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Podcast guest appearances. Richard Blank Costa Rica's Call Center

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  • The RebelRebel Podcast by author Michael Dargie. Special guest CEO Richard Blank

    34:09|
    The RebelRebel Podcast is a regular dive into the hearts and minds of creative rebels and entrepreneurs from around the globe, it's a love letter to those mad fools who think audaciously and act courageously in service to making the world a better and more interesting place.“You shouldn’t use words to burn. They should be for light and for warmth.”Richard has spent the last 19 years running a near-shore bilingual contact center that thrives on empathy, communication, and human connection in an era dominated by automation.In this episode, Michael Dargie sits down with Richard Blank, CEO of Costa Rica’s Call Center. Richard has spent the last 19 years running a near-shore bilingual contact center that thrives on empathy, communication, and human connection in an era dominated by automation .Richard’s story begins in Philadelphia, where childhood trips to Mexico sparked his love of Spanish and culture. After studying Spanish in college, he took what was supposed to be a short trip to Costa Rica to teach English at a friend’s center. Instead, he fell in love—with the country, with the culture, and with the woman who would become his wife. That leap of faith became a lifelong adventure, culminating in the creation of Costa Rica’s Call Center .He explains why call centers aren’t just about dialing lists—they’re about rhetoric, persuasion, and the art of speech. For Richard, the real skill lies in listening, building rapport, and finding those rare “positive escalations” where a customer compliments an representative to their supervisor. He compares communication to fire: it can burn, but it can also light and warm, and the best representatives know how to use it for encouragement and clarity .The conversation ranges widely, from his love of 1970s electromechanical pinball machines and jukebox rescues in the Costa Rican mountains, to his passion for movies like Fast Times at Ridgemont High and The Maltese Falcon. Richard also shares the daily joys of Costa Rican life—warm rain in a convertible, fresh seafood at the market, and the surreal beauty of the rainforest .At the heart of it all is his philosophy: rebels in waiting should remove unnecessary weight, play the long game, and find balance. Business doesn’t require shortcuts or being number one—it requires integrity, patience, and compassion. His advice is simple: plan ahead, stay curious, and make space for yourself so your best ideas can surface.Quoteable Quotes“It’s a luxury trade—where else can you speak to hundreds of people a day?” — Richard Blank“You shouldn’t use words to burn. They should be for light and for warmth.” — Richard Blank“If you can’t find ways to decompress, you’ll never last as an entrepreneur.” — Richard Blank“They need more compassion—it starts with simply acknowledging existence.” — Richard Blank“You’re Canadian, that’s fun.” — Richard Blankhttps://youtu.be/xeXtFvyl9_khttps://youtu.be/SP43ryDRjFEhttps://youtu.be/CcqOPWNa6tQhttps://youtu.be/pb4VNFdNuo4https://youtu.be/9GZ7jTiwDwghttps://youtu.be/V3koTKEWZMEhttps://youtu.be/nRUGIOhvNBohttps://youtu.be/ynYIIF067Bshttps://youtu.be/FYO924TimAwhttps://youtu.be/FD-_rI-lPCshttps://youtu.be/8k7HNcHcHSkhttps://youtu.be/_5TQhtjeQBohttps://youtu.be/vOrmTLUHQcchttps://youtu.be/AAcmajxnF0shttps://youtu.be/1veCAfYmRx0https://youtu.be/mQa0gOe5Sekhttps://youtu.be/My9MAWW4QiE

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  • The Total Entrepreneur Podcast: Mind, Body, Spirit podcast guest Richard Blank. Nearshore BPO expert.

