Podcast
Creating Superfans
In today's business environment, experience is everything. It’s the number-one way to differentiate yourself from your competitors and create customers for life. But, the inverse is also true. Everything is experience. Every interaction — even the small ones — can determine whether or not customers come back and what they tell their friends. The Creating Superfans podcast is a fun, entertaining crash course in turning customer experience into your superpower... no capes required! Each week, author and speaker Brittany Hodak spotlights brands she loves and interviews some of the most brilliant minds in business today. At the end of every episode, you’ll have a list of new ideas to turn your customers and employees into loyal, raving superfans.
- Episodes
- 74
- Releases
- Weekly
- Typical length
- 33 min
- On air since
- 2022
- Latest episode
- 17 hours ago
Episodes
74 episodes, newest first
-
19 min
The AI Paradox: Harder to Impress, Easier to Delight
Season 4, Episode 416
Show notes
AI is changing what's possible—and raising the bar for what customers expect.
In this solo episode of the Creating Superfans Podcast, Brittany Hodak explores a fascinating paradox: The same technology that's making customers harder to impress is also giving businesses unprecedented opportunities to exceed their expectations.
Inspired by watching her six-year-old son create an entire children's book using AI, Brittany shares three important lessons for businesses navigating this rapidly changing landscape:
• Yesterday's magic is tomorrow's minimum expectation. Customers aren't just comparing you to your competitors. They're bringing expectations from the best experiences they've had anywhere.
• Stop defining what's possible by yesterday's limitations. AI is making it faster, easier, and more affordable than ever to experiment, innovate, and solve problems in entirely new ways.
• Human understanding is your greatest differentiator. When everyone has access to the same powerful tools, creativity, empathy, and thoughtfulness become even more valuable.Brittany challenges listeners to carve out just 15 minutes today to experiment with AI, question what they've assumed is impossible, and explore new ways to make their customers' experiences meaningfully better.
--------------------------------
About Brittany
Brittany Hodak is an award-winning entrepreneur, author, and customer experience speaker who helps businesses turn customers into superfans. She’s delivered keynotes to hundreds of organizations around the world, including American Express, Benihana, and Keller Williams. Her trademark SUPER Model™ framework has empowered teams in every industry to transform customer apathy into advocacy.
Enjoying the show? Subscribe, leave a rating and review, and share this episode with someone who wants to create more superfans.
Subscribe to Brittany's biweekly newsletter
Follow Brittany on LinkedIn and Instagram
Grab a copy of Creating Superfans on Amazon -
20 min
30 Years of Pokémon: The Franchise That Keeps Creating Superfans
Season 4, Episode 415
Show notes
What does it take to build a brand that keeps creating superfans for 30 years?
In this special episode of the Creating Superfans podcast, Brittany welcomes her youngest guest ever: her 9-year-old son, Kadoh! And they're diving into one of the most successful entertainment franchises of all time: Pokémon.
As Pokémon celebrates its 30th anniversary, Brittany and Kadoh explore what makes the franchise so special to millions of fans around the world. From trading cards and collector conventions to Pokémon GO and exciting brand collaborations, they discuss the experiences, communities, and connections that have helped Pokémon remain a cultural phenomenon across generations.
Kadoh shares some of his favorite cards, memorable encounters with Pokémon voice actors, and what he loves most about being part of the fandom. Plus, the two open Pokémon card packs together on camera!
Whether you're a lifelong Pokémon fan, a parent of an enthusiastic collector, or a business leader curious about what creates lasting brand loyalty, this episode offers a fun look at the power of fandom through the eyes of a true superfan.
Want to see the cards Kadoh and Brittany open? Watch the full episode on YouTube!
--------------------------------
About Brittany
Brittany Hodak is an award-winning entrepreneur, author, and customer experience speaker who helps businesses turn customers into superfans. She’s delivered keynotes to hundreds of organizations around the world, including American Express, Benihana, and Keller Williams. Her trademark SUPER Model™ framework has empowered teams in every industry to transform customer apathy into advocacy.
Enjoying the show? Subscribe, leave a rating and review, and share this episode with someone who wants to create more superfans.
Subscribe to Brittany's biweekly newsletter
Follow Brittany on LinkedIn and Instagram
Grab a copy of Creating Superfans on Amazon -
50 min
The Secret to an Engaged Audience with Mentimeter’s Oscar Svernlov
Season 4, Episode 414
Show notes
What’s the difference between an audience that’s simply listening and one that’s truly engaged? Often, it comes down to something surprisingly simple: giving people a voice.
In this episode, Brittany sits down with Oscar Svernlov of Mentimeter, an interactive presentation platform she’s used hundreds of times on stages around the world. Together, they explore what makes people want to participate, how to turn passive audiences into active contributors, and why helping people feel seen, heard, and included can transform an experience.
