Podcast appearances and mentions of Levi Strauss

What does it take to turn a creative idea into a globally stocked Irish brand? In this episode of The Retail Tea Break, Melissa chats with Kim Whyte about the journey behind Pawpear and the lessons learned along the way.From her early design career in London to building a business inspired by Irish culture, language and landscape. Kim shares the realities of entrepreneurship, the value of community and why authenticity matters more than following trends. The conversation also explores how meaningful customer relationships can shape a brand's growth, why thoughtful retail experiences still matter and how creative collaborations can bring heritage stories to life in a modern way.Kim also reflects on working with iconic Irish institutions including the Guinness Storehouse and the Book of Kells Experience at Trinity College Dublin, sharing insights into balancing creativity with commercial growth while staying true to the heart of the brand.Key Topics CoveredGrowing Pawpear to 90+ retailers worldwideThe importance of mentorshipSupporting Irish manufacturers and suppliersCustomer communication and emotional brand connectionCollaborating with Guinness Storehouse and Trinity College DublinExperiential retail and creative storytellingScaling a business while protecting brand identityVisit Pawpear www.pawpear.ieThis episode of the Retail Tea Break podcast is brought to you by SCAYLE, the enterprise commerce platform empowering B2C brands and retailers to easily create outstanding customer experiences with a seamless and flexible feature set that can be extended through APIs. Trusted by brands like Levi Strauss®️, Harrods, Manchester United and Deichmann, SCAYLE enables businesses to accelerate innovation and drive real growth.AI fashion photo shoots at scale: Visit Tayla.aiBuilt for retailers, by retailers: Visit: www.scayle.com

In the latest episode of The Retail Tea Break, Caroline Orange-Northy, UK and Ireland Managing Director at Pinterest explores how the platform has evolved from a source of inspiration into a powerful retail and shopping destination.The conversation dives into why Pinterest operates differently from traditional social media platforms, focusing on purchase intent rather than the attention economy and why that matters for retailers trying to connect with today's consumer. You'll hear insights into Pinterest's “taste graph,” visual search, and how retailers can use trend data more commercially to better understand customer behaviour and improve discovery.The episode also explores Pinterest Predicts 2026 wedding trends, including emerging colour palettes, non-traditional venues and the growing demand for personalisation. Grab your cuppa and a notebook.Topics covered include:• Why Pinterest users behave differently from users on other platforms• The shift from inspiration to full-funnel shopping• What the “taste graph” means for retailers• How visual search is changing product discovery• Why Pinterest trends last longer than trends on other platforms• 2026 wedding and lifestyle trend predictions• How retailers can use Pinterest data to improve marketing and merchandising strategiesVisit Pinterest today: https://business.pinterest.com/en-gb/Pinterest Wedding Trends Report: https://newsroom.pinterest.com/ This episode of the Retail Tea Break podcast is brought to you by SCAYLE, the enterprise commerce platform empowering B2C brands and retailers to easily create outstanding customer experiences with a seamless and flexible feature set that can be extended through APIs. Trusted by brands like Levi Strauss®️, Harrods, Manchester United and Deichmann, SCAYLE enables businesses to accelerate innovation and drive real growth. AI fashion photo shoots at scale: Visit Tayla.aiBuilt for retailers, by retailers: Visit: www.scayle.com

Today in 1873, Levi Strauss and Jacob Davis received a patent for what the paperwork called "Improvement in Fastening Pocket-Openings.” Their blue jeans were originally meant for people when they were out working in really hard, tough jobs. And ironically, that's what ended up making jeans popular for everyday use. Plus: the Netherlands has a job for people on the internet! How Blue Jeans Began—And Then Conquered US Closets (History.com)Did you spot a fish? Press the Fish Doorbell! Sing the praises of pants and then back our show on Patreon

Tällä historiallisella päivämäärällä Levi Strauss sai patentin farmarikankaisille työhousuille eli farkuille. Tyynellämerellä Bikini Atollilla nähtiin Yhdysvaltain ensimmäinen vetypommin ilmakehäräjäytys ja samainen atolli antoi myöhemmin nimensä myös bikineille. Suomessa puolestaan sai alkunsa Silja Linen tarina ja vuosia myöhemmin Lordi nousi voitokkaasti Euroviisujen lavalle.

What happens when AI becomes the storefront?In this episode of The Retail Tea Break, I'm joined by Tarek Müller, Co-Founder and MD of About You and SCAYLE, for a fascinating conversation on the future of commerce. From SCAYLE's expansion into the US market and its recent Levi Strauss & Co. partnership, to the growing role of AI and Large Language Models in retail discovery, Tarek shares why the industry is entering another major shift in consumer behaviour. We also explore how AI is changing operational efficiency, personalisation and even fashion photography through TAYLA, a platform already transforming digital content production at scale.If you want to understand where retail is heading next, this episode is essential listening.Key TopicsWhy LLMs like ChatGPT and Gemini are becoming major traffic sources for retailersHow brands need to rethink visibility and discovery in an AI first worldThe significance of SCAYLE's partnership with Levi's and expansion into the USWhy retailers relying solely on product catalogues risk becoming commoditisedHow ABOUT YOU is using AI to reduce content production costs while improving conversion, introducing TAYLATarek's predictions for the future of e-commerce, AI transactions, and social commerceFor more information:AI fashion photo shoots at scale: Visit Tayla.aiBuilt for retailers, by retailers: Visit: www.scayle.comThis episode of the Retail Tea Break podcast is brought to you by SCAYLE, the enterprise commerce platform empowering B2C brands and retailers to easily create outstanding customer experiences with a seamless and flexible feature set that can be extended through APIs. Trusted by brands like Levi Strauss®️, Harrods, Manchester United and Deichmann, SCAYLE enables businesses to accelerate innovation and drive real growth.

At the beginning of April, I published an article for SFGATE asking a simple but complicated question: Do clothing take-back programs actually reduce clothing production and fashion's environmental impact?After speaking with brands like Levi Strauss & Co., Patagonia, and The North Face, the answer wasn't exactly clear. Every brand approached take-back and resale differently, with different goals, systems, and definitions of success.Our guest today, Pancho Gomez, has spent the last two decades working at the intersection of technology, the outdoor industry, and social responsibility. Most recently, he led the Customer Experience team at Trove, helping build trade-in and resale programs for brands including Patagonia, Arc'teryx, Levi's, and Carhartt.So I had to ask him: Are gear and clothing take-back programs actually helping build a circular economy, or are they just another form of greenwashing?In episode 222 of the Outdoor Minimalist podcast, Pancho takes us behind the scenes of how these programs operate, what brands gain from them, and whether resale can meaningfully reduce waste in the outdoor and fashion industries.Instagram: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://www.instagram.com/outdoor.minimalist.book/⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Website: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://www.theoutdoorminimalist.com/⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠YouTube: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://www.youtube.com/@theoutdoorminimalistBuy Me a Coffee: ⁠⁠⁠https://buymeacoffee.com/outdoorminimalist⁠⁠⁠Listener Survey: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://forms.gle/jd8UCN2LL3AQst976⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠------------------Episode ResourcesSF Gate Article: https://www.sfgate.com/shopping/article/clothing-take-back-programs-explained-22187338.phpConnect with Pancho Gomez: https://www.becausewhy.net/

Long before our guest this week became the CMO of Levi's, he was rocking the brand as a kid, breakdancing with his brother in shell-toe Adidas and Levi's denim. Fast forward a few decades, and he's now leading one of the most admired brands in the world.This week Jim welcomes Kenny Mitchell, SVP and Chief Marketing Officer of the Levi's brand at Levi Strauss & Co. The legacy brand was founded in 1853 by Bavarian immigrant Levi Strauss during the California Gold Rush. Originally designed as durable workwear for laborers, now 173 years later, it is the market leader in denim apparel, generating more than $6 billion in annual revenue.Kenny joined Levi's in 2023 after serving as CMO of Snap Inc., bringing with him a track record of driving growth and cultural relevance. Since joining, he's been focused on creating “modern-day moments” for the brand, connecting Levi's legacy to today's culture, from high-impact partnerships to the brand's return to the Super Bowl with its “Behind Every Original” campaign. Previously, he has held senior marketing roles at McDonald's U.S., Gatorade, and NASCAR. Tune in for a conversation about growth, culture, and leadership, and what it really takes to move a brand, and an organization, forward.See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

