web02.fireside.fm Sun, 12 Apr 2026 10:38:49 -0500 Fireside (https://fireside.fm) CX without the BS - Episodes Tagged with “Support Tips” https://cswithoutthebs.fireside.fm/tags/support%20tips Tue, 14 Oct 2025 17:00:00 -0400 CX without the BS is a refreshingly honest and engaging podcast that dives deep into the world of Customer Experience (CX). Hosted by industry veterans Tom Milligan and Brian Nichols, the show aims to cut through the jargon and hype to deliver real, actionable insights for CX professionals and business leaders. Each episode features candid conversations with CX experts, thought leaders, and practitioners who share their experiences, challenges, and successes in the field. The hosts and guests discuss a wide range of topics, from emerging technologies like AI and automation to the human elements of empathy, creativity, and problem-solving that are essential to delivering exceptional customer experiences. What sets CX without the BS apart is its commitment to authenticity and practicality. Tom and Brian aren't afraid to call out the "BS" in the industry - the buzzwords, the fads, and the overhyped solutions that don't deliver real value. Instead, they focus on strategies and tactics that have been proven to work in the real world, drawing on their own extensive experience as well as the insights of their guests. Whether you're a seasoned CX professional or just starting out in the field, CX without the BS offers valuable perspectives and actionable advice to help you navigate the complex and ever-changing landscape of customer experience. With its engaging hosts, expert guests, and no-nonsense approach, this podcast is a must-listen for anyone who wants to stay ahead of the curve and deliver exceptional experiences to their customers. en-us episodic CX without the BS is a no-nonsense podcast that cuts through the jargon to deliver real insights into the Customer Experience (CX) industry. Each episode features candid conversations with industry experts, focusing on practical solutions and honest discussions about the latest trends and challenges in CX. Brian Nichols CX without the BS is a refreshingly honest and engaging podcast that dives deep into the world of Customer Experience (CX). Hosted by industry veterans Tom Milligan and Brian Nichols, the show aims to cut through the jargon and hype to deliver real, actionable insights for CX professionals and business leaders. Each episode features candid conversations with CX experts, thought leaders, and practitioners who share their experiences, challenges, and successes in the field. The hosts and guests discuss a wide range of topics, from emerging technologies like AI and automation to the human elements of empathy, creativity, and problem-solving that are essential to delivering exceptional customer experiences. What sets CX without the BS apart is its commitment to authenticity and practicality. Tom and Brian aren't afraid to call out the "BS" in the industry - the buzzwords, the fads, and the overhyped solutions that don't deliver real value. Instead, they focus on strategies and tactics that have been proven to work in the real world, drawing on their own extensive experience as well as the insights of their guests. Whether you're a seasoned CX professional or just starting out in the field, CX without the BS offers valuable perspectives and actionable advice to help you navigate the complex and ever-changing landscape of customer experience. With its engaging hosts, expert guests, and no-nonsense approach, this podcast is a must-listen for anyone who wants to stay ahead of the curve and deliver exceptional experiences to their customers. yes CX podcast, customer experience, CX industry, CX trends, CX best practices, CX strategies, CX technology, CX analytics, CX metrics, CX optimization, CX automation, CX AI, CX chatbots, CX omnichannel, CX digital transformation, CX cloud, CX contact center, CX as a service, CX software, CX platform, CX solutions, CX innovation, CX thought leadership, CX experts, CX interviews, CX case studies, CX success stories, CX challenges, CX pain points, CX journey mapping, CX personalization, CX employee experience, CX voice of the customer, CX customer feedback, CX customer loyalty, CX customer retention, CX customer satisfaction, CX customer engagement, CX customer service, CX call center, CX workforce management, CX quality assurance, CX compliance, CX security, CX privacy, CX integration, CX implementation, CX adoption, CX ROI, CX budgeting, CX vendor selection, CX partner ecosystem, CX community, CX events, CX webinars, CX training, CX certification, CX career development, CX jobs, CX hiring, CX diversity and inclusion, CX leadership, CX management, CX coaching, CX mentoring, CX networking Brian Nichols brian@briannicholsconsulting.com How Do I Fix Bad Customer Service at My Business? https://cswithoutthebs.fireside.fm/how-do-i-fix-bad-customer-service-at-my-business 4c086f10-5724-43b5-9af4-579160defb41 Tue, 14 Oct 2025 17:00:00 -0400 Brian Nichols full Brian Nichols Is AI fixing CX or just getting in the way? In this no-BS episode, we show how to use AI where it helps, bring humans back where it matters, ditch vanity metrics, and fix the basics that win loyalty. 52:01 no Is AI really fixing customer service... or is it making everything harder? What if the real secret to great CX isn’t a shiny tool, but simple, human-first basics done right? In this no-BS episode, we pull back the curtain on today’s most hyped claims and ask the questions nobody else will. If you’ve ever yelled “agent!” at a chatbot, this is your episode. We break down the hype around AI in CX and show where it helps — and where it falls flat. You’ll hear the clear difference between “AI as a helper” and “AI as a wall,” plus the fastest ways to stop bots from ruining your brand. Then we get real about the human touch. Why are customers begging to talk to a person again? We map the moments where empathy beats automation and how to build a clean handoff from bot to human without the headache. We also expose the silent killers: accidental contact centers, broken basics, and score-chasing (NPS worship) that hides real problems. You’ll learn how to swap vanity metrics for actions that move retention, referrals, and revenue. Finally, we connect the dot nobody’s talking about: happy teams create happy customers. We show the simple moves — empower, listen, remove red tape — that turn burned-out reps into loyalty machines. No buzzwords. Just what works. customer experience, CX, customer service, contact center, call center, UCaaS, CCaaS, AI in CX, chatbots, generative AI, human support, agent experience, employee engagement, omnichannel, NPS, CSAT, CX metrics, customer retention, customer loyalty, reduce churn, first contact resolution, self-service, IVR, hold times, customer journey, small business CX, support tips, customer complaints, voice of customer, help desk, service design Is AI really fixing customer service... or is it making everything harder? What if the real secret to great CX isn’t a shiny tool, but simple, human-first basics done right? In this no-BS episode, we pull back the curtain on today’s most hyped claims and ask the questions nobody else will. If you’ve ever yelled “agent!” at a chatbot, this is your episode.