Drawing on his background as a teacher, game show host, and now product marketer at Mentimeter, Oscar shares what he’s learned about our deeply human need for connection and why the traditional one-way approach to presentations, meetings, and classrooms often falls short.
They also explore the role technology plays in creating connection, including Oscar’s simple philosophy for keeping it human in an increasingly AI-powered world: start with humans, use technology to enhance the experience, and end with humans.
Brittany and Oscar also discuss:
• Why the best presenters spend more time understanding their audience than perfecting their slides
• How anonymity can give more people the confidence to participate and share what they really think
• Why great presentations should involve the audience instead of simply delivering information to them
• How to use technology to strengthen human connection without letting it replace it
• Creative ways organizations are using Mentimeter to capture ideas, encourage collaboration, and make experiences more inclusive
• How Brittany uses Mentimeter to co-create experiences with her audiences and adapt her presentations in real time
• The Mentimeter features Brittany and Oscar wish more people knew aboutLearn more about Mentimeter here
--------------------------------
About Brittany
Brittany Hodak is an award-winning entrepreneur, author, and customer experience speaker who helps businesses turn customers into superfans. She’s delivered keynotes to hundreds of organizations around the world, including American Express, Benihana, and Keller Williams. Her trademark SUPER Model™ framework has empowered teams in every industry to transform customer apathy into advocacy.
Enjoying the show? Subscribe, leave a rating and review, and share this episode with someone who wants to create more superfans.
Subscribe to Brittany's biweekly newsletter
Follow Brittany on LinkedIn and Instagram
Grab a copy of Creating Superfans on Amazon -
41 min
Inside Taylor Swift's Rise to Superfandom with Emily Yahr
Season 4, Episode 413
Show notes
It’s hard to imagine now, but there was a time when plenty of people in Nashville didn’t think Taylor Swift would make it.
In this episode, Brittany welcomes back Washington Post pop culture reporter Emily Yahr to talk about her new book, Taylor Swift: The Debut Years, an extensively reported look at the early years that laid the foundation for Taylor’s extraordinary career.
After interviewing more than 100 people who knew and worked with Taylor during that era, Emily uncovered stories about the skepticism Taylor faced, the risks that helped launch her career, and the remarkable attention she paid to building genuine relationships with fans from the very beginning.
Brittany and Emily also explore how Taylor connected with an audience the country music industry had largely overlooked, why her deeply personal songwriting resonated far beyond teenage listeners, and the small, memorable moments that helped turn early supporters into lifelong superfans. Along the way, they uncover lessons that extend far beyond the music industry—from understanding audiences others overlook to creating emotional connections, making people feel seen, and recognizing that the smallest touchpoints can leave the biggest impressions.
In this episode, you’ll hear:
• Why so many people in Nashville doubted Taylor Swift early in her career
• How Taylor helped country music reach an entirely new generation of fans
• The role personal connection played in building her fan base long before superstardom
• Why “shake a million hands, make a million fans” became an early guiding philosophy
• What Taylor’s early approach to fandom can teach brands about customer experience and loyalty
• What Emily learned from interviewing more than 100 people for Taylor Swift: The Debut Years
• How Taylor made fans—and people across the music industry—feel seen and rememberedLearn more about Taylor Swift: The Debut Years here, or grab a copy wherever you get books!
--------------------------------
About Brittany
Brittany Hodak is an award-winning entrepreneur, author, and customer experience speaker who helps businesses turn customers into superfans. She’s delivered keynotes to hundreds of organizations around the world, including American Express, Benihana, and Keller Williams. Her trademark SUPER Model™ framework has empowered teams in every industry to transform customer apathy into advocacy.
Enjoying the show? Subscribe, leave a rating and review, and share this episode with someone who wants to create more superfans.
Subscribe to Brittany's biweekly newsletter
Follow Brittany on LinkedIn and Instagram
Grab a copy of Creating Superfans on Amazon -
20 min
The Best Customer Service is the Service They Never Have to Ask For
Season 4, Episode 412
Show notes
How hard are your customers working just to do business with you?
In this solo episode, Brittany introduces the ACHE framework, a simple way to spot unnecessary friction in your customer experience. Where are customers having to Ask, Chase, Hesitate, or Explain again? Each one is a clue that something could be easier, clearer, or better designed.
And these friction points don’t just create frustration for customers—they create more work for your team, too.
In this episode, you’ll learn:
• How to use the ACHE framework to uncover hidden friction
• Why repeated questions can signal an experience design problem
• How proactive communication keeps customers from chasing you for answers
• Why hesitation is one of the most invisible forms of customer friction
• The two questions leaders should ask their customer-facing teams during Customer Service Week
• Why the people closest to your customers are often closest to your biggest opportunitiesWhether you have a dedicated customer service team or you are the customer service team, Brittany’s challenge is simple: find one ACHE in your customer experience and fix it.