This week Steve Dennis and Michael LeBlanc bring listeners a high-energy live episode from Shoptalk Las Vegas — Part 1 of the inaugural Retail Rumble. The episode opens with the week's most important retail news. Levi Strauss delivers strong revenue growth driven by its expanding direct-to-consumer business, underscoring how its pivot away from wholesale dependency is unlocking margin and brand control — an increasingly critical playbook in modern retail. The department store sector remains under pressure. Saks Global's bankruptcy exit signals stabilization, but also highlights the structural challenges facing legacy luxury retail. With store closures, ownership restructuring, and vendor confidence still rebuilding, the hosts examine whether Saks can regain lost ground as Bloomingdale's and Nordstrom move to capitalize on the disruption. Additional analysis covers early warning signs in mall traffic, with Placer.ai data pointing to a potential slowdown, and Wayfair's continued push into physical retail despite broader category softness — raising pointed questions about the evolving role of stores in an omnichannel world. The second half shifts to the Retail Rumble stage, where industry heavyweights debate two of retail's most pressing questions. Michael LeBlanc and Anne Mezzinga, founding CEO of Retail Field Report, referee the action. Round one: Is eCommerce entering a new phase of accelerated growth? Neil Saunders argues that demographic shifts, infrastructure investment, and AI-driven discovery will fuel acceleration. R.J. Hottovy counters with the realities of market saturation, the enduring importance of physical retail, and the law of large numbers limiting growth upside. Round two: Does retail media improve the shopper journey? Kiri Masters argues that retail media enhances relevance and subsidizes pricing through high-margin revenue streams. Rachel Tipograph challenges the model as increasingly pay-to-play — one that risks distorting product discovery and eroding the customer experience it claims to enhance. Join us at the CommerceNext Growth Show in New York June 23rd and 24th with this exclusive discount code for 10% off general admission tickets and FREE retail tickets: Your code is "REMARKABLE" . See you in the Big Apple! About UsSteve Dennis is a strategic advisor and keynote speaker focused on growth and innovation, who has also been named one of the world's top retail influencers. He is the bestselling author of two books: Leaders Leap: Transforming Your Company at the Speed of Disruption and Remarkable Retail: How To Win & Keep Customers in the Age of Disruption. Steve regularly shares his insights in his role as a Forbes senior retail contributor and on social media.Michael LeBlanc is a senior retail advisor, keynote speaker and media entrepreneur. Michael has delivered keynotes, hosted fire-side discussions hosted senior retail executive on-stage in 1:1 interviews worldwide. Michael produces and hosts a network of leading retail trade podcasts, including The Remarkable Retail Podcast, The Voice of Retail The Food Professor, The FEED powered by Loblaw and the Global eCommerce Leaders podcast. He has been recognized by the NRF as a global Top Retail Voice for 2025 and 2025 and continues to be a ReThink Retail Top Retail Expert for the fifth year in a row.

Canva has acquired two new startups as it tries to reposition itself from design-software to AI-marketing company. AustralianSuper has dumped nearly $1 billion from its ESG fund as it tightens ethical investing rules. Levi Strauss has seen its shares jump 10% after its strongest sales in 4 years…because baggy jeans are back. _ Download the free app (App Store): http://bit.ly/FluxAppStore Download the free app (Google Play): http://bit.ly/FluxappGooglePlay Daily newsletter: https://bit.ly/fluxnewsletter Flux on Instagram: http://bit.ly/fluxinsta Flux on TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@flux.finance —- The content in this podcast reflects the views and opinions of the hosts, and is intended for personal and not commercial use. We do not represent or endorse the accuracy or reliability of any opinion, statement or other information provided or distributed in these episodes. —-See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Oil's drop: What's driving it and what it means for stocks. Plus, Microsoft (MSFT) has been hammered—is it a buying opportunity? … Levi Strauss' (LEVI) major warning for big box stores… And Tesla's (TSLA) risk/reward setup. In this episode: My pick for Masters week! [3:21] Oil's plunge: What's driving it and what it means for stocks [7:45] Key expectations for earnings season [14:56] Don't go bottom fishing in this sector [20:26] Proof the market isn't expensive at current levels [23:59] Microsoft has been hammered—is it a buying opportunity? [26:00] Levi Strauss' earnings signal a major warning for big box stores [33:09] Is Tesla a good risk/reward setup right now? [45:25] Did you like this episode? Get more Wall Street Unplugged FREE each week in your inbox. Sign up here: https://curzio.me/syn_wsu Find Wall Street Unplugged podcast… --Curzio Research App: https://curzio.me/syn_app --iTunes: https://curzio.me/syn_wsu_i --Stitcher: https://curzio.me/syn_wsu_s --Website: https://curzio.me/syn_wsu_cat Follow Frank… X: https://curzio.me/syn_twt Facebook: https://curzio.me/syn_fb LinkedIn: https://curzio.me/syn_li

Levi Strauss & Co. raised its projections for the year after reporting better-than-expected quarterly results, citing strong demand in all regions. Levi's CEO Michelle Gass discusses the soaring stock and the company's direct-to-consumer strategy. She speaks with Bloomberg's Carol Massar and Tim Stenovec.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

President Trump zou de bevolking van Iran uitwissen. Als de Straat van Hormuz niet werd geopend zou 'een beschaving sterven en nooit meer terugkeren'. Dat gebeurde niet. Er kwamen geen bombardementen, maar een ouderwetse TACO (Trump Always Chickens Out). Er ligt een tijdelijke wapenstilstand tussen de VS en Iran. Wat zorgde voor hysterisch hamstergedrag onder beleggers. Aandelen werden massaal ingeslagen. Daar hebben we het deze aflevering over en dan vooral over de duurzaamheid van dit akkoord. Ook hoor je over hét slachtoffer Shell en die andere olie- en gasbedrijven. Over Shell gesproken: dat kwam met een trading update en die zag er goed uit. Shell heeft niet alleen veel meer olie verkocht, de marges zijn ook nog eens gestegen. Ze verwachten een 'significant' goed eerste kwartaal. Ook opvallend: de divisie met hernieuwbare energie doet het heel erg goed. Of andere beursbedrijven het de komende weken goed doen, gaan we zien. Het cijferseizoen gaat weer van start! We blikken vooruit en brengen in kaart waar (en op wie) je moet letten. Verder deze aflevering ook aandacht voor Elon Musk (die Sam Altman weg wil hebben bij OpenAI), aandacht voor Jos Baeten (die 17 jaar ceo was van ASR) en we bespreken een defensiebedrijf dat onder druk van de eigen overheid afscheid moeten nemen van de ceo. Te gast: Jean-Paul van Oudheusden van Markets Are Everywhere BNR Beurs is een journalistiek onafhankelijke productie, mede mogelijk gemaakt door Saxo. Over de makers: Jelle Maasbach is presentator van BNR Beurs en freelance financieel journalist. Zijn favoriete aandeel om over te praten is Disney, maar daar lijkt hij de enige in te zijn. Sinds de eerste uitzending van BNR Beurs is 'ie er bij. Maxim van Mil is presentator van BNR Beurs en journalist bij BNR, waar hij zich focust op de financiële markten en ontwikkelingen in de tech-wereld. Je krijgt hem het meest enthousiast als hij kan praten over ASML, of oer-Hollandse bedrijven zoals Ahold of ABN Amro. Jorik Simonides is presentator van BNR Beurs, economieredacteur en verslaggever bij BNR. Hij wordt er vooral blij van als het een keer níet over AI gaat. Milou Brand is presentator van BNR Beurs, freelance podcastmaker en columnist bij het Financieele Dagblad. Jochem Visser is presentator van BNR Beurs, maakt Beursnerd XL en is redacteur bij de podcast Onder Curatoren. Vraag hem naar obscure zaken op financiële markten en hij vertelt je waarom het eigenlijk nóg leuker is dan je al dacht. Over de podcast: Met BNR Beurs ga je altijd voorbereid de nieuwe beursdag in. We praten je in een kleine 25 minuten bij over alle laatste ontwikkelingen op de handelsvloer. We blijven niet alleen bij de AEX of Wall Street, maar vertellen je ook waar nog meer kansen liggen. En we houden het niet bij de cijfers, maar zoeken ook iedere dag voor je naar duiding van scherpe gasten en experts. Of je nu een ervaren belegger bent of net begint met je eerste stappen op de beurs, de podcast biedt waardevolle inzichten voor je beleggingsstrategie. Door de focus op zowel de korte termijn als de lange termijn, helpt BNR Beurs luisteraars om de ruis van de markt te scheiden van de essentie. Van Musk tot Microsoft en van Ahold tot ASML. Wij vertellen je wat beleggers bezighoudt, wie de markten in beweging zet en wat dat betekent voor jouw beleggingsportefeuille.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

