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In this episode Andrea Samadi explores how movement and sleep work together in a "brain operating system" for human performance, focusing on restorative sleep (deep + REM), personal WHOOP data, and the trade-offs created by early-morning exercise. She shares four lessons and a simple experiment to help listeners protect REM and deep sleep while maintaining an active life, emphasizing weekly rhythms, small changes, and tracking patterns rather than chasing perfect numbers. SEASON 16 | BONUS EPISODE 4 RESTORATIVE SLEEP Where Adaptation Happens Why deep sleep restores the body, REM helps integrate experience, and healthy habits must work together. ON BONUS EPISODE 4, YOU'LL LEARN: ✔ What restorative sleep really measures ✔ How deep sleep and REM support different forms of recovery ✔ Why REM percentage and duration tell different stories ✔ What my six-month sleep data revealed ✔ The hidden tradeoff behind my 4:00 AM hiking routine ✔ What happened when I slept just 21 minutes longer ✔ Why healthy habits can sometimes compete ✔ How to protect sleep without giving up movement ✔ 4 Lessons and a simple experiment for discovering your own best rhythm Episode Introduction Welcome back to the Neuroscience Meets Social and Emotional Learning Podcast, where we bridge neuroscience, social and emotional learning, and human performance to create measurable improvements in well-being, achievement, leadership, productivity and results. I'm Andrea Samadi, and throughout Season 16 we have been building what I call the Brain's Operating System for Human Performance—a neuroscience-based framework for understanding how the systems of the brain and body work together to influence how we learn, adapt, connect, lead and ultimately perform. We are currently in Phase 3: Movement, Learning and Cognition. Movement is the foundation of this phase because it affects far more than our muscles. When we move, we activate processes throughout the brain and body. Movement supports neurogenesis—the development of new neurons—particularly in areas involved in learning and memory. It strengthens connections between neurons through synaptic plasticity. We covered neurogenesis on EP 141[i] if you want to revisit that episode, if you are as curious as I am about how to regrow our brain cells. Movement that we are learning in this phase, also influences brain chemicals such as dopamine, serotonin, norepinephrine and acetylcholine, which affect motivation, mood, attention and learning. Movement can also strengthen our resilience by helping us manage stress and become more emotionally flexible. It builds sleep pressure, (the longer we stay awake, the more adenosine accumulates that increases our need or “pressure” to rest) which can support deeper, more restorative sleep. And over time, these changes may contribute to greater creativity, insight, endurance and human potential. But movement only creates the stimulus. The benefits don't come from movement alone. They come from the way the brain and body respond to that movement—and that response is called adaptation. Movement changes the brain. Adaptation changes the body. Recovery is what connects the effort we make today with the strength, resilience and capacity we hope to build tomorrow. Without adequate recovery, we can receive the stimulus without fully receiving the benefit. That is why sleep belongs inside the Movement Loop. Sleep is not separate from movement, learning or performance. It is one of the primary places where the brain and body respond to what we have asked them to do. Throughout Season 16, I've been sharing some of my own health and performance data as a living case study—not because everyone should try to reproduce my numbers, but because our individual trends can help us understand how neuroscience shows up in everyday life. I thought that if I was curious about understanding my numbers—and using them to improve my health, well-being and productivity—then other people might benefit from what I've learned along the way. My data has helped me see that movement, recovery and performance cannot be understood in isolation. They work together as a system: Movement creates the stimulus. Recovery creates the conditions for adaptation. Restorative sleep is one of the places where that adaptation unfolds. And this brings us to one of the most important recovery metrics I've learned to follow: Restorative sleep. We often celebrate what happens while we're awake: Our productivity. Our focus. Our learning. Our movement. Our performance. But much of the adaptation supporting those abilities happens while we sleep. Deep sleep supports physical restoration. REM sleep supports emotional processing, memory integration and cognitive flexibility. Together, these stages help convert the demands of one day into greater capacity for the next. This episode began with one honest question about my own routine: THE QUESTION: What am I gaining by waking at 4:00 AM to hike—and what might I be giving up by not sleeping longer? This is not simply an episode about sleeping more. It is about creating a rhythm in which two essential health behaviors—sleep and exercise—support one another instead of competing for the same limited hours. You will see my data exactly as it is. Sleep is one of the weaker links in my current health routine, which makes it a useful place to learn. The goal is not to judge the data. The goal is to let the data ask a better question. Lesson 1: Restorative Sleep Contains Two Stories WHOOP (the wearable device that I use to measure sleep) defines restorative sleep as the combined time spent in deep sleep, also called slow-wave sleep, and REM sleep. Combining the two creates a useful overview, but separating them reveals two different parts of the story. Deep Sleep or Slow-Wave Sleep: Physical Restoration Deep sleep is concentrated more heavily in the earlier part of the night and supports processes associated with physical restoration. It is relevant after hiking, Zone 2 exercise, strength training and other demanding activity because sleep is part of how the body responds to the strain we create. During deep sleep: Tissue repair is supported. Growth hormone release increases. Immune function is supported. Energy is restored. The body adapts to physical strain. REM Sleep: Integration REM stands for rapid eye movement sleep and is known as the “mentally restorative” stage of sleep. This is where most dreams occur, and short-term memories are converted into long-term memories. During REM, the brain is highly active while most voluntary muscles remain temporarily inhibited. I'll never forget the part of our interview with Dr. Jaland Balal[ii], when he explained that this feature is what keeps us safe from moving around too much while we are sleeping, keeping our sleeping partners safe. REM has been associated with: Emotional processing Memory integration Aspects of learning Cognitive flexibility Creative associations Connecting new information with previous experiences Memory is supported across several sleep stages—not by REM alone. REM helps the brain process, connect and integrate. REM periods also tend to become longer as the night progresses. That means shortening the end of the sleep window may disproportionately reduce the opportunity for the longer, more REM-rich cycles that occur toward morning. Deep sleep helps restore the body. REM helps integrate the brain. We need both. That second sentence is personally meaningful because I have logged my dreams for years. A dream is not a diagnosis or a literal solution, and dreams can occur outside REM. But a dream log gives me a qualitative record of recurring emotions, images, relationships, problems and emerging ideas that my mind may still be processing. Since I enjoy learning, interviewing, writing, teaching and connecting ideas across neuroscience and social-emotional learning, REM matters for more than dream recall (which by itself is fascinating and something we will look deeper at in Phase 5 with Integration and Meaning). Lesson 2: My Data Revealed a Duration Gap When I looked at my WHOOP trends, the total restorative-sleep number was only the beginning.   Metric My average   Six-month restorative sleep 2 hr 43 min   Lifetime REM 1 hr 37 min   Last 90 days REM 1 hr 18 min   Last 30 days REM 1 hr 20 min   Recent REM percentage About 20% When I looked at six months of WHOOP data, my average restorative sleep was: 2 hours and 43 minutes per night. That number gave me the total time spent in deep sleep and REM—but it did not tell me how those two stages were distributed. When I separated them, another story emerged. My lifetime REM average was approximately: 1 hour and 37 minutes per night. But over my more recent periods, that changed: Last 90 days: approximately 1 hour and 18 minutes Last 30 days: approximately 1 hour and 20 minutes Recent REM percentage: approximately 20% of my total sleep Twenty percent is within a commonly reported adult range. But compared with my own lifetime average, my recent REM duration was approximately 17–19 minutes lower per night. That distinction matters. My REM percentage may appear healthy while my total REM duration is still lower than my personal historical average. So my real question became: Not “Is my REM normal?” but “What conditions help my brain produce more of its own normal REM?” This is the value of tracking. THE DATA LESSON: A population range provides context. Your baseline provides the story. Your trend gives you a question to test.           Lesson 3: The 4:00 AM Tradeoff I love hiking early. It gives me cardiovascular conditioning, time outside, morning light, mental clarity and consistency. In Arizona, it also helps me finish before extreme heat heats around 8am. But if I go to bed at 8:30 PM and wake at 4:00 AM, I create a maximum sleep opportunity of seven and a half hours. That is time in bed—not necessarily time asleep. It does not include the time required to fall asleep or periods of wakefulness during the night. If I remain in bed until 6:00 AM, I create two additional hours of sleep opportunity. Those two hours would not equal two hours of REM. They would contain a mixture of sleep stages and perhaps brief wakefulness. But because REM episodes generally lengthen later in the night, the added opportunity may protect some of the more REM-rich portion of sleep. If you want to understand sleep cycles, I highly recommend taking Dr. Mathew Walker's Masterclass[iii] The Science of Better Sleep. What the Early 4am Wake Gives Me Early movement and consistency Cardiovascular conditioning Time outdoors and morning light The mental and emotional benefits of hiking What Might it Cost Me Up to two hours of total sleep opportunity (lost) Part of one or more later sleep cycles (lost) Greater opportunity for REM and dream recall (important to me) Time for memory and emotional processing across sleep (important to me) The accurate interpretation is not that I lose two hours of REM. It is that I may give up two hours of sleep opportunity containing some of the night's more REM-rich cycles. That led to my central realization: healthy behaviors (like my early wake to hike) can compete when their timing is not coordinated. MY AHA MOMENT: Am I creating better sleep through movement—or repeatedly borrowing from the final part of sleep to make that movement happen? My wearable cannot prove that early wake times caused the change. Consumer wearables estimate sleep stages; they do not measure them with clinical polysomnography. But the pattern gives me a reasonable hypothesis to test. That is what self-tracking should do: not make us anxious about a number, but help us ask a better question. A Real-Time Clue: What 21 More Minutes Revealed While preparing this episode, my data gave me a real-time example of the tradeoff. On Thursday, August 27, I woke at 4:21 AM instead of 4:00 AM. That night I recorded three hours and two minutes of restorative sleep—the highest total of the week. It included one hour and seven minutes of deep sleep and one hour and 55 minutes of REM. That REM duration was approximately 35 minutes above my recent 30-day average. My graph in the show notes showed a substantial REM period close to the end of the sleep window. Twenty-one additional minutes cannot explain a 35-minute difference, and one night cannot establish cause. Sleep varies from night to night. But the observation supports the hypothesis that a 4:00 AM alarm may sometimes interrupt a REM period already underway. I also remembered my dream and added it to my dream log. That gave me another kind of data: not just how long I slept, but what my mind may have been processing, integrating or connecting. One night is a clue—not proof. Watch the trend. The lesson is not that 4:21 AM is a magical wake time. The lesson is that the final portion of sleep may be more valuable than its length makes it appear. A small extension may sometimes allow the brain to finish a cycle that an earlier alarm (or your natural body's alarm) would interrupt. Lesson 4: Build a Rhythm, Not a Perfect Day The remedy I've concluded is not to stop hiking, (I would be miserable) and it is not to maximize sleep or exercise in isolation (I wouldn't feel productive sleeping in longer). The solution is to create a weekly rhythm in which movement provides the stimulus and sleep protects the opportunity for adaptation. For me, that rhythm can include two kinds of days: 1. Early-Hike Days (twice a week) When a 4:00 AM wake time is necessary, (and possible). I can treat bedtime as part of the training plan. If family responsibilities the night before make a very early bedtime unrealistic, I can recognize that constraint and adapt. But it is important that I get to bed by 8:30pm if I want to wake up 4am.   2. Sleep-Protected Mornings On selected non-hiking days, I can remain asleep until approximately 5:00 or 6:00 AM and move later.  These mornings create more opportunity for later sleep cycles and give me a comparison condition for my experiment. What happens if I stay in bed longer? The goal is not a perfect day. The goal is a sustainable week. The Movement Loop is not: Move → Move More → Keep Pushing. It is: Movement → Recovery → Adaptation → Performance → Greater Capacity. For you, the listener, are you giving yourself enough time to recover? To Adapt? To Increase Performance? That leads to greater capacity? Or, did you notice, like me, that there was a trade off with your schedule? Tips to Implement: Run Your Own Restorative-Sleep Experiment You do not need my wake time, my REM number or a WHOOP device to learn from your own pattern. Use this five-step experiment for two to four weeks. Establish your baseline. Record your usual bedtime, wake time, estimated sleep duration, morning energy and—if available—deep and REM sleep for at least seven nights. The Whoop device rewards users who go to bed, and wake at the same time, calling it sleep consistency. Choose one change. Add 20–60 minutes of sleep opportunity on selected mornings, or move bedtime earlier before early-training days. Avoid changing every variable at once. Stanford Professor, Dr. Andrew Huberman[iv] suggests that if you can find a way to add heat to your sleeping environment in the final 2 hours of your sleep, it can increase your REM sleep. Sleeping just 21 more minutes for me made a notable difference. Protect movement differently. On sleep-protected mornings, move later, shorten the session or choose a lower-intensity option instead of skipping movement entirely. This was the game changer for me.  