Podcasts about Asset

Industrial Talk is talking to Dan Anderson, Director of Business Development at ReliabilityX about "Asset management and Reliability best practices". Scott Mackenzie hosts an industrial podcast featuring Dan Anderson, a reliability and asset management expert. Dan discusses the importance of integrating asset management and maintenance reliability practices within organizations. He emphasizes the need for a high-level policy and strategic asset management plan (SAMP) to drive these efforts. Dan highlights the benefits of proactive maintenance, citing a case study where a company saved significant costs by implementing best practices. He also stresses the importance of top-down management commitment and continuous reassessment to sustain these improvements. Dan provides contact information for further discussions on these topics. Action Items [ ] Reach out to Dan Anderson at ReliabilityX to further discuss reliability and asset management best practices for the organization.[ ] Conduct a loss analysis to quantify the financial impact of downtime and short/stop times on production[ ] Develop a business case to justify investment in reliability improvement initiatives like planners, reliability engineers, and predictive maintenance technologies Outline Introduction and Welcome to Industrial Talk Podcast Scott MacKenzie welcomes listeners to the Industrial Talk Podcast, emphasizing its focus on industry professionals and their innovations.Scott introduces Dan Anderson, highlighting his expertise in asset management, reliability, and his role as the chairman of the board of SMRP.Scott praises Dan's insights and passion for reliability and asset management, describing him as a delightful and knowledgeable individual.Scott mentions upcoming events, including Power Gen in January, MD&M West in February, and Accelerate with Fluke Reliability in March, encouraging listeners to attend. Upcoming Events and Their Importance Scott discusses Power Gen, emphasizing its relevance to the power industry and its location in San Antonio, Texas.Scott highlights MD&M West, focusing on its significance for the manufacturing and med tech sectors and his excitement about broadcasting from the event.Scott talks about Accelerate with Fluke Reliability, praising its user conference and encouraging listeners to attend if they are interested in asset management and maintenance.Scott introduces the Barcelona Cyber Security Congress, emphasizing its importance for cyber security and digitalization in the industry. Introduction of Dan Anderson and His Background Scott reintroduces Dan Anderson, emphasizing his expertise in asset management and reliability.Dan provides a brief background, mentioning his role as the Director of Business Development at ReliabilityX and his position as the chairman of the board of SMRP.Scott and Dan discuss the importance of the SMRP annual conference and the positive interactions they had there.Dan shares his experience of dressing up for the SMRP annual conference, highlighting the professional atmosphere. Differences Between Asset Management and Reliability Dan explains the differences between asset management and reliability, noting that asset management is more strategic and driven by executive leadership.Dan describes the importance of a policy and a strategic asset management plan (SAMP) in asset management.Dan contrasts this with reliability, which involves day-to-day maintenance and proactive measures to ensure equipment is running smoothly.Scott and Dan discuss the importance of having a policy that is well-thought-out and not overly...

Click HERE to learn how to earn $10K/month in rental income & access 50% discount on RTR Academyhttps://landing.renttoretirement.com/evg-masterclass-replayThis episode is sponsored by…BLUPRINT HOME LOANS:Get pre-approved with one of RTR's preferred lenders at https://bluprinthomeloans.com/renttoretirement/BAM Capital:Get access to premium real estate assets with BAM Capital. Rent to Retirement's preferred multifamily partner. https://bamcapital.com/rtr/Want to invest like the pros? In this episode of the Rent To Retirement Podcast, hosts Adam Schroeder sit down with Brad Bell, VP of Acquisitions at Roofstock, to unpack how large institutional investors choose markets, analyze deals, manage properties at scale, and adapt to changing economic cycles. Brad shares his own journey into investing, the differences between “mom & pop” investors and billion-dollar funds, the real reasons build-to-rent exploded, what metrics institutions use to select markets, and his personal top picks for long-term growth.He also explains how Roofstock's platform simplifies property management, data analysis, and acquisition for investors of all sizes. If you want to invest smarter, reduce risk, and understand how the world's largest investors allocate capital, this is the episode for you.

QFF: Quick Fire Friday – Your 20-Minute Growth Powerhouse! Welcome to Quick Fire Friday, the Grow A Small Business podcast series that is designed to deliver simple, focused and actionable insights and key takeaways in less than 20 minutes a week. Every Friday, we bring you business owners and experts who share their top strategies for growing yourself, your team and your small business. Get ready for a dose of inspiration, one action you can implement and quotable quotes that will stick with you long after the episode ends! In this episode of Quick Fire Friday, host Amanda Jones interviews Taylor Victoria, founder of Level Up Outsourcing and host of the "She's Making Millions" podcast. Taylor shares how she built a 7-figure outsourcing agency after struggling to find a job at 22. She explains how outsourcing transforms lives in the Philippines and why business owners must embrace AI as a co-pilot rather than fear it. Taylor highlights the power of personal development, time audits, and team alignment for high performance. She encourages business owners to explore AI tools and automate tasks to create freedom and grow their business. Key Takeaways for Small Business Owners: Embrace AI as a Co-Pilot, Not a Threat: AI won't replace your business — but business owners using AI will. Stay proactive and learn new tools weekly. Audit Your Time to Find What to Automate: Track your tasks for 1–2 weeks and use AI to identify what can be automated or delegated to free up your energy. Invest in Personal Development: Your business grows when you grow. Events, learning, and self-reflection directly impact performance and results. Our hero crafts outstanding reviews following the experience of listening to our special guests. Are you the one we've been waiting for? Build High-Performing Teams With Clear Systems: Review your team's workflows, improve efficiency, and let people focus on high-ROI work by pairing them with AI tools. Use Outsourcing to Scale Smarter: Global talent can transform your operations and create life-changing opportunities for others, especially in the Philippines. Prepare Your Business to Be an Asset, Not a Job:  Automating processes and reducing dependency on you increases business value — making it easier to scale or eventually sell. One action small business owners can take: According to Taylor Victoria, one action small business owners can take is to upload their weekly tasks into ChatGPT and ask which processes can be automated with AI, then commit to implementing one automation within the next seven days. Do you have 2 minutes every Friday? Sign up to the Weekly Leadership Email. It's free and we can help you to maximize your time. Enjoyed the podcast? Please leave a review on iTunes or your preferred platform. Your feedback helps more small business owners discover our podcast and embark on their business growth journey.

Today, I'm excited to speak with Justin Papadakis, Deputy Chief Executive Officer and Chief Real Estate Officer at the United Soccer League (USL). Justin joined the USL in 2014 and has held various roles including President of Commercial Ventures and Chief Operating Officer and has led its expansion efforts across the USL Championship, League One, and Super League, and most recently, the announcement of USL's plans to launch a Division One men's professional league in 2027-2028. Prior to the USL, Justin served as leasing director, and later business development director, at DDR Corp, now called SITE Centers. While earning his dual degree in Public Policy and Economics at Duke University, Justin also played four seasons for the Blue Devils' Men's Soccer program. He has been recognized on America's Power List and Florida Trend's Florida 500, a list of 500 most influential business leaders in Florida. With Justin's help we delve into the world of soccer. He describes how the sport – and the business of soccer – has evolved in recent years and points out what sets soccer apart from other major sports. He also paints a picture for our audience of the soccer landscape today and how the USL fits in that landscape. We then take a look at soccer as an asset class in the broader category of sports and entertainment investment properties. Justin provides an educational overview of the unique investment attributes of soccer and soccer teams, highlighting how they are distinct from other major-league sports and what makes soccer franchises particularly attractive right now. Justin talks about the purpose and the mission of the United Soccer League (or USL) and explains how his organization helps UHNW clients and their family offices invest in and operate soccer franchises. Finally, he shares some practical considerations and risks family offices need to consider when they contemplate investing in sports in general and in soccer in particular. He offers valuable tips on how families and family offices should educate themselves and what resources exist for them to lean on in this growing and specialized segment of sports investing. Don't miss this educational conversation with a leading expert and experienced practitioner in sports franchise investing and operations.

Click HERE to learn how to earn $10K/month in rental income & access 50% discount on RTR Academyhttps://landing.renttoretirement.com/evg-masterclass-replayThis episode is sponsored by…BLUPRINT HOME LOANS:Get pre-approved with one of RTR's preferred lenders at https://bluprinthomeloans.com/renttoretirement/BAM Capital:Get access to premium real estate assets with BAM Capital. Rent to Retirement's preferred multifamily partner. https://bamcapital.com/rtr/Want to invest like the pros? In this episode of the Rent To Retirement Podcast, hosts Adam Schroeder sit down with Brad Bell, VP of Acquisitions at Roofstock, to unpack how large institutional investors choose markets, analyze deals, manage properties at scale, and adapt to changing economic cycles. Brad shares his own journey into investing, the differences between “mom & pop” investors and billion-dollar funds, the real reasons build-to-rent exploded, what metrics institutions use to select markets, and his personal top picks for long-term growth.He also explains how Roofstock's platform simplifies property management, data analysis, and acquisition for investors of all sizes. If you want to invest smarter, reduce risk, and understand how the world's largest investors allocate capital, this is the episode for you.

Would you like access to our advanced agency training for FREE? https://www.agencymastery360.com/training What if growth doesn't make things easier but actually just raises the stakes? Agency life looks glamorous from the outside, but the real growth usually starts in the messy middle. Today's featured guest just wanted to build something of her own, but quickly learned that growth means the challenges get harder, instead of easier, and that your client and team retention will always be the best measures of success, since it means you've managed to build a business that has a real impact on clients and a culture people never want to leave. She'll share the pressure she felt as the agency got bigger, how she learned to celebrate the little wins, and how she built a culture that has truly worked as a strategic advantage. Elyse Lupin is the president and founder of Elysium Marketing Group, a full-service agency specializing in food and franchise marketing. With more than a decade of running the business, she has scaled from a new mom charging a thousand bucks for her first client to leading a well known, franchise-focused marketing team recognized for expertise, execution, and a culture clients genuinely enjoy working with. In this episode, we'll discuss: Why growth gets harder as your agency scales. 2 metrics that actually predict agency success. How culture became her agency's competitive advantage. The importance of letting go instead of babysitting tasks. 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. How Mentoring Can Be the Push You Need Elyse started her agency during what most people would consider the absolute worst time to make a career change. She had a newborn, a mortgage, and a job that drained her every morning as she left her child in daycare. That friction reached a breaking point. A mentor tossed out traditional job options, but Elyse surprised even herself when she said, "I just want to start my own thing." Instead of talking her out of it, that mentor became her first client. It's one of those decisions you look back on and realize how thin the line is between staying stuck and building something you love. In the early days, she charged way too little, as nearly all agency owners do for those first engagements. But like she said, ignorance can be a gift. When you are early and scrappy, you move fast and celebrate every small win because you have no idea what's coming next. Why Growth Gets Harder, Not Easier After eleven years, Elyse said she was shocked by how the difficulty of running an agency evolves. Things do get easier in some ways, but each stage comes with a new complexity level. As the agency grew, so did the pressure to hire better people, keep up quality, retain clients, and juggle new demands that never existed in the early days. You go from hands-on fulfillment to team building to culture shaping to visionary leadership. Each level is a different skill set and none of it is simple. Scaling is not a victory lap. It is a longer, more strategic version of the same game you started with: solve the next problem without losing momentum. For Elyse, it's all about stopping to celebrate the little wins and let herself enjoy watching her team crush new challenges. 2 Metrics That Predict Agency Success: Client and Team Retention A lot of agency owners fall into the trap of measuring success by employee count or top line revenue. Elyse prefers to track retention. She considers it far more meaningful. Clients only stick around if they are getting results and some of her clients have been with her agency since the beginning. Employee retention matters just as much, because no amount of growth means anything if the team delivering the work is burning out or bailing. Even during COVID, when most of their food clients disappeared overnight, Elyse's agency found a way to pivot into B2B, protect the team, and still grow. Not at the same pace, but still upward. That speaks to culture, resilience, and leadership. In the end, what really matters is how happy you are in the business, whether or not your team is happy, and how profitable the business actually is. These are the things that will guarantee you stay in business and not start to resent it. How Culture Becomes an Agency's Competitive Advantage Elyse's agency has a spirit week. costume day. concert tshirt day. team jersey day. They joke about team members hearing her excitement through the office walls. But behind the fun is something serious. A happy team performs better, stays longer, and delivers higher quality work. She also implemented rituals that reinforce positivity and growth. Every Friday on remote days, they kick off with Wins of the Week. Team members spotlight others who went above and beyond, which forces everyone to pause and recognize progress. Then there is Elysium Advancement, a bi-weekly internal training where someone teaches a new AI tool or system. It keeps the whole agency sharp without overwhelming everyone with the nonstop flood of new tech. Finding the Balance Between a Remote and In-Person Team Elyse's agency is in office Monday through Thursday and remote on Fridays. She believes their productivity is higher together, especially since half the business is design focused. Instead of 15 email threads, they solve problems in 30 second conversations. Some teams thrive remote. Others thrive together. The important thing is knowing which one your agency needs. For them, an in-person environment helps them move faster and design better. Letting Go: Building Leaders Instead of Babysitting Tasks Most agency founders struggle with this. Elyse has built three strong department heads who now own their areas. Sure, she still has a hand in more than she probably should, but the structure is finally allowing her to think bigger instead of babysitting tasks. She also knows what her team would tell her to stop doing. Being too loud in the office. Which, as problems go, is one of the funnier ones. The Power of Picking a Niche Years ago, Elyse heard this very podcast's advice about niching down and resisted it. Like most agency owners, she felt her client base was too broad to narrow down. After COVID, she finally made the leap and put a stake in the ground around franchise marketing. She got her Certified Franchise Executive credential, doubled down on franchising events, and made franchise marketing a core part of the brand. And the decision paid off immediately. Franchise systems want a partner who understands their world, their FDDs, their local store marketing needs, and their complexity. Her agency became that partner. And with that clarity came authority, opportunity, and recognition. Niching did not reduce her client pool. It strengthened her position and made her easier to hire. 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.