The Straits of Hormuz is set to reopen for two week. What does that mean for markets? A fragile US-Iran ceasefire reopens the Strait of Hormuz, sending oil prices sharply lower and easing global supply fears. Singapore rolls out a S$1 billion support package to cushion households and businesses from energy-driven inflation shocks. Meanwhile, investors are already positioning for what could be history’s biggest IPO - SpaceX - fueling inflows into niche space ETFs. In corporate action, AWS scrambles to maintain resilience, Levi Strauss leans into direct-to-consumer growth, Universal Music attracts takeover interest, and OCBC doubles down on sustainability financing. Markets digest volatility and opportunity - hosted by Michelle Martin with Ryan Huang.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

President Trump zou de bevolking van Iran uitwissen. Als de Straat van Hormuz niet werd geopend zou 'een beschaving sterven en nooit meer terugkeren'. Dat gebeurde niet. Er kwamen geen bombardementen, maar een ouderwetse TACO (Trump Always Chickens Out). Er ligt een tijdelijke wapenstilstand tussen de VS en Iran. Wat zorgde voor hysterisch hamstergedrag onder beleggers. Aandelen werden massaal ingeslagen. Daar hebben we het deze aflevering over en dan vooral over de duurzaamheid van dit akkoord. Ook hoor je over hét slachtoffer Shell en die andere olie- en gasbedrijven. Over Shell gesproken: dat kwam met een trading update en die zag er goed uit. Shell heeft niet alleen veel meer olie verkocht, de marges zijn ook nog eens gestegen. Ze verwachten een 'significant' goed eerste kwartaal. Ook opvallend: de divisie met hernieuwbare energie doet het heel erg goed. Of andere beursbedrijven het de komende weken goed doen, gaan we zien. Het cijferseizoen gaat weer van start! We blikken vooruit en brengen in kaart waar (en op wie) je moet letten. Verder deze aflevering ook aandacht voor Elon Musk (die Sam Altman weg wil hebben bij OpenAI), aandacht voor Jos Baeten (die 17 jaar ceo was van ASR) en we bespreken een defensiebedrijf dat onder druk van de eigen overheid afscheid moeten nemen van de ceo. Te gast: Jean-Paul van Oudheusden van Markets Are Everywhere BNR Beurs is een journalistiek onafhankelijke productie, mede mogelijk gemaakt door Saxo. Over de makers: Jelle Maasbach is presentator van BNR Beurs en freelance financieel journalist. Zijn favoriete aandeel om over te praten is Disney, maar daar lijkt hij de enige in te zijn. Sinds de eerste uitzending van BNR Beurs is 'ie er bij. Maxim van Mil is presentator van BNR Beurs en journalist bij BNR, waar hij zich focust op de financiële markten en ontwikkelingen in de tech-wereld. Je krijgt hem het meest enthousiast als hij kan praten over ASML, of oer-Hollandse bedrijven zoals Ahold of ABN Amro. Jorik Simonides is presentator van BNR Beurs, economieredacteur en verslaggever bij BNR. Hij wordt er vooral blij van als het een keer níet over AI gaat. Milou Brand is presentator van BNR Beurs, freelance podcastmaker en columnist bij het Financieele Dagblad. Jochem Visser is presentator van BNR Beurs, maakt Beursnerd XL en is redacteur bij de podcast Onder Curatoren. Vraag hem naar obscure zaken op financiële markten en hij vertelt je waarom het eigenlijk nóg leuker is dan je al dacht. Over de podcast: Met BNR Beurs ga je altijd voorbereid de nieuwe beursdag in. We praten je in een kleine 25 minuten bij over alle laatste ontwikkelingen op de handelsvloer. We blijven niet alleen bij de AEX of Wall Street, maar vertellen je ook waar nog meer kansen liggen. En we houden het niet bij de cijfers, maar zoeken ook iedere dag voor je naar duiding van scherpe gasten en experts. Of je nu een ervaren belegger bent of net begint met je eerste stappen op de beurs, de podcast biedt waardevolle inzichten voor je beleggingsstrategie. Door de focus op zowel de korte termijn als de lange termijn, helpt BNR Beurs luisteraars om de ruis van de markt te scheiden van de essentie. Van Musk tot Microsoft en van Ahold tot ASML. Wij vertellen je wat beleggers bezighoudt, wie de markten in beweging zet en wat dat betekent voor jouw beleggingsportefeuille.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Le borse europee accelerano dopo la tregua Usa-Iran, mentre il petrolio scivola sotto i 100 dollari. Sul fronte M&A, Piero Ferrari aderisce all'Opa su Ferretti, aprendo scenari sulla governance. Nel settore auto cresce la tensione tra Usa e UE sui pickup full-size. A Wall Street spicca Levi Strauss, che batte le attese e alza la guidance, con il titolo in forte rally. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

UnitedHealth, Humana, CVS Health, Levi Strauss y Delta Airlines bajo la lupa de Julián Coca, asesor de inversiones en Alterarea.

John 20:11-21:25; Matthew 9:27-34Join SU President, Gail Martin and guest Richard Parker, policy executive, as they discuss a new week's readings in the book of John.You can subscribe to the daily Bible reading God, Encounter with God, via print, email or online at ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠www.ScriptureUnion.org⁠⁠  Featured Guest: Richard Parker, policy executiveRichard Parker is a seasoned public relations, advocacy, and policy executive with managerial experience at the global, federal, and state levels and knowledge of the private and non-profit sectors. He has managed both domestic and international public relations, government relations, advocacy, and policy operations in high-profile government and non-profit agencies. Mr. Parker is a Senior Advisor to the U.S. Global Leadership Coalition (USGLC) and a Principal and co-founder of RAMP Solutions, a strategic communications and public and government affairs advisory firm that helps global humanitarian, corporate, and public sector organizations tell their stories with greater impact. Mr. Parker served as the Assistant Administrator for Legislative and Public Affairs at the U.S. Agency for International Development (USAID) from 2019 to 2021, having been unanimously confirmed for the position by the U.S. Senate to manage the corporate brand and all public and congressional relations for the agency. He was previously the Vice President of External Affairs at Food for the Hungry, a global non-profit humanitarian organization working in 20 countries to end extreme poverty. He was also Vice President of External Affairs at Project Concern International overseeing the organization's global brand, marketing strategies, media relationships, online presence, and advocacy and government relations efforts. Mr. Parker previously served as the Director of Communications at the USGLC working with top Fortune 500 Companies and NGOs to educate Americans about the importance of global engagement. He joined the USGLC after serving as Director of Communications for the Peace Corps, where he oversaw the creative, digital, marketing, press, and video production offices within the agency. Prior to his time at the Peace Corps, Mr. Parker served at the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) as the President's Emergency Plan for AIDS Relief and the President's Malaria Initiative were created, and he also served in communications, marketing, and policy roles for the office of the Secretary of Health and Human Resources for the Commonwealth of Virginia, the American Red Cross, and Levi Strauss & Co. Mr. Parker holds a Master's degree in public policy from Regent University and a Bachelor's degree in business management from North Carolina State University. He serves on the Boards of the C.S. Lewis Institute and Concordia, as well as the Steering Committee for the Modernizing Foreign Assistance Network.

