Podcasts about Capital One

Lucy Barnard is an Australian adventurer walking the length of the Americas, a years long expedition from Argentina to Alaska she began in 2017. Along the way, she adopted a blue heeler named Wombat, and together they navigate deserts, mountains, jungles, and remote terrain on foot. By 2026, Lucy had reached northern British Columbia, steadily continuing north toward Alaska. Connect with Lucy:  Website Instagram  YouTube Thank you to our sponsors:  Capital One and the REI Co-op® Mastercard® Benchmade Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

#284: Chris breaks down the credit card benefits that save real money but rarely get attention, from getting a cracked iPhone repaired for free to purchase protections, travel coverage, and a deep bench of lesser-known perks. Learn exactly which card to reach for on every purchase, so you're always covered and never leaving money on the table. Link to Full Show Notes: https://chrishutchins.com/hidden-credit-card-benefits-2026/ Partner Deals Fora: Become a Fora Advisor today Bilt Rewards: ⁠Earn the most valuable points when you pay rent Mercury: Help your business grow with simplified finances Quince: Affordable luxury essentials with free shipping + 365 day returns LMNT: ⁠Free sample pack of my favorite electrolyte drink mix For all the deals, discounts and promo codes from our partners, go to: ⁠chrishutchins.com/deals Resources Mentioned Tools & Apps CardPointers: 30% off (50% off for ATH Members) GigSky The Cultivist Benefit Programs Sapphire Tables (via OpenTable) Resy Mastercard Priceless Visa Universal Studios discounts SoFar Sounds Troon Rewards Discover Cash at Checkout Amex Venmo Send and Split ATH Podcast Ep #66: Rental Cars: Saving Money, Avoiding Fees and All the Secret Tricks with Jonathan Weinberg Ep #113: Unlocking the Power of Plastic: Maximizing Your Hidden Credit Card Benefits Ep #221: Deep Dive on Credit Reports, Scores, and Their Real-World Impact Ep #224: Airport Lounges: Getting In, Hidden Perks and Expert Tips with Kevin Song Ep #283: Do You Actually Need Travel Insurance? Hotel Upgrade Program Best Cards Page Gift Cards Page Newsletter AMA: Submit Questions Leave a review: Apple Podcasts | Spotify Email for questions, hacks, deals, and feedback: podcast@chrishutchins.com Full Show Notes (00:00) Introduction (02:15) Purchase Benefits Overview (02:36) Purchase Protection: Coverage for Damaged or Stolen Items (05:15) How Extended Warranty Protection Works (06:36) Return Protection for Items Stores Won't Take Back (07:55) When Price Protection Can Save You Money (12:27) Travel Benefits Overview (12:46) Trip Cancellation & Interruption Insurance (13:22) Trip Delay Coverage (13:47) Delayed Luggage Reimbursement (14:04) Lost and Damaged Bag Insurance (16:01) Rental Car Coverage: Primary vs. Secondary Insurance (21:37) Emergency Medical Coverage While Traveling (22:54) Non-Emergency Medical and Dental Coverage (23:22) What Travel Accident Insurance Actually Covers (23:53) Lounge Access Across Issuers and Networks (25:06) Booking the Luxury Hotel Collections for Free Perks (29:34) Free International Data and Roaming Benefits (31:46) Global Entry, TSA PreCheck & Trusted Traveler Credits (32:29) Cell Phone Protection Benefits (35:12) How to Maximize Card-Linked Offers (36:16) Automating Card-Linked Offers With CardPointers (37:26) What Credit Card Concierge Services Can Actually Do (38:49) Free Credit Scores and Credit Monitoring Tools (40:06) The Chase Instacart Benefit (and How to Stack It) (45:18) The Chase DoorDash Benefit (47:31) Exclusive Restaurant Reservation Programs (48:30) American Express Uber Benefits (49:14) Lyft Perks for Mastercard Holders (49:43) Capital One Entertainment and Drink Benefits (50:24) Free Museum Access With Bank of America and Capital One (52:22) Experience and Entertainment Programs (54:11) Getting Cash Out of Your Credit Card Benefits (55:50) Instant Approval and Virtual Card Numbers (58:02) Visa Network Benefits Worth Knowing (59:26) Mastercard Network Perks: Transit, Peacock, Airport Fast Track & Soho Friends Connect with Chris ⁠⁠Newsletter⁠⁠ | ⁠Membership⁠⁠ | ⁠X⁠⁠ | ⁠Instagram⁠⁠ | ⁠LinkedIn⁠⁠ Editor's Note: The content on this page is accurate as of the posting date; however, some of our partner offers may have expired. Opinions expressed here are the author's alone, not those of any bank, credit card issuer, hotel, airline, or other entity. This content has not been reviewed, approved or otherwise endorsed by any of the entities included within the post. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

In June 2025, 15 year old Indigenous kayaker Tasia Linwood paddled 310 miles from southern Oregon to the Northern California coast. She became one of the first people in over a century to complete the full Klamath River after the largest dam removal in U.S. history.Connect with Tasia:  Watch: First Descent: Kayaking the Klamath River after the largest dam removal in U.S. history Support Paddle Tribal Waters: https://www.tattoo34pdx.com/ptw Thank you to our sponsors:  Capital One and the REI Co-op® Mastercard® Benchmade Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

SummerStage marks its 40th anniversary this year. New York Times reporter Ben Sisario reflects on the history of the concert series and listeners share their memories. Photo by Sean Drakes/Getty Images: Dyane Harvey performs during the Clark Center for the Performing Arts 60th Anniversary Tribute as part of SummerStage presented by Capital One at Marcus Garvey Park on August 15, 2019 in New York City.  Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

Episode 177 of the Award Travel 101 podcast featured Angie Sparks and Cameron Laufer discussing a variety of points-and-miles developments, along with a relatable highlight post from member Melissa about unexpectedly helping a 20-year-old replace a totaled car. While everyone was safe, the experience led to another large purchase charged to a Capital One card, adding to a family history that includes eight vehicle purchases since 2020. The hosts also covered several notable news items, including the end of the Chase Sapphire Reserve's 150,000-point welcome offer, a new 200,000-point bonus on the Sapphire Reserve Business card, elevated 100,000-point offers on the Ink Cash and Ink Unlimited cards, a 30% Chase-to-Virgin transfer bonus, and the announcement that Philippine Airlines will join Oneworld next year. They also discussed reports that American Express may soon restrict Resy dining credits to restaurants specifically marked as eligible within the Resy app.The main topic focused on the refreshed Chase Sapphire Preferred card. New benefits include 3x points on gas and EV charging, 3x points on vacation rentals through brands such as Airbnb and Vrbo, a Global Entry/TSA PreCheck/NEXUS credit every four years, a complimentary year of Apple TV+, an increased annual hotel credit, and enhanced travel protections, all while maintaining the $95 annual fee. However, the biggest change for award travelers is the reduced Hyatt transfer ratio for Sapphire Preferred cardholders, moving from 1:1 to 4:3. Angie and Cameron explored the implications, noting that while Hyatt loyalists may find the change disappointing, the card still offers strong value for beginners and those who primarily use Ultimate Rewards with other transfer partners. They also discussed alternatives such as upgrading to the Sapphire Reserve, utilizing Bilt points for Hyatt transfers, or making a speculative transfer of Ultimate Rewards points to Hyatt before the new ratio takes effect.The episode wrapped up with personal updates and strategy discussions. Angie shared that ChatGPT helped her compare transportation options and ultimately choose a Swiss Rail Pass for an upcoming trip, while also finalizing plans for Morocco. Cameron reviewed several flight options for Greece, weighing the value of different award redemptions and routing choices. The hosts concluded with a practical travel tip: always place your wallet, keys, purse, shoes, and other essentials in the same spot each night while traveling. A recent hotel fire experienced by friends reinforced how valuable this simple habit can be when an emergency requires a quick evacuation.Episode Links:Chase Ink Business Cards New OfferChase Sapphire Reserve Biz New OfferChase Sapphire Preferred RefreshPhilippine Airlines Joins OneworldAmex Resy ChangesChase to Virgin Transfer BonusWhere to Find UsThe Award Travel 101 Facebook Community.To book time with our team, check out Award Travel 1-on-1.You can also email us at 101@award.travelBuy your Award Travel 101 Merch hereReserve tickets to our Late Summer 2026 Meetup in Milwaukee now. award.travel/mke2026Our partner CardPointers helps us get the most from our cards. Signup today at https://cardpointers.com/at101 for a 30% discount on annual and lifetime subscriptions! Lastly, we appreciate your support of the AT101 Podcast/Community when you signup for your next card!Technical note: Some user experience difficulty streaming the podcast while connected to a VPN. If you have difficulty, disconnect from your VPN.  

Stephan Bredell – CEO and co-founder, Platō Coffee SAfm Market Update - Podcasts and live stream

In this episode, Gordon speaks with Dominic Grounsell, Chief Revenue Officer at the UK Post Office, about a career shaped by transformation, curiosity and a relentless focus on impact.From starting out at Unilever, where he learned the foundations of brand marketing, to building data-driven growth models at BT and Capital One, Dominic shares how each industry shift sharpened his understanding of what really drives performance: clarity, accountability and customer impact.The conversation explores why great marketing now sits at the intersection of creativity and analytics, how digital businesses have changed the speed of experimentation and why AI and data are reshaping how companies understand and serve customers.Tune in for a conversation on transformation, data and what it really takes to build brands in a world that changes by the second.

Want to Start or Grow a Successful Business? Schedule a FREE 13-Point Assessment with Clay Clark Today At: www.ThrivetimeShow.com   Join Clay Clark's Thrivetime Show Business Workshop!!! Learn Branding, Marketing, SEO, Sales, Workflow Design, Accounting & More. **Request Tickets & See Testimonials At: www.ThrivetimeShow.com  **Request Tickets Via Text At (918) 851-0102   See the Thousands of Success Stories and Millionaires That Clay Clark Has Helped to Produce HERE: https://www.thrivetimeshow.com/testimonials/ Download A Millionaire's Guide to Become Sustainably Rich: A Step-by-Step Guide to Become a Successful Money-Generating and Time-Freedom Creating Business HERE: www.ThrivetimeShow.com/Millionaire   See Thousands of Case Studies Today HERE: www.thrivetimeshow.com/does-it-work/  

Liam Garner is a long distance cyclist who set out at 17 to bike from Prudhoe Bay, Alaska to Ushuaia, Argentina, completing nearly 20,000 miles and becoming the youngest person to ride the length of the Americas. Now, Liam is continuing his global cycling journey, riding roughly 15,000 miles from Portugal through Europe, the Middle East, and Asia toward Singapore as part of his goal to bike across every continent. Connect with Liam:  TikTok Instagram Thank you to our sponsors:  Capital One and the REI Co-op® Mastercard® AeroPress Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