I opted for a walk on sleep protected days. Track a small set of outcomes. Use total sleep, restorative sleep or dream recall if available, morning clarity, afternoon energy and exercise quality. Optional wearable metrics include recovery, HRV and resting heart rate. This is where you have to notice what you see from this ONE change. It might be obvious like mine—I noticed that extra time led to a dream that I could recall. Review the pattern—not the best night. Compare at least one or two weeks of early mornings with sleep-protected mornings. Look for a repeatable combination that supports both recovery and movement. The patterns will reveal whether the ONE thing you changed made a difference for you. If you do use a wearable, remember that sleep stages are estimates. Use the device to compare patterns under similar conditions, not to diagnose a sleep disorder or chase a perfect stage score. KEY QUESTION: Can I preserve the benefits of movement without repeatedly borrowing the time my brain and body need for recovery? A Bigger Experiment Is Still Underway I have also removed one significant sleep disruptor and am tracking what happens to my REM, sleep stress, HRV, resting heart rate and recovery. I do not want to draw conclusions too early. I want enough data to distinguish a temporary response from a genuine physiological shift, so I will return to that experiment in a future episode. For now, the question is narrower: how can I protect restorative sleep while continuing to live an active life? Review  To review and conclude this week's BONUS EP 4, let's bring the four lessons—and the data—together. Lesson 1: Restorative Sleep Contains Two Stories Restorative sleep combines two important stages: Deep sleep and REM sleep. Deep sleep supports physical restoration and adaptation. REM supports emotional processing, memory integration, cognitive flexibility and creative association. We need both. Every morning, I look at my restorative-sleep total and hope it is closer to three hours than two. But this episode taught me not to stop at that combined number. The total gives me the overview. Deep sleep and REM tell me how that restoration was distributed. And REM is personally meaningful to me for another reason: I have recorded my dreams for years. Dream recall does not provide a literal interpretation of everything happening in my life. But it gives me a qualitative record of the emotions, experiences, problems and ideas my mind may still be processing. So Lesson 1 is: Restorative sleep is not one number. It contains the story of how the body restores—and how the brain integrates. Lesson 2: My Data Revealed a Duration Gap Over the past six months, my average restorative sleep has been two hours and 43 minutes. My recent REM has represented approximately 20% of my total sleep—a percentage that may appear reasonable. But when I looked at duration rather than percentage, I discovered that my recent REM was approximately 17–19 minutes below my lifetime average. REM percentage and REM duration answer different questions. Percentage tells me how my sleep was distributed. Duration tells me how much actual time my brain spent in that stage. That distinction matters because someone can have a reasonable REM percentage but still receive less total REM when the overall sleep window is shortened. So Lesson 2 is: A percentage can look healthy while duration still reveals a gap. This is why personal baselines are so valuable. Our trends help us identify the question we need to investigate. Lesson 3: The 4:00 AM Wake Time Creates a Tradeoff My data led me to examine my 4:00 AM wake time. Waking at 4:00 does not mean I am losing two hours of REM. It means I may be giving up two hours of total sleep opportunity—time that could contain approximately one to one-and-a-half later, more REM-rich sleep cycles. Then, while I was preparing this episode, I received an early clue. When I slept just 21 minutes longer—waking at 4:21 instead of 4:00—my restorative sleep reached three hours and two minutes. That included one hour and seven minutes of deep sleep and one hour and 55 minutes of REM—approximately 35 minutes more REM than my recent 30-day average. I also remembered my dream and added it to my dream log. Twenty-one additional minutes cannot explain the entire 35-minute difference, and one night does not prove causation. But the graph showed a substantial REM period close to the end of my sleep window. That gave me a clue worth investigating: My 4:00 AM wake time may sometimes interrupt a REM period that is already underway. So Lesson 3 is: The final portion of sleep may be more valuable than its length makes it appear. This does not mean that 4:21 is a magical wake time. It means that a small extension may sometimes allow the brain to finish a cycle that an earlier wake time would interrupt. Dr. Huberman, and Dr. Holmes offered tips to stay in bed longer, to capture REM rich sleep time. Lesson 4: Build a Rhythm, Not a Perfect Day My early-morning hikes provide cardiovascular conditioning, time outside, morning light, mental clarity and emotional regulation. They support my health. They also make me happy. The remedy is not to stop exercising and become miserable. The remedy is to protect sleep as well as I realistically can and arrange movement around a more complete sleep window. That might mean saving selected mornings for longer sleep. It might mean moving later on non-hiking days. It might mean moving bedtime earlier when possible. And it might mean shortening a workout when sleep has been limited. The goal is not to maximize sleep or exercise in isolation. It is to create a sustainable weekly rhythm in which both can happen. So Lesson 4 is: The best routine is not the one that produces a perfect number. It is the one that allows the whole system to work. Now let me ask you: Do you know how much restorative sleep you receive? Do you look beyond the total and examine both deep sleep and REM? Are you tracking percentages—or actual duration? Does your schedule give you enough sleep opportunity? And could one healthy behavior in your life be unintentionally competing with another? My restorative-sleep average gave me the overview. My REM duration revealed the tension. My 4:00 AM wake time created the hypothesis. My additional 21 minutes gave me an early clue. My next step is to test a better rhythm. That is what measurement is supposed to do. Not judge us. Not pressure us to produce a perfect number. Guide us toward a better decision. I hope this deeper look at restorative sleep encourages you to identify one small experiment of your own—not to chase a perfect number, but to discover the rhythm that helps you learn, adapt and perform at your best.   We'll see you next time as we return to Dr. John Medina's work—not to repeat what we have already learned about attention, but to answer the next question in the Movement Loop: once movement activates the brain, how does attention determine what becomes learning? From there, we'll revisit Jason Wittrock's work through a new lens: how metabolic health, nutrition and energy availability help the brain and body sustain movement, recovery and performance. Resources and Episode Pathway Phase 1: Regulation & Safety The Foundation Core Question: Is the nervous system safe enough to learn? Everything begins with regulation. Before we can focus, learn, lead, or perform, the brain first asks one fundamental question: Am I safe? Throughout Phase 1, our guests showed us that regulation isn't simply about reducing stress—it's about creating the biological conditions that allow the brain to learn, adapt, and thrive. Together we explored: Baland Jalal – how sleep, curiosity, imagination, and creativity prepare the brain for learning. https://andreasamadi.podbean.com/e/hypnagogic-genius-capture-your-best-ideas-at-the-edge-of-sleep/   Dr. Bruce Perry – why regulation, rhythm, and relationships form the foundation of every healthy nervous system.  https://andreasamadi.podbean.com/e/safety-first-why-a-regulated-brain-is-the-key-to-learning/   Dr. Sui Wong – how lifestyle medicine and autonomic balance build lifelong brain resilience. https://andreasamadi.podbean.com/e/your-eyes-the-brain-s-early-warning-system/   Rohan Dixit – how heart rate variability gives us real-time feedback on our ability to regulate stress. https://andreasamadi.podbean.com/e/breathe-to-reset-how-hrv-tech-reveals-hidden-stress/   Dr. Kristen Holmes – how recovery metrics reveal our physiological readiness to perform. https://andreasamadi.podbean.com/e/kristen-holmes-from-whoopcom-on-unlocking-a-better-you-measuring-sleep-recovery-and-strain/   Dr. Antonio Zadra – how sleep and dreaming consolidate memories, regulate emotions, and generate insight. https://andreasamadi.podbean.com/e/when-brains-dream-how-sleep-integrates-emotion-insight-and-creativity/ Together these conversations taught us that sleep and stress regulation aren't optional—they're the operating system that allows every higher brain function to work. Phase 2: Motivation & Neurochemistry The Direction Core Question: What moves us into action? Once the brain feels safe, it becomes ready to pursue goals. In Phase 2, we explored the internal chemistry that transforms intention into action. Our experts helped us understand that sustainable motivation isn't about willpower—it's about aligning our beliefs, thoughts, attention, energy, and movement. Together we discovered: Bob Proctor — our beliefs determine the direction of our lives. https://andreasamadi.podbean.com/e/belief-first-the-neuroscience-of-motivation/   Dr. Carolyn Leaf — our thinking literally changes our brain chemistry. https://andreasamadi.podbean.com/e/thoughts-as-biology-how-your-mind-shapes-neurochemistry/   Dr. John Medina — attention determines what the brain encodes and remembers. https://andreasamadi.podbean.com/e/theory-of-mind-the-missing-link-between-attention-reward-and-motivation   Dr. Anna Lembke- Dopamine, Motivation and Why the Brain Repeats Behavior https://andreasamadi.podbean.com/e/dopamine-nation-the-pleasure%e2%80%93pain-balance-that-drives-motivation/   Dr. Friederike Fabritius — managing our energy allows high performance to become sustainable. https://andreasamadi.podbean.com/e/fun-fear-focus-closing-the-motivation-loop/   Dr. Chuck Hillman & Paul Zientarski — movement activates the brain, preparing it to learn. https://andreasamadi.podbean.com/e/move-to-learn-how-movement-activates-the-brain-and-fuels-motivation/   By the end of Phase 2, we introduced what became The Motivation Loop, showing how beliefs influence thoughts, thoughts influence actions, actions create results, and results reinforce future beliefs. Phase 3: Movement, Learning & Human Performance The Transformation Core Question: How does movement change the brain—and how does recovery transform that change into performance? Now we're taking the next step. Phase 3 builds on everything we've learned so far. If Phase 1 created a regulated nervous system... If Phase 2 created motivation and direction... Phase 3 explains how the brain and body actually become stronger. Together we've explored this process through conversations with: Dr. Chuck Hillman & Paul Zientarski — why movement activates the brain before learning. https://andreasamadi.podbean.com/e/movement-first-how-a-20%e2%80%91minute-walk-lights-up-the-brain/   Dr. John Ratey — how exercise builds a healthier, younger brain. https://andreasamadi.podbean.com/e/movement-matters-how-every-move-rewires-the-brain/   Dr. Kristen Holmes — why recovery determines adaptation and readiness. https://andreasamadi.podbean.com/e/movement-isnt-enough-how-recovery-drives-real-adaptation   Dr. John Medina — how attention transforms movement into lasting learning. Jason Whitrock — how metabolism and cellular energy fuel long-term performance. WHERE WE ARE GOING NEXT Phase 4 — Connection, Emotion & Social Intelligence The Human System Core Question: How do we thrive with other people? The brain didn't evolve in isolation—it evolved through relationships. In Phase 4, we'll explore emotional intelligence, empathy, communication, trust, leadership, and psychological safety to understand how our relationships shape learning, well-being, and performance. Phase 5 — Integration & Human Performance The Complete System Core Question: How do all the systems work together? In our final phase, we'll bring everything together—regulation, motivation, movement, emotion, relationships, learning, and recovery—into one integrated framework. We'll discover how these systems work together to create measurable improvements in our well-being, achievement, leadership, productivity, and results. Selected Sleep References “What Is Restorative Sleep?” https://www.whoop.com/us/en/thelocker/what-is-restorative-sleep/ Patel AK, Reddy V, Shumway KR, Araujo JF. “Physiology, Sleep Stages.” StatPearls/NCBI Bookshelf. https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/books/NBK526132/ Goldstein AN, Walker MP. “The Role of Sleep in Emotional Brain Function.” Annual Review of Clinical Psychology. https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC4286245/ Paller KA, Creery JD, Schechtman E. “Memory and Sleep: How Sleep Cognition Can Change the Waking Mind for the Better.” Annual Review of Psychology. https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC7983127/   REFERENCES:   [i]Neuroscience Meets Social and Emotional Learning Podcast EPISODE 141 https://andreasamadi.podbean.com/e/brain-fact-friday-on-neurogenesis-what-hurts-or-helps-your-brain-cells/   [ii]Neuroscience Meets Social and Emotional Learning Podcast EPISODE 384 Review of our Interview with Dr. Baland Jalal  https://andreasamadi.podbean.com/e/hypnagogic-genius-capture-your-best-ideas-at-the-edge-of-sleep/   [iii] www.masterclass.com Mathew Walker The Science of a Better Sleep   [iv] https://www.instagram.com/p/DbO7dKLO-c8/?hl=en Dr. Andrew Huberman on ways to increase REM sleep.  