Because sometimes the best customer service is the service your customer never has to ask for.
Catch up on the SUPER AMAZING Show here.
--------------------------------
About Brittany
Brittany Hodak is an award-winning entrepreneur, author, and customer experience speaker who helps businesses turn customers into superfans. She’s delivered keynotes to hundreds of organizations around the world, including American Express, Benihana, and Keller Williams. Her trademark SUPER Model™ framework has empowered teams in every industry to transform customer apathy into advocacy.
Enjoying the show? Subscribe, leave a rating and review, and share this episode with someone who wants to create more superfans.
Subscribe to Brittany's biweekly newsletter
Follow Brittany on LinkedIn and Instagram
Grab a copy of Creating Superfans on Amazon -
18 min
The Invisible Baggage Every Customer Is Carrying, And How To Help Them With It
Season 4, Episode 411
Show notes
In this episode, Brittany shares personal stories to explain the invisible “trust deficit” that prospects and customers bring into relationships and five lessons for overcoming it.
01:46 Stage Style Anxiety
03:49 Stylist Sticker Shock
04:29 Mean DM Wake Up Call
05:27 Finding Glamhive Match
06:29 Trust Deficit Explained
08:03 Make The First Yes Smaller
09:18 Make The Invisible Visible
10:37 Ask About Baggage
11:22 Teach, Don't Tell
13:51 Rewrite Expectations
14:59 Five Takeaways Recap
16:27 Transformation
--------------------------------
About Brittany
Brittany Hodak is an award-winning entrepreneur, author, and customer experience speaker who helps businesses turn customers into superfans. She’s delivered keynotes to hundreds of organizations around the world, including American Express, Benihana, and Keller Williams. Her trademark SUPER Model™ framework has empowered teams in every industry to transform customer apathy into advocacy.
Enjoying the show? Subscribe, leave a rating and review, and share this episode with someone who wants to create more superfans.
Subscribe to Brittany's biweekly newsletter
Follow Brittany on LinkedIn and Instagram
Grab a copy of Creating Superfans on Amazon -
40 min
How Red Aspen Turned Brand Ambassadors Into Superfans
Season 4, Episode 410
Show notes
What does it take to build a brand people don’t just buy from—but genuinely want to be part of?
In this episode, Brittany sits down with Jesse McKinney, co-founder and CEO of Red Aspen, to talk about the mission, culture, and community behind the fast-growing beauty brand. Jesse and her co-founders, Jeannie Reese and Amanda Moore, started Red Aspen in 2017 with a mission to inspire women to stand up, stand out, and stand together—before they even knew what product they would sell.
They explore Red Aspen’s journey from launching with just a handful of false lashes to building a nine-figure beauty brand with thousands of passionate brand ambassadors. Jesse shares what it took to navigate explosive growth, challenge conventions in the direct-selling industry, and scale the company without losing the playfulness and personality that made people fall in love with it in the first place.
They also dig into why showing up consistently is one of the simplest ways to build loyalty, why progress matters more than perfection, and how Red Aspen intentionally brings its core values to life across everything from packaging and language to events and technology.
You’ll learn:
• Why Red Aspen started with a mission before it had a product
• What Jesse’s “200% committed” rule can teach entrepreneurs and leaders
• How Red Aspen turned its brand ambassadors into passionate superfans
• Why “playful” is one of Red Aspen’s core values—and how the company brings it to life
• What explosive growth taught Jesse about scaling a company and its culture
• Why Jesse believes people show up for you when you show up for them
• How progress over perfection can create a culture of trust and authenticity
• Why challenging industry conventions has helped Red Aspen continue to innovate
• What technology and AI can amplify—but never replace—when it comes to human connectionLearn more about Red Aspen here
--------------------------------
About Brittany
Brittany Hodak is an award-winning entrepreneur, author, and customer experience speaker who helps businesses turn customers into superfans. She’s delivered keynotes to hundreds of organizations around the world, including American Express, Benihana, and Keller Williams. Her trademark SUPER Model™ framework has empowered teams in every industry to transform customer apathy into advocacy.
Enjoying the show? Subscribe, leave a rating and review, and share this episode with someone who wants to create more superfans.
Subscribe to Brittany's biweekly newsletter
Follow Brittany on LinkedIn and Instagram
Grab a copy of Creating Superfans on Amazon -
49 min
Inside the Cicis Pizza Playbook: People, Value, and Growth
Show notes
How do you evolve a 40-year-old brand without losing what made people love it in the first place?