Shawn Osborne Jun 9, 2026, 8:08 PM (6 days ago) to me Today on The Liberty Blues libertarian candidate for US Senate from Arkansas Jeff Wadlin Jeff Wadlin chose Arkansas. He was born in Richmond, Virginia, and moved around a lot growing up — Illinois, Arizona, North Carolina. But when it came time to plant roots and raise a family, Jeff picked Bentonville. His three sons are growing up here. This is home. Jeff is not a career politician. He is a builder. He studied aerospace and mechanical engineering at the University of Virginia, went to work for Caterpillar, earned an MBA from Northwestern, and spent the rest of his career making things run. He co-founded a company in Illinois that became the largest online salvage yard for auto parts in the country. He worked at Capital One's headquarters in Virginia. He launched his own product development company. He ran Membership nationwide at Sam's Club here in Bentonville. Then he left to build his own consulting business. Big companies, small companies — Jeff has done both. He has led teams, made payroll, sat across the table from customers, and learned the hard way that a good idea isn't worth much until somebody executes it. You have to listen. You have to solve real problems for real people. That's the work Jeff knows how to do. Outside of work, you'll find Jeff on a mountain bike or a motorcycle, out on a backpacking trail, in the gym, or at a poker table. He is a regular guy who has been blessed with a good education, a strong family, and enough road behind him now to want to give something back. And that's why he is running. Jeff is worried about where this country is headed, and he thinks a lot of Arkansans are too. Families are working as hard as they ever have and still feel like they're falling behind. Young people are starting to wonder if the American Dream is even on the table for them. Parents and grandparents keep asking the same quiet question: what kind of country are we handing the next generation? Those aren't abstractions to Jeff. He feels them at his own kitchen table. When he thinks about whether his kids will get to build the kind of life he got to build, it's personal. Jeff doesn't think we fix any of this by yelling louder, hating our neighbors, or treating politics like permanent team warfare. His faith teaches him that God is love — that we are called to love our neighbors even when we disagree. That isn't weakness. It's telling the truth with humility, standing firm on what you believe, and remembering that the people across from you are not your enemies. Jeff's principles are simple: love, truth, work, and sacrifice. He believes government should leave you alone unless you're harming someone else — physically or financially. He believes every working family deserves a fair shot at a good life. And he believes Washington needs more adults in the room: more builders, more problem-solvers, and fewer politicians who profit from keeping us divided. Jeff has stepped into the arena before, running for Justice of the Peace, City Council, and a bid for the Libertarian nomination for U.S. House in 2018. He hasn't won yet, but that's about to change. Public service is worth the effort, even when the odds are long. Jeff is running for U.S. Senate because he wants to help build a country where hardworking Arkansans — and our kids and grandkids — can live freely, work hard, raise their families, build something of their own, and believe in the future again. Jeff chose Arkansas. Now he is asking Arkansas to choose him. This will be an episode of liberty blues.

Lindsay Branham is an environmental psychologist exploring how we build deeper, more reciprocal relationships with nature. Her work invites us to go beyond simply spending time outside and consider what it might look like to truly listen and even communicate with trees. Connect with Lindsay:  Website  Instagram Purchase Lindsay's book, Heartwood: The Wisdom and Healing Kinship of Trees  Thank you to our sponsors:  Capital One and the REI Co-op® Mastercard® Ocean Bottle Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

Have you ever wondered why Capital One's approval decisions feel completely random - approval for some, denial for others, with almost no rhyme or reason?   Capital One has a well-earned reputation for being unpredictable with credit card approvals. When Katie from Katie's Travel Tricks saw the launch of the new Capital One Business Venture card, she decided to move beyond anecdotes and collect real data. She surveyed her audience about their approval and denial experiences, gathered nearly 150 responses, and analyzed the patterns using data to answer the questions everyone has been asking: what actually matters to Capital One?   Katie and I break down what her data revealed about the three strongest approval predictors, why the conventional wisdom about waiting six months between Capital One applications might not be accurate, which metrics matter (credit score, hard inquiries, pre-approval status) and which ones surprisingly don't, and how business structure (sole proprietor versus LLC) impacts your approval chances. We also discuss what role the Capital One Business Venture Card plays in your overall rewards strategy and how to think about it within the larger Capital One ecosystem.   Get full show notes and transcript: https://pointmetofirstclass.com/capital-one-approvals-data       Eager to learn the secrets of award travel so that you can turn your expenses into unforgettable experiences? Join the Points Made Easy course waitlist here: https://pointmetofirstclass.com/pointsmadeeasy  

Jason Kutasi is the founder and CEO of SkyHouse, a performance marketing agency that managed $50M in ad spend for 2025 - its first full year of business. He's driven roughly $500M in advertising over his career and built a children's book publisher acquired by Scholastic and a digital marketing platform acquired by Capital One.  Jason specializes in copywriting, funnel analytics, and scaling high-growth DTC and telemedicine brands.Highlight Bullets> Here's a glimpse of what you would learn…. E-commerce growth strategies and challenges.Comparison of selling on Amazon versus Shopify.Importance of average order value (AOV) in scaling advertising.Strategies to increase AOV, such as product bundling and premium versions.The role of TikTok and other platforms in e-commerce marketing.Managing advertising campaigns and the balance between creative volume and quality.The significance of agency versus in-house marketing teams.The impact of AI on marketing and the importance of human expertise.Insights on effective copywriting and video content in advertising.The future of e-commerce marketing and the evolving landscape of digital advertising.In this episode of the E-comm Breakthrough Podcast, host Josh Hadley speaks with Jason Kutasi, CEO of Skyhouse, about scaling e-commerce brands. They discuss the importance of average order value (AOV), emphasizing that brands need at least $60 in margin to run profitable paid ads. Jason contrasts Amazon-first versus Shopify-first strategies, recommends bundling and subscriptions to boost AOV, and advises starting with freelancers before scaling with agencies and in-house teams. They also explore Meta advertising, creative quality versus volume, and how AI augments—but doesn't replace—skilled marketers and copywriters.Here are the 3 action items that Josh identified from this episode:Fix Your AOV Before Scaling Ads Don't run paid ads until your average order value and margins can support CAC. Aim for $60+ margin per order using bundles, upsells, or subscriptions.Build on Shopify, Use Amazon as a Bonus Channel Prioritize DTC (Shopify) to control pricing, data, and AOV—then layer Amazon as an incremental revenue stream, not your foundation.Test Creatives Broadly, Then Double Down on Winners Launch multiple ad variations quickly, identify what works, and scale only high-performing creatives with better production and audience targeting.Timestamps:00:00:00 Introduction to the AOV ProblemJason Kutasi explains that Amazon sellers often struggle to scale on other platforms due to a low Average Order Value.00:00:34 Host & Guest IntroductionHost Josh Hadley introduces the episode's topic and guest Jason Kutasi, founder and CEO of performance marketing agency Skyhouse.00:02:26 Amazon vs. Shopify MindsetA discussion on the two primary approaches to starting an e-commerce business and the challenges faced by Amazon-first brands.00:03:39 The $60 Margin RuleJason explains why brands need at least $60 in margin to profitably acquire customers on paid ad platforms like Meta.00:04:37 Strategies to Increase AOVActionable ways to increase Average Order Value, including creating sister brands, bundling products, and offering aggressive subscription models.00:07:56 The "Shopify First" AdvantageThe benefits of a higher AOV, which provides more margin to scale advertising across multiple channels beyond Amazon PPC.00:10:30 Why You Must Be OmnichannelJason argues that Shopify brands should sell on Amazon to avoid losing customers who prefer to purchase there.00:14:01 Case Study: A Massive Meta Ad WinJason details a recent successful video ad campaign that scaled to thousands of orders in a single weekend.00:20:04 Navigating Meta's Andromeda UpdateA discussion on Meta's shift to creative-driven campaigns and the strategy of slicing avatars for better, more stable performance.00:23:34 Agency vs. In-House TeamsJason breaks down when to hire a freelancer, an agency, or build an in-house team for your marketing efforts.00:29:13 Why Most Marketing Agencies FailJason shares his experience with underperforming agencies and what brand owners should look for when hiring one.00:33:28 Building an In-House Team Alongside an AgencyThe importance of building an internal team to de-risk your business and test new offers before scaling with an agency.00:36:38 The Future of E-commerce and AIJason predicts AI will commoditize ad creation, making predictive modeling and data-driven rules the new competitive edge.00:41:42 AI as a Human AmplifierAI won't replace skilled marketers but will augment their abilities, allowing them to perform at a much higher level.00:44:43 Three Actionable TakeawaysThe host summarizes the episode's key lessons: fix your AOV, build in-house, and leverage AI with smart people.00:49:33 Jason's Final RecommendationsJason shares his most influential book, favorite AI tool (Claude Code), and a respected figure in the e-commerce space.Resources mentioned in this episode:Josh Hadley on LinkedIneComm Breakthrough ConsultingeComm Breakthrough PodcastEmail Josh Hadley: Josh@eCommBreakthrough.comTools and Websites"Amazon": "00:02:26""Shopify": "00:02:26""Meta (Facebook/Instagram Ads)": "00:02:56""Google Ads": "00:02:56""YouTube Ads": "00:02:56""TikTok": "00:06:23""PayPal": "00:11:49""Apple Pay": "00:11:49""Google Pay": "00:11:49""Shop Pay": "00:11:49""Claude Code": "00:50:05""Meta": "00:38:16"Books"The E-Myth by Michael E. Gerber": "00:00:56""Cash Flow": "00:49:36"Videos"Video Ads": "00:14:01"Notable Mentions / People"Skyhouse (Jason Kutasi's performan...

One week away from the Obama Presidential Center's June 19 opening, Crain's reporter John Pletz previews the museumwith host Amy Guth. Plus: O'Hare gate shuffle gives American an edge — and trims United's lead, Foundry Park slated for $202 million in TIF money for roads and parks, Capital One cuts nearly 300 jobs in fourth round of Discover layoffs and Pritzker moves to end data-center incentives. Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

How has SAS Eurobonus award availability been in the months since the Million Mile Madness challenge? What's the single best card for your "player two"? We answered these questions and more on the Ask Us Anything hosted live on YouTube on June 3rd, 2026.(00:38) - How many backup flights do you have booked at any one time, and how many fees does that incur? (04:43) - Has Greg tried/considered applying for a Discover card as a way to get “in” with Capital One since he has been unable to get approved for Capital One cards in the past? (06:05) - ​How has SAS Eurobonus award availability been in the months since the Million Mile Madness challenge? Any regrets? Learn more about the Million Mile Madness challenge here.(09:15) - ​​Given all the hotel devaluations which now includes Hyatt, which hotel points would you recommend accumulating? Seems every chain wants lots of points for a room. Learn about the decreased Hilton point value here(16:01) - What's a single best card for "P2" (player two)? (23:24) - Should Chase Rapid Reward credit card holders EVER book something above Choice fares if you don't care about the multiplier? (26:11) - How do you redeem Bilt cash for grub hub, walgreens and the $25 dining? (32:47) - Hilton Honors American Express Aspire Card annual fee just posted today but still haven't received the free night certificate. I was planning to downgrade to surpass, when can I expect it, if it takes more than 30 days will I still get annual fee refund? (34:36) - ​​I want to fly Cathay Pacific First Class between Chicago and Hong Kong, either way or both works. I'm extremely flexible and can probably come up with enough points in any currency. How do I find it? Find our "Which award search tool is best?" resource here(36:57) - ​I'm applying for my first mortgage soon. While my credit score is fine, I'm a bit worried about having to explain my long laundry list of credit card accounts thanks to this crazy hobby. Should I be? (41:24) - ​​So what are your favorite choices for virtually undiscovered islands similar to Koh Kood that lack the crowds but still have things to do (50:38) - What airline programs should be avoided due to poor customer service? I try to book when flights come out, which means there are often schedule changes that can be a problem/opportunity.Subscribe and FollowVisit https://frequentmiler.com/subscribe/ to get updated on in-depth points and miles content like this, and don't forget to like and follow us on social media.Music Credit – “swappin' back n' forth” by up @ night Mentioned in this episode:Check out all of our other travel podcasts from around the worldThis podcast is part of Voyascape, a podcast network that brings together the world's best travel podcasts. You can find all of our podcasts from around the world at Voyascape.com. If you are interested in advertising or sponsored content on any of our shows you can find out more at the link below.Voyascape Podcast NetworkFrequent Miler's Best Offers Pagehttps://frequentmiler.com/best-credit-card-offers/

