AICHE S1Ep2 E.A.T.ing with John Barrows

Effort, Attitude, and Treating People Right: John Barrows’ Human Centric Approach to AI and Sales

Welcome to Season 1, Episode 2 of the AI Curious Human Enthusiast Podcast (AICHE), “E.A.T.ing with John Barrows.” In this episode, host Erich Starrett is joined by sales powerhouse John Barrows for an insightful conversation that goes beyond sales, diving deep into the intersection of humanity, authenticity, and artificial intelligence.

Kicking off with laughter and a few “Erichisms,” then quickly shifting into some JB-isms, this episode explores the philosophy of E.A.T.—Effort, Attitude, and how you Treat people—an idea John Barrows developed with his daughter and one he lives by, professionally and personally. Together, they discuss the challenges and opportunities AI brings to the workplace, sharing candid stories about adapting to technological change and what it takes to remain relevant as automation ramps up.

Whether you’re navigating career transitions, curious about leveraging AI in your daily grind, or just want to hear what happens when you combine curiosity and emotional intelligence, this episode is packed with practical wisdom, relatable anecdotes, and actionable advice. You’ll hear how John Barrows uses AI for everything from meeting prep to managing rage emails, why emotional intelligence and genuine curiosity matter more than ever, and what the future might hold as humans and AI increasingly collaborate.

Tune in for a blend of humor, heart, and hard truths about the evolving workplace—and leave inspired to focus on what you can control, stay curious, and “be the bread” in your own human/AI sandwich!

About Our Guest:

John Barrows, CEOof JB Sales

https://www.linkedin.com/in/johnbarrows/

John Barrows never planned to become a sales expert—he started with a marketing degree, then “fell into sales like everybody else.” Early on, John sold DeWalt power tools and later honed his craft at Xerox, where he learned the fundamentals of selling while convincing the government to buy copiers. Fueled by these experiences, he went on to launch an IT services firm and adopted a sales training program that inspired him so much, he built a career around delivering it to others. With a no-nonsense approach and a knack for spotting opportunities, John has helped companies accelerate their growth and continues to share the techniques that shaped his own success.