    37:35|
    Join Dr. John Torrens, an award-winning professor and entrepreneur, as he guides high-performing entrepreneurs, founders, and executives on a journey to redefine success. In The Total Entrepreneur: Mind, Body, Spirit, you'll learn how to balance business success with a fulfilling, healthy lifestyle. Each episode blends cutting-edge academic research with real-life insights from entrepreneurs, health experts, and researchers. Discover evidence-based strategies to prevent burnout, improve well-being, and create a life where purpose, productivity, and wellness thrive together.He Built a Multi Million Dollar Call Center Empire in Costa RicaIn this episode of The Total Entrepreneur, host John M. Torrens sits down with Richard Blank, the CEO of Costa Rica’s Call Center, to reveal the secrets behind mastering communication, cold calling psychology, and building a successful business from scratch.https://youtu.be/FdUkGfBPGFEhttps://youtu.be/oXgq4xex4S0https://youtu.be/ZedUem_e3MEhttps://youtu.be/86Lt3FlhZSkhttps://youtu.be/HP5-TtZiY4Ahttps://youtu.be/Fof0_7xixCYhttps://youtu.be/-6gqspwmN-ohttps://youtu.be/EyK40ljstPAhttps://youtu.be/Tuz94pRAbxYhttps://youtu.be/VDJeb7Tkigohttps://youtu.be/GBT8akxjTSYhttps://youtu.be/Flmmr5kHVnEhttps://youtu.be/8hD0jic-JJEhttps://youtu.be/Av4N9yaXNZohttps://youtu.be/ZkYV4qY0dNsRichard Blank hired bassist Garry Gary Beers of INXS. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ieGjN5H4xPQRichard Blank Call Center commercial with Rapper GblackDaBest and Freestyle break-dancer Yeik Lawson Rodríguez.https://youtu.be/GQvGZYcX71s?si=3I6N3p-LVxwTvnh2#DrJohnTorrens #TheTotalEntrepreneurPodcast #RichardBlank #CostaRica #CallCenter #Outsourcing #Telemarketing #BPO #Sales #Entrepreneur #B2B #Business #Podcast #Gamification #CEO 
  • Driven: Unscripted Success Podcast. Special guest Richard Blank

    31:43|
    Welcome to the Driven: Unscripted Success Podcast, the go-to show for high-performing business owners, executives, and professionals who aspire to elevate their personal, professional, and financial lives. Hosted by Michael Mannino Sr. and Nareman Hamdan, each episode dives deep into the inspiring stories and invaluable insights of top industryWelcome to the Driven: Unscripted Success Podcast, the go-to show for high-performing business owners, executives, and professionals who aspire to elevate their personal, professional, and financial lives. Hosted by Michael Mannino Sr. and Nareman Hamdan, each episode dives deep into the inspiring stories and invaluable insights of top industry leaders who have navigated the complex landscape of success with drive and determination.From leadership strategies and innovative business tactics to personal growth and financial acumen, our guests share their unscripted journeys to success, offering listeners practical advice and motivation to reach new heights.Join us on Driven: Unscripted Success Podcast, where we celebrate the relentless pursuit of excellence and empower you to achieve greatness in every facet of your life. Subscribe now and get ready to be inspired, challenged, and driven to succeed!In this episode of Driven: Unscripted Success, hosts Mike Mannino Sr. and Nareman Hamdan sit down with Richard Blank, CEO of Costa Rica’s Call Center. From Philadelphia roots to building a thriving business in Central America, Richard’s story is about resilience, authenticity, and the courage to take the “tortoise approach” in life and business.Richard shares why self-analysis is the key to self-awareness and how leaders can use reflection, empathy, and authenticity to build stronger teams. He opens up about:How studying Spanish shaped his career and led him to Costa RicaWhy hiring for attitude beats hiring for skillHow pinball machines and arcade games became a secret weapon for reducing turnoverThe importance of asking the right questions in interviews to uncover real characterHow self-analysis, empathy, and authenticity drive both personal and professional growthThis week’s guest is Richard Blank, CEO of Costa Rica’s Call Center. Richard’s story takes us from Philadelphia to Costa Rica, where he built a company grounded in resilience, empathy, and authenticity.In our conversation, he shares why self-analysis drives self-awareness, why he hires for attitude before skill, and how pinball machines and arcade games have become part of his unique workplace culture.It’s an inspiring episode you won’t want to miss!https://youtu.be/PVQNxb_aKIY?si=5ZH8CSntnKVPLW5ahttps://youtu.be/_rLoIKf2HnYhttps://youtu.be/UEqW7dg27IIhttps://youtu.be/jmI2XZjbLHAhttps://youtu.be/XbwpH9BkmS4https://youtu.be/oeFA3qVBp2chttps://youtu.be/XSGofcQw4X8https://youtu.be/DD519UQsseIhttps://youtu.be/E-mCpYWZrikhttps://youtu.be/OW1gW6o3erQhttps://youtube.com/shorts/RbWy2leJlvY
  • Inside Marketing with MarketSurge Podcast. Reed Hansen has a chat with Richard Blank.