Our show is best watched on YouTube:https://go.www.letsgettothepoints.com/ChasevsCapOneIt's a battle of the cards! We compare the Chase Sapphire and Capital One Venture credit cards. We'll break down annual fees, welcome offers, earning rates, key benefits, and our recommendations to help you decide which card is best for your points and miles strategy.Earn more points and miles with QCGC!Sign up here to get started: https://qcgc.io/?ref=lgttp-v1Learn about points and miles in our Elevate course and community:https://letsgettothepoints.com/elevateCredit Card Links: https://www.letsgettothepoints.com/Sign up for our newsletter:https://go.www.letsgettothepoints.com/JoinOurEmailWebsite: https://www.letsgettothepoints.com/Email: letsgettothepoints@gmail.comIG: https://www.instagram.com/letsgettothepoints/ TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@letsgettothepointsEXCLUSIVE TRAVEL DISCOUNT CODES:https://letsgettothepoints.com/tools/Book Private Transport in 100+ Countries with Kiwitaxi:https://go.www.letsgettothepoints.com/KiwitaxiUse Code: LGTTP5 for 5% off all ridesSign up for Award Email Notifications from Straight To The PointsUse Code: LGTTP20 for 20% off the annual planhttps://go.www.letsgettothepoints.com/StToThePointsTravel Freely: The FREE site we use to stay organized and track our 5/24 statushttps://my.travelfreely.com/signup?bref=lgwCardPointers: Save Money and Maximize Your Spend Bonuseshttps://go.www.letsgettothepoints.com/CardPointersMaxMyPoint: Hotel Rewards CheckerUse Code: LGTTP for 20% off the first year of your Platinum Subscription https://maxmypoint.comON TODAY'S SHOW:0:00 Intro1:43 Battle of the Cards: Chase vs Capital One3:13 Entry-Level Travel Cards18:09 Earn More Points and Miles with QCGC19:52 Premium Travel Cards30:23 Unlock Capital One Lounge Access32:50 Which Ecosystem is Better? Chase vs Capital OneLISTEN TO US ON THE GO: Apple Podcast: https://go.www.letsgettothepoints.com/ApplePodcastSpotify:https://go.www.letsgettothepoints.com/SpotifyThank you for supporting our Channel! See you every Friday with a new episode!Support this podcast: https://go.www.letsgettothepoints.com/SupportUsDisclaimer: The content is for informational purposes only, you should not construe any such information or other material as legal, tax, investment, financial, or other advice.Advertiser Disclosure:This video may contain links through which we are compensated when you click on or are approved for offers. The information in this video was not provided by any of the companies mentioned and has not been reviewed, approved, or otherwise endorsed by any of these entities. Offers are current only at the time of the video publishing date and may have changed by the time you watch it.Let's Get To The Points is part of an affiliate sales network and receives compensation for sending traffic to partner sites, such as CardRatings. Let's Get To The Points and CardRatings may receive a commission from card issuers.This compensation may impact how and where links appear on this site. This site does not include all financial companies or all available financial offers. Terms apply to American Express benefits and offers. Enrollment may be required for select American Express benefits and offers. Visit americanexpress.com to learn more.Opinions expressed here are the author's alone, not those of any bank, credit card issuer, hotel, airline, or other entity. This content has not been reviewed, approved or otherwise endorsed by any of the entities included within the post. The content of this video is accurate as of the posting date. Some of the offers mentioned may no longer be available.

DOCKET ALERTS:   Lots of legal news out of US Agency for Global Media, the parent agency for Voice of America. Judge Royce Lamberth ruled that Kari Lake was never legally appointed CEO of USAGM, and thus her orders shutting the sub-agencies down and firing all the employees were null and void. The government appealed, but in the sloppiest way possible. Now the agency is getting sued again for violating the firewall protecting journalistic independence, forcing the networks to air AI slop praising Trump. But Kari Lake has an answer for that, and it is to call the judge a fatso.   Judges in the District of New Jersey have appointed longtime prosecutor Robert Frazer as US Attorney. And so far, Attorney General Bondi hasn't fired him.   Judge Roy Altman, a Trump appointee, seems disinclined to put an end to Trump's trollsuits right out of the gate. He's allowing the case against the BBC to proceed to discovery. And he dismissed the complaint against Capital One for tortious debanking, but allowed Trump 90 days to conduct discovery and refile.   MAIN SHOW:   We've got an update on Kilmar Abrego Garcia. The government says it has to send him to Liberia (where he does not agree to go) instead of Costa Rica (where he does agree to go) because Secretary Marco Rubio spent a lot of time negotiating with Liberia to take Abrego, and it would be so embarrassing not to send him there.   And we'll break down the Supreme Court's recent decision in Olivier v. City of Brandon, a case involving a truly obnoxious street preacher that implicates your right to sue the government.   SUBSCRIBER BONUS:    The Trump administration is suing Harvard under Title VI, claiming that the school failed to protect Jewish students and must forfeit billions.   Widakuswara v. Lake I [DC Circuit] https://www.courtlistener.com/docket/72521013/patsy-widakuswara-v-kari-lake/   Widakuswara v. Lake [Trial Court] https://www.courtlistener.com/docket/69846584/widakuswara-v-lake   Widakuswara v. Lake II [DC Circuit] https://www.courtlistener.com/docket/72528662/widakuswara-v-lake/   District New Jersey Appointment Order https://www.njd.uscourts.gov/sites/njd/files/STANDINGORDER2026-03.pdf   Trump Suit Against Capital One Dismissed But Can Be Refiled https://finance.yahoo.com/news/trump-suit-against-capital-one-200454780.html    Trump v. BBC https://www.courtlistener.com/docket/72040010/trump-v-british-broadcasting-corporation   Trump v. Capital One https://www.courtlistener.com/docket/69853458/the-donald-j-trump-revocable-trust-v-capital-one-na   US v. Harvard https://www.courtlistener.com/docket/72520538/unites-states-of-america-v-harvard-university-fellows-and-president/   Abrego Garcia v. Noem (habeas petition) [docket via CourtListener] https://www.courtlistener.com/docket/71191591/abrego-garcia-v-noem/?order_by=desc   Zadvydas v. Davis, 533 U.S. 678 (2001) https://scholar.google.com/scholar_case?case=16478079160883986502   Kennedy v. Bremerton School Dist., 597 U.S. _____ (2022) https://www.supremecourt.gov/opinions/21pdf/21-418_i425.pdf   Olivier v. City of Brandon [US Supreme Court] https://www.supremecourt.gov/opinions/25pdf/24-993_10n2.pdf   Olivier v. City of Brandon (Appendix containing ordinance) [US Supreme Court] https://www.supremecourt.gov/DocketPDF/24/24-993/352124/20250314105732247_Olivier%20Pet.%20App.pdf   Show Links: https://www.lawandchaospod.com/ BlueSky: @LawAndChaosPod Threads: @LawAndChaosPod Twitter: @LawAndChaosPod

Yassine Diboun is a Portland-based ultrarunner and coach who found endurance sports during recovery from addiction. After signing up for his first triathlon in 2004 to bring structure to his life, he discovered a talent for running that quickly evolved into a career in ultramarathons. Since then, he has become one of the sport's most respected athletes, with top 10 finishes at Western States 100, multiple course records, and a place on the U.S. trail running team. Connect with Yassine:  Instagram Thank you to our sponsors:  Capital One and the REI Co-op® Mastercard® AeroPress Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

In this episode, Jason shares a personal story about how Capital One played a critical role in supporting his construction business. From helping build his personal credit to providing a substantial business line of credit, Capital One's support enabled Jason to scale operations, manage payroll, and take on larger projects, all while other banks struggled to provide the necessary resources. What you'll learn in this episode: Why small business-friendly banks matter in construction. How Capital One helped Jason build both personal and business credit. The dangers of relying on institutions that are slow or unresponsive. The role of financial partners in enabling business scalability. Lessons on credit management, lines of credit, and financial resilience. Have you ever struggled to get the right financial support for your business, even when you're doing everything right?   If you like the Elevate Construction podcast, please subscribe for free and you'll never miss an episode. And if you really like the Elevate Construction podcast, I'd appreciate you telling a friend (Maybe even two

Why do the same financial brands keep showing up inside ChatGPT recommendations while many traditional institutions barely appear at all?New research from EMARKETER found that brands including Capital One, Klarna, Coinbase, PayPal, and Discover consistently rank among the most visible financial companies in AI recommendations.In this episode of Banking Transformed, Jim Marous speaks with Tiffani Montez, principal analyst for financial services at EMARKETER, about what the AI Visibility Index reveals about consumer trust, digital marketing, and the changing dynamics of financial brand discovery.The discussion explores why fintechs dominate some categories while legacy institutions still lead others, how consumer behavior is shifting in the AI era, and what today's financial marketers may still be underestimating about visibility and relevance.#Banking #AI #DigitalMarketing #Fintech #ChatGPT #BankingTransformed

Episode 79: Show Notes Note: Video of this is available on Youtube/Spotify Summary Join Trevor Mountcastle and Tom Kim as we welcome Joe Petrovic to talk Japan explore the intricacies of booking Japan Airlines award flights, navigating ANA and JAL websites, and maximizing travel rewards for international trips. Our guest, Joe Petrovic, shares expert tips on award availability, transfer strategies, and cultural insights for Japan travel. Key Points From This Episode: 00:00 Introduction to Japan Travel with Joe Petrovic 01:25 Exploring ANA and JAL Booking Strategies 06:30 Understanding JAL Mileage Bank and Transfer Options 10:11 Experiences on Japan Airlines: Business and First Class 12:19 Domestic Flights and Unique Cabin Configurations 14:56 Traveling with Family: Cultural Interests and Experiences 15:40 Challenges in Award Availability and Fuel Surcharges 21:18 Connecting Itineraries and Alternative Routes 23:28 Cultural Integration in Japan Airlines Service 27:01 Luxury Offerings: Wine, Whiskey, and In-Flight Purchases 27:16 Exploring Japan's Travel Options 29:09 Osaka: A Gateway to Japan 34:09 Travel Tips for Japan 39:00 Currency and Payment Insights 42:17 Navigating Japan's Transportation System 49:39 Maximizing Travel Rewards 50:59 Personal Travel Experiences and Insights Resources Japan Airlines (JAL) - https://www.jal.co.jp/en/ ANA (All Nippon Airways) - https://www.ana.co.jp/en/us/ JAL Mileage Bank - https://www.jal.co.jp/en/jmb/ Finair Miles (Finnair) - https://www.finnair.com/us-en/awards Chase Ultimate Rewards - https://www.chase.com/personal/credit-cards/ultimate-rewards Capital One Miles - https://www.capitalone.com/digital/points-miles/ Marriott Bonvoy - https://www.marriott.com/loyalty/rewards.mi SmartEX App for Shinkansen tickets - https://www.smart-ex.jp/en/ Japan Web Immigration Portal - https://www.japan.travel/en/us/information/japan-web/ 7-Eleven Japan - https://www.sej.co.jp/ Suica Card - https://www.jreast.co.jp/e/pass/suica.html —---------------- Key Topics for Episode Discussion Post: Award booking strategies for Japan Airlines and partners Navigating ANA and JAL award availability and website quirks Transfer strategies for maximizing miles from Chase, Capital One, and Marriott Tips for booking domestic and international flights within Japan Cultural tips and travel hacks for Japan travelers Keywords Japan Airlines, ANA, award travel, miles, points, Japan, travel tips, airline awards, transfer bonuses, travel rewards

