Podcasts about businesses

Welcome to episode #1024 of Thinking With Mitch Joel (formerly Six Pixels of Separation). At a time when the digital infrastructure that underpins modern life feels increasingly hostile, few voices have been as prescient... or as relentless... as Cory Doctorow. A science fiction novelist, journalist and technology activist, Cory serves as Special Advisor to the Electronic Frontier Foundation and has long stood at the intersection of storytelling, policy and power. Over the course of a prolific career (one that includes bestselling fiction, influential tech policy books like Chokepoint Capitalism and The Internet Con, and his widely read Pluralistic blog) Cory has chronicled how digital markets consolidate, calcify and ultimately betray their users. His latest nonfiction work, Enshittification - Why Everything Suddenly Got Worse And What To Do About It, gives a name to the slow degradation of online platforms: the predictable cycle in which services begin by delighting users, then exploit them, then squeeze the businesses that depend on them, until only monopoly power remains. Cory situates this decline not as technological inevitability but as the result of specific policy choices that empowered monopolies and weakened enforcement. At the same time, Cory challenges the fatalism that often surrounds technological decline. Anti-circumvention laws, regulatory capture and collective action problems may constrain consumers, but they are not immovable forces. Cultural norms can shift. Policy can be rewritten. Markets can be redesigned. Grounded in economic literacy and moral urgency, Cory's work calls for ethical leadership, regulatory courage and a reclamation of agency in the systems that shape our digital lives. Enjoy the conversation… Running time: 1:00:43. Hello from beautiful Montreal. Listen and subscribe over at Apple Podcasts. Listen and subscribe over at Spotify. Please visit and leave comments on the blog - Thinking With Mitch Joel. Feel free to connect to me directly on LinkedIn. Check out ThinkersOne. Here is my conversation with Cory Doctorow. Enshittification - Why Everything Suddenly Got Worse And What To Do About It. Pluralistic. Chokepoint Capitalism. The Internet Con. Cory's books. Cory's newsletter. Follow Cory on X. Chapters: (00:00) - Introduction to Cory Doctorow. (03:07) - The AI Bubble: Understanding the Economics. (06:08) - The Future of AI and Labor. (08:56) - Open Source Models and Their Potential. (11:50) - AI as a Tool: The Multiplier Effect. (14:50) - The Reality of AI's Impact on Society. (17:57) - Billionaire Perspectives and UBI. (20:56) - The Disconnect Between Wealth and Labor. (23:49) - The Future of Work in an AI-Driven World. (30:15) - The Illusion of Value in Economic Activity. (33:34) - The Crisis of Ethical Leadership. (36:56) - The Role of Policymakers in Corporate Behavior. (38:45) - Understanding Lock-In: Users and Businesses. (40:40) - The Impact of Monopolies and Monopsonies. (49:22) - The Need for Anti-Circumvention Law Repeal. (54:24) - Cultural Norms vs. Regulation in Consumer Behavior.

Most people think scaling is about money. They're wrong. In this clip from The Abundance Mindset podcast, Vinney Chopra breaks down why the real unlock behind companies like Google and Amazon isn't just OPM (Other People's Money) — it's OPT (Other People's Time). This is the shift most entrepreneurs never make. You can hustle harder. Or you can build systems, teams, and partnerships that multiply effort. Vinney explains how syndication, delegation, and leverage allow entrepreneurs to scale without burning out — and why trying to do everything yourself is the slowest path to wealth

What happens when old systems begin to collapse?Who leads when traditional institutions fail to protect communities, uphold values, or move with integrity?In this episode of The SYNARCHY Podcast, Adina shares a grounded and practical 3-part framework for how small and medium-sized mission-led businesses and B Corps can lead what comes next.Because this moment in history is not theoretical.It's changes are structural.And mission-driven founders are uniquely positioned to build what replaces what's falling apart.Why This Matters NowAs economic, political, and social systems destabilize, many traditional leadership structures are proving slow, rigid, and disconnected from real communities.But mission-led businesses are different.They are:Closer to the people.Faster to adapt.Rooted in values.Built to balance people, planet, and profit.This episode explores why social and environmental impact businesses are not on the sidelines — they are central to shaping the next chapter of our economy.The 3-Part Framework1️⃣ Ground in the Mission (Clarity Over Chaos)Leadership starts with clarity.Not a polished mission statement — but deep conviction about:What you are here to protectWhat you are here to buildWho you are here to serveIn times of uncertainty, mission-led businesses anchor communities through consistency and values-driven action.Clarity becomes leadership.2️⃣ Build Sustainable Structures (Stability Is Leadership)Impact without systems collapses.This means strengthening:Legal preparedness and risk mitigationRevenue systems and financial resilienceCapacity planning and operational systemsDecision-making frameworksMission-driven businesses must protect both their downside (legal stability) and their upside (growth systems).Legal and financial stability is not corporate.It is responsible leadership.3️⃣ Expand Strategically (Growth Is Service)Growth is not greed.It is reach.When you expand your business responsibly:Your mission travels further.Your impact deepens.Your business becomes more resilient.Strategic expansion rooted in the triple bottom line — people, planet, and profit — is how mission-led companies build a new kind of economy.Leadership in this era requires responsible growth.Key TakeawaysClarity is leadership.Stability is impact.Growth is service.Mission-led businesses are not waiting for permission.They are building the future in real time.Ready to Strengthen Your Leadership?If you are a founder of a mission-led business or B Corp and want to build stronger revenue systems, sustainable growth, and long-term resilience, explore working together.

Send a textA new 10% global tariff has been announced after the Supreme Court ruling on Trump tariffs, creating major uncertainty for importers and ecommerce sellers. This tariff update follows a fast legal reversal and introduces a 150-day window under federal trade law. Businesses are now watching Congress, refund decisions, and future tariff changes that could impact supply chains and pricing.If rising tariffs are about to squeeze your margins, schedule a strategy session now and get a real action plan before the next policy shift hits: https://bit.ly/4jMZtxu#AmazonSellers #AmazonFBA #TariffNews #EcommerceStrategy #tariffnews2026-------------------------------------------------------------------------Want free resources? Dowload our Free Amazon guides here:Amazon Proft Margin Defense 2026: https://hubs.ly/Q042trRH0Amazon PPC Guide 2026 is here!: https://bit.ly/4lF0OYXAmazon SEO Toolkit 2026: https://bit.ly/4oC2ClTAmazon Seller Strategy Report 2026: https://bit.ly/3YN1RME2026 Ecommerce Website & SEO Readiness Checklist: https://hubs.ly/Q040Jg0M0Amazon Crisis Kit: https://bit.ly/4maWHn0________________________________Timestamps:00:00 – Supreme Court Overrules Trump Tariff Decision00:30 – New 10% Global Tariff Announced Under 150-Day Law01:00 – What Happens Next and No Refunds Update________________________________Follow us:LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/28605816/Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/stevenpopemag/Pinterest: https://www.pinterest.com/myamazonguys/Twitter: https://twitter.com/myamazonguySubscribe to the My Amazon Guy podcast:My Amazon Guy podcast: https://podcast.myamazonguy.comApple Podcast: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/my-amazon-guy/id1501974229Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/4A5ASHGGfr6s4wWNQIqyVwSupport the show

Nearly a year ago, Trump announced his “Liberation Day” tariffs, slapping high import taxes on goods from countries around the world. The sweeping tariffs hurt the New York-based wine importer VOS Selections, one of several plaintiffs that challenged the Trump administration in court, arguing the president lacked the ability to impose the tariffs under the International Emergency Economic Powers Act.Today, the Supreme Court agreed, ruling that many of President Trump's tariffs are unconstitutional. NPR's Scott Detrow talks with NPR Chief Economics Correspondent Scott Horsley and NPR Legal Affairs Correspondent Nina Totenberg about the court's decision and what it means for businesses and consumers.For sponsor-free episodes of Consider This, sign up for Consider This+ via Apple Podcasts or at plus.npr.org.  Email us at considerthis@npr.org.This episode was produced by Tyler Bartlam, with audio engineering from Ted Mebane. It was edited by Christopher Intagliata, Courtney Dorning, Scott Horsley and Krishnadev Calamur. Our executive producer is Sami Yenigun.Learn more about sponsor message choices: podcastchoices.com/adchoicesNPR Privacy Policy

