Authentic Voices
Authentic Voices is a podcast about human connection in a world that increasingly feels filtered, automated, and disconnected. Hosted by Shawnna Sumaoang, each episode features honest conversations with leaders, creators, builders, and thinkers navigating what it means to stay authentic as technology reshapes how we work, communicate, and relate to one another.
From leadership and identity to trust, ambition, burnout, relationships, and belonging, Authentic Voices explores the very human questions emerging beneath a rapidly changing world. These are conversations about the people behind the titles, the pressure to perform, and the growing need for something real.
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Episodes
Dec 17, 2025
Dec 17, 2025
17 min
In this episode of Authentic Customer Voices, we sit down with Amber Heffner, Director of Strategic Growth at ParentSquare, to explore how her team built an advocacy program that scales without sacrificing authenticity, empathy, or trust. From spreadsheets and scattered permissions to a structured, AI-enabled system, Amber shares how ParentSquare transformed advocacy into a consistent, human-centered part of the customer journey. We cover how her team identifies “moments that matter,” celebrates everyday wins, and builds lasting relationships that drive both engagement and pipeline impact.
Nov 12, 2025
Nov 12, 2025
16 min
In this episode of Authentic Customer Voices, Jennifer Edwards, VP of Customer Experience at Five9, shares how authenticity, trust, and creativity shape her approach to building human-centered experiences across customers, partners, and employees. She reflects on why many companies overpromise on “customer obsession,” the need to replace outdated NPS metrics with real-time insight, and how AI can make feedback more intuitive and human. Her vision for the future is one where technology amplifies authenticity and customer voice becomes the true driver of lasting growth.
Nov 5, 2025
Nov 5, 2025
17 min
In this episode, Sydney Sloan, CMO at G2, shares her perspective on how authentic customer voice is reshaping modern go-to-market strategy. Drawing on her experience leading teams at some of B2B’s most iconic brands, Sydney discusses the shift from traditional SEO to AI-powered discovery, the power of peer reviews, and the evolving role of customer feedback in brand building. She also reflects on how customer voice fuels category creation, campaign strategy, and trust at scale—offering thoughtful lessons for anyone building customer-led programs today.
Oct 23, 2025
Oct 23, 2025
25 min
In this episode of Authentic Customer Voices, Captivate Collective co-founders Liz Richardson and Deena Zenyk share why the most powerful customer stories are often the least polished. They discuss how authenticity drives trust, the importance of embedding advocacy across the entire customer journey, and how AI is reshaping what “real” customer voice means. Tune in for fresh insights on measuring impact, building genuine connections, and the future of customer-led growth.