In this power-packed episode of Common Cents The Podcast, Garrett Reed sits down with Jon Sansone, the legendary cold-call warrior with over 34 years in sales, bestselling author of Sales Warrior, and a true testament to grit, resilience, and reinvention.

From being $24K in debt and unemployed, battling depression in a small apartment, to becoming financially independent, Jon’s comeback story is one that every aspiring professional and seasoned sales rep needs to hear. With a degree in Advertising & Psychology, Jon combines mental insight with real-world tactics to teach the art of rapport, voicemail mastery, and selling across generations.

A proud Eagle Scout, history and music buff, and member of APEX, Jon pulls back the curtain on what truly drives long-term sales success—and how it’s less about the product and more about connection, mindset, and emotional intelligence.

🔥 Five Highlights from the Episode:

1. 💪 Rock Bottom to Financial Freedom: Jon shares how he went from broke and depressed to financially independent by mastering cold calls and committing to personal development.

2. 📞 The Power of the Perfect Voicemail: Discover how to use emotion, tone, and curiosity to leave voicemails that convert.

3. 🤝 People Buy People: Why personal connection, not pitch decks, wins the deal—and how to build rapport instantly.

4. 📚 Lessons from 150+ Books: Jon reveals timeless principles from leaders like Zig Ziglar, Napoleon Hill, and Chris Voss that shaped his career.

5. 🎯 Selling to Every Generation: Insights on demographic selling from an elder Gen X’er who’s mastered adapting to every age group in the buying cycle.

   
   

   ⏱ Timestamped Summary:

   • 💪 00:00 Jon Sansone opens up about his journey from rock bottom—$24K in debt and clinically depressed—to mastering sales and becoming financially independent.

   • 🌟 27:11 Strategies for managing depression, building professional confidence, and finding emotional balance while maintaining drive.

   • 🤝 43:56 Sales is a relationship game: why building trust, emotional connection, and being easy to do business with matters more than any script.

   • 🤝 58:13 Creating value through personal interaction, active listening, and follow-ups—how real sales pros stay memorable.

   • 🤝 01:14:29 Sales, like dating, hinges on emotional intelligence—Jon compares the two with uncanny insight.

   • 🤝 01:28:51 First impressions matter—tips on nailing your opener, mastering body language, and drawing people in authentically.

   • 🎭 01:57:35 Character, consistency, and storytelling are the secret weapons of great salespeople—and people in general.

   • 🔥 02:22:24 Wrapping up with Jon’s passion for music, emotional triggers, and creating high-energy atmospheres for personal growth.