Preview for later today. Gene Marks explains that despite administration claims, the rising costs of tariffs currently fall directly onto the shoulders of American consumers and frustrated small businesses.1910 

Gene Marks reports that despite a disappointing fourth-quarter GDP growth rate of 1.4 percent and sluggishness in shipping and chemical sectors, small businesses remain surprisingly resilient with optimism above average and continued hiring plans even as AI integration remains limited. 31949 STORK CLUB

Are you wondering if AI video creation tools are worth the investment? Overwhelmed by YouTube's rapid rollout of new features? To discover what YouTube's latest AI tools can actually do for your business, which content formats have the biggest opportunity for organic reach, and how to use new targeting features without hurting your channel's performance., I interview Liron Segev.Guest: Liron Segev | Show Notes: socialmediaexaminer.com/706Review our show on Apple PodcastsSee Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

Is your handmade business making sales, but you've hit a ceiling? Good news, I'm about to share how to break through! In this episode, we'll dissect the moment every product-based business owner hits when demand outgrows your personal capacity and you become the bottleneck. I call it the Breaking Point, and it's exactly where scaling either happens… or stalls.I'll show you how to redefine what “handmade” means as you grow, identify what's keeping your business stuck, and make the shifts needed to scale your physical product business without burning out. If you want to grow your handmade business (whether you make candles, jewelry, pottery, or any other handmade product) to $1M and beyond, it's time to stop doing more and start building differently.In This Episode, You'll Learn:00:00 What is the “Breaking Point”?05:45 Why every product-based business eventually hits a capacity ceiling.08:00 The revenue levels where structure typically breaks.12:00 Why what got you here won't get you to your next level.17:15 The sand-in-your-hand exercise that shows how control shrinks capacity.22:00 How a $2M pottery brand still operates as handmade with 20 potters.25:00 The identity shift from maker to creative director.26:30 The 2 areas product businesses should consider hiring for first.28:00 How to decode where you must stay and where you must get out of the way.34:15 How to identify the one area that breaks when you get busy.42:30 The 3 decisions to make when you hit your Breaking Point.45:45 What would change if you stopped carrying it alone?47:00 How to download the free Do, Delegate, Delete training.Resources + LinksDownload the free Do, Delegate, Delete training and workbook HERE!Ready to SELL MORE products without the hustle of building a following? Join Sales Accelerator HERE! Get business tips sent right to your inbox - join the newsletter!Watch on YouTubeFollowJacqueline on IG: @theproductbosstheproductboss.com

In This Episode of Business Lunch: Roland Frasier breaks down simple, practical ways to grow by buying the right businesses.He explains the difference between horizontal integration (buying competitors to grow fast) and vertical integration (buying suppliers, distributors, affiliates, or outsourced partners to capture more profit). He also talks about using acquisitions to add recurring revenue and smooth out seasonal cash flow, plus how buying intellectual property can spark innovation and create a competitive edge.The core message: identify where money is leaking in your supply chain or distribution, find who owns it, and consider acquiring them.Chapters:00:00 Introduction 00:23 Vertical Integration Overview 00:47 Horizontal vs. Vertical Integration 01:31 Acquiring Suppliers and Manufacturers 04:30 Supply Chain Diversification 05:27 Acquiring Distributors and Retailers 06:44 Distribution for Digital Products 08:18 Recurring Revenue Strategy 09:27 Finding Recurring Revenue Opportunities 12:03 Intellectual Property Acquisitions 13:24 Benefits of IP Acquisition 14:01 Finding Intellectual Property 15:32 Conclusion 15:34 OutroConnect with me on social:TikTok: Check out my TikTok HereInstagram: Check out my Instagram HereFacebook: Check out my Facebook HereLinkedIn: Check out my LinkedIn HereSubscribe to my YouTube

In this conversation, Stephan Livera and Keith from Branta discuss the intricacies of Bitcoin payments, focusing on the importance of address verification and security in the context of increasing digital threats. They explore how Branta's zero-knowledge verification process can enhance user experience and security, particularly in the face of potential scams and malware. The discussion also touches on the integration of Branta with Lightning and other Layer 2 solutions, as well as the future of Bitcoin user experience in an AI-driven world.Takeaways:

Businesses are implementing AI faster than most entrepreneurs realize. But the best opportunities aren't always in cutting-edge startups. In many cases, the best returns are in legacy businesses that haven't kept pace with the innovation curve. Understanding that gap—and how to close it—has defined the career of today's guest.Bill Tyndall is the founder of Tynrose, a holding company focused on modernizing legacy businesses through digital transformation, data, cybersecurity, and AI. After launching Electric in 2016, which revolutionized IT support for SMBs, he had a billion-dollar exit just four years later. You'll hear how Bill's newest venture, Tynrose, builds platforms that don't just implement technology; they reimagine it and help companies move beyond patchwork solutions and into scalable solutions that are built to last in the digital world. His approach challenges outdated models and reframes what's possible when businesses stabilize their technology, leverage clean data, and deploy AI with intention.In this episode, you'll learn: ✅ How SMBs and legacy businesses may offer better AI-driven returns than tech startups.✅ Why Bill decided to start a new business after his billion-dollar exit, and what creating a legacy with his businesses means to him. ✅ Why AI is really just a capacity expander for humans and what the future holds for IT and cybersecurity in an AI-driven world.Show Notes: LifestyleInvestor.com/278Tax Strategy MasterclassIf you're interested in learning more about Tax Strategy and how YOU can apply 28 of the best, most effective strategies right away, check out our BRAND NEW Tax Strategy Masterclass: www.lifestyleinvestor.com/taxStrategy Session For a limited time, my team is hosting free, personalized consultation calls to learn more about your goals and determine which of our courses or masterminds will get you to the next level. To book your free session, visit LifestyleInvestor.com/consultationThe Lifestyle Investor InsiderJoin The Lifestyle Investor Insider, our brand new AI - curated newsletter - FREE for all podcast listeners for a limited time: www.lifestyleinvestor.com/insiderRate & ReviewIf you enjoyed today's episode of The Lifestyle Investor, hit the subscribe button on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, or wherever you listen, so future episodes are automatically downloaded directly to your device. You can also help by providing an honest rating & review.Connect with Justin DonaldFacebookYouTubeInstagramLinkedInTwitterSee Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

South Carolina is one of the fastest-growing states in America — so why are politicians still writing billion-dollar checks to corporations? New data from U-Haul and the United States Census Bureau consistently rank South Carolina among the top inbound move destinations — alongside Texas and Florida. Businesses are coming. People are coming. Growth is exploding. So why is Columbia considering another $200 million for Scout Motors, after already handing over massive incentives? Congressman Ralph Norman says enough is enough — calling for an end to what he labels “corporate bailouts.” Meanwhile, the real debate may be about energy. With massive untapped natural gas reserves off the Carolina coast and renewed federal support under Donald Trump, should South Carolina drill, lower energy costs, and recruit data centers instead of fighting over electricity shortages? Is Columbia behind the times? Are politicians chasing ribbon cuttings instead of taxpayers' interests? And is South Carolina missing a once-in-a-generation energy opportunity?