In this episode, Brittany sits down with Jeff Hetsel, President and Chief Operating Officer of Cicis Pizza, to talk about the people, principles, and decisions driving the iconic brand forward. Jeff has spent 34 years with Cicis, working his way through nearly every level of the organization and developing a perspective that spans both the corporate office and the restaurant floor.
They explore how Cicis has remained true to its core identity while continuing to evolve, from expanding its game rooms and launching a loyalty program to embracing technology as a way to eliminate friction and help employees better serve guests.
They also dig into what value really means beyond price, why Jeff sees franchising as an opportunity to change lives at scale, and how Cicis continues to invest in the people who bring the brand to life every day.
Whether you’re leading a legacy brand, managing a growing team, or thinking about how to evolve your customer experience, this conversation is a reminder that growth and innovation work best when you stay close to the people you serve.
You’ll learn:
• Why Jeff believes “the answers are all outside of this building”
• How staying close to frontline employees can make you a better leader
• How Cicis Pizza thinks about value beyond price
• Why evolving a legacy brand doesn’t mean abandoning what made it successful
• How Cicis uses technology to eliminate friction—not replace people
• Why Jeff sees franchising as a way to change lives at scale
• How Cicis is using loyalty to build stronger relationships with its guests
• Why the people closest to your customers can uncover opportunities you’ll never find in a boardroom
• Why great people remain the foundation of a great customer experience--------------------------------
About Brittany
Brittany Hodak is an award-winning entrepreneur, author, and customer experience speaker who helps businesses turn customers into superfans. She’s delivered keynotes to hundreds of organizations around the world, including American Express, Benihana, and Keller Williams. Her trademark SUPER Model™ framework has empowered teams in every industry to transform customer apathy into advocacy.
Enjoying the show? Subscribe, leave a rating and review, and share this episode with someone who wants to create more superfans.
Subscribe to Brittany's biweekly newsletter
Follow Brittany on LinkedIn and Instagram
Grab a copy of Creating Superfans on Amazon -
25 min
Remembering Dolly: Why Everyone, It Seems, Was Her Superfan
Season 4, Episode 408
Show notes
It’s hard to think of another person who belonged to so many people quite like Dolly Parton.
In this special episode of Creating Superfans, Brittany reflects on Dolly’s extraordinary life and legacy, sharing personal stories from the times she was lucky enough to work with her and exploring why generations of people felt such a deep, personal connection to her.
Using the SUPER Model from Creating Superfans as a lens, Brittany breaks down some of the qualities that made Dolly truly one of a kind: her unwavering authenticity, her remarkable empathy, her ability to make every person feel seen and special, her commitment to exceeding expectations, and the consistency with which she showed up for her fans and her craft.
More than a celebration of an unparalleled career, this episode is a look at what happens when someone uses their platform to make other people feel like they matter. Dolly didn’t just build a fanbase—she created a sense of belonging that crossed generations, communities, and cultures.
It’s a tribute to an icon, a humanitarian, and a masterclass in what it means to leave people—and the world—better than you found them.
If you’re interested in Brittany’s leadership training video, “What Would Dolly Do?, make sure you’re subscribed to her newsletter.
Make a donation to the Imagination Library
--------------------------------
About Brittany
Brittany Hodak is an award-winning entrepreneur, author, and customer experience speaker who helps businesses turn customers into superfans. She’s delivered keynotes to hundreds of organizations around the world, including American Express, Benihana, and Keller Williams. Her trademark SUPER Model™ framework has empowered teams in every industry to transform customer apathy into advocacy.
Enjoying the show? Subscribe, leave a rating and review, and share this episode with someone who wants to create more superfans.
Subscribe to Brittany's biweekly newsletter
Follow Brittany on LinkedIn and Instagram
Grab a copy of Creating Superfans on Amazon -
38 min
The Secret to Creating a Luxury Experience with Neen James
Season 4, Episode 407
Show notes
Luxury isn’t about spending more. It’s about noticing more.
In this episode, Brittany sits down with Neen James, leadership strategist, keynote speaker, and author of Exceptional Experiences, to rethink what “luxury” really means—and why any business, at any price point, can make customers feel seen, heard, and valued.
Neen shares why she believes luxury is about moments, not money, and how the smallest details can often create the biggest impact. She walks us through her Experience Elevation Model and its five luxury levers, designed to help brands capture attention, create connection, and ultimately turn customers into advocates.
They also explore the importance of systemized thoughtfulness: creating repeatable systems that empower every team member to deliver an elevated experience, rather than leaving those moments to chance.
Whether you’re running a five-person business or leading a team of 50,000, this conversation is a reminder that you don’t need a luxury budget to create an experience that feels luxurious. You just need to pay attention to the moments that matter.
