Podcasts about consumers

In this episode of Reimagine Childhood from the Early Childhood Christian Network, host Monica Healer interviews Dr. Kayla Abshire, director of innovation and learning at San Marcos Academy, about developmentally appropriate technology education for young children. They distinguish passive screen time from intentionally teaching technology as a productivity tool, addressing concerns such as delayed language development, reduced social-emotional skills, sleep disruption, and physical impacts. Dr. Abshire shares practical, mostly hands-on strategies for pre-K, including mouse and keyboard skill-building, letter recognition, unplugged coding with movement-based sequencing games, early robotics with Bee-Bots and coding mice, and scaled-down digital citizenship focused on device care, safe clicking, and kind communication. The conversation also covers parent and teacher pushback, the need for professional development, and the goal of helping children create with technology rather than only consume it.   00:00 Welcome to Reimagine Childhood 00:50 Meet Dr Kayla Abshire 03:02 Screen Time Risks Explained 07:07 Teaching Tech Without Screens 14:12 Unplugged Coding and Robotics 20:46 Digital Citizenship and Parents 28:43 Creators Not Consumers Wrap Up

In this episode we answer an email from Cameron.  First, we consider the long history of consumer marketing and how the retail financial services industry fits into it, including reviewing developments in financial services business models over the past century.  In that context, we then break down why the current most popular business models are fear-based, which leads to retirement planning firms pushing “paycheck replacement,” annuities and other inefficient solutions involving buckets, ladders and flower pots.   We also discuss how AUM combined with fear-based business models leads to the biggest current problem in retirement planning -- chronic underspending, and why that is unlikely to change in the near future.And THEN we our go through our weekly portfolio reviews of the eight sample portfolios you can find at Portfolios | Risk Parity Radio.Links:Empire of Things:  Empire of Things: How We Became a World of Consumers, from the Fifteenth Century to the Twenty-First – An Epic History of Goods and the Modern Material Life: Trentmann, Frank: 9780062456328: Amazon.com: BooksPropaganda:  Bernays, Edward L. Propaganda [1928] [1936] : E. Bernays : Free Download, Borrow, and Streaming : Internet ArchiveInfluence:  Amazon.com: Influence, New and Expanded: The Psychology of Persuasion (Audible Audio Edition): Robert B. Cialdini, Robert B. Cialdini, Harper Business: Audible Books & OriginalsPsychology of Human Misjudgment:  Charlie Munger - 24 Cognitive Biases - Human Misjudgment full speech (Improved Audio & Captioned)Thinking, Fast and Slow Summary:  Microsoft Word - Thinking Fast and Slow Book Summary.docExtraordinary Popular Delusions and the Madness of Crowds:  The Project Gutenberg eBook of Memoirs of Extraordinary Popular Delusions and the Madness of Crowds, by Charles MackayFifty Years in Wall Street:  Fifty years in Wall Street by Henry Clews | Project GutenbergWhere Are The Customers' Yachts?:  Where Are the Customers' Yachts?: or A Good Hard Look at Wall Street (Wiley Investment Classics): Schwed Jr., Fred, Arno, Peter, Zweig, Jason: 9780471770893: Amazon.com: BooksClassifying Financial Advisors By Their Business Models:  Interacting with the Financial Services Industry with SC GutierrezWhite Coat Investor Podcast Episode -- (start at 57:30 -- "6 out of 7 retirees are underspending"):  Advanced Financial Planning Q&A for Physicians - WCI Podcast #489Source For The 6 Out of 7 Are Underspending Statistics:  How Do Retirees Actually Spend Their Money?Breathless Unedited AI-Bot Summary:A retirement plan that “feels like a paycheck” can be a comforting story, but comfort is not a strategy. We respond to a listener who sat through a pitch from an Atlanta-area retirement planning firm and walked away hearing the same two levers again and again: income and annuities, followed by taxes and crash fears when challenged. That's the hook for a much bigger conversation about why so much retirement advice is designed to manage anxiety instead of maximizing outcomes.We trace the roots of modern financial marketing through consumer culture and the persuasion playbook, from early propaganda techniques to the behavioral finance insights that explain how fear and incentives shape decisions. Then we map that history onto the financial services industry itself: the commission era, the loaded mutual fund era, the rise of assets under management (AUM), and today's shift toward selling “sleep well at night” reassurance. Along the way, we talk about why “income-first” retirement planning can be tax-inefficient, why liquidity and total return matter, and why bucket, ladder, and flower pot strategies often solve for feelings before they solve for math.After the big-picture rant, we bring it back to practical portfolio work. We run through the weekly market snapshot and performance across the show's diversified sample portfolios, spanning stocks, Treasury bonds, gold, commodities, managed futures, and more. We also detail an OPTRA portfolio rebalance after a long stretch without rebalancing, including exactly what we sold and bought and what the rule-based experiment is meant to reveal.Support the show

Supply chains are facing pressure from every direction, from inflation and shifting consumer behavior to climate-driven disruption and rapidly evolving AI capabilities. For leaders, the challenge isn't simply keeping up. It's figuring out where to focus, how to make faster and better decisions, and how to turn emerging technology into measurable business value.In this episode of The Buzz, powered by MFG.inc, Scott Luton and special guest co-host Tanzil Uddin with Manifest are joined by Dheera Anand, Partner at Bain & Company, to unpack some of the biggest forces shaping supply chain today. They explore the latest challenges at the Panama Canal, changing consumer behavior, and lessons in regional resilience from APAC before diving deep into AI and supply chain transformation.Dheera shares practical examples of how organizations are moving beyond AI experimentation and “pilot fatigue” to create real operational value. The conversation also explores high-frequency decision-making, the importance of choosing the right AI applications, and how AI could reshape integrated business planning through faster scenario planning, continuous monitoring, and an “always-on” approach to IBP. Key TakeawaysPredictability and visibility are critical to resilience. Disruptions such as those affecting the Panama Canal demonstrate why companies need to understand their exposure throughout the supply network, not just at tier one.Consumers are still spending, but they're becoming more value-conscious. Retailers need greater precision around inventory, working capital, automation, and productivity as economic pressures continue.AI's greatest value may be in high-frequency decisions. Thousands of small operational decisions can create significant value leakage when humans simply don't have the capacity to address them all in real time.Moving beyond AI pilot fatigue requires better use-case selection. Leaders should consider data availability, decision frequency, variability, and the consequences of error when determining where AI can deliver scalable value.World-class IBP is a decision process—not a reporting process. Effective IBP should drive decisions, trade-offs, scenario planning, and preparation for what happens when the plan changes.AI could make IBP increasingly “always on.” Faster scenario modeling, automated assumption monitoring, and early-warning signals could move organizations beyond the traditional monthly planning cadence.Not all complexity creates value. Organizations need greater visibility and governance to distinguish complexity that customers value from complexity that adds cost without meaningful return. Supply chain leaders don't need more technology experiments; they need practical ways to turn technology, data, and planning into better decisions. Tune in to hear Scott, Tanzil, and Dheera explore how leaders can move beyond AI pilots, strengthen resilience, rethink IBP, and build supply chains that are better equipped to compete in an increasingly complex environment. Additional Links & Resources:MFG.inc: https://mfg.inc/With That Said: https://bit.ly/WTS-12-Sep-2026Manifest 2027: https://manifestvegas.partners/partners/SupplyChainNowSupply Chain & Logistics Summit: https://bit.ly/SupplyChainAndLogisticsSummit-2026The Panama Canal's New Boss Inherits a Drought and a Bidding War for Transit Slots: https://on.wsj.com/4xW4xYbInflation persisted in August, potentially locking in a Fed interest rate hike: https://bit.ly/4gSLJD83 lessons from Asia-Pacific on regional cooperation in a fragmented world: https://bit.ly/Learning-from-APACThe Buzz APAC Edition for September 9th: https://bit.ly/The-Buzz-APAC-EditionMFG.inc Leadership Training: https://mfg.inc/trainingSupply Chain Now Resource Hub: https://supplychainnow.com/resource-hub/Bain: https://www.bain.com/Dheera on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/dheeraanand/Tanzil on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/tanziluddin/Upcoming Live Programming: https://supplychainnow.com/upcoming-live-programming/Supply Chain Now Resource Hub: https://supplychainnow.com/resource-hub/Learn more about our hosts: https://supplychainnow.com/aboutLearn more about Supply Chain Now: https://supplychainnow.comWatch and listen to more Supply Chain Now episodes here: https://supplychainnow.com/program/supply-chain-now Subscribe to Supply Chain Now on your favorite platform: https://supplychainnow.com/join Work with us! Download Supply Chain Now's NEW Media Kit: https://bit.ly/3XH6OVkLearn more about Blue Yonder Cognitive Solutions: http://blueyonder.com/cognitiveWEBINAR- Demand Volatility Isn't a Forecasting Problem: How One FMCG Distributor Released Capacity Without Capital: https://bit.ly/4r94YM6WEBINAR- You Can't Manage What You Can't See: Using Visibility, KPIs, and AI to Optimize Logistics Operations: https://bit.ly/4ql6iemWEBINAR- The Real ROI of AI Analytics in the Supply Chain: Better Answers When Everyone Starts Asking: https://bit.ly/3TpCX6uThis episode was hosted by Scott Luton and Tanzil Uddin, and produced by Trisha Cordes, Joshua Miranda, and Amanda Luton. For additional information, please visit our dedicated episode page at: https://supplychainnow.com/buzz-ai-scale-panama-canal-risk-future-IBP-1636 The content in this episode, including all audio, videos, visuals, and graphics, is the property of Supply Chain Now and is protected by copyright law. Unauthorized use, reproduction, distribution, modification, or re-uploading of this content in any form is strictly prohibited without explicit written permission from Supply Chain Now.For licensing inquiries or permissions, please contact us at production@supplychainnow.com© 2026 Supply Chain Now. All rights reserved. Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

Donate (no account necessary) | Subscribe (account required) Join Bryan Dean Wright, former CIA Operations Officer, as he dives into today's top stories shaping America and the world. In this episode of The Wright Report, Bryan breaks down the Fed's first interest rate hike in three years, President Trump's furious response, and why gas and diesel prices are spiking even as American consumers keep spending like nothing is wrong. Bryan covers a blockbuster report that Russia, not just China, has been feeding satellite intelligence to Iran to help kill and injure US troops, a massive new US weapons sale to Israel, and a brewing White House scandal over a Russian oligarch's lavish wedding gift to Donald Trump Jr. Plus, Bryan covers a bizarre new Google DeepMind study on why AI agents cheat, tattle, and turn on each other, along with a major new HHS initiative to map the causes of autism and a fascinating mouse study suggesting why the condition strikes boys far more than girls. "And you shall know the truth, and the truth shall make you free." - John 8:32   Keywords: Wright Report, Bryan Dean Wright, Federal Reserve, interest rates, Trump, inflation, gas prices, diesel prices, Russia, China, satellite intelligence, Iran, Israel weapons deal, Donald Trump Jr, Russian oligarch, Google DeepMind, AI reward hacking, HHS, autism, Cold Spring Harbor