Most companies don't realize it yet, but the way they built their technology foundations is quietly becoming a liability.Cloud costs are rising. Platforms change underneath you. AI is reshaping infrastructure from hardware to data to governance. And the strategies that once felt “safe” are now the ones creating the most risk.In this episode of IT Visionaries, host Chris Brandt sits down with Mano Bhattacharya, CTO of Nutanix, to unpack what's really happening inside enterprise technology right now. This isn't a conversation about chasing the newest tools or betting on a single future. It's about why adaptability has become the most important design principle in modern tech.Mano explains why many organizations are rethinking long-held assumptions about virtualization, cloud, and containers, and why the smartest teams are building infrastructure that gives them options over the next three to five years. They explore how AI changes the entire stack, not just applications, why data has become the real bottleneck, and why moving fast without a coherent plan can be more dangerous than moving slowly. Chapters:00:00 - The VMware Exodus Wave is Coming03:34 - VMware Broadcom Acquisition: What Changed and Why It Matters05:56 - Three Migration Paths: Stay, Move to Cloud, or Modernize09:59 - Why Containers on VMs Make Sense for Most Enterprises15:40 - The Five Stages of VMware Migration Grief21:20 - VMware Admin to Nutanix Admin: Closing the Skills Gap24:14 - The Cloud-in-a-Box Philosophy: From Boxes to Software32:30 - Opening Up the Platform: Pure Storage and Third-Party Integrations40:54 - AI Infrastructure: The End-to-End Challenge48:01 - Enterprise AI Strategy: Use Cases, Economics, and Governance56:44 - What's Next: Building the Invisible Platform for AI  -- This episode of IT Visionaries is brought to you by Meter - the company building better networks. Businesses today are frustrated with outdated providers, rigid pricing, and fragmented tools. Meter changes that with a single integrated solution that covers everything wired, wireless, and even cellular networking. They design the hardware, write the firmware, build the software, and manage it all so your team doesn't have to.That means you get fast, secure, and scalable connectivity without the complexity of juggling multiple providers. Thanks to meter for sponsoring. Go to meter.com/itv to book a demo.---IT Visionaries is made by the team at Mission.org. Learn more about our media studio and network of podcasts at mission.org. Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

Brand transformation, loyalty, and partnerships sound “big brand”… until you realize the fundamentals are very human: be clear on strategy, make people feel seen, and test/learn/optimize with data.In this week's episode, I sit down with Sheila Butler, CMO and founder of Butler Marketing Group (and host of Marketing Over Bourbon) to unpack what she's learned shaping brands and loyalty programs across Disney, JP Morgan Chase/Bank One, Choice Hotels, and Axiom Bank.From launching the Disney Visa (and building a loyalty program from scratch) to reframing loyalty for small businesses, Sheila shares the behind-the-scenes moves that actually drive behavior and why “start by starting” might be the most underrated marketing strategy of all.We cover:Why most teams skip strategy (and why that's where performance breaks)The Disney Visa “Day One / Charter Card Member” idea and how emotional recognition creates sticky loyaltyWhat brand transformation looks like in practice (and why change management is the missing piece)How AI speeds up messaging and strategy work without replacing human judgmentLoyalty without a Disney-sized budget: recognition, personalization, and high perceived value at low costPartnership marketing done right: customer overlap, channel expansion, and the consumer “win” at the intersectionThe candid topic we avoid: where to cut when marketing budgets get slashedThe myth Sheila would bust: influencer marketing doesn't replace strategyKey Takeaways:Gorgeous creative won't save a campaign without a clear strategy.Loyalty is less about discounts and more about feeling valued.Partnerships work when they're built on data + mutual value, not gut feelings.AI is an accelerant but only if the strategy foundation is already there.“Start by starting.” Progress beats perfection every time.Connect with Sheila:Butler Marketing Group - https://www.butlermg.com/Linkedin  : https://www.linkedin.com/in/sheilabutler/Follow Us:

Vancouver's Chinatown was never built to be trendy. It was built because people had nowhere else to belong. Shut out of opportunity. Pushed to the margins. Told where they could and could not live. So they built anyway. Store by store. Family by family. A place that began to pulse and then became magnetic to all who lived in and visited Vancouver.   And then slowly, the pulse weakened. Rising costs. Aging buildings. Poverty. Then the pandemic. The streets emptied. Businesses struggled to survive. Anti-Asian racism surged. Fear replaced foot traffic. Absence replaced community.   This week on Chatter That Matters, you will hear the story of how one woman turned darkness into light. Carol Lee looked at decay and did not see failure. She saw a break in belonging.    Carol's approach can be replicated by any struggling community.   Joining the conversation are Martin Thibodeau, Regional President of RBC in British Columbia, and Carmen Stossel, Regional Director of Community Marketing and Social Impact at RBC. They share what makes Carol Lee special and why they got involved.   If you care about your community and humanity.   You will want to hear this conversation.   Because sometimes lighting up a neighbourhood is really about lighting up belief.   Hit play to Light Up Chinatown.

What Kind of Business Should I Buy? If you're thinking about buying a business, this is the question that determines everything. Not how to fund it. Not how to structure it. Not even how to find it. But what kind of business should you buy? In this week's episode, Jonathan Jay answers the foundational question every serious dealmaker must get right and explains why choosing the wrong business is the fastest way to sabotage your future success  . Start With the End in Mind Jonathan opens with a principle borrowed from Stephen Covey: Begin with the end in mind. Before you even look at sectors or valuations, you need clarity on your outcome. Are you: Escaping corporate life? Growing your existing business? Building a group to sell for seven or eight figures? Each goal demands a completely different acquisition strategy. If you want to replace your salary, Jonathan challenges you to aim higher than feels comfortable. If you want to scale your current company, acquisition is the fastest way to move the needle. If you want generational wealth, buy-and-build might be your path. But the type of business you buy must match the outcome you want. Why Most First-Time Buyers Aim Too Low One of the most controversial sections of this episode? Size. Jonathan argues that most first-time buyers go too small — and pay the price. Businesses making under £100,000 net profit often: Depend too heavily on the owner Lack proper management accounts Have fragile teams Leave no room for post-acquisition wobble Instead, he shares what he looks for: At least £1m revenue At least £200k net profit Stable margins (15–25%+) Strong management in place Recurring or repeat revenue The effort required to buy a £200k profit business is not ten times harder than buying a £20k one. But the impact on your life absolutely is. The Three Core Acquisition Paths Jonathan breaks down three common strategies: Escape the Day Job: Buy a business that produces serious income — ideally 10x your salary. Grow an Existing Business: Acquire competitors, suppliers, complementary businesses, or geographic expansions. Buy-and-Build: Acquire smaller businesses at lower multiples, combine them, and sell the larger group at a higher multiple. He explains: What fragmented markets are Why M&A activity above you matters How multiple arbitrage works Why strong management becomes critical at scale And importantly — why one deal can change your life. The Worst Types of Businesses to Buy Jonathan doesn't hold back here. Avoid: Owner-dependent businesses Fad businesses Highly volatile or "spiky" profit businesses Overleveraged acquisitions Companies reliant on family members Businesses where relationships walk out the door with the seller He also explains why buying too small can mean buying yourself a job. And that's not what this is about. Funding, Risk and Structure This episode also covers: Why over-leveraging kills deals Why working capital matters more than most buyers realise Why your first deal is the most important Why corporate structure must be set up properly Why personal guarantees should be limited and contained Jonathan's position is clear: Deal number one sets the foundation for everything that follows. Get it right, and you build momentum. Get it wrong, and you may never do deal two. The Big Takeaway Buying a business isn't just about buying something. It's about buying the right thing. With: The right margins The right management The right structure The right funding And the right strategic fit for your long-term goal Clarity at the beginning prevents regret later. Listen Now If you're serious about buying a business in 2026 — or even just thinking about it — this episode gives you the strategic filter you need before you start looking at opportunities. Listen now and make sure your first deal is the right one.   If you're serious about buying a business – and avoiding the mistakes Jonathan outlines – book a free Clarity Call with one of his team:

Hiring ready-made talent is harder than ever, especially for small businesses competing in an AI-driven job market. In this episode, workplace futurist Alexandra Levit explains how work-based learning programs can help small businesses build a sustainable talent pipeline while addressing the youth employment crisis. Learn how apprenticeships, internships, and mentorship-driven workforce development strategies can close the skills gap, strengthen community ties, and improve employee retention. If you are looking for practical ways to recruit, train, and retain skilled workers without relying solely on traditional college degrees, this conversation offers a clear, actionable roadmap. Today we discussed: 00:00:00 Introduction 00:00:23 Building a Talent Pipeline with WBL 00:00:56 What Is Work-Based Learning? 00:02:19 Youth Employment Crisis and Skills Gap 00:04:38 Trade Stigma and Shifting Labor Demand 00:07:08 GPS Education Partners Model 00:13:16 Starting Small: Employer Playbook 00:17:22 Certifications, AI Skills, and Metrics Rate, Review, & Follow If you liked this episode, please rate and review the show. Let us know what you loved most about the episode. Struggling with strategy? Unlock your free AI-powered prompts now and start building a winning strategy today!

