Show overview
Dive: Foundations for C-Store Sales Associates has been publishing since 2023, and across the 3 years since has built a catalogue of 92 episodes. That works out to roughly 25 hours of audio in total. Releases follow a fortnightly cadence.
Episodes typically run ten to twenty minutes — most land between 7 min and 21 min — with run-times ranging widely across the catalogue. None of the episodes are flagged explicit by the publisher. It is catalogued as a EN-language Business show.
The show is actively publishing — the most recent episode landed 4 days ago, with 25 episodes already out so far this year. The busiest year was 2024, with 33 episodes published. Published by Michael Hernandez.
From the publisher
This podcast provides practical training for convenience store sales associates. Each episode covers real situations that new employees face during a shift, including customer service, merchandising, inventory, safety, and day-to-day store operations. Many stores do not have time to train employees properly. Dive helps close that gap by explaining how convenience stores actually work and how associates can become more confident and effective on the job. If you are new to the convenience store industry or want to improve your skills behind the counter, this podcast will help you understand the work, the expectations, and the small habits that lead to success in a busy store.
Latest Episodes
View all 92 episodesPHYSICAL EQUIPMENT TROUBLESHOOTING (VERIFYING PRIMARY POWER CONNECTIONS BEFORE DISPATCHING REPAIR TECHNICIANS)
CUSTOMER CONFLICT RESOLUTION (DE-ESCALATING VERBALLY AGGRESSIVE CONSUMERS)
RETAIL MERCHANDISING EXECUTION (MAXIMIZING REVENUE THROUGH EYE-LEVEL PRODUCT PLACEMENT)
INVENTORY AVAILABILITY (DIFFERENTIATING BETWEEN HIGH SALES VOLUME AND INACCURATE VENDOR ORDERS)
FOOD SERVICE EXECUTION (MAINTAINING TEMPERATURE PROTOCOLS AND DISCARD TIMERS)
EXTERIOR FACILITY MANAGEMENT (MAINTAINING THE FUEL PUMPS AND EXTERIOR PATHWAY)
THE OPERATIONAL INSPECTION (EVALUATING THE FACILITY FROM THE CUSTOMER PERSPECTIVE)
INVENTORY DISCREPANCIES (MAINTAINING PHYSICAL COUNT ACCURACY)
THE OPERATIONAL UPSELL (SUGGESTING ITEMS WITH NATURAL PHRASING)
THE MORNING RUSH COMMAND CENTER (PREPARING FOR PEAK VOLUME)
EPISODE 82: Q1 RECAP & THE "SURVIVE" PREVIEW (REVIEWING THE SCOREBOARD)
THE "DIVE" GRADUATION (MASTERING THE BASICS)
Ep 80Dive Resource Intro: Building Your Portfolio
Show Notes (Dive Version)Episode 80 Title: Dive Resource Intro: Building Your Portfolio (Episode 80) Episode Description: "By doing this, you are showing that, 'Hey, I didn't just listen to something. I didn't just read something. I actually went out and I applied it.'" In this special episode of Dive, Mike Hernandez introduces the cstorethrive.com platform and explains how sales associates can use weekly challenges and physical resources to build a documented portfolio for future promotions.What You Will Learn:Audio Learning: How to access over 530 operational articles and listen to them in English, Spanish, or request translations into other languages.Proof of Work: How texting the weekly code word provides you with physical tools to document your operational knowledge for your Store Manager.Complete Store Operations: Why listening to the Assistant Manager and Store Manager podcast episodes prepares you for the exact responsibilities of your next promotion.The Zero-Spam Policy: Why signing up for members-only content will never result in unwanted marketing emails to your inbox.Resources & Links:Access the Articles: Visit cstorethrive.com to access the full library of operational training.Request a Translation: Need the audio in a different language? Email [email protected] the Video: Catch the full video version of this walkthrough and subscribe at @CStoreCenter on YouTube.
Ep 79WASTE NOT, WANT NOT (THE SPOILAGE LOG)
Show Notes (Dive Version) Episode Title: Waste Not, Want Not: The Spoilage Log (Episode 79) Episode Description: You must document the loss before you throw it away. In this episode of Dive, Mike Hernandez explains the absolute necessity of writing down every discarded food item on the store's spoilage log and how skipping this step ruins the store's inventory. What You Will Learn:Inventory Accuracy: Why throwing away food without logging it causes the system to record the loss as unexplained theft.The "Later" Problem: Why relying on your memory to log items at the end of the shift always results in missing data.Detailed Documentation: The required information you must write down to make the spoilage log effective for management.Business Management: Mike shares his early experiences analyzing the graveyard shift trash to understand profitability. Resources & Links:Download the Itemized Spoilage Tracker: Text the code word SPOIL to 9 5 6 - 8 9 7 - 9 1 9 2.Recommended Listen: Survive: Episode 80.
Ep 78D Ep 78: SALES ASSOCIATE? START HERE FIRST (C-STORE TRAINING)
Show Notes (Dive Version)Episode Title: Sales Associate? Start Here First (C-Store Training) (Episode 78) Episode Description: "I never had any intentions of staying in the convenience store industry." In this special episode of Dive, Mike Hernandez officially announces the launch of the @CStoreCenter YouTube channel. Sharing raw, unfiltered stories from his early days on the graveyard shift, Mike explains exactly why he built this platform for frontline sales associates.What You Will Learn:The Leadership Choice: How to survive toxic management and guarantee you never adopt their abusive habits when you become a leader.The Ambition Factor: Why taking charge of your own learning is the only way to advance when your company lacks a training program.Creating Opportunities: How volunteering for overtime at the hardest locations allows you to network, learn the business, and build a career on your own terms.Resources & Links:Watch the Video: For the original, real-life experience version of this story, catch the full video version and subscribe at @CStoreCenter on YouTube.Join the Network: If you can relate to this journey and want to connect, text your first name to 9 5 6 - 8 9 7 - 9 1 9 2.
