Podcast appearances and mentions of Kevin Brown

Sean flies solo this week for a deep dive into two of Marvel's biggest '80s crossover events: Marvel Super Heroes Secret Wars (1984) and Secret Wars II (1985). The toy deal that started it all, the editorial gamble that followed, and why one series is beloved while the other gets dragged — Sean's got opinions on all of it.Episode HighlightsA little show history — Sean traces the origin of the "Sean Geek" persona back to the Rum Powered Reviews channel and the Meet the Geeks webcomic.Why Secret Wars exists at all — The surprising, toy-driven business deal behind Marvel's first-ever massive crossover event, and the company Marvel was racing to compete with.The making of a maxi-series — Jim Shooter's hands-on approach as writer and editor-in-chief, the art team behind it, and why pulling together every major Marvel hero and villain was a bigger challenge than anyone expected.The highs and the misfires — Sean breaks down which characters got great moments, which got badly mishandled, and one lasting piece of Spider-Man costume history that came out of the series.Listener mailbag — Comic collector Tony Griggs sounds off on tie-in bloat, and School of Hip host Heath McCoy gives his unfiltered take on both series and how they stack up against a certain rival crossover from DC.Secret Wars II: ambition meets chaos — The sequel's infamous tie-in sprawl, its unconventional lead character, and why some of the best storytelling happened everywhere except the main series.Chris Claremont and John Byrne save the day — How a couple of Marvel's best writers turned a difficult crossover assignment into some genuinely great comics in their own titles.The Sean Geek rewrite — If he'd been in the room, here's how Sean would have restructured Secret Wars II from the ground up.Looking ahead — A teaser for a future episode on the very different, much more acclaimed 2015 Secret Wars event.Patreon thank-yous — Shoutouts to supporters including Ronald George Moore (Manitoba Money Shot Podcast), Sam Thompson (Witch Police Radio), Ruby (Living Through Extinction), Tony Griggs, Corey Morissette, Kevin Brown, Danny Pabst, Duane, and new patron Andrew (Head Full of Radio / Soupful of Radio).Comics ReferencedMarvel Super Heroes Secret Wars (1984)Secret Wars II (1985) and its many tie-in issues across the Marvel lineSecret Wars (2015)Crisis on Infinite Earths (DC, mentioned for comparison)Support the ShowBecome a Patreon supporter for early episode access, video versions, and the chance to pitch topics for future episodes.Have thoughts on Secret Wars or Secret Wars II? Let Sean know — your comment might get read on a future episode.Linktree: https://linktr.ee/seangeekpodcastPatreon: https://www.patreon.com/c/seangeekpodcastWe are a part of the Boneless Podcast Network: https://bonelesspodcasting.com/ Merch:Tee Public: https://www.teepublic.com/seangeekpodcastRed Bubble: https://www.redbubble.com/people/seangeekpodcast/shop@seangeekpodcast on Twitter, Instagram and FacebookHands down, Secret Wars I was the pop-culture sandbox where Marvel dumped its coolest toys and biggest egos and watched fireworks happen — and I gush about it like a kid in a candy aisle. I walk you through the origin story of the event: how Jim Shooter and Marvel teamed with Mattel to essentially build a 12-issue crossover whose primary job was to sell action figures. I explain what a "maxi-series" is (think a limited-run event with a defined beginning and end) and why having so many heavy-hitter characters in one place was innovative and risky back in 1984. I share my own personal memory of hunting down issues in Moncton, trading comics with friends, and the way certain character moments — like the Black Costume for Spider-Man, Galactus' motivations, and the Molecule Man's surprising emotional arc — stuck with me years later. Then I shift into critique mode: the good, the awkward, and the “what were they thinking?” moments. I point out how the series sold like gangbusters yet received mixed critical response because of uneven writing and jarring characterizations (ahem, Rhodey/Rhodes dialogue and odd turns for Colossus). I also explain why flashbacks were necessary in an era before the internet and ubiquitous comic shops, but how they became cumbersome in collected reads. Throughout, I zoom in on toy-line decisions, artistic highs (Mike Zeck, Bob Layton moments) and lows, and why Secret Wars I mattered beyond nostalgia — it changed how publishers approached crossover storytelling and merchandising, for better and worse. I throw in a few jokes about cheap action-figure bodies and He-Man deja vu, because nostalgia deserves a wink.Takeaways:I learned the original Secret Wars (1984) was essentially a big Marvel–Mattel marketing move — a 12‑issue maxi‑series built to sell action figures, where the comic was a massive hit but the toy line hilariously flopped.We talk about how Secret Wars essentially invented the modern crossover concept: jimmy‑rubbing top selling heroes and villains together into one eventful maxi‑series that changed how comics were published and marketed thereafter.I'll be honest — a lot of the character work felt inconsistent: questionable dialogue (looking at you, Rhodey), weird relationship choices like Colossus cheating, and endless flashbacks that made the story feel clunkier than it needed to be.Secret Wars II suffered from execution problems: the Beyonder was given human form and the plot got fragmented across roughly 35 tie‑in issues, meaning crucial scenes happened off‑panel and readers needed a PhD in crossovers to follow along.I absolutely loved Owen Reiss (Molecule Man) — his emotional growth and romance with Volcana are genuinely touching highlights, showing how grounding character moments can rescue a sprawling, messy event.We point out that some tie‑ins actually worked — great creators like Chris Claremont (X‑Men) and John Byrne (Fantastic Four) wove the Beyonder into their own arcs smartly, proving tie‑ins can shine when handled with purpose.If I were running the event, I'd slow the roll: hire a dedicated writer/artist team, keep the core emotional beats in the main series (not scattered off‑panel), and avoid tie‑in overload so the story reads like an event, not a scavenger hunt.

Chris Rosenthall and Kevin Brown welcome MVP CJ Kirst and back-to-back champion Gavin Adler back to the PLL Happy Hour Podcast. From the lore behind the midweek practices on Long Island with their Waterdogs teammates to breaking down the lopsided title game to how the culture at Cornell made them who they and to what made the championship celebrations so epic, Kirst and Adler cover a lot of ground on how Philly got the job done in 2026.

He grew up with kiddie pools in the attic catching roof leaks and frost forming on the inside of his bedroom wall, and today 1.33 million people watch him drag dead cars out of Iowa fence rows. Kevin Brown runs Junkyard Digs out of Ames, two hours up the road from the barn, and this one is mostly about what being broke actually builds. The house sagged corner to corner and the ceiling collapsed while the family was gone for a weekend. Four of them lived in one room of an office building in town, no walls, three beds, for three years of his high school life. His dad pulled his entire 401k to put up a shell so they could finish the inside themselves. He paid for Iowa State by joining the National Guard as a Chinook mechanic, deployed to Kuwait and Iraq, and built the channel from a cot on government internet. He came home with 130,000 subscribers and two paychecks. His rule is the part worth sitting with. He would not quit engineering school until the channel paid double an engineer's starting salary. He says the first time in his life he felt safe was the day the math cleared, not the day the subscribers did. The farming is the cheapest operation in this state. Four and a half acres, a John Deere 620 with three gallons of gas in the oil pan, a $500 planter, and a 6600 combine he bought for $2,200 and drove home. He put $212 into inputs one year and sold the crop for $2,000. Also in this one: only 3 percent of channels ever crack 100,000 subscribers, a million Shorts views that paid $412, copper at a record and the wire in your grain bin, and why his dad said the 1980s sucked while his buddy's dad called them the best years of his life. His advice at the end sounds exactly like his dad: do not put your hands in your pockets. Learn to work hard and you will not fail in life. What do you want us to dig into next week? Drop it in the comments and we read them. JOIN THE BARN TALK NEWSLETTER & GET LIVE EVENT ACCESS: We're on a mission to get 10,000 subscribers, and once we do, we're hosting a live event at the barn! Sign up to get exclusive access to tickets and details.

Blake is joined by former MLB pitcher John Axford to discuss the Blue Jays weekend in Texas, as the team dropped two of three games against the Rangers. Blake & John chat about the team's performance, the trouble around Dylan Cease missing his next start due to injury, as well as Vladimir Guerrero Jr. leaving Sunday's game with injury, and how the team might be feeling as they approach the end of the season (28:47). Later, Brandon Wile (50;46) from TheScore breaks down the rest of the playoff scenarios in the American League, including the Red Sox clinching a spot and lining up to play the Yankees in the Wild Card round, before getting into Yordan Alvarez' insane season, potentially ending with an AL MVP award. Finally, Orioles broadcaster Kevin Brown (1:16:08) gives the Baltimore side of the story ahead of the pivotal series with the Jays, before chatting about Pete Alonso's first season with the O's, and former Jays pitcher Chris Bassitt's effect on the club.The views and opinions expressed in this podcast are those of the hosts and guests and do not necessarily reflect the position of Rogers Sports & Media or any affiliate. Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

IL's Chris Rosenthall and Kevin Brown return for the title game preview podcast featuring Waterdogs head coach Bill Tierney and Outlaws head coach Tim Soudan to set the stage for the 2026 PLL Championship, set for 12:30 p.m. ET on ABC.From Tierney's can't-miss anecdotes and quips to Soudan's perfect sell to the masses of why to tune in on ABC at 12:30 p.m., this episode serves as the perfect appetizer before the title game collision course main dish.