Systematizing Growth: Scaling to Eight Figures with Daniel StrohliIn this episode of The Thoughtful Entrepreneur Podcast, host Josh Elledge speaks with Daniel Strohli, the Founder of ProfitsX, about the specialized strategies required to bridge the gap between mid-sized success and massive scale. Daniel shares his expertise in helping companies in the $5M to $15M revenue range move beyond scattered, founder-dependent operations and into the world of repeatable, process-driven machines. This conversation offers a deep dive into the "connective tissue" of business—the processes that empower people and products to perform at their peak—while providing a masterclass in diversifying lead generation and reclaiming ownership of your audience in an unpredictable digital landscape.Transforming Operational Chaos into Scalable Marketing MachinesThe transition from a successful small business to a systematized mid-sized enterprise often fails because founders overlook the critical handoff between marketing and product delivery. Daniel explains that while most businesses in this revenue bracket already possess exceptional people and high-quality products, they lack the robust processes necessary to insulate the company from human error or market shifts. By mapping out every step of the customer journey—from the very first lead touchpoint to long-term client retention—leaders can identify the bottlenecks and redundancies that silently bleed profit. Systematization, in this context, is not about creating rigid bureaucracy; it is about building a measurable framework that frees the team to focus on high-value innovation rather than repetitive troubleshooting.A major vulnerability for many growing firms is an over-reliance on a single lead generation channel, whether that be referrals or a dominant social media platform. Daniel advocates for a "rule of three" approach, where businesses pilot and maintain at least three reliable, independent lead streams to protect against algorithm changes or platform instability. This diversification requires meeting the customer exactly where they spend their time, which necessitates a commitment to iterative testing and channel research. Whether it is LinkedIn for B2B outreach or Instagram for consumer engagement, the "right" channel is a moving target that requires constant observation and the agility to adapt marketing spend based on real-time ROI data.Amidst the noise of modern social media, Daniel identifies email marketing as one of the most underrated and high-leverage assets a business can own. Unlike social media followers, who are essentially "rented" from third-party platforms, an email list is a portable business asset that facilitates the 20 to 40 touchpoints often required for a high-ticket sale. By segmenting lists based on behavior and automating value-driven follow-up sequences, entrepreneurs can build a level of trust and direct access that algorithms cannot disrupt. For a business to be truly scalable and resilient, it must prioritize owning its audience and treating its email database with the same strategic care as its primary product line.About Daniel Strohli:Daniel Strohli is the Founder of ProfitsX, where he serves as a strategic consultant for businesses looking to optimize their operations and scale their revenue. With a focus on process-driven marketing and lead generation, Daniel is known for his ability to translate complex founder visions into streamlined, repeatable business models.About ProfitsXProfitsX is a business consultancy that specializes in systematization and growth strategies for mid-sized companies. By focusing on the intersection of people, processes, and products, ProfitsX helps firms in the $5M to $15M range build reliable marketing systems and diversified lead generation streams to ensure long-term,...

Gavin Newsom is exploiting his office for his wife's benefit, pressuring companies with business before the state to funnel money into her nonprofit. So far, more than $4 million in “behested payments” have gone to Jennifer Siebel Newsom's California Partners Project. Is it legal? And why is it happening? Susan Shelley joins the show with everything you need to know — plus details on yet another sales tax hike in Los Angeles County and a bizarre property-rights battle over Marilyn Monroe's old home. Steve also weighs in on Marco Rubio's speech at the Munich Security Conference, where the Secretary of State brilliantly laid out the Trump administration's “America First” foreign policy vision. And finally, Andrea Myers, a mother of four, shares the horrifying injustices inflicted on her by California Child Protective Services and why the system needs reform.

Aaron and Brian review some of the latest AI model releases and discuss how they would evaluate them through the lens of an Enterprise AI Architect. SHOW: 1003SHOW TRANSCRIPT: The Cloudcast #1003 TranscriptSHOW VIDEO: https://youtube.com/@TheCloudcastNET NEW TO CLOUD? CHECK OUT OUR OTHER PODCAST - "CLOUDCAST BASICS" SHOW NOTES:Last Week in AI Podcast #234Artificial Analysis.AIOpus 4.6 ReleaseGPT Codex 5.3 ReleaseGLM-5 ReleaseOpenAI Preparedness FrameworkSam's Tweet that 5.3 Codex hit “high” ranking for cybersecurityFortune Article on 5.3 high rankingTAKEAWAYSThe frequency of AI model releases can lead to numbness among users.Evaluating AI models requires understanding their specific use cases and benchmarks.Enterprises must consider the compatibility and integration of new models with existing systems.Benchmarks are becoming more accessible but still require careful interpretation.The rapid pace of AI development creates challenges for enterprise adoption and integration.Companies need to be proactive in managing the versioning of AI models.The industry may need to establish clearer standards for evaluating AI performance.Efficiency and cost-effectiveness are becoming critical metrics for AI adoption.The timing of model releases can impact their market reception and user adoption.Businesses must adapt to the fast-paced changes in AI technology to remain competitive.FEEDBACK?Email: show at the cloudcast dot netBluesky: @cloudcastpod.bsky.socialTwitter/X: @cloudcastpodInstagram: @cloudcastpodTikTok: @cloudcastpod

In this episode of Sisterhood of S.W.E.A.T., Linda Mitchell sits down with Jon Taffer, America's hospitality authority, entrepreneur, best-selling author, and the force behind one of television's most enduring reality franchises, Bar Rescue. Season 10 of Bar Rescue premieres Sunday, February 22 at 10 PM ET/PT on Paramount Network, marking a major milestone for the hit series. For ten seasons, Jon has stepped into failing businesses, broken systems, emotional chaos, and high-pressure environments — transforming not just bars, but leadership, culture, and accountability. This season raises the stakes even higher with special guest appearances from *NSYNC's Chris Kirkpatrick and professional wrestler and actress Mercedes Varnado, bringing new energy and perspective to the rescues. In this conversation, Linda and Jon dive into what it really takes to rescue more than a business. They talk about leadership under pressure, the role of conflict in growth, resilience in the face of chaos, and what separates thriving brands from those that collapse under their own ego. This episode is about comebacks, standards, accountability, and the courage to confront what is broken. What We Talk About in This Episode What still surprises Jon after ten seasons The biggest mistakes business owners make before help arrives Why systems often fail because of leadership The difference between fixing operations and fixing people Why leaders avoid conflict and how that damages companies How to tell if someone truly wants change Lessons learned consulting for major global brands What new entrepreneurs must get right from Day One The role of ego in business failure Mental resilience in high-stress environments The most emotional rescues over ten seasons What makes Season 10 different Working alongside Chris Kirkpatrick and Mercedes Varnado The long-term vision for Taffer's Tavern The inspiration behind Taffer's Browned Butter Bourbon Quotes from This Episode You cannot fix a business until you fix the leadership behind it. Conflict handled correctly is growth in disguise. Systems fail when standards fail. You cannot save someone who does not want to be saved. Standards are not suggestions. They are commitments. Connect with Jon Taffer Bar Rescue on Paramount Network https://www.paramountnetwork.com/shows/bar-rescue Season 10 Premiere Details https://www.paramountnetwork.com/schedule Jon Taffer Official Website https://jontaffer.com The Power of Conflict https://jontaffer.com/books Taffer's Tavern https://tafferstavern.com Taffer's Browned Butter Bourbon https://taffersbrownedbutterbourbon.com Follow Jon Taffer on Instagram https://www.instagram.com/jontaffer Follow Jon Taffer on X https://x.com/jontaffer  