Ep 77THE VENDOR DANCE (THE PHYSICAL COUNT)
Show Notes (Dive Version)Episode Title: The Vendor Dance: The Physical Count (Episode 77) Episode Description: You must count every case. In this episode of Dive, Mike Hernandez explains the absolute necessity of physically verifying vendor deliveries before signing invoices. What You Will Learn:The Physical Count: Why signing an invoice blindly causes immediate inventory loss.Refusing Damaged Goods: The procedure for deducting crushed or leaking items from the final invoice.Vendor Accountability: How to require vendors to remove their empty cardboard boxes from the sales floor.Seeing Opportunity: Mike shares his early career mindset regarding store ownership. Resources & Links:Download the Vendor Receiving Log: Text the word VENDOR to 956-897-9192.Recommended Listen: Survive: Episode 78.
Ep 76SHIFT CHANGE WARFARE (THE TOXIC HANDOFF)
Show Notes (Dive Version)Episode Title: Shift Change Warfare: The Toxic Handoff (Episode 76)Episode Description: "Leaving an empty cooler and full trash cans isn't just lazy; it is a direct insult to the person taking over."The 3:00 PM shift change is the most dangerous time for store morale. In this episode of Dive, Mike Hernandez breaks down why leaving a mess for the next shift destroys teamwork and customer service.What You Will Learn:The Toxic Handoff: Why running out the door at exactly 3:00 PM sets the incoming shift up for failure.The Golden Rule of Retail: How stocking the cooler and pulling the trash protects your coworkers from angry customers.The 15-Minute Buffer: A mental trick to ensure you always leave the store in perfect condition.Resources & Links:Download the Shift Handoff Checklist: Text the word RELAY to 956-897-9192.Recommended Listen: Survive: Episode 77 (Learn how Assistant Managers enforce shift-change accountability).
Ep 75THE BATHROOM TEST (WHY CLEAN RESTROOMS SELL MORE FOOD)
Show Notes (Dive Version)Episode Title: The Bathroom Test: Why Clean Restrooms Sell More Food (Episode 75)Episode Description: "They are deciding if your hot dogs are safe to eat based on the smell of your restroom."In the convenience store business, the bathroom is not a side project; it is the ultimate indicator of your store's culture. In this episode of Dive, Mike Hernandez breaks down the psychology of "The Bathroom Test" and explains why a dirty restroom directly kills your high-margin food sales.What You Will Learn:The Psychology of Clean: Why a customer connects the cleanliness of the toilet to the safety of the roller grill.The 15-Minute Sweep: How to prevent the bathroom from spiraling out of control during a busy shift.The Restaurant Analogy: Mike shares why he judges his favorite burger and cheesesteak spots by their restrooms, and why your customers do the exact same thing to your store.Resources & Links:Download the Restroom Readiness Checklist: Text the word CLEAN to 956-897-9192.Recommended Listen: Survive: Episode 76 (Learn how the Assistant Manager delegates bathroom checks during peak hours).
Ep 74THE STING (AGE RESTRICTED SALES)
Show Notes (Dive Version)Episode Title: The Sting: Age Restricted Sales (Episode 74)Episode Description: "The register is not a slot machine. Don't gamble with your freedom."Selling alcohol or tobacco to a minor is the fastest way to lose your job, your money, and your clean record. In this episode of Dive, Mike Hernandez breaks down the "Police Sting" and how to survive it.What You Will Learn:The Sting Reality: How police operations actually work (they aren't trying to trick you; they are testing your process).The A-L-E-R-T System: A 5-step checklist to verify every ID perfectly.Refusal Skills: How to say "No" to a tough customer without getting punched.The "Kitchen Ladies" Story: Mike shares a personal story about losing a job opportunity because he refused to ignore the frontline employees—proving that Dive is built to support you, not just your boss.Resources & Links:📲 Download the Refusal Script Card: Text the word CARD to 956-897-9192.🎧 Recommended Listen: Thrive: Episode 84 (Hear the Store Manager's perspective on compliance and license suspension).
Ep 73THE GLASS CAGE (SAFETY & AWARENESS)
Show Notes (Dive Version)Episode Title: The Glass Cage: Safety & Awareness (Episode 73)Episode Description: "You are the fish in the fishbowl."Working the counter—especially at night—can feel like being on display. And to a criminal, a distracted clerk is an open invitation.In this episode of Dive, Mike Hernandez teaches you how to turn your visibility into your greatest defense. We discuss why "Aggressive Hospitality" scares away thieves, why your phone is your biggest safety risk, and how to use the "3-Second Rule" to control the energy in your store.What You Will Learn:The Glass Cage: Understanding that you are always being watched, and how to use that to your advantage.Aggressive Hospitality: Why a loud greeting is more effective than a security camera.The 3-Second Rule: The window of time you have to establish dominance when a customer walks in.The Lucas Plan: Mike shares his personal story of taking 25 years to earn his degree—proving that it's never too late to finish what you started.Resources & Links:📲 Download the Robbery Deterrent Checklist: Text the word SAFE to 956-897-9192.