Wholesale distributors and manufacturers are facing a complicated mix of rate pressure, tariff tension, AI noise, and technology decisions. Kevin Brown and Tom Burton break down what matters, what's overhyped, and why connected business data may become one of the clearest paths to growth.Wholesale distribution leaders are trying to plan in an economy where the signals aren't simple. Interest rates are rising, the 10-year Treasury is shaping market expectations, fuel prices remain a pressure point, U.S.-Canada tariff tension continues, and AI headlines are getting louder and scarier.In this episode of Around the Horn in Wholesale Distribution, Kevin Brown and Tom Burton discuss the Fed's latest rate increase, what the 10-year Treasury may indicate for planning, and why inflation, consumer spending, import prices, and fuel costs remain difficult to interpret. They also look at Canada's tariff conflict with the U.S., the possibility of closer Canada-EU alignment, and why reshoring is becoming a larger manufacturing conversation.The second half of the episode focuses on AI risk, regulation, Anthropic, OpenAI, open-source models, and the business incentives behind some of the latest AI safety warnings. Kevin and Tom also discuss why distributors may be tired of scattered AI point solutions and why enterprise growth platforms, CRM-ERP integration, connected data, hidden revenue detection, white space analysis, and customer intelligence may be more useful than chasing every new tool.What You'll LearnWhy the 10-year Treasury may influence distribution planning more than the Fed funds rateHow rate increases, inflation, fuel costs, and retail spending create mixed signals for business leadersWhy U.S.-Canada tariff tension matters for manufacturers and distributorsHow AI risk warnings connect to regulation, open-source models, and public-market incentivesWhy connected data and enterprise growth platforms may be more valuable than isolated AI toolsEpisode Highlights:00:00 – Kevin and Tom open Episode 205 and discuss the show's growing international reach06:30 – LeadSmart previews a major product launch and the move beyond traditional CRM12:00 – The Fed rate increase, the 10-year Treasury, and why the tail may be wagging the dog29:30 – Import prices, retail sales, and consumer behavior in a high-rate environment39:30 – Canada, tariffs, the EU, and the pressure on North American trade relationships51:30 – Reshoring, manufacturing strategy, and Northern Tool's insourcing move55:00 – AI safety warnings, Anthropic, OpenAI, and the incentives behind the headlines1:10:30 – AI point-solution fatigue and the need for connected systems of record1:18:00 – Office Depot, EB Horsman, LeadSmart launch updates, and closing thoughtsTools, Frameworks, or Strategies Mentioned:Enterprise Growth Platform: A broader technology platform designed to help distributors connect data, understand customers and teams, identify risk, and uncover growth opportunities.CRM-ERP Integration: The connection of customer-facing activity with financial and operational data to create a more complete view of the business.White Space Analysis: A way to identify untapped customer, product, or revenue opportunities.Hidden Revenue Detection: The process of finding growth opportunities that may be buried in disconnected systems or underused data.AI Model Routing: The emerging idea of directing different AI requests to different models based on cost, complexity, and performance.Closing Insight:The biggest technology advantage for distributors may not come from chasing every new AI tool. It may come from connecting the right data, asking better questions, and building a platform that helps people make better decisions faster.Leave a Review: Help us grow by sharing your thoughts on the show.Learn more about the LeadSmart AI B2B Sales Platform: https://www.leadsmarttech.com/Join the conversation each week on LinkedIn Live.Want even more insight to the stories we discuss each week? Subscribe to the Around The Horn Newsletter.You can also hear the podcast and other excellent content on our YouTube Channel.Follow us on Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, or TikTok.

IL's Chris Rosenthall and Kevin Brown are back to recap the PLL semifinal action, for which Kevin was in the building. They then turn their attention to the title game collision course between Philadelphia and Denver that has been awaited all summer and is now officially set.From the bummer of Tom Schreiber missing out on a comeback to the 30-day rest for Utah to the defensive matchups causing issues for Boston, Rosie and KB analyze how the Outlaws and Waterdogs got the job done in Salt Lake City.From there, Rosie gives his offseason outlooks for the teams who have been eliminated before they set the stage for what promises to be an incredible championship matchup on Sept. 20.

Most distributors are using CRM wrong — and many don't even know it.In this episode, Karthik Chidambaram sits down with Kevin Brown, CEO of LeadSmart Technologies, to talk about why traditional CRM for Distributors has failed them, and what a smarter approach looks like. Kevin breaks down the four customer journeys every distributor needs to unify — ERP data, marketing, e-commerce, and interpersonal data — and explains how bringing them together into a single platform is where the real revenue opportunity lives.They also cover why industry-specific CRM outperforms off-the-shelf solutions like Salesforce and HubSpot for distributors, how AI-powered smart alerts are replacing manual data entry, and what it actually means to give salespeople more out of a system than they put in.Plus, Kevin shares the story behind his own podcast, “Around the Horn” in Wholesale Distribution & Manufacturing, which is approaching its 200th consecutive weekly episode.

Studio tour & intro chaos — The usual chaotic cold open, with Sean showing off pieces of his new backdrop — including a superhero helmet you'll have to see to believe.Remembering Dolly Parton and Frank Beard — The crew pays tribute to two icons lost in the same week, trading Dolly memories and making the case that ZZ Top's Frank Beard deserves way more respect as a drummer than he usually gets. Naturally, it turns into a round of Pass or Go — which ZZ Top deep cut will the guys spin, and will it get a Pass or a Go?Old house stories — Todd digs up a couple of genuinely wild stories from childhood homes, including one urban legend that'll make you think twice about home renovations.Gym talk & injury recovery — Todd heads back to the gym for the first time in a while, and Sean makes his pitch for DDP Yoga as the wrestling world's not-so-secret recovery weapon. How'd Todd's first session go, and is Sean actually sold on DDP? You'll have to listen.Setting up the big topic — The episode wraps with the crew spinning their "Wheel of Topics" and landing on something that ends up needing its own episode entirely...Check out the Patreon tier structure to support the show — thanks to this episode's supporters: Ron Moore, Sam Thompson, Ruby, Tony Griggs, Corey Morrissette, Kevin Brown, Danny Paps, and Dwayne Allman.Next episode: the crew and Heath go deep on Marvel vs. DC — cartoons, movies, and the future of comics.Linktree: https://linktr.ee/seangeekpodcastPatreon: https://www.patreon.com/c/seangeekpodcastWe are a part of the Boneless Podcast Network: https://bonelesspodcasting.com/ Merch:Tee Public: https://www.teepublic.com/seangeekpodcastRed Bubble: https://www.redbubble.com/people/seangeekpodcast/shop@seangeekpodcast on Twitter, Instagram and Facebook

The meeting was a casual, wide-ranging conversation among Scott, Burke, and Jason, centered on reviewing Scott's lighting design for the 2016 production of Spring Awakening at the Runway Theater in Grapevine, Texas. They discussed the challenges of the small venue, the set design by Kevin Brown, the use of limited dimmers and moving lights, and specific lighting choices for key scenes, with Jason and Burke giving feedback on what worked well and what they would have done differently. The group also talked about their backgrounds in theater, changes in the industry, the impact of AI on design, and personal updates about family, health, and life changes. The conversation included many anecdotes about past theater and touring experiences, stories about colleagues, and reflections on aging, relationships, and the future of live entertainment.Advertising Inquiries: https://redcircle.com/brandsPrivacy & Opt-Out: https://redcircle.com/privacy

Four PLL teams remain, peaking at the right time for the right to play in mountainous Salt Lake City this weekend.IL's Chris Rosenthall and Kevin Brown are back to recap the PLL Quarterfinals with takeaways from the Outlaws and Cannons' victories before diving into where the Redwoods and Whipsnakes go from here after bowing out.From the Denver four Tewaaraton winners being back together to Boston's defense peaking at the right time, their quarterfinal wins set up some scintillating semifinal matchups against the Archers and Waterdogs. Rosie previews the offseasons ahead for the exiting quarterfinal teams, taking a look at the top  free agents for California and Maryland while giving Rob Pannell his flowers after an emotional final game of the season (and possibly career).From the natural narratives of Brennan O'Neill playing against the Utah defense to the built-up animosity of past matchups between Boston and Philly, the final four aren't just peaking at the right time, but also have the most intrigue. Whether it's the boos raining down from the Salt Lake City crowd for every O'Neill touch or the beef between the Cannons and Waterdogs, the intensity will be incredible. Come for the analysis on what Denver and Boston need to do better in the semis, stay for the ref decision Rosie brings up that makes Kevin break. The two end with a big-picture look at what a title would mean for the remaining semifinalists in the grand scheme of things when it comes to legacies, re-establishing a dynasty or building one.

On the eve of the PLL Quarterfinals, IL's Kevin Brown and Chris Rosenthall welcome back friend of the pod Rob Pannell to preview the Maryland Whipsnakes-Boston Cannons matchup. The newly minted all-time career points leader looks for his second title in leading a youthful offense to an upset against a red-hot conference rival. From a favorite RP3  playoff memory to how he has prolonged his career to what it's like playing at age 36 alongside a player like 23-year-old Joey Spallina who grew up idolizing him, it's a fun interview filled with respect for the game and his playoff counterpart, Marcus Holman, who Pannell says is playing the best lacrosse of his career at age 35.Rosie and Kevin start with some big-picture playoff outlooks, provide some takeaways to Gavin Adler's appearance on the Stick Talk Podcast, preview both PLL Quarterfinal matchups and provide their predictions. The two end the episode dishing out some rapid-fire End of Season Award takes via a "Buy OR Sell" segment before giving some season superlatives quick-hitters.

