<?xml version="1.0" encoding="UTF-8"?>
<rss version="2.0" encoding="UTF-8" xmlns:dc="http://purl.org/dc/elements/1.1/" xmlns:sy="http://purl.org/rss/1.0/modules/syndication/" xmlns:admin="http://webns.net/mvcb/" xmlns:atom="http://www.w3.org/2005/Atom/" xmlns:rdf="http://www.w3.org/1999/02/22-rdf-syntax-ns#" xmlns:content="http://purl.org/rss/1.0/modules/content/" xmlns:googleplay="http://www.google.com/schemas/play-podcasts/1.0" xmlns:itunes="http://www.itunes.com/dtds/podcast-1.0.dtd" xmlns:fireside="http://fireside.fm/modules/rss/fireside">
  <channel>
    <fireside:hostname>web02.fireside.fm</fireside:hostname>
    <fireside:genDate>Sun, 12 Apr 2026 10:45:29 -0500</fireside:genDate>
    <generator>Fireside (https://fireside.fm)</generator>
    <title>CX without the BS - Episodes Tagged with “Vendor Transparency”</title>
    <link>https://cswithoutthebs.fireside.fm/tags/vendor%20transparency</link>
    <pubDate>Tue, 16 Dec 2025 08:00:00 -0500</pubDate>
    <description>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.
</description>
    <language>en-us</language>
    <itunes:type>episodic</itunes:type>
    <itunes:subtitle>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.</itunes:subtitle>
    <itunes:author>Brian Nichols</itunes:author>
    <itunes:summary>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.
</itunes:summary>
    <itunes:image href="https://media24.fireside.fm/file/fireside-images-2024/podcasts/images/b/b6ecde51-9751-4bc2-8830-d814180321a2/cover.jpg?v=1"/>
    <itunes:explicit>yes</itunes:explicit>
    <itunes:keywords>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</itunes:keywords>
    <itunes:owner>
      <itunes:name>Brian Nichols</itunes:name>
      <itunes:email>brian@briannicholsconsulting.com</itunes:email>
    </itunes:owner>
<itunes:category text="Business"/>
<itunes:category text="Technology"/>
<itunes:category text="News">
  <itunes:category text="Business News"/>
</itunes:category>
<item>
  <title>Why UCaaS Quotes NEVER Match the Bill</title>
  <link>https://cswithoutthebs.fireside.fm/why-ucaas-quotes-never-match-the-bill</link>
  <guid isPermaLink="false">f0939e34-6ee2-47df-a0a5-9f1889a1707e</guid>
  <pubDate>Tue, 16 Dec 2025 08:00:00 -0500</pubDate>
  <author>Brian Nichols</author>
  <enclosure url="https://aphid.fireside.fm/d/1437767933/b6ecde51-9751-4bc2-8830-d814180321a2/f0939e34-6ee2-47df-a0a5-9f1889a1707e.mp3" length="64095971" type="audio/mpeg"/>
  <itunes:episodeType>full</itunes:episodeType>
  <itunes:author>Brian Nichols</itunes:author>
  <itunes:subtitle>Why do UCaaS quotes never match the bill? In this episode of CX Without the BS, Brian Nichols and Stephen Howard break down the pricing games, broken incentives, and quiet BS that keep customer experience stuck.</itunes:subtitle>
  <itunes:duration>48:38</itunes:duration>
  <itunes:explicit>no</itunes:explicit>
  <itunes:image href="https://media24.fireside.fm/file/fireside-images-2024/podcasts/images/b/b6ecde51-9751-4bc2-8830-d814180321a2/cover.jpg?v=1"/>
  <description>Why do phone system quotes never match the bill, and why does everyone just accept it?
If you have ever signed a contract that felt great on day one and confusing on month two, this episode is going to hit a nerve. Brian Nichols digs into why unified communications feels broken, why customers keep getting talked past instead of listened to, and why the industry keeps selling shiny features instead of fixing real problems.
In this episode of CX Without the BS, Brian is joined by Stephen Howard to pull apart the biggest lies in UCaaS, how mergers quietly wreck customer experience, and why transparency is the one thing vendors keep avoiding. This is a real-world conversation about trust, incentives, and what happens when companies stop treating customers like adults. No buzzwords. No fluff. Just the uncomfortable truth most vendors hope you never question. 
</description>
  <itunes:keywords>CX Without the BS, customer experience, UCaaS, unified communications, CCaaS, tech sales, business phone systems, customer support, hidden fees, phone system pricing, vendor transparency, mergers and acquisitions, M&amp;A impact, customer journey, tech advisors, channel sales, business communication, customer trust</itunes:keywords>
  <content:encoded>
    <![CDATA[<p>Why do phone system quotes never match the bill, and why does everyone just accept it?</p>

<p>If you have ever signed a contract that felt great on day one and confusing on month two, this episode is going to hit a nerve. Brian Nichols digs into why unified communications feels broken, why customers keep getting talked past instead of listened to, and why the industry keeps selling shiny features instead of fixing real problems.</p>

<p>In this episode of CX Without the BS, Brian is joined by Stephen Howard to pull apart the biggest lies in UCaaS, how mergers quietly wreck customer experience, and why transparency is the one thing vendors keep avoiding. This is a real-world conversation about trust, incentives, and what happens when companies stop treating customers like adults. No buzzwords. No fluff. Just the uncomfortable truth most vendors hope you never question.</p>]]>
  </content:encoded>
  <itunes:summary>
    <![CDATA[<p>Why do phone system quotes never match the bill, and why does everyone just accept it?</p>

<p>If you have ever signed a contract that felt great on day one and confusing on month two, this episode is going to hit a nerve. Brian Nichols digs into why unified communications feels broken, why customers keep getting talked past instead of listened to, and why the industry keeps selling shiny features instead of fixing real problems.</p>

<p>In this episode of CX Without the BS, Brian is joined by Stephen Howard to pull apart the biggest lies in UCaaS, how mergers quietly wreck customer experience, and why transparency is the one thing vendors keep avoiding. This is a real-world conversation about trust, incentives, and what happens when companies stop treating customers like adults. No buzzwords. No fluff. Just the uncomfortable truth most vendors hope you never question.</p>]]>
  </itunes:summary>
</item>
  </channel>
</rss>