De Europese inflatie liep al aardig op deze week, maar de verwachting is dat de Amerikaanse inflatie komende week nog veel harder stijgt. De verwachting ligt boven de 3 procent, tegenover 2,4 procent in februari. Als die verwachting uitkomt, dan is dat ook een tegenvaller voor de Amerikaanse president Donald Trump. Hij zou er met de oorlog in het Midden-Oosten zelf de aanstichter van zijn. De vraag is wat de Amerikaanse centrale bank vervolgens gaat doen. Maar volgens onze gast, Bob Homan van ING Investment Office, zullen zij nog wel even wachten met een renteverlaging. Over het einde van de oorlog is hij dan wél weer optimistisch. Hij verwacht niet dat die nog weken voortduurt. Wat de gevolgen van een langere oorlog zullen zijn, bespreken we deze aflevering. In Beurs in Zicht stomen we je klaar voor de beursweek die je tegemoet gaat. Want soms zie je door de beursbomen het beursbos niet meer. Dat is verleden tijd! Iedere week vertelt een vriend van de show waar jouw focus moet liggen. Te gast: Bob Homan van ING Investment Office BNR Beurs is een journalistiek onafhankelijke productie, mede mogelijk gemaakt door Saxo. Over de makers: Jelle Maasbach is presentator van BNR Beurs en freelance financieel journalist. Zijn favoriete aandeel om over te praten is Disney, maar daar lijkt hij de enige in te zijn. Sinds de eerste uitzending van BNR Beurs is 'ie er bij. Maxim van Mil is presentator van BNR Beurs en journalist bij BNR, waar hij zich focust op de financiële markten en ontwikkelingen in de tech-wereld. Je krijgt hem het meest enthousiast als hij kan praten over ASML, of oer-Hollandse bedrijven zoals Ahold of ABN Amro. Jorik Simonides is presentator van BNR Beurs, economieredacteur en verslaggever bij BNR. Hij wordt er vooral blij van als het een keer níet over AI gaat. Milou Brand is presentator van BNR Beurs, freelance podcastmaker en columnist bij het Financieele Dagblad. Jochem Visser is presentator van BNR Beurs, maakt Beursnerd XL en is redacteur bij BNR Zakendoen en de podcast Onder Curatoren. Vraag hem naar obscure zaken op financiële markten en hij vertelt je waarom het eigenlijk nóg leuker is dan je al dacht. Over de podcast: Met BNR Beurs ga je altijd voorbereid de nieuwe beursdag in. We praten je in een kleine 25 minuten bij over alle laatste ontwikkelingen op de handelsvloer. We blijven niet alleen bij de AEX of Wall Street, maar vertellen je ook waar nog meer kansen liggen. En we houden het niet bij de cijfers, maar zoeken ook iedere dag voor je naar duiding van scherpe gasten en experts. Of je nu een ervaren belegger bent of net begint met je eerste stappen op de beurs, de podcast biedt waardevolle inzichten voor je beleggingsstrategie. Door de focus op zowel de korte termijn als de lange termijn, helpt BNR Beurs luisteraars om de ruis van de markt te scheiden van de essentie. Van Musk tot Microsoft en van Ahold tot ASML. Wij vertellen je wat beleggers bezighoudt, wie de markten in beweging zet en wat dat betekent voor jouw beleggingsportefeuille.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

De Europese inflatie liep al aardig op deze week, maar de verwachting is dat de Amerikaanse inflatie komende week nog veel harder stijgt. De verwachting ligt boven de 3 procent, tegenover 2,4 procent in februari. Als die verwachting uitkomt, dan is dat ook een tegenvaller voor de Amerikaanse president Donald Trump. Hij zou er met de oorlog in het Midden-Oosten zelf de aanstichter van zijn. De vraag is wat de Amerikaanse centrale bank vervolgens gaat doen. Maar volgens onze gast, Bob Homan van ING Investment Office, zullen zij nog wel even wachten met een renteverlaging. Over het einde van de oorlog is hij dan wél weer optimistisch. Hij verwacht niet dat die nog weken voortduurt. Wat de gevolgen van een langere oorlog zullen zijn, bespreken we deze aflevering. In Beurs in Zicht stomen we je klaar voor de beursweek die je tegemoet gaat. Want soms zie je door de beursbomen het beursbos niet meer. Dat is verleden tijd! Iedere week vertelt een vriend van de show waar jouw focus moet liggen. Te gast: Bob Homan van ING Investment Office BNR Beurs is een journalistiek onafhankelijke productie, mede mogelijk gemaakt door Saxo. Over de makers: Jelle Maasbach is presentator van BNR Beurs en freelance financieel journalist. Zijn favoriete aandeel om over te praten is Disney, maar daar lijkt hij de enige in te zijn. Sinds de eerste uitzending van BNR Beurs is 'ie er bij. Maxim van Mil is presentator van BNR Beurs en journalist bij BNR, waar hij zich focust op de financiële markten en ontwikkelingen in de tech-wereld. Je krijgt hem het meest enthousiast als hij kan praten over ASML, of oer-Hollandse bedrijven zoals Ahold of ABN Amro. Jorik Simonides is presentator van BNR Beurs, economieredacteur en verslaggever bij BNR. Hij wordt er vooral blij van als het een keer níet over AI gaat. Milou Brand is presentator van BNR Beurs, freelance podcastmaker en columnist bij het Financieele Dagblad. Jochem Visser is presentator van BNR Beurs, maakt Beursnerd XL en is redacteur bij BNR Zakendoen en de podcast Onder Curatoren. Vraag hem naar obscure zaken op financiële markten en hij vertelt je waarom het eigenlijk nóg leuker is dan je al dacht. Over de podcast: Met BNR Beurs ga je altijd voorbereid de nieuwe beursdag in. We praten je in een kleine 25 minuten bij over alle laatste ontwikkelingen op de handelsvloer. We blijven niet alleen bij de AEX of Wall Street, maar vertellen je ook waar nog meer kansen liggen. En we houden het niet bij de cijfers, maar zoeken ook iedere dag voor je naar duiding van scherpe gasten en experts. Of je nu een ervaren belegger bent of net begint met je eerste stappen op de beurs, de podcast biedt waardevolle inzichten voor je beleggingsstrategie. Door de focus op zowel de korte termijn als de lange termijn, helpt BNR Beurs luisteraars om de ruis van de markt te scheiden van de essentie. Van Musk tot Microsoft en van Ahold tot ASML. Wij vertellen je wat beleggers bezighoudt, wie de markten in beweging zet en wat dat betekent voor jouw beleggingsportefeuille.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

In the crowded activewear market, Beyond Yoga has built its brand around something deeper than product: comfort, body inclusivity and the belief that wellness should feel good — not unattainable.In this episode of Retail Remix, Nicole Silberstein speaks with Katie Babineau, CMO of Beyond Yoga, about how the brand has scaled its presence while staying rooted in the values that built its loyal community. From its cult-favorite Spacedye fabric to its long-standing commitment to body inclusivity, Beyond Yoga has focused on building trust with customers rather than chasing short-term trends, even as it evolves following its acquisition by Levi Strauss & Co.Key TakeawaysHow Beyond Yoga differentiates itself in the fast-growing premium activewear category; Why the brand's “progress over perfection” philosophy resonates with today's wellness-focused consumers; How the Seek Beyond brand platform guides both marketing strategy and internal culture; What the Levi's acquisition has enabled in terms of infrastructure, scale and speed to market; Why real-life community experiences and brick-and-mortar expansion are central to the brand's growth strategy; and How social-first storytelling and user-generated content are helping Beyond Yoga build deep, authentic connections with customers. Related LinksExplore Beyond Yoga's activewear collections and brand storyRelated reading: Beyond Yoga Expands to East Coast with Connecticut Store DebutGet more retail industry insights from Retail TouchPointsSubscribe and catch up on all episodes of Retail Remix

This week on Own It we're talking to Cassie Hughes and Gabrey Means from Grow Marketing. Their firm is a full-service agency based in San Francisco that specializes in brand strategy, design and production. They've been together for a quarter of a century after early career stops at some major brands. Cassie worked at Levi Strauss and Esprit along the way. Gabrey was at The Gap and Banana Republic.  We talked about their journeys, both individually and together, their passions and interests in and outside of work and of course, we got their insights into closing the gender gap in agency ownership. As you know, we always have so much to learn and be inspired by on episodes of Own It. This one is no different.  You can find links to the LinkedIn profiles for Cassie Hughes and Gabrey Means and the agency website for Grow Marketing in our show notes at untilyouownit.com.  If you're enjoying Own It, please find it on your favorite podcast app and drop us a rating and review. Those help more people discover the show and join our community.  Also, if you're a female or non-binary agency owner, or you want to own an agency someday, join our growing community at that same address … untilyouownit.com.

In this episode, Trisha sits down with Rick to talk about how communication really works inside organizations. They move beyond announcements and memos to look at communication as an ongoing cultural process that shapes trust, clarity, and effectiveness. Together, they explore how messages change as they move through layers of leadership, why first-line supervisors matter so much, and what makes listening across teams challenging, especially in times of change. Throughout the conversation, they return to a simple idea: communication gets better when leaders pay as much attention to what they are hearing as to what they are saying.   Rick Rarick is a leadership coach and former Human Resources and Management Development executive with Levi Strauss, the Coca-Cola Company, Fiserv, and Invesco. During his professional career, Rick was responsible for helping his organizations define their vision and purpose, develop talent pipelines, and create cultures where people were committed to their work and each other. His work with clients is grounded in coaching the whole person: including the mental, emotional, and spiritual self. His approach to leadership is about taking initiative, defining a vision, and helping those around you be successful.   Conversation Overview Communication as Culture, Not an Event Continuous Flow vs. Big Announcements The Critical Role of Supervisors and Context Listening and Feedback Communication Across Levels and Silos Leadership Self-Awareness and Assumptions   Resourses Rick Rarick at The Leader's Journey The Leader's Journey Blog https://www.youtube.com/@theleadersjourney

Welcome to Omni Talk's Retail Daily Minute, sponsored by Grocery Dealz and Mirakl.In today's Retail Daily Minute, Omni Talk's Chris Walton discusses:Walmart's grocery penetration hits a record-breaking 72%, as Dunnhumby data reveals mass retailers have now matched traditional supermarket reach for the first time ever.The pricing truce is over, as companies from Levi Strauss to McCormick to Columbia Sportswear roll out new high-single-digit price increases driven by tariffs, rising wages, and surging health insurance costs.Burger King president Tom Curtis takes the customer feedback playbook to a new level, personally fielding unfiltered calls and texts from guests for four hours a day over two weeks.The Retail Daily Minute has been rocketing up the Feedspot charts, so stay informed with Omni Talk's Retail Daily Minute, your source for the latest and most important retail insights.Be careful out there!

