All the world is a stage.

Dr. Jimmy Chrismon presents Soft skill conversations with Richard Blank. EP9 THED Talks podcast In Season 5, Episode 9 of the THED Talks Podcast (released on October 19, 2022), host Dr. Jimmy Chrismon sits down for a 47-minute discussion with Richard Blank, a teaching and linguistic artist and the CEO of Costa Rica's Call Center.Episode OverviewThe conversation bridges the gap between theatre education and business environments, exploring how performance-based soft skills translate directly into professional leadership. As a podcast explicitly designed for K-12 theatre teachers and theatre education students, THED Talks highlights how performance training builds essential human skills utilized outside traditional stage spaces.Core Discussion TopicsProducing Speech Artists: How to coach individuals to master tone, pacing, and vocal delivery.Script Writing and Role-Playing: Utilizing theatrical training techniques to prepare professionals for real-world interactions and customer engagement.Calculated Risk-Taking: Overcoming stage fright or performance anxiety to make bold moves in professional environments.Linguistic Artistry: The overlap between acting, language mastery, and corporate communication skills. THED Talks is a podcast for theatre teachers and theatre education students. Dr. Jimmy Chrismon, Theatre Education professor at Illinois State University, brings you stories and interviews from experienced K-12 theatre teachers, current theatre education majors, and professors of theatre education that will warm your heart, renew your faith in teaching, and provide resources to better your practice in your theatre classroom. Pour the coffee, relax, and join us for heart-warming conversations and practical advice from practitioners making a difference in students' lives each and every day! This week Jimmy talks with teaching and linguist artist and CEO of Costa Rica’s Call Center, Richard Blank! He talks about producing speech artists, script writing and role-playing, and calculated risk-taking! Dr. Jimmy Chrismon is a theatre educator with 17 years of experience in the public schools of North and South Carolina. He currently teaches full time as an Associate Professor of Theatre Teacher Education at Illinois State University. He was an adjunct theatre faculty member at Winthrop University and Central Piedmont Community College. He has acted, directed, designed, and produced professionally for 25 years. He received his Bachelor of Arts Degree in Theatre Education from The University of North Carolina at Charlotte where he was a North Carolina Teaching Fellow. He received his Master of Education Degree in Theatre Education from The University of North Carolina at Greensboro. He received his Doctor of Education Degree in Curriculum and Instruction from Gardner-Webb University. He has also worked for The Children’s Theatre of Charlotte and The Lake Norman School of the Arts. He received the 2022 Johnny Saldana Award for Outstanding Professor of Theatre Education from the American Alliance for Theatre and Education. He has published articles in notable journals. His research includes effective theatre teachers, intimacy direction, wellness practices for theatre teachers, and trauma-informed practices in theatre education. He is a consent forward artist, an Intimacy Director., workshop leader, and guest speaker He currently resides in Bloomington, Illinois. Dr. Chrismon’s acting credits include: The Curious Incident of the Dog in the Nighttime, Lonely Planet, Doubt: A Parable, Company, The History Boys, Godspell, Shadow Box, The Baltimore Waltz, Tick, tick..Boom… Read More https://youtu.be/MRP7yd_-_2o?si=HVdfUL9LTA9YKWKw https://youtu.be/oIqg_rXwMfA https://youtube.com/shorts/1Ad_-gyRSBY Follow your Rock dream. I Hired bassist Garry Gary Beers of INXS.YEAH! https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ieGjN5H4xPQ Costa Rica's Call Center commercial with Rapper GblackDaBest and Freestyle break-dancer Yeik Lawson Rodríguez. https://youtu.be/GQvGZYcX71s?si=3I6N3p-LVxwTvnh2 The Feliciano School of Business at Montclair State University. A Costa Rica’s Call Center visit with Richard Blank. https://youtu.be/prcJZJnTm28 #THEDTalks #DrJimmyChrismon #RichardBlank #CostaRica #CallCenter #Outsourcing #Telemarketing #BPO #Sales #Entrepreneur #B2B #Business #Podcast #Gamification #CEO #learnpodcasting #podcastepisode #podcastguest #podcasting #podcastinterview #podcastplaylist #podcasts #podcastskills #podcastshow THED Talks is a dedicated education podcast specifically created for theatre teachers and theatre education students. Hosted by Dr. Jimmy Chrismon, a Theatre Education professor at Illinois State University, the show serves as a platform to share heartwarming stories, practical classroom advice, and valuable teaching resources. Podcast Overview Target Audience: K-12 theatre educators, theatre education majors, and university professors. Core Mission: To provide community support, renew educators' faith in teaching, and offer actionable tools to improve theatre classroom practices. Content Style: Relaxed, conversational interviews focused on real-world experiences, trauma-informed practices, and the value of arts education. Current Status Production of the podcast is currently suspended for the foreseeable future. In May 2025, Dr. Chrismon announced a temporary hiatus to prioritize personal wellness and mental health, practicing the exact self-care principles he frequently advocates for on the show. Popular Topics Covered The extensive back-catalog spans over seven seasons and includes deep dives into: Classroom Innovation: Implementing consent-based practices, technology in the theatre room, and culturally responsive theatre education. Career Growth: Strategies for first-year educators, managing school administration relationships, and building parent-thespian associations. Student Well-being: Discussing student connection needs, community