Consumer confidence is down in the dumps. We got lots of retail earnings reports this week, and they hinted at the continued K-shape of our economy, where wealthier consumers spend and buoy retailers while lower-income consumers scale back. What does this mean for retailers like Dollar General, Kohl's, Walmart, and Amazon? Then, we'll recap escalating trade tensions between the U.S. and Canada and how they could hit the automotive industry particularly hard.Every story has an economic angle. Want some in your inbox? Subscribe to our daily or weekly newsletter.Marketplace Morning Report is more than a radio show. Check out our original reporting and financial literacy content at marketplace.org — and consider making an investment in our future.

Consumer confidence is down in the dumps. We got lots of retail earnings reports this week, and they hinted at the continued K-shape of our economy, where wealthier consumers spend and buoy retailers while lower-income consumers scale back. What does this mean for retailers like Dollar General, Kohl's, Walmart, and Amazon? Then, we'll recap escalating trade tensions between the U.S. and Canada and how they could hit the automotive industry particularly hard.Every story has an economic angle. Want some in your inbox? Subscribe to our daily or weekly newsletter.Marketplace Morning Report is more than a radio show. Check out our original reporting and financial literacy content at marketplace.org — and consider making an investment in our future.

White Board: Three brands that have taken a step back in Sports, Pop Culture and Consumer. RIP ESPN's ticker during college football games Clay Travis joins the show SUBSCRIBE: @NextRoundLive - youtube.com/@nextroundlive @TNRClips - youtube.com/@TNRClips FOLLOW TNR ON SPOTIFY: https://open.spotify.com/show/7zlofzLZht7dYxjNcBNpWN FOLLOW TNR ON APPLE PODCASTS: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/the-next-round/id1797862560 WEBSITE: https://nextroundlive.com/ MOBILE APP: https://apps.apple.com/us/app/the-next-round/id1580807480 SHOP THE NEXT ROUND STORE: https://nextround.store/ Like TNR on Facebook: / nextroundlive Follow TNR on Twitter: / nextroundlive Follow TNR on Instagram: / nextroundlive Follow everyone from the show on Twitter: Jim Dunaway: / jimdunaway Ryan Brown: / ryanbrownlive Lance Taylor: / thelancetaylor Scott Forester: / scottforestertv Tyler Johns: /TylerJohnsTNR Brooks Carter: /BrooksACarter Sponsor the show: sales@nextroundlive.com Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Wyoming Whiskey just got its biggest reset in years — and David DeFazio explains why bringing the brand back into Wyoming ownership could change everything. Jake Lewellen sits down with the longtime friend of the podcast to break down the buyback, the emotional reaction from locals, and why this moment feels like a second chance to earn trust all over again.What starts as a quick catch-up turns into a real look at the future of the distillery — from barrel strategy and brand positioning to the practical realities of taking control of your own story. David shares the behind-the-scenes details of how the deal came together in just three months, why bringing back longtime blender Nancy Fraley matters, and how "letting the barrels tell you what to do" is shaping what's coming next.You'll discover:Why the team believes "hitting singles" beats chasing home runs in whiskey growthHow the buyback is giving Wyoming Whiskey a chance to reset its reputation with locals and fansWhat David says about bringing back Nancy, rethinking releases, and letting the barrels lead the decisionsWhy age statements like 10, 12, and 15 years could be a major part of the next chapterHow a new whiskey library, older stock, and distillery-only bottles could fuel exciting future dropsDavid also opens up about historic lows in national alcohol consumption, smart inventory planning for a smaller producer, and why small, practical ideas from the team on the ground in Kirby could shape the next wave of releases — including a possible cutthroat trout series inspired by Wyoming's own waters.If you like your whiskey talk honest, specific, and full of big-picture strategy, this one belongs on your playlist. Essential listening for Wyoming Whiskey fans, age-statement hunters, and anyone who loves hearing how a great brand gets a second chance.Timestamps:00:00 – The big news of new ownership01:15 – Impact of the change and community reaction03:03 – Hitting singles vs. home runs: the new approach07:08 – Why now: the reasons behind the transition09:04 – Bringing back Nancy and key team members10:12 – Creating a whiskey library from old stock13:10 – Expanding into age statements and rye17:15 – Planning production for the future19:02 – Refining processes and building a legacy22:49 – Consumer preferences and what's nextSubscribe

Welcome to Nerd Alert, a series of special episodes bridging the gap between marketing academia and practitioners. We're breaking down highly involved, complex research into plain language and takeaways any marketer can use.In this episode, Elena and Rob explore how anger changes the way people shop. They break down new research showing angry buyers move faster, skip the safe middle option, and end up more satisfied with what they choose.Topics covered:   [02:00] "The Unique Role of Anger Among Negative Emotions in Goal-Directed Decision Making" [03:00] Does anger lead to better or worse buying choices? [04:00] The compromise effect and the safe middle option [05:00] Angry shoppers click less and decide faster [06:00] Are angry buyers happier with their choices? [07:00] Turning anger appeals into action [08:00] How brands can use a "villain" to tap into emotion  To learn more, visit marketingarchitects.com/podcast or subscribe to our newsletter at marketingarchitects.com/newsletter.  Resources: Khan, U., DePaoli, A., & Maimaran, M. (2019). The unique role of anger among negative emotions in goal-directed decision making. Journal of the Association for Consumer Research, 4(1), 64–76. https://doi.org/10.1086/701028  Get more research-backed marketing strategies by subscribing to The Marketing Architects on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, or wherever you listen to podcasts. 

The Experience Strategy Podcast | theexperiencestrategist.substack.com Part one of a four-part mini-series unpacking the frameworks in Dave Norton's new book, Human Context: How Intelligent Companies Build Customers. The Stupid/Dumb/Smart/Genius framework has been in use with clients for nearly a decade. It was born in a room in Burbank, in real time, when Joe Pine found himself in the back of a client workshop and Dave told the client that Joe would have a new framework for them.  This episode tells that origin story, walks through how the framework works — with examples from glasses to healthcare — and explains why it's never been more relevant than right now. What's in This Episode How the framework was born. Joe and Dave were working with a media company in Burbank. Dave had mapped out consumer insights across a whiteboard — rows, columns, the full picture. Joe, watching from the back of the room, took it as a prompt to build a two-by-two on the spot. The dumb-versus-smart contrast came from the conversation itself: broadcasting is dumb — it sends out a signal with no feedback loop — and the client knew they needed to move toward smart but weren't sure how. From there, the natural extension followed: if dumb has a worse version, it's stupid (intelligence used against the consumer). If smart has a better version, it's genius (intelligence that truly knows and serves the individual). The framework has been a core part of Dave and Joe's client work ever since, and it's now a central chapter in Human Context. What each level actually means: Dumb — no context is being collected or used. Not a pejorative. A pair of glasses that helps you see is dumb. A family doctor who knows your history and gives good care is practicing dumb medicine. The product or service does exactly what it's supposed to do, without any data layer. There will always be a market for dumb — and increasingly, it may feel like a relief. Smart — an iterative sense-and-respond loop. The system collects some data and adjusts. Your streaming service tracking what you watch and making recommendations is smart. Glasses with an audio component connected to your phone are smart. Genius — anticipatory, fully contextual, deeply personalized support. The system knows your history, your situation, your mode, and acts on your behalf before you have to ask. Dave uses the example of a health AI that knows your supplements, your medical history, and the fact that you're going golfing today — and surfaces exactly what you need to know, without a doctor's visit. Meta smart glasses are a current candidate, though the jury's still out. Stupid — intelligence used adversarially against the consumer. Getting in the way of what someone is trying to do. Collecting and deploying data in ways that feel invasive or serve the platform instead of the person. Google Glass — where users were famously called "Glassholes" — is the canonical example. Joe's live case study: Amazon Prime serving him ads for Lioness every single episode, for a show he's already watched in full. That's not smart personalization. That's stupid. The same technology, all four levels at once. The glasses example makes the framework concrete: regular glasses are dumb (and excellent at it). Hearing-aid glasses or phone-connected frames are smart. Meta smart glasses are approaching genius. Google Glass was stupid. One product category, four distinct orientations — and a viable business model for at least three of them. Healthcare is the most important application. The dumb version: fill out the same form you filled out last time, see the doctor, get the prescription. Not bad care — just no data layer. The critical gap Joe identifies: no one has the full picture of what you're taking. Your GP, your specialist, your rheumatologist — each knows their piece. Nobody has the whole context, including your supplements, which means drug interactions go undetected. The genius version: a health AI with your complete medical history, supplement stack, and daily context — flagging what you need to pay attention to before you even call the office, with the doctor as a periodic checkpoint rather than the first point of contact. Consumer expectations will catch up to this. When they do, dumb healthcare won't feel bad — it'll feel retro. The consumer's rising expectations change the baseline. As genius becomes standard, what felt cutting-edge becomes expected, and what was once acceptable starts to feel quaint. Dave's point: companies need to be building toward genius now, because the window in which it's a differentiator is shorter than it looks. This Is Part One of Four The next three mini-episodes unpack the remaining frameworks from Human Context: Part 2: Situational Markets Part 3: Modes Part 4: Time Value Get the Book Human Context: How Intelligent Companies Build Customers by Dave Norton is available now on Amazon (Kindle and print) and on Dave's Substack. The ten industry workbooks — showing how each framework applies to your specific category — are available alongside the book. Questions for the hosts? Reply to any episode email or find us at theexperiencestrategist.substack.com.