    28:14|
    Welcome to Inside Marketing with MarketSurge — your front-row seat to the boldest business insights, marketing breakthroughs, and entrepreneurial real talk. Hosted by Reed Hansen, Chief Growth Officer at MarketSurge and a digital marketing veteran who's helped scale everything from scrappy startups to Fortune 500 giants, this podcast dives deep into what’s really moving the needle in today’s marketing world. Find us at Marketsurge.io Each week, we’ll break down the latest marketing and business news (minus the fluff), explore tech trends you actually need to know, and feature unfiltered conversations with the most interesting minds in entrepreneurship and marketing.Welcome to MarketSurge! Are you a small business owner, marketing professional, or entrepreneur looking to elevate your marketing game? You're in the right place. At MarketSurge, we simplify and demonstrate the value of marketing automation, making it accessible and actionable for businesses of all sizes.Stay Ahead in Marketing: Get the latest automation strategies tailored for small businesses and entrepreneurs.Step-by-Step Tutorials: Our practical, easy-to-follow guides and real use-cases help you implement automation strategies effortlessly.Community Insights: Join a thriving community of like-minded professionals sharing insights, tips, and success stories.Latest Tech Updates: Stay up-to-date with the newest advancements in marketing technology.Join us at MarketSurge and revolutionize the way you approach marketing. Subscribe now to never miss an updaIn this episode, we sit down with Richard Blank, founder and CEO of Costa Rica’s Call Center.From Northeast Philly to San José, Richard shares his journey of betting on himself, moving abroad, and building a thriving nearshore BPO from a one-seat operation to a company that now powers:Inbound customer supportLead generationAppointment settingSales training & coachingHe’s trained over 10,000 bilingual telemarketers, launched a telemarketing school, and even infused gamification into company culture with retro arcade pinball, jukeboxes, and air hockey. His story is one of grit, creativity, and a relentless belief in the art of communication.If you’ve ever wondered what it takes to scale a business without outside investment, how to build culture in unexpected industries, or how traditional call centers adapt in the era of AI — this episode is for you.What You’ll Learn in This Episode:Why Richard left Philadelphia at age 27 to pursue a short-term gig that turned into a 19-year business journey.How he grew Costa Rica’s Call Center without outside investors, staying lean and resourceful.The unique coaching and training methods he’s developed after analyzing 10,000+ calls.Why empathy, soft skills, and gamification are still critical in the call center industry.How human connection outperforms AI when it comes to building trust and saving clients.https://youtu.be/K76hk_ikwNAhttps://youtu.be/8H_yWh1hHFghttps://youtu.be/A9pe8y4lEf8https://marketsurge.transistor.fm/episodes/telemarketing-reinvented-richard-blank-s-journey-to-building-costa-rica-s-call-centerhttps://youtu.be/J7t9cZT4HSkhttps://youtu.be/bJ8Rw9J-2xshttps://youtu.be/1HonTCNW41ohttps://youtu.be/7cXkjRXISeEhttps://youtu.be/p3lWdy-3jwUhttps://youtu.be/GTjeL9y5lWIhttps://youtu.be/0wBmSX8uIDI
  • Rosabel Unscripted Podcast. Season 2 episode 70 with special guest Richard Blank.