In the Consumer Finance Monitor podcast we are releasing today, Alan Kaplinsky, founder and former chair for 25 years and now Senior Counsel of the Consumer Financial Services Group, spoke with Professor Mark Bartholomew of the University at Buffalo School of Law, co-author with Professor Samuel Becher of "The End of Shopping," a forthcoming article in the William & Mary Law Review. The article explores how autonomous shopping agents could transform consumer commerce and raises fundamental questions concerning consumer autonomy, privacy, competition and consumer protection. The implications for financial services are especially significant. Consumers could use AI agents to select credit cards, auto loans, mortgages, insurance policies, bank accounts, certificates of deposit and investment products. An agent potentially could compare thousands of offerings in seconds and execute a transaction that a consumer might otherwise never undertake because of the time and complexity involved. For banks, lenders, insurers, credit-card issuers and investment firms, agentic AI could reduce customer-acquisition costs, increase switching and intensify competition. But it also could make technology companies the principal gatekeepers between financial institutions and their customers. The company controlling the agent could determine which products consumers see, how those products are compared and whether a particular provider receives the consumer's business. Agentic AI also presents difficult legal and policy questions. Who is responsible when an AI agent makes a mistake? What happens when an agent has a financial incentive to steer a consumer toward a particular provider? Are existing disclosure, fair-lending, privacy, advertising and investor-protection rules adequate when the "consumer" making the initial decision is effectively an algorithm? Key Topics Discussed: ·                 Why Financial Services May Be an Especially Attractive Use Case ·                 Implications for Banks, Lenders, Insurers and Investment Firms ·                 Who Is Making the Decision? ·                 Conflicts of Interest and Self-Dealing ·                 Consumer Protection Law May Have to Change ·                 Fair Lending, Insurance and Investment Concerns ·                 The Need for Guardrails ·                 Competition and Data Portability ·                 Privacy and Cybersecurity Risks Will Increase ·                 What Should Financial Institutions Do Now? ·                 Do We Need a New AI Regulator? ·                 Don't Lock in the Wrong Rules ·                 What Does the Future Hold? Consumer Finance Monitor is hosted by Alan Kaplinsky, Senior Counsel at Ballard Spahr, and the founder and former chair of the firm's Consumer Financial Services Group. We encourage listeners to subscribe to the podcast on their preferred platform for weekly insights into developments in the consumer finance industry.

Danielle DiMartino Booth, CEO of QI Research and author of Fed Up, joins Julia La Roche to break down the Fed's 25 basis point rate hike under Chair Kevin Warsh. The statement first looked dovish, but markets reversed after Warsh's record-short 29-minute press conference hinted at more hikes. That sent the 10-year Treasury to 5.01%, its highest level since 2007. Danielle argues Warsh has broken his own "zero forward guidance" pledge and is "enamored with his narrative" of a Goldilocks economy. She points to a labor market already in recessionary territory, with long-term unemployed now outnumbering job leavers. She says core PCE inflation is on a steady path lower, while households face mounting strain from gas prices, utility bills, bankruptcies, and tightening credit. The two also discuss the K-shaped economy and why Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent may not be done acting on the bond market. Danielle explains why peak AI investment, propped up by hyperscaler accounting gains, is the biggest risk she sees. She closes on an optimistic note about the work ethic of today's college-age generation.Thank you to our partners Augusta Precious Metals — To learn more, visit https://juliabuysgold.com/ or text “Julia" to 35052Monetary Metals - learn more at https://www.monetary-metals.com/julia/Links:    Danielle's Twitter/X: https://twitter.com/dimartinobooth  Substack: https://dimartinobooth.substack.com/ YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@DanielleDiMartinoBoothQIFed Up: https://www.amazon.com/Fed-Up-Insiders-Federal-Reserve/dp/0735211655Timestamps: 0:00 Intro0:40 Fed hikes 25 bps: the big-picture takeaway1:22 Markets price in three more hikes after the press conference4:21 Assessing Warsh so far: forward guidance despite his pledge5:37 Fed projections: 2.5% core PCE, 4.1% unemployment7:02 Sponsor: Augusta Precious Metals8:26 Labor market already in recessionary territory10:12 Warsh is "enamored with his narrative"10:53 The household squeeze: gas, utilities, beef to chicken11:47 Even the top of the K is losing confidence12:19 AI was 100% of GDP growth, and real AI investment has turned13:20 Payroll data quirks: the World Cup hiring surge14:06 Sponsor: Monetary Metals15:33 Trump's reaction: 10-year at 5.01%, stocks down16:05 Scott Bessent isn't finished17:04 Warsh gives Bessent the Heisman17:41 10-year at a 19-year high, and the Fed was easing last time18:14 What the Fed is getting wrong: August's one-off inflation blips20:03 Core PCE is coming down, plus BEA methodology changes20:56 Bankruptcy lawyers are making bank: record filings22:23 Do rate hikes even work? Cash-out refis and credit tightening23:29 The stock market isn't the economy: airlines and the top of the K25:16 Is Warsh chasing the wrong monkey on his back?25:47 Other worries: PE bankruptcies, rogue AI agents, socialism27:22 Bernanke's 2% target and post-COVID stimulus28:31 The risk keeping her up at night: peak AI investment29:49 Hyperscaler accounting games and the "E" in P/E31:40 What's making her optimistic33:25 Wrap-up

Same-day Amazon shipping. Grocery delivery. Talk-to-text. An air fryer that cooks dinner in 12 minutes. What do they all have in common? Consumers will pay — often irrationally — for comfort and convenience.In this episode of the Elite Business Advice Podcast, host Chris Moore — founder of Elite Business Advisors and owner of a residential painting company — breaks down why understanding this shift in consumer behavior is one of the biggest untapped opportunities for painting contractors today, and how painting company owners can position their businesses to win more bids by selling an easier experience, not just a better paint job.Chris traces the evolution of convenience — from attached garages replacing detached ones to same-day delivery replacing the weekly grocery run — and applies it directly to how homeowners choose a painting contractor. You'll learn why customers don't want to babysit another contractor, and how removing friction points at every stage of the customer journey can set your painting company apart from every competitor still doing business the old way.What you'll learn in this episode:Why people pay more for convenience than for quality alone — and what that means for pricingHow to meet homeowners where they are: geographically, on their schedule, and with less friction (including self-booking)The friction points killing your close rate: color consultations, communication gaps, and jobsite prepHow to build a value proposition around ease, not just estimatesWhy high communication (like driver tracking and proactive updates) builds trust before you ever pick up a brushThis episode is for painting contractors and painting company owners across the U.S. and Canada who want to understand consumer psychology and use it to win more bids, not just work harder for the ones they get.

Lester Kiewit speaks to Tracey-Lee Solomon, Economist at Bureau for Economic Research, about oil prices surging to a near four-month high, after an escalation in conflict in the Strait of Hormuz and new attacks on Saudi energy infrastructure. What could this mean for South African consumers? Good Morning Cape Town with Lester Kiewit is a podcast of the CapeTalk breakfast show. This programme is your authentic Cape Town wake-up call. Good Morning Cape Town with Lester Kiewit is informative, enlightening and accessible. The team’s ability to spot & share relevant and unusual stories make the programme inclusive and thought-provoking. Don’t miss the popular World View feature at 7:45am daily. Listen out for #LesterInYourLounge which is an outside broadcast – from the home of a listener in a different part of Cape Town - on the first Wednesday of every month. This show introduces you to interesting Capetonians as well as their favourite communities, habits, local personalities and neighbourhood news. Thank you for listening to a podcast from Good Morning Cape Town with Lester Kiewit. Listen live on Primedia+ weekdays between 06:00 and 09:00 (SA Time) to Good Morning CapeTalk with Lester Kiewit broadcast on CapeTalk https://buff.ly/NnFM3Nk For more from the show go to https://buff.ly/xGkqLbT or find all the catch-up podcasts here https://buff.ly/f9Eeb7i Subscribe to the CapeTalk Daily and Weekly Newsletters https://buff.ly/sbvVZD5 Follow us on social media CapeTalk on Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/CapeTalk CapeTalk on TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@capetalk CapeTalk on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/ CapeTalk on X: https://x.com/CapeTalk CapeTalk on YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@CapeTalkSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

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Brought to you by the English Programme. Featuring news, politics, popular culture, celebrity trivia, quizzes, book readings, and a whole host of fun.Support Our Rescue Cats | Our Blog | Get New Episodes By Email | Rumble | X | YouTube | NewsK365 on Spreaker | Get New Blog Posts By Email | Throne Wishlist |