Another month, another PCE report that put annual core inflation meaningfully above the Fed's 2% target. The central bank has been fighting high inflation for more than five years now. At a certain point, you might start to wonder, does the Fed even have the power to fix it? Also in this episode: Consumer confidence falls, transportation durable goods orders tick up, and Arizona's Great Recession-era bid to save the state budget offers insight into how AI might change our tax structure.Every story has an economic angle. Want some in your inbox? Subscribe to our daily or weekly newsletter.Marketplace is more than a radio show. Check out our original reporting and financial literacy content at marketplace.org — and consider making an investment in our future.Read the stories in today's episode:Inflation is stuck above 2%. Can the Fed really do anything about it?Consumers are pessimistic about the next six monthsHow Arizona's "Capitol-ism" points to a potential tax fix for the AI ageWhat's driving an increase in orders for transportation equipment?Running a historic motel off Route 66 is no easy pursuitThe Gila River Indian Community "walks the walk" on water conservation

Another month, another PCE report that put annual core inflation meaningfully above the Fed's 2% target. The central bank has been fighting high inflation for more than five years now. At a certain point, you might start to wonder, does the Fed even have the power to fix it? Also in this episode: Consumer confidence falls, transportation durable goods orders tick up, and Arizona's Great Recession-era bid to save the state budget offers insight into how AI might change our tax structure.Every story has an economic angle. Want some in your inbox? Subscribe to our daily or weekly newsletter.Marketplace is more than a radio show. Check out our original reporting and financial literacy content at marketplace.org — and consider making an investment in our future.Read the stories in today's episode:Inflation is stuck above 2%. Can the Fed really do anything about it?Consumers are pessimistic about the next six monthsHow Arizona's "Capitol-ism" points to a potential tax fix for the AI ageWhat's driving an increase in orders for transportation equipment?Running a historic motel off Route 66 is no easy pursuitThe Gila River Indian Community "walks the walk" on water conservation

Anish Acharya joins Jen Kha to break down the next frontier of AI, from the evolving model landscape and open-source AI to why the application layer, and consumer AI in particular, may be entering a new phase. Anish explains why he believes there will be multiple winners at the model layer, why traditional moats like network effects, scale, and brand still matter, and how companies can choose between frontier and open-weight models depending on the economics of the task. They also explore why models are increasingly specializing, and how applications can combine different types of intelligence to create products that are more valuable than any single model. The conversation then turns to consumer AI: personal agents that can shop and manage your inbox, coding tools enabling a new generation of small businesses, and why Anish thinks we're seeing a renaissance for consumer builders. They also discuss the changing economics of AI software, the rise of "luxury software," and why the biggest risk for today's founders may no longer be thinking too big, but thinking too small. Stay Updated:Find a16z on YouTube: YouTubeFind a16z on XFind a16z on LinkedInListen to the a16z Show on SpotifyListen to the a16z Show on Apple PodcastsFollow our host: https://twitter.com/eriktorenberg Please note that the content here is for informational purposes only; should NOT be taken as legal, business, tax, or investment advice or be used to evaluate any investment or security; and is not directed at any investors or potential investors in any a16z fund. a16z and its affiliates may maintain investments in the companies discussed. For more details please see a16z.com/disclosures. Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

You may not realize it, but the grocery business is about to get into a price war. Big chains like Kroger and Aldi, along with Walmart, are setting up for to outbid each other for your food spending. That's great news for consumers until you realize why the retailers are doing this – because of consumers. Eurodollar University's Money & Macro Analysis----------------------------------------------------------------------------------What if your gold could actually pay you every month… in MORE gold?That's exactly what Monetary Metals does. You still own your gold, fully insured in your name, but instead of sitting idle, it earns real yield paid in physical gold. No selling. No trading. Just more gold every month.Check it out here: https://monetary-metals.com/snider----------------------------------------------------------------------------------Eurodollar University Live 2October 9-12, West Palm Beach, Florida40 seats exist. Application only.https://eurodollar-university.com/edu-conference-2026----------------------------------------------------------------------------------https://www.facebook.com/schwabnetwork/videos/dicks-sporting-goods-dks-shares-dropped-sharply-after-the-company-reported-earni/1070193602035253/https://www.cnbc.com/video/2026/01/12/why-americans-fell-in-love-with-aldi.htmlhttps://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SB0Wfc5Jqcohttps://www.facebook.com/schwabnetwork/videos/dicks-sporting-goods-dks-shares-dropped-sharply-after-the-company-reported-earni/1070193602035253/https://abcnews.com/video/133216771/https://www.youtube.com/shorts/2GmcwTdbr0Ihttps://www.bloomberg.com/news/articles/2026-08-20/walmart-posts-sluggish-sales-with-slowest-us-growth-in-six-yearshttps://www.conference-board.org/topics/consumer-confidence/https://www.bloomberg.com/news/articles/2026-08-25/dick-s-lowers-outlook-amid-foot-locker-weakness-more-discountshttps://www.eurodollar.universityTwitter: https://twitter.com/JeffSnider_EDUI'll also be active on Bravais Social - a new AI-centered social network designed for professionals and knowledge workers. The platform aims to bring together a wider range of tools and functionalities tailored specifically for professional interaction, research, and knowledge exchange in one place. You can find me here: https://bravais.social/profile/edu

Paul Altman is a Partner and Managing Director and joined The Sage Group at its inception in 2000. He focuses on consumer M&A transactions, advising high-growth lifestyle brands on transactions across multiple subsectors, including e-commerce, specialty retail, apparel & accessories, home, CPG, wellness, and beauty & personal care companies. He attended University of Michigan Ross for a joint BBA and law degree, and went to Wharton for his MBA. www.sagellc.com

Nova Scotia Premier Tim Houston joins with his reaction to the escalating trade war between the U.S. and Canada. Then, BMO Chief AI & Quantum Officer Kristin Milchanowski joins to discuss the key trends she's watching and where she sees opportunity right now. Plus, Tanger CEO Stephen Yalof joins with his expectations for the consumer amid the back-to-school shopping season. Squawk on the Street Disclaimer Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

Walmart beat earnings expectations. Walmart beat revenue expectations. Walmart raised its full-year outlook. And then the stock got CRUSHED! So what happened? In today's episode, we're diving into a great viewer question about Walmart and whether the recent selloff was justified. But to really answer that question, we need to look beyond Walmart's earnings report and ask a much bigger question: Is the American consumer finally starting to crack? Walmart's latest quarter gave Wall Street plenty to think about. U.S. comparable sales grew just 2.6%, the slowest pace in six years and well below expectations. At the same time, the company's e-commerce business grew 24%, earnings beat expectations, and management actually raised its full-year outlook. So why did investors wipe more than $80 billion from Walmart's market value? Because the market isn't simply looking at what Walmart earned yesterday. It's trying to figure out what the consumer will do tomorrow. We'll dig into: Why Walmart fell despite beating earnings expectations The slowdown in comparable-store sales Whether Walmart's valuation had simply gotten too expensive What management's guidance tells us about the months ahead Why higher-income consumers continue migrating toward Walmart What gasoline, food prices and inflation are doing to household budgets Whether the weakness is Walmart-specific—or something much bigger Then we'll zoom out and look at the macro data. July U.S. retail sales declined 0.6% month over month, even though they remained 5% higher than a year earlier. Consumer confidence has also weakened, with Americans becoming increasingly pessimistic about future business conditions and employment. That's where this story gets interesting. Because the consumer isn't necessarily collapsing. There are conflicting signals everywhere. Credit-card spending remains relatively resilient. Walmart continues gaining customers. E-commerce is growing. Yet confidence is deteriorating, retail sales have softened, gasoline prices remain elevated, and consumers are becoming increasingly cautious about the future. So which side should traders believe? The consumer may not be broken—but the cracks are becoming increasingly difficult to ignore. And remember, consumer spending represents roughly two-thirds of U.S. economic activity. If consumers begin pulling back, the impact doesn't stop at Walmart. It can eventually flow through to retail sales → corporate earnings → employment → economic growth → Federal Reserve policy → the stock market. That's why Walmart's 9% selloff deserves a much deeper look than simply saying, "They missed comparable-store sales." For additional research, check out U.S. Census Bureau Retail Sales and The Conference Board Consumer Confidence Index. Listen now:

Rushed methodology changes implemented mid-season by Nielsen have severely shaken the NFL's confidence in standard television ratings. NFL Chief Data Officer Paul Ballew explains how media fragmentation is forcing leagues and networks to demand radical transparency or switch to new transactional metrics. Key Highlights

In the latest episode of William Blair Thinking Presents, group head of consumer research Sharon Zackfia and consumer analyst Dylan Carden discuss the key findings from their State of the Consumer: The 2026 Edition report, examining why consumer spending has remained resilient despite inflation, higher energy costs, and economic uncertainty. They also explore the growing divide between income groups, shifting definitions of value, emerging margin pressures, and the consumer trends investors should watch as 2026 unfolds.

