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SUBSCRIBE TO JORDAN'S FREE NEWSLETTER. Get the facts, without the spin. UNBIASED offers a clear, impartial recap of US news, including politics, elections, legal news, and more. Hosted by lawyer Jordan Berman, each episode provides a recap of current political events plus breakdowns of complex concepts—like constitutional rights, recent Supreme Court rulings, and new legislation—in an easy-to-understand way. No personal opinions, just the facts you need to stay informed on the daily news that matters. If you miss how journalism used to be, you're in the right place. In today's episode: Almost All Outlets Refuse to Sign Pentagon Press Policy; Hand Over Their Press Badges (0:12) State Department Says It Has Revoked Visas Of Those Who Celebrated Charlie Kirk's Assassination (12:48) Supreme Court Weighs Whether to Narrow Voting Rights Act; Louisiana's Newest Congressional Maps on the Chopping Block (17:36) Leaked Text Messages from Young Republicans; Vance Responds By Comparing Leaked Text Messages from Virginia AG Candidate (31:28) Quick Hitters: Trump Confirms CIA Operations in Venezuela, Judge Pauses Federal Layoffs for 30 Agencies, DOJ Seeking Indictment Against Former Trump National Security Adviser, Trump to Meet Putin in Budapest (42:10) Critical Thinking Segment (46:20) SUBSCRIBE TO JORDAN'S FREE NEWSLETTER. Watch this episode on YouTube. Follow Jordan on Instagram and TikTok. All sources for this episode can be found here. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices
The Cybersecurity and Infrastructure Security Agency (CISA) has issued an emergency directive for federal agencies to update their F5 products following a significant breach where hackers accessed source code and undisclosed vulnerabilities. This incident, discovered in August, poses a serious risk to federal networks, as the threat actor could exploit these vulnerabilities to gain unauthorized access and exfiltrate sensitive data. Agencies are required to apply the latest updates by October 22nd and report their F5 deployments by October 29th, highlighting the urgency of addressing these security concerns.In a related development, the National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST) is encouraging federal agencies to take calculated risks with artificial intelligence (AI) under new federal guidance. Martin Stanley, an AI and cybersecurity researcher, emphasized the importance of risk management in AI deployment, particularly in comparison to more established sectors like financial services. As agencies adapt to this guidance, they must identify high-impact AI applications that require thorough risk management to ensure both innovation and safety.A report from Cork Protection underscores the need for small and medium-sized businesses (SMBs) to adopt a security-first approach in light of evolving cyber threats. Many SMBs remain complacent, mistakenly believing they are not targets for cybercriminals. The report warns that this mindset, combined with the rising financial risks associated with breaches, necessitates a shift towards a security-centric operational model. The cybersecurity services market is projected to grow significantly, presenting opportunities for IT service providers that prioritize security.Apple has announced a substantial increase in its bug bounty program, now offering up to $5 million for critical vulnerabilities. This move reflects the growing importance of addressing security challenges within its ecosystem, which includes over 2.35 billion active devices. The company has previously awarded millions to security researchers, emphasizing its commitment to user privacy and security. As the landscape of cybersecurity evolves, managed service providers (MSPs) are urged to tighten vendor monitoring, incorporate AI risk assessments, and focus on continuous assurance to meet the increasing demands for security. Three things to know today00:00 Cybersecurity Crossroads: F5 Breach, AI Risk, and Apple's $5M Bug Bounty Signal Security Accountability06:44 Nearly a Third of MSPs Admit to Preventable Microsoft 365 Data Loss, Syncro Survey Finds09:22 AI Reality Check: Workers' Overconfidence, Cheaper Models, and Microsoft's Scientific Breakthrough Signal Maturity in the Market This is the Business of Tech. Supported by: https://mailprotector.com/mspradio/
After years of climbing overdose deaths, some jurisdictions are finally seeing declines. But fewer fatalities don't answer a frontline question: what actually works to cut crime tied to addiction? In this episode of the Policing Matters podcast, host Jim Dudley goes beyond slogans and harm-reduction headlines to examine drug courts — intensive, accountability-driven programs that pair frequent testing, treatment and judicial oversight — and what separates effective models from window dressing. Joining him is John R. Gallagher, PhD, LCSW, LCAC, an associate professor of criminal justice at Alvernia University and a licensed clinical social worker with more than 25 years of experience in addiction and mental health counseling. Having worked inside county jails and with probationers and parolees, Gallagher has seen firsthand how untreated addiction drives recidivism — and how properly structured treatment courts can turn that cycle around. As a researcher trained in Moral Reconation Therapy, he shares data and field-tested insights on what makes drug courts work, where they fail and how they can balance accountability, rehabilitation and public safety. About our sponsor This episode of the Policing Matters podcast is brought to you by LVT, the mobile surveillance solution trusted by public-sector leaders nationwide. LVT's solar-powered mobile surveillance units put eyes and AI analytics where fixed cameras can't — parking lots, remote borders, disaster zones, and large events. Agencies using LVT have seen up to an 83% drop in parking-lot incidents and a 54% reduction in burglaries. Each unit is rapid to deploy, cloud-connected via cellular or satellite, and secured end-to-end so your team can monitor and respond in real time with fewer resources. See how LVT's self-powered units protect communities, secure critical infrastructure and support law-enforcement operations and schedule a free trial today at LVT.com.
Episode 189: Automate Your Lead Generation with our FREE online course: https://go.digitaltrailblazer.com/auto-leads-course-freeMost online entrepreneurs struggle to clearly articulate their high-ticket offer, leaving prospects confused and uncertain—which kills conversions. Without a concise way to communicate your value, you're left overexplaining, value-stacking bonuses that feel like work, and wondering why no one's buying.In this episode, Stirling Gardner teaches us how to sell any high-ticket offer using his "One Slide Offer" framework—a visual method that delivers your pitch in under five minutes. He breaks down the three parts of every offer, reveals why speaking to the problems prospects think they have (not the ones you know they have) transforms your messaging, and explains how certainty drives buying decisions.About Stirling Gardner: Stirling spent 22 years as a Hollywood storyteller before discovering his calling at the intersection of psychology, narrative, and mathematics. After Hollywood, he ran ads and then an agency with performance-based pricing—a model that taught him every piece of the marketing equation. He realized even seven-figure entrepreneurs often lacked clarity on what they were selling. They had products and traffic, but no message that made it click. Somewhere in the chaos, he had an epiphany: the entire system was like a quadratic equation he could visualize—every lever, every input, and how small tweaks could unlock massive revenue.Today, he operates as a Chief Revenue Officer in a box, helping entrepreneurs extract their genius and turn it into offers the world wants to buy. His superpower is seeing the full picture—product, positioning, pricing, promotion, and performance—and immediately knowing how to package and pitch it. He lives in Asheville, NC with his wife and dog Bear, bringing simplicity and truth to every business he touches.Grab Stirling's 1-Slide Offer training here: https://1slideoffer.com/Connect with Stirling: IG: @stirlinggardner FB: https://www.facebook.com/stirlinggardnerofficial LI: https://www.linkedin.com/in/stirlinggardner/Want to SCALE your online business bigger and faster without the endless hustle of networking, referrals, and pumping out content that nobody sees?Grab our Ultimate Ad Script for Coaches, Agencies, and Course Creators.Learn the exact 5-step script we teach our clients that allows them to generate targeted, high-quality leads at ultra-low cost, so you can land paying customers and clients without breaking the bank on ad spend. Grab the Ultimate Ad Script right HERE - https://join.digitaltrailblazer.com/ultimate-ad-script✅ Connect With Us:Website - https://DigitalTrailblazer.comFacebook - https://www.facebook.com/digitaltrailblazerTikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@digitaltrailblazerTwitter: https://twitter.com/DgtlTrailblazerInstagram: https://www.instagram.com/DigitalTrailblazer
Need personalised guidance for planning your Japan trip?Send me a DM on Instagram @japan.expertsJoin the Japan Experts Community on FacebookCheck out my FREE Japan Travel Resource:Effortless Japan Travel Guide: 7 Ways to Make Your Trip Authentic and Memorable
Jeffrey Epstein's world bled right into the dark corners of the modeling industry — the kind of places where luxury and depravity blur together under the same chandelier light. He used modeling as both a cover and a recruitment pool, pretending to be a gatekeeper to fame and fashion while exploiting the industry's obsession with youth, beauty, and access. Agencies, scouts, and so-called “talent finders” were part of this sleazy ecosystem — some complicit, others willfully blind — funneling vulnerable girls into Epstein's orbit with promises of photoshoots, mentorships, or introductions to elite circles. Behind the high-fashion gloss was a global network of manipulation: fake casting calls, private jets filled with “models,” and connections to legitimate modeling agencies that lent Epstein's operation an air of credibility. It wasn't just sex trafficking — it was the corruption of an entire image-based industry where power could be traded for flesh and silence was the unspoken price of admission.What made it all so insidious was how normalized it became. Epstein's connections to modeling power players like Jean-Luc Brunel, MC2 Model Management, and other agencies gave him a steady supply chain disguised as opportunity. Young women from Eastern Europe, South America, and small-town America were lured in by the same dream — the fantasy of walking Paris runways or being discovered at an upscale resort — only to find themselves trapped in something far darker. Epstein and his associates exploited the same machinery that made supermodels into icons, twisting it into a predatory conveyor belt. The “underbelly” wasn't a hidden world at all — it was the same glitzy one the public adored, just seen from a different angle: the hotel rooms behind the runway, the cash envelopes, the passports held hostage, and the broken promise that fame could ever be worth that kind of nightmare.to contact me:bobbycapucci@protonmail.comBecome a supporter of this podcast: https://www.spreaker.com/podcast/the-epstein-chronicles--5003294/support.