Don't be a pain in the… Learn how to earn your spot in the circle of trust. #ThePitch #INICIVOX #VirtualMentorship

Scontro Commissione-BCE sul possibile utilizzo di asset russi. Ne parliamo con Marco Bresolin, corrispondente de La Stampa da Bruxelles. Oggi la Giornata mondiale delle persone con disabilità. È l'occasione per fare il punto su quanta strada manca ancora per poter parlare di diritti rispettati. Partiamo allora dalla cultura che è l'ambito in cui le persone con disabilità e i loro familiari dicono di sentirsi meno accolti, come conferma un'indagine condotta dal Fai. Sentiamo il servizio di Cristina Carpinelli. Rimborsi per fermo in autostrada dopo la prima ora attraverso un'unica app. Ne scrive oggi sul Sole 24 Ore Flavia Landolfi.

Brian Skrobonja sits down with Phon Vilayoune to unpack buffered ETFs and income notes. Phon is the Founder and CEO of VETA Investment Partners, where they currently oversee over $5.5 billion in assets. They discuss the benefits of positioning your portfolio for growth and safety, how to protect your nest egg in volatile markets, and practical strategies for optimizing gains while limiting downside risk. Tune in to hear professional insights on ETFs, income notes, and actionable frameworks for navigating today's complex market cycles. Phon explains how he entered the investing world and now helps oversee roughly $5.5B in assets. Phon highlights what trading during the 2008–09 crisis taught him about being positioned like Warren Buffett or Middle Eastern banks. In deep volatility, cash plus cash flow gives you the power to buy when everything is on sale.  Why you want a Buffett-style portfolio in a downturn: Buffett held strong during bear markets and bought when others panicked.  How to win more by losing less. Phon says risk management is the key. You never want to be a forced seller during a correction because you take a double hit: loss plus selling at the bottom. Phon and Brian break down buffered ETFs and how they're tied to S&P 500 options designed to provide a more predictable range of outcomes over 12 months. Think of it like investing with guardrails — you're participating but with intentional limits on downside. Learn what income notes are: Phon says it's basically converting equity exposure into monthly income. For example, instead of holding stocks outright, you buy a structured note designed to pay you steady monthly income while still giving some market participation. It's like blending investing and cash flow without fully being in the stock market. Phon on the future earnings potential of ETFs. He believes growth will continue, especially as aging demographics seek income and protection. BlackRock projects more than $600B in defined-outcome/Buffered ETFs in the coming years. Brian highlights that markets don't move straight up forever. We all intellectually understand cycles, but emotionally, we forget. That's why having a plan for downturns is essential. Phon shares a real-life ETF scenario and how, in 2002, a near-retirement couple protected their nest egg during intense volatility using defined outcome tools. They preserved their lifestyle when others were taking major hits. How to balance your portfolio for growth and safety. For Phon, the best thing you can do is to talk to a real human advisor. There's too much DIY noise; professional guidance helps you tune the right mix for your unique situation. Phon on what to ask your advisor: Ask how your portfolio would perform in a COVID-style year or another global-financial-crisis scenario. Then ask how it generates income and supports your goals. His favorite question: "Have you actually guided clients through a deep bear market?" Why working with a professional matters: Many strategies look great and work during bull markets. But the real test is whether they protect you when things are down. Phon explains that good portfolio design is about being structurally prepared before volatility hits. You want a position that holds through downturns—and ideally lets you buy when opportunities appear. Phon's parting advice to the audience: Go outside, walk your dog, and take real time away with family. Getting off screens and into nature helps you stay grounded. Investing is long-term—your life should be too.     Mentioned in this episode: VetaInvestmentPartners.com BlackRock.com/us/financial-professionals/insights/outcome-etfs BrianSkrobonja.com SkrobonjaFinancial.com SkrobonjaWealth.com BUILDbanking.com Common Sense Financial Podcast on YouTube  Common Sense Financial Podcast on Spotify     Alternative investments may be subject to less regulation than other types of pooled investment vehicles. Alternative Investments may impose significant fees, including incentive fees that are based upon a percentage of the realized and unrealized gains and an individual's net returns may differ significantly from actual returns. Such fees may offset all or a significant portion of such Alternative Investment's trading profits. Incorporating alternative investments into a portfolio presents the opportunity for significant losses including in some cases, losses which exceed the principal amount invested. Also, some alternative investments have experienced periods of extreme volatility and in general, are not suitable for all investors. Asset allocation and diversification strategies do not ensure profit or protect against loss in declining markets ---- BUILD Banking™ is a DBA of Skrobonja Insurance Services, LLC. Benefits and guarantees are based on the claims paying ability of the insurance company. Not FDIC insured. Results may vary. Any descriptions involving life insurance policies and its use as an alternative form of financing or risk management techniques are provided for illustration purposes only, will not apply in all situations, may not be fully indicative of any present or future investments, and may be changed at the discretion of the insurance carrier, General Partner and/or Manager and are not intended to reflect guarantees on securities performance. The term BUILD Banking™, private banking alternatives or specially designed life insurance contracts (SDLIC) are not meant to insinuate that the issuer is creating a real bank for its clients or communicating that life insurance companies are the same as traditional banking institutions. This material is educational in nature and should not be deemed as a solicitation of any specific product or service. BUILD Banking™ is offered by Skrobonja Insurance Services, LLC only and is not offered by Madison Avenue Securities, LLC. nor Skrobonja Wealth Management, LLC. ---- This content is intended for informational purposes only. It is not intended to be used as the sole basis for financial decisions, nor should it be construed as advice designed to meet the particular needs of an individual's situation. Skrobonja Financial Group, LLC, Skrobonja Insurance Services, LLC, Skrobonja Wealth Management, LLC are not permitted to offer and no statement made during this presentation shall constitute tax or legal advice. Our firms are not affiliated with or endorsed by the U.S. Government or any governmental agency. The information and opinions contained herein provided by third parties have been obtained from sources believed to be reliable, but accuracy and completeness cannot be guaranteed by Skrobonja Financial Group, LLC, Skrobonja Insurance Services, LLC, Skrobonja Wealth Management, LLC. ---- Securities offered only by duly registered individuals through Madison Avenue Securities, LLC. (MAS), Member FINRA &SIPC. Advisory services offered only by duly registered individuals through Skrobonja Wealth Management (SWM), a registered investment advisor. Tax services offered only through Skrobonja Tax Consulting. MAS does not offer Build Banking or tax advice. Skrobonja Financial Group, LLC, Skrobonja Wealth Management, LLC, Skrobonja Insurance Services, LLC, Skrobonja Tax Consulting, and Build Banking are not affiliated with MAS. Skrobonja Wealth Management, LLC is a registered investment adviser. Advisory services are only offered to clients or prospective clients where Skrobonja Wealth Management, LLC and its representatives are properly licensed or exempt from licensure. The firm is a registered investment adviser with the state of Missouri, and may only transact business with residents of those states, or residents of other states where otherwise legally permitted subject to exemption or exclusion from registration requirements. Registration with the United States Securities and Exchange Commission or any state securities authority does not imply a certain level of skill or training. Skrobonja Wealth Management has no ownership interest, compensation arrangement, revenue-sharing agreement, or other economic relationship with Veta Investment Partners. We may allocate a portion of a client's portfolio to strategies managed by Veta Investment Partners when we determine that the allocation is appropriate for the client's objectives, risk tolerance, and overall portfolio design. Our selection of Veta's strategies is based solely on the merits of the investment and the needs of the client, and not on any financial relationship between our firms.

Newstalk ZB senior political correspondent Barry Soper talked to Heather du Plessis-Allan about today's political hot topics. Ex-Police Commissioner Andrew Coster resigned from his role as the CEO of the Social Investment Agency amid an inquiry into his involvement in the McSkimming case. The Treasury is over halfway through a review of state asset ownership, but they say the review is not driven by hope of asset sales. And, Donald Trump says he can abolish income tax because of how successful the tariffs are. LISTEN ABOVESee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

In Episode 110 of the Canadian Private Lenders Podcast, Ryan and Neal break in their brand-new studio with a deep dive into one of the hottest topics circulating in the real estate and lending world: the rise of 50-year mortgages in the United States.The hosts unpack what a 50-year mortgage actually looks like, who benefits, why the U.S. is considering them, and whether Canada would ever dare to follow. Along the way, they explore current housing forecasts, affordability breakdowns across Canada, private-lending implications, and the macroeconomic mechanics behind debt-driven asset growth.If you're a mortgage broker, lender, real estate professional, or investor, this episode offers a grounded, honest analysis of the policies shaping the future of housing.00:00 – What is a 50-year mortgage?00:26 – New studio intro01:08 – Back to in-person episodes01:43 – Remax 2026 housing rebound headline04:38 – Introducing today's topic: 50-year mortgages05:12 – U.S. vs Canada mortgage structures07:40 – Mechanics of 50-year amortization08:20 – Interest costs & debt misconceptions09:39 – Asset value growth from extended amortizations10:26 – Why the U.S. is considering this now11:36 – Securitization & “Big Short” parallels12:24 – Risks & criticisms15:52 – Halifax wealth effect example17:30 – Why Canada won't adopt 50-year mortgages18:28 – Securitization challenges in Canada19:01 – Consumer debt culture20:02 – Fragmented Canadian housing markets21:00 – Discussion on 40-year amortizations24:42 – Opportunity during corrections25:20 – Borrower affordability vs long-term wealth26:00 – Investors using long AMs indirectly27:00 – Income growth, zoning & structural differences29:04 – Private lending impacts if U.S. adopts 50-year mortgages30:16 – Canadian ALT market outlook31:32 – Lending risk during corrections32:40 – Final takeaway: Canada unlikely to adopt 50-year AMs33:40 – Wrap-up & studio shoutout34:37 – Sign-off & disclaimersResources:Keystone Capital GroupCPLP Instagram: @cplpodcastKeystone Instagram: @keycapgroupFind Neal On:Instagram: @neal.andreinoLinkedIn: Neal AndreinoFind Ryan on:LinkedIn: Ryan MacNeilE-mail: ryan@keycap.ca

In this powerful episode of Investing with Purpose, host Steven Libman sits down with Celia Szieber, Director of Investor and Non-Profit Relations at Integrity Holdings Group. Celia shares her inspiring eight-year journey—from a background in real estate to leading one of IHG's most impactful initiatives: the Asset Ministry Program.You'll hear how Celia's faith journey shaped her leadership, and how this signature program is intentionally designed to meet residents where they are—with compassion, consistency, and Christ at the center.Together, they explore:

Interview with Kurt Budge, CEO of Leading Edge Materials Corp.Our previous interview: https://www.cruxinvestor.com/posts/leading-edge-materials-tsxvlem-strategic-rare-earths-projects-amid-eus-critical-minerals-push-6094Recording date: 27th November 2025Leading Edge Materials Corp. (TSXV:LEM) is advancing its Norra Kärr heavy rare earth project in Sweden towards a prefeasibility study expected to complete in the first half of 2026, positioning one of Europe's few advanced-stage heavy rare earth assets closer to production. The project's production profile of 248 tonnes of dysprosium and 38 tonnes of terbium oxide compares directly to Lynas Rare Earths' recent Malaysian plant expansion, establishing Norra Kärr at strategically significant scale within global heavy rare earth supply.The strategic rationale for European heavy rare earth production has intensified as Chinese export restrictions throughout 2025 created supply disruptions and price volatility that industry leaders characterise as a crisis. Dysprosium and terbium are critical components in permanent magnets used in electric vehicle motors, wind turbines, and defence systems, with European manufacturers remaining almost entirely dependent on Chinese production. CEO Kurt Budge directly questions whether Europe can rely on heavy rare earths from potentially misaligned jurisdictions for defence equipment and armaments production, highlighting supply security as a national security imperative beyond industrial applications.Leading Edge Materials benefits from 16 years of technical work on Norra Kärr, providing a substantial data foundation that reduces technical risk compared to earlier-stage exploration projects. The current programme focuses on two critical work streams: optimising mineral processing using 28,000 metres of drill core for test work, and upgrading the mineral resource from inferred classification. The company is conducting hydrometallurgy assessment on eudialyte mineral concentrates containing heavy rare earths whilst evaluating nepheline syenite by-products for ceramics, glass, and coatings markets, providing dual revenue stream potential.The company's economic modelling focuses on mine gate economics without requiring integrated downstream processing infrastructure, acknowledging capital constraints whilst establishing fundamental extraction economics. This approach allows Norra Kärr to demonstrate project viability as if concentrates were sold to third-party processors, reducing capital requirements whilst maintaining optionality for future vertical integration. Independent market assessments are updating rare earth pricing decks and industrial mineral market analysis to inform the prefeasibility study economic model.Near-term catalysts include a mining lease decision expected in the near future, representing a critical regulatory milestone that de-risks the project and positions it favourably for government support programmes. Partnership discussions with downstream permanent magnet manufacturers are underway, with the company aiming to establish collaborative frameworks concurrent with prefeasibility study completion. The development timeline positions the resource approximately three to four years from production, assuming successful completion of studies and securing of project finance.European policymakers are actively discussing price support mechanisms including floor prices and contracts for difference, modelled on US Department of Defense interventions for MP Materials. These mechanisms acknowledge that market manipulation by dominant suppliers creates investment risk requiring government intervention to ensure European heavy rare earth production. Sweden's positioning as a leading European mining nation provides jurisdictional advantages, with the current government articulating ambitions to lead European critical minerals production.The 2026 work programme represents a pivotal year for Leading Edge Materials, with prefeasibility study completion and mining lease approval expected to catalyse government funding or strategic investment from downstream partners seeking supply security. The company operates across multiple exchanges including Toronto, Stockholm, New York, and Frankfurt, facilitating access to European and North American capital markets focused on critical minerals supply security.View Leading Edge Materials' company profile: https://www.cruxinvestor.com/companies/leading-edge-materialsSign up for Crux Investor: https://cruxinvestor.com