Healthcare companies are rethinking their business models as patients gain more control over how they access care and purchase medicine. Our analysts Erin Wright and Terence Flynn unpack this shift and the emerging opportunities.Read more insights from Morgan Stanley.----- Transcript -----Erin Wright: Welcome to Thoughts on the Market. I'm Erin Wright, US Healthcare Services Analyst at Morgan Stanley.Terence Flynn: And I'm Terence Flynn, Morgan Stanley's US BioPharma Analyst.Erin Wright: Today, how the consumer is moving into the driver's seat across healthcare.It's Monday, September 14th at 7:00 AMWe're recording in New York City, where Morgan Stanley's twenty-fourth Annual Healthcare Conference is happening this week. One of the biggest shifts we're seeing across the industry is patients gaining more choice, transparency, and control over how they access care and medicine. You can already see it in everyday behavior. In our AlphaWise survey earlier this year, thirty-four percent of US consumers said that they'd chosen to take a voluntary wellness lab test in the past three years, and roughly two-thirds already own a wearable or plan to buy one.And now we're seeing the same trend reshaping how people buy medicine and choose care. So Terence, let's start with biopharma. For years, direct-to-consumer pharma meant advertising and nudging people to ask your doctor about what particular treatment is best for them. What's different this time around? And what's different in this next wave of direct access?Terence Flynn: Yeah, absolutely. Thanks, Erin. So for most of the industry's history, the patient sat at the end of the value chain and had really limited control over the product, the price, or the route through which the drug was obtained.Manufacturers marketed to doctors and consumers, but the transaction was itself intermediated. So we think that's starting to change here. It's no longer simply about more consumer advertising or another cash pay discount. There's a parallel access infrastructure that's building here where the patient can increasingly start the initiation of the treatment journey themselves, obtain a prescription, often digitally through a telehealth provider, and then fill this prescription through other non-traditional channels.And so there really is a shift in the model that we're starting to see here. But again, we're not talking about replacing insurance here; we're talking about areas where friction is high and where a cash pay price is viable.Erin Wright: So Obesity has been the clearest proof point, as we are seeing patients asking providers about GLP-1s. Where else are we seeing this?Terence Flynn: Yeah. So manufacturers are actually already selling over twenty-five branded drugs directly to patients at cash prices. Now, the common features of these drug classes are that they're self-administered, so essentially the patient can start and stay on treatment, and where there's limited in-person infrastructure that's needed, and where, as I mentioned, you have a lower price point or a coverage gap, meaning traditional insurance coverage doesn't exist.Now, we're seeing this in large chronic categories. You mentioned obesity. Another one is, migraine headaches. There are also other areas that are amenable to telehealth, so think oral PCSK9 therapies, topical dermatology, non-opioid pain. So again, we think as more self-administered products launch, you're gonna see the addressable DTC pool expand.Erin Wright: And ultimately what does this reveal about patient demand and gaps in reimbursement?Terence Flynn: Yeah, I think GLP-1s, as you mentioned, Erin, provided the first proof point here that this new DTC model could actually be viable. And really the reason for that is that, the US employer coverage base right now, only about fifty percent cover these obesity medications.And so for the other fifty percent, you have a gap in coverage. And that's really why people are seeking other channels for coverage. And so again, that really created this opening here for this new model. And so again, that's another consideration when you think about other medicines that could go through these channels is you have to think about the insurance coverage situation. And so for some areas like oncology, for example, insurance coverage is gonna be very high, and so those wouldn't be amenable to a DTC approach.Erin Wright: So Terence, your analysis points to roughly twenty-six billion peak US opportunity. What makes a certain therapeutic well-suited for direct-to-consumer, and where is the opportunity most concentrated?Terence Flynn: Yeah. So there are really four variables that we considered. The first is self-administration. So as I mentioned, you have to be able to administer the medicine yourself, meaning you don't have to go into the physician or hospital for an injection, for example. The second is that the diagnosis doesn't need an in-person confirmation. So think of something like a biopsy or something. So you'd have to be able to diagnose, as I said, over a remote telehealth channel. The third would be something that is a lower price point. Obviously, there are, like we mentioned, the GLP-1 medicines are at a different price point versus oncology medicines.And then the last one would be any kind of legal restrictions. So sometimes FDA has a lot of restrictions around who can prescribe a medicine. These are called REMS. And so any medicine that had restrictions like that obviously would not be amenable to DTC. So again, we think through those different variables, and then we ultimately built up this twenty-six billion dollar TAM that represents about three percent of total branded pharmaceutical spend. Of that, about half is driven by the obesity or GLP-1 medications.So Erin, that's a good bridge to healthcare services because consumerism isn't just about paying cash. What does greater consumer control actually look like?Erin Wright: You're right. It's not just about paying out of pocket for healthcare. With now consumers becoming more proactive with their healthcare and preventative care, we are seeing a whole healthcare ecosystem shift, from health insurers now offering lifestyle savings accounts empowering patients with more choice on that front, health systems and hospitals are creating a digital front door and delivery of care twenty-four/seven on that front. And also, we're seeing more direct-to-consumer pharmacies and transparent pharmacies that are gaining traction.Terence Flynn: And what does the Alpha Wise survey data tell us about consumers' willingness to pay out of pocket for care?Erin Wright: So based on our AlphaWise consumer survey, twenty-five percent of consumers report paying entirely out of pocket for at least one healthcare service over the past year. That was actually higher than what we were expecting. Most commonly, this was attributable to behavioral and mental health services, about eight percent of the cohort.Annual spend was about nine hundred and eight dollars, but maximum willingness to spend was about double that. So this suggests consumers are using out-of-pocket services and medications and are willing to spend to do so.Terence Flynn: That's very interesting. How important are digital tools, wearables, and testing in actually accelerating this shift?Erin Wright: So wearables are certainly a piece of the puzzle. What is new though here is that we're seeing wearable data align with actual biological data, where, for example, clinical laboratories are now partnering with these wearable companies and other direct-to-consumer healthcare platforms to offer subscription-based biomarker panels and other testing services. This is where this type of technology becomes more actionable from a healthcare perspective and really, frankly, empowers patients to take matters into their own hands.Terence Flynn: So as consumers take more control, as you discussed, what types of healthcare service models are best positioned to benefit?Erin Wright: There are certainly a host of companies across healthcare that are attacking this from several different angles.But if we think about who in the industry has the most touch points into the consumer, into the patient, it would be your diversified managed care companies and vertically integrated managed care companies where we view that many of these larger insurers are best able to adapt to consumerism in healthcare. We're already starting to see that happen with stepped-up technology investments helping to facilitate greater transparency and access, whether it's across insurance, provider arms, technology, or, um, or pharmacy assets as well.To sum it up, in biopharma, we're seeing a parallel access channel emerge alongside traditional reimbursement. And in healthcare services, consumers are gaining more control over how they choose access and pay for their care. Consumers aren't stepping outside of the healthcare system. They're taking a more proactive and more active role in how they navigate it.Terrence, thank you for taking the time to talk.Terence Flynn: Great speaking with you Erin.Erin Wright: And thanks for listening. If you enjoy Thoughts on the Market, please leave us a review wherever you listen and share the podcast with a friend or a colleague today.

In this episode of The Benefits Brief, host David Saltzman sits down with Meagan Fearing, chair of NABIP's State Public Option Working Group and Region 7 vice president, to discuss the growing debate around government-sponsored health plans and what public option proposals could mean for consumers, employers, and the private insurance market. Drawing on her experience in Colorado, Meagan explores NABIP's concerns around consumer choice, provider reimbursement, market competition, network access, and employer-sponsored coverage, while sharing lessons from states where public option programs are already underway. She also highlights the work NABIP is doing to monitor emerging proposals and equip state chapters and benefits professionals with resources to engage policymakers and advocate for the consumers they serve.

In this episode, we sit down with Julie Zukof, VP of Brand Marketing at Lucky Strike Entertainment — the umbrella brand behind Lucky Strike, AMF, Bolero, and the Professional Bowlers Association — to talk about one of the most interesting brand stories happening in culture right now. Julie brings a background spanning advertising agencies, brand strategy, wellness, and in-house marketing, and she breaks down why bowling is having a genuine cultural moment, how Lucky Strike is building an entertainment ecosystem that goes far beyond the lanes, and what the rise of IRL and screen-free experiences means for every marketer paying attention to where consumer behavior is headed. She also gets into how to balance nostalgia with evolution when marketing a legacy brand, why Gen Alpha is becoming the consumer insight conversation every marketer needs to be having, and what she actually looks for when building a marketing team. If you are thinking about brand experience, community building, or how to keep a legacy brand culturally relevant — this one is packed with transferable lessons.Key Takeaways:// People want to participate in brands, not just buy them. The most powerful brand experiences right now are the ones that create genuine participation — bowling leagues, pop-ups, partnerships, ecosystems. Consumers are no longer satisfied being passive buyers.// Screen-free experiences are up 500%. The same pattern that caused community to decline in the TV era is now playing out with phones — and brands that offer genuine IRL connection are seeing a direct surge as a result. Experiential is not a trend. It is a response to a real cultural shift.// Nostalgia plus experience is the most powerful Venn diagram in marketing right now. Gen Z is the most nostalgic generation ever studied. Brands that sit at the intersection of something familiar and something worth showing up for in person are winning across categories.// Gen Alpha is already making purchasing decisions — and most brands are not ready. Kids are telling their parents where to go for birthday parties, weekend plans, and experiences. Understanding how this generation consumes media and makes decisions is one of the most important consumer research conversations happening right now.Learn More About Lucky Strike: https://www.luckystrikeent.com/____Join the MHH Collective! The MHH Collective is a community for marketers and business owners to connect, ask real questions, and grow their careers together. Join for access to live Q&As with industry experts, a private Slack community, and ongoing resources: https://www.marketinghappyhr.com/mhh-collectiveSay hi! DM us on Instagram and let us know what content you want to hear on the show - We can't wait to hear from you! Please also consider rating the show and leaving a review, as that helps us tremendously as we move forward in this Marketing Happy Hour journey and create more content for all of you. ⁠Join the MHH Collective: ⁠Join now⁠Get the latest marketing trends, open jobs and MHH updates, straight to your inbox: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Join our email list!⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Follow MHH on Social: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Instagram⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ | ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠LinkedIn⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ |⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠TikTok⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ | ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Facebook

In the latest episode of Scratch, Nick Tran, President and CMO of First Round, breaks down what culture actually looks like when people put their phones down, why brands are over-indexing on micro-cultures, and what it takes to create work that cuts through the sea of sameness.From building Cîroc Athletic Club into a media and events platform to rethinking the traditional conference format at Cannes, Tran shares how brands can respond to changing social behaviors by creating spaces people genuinely want to be part of.We get into:→ Why culture is really about the “campfire conversations” happening off-screen→ Why the next big opportunity might be moving from micro-culture back to macro-cultural moments→ How Cîroc Athletic Club turned changing drinking habits into a 20M+ monthly-view media ecosystem→ Why the best experiential marketing gives people space to play, connect, and surprise each other→ What the “30 moons” approach to AI means for creativity, taste, and human judgment→ Why brands should stop worrying about who did an idea first and focus on who does it best→ Why intimate, practitioner-led conversations are replacing the traditional marketing conferenceThe key takeaways:Culture happens around the campfire — Culture isn't just music, sport, fashion, or whatever is trending on your feed. It's the conversations people have when the screens go away. That's where brands should be looking for cultural insight.Micro-culture isn't the only answer — The industry has spent years fragmenting audiences into increasingly niche communities. When everyone is doing the same thing, going bigger can be the more distinctive move.AI needs a human with taste — The first AI output is rarely the best one. Tran's “30 moons” principle is about pushing through iteration after iteration until you find something genuinely distinctive. AI can generate. Humans still need to know what's great.Socializing is changing — Younger consumers aren't necessarily going out just to drink. Active leisure like pickleball, tennis, and golf is becoming the reason to gather, with alcohol playing a secondary role. Brands need to build around the behavior, not force the old one.Build platforms, not campaigns — Cîroc Athletic Club turned a cultural shift into an ongoing media and events ecosystem, taking organic social views from 100,000 to more than 20 million a month.Kill the grind — At Cannes, First Round deliberately removed the panels, packed schedules, and endless meetings. Leisure created the conditions for the conversations and connections everyone was actually there for.Execution beats originality — Consumers don't care who technically did something first. They care about who did it best. Fear of being derivative shouldn't stop brands from executing a good idea brilliantly.The conference needs a rethink — Senior marketers don't necessarily need another panel. They need access to people who have actually done the work, in environments where genuine conversation can happen.Watch the video version of this podcast on Youtube ▶️: https://youtu.be/najVJ8Fd9lg Scratch is a production of Rival, a marketing innovation consultancy. Scratch is hosted by Eric Fulwiler, and he's joined by Nick Tran of First Round in this episode.Find Rival: wearerival.com | LinkedInFind Eric: LinkedInFind Nick: LinkedInSay hi: media@wearerival.com Rival is a marketing consultancy for brands that want to challenge convention in their category. We're on a mission to understand what challenger brands do differently to grow in categories that are being disrupted, and use a challenger playbook to deliver outsized impact through an integrated, tech-enabled approach. Past guests include CMOs from Mastercard, GE, Shell, Hyperloop, Adobe, PepsiCo, and Papa Johns.

Tariff refunds may be going back to big companies, but that doesn't mean a check is coming to us. Our favorite Bookkeeping Mensch, Paul Rosenblum, looks at what those refunds could mean for prices at stores like Walmart, Target, Lowe's, and Home Depot, and why consumers still need to pay attention to where the savings actually show up. As retailers decide what to do with that money, shoppers have a new reason to compare prices, question where the savings went, and vote with their wallets.Send us Fan MailSupport the showAbout the hostPaul Rosenblum has been doing hands-on bookkeeping for over 30 years, starting with QuickBooks Desktop and adapting to the world of cloud-based QuickBooks Online. He shares practical, in-the-weeds lessons from real client files every episode.