Federal agencies' latest status updates on how they're using artificial intelligence reveal persistent barriers and variability on where agencies stand with ”high-impact” use cases. The release of the 2025 AI compliance plans offers one of the first in-depth glimpses at how federal agencies are addressing issues of AI risk management, technical capacity and workforce readiness under the second Trump administration. Those documents, which were required under the Trump administration's AI governance memo to agencies, were supposed to be released publicly by Sept. 30. As of publication time, FedScoop located roughly 20 plans and 14 strategies across 22 agencies. For nine of the roughly two dozen Chief Financial Officers Act agencies, FedScoop was unable to find either a plan or a strategy. The U.S. Department of Agriculture and the Nuclear Regulatory Commission, meanwhile, produced only strategies. FedScoop and DefenseScoop attempted to contact the CFO Act agencies that didn't produce both documents, but the agencies either didn't respond or didn't provide the documents. Two of those agencies, NASA and the Justice Department, noted the government shutdown in their responses, and both the DOJ and Department of Defense indicated they were working to post at a later date. Agencies were also required to submit AI strategies for the first time this year. Those documents contain some of the same information as the compliance documents, including plans to train the workforce, examples of use cases, and systems for governance. The compliance plans, meanwhile, which are in their second year, have changed only slightly from their previous iterations, with some agencies showing progress on their implementation of the technology and risk management practices. A top Senate Democrat introduced legislation Thursday to extend and rename an expired information-sharing law, and make it retroactive to cover the lapse that began Oct. 1. Michigan Sen. Gary Peters, the ranking member of the Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs Committee, introduced the Protecting America from Cyber Threats (PACT) Act, to replace the expired Cybersecurity and Information Sharing Act of 2015 (CISA 2015) that has provided liability protections for organizations that share cyber threat data with each other and the federal government. Industry groups and cyber professionals have called those protections vital, sometimes describing the 2015 law as the most successful cyber legislation ever passed. The 2015 law shares an acronym with the Cybersecurity and Infrastructure Security Agency, which some Republicans — including the chairman of Peters' panel, Rand Paul of Kentucky — have accused of engaging in social media censorship. As CISA 2015 has lapsed and Peters has tried to renew it, “some people think that's a reauthorization of the agency,” Peters told reporters Thursday in explaining the new bill name. The Daily Scoop Podcast is available every Monday-Friday afternoon. If you want to hear more of the latest from Washington, subscribe to The Daily Scoop Podcast on Apple Podcasts, Soundcloud, Spotify and YouTube.
Do you often find yourself giving strategy away for free, burying it inside larger scopes, or treating it as a one-off exercise rather than the foundational work it truly is?In this episode of The Agency Blueprint, I'm joined by Anastasia Laskey to discuss one of the biggest challenges agency owners face: selling the value of strategy. Anastasia is the founder and president of Ground Control Research. She has helped agencies transform how they deliver pitch and price strategy by bringing insights, structure, and clarity to what can often feel like a fuzzy, abstract-oriented process. Listen in to learn how to price, pitch, and communicate strategy more effectively to command premium fees while also differentiating from competitors. You will also learn how to slow down and diagnose the client's real problems, quantifying the business impact, and tying strategy to revenue, growth, or risk mitigation. Key Questions:[01:19] How can you reframe the strategy conversation so clients see it as a business essential, not a “nice-to-have”?[03:34] Are you spending enough time diagnosing your client's problem before pitching solutions?[17:26] Do you have scalable options for strategy to match different types of clients, or are you reinventing the wheel every time?[21:37] Where does AI fit into your agency's strategy process—are you using it to replace critical thinking or to enhance workflows?[24:51] Do your clients “not get strategy,” or are you failing to illuminate its value in their language?What You'll Discover: [01:44] Why framing strategy around problem-solving resonates more with clients than simply positioning it as a first step in a process.[03:44] Why skipping problem diagnosis undermines agency confidence and creates client objections later in the process.[06:47] How asking smart discovery questions reveals blind spots, which immediately shows clients the importance of strategy.[09:17] How to act from abundance, not scarcity, and be willing to walk away from clients who won't align on the value of strategy.[11:48] The three phases of strategy: gathering insights, turning them into a strategic POV, and delivering tangible outputs that guide implementation.[14:36] The importance of tailoring strategy to client context; what works for a multimillion-dollar campaign won't fit a small launch.[17:47] How to decouple the core process from the size of execution, offering tiered options to standardize and scale strategy delivery.[22:19] Why AI should be a workflow accelerator, not a replacement for human insight, curiosity, and precision.[25:01] Debunking the myth that “clients don't get strategy”—the real issue is agencies failing to illuminate their value in the client's language.Connect with Anastasia
Download Job Adders FREE Global Recruitment Agency Benchmarking Report:https://ter.li/72igwt--------------------------In this episode, I was joined by James from Job Adder: https://www.linkedin.com/in/jamespayne-cro/--------------------------Extra Stuff:Learn more about our online skills development platform Hector here: https://bit.ly/47hsaxeJoin 5,000+ other recruiters levelling up their skills with our Limitless Learning Newsletter here: https://limitless-learning.thisishector.com/subscribe-------------------------Get in touch:Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/hishemazzouz/-------------------------
Smart Agency Masterclass with Jason Swenk: Podcast for Digital Marketing Agencies
Would you like access to our advanced agency training for FREE? https://www.agencymastery360.com/training Are you really implementing AI in your agency the right way? Adding a random tool just to say you “use AI” isn't the game changer many agency owners hope it will be. In fact, chasing shiny AI solutions can waste time, drain resources, and create tools your team never actually uses. Many agency leaders, especially those aiming to build a sellable business, assume any form of AI integration will automatically boost their agency's value. But today's featured guest strongly disagrees. He's seen firsthand how agencies fall into the trap of building solutions first and searching for problems later, a costly mistake that does more harm than good. Instead, he's here to share how to approach AI adoption strategically, in ways that actually stick and drive real results. Ken McLoud is the CEO of Laconic Technologies, a business that aims to help agencies figure out how to make AI actually useful. His specialty is finding high-leverage spots in your agency where AI can unlock growth without bloating your headcount. Ken helps owners avoid wasted tools and instead roll out AI that gives their teams real superpowers. In this episode we'll discuss: How agency owners are forcing AI integration the wrong way. When to use custom code. A case study of real world wins and misses. The future of AI in agencies. Subscribe Apple | Spotify | iHeart Radio Sponsors and Resources E2M Solutions: Today's episode of the Smart Agency Masterclass is sponsored by E2M Solutions, a web design, and development agency that has provided white-label services for the past 10 years to agencies all over the world. Check out e2msolutions.com/smartagency and get 10% off for the first three months of service. Stop Forcing AI Where It Doesn't Belong Ken specializes in helping agency owners start to think strategically about AI. One of the first things he warns about is the “solution in search of a problem” trap. Too many agency owners decide, “We need to be using AI somewhere,” and then jam it into the wrong part of the business. That usually leads to tools that sound cool but don't move the needle, or worse, meet resistance from the very team that's supposed to use them. Instead, Ken suggests starting with the business itself. Are you demand-constrained (needing more leads) or supply-constrained (too much work, not enough capacity)? His litmus test is simple: if a fairy godmother doubled your clients overnight, would you cheer or panic? That answer tells you where the bottleneck really is, and that's the exact spot where AI should be applied. Case Study: Smarter Finance Insights with AskQuick.ai Ken worked to build AskQuick.ai with Nate Jenson, a fractional CFO who worked with tons of agencies. Nate had deep financial expertise but needed a way to scale his brain. Together, they built AskQuick.ai, a chatbot trained on Nate's own textbook of agency finance. The result was a tool that taps into a client's QuickBooks data to deliver specific insights, like spotting which clients are actually losing money. After a rebrand, he is now marketing the product as a simple, agency-friendly tool rather than a complex back-end. No-Code Tools vs. Custom Code: Where's the Breaking Point? Every agency owner has been tempted by tools like N8N, Zapier, or Make.com. According to Ken, these tools are perfect for simple workflows and stuff you could explain in one or two sentences. These tools are often pitched as something anyone with a computer and no experience ca n use, but once your automation starts piling up with dozens of nodes, things break constantly, and you spend more time fixing than benefiting. That's when it's smarter to build custom code. Ken compares it to driving stick shift: more control, less frustration, and often a way faster solution. AI