A New Chapter for Sales & Cigars
Sales & Cigars is changing.
In this behind-the-scenes episode, Walter Crosby sits down with producer Mark Labriola II to talk about the next chapter of the podcast—and why it was time to make a shift.
After years of remote conversations, the show is moving toward a more immersive, in-person format with stronger production, longer conversations, and a much bigger emphasis on cigars.
But the core of the show isn't changing.
Sales, entrepreneurship, leadership, and the real experiences behind building a business will still drive the conversation. The difference is that those topics will now come through more naturally—over cigars, face-to-face, in environments designed for deeper and more interesting conversations.
Walter and Mark talk candidly about Zoom fatigue, storytelling, production value, building authority through podcasting, and why the best conversations often happen when you stop trying to force the "perfect" interview.
Consider this your preview of what's coming next.
Episode Highlights
- Why Sales & Cigars is changing its format
- Moving away from primarily remote interviews toward in-person conversations
- Why listeners are experiencing Zoom and remote-video fatigue
- Bringing cigars further to the forefront of the show
- Creating more natural conversations around sales and entrepreneurship
- Why face-to-face conversations create different energy
- Increasing the production quality of the podcast
- Moving toward longer-form conversations driven by chemistry rather than a rigid clock
- The role podcasting can play in building authority and thought leadership
- Creating more short-form content between full episodes
- Taking Sales & Cigars into cigar lounges and potentially other cities
- What listeners can expect from the upcoming season
What's Changing
More cigars. Cigars will become a bigger part of the conversation—not simply as branding, but as a way to learn about guests, their stories, and the experiences that connect people around them.
More in-person conversations. Instead of another remote video call, Walter will increasingly sit across from guests and let conversations unfold naturally.
Better production. The new episodes will feature stronger visuals, better sound, and environments that better reflect the personality of Sales & Cigars.
Longer conversations. Rather than forcing every episode into the same structure, conversations will go as long as the chemistry and subject matter warrant.
The same business value. Sales, leadership, entrepreneurship, and growth remain at the heart of the show. The goal is simply to uncover those lessons through more organic conversations.
Why the Change?
Remote podcasting made conversations possible during a period when nearly everything moved online.
But today, many people spend their entire workday moving from one virtual meeting to another.
Another split-screen interview can easily become something to scroll past.
The new Sales & Cigars aims to create something different: the feeling that you're sitting in the room while two people have a conversation you actually want to hear.
The objective is still to educate—but also to entertain, tell better stories, and create the kinds of conversations that lead to unexpected ideas.
Who Should Listen
This episode is especially valuable for:
- Longtime Sales & Cigars listeners wondering what's next
- Entrepreneurs who enjoy candid conversations about business
- Sales professionals looking for practical ideas without another scripted interview
- Cigar enthusiasts interested in the stories behind what people smoke and why
- Business owners using content to build authority and grow their brand
- Anyone interested in the behind-the-scenes evolution of a podcast
Want to Be Part of the New Format?
Have a great cigar story?
An entrepreneurial journey worth talking about?
A sales lesson learned the hard way?
As Sales & Cigars expands its in-person format, Walter and the team are looking for interesting people and conversations—potentially from cigar lounges and cities around the country.
Reach out to the Sales & Cigars team if you think there's a conversation worth having.
Continue the Conversation
The same philosophy behind the new Sales & Cigars format also drives the Sales Integrator Community: better conversations, practical learning, and access to ideas that help sales professionals improve.
The community is built specifically for salespeople and sales managers who want an edge and want support from someone who has spent more than 40 years learning the profession the hard way.
Inside, members can access coaching insights, practical sales tools, resources, and ongoing conversations designed to help them get better at the craft.
Free forever. Special founding member badges are available for the first 250 members.
Join the Sales Integrator Community here:
Subscribe to Sales & Cigars
Sales & Cigars is hosted by Walter Crosby, the Sales Integrator with Helix Sales Development.
The new season begins rolling out with more in-person conversations, more cigar stories, and more of the sales and entrepreneurial lessons that have always been at the heart of the show.
Subscribe on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, YouTube, or wherever you listen.
The only smoke we blow is from cigars.