digestible.

Press play and discover why the internet's freedom fighters wear hoodies, not capes, as Russ and Maurice unravel the fascinating world of digital advocacy with one of its most passionate champions.

#CrazyPeoplePodcast #InternetFreedom #DigitalDefender #ChristianDawson #TechWithoutTears #OpenInternet #TechPolicy #ChristianDawson #I2Coalition #DigitalFreedom #SmallBizMatters #CyberSecurity #TechForGood #AIInsights

From NFTs to Bourbon Barrels: Chris Wiedmar’s Wild Whiskey Ride

The Crazy People Podcast is back, and we’re kicking off Season 3 in style! Hosts Russ Broomell and Maurice Hofmann welcome back Chris Wiedmar, the very first guest from our debut episode, to see what two years of wild entrepreneurial adventures have done to him. Spoiler alert: He's gone deeper into the whiskey world, and the stories he brings are smoother than an aged bourbon—but with plenty of unexpected twists.

Watch the Season 3 Premiere featuring Chris Wiedmar here: https://youtu.be/tyr2ywHJdzs

Remember Party Horses?

The NFT-meets-whiskey project that had people buzzing?

Chris spills the details on how that journey led to his latest venture, Hogshead, a cutting-edge whiskey marketplace designed to bring transparency to the high-stakes world of barrel trading.

Ever wondered why buying whiskey barrels is like navigating the Wild West? Chris has firsthand war stories, from near-million-dollar deals that evaporated overnight to industry secrets about how brokers operate like stock traders.

Beyond whiskey, we dive into why the bourbon industry is booming and crashing at the same time, the rise of spirits as alternative investments, and how global markets (India, China, and even Germany!) are ripe for disruption. Oh, and did we mention tequila is next on his list?

Whether you're a whiskey connoisseur, a startup junkie, or just here for the Crazy People energy, this episode is a masterclass in navigating industries, taking risks, and turning crazy ideas into reality. Buckle up—it’s going to be a smooth, high-proof ride.

#CrazyPeoplePodcast #Season3Premiere #WhiskeyBusiness #StartupLife #Entrepreneurship #NFTtoWhiskey #BourbonBoom #TequilaTakeover #ChrisWiedmar #HogsheadWhiskey