As a Superpower Not a Replacement For Ken, the real promise of AI isn't replacing people, but rather upgrading them. He calls it “giving your team superpowers.” By offloading the repetitive, low-value work to AI, you free up your people to focus on strategy, creativity, and client impact. Instead of fearing AI, most teams welcome it. Nobody loves repetitive tasks, and when you use AI to clear that away, your staff gets to spend more time on what actually lights them up. Real-World Wins (and Misses) If you're wondering how some agencies are using AI right, Ken has seen quite a few examples. For instance, an Australian medical agency built a custom chatbot trained on years of proprietary medical content. The tool now helps their writers quickly draft accurate, technical marketing content; something that would have taken hours of research before. Huge win. On the other hand, this agency built a classic example of a solution in search of a problem. Basically, the owner wanted an elaborate folder system to organize AI chats. It sounded clever, but the writers never actually needed it. Why? Because new AI queries were faster than digging through folders. A perfect example of chasing a solution before identifying a real problem. The Future of AI in Agencies in Plain English Looking ahead, Ken sees AI becoming a tool to replace code and processes. Many things we used to hardwire with messy “if-this-then-that” logic can now be handled with prompts. That means non-technical agency owners can adjust systems in plain English instead of hiring a developer every time they need a change. These tools can make all the difference for agencies that get hundreds of deals come through every day and need a quick way to sort through the ones that can be most profitable from those that likely won't. In these cases speed is everything and AI can deliver in a way that human response cannot. However, Ken is also clear that not every problem should be handed to AI. High-value, low-risk areas, like grading prospects or filtering opportunities, are perfect testing grounds. Mission-critical, high-risk functions will probably still need human oversight for a while. Do You Want to Transform Your Agency from a Liability to an Asset? Looking to dig deeper into your agency's potential? Check out our Agency Blueprint. Designed for agency owners like you, our Agency Blueprint helps you uncover growth opportunities, tackle obstacles, and craft a customized blueprint for your agency's success.
Points of Interest00:00 – 01:30 – Introduction: Marcel welcomes Parakeeto's Kristen Kelly back to discuss a recurring misconception in agency operations—the belief that a better project management or PSA tool can solve profit management challenges.01:30 – 03:25 – The PM Tool “Silver Bullet” Myth: Kristen explains how leaders and PMs often adopt new tools to tame chaos, believing marketing promises that they'll also solve utilization, capacity, and profitability issues.03:25 – 06:00 – Why Agencies Fall for It: Marcel and Kristen note that while PM tools are valuable, they're often oversold as full profit-management systems. Agencies end up frustrated by missing fields, tool quirks, and data limitations.06:00 – 08:45 – Hitting the Wall: Many teams find themselves with tools that improve delivery workflows but still leave them unable to make key financial or operational decisions because the data remains fragmented across systems.08:45 – 11:43 – Introducing the Framework → Data → Process Model: Marcel outlines Parakeeto's three-part sequence for solving profit management: define the framework (metrics and formulas), structure the data, and establish ongoing processes for hygiene and cadence.11:43 – 12:46 – Why Sequencing Matters: Without first defining what needs to be measured, agencies make poor configuration choices in PM tools—creating rework, confusion, and endless tool migrations.12:46 – 15:19 – Defining the Framework: Agencies must precisely define how metrics like utilization, delivery margin, and project profitability are calculated, and understand the relationships between those measures before configuring tools.15:19 – 19:54 – The Role of Process and Data Hygiene: Marcel explains that real-time reporting fails if data quality is poor. Clean, reliable reporting requires an ETL (Extract, Transform, Load) process, not direct reporting from source data.19:54 – 22:55 – The Precision Trap: Kristen and Marcel explore the conflict between PMs needing granular precision and executives needing simple, high-level rollups. Forcing perfect data consistency across teams destroys usability and compliance.22:55 – 26:28 – Practical Limits of In-Tool Reporting: Marcel describes how building detailed profitability reporting directly in PM tools creates unsustainable complexity, unrealistic data maintenance, and unreliable results.26:28 – 34:38 – Building a Sustainable Data Architecture: They outline how Parakeeto's ETL pipeline works—extracting time data (person, project, hours), joining it with payroll and project grids, normalizing fields, and applying ongoing QA to ensure accuracy.34:38 – 42:37 – The Big Takeaway: Kristen and Marcel conclude that PM tools are essential for delivery but not the whole profit solution. Agencies should use them for managing work while relying on a clear framework and data pipeline for accurate reporting.Show NotesConnect with Kristen via LinkedInFree Agency ToolkitParakeeto Foundations CourseFree access to our Model PlatformLove this Episode?Leave us a review here. Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.
Don't Be Fooled by this Sneaky Little Trick Agencies Use to Take Your Money!In this Amazon PPC breakdown, we expose the "Wasted Spend" scare tactic agencies use to win your account.If you're in the US and someone pitched you $30K in "Wasted Spend" on Amazon PPC, listen to this before you say yes.Stephen and Andrew unpack the zero-sales search-term filter, last-click attribution, and why bids live at the target level-not the query-so mass negatives can nuke revenue.You'll learn how to define real waste (irrelevant queries with volume), use negative keywords correctly, and bring ACoS in line with smart bid optimization instead of deleting traffic.Don't Be Fooled by this Sneaky Little Trick Agencies Use to Take Your Money; get the truth and protect your budget.
Agencies aren't dying—bad processes are. In this candid chat, Tim Brown (Hook Agency) and Bruce Lefler (Best Roofer Marketing) break down how AI is actually changing roofing marketing: transparency & true ROI, owning your assets, service that doesn't vanish, AI voice agents for missed calls, and repeatable automations that compound results. Learn how to layer AI onto proven SOPs, build bounty-driven internal adoption, and keep the soul (customer service + creativity) while strapping on the mecha-suit. CTA: Book a strategy call with Hook Agency to deploy AI workflows that protect revenue and lift close rates.
Episode 187: Automate Your Lead Generation with our FREE online course: https://go.digitaltrailblazer.com/auto-leads-course-freeVideo marketing is essential for standing out online, but many business owners struggle to create professional content that builds trust and attracts clients. Without mastering video, you risk losing potential customers who expect engaging, authentic content.In this episode, Rhea Allen teaches us how to unleash the power of video marketing by starting with clear goals and understanding your audience, using simple technical setups (proper lighting, camera positioning, and audio), maintaining authenticity over perfection, and repurposing content across multiple platforms.She also shares practical editing tools and different video types—from testimonials to live streams—that keep your audience engaged and coming back for more.About Rhea Allen: Rhea is the president, CEO, and co-founder of Peppershock Media, a certified women-owned small business based in Nampa, Idaho. With over 22 years of experience, Rhea is a passionate integrative marketing consultant, national speaker, author, podcaster, video producer, and educator. She hosts *The Marketing Expedition Podcast*, ranked in the top 5% globally by ListenNotes, and teaches at Boise State University, mentoring the next generation of marketers.Under her leadership, Peppershock Media has become a trusted partner for businesses and non-profits, producing impactful campaigns, videos, and documentaries that inspire action, educate audiences, and drive results. Rhea is also proud to foster a creative, collaborative culture within her team, offering opportunities for growth through a strong internship program and professional development initiatives.Check Out the Marketing Expedition Community: https://themarketingexpedition.com/Connnect with Rhea:Website: https://peppershock.com/ LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/peppershock/ IG: https://www.instagram.com/rhea.allen.official FB Public Figure: https://www.facebook.com/rheaallencmo YT: https://www.youtube.com/@RheaAllen X: https://x.com/rheaallencmo TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@marketingbossWant to SCALE your online business bigger and faster without the endless hustle of networking, referrals, and pumping out content that nobody sees?Grab our Ultimate Ad Script for Coaches, Agencies, and Course Creators.Learn the exact 5-step script we teach our clients that allows them to generate targeted, high-quality leads at ultra-low cost, so you can land paying customers and clients without breaking the bank on ad spend. Grab the Ultimate Ad Script right HERE - https://join.digitaltrailblazer.com/ultimate-ad-script✅ Connect With Us:Website - https://DigitalTrailblazer.comFacebook - https://www.facebook.com/digitaltrailblazerTikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@digitaltrailblazerTwitter: https://twitter.com/DgtlTrailblazerInstagram: https://www.instagram.com/DigitalTrailblazer
When it comes to building a successful digital marketing agency, the common advice is: specialize. But after working with over 170 agencies that scaled past $1M, one thing is clear, agencies that only specialize in one service often hit a ceiling. The Problem with Single-Service Specialization If your agency focuses on just one offering, like [...] The post Why Single-Service Agencies Struggle (and the Smarter Way to Specialize) appeared first on Seven Figure Agency.