In this episode of Start With a Win, Adam Contos sits down with John Tarnoff whose career story defies conventional wisdom and challenges everything we think we know about success, failure, and leadership in today's volatile workplace. What unfolds is a candid, thought-provoking conversation about reinvention, identity, and the invisible forces shaping modern careers - from boardrooms to break rooms. With sharp insights, unexpected truths, and moments that may make you rethink how you show up at work, this episode invites you to question old assumptions, confront uncomfortable realities, and imagine a more intentional path forward - both as a leader and as a professional navigating an uncertain future.John Tarnoff is an executive and career transition coach, speaker, and author who helps mid-career professionals build more meaningful, sustainable careers.  After a 35-year career as a film producer, studio executive, and tech entrepreneur—where he was fired 39% of the time—John learned how to turn setbacks into reinvention. At 50, he earned a master's degree in counseling psychology and built a global career coaching practice.John has led career workshops for MBA programs at UCLA Anderson and Cornell's SC Johnson College of Business, and coached leaders at companies including Bank of America, Bridgewater Associates, Levi Strauss, SoftBank, and TD Ameritrade.  He is a TEDx speaker, the author of the bestselling Boomer Reinvention, and the creator of the 3 Elements Careerbuilder Framework.00:00 Intro02:05 I'm not the problem?03:42 This process is outdated, do this instead.06:05 You work for them, they don't work for you!08:36 The more you do this, will build this, because of this!11:01 What are the real responsibilities of a senior leader?13:33 Three Elements Framework.20:31 How to reset?23:01 Closing advice…26:35 Write, write, write!===========================Subscribe and Listen to the Start With a Win Podcast HERE:

Levi Strauss & Co. Chief Finance and Growth Officer, Harmit Singh, joins us to share lessons from his 13-year journey transforming the iconic clothing company. Singh explains how Levi’s returned to growth, strengthened profitability, and shifted toward a direct-to-consumer model, while staying true to its purpose-driven heritage. He introduces the “Magic of the And”–his approach to driving both top- and bottom-line performance– and discusses building a performance culture, navigating volatility and tariffs with cross-functional teams, developing finance talent, and approaching AI in finance with practical use cases and discipline. Joining Harmit for this discussion is Steve Begley, a senior partner based in our New York office. Related Insights The State of Fashion 2026: When the rules change How finance teams are putting AI to work today How Nestlé’s CFO sharpens focus across a global portfolioSupport the show: https://www.linkedin.com/showcase/mckinsey-strategy-&-corporate-finance/See www.mckinsey.com/privacy-policy for privacy information

We think that offering different sizes is serving our customers, but is it actually? Does standard sizing make it easier for the customer or does it just make it easier for the brand? Rick Levine and Steven Heard have thoughts. They've each run multiple manufacturing businesses in different industries and are currently partners of the made-to-measure development and manufacturing studio ApparelWerks. No matter the business, their goal with product design, fit, and sizing has been the same: make each customer insanely happy. It impacts how they see production, technology, entrepreneurship, craftsmanship, customer relationships, and more. In episode 130, we cover it all. Steven and Rick were introduced when Rick was looking into body scanning for a problem his daughter, an engineer, was trying to solve. "There's a guy in Portland who's been making customized clothing for decades. He knows all about scanners and measurement." They discovered a shared appreciation for manufacturing technology, a fascination with old sewing machines, and a view that tech is only a means to an end; their past businesses were focused on making customers happy. Both were also looking for something new and interesting to do, and the result was starting ApparelWerks, a manufacturing and product development studio in Portland creating made-to-measure clothing. Steven Heard has decades of experience making clothing, starting at the Levi Strauss factory on Valencia Street in San Francisco, at a time when all patterns and samples for the company were still created there. He was a senior pattern-maker for Levi's Dockers brand, and went on to spearhead the world's first large-scale bespoke jeans production, leveraging body scanning technology to craft custom jeans for thousands of consumers. He founded pattern service bureau Clinton Park, doing garment development and pattern work for numerous national and start-up brands, and developed a reputation for being the go-to patternmaker for denim development. He went on to found Japanese-inspired San Francisco denim and workwear brand Dillon Montara in 2014, and was the development and manufacturing partner behind Portland's Ship John brand. Rick Levine is the engineering black sheep in a family of artists. His father was a ceramist and designer, making and using tools to create mid-century ceramic tile and lamps on a large scale. Rick spent a lot of his time growing up around clay and machinery. Rick started his career as a producer and editor for film and video, and stepped sideways into programming tools and user interfaces for computer systems. He worked at Sun Microsystems early in its existence, and then at a series of start-ups. In 2006, Rick followed his interest in manufacturing automation to found chocolate brand Sun Cups. He repurposed industrial-scale chocolate techniques to create artisanal, organic, nut-free chocolates and made them available in thousands of stores. In 2013, he and his brother, designer Neil Levine, founded sock company XOAB, focusing on creating comfortable socks with a broad palette of Merino wool and Supima® cotton colors. They created a domestic supply chain, and used modified knitting machines and pattern analysis software to take new designs from sketch to shelf in less than a week, a capability unique in the hosiery industry. This episode explores: Fitting the customer Why the garment won't fit unless you've had a conversation with the customer The difference between solving fit for your brand versus solving fit for your customer The advantages and limitations of 3D body scanning for apparel development How they know when they got the fit right Fitting the lifestyle Scaling on-demand production How one-piece production flow changes the way you see efficiency How Rick's and Steven's background lead to their perspectives on manufacturing The tools Rick and Steven use to systemetize custom clothing Fitting the values Why there's value in both craft and technology Why Rick has a “healthy disrespect” for tools People and resources mentioned in this episode: ApparelWerks website Dillon Montara website ApparelWerks Instagram Do you want fashion business tips and resources like this sent straight to your inbox? Sign up for the How Fitting newsletter to receive new podcast episodes plus daily content on creating fashion that fits your customer, lifestyle, and values.

H&M announced the use of AI-generated digital twins of 30 real models for marketing and social media, with model permission and compensation aligned with industry practices. The company will watermark AI content and comply with platform disclosure requirements. Industry professionals and trade unions raised concerns about potential job losses and the need for stronger legal protections for creative workers. Other fashion brands, including Hugo Boss and Levi Strauss & Co, have also explored AI-generated marketing images. H&M is partnering with Swedish tech firm Uncut to develop the AI models.Learn more on this news by visiting us at: https://greyjournal.net/news/ Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

The "Best of 2025" episode features fourteen don't miss moments from HR executives and thought leaders who…So, who can you expect to learn from on this episode?Monique Herena, Chief Colleague Experience Officer, American ExpressWanda Wallace, Managing Partner, Leadership Forum & Darren Overfield, EVP, Coaching & Consulting at Kaiser Leadership SolutionsRiina Hellström, Founder, Agile HR CommunityDave Ulrich, Partner at The RBL GroupMarcia Avedon, 3X CHRO, Board Director, Human Capital Expert, and Executive CoachLisa Chang, EVP & Chief People Officer, The Coca-Cola CompanyChristina Norris-Watts, Head of Assessment & People Practices, Johnson & JohnsonAnita Graham, EVP & CHRO, LabcorpChristy Pambianchi, CHRO, Caterpillar Inc.Ani Huang, Senior EVP, CHRO Association & Anthony Nyberg, Director, Center for Executive Succession at University of South CarolinaBrandon Sammut, Chief People & AI Transformation Officer, ZapierTina Gupta, SVP, Talent Management, New York Life InsuranceBrian Miller, Chief Talent and D&I Officer, Levi Strauss & CoJennifer Wilson & Brad Warga, Partners and Global Co-Heads of the Human Resources Officers Practice at Heidrick & StrugglesEpisode Sponsor:Next-Gen HR Accelerator - Learn more about this best-in-class leadership development program for next-gen HR leadersHR Leader's Blueprint - 18 pages of real-world advice from 100+ HR thought leaders. Simple, actionable, and proven strategies to advance your career.Succession Planning Playbook: In this focused 1-page resource, I cut through the noise to give you the vital elements that define what “great” succession planning looks like.