You’ll learn:
• Why luxury is a mindset, not a price point
• How to make customers feel seen, heard, and valued
• Low cost, high impact examples from hotels, real estate professionals, and more
• How to systemize thoughtfulness across an organization
• Neen’s five-part Experience Elevation Model
• Why consistency matters across every customer touchpoint
• The power of turning ordinary interactions into “champagne moments”
• How exceptional experiences turn customers into advocates—and superfansListen to the conversation with Joey Coleman.
Learn more about Neen James on her website.
Buy her book “Exceptional Experiences” on Amazon.
--------------------------------
About Brittany
Brittany Hodak is an award-winning entrepreneur, author, and customer experience speaker who helps businesses turn customers into superfans. She’s delivered keynotes to hundreds of organizations around the world, including American Express, Benihana, and Keller Williams. Her trademark SUPER Model™ framework has empowered teams in every industry to transform customer apathy into advocacy.
Enjoying the show? Subscribe, leave a rating and review, and share this episode with someone who wants to create more superfans.
Subscribe to Brittany's biweekly newsletter
Follow Brittany on LinkedIn and Instagram
Grab a copy of Creating Superfans on Amazon -
51 min
If Your Stores Could Talk: Turning Conversations Into Customer Insight with Kevin Farley
Season 4, Episode 406
Show notes
What if your customers are telling you exactly how to improve your business... and you've never heard a word of it?
In this episode of Creating Superfans, Brittany sits down with Kevin Farley, Chief Customer Officer at InStore AI, a company that helps convenience store retailers understand what customers and employees are really saying during in-store conversations. By using AI to analyze millions of real-world interactions at the point of sale, InStore AI uncovers insights that help retailers improve customer experience, coach employees, and make smarter business decisions.
Together, they explore why the most valuable customer feedback often isn't found in surveys, how AI can reveal hidden opportunities inside everyday conversations, and why the future of customer experience isn't about removing human interaction—it's about making it more meaningful.
You'll learn:
• Why neutral customer interactions are more dangerous than many leaders realize
• How AI is uncovering customer insights that traditional surveys never could
• Why employee friction is often the hidden cause of customer friction
• How leading retailers are using conversation data to coach—not police—their frontline teams
• Why the best customer experience strategies still depend on human connection
• How retailers can identify unmet customer needs before they show up in sales reports
• Why listening at the point of purchase can transform merchandising, operations, and employee engagement
• Kevin's prediction for how AI will reshape retail over the next five yearsLearn more about InStore AI here.
--------------------------------
About Brittany
Brittany Hodak is an award-winning entrepreneur, author, and customer experience speaker who helps businesses turn customers into superfans. She’s delivered keynotes to hundreds of organizations around the world, including American Express, Benihana, and Keller Williams. Her trademark SUPER Model™ framework has empowered teams in every industry to transform customer apathy into advocacy.
Enjoying the show? Subscribe, leave a rating and review, and share this episode with someone who wants to create more superfans.
Subscribe to Brittany's biweekly newsletter
Follow Brittany on LinkedIn and Instagram
Grab a copy of Creating Superfans on Amazon -
17 min
If It Doesn't Stick, It Doesn't Scale
Season 4, Episode 405
Show notes
What if the reason your customer experience strategy isn't working... is simply because nobody can remember it?
The best processes in the world don't matter if your team can't recall them when a customer is standing right in front of them.
In this episode, I'm diving into one of my favorite (and most overlooked) tools for creating consistent customer experiences: mnemonic devices. From "righty tighty, lefty loosey" to Starbucks' LATTE service recovery model, I'll share why simple frameworks stick—and how the world's best brands use them to help employees make better decisions under pressure.
Then I'll walk you through my own five-step STICK framework so you can create memorable, actionable systems tailored to your business. Whether you're training new employees, improving service recovery, or looking for a way to make your customer experience more consistent, this episode will help you build processes your team will actually remember—and use.
In this episode, you'll learn:
• Why most customer experience frameworks fail (even when they're good)
• How mnemonic devices make training more memorable and repeatable
• Real examples from brands like Starbucks, Apple, Marriott, and McDonald's
• My five-step STICK framework for creating your own memorable customer experience systems
• How to turn complicated processes into simple habits your team can execute with confidenceBecause if it doesn't stick... it doesn't scale.
--------------------------------
About Brittany
Brittany Hodak is an award-winning entrepreneur, author, and customer experience speaker who helps businesses turn customers into superfans. She’s delivered keynotes to hundreds of organizations around the world, including American Express, Benihana, and Keller Williams. Her trademark SUPER Model™ framework has empowered teams in every industry to transform customer apathy into advocacy.
Enjoying the show? Subscribe, leave a rating and review, and share this episode with someone who wants to create more superfans.