As the Texas Department of Insurance (TDI) celebrates its 150-year anniversary, Insurance Commissioner Amanda Crawford looks forward to the agency's future while reflecting on the past century and a half. What's TDI's mission, vision, and core values? TDI's mission is to protect Texas consumers by fairly and diligently regulating the insurance industry, promoting a stable and competitive market, advancing fire safety, and providing clear information to Texans. Our vision is of a Texas where consumers are protected, communities are resilient, and the insurance market is strong for generations to come. Our TEXAS values — Transparency, Efficiency, eXcellence, Accountability, and Service — guide how we serve Texans. Why was the Texas Department of Insurance created? The agency was first created at a time when Texans needed a trusted safeguard. In the 1870s, many insurance companies weren't closely regulated or financially stable, putting families at risk when disaster struck. In 1876, the 15th Legislature created the Department of Insurance, Statistics, and History. At that time, most Texans bought insurance policies from companies based in other states and countries. Only four of the 61 companies selling insurance in Texas were Texas-based. Today, TDI regulates 3,447 companies, including 843 Texas-based insurers. How will TDI continue to serve Texans in the future? TDI is making our work to protect consumers more transparent. We recently rolled out three, consumer-friendly web pages that let consumers see the average homeowners insurance premium for every Texas county, view paid homeowners insurance claims by county, and search home and auto insurance rate filings. These webpages provide information that's historically been hard to find and help consumers better understand what's driving insurance costs where they live. We're here to listen and help. Our website is a tremendous resource with consumer-friendly information – www.TDI.Texas.gov. And you can call our Help Line to speak with experts that can answer your insurance questions in English, Spanish and other languages.. That number is 800-252-3439.00:00 TDI celebrates 150 years of protecting consumers  00:29 What's TDI's mission, vision, and core values?  02:19 What is insurance commissioner Amanda Crawford's background?  04:00 Why was the Texas Department of Insurance created?  05:33 When did TDI move from an insurance board to a single commissioner of insurance?  06:43 How many insurance companies does TDI regulate?  07:33 How will TDI continue to serve Texans in the future?  08:33 How does TDI help Texas consumers?  11:04 If you have insurance questions visit https://www.tdi.texas.gov or call 800-252-3439 

────────────────────────────────────────[00:02:01]Canadian Tariffs Now Hitting Everyday Items — 50% More for Toilet Paper, Car Parts, Lumber, Aluminum, SteelCarney: we were attacked, this is war; Trump doesn't want willing buyers and sellers — he wants a centrally controlled economy run like a mafia boss.────────────────────────────────────────[00:57:55]Every Major AI Chatbot — GPT, Grok, Claude — Went Down Simultaneously; Nobody Will Say WhySeptember 3rd; futurism.com reported it; nobody has explained what happened or why all three went down at the exact same time.────────────────────────────────────────[01:01:04]October 7 Was a Stand-Down — Netanyahu Warned in Advance, Invited the Attack, Let It HappenHe worked to get Hamas in charge of Gaza; wanted a radical actor there; stood down, joined in, used it to portray Israel as a victim while committing genocide.────────────────────────────────────────[01:05:19]US Service Member Killed in Iran Denied Benefits — Pentagon Says It's Not a Declared WarMajor Alex Kilner, 33, wife and three children denied combat benefits; 18 dead, 780 wounded; Trump calls it small potatoes; not to that family.────────────────────────────────────────[01:10:26]Gerald Celente: World War Three Has Started — Trump Is Pushing a Global Depression to Accelerate ItGas went from $2.92 on February 24th to $4.22; Goldman Sachs says Hormuz won't open through 2027; Brent crude over $100; 8 billion people paying for two warmongers.────────────────────────────────────────[01:29:57]Bessent Made Himself a One-Man Federal Reserve — Using Sanctions to Push People Into Trump CryptoZero Hedge: manipulating the money system on his own; the solution they offer is get your private crypto from the Trump and Lutnik crime families.────────────────────────────────────────[01:31:09]Bessent Drives People Away From Treasury Bills While Trump Family Owns the Only Chartered Crypto BankSanctions cut people off from the dollar while the Trump/Lutnik stable coin is the only chartered alternative; Genius Act requires stable coins backed by treasury bills.────────────────────────────────────────[01:35:49]Celente and Knight: Data Centers Are Being Built to Process All Transactions When They Replace the DollarNot just for AI — for surveillance-grade digital currency; every transaction tracked; prohibited persons cut off from the entire economic system.────────────────────────────────────────[01:37:27]Celente: China Is Already Leading in AI — The World Knows It; an AI Bust Is ComingChina's AI is cheaper and more efficient; AI CAPEX is dot-com 2.0; Nvidia loans money to customers to buy its own products — a Ponzi scheme.────────────────────────────────────────[00:57:58]Oklahoma Bitcoin Mining Site Condemned After Leaking 3 Million Gallons of Contaminated WaterOpened without a certificate of occupancy; fire and life safety violations; operated under the radar; move fast and break things — they are breaking things. ──────────────────────────────────────── Money should have intrinsic value AND transactional privacy: Go to https://davidknight.gold/ for great deals on physical gold/silver For 10% off Gerald Celente's prescient Trends Journal, go to https://trendsjournal.com/ and enter the code “KNIGHT” For high quality made in America products go to HomeSteadProducts.shop and use promo code “Knight” for 10% off your purchases Find out more about the show and where you can watch it at TheDavidKnightShow.com If you would like to support the show and our family please consider subscribing monthly here: SubscribeStar https://www.subscribestar.com/the-david-knight-show Or you can send a donation throughMail: David Knight POB 994 Kodak, TN 37764Zelle: @DavidKnightShow@protonmail.comCash App at: $davidknightshowBTC to: bc1qkuec29hkuye4xse9unh7nptvu3y9qmv24vanh7Become a supporter of this podcast: https://www.spreaker.com/podcast/the-real-david-knight-show--5282736/support.

There's pushback against counterfeit goods, from designer bags to toys, as consumers complain about the devaluing of their authentic branded products. 

Join Ravi Shekhar, Founder and CEO of Terra-X, for an honest, no-nonsense exploration of sustainable fashion-tech and the real mechanics of eco-friendly footwear manufacturing. The fashion industry produces billions of shoes annually, yet the vast majority end up in landfills—bound together by non-biodegradable synthetic polymers, petroleum-based foams, and toxic glues. While many legacy brands rely on "greenwashing" buzzwords and superficial recycled-plastic marketing, real sustainability requires a fundamental overhaul of supply chains, materials, and product performance. Drawing from extensive global experience working across Milan, international sourcing networks, and top-tier luxury labels (Armani, Dior, Marc Jacobs), Ravi shares how Terra-X builds high-performance, 95%+ bio-based footwear that rivals synthetics in durability while gently returning to the earth.

Plus: Four former Amazon warehouse employees allege pregnancy-related discrimination in class-action lawsuit. And the OECD says AI use is contributing to a global decline in student reading skills. Julie Chang hosts. Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

What started as a way to order dinner has evolved into one of the fastest growing channels in Australian retail. Consumers are now buying everything from groceries and beauty products to hardware and home essentials, expecting delivery in minutes rather than days. As shopper expectations shift, retailers are expanding into new categories, new partnerships are emerging, and brands are rethinking how they engage consumers in a convenience-first world. In this episode of Unpacking the Digital Shelf – APAC Edition, Teresa Sperti is joined by Matt McGinley, Head of CPG and Retail at Uber Advertising ANZ, to unpack what's driving the rapid growth of quick commerce and what it means for brands. Together they explore how shopper behaviour has changed over the past 12 to 18 months, why retailers are investing in convenience and rapid delivery, what the best-performing brands are doing differently, how to approach quick commerce as part of a broader commerce strategy, and the metrics that matter, from incrementality to new-to-brand customers. Whether you're just beginning to explore quick commerce or looking to maximise your existing strategy, this episode offers practical insights into one of retail's fastest-evolving channels. Uber's Quick Commerce Trend Report: https://www.uber.com/au/en/blog/quick-commerce-trends-what-cpg-brands-need-to-know/

Commissioner Kristy Nieto of the Public Service Commissionof Wisconsin joins the Electric Wire to discuss her background on consumer issues and the work she's doing now to ensure that customers are at the forefront of decision-making. Commissioner Nieto will also be speaking at the upcoming Customers First Coalition Power Breakfast on September 15, 2026. Registration information and a full agenda can be found here: https://www.eventbrite.com/e/cfc-power-breakfast-2026-affordability-and-the-customer-experience-tickets-1994715712392Links Mentioned in the Episode: Commissioner Nieto's appearance on the Electric Wire podcast in 2021 (Episode 12, Energy Assistance During the Pandemic): https://youtu.be/9ogRle6Rdms Commissioner Nieto's appointment to chair the National Association of Regulatory Utility Commissioners (NARUC) Committee on Consumers and the Public Interest: https://www.wispolitics.com/2026/public-service-commission-psc-commissioner-nieto-appointed-chair-of-the-naruc-committee-on-consumers-and-the-public-interest/Register for CFC's 2026 Power Breakfast in Madison bySeptember 10!https://www.eventbrite.com/e/cfc-power-breakfast-2026-affordability-and-the-customer-experience-tickets-1994715712392

A Central Highlands Farmer has turned his traditional wool operation at Hamilton into a farm producing a range of meat products for consumers.

