The "Hot Nerd" of Sales: Neuroscience, Improv, and the "Buyer First" Mindset with Carole Mahoney
Tue Jan 27 2026
I recently sat down with Carole Mahoney, a self-described "hot nerd," author of Buyer First, and a woman on a mission to redeem the sales profession. Carole didn't start out loving sales; in fact, she started in marketing specifically to make salespeople obsolete. But she realized that to help small businesses grow, she had to embrace selling—not as a manipulation, but as a mechanism for change.
In this episode, we explore how she uses neuroscience and psychology to help sellers get out of their own way. We geek out on the similarities between hiking and sales (you can pack all the gear you want, but you still have to pivot when the trail changes), and why she believes the only difference between a good salesperson and a con man is intent.
Key Highlights & Takeaways:
From Sheet Music to Improv: Carole shares her transition from being a musician who needed "sheet music" (a script) to embracing the "Yes, And" mentality of improv. We discuss why being present in the moment is more valuable than having the perfect answer prepared.
The "Not About Me" T-Shirt: Carole literally made t-shirts for HubSpot reps that said "Not About Me" upside down, so they would be reminded every time they looked down that the sales call isn't about their product—it's about the buyer.
How You Buy is How You Sell: We discuss the "cognitive behavioral" side of sales. If you are a shopper who needs to "think it over" and hunt for discounts, you will inevitably accept those same excuses from your prospects.
The Manager Impact: Carole drops a massive stat from her analysis of 500,000 managers: Managers with negative beliefs about sales are 355% more likely to pass those on to their team, while those with supportive mindsets are 1,000% more likely to build high-performing teams.
Hiring "Kristen" from the Restaurant: We bond over our shared love of hiring hospitality staff for sales roles. They know how to ask questions, read the room, and (like Kristen at Atlantic Fish Company) confidently recommend the tuna over the salmon.
Memorable Quotes:
"I’m a nerd who likes to see constant growth... I love to leave things in a better state than I found them." — Carole Mahoney
"The only difference between a good salesperson and a con man is intent." — Carole Mahoney
"If you buy that way as a salesperson, you will sell that way as a salesperson." — Carole Mahoney
"We share the sheet music, but we play the jazz." — Lee Levitt
The Bottom Line:Sales isn't about tricking people into doing things; it's about helping them make a change. Whether you are a "hot nerd" reading neuroscience papers or a waiter recommending the special, success comes down to curiosity, authenticity, and the ability to listen.
Call to Action:
Read the Book: Pick up a copy of Buyer First to understand the psychology behind modern selling.
Connect with Carole: Find her at UnboundGrowth.com or connect with "Carole (with an E) Mahoney" on LinkedIn.
Subscribe: If you enjoyed this conversation, hit subscribe on Thoughts on Selling so you never miss an episode!
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I recently sat down with Carole Mahoney, a self-described "hot nerd," author of Buyer First, and a woman on a mission to redeem the sales profession. Carole didn't start out loving sales; in fact, she started in marketing specifically to make salespeople obsolete. But she realized that to help small businesses grow, she had to embrace selling—not as a manipulation, but as a mechanism for change. In this episode, we explore how she uses neuroscience and psychology to help sellers get out of their own way. We geek out on the similarities between hiking and sales (you can pack all the gear you want, but you still have to pivot when the trail changes), and why she believes the only difference between a good salesperson and a con man is intent. Key Highlights & Takeaways: From Sheet Music to Improv: Carole shares her transition from being a musician who needed "sheet music" (a script) to embracing the "Yes, And" mentality of improv. We discuss why being present in the moment is more valuable than having the perfect answer prepared. The "Not About Me" T-Shirt: Carole literally made t-shirts for HubSpot reps that said "Not About Me" upside down, so they would be reminded every time they looked down that the sales call isn't about their product—it's about the buyer. How You Buy is How You Sell: We discuss the "cognitive behavioral" side of sales. If you are a shopper who needs to "think it over" and hunt for discounts, you will inevitably accept those same excuses from your prospects. The Manager Impact: Carole drops a massive stat from her analysis of 500,000 managers: Managers with negative beliefs about sales are 355% more likely to pass those on to their team, while those with supportive mindsets are 1,000% more likely to build high-performing teams. Hiring "Kristen" from the Restaurant: We bond over our shared love of hiring hospitality staff for sales roles. They know how to ask questions, read the room, and (like Kristen at Atlantic Fish Company) confidently recommend the tuna over the salmon. Memorable Quotes: "I’m a nerd who likes to see constant growth... I love to leave things in a better state than I found them." — Carole Mahoney "The only difference between a good salesperson and a con man is intent." — Carole Mahoney "If you buy that way as a salesperson, you will sell that way as a salesperson." — Carole Mahoney "We share the sheet music, but we play the jazz." — Lee Levitt The Bottom Line:Sales isn't about tricking people into doing things; it's about helping them make a change. Whether you are a "hot nerd" reading neuroscience papers or a waiter recommending the special, success comes down to curiosity, authenticity, and the ability to listen. Call to Action: Read the Book: Pick up a copy of Buyer First to understand the psychology behind modern selling. Connect with Carole: Find her at UnboundGrowth.com or connect with "Carole (with an E) Mahoney" on LinkedIn. Subscribe: If you enjoyed this conversation, hit subscribe on Thoughts on Selling so you never miss an episode!