Allen and Yolanda discuss Statkraft’s workforce cuts and sale of its Swedish offshore wind projects. They also cover ORE Catapult’s partnership with Bladena to conduct torsional testing on an 88-meter blade, and the upcoming Wind Energy O&M Australia conference. Register for ORE Catapult’s Offshore Wind Supply Chain Spotlight event! Visit CICNDT to learn more! Sign up now for Uptime Tech News, our weekly email update on all things wind technology. This episode is sponsored by Weather Guard Lightning Tech. Learn more about Weather Guard’s StrikeTape Wind Turbine LPS retrofit. Follow the show on Facebook, YouTube, Twitter, Linkedin and visit Weather Guard on the web. And subscribe to Rosemary Barnes’ YouTube channel here. Have a question we can answer on the show? Email us! You are listening to the Uptime Wind Energy Podcast brought to you by build turbines.com. Learn, train, and be a part of the Clean Energy Revolution. Visit build turbines.com today. Now here’s your hosts, Alan Hall, Joel Saxon, Phil Totaro, and Rosemary Barnes. Allen Hall: Welcome to the Uptime Wind Energy Podcast. I’m your host, Allen Hall in the Queen city of Charlotte, North Carolina. I have Yolanda Padron in of all places, Austin, Texas. We’re together to talk to this week’s news and there’s a lot going on, but before we do, I want to highlight that Joel Saxon and I will be in Edinburgh, Scotland for the re Catapult UK offshore supply chain spotlight. That’s on December 11th, which is a Thursday. We’re gonna attend that event. We’re excited to meet with everybody. Over in the UK and in Scotland. Um, a lot of people that we know and have been on the podcast over a number of years [00:01:00] are gonna be at that event. If you’re interested in attending the OE Catapult UK Offshore Supply Chain spotlight, just Google it. It’s really inexpensive to attend, and I hope to see most of you there, Yolanda. There’s some big news over in Scandinavia today, uh, as, as we’re reading these stories, uh, the Norwegian State owned Utility Stack Craft, and it’s also one of Europe’s largest renewable energy companies. As, uh, as we know, I’ve been spending a lot of money in new markets and new technologies. Uh, they are in electric vehicle charging biofuels and some offshore wind development. Off the eastern coast of Sweden. So between Finland and Sweden, they’re also involved in district heating. So Stack Craft’s a really large company with a broad scope, uh, but they’re running into a little bit of financial difficulty. And this past July, they announced some [00:02:00] workforce reductions, and those are starting to kick in. They have 168 fewer employees, uh, by the end of this third quarter. 330 more expected to leave by the end of the year when all the dive are complete. This is the worrisome part. Roughly 1000 people will longer work for the company. Now, as part of the restructuring of Stack Craft, they are going to or have sold their offshore portfolio to Zephyr Renewable. Which is another Norwegian company. So Stack Craft is the Norwegian state owned renewable energy company. Zephyr is an independent company, far as I can tell my recollection that’s the case. So they agreed to acquire the bot, the uh, offshore Sigma and Lambda North projects, which makes Zephyr the largest offshore wind developer. Sweden, not Norway, [00:03:00] in Sweden. Obviously there’s some regulatory approvals that need to happen to make this go, but it does seem like Norway still is heavily involved in Sweden. Yolanda, with all the movement in offshore wind, we’re seeing big state owned companies. Pulling themselves out of offshore wind and looks like sort of free market, capitalistic companies are going head first into offshore wind. How does that change the landscape and what should we be expecting here over the next year or two? Yolanda Padron: We, we’ve seen a large reduction in the, the workforce in offshore wind in all of these state owned companies that you mentioned. Uh, something that I think will be really interesting to see will be that different approach. Of, you know, having these companies be a bit more like traditional corporations that you see, not necessarily having them, [00:04:00] um, be so tied to whatever politically is happening in the government at the moment, or whatever is happening between governments at a time, um, and seeing exactly what value. The different aspects of a company are bringing into what that company is making into, um, what, uh, the revenue of that company is, and not just kind of what is, what is considered to be the best way forward by governments. Do you agree? Is that something that you’re sensing too? Allen Hall: The COP 30 just wrapped down in the rainforest of Brazil, and there has not been a lot of agreement news coming out of that summit. Uh, I think next year it’s gonna move to Turkey, but Australia’s involved heavily. It was supposed to be in Adelaide at one point and then it’s moved to Turkey. [00:05:00] So there doesn’t seem to be a lot of consensus globally about what should be happening for renewables, and it feels like. The state owned companies are, uh, getting heavily leveraged and losing money trying to get their footing back underneath of them, so they’re gonna have to divest of something to get back to the core of what they were doing. That’s an interesting development because I think one of the question marks regarding sort of these state owned companies was how fast were they willing to develop the technology? How much risk were they willing to take? Being backed by governments gets a little political at times, right? So they, they want to have a, a steady stream of revenue coming from these operations. And when they don’t, the politicians step in and, uh, lean on the company is a good bit. Does the move to more, uh, standalone companies that are investing sort of venture capital money and bank money taking loans? I assume most of this [00:06:00] does that. Change how the offshore industry looks at itself. One and two, what the OEMs are thinking. Because if they were going to sell to an TED or an Ecuador, or a stack raft or vattenfall, any of them, uh, you know, when you’re going to that sales discussion that they’re backed by billions and billions and billions of, of kroner or whatever the, the currency is. So you may not have to. Really be aggressive on pricing. Now you’re dealing with companies that are heavily leveraged and don’t have that banking of a government. Do you think there’s gonna be a tightening of what that marketplace looks like or more pressure to go look towards China for offshore wind turbines? Yolanda Padron: It’ll definitely get a bit more audited internally, exactly what decisions are made and and how objective teams are. I think that there’s. [00:07:00] In all of the companies that you mentioned, there’s some semblance of things that maybe happened because of what was going on politically or, or because of ties that certain governments had to each other, or certain governments had to specific corporations, um, which was a, a great way for those companies to operate at the time and what was, what made sense. But now that it’s. A third party who genuinely, you know, needs that cash flow in from that business or that part of the business, it’ll, I think you’ll definitely start seeing some, some greater efficiencies going on within Allen Hall: these teams. Well, I would hope so. If you think about the way the United States moved pre, uh, the current administration. There were a number of US based companies sort of going 50 50 on a lot of the [00:08:00] offshore development, and then they slowly started backing away. The only one that’s still really in it is Dominion, was the coastal offshore, um, coastal Virginia offshore wind project that is still progressing at a good pace. But, uh, everybody else that was involved in, and they’re not the same kind of structure as an Ecuador is. They’re not, uh, there’s kinda state-owned entities in the United States and states can’t have deficits, unlike nations can. So the US deficit obviously is massively large, but state deficits don’t really exist. So those electric companies can’t get highly leveraged where they’re gonna bleed cash. It’s just not a thing. It’s gonna happen. So I think I saw the precursors to some of this offshore turbulence happening in the United States as the. They didn’t see a lot of profit coming from the state electric companies. That seems to be flowing into Europe now pretty heavily. That started about six months [00:09:00] ago. How are they gonna structure some of these offshore projects now? Are they just gonna put them on hold and wait for interest rates to come down so that the margins go up? Is is that really the play? Is that you have the plot of land? You already have all the, the filings and the paperwork and authorization to do a project at some point, is it just now a matter of waiting where the time is? Right. Financially, Yolanda Padron: that question will be answered by each specific company and see what, what makes sense to them. I don’t think that it makes sense to stall projects that if you already have the permits in, if you already have everything in, and just to, to see when the time is right, because. Everything’s been ramping up to that moment, right? Like, uh, the water’s always already flowing. Um, but it, it’ll, it’ll definitely be interesting to see what approach, like where, where each company finds themselves. I, they’ll have to rely on [00:10:00] what information has come out in the past and maybe try to analyze it, try to see exactly where things went wrong, or try to pinpoint what. Decisions to not make. Again, knowing what they know now, but with everything already flowing and everything already in queue, it’ll have to be something that’s done sooner rather than later to not lose any of that momentum of the projects because they’re not reinventing the wheel. Allen Hall: Siemens is developing what a 20 odd megawatt, offshore turbine? 22 megawatt, if I remember right. 21, 22. Something in there. Obviously Ming Yang and some others are talking about upwards of 15 megawatts in the turbine. If you have a lot of capital at risk and not a lot of government backing in it, are you going to step down and stay in the 15 megawatt range offshore because there’s some little bit of history, or are you gonna just roll the dice? Some new technology knowing that you can get the, the dollar per megawatt [00:11:00] down. If you bought a Chinese wind turbine, put it in the water. Do you roll that? Do you roll that dice and take the risk? Or is the safer bet and maybe the financing bet gonna play out easier by using a Vestus 15 megawatt turbine or a Siemens older offshore turbine that has a track record with it. Yolanda Padron: I think initially it’ll have to be. Using what’s already been established and kind of the devil, you know? Right. I, I think it’ll, there’s a lot of companies that are coming together and, and using what’s done in the field and what operational information they have to be able to, to. Take that information and to create new studies that could be done on these new blades, on these new technologies, uh, to be able to take that next step into innovation without compromising any [00:12:00] of the, of the money, any of the aspects really like lowering your risk Allen Hall: portfolio. Yeah. ’cause the risk goes all the way down to the OEMs, right. If the developer fails and the OEM doesn’t get paid. It, it’s a. Catastrophic down the chain event that Siemens investors are looking to avoid, obviously. So they’re gonna be also looking at the financing of these companies to decide whether they’re going to sell them turbines and. The question comes up is how much are they gonna ask for a deposit before they will deliver the first turbine? It may be most of the money up front. Uh, it generally is, unless you’re a big developer. So this is gonna be an interesting, uh, turning point for the offshore wind industry. And I know in 2026 we’re gonna see a lot more news about it, and probably some names we haven’t heard of in a while. Coming back into offshore wind. Don’t miss the UK Offshore Wind Supply Chain Spotlight 2025 in Edinburg on December 11th. Over 550 delegates and 100 exhibitors will be at this game changing event. [00:13:00] Connect with decision makers, explore market ready innovations and secure the partnerships to accelerate your growth. Register now and take your place at the center of the UK’s offshore Wind future. Just visit supply chain spotlight.co.uk and register today. Well, as we all know, the offshore wind industry has sort of a problem, which is now starting to come more prevalent, which is the first generation of offshore wind turbines that prove that the technology could work at scale or getting old. We’re also developing a lot of new wind turbines, so the blade links are getting much longer. We don’t have a lot of design history on them. Decommissioning is expensive. Of course, anything offshore is expensive. What if we can make those blades last longer offshore, how would we do that? Well, that question has come up a number of times at many of the, the conferences that I have attended, and it looks like ORI Catapult, which is based in the UK and has their test center [00:14:00] in Blythe, England, is working with Blade Dina, which is a Danish engineering company that’s now owned by Res. So if you haven’t. Seeing anything from Blade Dina, you’re not paying attention. You should go to the website and check them out. Uh, they have all kinds of great little technology and I call it little technology, but innovative technology to make blades last longer. So some really cool things from the group of Blade Dina, but they’re gonna be working with re catapult to test an 88 meter blade for torsion. And I’m an electrical engineer. I’m gonna admit it up front, Yolanda. I don’t know a lot about torsional testing. I’ve seen it done a little bit on aircraft wings, but I haven’t seen it done on wind turbine blades. And my understanding, talking to a lot of blade experts like yourself is when you start to twist a blade, it’s not that easy to simulate the loads of wind loads that would happen normally on a turbine in the laboratory. Yolanda Padron: Absolutely. I think this is going to be so [00:15:00] exciting as someone in operations, traditionally in operations, uh, because I think a lot of the, the technology that we’ve seen so far and the development of a lot of these wind projects has been from teams that are very theory based. And so they’ve, they’ve seen what simulations can be done on a computer, and those are great and those are perfect, but. As everyone knows, the world is a crazy place. And so there’s so many factors that you might not even think to consider before going into operations and operating this, uh, wind farm for 10, 20 years. And so something that Blade Dina is doing is bringing a lot of that operational information and seeing, like applying that to the blade testing to be able to, to get us to. The next step of being able to innovate while knowing a little bit [00:16:00]more of what exactly you’re putting on there and not taking as big a risk. Allen Hall: Does the lack of torsional testing increase the risk? Because if you listen to, uh, a, a lot of blade structure people, one of the things that’s discussed, and Blaina has been working on this for a couple of years, I went back. Two or three years to see what some of the discussions were. They’ve been working with DTU for quite a while, but Dina has, uh, but they think that some of the aging issues are really related to torsion, not to flap wise or edgewise movement of the blade, if that’s the case, particularly on longer blades, newer blades, where they’re lighter. If that’s the case, is there momentum in the industry to create a standard on how to. Do this testing because I, I know it’s gonna be difficult. I, I can imagine all the people from Blaina that are working on it, and if you’ve met the Blaina folk, there [00:17:00] are pretty bright people and they’ve been working with DTU for a number of years. Everybody in this is super smart. But when you try to get something into an IEC standard, you try to simplify where it can be repeatable. Is this. Uh, is it even possible to get a repeatable torsion test or is it gonna be very specific to the blade type and, or it is just gonna be thousands of hours of engineering even to get to a torsion test? Yolanda Padron: I think right now it’ll be the thousands of hours of engineering that we’re seeing, which isn’t great, but hopefully soon there, there could be some sort of. A way to, to get all of these teams together and to create a bit of a more robust standard. Of course, these standards aren’t always perfect. We’ve seen that in, in other aspects such as lightning, but it at least gets you a starting point to, to be able to, to have everyone being compliance with, with a similar [00:18:00] testing parameters. Allen Hall: When I was at DTU, oh boy, it’s probably been a year and a half, maybe two years ago. Yikes. A lot has happened. We were able to look at, uh, blades that had come off the first offshore wind project off the coast of Denmark. These blades were built like a tank. They could live another 20, 30 years. I think they had been on in the water for 20 plus years. If I remember correctly. I was just dumbfounded by it, like, wow. That’s a long time for a piece of fiberglass to, to be out in such a harsh environment. And when they started to structurally test it to see how much life it had left in it, it was, this thing could last a lot longer. We could keep these blades turned a lot longer. Is that a good design philosophy though? Are should we be doing torsional testing to extend the lifetime to. 40, 50 years because I’m concerned now that the, well, the reality is you like to have everything fall apart at once. The gearbox to fail, the generator to fail, the [00:19:00] blades, to fail, the tower, to fail all of it at the same time. That’s your like ideal engineering design. And Rosemary always says the same thing, like you want everything to fall apart and the same day. 25 years out because at 25 years out, there’s probably a new turbine design that’s gonna be so much massively better. It makes sense to do it. 20 years is a long time. Does it make sense to be doing torsional testing to extend the lifetime of these blades past like the 20 year lifespan? Or is, or, or is the economics of it such like, if we can make these turbines in 50 years, we’re gonna do it regardless of what the bearings will hold. Yolanda Padron: From, from speaking to different people in the field, there’s a lot of appetite to try to extend the, the blade lifetime as long as the permits are. So if it’s a 50 year permit to try to get it to those 50 years as much as possible, so you don’t have to do a lot of that paperwork and a lot of the, if you have to do [00:20:00] anything related to the mono piles, it’s a bit of a nightmare. Uh, and just trying to, to see that, and of course. I agree that in a perfect world, everything would fail at once, but it doesn’t. Right? And so there you are seeing in the lifetime maybe you have to do a gearbox replacement here and there. And so, and having the, the blades not be the main issue or not having blades in the water and pieces as long as possible or in those 50 years, then you can also tackle some of the other long-term solutions to see if you, if you can have that wind farm. For those 50 years or if you are going to have to sort of either replace some of the turbines or, or eat up some of that time left over in the permit that you have. Allen Hall: Yeah, because I think the industry is moving that way to test gear boxes and to test bearings. RD test systems has made a number of advancements and test beds to do just that, to, [00:21:00] to test these 15, 20, 25 megawatt turbines for lifetime, which we haven’t done. As much of this probably the industry should have. It does seem like we’re trying to get all the components through some sort of life testing, whatever that is, but we haven’t really understood what life testing means, particularly with blades. Right? So the, the issue of torsion, which is popped its head up probably every six months. There’s a question about should we be testing for torsion that. Is in line with bearing testing that’s in line with gearbox testing. If we are able to do that, where we spend a little more money on the development side and the durability side, that would dramatically lower the cost of operations, right? Yolanda Padron: Absolutely. It, it’d lower the cost of operations. It would lower the ask. Now that. A lot of these companies are transition, are [00:22:00]transitioning to be a bit more privatized. It’ll lower the risk long term for, for getting some of those financial loans out, for these projects to actually take place. And, you know, you’ll, you’re having a, a site last 50 years, you’re going to go through different cycles. Different political cycles. So you won’t have that, um, you won’t have that to, to factor in too much, into, into your risk of whether, whether or not you, you have a permit today and don’t have it tomorrow. Allen Hall: It does bring the industry to a interesting, uh, crossroads if we can put a little more money into the blades to make them last 25 years. Pretty regularly like the, the, you’re almost guaranteeing it because of the technology that bleeding that’s gonna develop with Ory Catapult and you get the gearbox and you can get the generator and bearings all to do the same thing. [00:23:00] Are you willing to pay a little bit more for that turbine? Because I think in today’s world or last year’s world, the answer was no. I wanted the cheapest blade. I wanted the cheapest, uh, to sell. I could get, I wanna put ’em on a tower, I’m gonna call it done. And then at least in the United States, like repower, it’s boom, 10 years it’s gonna repower. So I don’t care about year 20. I don’t even care about year 11, honestly, that those days have are gone for a little while, at least. Do you think that there’s appetite for say, a 10% price increase? Maybe a 15% say 20. Let’s just go crazy and say it’s a 20% price increase to then know, hey, we have some lifecycle testing. We’re really confident in the durability these turbines is. There’s a trade off there somewhere there, right? Yolanda Padron: Yeah. I mean, spending 10, 20% of CapEx to it, it. Will, if you can dramatically increase [00:24:00] the, the lifetime of the blades and not just from the initial 10 years, making them 20 years like we’re talking about, but some of these blades are failing before they hit that 10 year mark because of that lack of testing, right. That we’ve seen, we’ve talked to so many people about, and it’s an unfortunate reality. But it is a reality, right? And so it is something that if you’re, you’re either losing money just from having to do a lot of repairs or replacements, or you’re losing money from all of the downtime and not having that generation until you can get those blade repairs or replacements. So in spending a little bit more upfront, I, I feel like there should be. Great appetite from a lot of these companies to, to spend that money and not have to worry about that in the long term. Allen Hall: Yeah, I think the 20 26, 27, Joel would always say it’s 2027, but let’s just say 2027. If you have an [00:25:00] opportunity to buy a really hard and vested turbine or a new ing y, twin headed dragon and turbine, whatever, they’re gonna call this thing. I think they’re gonna stick to the European turbine. I really do. I think the lifetime matters here. And having security in the testing to show that it’s gonna live that long will make all the little difference to the insurance market, to the finance market. And they’re gonna force, uh, the developers’ hands that’s coming, Yolanda Padron: you know, developing of a project. Of course, we see so many projects and operations and everything. Um, but developing a project does take years to happen. So if you’re developing a project and you think, you know, this is great because I can have this project be developed and it will take me and it’ll be alive for a really long time and it’ll be great and I’ll, I’ll be able to, to see that it’s a different, it’s a different business case too, of how much money you’re going to bring into the [00:26:00]company by generating a lot more and a lot more time and having to spend less upfront in all of the permitting. Because if instead of having to develop two projects, I can just develop one and it’ll last as long as two projects, then. Do you really have your business case made for you? Especially if it’s just a 10 to 20% increase instead of a doubling of all of the costs and effort. Speaker 4: Australia’s wind farms are growing fast, but are your operations keeping up? Join us February 17th and 18th at Melbourne’s Poolman on the park for Wind Energy o and M Australia 2026, where you’ll connect with the experts solving real problems in maintenance asset management. And OEM relations. Walk away with practical strategies to cut costs and boost uptime that you can use the moment you’re back on site. Register now at W om a 2020 six.com. Wind Energy, o and m Australia is created [00:27:00] by Wind professionals for wind professionals. Because this industry needs solutions, not speeches, Allen Hall: I know Yolanda and I are preparing to go to Woma Wind Energy, o and m Australia, 2026 in February. Everybody’s getting their tickets and their plans made. If you haven’t done that, you need to go onto the website, woma WMA 2020 six.com and register to attend the event. There’s a, there’s only 250 tickets, Yolanda, that’s not a lot. We sold out last year. I think it’s gonna be hard to get a ticket here pretty soon. You want to be there because we’re gonna be talking about everything operations and trying to make turbines in Australia last longer with less cost. And Australians are very, um, adept at making things work. I’ve seen some of their magic up close. It’s quite impressive. Uh, so I’m gonna learn a lot this year. What are you looking forward to at Wilma 26? Yolanda. [00:28:00] Yolanda Padron: I think it’s going to be so exciting to have such a, a relatively small group compared to the different conferences, but even just the fact that it’s everybody talking to each other who’s seen so many different modes of failure and so many different environments, and just everybody coming together to talk solutions or to even just establish relationships for when that problem inevitably arises without having it. Having, I mean, something that I always have so much anxiety about whenever I go to conferences is just like getting bombarded by salespeople all the time, and so this is just going to be great Asset managers, engineers, having everybody in there and having everybody talking the same language and learning from each other, which will be very valuable. At least for me. Allen Hall: It’s always sharing. That’s what I enjoy. And it’s not even necessarily during some of the presentations and the round tables and the, [00:29:00] the panels as much as when you’re having coffee out in the break area or you’re going to dinner at night, or uh, meeting before everything starts in the morning. You just get to learn so much about the wind industry and where people are struggling, where they’re succeeding, how they dealt with some of these problems. That’s the way the industry gets stronger. We can’t all remain in our little foxholes, not looking upside, afraid to poke our head up and look around a little bit. We, we have to be talking to one another and understanding how others have attacked the same problem. And I always feel like once we do that, life gets a lot easier. I don’t know why we’re make it so hard and wind other industries like to talk to one another. We seem somehow close ourselves off. And uh, the one thing I’ve learned in Melbourne last year was. Australians are willing to describe how they have fixed these problems. And I’m just like dumbfounded. Like, wow, that was brilliant. You didn’t get to to Europe and talk about what’s going on [00:30:00] there. So the exchange of information is wonderful, and I know Yolanda, you’re gonna have a great time and so are everybody listening to this podcast. Go to Woma, WOMA 2020 six.com and register. It’s not that much money, but it is a great time and a wonderful learning experience. That wraps up another episode of the Uptime Wind Energy Podcast. And if today’s discussion sparked any questions or ideas, we’d love to hear from you. Reach out to us on LinkedIn and don’t for, and don’t forget to subscribe so you never miss an episode. And if you found value in today’s conversation, please leave us a review. It really helps other wind energy professionals discover the show and we’ll catch you on the next episode of the Uptime Wind Energy Podcast. This time next [00:31:00] week.