Join host Matti McBride as she chats with dairy producer Erica Hermonot in this episode of the Progressive Dairy Podcast. Learn about Hermonot's dairy, operating a farm store, welcoming kids to the farm each year and hosting the local county fair birthing center. Hermonot also touches on the importance of community outreach for dairy producers. Listen to learn more. Episode breakdown: 1:00 – Rapid-fire questions2:40 – Fairhom Farm5:30 – Farm store8:40 – Kids camp12:50 – Adding value to Fairholm Farm14:15 – Interesting questions Erica has been asked15:00 – Managing the birthing center at local county fair21:30 – Traits Fairhom Farm selects for, how they maintain longevity in herd27:50 – Describing modern dairy technology to consumers30:30 – Advice for others interested in agritourism

Prices are rising faster than average wages in this economy, and many Americans have turned to credit to keep up. They are paying it off for now, but what happens if the Fed raises interest rates later this month? Also in this episode: Artificial intelligence appears to be the cause of some job cuts in the finance sector, business owners along Spain's Camino de Santiago report busier foot traffic — for better and worse — and the Mexican government rolls out a line of small electric cars.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:Consumers turn to credit as prices riseAs finance and insurance lose jobs, AI gets most (but not all) of the blameThis activewear brand says tariffs are still taking a tollMexico launches its own electric car to show it can do more than build for other countriesA former firefighter reflects on life — and money — as a stay-at-home dadHow a 1,200-year-old pilgrimage is reshaping local economies in Spain

Prices are rising faster than average wages in this economy, and many Americans have turned to credit to keep up. They are paying it off for now, but what happens if the Fed raises interest rates later this month? Also in this episode: Artificial intelligence appears to be the cause of some job cuts in the finance sector, business owners along Spain's Camino de Santiago report busier foot traffic — for better and worse — and the Mexican government rolls out a line of small electric cars.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:Consumers turn to credit as prices riseAs finance and insurance lose jobs, AI gets most (but not all) of the blameThis activewear brand says tariffs are still taking a tollMexico launches its own electric car to show it can do more than build for other countriesA former firefighter reflects on life — and money — as a stay-at-home dadHow a 1,200-year-old pilgrimage is reshaping local economies in Spain

Is the Consumer Price Index accurately measuring the inflation Americans actually experience? Lance Roberts talks with Oliver Rust of Truflation about how real-time inflation data can differ from traditional CPI measurements. They examine housing and rent concessions, regional price differences, consumer substitution, the K-shaped economy, housing affordability, and the continuing resilience of consumer spending. Oliver also explains how Truflation builds its inflation index, where its methodology differs from the Bureau of Labor Statistics, its work with the Federal Reserve, and what its data says about inflation now. Plus, they discuss what could come next as Truflation expands into employment and other economic indicators. For investors watching inflation, interest rates, housing, and the Federal Reserve, the question is increasingly important: Which inflation data best reflects the economy consumers are actually living in? 0:00 - INTRO 0:55 - What is Wrong with current Inflation/CPI Measurement? 2:46 - The Data Truflation Uses 5:36 - Solving for Interstate Price Variables 6:46 - How is Housing Weighted in Truflation Metric vs BLS & CPI 10:24 - The Concessions in Rental Agreements are not accounted for 15:00 - What is Inflation Doing Now? 16:42 - The Bifurcation in Housing - New Homes vs Existing Home Sales 18:23 - Housing Affordability & K-Shaped Economy 21:17 - Who's Right: CPI or Truflation? (Working with the Fed) 25:51 - The Boskin Commission & Hedonics - What Truflation Does Not Measure 28:40 - Factoring in Substitution by Consumers 30:46 - Effects of FIFA World Cup in U.S. 33:01 - Truflation Expectations for the Future 36:20 - The Resilience of the Consumer - how long will they spend? 38:22 - What if Truflation Had Been Around Back Then... 40:14 - Truflation Plans for Expansion: Employment & Economic Indicators 41:49 - Cross Correlation of data sets is worth reviewing Hosted by RIA Advisors' Chief Investment Strategist, Lance Roberts, CIO, w Oliver Rust, TruFlation Produced by Brent Clanton, Executive Producer ------- Do you enjoy our content? Rate us on Google: https://bit.ly/4b9JtEo ------- Watch Today's Full Video on our YouTube Channel: https://youtube.com/live/603EdhToXq8 ------- Watch our previous show, " " ------- Get more info & commentary: https://realinvestmentadvice.com/insights/real-investment-daily/ ------- Visit our Site: https://www.realinvestmentadvice.com Contact Us: 1-855-RIA-PLAN --- Subscribe to SimpleVisor : https://www.simplevisor.com/register-new --- Connect with us on social: https://twitter.com/RealInvAdvice https://twitter.com/LanceRoberts https://www.facebook.com/RealInvestmentAdvice/ https://www.linkedin.com/in/realinvestmentadvice/ #Inflation #CPI #FederalReserve #Economy #Investing

Iranian drivers who use a lot of gasoline are now paying double. AP correspondent Donna Warder reports.

Ownership Changes a Bloodline. The Market teaches you there's a difference between spending money and owning the assets your money flows into. Consumers fund Wealth, Owners build it. Life works the same way. GOD didn't give you vision just to make enough for yourself, He gave you something that can become an inheritance. When you shift from Renting everything to Owning something, from only working for income to building assets, you change what's possible for everybody coming behind you. One generation makes the sacrifice, the next generation receives the dividend. Ownership ain't just about what's in your Name today… it's about changing what your Family can expect Tomorrow.OWNERSHIP CHANGES A BLOODLINE | Wallstreet Trapper (Episode 208) Join our Exclusive Patreon!!! Creating Financial Empowerment for those who've never had it.

The Truth About Supplements, Longevity & What You're Really Putting in Your Body | Carl Pradelli The supplement industry is filled with massive promises. More energy. Better sleep. Sharper thinking. Less inflammation. Slower aging. A longer life. But how much of it is actually backed by science—and how much is simply great marketing? In this episode of Everything Is Personal, Len May sits down with Carl Pradelli, Co-Founder and CEO of NatureCity, for a candid conversation about the business and science of nutritional supplements, longevity, healthy aging, consumer trust, and what people should really understand before deciding what to put into their bodies. Carl and his wife Beth co-founded NatureCity in 2002 with a simple idea: create supplements they would actually feel comfortable taking themselves and giving to their families. More than two decades later, Carl has built an extensive network of scientists, ingredient suppliers and manufacturers while overseeing product development and digging deeply into the research behind nutritional ingredients. And that experience has taught him something important: The biggest number on the label doesn't necessarily mean the best product. The newest ingredient isn't automatically the most effective. And “longevity” on a bottle doesn't mean it's going to help you live longer. Carl and Len go inside an industry that consumers often find confusing and overwhelming. They discuss how supplement companies choose ingredients, why formulation and sourcing matter, what separates meaningful human research from marketing claims, and why dosage alone can be misleading. Carl explains how factors such as ingredient quality, standardization, absorption and delivery can matter just as much—or more—than the milligram number printed on a bottle. The conversation also tackles one of the hottest topics in health today: longevity. Everyone seems to be looking for the next molecule, compound or biohack that could extend lifespan. Carl takes a more grounded view. Healthy aging isn't about finding one miracle supplement. It involves multiple interconnected systems—including cardiovascular health, brain health, metabolic function, oxidative stress, inflammation, immune function, nutrition, movement and lifestyle. That leads to a bigger question: Are we spending too much money chasing the newest longevity trend while ignoring the fundamentals that have decades of evidence behind them? Carl and Len also explore the responsibility that comes with selling products people use to improve their health. NatureCity has built its current positioning around ingredients supported by scientific research, transparency around formulations, and a company philosophy Carl describes simply: “If we won't take it, we don't make it.” But the conversation doesn't stop at products. This is also the story of entrepreneurship. Carl talks about building NatureCity from the ground up, working alongside his wife, navigating more than two decades of change in the wellness industry, and learning how to balance scientific evidence, business realities, consumer expectations and personal responsibility. Len and Carl get into the uncomfortable questions too. How do consumers know whom to trust? When does wellness marketing cross the line? How much evidence should exist before a company makes a health claim? Does expensive necessarily mean better? Are trendy longevity supplements actually worth the money? And when the science changes, should companies be willing to change their position too? Carl's own experience offers an interesting perspective because he has watched the supplement industry evolve from something relatively niche into a massive part of mainstream health and wellness culture. Today, consumers have access to thousands of products and an endless stream of health advice from podcasts, influencers, physicians, biohackers and social media. More information should make choosing easier. Instead, it often makes it harder. This episode is ultimately about becoming a more educated consumer—and understanding that your health is too personal to outsource entirely to a label, an advertisement or the latest trend. KEY TAKEAWAYS • Bigger doses do not automatically mean better supplements. • Ingredient quality, sourcing, standardization and absorption can matter as much as dosage. • Published human research is an important part of evaluating nutritional ingredients. • Longevity is unlikely to come from one miracle molecule or supplement. • Healthy aging depends on multiple interconnected biological and lifestyle factors. • Expensive or trendy longevity products are not automatically superior to established nutrients. • Consumers should understand what is actually inside a supplement—not just what appears on the front of the bottle. • Marketing claims and scientific evidence are not the same thing. • Transparency is essential when companies are asking people to trust them with their health. • Entrepreneurs in wellness have a responsibility to evolve as the science evolves. • Supplements can support health, but they are only one part of a much larger picture. • Building a successful health company requires balancing science, business, ethics and consumer trust. • The more personalized health becomes, the more important informed decision-making becomes. ABOUT CARL PRADELLI Carl Pradelli is the Co-Founder and CEO of NatureCity, a nutritional supplement company he founded with his wife Beth in 2002. Carl leads NatureCity's product development and has spent more than two decades building relationships with scientists, ingredient suppliers and manufacturers. He holds a Bachelor of Science degree from New York University and an MBA from the Wharton School of the University of Pennsylvania. He also hosts The NatureCity Podcast, where he breaks down research surrounding supplements, nutrition and healthy aging and challenges some of the assumptions consumers make about dosage, ingredients and longevity products. If you take supplements, care about longevity, spend money on wellness—or simply want to become harder to fool by health marketing—this conversation is worth hearing. Because when it comes to your health, everything is personal.

Send us Fan MailAmerican healthcare still runs on fax machines, paper forms, and reimbursement models built for reactive sick care. Meanwhile, patients are connecting wearables to AI chatbots, ordering their own labs, and triaging themselves without ever seeing a physician.Dr. Daniel Kraft, Founder of Digital.Health and NextMed Health, joins host John Driscoll to discuss why the consumer is pulling healthcare into the future faster than institutions can follow, and what continuous, AI-powered, multimodal health monitoring could mean for the 500 million people who cannot get timely access to a primary care doctor today.

Lisa Boothe is joined by Will Hild, executive director of Consumers’ Research, for a deep dive into the growing backlash against data centers and the massive infrastructure buildout powering America’s digital economy and artificial intelligence boom. Hild argues that Big Tech helped create its own political problem by failing to explain how essential data centers are to everyday life—and by ignoring legitimate concerns from the communities where these facilities are being built. He breaks down questions surrounding electricity prices, water consumption, noise, development and the impact on local communities, while explaining why he believes many fears surrounding modern data centers are overstated. Lisa and Will also examine allegations of Chinese influence operations targeting the American debate over AI and energy policy, as well as Hild’s argument that elements of the ESG movement have shifted their focus toward opposing data-center development. They discuss how distrust of Big Tech following years of censorship, deplatforming and corporate political activism has helped fuel resistance to the industry’s latest expansion. Plus, Hild explains the potential upside for communities that welcome data centers, including a larger tax base, infrastructure investment and potentially lower property taxes. He makes the case that America can expand the digital infrastructure needed to compete in the AI era—but that companies must once again recognize that the consumer comes first.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

This episode is a wild ride, folks, as our host shares a personal story about a heated seat in his car that's got him fired up. But it's not just about the heated seat – it's about the bigger issue of how car companies are quietly turning our vehicles into subscription-based services, and the sneaky ways they're charging us for features we thought we already paid for.In this episode, our host delves into the world of car technology and reveals some shocking truths about how companies like Acura and Toyota are using built-in modems to charge us for features like remote start, and how they're selling our data to third-party companies without our consent. He also shares a personal story about a friend who was sold a car with features that turned out to be subscription-based, and how he's fighting back against the company.Our host breaks down the issue into three main points: the fee, the lie of omission, and the lawsuit. He explains how car companies are charging us for features that are essentially free, like the key fob remote start, and how they're hiding the costs in the fine print. He also talks about how companies are collecting our data and selling it to third-party companies, and how this is a major issue for consumers.If you're driving a car with a built-in modem, you need to listen to this episode. Our host shares some shocking stories and reveals the ways in which car companies are taking advantage of us. He also talks about the class action lawsuit that's been filed against these companies, and how it's not as straightforward as you might think. Join us for a fascinating and eye-opening conversation that will make you think twice about your car's features and the companies that make them.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Your 60-second money minute. Today's topic: Consumers Are Still Spending Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

Many gaming companies have been moving towards subscription payment models and away from the sale of physical games, to the dismay of many players. Jason Schreier, reporter for Bloomberg News covering the video-game industry and co-host of the podcast Triple Click, unpacks what the death of physical games means for consumers, and what it can tell us about the future of the quarter billion-dollar industry. Photo: A Nintendo 64 game console with the game "Mario Kart." (Jan Woitas/dpa via Getty Images) Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

The Federal Reserve just released one of the most overlooked—and potentially revealing—reports on the U.S. economy. It's called the Beige Book. No, it's probably not going to make anyone's bestseller list.