Hour 1: Shelley Farbares, known from ‘The Donna Reed Show' and ‘Coach' has passed away at 82. Motown songwriter Janie Bradford has also died at 87. Spider-Man is #1 for the 4th week in a row making it one of the highest grossing movies of all time. National Treasure 3 is happening WITH Nick Cage! Matty is struggling with storage decisions. It's time to play your Labor Day home improvement project. Tips to make your homemade coffee even tastier. GenZ is telling us stuff that isn't cool anymore. Hour 2: The brother of Hayden Panettiere's boyfriend is speaking on her death. Vinnie wonders if her mom regrets the “tough love” approach. Sarah's reminding us of other child stars that didn't make it out unscathed. There's gonna be a documentary about Dane Cook's brother stealing all his money. The Pokemon world championships are happening in San Francisco THIS weekend. Names don't always age well, so beware of this new trend. Shout out to this guy who brought us vaccines. Another story about AI - yawn! Hour 3: Was Miley Cyrus a bully back in the day? A throwback video and comments from Jordan Pruitt say yes. Pumpkin is defending her choice to do OnlyFans, but Sarah says she doesn't have to. Netflix rescinded its offer to Meghan Markle to join Guy Ritchie's ‘The Gentleman' due to UK backlash. Pluto officially hasn't been a planet for 20 years. Consumer reports is not recommending ANY electric scooters - here's why. A shocking number of GenZ are considered shut-ins due to the pandemic. This car wasn't quite stolen, but it shouldn't have been borrowed either. Hour 4: Olivia Rodrigo released a new politically potent single inspired by The Handmaid's Tale. Dr. Dre defends AI saying, “Nobody liked drum machines when they first came out.” 49ers owner, Jed York, arrested in Ohio for soliciting you-know-what. Sarah has incredibly strong feelings on this topic - let's discuss! There is a new oldest person alive, and she's 117! Should we play a game?

Was Miley Cyrus a bully back in the day? A throwback video and comments from Jordan Pruitt say yes. Pumpkin is defending her choice to do OnlyFans, but Sarah says she doesn't have to. Netflix rescinded its offer to Meghan Markle to join Guy Ritchie's ‘The Gentleman' due to UK backlash. Pluto officially hasn't been a planet for 20 years. Consumer reports is not recommending ANY electric scooters - here's why. A shocking number of GenZ are considered shut-ins due to the pandemic. This car wasn't quite stolen, but it shouldn't have been borrowed either.

NBC Business and Data Correspondent Brian Cheung shares the best privacy settings to activate on your devices. Also, a look inside “Shred Co”, a program inspiring young skaters to build confidence. Plus, actor Jonathan Pryce discusses his Emmy nomination for his role as a former MI5 agent living with Dementia in “Slow Horses”. And,  Shop TODAY showcases trending items in beauty, fashion, and home that won't break the bank.  Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

A look at the newest beauty trend focused on men's beauty, as more men get into multi-step skincare routines, Botox, and laser treatments. Also, sitting down with Adam Scott to talk about his latest project “The Whisper Man”, where he plays a man searching for his missing young son. Plus, what's inside Shop TODAY's August Hot List Curated Box! And, fast and functional makeup tips as you return back to your routine with summer winding down. Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

Man Group's Kristina Hooper breaks down Kevin Warsh's closely watched moment and what the shifting policy outlook means for stocks. The episode also examines one of the more surprising turns in the AI trade: Ryan Levine, Senior Utilities Analyst at Citi, explains what happened to the expected AI boost for utilities and whether surging data center power demand can still translate into gains for the sector. Consumer trends come into focus as Ike Boruchow of Wells Fargo examines what a potentially warm winter could mean for retailers and apparel companies. Jonathan Boyar makes the case for value investing and identifies opportunities away from the market's most crowded trades. Nvidia takes center stage ahead of earnings later this week. Tim Arcuri of UBS previews the report and outlines the key signals to watch across AI demand, spending and the semiconductor ecosystem. Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

Travis and Eric break down Tom Brady's growing post-football business empire, focusing on his investment in Card Vault, a sports trading card and authenticated memorabilia retailer. The company has expanded rapidly since Brady acquired a 50% stake in 2025 and now counts major names including Jay-Z, Aaron Judge, Dana White, and other investors among its backers. Travis and Eric discuss the economics of physical retail, the resurgence of collectibles, the role of social media and live card breaking, and whether Card Vault's aggressive expansion is a smart long-term bet—or a potential bubble. On this episode we talk about: Tom Brady's investment in Card Vault and his growing business empire after football Why Jay-Z, Aaron Judge, Dana White, and other major investors are backing the trading card company The resurgence of sports cards, Pokémon, and other collectibles The risks and opportunities of rapidly expanding a physical retail business Why live card breaking, influencers, and e-commerce could be more important than physical stores Whether the current trading card boom is sustainable or another collectible bubble How celebrity credibility and social media can create an entirely new business model around collectibles Top 3 Takeaways Don't confuse brand visibility with business fundamentals. Card Vault has grown revenue by more than 400% and plans to expand to roughly 24 stores by the end of the year, but Travis questions whether the economics of rapidly opening expensive physical locations can support that growth over the long term. Physical locations may be the anchor, not the engine. Travis argues that the real opportunity could be online commerce, live card breaking, and the media surrounding collectibles, with physical stores serving as brand-building destinations rather than the primary source of sales. Be careful making decisions based only on what you personally understand. Eric points out that his own lack of interest in mystery products and collectible cards doesn't necessarily mean there isn't a massive market for them. Consumer businesses can look strange from the outside while still having strong demand—and that's exactly why understanding the market matters. Notable Quotes "The thing that ties it all together is social media and the internet." "You shouldn't make decisions based on just only what you know." "There's always a tipping point where you get to a certain number of locations and then the brand reinforcement that you gain from having that many locations open ensures the success of the brand to a certain extent." Connect with Travis Chappell: Instagram: instagram.com/travischappell Other: travischappell.com A Word from Our Sponsors: - Go to Leesa.com for 25% OFF select mattresses (through August 23, 2026) PLUS get an extra $50 off with promo code TMM, exclusive for my listeners  - The most successful business owners don't do it all themselves — they delegate. Upwork lets you build a team of highly skilled specialists for every function your business needs, so you can focus on what you do best and let experts handle the rest. Visit Upwork.com right now and post your job for free! Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

In this episode of Canadian Macro, Simon and Dan break down a busy week for inflation, trade, bonds, currencies and commodities. They start with the latest Canadian CPI report, including the renewed pressure from gasoline, food and diesel prices, and why the headline inflation number may not fully capture what households are actually feeling. They also discuss the early details of a potential U.S.-Canada trade deal, including tariffs on autos, steel and aluminum, the push to reopen Canadian markets to U.S. alcohol, and whether Keystone XL could re-enter the conversation. The main focus of the episode is the U.S. bond market. Simon and Dan explain why the U.S. Treasury is increasing buybacks of older Treasury bonds, what that could mean for long-term yields, and why recent moves involving Japan, the yen, and the FIMA repo facility suggest policymakers may be getting more nervous about Treasury market stability. They also discuss why gold and Bitcoin have rallied, what it could say about confidence in government bonds and fiat currencies, and why rising U.S. yields matter directly for Canada, mortgage rates, the loonie and the Bank of Canada. Watch the full video on Our New Youtube Channel! Check out our portfolio by going to Jointci.com Our Website Canadian Investor Podcast Network Twitter: @cdn_investing Simon’s twitter: @Fiat_Iceberg Braden’s twitter: @BradoCapital Dan’s Twitter: @stocktrades_ca Want to learn more about Real Estate Investing? Check out the Canadian Real Estate Investor Podcast! Apple Podcast - The Canadian Real Estate Investor Spotify - The Canadian Real Estate Investor Web player - The Canadian Real Estate Investor Asset Allocation ETFs | BMO Global Asset Management Sign up for Fiscal.ai for free to get easy access to global stock coverage and powerful AI investing tools. Register for EQ Bank, the seamless digital banking experience with better rates and no nonsense.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

In this edition of the 47 Morning Update, Ben Ferguson examines two stories he argues are drawing significant public attention. First, he discusses reports that federal agents seized electronic devices belonging to former Congressman Eric Swalwell pursuant to search warrants connected to an investigation involving sexual misconduct allegations. Ferguson reviews publicly reported details, notes that Swalwell has denied the allegations, and emphasizes that no conviction has occurred. Former Congressman Eric Swalwell is facing renewed scrutiny after reports that the FBI seized electronic devices as part of an investigation tied to sexual misconduct allegations. At the same time, Nike’s long decline from its 2021 market peak is fueling another debate over brand strategy, consumer behavior, and corporate activism. The episode then turns to Nike’s stock performance and market value decline since its peak several years ago. Ferguson argues that a series of highly visible corporate and cultural decisions contributed to consumer backlash against the company. He connects Nike’s financial struggles to a broader debate over corporate activism, branding, and long-term customer loyalty. Topics Covered: Reports of FBI search warrants involving former Congressman Eric Swalwell Sexual misconduct allegations and Swalwell’s public denials The significance of electronic-device seizures in federal investigations Nike’s market value decline since its 2021 peak Consumer reactions to corporate activism and brand positioning The “go woke, go broke” argument and its impact on business debates Please Hit Subscribe to this podcast Right Now. Also Please Subscribe to the The Ben Ferguson Show Podcast and Verdict with Ted Cruz Wherever You get You're Podcasts. And don't forget to follow the show on Social Media so you never miss a moment! Thanks for Listening X: https://x.com/benfergusonshowYouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@VerdictwithTedCruzSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

You can't buy what you want. They tell you what you have to buy. When will this stop. You can stop it. 

Joe's Premium Subscription: www.standardgrain.comGrain Markets and Other Stuff Links —Apple PodcastsSpotifyTikTokYouTubeFutures and options trading involves risk of loss and is not suitable for everyone.

Markets grapple with a renewed bond debate after the Treasury's intervention. Robert Tipp, Global Head of Bonds at PGIM Fixed Income, breaks down the Treasury market and what rising deficits mean for yields. Former Kansas City Fed President Esther George weighs the Fed's next move. Walmart stock sinks in its latest results. Rupesh Parikh of Oppenheimer, who downgraded the stock ahead of earnings, examines whether the latest concerns reflect a Walmart-specific problem or broader pressure on consumer spending. Our Contessa Brewer takes a look at a growing challenge for the AI industry: how insurers can price the risk of rogue models and who ultimately bears the cost when AI systems cause damage. Adam Farstrup, Head of Multi-Asset Americas at Schroders, assesses the broader market and how investors should balance stocks, bonds and macro risk. Plus, our Seema Mody looks ahead to a critical week for software earnings and whether upcoming results can sustain the sector's recent rally. 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 of The Pet Food Science Podcast Show, Ivan Franco, Founder and Managing Director of Triplethree International, explains how artificial intelligence is reshaping pet food market intelligence and business decisions. He discusses data quality, consumer segmentation, market forecasting, human judgment, and the growing importance of AI-supported decision systems for identifying opportunities across Latin America. Listen now on all major platforms!“Market forecasting becomes stronger when artificial intelligence combines investment activity, product registrations, online searches, and consumer interest into meaningful market signals.”Meet the guest: Ivan Franco is Founder and Managing Director of Triplethree International, specializing in Latin American pet food market intelligence. Over two decades, he has led competitive analysis and growth strategy projects for manufacturers, suppliers, and investors. His current work examines how artificial intelligence and decision systems improve market understanding and resource allocation. Hear more from Ivan Franco on The Pet Food Science Podcast Show, available on all major platforms.Liked this one? Don't stop now — Here's what we think you'll love!Don't miss the chance to be part of the Pet Food Inner Circle!Join now and connect with leading experts in pet nutrition: https://petfoodinnercircle.com/What will you learn:(00:00) Highlight(01:38) Introduction(04:31) AI decisions(09:06) Market forecasting(13:06) Consumer segmentation(15:08) Data quality(17:32) Human judgment(20:12) Final QuestionsThe Pet Food Science Podcast Show is trusted and supported by innovative companies like:* Trouw Nutrition* Kemin- Rangen Group- Biorigin- DietForge- The Owner's Box- Elevate- ZentrixOS- Zentrix Insights- WiseVAs