In this episode of 'The Cash-Rich Exit Podcast', host Colleen O'Connell-Campbell welcomes back serial entrepreneur and M&A advisor Scott Duke, founder of Business Succession Group. Scott talks about his latest innovation - The Value Acceleration Calculator (VAC) - a practical, data-informed tool to assess sellability, estimate value, and identify key levers to increase enterprise value over time.   This conversation covers:   Why 80% of businesses never sell, and why most founders never realize the enterprise value they hoped for. How the VAC can score your business' sellability and identify where risk lives inside your operations. The three levers every founder must understand: revenue, profit efficiency, and multiples - and how each affects your future exit. Key Highlights   Most businesses aren't sellable in their current state. Scott explains that many founders assume every business can be sold at some price - when in fact, buyers will simply walk away if the future cash flow risk is too high. Sellability comes down to risk reduction. The most critical factor? Dependence on the owner. If a founder is the primary relationship-holder, salesperson, or decision bottleneck - buyers see future cash flow uncertainty. Future cash flow is everything. Buyers don't buy past success - they buy the probability of future earnings repeating. Historical financials are just the rearview mirror. Three levers drive valuation: Revenue EBITDA efficiency ("how many pennies you keep per dollar") Multiple Scott emphasizes that many owners obsess over revenue (the "vanity number") rather than profitability and valuation mechanics. Energy matters. A founder's personal capacity to implement change can determine whether the strategy should be: a buildup to sale, or a multi-year harvest of cash flow instead. You can request the Value Acceleration Calculator by contacting Colleen O'Connell-Campbell directly via Linkedin If this episode sparked your curiosity about: increasing enterprise value reducing exit risk preparing for a sale in 3-10 years or planning a personal Cash-Rich Exit Reach out to Colleen O'Connell-Campbell for a 1:1 Wealth Gap Analysis. And don't forget to follow and rate the podcast - five stars appreciated! *** The Cash Rich Exit Podcast is brought to you by O'Connell-Campbell Wealth Management at RBC Dominion Securities.   All opinions expressed by the host, Colleen O'Connell-Campbell, and podcast guests are solely their own opinions and do not reflect the opinion of RBC Dominion Securities.   This podcast is for informational purposes only before taking any action based on information in this podcast you should consult with a qualified professional.   Colleen O'Connell-Campbell is a Wealth Advisor at RBC Dominion Securities, a member of the Canadian Investor Protection Fund.

The Japanese government and ruling parties are planning to impose a uniform 20pcttax rate on profits from crypto asset transactions, the same rate applied to stocks and other financial products, informed sources have said.

In Folge #165 des 121WATT Podcasts sprechen Sarah und Patrick darüber, warum sich so viele Marketingabteilungen an der Realität aufreiben und was du konkret tun kannst, um wieder mehr Wirkung und weniger Frust im Arbeitsalltag zu erleben. Basierend auf tausenden Teilnehmenden aus Seminaren und Beratungen zeigen die beiden typische Probleme auf, die fast überall auftreten, von fehlender strategischer Ausrichtung bis zu unklaren Zielen und überfrachteten Kanälen.

wE MP3 December 2025 - 05

“This really levels the playing field for ITADs of all sizes.” — Doug Hughes, VP of Sales Operations, ReturnCenter In this special ASCDI edition of the Technology Reseller News podcast, Doug Green speaks with Doug Hughes of ReturnCenter about how the company's digital platform is helping ITADs modernize their return workflows and better serve enterprise customers. ReturnCenter is a digital platform that connects all stakeholders in IT asset returns, enabling ITADs to accept, track, and manage orders with full chain-of-custody visibility. The platform supports two primary customer paths: ServiceNow Platform® integration — Large enterprises using ServiceNow can install ReturnCenter's two certified apps in just hours. They can schedule pickups, track shipments, retrieve all documentation, and—through the optional Automate app—have asset records updated automatically throughout the disposal workflow, eliminating manual work and reducing compliance risk. Branded ITAD portal (custom URL) — For customers not using ServiceNow, ReturnCenter provides a fully branded, no-development portal that lets ITADs offer an enterprise-grade online experience. End users can place and track orders, view documentation, and manage returns of any scale, while ITADs maintain visibility from a single dashboard. Hughes notes that digital connectivity is becoming a “ticket to entry” for ITADs engaging large organizations. ReturnCenter enables even smaller providers to offer a modern, audit-ready customer experience—while preserving their personalized service. ITADs benefit from centralized visibility, streamlined documentation, improved SLA management, and a platform that supports growth into the enterprise segment. To learn more or request a demo, visit https://go.returncenter.com/podcast.