Send us Fan MailThe path to a local purchase used to be a straight line. It isn't anymore. Damian Rollison, Senior Director of Market Insights at SOCi, joins Greg Sterling and Mike Blumenthal to unpack SOCi's third annual consumer study and the idea at its center: the verification loop. Consumers now bounce among search, social, AI, and review sites — corroborating a choice before they act — and this year AI posted the single biggest behavior jump the survey has ever recorded.We get into the numbers that matter for local marketers: AI usage for local research leaping from 9% to 52% year over year, the 81% of consumers who verify an AI recommendation before acting, why search *gained* ground even as AI exploded, and how the "where do you start" question breaks down very differently across restaurants, financial services, healthcare, property, and fuel & auto. Plus the practitioner reality check — habitual vs. one-time local behavior, the blind spot in last-click attribution, and the short list of surfaces that actually move AI visibility.Subscribe to our newsletters and other content at https://www.nearmedia.co/subscribe/

The American healthcare and financial systems can feel deeply broken, but you are not powerless. With healthcare costs skyrocketing and deductibles growing larger every year, many people feel trapped when facing a medical procedure. Clark shares an instructive real-world story from The Washington Post, explaining how price transparency (and lack thereof) impacts your wallet and why price-shopping non-emergency medical procedures is essential for protecting your savings. Clark also addresses the growing wave of financial stress facing millions of households now. As inflation strains budgets and credit card default rates rise, debt collectors are taking consumers to court in record numbers. If you or a loved one are dealing with aggressive debt collectors, Clark walks through your legal rights, how to stop harassing calls, and why getting every agreement in writing is non-negotiable. Plus, Christa shares your #AskClark questions and Clark gives his take. All this and more on the August 31, 2026, episode of The Clark Howard Show. Submit your questions: Ask Clark. Compare Medical Procedure Costs: Segment 1 Ask Clark: Segment 2 Debt Collection Help: Segment 3 Ask Clark: Segment 4 Mentioned on the show: [WPost] His surgery was $23,000. After shopping around, he paid less than $5,000. Americans seeking affordable doctors and medicines abroad — The Conversation Is Medical Tourism Right for You? - Clark Howard 10 Ways To Save Money on Health Care - Clark Howard  Remove my private info from Google Search  /  Results about you Is the Privacy App Permission Slip Worth It? A Review 4 Rules Every Consumer Needs to Know to Fight Back Against Debt Collectors NYT: Debt Collection Suits Rise Sharply. Help for Consumers. How To Send a 'Drop Dead' Letter to a Collection Agency 6 Things To Know Before Contacting the National Foundation for Credit Counseling How To Find and Choose a Financial Advisor - Clark Howard What Is Umbrella Insurance and Do You Need It? - Clark Howard Best Free Password Managers: 10 Top Picks - Clark Howard How To Create and Use Passkeys - Clark Howard Clark.com resources: Episode transcripts Community.Clark.com  /  Ask Clark Clark.com daily money newsletter Consumer Action Center Free Helpline: 636-492-5275 Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Day Break | SOCIALISM, DEI AND THE BATTLE FOR AMERICA --- 00:00 - Monologue 19:20 – Sheriff Richard Mack (Ret.), former Sheriff of Graham County, Arizona, founder of the Constitutional Sheriffs and Peace Officers Association (CSPOA), and co-author of The Democrat Murder of America. Mack discusses the rise of democratic socialist candidates following another primary victory in Oklahoma and what he sees as the growing influence of socialism in American politics. He examines his concerns about socialist policies, individual liberty, constitutional government, and the direction of the country. 38:18 - Monologue 47:19 – Ryan Morgan, military and foreign affairs reporter for The Epoch Times. Four years after the U.S. withdrawal from Afghanistan, Morgan discusses the Pentagon's renewed examination of the operation and the decisions surrounding it. He looks back at what went wrong, questions of accountability, and the lasting national security and foreign-policy consequences of the withdrawal. 57:37 – Will Hild, Executive Director of Consumers' Research. Hild discusses the rapid expansion of AI data centers and argues that consumers have too often been overlooked in the race to build the infrastructure needed to power artificial intelligence. He examines electricity costs, grid reliability, energy demand, and how getting the data-center buildout wrong could undermine America's competitiveness in the global AI race. 1:06:35 – Rey “R.T.” Treviño, President of Pecos Country Energy, a privately owned oil and gas exploration and production company headquartered in Fort Worth. Treviño discusses President Trump's announcement of a U.S. agreement involving Venezuela and its enormous oil reserves, examining what greater access to Venezuelan crude could mean for American energy markets. He also provides an update on the Strait of Hormuz and the implications for global oil supplies, prices, and energy security. 1:16:45 - Monologue 1:25:48 – Trevor Polo, Executive Director of Protect Life Michigan. Polo discusses the future of Michigan's pro-life movement following the passage of Proposal 3 and whether supporters can persuade enough voters to eventually repeal it. He examines the movement's messaging, strategy, and efforts to change public opinion on abortion in Michigan. 1:35:49 – Valerie Huber, President and CEO of the Institute for Women's Health. Huber discusses the international debate over how governments and institutions define the term “woman” and the Trump administration's efforts to influence that debate globally. She examines the implications for women's rights, international policy, healthcare, and the broader dispute over sex and gender. 1:44:47 – Paloma Chacón, Principal Deputy Spokeswoman for the U.S. Department of State. Chacón discusses the State Department's move to revoke approximately 200,000 visas as part of the administration's immigration and national security enforcement efforts. She also addresses actions targeting groups the administration has linked to Antifa and designated or sanctioned on terrorism-related grounds. --- Check out our brand new podcast, 'Forgotten America'... Episode 24 is live NOW at Steve Gruber on YouTube! Link below: https://youtu.be/UrGZQdE62jA

Late last year, the federal government announced the Rural Health Transformation Program, a $50 billion initiative looking to improve the health of rural residents and to offset more than $900 billion in reduced Medicaid spending over 10 years from Republicans' sweeping 2025 tax and spending law. This morning, we hear how Louisiana is focusing some of that cash toward tech firms. Also on the show: spending on electronics and Kevin Warsh's inaugural Jackson Hole address.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.Stories included in this episode:Consumers are finding room for electronics in their budgetsStates bet big on rural health startups, with a Silicon Valley twist