Devon Gimbel just booked over $250,000 in travel last year using credit card points—but she's the first to tell you award travel isn't "free." It's a strategy for 10x-ing your existing travel budget by strategically matching your routine spending to the right credit cards. Since ChooseFI's original Travel Rewards 101 in 2017, the landscape has matured: annual fees are higher, issuer rules are stricter, and new players like Bilt have revolutionized the game by letting you earn points on rent and mortgage payments. Yet the fundamentals remain: with deliberate card selection and an understanding of transferable points currencies, it's still entirely possible to unlock one to two meaningful trips per year—whether that's economy flights to national parks or first-class seats to Tokyo. Key Topics Discussed 00:00:00 - Introduction and State of Travel Rewards in 2026 Brad introduces Devon Gimbel and discusses how travel rewards have evolved since ChooseFI's first Travel Rewards 101 episode in 2017. They address whether earning significant travel value is still possible despite higher annual fees and stricter rules. 00:05:30 - The Evolution of Award Travel Community Devon reflects on how the travel rewards community has matured since 2013-2014, moving from a monotone focus on premium cabin travel to showcasing diverse travel styles including domestic trips, family travel, and national park adventures. 00:11:45 - Getting Started: First Steps for Beginners Devon outlines how beginners should approach travel rewards by analyzing their top spending categories and selecting one or two intentionally chosen credit cards with strong bonus categories rather than immediately pursuing dozens of sign-up bonuses. 00:16:20 - Sign-Up Bonuses vs. Everyday Spend Strategy Discussion of the balance between chasing new card welcome bonuses and building a sustainable credit card portfolio with strong category bonuses. Devon explains why a hybrid approach works better for most people than constantly opening new cards. 00:22:15 - Understanding Bonus Categories Deep dive into how credit card bonus categories work, why they matter, and how strategic matching of spending patterns to bonus categories can dramatically increase points earning without changing spending behavior. 00:30:00 - The Power of Flexibility Brad and Devon discuss various dimensions of flexibility in travel rewards including travel dates, destinations, airports, cabin class, and types of points currencies. They share contrasting examples from their recent Japan trips. 00:38:45 - Transferable vs. Fixed Points Currencies Devon explains the critical difference between transferable points programs (Chase, Amex, Capital One, Bilt, Citi) and fixed airline/hotel programs, comparing them to Visa gift cards versus single-merchant gift cards. 00:47:30 - The Rise of Bilt Rewards Discussion of how Bilt has emerged as a major transferable points currency, offering the ability to earn points on rent and mortgage payments while providing strong transfer partners that directly compete with Chase Ultimate Rewards. 00:55:00 - Credit Card Issuer Restrictions in 2026 Devon outlines how credit card eligibility rules have tightened, including Chase's evolving restrictions and once-per-lifetime language similar to American Express, emphasizing the importance of deliberate card selection. 01:02:15 - Calculating Travel Value and Points Redemption Devon shares her methodology for calculating the value of points redemptions using her family's Lufthansa first class trip as an example, discussing the difference between 'free travel' and maximizing travel budget value. 01:12:30 - How Devon Earns 6 Million Points Annually Transparent discussion of Devon's points earning including business expenses, mortgage payments through Bilt, quarterly taxes, shopping portals, and strategic use of bonus categories, with acknowledgment that her situation differs from average users. 01:22:00 - Partnership Strategy for Couples Devon expla…

Should I split a points transfer into smaller buckets? Frequent Miler reader Keith wrote in with this question:I tried to transfer 560K points to Air France to snag a redemption. had previously transferred about 280k points from Amex to KLM, I thought for sure the points would have similarly come through with Chase. Sadly, the points took 4 days to transfer, and I missed my booking window. Looking back, should I have spread my point transfers across different currencies to lower the transfer risk? I could have also covered the transfer using Capital One or Amex points. How do you balance speed with lowering the risk that your points will miss their intended purpose?We've been answering a reader or listener question at the end of each Frequent Miler on the Air podcast episode. Now, we've turned the question of the week into its own weekly episode. Tune in every Sunday at 5pm for our Question of the Week podcast. And if you have your own question you'd like to submit, you can send it to mailbag@frequentmiler.com.Mentioned in this episode:Check out all of our other travel podcasts from around the worldThis podcast is part of Voyascape, a podcast network that brings together the world's best travel podcasts. You can find all of our podcasts from around the world at Voyascape.com. If you are interested in advertising or sponsored content on any of our shows you can find out more at the link below.Voyascape Podcast Network

In the United States today, you can have your bank account closed, your credit cards cancelled, and your online payments revoked for any number of crimes, like funding terrorism, engaging in money laundering, or violating sanctions.Sensible, right? Well, you can also face financial ruin for teaching poetry.That's what seemingly happened to a Persian poetry teacher from Detroit whose accounts were flagged for “sanctions violations” because his students wrote “Persian classes” in their Venmo memos. There's also the story about the naked yoga practitioners who lost their payment processor for 60 days, forced to rebuild a subscriber list from scratch. And we can't forget the San Diego cannabis journalist cut off from Stripe—and from a paid Substack newsletter—because of the payment platform's rules that prohibit the promotion of the sale of cannabis.This is “financial censorship,” and it often happens when a bank, credit card provider, or payment app decides that a customer is too risky to serve. But “risky” doesn't always mean “illegal,” and when a major financial institution errs towards caution about what a customer is saying, advocating for, representing, or publishing, a lot of innocent people can be hurt in the process.That's what the digital rights activist Rainey Reitman learned in writing “Transaction Denied: Big Finance's Power to Punish Speech.” As Reitman explained about these hugely impactful decisions:“Even if they are well-intentioned, the financial systems can end up pulling in a lot of people that are not the actual target… Sometimes we talk about this as dolphins in the fishing lines.”These decisions are difficult to fight, frustratingly opaque, and nearly impossible to reverse. Compounding the problem is that that there aren't enough alternatives available for the financially censored to easily regain their freedom.The reality for hundreds of millions of people in this country is that about a dozen companies control all their finances. People mostly bank with Chase, or Bank of America, or Citigroup, or Wells Fargo. They mostly use credit cards assigned by Visa, MasterCard, American Express, or Capital One. And they mostly send money to one another and to small businesses using services like PayPal, Venmo, Cash app, and Square.For most people, these companies are supposed to operate in the background of their lives, providing reliable, secure financing to sustain and manage their livelihoods.In reality, these companies can become quite interested in what you say online, what payments you receive each month, and the locations those payments arrived from.Today, on the Lock and Code podcast with host David Ruiz, we speak with Reitman—who is also the president and a co-founder of the Freedom of the Press Foundation—about the real stories of those who have been financially censored, why financial companies cut off customers for legal speech, and how a single company's decision can create cascading consequences that feel impossible to fight.“They'd be locked out of Venmo, then they'd be locked out of PayPal—which is connected to Venmo—and then they'd suddenly lose their Chase Bank account. You could see that in a lot of instances, losing one form of access to the financial system, it could result in a pattern where they would be losing access repeatedly.”Tune in today.You can also find us on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, and whatever preferred podcast platform you use.For all our cybersecurity coverage, visit Malwarebytes Labs at malwarebytes.com/blog.Show notes and credits:Intro Music: “Spellbound” by Kevin MacLeod (incompetech.com)Licensed under Creative Commons: By Attribution 4.0 Licensehttp://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/Outro Music: “Good God” by Wowa (unminus.com)Listen up—Malwarebytes doesn't just talk cybersecurity, we provide it.Protect yourself from online attacks that threaten your identity, your files, your system, and your financial well-being with our exclusive offer for Malwarebytes Premium for Lock and Code listeners.

Episode 174 of the Award Travel 101 podcast focused heavily on Hyatt's newly announced award chart changes and how travelers can adapt to them. Cameron Laufer and Mike Zaccheo explained that Hyatt is replacing its traditional fixed categories with a more dynamic five-tier structure across eight hotel categories, resulting in noticeable increases for many properties. Standard award rates are rising roughly 17–38%, while some peak pricing jumps could reach as high as 67%. Although a handful of properties decreased in price, far more increased, especially luxury hotels. The hosts discussed examples like Park Hyatt Siem Reap remaining at 15,000 points per night while Secrets Punta Cana increased slightly from 29,000 to 30,000 points. They also noted positives, including free night certificates remaining valid at top-tier pricing and expanded booking windows for elites and cardholders, while questioning whether Hyatt may quietly shift more nights into higher pricing tiers over time.The episode also covered several loyalty program updates and transfer partner changes. Hilton launched a summer promotion offering 2,000 bonus points for shorter stays and 4,000 for longer stays, while Kimpton introduced its seasonal secret password promotion. The hosts highlighted major transfer partner shakeups, including American Express removing Etihad as a transfer partner in the U.S. They also reviewed transfer bonuses ending soon, including bonuses from Amex to Hilton, Chase to Southwest, and Capital One to Qantas. In the “highlight post” segment, they addressed a listener frustrated with having 193,000 British Airways Avios, emphasizing that Avios become much more valuable when used through partner airlines such as Iberia, Qatar Airways, Finnair, American Airlines, and Alaska Airlines, while reminding listeners that Avios are easy to keep active with occasional account activity.The hosts wrapped up with personal trip updates and practical award travel advice. Mike shared several upcoming trips, including Napa Valley, Chicago, Milwaukee, and Paris, detailing how he pieced together premium cabin flights and hotel stays using a mix of American Airlines, Alaska, Air France, and Hyatt points. Cameron discussed rebooking a tour through a shopping portal for significant cashback and planning logistics for an overnight arrival in Athens after a long economy flight. The episode concluded with a “tip of the week” focused on organizing complex award itineraries using tools like spreadsheets and TripIt to track reservations, monitor schedule conflicts, and simplify “gardening” award bookings over time.Episode Links:Hilton Summer PromoKimpton Secret PasswordAmex drops EtihadHyatt ChangesWhere to Find UsThe Award Travel 101 Facebook Community.To book time with our team, check out Award Travel 1-on-1.You can also email us at 101@award.travelBuy your Award Travel 101 Merch hereReserve tickets to our Late Summer 2026 Meetup in Milwaukee now. award.travel/mke2026Our partner CardPointers helps us get the most from our cards. Signup today at https://cardpointers.com/at101 for a 30% discount on annual and lifetime subscriptions! Lastly, we appreciate your support of the AT101 Podcast/Community when you signup for your next card!Technical note: Some user experience difficulty streaming the podcast while connected to a VPN. If you have difficulty, disconnect from your VPN.  