A look at where and when to tip as Americans report feeling “tipping fatigue” amidst rising prices. Also, catching up with rising star Madelyn Cline ahead of the fifth and final season of “Outer Banks”. Plus, Shop Today's second annual Hair Awards, a look at the best products for every type, texture, and color. And, an early start to spooky season, tricks for the ultimate Halloween.     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 of Facts vs Feelings, Ryan Detrick, Chief Market Strategist at Carson Group, joins Sonu Varghese, Chief Macro Strategist at Carson Group, live from Penn State as Ryan navigates college move-in day and a few very real headlines along the way. From there, they dive into the increasingly complex financing behind the AI boom, including NVIDIA's role in funding AI infrastructure, the rise of "neo-clouds," private credit, and the shift of AI financing risk from corporate balance sheets toward the broader financial system.Ryan and Sonu then examine what the market is saying about risk. Semiconductor stocks have staged a powerful rebound, financials are on an unprecedented winning streak, European banks continue to outperform, and private equity and private credit names are breaking higher. They ask whether these market signals are consistent with the growing recession concerns that dominate financial headlines.The conversation turns to the consumer, where weak retail sales headlines tell only part of the story. Sonu explains why Prime Day timing, lower gasoline prices, and volatile monthly data can distort the picture, while restaurant spending, household balance sheets, debt levels, and delinquencies suggest the consumer remains more resilient than sentiment surveys imply. They also explore why consumers can feel worse while continuing to spend on restaurants, travel, concerts, and other experiences.Finally, Ryan and Sonu tackle inflation from the household's perspective, highlighting stubborn services inflation in areas like lawn care, health care, vehicle repairs, restaurants, and veterinary services. They discuss falling expectations for a September Fed hike, rising long-term Treasury yields, massive federal deficits, the growing cost of government interest payments, a steepening yield curve, and heavy Nasdaq hedging. The episode closes with a broader look at what these signals mean for the bull market and the economy.[Key Takeaways]AI financing is becoming increasingly financialized. NVIDIA's involvement in AI infrastructure financing, alongside major private-capital firms and banks, is helping shift the funding of AI buildout toward private credit, special-purpose vehicles, and debt-backed structures.The AI financing risk may be moving rather than disappearing. NVIDIA's proposed backstop structure can reduce tail risk on its own balance sheet, but some of that risk is transferred to investors, lenders, institutions, and private-credit vehicles financing AI infrastructure.The consumer is showing more resilience than the headlines suggest. Retail sales weakened in July, but Prime Day's earlier timing, lower gas prices, and monthly volatility complicate the headline number. Restaurant spending remains strong, while household debt and debt-service burdens remain relatively manageable.Household leverage does not look excessive by historical standards. Total household debt declined in Q2 2026, credit-card debt was down during the first half of the year, and household debt-service costs remain below 2019 levels. Delinquency data also require context because charged-off debt can remain in reported measures for longer than it historically did.Inflation remains a problem at the household level. While some headline inflation readings have been encouraging, services such as lawn care, home health care, vehicle repair, restaurants, dental care, and veterinary services continue to run above pre-pandemic inflation rates.Jump to:0:00 - College Move-In And Headlines4:20 - The Circular AI Money Loop8:30 - Neo-Clouds And Compute Financing Explained16:40 - Chip Rally And Financials Breakout19:45 - Why European Banks Still Lead22:20 - Retail Sales And Consumer Fears33:20 - Savings Rate Debt And Balance Sheets43:30 - Delinquencies The Data And The Asterisk49:40 - Inflation From A Consumer View56:55 - Fed Hike Odds Shift And Yields Rise1:01:20 - Deficits Long Bonds And Portfolio Positioning1:08:15 - Nasdaq Hedging And Final Takeaways1:11:57 - Wrap And Listener RequestsConnect with Ryan:• LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/ryandetrick/• X: https://x.com/RyanDetrickConnect with Sonu:• LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/sonu-varghese-phd/• X: https://x.com/sonusvarghese?lang=enQuestions about the show? We'd love to hear from you! factsvsfeelings@carsongroup.com

Markets face rising rates and geopolitical uncertainty as resilient consumers and small cap strength support the broader outlook. Plus, surging copper demand, AI infrastructure and defense technology are creating new investment opportunities. Later, retail earnings, Fed policy and higher energy prices put consumer spending and the market rally to the test. Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

In Kim on a Whim, hosts Kim St. Onge and Marc Cox analyze consumer food safety anxieties following a multistate outbreak of Cyclospora illnesses linked to iceberg lettuce imported from Taylor Farms de Mexico. The hosts evaluate consumer behavioral shifts—noting that roughly 40% of Americans report reducing fresh produce consumption—and discuss signage posted in local corporate cafeterias explicitly distancing their salad suppliers from Taylor Farms. Additionally, the segment reviews structural trade dependency on agricultural imports from Mexico, which now account for over 20% of all U.S. food shipments. St. Onge and Cox critique regulatory oversight dynamics at the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA), examining federal staffing levels, foreign farm inspection frequencies, and economic pressure on commercial growers. Hashtags: #KimOnAWhim #TaylorFarms #FoodSafety #FDA #Cyclospora #USAgriculture

Das Wall Street Journal rechnet vor, dass die großen Techkonzerne rund drei Billionen Dollar an Verpflichtungen tragen, die nicht in ihren Bilanzen stehen, also Kaufzusagen, noch nicht begonnene Leasings, SPV-Konstruktionen und Bürgschaften. Davor geht es um OpenAIs neues Zehn-Gigawatt-Projekt in Ohio, für das Nvidia einen Teil garantiert, und um die Frage, ob GPUs sich wie Flugzeuge oder Schiffe finanzieren lassen. Anthropic soll Ende Juli bei 65 Milliarden annualisiertem Umsatz gelegen haben und peilt für 2028 rund 200 Milliarden an. Stripe kauft OpenRouter für sieben Milliarden. Berkshire erhöht die Alphabet-Position um 83 Prozent, auf Buffetts eigenen Wunsch. Aus China kommen drei Milliarden Qwen-Downloads und ein neues Modell von Z.ai. Google ersteigert für zehn Millionen den Datenbestand einer insolventen Fluglinie. Unterstütze unseren Podcast und entdecke die Angebote unserer Werbepartner auf ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠doppelgaenger.io/werbung⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠. Vielen Dank!  Philipp Glöckler und Philipp Klöckner sprechen heute über: (00:00:00) Titelsuche (00:01:08) 10 Gigawatt in Ohio (00:02:15) Absatzfinanzierung (00:04:53) Nvidias Bilanz (00:16:05) Die 3 Billionen (00:35:42) Emissionen der Rechenzentren (00:38:19) Misstrauen gegen KI-Chefs (00:40:42) OpenAI-Umsatz (00:42:42) Stripe kauft OpenRouter (00:46:34) Anthropic-IPO (00:55:43) 13F und Berkshire (01:00:46) Qwen-Downloads (01:05:01) GLM 5.3 (01:06:05) Shein fällt weiter (01:06:50) Uber und Zipline (01:12:56) Cursor Origin (01:15:28) YouTube-Views (01:20:35) Google kauft Spirit-Daten (01:29:51) Apple und das Kartellamt (01:31:00) Teickes attuned.world (01:38:43) Thelens Tweet (01:45:22) Grok (01:48:43) Amazon zerschneidet Bücher (01:54:49) Metas COPPA-Prozess Shownotes OpenAI sichert sich 10 Gigawatt in Ohio, Nvidia stützt die Finanzierung - wsj.com Halbleiterkonzerne finanzieren ihre eigenen Kunden - news.crunchbase.com Warum die KI-Ausgaben 3 Billionen höher liegen als ausgewiesen - wsj.com 60 geplante Rechenzentren und ihre CO2-Bilanz - ft.com Junge Menschen misstrauen den KI-Chefs - futurism.com OpenAI-CFO Friar: Enterprise ist jetzt größer als Consumer - cnbc.com Stripe kauft OpenRouter für über 7 Mrd. - bloomberg.com Anthropics IPO-Bewertung hängt an der 2028er Umsatzprognose - reuters.com Anthropics Umsatz vervierzehnfacht sich im zweiten Quartal - bloomberg.com Berkshire erhöht die Alphabet-Position und steigt bei Constellation aus - wsj.com Alibabas Qwen-Modelle kommen auf 3 Milliarden Downloads - bloomberg.com Z.ai bringt GLM-5.3 als offenes Coding-Modell - decrypt.co Shein senkt die IPO-Bewertung auf rund 25 Mrd. - reuters.com Uber und Zipline wollen eine Million Drohnenlieferungen am Tag - wsj.com Cursor startet Origin gegen GitHub - siliconangle.com GitHub war den halben Tag offline - engadget.com YouTube ändert die Zählweise für Views - theverge.com Google ersteigert die Daten von Spirit Airlines für 10 Mio. - news.bloomberglaw.com Apple ändert die Tracking-Abfrage nach dem Verfahren des Bundeskartellamts - reuters.com Julian Teicke kündigt attuned.world an - linkedin.com Klage gegen xAI: 7.000 Missbrauchsbilder aus einem Kinderfoto - washingtonpost.com Amazon zerschneidet seltene Bücher fürs KI-Training - techcrunch.com Meta vor Gericht wegen Suchtdesign und COPPA - engadget.com

Consumer spending fell in early August, according to preliminary results from the University of Michigan's survey. July retail sales were down, and the average price of gas is nearing a record high for August. In today's episode, we look at how consumers could be cutting discretionary spending as a result. Also, we'll look at why China's economy may be in trouble, the value of GDP as a statistic, fake business registrations in Colorado, Reddit joining the S&P 500, and the global plastics industry.Every story has an economic angle. Want some in your inbox? Subscribe to our daily or weekly newsletter.Marketplace is more than a radio show. Check out our original reporting and financial literacy content at marketplace.org — and consider making an investment in our future.Read the stories in today's episode:Is the consumer engine of the economy starting to slow down?Is China's economy in trouble?Why we still use GDP to measure economic growthGetting weird mail? In Colorado, it could be business fraudPopular online forum Reddit is joining the S&P 500Middle East conflict raises U.S. plastic industry's sinking ship