Listen and subscribe to Money Making Conversations on iHeartRadio, Apple Podcasts, Spotify, www.moneymakingconversations.com/subscribe/ or wherever you listen to podcasts. New Money Making Conversations episodes drop daily. I want to alert you, so you don’t miss out on expert analysis and insider perspectives from my guests who provide tips that can help you uplift the community, improve your financial planning, motivation, or advice on how to be a successful entrepreneur. Keep winning! Two-time Emmy and Three-time NAACP Image Award-winning television Executive Producer Rushion McDonald interviewed Nidhi Singhvi. Co-founder and CEO of OnVault, an AI-powered financial platform designed to help consumers value, track, and sell their gold jewelry. The conversation explores how millions of Americans may be sitting on untapped wealth in the form of jewelry and other precious metal assets without realizing their true value. Singvi discusses the mission behind OnVault: transforming personal jewelry from a forgotten possession into a transparent, trackable financial asset. By combining artificial intelligence, mobile technology, and financial education, OnVault aims to empower consumers to understand, manage, and monetize the value of their jewelry. Purpose of the Interview The interview was designed to: Introduce OnVault and explain how AI is changing jewelry valuation. Educate consumers about the hidden value of gold jewelry and tangible assets. Promote financial literacy through asset awareness. Explain how technology can provide transparency in jewelry sales and valuation. Challenge the negative perceptions associated with pawn shops and traditional jewelry resale. Demonstrate how dormant assets can become tools for financial flexibility and wealth-building. Key Takeaways 1. Many Americans Are Sitting on Hidden Wealth Nidhi Singvi estimates that hundreds of billions of dollars in gold jewelry are sitting unused in homes across America. Most people view jewelry as sentimental possessions rather than financial assets. 2. Jewelry Should Be Treated Like Other Assets Consumers regularly track the value of stocks, homes, cars, and collectibles. Singvi argues that jewelry should be viewed similarly, especially gold jewelry whose value fluctuates with market prices. 3. AI Makes Valuation Easier and More Accessible OnVault allows users to upload photos of their jewelry and receive an AI-generated valuation. The platform analyzes factors such as: Gold content Weight Construction type Age and style of the piece Current gold market prices This eliminates the need for expensive appraisals or visits to jewelry stores. 4. Transparency Is the Company's Core Differentiator Singvi repeatedly emphasizes transparency as a key advantage over traditional resale channels. Customers receive: Detailed valuation reports Video documentation of inspections Explanations of how offers are calculated Breakdowns of gold, gemstone, and diamond values 5. The Traditional Pawn Shop Experience Needs Reinvention A major theme of the discussion is the emotional discomfort people often associate with pawn shops. Singvi believes technology can remove the stigma, uncertainty, and lack of transparency that consumers frequently experience. 6. Financial Literacy Should Include Tangible Assets The interview highlights that financial education often focuses on: Budgeting Saving Investing Credit Singvi believes consumers should also understand the value of physical assets they already own. 7. Gold Remains an Important Asset Class Singvi explains that gold has experienced significant appreciation and has outperformed many traditional investment indexes over extended periods. She encourages consumers to understand how gold pricing affects jewelry values. 8. OnVault's Long-Term Vision Extends Beyond Jewelry Sales The company's vision includes helping consumers: Track jewelry values Sell jewelry Access loans using jewelry-backed portfolios Obtain insurance coverage Manage jewelry as part of a broader financial plan 9. AI Vision Technology Created the Opportunity Advances in AI image recognition now allow OnVault to analyze a simple photograph and estimate a jewelry item's dimensions and value with a high level of confidence. 10. Convenience Drives Adoption Users can complete the valuation process from home using only a smartphone and a web browser, removing many of the barriers traditionally associated with jewelry appraisal and resale. Notable Quotes On OnVault's Mission "We want to start with the education of gold and jewelry as an asset." On Consumer Empowerment "We want people to understand their jewelry before they even think of selling it." On Transparency "We send you the entire video of the process." On Understanding Value "That entire evaluation is just for the customer to know a little bit more before selling their jewelry." On Financial Awareness "Jewelry is actually one of the most real assets you can own." On Consumer Education "First is understand it, then you can sell wherever you want to sell." On Hidden Wealth "There is a lot of gold in the U.S. We think of it as an asset class." On the Company's Mission "We want there to be respect in this process of understanding the value and then selling jewelry." On Future Services "We can help you sell your jewelry. We can give you loans on top of it. We can help you insure it." On AI's Role "We could actually take a photo of a ring and understand its dimensions." On Accessibility "We don't want you to leave home. We want you to do that piece at home so that everything else becomes easier." On Simplifying Wealth Discovery "The process takes 60 seconds." On Long-Term Impact "We are changing people's perception on jewelry." Bottom Line The interview positions OnVault as a modern financial technology platform that seeks to unlock the hidden value of personal jewelry through AI, transparency, and financial education. Nidhi Singvi's central message is that many consumers already own valuable assets but lack the tools to understand and leverage them. By making valuation simple, transparent, and accessible, OnVault aims to transform jewelry from a forgotten possession into a meaningful component of personal wealth and financial planning. #BEST #SHMS #STRAW Money Making Conversations Master Class with Rushion McDonald is America's premier entrepreneurship, business leadership, financial literacy, and wealth-building podcast featuring successful entrepreneurs, executives, founders, celebrities, and industry experts sharing actionable insights for professional and financial success. Business Podcast Entrepreneurship Small Business Business Growth Financial Literacy Wealth Building Black Entrepreneurs Minority Business Leadership Executive Leadership Business Funding Marketing Strategies Personal Development Startup Advice Sales Training CEO Interviews Founder Stories Professional Development Economic Empowerment Business Success Networking Brand Building Innovation How to start a business Small business funding Entrepreneur success stories Business leadership podcast Wealth building strategies Black entrepreneur podcast Minority business development Marketing for small businesses Business growth strategies Startup funding opportunities Executive leadership training Financial literacy education Success mindset podcastSupport the show: https://www.steveharveyfm.com/See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Listen and subscribe to Money Making Conversations on iHeartRadio, Apple Podcasts, Spotify, www.moneymakingconversations.com/subscribe/ or wherever you listen to podcasts. New Money Making Conversations episodes drop daily. I want to alert you, so you don’t miss out on expert analysis and insider perspectives from my guests who provide tips that can help you uplift the community, improve your financial planning, motivation, or advice on how to be a successful entrepreneur. Keep winning! Two-time Emmy and Three-time NAACP Image Award-winning television Executive Producer Rushion McDonald interviewed Nidhi Singhvi. Co-founder and CEO of OnVault, an AI-powered financial platform designed to help consumers value, track, and sell their gold jewelry. The conversation explores how millions of Americans may be sitting on untapped wealth in the form of jewelry and other precious metal assets without realizing their true value. Singvi discusses the mission behind OnVault: transforming personal jewelry from a forgotten possession into a transparent, trackable financial asset. By combining artificial intelligence, mobile technology, and financial education, OnVault aims to empower consumers to understand, manage, and monetize the value of their jewelry. Purpose of the Interview The interview was designed to: Introduce OnVault and explain how AI is changing jewelry valuation. Educate consumers about the hidden value of gold jewelry and tangible assets. Promote financial literacy through asset awareness. Explain how technology can provide transparency in jewelry sales and valuation. Challenge the negative perceptions associated with pawn shops and traditional jewelry resale. Demonstrate how dormant assets can become tools for financial flexibility and wealth-building. Key Takeaways 1. Many Americans Are Sitting on Hidden Wealth Nidhi Singvi estimates that hundreds of billions of dollars in gold jewelry are sitting unused in homes across America. Most people view jewelry as sentimental possessions rather than financial assets. 2. Jewelry Should Be Treated Like Other Assets Consumers regularly track the value of stocks, homes, cars, and collectibles. Singvi argues that jewelry should be viewed similarly, especially gold jewelry whose value fluctuates with market prices. 3. AI Makes Valuation Easier and More Accessible OnVault allows users to upload photos of their jewelry and receive an AI-generated valuation. The platform analyzes factors such as: Gold content Weight Construction type Age and style of the piece Current gold market prices This eliminates the need for expensive appraisals or visits to jewelry stores. 4. Transparency Is the Company's Core Differentiator Singvi repeatedly emphasizes transparency as a key advantage over traditional resale channels. Customers receive: Detailed valuation reports Video documentation of inspections Explanations of how offers are calculated Breakdowns of gold, gemstone, and diamond values 5. The Traditional Pawn Shop Experience Needs Reinvention A major theme of the discussion is the emotional discomfort people often associate with pawn shops. Singvi believes technology can remove the stigma, uncertainty, and lack of transparency that consumers frequently experience. 6. Financial Literacy Should Include Tangible Assets The interview highlights that financial education often focuses on: Budgeting Saving Investing Credit Singvi believes consumers should also understand the value of physical assets they already own. 7. Gold Remains an Important Asset Class Singvi explains that gold has experienced significant appreciation and has outperformed many traditional investment indexes over extended periods. She encourages consumers to understand how gold pricing affects jewelry values. 8. OnVault's Long-Term Vision Extends Beyond Jewelry Sales The company's vision includes helping consumers: Track jewelry values Sell jewelry Access loans using jewelry-backed portfolios Obtain insurance coverage Manage jewelry as part of a broader financial plan 9. AI Vision Technology Created the Opportunity Advances in AI image recognition now allow OnVault to analyze a simple photograph and estimate a jewelry item's dimensions and value with a high level of confidence. 10. Convenience Drives Adoption Users can complete the valuation process from home using only a smartphone and a web browser, removing many of the barriers traditionally associated with jewelry appraisal and resale. Notable Quotes On OnVault's Mission "We want to start with the education of gold and jewelry as an asset." On Consumer Empowerment "We want people to understand their jewelry before they even think of selling it." On Transparency "We send you the entire video of the process." On Understanding Value "That entire evaluation is just for the customer to know a little bit more before selling their jewelry." On Financial Awareness "Jewelry is actually one of the most real assets you can own." On Consumer Education "First is understand it, then you can sell wherever you want to sell." On Hidden Wealth "There is a lot of gold in the U.S. We think of it as an asset class." On the Company's Mission "We want there to be respect in this process of understanding the value and then selling jewelry." On Future Services "We can help you sell your jewelry. We can give you loans on top of it. We can help you insure it." On AI's Role "We could actually take a photo of a ring and understand its dimensions." On Accessibility "We don't want you to leave home. We want you to do that piece at home so that everything else becomes easier." On Simplifying Wealth Discovery "The process takes 60 seconds." On Long-Term Impact "We are changing people's perception on jewelry." Bottom Line The interview positions OnVault as a modern financial technology platform that seeks to unlock the hidden value of personal jewelry through AI, transparency, and financial education. Nidhi Singvi's central message is that many consumers already own valuable assets but lack the tools to understand and leverage them. By making valuation simple, transparent, and accessible, OnVault aims to transform jewelry from a forgotten possession into a meaningful component of personal wealth and financial planning. #BEST #SHMS #STRAW Money Making Conversations Master Class with Rushion McDonald is America's premier entrepreneurship, business leadership, financial literacy, and wealth-building podcast featuring successful entrepreneurs, executives, founders, celebrities, and industry experts sharing actionable insights for professional and financial success. Business Podcast Entrepreneurship Small Business Business Growth Financial Literacy Wealth Building Black Entrepreneurs Minority Business Leadership Executive Leadership Business Funding Marketing Strategies Personal Development Startup Advice Sales Training CEO Interviews Founder Stories Professional Development Economic Empowerment Business Success Networking Brand Building Innovation How to start a business Small business funding Entrepreneur success stories Business leadership podcast Wealth building strategies Black entrepreneur podcast Minority business development Marketing for small businesses Business growth strategies Startup funding opportunities Executive leadership training Financial literacy education Success mindset podcastSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Inflation in July remained stubbornly elevated, the personal consumption expenditures price index showed; it was up 3.7% overall. Consumers have faced massive increases in the costs of energy, insurance, electronics, and more over recent months. What does this "stubborn" and "sticky" inflation mean for the central bank as its leaders meet this week in Jackson Hole, Wyoming? Also on the program: lessons from Chicago on trying to raise money when tax revenue crashes.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.

Inflation in July remained stubbornly elevated, the personal consumption expenditures price index showed; it was up 3.7% overall. Consumers have faced massive increases in the costs of energy, insurance, electronics, and more over recent months. What does this "stubborn" and "sticky" inflation mean for the central bank as its leaders meet this week in Jackson Hole, Wyoming? Also on the program: lessons from Chicago on trying to raise money when tax revenue crashes.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.

Will Hild, Executive Director of Consumers' Research, joined us on the Guy Benson Show today with guest host Pete Mundo to discuss data centers and AI infrastructures! Hild argued that the issue with big tech's development of data centers is its sense of entitlement and condescension toward middle America. He then elaborated with Mundo on what big tech hasn't done a good job in, how rural communities benefit from tax breaks and incentives, the overblown energy and water concerns, and more. Listen to the full interview with Hild and Mundo below! Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

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

After President Trump announced new tariffs on some Canadian goods, Canada's prime minister, Mark Carney, said his country would match them "dollar for dollar." We look at what's behind the escalation, and the economic & political impacts it will have on the U.S. economy.This episode: voting correspondent Miles Parks, White House correspondent Emily Feng, and chief economics correspondent Scott Horsley.This podcast was produced and edited by Casey Morell and Bria Suggs.Our executive producer is Muthoni Muturi.Support public media with NPR+ and enjoy perks for over 25 podcasts like this one. This show's perks include bonus episodes and sponsor-free listening. Learn more at plus.npr.org.See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for sponsorship and to manage your podcast sponsorship preferences.NPR Privacy Policy