We break down the hype around AI in CX and show where it helps — and where it falls flat. You’ll hear the clear difference between “AI as a helper” and “AI as a wall,” plus the fastest ways to stop bots from ruining your brand.

Then we get real about the human touch. Why are customers begging to talk to a person again? We map the moments where empathy beats automation and how to build a clean handoff from bot to human without the headache.

We also expose the silent killers: accidental contact centers, broken basics, and score-chasing (NPS worship) that hides real problems. You’ll learn how to swap vanity metrics for actions that move retention, referrals, and revenue.

Finally, we connect the dot nobody’s talking about: happy teams create happy customers. We show the simple moves — empower, listen, remove red tape — that turn burned-out reps into loyalty machines. No buzzwords. Just what works.

]]> Is AI really fixing customer service... or is it making everything harder? What if the real secret to great CX isn’t a shiny tool, but simple, human-first basics done right? In this no-BS episode, we pull back the curtain on today’s most hyped claims and ask the questions nobody else will. If you’ve ever yelled “agent!” at a chatbot, this is your episode.

We break down the hype around AI in CX and show where it helps — and where it falls flat. You’ll hear the clear difference between “AI as a helper” and “AI as a wall,” plus the fastest ways to stop bots from ruining your brand.

Then we get real about the human touch. Why are customers begging to talk to a person again? We map the moments where empathy beats automation and how to build a clean handoff from bot to human without the headache.

We also expose the silent killers: accidental contact centers, broken basics, and score-chasing (NPS worship) that hides real problems. You’ll learn how to swap vanity metrics for actions that move retention, referrals, and revenue.

Finally, we connect the dot nobody’s talking about: happy teams create happy customers. We show the simple moves — empower, listen, remove red tape — that turn burned-out reps into loyalty machines. No buzzwords. Just what works.

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