Small Spark Theory: a marginal gains approach to new business and marketing
Finally – an episode dedicated to AI! Not the big “future of our industry” debate, but a practical look at the contractual and IP implications of our growing use of AI tools in agency life. While the larger networked agencies may already have policies in place, for many smaller independents — or those who rely heavily […]
On the DSR Weekly Wrap-Up for October 3, we break down the administration's targeting of Democrat-backed agencies, a terrorist attack at a U.K. synagogue, Trump declaring an armed conflict with drug cartels, and more. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
On the DSR Weekly Wrap-Up for October 3, we break down the administration's targeting of Democrat-backed agencies, a terrorist attack at a U.K. synagogue, Trump declaring an armed conflict with drug cartels, and more. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
On the DSR Weekly Wrap-Up for October 3, we break down the administration's targeting of Democrat-backed agencies, a terrorist attack at a U.K. synagogue, Trump declaring an armed conflict with drug cartels, and more. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
HEADLINE: Trump's War on Cartels and Venezuela Intervention; Supreme Court Takes Up Federal Reserve Governor Firing Case GUEST NAME: Richard Epstein SUMMARY: John Batchelor speaks with Richard Epstein about President Trump's "war" against drug cartels and potential Venezuela intervention, which Epstein deems unlawful executive overreach due to congressional inertia. He suggests overthrowing Maduro would be more strategic. The Supreme Court scheduled oral arguments regarding presidential power to fire Federal Reserve governors, specifically Lisa Cook, addressing the future of independent agencieS. 1835
HEADLINE: Trump's War on Cartels and Venezuela Intervention; Supreme Court Takes Up Federal Reserve Governor Firing Case GUEST NAME: Richard Epstein SUMMARY: John Batchelor speaks with Richard Epstein about President Trump's "war" against drug cartels and potential Venezuela intervention, which Epstein deems unlawful executive overreach due to congressional inertia. He suggests overthrowing Maduro would be more strategic. The Supreme Court scheduled oral arguments regarding presidential power to fire Federal Reserve governors, specifically Lisa Cook, addressing the future of independent agencieS. 1876 CARACAS BOLIVAR ENTRANCE
CBS EYE ON THE WORLD WITH JOHN BATCHELOR THE SHOW BEGINS IN THE DOUBTS ABOUT THE AMERICAN ECONOMY AND THE CONSUMER 1940 LONDON 10-3-25 FIRST HOUR 9-915 Slow Rebuilding and Political Manipulation in LA Fire Areas Guest Name: Jeff Bliss Summary: Rebuilding fire-damaged areas like Pacific Palisades is agonizingly slow, potentially taking 9 to 20 years, causing residents to abandon their homes. Red tape delays permit issuance, possibly benefiting real estate speculators, including foreign buyers. There is concern that political leaders are pushing to reshape these communities by moving in tall, low-cost housing. 915-930 Economic Slowdown Evident in Local Consumer Spending and Housing Guest Name: Jim McTague Summary:Despite lower gas prices in Lancaster County, a ripple effect from declining Asian imports is expected. Consumer caution remains high, with "English" shoppers buying essentials and avoiding expensive electronics. Local diners show less vibrancy, suggesting the economy has lost "some spring in its step." High-end real estate sales have also notably "dried up." 930-945 HEADLINE: Trump's War on Cartels and Venezuela Intervention; Supreme Court Takes Up Federal Reserve Governor Firing Case GUEST NAME: Richard Epstein SUMMARY: John Batchelor speaks with Richard Epstein about President Trump's "war" against drug cartels and potential Venezuela intervention, which Epstein deems unlawful executive overreach due to congressional inertia. He suggests overthrowing Maduro would be more strategic. The Supreme Court scheduled oral arguments regarding presidential power to fire Federal Reserve governors, specifically Lisa Cook, addressing the future of independent agencieS. 945-1000 HEADLINE: Trump's War on Cartels and Venezuela Intervention; Supreme Court Takes Up Federal Reserve Governor Firing Case GUEST NAME: Richard Epstein SUMMARY: John Batchelor speaks with Richard Epstein about President Trump's "war" against drug cartels and potential Venezuela intervention, which Epstein deems unlawful executive overreach due to congressional inertia. He suggests overthrowing Maduro would be more strategic. The Supreme Court scheduled oral arguments regarding presidential power to fire Federal Reserve governors, specifically Lisa Cook, addressing the future of independent agencieS. SECOND HOUR 10-1015 Need for Pentagon Leadership in Fortifying US Infrastructure Against Adversaries Guest Name: Henry SokolskiSummary: Russia is allegedly already waging hybrid war against the EU via cable cutting and cyber assaults, which is expected to reach the US. The US is unprepared organizationally. The Pentagon (Secretary of Defense) should lead hardening and proliferation efforts for targets like the electric grid and nuclear plants, but they are currently resistant to doing so publicly. 1015-1030 Need for Pentagon Leadership in Fortifying US Infrastructure Against Adversaries Guest Name: Henry SokolskiSummary: Russia is allegedly already waging hybrid war against the EU via cable cutting and cyber assaults, which is expected to reach the US. The US is unprepared organizationally. The Pentagon (Secretary of Defense) should lead hardening and proliferation efforts for targets like the electric grid and nuclear plants, but they are currently resistant to doing so publicly. 1030-1045 Interstellar Comet 3I Atlas and Martian/Jupiter Missions Guest Name: Bob Zimmerman Summary: Comet 3I Atlas is the third identified interstellar object and the second interstellar comet, much larger than previous ones. Its path brings it within about 20 million miles of Mars, but it is currently blocked by the sun. NASA and European teams are attempting to get data using Mars orbiters and rovers, though the resolution may not match Webb's spectroscopy. Europe is also considering re-aiming the Juice mission. 1045-1100 Webb Telescope Challenges Cosmology Theories with 'Little Red Dots' Guest Name: Bob Zimmerman Summary:The Webb Space Telescope is finding mysterious "little red dots" in the very early universe, observed via infrared due to redshift. Astronomers speculate these might be supermassive black holes, which shouldn't exist so early, challenging the Big Bang theory itself. About 30% of these dots do not appear compact when viewed in ultraviolet light, resembling galaxies instead. THIRD HOUR 1100-1115 HEADLINE: Princess Ennigaldi-Nanna's Chamber: An Early Mesopotamian Museum GUEST NAME: Moudhy Al-Rashid SUMMARY: John Batchelor speaks with Moudhy Al-Rashid about Princess Ennigaldi-Nanna, high priestess to moon god Sin in Ur, who maintained ancient artifact collections in her palace. Items 1,500 years older than her time, alongside cylindrical clay labels, suggest the chamber functioned as the world's earliest known museum, establishing links to ancient history. 1115-1130 HEADLINE: Princess Ennigaldi-Nanna's Chamber: An Early Mesopotamian Museum GUEST NAME: Moudhy Al-Rashid SUMMARY: John Batchelor speaks with Moudhy Al-Rashid about Princess Ennigaldi-Nanna, high priestess to moon god Sin in Ur, who maintained ancient artifact collections in her palace. Items 1,500 years older than her time, alongside cylindrical clay labels, suggest the chamber functioned as the world's earliest known museum, establishing links to ancient history. 