Bank of America is refunding annual fees for every Spirit credit cardholder and product-changing them into no-fee cards. Mark thought he found a hack in Choice Hotels' gas promo — until Choice's IT outsmarted him. Discover dropped the best welcome offer in its history: $200 after $500 spend, plus double cash back the first year. Then there's the Sapphire Reserve debate — when does pay-yourself-back make the annual fee worth it? What we cover: Spirit credit cardholders get annual fee refunds from Bank of America Choice Hotels gas promo: 8,000 points for a $50 card? Not so fast Discover's best-ever offer: $200 bonus + double cash back = five quarters of 5% Capital One acquiring Discover — could cash back become miles? Rethinking the Sapphire Reserve: when couponing actually works Pay Yourself Back at 1.25 cents and who should keep the card Schwab cashout strategy: turning Membership Rewards into cash Episode Guide: 0:00 - Welcome to MTM Travel 1:01 - Spirit Credit Card Update 5:47 - Choice Hotels Gas Promo 11:17 - Why Discover Card Right Now 16:13 - Rethinking the Sapphire Reserve 22:08 - Spouse Points & Wrap-Up ✈️ Track your travel credit cards for free

Joe Holder is a Nike Master Trainer and GQ fitness columnist with a track record of coaching elite athletes and high profile clients. Grounded in a background in health and wellness, he brings a practical approach to endurance training and overall fitness. His work spans marathon training, thru hike preparation, and strategies to support long term health and performance. Connect with Joe:  Instagram YouTube  Thank you to our sponsors:  Capital One and the REI Co-op® Mastercard® AeroPress Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

Brought to you by:Heights: a design agency founded by Gabri Grassi, helping impact-driven tech companies sharpen their brand, attract investors, and scale their reach. Grab your free brand checklist here or reach out to Gabri to elevate your brand.****Subscribe to the newsletter:New Wave | Hugo Rauch | Substack****

Michael Tannenbaum became CEO of Figure in early 2024, taking over from founder Mike Cagney and leading the company through its September 2025 IPO. In this conversation, we get into the mechanics of how Figure's blockchain-based platform competes with Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac, what it actually takes to cut mortgage origination costs from $12,000 to $1,000, and where the real opportunities in tokenization lie.What We CoveredTaking over as CEO from Mike Cagney and the Big Rocks frameworkHow Figure describes itself: building the future of capital markets on blockchainThe B2B partner network and how it compares to Fannie Mae's functionCutting mortgage origination costs from $12,000 to $1,000 and 45 days to fiveWhy Figure competes directly with Fannie Mae and Freddie MacHow blockchain eliminates third-party diligence and prevents loan double-pledgingThe Figure Connect marketplace and its rapid growth since June 2024Where tokenization adds real value — and where it doesn'tYLDS: Figure's SEC-registered yield-bearing stablecoin and its role in capital marketsThe timing and mechanics of Figure's September 2025 IPOBuilding a rate-agnostic business across different macro environmentsThree growth areas: consumer mortgages, Democratized Prime, and on-chain equitiesKey TakeawaysFigure's origination platform and its capital market are the same system — you can't separate them, and that's the competitive moat. Tokenization only creates liquidity when the underlying assets are standardized and fungible; putting unique assets on a blockchain doesn't conjure buyers. The recent fraud cases involving double-pledged loans (Tricolor, First Brands, MFS) have turned blockchain's immutability from a skeptic's objection into a selling point. And Figure is running at what Michael calls the rule of 150 — 100% year-over-year growth at 50% margins — in one of the most rate-sensitive and entrenched markets on earth.About Michael TannenbaumMichael Tannenbaum is the CEO of Figure, a blockchain-based capital markets company he took public on Nasdaq in September 2025. Before Figure, he was an early executive at both SoFi (Chief Revenue Officer) and Brex (COO), and sat on the Brex board when it was acquired by Capital One. He began his career in investment banking at J.P. Morgan.Connect with Fintech One-on-One:Tweet me @PeterRentonConnect with me on LinkedInFind previous Fintech One-on-One episodes

Watch Us On YouTube! Announcing a new, ongoing benefit for annual subscribers of our Slack community. Annual subscribers receive a free Points Path Alerts subscription OR a 30% discount on Points Path Pro. A new credit card shows up, a new hotel status gets tested, and airline product delays keep dragging on. This week on Miles To Go, Ed and Richard break down Citi's rollout of the new American Airlines Globe Mastercard, including what happens when your existing Barclays card gets converted — whether you were planning on it or not. They take a closer look at the card's real value, including its ability to accelerate elite status, and whether the benefits justify the $350 annual fee. From there, the conversation shifts to Hilton's new Diamond Reserve status, as early real-world data points start to trickle in. Does it actually deliver better upgrades, or is it too early to tell? They also revisit Delta's ongoing seat certification delays, now stretching years longer than expected, and what that means for aircraft configurations and upgrade opportunities. Plus, a mix of travel updates — from World Cup logistics challenges to Uber dropping Discover cards — and a new personal travel goal that could reshape how Ed approaches trips going forward.  https://thepointsguy.com/hotel/reviews/hilton-elite-status-diamond-reserve-versus-diamond/  https://onemileatatime.com/news/delta-a321neo-flat-beds/ Get hydrated like Ed in Vegas with Nuun Use my Bilt Rewards link to sign-up and support the show! If you enjoy the podcast, I hope you'll take a moment to leave us a rating. That helps us grow our audience! If you're looking for a way to support the show, we'd love to have you join us in our Travel Slack Community.  Join me and other travel experts for informative conversations about the travel world, the best ways to use your miles and points, Zoom happy hours and exciting giveaways. Monthly access Annual access Personal consultation plus annual access We have witty, funny, sarcastic discussions about travel, for members only. My fellow travel experts are available to answer your questions and we host video chats multiple times per month. Follow Us! Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/milestogopodcast/ TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@milestogopodcast Ed Pizza: https://www.instagram.com/pizzainmotion/ Richard Kerr: https://www.instagram.com/kerrpoints/ ✈️  What We Cover in This Episode ✈️ Citi's AA Globe Mastercard rollout Barclays cards being converted automatically Key benefits and $350 annual fee Loyalty point boosts and status acceleration ✈️ Is the AA card actually worth it? Earning structure and flight-based bonuses Companion certificate timing Who this card makes sense for ✈️ Hilton Diamond Reserve status Early real-world upgrade data Why results may vary by property Whether it's worth chasing ✈️ Hotel upgrade realities How hotel systems handle elite tiers Why even top status isn't guaranteed What to watch for with confirmed upgrades ✈️ Delta's ongoing seat certification delays A321neo seat rollout pushed further out Why certification is taking years Impact on premium cabins and upgrades ✈️ Airline Wi-Fi frustrations Continued reliability issues Starlink vs legacy systems Why this still isn't solved ✈️ World Cup travel logistics in the U.S. High transportation costs Weak hotel demand in some markets Why fan experience may fall short ✈️ Uber drops Discover cards Payment network friction Implications with Capital One changes Rare move in the payments space ✈️ The "Five and Dime" travel goal 5 new destinations + 10 new routes per year Why it's harder than it sounds Cabo Verde as a potential play ⏱️ Timestamps  0:50 – Intro and opening banter 5:20 – AA Globe Mastercard conversion explained 9:30 – Is the AA card worth $350? 14:30 – Hilton Diamond Reserve early results 18:30 – Why hotel upgrades are inconsistent 22:00 – Delta seat delays stretch even further 25:30 – Airline Wi-Fi frustrations 28:30 – World Cup travel logistics issues 31:30 – Uber drops Discover cards 33:30 – "Five and Dime" travel goal  

In this episode of Angular Plus Show, the hosts sit down with Doguhan Uluca, Director of Software Engineering at Capital One and Angular author, for a candid conversation about how AI is reshaping software development. From vibe coding, multi-agent workflows, and AI-assisted architecture reviews to token economics, open-source models, and the future of engineering careers, the discussion explores both the excitement and uncertainty surrounding AI in tech. It's a thoughtful, funny, and occasionally existential deep dive into where the industry may be headed next.Follow us onX: @DevLifePodcastX: @AngularShowBluesky: @theangularplusshow.bsky.socialThe Angular Plus Show and The DevLIfe Podcast are a part of ng-conf. ng-conf is a multi-day Angular conference focused on delivering the highest quality training in the Angular JavaScript framework. Developers from across the globe converge  every year to attend talks and workshops by the Angular team and community experts.JoinAttendXBluesky        ReadWatchStock media provided by JUQBOXMUSIC/ Pond5

In January 2026, Taryn Smith became the third American woman to row solo across the Atlantic Ocean, completing a 46 day Atlantic Ocean crossing in open water conditions. With no rowing experience beforehand, she leaned on a foundation built through world travel, the New York City Marathon, and summers exploring Idaho's Sawtooth Mountains. Website Instagram Thank you to our sponsors:  Capital One and the REI Co-op® Mastercard® AeroPress Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

Spencer Schrage is an accomplished brand and business strategist who currently serves as the Managing Director of North America for M&C Saatchi Consulting, a role he stepped into in early 2026 to lead the agency's regional consulting division, focusing on brand repositioning and go-to-market strategies. Brand & Corporate Strategy: Throughout his career, Schrage has counseled numerous CEOs and executive leadership teams on major corporate transformations, rebrands, and transactions. He specializes in connecting brand identity directly to corporate growth strategy, purpose, and narrative development. Weber Shandwick: Prior to joining M&C Saatchi, he served as the Executive Vice President and Global Head of Consulting and Corporate Brand at Weber Shandwick. Ogilvy Consulting: For nearly a decade, Schrage was a Partner and Principal with Ogilvy Consulting, the strategy and innovation branch of the creative network. There, he managed the group and oversaw a high-profile portfolio of clients primarily in the financial services and fast-moving consumer goods (FMCG) sectors, including American Express, Capital One, Coca-Cola, Citizens Bank, and Robert Half. Early Career & Politics: Before transitioning into corporate consulting, Schrage worked in the political sphere. Notably, he served as the Head of Communications for the Port Authority of NY & NJ during the rebuilding of the World Trade Center, and as a chief fundraiser for Hillary Clinton's first presidential campaign. Schrage is a frequent commentator on modern marketing trends, particularly regarding how heritage brands can evolve without losing their core identity, and how companies must shift away from static "brand purpose" statements to better engage Gen Z and Millennial audiences. In recognition of his leadership in the business community, he was honored as a David Rockefeller Fellow by the Partnership for New York City in 2023. Core Expertise & Career HighlightsThought Leadership & Recognition

We talk a lot about the ultra-premium credit cards with expensive annual fees, but there are plenty of people interested in credit cards with more modest annual fees. Luckily, there are some great $95 credit cards that can be supplemented with fee-free cards for a great travel rewards strategy. Giant Mailbag(01:20) - Melissa writes in with a question about locking in Hyatt prices before May 20th(04:48) - Jonathan writes in offering a few key data points to update our Hyatt points advance article, which you can find hereCard News(08:48) - American Express adds $300 in ChatGPT credits on The Business Platinum Card® from American Express and American Express® Business Gold Cards(12:40) - See our updated resource for the best cards for Priority Pass hereCrazy Thing: Priority Pass Restaurants(16:04) - Priority Pass RestaurantsAwards, Points, and More(18:02) - Mastercard Launches Mastercard Airport Dining Experience (‘Taste By/Of Priceless' Airport Lounges)(22:13) - JetBlue and United Unlock Reciprocal Loyalty Benefits(25:51) - Read Nick's post about Citi Travel for rental cars here(30:49) - Read more about Sixt offering prepaid fuel for $49.99 for rentals in the US for Sixt ONE members here(34:31) - Points Path Pro now shows United discounted cardholder pricing(36:23) - Read more about how to keep airline miles and hotel points alive hereMain Event: Best $95 travel credit card combo(37:37) - We'll focus on which combination of credit cards might make sense for someone to use, but we'll stick to a $95 annual fee budget. We'll focus on transferable points and include cash back that can be converted to transferable points(40:27) - Capital One(42:21) - Chase(47:54) - Citi(52:03) - Wells Fargo(56:07) - Other considerations(1:01:05) - Best Mixed-Bank $95 Wallet(1:10:40) - Nick's pick for best $95 wallet(1:13:39) - Greg's pick for best $95 walletSubscribe and FollowVisit https://frequentmiler.com/subscribe/ to get updated on in-depth points and miles content like this, and don't forget to like and follow us on social media.Music Credit – “Ocean Deep” by Annie YoderMentioned in this episode:Check out all of our other travel podcasts from around the worldThis podcast is part of Voyascape, a podcast network that brings together the world's best travel podcasts. You can find all of our podcasts from around the world at Voyascape.com. If you are interested in advertising or sponsored content on any of our shows you can find out more at the link below.Voyascape Podcast NetworkFrequent Miler's Best Offers Pagehttps://frequentmiler.com/best-credit-card-offers/