Dolphins Fans fall for TUA Clickbait from the Media, Injuries seem to be a real problem for Haf and Sully, 3A Graphix Sports Calendar, Today in Music History, Birthdays in Music and Entertainment, Dolphins News and Notes, I hope the Jets do this, Cam Skattebo continues to prove he's a moron, Silly-Ass Heat fans stop talking Steph Curry, What is going on at LSU, Big O hopes the Jets do this, RG3 says the Browns are doing what Haslem wants, When will Bitcoin's next pump happen, Losing it and regaining greatness is a hard thing, Kevin Brown was an ASSHOLE while Richmond Webb is PURE CLASS, Players who owe Big O money after losing bets, and more.

Dolphins Fans fall for TUA Clickbait from the Media, Injuries seem to be a real problem for Haf and Sully, 3A Graphix Sports Calendar, Today in Music History, Birthdays in Music and Entertainment, Dolphins News and Notes, I hope the Jets do this, Cam Skattebo continues to prove he's a moron, Silly-Ass Heat fans stop talking Steph Curry, What is going on at LSU, Big O hopes the Jets do this, RG3 says the Browns are doing what Haslem wants, When will Bitcoin's next pump happen, Losing it and regaining greatness is a hard thing, Kevin Brown was an ASSHOLE while Richmond Webb is PURE CLASS, Players who owe Big O money after losing bets, and more.

After celebrating 200 episodes, Kevin Brown and Tom Burton are back for Episode 203 of Around the Horn in Wholesale Distribution, looking at the latest news affecting manufacturers, wholesale distributors, independent sales agents, and the global supply chain.This week, Kevin and Tom reflect on the 200th episode celebration, the growth of the podcast, and what may be coming next for Around the Horn, including more interview-style episodes and expanded industry coverage.From there, they dig into the economy, including the latest Fed signals from Jackson Hole, interest rate expectations, inflation pressure, consumer spending, and why the tools available to the Fed may not be enough to solve today's price challenges.The conversation also covers new Iran sanctions, pressure on the Strait of Hormuz, Canadian tariffs, the impact of Canada's role in U.S. energy, aluminum, lumber, and electricity imports, and the growing concern around Panama Canal delays and potential El Niño-related supply chain disruption.Kevin and Tom then turn to AI and technology, including Bill Gates' warning about AI-driven upheaval, the real impact of AI on jobs, why historical comparisons to the internet and personal computers may still matter, and how distributors and manufacturers can use AI to elevate people, improve decision-making, and unlock more value from existing systems of record.The episode also includes updates on APR Supply's acquisition of Mutual Wholesalers, the continuing evolution of LeadSmart's enterprise growth platform, physical AI, humanoid robots, sales and marketing visibility, and what distributors should be watching as we move toward our next 100 episodes.What You'll LearnWhy the Fed may still be leaning toward a rate increaseHow inflation, fuel prices, and consumer spending are affecting business planningWhy Canada tariffs could have a major impact on U.S. manufacturing and distributionHow Panama Canal delays and El Niño could create new supply chain pressureWhy AI disruption may be real, but not as simple as job lossHow distributors can use connected data, AI, and automation to elevate their teamsWhy physical AI and humanoid robots matter for the future of operationsTopics CoveredFederal Reserve policy and interest ratesInflation and consumer spendingIran sanctions and the Strait of HormuzCanada tariffs and North American tradePanama Canal delaysSuper El Niño supply chain riskAI upheaval and job displacementCRM, ERP, and enterprise growth platformsPhysical AI and humanoid robotsWholesale distribution technologyAPR Supply and Mutual WholesalersTimestamps/Chapters:00:00 — Introduction and Dolly Parton Tribute04:30 — Reflecting on the 200th Episode Celebration10:15 — What Comes Next for Around The Horn15:30 — Housekeeping, Newsletter, and LeadSmart Technologies22:00 — Fed Signals from Jackson Hole29:15 — Interest Rates, Inflation, and Market Expectations38:00 — Core Prices, B2B Need, and Economic Uncertainty44:30 — Iran Sanctions and Strait of Hormuz Risk52:00 — Canada Tariffs and North American Trade Pressure59:30 — Panama Canal Delays and Supply Chain Costs1:05:00 — Super El Niño and Port Disruption Risk1:11:00 — APR Supply Acquisition and Industry Updates1:14:30 — Bill Gates, AI Turmoil, and Job Disruption1:20:00 — AI, Systems of Record, and Enterprise Growth Platforms1:24:00 — End of EpisodeLeave a Review: Help us grow by sharing your thoughts on the show.Learn more about the LeadSmart AI B2B Sales Platform: https://www.leadsmarttech.com/Join the conversation each week on LinkedIn Live.Want even more insight to the stories we discuss each week? Subscribe to the Around The Horn Newsletter.You can also hear the podcast and other excellent content on our YouTube Channel.Follow us on Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, or TikTok.

Dolphins Fans fall for TUA Clickbait from the Media, Injuries seem to be a real problem for Haf and Sully, 3A Graphix Sports Calendar, Today in Music History, Birthdays in Music and Entertainment, Dolphins News and Notes, I hope the Jets do this, Cam Skattebo continues to prove he's a moron, Silly-Ass Heat fans stop talking Steph Curry, What is going on at LSU, Big O hopes the Jets do this, RG3 says the Browns are doing what Haslem wants, When will Bitcoin's next pump happen, Losing it and regaining greatness is a hard thing, Kevin Brown was an ASSHOLE while Richmond Webb is PURE CLASS, Players who owe Big O money after losing bets, and more.

The 2025 Milliman Long-Term Care Index put a number on long-term care: $135,000, the lump-sum amount an average 65-year-old would need to set aside today to cover the expected lifetime cost of long-term care. But there are some details you need to know that make up that number. About half of those who need paid long-term care only do so for less than a year (averaging $30,000 in total cost). The other half need care for more than 5 years at an average of $665,000. $135,000 is just the average. We will also take a question with multiple millions wanting to know if he should buy long-term care insurance or self-fund? Resource:  Article by Christopher Giese, Annie Gunnlaugsson, Evan Pollock, and Kevin Brown: 2025 Milliman Long-Term Care Index   Connect with Benjamin Brandt: Subscribe to the This Week in Retirement: http://thisweekinretirement.com Get the Retire-Ready Toolkit: http://retirementstartstodayradio.com Work with Benjamin: https://retirementstartstoday.com/start Get the book!Retirement Starts Today: Your Non-financial Guide to an Even Better Retirement Follow Retirement Starts Today in:Apple Podcasts, Spotify, Overcast, Pocket Casts, Amazon Music, or iHeart  

Mal and Jo are live from Oriole Park at Camden Yards to get you hyped for the things they are most looking forward to this fall season! Plus, the Voice of the Orioles, Kevin Brown joins the show! (00:00)(01:15) Fall Hype Meter(06:06) ‘Resident Evil' and ‘Whalefall'(08:47) ‘Godzilla Minus Zero'(10:54) ‘Threshing Day' and ‘A Court of Splintered Harmony'(12:58) ‘Practical Magic 2'(14:05) ‘Percy Jackson and the Olympians' Season 3(15:52) ‘The Hunger Games: Sunrise on the Reaping'(17:26) ‘Avatar: Seven Havens'(19:26) ‘Blade Runner 2099'(21:54) ‘Hope'(23:26) ‘Wicker'(27:08) ‘Dead Beat'(28:38) ‘Clayface'(30:42) ‘Wildwood'(33:07) ‘Lanterns'(35:18) ‘VisionQuest'(38:31) ‘The Lord of the Rings: The Rings of Power' Season 3(42:17) Kevin Brown joins the show! Hosts: Joanna Robinson and Mallory RubinGuest: Kevin BrownProducer: Carlos ChiribogaSocial: Jomi AdeniranAdditional Production Support: Arjuna Ramgopowell Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

What does the future of wholesale distribution look like as AI, supply chain volatility, consolidation, and human-centered leadership all accelerate at once?For the 200th episode celebration of Around the Horn in Wholesale Distribution, Kevin Brown and Tom Burton bring together a special panel of industry leaders to look at where distribution has been, where it is now, and what may be coming next.This milestone conversation features Alex Chasovsky of 3DM Consulting, Dan Schubert of the National Association of Wholesaler-Distributors, Steve Levy of Infor, Mike Marks of Indian River Consulting Group, and Dirk Beveridge of the Fully Alive Movement (FAM).Together, they discuss the state of the economy, margin pressure, supply chain resilience, tariff uncertainty, AI adoption, data silos, distribution consolidation, robotics, and the role of people in the next era of the industry.The conversation also looks ahead to what wholesale distribution may look like by Episode 300, including how distributors can use technology, data, and human judgment to become more profitable, more resilient, and more valuable to their customers.Thank you to everyone who has listened, commented, shared, subscribed, and supported Around the Horn in Wholesale Distribution through the first 200 episodes.Leave a Review: Help us grow by sharing your thoughts on the show.Learn more about the LeadSmart AI B2B Sales Platform: https://www.leadsmarttech.com/Join the conversation each week on LinkedIn Live.Want even more insight to the stories we discuss each week? Subscribe to the Around The Horn Newsletter.You can also hear the podcast and other excellent content on our YouTube Channel.Follow us on Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, or TikTok.