Subscribe to Brittany's biweekly newsletter
Follow Brittany on LinkedIn and Instagram
Grab a copy of Creating Superfans on Amazon -
39 min
How Code Ninjas Creates an Experience Kids Can't Wait to Return To
Season 4, Episode 404
Show notes
What does it take to create an experience that makes kids beg to come back—and turns parents into superfans?
In this episode of Creating Superfans, I sit down with Ed Kim, Vice President of Education & Training at Code Ninjas, a brand my family knows well. As a self-proclaimed Code Ninjas superfan, I ask Ed how the company has built an experience that inspires such passionate loyalty from kids and parents alike. Together, we discuss the challenges of delivering a consistent experience across a global franchise network, the role curiosity plays in learning, and how Code Ninjas is preparing students to thrive in a rapidly changing technological world.
You'll learn:
• Why experience design is just as important in education as it is in business
• How Code Ninjas creates a space where kids feel ownership, independence, and belonging
• The role curiosity plays in developing lifelong learners
• Why adaptability may be the most important skill kids need for the future
• How parents can think about AI, technology, and online safety without fear
• What today's kids can teach us about customer experience and innovation
• How Code Ninjas inspires students to become creators, not just consumers, of technology
• Ed's vision for the future and the impact he hopes today's students will have on the worldLearn more about Code Ninjashere.
--------------------------------
About Brittany
Brittany Hodak is an award-winning entrepreneur, author, and customer experience speaker who helps businesses turn customers into superfans. She’s delivered keynotes to hundreds of organizations around the world, including American Express, Benihana, and Keller Williams. Her trademark SUPER Model™ framework has empowered teams in every industry to transform customer apathy into advocacy.
Enjoying the show? Subscribe, leave a rating and review, and share this episode with someone who wants to create more superfans.
Subscribe to Brittany's biweekly newsletter
Follow Brittany on LinkedIn and Instagram
Grab a copy of Creating Superfans on Amazon -
21 min
Yep, That's Experience!
Season 4, Episode 403
Show notes
In this solo episode of Creating Superfans, Brittany challenges you to see the world through a different lens.
A confusing website? Yep, that's experience.
A parking lot that's too dark? That's experience.
A dressing room with only one hook? Believe it or not... yep, that's experience.
Customer experience isn't just what happens when someone talks to customer service. It's every interaction that shapes how people feel about doing business with you—before, during, and long after the sale.
Through dozens of rapid-fire examples (some obvious, some surprising, and some you've probably never thought about), Brittany reveals how tiny moments of friction quietly influence trust, loyalty, and referrals. You'll walk away looking at your business with fresh eyes—and spotting opportunities to create superfans that may have been hiding in plain sight all along.
You'll learn:
• Why customer experience belongs to every department—not just customer service
• How tiny moments of friction can quietly cost you customers
• Simple ways to improve your experience before, during, and after the sale
• Why "neutral" interactions are often your greatest opportunity
• How obsessing over the little things leads to unforgettable customer experiencesThe next time you notice a broken link, a confusing sign, or an employee who goes above and beyond, you'll probably find yourself saying...
Yep, that's experience!
--------------------------------
About Brittany
Brittany Hodak is an award-winning entrepreneur, author, and customer experience speaker who helps businesses turn customers into superfans. She’s delivered keynotes to hundreds of organizations around the world, including American Express, Benihana, and Keller Williams. Her trademark SUPER Model™ framework has empowered teams in every industry to transform customer apathy into advocacy.
Enjoying the show? Subscribe, leave a rating and review, and share this episode with someone who wants to create more superfans.
Subscribe to Brittany's biweekly newsletter
Follow Brittany on LinkedIn and Instagram
Grab a copy of Creating Superfans on Amazon -
41 min
How Sugarwish Reinvented Corporate Gifting | Elisabeth Vezzani
Season 4, Episode 402
Show notes
What if gifting could be as easy as sending a gift card—but infinitely more joyful and personal?
In this episode, I'm joined by Elisabeth Vezzani, co-founder of Sugarwish, to talk about how a conversation on the sidelines of a youth soccer game turned into a business that's delivered millions of moments of joy. Elisabeth shares how Sugarwish combines technology and personalization to create gifting experiences that feel thoughtful, memorable, and genuinely human.
We also discuss why the little details matter, how customer feedback has shaped Sugarwish's growth, and what it really takes to create superfans in a world full of transactional experiences.
In this episode, you'll learn:
• The origin story behind Sugarwish and the problem it was created to solve
• How to balance high-tech convenience with high-touch personalization
• Why the smallest details often have the biggest impact on customer experience
• How Sugarwish has expanded from candy to wine, candles, spa products, pet gifts, and more
• The role customer feedback plays in innovation and product development
• Why Elisabeth does not delegate this one task
• How Sugarwish's partnership with Make-A-Wish aligns with its mission of spreading joySpecial Offer for Listeners
Try Sugarwish for yourself and save $10 on your first order with code SUPERFANS.