Luxury isn't what it used to be. For Millennials and Gen Z, “premium” isn't just a status symbol—it's about seamless experiences and values-driven rewards. WSJ's Imani Moise sat down with Lia Dean, president of banking & premium products at Capital One, at the WSJ's recent Future of Everything event to discuss why the benefits in your wallet are changing, and what that means for your next trip or big purchase.Sign up for the WSJ's free Markets A.M. newsletter. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Juice up your earnings with QCGC. https://qcgc.io/?ref=mtmv1 (sponsored)  MTM Detroit Meetup Tickets - https://mtm.zohobackstage.com/MTMTravelDetroit2026#/ Capital One is facing a lawsuit over canceled rewards, and Shawn and Mark get into the bigger problem with banks treating points like real currency when it helps them and funny money when it helps them. They also talk retention offers, when a card is not worth keeping even for free, and rank the major transferable points programs from worst to best. What we cover: Capital One being sued over allegedly canceled rewards after account closures. Why earned points should come with stronger consumer protections. How to compare retention offers against referral offers, credits and annual fees. Why no-fee cards can still be worth checking for retention offers. The Business Platinum changes, Dell frustration and when a credit stops mattering. Shawn and Mark's rankings for Amex, Chase, Bilt, Citi, Capital One and Wells Fargo. Why Chase has slipped, Citi has become more useful and Bilt may have the most interesting upside. Episode Guide: 0:00 Welcome to MTM Travel 0:21 Detroit event details and why in-person networking still matters 2:52 Capital One sued over canceled rewards 7:51 How to think about retention offers 11:16 No-fee cards can still have retention offers 13:25 Dell, Business Platinum credits and the breaking point 14:52 Ranking transferable points programs 16:15 Capital One vs Wells Fargo at the bottom 19:03 Bilt vs Citi and the middle of the rankings 19:45 Why Chase keeps slipping 23:07 Amex makes the case for number one 26:14 Mark's case for Bilt as the best program 29:15 Which programs are essential for most people? Links: Free newsletter Join our free Facebook group Diamond Patreon Gold Membership Subscribe on Apple Podcasts Miles to Memories website Capital One lawsuit - https://mtmdiamond.slack.com/archives/C0ACC849Z3J/p1778758564025649 Retention offers - https://milestomemories.com/american-express-business-platinum-retention-offer/  

Juice up your earnings with QCGC. https://qcgc.io/?ref=mtmv1 (sponsored)  MTM Detroit Meetup Tickets - https://mtm.zohobackstage.com/MTMTravelDetroit2026#/ Capital One is facing a lawsuit over canceled rewards, and Shawn and Mark get into the bigger problem with banks treating points like real currency when it helps them and funny money when it helps them. They also talk retention offers, when a card is not worth keeping even for free, and rank the major transferable points programs from worst to best. What we cover: Capital One being sued over allegedly canceled rewards after account closures. Why earned points should come with stronger consumer protections. How to compare retention offers against referral offers, credits and annual fees. Why no-fee cards can still be worth checking for retention offers. The Business Platinum changes, Dell frustration and when a credit stops mattering. Shawn and Mark's rankings for Amex, Chase, Bilt, Citi, Capital One and Wells Fargo. Why Chase has slipped, Citi has become more useful and Bilt may have the most interesting upside. Episode Guide: 0:00 Welcome to MTM Travel 0:21 Detroit event details and why in-person networking still matters 2:52 Capital One sued over canceled rewards 7:51 How to think about retention offers 11:16 No-fee cards can still have retention offers 13:25 Dell, Business Platinum credits and the breaking point 14:52 Ranking transferable points programs 16:15 Capital One vs Wells Fargo at the bottom 19:03 Bilt vs Citi and the middle of the rankings 19:45 Why Chase keeps slipping 23:07 Amex makes the case for number one 26:14 Mark's case for Bilt as the best program 29:15 Which programs are essential for most people? Links: Free newsletter Join our free Facebook group Diamond Patreon Gold Membership Subscribe on Apple Podcasts Miles to Memories website Capital One lawsuit - https://mtmdiamond.slack.com/archives/C0ACC849Z3J/p1778758564025649 Retention offers - https://milestomemories.com/american-express-business-platinum-retention-offer/  

What if the decision that kills your lending business is one you made six months ago — and you just don't know it yet?Host Reggie Young sits down with Scott Bass, Managing Director at Ensemblex, the fintech lending and credit consultancy. Scott brings a rare combination of perspectives: he helped build Capital One's data-driven credit operation before it was a household name and was one of the first two Americans hired to launch Monzo's US business.Scott and Reggie cover what Capital One actually got right that most people miss, the lessons Monzo taught about building products that feel nothing like a bank, and the most predictable mistakes fintech founders make when building credit products. They dig into the six-month lag problem in lending, why being “light on the fin in fintech” is a slow-burning liability, and why Scott believes credit cards remain the most complex — and therefore most defensible — financial product a fintech can build. 

In this episode of Capital for Good we speak with Marla Blow, the president and CEO of the Skoll Foundation, the leading philanthropy focused on social entrepreneurship and innovation around the world. Over the course of this conversation, we learn how Blow's career in finance and financial inclusion, across the private and public sectors, would prepare her to lead a dynamic institution and community of innovators in this era of extraordinary change — and resilience.   We begin with important elements of Blow's origin story, including her childhood outside of Atlanta, a city (then) on the precipice of rapid growth, where she was drawn to the idea of helping people translate opportunity into long-term financial security. "I thought I could help people make better decisions," she said. That instinct would carry her to Wharton, Wall Street, an MBA at Stanford, and to Capital One, where she learned the discipline of applied behavioral economics and consumer lending. In the Obama Administration, Blow joined the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau, where she began to see more clearly the full landscape of American consumers — including those who were not well served by the traditional financial system or many of its products. That realization led her to found FS Card Inc to provide fairly priced credit to underserved consumers, an experience Blow describes as a "crash course" in entrepreneurship and the capital markets. Following the successful sale of FS Card, Blow helped lead Mastercard's Center for Inclusive Growth, where she was able to pursue financial inclusion at scale.   Blow speaks candidly about the extraordinary moment in which she assumed the CEO role at Skoll in 2025. The dismantling of USAID and broader cutbacks of support to and from multilateral finance institutions sent seismic shocks through the social entrepreneurship ecosystem that Skoll has supported since 1999. "I don't think any of us could have predicted that things would shift in this magnitude, or that they would shift this quickly," she says. And yet, Blow also describes with great admiration the resilience of individuals and organizations "that have been able to figure out how to pivot," efforts the foundation supported with a $25 million "pivot fund." Blow draws on the analogy of a forest of seemingly freestanding trees that are deeply interconnected beneath the surface. "It's the roots that enable them to transmit nutrients, to transmit information, to rebuild and regrow after absorbing and experiencing a shock," she says.   We also discuss a signature dimension of Skoll's work: the role of catalytic capital in driving impact. Today, approximately 80 percent of Skoll's endowment, managed in partnership with the Capricorn Investment Group, is aligned with the foundation's impact objectives in climate change mitigation and resilience, economic opportunity, health care, and responsible stewardship. Blow explains that these kinds of investments are not concessionary — their "financial returns continue to meet or exceed the performance of comparable asset classes" — and are exemplified by social enterprises like Apis & Heritage Capital Partners, a 2025 Skoll Award recipient that transitions small businesses to employee ownership – and has enabled main street workers to increase their net worth by a factor of ten.   We close with Blow's sources of optimism. They begin, she explains, with community — the cross-ideological partnership emerging across philanthropy, the private sector's increased engagement, the deep networks built over more than two decades of convening social entrepreneurs at the Skoll World Forum. "We are going through something, it's going to take a toll," she says. "And there is a light on the other side of it. We can continue working toward that light."   Mentioned in this episode: The Skoll Foundation Skoll World Forum Transformation and Renewal in the Impact Ecosystem, The Skoll Foundation 2026 Annual Letter Capricorn Investment Group Evolving Philanthropy for Collective Action, (Stanford Social Innovation Review, Blow & Gips, 2024) Apis & Heritage Capital Partners Consumer Financial Protection Bureau Mastercard Center for Inclusive Growth  

Shane Schieffer is an endurance swimmer who spent more than 15 years dreaming of a full length swim of Lake Powell, the desert reservoir stretching from Utah into Arizona. In September 2025, he became the first person to complete it, covering 140 miles in 11 days while towing 215 pounds of gear. The route carried him through a remote landscape of sand colored canyons, rock formations, and isolated shorelines. Connect with Shane:  Instagram Explore the REI and Intrepid Travel collections Shop The North Face Universal Collection Thank you to our sponsors:  Capital One and the REI Co-op® Mastercard® AeroPress Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