This week we welcome celebrated international podcast superstar Kevin Brown to the show and we cover our first rap song? Is it rap? What is rap? Anyhoo we cover "The Distance" by Cake and we bid fare thee well to legendary drummer Frank Beard with a trio of ZZ Top songs including "A Fool For Your Stockings" and a killer live version of "Legs"!Check out Kevin's shows "Seaside Pod Review", "Ultimate Catalogue Clash" and "The Tom Petty Project"!Visit Our WebsiteFor episode archives, show info, and everything ATPWR:https://www.podcastwillrock.com

IL's Chris Rosenthall and Kevin Brown are back to discuss the end of the regular season in the PLL and recap the incredible atmosphere around the first-ever WLL Championship with the Maryland Charm claiming the title.Hear from MVP Sydni Black, goalie Jenika Cuocco and star middie Ally Kennedy as the Charm outlasted the Palms for title glory with plenty of excitement and inspiration.From there, Rosie and Kevin break down the East and West playoff pictures and how the Waterdogs look to be a step above the rest of the league. They set the stage for the Quarterfinal matchups from Minnesota with Maryland and Boston looking for the right to take the Waterdogs on in the semifinals, while the Outlaws and Redwoods will be a battle attrition en route to a date with the Archers in Salt Lake City. Come for the reactions from the monumental first-ever WLL Championship game, stay for the key analysis on what's ahead for the PLL postseason.

Every season, we see baseball players make their long-anticipated debut in the bigs. It's the culmination of hard work and time paying off to achieve one of the hardest goals a baseball player can work toward. However, what we saw on Saturday at Wrigley Field might've been the most incredible debut by a player in the history of the sport. On this episode of Baseball Bar-B-Cast, Jake Mintz is joined by broadcaster Kevin Brown as they recap the amazing debut by Joshua Báez of the St. Louis Cardinals, which included him hitting three home runs in his first MLB game and helped the Redbirds take the series from their divisional rivals. They then discuss Báez's background that led to him getting the call-up and how a broadcaster like Kevin goes about handling the moment for TV. Later in the show, Jake and Kevin take a look at the current crazy American League Wild Card standings, which have the New York Yankees and Boston Red Sox leading the way, all the while seven other teams are vying for the third and final spot. They then get into the troubles that Los Angeles Dodgers outfielder Kyle Tucker is facing while playing at home, Paul Skenes's start getting bumped to Wednesday and recap all the other action from baseball this weekend. 2:23 - The Opener: Joshua Báez's debut 21:33 - We Need To Talk About: AL Wild Card standings 51:43 - Who gets the last spot? 54:30 - Turbo Mode: Tucker's home issues 1:03:35 - Paul Skenes gets bumped 1:06:43 - Weekend action recap Subscribe to Baseball Bar-B-Cast on your favorite podcast app:

I'm not getting older...you're getting older. And everything is just fine. Right?In this episode of Around The Horn in Wholesale Distribution, Kevin Brown and Tom Burton look ahead to the upcoming 200th episode celebration while unpacking another week of news affecting manufacturers, wholesale distributors, independent sales agents, and the global supply chain.Kevin and Tom begin by previewing the special 200th episode celebration, which will bring together a strong group of industry voices, including Mike Marks, Dirk Beveridge, Dan Schubert, Alex Chissofsky, and Steve Levy. They also reflect on the continued growth of the show, the expanding audience across podcast platforms, YouTube, LinkedIn, and the newsletter, and the importance of creating a weekly resource for the distribution and manufacturing community.The conversation then turns to the economy, including July consumer price data, producer price trends, inflation, interest rates, bond markets, mortgage rates, and the possibility of future rate cuts. Kevin and Tom discuss why the market may be stabilizing in some areas, while still facing uncertainty from energy prices, geopolitical pressure, and election-year dynamics.From there, they dive into supply chain and tariff issues, including the latest developments around tariff refunds, Section 301 tariffs, legal disputes, customer transparency, and the ongoing impact tariffs are having on distributors, manufacturers, contractors, and customer relationships. They also discuss the importance of balanced trade, the likely durability of the current tariff structure, and where tariff policy may stand a year from now.The episode also covers major distribution trends, including the economic impact of the HVACR distribution market, the KPIs that matter most for mid-market distributors, and the continued consolidation of independent distributors through acquisitions such as SRS Distribution's expansion into HVAC. Kevin and Tom discuss why consolidation may continue, but also why new independent distributors are likely to emerge from the talent and culture gaps created by large acquisitions.In the AI segment, Kevin and Tom explore the growing tension between AI hype and AI reality. They discuss concerns around failed implementations, immature products, unclear ROI, rising AI costs, governance mistakes, and the importance of choosing the right technology partner rather than simply chasing the newest tool. They also look at broader public skepticism around generative AI and the need to balance real risks with the meaningful productivity gains AI is already creating inside businesses.Finally, the episode touches on the human side of business, including the loss of institutional knowledge, the “silver tsunami,” knowledge transfer, leadership, busyness, and the importance of creating meaning beyond constant motion.As always, Kevin and Tom connect the headlines back to the practical realities of wholesale distribution and manufacturing, helping leaders understand what these trends mean for their customers, teams, technology decisions, and growth strategies.Timestamps and Chapters: 00:00 — Introduction and Episode 202 Setup 03:30 — Previewing the 200th Episode Celebration 08:15 — The Growth of Around The Horn 13:45 — What Around The Horn Covers Each Week 16:30 — LeadSmart Technologies and the Enterprise Growth Platform 20:15 — Inflation, Consumer Prices, and Interest Rate Expectations 27:30 — Bond Markets, Mortgage Rates, and Housing Pressure 34:00 — Election-Year Market Uncertainty 39:15 — Tariff Refunds and the $100 Billion Question 47:00 — Customer Transparency Around Tariffs 52:30 — Section 301 Tariffs and the Future of Trade Policy 59:00 — HVACR Distribution's Economic Impact 1:04:30 — KPIs That Matter for Mid-Market Distributors 1:12:15 — Process Improvement Through Software Implementation 1:17:00 — SRS, HVAC Acquisitions, and Distribution Consolidation 1:22:15 — AI Hype, AI Reality, and Technology Partner Risk 1:28:00 — Public Skepticism Around Generative AI 1:32:45 — AI Costs, Token Usage, and Budget Overruns 1:38:15 — The Human Side: Knowledge Transfer and the Silver Tsunami 1:42:00 — Busyness, Leadership, and Meaningful Work 1:47:30 — Closing Thoughts and 200th Celebration ReminderLeave a Review: Help us grow by sharing your thoughts on the show.Learn more about the LeadSmart AI B2B Sales Platform: https://www.leadsmarttech.com/Join the conversation each week on LinkedIn Live.Want even more insight to the stories we discuss each week? Subscribe to the Around The Horn Newsletter.You can also hear the podcast and other excellent content on our YouTube Channel.Follow us on Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, or TikTok.

How can wholesale distributors plan for growth when interest rates, tariffs, global conflict, artificial intelligence, and changing buyer behavior are all moving at once?Kevin Brown and Tom Burton examine the economic and technology forces shaping manufacturing and wholesale distribution. They discuss Federal Reserve policy, consumer confidence, Section 301 tariffs, supply chain visibility, AI-native business models, agentic purchasing, and the growing role of robotics in industrial operations.What You'll Learn:Why the Federal Reserve has limited options for responding to inflation caused by geopolitical price shocksHow Section 301 tariffs could affect inventory planning, margins, sourcing, and supply chain strategyWhat new industry survey data reveals about distributor confidence, demand recovery, tariffs, and technology adoptionHow businesses can move from basic AI assistance toward an AI-native operating modelWhy agentic AI could reshape how contractors and other B2B customers research products, request quotes, and place ordersHow humanoid and purpose-built robots may change industrial labor, workplace safety, and the protective equipment marketEpisode Highlights:00:00 – Looking at the upcoming 200th episode of Around the Horn in Wholesale Distribution13:40 – Why the Federal Reserve held interest rates steady and why some policymakers still favor an increase29:15 – What declining consumer confidence could mean for spending, employment, and distributor demand38:40 – How Section 301 tariffs are changing inventory valuation and supply chain planning47:25 – Why global shipping chokepoints are creating new risks for oil, freight, and product availability54:20 – What electrical distributors say about demand recovery, tariffs, margins, AI, and data center growth1:03:30 – The stages of AI maturity and what it means to build an AI-native enterprise1:12:10 – How agentic AI could transform the traditional wholesale distribution buying process1:20:35 – Humanoid robots, purpose-built machines, and the future of industrial safetyTools, Frameworks, and Strategies MentionedLeadSmart Meridian 360 enterprise growth platformSmart CRM and CRM-ERP integrationLeadSmart Revenue ExpanderHidden revenue detection and trapped-potential analysisAI maturity stages, from AI-assisted to AI-nativeAgentic AI purchasing and automated orderingInventory visibility and supply chain analyticsHuman-centered sales automationSection 301 tariff analysisClosing Insight:The companies that succeed through the next phase of wholesale distribution will understand more than what is happening inside their ERP. They will connect customer, sales, marketing, e-commerce, inventory, and operational data so their teams can make faster and better decisions.Subscribe to Around the Horn in Wholesale Distribution for weekly insights into the economy, technology, supply chains, manufacturing, and distribution growth. Visit AroundTheHornPod.com to explore previous episodes and sign up for the newsletter. To learn how LeadSmart Technologies helps distributors connect their data and uncover hidden revenue opportunities, visit LeadSmartTech.com.Leave a Review: Help us grow by sharing your thoughts on the show.Learn more about the LeadSmart AI B2B Sales Platform: https://www.leadsmarttech.com/Join the conversation each week on LinkedIn Live.Want even more insight to the stories we discuss each week? Subscribe to the Around The Horn Newsletter.You can also hear the podcast and other excellent content on our YouTube Channel.Follow us on Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, or TikTok.