    45:57|
    What Happens When You Ditch the American Dream for a Real One?Rosabel Unscripted PodcastWelcome to Rosabel Unscripted podcast where meaningful conversations unfold. Join Rosabel Zohfeld, nurse practitioner, writer, and mom, as she explores personal growth, health insights, literature, and impactful life stories. Featuring guests who share their unique perspectives, Rosabel dives into the unscripted moments that shape our lives. Tune in for inspiring, authentic, and educational discussions on the beauty and complexity of life.What does it really take to start over in a new country—and build a *business* from the ground up? In this episode of Rosabel Unscripted, host Rosabel Zohfeld sits down with Richard Blank, *CEO* of Costa Rica’s Call Center, to explore his incredible journey from Philadelphia to Costa Rica.Key Takeaways:• Why Richard left Philadelphia to chase purpose in Costa Rica• The power of being bilingual in global business• How courage and self-trust lead to authentic success• The difference between building for ego vs. building for values• Insights into creating a positive work culture• What it takes to reinvent your life—at any ageChapters / Timestamps:00:00 The Weight of Wisdom01:00 Richard’s journey from Philadelphia to Costa Rica and the challenges he faced05:30 The importance of being bilingual and how it opened doors for Richard12:45 Building a business aligned with personal values rather than societal expectations15:00 💬 “Life is all about starting and reinventing ourselves.”20:15 The role of courage and self-trust in personal and professional growth22:20 Human Connection in Healthcare25:12 Cultural Perspectives on Care25:45 💬 “If you think it’s plug and play and it’s easy like they show in Hollywood, you’re out of your mind.”27:54 The Call Center Experience30:00 Insights into Richard’s leadership style and the culture at Costa Rica’s Call Center30:41 Nostalgia and Childhood Memories33:31 The Evolution of Technology and Play39:45 Childhood Mischief and Apologies42:19 Growing Up in the 80s: A Nostalgic Reflection43:35 Teaching Children Appreciation for What They Have45:42 The Value of Imagination in Play48:32 Handmade Gifts vs. Store-Bought: The Personal Touch50:21 Exploring Human History and the Impact of Technology51:43 Personal Stories of Growth and Learning from Mistakes58:37 Childhood Adventures and Mischief01:00:56 Parenting Reflections and Generational Insights01:03:40 Community and Generosity01:05:34 Adopting a Child: A New Perspective01:06:46 Inspiration and Creativity01:14:21 Embracing Authenticity and Uniquenesshttps://youtu.be/zO7bPzXo9Sghttps://youtu.be/C9d0E09hhCshttps://youtu.be/Q8Oh9kv-0Skhttps://youtu.be/k0sV0b7UsHUhttps://youtu.be/9WBxUfoR7AIhttps://youtu.be/5xH3RVUUTyYhttps://youtu.be/gSj66gMGO8Ehttps://youtu.be/_YUvozqOeTQhttps://youtu.be/DNQJLFQ_k4Ihttps://youtu.be/TdxUGljMeKMhttps://youtu.be/sPus6T4ewRAhttps://youtu.be/qTSR4Buujdwhttps://youtu.be/b3mVS4ucH-8Richard Blank hired bassist Garry Gary Beers of INXS. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ieGjN5H4xPQRichard Blank produced a Rap Breakdancing video commercialhttps://youtu.be/GQvGZYcX71s?si=3I6N3p-LVxwTvnh2Rosabel Unscripted Podcast, Rosabel Zohfeld , Richard Blank,Costa Rica's Call Center, Outsourcing, Telemarketing, BPO, Nearshore, Sales, Entrepreneur, B2B, Business,Podcast,Gamification,Leadership,Marketing, Radio, Guest, Money, education, trainer,
  • Effective Communication Techniques with Richard Blank. Empowerment Extend Podcast by Carinder Malhi.