1130-1145 HEADLINE: Ancient Mesopotamian Literacy, Math, and the Epic of Gilgamesh GUEST NAME: Moudhy Al-RashidSUMMARY: John Batchelor speaks with Moudhy Al-Rashid about Mesopotamian education teaching advanced mathematics and writing in Sumerian and Akkadian, preserved on homework tablets. The Epic of Gilgamesh, dating to a likely real king around 2800 BCE, tells of a tyrant's transformation into a wise king after learning that life concerns community survival 1145-1200 HEADLINE: Ancient Mesopotamian Literacy, Math, and the Epic of Gilgamesh GUEST NAME: Moudhy Al-RashidSUMMARY: John Batchelor speaks with Moudhy Al-Rashid about Mesopotamian education teaching advanced mathematics and writing in Sumerian and Akkadian, preserved on homework tablets. The Epic of Gilgamesh, dating to a likely real king around 2800 BCE, tells of a tyrant's transformation into a wise king after learning that life concerns community survival FOURTH HOUR 12-1215 Positive Outlook for US-Canada Trade and Middle East Peace Guest Name: Conrad Black Summary: Canadian Prime Minister Mark Carney is meeting with President Trump to discuss economic and security issues, aiming to remove US tariffs. Trade discussions look positive following the Canadian election. Carney also specifically endorsed President Trump's proposed Middle East peace deal, which has major Arab and non-Arab Muslim powers supporting it, deeming it one of the greatest diplomatic achievements since World War II. 1215-1230 8. Italian Political Scandals and the Reinstatement of St. Francis Holiday Guest Name: Lorenzo Fiori Summary:Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni and two ministers face ICC investigation for failing to detain a Libyan warlord, citing risks to Italian workers in Libya. Separately, Italy's Senate unanimously approved reinstating a national holiday honoring St. Francis of Assisi, Italy's patron saint, 800 years after his passing. 1230-1245 Distinguishing Humane Nationalism from Pathological Ideologies Guest Name: Daniel Mahoney Summary:Nationalism must be distinguished from pathological forms like "blood and soil" ideology, which champions ethnic rooting and the subordination of others. Moderate, humane national loyalty is tied to self-government and common humanity, rejecting the path that leads to "zoological wars." Critics often unfairly conflate nationalism with isolationism or imperialism. 1245-100 AM Distinguishing Humane Nationalism from Pathological Ideologies Guest Name: Daniel Mahoney Summary:Nationalism must be distinguished from pathological forms like "blood and soil" ideology, which champions ethnic rooting and the subordination of others. Moderate, humane national loyalty is tied to self-government and common humanity, rejecting the path that leads to "zoological wars." Critics often unfairly conflate nationalism with isolationism or imperialism.
SEND ME A TEXT MESSAGE NOWThe shutdown is not a glitch. It is not paperwork stuck in a drawer. It is the sound of a government slamming its own face into a wall.They call it gridlock. They call it a standoff. That is polite language for a demolition derby where the drivers are drunk and the cars are already on fire.In this episode I pull apart what is really happening behind the headlines. The shutdown is not clean. It is not temporary. It is a blunt weapon being swung at the people who can least afford it.The people who are supposed to keep the lights on are playing blackout bingo. Parks closed. Paychecks missing. Agencies gutted. The one thing still open is the finger pointing factory.In this episode I break down how billions meant for real infrastructure have been ripped away. The money was not lost. It was seized. Chicago is being used as a prop in a political revenge show.You are not watching leaders make choices. You are watching toddlers fight over the matchbook while the house burns down around them. And in this episode I connect how those tantrums affect every single taxpayer.The system that promised neutrality is now a megaphone for propaganda. Federal agencies are posting partisan talking points like campaign interns. In this episode I take that apart and ask what it means when the rules no longer apply.The shutdown is not the story. The story is how much damage they can do while everything is shut down. And in this episode I show you exactly how the damage is spreading.And the real headline is not whether government reopens tomorrow. The real headline is whether democracy itself makes it out alive.Looking forward to your comments and feedback. Email me at:WolfPackTalks@gmail.com AWorldGoneMadPodcast@gmail.com
The federal government has shut down as congressional lawmakers remain at odds over funding the government beyond September 30. Although Republicans control Capitol Hill and the White House, they need at least seven Democrats in the Senate to join them to pass a spending package under the chamber's rules. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices
Unlocking the Power of Email & SMS Marketing for E-Commerce: Expert Insights from Nikita VakhrushevIn the fast-paced world of e-commerce, many brands focus heavily on acquisition channels like TikTok, Google Ads, and Instagram, often overlooking one of their most valuable assets: their existing customer list. In a recent episode, Josh Elledge spoke with Nikita Vakhrushev, CEO & Chief Strategist of Aspekt, about how e-commerce businesses can maximize revenue and retention through smart email and SMS marketing. Nikita shared actionable strategies to engage warm audiences, optimize backend flows, and leverage design and segmentation for scalable growth.The Value of Backend Marketing for E-CommerceFocusing on existing customers is often more profitable than constantly chasing new ones. Nikita emphasizes that a well-maintained warm list—subscribers who have opted in—can drive repeat purchases and boost engagement. By auditing current flows, segmenting audiences, and sending value-driven communications, brands can increase revenue while fostering long-term loyalty.Modern email and SMS marketing also demands careful attention to privacy, consent, and deliverability. Platforms must respect double opt-ins, frequency preferences, and regulatory compliance to maintain subscriber trust. Nikita recommends staying current with evolving regulations and testing messaging to optimize engagement.Finally, leveraging strategic agency support can multiply results. Agencies like Aspekt provide audits, segmentation, automation, and expert design to ensure every message is impactful. Clear communication, transparency, and personalized service are key to achieving measurable ROI and scaling backend marketing efficiently.About Nikita VakhrushevNikita Vakhrushev is the CEO & Chief Strategist of Aspekt, a leading agency specializing in email and SMS marketing for e-commerce brands. With years of experience managing hundreds of accounts, he focuses on helping businesses increase revenue, engagement, and customer retention through backend marketing strategies.About AspektAspekt provides white-glove email and SMS marketing services for direct-to-consumer brands. Their team specializes in audits, segmentation, automation, and visually compelling campaigns designed to convert and scale, while maintaining transparency and measurable results.Links Mentioned in this EpisodeAspekt WebsiteNikita Vakhrushev LinkedinKey Episode HighlightsThe importance of backend marketing over constant customer acquisition.Leveraging warm lists and subscriber segmentation for higher ROI.Privacy, consent, and deliverability trends impacting email and SMS.Case study: Transforming a legacy brand's email revenue.Choosing agencies that provide transparency, personalization, and measurable results.ConclusionEmail and SMS marketing are powerful, revenue-driving tools when approached strategically. By focusing on your warm audience, optimizing backend flows, and embracing modern design and compliance standards, e-commerce brands can unlock sustainable growth and maximize lifetime customer value.