Standing for Truth has never been more important. Our guest Jennifer Sey knows this firsthand. She's a seven-time member of the U.S. women's national gymnastics team. In 1986 she was awarded the title of women's all-around national champion. She had a long, successful career as a business executive with Levi Strauss as their Chief Marketing Officer and Brand President. She says she blew up her own career there for speaking out against the COVID school lockdowns. Now she is the founder of XX-XY Athletics – the only brand standing up for female athletes and the protection of women's sports. Hear Jennifer's incredible story here. Like, subscribe, and share.

Beyond just a wardrobe staple, jeans are often key parts of signature looks and core memories. Levi Strauss, the San Francisco company that brought jeans to the masses, has reopened its history museum, The Vault, with an exhibit called “Amped” that celebrates iconic denim looks worn by musicians including Kurt Cobain, Beyoncé, Britney Spears and Freddie Mercury. We listen back to our conversation about the exhibit and hear stories of your favorite pair of jeans. Tell us about the jeans that made you feel brave, the ones covered in patches that you refused to retire or maybe the pair that you were wearing when you met your first love. Guests: Gregory Climer, chair, fashion design program at California College of the Arts Audrey Kalman, created a denim archive for her master's degree from the University of Oregon Tracey Panek, Levi Strauss and Co. historian Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Global supply chains are facing a dual transformation, an accelerating shift toward clean energy and a rapid evolution in AI-driven decision-making. As companies navigate rising expectations for sustainability, transparency, and resilience, leaders are rethinking how ecosystems come together to reduce emissions, digitize operations, and unlock new forms of value.In this episode of Supply Chain Now, Scott Luton sits down with Steve Wilhite, Executive Vice President of SE Advisory Services at Schneider Electric, live from the Innovation Summit North America 2025. Drawing on more than three decades of experience across energy management and sustainability strategy, Steve offers a rare inside look at how Schneider Electric is helping organizations tackle decarbonization at scale.Scott and Steve explore the leap forward enabled by AI-native platforms, the growing power of supply chain–wide renewable energy programs, and why collaborative intelligence, where humans and autonomous agents work together, will shape the next decade of transformation. They also highlight real-world examples from Levi Strauss & Co., Marks & Spencer, Walmart, and other global brands that are redefining how ecosystems mobilize around climate action.Jump into the conversation:(00:00) Intro(00:38) Welcome to the Innovation Summit North America 2025(00:49) Meet Steve Wilhite: Executive VP at Schneider Electric(01:31) Steve's global adventures and team interactions(02:08) Innovations in Dubai and AI advancements(02:43) Steve's role at Schneider Electric(04:20) Collaborative intelligence and client success stories(04:44) The Energy Accelerator Program with Levi Strauss(06:38) Schneider Electric's global impact and supplier engagement(10:58) AI innovations and Resource Advisor platform(13:07) The role of AI agents: Sarah, Anna, and Reggie(16:11) The importance of collaborative intelligence(19:25) Schneider Electric's culture and future outlook(21:45) How to connect with Steve and stay engagedAdditional Links & Resources:Connect with Steve Wilhite: https://www.linkedin.com/in/steve-wilhite/ Learn more about Schneider Electric: https://www.se.com/ww/en/ Learn more about our hosts: https://supplychainnow.com/about Learn more about Supply Chain Now: https://supplychainnow.com Watch 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/3XH6OVkWEBINAR- 2026 Procurement Priorities: What's Changing (and What You Need to Do First): https://bit.ly/3Yodf0ZWEBINAR- Building the New Manufacturing Workforce:

Join Conservation International for the 10-year milestone of the Sustainable Coffee Challenge, marking the transition from our community's first decade of building partnerships and mainstreaming sustainability in coffee to our next chapter of scaling investment and impact. This virtual event, hosted by Innovation Forum, united coffee actors to explore innovative strategies and finance mechanisms that sustain coffee producing landscapes, tackling supply chain risks and fulfilling ambitious commitments from both government and industry. What we discussed: A look back at how the Sustainable Coffee Challenge has built momentum and trust across the sector, highlighting ‘green shoots' of collaborative action  Forward-looking insights on what (more) is needed to truly address the dual crises of climate change and nature loss impacting coffee's long-term resilience Discussion on tackling supply chain risks and unlocking innovative finance through landscape transition, supporting producers and meeting industry and government commitments, as we approach 2030 A meeting point for stakeholders across the coffee value chain to connect on the next chapter of collaborative action The panel: Daniela Raik, interim CEO, Conservation International Laurent Sagarra, vice president, engagement, JDE Peet's Michael Kobori, former chief sustainability officer for major food, beverage, and apparel brands (Starbucks, Levi Strauss & Co.) and board director, Bunge Global SA (keynote) Niels Haak, director, sustainable coffee partnerships, Conservation International Olivier Laboulle, global head of coffee sustainability and social impact, Louis Dreyfus Company Tessa Meulensteen, director global Markets, IDH  Ruchira Joshi, director global coffee and cocoa Sustainability, Starbucks Raina Lang, senior director, sustainable coffee, Conservation International Wenceslao Apan Salcedo, director of conservation and sustainability, FONCET Tanya Richard, chief operating officer and head of stakeholder engagement at Innovation Forum moderated the session.

 HEMP disclosure with Eric Steenstra  Eric Believed that hemp had the potential to save the planet and that all people who were unjustly imprisoned for Cannabis needed to be released. He dug up countless facts about how Cannabis was demonized and prohibited starting in the 1930's.  Jack shared his vision for a Cannabis revival by self publishing and distributing hundreds of thousands of copies of his book worldwide.Trump rescheduling cannabis imminently?Jack's research and passion inspired me to cofound hemp fashion and lifestyle brand Ecolution along with Steve DeAngelo in 1992. Steve and I created a line of 100% hemp clothing including jeans, shirts, hats and accessories made in Hungary and Romania. Our jeans were the first to be made from 100% hemp since Levi Strauss made the original jeans from hemp canvas used to cover the Conestoga wagons. The jeans were popular and we added hemp shirts and a line of hemp hats and accessories. We had customers across the U.S. and Europe. We also worked with Adidas to design a hemp Supermodified skater sneaker that was a huge commercial hit. After Steve and I sold the company in 1999, I continued to do business in Hungary brokering hemp twines, cordage and textiles for Elso Magyar Kenderfono.

Fashioncast® Episode #56, November 21, 2025 Tracey Panek, Historian at Levi Strauss & Co., Iconic American Fashion Brands (Celebrating America's 250th Anniversary, Part 1) In this episode, listeners are introduced to Tracey Panek, Historian and Archivist at Levi Strauss & Co., as Fashioncast commences its tribute to renowned American fashion brands. Since 2014, Tracey has served as an authoritative source on all matters related to Levi's. With both undergraduate and graduate degrees in history, coupled with extensive experience as an archivist and historian for major corporations, Panek currently holds one of the most sought-after positions in the fashion industry.Panek's dedication to her profession is evident as she recounts Levi Strauss's immigration from Germany to New York in 1853, where he established a dry goods store before relocating to San Francisco to further the business during America's Gold Rush era. This narrative highlights a journey marked by resilience and ambition amidst the challenges of a rapidly growing nation. Levi Strauss & Co., both as a business and a distinguished fashion brand, represents the essence of Americana. To showcase and preserve its history, Levi's is among the select companies in the United States to operate a substantial public museum, “The Vault,” located at its San Francisco headquarters. The company also maintains an extensive private archive containing thousands of items related to Levi's. Both the museum and archive are regularly utilized by Levi's designers as sources of inspiration and guidance for design. Listening to Panek systematically outline the extensive history of Levi's is informative. The discussion covers significant milestones such as the introduction of the pocket rivet patent in 1873, the brand's emergence into casual fashion through Vogue, its cultural influence during the 1960s, and subsequent international growth driven by World War II and the Vietnam War. Furthermore, ongoing innovation is an integral aspect of Levi's corporate identity and has contributed to the company's continued success over its 172-year history. We invite you to enjoy this first episode as we kick off our celebration of America's 250th anniversary by honoring Levi Strauss & Co., recognized as one of the nation's most distinguished and iconic fashion brands throughout its history. https://www.linkedin.com/in/traceyepanek/ https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=aTkLUPTtL2Y Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