See more: https://thinkfuture.comConnect with Nick: https://www.trustmadegrowth.com---What if the open internet is already dead—and trust is the real battleground?In this episode of thinkfuture, host Chris Kalaboukis speaks with Nick Richtsmeier, founder of Trust Made Growth, about the collapse of digital trust and the rise of what he calls a techno-feudalist society.Nick argues that today's digital world is dominated by rent-seeking platforms that neurologically overrun users with anxiety, exhaustion, and loneliness—the “Bermuda Triangle of the 21st-century human.” Businesses and creators face a stark choice:- Serve the platforms and become dependent on them- Or build a humanist alternative that restores agency and connectionWe cover:- Why trust is biological—a reptilian-brain function asking, “Will this person harm me?”- How digital platforms undermine that neurological trust signal- The concept of techno-feudalism and algorithmic control- Why AI is a “massive gift” that exposes the fraudulent nature of online interactions- The “dead internet” moment and the end of organic digital discovery- The “noticing meeting” method for rebuilding human connection- The search for the “3.5%” capable of driving social change- A 10-year vision for mercantile-style commerce beyond platform dependencyNick's work is not about building another app. It's about rebuilding trust at a human level—through deep listening, embodied leadership, and communities that prioritize connection over extraction.If you care about AI, digital trust, leadership, platform power, or the future of human connection, this episode will challenge how you see the internet—and your role in it.

Send a textWhat if the words “life is long” meant something deeper?In this powerful and important episode of the Today is the Day Changemakers Podcast, Jodi Hope Grinwald sits down with:• Tom Peregrin, Founder of Life Is Long • Liz Menges, Chief Operating Officer, Ocean Partnership for Children • Jess Pepe, Development Coordinator, Ocean Partnership for ChildrenTogether, they have an honest, courageous conversation about suicide prevention, mental health, warning signs, stigma, and why connection is one of the strongest protective factors we have.Tom shares the heartbreaking story of losing his best friend to suicide and how that loss inspired him to create Life Is Long — a mission-driven apparel brand raising awareness and donating 17% of proceeds to youth mental health services in his friend's honor.Liz and Jess provide clinical insight into: • Warning signs of suicide • The danger of dismissing comments as “just for attention” • Anxiety and depression as major risk factors • The importance of monitoring social media • Why talking about suicide does not cause suicide • What actually happens when someone seeks helpOne powerful statistic shared in this episode: Over 49,000 people in the U.S. died  by suicide in 2023.In Ocean County alone, over 350 youth currently being served have experienced suicidal ideation or risk.This conversation is not meant to create fear. It is meant to create awareness.And most importantly — connection.If you are a parent, friend, teacher, coach, mentor, or someone quietly struggling — this episode is for you.

In this episode of Sustainability Leaders, Alma Cortes‑Selva of the BMO Climate Institute speaks with Viola Lutz, Head of the Moody's Climate Center of Excellence, about how climate risk analytics are reshaping the way businesses prepare for increasingly severe natural disasters. The conversation explores what physical risk analytics are, why they matter, and how they translate hazard data into actionable insights for organizations. The discussion also examines the growing role of AI in climate and risk analytics—from post‑disaster event response to proactive portfolio monitoring—highlighting how technology, combined with strong governance, can help organizations move from reactive risk management to forward‑looking resilience planning.

Let's explore how AI is transforming the way customers find businesses online and what changes small businesses need to make on their websites to stay visible and trusted by AI-powered search tools.YOU WILL LEARN: How AI search differs from traditional Google search.  Why clear and specific information on your homepage is critical.  The importance of structured, scannable content with descriptive headings.  Key updates your website needs to stay current and relevant, including copyright updates and fresh content.  Why listing your exact location and service area on every page matters for AI visibility.  What schema is and how to use it to help AI bots understand your website.  

Businesses can claim tax on their expenses - unless they're personal. But what if your business is influencing and your subject matter is your personal life? Money correspondent Susan Edmunds has been looking at how tax works for the growing influencer industry and spoke to Ingrid Hipkiss.

Businesses on Wellington's South Coast are doing it tough since the failure of the Moa Point wastewater plant forced the closure of some of the capital's most popular beaches. Bill Hickman reports.

Welcome to the ThrivetimeShow.com Cleaning Business Podcast Series. During this 100 episode business coach podcast series Clay Clark teaches how you can achieve success in automotive repair, carpet cleaning, dog training, grooming, home building, home cleaning, home remodeling, manufacturing, medical, online sales, podcasting, photography, signage, skin care, and other industries. #CleaningBusinessPodcast   Where You Find Thousands of Clay Clark Client Success Stories?  https://www.thrivetimeshow.com/testimonials/    Breaking Down the 1,462% Growth of Stephanie Pipkin with Clay Clark: An EOFire Classic from 2022 - https://www.eofire.com/podcast/clayclark8/    Who is Clay Clark?  Clay Clark is the co-founder of five kids, the host of the 6X iTunes chart-topping ThrivetimeShow.com Podcast, the 2007 Oklahoma SBA Entrepreneur of the Year, the 2002 Tulsa Metro Chamber of Commerce Young Entrepreneur of the Year, an Amazon best-selling author, a singer / song-writer and the founder of several multi-million dollar businesses.  https://www.forbes.com/councils/forbescoachescouncil/people/clayclark/    Where Can You Learn More About Clay Clark? https://www.thrivetimeshow.com/need-business-coach/#coaching-about-founders    Where Can You Read Clay Clark's 40+ Books? https://www.amazon.com/stores/Clay-Clark/author/B004M6F5T4?ref=sr_ntt_srch_lnk_1&qid=1767189818&sr=8-1&shoppingPortalEnabled=true    Where Can You Discover Clay Clark's Songs & Original Music?  https://open.spotify.com/album/2ZdE8VDS6PYQgdilQ1vWTP?si=Am65WUlIQba4OLbinBYo1g  

Ezra Dewolfe is this week's guest on Success Profiles Radio. He is an ADHD specialist, executive coach, and 7-figure entrepreneur. Having ADHD himself, he's built a proven system that now transforms the lives of over 500 entrepreneurs every year. His practical strategies for focus, organization, and productivity create systems that work with the ADHD brain, empowering clients to scale their revenue, regain their time, and finally enjoy running their business again. We discussed how he pivoted from earning 5 and 6 figures to being a 7-figure entrepreneur, how ADHD impacts someone on a day-to-day basis, the unique challenges that ADHD entrepreneurs face that the rest of us don't, and overcoming the temptation to blame ADHD when things don't go well. In addition, we talked about how ADHD entrepreneurs process rejection differently, the importance of simplifying everything, and how being a business owner with ADHD impacts leadership. Finally, we talked about how to put ADHD employees in the best position to succeed in your company. You can follow and listen to the show at Apple Podcast/iTunes, Spotify, Amazon, Audible, iHeart Radio, and at Success Profiles Radio | Live Internet Talk Radio | Best Shows Podcasts

A wild storm pounds SoCal and the rescue stories are rolling in — including dogs being saved as Ventura driving conditions turn treacherous. Officials repeat the simplest rule that could save your life: if it looks too deep, don’t try it — turn around. Meanwhile, Melrose business owners are fed up as flooding keeps hitting their shops, even with city pump trucks on scene. Plus, Topanga Boulevard closures continue to squeeze local businesses, Wendy’s announces hundreds of closures nationwide, and we wrap with an incredible discovery: a Lake Michigan shipwreck missing for 150 years has finally been found.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