We Like Shooting - Ep 662 This episode of We Like Shooting is brought to you by: Midwest Industries (Code: WLSISLIFE) Die Free Co. (Code: WLSISLIFE) Bowers Group (Code: WLS) Otis Technology (Code: WELIKESHOOTING15) Flatline Fiber Co (Code: WLS15) Text Dear WLS or Reviews +1 743 500 2171  Public   Show Titles   GOA GOALS Aug 1-2 in Iowa. https://goals.goa.org/ GunCon.net Tickets on sale now. Use code AGENCY171 GEAR CHAT [XTech Tactical] LDR2000 B1 The LDR2000 B1 is a magazine speed loader designed specifically for the Smith & Wesson Bodyguard 2.0 .380 ACP micro-compact pistol, addressing the stiff single-stack magazines' loading difficulties by making the process faster, easier, and thumb-friendly. It slips easily over factory or aftermarket .380 magazines, allowing users to load rounds smoothly with minimal effort using just a finger and thumb, while protecting magazine feed lips, preventing ammunition damage, and reducing hand strain. Key features include loading magazines in 30 seconds or less, compact and lightweight design for easy carrying, durable injection molded polymer construction, and a utility patent pending. [Mitchell Defense] DualCool CP1 Handguard (Nick) The DualCool™ CP1 Handguard is the first 3D-printed, dual-layer AR-15 handguard engineered for extreme thermal control, built with CP1 alloy and featuring an air-gap core that slows heat transfer to keep the outer shell cool longer and cooling faster between shots. It includes integrated grip texture 3D-printed into the alloy for maximum control without compromising M-LOK or Picatinny function, along with reinforced M-LOK slots and a full-length Picatinny top rail.0 BULLET POINTS PSA: You absolutely can get your EFT from those “services.” (Nick)   Note (Nick) Match Recap GUNDERWEAR Concealed Carry Underwear GUNDERWEAR is a patented underwear product designed to improve comfort for concealed carry, particularly appendix carry, by integrating padding as a barrier between the body and gun/holster. Developed by Tyler Abadie, it prevents rubbing, stabbing, and irritation during prolonged wear in activities like security work, driving, and daily tasks. Available for men and women, it has received positive feedback from civilians and professionals in law enforcement and military. GUN FIGHTS No one stepped into the arena this week. WLS IS LIFESTYLE Imported Story https://www.instagram.com/reel/DYHcS-OuFv1/?igsh=bjJhank2dG02dHJw GOING BALLISTIC Bergmann-Schoch v. Davenport: New Jersey's Hollow-Point Ammunition Ban Challenged Under Second Amendment A lawsuit in New Jersey challenges the state's prohibition on hollow-point ammunition as unconstitutional under the Second Amendment. Plaintiffs argue the ban creates a Catch-22 by allowing only full metal jacket rounds while denying the right to ‘military arms.' The state's motion to dismiss is rebutted, dismissing historical analogies as rooted in racial prejudice. Hawaii Legislature Adjourns Sine Die: Defeat of Anti-Gun Bills HB2062, SB2503, SB2517, SB2575, SB2576, SB2720 The Hawaii State Legislature adjourned sine die on May 8, 2026, resulting in the defeat of several anti-gun bills aimed at expanding red flag laws, funding gun buybacks, elevating penalties, broadening prohibited persons lists, and creating a firearm injury restitution fund. These measures raised due process concerns by potentially suspending Second Amendment rights via civil proceedings and imposing felony penalties without full evidentiary hearings. NRA-ILA credits NRA members and supporters for contacting lawmakers to secure this victory. NBC News Report on Kyle Rittenhouse Spider Bite (Kenosha, Wisconsin Case) NBC News tweeted about Kyle Rittenhouse's hospitalization from a venomous spider bite, framing his 2020 Kenosha, Wisconsin self-defense shootings as ‘opening fire at a 2020 civil rights rally.' The Bearing Arms article criticizes this as biased misrepresentation, omitting the riot context and Rittenhouse's acquittal on self-defense grounds. It argues this exemplifies media disinformation against gun owners and Second Amendment supporters. Mississippi DeSoto County Billboard: ‘Firing Squad Is Legal. Think Twice' A billboard in DeSoto County, Mississippi, next to I-55 warns would-be criminals that ‘Firing Squad Is Legal. Think Twice.' DeSoto County District Attorney Matthew Barton states it promotes aggressive prosecution of violent criminals entering the state. The message emphasizes that Mississippi does not coddle violent crime and firing squad executions are legal there. Harmeet Dhillon: The Term ‘Assault Weapons' Is ‘Just a Made-Up Category' Harmeet Dhillon describes ‘assault weapons' as a made-up category and epithet applied to effective and popular firearms like the AR-15. The term originated from Democrats in the 1990s for a federal ban from 1994 to 2004, which a study found did not reduce gun crime or violence lethality. Discussion references national federal policy and Denver's local ban. United Gun Shop v. Capital One and Melio (Maryland) United Gun Shop, a Maryland FFL gun dealer, filed a lawsuit against Capital One and Melio after being denied access to Capital One's bill-paying service, citing the business as a ‘restricted industry.' Payments worked from December 2024 until March 2025, followed by deplatforming and formal denial in March 2026. The suit invokes President Trump's August 2025 Executive Order ‘Guaranteeing Fair Banking for All Americans,' addressing discrimination against lawful firearm businesses. REVIEWS Review: A in your face 5 squares. I disagree what a lot of what they say, but damnit if I also dont find myself agreeing with a lot of what they say. Always entertaining, rarely boring, definitely infuriating – especially when Aaron digs in on something. And one of the few places where the advertisers are actually vetted, with actual use experience reviews, and honesty when things go down. Review: FedsRGay 5 stars. A sad sack Jew, a retard with anger issues, a man with a blownout Anus, a communist thumb and their slightly weird uncle from Colorado walk into a podcast studio. This is not a joke about the special Olympic's or the Democratic Party! This is the cast of the number one rated gun podcast on the firearms radio network! This dumpster fire is wildly entertaining and sometimes even educational. Occasionally they have cool sponsors on the show that seem slightly less retardy. Quality entertainment overall. I give it a solid 5 squares. PS: Jeremey is not a cunt. But AA ron is. PPS: I wrote this review once before but baguettes on iTunes didn't publish it. PPPS: no notes PPPPS: I love you guys, say it back Review: Anonymous Coward from Wisconsin I left a review Before we let you go – JOIN GUN OWNERS OF AMERICA We'd love if you supported the show, join Agency 171 at agency171.com. Lot's of prizes, rewards and kick ass swag. No matter how tough your battle is today, we want you here fight with us tomorrow. Don't struggle in silence, you can contact the suicide prevention line by dialing 988 from your phone. Remember – Always prefer Dangerous Freedom over peaceful slavery. We'll see you next time! Nick – @busbuiltsystems | Bus Built Systems Jeremy – @ret_actual | Rivers Edge Tactical Aaron – @machinegun_moses Savage – @savage1r Shawn – @dangerousfreedomyt | @camorado.cam | Camorado

Turning Chaos into Systems: The 90-Day Growth Framework That Scales Any Business with Kathie Feng   Find Rocky Lalvani @ www.ProfitComesFirst.com  or email him at rocky@profitcomesfirst.com  Make more, work less video: https://youtu.be/    What does it actually take to build a marketing system that drives predictable, sustainable revenue? In this episode of The Profit Answer Man, Rocky Lalvani sits down with Kathie Feng, founder of Signal Growth and fractional CMO with over 13 years of experience leading growth for Fortune 500 brands including Constellation Brands (Corona and Modelo), Pave (an a16z-backed fintech unicorn), Discover, Capital One, and Shiseido. Kathie breaks down the frameworks, strategies, and hard truths that separate businesses that scale from businesses that stall.    In This Episode:  Why most small business owners jump to paid advertising before answering the most important question about their product and audience  What the "winning triangle" of product fit, market fit, and pricing fit really means and how to use it before spending a single dollar on ads  How to build a customer feedback loop that validates your assumptions and identifies your true target audience  Why Meta and Google campaigns fail for so many entrepreneurs and what the real problem usually is  How to structure a test and learn strategy that gives your campaigns the best possible chance of working  Why the first two seconds of a Meta ad are the most critical and how creative structure directly impacts algorithm performance  How to evaluate a marketing agency before you hire one and what questions to ask to separate a polished pitch from proven results  What benchmarks and KPIs you should be holding your agency accountable to from day one  The difference between closing high ticket offers of $7,000 and above versus lower ticket offers under $2,000 and why the sales process should look completely different  How the consumer decision journey has shifted away from a linear funnel and what that means for how you show up across channels  What AI is doing to the content landscape and how founders can use it as a growth tool without losing the authenticity that builds trust  What a 90 to 120 day revenue framework actually looks like and what milestones you should expect within that window    Key Takeaways:  Start with the winning triangle before you advertise.   Build a customer feedback loop early.   Your Meta and Google campaigns need a structured test and learn approach.   The first two seconds of your ad determine everything on Meta.   Hold your agency to real benchmarks from day one.   Run a pilot before committing to a full scope of work.   Match your sales process to your price point.   The consumer decision journey is no longer linear.   AI is a tool that amplifies capacity, not a replacement for strategy.   A 90 to 120 day framework should produce measurable results.     About Kathie Feng:  Kathie Feng is a founder and Growth Architect who helps businesses turn momentum into market dominance.   With more than 13 years of experience leading growth for global brands, Constellation Brands (Corona, Modelo), Pave (a16z-backed fintech unicorn), Discover/Capital One, and Shiseido, she brings enterprise-grade strategy to founder-led companies ready to scale with clarity and intention.  Through her company, Signal Growth, Kathie and her team, with combined experience of 5 decades, engineer predictable revenue by installing the same data-driven, AI-powered frameworks used by Fortune 500 and multinational brands.   Her work blends systems thinking, consumer psychology, and operational discipline, giving founders access to the rigorous, scalable infrastructure normally reserved for billion-dollar organizations.  Her multicultural background—having been to 6 continents, 42 countries, and speaking 5 languages, shapes her ability to decode human behavior, refine messaging across cultures, and unlock deeper emotional resonance in markets crowded with noise. She believes growth isn't luck; it's engineered. And the right system transforms both the business and the founder leading it.  Kathie speaks on:  • AI-powered growth systems  • Modern-day growth funnel architecture  • Founder psychology and decision-making  • Consumer-centric positioning, messaging & behavioral strategy  • Building 90-day revenue engines  • Scaling without chaos or burnout    Links:  Website: https://signalgrowth.webflow.io/  LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/kathiefeng/    Profit Blueprint Calculator I Profit Comes First: https://lp.profitcomesfirst.com/profitblueprintcalc-page    Watch the full episode on YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@profitanswerman  Sign up to be notified when the next cohort of the Profit First Experience Course is available!  Free Copy of the Profit Blueprint Book: https://lp.profitcomesfirst.com/landing-page-page   Monthly Newsletter signup: https://lp.profitcomesfirst.com/newsletter-signup  Relay Bank (affiliate link): https://relayfi.com/?referralcode=profitcomesfirst  Profit Answer Man Facebook group: https://www.facebook.com/groups/profitanswerman/  My podcast about living a richer more meaningful life: http://richersoul.com/  Music provided by Junan from Junan Podcast  Any financial advice is for educational purposes only and you should consult with an expert for your specific needs.    

This week on That Tech Pod, Kevin and Laura talk with David Turner, Global Leader of Data & Analytics and Co-Leader of AI at FTI Consulting, about what it really means to operate at the center of data, AI, and high-stakes problem solving.David's career path might look straightforward, from Arthur Andersen to Capital One and then more than two decades at FTI, but he explains it was less about a master plan and more about finding the right environments and teams. Consulting, for him, became the place where he could continuously solve new, complex problems, often stepping in when companies are facing moments that feel existential.The conversation dives into AI quickly, cutting through the hype. David focuses on what actually works: real use cases, hands-on experience, and teams actively experimenting with tools. His view is that AI isn't something you can understand from a slide deck. It's a skill you build by using it, and the companies moving fastest are the ones sharing what's working internally. One of the biggest themes is how AI is reshaping the economics of consulting. If technology compresses time to insight, what happens to the billable hour? David doesn't see a clean break, but he does see a shift. Expertise becomes more valuable, and firms will need to get more creative with pricing, blending traditional models with outcome-based approaches depending on the work. They also spend time on risk, shaped in part by David's early experience during the collapse of Arthur Andersen. That moment reinforced that no firm is immune, and it continues to influence how he balances innovation with caution, especially in today's AI-driven environment. This is a grounded look at where AI is actually making an impact and where the real challenges still are.David Turner is the Global Leader of Data and Analytics and Co-Leader of AI at FTI Consulting, and now serves as the firm's Chief Technology Officer for client-facing technology. He works with executive teams on high-stakes challenges across investigations, litigation, compliance, and corporate transformation, helping organizations turn data into a real asset using advanced analytics and responsible AI. Over the course of his career, he's advised Fortune 500 companies, global law firms, and public sector clients, and has played a key role in shaping FTI's approach to AI and client-facing solutions.