De beursgang van OpenAI is aanstaande, maar het bedrijf wordt mogelijk ingehaald door een concurrent. AI-reus Anthropic maakt zich klaar voor een beursgang. Volgens de Financial Times heeft het bedrijf een advocatenkantoor in de arm genomen die dat moet regelen. Dat betekent voor aartsrivaal OpenAI hoor je in deze aflevering. We duiken ook op Eutelsat. Dat moest dé Europese concurrent van Starlink worden, het satellietbedrijf van Elon Musk. Beleggers hadden daar dit voorjaar nog het volste vertrouwen in: toen schoot het aandeel liefst 600 procent omhoog. Maar de Japanse investeerder Softbank zegt nu het vertrouwen op: ze verkopen de helft van hun belang. Met hun nog veel meer beleggers, want van die stijging in maart is weinig meer over. Of Eutelsat óóit nog in de buurt komt van Starlink, gaan we bespreken. Vertellen we je ook nog over de spijkerbroekenoorlog die gaande is in de Verenigde Staten. American Eagle, Levi Strauss en GAP halen alles en iedereen uit de kast om klanten te trekken. Spotjes met actrice Sydney Sweeney, zelfs een Levi's-liedje van Beyoncé: bedrijven trekken er miljoenen voor uit. En je hoort waarom de topman van een Nederlands biotechbedrijf een bonus van 205 miljoen euro op zijn bankrekening mag bijschrijven. De op één na grootste beloning voor een bestuurder van een Nederlands bedrijf ooit.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

In this episode of The Speed of Culture podcast, Matt Britton sits down with Kenny Mitchell, Global Chief Marketing Officer at Levi Strauss & Co., to unpack how Levi's balances 170 years of history with the urgency of modern culture. Kenny shares how Levi's marketing strategy is evolving through cultural partnerships like the Beyoncé REIMAGINE campaign, the Shaboozey Men's Icons campaign, and the Nike Levi's collaboration. This conversation explores how an iconic global brand stays relevant through culture-led brand growth, data, AI-powered personalization, and disciplined leadership.Follow Suzy on Twitter: @AskSuzyBizFollow Kenny Mitchell on LinkedInSubscribe to The Speed of Culture on your favorite podcast platform.And if you have a question or suggestions for the show, send us an email at suzy@suzy.com Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Beyond just a wardrobe staple, jeans are often key parts of signature looks and core memories. Levi Strauss, the San Francisco company that brought jeans to the masses, has reopened its history museum, The Vault, with an exhibit called “Amped” that celebrates iconic denim looks worn by musicians including Kurt Cobain, Beyoncé, Britney Spears and Freddie Mercury. We'll talk about the exhibit and hear stories of your favorite pair of jeans. Tell us about the jeans that made you feel brave, the ones covered in patches that you refused to retire or maybe the pair that you were wearing when you met your first love. Guests: Gregory Climer, chair, fashion design program at California College of the Arts Audrey Kalman, created a denim archive for her master's degree from the University of Oregon Tracey Panek, Levi Strauss and Co. historian Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

How can belonging unlock performance?Why should we focus on activation, not empowerment to drive innovation?My guest on this episode is with Brian Miller, Chief Talent and D&I Officer at Levi Strauss & CoDuring our conversation Brian and I discuss:How belonging drives performance by creating cultures where people feel valued, heard, and stretched.Why he believes activation is more important than empowermentWhy believability is becoming a critical measure of modern leadership.How AI-driven talent analytics will unlock HR's next big opportunity.What it means to intentionally build belonging, not just measure it.Connecting with Brian: Connect with Brian Miller on LinkedInEpisode Sponsor: Next-Gen HR Accelerator - Learn more about this best-in-class leadership development program for next-gen HR leadersHR Leader's Blueprint - 18 pages of real-world advice from 100+ HR thought leaders. Simple, actionable, and proven strategies to advance your career.Succession Planning Playbook: In this focused 1-page resource, I cut through the noise to give you the vital elements that define what “great” succession planning looks like.

Childhood Trauma, Suicide Attempt, Profound Grief and Loss, and a Remarkable career with Lululemon, Gap, and Levi Strauss & Co. in-between. In this deeply moving episode of "How I Made It Through," host Bernadette Thompson sits down with Kathryn Henry, a spiritual seeker and business leader whose life journey is a testament to the power of resilience and transformation. Through raw personal storytelling, Kathryn shares her incredible story of overcoming childhood trauma, navigating the profound grief of losing her wife, Lisa, to cancer, and ultimately finding a path to self-realization and spiritual awakening.Kathryn's story is one of tragedy and triumph, illustrating how life's most challenging moments can lead to profound personal growth and spiritual enlightenment. She recounts her early struggles with childhood abuse, her journey through a Christian home, and the pivotal moments that shaped her understanding of spirituality. Kathryn also shares how she found solace and guidance in spiritual practices, leading her to a successful career in the corporate world and beyond.Throughout the episode, Kathryn and Bernadette explore themes of love, loss, and the enduring connections we share with those who have passed on. Kathryn's experiences with signs from Lisa after her passing offer a powerful testament to the spiritual connections that transcend the physical world.Join us for an inspiring conversation that delves into the depths of human resilience, the beauty of spiritual awakening, and the importance of finding meaning and purpose in life's challenges.Connect with Kathryn Henry: www.kathrynhenry.comKathryn's Book: “A Dime to Say I Love You ” Available at amazon : https://www.amazon.com/Dime-Say-Love-You-Spiritual/dp/B0F787W89LConnect with Bernadette: www.tellmeourstory.comBernadette@tellmeourstory.com**Chapter Markers:**- **[00:00] Introduction**- Bernadette introduces the podcast and welcomes Kathryn Henry, highlighting her background and achievements.- **[03:00] Kathryn's Early Life and Challenges**- Kathryn shares her experiences with childhood abuse and her time in a Christian home, setting the stage for her spiritual journey.- **[06:00] Spiritual Awakening and Personal Growth**- Discussion on how Kathryn's spiritual journey began, exploring different belief systems and finding tools for healing.- **[09:00] Love and Loss: Kathryn's Relationship with Lisa**- Kathryn talks about meeting Lisa, their life together, and the impact of Lisa's cancer diagnosis.- **[12:00] Coping with Grief and Finding Spiritual Connections**- Kathryn describes the spiritual connections she maintains with Lisa after her passing and the significance of signs and messages.- **[15:00] Overcoming Career Challenges and Finding Success**- Kathryn shares her unconventional path to a successful career and the lessons learned along the way.- **[18:00] Embracing Service and Helping Others**- Discussion on Kathryn's current endeavors, including mentoring and sound healing, and her commitment to service.**Resources:**- Kathryn Henry's Book: "A Dime to Say I Love You"- Information on sound healing and energy healing practices- Meditation and spiritual study resources**Call-to-Action:**Thank you for tuning in to this episode of "How I Made It Through." If Kathryn's story inspired you, please share this episode with friends and family who might benefit from her insights. Don't forget to subscribe to our podcast for more inspiring stories of resilience and transformation. Connect with us on social media to join the conversation and stay updated on future episodes. If you have a story you'd like to share or feedback on this episode, reach out to us through our website. Your journey matters, and we're here to support you every step of the way.

Det blir Jeanspecial i veckans avsnitt av Stil. Lyssna på alla avsnitt i Sveriges Radio Play. Ända sen Levi Strauss och hans kompanjon tog fram det slitstarka materialet denim till amerikanska gruvarbetare för ungefär 150 år sen så har jeansmodeller kommit och gått, så också intresset för att bära den blå arbetarbyxan överlag.Just nu verkar det som vi håller på att säga hejdå till pandemins alla mjukisbyxor för den globala jeansförsäljningen ser ut att öka enligt Financial times.I veckans avsnitt av Stil gör Samanda Ekman en personlig djupdykning ner i jeansfickan, hör om hur hon nästan hamnade i slagsmål på grund av ett par ”mum jeans” och om butiksägaren och jeansexperten Erik Hammel som gräver fram åtråvärda Y2K-jeans i hemliga depåer över hela världen.