Listen and subscribe to Money Making Conversations on iHeartRadio, Apple Podcasts, Spotify, www.moneymakingconversations.com/subscribe/ or wherever you listen to podcasts. New Money Making Conversations episodes drop daily. I want to alert you, so you don’t miss out on expert analysis and insider perspectives from my guests who provide tips that can help you uplift the community, improve your financial planning, motivation, or advice on how to be a successful entrepreneur. Keep winning! Two-time Emmy and three-time NAACP Image Award-winning television Executive Producer Rushion McDonald interviewed Zach Shefska. Co-founder of CarEdge, a consumer-focused automotive platform he launched with his father in 2019. CarEdge was created to bring greater transparency, fairness, and efficiency to the car-buying experience through pricing data, negotiation tools, consumer education, and AI-powered resources. The conversation explores the current automotive market, rising vehicle prices, strategies for buying and selling cars, the role of AI in negotiations, and practical advice for consumers seeking to avoid costly mistakes. Purpose of the Interview 1. Educate Consumers About Car Buying Zach's primary objective was to help consumers become smarter car buyers by understanding vehicle pricing, trade-ins, inspections, warranties, financing, and negotiation tactics. 2. Promote Transparency in the Automotive Industry CarEdge was founded to level the playing field between dealerships and consumers by providing tools and information that reduce confusion and increase buyer confidence. 3. Showcase the Power of AI and Technology Zach discussed how AI is being used to assist consumers with vehicle negotiations and purchasing decisions, making the process more accessible and less intimidating. 4. Share an Entrepreneurial Success Story The interview highlights how Zach and his father transformed a simple YouTube channel into a nationally recognized platform that helps hundreds of thousands of consumers each year. Key Takeaways 1. Car Prices Have Reached Historic Levels One of the most eye-opening parts of the discussion was Zach's explanation of today's automotive market. Average new vehicle prices exceed $50,000. Average used vehicle prices exceed $28,000. Affordable entry-level vehicle options have become increasingly rare. Lesson: Consumers need to carefully budget and research before making a vehicle purchase. 2. Never Skip a Pre-Purchase Inspection Zach repeatedly emphasized that a pre-purchase inspection is the most important step when buying a used vehicle. An independent mechanic can uncover issues that may not appear on vehicle history reports. Lesson: Spending a small amount upfront on an inspection can prevent major repair expenses later. 3. Do Most of Your Homework Before Going to a Dealership Today's buyers can complete much of the purchasing process online. Consumers should: Research prices Compare vehicles Review financing options Understand ownership costs The dealership visit should mainly be for the test drive and final inspection. Lesson: Preparation creates leverage and confidence. 4. Think Beyond the Monthly Payment Many consumers focus only on monthly payments when evaluating vehicles. Zach recommends considering: Depreciation Insurance Fuel expenses Maintenance Repairs Financing costs Lesson: The true cost of ownership extends far beyond the monthly note. 5. Extended Warranties Can Be Negotiated Many consumers assume warranty packages and protection plans are fixed-price products. Zach explains that buyers should: Ask for the total cost Understand what is covered Negotiate the price if interested Lesson: Everything in the finance office is part of the negotiation process. 6. Separate Trade-Ins from Vehicle Purchases A major strategy discussed was treating a trade-in as a separate transaction. Before visiting a dealership: Obtain offers from CarMax Obtain offers from Carvana Use those offers as leverage Lesson: Negotiating the purchase and trade separately helps maximize value. 7. Reliability Matters More Than Ever When discussing dependable vehicle brands, Zach highlighted: Toyota Honda Mazda He noted that reliability should be a major factor in purchasing decisions because maintenance and repair costs significantly impact long-term ownership expenses. Lesson: A lower-maintenance vehicle often provides better long-term value. 8. Driving Cars Longer Is a Smart Financial Strategy Rather than frequently upgrading, Zach recommends keeping vehicles longer and extracting maximum value from them. Lesson: Reducing depreciation is one of the easiest ways to save money over time. Notable Quotes On Entrepreneurship "Being an entrepreneur is scary. Putting your name associated with something, there's a lot of responsibility associated with that." On Car Shopping "Do your wants versus needs analysis." On Used-Car Purchases "Get a pre-purchase inspection." On Ownership Costs "The cost of a car is not just your monthly payment." On Extended Warranties "Ask them what the actual price is of the coverage." On Trade-Ins "Treat buying a car and selling a car as two separate transactions." On Affordability "Don't be spending more than 20% of your gross take-home income on your car." On Long-Term Ownership "Drive your car into the ground." On Reliability "Toyota, Honda, Mazda." The CarEdge Value Proposition CarEdge is built around four core principles: Transparency Providing real-time pricing insights and market data. Consumer Empowerment Giving buyers the information and negotiating tools needed to make informed decisions. AI-Powered Assistance Using technology to simplify vehicle buying and negotiation. Consumer Education Helping people avoid common mistakes that cost buyers time and money. Overall Assessment This interview serves as both a practical consumer guide and an entrepreneurial case study. Zach Shefska explains how CarEdge is helping consumers navigate an increasingly expensive and complex automotive marketplace while using technology to make the car-buying process more transparent. The central message is simple: informed buyers make better decisions. Whether purchasing a new vehicle, shopping for a used car, negotiating a warranty, or evaluating a trade-in, success comes from research, preparation, and understanding the full cost of ownership before signing on the dotted line. #SHMS #STRAW #BEST Money Making Conversations Master Class with Rushion McDonald is America's premier entrepreneurship, business leadership, financial literacy, and wealth-building podcast featuring successful entrepreneurs, executives, founders, celebrities, and industry experts sharing actionable insights for professional and financial success. Business Podcast Entrepreneurship Small Business Business Growth Financial Literacy Wealth Building Black Entrepreneurs Minority Business Leadership Executive Leadership Business Funding Marketing Strategies Personal Development Startup Advice Sales Training CEO Interviews Founder Stories Professional Development Economic Empowerment Business Success Networking Brand Building Innovation How to start a business Small business funding Entrepreneur success stories Business leadership podcast Wealth building strategies Black entrepreneur podcast Minority business development Marketing for small businesses Business growth strategies Startup funding opportunities Executive leadership training Financial literacy education Success mindset podcastSupport the show: https://www.steveharveyfm.com/See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Listen and subscribe to Money Making Conversations on iHeartRadio, Apple Podcasts, Spotify, www.moneymakingconversations.com/subscribe/ or wherever you listen to podcasts. New Money Making Conversations episodes drop daily. I want to alert you, so you don’t miss out on expert analysis and insider perspectives from my guests who provide tips that can help you uplift the community, improve your financial planning, motivation, or advice on how to be a successful entrepreneur. Keep winning! Two-time Emmy and three-time NAACP Image Award-winning television Executive Producer Rushion McDonald interviewed Zach Shefska. Co-founder of CarEdge, a consumer-focused automotive platform he launched with his father in 2019. CarEdge was created to bring greater transparency, fairness, and efficiency to the car-buying experience through pricing data, negotiation tools, consumer education, and AI-powered resources. The conversation explores the current automotive market, rising vehicle prices, strategies for buying and selling cars, the role of AI in negotiations, and practical advice for consumers seeking to avoid costly mistakes. Purpose of the Interview 1. Educate Consumers About Car Buying Zach's primary objective was to help consumers become smarter car buyers by understanding vehicle pricing, trade-ins, inspections, warranties, financing, and negotiation tactics. 2. Promote Transparency in the Automotive Industry CarEdge was founded to level the playing field between dealerships and consumers by providing tools and information that reduce confusion and increase buyer confidence. 3. Showcase the Power of AI and Technology Zach discussed how AI is being used to assist consumers with vehicle negotiations and purchasing decisions, making the process more accessible and less intimidating. 4. Share an Entrepreneurial Success Story The interview highlights how Zach and his father transformed a simple YouTube channel into a nationally recognized platform that helps hundreds of thousands of consumers each year. Key Takeaways 1. Car Prices Have Reached Historic Levels One of the most eye-opening parts of the discussion was Zach's explanation of today's automotive market. Average new vehicle prices exceed $50,000. Average used vehicle prices exceed $28,000. Affordable entry-level vehicle options have become increasingly rare. Lesson: Consumers need to carefully budget and research before making a vehicle purchase. 2. Never Skip a Pre-Purchase Inspection Zach repeatedly emphasized that a pre-purchase inspection is the most important step when buying a used vehicle. An independent mechanic can uncover issues that may not appear on vehicle history reports. Lesson: Spending a small amount upfront on an inspection can prevent major repair expenses later. 3. Do Most of Your Homework Before Going to a Dealership Today's buyers can complete much of the purchasing process online. Consumers should: Research prices Compare vehicles Review financing options Understand ownership costs The dealership visit should mainly be for the test drive and final inspection. Lesson: Preparation creates leverage and confidence. 4. Think Beyond the Monthly Payment Many consumers focus only on monthly payments when evaluating vehicles. Zach recommends considering: Depreciation Insurance Fuel expenses Maintenance Repairs Financing costs Lesson: The true cost of ownership extends far beyond the monthly note. 5. Extended Warranties Can Be Negotiated Many consumers assume warranty packages and protection plans are fixed-price products. Zach explains that buyers should: Ask for the total cost Understand what is covered Negotiate the price if interested Lesson: Everything in the finance office is part of the negotiation process. 6. Separate Trade-Ins from Vehicle Purchases A major strategy discussed was treating a trade-in as a separate transaction. Before visiting a dealership: Obtain offers from CarMax Obtain offers from Carvana Use those offers as leverage Lesson: Negotiating the purchase and trade separately helps maximize value. 7. Reliability Matters More Than Ever When discussing dependable vehicle brands, Zach highlighted: Toyota Honda Mazda He noted that reliability should be a major factor in purchasing decisions because maintenance and repair costs significantly impact long-term ownership expenses. Lesson: A lower-maintenance vehicle often provides better long-term value. 8. Driving Cars Longer Is a Smart Financial Strategy Rather than frequently upgrading, Zach recommends keeping vehicles longer and extracting maximum value from them. Lesson: Reducing depreciation is one of the easiest ways to save money over time. Notable Quotes On Entrepreneurship "Being an entrepreneur is scary. Putting your name associated with something, there's a lot of responsibility associated with that." On Car Shopping "Do your wants versus needs analysis." On Used-Car Purchases "Get a pre-purchase inspection." On Ownership Costs "The cost of a car is not just your monthly payment." On Extended Warranties "Ask them what the actual price is of the coverage." On Trade-Ins "Treat buying a car and selling a car as two separate transactions." On Affordability "Don't be spending more than 20% of your gross take-home income on your car." On Long-Term Ownership "Drive your car into the ground." On Reliability "Toyota, Honda, Mazda." The CarEdge Value Proposition CarEdge is built around four core principles: Transparency Providing real-time pricing insights and market data. Consumer Empowerment Giving buyers the information and negotiating tools needed to make informed decisions. AI-Powered Assistance Using technology to simplify vehicle buying and negotiation. Consumer Education Helping people avoid common mistakes that cost buyers time and money. Overall Assessment This interview serves as both a practical consumer guide and an entrepreneurial case study. Zach Shefska explains how CarEdge is helping consumers navigate an increasingly expensive and complex automotive marketplace while using technology to make the car-buying process more transparent. The central message is simple: informed buyers make better decisions. Whether purchasing a new vehicle, shopping for a used car, negotiating a warranty, or evaluating a trade-in, success comes from research, preparation, and understanding the full cost of ownership before signing on the dotted line. #SHMS #STRAW #BEST Money Making Conversations Master Class with Rushion McDonald is America's premier entrepreneurship, business leadership, financial literacy, and wealth-building podcast featuring successful entrepreneurs, executives, founders, celebrities, and industry experts sharing actionable insights for professional and financial success. Business Podcast Entrepreneurship Small Business Business Growth Financial Literacy Wealth Building Black Entrepreneurs Minority Business Leadership Executive Leadership Business Funding Marketing Strategies Personal Development Startup Advice Sales Training CEO Interviews Founder Stories Professional Development Economic Empowerment Business Success Networking Brand Building Innovation How to start a business Small business funding Entrepreneur success stories Business leadership podcast Wealth building strategies Black entrepreneur podcast Minority business development Marketing for small businesses Business growth strategies Startup funding opportunities Executive leadership training Financial literacy education Success mindset podcastSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.