Nikki Bettis turned a simple hike on the Appalachian Trail into an audacious plan to thru hike the entire trail with her fifteen kids, ranging in age from 4 to 21. As a single mom in rural Virginia facing financial and emotional strain, Nikki hoped the physical challenge and months spent outdoors together could help her family reconnect and find a way forward. Connect with Nikki:  Website Instagram YouTube Explore the REI and Intrepid Travel collections Shop The North Face Universal Collection Thank you to our sponsors:  Capital One and the REI Co-op® Mastercard® AeroPress Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

What if every dollar you're already spending in your business could turn into first class flights and bucket list family trips, without touching after-tax money? I sat down with Eli Facenda on The Happy Hustle Podcast, and this one hit different. Eli is the founder of Freedom Travel Systems, known online as "The Travel Guy." He's helped over 1,000 entrepreneurs turn everyday business expenses into 50K+ dream trips and first-class experiences, all through credit card points. The guy once booked a $6,000 business class flight for $6. That moment changed his life, and this episode might change how you think about yours. Eli breaks down the three buckets of the points game: earning the right type of points (flexible bank points from Amex, Chase, or Capital One beat airline cards almost every time), optimizing your travel perks, and actually redeeming points at full value instead of leaving 80% on the table. He also covers how to put payroll, rent, and supplier payments on a card using third-party tools, earning massive points on expenses you never thought could count. Then there's the Freedom Flywheel. Business grows, spending increases, points stack up, and you fund tax-free family vacations without pulling cash from your company. And yes, points from business cards are coded as a rebate, so they're completely tax free. Eli also shares his Five P's Framework for turning any trip into a real core memory: People, Place, Purpose, Possibility, and Presence. It's the difference between a nice vacation and one you'll talk about for the rest of your life. For practical folks, he covers what to avoid, including credit score myths, why you only need two to five cards (not thirty), and how being flexible by even two or three days can save you millions of points on a booking. He's offering two free playbooks for the Happy Hustle community: the CEO Points Playbook and the Payroll on a Credit Card Playbook. Grab both at https://freedomtravelsystems.com/. Listen to the full episode at https://caryjack.com/podcast. What does Happy Hustlin' mean to you? Happy Hustle to me means you're building a business that gives you energy instead of takes it. You're doing it with people you love. You believe in what you do and you're getting to live a great life while you do it. Connect with Elihttps://www.facebook.com/eli.facendahttps://www.instagram.com/elitravelguy/https://www.linkedin.com/in/eli-facenda/https://www.youtube.com/@elifacenda Find Eli on this website: https://freedomtravelsystems.com/ Connect with Cary!https://www.instagram.com/caryjack/https://www.facebook.com/SirCaryJackhttps://www.linkedin.com/in/cary-jack-kendzior/https://twitter.com/thehappyhustlehttps://www.youtube.com/channel/UCFDNsD59tLxv2JfEuSsNMOQ/featured Get a copy of his new book, https://www.thehappyhustle.com/book Sign up for The Journey: 10 Days To Become a Happy Hustler Online Course @ https://thehappyhustle.com/thejourney/ Apply to the Montana Mastermind Epic Camping Adventure @ https://thehappyhustle.com/mastermind/ “It's time to Happy Hustle, a blissfully balanced life you love, full of passion, purpose, and positive impact!” Episode Sponsors: If you're feeling stressed, not sleeping great, or your energy's been kinda meh lately—let me put you on to something that's been a total game-changer for me: Magnesium Breakthrough by BiOptimizers. This ain't your average magnesium—it's got all 7 essential forms that your body needs to chill out, sleep deeper, and feel more balanced. I take it every night and legit notice the difference the next day. No more waking up groggy or tossing and turning all night If you're ready to sleep like a baby, calm your nervous system, and optimize your recovery, go grab yours now at https://www.bioptimizers.com/happy and use code HAPPY10 for 10% OFF. =================================================================== My Green Mattress If you've been waking up with back pain, feeling stiff, or just not getting that deep, quality sleep. This might be what you're missing: My Green Mattress. It's made with clean, non-toxic, and eco-friendly materials, so you're not just sleeping better, you're sleeping healthier too. The comfort and support are on another level, and you can really feel the difference night after night. If you're ready to invest in better sleep and better recovery, check it out at https://thehappyhustle.com/mygreenmattress =================================================================== Ozlo Sleep If you've been struggling to fall asleep, stay asleep, or just wake up feeling actually rested, let me put you on to something that's been a total game-changer: Ozlo Sleep. These aren't your typical sleep buds. They're designed to block out noise and help your brain fully relax, so you can drift off faster and stay in deep, uninterrupted sleep. Perfect if you're a light sleeper or just want that next-level rest. If you're ready to upgrade your sleep and wake up feeling recharged, check out https://ozlosleep.com and save $80 OFF using code HAPPY.

Adventurer Garrett Gee turned a four month family trip in 2015 into The Bucket List Family, documenting world travel with his wife, Jessica, and their kids. What began as videos shared on YouTube and Instagram became a global family travel brand with millions of followers, built on experiences from shark diving in South Africa to hot air balloons in Turkey and biking through shrines and gardens in Japan. Connect with Garrett & The Bucket List Family:  Website Instagram YouTube Explore the REI and Intrepid Travel collections Thank you to our sponsors:  Capital One and the REI Co-op® Mastercard® Ocean Bottle Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

On this episode of the Live Greatly podcast, Kristel Bauer sits down with behavioral scientist and author Leidy Klotz to explore how your environment shapes your mindset, relationships, and ability to perform at your best. Drawing from his new book, In a Good Place, Leidy shares how the spaces we live and work in can either support or limit our growth, connection, and sense of purpose—often in ways we don't consciously recognize. Kristel and Leidy dive into how small shifts in your surroundings can create meaningful changes in your habits, confidence, and overall well-being. They also explore how your perspective and choices within different environments can influence how you show up in your work and life. If you're looking to elevate your energy, strengthen your relationships, and create conditions that support sustainable high performance, this conversation offers a powerful new lens. Key Takeaways: How your physical environment influences your mindset and behavior Why certain spaces spark connection—and others shut it down How navigating new environments can enhance learning and growth Ways to adjust your surroundings to support confidence and clarity The connection between space, perspective, and long-term success ABOUT LEIDY KLOTZ Leidy Klotz is a behavioral scientist and engineering professor at the University of Virginia who studies how and why humans design. He has written for the Washington Post, Fast Company, Scientific American, and Harvard Business Review; has published his work in top journals like Nature and Science; and has been interviewed on Hidden Brain, Freakonomics, Mindscape, and The Atlantic's How to Build a Happy Life. Klotz has advised clients ranging from the Departments of Energy and Homeland Security to CapitalOne and Amazon. Connect with Leidy   Website: https://leidyklotz.com/  LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/leidyklotz/  Order Leidy's Book: https://www.hachettebookgroup.com/titles/leidy-klotz-phd/in-a-good-place/9780316567367/  About the Host of the Live Greatly podcast, Kristel Bauer: Kristel Bauer is a corporate wellness and performance expert, keynote speaker and TEDx speaker supporting organizations and individuals on their journeys for more happiness and success. She is the award-winning author of Work-Life Tango: Finding Happiness, Harmony, and Peak Performance Wherever You Work (John Murray Business November 19, 2024). With Kristel's healthcare background, she provides data driven actionable strategies to leverage happiness and high-power habits to drive growth mindsets, peak performance, profitability, well-being and a culture of excellence. Kristel's keynotes provide insights to "Live Greatly" while promoting leadership development and team building. Kristel is the creator and host of her global top self-improvement podcast, Live Greatly. She is a contributing writer for Entrepreneur, and she is an influencer in the business and wellness space having been recognized as a Top 10 Social Media Influencer of 2021 in Forbes. As an Integrative Medicine Fellow & Physician Assistant having practiced clinically in Integrative Psychiatry, Kristel has a unique perspective into attaining a mindset for more happiness and success. Kristel has presented to groups from the American Gas Association, Bank of America, bp, Commercial Metals Company, General Mills, Northwestern University, Santander Bank and many more. Kristel's work has been featured in Forbes and she has had multiple TV appearances including NBC News Daily, ABC News Live, FOX Weather, ABC 7 Chicago, WGN Daytime Chicago and more. Kristel lives in the Chicago, IL area and she can be booked for speaking engagements worldwide. To Book Kristel as a speaker for your next event, click here. Website: www.livegreatly.co  Follow Kristel Bauer on: Instagram: @livegreatly_co  LinkedIn: Kristel Bauer Twitter: @livegreatly_co Facebook: @livegreatly.co Youtube: Live Greatly, Kristel Bauer To Watch Kristel Bauer's TEDx talk of Redefining Work/Life Balance in a COVID-19 World click here. Click HERE to check out Kristel's corporate wellness and leadership blog Click HERE to check out Kristel's Travel and Wellness Blog Disclaimer: The contents of this podcast are intended for informational and educational purposes only. Always seek the guidance of your physician for any recommendations specific to you or for any questions regarding your specific health, your sleep patterns changes to diet and exercise, or any medical conditions.  Always consult your physician before starting any supplements or new lifestyle programs. All information, views and statements shared on the Live Greatly podcast are purely the opinions of the authors, and are not medical advice or treatment recommendations.  They have not been evaluated by the food and drug administration.  Opinions of guests are their own and Kristel Bauer & this podcast does not endorse or accept responsibility for statements made by guests.  Neither Kristel Bauer nor this podcast takes responsibility for possible health consequences of a person or persons following the information in this educational content.  Always consult your physician for recommendations specific to you.

Shawn Porat is the founder and Chief Fortune Officer of OpenFortune — the media platform turning the humble fortune cookie into a high-impact PI marketing channel. With distribution across 30 countries and 300M impressions a month, OpenFortune has delivered viral wins for brands like Capital One, Duolingo, and even investor Gary Vaynerchuk — who calls it “the new Super Bowl ad.” If you think billboards are your only out-of-home option, think again. In this episode, Shawn shares the strategy, the science, and the stories behind turning a slip of paper into a marketing powerhouse. For more resources on how to dominate your market, visit us at Rankings.io. Listen to the full episode with Shawn Porat on Personal Injury Mastermind, powered by Rankings.io, below: Spotify Apple Podcasts Watch the Episodes On YouTube OpenFortune Website | LinkedIn If you like what you hear, hit subscribe. We do this every week. Buy tickets for PIMCON 2026: https://hubs.li/Q04bf9vT0  Subscribe to our newsletter: pimnewsletter.beehiiv.com Get Social! Personal Injury Mastermind (PIM) powered by Rankings.io is on Instagram | YouTube | TikTok

In 2023, Dan Rubinstein completed a 1,200 mile stand up paddleboarding journey from Ottawa to New York City and back. His expedition followed rivers and waterways, turning a long distance paddle into a rare blue space adventure. Connect with Dan:  Website  Instagram Purchase Dan's book, Water Borne Explore the REI and Intrepid Travel collections Thank you to our sponsors:  Capital One and the REI Co-op® Mastercard® Ocean Bottle Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

Leidy Klotz shares simple shifts for creating more spaces that improve well-being. — YOU'LL LEARN — 1) The three core needs that well-designed spaces meet 2) How to feel in control of spaces you can't control3) How to harness the “home turf” advantage anywhereSubscribe or visit AwesomeAtYourJob.com/ep1147 for clickable versions of the links below. — ABOUT LEIDY — Leidy Klotz is a behavioral scientist and engineering professor at the University of Virginia who studies how and why humans design. He has written for the Washington Post, Fast Company, Scientific American, and Harvard Business Review; has published his work in top journals like Nature and Science; and has been interviewed on Hidden Brain, Freakonomics, Mindscape, and The Atlantic's How to Build a Happy Life. Klotz has advised clients ranging from the Departments of Energy and Homeland Security to CapitalOne and Amazon.• Book: In a Good Place: How the Spaces Where We Live, Work, and Play Can Help Us Thrive• Website: LeidyKlotz.com— RESOURCES MENTIONED IN THE SHOW — • Study: “Location in negotiation: Is there a home field advantage?” by Graham Brown and Marcus Baer• Book: Shatterproof: How to Thrive in a World of Constant Chaos (And Why Resilience Alone Isn't Enough) by Tasha Eurich• Book: The Life-Changing Magic of Tidying Up: The Japanese Art of Decluttering and Organizing by Marie Kondo• Book: The Power of Moments: Why Certain Experiences Have Extraordinary Impact by Chip Heat and Dan Heath• Past episode: 317: How to Form Habits the Smart Way with BJ Fogg, PhD• Past episode: 684: Achieving More by Tapping into the Science of Less with Leidy Klotz• Past episode: 1066: How to Thrive When Your Resilience Runs Out with Dr. Tasha Eurich— THANK YOU SPONSORS! — • Narwhal. Treat your home to spotless, fresh floors with us.narwhal.com/pete.• Monarch.com. Get 50% off your first year on with the code AWESOME.• Gusto. Get three months free when you run your first payroll with gusto.com/AWESOME• Shopify. Sign up for your $1/month trial at Shopify.com/better• Vanguard. Give your clients consistent results year in and year out with vanguard.com/AUDIOSee Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.