IL's Kevin Brown and Chris Rosenthall return to discuss a wild midweek of news in the PLL as five Syracuse rookies may be looking to head back to college for a fifth year, and the PLL and WLL are teaming up with the NLL to promote the Lexus Global Lacrosse Games in December.After breaking all of that down, Rosie eloquently recaps how he stayed up until 3 a.m. Friday night to bear witness to the Waterdogs' first of two wins in Denver, why the Archers are so scary on their four-game win streak and Kevin officially cancels his title game collision course between the most talented two teams on paper, Philly and Denver, due to the latter's injury woes.The duo previews the run-in for the East and West teams' remaining games and predict who will miss out on the PLL postseason. Up next is Week 11 in Columbus, where a big doubleheader of opportunities await Anthony Kelly's California Redwoods.

The Fellowship assembles one last time before the final curtain.Not for a quiet conversation.For war.This week on Regarding Music from The Elder, Chaz, Wolfy, Scott D. Monroe, Corey Morrissette, Laura Morrissette, Sean McGinity, Debbie and Michael Pastore, Dan and Pang Papathopoulos—and even virtual appearances from Heath McCoy and Kevin Brown—return for the largest panel in the series as Scott unveils the penultimate chapter of his screenplay.What follows is the most ambitious chapter yet.Corey awakens blind after destroying the mysterious orbs, only to discover he has begun seeing the world in an entirely new way. The Cat discovers that loyalty has consequences. Terminus Village reveals its tragic past through Sypha's memories. Allies fall. Hidden powers awaken. Philosophies collide. And Mr. Blackwell returns more terrifying—and more unstable—than ever before.Meanwhile, the panel compares cover versions, discusses the band's late-career what-ifs, and marvels at how an album once dismissed as an infamous misfire has somehow become the foundation for an unexpectedly compelling fantasy epic.Along the way:The largest cast ever assembled for a Regarding season 5 episodeCorey loses his sight... and gains a different visionThe Cat's shocking fateSypha's heartbreaking return to her childhood villageThe Fox's final stand—and the ideas that die with himMr. Blackwell arrives like a force of natureA screenplay racing toward its final confrontationThis Week's Song:I — KISSFINAL VERDICT:Every great adventure reaches the point where escape is no longer the objective.The only way out......is through.The ShowIn this season of Regarding…, the panel tackles KISS's Music From The Elder one song at a time—testing whether its epic ambition holds up under scrutiny. Alongside the analysis, Scott D. Monroe's original screenplay tries to turn the album's abstract mythology into an actual story.Ambition meets accountability.GO BONELESSCertified boneless in the state of Ohio by the Boneless Podcasting Network. Go Boneless. Boneless Makes a Better Podcast. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

The play-by-play voice of the Baltimore Orioles joins the show to talk about the series with the Tigers and both teams futures. Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See https://pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

Jason Benetti returns to Is This A Great Game, Or What?, and this time he has another impressive title to add to his résumé: host of Sunday Night Baseball on NBC. Alongside his role as the Detroit Tigers' play-by-play broadcaster, Jason is now taking his talents to a national audience every week, and we couldn't be happier for one of the best in the business. That said... we don't spend much time talking baseball. Instead, we dive into Jason's marching band days (yes, he played the tuba), his love of trivia and game shows, and how those passions helped shape him into the broadcaster he is today. Then, somehow, Yellowcard enters the conversation—and if you know this podcast, you know things go off the rails in all the right ways. Former guest Kevin Brown joins the conversation as we look back on their days together in Minor League Baseball. We also swap stories about Bill Walton, Roger Clemens, and John Kruk, making for another unforgettable conversation with this future (one-day) Hall of Fame broadcaster. Thanks for watching or listening, and as always, thanks for being a part of our family!See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Mercedes vs. Ford: The Great Podcast Artwork Debate - Marv (Martin Quibell) rounds up a busy week in podcasting, featuring a special roundtable on episode artwork with NJ Belenky (PodBiz) and Neil Veglio (PodKnows, Podmastery), plus the usual roundup of podcasting news, links, and listens.Panel: Should You Change Your Episode Artwork? (The "Mercedes vs. Ford" Question) Marv is joined by NJ Belenky and Neil Veglio for the first in an occasional series answering listener questions. Kevin Brown (host of Seaside Pod Review, The Tom Petty Project, and Ultimate Catalog Clash) asks whether shows should use one consistent piece of artwork ("Mercedes approach") or unique artwork per episode ("Ford approach").Trailer A trailer for Creatures of the Wind, created as part of the July Podcast Prompt Challenge, plays out the episode.Links & MentionsPod Biz — NJ BelenkyPod Knows / Pod Mastery — Neil VeglioKevin Brown's shows: Seaside Pod Review, The Tom Petty Project, Ultimate Catalog ClashWhen They Was Fab (with Ed Chen)Podbites newsletterStephanie Fuccio / Melanie Goodman — LinkedIn/Substack flywheel articleSounds Profitable — The DownloadPodnews Daily — Kids PodFrank Racioppi — Streamlined SolopreneurCaleruega Media — John McDermott's newsletterRick Beato's YouTube channelJames Cridland — Radio Land newsletterLeftlion Podcast, Notts Rock CastStephanie Fuccio — "Five Podcast Discoverability Elements That Help Old Episodes Get Found"Andrea Coscai — Euro Waves newsletterMIC Media — Vic Elizabeth TurnbullTony Doe — Into the PodverseEthan Alexanian (artwork design)Trailer: Creatures of the WindGet in touch: Questions for future roundtable episodes → podslikeus@gmail.com Find the show: themarvzone.org Sponsor: RSS.com

What happens when tariffs, global shipping disruptions, AI infrastructure demands, and changing buyer behavior all hit wholesale distribution at the same time?On this episode of Around the Horn in Wholesale Distribution, Kevin Brown and Tom Burton examine the economic, technological, and supply chain forces shaping manufacturers and wholesale distribution teams. They discuss inflation and interest rates, the transition to Section 301 tariffs, growing risks across major shipping routes, Amazon Business's expanding influence, the copper shortage behind AI data center growth, and why companies need a more disciplined approach to AI investment.What You'll LearnHow Section 301 tariffs could create greater planning certainty for distributors, even as import costs remain elevatedWhy disruptions at the Strait of Hormuz, the Suez Canal, and the Panama Canal could create a global supply chain “perfect storm”How distributors can compete with Amazon Business by solving complex problems and embedding themselves in customer operationsWhy AI efficiency may increase total energy and computing demand instead of reducing itHow revenue leaders in distribution can evaluate AI tools based on measurable business outcomes instead of promisesWhy employees who guide, challenge, and pressure-test AI produce stronger work than those who simply delegate tasksEpisode Highlights04:20 – How LeadSmart uses connected ERP and CRM data to uncover hidden revenue opportunities13:45 – What the Federal Reserve's inflation language could mean for interest rates and business planning23:10 – Why Section 301 tariffs may be more legally durable than previous tariff policies34:05 – The global supply chain risks developing around the Strait of Hormuz, Suez Canal, and Panama Canal43:20 – How Amazon Business reached $60 billion in merchandise volume and what distributors should do next52:15 – Why complex services, technical support, and customer integration remain powerful competitive advantages59:40 – Copper shortages, data center construction, and the infrastructure required to support AI growth1:10:05 – Why workers who actively direct AI agents outperform people who accept the first answerTools, Frameworks, and Strategies MentionedMeridian 360 HubLeadSmart's connected data hub brings information from across the business into one environment, giving leaders greater visibility into customers, teams, sales activity, and growth opportunities.GeniusFeed AI and Revenue ExpanderThese tools analyze business data to identify white space, wallet-share opportunities, customer risk, and hidden revenue. The discussion also explores how this type of predictive sales analytics could support M&A due diligence and business valuation.Make Complexity Your StrategyDistributors can protect their customer relationships by focusing on services that are difficult for large online marketplaces to replicate. These may include product customization, technical support, equipment commissioning, kitting, cutting, and on-site problem solving.Embed Into Customer OperationsVendor-managed inventory, on-site personnel, tool cribs, vending systems, and job-site inventory programs make the distributor a direct part of the customer's workflow.Jevons ParadoxAs technology becomes more efficient and less expensive, demand often grows faster than the efficiency gains. The hosts apply this idea to AI computing, data centers, energy consumption, and future infrastructure requirements.Outcome-Based AI AdoptionBefore investing in AI or sales technology, businesses should define specific outcomes they expect to achieve. Those outcomes should guide implementation, client success meetings, performance measurement, and technology budgeting.Closing Insight:AI, tariffs, e-commerce, infrastructure shortages, and supply chain disruption are creating a more complicated operating environment for wholesale distribution. The companies that succeed will be the ones that improve visibility, strengthen customer relationships, and connect technology investments to measurable growth.Subscribe to Around the Horn in Wholesale Distribution for weekly analysis of the news and trends affecting manufacturers, independent sales agents, distributors, and the global wholesale supply chain.To receive the weekly newsletter, visit AroundTheHornPod.com.To learn how LeadSmart Technologies helps distributors connect sales, CRM, ERP, marketing, quoting, and customer intelligence data, visit LeadSmartTech.com.Leave a Review: Help us grow by sharing your thoughts on the show.Learn more about the LeadSmart AI B2B Sales Platform: https://www.leadsmarttech.com/Join the conversation each week on LinkedIn Live.Want even more insight to the stories we discuss each week? Subscribe to the Around The Horn Newsletter.You can also hear the podcast and other excellent content on our YouTube Channel.Follow us on Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, or TikTok.