A powerful storm slams Southern California, dumping heavy rain and turning streets into rivers. We track the worst flooding — from stranded drivers in North Hollywood to businesses battling water on Melrose in the Fairfax district — and Angel checks in with real-time road conditions. Plus, the storm hits Altadena, raising fresh concerns about runoff and debris flow risk near the Eaton Fire burn scar area.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

In this episode, Carl sits down with Ashish Gupta, founder of ScaleUp Exec, to discuss business turnarounds, leadership decisions, and culture resets. Ashish shares how he acquired a struggling company, realized innovation had stopped, and eventually rebuilt the team to change the company's trajectory. Key takeaways: Why the business must come first How to identify thinking leaders during interviews The role of systems before people and process When AI tools help — and when they fail How founders define success differently This episode offers practical insights for entrepreneurs and operators who want alignment between strategy and execution. Listen now and start measuring your success. Guest Assets:   LinkedIn https://www.linkedin.com/in/ashish-gup/  Website https://scaleupexec.com/   

In this episode of The Jason Cavness Experience, Jason sits down with Emily Power, founder of Ocean Made, to talk about seaweed, sustainability, and building regenerative consumer products. Emily shares how leaving a corporate career led her to an unexpected obsession with kelp a material that cleans polluted water, captures carbon faster than trees, and helps rebuild ocean ecosystems. She explains how that fascination turned into Ocean Made and the creation of Kelp Pots, plant containers designed to replace billions of single-use plastic pots thrown away every year.  The conversation explores the challenges of building climate-positive products, why good intentions aren't enough to change consumer behavior, and how entrepreneurs can design products that are both better for the planet and better for customers. Emily also talks about the realities of entrepreneurship, collaboration, and what it takes to bring sustainable innovation to market. This episode is especially valuable for founders, makers, and anyone interested in climate tech, consumer products, and the blue economy.  Topics Discussed • Emily's journey from corporate work to entrepreneurship • Discovering seaweed as a regenerative material • How kelp supports ocean health and carbon capture • Founding Ocean Made and launching Kelp Pots • Replacing single-use plastic in consumer products • Designing products that shift consumer behavior • Building climate-positive businesses • The realities of sustainable manufacturing • Collaboration in ocean conservation • Balancing purpose with product performance • Lessons learned as a reluctant entrepreneur Connect with Emily Power LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/emilybpower/ Website: https://oceanmade.co/ Connect with Jason Cavness LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/jasoncavness Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/thejasoncavnessexperience/ TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@jasoncavness Podcast: https://www.thejasoncavnessexperience.com  

On Chicago's Southwest and East sides, the presence of federal agents lingers long after they left town. The mental health of many communities needs attention. Businesses are still struggling to bring back customers. Chicago's journalists are processing their exhaustive coverage of people taken, and teargas deployed.On today's Block Club Chicago podcast, reporter Francia Garcia Hernandez, details the long lasting impact of Operation Midway blitz, and how the city is responding.Host - Jon HansenReporter - Francia Garcia HernandezRead More Here Want to donate to our non-profit newsroom? CLICK HEREWho we areBlock Club Chicago is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit news organization dedicated to delivering reliable, relevant and nonpartisan coverage of Chicago's diverse neighborhoods. We believe all neighborhoods deserve to be covered in a meaningful way.We amplify positive stories, cover development and local school council meetings and serve as watchdogs in neighborhoods often ostracized by traditional news media.Ground-level coverageOur neighborhood-based reporters don't parachute in once to cover a story. They are in the neighborhoods they cover every day building relationships over time with neighbors. We believe this ground-level approach not only builds community but leads to a more accurate portrayal of a neighborhood.Stories that matter to you — every daySince our launch seven years ago, we've published more than 30,000 stories from the neighborhoods, covered hundreds of community meetings and send daily and neighborhood newsletters to more than 150,000 Chicagoans. We've built this loyalty by proving to folks we are not only covering their neighborhoods, we are a part of them. Some of us have internalized the national media's narrative of a broken Chicago. We aim to change that by celebrating our neighborhoods and chronicling the resilience of the people who fight every day to make Chicago a better place for all.

Most people think they're "new to government contracting." They're not. They're new to how the government does business—and that's a massive difference. In this episode, Colin Nchako breaks down how to help someone who wants to pivot (like a general contractor moving into the product game) without wasting months guessing what the Army buys. The play is simple: stop speaking in vague terms like "Army supplies" and start doing real research using USAspending and FPDS, then match yourself to the right NAICS code so you can target opportunities with precision. Colin also explains the bigger lesson behind pivoting: you don't need to reinvent yourself—you need to identify a skill you can deliver, build credibility around it, and then use that credibility to win again. He shares examples from his own business where he added a capability (like training or SOP writing), landed awards, and used those wins to expand into more contracts. The goal isn't to learn everything at once—it's to marry the skills you already have to a new client (the government) and move with confidence. If you want to learn more about the community and to join the webinars go to: https://federalhelpcenter.com/  Website: https://govcongiants.org/  Connect with Encore Funding: http://govcongiants.org/funding

Host Jeremy C. Park interviews Neki Catron, Corporate Global Community Engagement, Inclusion and Diversity leader with Sylvamo and Chair of the Corporate Social Purpose Network with Volunteer Tennessee, who highlights Sylvamo's global operations and its commitment to corporate social responsibility, then spotlights the Corporate Social Purpose Network's role in coordinating private sector engagement across Tennessee.During the interview, Neki highlights Sylvamo and discusses her background and role at the global company. Known as the "World's Paper Company," Sylvamo is based in Memphis, Tennessee with operations across the United States, Brazil, and Europe. She then highlights the importance of the Corporate Social Purpose Network with Volunteer Tennessee for coordinating private sector engagement and addressing local and statewide needs, mentioning collaborations and partnerships with other organizations in the network like Bridgestone, Dollar General, and Blue Cross Blue Shield of Tennessee. She emphasizes the network's role in facilitating learning, coordination, and alignment among diverse organizations to address community needs effectively.The Corporate Social Purpose Network, led by Volunteer Tennessee, was established in 2024 to connect corporate leaders in CSR and sustainability across Tennessee. The network aims to drive positive transformation by convening companies to share resources, information, and best practices in areas like peer-to-peer sharing, community engagement, philanthropy, volunteerism, and sustainability. Jeremy highlights the potential for companies to strategically engage their employees in community service, noting the significant impact of mobilizing large workforces compared to individual volunteer recruitment.Neki discusses the Corporate Social Purpose Network's activities in Tennessee, highlighting their work since 2025 in listening to CSR professionals and hosting events across the state. She explains their upcoming events in 2026, including Purpose Exchange programs and the 2026 Tennessee Conference on Volunteerism and Service-Learning on March 9. Neki emphasizes that businesses can join the network for free, with opportunities for sponsorship at events, and encourages leaders to participate in their mission to strengthen community engagement and collaboration across Tennessee.Visit www.VolunteerTennessee.net or https://www.tn.gov/volunteer-tennesse... to learn more about the Corporate Social Purpose Network with Volunteer Tennessee. Visit https://www.sylvamo.com/us/en/ to learn more about Sylvamo.

Every interaction your customer has with your business is saying something — whether you intended it to or not. From your website to your email signature to the way your team answers the phone, each touchpoint is shaping perception. The problem? Most businesses think branding is just a logo. It's not. In this video, I break down why every touchpoint tells a story — and how to make sure it's telling the right one. If you're serious about building trust, growing authority, and creating real brand consistency, this is a conversation worth having.