Welcome to episode 299 of Grow Your Law Firm, hosted by Ken Hardison. In this episode, Ken is joined by David Arato of Lexicon Legal Content. David is the founder and CEO of Lexicon Legal Content, established in 2012 to address a critical need: law firms and marketing agencies often struggle to source high-quality, compliant content at scale. A 2009 graduate of St. Louis University School of Law, David combines legal expertise with content strategy to deliver precise, effective results. He currently resides in Breckenridge, Colorado, where he leads Lexicon alongside his wife and business partner, Erin, while enjoying the mountains with their two dogs, Scout and Sadie. What you'll learn about in this episode: 1. AI and Legal Content Creation: - How AI can accelerate content production without sacrificing quality - The importance of human oversight to maintain accuracy and compliance 2. SEO and Google Ranking Strategies: - Techniques for ensuring legal content ranks at the top of search results - How to create content that adds unique value beyond AI-generated outputs 3. Compliance in Legal Marketing: - Avoiding ethical pitfalls when describing services, specialties, or outcomes - Understanding jurisdiction-specific rules and model ethics to prevent violations 4. Optimizing AI Workflows: - Using AI for topic ideation, outlines, and draft creation effectively - How to integrate AI into existing workflows to save time and improve results 5. Scaling Content for Agencies and Firms: - Leveraging expert-driven content to service multiple law firms or marketing agencies - Best practices for producing large volumes of content without compromising quality Resources: Website: lexiconlegalcontent.com LinkedIn: linkedin.com/in/davidarato Facebook: facebook.com/lexiconlegalcontent/ Twitter (X): x.com/ContentLexicon/status/1904697056024801589 Additional Resources: https://www.pilmma.org/aiworkshop https://www.pilmma.org/the-mastermind-effect https://www.pilmma.org/resources https://www.pilmma.org/mastermind AI for PI Expo: www.pilmma.org/ai-for-pi-expo
The modern market is designed to crush the independent agency. For many, the goal is no longer to thrive; it's just to survive in an increasingly hostile environment.But you don't have to go it alone. My guest, Pam Schlotzhauer of United Benefit Advisors (UBA), is here with the game plan for how independent agencies can fight back, thrive, and scale. In this conversation, we break down the UBA model of collaboration over competition, a framework that gives members the collective buying power, shared expertise, and cutting-edge tools to compete with the giants.▶▶ Sign Up For Your Free Discovery Callhttps://calendly.com/aneary/strategy-sessionKEY MOMENTS(00:00:00) How to Compete With National Firms (Without Selling Out) (00:00:42) The UBA Model: Gaining Scale While Staying Independent (00:04:06) The Power of the Collective: Buying Power, Bonuses & AI (00:05:51) You Don't Know What You Don't Know: The Value of Shared Expertise (00:10:00) The Application Process: Who is a Good Fit for UBA?CONNECT WITH ANDY NEARY
Democrats played themselves Become A Member http://youtube.com/timcastnews/join The Green Room - https://rumble.com/playlists/aa56qw_g-j0 BUY CAST BREW COFFEE TO FIGHT BACK - https://castbrew.com/ Join The Discord Server - https://timcast.com/join-us/ Hang Out With Tim Pool & Crew LIVE At - http://Youtube.com/TimcastIRL
Howie Kurtz on Trump vowing to shutdown Democrat government agencies, the Supreme Court allowing Lisa Cook to remain at the Fed and the Pentagon planning widespread random polygraph tests. Follow Howie on Twitter: @HowardKurtz For more #MediaBuzz click here Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices
Day Two of the federal government shutdown and zero chance it will be settled today, with the Senate not conducting votes because of the Jewish holiday. Republicans and Democrats are again trading accusations over which party is at fault for the impasse, and debate over health care continues, including the Republican accusation that Democrats want to provide care for illegal immigrants; President Donald Trump posts that he is meeting with OMB Director Russell Vought to see which "Democrat Agencies" might be cut. President says the "Radical Left Democrats" gave him an "unprecedented opportunity" with the government shutdown; Gov. Tim Walz (D-MN) talks about how the federal government shutdown is affecting the people of his state; Rep. Jimmy Patronis (R-FL) and Rep. James Walkinshaw (D-VA) on the government shutdown's impact on the many federal workers in their districts; Israel intercepts an international aid flotilla heading to Gaza; we remember conservationist Jane Goodall, best known for her work with chimpanzees, who has died at age 91. We will hear her from a 2020 appearance at the National Press Club in Washington, from C-SPAN's video library. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
State leaders outlined some of the potential impacts of the federal budget shutdown Thursday. Gov. Tim Walz and other state budget officials said thousands of federal employees are at risk of being furloughed and funding for nutrition programs and clean energy projects are in limbo. MPR News politics correspondent Dana Ferguson joined MPR News host Nina Moini with details.
In our milestone 100th episode of the AdTechGod Podcast, we're diving into three big themes: the future of ad tech, the power of giving back, and where agencies are headed next. Segment 1 kicks off with industry legends Ari Paparo and Terence Kawaja. They break down how AI, automation, and consolidation are reshaping digital advertising—and what the booming creator economy means for authenticity and growth. Segment 2 takes a different turn, with Tom Deierlein, Heidi Browning, and Peter Naylor sharing the incredible story behind the TD Foundation. It's a nonprofit supporting families of wounded warriors and fallen heroes, proving how small donations and industry support can drive real impact. Segment 3 looks ahead to the agency world. Lauren Wetzel (Infosum/WPP) and Sam Bloom (PMG) talk about everything from navigating walled gardens and evolving business models to building people-first cultures in an AI-driven era. To my listeners, sponsors, and friends: thank you. Hitting 100 episodes is a huge milestone for me, and I couldn't have done it without your support. Segment 1 – The Future of Ad Tech 00:00 – Celebrating 100 Episodes of AdTechGod Podcast 01:48 – The Impact of AI on Ad Tech 05:22 – Consolidation in the Ad Tech Industry 08:59 – Challenges for Publishers in the AI Era 12:17 – The Future of Live Advertising 15:25 – Opportunities in the Creator Economy 18:59 – Navigating Authenticity in Content Creation Segment 2 – Giving Back: The TD Foundation 22:21 – Celebrating Milestones and Giving Back 23:53 – The Birth of the TD Foundation 28:22 – Personal Stories and Impact 31:49 – Real-Life Case Studies 36:01 – Challenges and Call to Action 39:05 – Corporate Involvement and Community Support Segment 3 – The Future of Agencies 42:21 – The Future of Agencies 45:40 – Navigating Walled Gardens & Data Challenges 49:55 – Evolving Business Models in Advertising 56:44 – Building a People-Centric Agency Culture 62:21 – Celebrating 100 Episodes & Looking Ahead Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
Episode 187: Automate Your Lead Generation with our FREE online course: https://go.digitaltrailblazer.com/auto-leads-course-freeLow conversion rates cost online business owners thousands in lost revenue every day. Without understanding the psychological triggers that drive buying decisions, even great products and services struggle to convert visitors into customers.In this episode, DJ Sprague teaches us how to leverage behavioral science principles to dramatically increase sales conversions. He reveals powerful strategies including using social proof and popularity signals to build instant trust, implementing scarcity and FOMO effectively, reducing friction by limiting choices and simplifying forms, strategic price anchoring to maximize revenue, and displaying reviews (including negative ones) to boost credibility. DJ also shares specific tactics like the "Hobson Plus One" approach, optimal button placement, and why showing your phone number matters more than you think.About DJ Sprague: Duane "DJ" Sprague is an international best-selling author, keynote speaker, and podcaster with over 35 years of marketing experience. As CMO of multi-million dollar ecommerce sites, he has helped global brands including Kodak, Toyota, Hyundai, and professional sports teams in the NBA, NASCAR, and MLS increase their revenue. Currently CMO of Shopper Approved, the world's first Diamond Cialdini Certified Agency, DJ helps online brands grow through proven strategies in reputation management, behavioral science, and marketing optimization.DJ is also co-author of Reputation King and The Influence Advantage, an Amazon international bestseller. He holds a Master's degree in Integrated Marketing Communications, is the 1st Place Gold Award recipient of the international ECHO Marketing Edge Challenge, and has earned 71 professional certifications in E-commerce Marketing, Behavioral Science, SEO, PPC, and Digital Marketing.Grab Your FREE Copy of “Reputation King”: https://www.reputationking.com/download/Connect with DJ:https://www.shopperapproved.com/ https://www.linkedin.com/company/shopperapproved https://www.linkedin.com/in/duanesprague/ https://www.youtube.com/c/ShopperApprovedWant to SCALE your online business bigger and faster without the endless hustle of networking, referrals, and pumping out content that nobody sees?Grab our Ultimate Ad Script for Coaches, Agencies, and Course Creators.Learn the exact 5-step script we teach our clients that allows them to generate targeted, high-quality leads at ultra-low cost, so you can land paying customers and clients without breaking the bank on ad spend. Grab the Ultimate Ad Script right HERE - https://join.digitaltrailblazer.com/ultimate-ad-script✅ Connect With Us:Website - https://DigitalTrailblazer.comFacebook - https://www.facebook.com/digitaltrailblazerTikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@digitaltrailblazerTwitter: https://twitter.com/DgtlTrailblazerInstagram: https://www.instagram.com/DigitalTrailblazer
In President Trump's second term, federal agencies are navigating uncharted territory. Two Supreme Court cases from June 2024 fundamentally changed how agencies can operate: Loper Bright ended Chevron deference—meaning courts no longer automatically defer to agencies' interpretations of ambiguous laws—and Jarkesy limited agencies' ability to impose civil penalties without jury trials.At the same time, President Trump is consolidating control over agencies that were traditionally seen as independent from the executive branch. He's fired commissioners from the FTC, NLRB, and other agencies as part of his push for a "unitary executive." Former FTC Commissioner Rebecca Slaughter is fighting her dismissal, and the Supreme Court recently allowed the firing to stand while it reviews the case.The fundamental tension? Courts are stripping power from agencies just as Trump is trying to bring those agencies under tighter presidential control. Will Loper Bright and Jarkesy make these agencies less useful tools for implementing Trump's agenda, even if he wins the fight to end their independence? And how will these cases impact the FCC's authority looks to reform its broadband subsidy programs while fighting illegal robocalls?Evan is joined by Tom Johnson, former general counsel of the FCC under Chairman Pai and now a partner at Wiley Rein. He is the author of a new paper for Digital Progress Institute on ways to reform the Universal Service Fund.