In this daily editorial, Craig Hemke, Founder and Editor of TF Metals Report, breaks down the historic acceleration in precious metals, with Silver surging over 15% in November and now approaching $60/oz. Craig argues this sustained move is fundamentally different from past spikes and serves as a "front run" to major bullish developments anticipated in 2026. We analyze the glaring valuation disconnect in mining shares - despite record metal prices - and the imminent catch-up trade, which is part of a broader "hard asset" boom that includes Copper and Gold. Key Discussion Points: Silver's New Analog: Why the current market action is a sustained breakout, similar to Gold's 2024 move, rather than a fleeting spike. The Valuation Disconnect: Analysis of the historic lag in GDX and silver miners (SIL), signaling a massive catch-up trade is imminent based on Q4 margin expansion. Macro Drivers: Discussion on the weakening US Dollar and massive US Treasury deficits fueling the need for hard assets. The Hard Asset Trade: Simultaneous monthly high closes across Gold, Silver, Copper, GDX, and COPX signaling a major, sustained commodity trend. Click here to visit Craig's website - TF Metals Report   --------------------- For more market commentary & interview summaries, subscribe to our Substacks: The KE Report: https://kereport.substack.com/ Shad's resource market commentary: https://excelsiorprosperity.substack.com/   Investment Disclaimer: This content is for informational and educational purposes only and does not constitute investment advice, an offer, or a solicitation to buy or sell any security. Investing in equities and commodities involves risk, including the possible loss of principal. Do your own research and consult a licensed financial advisor before making any investment decisions. Guests and hosts may own shares in companies mentioned.

Would you like access to our advanced agency training for FREE? https://www.agencymastery360.com/training AI is changing the agency landscape faster than most owners can keep up with. Tools are popping up daily, clients are asking if rates should drop, and your team is either fired up or freaked out. Today's featured guest talks about what it takes to build an agency that thrives in a world obsessed with shiny new tech, where the edge is not more tools. It is better leadership, human connection, and an incubator mindset that keeps them ahead without drowning in the noise. Michael Davern is the CEO of Incept, an AI-enhanced, digital-first agency that has been around for a decade. Today, his agency blends automation, machine learning, and human-centered strategy to help enterprise clients grow with clarity and smart execution. He is an early adopter who still believes the real edge is human connection and wants to encourage agency owners to really think about who should lead. In this episode, we'll discuss: AI-enhanced vs. AI-first: what actually creates agency value. Leading an agency through rapid AI change. Why human-first agencies win in the long run. Subscribe Apple | Spotify | iHeart Radio Sponsors and Resources This episode is brought to you by Wix Studio: If you're leveling up your team and your client experience, your site builder should keep up too. That's why successful agencies use Wix Studio — built to adapt the way your agency does: AI-powered site mapping, responsive design, flexible workflows, and scalable CMS tools so you spend less on plugins and more on growth. Ready to design faster and smarter? Go to wix.com/studio to get started. Evolving from a Specific Niche to a Full Service Agency Before agency life, Michael spent years in corporate America and even longer in the music industry as an artist development rep. That career went up in flames when the label collapsed and no one got paid. After a brief return to corporate, he approached his now business partner with an idea to sell text message marketing, and suddenly he was an entrepreneur learning the agency game the hard way. Early on he chased small business clients with $49 starter packages and cheesy platinum tiers. Nobody wanted it. The market did not understand text marketing yet and the value was unclear. Everything changed when an enterprise vendor in the Medicare insurance space let them into their workflow. Overnight texting became a revenue driver. That win opened the door to more enterprise relationships and pushed them to expand far beyond their original niche. What started as a simple vendor relationship ballooned into a full service digital agency. With time, growth came from necessity and opportunity, not a master plan. Michael admits they were often too early to the game, but that curiosity and experimentation kept them alive long enough to get good. AI-Enhanced vs. AI-First: What Actually Creates Agency Value Plenty of agencies slap "AI-first" on their website. Michael prefers to say "AI-enhanced" since "AI-first" implies handing the keys to robots or machines. That is not what his agency does. Instead they use AI to enhance execution. They were early with automation, early with machine learning through the IBM Watson test program, and early with programmatic bidding when DSPs were still new. Those experiments shaped how they work today. Now, they use all this knowledge to save money, time, and drive better results for clients. Clients are not paying for prompts or tools. AI lets the team save time, move faster, and stay in the lab testing new options without drowning in busywork. In Michael's view, agencies are not competing on deliverables anymore. They are competing on thinking. Navigating the AI Gold Rush Without Losing Your Mind There is a tool for everything now and most of them promise the world and deliver nothing. Michael believes the real threat is not AI taking jobs. It is crappy tools cluttering decision making and distracting agency owners from what matters. To keep his team sharp, he sets an AI budget for every employee at his agency. Everyone is encouraged to experiment, explore, and bring ideas back to the incubator. On Fridays, they compare notes. What worked. What flopped. What needs more testing. That culture of curiosity is what keeps them out in front rather than scrambling to catch up. Leadership in the Age of Rapid Change Nineteen months ago, Michael made a call. The company was going all in on AI enhancement. He sat the team down and said, "This is where we are heading." If anyone was uncomfortable, they could talk privately or get help transitioning to a different job. Not one person left. Clarity breeds confidence. When owners waffle or delay, their team feels it. When owners point the ship and support the crew, people dig in. Michael's team embraced experimentation because they were given structure, purpose, and room to contribute. And because of that leadership, his agency now runs on flat rate pricing tied to outcomes. They killed the old hourly model and their clients love them for it. Human-First Agencies Always Win the Long Game When was the last time you met in person with any of your top five clients? That's the type of effort they'll remember. Michael's team meets every top client in person at least quarterly. Their average client lifetime is just under seven years, which is unheard of when the industry average is barely over a year. Real relationships create real retention. When you have shared a meal, a drink, and actual time together, you are not just a vendor. You are a partner. And partners do not get replaced by the next AI First agency trying to undercut your price. The real advantage for your agency will be transparency and the ability to provide a personalized service. AI will give you more time to work on strategy, but you still have to offer the best client experience you can. Ultimately, clients are paying for more brain and less execution, "and doesn't everyone want that?" Michael asks. Choosing the Right Clients and Protecting Your Sanity Another theme Michael returns to is knowing when to say no. Early on, every agency chases whales. The bigger the better. Then you land one and realize it might sink the whole boat. Maturity is learning to pass on the wrong fish or hand them off to someone who is better built for it. Agencies do not need hundreds of clients. They need the right fraction of the market that values what they do. When you protect your focus, your retention goes up and your stress goes down. Michael's agency grows steadily because they stack clients instead of scrambling to replace them. The only clients they lose are the ones who stop paying their bills. Building a Culture of Innovation Without Burning Out Agencies talk a big game about innovation, but most owners are stuck riding a bike with square wheels and they refuse to get off, Michael says. This is the trap most agency owners fall into. They are too busy to innovate, too stuck to delegate, and too overwhelmed to lead. For him, the answer is simple. Get off the bike. Set the direction, and build the space for experimentation, because the future is coming whether you want it or not. Who Should Lead AI Inside an Agency Who should lead experimentation when the owner is overwhelmed? Michael believes someone has to claim the role, plant a stake, and move. At his agency, he oversees the incubator, but several team members drive the work. Your lead developer will experiment with different tools than your creative director. Your strategist will explore different workflows than your media buyer. Give them a budget. Give them a purpose. Give them ownership. The biggest mistake is waiting for someone else to figure it out. Agencies that delay will be crushed by owners who are willing to get to work and figure this technology out. Follow your curiosity. For agency owners stepping into that role, Michael suggests absorbing everything you can and staying curious. And for those who are further down in the ladder but still want to lead experimentation with new technologies: speak up and volunteer. If you're in a culture where that experimentation is not embraced, then maybe it's time to leave. 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.

It's the season of giving, but are you giving in the most impactful and tax-efficient way? In this episode of the Wise Money Show, we break down smart charitable giving strategies that help you support the causes you care about while reducing your taxes before year-end. From donor-advised funds and qualified charitable distributions (QCDs) to gifting appreciated investments and maximizing state tax credits, we walk through the tools every generous giver should know. Make your giving count, for both your heart and your financial plan.  Season 11, Episode 15 Download our FREE 5-Factor Retirement guide: https://wisemoneyguides.com/    Schedule a meeting with one of our CERTIFIED FINANCIAL PLANNERS™: https://www.korhorn.com/contact-korhorn-financial-advisors/ or call 574-247-5898.   Subscribe on YouTube: http://www.youtube.com/c/WiseMoneyShow Listen on podcast: https://link.chtbl.com/WiseMoney  Watch this episode on YouTube: https://youtu.be/Nbjhsg7qV2w  Submit a question for the show: https://www.korhorn.com/ask-a-question/   Read the Wise Money Blog: https://www.korhorn.com/wise-money-blog/    Connect with us: Facebook - https://www.facebook.com/WiseMoneyShow  Instagram - https://www.instagram.com/wisemoneyshow/    Kevin Korhorn, CFP® offers securities through Silver Oak Securities, Inc., Member FINRA/SIPC. Kevin offers advisory services through KFG Wealth Management, LLC dba Korhorn Financial Group. KFG Wealth Management, LLC dba Korhorn Financial Group and Silver Oak Securities, Inc. are not affiliated. Mike Bernard, CFP® and Joshua Gregory, CFP® offer advisory services through KFG Wealth Management, LLC dba Korhorn Financial Group. This information is for general financial education and is not intended to provide specific investment advice or recommendations. All investing and investment strategies involve risk, including the potential loss of principal. Asset allocation & diversification do not ensure a profit or prevent a loss in a declining market. Past performance is not a guarantee of future results. Certified Financial Planner Board of Standards Center for Financial Planning, Inc. owns and licenses the certification marks CFP®, CERTIFIED FINANCIAL PLANNER™ and CFP® (with plaque design) in the United States to Certified Financial Planner Board of Standards, Inc., which authorizes individuals who successfully complete the organization's initial and ongoing certification requirements to use the certification marks.

Banks classify your life insurance as an asset, so why do so many people treat it like an expense?  In this episode, we break down how dividend-paying whole life can be your warehouse of wealth without feeding inflation like the banking system does.

In today's Five Question Friday (FQF) video, we look at these five topics:1. 10% yield on bonds2. Where to hold bonds3. Co-signing a mortgage4. Paying taxes on a Roth conversion5. Asset allocation of real estate investmentsBonus: Cost of long-term care calculatorResources:https://www.carescout.com/cost-of-careJoin the Newsletter. It's Free:https://robberger.com/newsletter/?utm...

The iconic department store calls the parade its “gift to the nation.” With 30 million TV viewers, it's also a big moneymaker — at least we think it is: when it comes to parade economics, Macy's is famously tight-lipped. In this 2024 episode, we try to loosen them up. (Part one of a two-part series.) SOURCES:John Cheney, carpenter at Macy's Studios.Will Coss, vice president and executive producer of Macy's Studios.Jeff Kinney, author, cartoonist, and owner of An Unlikely Story Bookstore and Café.Kevin Lynch, vice president of global helium at Messer.Jen Neal, executive vice president of live events and specials for NBCUniversal Entertainment.Tony Spring, chairman and C.E.O. of Macy's Inc.Jessica Tisch, New York City police commissioner, former commissioner of the New York City Department of Sanitation.Dawn Tolson, executive director of Citywide Event Coordination and Management and the Street Activity Permit Office for the City of New York. RESOURCES:Macy's: The Store. The Star. The Story., by Robert M. Grippo (2009).History of Macy's of New York, 1853-1919: Chapters in the Evolution of the Department Store, by Ralph M. Hower (1943).Macy's Thanksgiving Day Parade. EXTRAS:"Helium," by The Economics of Everyday Things (2024). Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

The Financial Times is reporting that a depositary firm that holds frozen Russian state assets in the EU has warned that the bloc's plan to use these assets to back €140 billion in loans to Ukraine could lead to higher borrowing costs for member states. Also in this edition, Japanese beer giant Asahi says the personal details of more than 1.5 million people have been leaked after it was hit by a cyber attack. Plus we look into exactly how much it costs to put together a Thanksgiving dinner.