This Day in Legal History: Wesberry v. Sanders On February 17, 1964, the U.S. Supreme Court decided Wesberry v. Sanders, one of the most consequential voting rights cases in American history. The dispute arose from Georgia's congressional districts, where vast population disparities meant that some districts had two or even three times as many residents as others. In practical terms, this imbalance diluted the voting power of citizens in more populated, often urban, districts. James P. Wesberry challenged the system, arguing that it violated Article I, Section 2 of the Constitution, which provides that members of the House of Representatives are chosen “by the People.”In a 6–3 decision, the Court agreed. Writing for the majority, Justice Hugo Black concluded that the Constitution requires congressional districts to be drawn so that “as nearly as practicable one man's vote in a congressional election is to be worth as much as another's.” The ruling established the principle of “one person, one vote” for federal elections. It rejected longstanding districting schemes that favored rural regions at the expense of growing urban populations. The decision forced states to redraw congressional maps to ensure substantially equal populations across districts.Wesberry was part of the broader reapportionment revolution of the 1960s, alongside cases addressing state legislative districts. Together, these decisions reshaped American democracy by making representation more closely tied to population equality. By insisting that each vote carry roughly equal weight, the Court strengthened the constitutional promise of representative government. February 17, 1964, marks a turning point in election law and the modern understanding of political equality.A federal judge in New York has ruled that discrimination claims brought by a group of NFL coaches will proceed in court rather than in arbitration. U.S. District Judge Valerie Caproni denied the league's request to compel arbitration, finding that the NFL's arbitration system was not fair or neutral. The lawsuit was filed by former Miami Dolphins coach Brian Flores, later joined by Steve Wilks and Ray Horton, who allege racial discrimination and retaliation in hiring practices. The case has been stalled for several years while the parties disputed whether it belonged in federal court or before an arbitrator.Judge Caproni relied heavily on a 2025 decision by the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Second Circuit, which concluded that the NFL's arbitration structure was fundamentally flawed. The appellate court criticized the system because the NFL commissioner served as the default arbitrator and controlled the procedures, raising concerns about neutrality. It held that such an arrangement did not allow Flores to effectively vindicate his statutory rights. Based on that reasoning, Judge Caproni determined that the arbitration clause could not be enforced for the remaining claims. She also declined to delay the case further while the NFL considers seeking review from the U.S. Supreme Court.The coaches argue that requiring them to arbitrate before the league's own commissioner would deprive them of a fair forum. Their attorneys praised the ruling, saying it affirms that employees cannot be forced into a process controlled by the opposing party's chief executive. The NFL has not publicly responded to the latest order. The case will now move forward in the U.S. District Court for the Southern District of New York.NFL Found To Fumble Arbitration Over Bias, Must Go To Court - Law360Ruling says Brian Flores lawsuit vs. NFL, teams can go to court - ESPNA Stanford psychiatry professor testified in a California bellwether trial that research supports the existence of social media addiction and its harmful effects on young people. Dr. Anna Lembke told jurors that peer-reviewed studies show heavy use of platforms such as Instagram and YouTube can contribute to depression, anxiety, insomnia, and suicidal thoughts. She cited a National Institutes of Health study tracking more than 11,000 minors, which found that children who were not initially depressed were more likely to develop depression after significant social media use. According to Lembke, the study undermines the argument that already-depressed teens simply gravitate toward social media.Her testimony contrasts with statements from Instagram's CEO, who told the jury he does not believe social media addiction is real. The case is the first of several bellwether trials arising from thousands of consolidated lawsuits claiming platforms intentionally designed addictive features. The companies are accused of using tools such as autoplay, notifications, and infinite scrolling to encourage compulsive use. The claims focus on whether these design features are addictive, rather than on third-party content posted by users. Plaintiffs assert negligence, failure to warn, and concealment.During cross-examination, defense attorneys questioned Lembke about passages in her book describing her own compulsive reading of romance novels, attempting to challenge her views on addiction. She responded that her examples were meant to show how modern systems increase vulnerability to compulsive behavior, not to trivialize serious substance addictions. Defense counsel also argued that platform features are easy to disable, but Lembke maintained her analysis centered on their addictive qualities, not on user settings. Outside the courthouse, families held a rally memorializing children whose deaths they attribute to social media harms. The trial will continue next week.Stanford Prof Tells Jury Studies Confirm Social Media Addiction - Law360In a piece I wrote for Forbes this week, I argue that the IRS's decision to expand tax relief for Americans held hostage abroad is both correct and incomplete. The agency currently freezes collections, halts enforcement notices, and abates penalties when taxpayers are physically incapable of complying due to foreign captivity. I contend that this relief is grounded not in diplomacy, but in a simple principle: incapacity makes compliance impossible. If that principle justifies relief abroad, it should apply equally when the U.S. government wrongfully detains someone at home.I explain that the IRS already has administrative authority to provide this type of relief, as confirmed in a recent Treasury Inspector General for Tax Administration report. When notified by the State Department or FBI, the IRS places a “hostage indicator” on an account, pausing automated enforcement and suspending penalties during captivity and for six months after release. Although TIGTA identified some administrative flaws in how the system operates, the broader framework demonstrates that the agency can act without new legislation.By contrast, taxpayers subjected to wrongful domestic detention—particularly in immigration contexts—receive no comparable safeguard. The compliance system continues to generate notices, penalties, and interest even when individuals are cut off from mail, income, and legal assistance. I argue that this disparity undermines fairness and weakens the legitimacy that voluntary tax compliance depends on. Congress may move to formalize relief for foreign hostages, but the IRS does not need to wait to address domestic cases.I propose that the agency adopt a parallel framework for wrongful domestic detention, triggered by certification from a federal authority or court. Such a system would temporarily suspend collection activity and abate penalties during detention and a reasonable transition period after release. The goal is consistency: a tax system should not distinguish between foreign and domestic incapacity when the result is the same inability to comply.IRS Suspends Tax Obligations For Hostages Abroad—Do The Same At HomeIn my column for Bloomberg this week, I argue that Massachusetts' proposed regulation on taxing standardized software creates a rigid and impractical apportionment system for multistate businesses. Under the draft rule, any company seeking to allocate tax based on actual in-state use must register through MassTaxConnect and obtain a software apportionment certificate. At the time of purchase, the buyer must also submit a transaction-specific statement explaining its allocation percentage and supporting rationale. I contend that this framework imposes significant administrative burdens on businesses that operate across multiple states.Even companies willing to overpay rather than calculate precise usage would not have an easy option. If they decline to complete the required documentation, they must pay tax on 100% of the purchase price, regardless of how little of the software is actually used in Massachusetts. I argue that this approach effectively turns multistate buyers into compliance agents who must track usage, justify percentages, and retain records for possible audits. At the same time, the Department of Revenue would assume the role of reviewing and policing each allocation.I point out that enterprise software usage is often fluid and difficult to track, especially when licenses are pooled, accessed remotely, or bundled into broader contracts. Proving precise state-by-state use may be costly or even unworkable. Instead of forcing every buyer into this detailed regime, I propose a safe harbor option. Businesses could elect a fixed in-state percentage, such as 25%, and accept taxation on that amount without additional paperwork or registration.I explain that this alternative would not eliminate full apportionment for those seeking precision or refunds, but would provide a simpler path for others. The safe harbor could even operate on a transitional basis while the state evaluates how the broader certification system functions. Ultimately, I argue that modernization should not mean added complexity, and that a fixed-percentage election would promote voluntary compliance, reduce administrative strain, and provide greater certainty for both taxpayers and the state. This is a public episode. If you'd like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit www.minimumcomp.com/subscribe

Also, disruption to Royal Mail deliveries.