Peter Schiff on plunging retail sales, sticky inflation, the Fed's stealth QE, and why the world is now leaving the dollar standard.This episode is sponsored by NetSuite. For the first time ever you can try NetSuite Next for free. If your revenues are at least in the seven figures, Go to https://netsuite.com/goldThis episode is also sponsored by Function. Join at https://functionhealth.com/peter and use code PETER25 for a $25 credit.Retail sales just plunged, producer prices are still rising, and the Fed is quietly expanding its balance sheet again.The July data tells the story the markets keep ignoring. Retail sales fell 0.6 percent, the biggest drop in over a year, and since those numbers are not adjusted for inflation, real spending fell even further. Consumer sentiment sank to 51 as households braced for 4.3 percent inflation, more than double the Fed's 2 percent target. Producer prices rose 4.7 percent year over year, and instead of rallying on the weak data, the bond market sold off to its lowest weekly close of the year, with the 30-year at 5.27 percent. Meanwhile the Fed expanded its balance sheet by more than 21 billion dollars in two weeks, with the national debt about 80 billion dollars away from 40 trillion.Peter marks 55 years since Nixon closed the gold window and calls it what it was: a 100 percent default on America's creditors. His father Irwin testified against removing gold backing in 1968, and the 1970s proved him right. Now the sequel is underway. The world is going off the dollar standard the way America went off gold, and the next leg down in the American standard of living has already started. Gold near 4,400 dollars and silver above 66 are the market's verdict.Chapters:00:00 Middle Class Squeeze01:01 PPI Breakdown04:08 Fed Balance Sheet Surge05:23 Stagflation Signals08:28 Bond Market Warning11:39 Greenspan and 1987 Echoes14:48 Stocks vs Bonds Diverge15:33 Gold Shines Bitcoin Slips18:16 Bitcoin Bear Case21:08 Iran Sanctions and Oil26:30 Nixon Gold Standard Legacy28:52 Inflation Math Reality29:30 Video Plug Fiat Failure30:19 Electric Catamaran Tour34:30 Cruising Plans Tax Credit37:02 Gold Standard Break Explained48:09 Dollar Standard EndingFollow @peterschiffX: https://twitter.com/peterschiffInstagram: https://instagram.com/peterschiffTikTok: https://tiktok.com/@peterschiffofficialFacebook: https://facebook.com/peterschiff#Stagflation #InflationOur Sponsors:* Check out Blinds.com and use my code GOLD for a great deal: https://www.blinds.com* Check out Chilipad and use my code GOLD for $255 off: https://sleep.me* Check out Factor and use my code gold50off for a great deal: https://www.factor75.com* Check out Fast Growing Trees and use my code GOLD for a great deal: https://www.fast-growing-trees.com* Check out Plaud AI and use my code GOLD for a great deal: https://www.plaud.ai* Check out Quince and use my code quince.com/GOLD for a great deal: https://www.quince.com* Check out TruDiagnostic and use my code GOLD for a great deal: https://www.trudiagnostic.comPrivacy & Opt-Out: https://redcircle.com/privacy

Consumer spending fell in early August, according to preliminary results from the University of Michigan's survey. July retail sales were down, and the average price of gas is nearing a record high for August. In today's episode, we look at how consumers could be cutting discretionary spending as a result. Also, we'll look at why China's economy may be in trouble, the value of GDP as a statistic, fake business registrations in Colorado, Reddit joining the S&P 500, and the global plastics industry.Every story has an economic angle. Want some in your inbox? Subscribe to our daily or weekly newsletter.Marketplace is more than a radio show. Check out our original reporting and financial literacy content at marketplace.org — and consider making an investment in our future.Read the stories in today's episode:Is the consumer engine of the economy starting to slow down?Is China's economy in trouble?Why we still use GDP to measure economic growthGetting weird mail? In Colorado, it could be business fraudPopular online forum Reddit is joining the S&P 500Middle East conflict raises U.S. plastic industry's sinking ship

Episode 600. On August 21st the Modern Warfare 4 early access beta, the WARDOGS closed beta, and Call of Duty NEXT all land on the same day — and the two games are asking for wildly different amounts of money. We go through everything Activision is cramming into the MW4 beta: a playable campaign mission called Entrenched, six multiplayer maps, the return of Ground War, and a brand new Warzone Resurgence map called Zodiac. Then we put odds on whether any of it actually works over a single weekend. Spoiler: 20%. Omnimovement is gone. We get into what replaced it, whether removing it was a gameplay decision or a marketing one, and why "you can climb pipes now" is the funniest thing Infinity Ward has ever put in a press release. On the WARDOGS side: $39.99 Early Access on September 10, over a million Steam wishlists, and a promise of no in-game monetization that came out of one very bad Reddit post. We argue that the promise is a mistake — and that the most consumer-friendly thing a game can do is just be good. Plus DMZ2, aim assist, and why Infinity Ward is about to be spread way too thin. 0:00 - Intro — 600 episodes 2:09 - Patreon free trials all August 4:02 - Patron hangout: August 28th 5:30 - Two betas, one Friday 6:49 - MW4 beta dates and the pre-order wall 7:44 - A campaign mission in a beta — a CoD first 10:23 - The battle dad theory 13:24 - Discord Nitro gets you in free 15:28 - All six multiplayer maps 16:06 - Ground War is back 20:24 - Zodiac: a new Resurgence map in the beta 23:56 - Modes, and the ones held back 25:33 - 19 weapons and a fake pre-order camo 26:59 - "It's gonna be a buggy fucking disaster" 28:51 - Putting the odds at 20% 31:13 - Why I win either way 33:23 - No more omnimovement 33:48 - Climbing pipes is just a ladder 35:58 - Was omnimovement actually better? 40:22 - Mantling as the Warzone middle ground 43:06 - What actually makes you a casual? 51:12 - WARDOGS 51:50 - Closed beta August 21–23 53:30 - Three maps at launch? We're skeptical 55:14 - The one thing WARDOGS is missing 56:54 - $39.99 Early Access, September 10 58:34 - September is not summer 1:00:32 - No monetization in Early Access 1:00:48 - The Reddit post that caused it 1:05:19 - "Consumer friendly" doesn't mean this 1:09:25 - The upside of by-gamers-for-gamers 1:10:09 - When to tell your fans to fuck off 1:19:09 - Is $40 the right price? 1:21:21 - 800,000 Steam wishlists 1:22:38 - Make that a million 1:26:39 - This puts Bulkhead on the map 1:28:22 - MW4 vs WARDOGS, side by side 1:29:25 - Which beta are you actually excited for? 1:31:27 - DMZ2 is the real unknown 1:34:58 - A piece of toast and not enough butter 1:40:03 - Aim assist is why I don't play CoD 1:42:55 - In defence of shit-can lobbies 1:46:13 - The August 21st collision, revisited 1:49:42 - What we've been playing 1:49:51 - Overwatch: bronze 5 to gold 3 1:54:43 - They added a rank called Emerald 1:57:27 - First team kill of the wipe 1:59:44 - Cope shotguns Jake from ten feet 2:04:24 - Tarkov level 35 and the Lighthouse rework 2:06:14 - Outro _Note: timestamps may be slightly misaligned on podcast apps (but not on YouTube) due to dynamic ads._ The podcast is available wherever you listen to podcasts, and ad-free & early access versions - as well as bonus episodes - are available to all of our Patreon (https://www.patreon.com/thedropshot) supporters. We stream the podcast live on our YouTube (https://www.youtube.com/c/thedropshotpodcast) every Saturday morning at ~9 o'clock Pacific Time. We typically start the stream 30 minutes early to answer viewer questions, banter, and chat. Links for everything are below. Thanks for checking us out!

NBC's Chief Business correspondent Christine Romans stops by with advice on the best ways to book and budget a last-minute summer group trip. Also, Leslie Mann talks about her newest role as a woman eager for much-needed escape in the new film “Spa Weekend”. Plus, a round-up of exciting arrivals to Target! And, meet Jinny Lu, the winner of the 2026 World's Ugliest Dog contest!  Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

What is actually shaping your life? Most people point to genetics, family, money, education, or the circumstances they were born into. Those things matter, but they are not the whole story. In this episode of The Impossible Life Podcast, Nick Surface and Garrett Unclebach reveal the forces you can control that are quietly determining your future. Without intentionality, years can pass while your beliefs, habits, relationships, and tolerances steer your life somewhere you never consciously chose.This conversation challenges Christian men to examine what they believe, where they place their attention, what they repeatedly do, and who they allow to influence them. Your routines are shaping who you become. Your relationships are defining what feels normal. The things you tolerate are slowly establishing your standards. Biblical masculinity requires more than good intentions—it requires taking responsibility for the direction of your life and aligning your daily decisions with truth, faith, and the purpose God has given you.A great life does not happen by accident. It is formed through commitments you honor, adversity you confront, and the small decisions you make when nobody is watching. Men who continually run from difficulty become weaker, while men who trust Jesus and lean into adversity allow hardship to produce strength, maturity, and endurance. This episode will help you put your hands back on the wheel, evaluate who you are becoming, and intentionally build a life that reflects God's plans rather than the path of least resistance.Get With NuWave Home Lenders By Clicking HereJoin a group of likeminded Impossible Life listeners in our FREE Skool community by clicking here.Get the Purpose Playbook by clicking hereGet the FREE Basic Discipline Training 30 Day Program by clicking hereJoin us in Mindset Mastery by clicking hereLevel up your nutrition with IDLife by clicking hereGET IN TOUCHSocial Media - @theimpossiblelifeEmail - info@theimpossible.life

In the second episode of our Big Shift series, Emma sits down with Phil Camarota, Chief Creative Officer at Flywheel, to explore how fragmentation shows up in a brand's creative experience.Phil explains why fragmentation is more than disconnected teams or KPIs. It can also break the brand story consumers experience across creators, retail media, ecommerce, stores, and the shelf. He breaks down why consistency does not mean repeating the same message everywhere, how physical and digital retail should play complementary roles, and why the store still matters as a place for reassurance, immersion, and relationship building.The conversation also covers creative commerce, AI's impact on real-time commerce, what Total Commerce means in practice, and why brands should take a closer look at how their integrated agency teams are actually collaborating.This episode builds on ideas from The Big Shift: From managing to mastering fragmentation. Read the full whitepaper for the complete story.