Chris Rosenthall and Kevin Brown are back to discuss Rob Pannell setting the pro field lacrosse career points record before going into a jam-packed episode of takes and analysis from the action in Fairfield and beyond. From a Friday night to remember for Maryland fans, to the impact on the MVP race, to the keys around Boston and Utah's turnarounds, Rosie and Kevin have thoughts on it all. Next, Kevin gets Rosie's thoughts on some blockbuster mock trades before they preview an appetizing slate for Week 10 in Denver where the Outlaws, Archers and Waterdogs all play twice.

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IL's Dan Kaplan, Ned Forbush and Kevin Brown hop on the mic to break down the latest names you need to know in the 2028 class and beyond. From the abundance of impressive LSMs in the '28s, the rising stars of the '29s and a few uncommitted gems in the '27s, this podcast catches you up one the latest recruiting takeaways from the summer circuit.From NAL to NLF, Sweetlax Summer Challenge to Alliance, Best In Class to ID Experience and all the events in between, come for the important advice for the ever-changing recruiting landscape, stay for the biggest stock risers this summer.

What happens when wholesale distributors realize “CRM” is no longer the real conversation, growth, data, AI, and sales enablement are?In Episode 198 of Around the Horn in Wholesale Distribution, Kevin Brown and Tom Burton unpack the shift they saw firsthand at the Affiliated Distributors Functional Success Summit: distributors are moving beyond traditional CRM adoption questions and toward connected data systems, AI-enabled sales strategy, and future-proofing distribution. The episode connects macroeconomic uncertainty, supply chain risk, AI governance, human judgment, and enterprise growth strategy to the real decisions facing wholesale distribution teams today.What You'll Learn:Why distributors are moving past traditional CRM conversations and focusing instead on how to help sales teams create more value, become more consultative, and grow revenueHow CRM-ERP integration, data warehouses, e-commerce platforms, marketing automation, and disconnected point solutions can limit customer visibility unless they are unified into a true enterprise growth platformWhy inflation measurement, interest rate uncertainty, and prediction markets matter to revenue leaders in distribution making investment and growth decisionsHow Strait of Hormuz disruption, Suez Canal risk, oil volatility, plastics, fertilizers, helium, and global logistics instability can ripple through manufacturing and wholesale distributionWhy AI still needs human judgment, oversight, and strategy, and why many companies miss expected ROI when they assume full automation instead of building a realistic digital transformation planEpisode Highlights:01:16 – Lessons from the Affiliated Distributors Functional Success Summit and why sales enablement is replacing traditional CRM talk03:55 – Why disconnected data across ERP, marketing automation, e-commerce, and point software creates risk for distributors06:37 – Episode 198 begins: how Around the Horn connects the economy, supply chain, M&A, sales, marketing, AI, and robotics to wholesale distribution08:30 – LeadSmart's Meridian 360 Enterprise Growth Platform and the move from Smart CRM to broader business growth engines12:32 – Inflation cooling, gas prices, and why energy volatility still affects distributors, manufacturers, fertilizers, heavy minerals, and supply chains15:23 – Kevin Warsh, Fed measurement reviews, CPI, PPI, the 2% inflation target, and the need for more real-time data20:25 – Prediction markets, PolyMarket, Kalshi, and whether betting markets can offer useful economic signals27:17 – Strait of Hormuz risk, Iran, shipping disruption, oil exposure, the Suez Canal, Houthi rebels, and what it means for global supply chains43:02 – AI watchdogs, model testing, DeepMind, Fable, Mythos, and the role of government QA for high-powered AI systems48:38 – Human judgment in the age of AI, digital twins, job displacement fears, and why AI ROI depends on data readiness and realistic automation expectations56:00 – APR Supply's sales tool adoption gains and how better sales technology can support outside sales revenue growthTools, Frameworks, and Strategies Mentioned:LeadSmart TechnologiesMeridian 360 Enterprise Growth PlatformSales CompassSmart CRMSales Co-PilotAI Co-Pilot for SalesCRM-ERP IntegrationCRM Data Enrichment with AIHidden Revenue DetectionSales Automation Without Losing the Human TouchFuture-Proofing DistributionHybrid Selling ModelsConsultative CommerceData warehouses and data lakesMarketing automationE-commerce data integrationERP data unificationAI-enabled business intelligencePrediction marketsPolyMarketKalshiCPI and PPI measurement reviewsAI model QA and AI watchdog conceptsHuman judgment in AI strategyAPR Supply sales tool adoptionMaster of Distribution Management programClosing Insight:The episode's central message is clear: the future of distribution is not about buying more disconnected technology. It is about connecting data, people, process, and AI into a strategy that helps teams sell smarter, serve customers better, and make better decisions under uncertainty.Leave a Review: Help us grow by sharing your thoughts on the show.Learn more about the LeadSmart AI B2B Sales Platform: https://www.leadsmarttech.com/Join the conversation each week on LinkedIn Live.Want even more insight to the stories we discuss each week? Subscribe to the Around The Horn Newsletter.You can also hear the podcast and other excellent content on our YouTube Channel.Follow us on Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, or TikTok.

IL's Kevin Brown and Chris Rosenthall are back to break down the current PLL landscape after Week 8 in Chicago, the jumbled standings to any MVP contenders who might belong in the  conversation with Philadelphia's CJ Kirst. Between appreciating what Michael Sowers has brought to the Waterdogs offense and shining light on Utah goalie Brett Dobson, the MVP race may not be quite as over as most fans think.Kevin and Rosie then analyze what has worked well for the Archers and Cannons' big weekends to climb out of the bottom of their respective conferences. From Utah's offensive priorities, patience and identity to Boston in the clutch, this league continues to be as unpredictable as ever.The episode wraps up with a look ahead to Fairfield for Week 9 action where some enticing matchups beckon. Come for some big-picture takes, stay for Rosie's unmatched descriptions of what makes the great players so great.

What does the next era of B2B e-commerce look like when buyers, bots, AI agents, and self-service expectations all collide?In this episode of Around the Horn in Wholesale Distribution, Kevin Brown and Tom Burton welcome Jason Hein, Vice President of Academy at the B2B E-Commerce Association, for a sharp conversation on digital buying behavior, AI-powered customer intelligence, hybrid selling models, CRM-ERP integration, and the future of consultative commerce. This episode explores why e-commerce is no longer just a transaction portal, it is part of a broader digital customer experience that helps distributors build trust, support complex sales, and future-proof distribution.What You'll Learn:Why B2B e-commerce should be viewed as a digital customer experience, not just a website with a checkout buttonHow younger buyers research, compare, and validate distributors before ever talking to salesWhy complex products still need consultative selling—and how digital tools can support that buyer journeyHow AI agents, bots, and non-human traffic are changing how customers may interact with distributor websitesWhy CRM-ERP integration, product content quality, and AI-powered customer intelligence are essential for revenue leaders in distributionHow distributors can use hybrid selling models to combine self-service, sales expertise, and human-centric sales automationEpisode Highlights:06:01 – Jason Hein explains the mission of the B2B E-Commerce Association and why education matters in digital transformation11:59 – The Fed, inflation targets, and why economic uncertainty still affects distributors and manufacturers31:50 – AD's Supply Force acquisition and what buying group consolidation means for independent distributors44:08 – AI job displacement, software engineering, and why leverage may matter more than replacement1:00:21 – Bots, AI agents, and the “dead internet” problem for B2B e-commerce1:04:23 – Complex vs. commodity products: why self-service does not eliminate consultative sales1:09:49 – How trust, product content, and McMaster-Carr's digital experience shape buyer loyalty1:15:23 – Why e-commerce alone does not drive demand generation—but a strong digital experience can1:22:35 – Omnichannel strategy, silver tsunami knowledge loss, and institutionalizing customer intelligenceMeet the Guest:Jason Hein is Vice President of Academy at the B2B E-Commerce Association, where he helps manufacturers, distributors, agencies, and technology providers understand how to build better digital experiences. With nearly 30 years in B2B, Jason has worked across manufacturing, distribution, consulting, software, and e-commerce strategy.Tools, Frameworks, and Strategies Mentioned:B2B E-Commerce Association AcademyDigital customer experience strategyHybrid selling modelsConsultative commerceOmnichannel customer experienceProduct content quality and product data standardsAI agents and agentic buying behaviorCRM-ERP integrationCRM data enrichment with AISmart CRM strategySales Co-Pilot and AI Co-Pilot for SalesLeadSmart Channel Cloud™LeadSmart Enterprise Growth PlatformHidden revenue detectionSales automation without losing the human touchFuture-proofing distributionDigital readiness for successionCustomer knowledge institutionalizationClosing Insight:E-commerce in wholesale distribution is not just about letting customers place orders online. It is about creating a digital experience that helps buyers research, trust, validate, reorder, and engage with your team more effectively.As Jason explains, younger buyers may prefer self-service, but that does not mean they reject expertise. The winning distributors will combine strong product content, connected data systems, CRM-ERP integration, and human-guided consultative commerce to meet buyers wherever they are in the journey.Leave a Review: Help us grow by sharing your thoughts on the show.Learn more about the LeadSmart AI B2B Sales Platform: https://www.leadsmarttech.com/Join the conversation each week on LinkedIn Live.Want even more insight to the stories we discuss each week? Subscribe to the Around The Horn Newsletter.You can also hear the podcast and other excellent content on our YouTube Channel.Follow us on Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, or TikTok.

Orioles play-by-play commentator Kevin Brown joined the show to discuss the Orioles play of late and expectations for the trade deadline.