Connect with Elisabeth & Sugarwish
• Website: https://sugarwish.com/
• Instagram: @sugarwishgirl--------------------------------
About Brittany
Brittany Hodak is an award-winning entrepreneur, author, and customer experience speaker who helps businesses turn customers into superfans. She’s delivered keynotes to hundreds of organizations around the world, including American Express, Benihana, and Keller Williams. Her trademark SUPER Model™ framework has empowered teams in every industry to transform customer apathy into advocacy.
Enjoying the show? Subscribe, leave a rating and review, and share this episode with someone who wants to create more superfans.
Subscribe to Brittany's biweekly newsletter
Follow Brittany on LinkedIn and Instagram
Grab a copy of Creating Superfans on Amazon -
27 min
How I Travel 70+ Times A Year (And Still Have A Great Home Life)
Season 4, Episode 401
Show notes
How do I travel 70+ times a year, raise two young kids, and still stay sane?
After more than a year away, I'm excited to kick off Season 4 of Creating Superfans with a behind-the-scenes look at one of the questions I get asked more than almost anything else.
In this solo episode, I'm pulling back the curtain on life as a keynote speaker and sharing the travel hacks, productivity systems, and family routines that help me spend more than 70 trips a year on the road without sacrificing what matters most at home.
From the duplicate-packing strategy that changed everything to the loyalty programs, credit card perks, and hotel hacks that make constant travel easier, I'll share practical tips you can start using right away. I'll also talk about the intentional systems my family has created to help my two young sons see my travel as an opportunity rather than a sacrifice.
Whether you're a frequent traveler, an entrepreneur, or simply trying to balance a busy career with your personal life, I hope this episode gives you ideas to help you travel smarter and live more intentionally.
You'll learn:
• The packing system that saves me time and eliminates travel stress
• How I maximize airline, hotel, and credit card rewards without overcomplicating the process
• Simple travel hacks that make frequent trips more comfortable and efficient
• The family rituals that help me stay connected while I'm on the road
• Why I believe work-life balance isn't about doing everything at once—it's about being intentional with your time and attention--------------------------------
About Brittany
Brittany Hodak is an award-winning entrepreneur, author, and customer experience speaker who helps businesses turn customers into superfans. She’s delivered keynotes to hundreds of organizations around the world, including American Express, Benihana, and Keller Williams. Her trademark SUPER Model™ framework has empowered teams in every industry to transform customer apathy into advocacy.
Enjoying the show? Subscribe, leave a rating and review, and share this episode with someone who wants to create more superfans.
Subscribe to Brittany's biweekly newsletter
Follow Brittany on LinkedIn and Instagram
Grab a copy of Creating Superfans on Amazon -
39 min
Ask Brittany Anything | Answering Your Top Questions
Season 3, Episode 320
Show notes
I’ve been collecting your questions all season long for this special Q&A season three finale! In this episode, my second-in-command, Alix Steinberg, joins me to ask all your burning questions. Here’s a sneak peek at some of the topics we covered:
• Do you think other celebrities and musicians have started to copy Taylor Swift’s strategies?
• What was your favorite CX story that came out of 2024?
• Do you have a pre-keynote routine you follow before you go on stage?
• My business is in its early stages, and I’m still trying to figure out who my ideal customer is. How can I narrow my focus without losing potential opportunities?
• What is the craziest thing that has happened to you as a keynote speaker?
• If someone only has 10 minutes a day to work on improving customer experience, where should they focus their energy?
• As a real estate agent, it’s really frustrating when friends or family choose to work with someone else to buy or sell their homes. I understand some people might feel uneasy mixing business and personal relationships, but do you have any strategies for making them more comfortable working with me? How can I position myself as their best option without putting pressure on them?Check out these resources mentioned during the episode:
Customer Interactions You Can Easily Elevate to Create Superfans
5 Customer Experience Lessons from the Eras Tour
Interested in participating in a future origin story makeover episode? Email hello@brittanyhodak.com
--------------------------------
About Brittany
Brittany Hodak is an award-winning entrepreneur, author, and customer experience speaker who helps businesses turn customers into superfans. She’s delivered keynotes to hundreds of organizations around the world, including American Express, Benihana, and Keller Williams. Her trademark SUPER Model™ framework has empowered teams in every industry to transform customer apathy into advocacy.
Enjoying the show? Subscribe, leave a rating and review, and share this episode with someone who wants to create more superfans.