Jay Aldebert discusses the key themes shaping markets and previews the upcoming retail earnings season. He examines consumer spending trends through the lens of Walmart (WMT) and Target (TGT), while also exploring the impact of tariffs, Fed policy, and the growing adoption of AI across the retail industry.======== Schwab Network ========Empowering every investor and trader, every market day. Subscribe to the Market Minute newsletter - https://schwabnetwork.com/subscribeDownload the iOS app - https://apps.apple.com/us/app/schwab-network/id1460719185Download the Amazon Fire Tv App - https://www.amazon.com/TD-Ameritrade-Network/dp/B07KRD76C7Watch on Sling - https://watch.sling.com/1/asset/191928615bd8d47686f94682aefaa007/watchWatch on Vizio - https://www.vizio.com/en/watchfreeplus-exploreWatch on DistroTV - https://www.distro.tv/live/schwab-network/Follow us on X – https://twitter.com/schwabnetworkFollow us on Facebook – https://www.facebook.com/schwabnetworkFollow us on LinkedIn - https://www.linkedin.com/company/schwab-network/ About Schwab Network - https://schwabnetwork.com/about

Larry Werther examines the latest retail sales and inflation data and explains why he expects the Fed to hold steady in September. He discusses the resilience of the U.S. consumer, the impact of AI-driven business investment, and what current market valuations signal for the broader economy, including insights on Target (TGT) and Walmart (WMT).======== Schwab Network ========Empowering every investor and trader, every market day.Subscribe to the Market Minute newsletter - https://schwabnetwork.com/subscribeDownload the iOS app - https://apps.apple.com/us/app/schwab-network/id1460719185Download the Amazon Fire Tv App - https://www.amazon.com/TD-Ameritrade-Network/dp/B07KRD76C7Watch on Sling - https://watch.sling.com/1/asset/191928615bd8d47686f94682aefaa007/watchWatch on Vizio - https://www.vizio.com/en/watchfreeplus-exploreWatch on DistroTV - https://www.distro.tv/live/schwab-network/Follow us on X – https://twitter.com/schwabnetworkFollow us on Facebook – https://www.facebook.com/schwabnetworkFollow us on LinkedIn - https://www.linkedin.com/company/schwab-network/About Schwab Network - https://schwabnetwork.com/about

This week will be all about the U.S. consumer when it comes to earnings, says Tom White, with companies like Walmart (WMT) and Target (TGT) set to report. He explains how he sees the state of the consumer now and ways these reports can offer new strength. Tom turns to the tech space with an upgrade on Apple (AAPL) from Redburn, along with reports that Nvidia (NVDA) and OpenAI are closing in on an Ohio data center financing deal.======== Schwab Network ========Empowering every investor and trader, every market day. Subscribe to the Market Minute newsletter - https://schwabnetwork.com/subscribeDownload the iOS app - https://apps.apple.com/us/app/schwab-network/id1460719185Download the Amazon Fire Tv App - https://www.amazon.com/TD-Ameritrade-Network/dp/B07KRD76C7Watch on Sling - https://watch.sling.com/1/asset/191928615bd8d47686f94682aefaa007/watchWatch on Vizio - https://www.vizio.com/en/watchfreeplus-exploreWatch on DistroTV - https://www.distro.tv/live/schwab-network/Follow us on X – https://twitter.com/schwabnetworkFollow us on Facebook – https://www.facebook.com/schwabnetworkFollow us on LinkedIn - https://www.linkedin.com/company/schwab-network/ About Schwab Network - https://schwabnetwork.com/about

Former PepsiCo President Derek Lewis talks about his retirement from the beverage company in 2022, his restaurant franchise portfolio and the state of the US economy, saying that consumers are being intentional right now. He talks to Bloomberg's Romaine Bostick from Martha's Vineyard for Bloomberg New Voices.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Aug 14, 2026 – Inflation data cooled enough to ease rate-hike fears. The consumer is showing real cracks in retail sales and sentiment. AI infrastructure spending keeps accelerating, led by Nvidia's $500 billion financing push. Market breadth is broadening beyond mega-cap tech...

“The machines today are like toddlers learning how to walk. They stumble. They're not very good. They make mistakes.” — Anmol Madan One in three American adults are already using AI for health information — with or without their doctors' permission. The machines, in other words, are already seeing us. This will chill some Americans in our summer of luddite discontent. For others, however, like the San Francisco-based medical tech entrepreneur Anmol Madan, the appearance of doctor AI in our lives is mostly good news. In his new book, The Machines Will See You Now, Madan lays out what he calls a “human roadmap” to “autonomous health care.” I'm not entirely sure what he means by “human” in a Blade Runner-style world where machine and man are quickly merging. But by “autonomous,” which I suspect is a euphemism, Madan means artificial intelligence. What worries Madan about our current moment is the broken dialogue over AI. On the one hand, we have tech utopians promising a totally automated healthcare industry. Then we have an anxious establishment struggling to change America's archaic and often dysfunctional medical system. And, of course, American consumers (if that's the right word) who are already using ChatGPT or, more troublingly, TikTok, as their doctor. America spends $4.7 trillion on a healthcare industry which compares poorly with the medical systems of other wealthy countries. Madan's “parallel universe,” he promises, would cost half as much and double access. The machines will see you now. Like it or not, Dr AI is our all-too-human future. Five Takeaways •       One in Three Already Ask the Machines. The KFF poll behind the episode: a third of American adults already use AI for health information, with or without their doctors' blessing — and if they're not asking ChatGPT, they're asking TikTok. Madan's frustration is the broken dialogue between AI exuberance (“we're going to automate healthcare”) and medical anxiety, when the right answer is in between: new technology is no excuse for throwing out the guardrails of medical devices and clinical safety. The stakes are the brutal arithmetic of American medicine — $4.7 trillion spent for the worst outcomes among peer nations — and his “parallel universe”: half the cost, twice the access, delivered by AI systems that are tested, safe, and rigorous. Consumer appetite is already there; the safeguards are not.•       The Waymo Scale for Medicine. The book's organizing framework applies the self-driving industry's levels of autonomy to healthcare. Level zero is today: 99 percent of decisions — diagnosis, treatment, prescription — made by humans. Level one is doctor assistance, already deployed: radiologists who once hauled backpacks of reports now guided by machines to where to focus. Levels two and three ease machines into the lowest-stakes treatment and diagnostic decisions with human review — and the fully autonomous end state, Madan concedes, may never arrive. To Andrew's objection that Waymo's scale ended with the drivers removed, Madan offers the transatlantic pilot: autopilot flies ninety percent of the route, and nobody thinks the pilot doesn't matter. The structure, he argues, is what lets regulators, doctors, and builders finally talk about the same thing.•       Toddlers Learning to Walk. Madan's metaphor for today's medical AI: toddlers — stumbling, error-prone, needing layers of protection, and badly underestimated at their peril and ours. The mistake, he argues, is concluding that because the systems aren't perfect we shouldn't try them at all, when a constrained system is starving for capacity. Pressed by Andrew on what the machines will never do (“toddlers grow up”), his list is candid: human perception — reading body language, assessing the person who walks into the clinic — improves far more slowly than diagnostic reasoning and may never reach human capacity; and the relationships people form with chatbots, loneliness epidemic notwithstanding, have no literature yet showing they produce clinical outcomes like a human therapist's thirty minutes. Plus one asterisk on the machines' famous exam results: we grade them on human benchmarks, and machines fail differently than humans do.•       The Behavior-Change Trillion. Of America's $4.7 trillion, a full trillion is the behavior-change problem — the eating, drinking, smoking, and sitting that no pamphlet has ever fixed. Andrew's objection: nobody needs an MIT degree to know they should exercise, so why would a machine's nagging beat a doctor's? Madan's answer is the space between visits: patients leave the office motivated and fall off within days, and personalized systems — like those he built for tens of millions at his previous companies — learn what actually moves each individual: this one walks more but won't change diet, that one needs the stress addressed first, another needs the language and cultural register matched. Not one-size-fits-all “eat healthy,” but friction removed person by person, programmatically, at a scale no human workforce could staff. Andrew's rejoinder: in an age of ubiquitous AI slop, the exercise reminder may be deleted as exactly that.•       Priceless. On trust, Andrew invoked the neighbors: Slippery Sam Altman, the mistrusted AI giants, and entrepreneurs — RadiantGraph included — getting rich while asking for our bloodwork. Madan's counsel is unexpected caution: in the AI era all data matters, healthcare data most of all, and it belongs on healthcare-specific, HIPAA-bound platforms — not pasted into general chatbots. He concedes San Francisco's mansions-and-homelessness inequity (he advises New York City's Department of Public Health and wants to help at home), but defends the Bay Area as the place where the PC, the iPhone, the web, and now AI actually happened — Jeff Dean announced his next act the morning they recorded. And the bot test: how would he prove he's human? “I'm quite flawed, and I'm often wrong. An AI avatar of Anmol probably wouldn't be as wrong as I sometimes am.” Fittingly priceless — which is what Anmol means in Sanskrit. About the Guest Anmol Madan is a healthcare entrepreneur and computer scientist, and the founder and CEO of RadiantGraph, an AI platform helping health plans and healthcare organizations deliver proactive care. An MIT Media Lab PhD who worked on the first generation of wearables, he founded Ginger, the pioneering AI tele-psychiatry company later acquired by Headspace, and served as Chief Data Scientist at Livongo and as a data and AI executive at Teladoc Health. He advises the New York City Department of Public Health and lives in San Francisco. The Machines Will See You Now: A Human Roadmap to Autonomous Health Care (Johns Hopkins University Press, September 1, 2026) is his first book. References: •       The Machines Will See You Now: A Human Roadmap to Autonomous Health Care by Anmol Madan (Johns Hopkins University Press, September 1, 2026). Alex Pentland, MIT: “A critical read about AI in he...

Charlie, Ted, and Rony open on Mark Zuckerberg's new AI "manifesto," released, fittingly, via a call to The Verge's Alex Heath made from Meta Ray-Bans on a fishing boat. The group debates whether Zuckerberg's sudden embrace of open, on-device AI is a genuine philosophy or a business move from a company that can no longer out-build its rivals. From there: OpenAI and Google both cross a billion users, OpenAI's new strategy of acquiring companies outright (via its partner Thrive) to guarantee AI adoption rather than sell into it, and the eye-watering $2 billion price tag on an 80-person AI infrastructure startup.Mark Greget, founder and CEO of NuEyes, joins for the back half to make the case that enterprise, not consumer, is where smart glasses are proving their worth right now. Mark walks through a decade of building visualization tools for surgeons, from early low-vision devices to NuEyes' current surgical system, which one doctor used to cut a 10-plus hour procedure down to three. The conversation digs into the real ROI math hospitals run on OR time, why clinical outcomes (not consumer hype) are what get insurance companies to pay attention, and why Mark is staying heads-down on five surgical specialties instead of chasing every use case.Key Moments:[00:35] Zuckerberg's AI manifesto and the strategy behind it [07:05] OpenAI and Google cross a billion users [09:05] OpenAI's Thrive strategy: buying companies to guarantee AI adoption [11:05] The $2 billion AI infrastructure acquisition [16:05] Mark Greget joins to tell us what NuEyes has been up to over the last decade[43:35] The ROI math: what OR time is actually worth [45:35] From "nice to have" to critical path in the operating roomBrought to you by Zappar and Mattercraft, the leading visual development environment for immersive 3D web experiences. Start building at mattercraft.io. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Consumer prices increased 3.4% year-over-year. Plus: CoreWeave and Super Micro Computer shares soar after Tuesday's earnings reports. Pierre Bienaimé hosts. Sign up for WSJ's free What's News newsletter. An artificial-intelligence tool assisted in the making of this episode by creating summaries that were based on Wall Street Journal reporting and reviewed and adapted by an editor. Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

Scott and Josh run down the week's biggest news stories. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.