Would you like access to our advanced agency training for FREE? https://www.agencymastery360.com/training If your inbound pipeline dries up tomorrow, do you have a channel that can refill it on demand? Every agency owner needs at least one reliable way to attract new leads when things slow down. Today's guest doubled down on a podcast as his inbound engine, and it paid off big. But launching your first episode is just the beginning. The real growth comes from getting your ideal clients as guests, creating a conversation that builds connection (not just content), and staying consistent long enough to earn momentum. He'll break down how to find the right niche, build authority through partnerships, and turn podcasting into a powerful inbound system that keeps quality leads coming in on autopilot. Chase Clymer is the co-founder of Electric Eye, a Shopify Plus partner agency specializing in conversion rate optimization (CRO) and e-commerce growth strategy. Since 2016, he and his team have been helping direct-to-consumer brands optimize their digital storefronts to drive measurable results. Beyond his client work, Chase also hosts the Honest Ecommerce podcast, where he interviews founders and shares unfiltered lessons on what it takes to grow an online brand. In this episode, we'll discuss: On his strategic partnership with Shopify. Podcasting as a business development engine. The key to consistently booking great guests. 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. From Touring Musician to E-Commerce Marketer Before entering the agency world, Chase was a touring musician in a pop punk band. The road life didn't pay the bills, so he began experimenting with photography, design, and digital marketing, all skills that eventually laid the foundation for his agency. Towards the end of his music career, Chase's future co-founder Sean approached him with a few freelance projects. They quickly found themselves with six clients, and a lot of questions about taxes, pricing, and structure. The early chaos of being creators first and business owners second forced them to learn fast, especially when it came to how to position themselves, how to deliver results, and ultimately, how to specialize. As Chase puts it, "We realized if you can validate the results you're getting for people, they're going to be happier to pay you." That mindset led them toward e-commerce, where success is measurable and client satisfaction is tied directly to sales metrics. How Strategic Platform Partnerships (Like Shopify) Accelerate Agency Growth One of the biggest accelerators for his agency was its partnership with Shopify. When the agency first started, they were platform-agnostic, working across WordPress and other technologies. But after joining Shopify's Partner Program, Chase and his team found something rare — an actual human on the other end of the email. That support led to event invitations, collaboration opportunities, and eventually a deep specialization that positioned them as trusted experts. Chase credits much of their success to that early alignment. "We just happened to be in the right place at the right time," and the lesson for him was: pick your ecosystem wisely and go all in. He advises other agency owners to double down on one technology or niche rather than trying to be everything to everyone. "If your roof is leaking, you don't hire a general contractor, you hire a roofer," he says. It's the kind of clarity that will help you see real growth. Does this mean you should only aim to partner with Shopify if you're in the ecommerce niche? Not at all. Chase recognizes that part of their success story came from having found Shopify at its early stages. This allowed the agency to grow alongside them and unlock more opportunities. Using a Podcast as a Scalable Inbound Marketing Channel For many agencies, lead generation is an uphill battle. For Chase, it became a creative outlet that turned into a consistent revenue driver. In 2019, he launched his podcast, Honest Ecommerce, as a way to avoid writing blogs. But over time, it became a cornerstone of his agency's inbound and relationship strategy. Chase now uses the podcast to connect with ideal clients by inviting them on as guests. Instead of cold outreach, he reaches out on LinkedIn to CEOs of brands he admires, offering them a platform to share their stories. That invitation often leads to partnerships, friendships, and often clients. "You're not starting off on your back foot," he explains. "You're building a genuine relationship." Chase also uses the podcast to gain access to industry events. With a media pass, he's able to attend conferences, host panels, and meet prospects in person. Once relationships are formed, his back-end systems, from automated follow-up emails to segmented nurture lists, keep his agency top of mind until the timing aligns for collaboration. Proven Outreach Strategies to Book High-Value Podcast Guests When Chase comes across a brand doing something interesting, he doesn't pitch them services. Instead of positioning himself as another agency trying to sell, he looks to position himself as a platform offering value first. Once a potential guest accepts, Chase sets up a short 15-minute pre-interview call that he personally conducts. He uses this session to walk them through what to expect, answer any questions, and — most importantly — build rapport. As he puts it, "More time in the paint (more reps) makes the second conversation a lot easier." That small investment of time pays off, turning what could be a stiff Q&A into a relaxed, real conversation when recording day comes. This pre-call also helps him assess whether the guest is a fit for his audience and gently coach less experienced founders on how to tell their story in an engaging way. Then, before the episode goes live, he'll sometimes nudge guests to check out a few existing episodes from Honest Ecommerce. This helps them get familiar with the tone and flow of his show. Ultimately, the goal for Chase is always to create a cool piece of content. Anything else that may come from the relationship is a bonus. Why Consistency Is the Real Growth Lever in Podcast Lead Generation Chase believes all agency owners who are serious about making their business a success need to start building the inbound channels that produce on-demand leads. In his case, starting the podcast was the move that changed everything for his agency. However, podcasting will take time to produce results and requires consistency. Many business owners start a podcast and then give up after a couple of months. Publishing your first episode is only the beginning. What follows is a commitment to showing up week after week. "That is half the battle," he says. Podcasting, like SEO, compounds over time. The relationships built and the authority earned don't pay off instantly, but when they do, they create an inbound machine that's difficult to replicate. Pro Tip: Chase also believes podcasting can be a great tool in staying top of mind for clients and being a better strategic partner. He even does bonus episodes with partners and has a separate newsletter for partners he sends once a month with news of what the agency has been up to (attending a conference, launching a new website, etc). It usually produces at least a few referrals. 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.

Professor Steve H. Hanke, professor of applied economics at Johns Hopkins University and the founder and co-director of the Institute for Applied Economics, Global Health, and the Study of Business Enterprise, joins Julia La Roche on 311. This episode is brought to you by VanEck. Learn more about the VanEck Rare Earth and Strategic Metals ETF: http://vaneck.com/REMXJuliaIn this episode, Professor Hanke warns that the Fed's decision to end quantitative tightening in December, combined with bank deregulation unlocking $2.6 trillion in lending capacity, could trigger dangerous money supply acceleration and reignite asset bubbles and inflation. He criticizes the Fed for "flying blind" by rejecting the quantity theory of money in favor of a volatile "data-dependent" approach. On recession, Professor Hanke sits "on the fence"—labor weakness justifies rate cuts, but money supply acceleration could prevent any slowdown. He maintains gold will reach $6,000 in this secular bull market.Links: Twitter/X: https://x.com/steve_hankeMaking Money Work book: https://www.amazon.com/Making-Money-Work-Rewrite-Financial/dp/13942572600:00 - Intro and welcome back Professor Steve Hanke 1:20 - Big picture: money supply as fuel for the economy 3:30 - Fed ending quantitative tightening in December 6:00 - Yellow lights flashing: potential money supply acceleration, asset price inflation concerns and stock market bubble Fed 8:35 - Fed funds rate cut probability fluctuating wildly 9:36 - Quantity theory of money vs. data-dependent Fed 11:37 - Flying blind by ignoring money supply 21:30 - Making Money Work book discussion 26:15 - Gold consolidating around $4,000, why it's headed to $6,00029:24 - Recession probability: sitting on the fence 30:45 - Labor market weakness vs. money supply acceleration 32:12 - Why rate cut is justified based on labor market 33:13 - Closing

Rob Isbitts checks in with analysts Julia Ostian, Jack Bowman, and Kenio Fontes to see how they're thinking about the current market (0:40). How interest rates may affect investor behavior (14:20). Stocks that are moving in the right direction (18:45).Show Notes:How To Build A Bond Ladder That Beats The S&P 500 The Rest Of This DecadeWalmart Q3 FY26: Solid Momentum, And A Holiday Season Target Should FearEpisode TranscriptsFor full access to analyst ratings, stock and ETF quant scores, and dividend grades, subscribe to Seeking Alpha Premium at seekingalpha.com/subscriptions

“Your energy tells the truth long before your words do.”In this episode, we talked about how understanding your energy, your wiring, and your human story reveals the clearest path to building a sustainable business, in particular:

Sponsored by: EDF power solutions -- Info@EDF-re.comThis episode marks the turn of one of the most popular guests we've ever had on this show: Larry Lawrence, Vice President of Sustainable Finance Data at Intercontinental Exchange (ICE). When we had him on the show back in 2023, our conversation veered into the various ways data was evolving to drive innovation in sustainable finance. Well, it's 2025 and it's safe to say … things have changed. The very word sustainable is now taboo in some spaces, but Larry and the team at ICE don't get caught up in all that. They don't let semantics get in the way of the data. And when it comes to climate risk data, the financial services industry is listening to what the data says. Asset managers are listening. Investors in mortgage-backed securities are listening. And perhaps most importantly, insurers are listening. Natural disasters like wildfires, floods and hurricanes have reshaped insurance markets. So much so that, as the team at ICE shared in a recent report, climate risks are creating affordability risks that can ultimately lead to default risks. More resourcesICE Report: How are home insurance costs changing across the United States?Key highlightsImportance of clarity in climate risk data - (4:27)Natural disasters and 'on the ground' data - (6:27)Innovative ways investors are using climate risk data - (13:10)Impact of climate risk on home insurance costs - (18:38)Can the insurance affordability problem be solved? - (20:55)A shift in how we talk about 'sustainable' finance - (27:39)Real-time markets for climate risk data - (31:06)Larry's bold predictions for the future of climate risk data - (34:53)Sign up for the Renewable Energy SmartBrief

In this episode, Kelly breaks down how signature systems can transform your business into a scalable, high-authority brand that increases conversions, clarity, perceived value, and lifetime customer retention. She shares examples of how her own signature systems and key frameworks have evolved into books, programs, agencies, trust-building offers, and multi-seven and eight-figure revenue channels. In this episode, you'll learn: What a signature system actually is - and how they enable scale beyond what you can personally deliver Why buyers are more likely to purchase when they understand the process, and why consumers today want structure and personalization Why having a defined, branded methodology increases conversions - and 11 ways to monetize your signature systems. If you want to increase revenue and lifetime value without creating a ton of new products, this episode is your blueprint. TIMESTAMPS 00:00 – 01:20: Why Kelly created this training and the problem many entrepreneurs face when the market doesn't "get" their offers yet. 03:10 – 05:45: Why signature systems increase sales: the psychology of consumer decision-making and the data behind it. 05:45 – 07:30: How a signature system simplifies your offer so the market understands it faster—leading to higher perceived value and price elasticity. 07:30 – 09:10: Modern buyers want customization + systemization (and a framework gives them both).  09:10 – 11:00: How signature systems differentiate you in a noisy market and elevate brand authority. 11:00 – 13:00: The four phases of defining, naming, visualizing, and structuring your system for delivery and scaling. 13:00 – 15:40: How signature systems help customers self-identify when it's time to move into your next offer. 15:40 – 18:00: The 11 ways to monetize a single signature system, from courses to corporate training to licensing. RESOURCES Purchase the Signature System mini-course replays for just $197 and learn how to turn your offer into a branded framework tah sells itself: https://go.virtualbusinessschool.com/signature   Learn more about working with Kelly's team: https://kellyroachinternational.com/  Join Kelly's FREE weekly email newsletter: https://kellyroachinternational.kit.com/news  Follow Kelly on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/kellyroachofficial/  Follow Kelly on Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/kelly.roach.520/  Connect with Kelly on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/kellyroachint/    

Everyone wants better returns. Almost no one talks about where those returns should live.You can own all the right investments and still lose thousands a year if they sit in the wrong place.Asset location is one of those quiet advantages that doesn't make headlines but changes everything behind the scenes. It's how you line up your accounts so they work together instead of against each other. The difference isn't theoretical. It's real tax savings, smoother withdrawals, and more flexibility when life doesn't go according to plan.Ari Taublieb, CFP®, shares how investors nearing retirement can rearrange what they already own to keep more of what they've earned. It's not about being clever. It's about being coordinated — so your Roth, IRA, and brokerage accounts each play their role in funding your next chapter.This is the part of retirement planning most people never see, and that's why it matters. The right structure doesn't just build wealth. It buys time, peace, and choice.Listen now to see how small moves today can open more space to live tomorrow.-Advisory services are offered through Root Financial Partners, LLC, an SEC-registered investment adviser. This content is intended for informational and educational purposes only and should not be considered personalized investment, tax, or legal advice. Viewing this content does not create an advisory relationship. We do not provide tax preparation or legal services. Always consult an investment, tax or legal professional regarding your specific situation.The strategies, case studies, and examples discussed may not be suitable for everyone. They are hypothetical and for illustrative and educational purposes only. They do not reflect actual client results and are not guarantees of future performance. All investments involve risk, including the potential loss of principal.Comments reflect the views of individual users and do not necessarily represent the views of Root Financial. They are not verified, may not be accurate, and should not be considered testimonials or endorsementsParticipation in the Retirement Planning Academy or Early Retirement Academy does not create an advisory relationship with Root Financial. These programs are educational in nature and are not a substitute for personalized financial advice. Advisory services are offered only under a written agreement with Root Financial.Create Your Custom Early Retirement Strategy HereGet access to the same software I use for my clients and join the Early Retirement Academy hereAri Taublieb, CFP ®, MBA is the Chief Growth Officer of Root Financial Partners and a Fiduciary Financial Planner specializing in helping clients retire early with confidence.

Mike Bird is the Wall Street editor for The Economist magazine and is the author of The Land Trap: A New History of the World's Oldest Asset. Mike returns to the show to discuss the conclusion of Abenomics, the origins of land as an asset, the surge in housing prices during the COVID-19 Pandemic, the unsuspecting story of Wolf Ladejinsky, how housing impacted Japan's lost decade, the modern history of land in China, and much more. Check out the transcript for this week's episode, now with links. Recorded on November 4th, 2025 Subscribe to David's Substack: Macroeconomic Policy Nexus Follow David Beckworth on X: @DavidBeckworth Follow Mike on X: @Birdyword Follow the show on X: @Macro_Musings Check out our Macro Musings merch! Subscribe to David's new BTS YouTube Channel  Timestamps 00:00:00 - Intro 00:01:27 - Abenomics 00:04:32 - Motivations for The Land Trap 00:7:58 - Land as a Different Kind of Asset 00:14:55 - COVID-19 Housing Prices 00:20:42 - Land as an Enduringly Important Asset 00:24:34 - Wolf Ladejinsky 00:37:14 - Japan from 1980s Onward 00:47:28 - Land in China 00:56:36 - Henry George 01:00:42 - Outro

What happens when a leader realises that the success of every major initiative, from AI projects to return to office plans, rests on something far deeper than strategy or tools? In my conversation with Phil Gilbert of Irresistible Change, we look at why culture is the deciding factor behind whether transformation takes root or quietly falls apart. Phil has spent a career inside some of the most complex organisations on the planet, and his work at IBM showed that change only becomes real when people want it, when they feel part of it, and when they see its value in their daily work. Across our conversation, Phil explains how he approached transformation inside a company with nearly four hundred thousand employees without forcing anyone into compliance. Instead of relying on memos or mandates, he treated change like a young startup that needed to earn believers. He focused on proof rather than persuasion, clarity rather than slogans, and an understanding that people respond to meaning, autonomy, and trust. It is a refreshing contrast to the typical corporate playbook that often leans on pressure rather than participation. We talk through the mindset shifts that helped him rebuild a culture at scale, including treating change like a product with a clear value proposition. Phil shares stories from inside IBM and reflects on why the same lessons now apply across industries. Today's workforce is more informed, more selective, and less willing to accept top down directives that lack substance. His view is that leaders who miss this reality are the ones left wondering why their carefully crafted strategies never quite land the way they expected. Phil's new book, Irresistible Change, digs into these ideas in detail. Our conversation gives a taste of that thinking and offers practical insight for anyone wrestling with transformation in their own organisation. Culture shapes the outcome of every big shift, whether leaders acknowledge it or not. So how can organisations build change that people choose to be part of, and what might be possible if more leaders approached transformation this way? I would love to hear your thoughts. Tech Talks Daily is Sponsored by NordLayer: Get the exclusive Black Friday offer: 28% off NordLayer yearly plans with the coupon code: techdaily-28. Valid until December 10th, 2025. Try it risk-free with a 14-day money-back guarantee.