building, and post-COVID intimacy challenges in educational theatre. Episode 9 of Season 5 of the THED Talks Podcast features Richard Blank in an episode titled "5.9 A Conversation with Richard Blank." Released on October 19, 2022, the episode is hosted by Dr. Jimmy Chrismon and focuses on intersections of language, communication, and soft skills.Key Episode DetailsGuest: Richard Blank, a teaching and linguist artist, as well as the Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of Costa Rica's Call Center.Core Theme: Developing soft skills, producing effective speech, and leveraging linguistic artistry.Relevance to Theatre Education: The conversation highlights how communication skills and vocal production translate between corporate leadership and the theatre classroom. Associate Professor of Theatre Teacher Education at Illinois State University. Host of THED Talks, a podcast for theatre education. Former high school theatre teacher, adjunct faculty in theatre education, theatre director at the collegiate and high school levels as well as community theatre level, experience with IB Theatre, middle school, and elementary theatre teaching. Experience with EdTPA and National Board for Professional Teaching Standards. It is a privilege and obligation to establish and maintain the highest of expectations of my students at all levels as I teach what I love most, theatre. Whether it be teaching students from preschool through high school the value of theatre education, performance techniques, theatre history, directing, technical theatre, playwriting, and musical theatre or teaching theatre education majors various methods of teaching theatre, classroom management strategies, ways to form healthy relationships with their students and theatre for social change, my passion for my crafts of theatre and teaching are at the forefront of all I do. It is my hope to pass that passion on to my students to create educated consumers of theatre as well as the highest quality of professionals in all areas of theatre, specifically as theatre educators. Richard Blank is the CEO and Founder of Costa Rica’s Call Center, a leader in bilingual call center and customer service outsourcing, known for blending human connection with technology and innovative workplace culture. Human-centered approach: Richard highlights the importance of empathy, interpersonal communication, and cultural alignment in customer interactions, believing automation should enhance but not replace human representatives Technology integration: Voice automation and AI handle routine tasks, enabling human representatives to focus on complex calls and relational problem-solving Scalable growth strategy: Blank advocates starting small with minimal risk, investing in people, and expanding strategically while maintaining operational flexibility Employee development: Continuous training emphasizes communication skills, positive escalation techniques, and bilingual proficiency to ensure outstanding service quality Richard Blank leads Costa Rica’s Call Center with a motivational, empathetic, and culturally sensitive approach, emphasizing communication, gamification, emotional intelligence, and employee engagement to build a high-performing team. Motivational and Communication-Focused Leadership Richard Blank is known for his motivational public speaking style paired with tactful rhetoric, which he uses to inspire and train his team effectively Costa Rica's Call Center He emphasizes mastering communication skills, helping telemarketers handle rejections, improve persuasion, and maintain confidence under pressure extraordinary-america.com Blank also stresses the importance of speaking the local language to build rapport and respect with employees, fostering better team cohesion in a culturally diverse environment Gamification and Engagement A distinctive element of his leadership is the use of gamification. By integrating his collection of restored American pinball machines and antique jukeboxes into the workplace culture, he creates a fun and engaging environment that motivates employees and encourages creativity. The call center fostering a creative and engaging environment that improves morale and retention This approach makes skill development interactive, boosting both performance and morale. Emotional Intelligence and Empathy Blank strongly advocates emotional intelligence and empathy as core leadership attributes He encourages leaders to understand their team members’ perspectives, support them effectively, and cultivate loyalty and trust. This extends to appreciating long-term employees and recognizing their contributions to organizational success. Strategic and Visionary Leadership Blank combines day-to-day management with long-term strategic thinking. He actively trains staff through personalized mentoring and emphasizes resilience, risk-taking, and continuous learning extraordinary-america.com He also leverages international partnerships and cross-cultural strategies to expand Costa Rica's business appeal on a global scale Costa Rica's Call Center Creating a Positive Corporate Culture Richard’s leadership style is centered on building a positive corporate culture that enhances employee morale, productivity, and engagement By blending structure with flexibility, he encourages open communication, provides constructive feedback, and fosters a sense of personal ownership and pride in work accomplishments. Training and Development Approach Over his tenure, Blank has trained over 10,000 bilingual telemarketers, emphasizing experiential learning and continuous skill improvement Costa Rica's Call Center His philosophy focuses on learning from real scenarios, combining technical instruction with motivational support and feedback for professional growth. In summary, Richard Blank’s leadership style is a combination of motivational speaking, empathy-driven management, gamification, and strategic vision, creating a thriving