Today's daily update tackles extreme market volatility, starting with the unprecedented regulatory about-face by the California Air Resources Board. CARB has essentially wiped out the two biggest components of their Advanced Clean Fleets rule, including the High Priority Fleets regulation covering fleets over 50 trucks and rules that were set to bar non-ZEV trucks from port operations. We analyze the looming threat of a federal shutdown, noting that while essential safety functions like FMCSA roadside inspections and CBP cargo inspections are expected to continue, critical oversight functions will largely cease. Agencies like the Federal Maritime Commission and the Surface Transportation Board, which handles shipping disputes and vital transportation data, will suspend case processing, potentially leading to increased dwell times at major ports like LA-Long Beach. Moving to efficiency gains, we examine how AI startup Oatway is tackling the “dirty secret of full truckload”—partially filled trailers—by dynamically matching partial shipments with empty capacity on existing FTL run. This innovation optimizes existing infrastructure using machine learning and ELD data, potentially boosting net annual revenue for carriers by up to 30% while cutting shipper costs by up to 50% compared to traditional LTL. In corporate news, Interstate Personnel Services , the parent company of Paschall Truck Lines, is in formal talks to acquire J&R Sugar Trucking, which would create a combined fleet of around 2,000 trucks and 5,000 trailers. This merger strategically adds temperature-controlled refrigerated transport capacity to IPS's existing dry van network, highlighting the current premium placed on reefer capacity. Finally, Texas has halted the issuance of Commercial Driver's Licenses to non-citizens, including DACA recipients and refugees, following a federal directive aimed at tightening commercial licensing rules. Since 2015, Texas has issued almost 52,000 non-domiciled CDLs, and this regulatory move presents an immediate challenge for fleet staffing and recruitment efforts across the state. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
Subscribe to DTC Newsletter - https://dtcnews.link/signupIn this episode of the DTC Podcast, we sit down with Alex Schultz, the CMO and VP of Analytics at Meta, to unpack nearly two decades of hard-earned marketing insights from inside one of the most influential tech companies on the planet.From his scrappy beginnings as an affiliate marketer trying to pay for college, Alex rose through the ranks at Facebook—helping launch self-serve ads, custom audiences, and building the company's analytics function from the ground up.Now, as CMO, he shares how he thinks about brand vs. performance, why incrementality measurement is non-negotiable, and what it really took to lead the rebrand from Facebook to Meta in under seven months.In this episode, you'll learn:How affiliate thinking creates real marketersWhy starting with performance-driven urgency creates marketers who understand what actually drives growthThe self-serve ad platform strategy that unlocked small business scaleAlex shares how linking product and marketing—from in-product CTAs to retargeting drop-offs—became Meta's growth engineWhy incrementality is the foundation of modern marketingForget last-click—true marketers use lift tests, holdouts, and on/off testing to see what really worksHow to build brands on performance platformsYes, you can build a brand on Meta—but only if you measure it rightThe inside story of the Meta rebrandIncluding a midnight WhatsApp from Zuckerberg and a literal house fireWhy creative strategy—not media buying—is the future in an AI worldAgencies will evolve, but those who control the data + creative inputs will control outcomesHow Alex is using creator marketing, email, and retargeting to market his new book, Click HereThe modern playbook Meta uses… now applied to booksVisit Hachette Book Group for information on how to purchase Click Here: The Art and Science of Digital Marketing and Advertising, out on October 7th. And you can check out an audio book version on Spotify here: https://open.spotify.com/show/5hsoMSkbpEboe0M4aGqNgZTimestamps00:00 - From Affiliate Marketer to CMO of Meta02:00 - Building Facebook's Growth Engine and Analytics Team06:00 - Lessons From the Affiliate Mindset08:00 - Launching Self-Serve Ads and the First Custom Audiences11:00 - Rebranding Facebook to Meta: Inside the Strategy15:00 - Building Brands with Direct Response vs. Top-of-Funnel Marketing18:00 - How WhatsApp's Brand Story Shifted Perception20:00 - Why Alex Wrote "Click Here" and Its Core Principles24:00 - The Future of Agencies and AI in Advertising28:00 - Marketing the Book Using Meta StrategiesHashtags#DTCpodcast #Meta #AlexSchultz #DigitalMarketing #BrandStrategy #AffiliateMarketing #Rebranding #MarketingBook #GrowthMarketing #AdvertisingStrategy #MarketingTips #SocialMediaMarketing #BusinessGrowth #CMOInsights #MarketingPodcast Subscribe to DTC Newsletter - https://dtcnews.link/signupAdvertise on DTC - https://dtcnews.link/advertiseWork with Pilothouse - https://dtcnews.link/pilothouseFollow us on Instagram & Twitter - @dtcnewsletterWatch this interview on YouTube - https://dtcnews.link/video
Agencies are being allowed to continue any work related to reductions in force, even during a government shutdown. That's according to guidance the Office of Personnel Management published over the weekend. OPM's update comes as the Trump administration is encouraging agencies to conduct even more RIFs. Here with more on this is Federal News Network's Drew Friedman.See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.
Cybersecurity has been on the Government Accountability Office's (GAO) high-risk list since 1997. Federal agencies struggle with issues like cyber hygiene, cyber workforce shortages and strategic execution. While agencies put strategies in place to secure their systems, the implementation and execution can be ineffective, according to GAO Managing Director of IT and Cybersecurity Nick Marinos. Marinos says that evolving threats have reshaped the cybersecurity landscape over the years in government, making evolution a moving target. Agencies are adjusting their workforces accordingly, he says, but is is difficult to keep pace with emerging technology. He underscores the urgency of streamlining federal hiring processes to prevent losing top talent to faster-moving private sector opportunities.
Independent agents just scored a major win! The personal lines market share for the IA channel has grown nearly $20 billion in the last four years. Shane and Tonya break down what this momentum means for agency owners, why consumers are choosing local advisors over call centers, and why personal lines are creating stability and resilience for independent agencies. Learn more at IntegraPartnerNetwork.com.
Lawmakers are up against a deadline today to fund the government and avoid a partial shutdown. Agencies plan for a partial shutdown. And the stopgap situation slows down discussions on full-year appropriations. Jacob Fulton has your CQ Morning Briefing for Tuesday, Sept. 30, 2025.
The Trump administration has taken steps to effectively dismantle the Merit Systems Protection Board and the Office of Special Counsel, two agencies that protect federal civil servants. We discuss why changes at these agencies matter and how the U.S. Supreme Court could grant the president broad powers to make changes at other independent agencies. This episode: voting and election security correspondent Miles Parks, labor and workplace correspondent Andrea Hsu, and justice correspondent Carrie Johnson.This podcast was produced by Casey Morell & Bria Suggs, and edited by Rachel Baye. Our executive producer is Muthoni Muturi.Listen to every episode of the NPR Politics Podcast sponsor-free, unlock access to bonus episodes with more from the NPR Politics team, and support public media when you sign up for The NPR Politics Podcast+ at plus.npr.org/politics.Learn more about sponsor message choices: podcastchoices.com/adchoicesNPR Privacy Policy
The White House Office of Management and Budget is instructing agencies to consider reducing staff for programs that have a lapse in funding in the event of a government shutdown, as tensions rise ahead of the Sept. 30 end to the fiscal year. “With respect to those Federal programs whose funding would lapse and which are otherwise unfunded, such programs are no longer statutorily required to be carried out,” the undated message said. The guidance goes on to say that consistent with applicable law, including a federal reduction in force statute, agencies are directed to use this opportunity to consider RIF notices for employees working in projects, programs or activities that have a funding lapse on Oct.1, don't have another source of funding, and are not consistent with President Donald Trump's priorities. The project, program or activity must meet all three criteria, the message said. The message places blame for a possible shutdown squarely on congressional Democrats, calling their demands “insane.” The OMB message explains that the One Big Beautiful Bill Act, legislation passed earlier this year that is at the heart of Trump's second-term agenda, provided “ample resources to ensure that many core Trump Administration priorities will continue uninterrupted.” Federal cyber authorities sounded a rare alarm last week, issuing an emergency directive about an ongoing and widespread attack spree involving actively exploited zero-day vulnerabilities affecting Cisco firewalls. Cisco said it began investigating attacks on multiple government agencies linked to the state-sponsored campaign in May. The vendor, which attributes the attacks to the same threat group behind an early 2024 campaign targeting Cisco devices it dubbed “ArcaneDoor,” said the new zero-days were exploited to “implant malware, execute commands, and potentially exfiltrate data from the compromised devices.” Cisco disclosed three vulnerabilities affecting its Adaptive Security Appliances — CVE-2025-20333, CVE-2025-20363 and CVE-2025-20362 — but said “evidence collected strongly indicates CVE-2025-20333 and CVE-2025-20362 were used by the attacker in the current attack campaign.” The Cybersecurity and Infrastructure Security Agency said those two zero-days pose an “unacceptable risk” to federal agencies and require immediate action. The Daily Scoop Podcast is available every Monday-Friday afternoon. If you want to hear more of the latest from Washington, subscribe to The Daily Scoop Podcast on Apple Podcasts, Soundcloud, Spotify and YouTube.