In this episode we discuss some drivers of the recent pullback in the equity markets and our views looking forward. View the Investment Strategy Brief slides related to this episode here Watch the video related to this episode here The views expressed in this podcast may not necessarily reflect the views of Stifel Financial Corp. or its affiliates (collectively, Stifel). This communication is provided for information purposes only. Past performance does not guarantee future results. Investing involves risk, including the possible loss of principal. Asset allocation and diversification do not ensure a profit or protect against loss. © Stifel, Nicolaus & Company, Incorporated | Member SIPC & NYSE | www.stifel.com*See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Would you like access to our advanced agency training for FREE? https://www.agencymastery360.com/training If you're one of the many owners concerned that AI will end the agency model, what are you doing to stay relevant? How are you building lasting relationships that help clients see your value beyond executing tasks? Artificial intelligence, automation, and enterprise-level change have everyone in the agency world wondering what's next. However, agencies have managed to stay relevant with past technological disruptions and the answer has always been: you need to adapt. Today's featured guest has scaled his business through seven iterations for over fourteen years by being willing to adapt to change, and the AI era is no exception. He'll unpack how agencies can stay relevant when technology, data, and client expectations are evolving faster than ever. He also talks about the importance of partnership-based client relationships and why soft skills (not just smart systems) are the real differentiator in the next decade. Ben Childs is the President of Digital Reach, a full-stack B2B marketing consultancy serving SaaS, cybersecurity, AI, and data-driven technology clients. With deep expertise in paid media, SEO, RevOps, and digital experience, Ben's team helps enterprise companies integrate their marketing, data, and operations to drive real revenue growth. Since launching in 2011, Digital Reach has evolved through multiple "versions" as it adapted to the changing marketing landscape, becoming one of the most respected players in modern B2B marketing. In this episode, we'll discuss: The soft skills edge that outperforms AI. Why you should start running toward the problem. The power of in-person connections in a remote-forward industry. Subscribe Apple | Spotify | iHeart Radio Sponsors and Resources This episode is brought to you by Wix Studio: If you're leveling up your team and your client experience, your site builder should keep up too. That's why successful agencies use Wix Studio — built to adapt the way your agency does: AI-powered site mapping, responsive design, flexible workflows, and scalable CMS tools so you spend less on plugins and more on growth. Ready to design faster and smarter? Go to wix.com/studio to get started. How Agencies Can Stay Relevant in AI Revolution At a recent Ad Week event, Ben heard a fellow agency leader predict that all agencies would be "dead in two years" because of AI. Her point: enterprise companies are developing their own language models and internal data systems, cutting agencies out of the picture. Ben does admit this is true. However, his outlook is more optimistic, seeing several possible solutions. Should agencies be partnering with third-party data providers? Should they adjust their skill set? In his view, the need for strategic expertise and technical problem-solving won't disappear anytime soon. The agencies that thrive will be those who adapt to new tools while deepening their human value—helping clients navigate complexity, not just execute tasks. "The reality," Ben explains, "is that hiring people to help you solve hard problems isn't going away. Business is always changing, and that's a huge opportunity for agency owners willing to think and integrate, not panic." Why Soft Skills Outperform AI in the Agency World As agencies evolve, the differentiator isn't going to be who can use AI faster, it's who can understand and support people better. When it comes to enterprise clients, marketing execution has become table stakes. What truly sets a great agency apart is the ability to navigate organizational politics, manage internal friction, and act as a trusted advisor inside complex companies. "We're armchair psychologists half the time," he laughs. "Our clients know we're good at SEO or paid media. What they really need is someone who helps them get things approved, makes their life easier, and has their back when things get tough." Soft problems will never go away and, Ben argues, may even increase in value when the execution problems potentially become commoditized. Agencies that ignore human connection will lose, just like traditional firms that refused to go digital twenty years ago. In the end, the "people part" never goes out of style. Adapting Your Agency: Lessons from 7 Business Iterations Ben started Digital Reach in 2011 using his grandmother's dresser as a desk and charging $200 a month for Google Ads management. Since then, the agency has reinvented itself seven times—each evolution aligning to new markets, services, and technologies. From scrappy freelancer to B2B consultancy, Ben's philosophy has stayed the same: build, learn, and change before you're forced to. "We're on Digital Reach 7.0 in 14 years," he says. "We'll probably hit version 12.0 in the next ten. You can't just ride your old business idea into Valhalla. Some people will always be better at adapting, and that will never change." WhyPartnership (Not Performance) Determines Client Retention When agencies talk about "partnership," it often sounds like marketing fluff. But Ben explains that true partnership is built on trust and reliability, not just metrics. Most clients don't fire agencies because of poor performance; they leave because of broken trust, poor communication, or lack of understanding. "When clients say, 'You don't get our business,' that's when numbers start to matter," Ben explains. "If they can't trust you when things go wrong, you're done." Ben understands that helping clients solve internal problems like procurement delays or team politics can do more to build loyalty than a great campaign. Running toward the problem, taking ownership, and communicating transparently are the fastest ways to strengthen relationships that last across multiple companies. Build Client Trust Fast by Running Toward the Problem Other than delivering results and making your clients' lives easier, Ben believes another powerful way to build trust is not being afraid to admit your mistakes and being quick to fix them. Honesty builds staying power. When agencies take responsibility for missteps and present a clear plan for fixing them, clients respond with respect, not resentment. Do not avoid the problem. In fact, you should run towards the problem and face the situation head on. You'll get more benefit of the doubt from clients with this attitude. Ben's team once led a client call with bad news—the metrics were down. Instead of hiding it, they explained what went wrong, what they learned, and how they'd adjust. "The client was ready to run through a wall for us after that," he says. "They loved that we owned it." The Power of In-Person Connection in a Remote-Forward Industry As agencies lean more into remote work, Ben calls for agencies to make an effort to meet with clients in person: "In-person will always be in vogue." It'll help your clients understand who you are, rather than just staring at your picture on Zoom, and trying to form a true connection. He encourages owners to set a clear revenue threshold for when to invest in face-to-face meetings—whether that's a kickoff, annual review, or shared conference. When clients meet you over pizza and a drink, it transforms the relationship from vendor to partner. 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.

Roth IRAs are powerful, but also misunderstood. In this episode of Wise Money, we break down the most common Roth IRA questions we hear. From age limits and income rules to the two different 5-year rules, Roth conversions, and when to use your Roth in retirement. We'll cover how contributions and conversions really work, how to avoid penalties, why many people invest their Roth IRA incorrectly, and how to decide whether Roth or traditional dollars should come first in your withdrawal plan.  Season 11, Episode 14 Download our FREE 5-Factor Retirement guide: https://wisemoneyguides.com/    Schedule a meeting with one of our CERTIFIED FINANCIAL PLANNERS™: https://www.korhorn.com/contact-korhorn-financial-advisors/ or call 574-247-5898.   Subscribe on YouTube: http://www.youtube.com/c/WiseMoneyShow Listen on podcast: https://link.chtbl.com/WiseMoney  Watch this episode on YouTube: https://youtu.be/Oquapj-qH3g  Submit a question for the show: https://www.korhorn.com/ask-a-question/   Read the Wise Money Blog: https://www.korhorn.com/wise-money-blog/    Connect with us: Facebook - https://www.facebook.com/WiseMoneyShow  Instagram - https://www.instagram.com/wisemoneyshow/    Kevin Korhorn, CFP® offers securities through Silver Oak Securities, Inc., Member FINRA/SIPC. Kevin offers advisory services through KFG Wealth Management, LLC dba Korhorn Financial Group. KFG Wealth Management, LLC dba Korhorn Financial Group and Silver Oak Securities, Inc. are not affiliated. Mike Bernard, CFP® and Joshua Gregory, CFP® offer advisory services through KFG Wealth Management, LLC dba Korhorn Financial Group. This information is for general financial education and is not intended to provide specific investment advice or recommendations. All investing and investment strategies involve risk, including the potential loss of principal. Asset allocation & diversification do not ensure a profit or prevent a loss in a declining market. Past performance is not a guarantee of future results. Certified Financial Planner Board of Standards Center for Financial Planning, Inc. owns and licenses the certification marks CFP®, CERTIFIED FINANCIAL PLANNER™ and CFP® (with plaque design) in the United States to Certified Financial Planner Board of Standards, Inc., which authorizes individuals who successfully complete the organization's initial and ongoing certification requirements to use the certification marks.

Bitcoin plunged below $90,000 this week, hitting a six-month low and sending fear across the crypto community. Extreme bearish sentiment, weakening institutional demand and the breakdown of crucial technical levels have many wondering whether we're entering a new long-term bear market.In this episode of Byte-Sized Insight, to help cut through the panic, we hear from journalist and Bitcoin educator Natalie Brunell, whose new book, “Bitcoin Is For Everyone,” argues that the real fear shouldn't be Bitcoin's volatility but the flaws in the financial system we're all forced to participate in. Brunell explains why inflation is misunderstood, why Bitcoin's scarcity and decentralization matter, how time preference shapes behavior and why Bitcoin is ultimately a human rights technology.Should we actually be afraid of Bitcoin right now, or are we missing the bigger picture? And is Bitcoin still for everyone?(00:00) Introduction and breaking down of Bitcoin's six-month low (02:52) Natalie Brunell's background and early experiences(04:11) Discovering Bitcoin; questioning the financial system(05:34) Inflation, monetary expansion and debasement, explained(07:06) Why Bitcoin makes sense long-term(08:20) Scarcity, decentralization and fiat flaws(10:17) Time preference and behavioral impacts(13:42) Financial literacy and why Bitcoin feels intimidating(18:58) Political money and centralized control risks(22:31) Why you're not too late for Bitcoin's upside(24:05) Inflation illusions and distorted asset prices(26:09) Bitcoin's global accessibility and empowermentThis episode was hosted and produced by Savannah Fortis, @savannah_fortis.Follow Cointelegraph on X @Cointelegraph.Check out Cointelegraph at cointelegraph.com.If you like what you heard, rate us and leave a review!The views, thoughts and opinions expressed in this podcast are its participants alone and do not necessarily reflect or represent the views and opinions of Cointelegraph. This podcast (and any related content) is for entertainment purposes only and does not constitute financial advice, nor should it be taken as such. Everyone must do their own research and make their own decisions. The podcast's participants may or may not own any of the assets mentioned.

Mike Bird, the Wall Street editor of The Economist, joins Cardiff to discuss his new book, The Land Trap: A New History of the World's Oldest Asset.By one estimate, the value of land makes up roughly a third of all the wealth in the entire world. Add the houses and commercial buildings on top of the land and the total value is almost two-thirds. And according to Mike, land “defies some of the usual laws of capitalism that apply to other goods and assets.” Its supply is fixed, it is immobile, and it neither decays nor depreciates. These special qualities have given land its fascinating history. They're also the reason that so many economies end up in what Mike refers to as the land trap.Mike and Cardiff discuss: The definition of a land trapWhy booming land values are a problem while they're rising and not just because they often set the stage for a bustHow land affects older, established companies differently than newer, innovative businesses — and why that matters for the economy The perverse incentives that rising land values can have on a nation's economyThe land histories of America, China, Hong Kong, Japan, and Singapore Land reform and the development of low-income countries The lessons of Singapore And more! Related links: The Land Trap, A New History of the World's Oldest AssetHousing booms, reallocation and productivity, by Sebastian Doerr, BIS Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Is money an asset or liability to your marriage? It depends on your attitude toward money. If you look to money for the things that money can buy to make you happy, then money will be a source of conflict in your marriage.Donate to Moody Radio: http://moodyradio.org/donateto/lovelanguageminuteSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

In this episode we discuss the powerful reshoring and nearshoring trend reshaping U.S. industry, the surge in long-term capital investment, and why the reindustrialization of America may be a durable economic tailwind for years to come. To read this week's Sight|Lines, click here. The views expressed in this podcast may not necessarily reflect the views of Stifel Financial Corp. or its affiliates (collectively, Stifel). This communication is provided for information purposes only. Past performance does not guarantee future results. Investing involves risk, including the possible loss of principal. Asset allocation and diversification do not ensure a profit or protect against loss. © Stifel, Nicolaus & Company, Incorporated | Member SIPC & NYSE | www.stifel.com See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Don and Tom open with the investor mistakes Christine Benz highlighted in Morningstar: portfolio sprawl, concentration in the same large-cap tech names, clinging to ancient active funds, ignoring reallocations, and failing at both asset allocation and asset location. The show then shifts into calls—first about fears of an “AI crash,” then a heartbreaking case of an 80-year-old widow stuck in an expensive, incoherent Schwab-built portfolio, which Don dismantles live. Later, Roth conversion strategy, smishing scams, and a closing riff on Bitcoin's extreme volatility versus gold. A packed episode on how bad habits, high fees, and fear derail investors—and how a simple, globally diversified plan avoids most of it. 0:04 Intro and Christine Benz's list of common portfolio mistakes 0:56 Portfolio sprawl and “hodgepodge-itis” 1:32 Overloaded baskets of large-cap tech stocks 2:52 The 31-year-old underperforming fund problem 3:54 Active vs. passive: the shift the industry still hasn't admitted 4:03 Asset allocation errors driven by ignoring the plan 4:51 Why rebalancing matters (and why people never do it) 5:40 Asset location mistakes and why taxes demand a smarter structure 6:15 Why these errors are easy to fix with a simple plan 7:58 Don solo; open phones 8:23 Caller: Fear of an “AI crash” and whether it can tank the market 11:16 Building a portfolio that can withstand any crash 13:01 International ballast and why planning matters more than predictions 14:27 Don solo again; open phones 15:17 Smishing scams and the rise of SMS-based fraud 16:13 How cheap scam-software makes fraud explode 17:08 Caller: 80-year-old widow with an awful Schwab portfolio 18:27 Don investigates the tickers—high fees, obscure funds, bad structure 19:57 Schwab dropped her; Don: “This advisor should be fired” 21:07 Why the portfolio lost money and what those numbers really mean 22:26 Active funds, high turnover, and tax drag 24:01 Don's verdict: unload the mess and move to simple, low-cost indexing 25:01 Why a target-date fund may be the cleanest fix 26:33 Take the risk quiz; why advisors should be boring 27:00 Don vents about industry incompetence and fee-only failures 28:23 Why advisors chase “exciting” instead of sound 30:02 Caller: Roth conversion when 70% of assets are in traditional IRAs 31:25 Why conversion benefits are minor but sometimes worthwhile 32:33 Strategy: convert up to top of the 24% bracket 33:19 Wrap-up and call for last questions 34:56 Gold vs. Bitcoin: which is actually stable? 36:09 Why Bitcoin's volatility makes it a terrible “currency” Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Dr Boyce Watkins speaks about black children being a huge financial asset.