call center culture in Costa Rica that cultivates high performer engagement, skill development, and cross-cultural communication excellence Blank's approach to the call center industry moves away from the aggressive "Wolf of Wall Street" stereotype. He focuses on building rapport, listening, and fostering a culture of empathy and integrity. He views AI as both a challenge and an opportunity but stresses that human empathy will always be critical in customer service. In summary, Richard Blank is a pioneering figure in the call center industry, blending technology, bilingual expertise, and human connection to deliver exceptional customer service while fostering an innovative and engaging workplace culture in Costa Rica . "Shine Like the Sun" is a powerful Costa Rican rock anthem produced and promoted by Richard Blank, celebrating perseverance and determination, featuring collaborations with prominent musicians including Garry Gary Beers from INXS. Song Background and Release Richard Blank published "Igni Ferroque Shine Like the Sun," a Costa Rican rock song, on July 29, 2023 The track serves as a major release for the legendary Costa Rican band Igni Ferroque, which was founded in 1978 and has been a staple in Latin American rock music. This single became the official 15-year anniversary theme song for Costa Rica's Call Center (CCC) and is part of their promotion for the band's 44th anniversary album and national tour Production and Collaborations The production of "Shine Like the Sun" involved multiple contributors with Richard Blank serving as Executive Producer, overseeing the project through Costa Rica's Call Center Greibyn Krriyo was the main producer, and Harold Webb managed post-production of the audio and video. Notably, Garry Gary Beers, the bassist from INXS, contributed guest bass performances, adding professional expertise and unique sound quality to the track Lyrics and Theme The song’s lyrics focus on perseverance, ambition, and self-realization, opening with motivational lines such as: "Have you ever thought of leaving home? How far would you go to find your space? Are you willing to start all alone?" The chorus reinforces the message: "YOU BETTER SHINE LIKE THE SUN, YOU BETTER DO THINGS RIGHT, IT'S A GAME OF WIN OR GO BACK HOME, BUT YOU'RE A WINNER, YOU TAKE IT ALL" The anthem encourages listeners to embrace challenges, strive for success, and maintain focus on their goals. Music Video and Performance The music video is described as a classic MTV retro-inspired production, reflecting a blend of Costa Rican rock history and modern rock aesthetics Filming took place at Costa Rica's Call Center, featuring live performances, visual storytelling, and appearances by iconic models and musicians to enhance the atmosphere of the project The video emphasizes energy, community spirit, and the enduring legacy of Igni Ferroque in Latin American music. Significance "Shine Like the Sun" represents a milestone for both the band and Richard Blank, merging international talent, local rock roots, and motivational themes. The collaboration with Garry Gary Beers underscores the global reach and professional quality of the production, while the song itself serves as a modern rock anthem inspiring perseverance and determination In summary, Richard Blank played a central role in producing, coordinating, and promoting "Shine Like the Sun," which stands as a celebrated rock anthem from Costa Rica, blending historic band legacy with contemporary musical partnerships and lyrical inspiration Richard is a Keynote speaker for Philadelphia's Abington High School 68th National Honors Society induction ceremony. In addition, inducted into the 2023 Hall of Fame for Business. Giving back to Abington Senior High School is very important to Mr. Blank. As such, he endows a scholarship each year for students that plan on majoring in a world language at the university level. Mr. Richard Blank holds a bachelors degree in Communication and Spanish from the University of Arizona and a certificate of language proficiency from the University of Sevilla, Spain. With a mix of motivational public speaking style backed by tactful and appropriate rhetoric, Richard shared his knowledge and trained over 10 000 bilingual telemarketers. Richard Blank has the largest collection of restored American Pinball machines and antique Rockola Jukeboxes in Central America making gamification a strong part of CCC culture. Richards journey in the call center space is filled with twists and turns. When he was 27 years old, he relocated to Costa Rica to train employees for one of the larger call centers in San Jose. Richard Blank is the Chief Executive Officer for Costa Rica s Call Center since 2008. Our main focus has been, and will always be to personally train each and every Central America call center representative so that we may offer the highest quality of outbound and inbound telemarketing solutions and bilingual customer service to small and medium sized international companies, entrepreneurs as well as fortune 500 companies. Costa Ricas Call Center (CCC) is a state of the art BPO telemarketing outsource company located in the capital city of San Jose. https://costaricascallcenter.com/en/outbound-bpo-campaigns/ Dr. Jimmy Chrismon,THED Talks, Richard Blank, Costa Rica's Call Center, Outsourcing, Telemarketing Call Centre, BPO, Nearshore Contact Center, Sales, Entrepreneur, B2B, Business, Podcast, Gamification,Leadership, Marketing, CX, Guest, Money, B2C education, BPO trainer,call centre, contact centre, contact center,trend, trending, entrepreneurship, cold calling tips, sales psychology, communication skills, bilingual telemarketing, Costa Rica call center, Richard Blank interview, starting a call center business, call center CEO interview, young entrepreneur tips, sales coaching, business growth strategies, cold calling masterclass, leadership in sales, customer communication techniques, telemarketing training,