The governor's executive order is in response to economic uncertainty.
We have talked extensively about optimal agency operations on this podcast because it's probably the most important thing in the profitability and scalability of your agency.Gray Mackenzie has been helping multi-million dollar agencies for the past 13 years find higher profitability in their operational procedures through his company, ZenPilot.Gray is a wealth of knowledge when it comes to agency operations and Jake has attempted to get him on the podcast for over 2 years after diving into his Agency Journey podcast when we first started this podcast!----------------------------------ZenPilot:https://www.zenpilot.com/Agency Journey Podcast:https://open.spotify.com/show/4C7UEVPMZZlPzbMlIwmiaA----------------------------------JOIN THE FREE DISCORDhttps://discord.gg/uvHRRRFVRDOur recommended agency tools:everbrospodcast.com/recommended-tools/----------------------------------⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐As always, if you enjoyed this episode or this podcast in general and want to leave us a review or rating, head over to Apple and let us know what you like! It helps us get found and motivates us to keep producing this free content.----------------------------------Want to connect with us? Reach out to us on the everbrospodcast.com website, subscribe to us on YouTube, or connect with us on socials:YouTube: @agencygrowthpodcastTwitter/X: @theagency_uLinkedIn: linkedin.com/company/agencypodcastFacebook: facebook.com/theagencyuInstagram: @theagencyuReddit: r/agency & u/JakeHundleyTikTok: @agency.u
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Points of Interest0:50 – 2:07 – Introduction: Marcel and Carson set up the challenge of revenue recognition in agencies, where payments and work schedules rarely align, creating distorted profitability metrics.2:19 – 3:22 – Cash Accounting Pitfalls: Carson shares a client example where tracking only bank deposits caused wild swings in monthly profit and billable rate reporting, rendering metrics unreliable.3:37 – 4:15 – Why Cash Accounting is Common: Marcel explains that firms default to cash-based accounting because it is cheaper and simpler, but acknowledges the operational limits for service businesses.6:13 – 7:17 – Cash vs. Accrual Explained: The hosts break down the difference between cash accounting, which records money moving in and out, and accrual accounting, which aligns revenue and expenses with when they are actually earned or incurred.8:35 – 9:26 – Project Example of Misalignment: Marcel illustrates how upfront deposits and final payments distort monthly reporting, showing why cash accounting fails for project-based agencies.11:07 – 12:13 – Complex Expense Timing: They highlight how vendor terms and delayed payments further complicate accrual accounting, making profitability appear very different depending on the lens used.13:42 – 14:58 – Payroll Timing Issues: Carson notes that biweekly payroll cycles can skew monthly reporting, making accrual adjustments essential for accurate performance measurement.15:12 – 16:20 – Why Invoice Dates Don't Work: Marcel warns that many accountants mistakenly use invoice schedules for accrual recognition, which misrepresents how much work is truly complete.16:38 – 19:48 – Four Earned Value Methods: Marcel outlines four ways to measure progress for revenue recognition: time versus timeline, time versus budget, burndown via story points, and subjective project manager input.21:38 – 23:16 – Forecasting and Performance Indexing: They stress the importance of pairing earned value with forward-looking forecasts and using cost or schedule performance indexes to spot projects at risk.24:23 – 26:04 – Phasing Projects for Accuracy: The conversation explores breaking projects into major phases to better reflect real effort, while avoiding overly complex setups that burden teams.27:25 – 29:19 – Accountant Impact and Liabilities: They emphasize that proper accrual requires manual journal entries and careful tracking of deferred revenue and liabilities, ensuring agencies avoid misleading profitability and balance sheet risks.Show NotesPodcast Episode: Revenue Recognition in Agencies (with Rich Brett)Blog: Understanding Cost-Performance IndexingFree Tool: Cost Variance CalculatorLove the PodcastLeave us a review here. Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.
Amazon is more competitive than ever. Between rising fees, tariff hikes, and a flood of new sellers, standing out takes more than just great products. Few people understand this reality better than Jason Boyce. An Amazon veteran, Jason launched the very first basketball hoop business on the platform back in 2003, long before Amazon became the giant it is today. After selling his brand, he went on to build a successful agency, Avenue 7 Media, dedicated to helping other Amazon sellers grow. In this episode, Jason reveals why retail media is now essential for growth and how sellers can tap into it to target customers more effectively than ever before. Jason also shares his seven proven avenues for profitable growth, explores how AI is reshaping the future of agencies and entrepreneurs, and gives practical advice for tackling today's biggest challenges, from tariffs to rising fees. We also dive into why discounting and underpricing your products is a losing game, and Jason highlights the macro trends every Amazon entrepreneur should be preparing for in the months ahead. If you want to move beyond survival mode and truly scale your Amazon business, this episode is packed with strategies and insights to help you get there. Topics Discussed in this episode: How Jason started the very first basketball hoop business on Amazon (01:58) Why Jason decided to sell his Amazon business (10:06) The inspiration behind Jason's Amazon agency (12:20) The power of using retail media to grow Amazon businesses (17:12) The ins and outs of Amazon DSP (24:45) Jason's seven avenues for profitable growth (27:32) How AI will impact agencies and entrepreneurs (34:33) How to overcome current market challenges like tariffs and fees (37:43) Why you shouldn't be the cheapest product in your category (44:01) The macro trends that Amazon sellers should prepare for (49:42) Mentions: Empire Flippers Podcasts Empire Flippers Marketplace Create an Empire Flippers account Subscribe to our newsletter Avenue 7 Media Avenue 7 Lift AI tool waitlist Sit back, grab a coffee, and learn how to dominate the Amazon marketplace using the power of retail media!
Send us a textIf you're scaling your digital agency past seven figures, you already know how costly bottlenecks can be. Old leads sit untouched, team handoffs slow progress, and valuable time disappears qualifying prospects who will never buy.That's why I sat down with Bryce DeCora, co-founder and CEO of Closebot, to explore how AI for agencies is transforming sales and client acquisition. Bryce brings his background in AI, engineering, and sales to show how agencies are reactivating databases, qualifying leads automatically, and creating six-figure revenue surges without overworking their team.In this episode, you'll hear how one roofer generated $150,000 in two days, why clarity in leadership accelerates team performance, and how adopting AI now positions your agency ahead of competitors who are still waiting on the sidelines.Listen in and discover the systems and mindset shifts that free you from bottlenecks and create more space to scale with intention.Books MentionedThe Infinite Game by Simon SinekYou can connect with Bryce on LinkedIn for business and AI thought leadership, or follow his research on X.Join Dr. William Attaway on the Catalytic Leadership podcast as he shares transformative insights to help high-performance entrepreneurs and agency owners achieve Clear-Minded Focus, Calm Control, and Confidence. Free 30-Minute Discovery Call:Ready to elevate your business? Book a free 30-minute discovery call with Dr. William Attaway and start your journey to success. Special Offer:Get your FREE copy of Catalytic Leadership: 12 Keys to Becoming an Intentional Leader Who Makes a Difference. Connect with Dr. William Attaway: Website LinkedIn Facebook Instagram TikTok YouTube
PREVIEW: Baird: Ben explains US agencies, under Obama and Biden, continued funding extremist Muslim groups despite their destructive vows. Past reports and Trump's cuts didn't stop this long-standing allocation. MORE LATER 1956