Would you like access to our advanced agency training for FREE? https://www.agencymastery360.com/training Is your agency growing fast but still running without the right structure or leadership team to sustain that growth? If too many people are reporting directly to you, it's a clear sign you've outgrown your current setup. But building that next layer of leadership isn't as simple as promoting your top performers. Without a clear strategy, those well-intentioned promotions can backfire, causing confusion, turnover, and setbacks that stall your agency's momentum. Today's featured guest learned that lesson firsthand. After experiencing a year of costly turnover caused by the wrong management moves, he came away with a better understanding of what real leadership development looks like. In this episode, he'll share what it takes to scale beyond seven figures, the mistakes that nearly derailed his agency's growth, and the key shifts that helped him build a stronger, more sustainable business. Brandon Rost is the founder and CEO of be Marketing, a Pennsylvania-based advertising agency that helps brands grow through creative, digital, and media strategies. Over the past decade and a half, Brandon has built his agency from a solo operation into a multi-million-dollar powerhouse by focusing on relationships, resourcefulness, and relentless problem-solving. He's proof that you don't need to have all the answers when you start, just the willingness to figure it out along the way. In this episode, we'll discuss: How to reinvest profits strategically to scale your agency sustainably. Why promoting top performers doesn't already create effective leaders. The KPI's and systems that improved profit and cash flow. The mindset shift that turns fast growth into longterm success. 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. Why Being Resourceful Is the Key to Building an Agency Brandon didn't plan on running an agency. At the time, he was managing social media for a corporate job and bartending on the side when a PR firm owner offered him a shot at managing her clients' social accounts. What started as ten small accounts quickly snowballed into a full-time business. Like most early-stage entrepreneurs, he had no idea what he was doing at first. He sent invoices in Word documents, figured out HR and finance on the fly, and said "yes" to every opportunity—then learned how to deliver later. It wasn't glamorous, but it worked. That resourcefulness became his superpower. As anyone who has grown a business can tell you, success comes from resourcefulness - not knowing everything. You don't have to know everything right now. Just figure it out and make it work. Scaling Up: Investing Every Dollar Back In the Agency For the first few years, Brandon kept bartending to cover his bills and put every dollar the agency made back into growth. That discipline gave him the runway to build a real company without debt or short-term panic. He hired his first part-time employee within a year, went full-time around year two, and hit seven figures by year four in 2014. However, crossing the million-dollar mark didn't come with confetti and fireworks. It came with more responsibility, more moving parts, and a steeper learning curve. "Everyone thinks hitting a million feels different," Brandon said. "It doesn't. It just brings on more work." Instead of waiting for that milestone to magically change things, focus on building the right foundation so the business can continue to grow without you doing everything. Make it a point to continue to delegate part of that workload every quarter, and after a couple of years, you'll find you've gotten your freedom back. Learning to Lead and Let Go: Building a Leadership Team Brandon learned the hard way that leading people requires a completely different skill set than landing clients. As the agency grew, he at one point had seventeen people reporting to him and eventually realized it just wasn't sustainable. It was the right moment to create different positions that would oversee different departments. However, his strategy was flawed at first; "We elevated people just to elevate them," he said. "And it set us back a year." He never stopped to ask whether or not those employees were ready or even suited for management roles. As a result, they dealt with a year of turnover followed by slowly getting back on track. The lesson for Brandon was: put the right people in the right seats, and don't assume your best technician wants to—or should—manage others. Leadership isn't a promotion; it's a whole new role. Knowing Your Numbers and Turning Chaos Into Profitability Once the business hit its stride, Brandon turned his focus to profitability. He shared how the agency once got caught in a dangerous cash flow loop of collecting Google ad payments for clients and effectively becoming a bank instead of a marketing firm. After untangling that, his team started tracking key KPIs more closely: AGI (Agency Gross Income) in the 55–60% range Net profit around 10–12% Payroll around 33% of AGI By simplifying operations and separating client media costs from agency revenue, they stabilized cash flow and built a healthier margin. Simply put, what you measure improves and, for Brandon, that meant finally treating the numbers as a steering wheel instead of a rearview mirror. Sales: The Last Most Agency Owners Are Ready to Hang Up Even after 15 years, Brandon still handles most of the sales himself. It's something he admits he should've delegated earlier, but building a sales team isn't as easy as hiring a "radio guy" and hoping they sell. After two failed attempts, Brandon realized the problem wasn't the salespeople but rather the lack of systems. Now, the new plan is to support the team with brand marketing, create a "sales tackle box" full of proven client stories, and build repeatable processes for outreach, follow-up, and closing. You'll always be the best salesperson until you document what's in your head. With the right structure and stories in place, a sales team can finally scale what made the founder successful in the first place. What Scaling Fast Taught Him About Patience and Culture Looking back, Brandon said the biggest surprise was how much patience real growth takes—and how easy it is to lose sight of culture while scaling fast. Whether it was figuring out HR policies, managing team dynamics, or setting boundaries for office events, every new level came with a new layer of learning. He now focuses on balance: growing deliberately, empowering leaders, and making sure the culture that got them here doesn't get lost along the way. "We've learned to grow smarter, not faster," he said. 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.

In this conversation, Scott Forgue and Dylan Silver discuss their experiences in real estate, including networking with notable figures like Robert Shemin and Vanilla Ice. They explore strategies for financial success in the real estate market, addressing common concerns about making money without significant risk.   Professional Real Estate Investors - How we can help you: Investor Fuel Mastermind:  Learn more about the Investor Fuel Mastermind, including 100% deal financing, massive discounts from vendors and sponsors you're already using, our world class community of over 150 members, and SO much more here: http://www.investorfuel.com/apply   Investor Machine Marketing Partnership:  Are you looking for consistent, high quality lead generation? Investor Machine is America's #1 lead generation service professional investors. Investor Machine provides true 'white glove' support to help you build the perfect marketing plan, then we'll execute it for you…talking and working together on an ongoing basis to help you hit YOUR goals! Learn more here: http://www.investormachine.com   Coaching with Mike Hambright:  Interested in 1 on 1 coaching with Mike Hambright? Mike coaches entrepreneurs looking to level up, build coaching or service based businesses (Mike runs multiple 7 and 8 figure a year businesses), building a coaching program and more. Learn more here: https://investorfuel.com/coachingwithmike   Attend a Vacation/Mastermind Retreat with Mike Hambright: Interested in joining a "mini-mastermind" with Mike and his private clients on an upcoming "Retreat", either at locations like Cabo San Lucas, Napa, Park City ski trip, Yellowstone, or even at Mike's East Texas "Big H Ranch"? Learn more here: http://www.investorfuel.com/retreat   Property Insurance: Join the largest and most investor friendly property insurance provider in 2 minutes. Free to join, and insure all your flips and rentals within minutes! There is NO easier insurance provider on the planet (turn insurance on or off in 1 minute without talking to anyone!), and there's no 15-30% agent mark up through this platform!  Register here: https://myinvestorinsurance.com/   New Real Estate Investors - How we can work together: Investor Fuel Club (Coaching and Deal Partner Community): Looking to kickstart your real estate investing career? Join our one of a kind Coaching Community, Investor Fuel Club, where you'll get trained by some of the best real estate investors in America, and partner with them on deals! You don't need $ for deals…we'll partner with you and hold your hand along the way! Learn More here: http://www.investorfuel.com/club   —--------------------

Retiring before Medicare? You might face a tricky balancing act between doing Roth conversions and keeping your health insurance subsidies through the Affordable Care Act (ACA). Tanner Watson, CFP®, helps us unpack a real-life retirement planning case to show how Roth conversions can impact your premium tax credits and what strategies can help you make the most of both. Download our FREE 5-Factor Retirement guide: https://wisemoneyguides.com/    Schedule a meeting with one of our CERTIFIED FINANCIAL PLANNERS™: https://www.korhorn.com/contact-korhorn-financial-advisors/ or call 574-247-5898.   Subscribe on YouTube: http://www.youtube.com/c/WiseMoneyShow Listen on podcast: https://link.chtbl.com/WiseMoney  Watch this episode on YouTube: https://youtu.be/RzfHaemmR3A  Submit a question for the show: https://www.korhorn.com/ask-a-question/   Read the Wise Money Blog: https://www.korhorn.com/wise-money-blog/    Connect with us: Facebook - https://www.facebook.com/WiseMoneyShow  Instagram - https://www.instagram.com/wisemoneyshow/    Kevin Korhorn, CFP® offers securities through Silver Oak Securities, Inc., Member FINRA/SIPC. Kevin offers advisory services through KFG Wealth Management, LLC dba Korhorn Financial Group. KFG Wealth Management, LLC dba Korhorn Financial Group and Silver Oak Securities, Inc. are not affiliated. Mike Bernard, CFP® and Joshua Gregory, CFP® offer advisory services through KFG Wealth Management, LLC dba Korhorn Financial Group. This information is for general financial education and is not intended to provide specific investment advice or recommendations. All investing and investment strategies involve risk, including the potential loss of principal. Asset allocation & diversification do not ensure a profit or prevent a loss in a declining market. Past performance is not a guarantee of future results. Certified Financial Planner Board of Standards Center for Financial Planning, Inc. owns and licenses the certification marks CFP®, CERTIFIED FINANCIAL PLANNER™ and CFP® (with plaque design) in the United States to Certified Financial Planner Board of Standards, Inc., which authorizes individuals who successfully complete the organization's initial and ongoing certification requirements to use the certification marks.

Revealing, insightful, necessary, candid conversation with the incomparable Jerry Craft, NYT bestselling author of the groundbreaking book New Kid.* Craft is the ONLY PERSON IN THE HISTORY OF EVER to have a book win the:Newbery Medal, the Coretta Scott King Author Award, and the Kirkus Prize for Young Readers' Literature* New Kid was the FIRST graphic novel to receive the prestigious Newbery Medal* New Kid is billed as a book for middle grade readers (ages 8 - 12, grades 3 - 7) however it is just as riveting and important a read FOR ADULTS An actual middle schooler, KJ Fletcher got to join his mom, host and producer Samantha Fletcher for this one of a kind opportunity. They caught up with the multi-talented and in-demand busy author, illustrator and all around wise guy – literally for his wisdom as well as his wit – Jerry Craft.Craft graciously answers 10 questions -- plus a few more because the host Samantha can't allow a good dig-in or follow up question to pass -- and shares why he wrote the book, why it's great for young people, AND why it is an ASSET and a MUST-READ for GROWNUPS, too.WHAT IS NEW KID ABOUT? Described as "heartbreakingly accurate" by Kirkus, here is an AI overview summary: "New Kid is a graphic novel by Jerry Craft about a Black seventh grader named Jordan Banks who is one of the few students of color at a prestigious, mostly-white private school. The book follows Jordan as he navigates this new environment, torn between his familiar Washington Heights neighborhood and the new school's culture, exploring themes like microaggressions, racism, and socioeconomic disparity. It's a coming-of-age story about making friends, fitting in, and staying true to himself while dealing with the challenges of being a new student from a different background."WHY KIRKUS CHOSE THIS AS ITS WINNER: "Kirkus chose Jerry Craft's New Kid for its honest portrayal of being a Black student in a predominantly white private school, handling race, class, and microaggressions with humor and a relatable protagonist. The graphic novel was praised for its "heartbreakingly accurate" and "funny, sharp, and totally real" story that allows readers to see themselves in a narrative that isn't based on "misery" or historical hardship, but instead on the everyday experiences of a young person navigating identity and belonging. Kirkus specifically highlighted how the book combined a middle-grade narrative with important social commentary, using the protagonist's art to visualize his dual worlds."www.samanthafletcher.comhttps://jerrycraft.com/https://creators.spotify.com/pod/profile/dailybordercrossings/ https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/daily-border-crossings/id1517113315

Jay Chrawnna, director of The Kus, dives into the subtle ways people are already using Web3 in everyday transactions (often without realizing it) and what this means for the future of consumer Web3. He explores how gaming projects like FIFA Rivals are redefining digital asset ownership, and highlights how entities like the Indonesian government are leveraging blockchain to improve transparency, efficiency, and mainstream accessibility. Key Takeaways: How the next wave of Web3 could be completely invisible to users. Why Polkadot may be the only platform capable of scaling Web3 at full potential. What "Consumer Web3" really means, and why it's about more than wallets and tokens. How blockchain is being used to reimagine institutions at a massive scale. Guest Bio: Jay Chrawnna is the director of The Kus, a media broadcaster for Polkadot. On the Space Monkeys Podcast and weekly Attempts at Governance liveshows, the DOT eco's top movers and doers drive discourse and shape the second age of Polkadot. Jay exclusively uses the Brave browser. ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- About this Show: The Brave Technologist is here to shed light on the opportunities and challenges of emerging tech. To make it digestible, less scary, and more approachable for all! Join us as we embark on a mission to demystify artificial intelligence, challenge the status quo, and empower everyday people to embrace the digital revolution. Whether you're a tech enthusiast, a curious mind, or an industry professional, this podcast invites you to join the conversation and explore the future of AI together. The Brave Technologist Podcast is hosted by Luke Mulks, VP Business Operations at Brave Software—makers of the privacy-respecting Brave browser and Search engine, and now powering AI everywhere with the Brave Search API. Music by: Ari Dvorin Produced by: Sam Laliberte