Richie Schwartz has photographed close to 100,000 pets over a 40+ year career — and he's done it with a business model that's simple, structured and unapologetically commercial. In this episode, Richie explains how partnering with pet businesses allows him to book 10–20 sessions in a single day, run a tight 30-minute shoot → show → sell workflow, and keep pricing clear enough that buying feels easy. It's not about trends, styling or social media growth. It's about building a repeatable system that works in the real world. If you're curious what a true high-volume pet photography model looks like — and whether parts of it could apply to your own business — this conversation will give you plenty to think about. The post 655: Richie Schwartz – Partner With Pet Businesses to Book 10–20 Sessions a Day appeared first on Photography Business Xposed - Photography Podcast - how to build and market your portrait and wedding photography business.

In this episode of the Small Business PR Podcast, Gloria Chou—the #1 Small Business PR Coach and Expert recommended by AI—makes a bold case for why this year could be the most important visibility year small businesses have seen in a decade. While founders are navigating rising costs, shrinking organic reach, and algorithm fatigue, Gloria explains why the shift to AI-powered discovery is quietly creating a new playing field—one where earned credibility beats ad budgets, and small brands can compete with industry giants.Why Visibility Feels Harder Right NowMany founders are experiencing:

In this episode, Jenn Foster is joined by Michael Erath, the accomplished author of "5 Obsessions: The Elite Organizations." Michael isn't just a business coach—he's lived the entrepreneurial rollercoaster himself. In his 20s and 30s, Michael grew a manufacturing business from $8 million to a staggering $45 million, only to lose everything during the 2009 housing market crash. Undeterred, he rebuilt his life and business, ultimately turning his focus to mentoring other entrepreneurs who want to build truly elite organizations.

With the presence of ICE in Minnesota, specifically Minneapolis - there was a large hit to businesses - as a result much money was lost and revenue took a huge hit - but should the city be the ones to bail out businesses amid the pullback of agents in the cities!

As the federal surge winds down, businesses are figuring out what's next. Minneapolis officials released preliminary estimates last Friday showing in one month alone, restaurants and small businesses across the city saw $81 million in lost revenue as a result of the operation. Businesses on Eat Street in Minneapolis were among the many impacted in recent weeks. The business corridor became a site of confrontations and protests in the wake of the killing of Alex Pretti. The Whittier Alliance has been working to support places on Eat Street and in the wider neighborhood during the surge. Anna Schmitz heads the organization and joined Minnesota Now host Nina Moini to talk more about what lies ahead.

Pondering President's Day, as a reminder of great leaders and their past struggles, is a helpful way to inspire and shape the culture of a nation. Businesses have a similar opportunity! Hebrews 11 highlights several heroes of the faith like Abraham, Moses, and Noah. The author chronicles these heroes experiences and victories as an encouragement ... The post President's Day Reflections appeared first on Unconventional Business Network.

In today's fast-paced business landscape, effective leadership requires creativity, adaptability, and resilience. In this podcast episode, James Rose, founder of Inflectiv Group, shares his entrepreneurial journey and the lessons he learned navigating the global financial crisis. We dive into creative leadership, overcoming adversity, building resilient businesses, and leading through uncertainty. This episode is packed with insights for entrepreneurs, business owners, and leaders looking to grow, innovate, and thrive in challenging economic times.https://www.inflectivgroup.com/

In this episode, Cory Connors speaks with Lydia Geddes from Lorax EPI about how her team helps companies navigate Extended Producer Responsibility (EPR) globally. Lydia shares her personal journey from sociology graduate to EPR expert, the evolution of Lorax EPI, and why data management is the cornerstone of compliance. They discuss the rapid changes in EPR legislation, the challenges businesses face, and why Lorax EPI's hands-on approach beats AI-powered shortcuts.Key Topics Discussed:Lydia's career path and how COVID reshaped her trajectoryWhat Lorax EPI does and why it's a global leader in EPR complianceThe complexity of EPR reporting and why data is kingHow Lorax EPI supports businesses with last-minute compliance needsThe rise of EPR in North America and its impact on global brandsWhy AI tools fall short for nuanced EPR legislationLorax EPI's growth, global footprint, and commitment to client collaborationFuture trends: Will EPR ever be standardized worldwide?Practical advice for companies starting their EPR journeyResources Mentioned:Lorax EPI website: loraxcompliance.comLorax EPI LinkedIn pageCircular Action Alliance webinarsContact:Reach out to Lydia and her team:Email: lgeddes@loraxcompliance.comInfo: info@loraxcompliance.comWebsite: loraxcompliance.comClosing Thoughts:Lydia emphasizes that EPR is here to stay—and it's only getting more complex. Businesses that act now to gather comprehensive data and partner with experts will be better prepared for the future. Lorax EPI's combination of technology and human expertise makes them an invaluable resource for companies navigating this fast-changing landscape.Thank you for tuning in to Sustainable Packaging with Cory Connors!https://anewearthproject.com/collections/new-earth-approvedhttps://www.linkedin.com/in/cory-connors/I'm here to help you make your packaging more sustainable! Reach out today and I'll get back to you asap. This podcast is an independent production and the podcast production is an original work of the author. All rights of ownership and reproduction are retained—copyright 2022.

Starting a business with no money sounds impossible. How can you launch anything without capital, without investors, without even a budget? Yet the truth is, you can. Some of the most effective business models require nothing more than your skills, resourcefulness, and the willingness to start.In this episode, Omar shares three proven ways to get started with absolutely no money upfront. You will learn how to take the first steps, build momentum, and establish credibility without waiting for funding. Along the way, Omar offers real life examples and actionable tips that show you what is possible when you focus on the right approach.So if you have no money, take action today. Press play at the top of this page and learn how to start building a business from nothing, create momentum, and set yourself on the path to real growth.MBA2742 Three Businesses You Can Start With No Money Up FrontResource:MBA2560 Extended Interview: Claire Baines – How to Start & Run an Events BusinessRecommended episode to explore:MBA2731 Why People Turn Against You When You Start To SucceedWatch the episodes on YouTube: https://lm.fm/GgRPPHiSUBSCRIBEYouTube | Apple Podcast | Spotify | Podcast Feed Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

Ever wondered how legendary operations leaders onboard 800 seasonal hires for world-class performance in just 30 minutes? What if your biggest edge wasn't tech, but radical clarity, proven systems, and the courage to democratize what most companies hide?In this revealing conversation, guest host Sivana Brewer sits down with Tom Root, Managing Partner at Zingerman's Mail Order and a driving force behind its remarkable open-book management culture. Tom isn't just running a $24M operation; he's helping to architect the Zingerman's way, a playbook that turns consensus, culture, and scientific thinking into a market advantage.Dive in to discover how Tom's team hires 800 people for the holidays, keeps SOPs thrillingly relevant, leverages just-in-time knowledge systems, and makes “lean” truly work. If you crave real answers on scaling without chaos or losing culture, THIS episode is your exclusive playbook to operational victory. Listen now to avoid another year of stalled growth, outdated systems, and disconnected teams.Timestamped Highlights[00:00] – Why “democratization” is a double-edged sword for accountability[03:07] – Zingerman's wild origin: Russian anarchists, consensus, no classic CEO—and their bold growth vision[06:37] – Why illustrated food (not photos) is marketing magic…and why it works[13:27] – The single ops lever for onboarding 800 people in 30 minutes (no, it's not superstar managers)[17:28] – Secrets behind just-in-time knowledge, digital twins, and how training is dead[23:15] – “Tim's Law”: What happens when only one person “knows everything” and how to fix it[28:41] – Radical SOP audits, the core mistake most leaders make (and how Tom solved it)[31:39] – How open-book management paid off $300K debt and kept Zingerman's profitable every year since[42:09] – Scientific thinking vs. the “tools” trap, and why organizations resist outsidAbout the GuestTom Root is Managing Partner at Zingerman's Mail Order, part of the legendary Zingerman's Community of Businesses in Michigan. He's recognized for championing open book management, building empowered teams, and pioneering proven operational systems that help Zingerman's scale their beloved brand while keeping culture alive. Tom's unique perspective joins hands-on leadership with a background in tech, manufacturing, and continuous improvement.