MVP favorite CJ Kirst and Rookie of the Year contender Joey Spallina stop by an on-site edition of the PLL Happy Hour Podcast from Annapolis at Navy-Marine Corps Memorial Stadium, home of the 2026 All-Star Game. Kirst discusses the transition from winning an NLL title with the Toronto Rock to getting the season started in MVP form to the incredible lineup decisions and growing chemistry with his Philly offensive teammates. Spallina discusses the full circle moments of playing in his first all-star game after years of attending them as a kid to what the Whipsnakes have to do to get back on track the second half of the season. From there, Terry Foy joins Chris Rosenthall and Kevin Brown to discuss the Series E $100 million investment news in the PLL, the outlook for the second half of the season and a quick look at Week 8 in Chicago.

What does it take to turn a simple idea like Chicken Salad Chick into one of the fastest-growing restaurant franchise brands in America? Growing a business from a handful of locations to hundreds of restaurants takes more than a great product. It requires the right culture, disciplined leadership, a scalable franchise model, and an unwavering commitment to the customer experience. In this episode, you'll hear how Scott Deviney transformed Chicken Salad Chick from a promising regional concept into a nationally recognized brand by focusing on servant leadership, operational simplicity, and building a franchise system that empowers entrepreneurs to succeed. Whether you're leading a growing company or considering franchise expansion, you'll walk away with practical lessons that apply far beyond the restaurant industry. What You'll Gain From This Episode: Learn how Chicken Salad Chick built a scalable franchise system without losing its culture, hospitality, or commitment to quality. Discover why servant leadership, operational simplicity, and disciplined franchise selection have fueled the brand's remarkable growth. Understand how successful CEOs balance innovation, franchise relationships, and long-term strategic expansion while staying true to their core mission. If you're interested in scaling a business, building a franchise brand, or leading a high-growth organization without sacrificing culture, this episode delivers practical insights from the CEO behind Chicken Salad Chick's remarkable success story. Check out: 8:45 – Why Scott Deviney Chose Chicken Salad Chick Scott shares the pivotal moment he recognized that Chicken Salad Chick was unlike any other restaurant concept, citing its people-first culture, unique market position, and long-term growth potential. 28:40 – The Secret to Maintaining Culture Across Hundreds of Franchise Locations Learn how Scott and his leadership team preserve the Chicken Salad Chick guest experience by focusing on servant leadership, franchisee selection, operational simplicity, and a shared purpose. 47:20 – What's Next for Chicken Salad Chick? Scott discusses the company's ambitious expansion plans, the path toward 500 restaurants and $1 billion in systemwide sales, and why he believes the brand is still in the early stages of its growth. About Scott Deviney Scott Deviney, CEO of Chicken Salad Chick, has grown his enterprise tenfold in 10 years — from 32 restaurants in six states when he started in May 2015 to 309 eateries in 22 states today. He plans to serve customers in 30 states by year-end 2026. "Chicken Salad Chick is all about people," says Deviney (AB '95). "It's about taking care of our restaurant and franchise teams, taking care of our guests. Making chicken salad fresh, every day, from scratch, is our way to love on people." Deviney grew up in Carrollton, Georgia. He credits his parents with his work ethic. "They gave me something of tremendous value," he says, "my work ethic. I learned that when things have to be done, you go do them." Deviney started his professional career at SunTrust Bank, where he spent 13 years, including time in a food and beverage group. In 2008, he left banking to buy 19 Wendy's fast-food restaurants. Six years later, he sold those, plus a few added along the way, then looked for new opportunities. He bought Chicken Salad Chick with a private equity partner. The business was hatched in Auburn, Alabama, in 2008 by Kevin Brown and his wife, Stacy, who named her various chicken salad blends (Fancy Nancy, Classic Carol, Kickin' Kay Lynne) after female family members and friends.  Deviney moved headquarters to Atlanta and began spreading the chicken salad gospel. 

Todd updates us on the continuing saga of his backyard shed build—gravel stamping, Red River gumbo soil challenges, Costco door orientation problems, and his decision to buy plans from a Regina DIY guy on Etsy (rather than giving money to Costco). We also check in on Fitbit progress and celebrate Abby's first soccer goal in a perfectly called play that had Sean scrambling for his phone too late.The conversation meanders through TSN's pricing versus Netflix, the joy and frustration of streaming subscriptions, and memories of going to the movies including a fascinating discussion about intermission culture in Portugal and how Europe does a few things better than North America. That leads into a rant about proprietary charging cables, Apple's lightning connector, and why USB-C finally makes everyone's life easier.Todd accidentally name-drops two song titles while discussing his sod work—becoming the accidental Segway King—triggering a classic Pass or Go session. First up is Cinderella's "Falling Apart at the Seams" from Long Cold Winter, with Sean and Todd debating Tom Keifer's clean voice versus his signature rasp. Then comes Ratt's Lay It Down connected to "laying sod".The back half of the episode dives deep into Rush's reunion tour featuring new drummer Anika, who Alex Lifeson and Geddy Lee discovered playing with Jeff Beck. Sean and Todd watch her perform online in real time and are visibly blown away—comparing her fluid time signature changes to Eddie Van Halen falling down a flight of stairs and landing on his feet. Ticket prices for the Toronto show (sold out, resale at $456+) prompt a conversation about concert costs, Taylor Swift's Red Tour, and whether Rush coming to Winnipeg would be worth $300 a ticket.The episode wraps with Sean mentioning a future episode dedicated to the band Bliss and their album, a tribute to his late friend and colleague Ray, who introduced him to the band and evolved from a pretty good guitarist to a really great one. Sean also invites the In Obscuria guys to come on the show after they attend the Rush Toronto concert.Special thanks to Patreon supporters Ronald George Moore, Sam Thompson, Ruby, Tony Griggs, Corey Morissette, Kevin Brown, and Danny Pabst.Linktree: https://linktr.ee/seangeekpodcastPatreon: https://www.patreon.com/c/seangeekpodcastWe are a part of the Boneless Podcast Network: https://bonelesspodcasting.com/ Merch:Tee Public: https://www.teepublic.com/seangeekpodcastRed Bubble: https://www.redbubble.com/people/seangeekpodcast/shop@seangeekpodcast on Twitter, Instagram and FacebookMentioned in this episode:New Merch AdAn ad that incorporates Red Bubble and Tee Public

Kevin Brown is no O.J. McDuffie! 6-25-2026

What happens when inflation pressure, tariff uncertainty, supply chain disruption, and AI platform strategy all hit wholesale distribution at the same time?In this episode of Around the Horn in Wholesale Distribution, Kevin Brown and Tom Burton unpack the forces shaping distributors and manufacturers right now, from core inflation and the Strait of Hormuz to tariff refunds, B2B customer experience, data center demand, and AI adoption. This episode gives revenue leaders in distribution a practical lens on how to manage volatility, avoid disconnected technology silos, and build a smarter path toward CRM-ERP integration, customer intelligence, and future-proofing distribution.What You'll Learn:Why core inflation, oil prices, and energy volatility continue to affect freight, plastics, fertilizer, and downstream manufacturing costsHow tariff refunds, FedEx reimbursements, Section 301 tariffs, and trade negotiations could impact importers, distributors, contractors, and end customersWhy supply chain uncertainty remains elevated—and why distributors need better inventory visibility tools, demand planning, and collaborative forecastingHow the B2B buying experience is becoming more like B2C, especially for contractors and professional buyers using Home Depot, Lowe's, Amazon Business, and traditional distributorsWhy AI adoption in wholesale distribution needs to move beyond point solutions and toward connected data systems, Smart CRM, AI-powered customer intelligence, and true platform strategyEpisode Highlights:03:20 – LeadSmart's Enterprise Growth Platform and why connected data matters for distributors04:40 – Core inflation, energy prices, and the delayed cost impact across freight, plastics, and manufacturing15:10 – Strait of Hormuz volatility and why open shipping lanes do not always mean stable supply chains20:10 – FedEx tariff refunds, customer reimbursement complexity, and why downstream recovery is difficult31:50 – Supply chain uncertainty, port volatility, and whether distributors are better prepared than they were during COVID46:40 – The blurring line between B2B and B2C customer experience in wholesale distribution58:40 – Data centers, AI infrastructure, and why distributors in electrical, HVAC, plumbing, industrial, and construction markets should pay attention1:12:40 – AI adoption, order processing automation, platform strategy, and the risk of creating new data silosTools, Frameworks, and Strategies Mentioned:LeadSmart TechnologiesLeadSmart Channel Cloud™Enterprise Growth PlatformData360 HubSmart CRMSales Co-PilotAI Co-Pilot for SalesCRM-ERP IntegrationCRM Data Enrichment with AIHidden Revenue DetectionSales Automation Without Losing the Human TouchConsultative CommerceHybrid Selling ModelsInventory Visibility ToolsCollaborative Planning & ForecastingFuture-Proofing DistributionB2B Customer Experience StrategyAI Platform StrategyData Center InfrastructureCORE: CapEx Optimization Reliability and Execution by Lone Star Electric SupplyClosing Insight:The biggest technology risk for distributors is not simply falling behind on AI—it is adopting disconnected tools that recreate the same data silos they were meant to solve.For wholesale distributors and manufacturers, the next stage of growth will depend on connected systems, CRM-ERP integration, customer intelligence, supply chain visibility, and AI tools that solve real business problems. Subscribe to Around the Horn in Wholesale Distribution for weekly conversations on the economy, supply chain, technology, and the future of distribution.Leave a Review: Help us grow by sharing your thoughts on the show.Learn more about the LeadSmart AI B2B Sales Platform: https://www.leadsmarttech.com/Join the conversation each week on LinkedIn Live.Want even more insight to the stories we discuss each week? Subscribe to the Around The Horn Newsletter.You can also hear the podcast and other excellent content on our YouTube Channel.Follow us on Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, or TikTok.