    27:21|
    Empowerment Extend is a dynamic podcast hosted by Carinder, dedicated to amplifying voices, exploring diverse perspectives, and fostering conversations that inspire personal growth and community impact. The podcast serves as a platform to discuss topics ranging from leadership, inclusion, and mental health to innovation and advocacy. Through engaging interviews with thought leaders, change-makers, and passionate individuals, Empowerment Extend aims to motivate listeners to embrace their potential, overcome challenges, and create meaningful change in their lives and the world around them.We’re so excited to introduce our new project: the Empowerment Extend Podcast, where we explore disability, inclusion, and empowerment for all. At Empowerment Extend, we believe that every voice deserves to be heard. Our mission is to break barriers, challenge stereotypes, and celebrate diversity in all its forms. Together, Carinder & Sarah bring real, honest conversations about what true inclusion really means — in workplaces, communities, and everyday life. We share inspiring stories, practical tips, and powerful insights to help us build a more inclusive world. Whether you’re a disability advocate, an ally, or simply passionate about creating a society where everyone can thrive, this podcast is for you.Join us as we explore the essential techniques for effective communication*. Discover how to express your ideas clearly, listen actively, and build meaningful connections. This episode is packed with *practical tips and insights to help you communicate with confidence and impact.Key Takeaways:The importance of active listeningStrategies for clear and concise expressionHow to build rapport and engage your audienceOvercoming common communication barriershttps://youtu.be/UAhEuk3Fxhghttps://youtube.com/shorts/CkmNb-D7FPshttps://youtube.com/shorts/z85LPtAqd6Uhttps://youtube.com/shorts/JZfa_Psu_0Yhttps://youtube.com/shorts/z_lBFR1y-_Qhttps://youtube.com/shorts/G1dK07FR580Richard Blank hired bassist Garry Gary Beers of INXS. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ieGjN5H4xPQEmpowerment Extend, Carinder Malhi, Richard Blank,Costa Rica's Call Center, Outsourcing, Telemarketing, BPO, Nearshore, Sales, Entrepreneur, B2B, Business,Podcast,Gamification,Leadership,Marketing, Radio, Guest, Money, education, trainer,Carinder (carin) MalhiWent to College of Broadcasting AbeokutaStudied at Gaston College Audio/Video Tech and Sports Media TechSingapore From Staines, United Kingdom4+ years experienced Video editing Engineer highly skilled in Vido editing development, testing, documentationetc. across the complete developmentthe life cycle of a product. Adept at the end toend software design & developmentincluding requirement gathering,documentation, infrastructure setup,coding & unit & integration testing.Handles complex projectmanagement & coordination workvery efficiently to deliver results.
  • What The Why part of WTW Rewind Series with Barbara Anne. Season 3 Episode #4 with Richard Blank.

    30:47|
    This episode of “What The Why?!? originally aired on the RVN Television Network which is now KnetStream. While these shows are currently available on KnetStream, we are happy to share these edited versions of meaningful conversations for additional reflection and impact."What The Why?!?" hosted by Barbara Anne Gardenhire-Mills. It's a show where she interviews various leaders about their "why" – their purpose and what drives them.In our fourth season, our show features conversations with a wide variety of leaders from all walks of life about why they do what they do and how they figured things out.The first three seasons of the show, known as "What The Why?!? with Barbara Anne," are also available on select platforms and KnetStream.com."https://youtu.be/20zcT3hxwQAhttps://youtu.be/lo6D9XlVlhchttps://youtu.be/89EQxbg-2tUhttps://youtu.be/mJ6w_29aBYMhttps://youtu.be/96aWnZhTALchttps://youtu.be/sCt_28qjrTg?si=gERP_m8RCZvhjndjWhat The Why, Barbara Anne, Richard Blank,Costa Rica's Call Center, Outsourcing, Telemarketing, BPO, Nearshore, Sales, Entrepreneur, B2B, Business,Podcast,Gamification,Leadership,Marketing, Radio, Guest, Money, education, trainer,