Subscribe to Brittany's biweekly newsletter
Follow Brittany on LinkedIn and Instagram
Grab a copy of Creating Superfans on Amazon -
33 min
Robert Glazer | Rethinking Two Weeks’ Notice
Season 3, Episode 319
Show notes
I always say that how you exit an employee from your organization is just as important as how you onboard them. In this episode of the Creating Superfans podcast, I sit down with Robert Glazer, award-winning entrepreneur and author of Rethinking Two Weeks’ Notice, to explore a better way to handle employee transitions. Robert shares the concept of an open transition program (OTP), a collaborative approach that fosters honesty and ensures smoother exits.
You’ll also hear us talk about:
• How to give performance feedback that focuses on behavior, not character
• Why you should stop doing performance improvement plans (PIPs)
• How negative departures can damage your company reputation and talent acquisition
• Practical steps for building trust and managing transitions effectively
• The long-term value of turning former employees into superfan alumniWhether you manage a team of two or two thousand, this episode is packed with actionable advice that can elevate your leadership and transform how you think about employee relationships.
Buy Rethinking Two Weeks' Notice on Amazon
Subscribe to Friday Forward
Follow Robert Glazer on LinkedIn--------------------------------
About Brittany
Brittany Hodak is an award-winning entrepreneur, author, and customer experience speaker who helps businesses turn customers into superfans. She’s delivered keynotes to hundreds of organizations around the world, including American Express, Benihana, and Keller Williams. Her trademark SUPER Model™ framework has empowered teams in every industry to transform customer apathy into advocacy.
Enjoying the show? Subscribe, leave a rating and review, and share this episode with someone who wants to create more superfans.
Subscribe to Brittany's biweekly newsletter
Follow Brittany on LinkedIn and Instagram
Grab a copy of Creating Superfans on Amazon -
37 min
Bob Kaufman | Lessons in Global Franchising and Brand Adaptation
Show notes
In this episode of the Creating Superfans podcast, I sit down with Bob Kaufman, president of international at Xponential Fitness, to dive into the art of global franchising. Bob shares fascinating stories from his career, including the expansion of brands like Club Pilates, Coffe Bean & Tea Leaf, and Tower Records into international markets. We discuss how to balance brand consistency with local cultural nuances and uncover the key traits of successful franchisees. Even if franchising isn’t on your radar, this episode is packed with valuable lessons for any business owner looking to grow, adapt, and create superfans. Tune in for a fun and inspiring conversation!
Connect with Bob on LinkedIn
--------------------------------
About Brittany
Brittany Hodak is an award-winning entrepreneur, author, and customer experience speaker who helps businesses turn customers into superfans. She’s delivered keynotes to hundreds of organizations around the world, including American Express, Benihana, and Keller Williams. Her trademark SUPER Model™ framework has empowered teams in every industry to transform customer apathy into advocacy.
Enjoying the show? Subscribe, leave a rating and review, and share this episode with someone who wants to create more superfans.
Subscribe to Brittany's biweekly newsletter
Follow Brittany on LinkedIn and Instagram
Grab a copy of Creating Superfans on Amazon -
29 min
Creating Superfans During the Black Friday Chaos
Season 3, Episode 317
Show notes
The holiday season is the perfect time to turn one-time shoppers into lifelong superfans, but it takes intentionality. In this episode, I’m sharing the three biggest mistakes businesses make during Black Friday and beyond—like focusing only on acquisition, bombarding customers with overwhelming marketing, and ignoring loyal superfans. I’ll give you actionable tips to avoid these pitfalls, from creating a strong retention plan to preparing your team for the holiday rush with empathy and efficiency. Lastly, I’m sharing an exclusive Black Friday offer for my Six Weeks to Superfans Masterclass. Whether you’re selling or shopping this season, there’s something in this episode for you!
Use code SUPERSALE to save $150 on the Six Weeks to Superfans Masterclass.
Enroll here
*Please note: you will be asked to create an account on Academy of Mine before you’re able to enter the coupon code.
For teams of 10 or more, email me at brittany@brittanyhodak.com
--------------------------------
About Brittany
Brittany Hodak is an award-winning entrepreneur, author, and customer experience speaker who helps businesses turn customers into superfans. She’s delivered keynotes to hundreds of organizations around the world, including American Express, Benihana, and Keller Williams. Her trademark SUPER Model™ framework has empowered teams in every industry to transform customer apathy into advocacy.
Enjoying the show? Subscribe, leave a rating and review, and share this episode with someone who wants to create more superfans.
Subscribe to Brittany's biweekly newsletter
Follow Brittany on LinkedIn and Instagram
Grab a copy of Creating Superfans on Amazon
Entrepreneurship lists
More Entrepreneurship shows picked out from the charts
More in Entrepreneurship
Placed highest on Apple Podcasts' Entrepreneurship chart right now