IL's Chris Rosenthall and Kevin Brown are back to break down the action through five weeks in the Premier Lacrosse League season after the New York Atlas went 2-0 at Hofstra, Boston lost in a game of inches then released Asher Nolting, and the Dylan Molloy show was worth the price of admission.Is the John Grant Jr. comparison legit? Dad strength was huge during Father's Day Weekend, the Atlas got their swagger back after ring night, which Philly playmaker could be a good fit on the Cannons and how does Maryland bounce back from blowing a huge lead?From there, Rosie and Kevin give a few All-Star Game roster takes and preview the San Diego weekend ahead.

What Happens When AI, Supply Chains, and Economic Uncertainty Collide in Wholesale Distribution?As interest rates remain under scrutiny, supply chains face new disruptions, and artificial intelligence continues to reshape business operations, wholesale distribution leaders are being forced to make smarter decisions with less room for error.In this episode of Around the Horn in Wholesale Distribution, hosts Kevin Brown and Tom Burton welcome Will Quinn, warehouse leadership expert, supply chain educator, and author of Modern Warehouse Management: Steel-Toed Leadership That Drives Performance. Together, they explore the current economic landscape, tariff uncertainty, warehouse strategy, AI adoption in distribution, and the growing importance of supply chain visibility in an increasingly complex global market.What You'll Learn:Why the Federal Reserve's latest interest rate decision has major implications for manufacturers, distributors, and supply chain planningHow tariffs, import uncertainty, and global trade disruptions are influencing inventory strategies and purchasing behaviorWhat warehouse leaders can learn from military logistics, operational discipline, and real-world distribution managementWhy AI-enabled supply chain management is becoming one of the fastest-growing skill sets in distributionHow organizations can improve inventory visibility, forecasting, and operational decision making without chasing every new technology trendWhy successful AI adoption starts with solving business problems first rather than purchasing shiny new toolsHow CRM-ERP integration, unified data systems, and intelligent business platforms support long-term growth and resilienceEpisode Highlights:00:00 – Welcome to Around the Horn in Wholesale Distribution and introduction to warehouse leadership expert Will Quinn07:10 – The Federal Reserve holds rates steady: what distributors and manufacturers should watch next15:45 – Retail spending, inflation pressures, and what economic signals mean for wholesale distribution teams22:30 – Tariff refunds, import activity, and why companies are accelerating inventory purchases31:50 – Why supply chain resilience remains one of the most important business capabilities in modern distribution38:40 – Lessons from Modern Warehouse Management and the role of steel-toed leadership in warehouse performance48:15 – AI in supply chain operations: where organizations are seeing real value today58:20 – Why AI-skilled supply chain professionals are becoming one of the most in-demand roles in distribution1:06:40 – Understanding AI models, governance, security, and vendor due diligence1:17:30 – Practical guidance for distribution leaders building an AI strategy that actually delivers resultsMeet the Guest:Will Quinn is a supply chain executive, warehouse leadership expert, educator, and author of Modern Warehouse Management: Steel-Toed Leadership That Drives Performance. With decades of experience across leading distribution organizations, Will specializes in warehouse operations, supply chain strategy, workforce development, and operational excellence.Tools, Frameworks, and Strategies Mentioned:Modern Warehouse Management FrameworkSteel-Toed LeadershipSupply Chain Visibility StrategiesInventory Visibility ToolsCollaborative Planning & Forecasting (CPFR)AI-Powered Supply Chain AnalyticsCRM-ERP IntegrationSmart CRM StrategyEnterprise Growth PlatformDigital Readiness for SuccessionFuture-Proofing DistributionAI Governance and Vendor Due DiligenceWarehouse Management Systems (WMS)Enterprise Resource Planning (ERP)Leave a Review: Help us grow by sharing your thoughts on the show.Learn more about the LeadSmart AI B2B Sales Platform: https://www.leadsmarttech.com/Join the conversation each week on LinkedIn Live.Want even more insight to the stories we discuss each week? Subscribe to the Around The Horn Newsletter.You can also hear the podcast and other excellent content on our YouTube Channel.Follow us on Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, or TikTok.

Chris Rosenthall and Kevin Brown are back to size up the current standings, the unpredictability of the PLL so far this season and especially so in Week 4 down in Charlotte while also bringing on special guest from the New York Atlas, Hugh Kelleher. Nicknamed the Big Red growing up before playing for the Cornell Big Red, Kelleher is fresh off winning three titles with Cornell in college, New York in the PLL and the Toronto Rock in the NLL. That's a lot of winning to discuss. Also, as a Long Island native, Kelleher helps throw it forward for Week 5 at Hofstra, where he saw plenty of Lizards games growing up.From there, Rosie and Kevin give their takes on the West and East early playoff outlooks, where the Cannons go from here, how exciting Philly's offense is and finish up with the sad WLL news about Charlotte North's Achilles injury before going down memory lane with the 2026 PLL Hall of Fame class.

Is the U.S. economy heading toward stability, or just navigating a new kind of volatility?In this episode of Around the Horn in Wholesale Distribution, Kevin Brown and Tom Burton are joined by Taylor St. Germain, Senior Economist at ITR Economics, to unpack the forces reshaping wholesale distribution and manufacturing. From interest rate uncertainty and tariff refund chaos to AI adoption gaps and “profitless prosperity,” this conversation connects macroeconomic signals directly to distributor margin strategy, capital investment decisions, and long-term growth planning.What You'll Learn:Why the current economy feels like a “tale of two economies”, and how income distribution impacts demand across B2B marketsWhat the Federal Reserve is really watching (core inflation vs. trimmed mean metrics) and how rate decisions could affect CapEx, M&A, and working capitalHow tariff policy, Section 301 and 232 rulings, and refund uncertainty are influencing distributor pricing strategy and customer relationshipsWhat “profitless prosperity” means for 2026 and 2027, and how to protect margins during growth at a higher costWhy most AI initiatives in wholesale distribution are still efficiency plays—and what separates hype from scalable, repeatable AI-driven business processesEpisode Highlights:03:30 – Inside ITR Economics: forecasting accuracy, leading indicators, and preparing for downturns11:45 – May jobs report surprises: what strong hiring means for inflation and rate decisions14:20 – Interest rate outlook: hold, cut, or increase—and why energy prices complicate the Fed's move30:18 – Tariff escalation, Section 301 and 232 policies, and the ripple effect across distributors41:03 – Tariff refunds: unintended consequences for margins, pricing transparency, and customer trust58:26 – AI adoption in wholesale distribution: efficiency gains vs. true strategic transformation1:16:35 – “Growth at a higher cost”: how to navigate labor inflation, electricity costs, reshoring, and fiscal pressureMeet the Guest:Taylor St. Germain is a Senior Economist and Business Consultant at ITR Economics. He delivers economic keynotes nationwide and helps manufacturers and distributors identify leading indicators, forecast demand, and prepare for economic cycles with a 94.7% forecasting accuracy standard.Tools, Frameworks, and Strategies Mentioned:ITR Economics leading indicator forecasting modelsWeekly GDP tracking vs. lagging government metricsTrimmed mean inflation vs. core CPIEnterprise Growth Platform by LeadSmart TechnologiesAI-driven margin protection and data unification strategiesClosing Insight:“We are very optimistic about growth, but it's growth at a higher cost.”The second half of the decade presents opportunities for wholesale distributors and manufacturers, but only for those who actively manage labor inflation, tariff exposure, electricity costs, and AI investment discipline. Growth is not the question. Margin strategy is.Leave a Review: Help us grow by sharing your thoughts on the show.Learn more about the LeadSmart AI B2B Sales Platform: https://www.leadsmarttech.com/Join the conversation each week on LinkedIn Live.Want even more insight to the stories we discuss each week? Subscribe to the Around The Horn Newsletter.You can also hear the podcast and other excellent content on our YouTube Channel.Follow us on Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, or TikTok.

Chris Rosenthall and Kevin Brown welcome on Sticks In host Dan Arestia to help break down a flurry of player movement after Week 3, most notably the Ryan Croddick sweepstakes and Matt Rambo heading to play for the Atlas.From there, the three analyze the most interesting roster developments with Boston, Philadelphia and Utah before going into the best performers from the first month of the season. The episode ends with each getting excited for one of the Week 4 games in Charlotte.

It is safe to say this year's Women's College World Series has had a little bit of everything. On today's episode of In The Circle, powered by SixFour3, the guys recap how we reached the semifinal matchups. It includes one of the most dramatic elimination games in history: Texas Tech versus UCLA.The crew that called that game, Kevin Brown and Amanda Scarborough, chatted with Eric Lopez before the start of the WCWS about their tendency to call thrilling finishes. You'll also hear from Nebraska alum and Howard head coach Tori Tyson on the Huskers making it back to Oklahoma City. Plus, you'll hear an interview with one of our Day 1 followers, and yes, we're doing the thing again during the Championship Series.See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

Chris Rosenthall and Kevin Brown return for the latest PLL Happy Hour to analyze the impressive start to the season for the Waterdogs and Atlas in Utah. From a buzzing atmosphere filled with horns and a new style of play, Rosie and Kevin break down the Archers' weekend plus touch on California's defense and Carolina's second-half effort. Finishing off with a spin forward look to Week 2 in Providence, they circle which game they're looking forward to most as their picks sandwich the ultra-exciting debut of the Women's Lacrosse League.