China is opening a probe in Qualcomm for allegedly violating antitrust laws, Levi Strauss reports higher profits despite tariff costs, Ford is backtracking on an electric vehicle tax credit program, President Trump is considering billionaire entrepreneur Jared Isaacman as next NASA head, and the Nobel Peace Prize has been awarded to Venezuelan opposition leader Maria Corina Machado.  Squawk Box is hosted by Joe Kernen, Becky Quick and Andrew Ross Sorkin.  Follow Squawk Pod for the best moments, interviews and analysis from our TV show in an audio-first format. Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

Carl Quintanilla, Jim Cramer and David Faber led off the show with a look at the big winners during this bull market, which marks its third anniversary this coming weekend. The anchors discussed the future for the Fed: Steve Liesman reports Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent has narrowed down the list of candidates for Federal Reserve chair to five from eleven. Also in focus: A fresh record high for the Nasdaq, "Faber Report" with an update on the Paramount Skydance-Warner Bros. Discovery talks, earnings blues for Levi Strauss, an AI stock soars on the "CoreWeave effect," Cramer previews his big week ahead in San Francisco. Squawk on the Street Disclaimer  Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

Marc Cox kicks off the segment with a look ahead to the college football weekend, spotlighting the Mizzou vs. Alabama matchup, key betting odds, and game predictions. Following the sports talk, Nichole Murray from This Morning with Gordon Deal joins the show to discuss the latest business and economic headlines from stock market trends and unemployment claims to Levi Strauss profits and the looming government shutdown.

Market concentration and big-cap dominance take center stage as Charlie Bobrinskoy (Ariel Investments) and Courtney Garcia (Payne Capital Management) weigh the risks of narrow leadership. Dave Mazza (Roundhill Investments) joins to explain why the Meme ETF is making a comeback amid renewed retail trading buzz and what it says about the state of the rally. NHL Commissioner Gary Bettman sits down to discuss the business of hockey and the league's momentum. Plus, Robert Frank on why even luxury buyers Ferrari's worst day ever and a look at Levi Strauss earnings and Delta's latest results.  Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

Michelle Wahler is an entrepreneur, business leader, and mother who co-founded the active lifestyle brand Beyond Yoga in 2005. As CEO, she built the company from the ground up—transforming a concept into a global business with a thriving e-commerce platform, a robust wholesale presence, and six retail stores. Under her nearly 20 years of leadership, Beyond Yoga sold tens of millions of units worldwide and became a leader in inclusive, body-positive apparel.Michelle championed a female-focused, values-driven culture centered on diversity, empowerment, and authenticity—both internally and for the broader community. In 2021, she led Beyond Yoga through a successful $400M acquisition by Levi Strauss & Co., continuing as CEO and joining Levi’s Executive Leadership Team through 2024. Her work has earned national recognition: she was named Ernst & Young Entrepreneur of the Year in 2021 and honored as a DEIA Visionary by the Los Angeles Times in 2023. Originally from Maryland, Michelle began her career in New York City and now resides in Los Angeles with her husband, two children, and two dogs. Through the family foundation she co-founded, she actively supports philanthropic initiatives, advises emerging founders, teaches, and invests in mission-driven ventures.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

The history of denim takes us back to the 16th century and Neme, France. However, it is not until 1872 that denim fabric was transformed into the iconic clothing item that we now know as blue jeans. In 1872 a tailor, by the name of Jacob Davis, was asked to make a pair of pants for a miner that would last longer. He added copper rivets to the key stress points on the paints. He was working for Levi Strauss, a Bavarian-born dry goods merchant. It was the peak of the Gold Rush. The pant design became an instant success. Davis asked Strauss to help him fund his design patent. Strauss agreed. The patent was issued in 1873 and a business partnership was established. Levi Strauss Jean company was formed. The world was never the same.  #BardsFM_TheAmericanBrand #LeviStraussJeans #TheOneNotTheNinety-Nine Bards Nation Health Store: www.bardsnationhealth.com BardsFM CAP, Celebrating 50 Million Downloads: https://ambitiousfaith.net Morning Intro Music Provided by Brian Kahanek: www.briankahanek.com MYPillow promo code: BARDS Go to https://www.mypillow.com/bards and use the promo code BARDS or... Call 1-800-975-2939.  White Oak Pastures Grassfed Meats, Get $20 off any order $150 or more. Promo Code BARDS: www.whiteoakpastures.com/BARDS Windblown Media 20% Discount with promo code BARDS: windblownmedia.com Founders Bible 20% discount code: BARDS >>> TheFoundersBible.com Mission Darkness Faraday Bags and RF Shielding. Promo code BARDS: Click here EMPShield protect your vehicles and home. Promo code BARDS: Click here EMF Solutions to keep your home safe: https://www.emfsol.com/?aff=bards Treadlite Broadforks...best garden tool EVER. Promo code BARDS: TreadliteBroadforks.com No Knot Today Natural Skin Products: NoKnotToday.com Health, Nutrition and Detox Consulting: HealthIsLocal.com Destination Real Food Book on Amazon: click here Images In Bloom Soaps and Things: ImagesInBloom.com Angeline Design: AngelineDesign.com DONATE: Click here Mailing Address: Xpedition Cafe, LLC Attn. Scott Kesterson 591 E Central Ave, #740 Sutherlin, OR  97479

What really drives business growth today? Gwen Hammes, co-CEO of Cro Metrics, joins me to share how she went from global agency leader to data-driven growth strategist - helping brands like Google, Hyatt, Bombas, and Talkspace unlock next-level success.In this conversation, Gwen reveals what most leaders miss when it comes to AI, martech, and website strategy, and why the human element still matters more than ever. We also talk about customer journey insights that might surprise you, the key to building trust in a digital world, and why hobbies might be the real secret to career fulfillment.If you're a founder, CMO, or curious lifelong learner, Gwen's perspective will inspire you to experiment, evolve, and lean into the joy of building something impactful.

Title: The Unconventional Investor: Why Following the Crowd is Costing You Millions With M.C. Laubscher Summary: In this episode of the Passive Income Attorney Podcast, host Seth Bradley welcomes back MC Lobster, a cashflow investor and entrepreneur. They discuss the importance of diversification in income streams, exploring various investment vehicles beyond traditional methods. MC shares insights from his journey from South Africa to the U.S., emphasizing the opportunities available for those willing to take action. The conversation covers innovative cashflow niches, including agriculture, energy, life settlements, and music royalties, as well as strategies for achieving financial freedom. MC highlights the mindset necessary for successful investing and the importance of accountability in personal and financial growth. Links to watch and subscribe: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=II3UR8G3eWU Bullet Point Highlights: Mikkel Thorpe helps people relocate overseas and navigate tax issues. The expat lifestyle offers freedom and adventure beyond traditional living. Second residencies provide legal rights to live and work in another country. Tax benefits for U.S. citizens living abroad include the foreign earned income exclusion. Investing in real estate can provide both residency benefits and financial returns. Personal responsibility is crucial for achieving financial independence. Mikkel emphasizes the importance of emotional support during relocation. Countries like Panama offer favorable tax situations for expats. Understanding the legal obligations of living abroad is essential for compliance. Exploring different cultures can lead to personal growth and new opportunities. Transcript: Seth Bradley (00:10.572) What's going on y'all. Welcome back to a new episode of the Passive Income Attorney Podcast. Of course, your favorite place for learning about the world of alternative passive investing so that you can have more freedom, flexibility, and fun. Now, if you're ready to kick that billable out of the curb, start by going to attorneybydesign.com and download the Freedom Blueprint, which will also get you access to partner with us on one of our next passive real estate deals, which we'd love to have you on board for.   to help you on your journey to financial freedom. All right, today, let's talk about diversification in a particular way though. Let's talk about the different ways that you can make money. There are so many different ways. Unfortunately, for most of us, we have it in our heads that there's only one way. For my attorneys out there, well,   We just do our attorney thing and that's how we get paid. We have one stream of income, one active stream. Maybe we save for retirement through a 401k or we buy some stocks and bonds or play around on Robinhood or something like that. But we don't think about all the other ways that we can make money. If you've listened to my show before, I've had so many attorneys on here that have leveraged their knowledge, their background, their experience, their education as an attorney.   to catapult them in other aspects of life, in other avenues of business so that they can create multiple streams of income, whether that's through starting a side business, a side hustle, which eventually might become their full-time hustle or investing in real estate, both passively and or actively. There are so many different ways to make money, but there's more ways than just the things that we've talked about so far. There are so many different ways and there's no magic pill.   Right now we talk about syndications a lot on this show, but it's not a magic pill. I'm not preaching to you and telling you if you don't invest in a syndication or invest in syndications, then you're not going to become wealthy or that investing in real estate is the only way to become wealthy. It's not, it's a tried and proven way to become wealthy. And it's my favorite way and a lot of my guests favorite way, but it's not the only way.   Seth Bradley (02:30.814) And our guest today, MC Lobster, who is no stranger to this show. He's been on here before. He's actually our first repeat guest. but I love chatting with him. He's such a great guy. So knowledgeable. he is a true expert at this idea of diversification across so many different types of income that you can create for yourself. And he's on here on the show today, especially to talk about his new book, the 21 best cashflow niches, where we'll   jump into what some of those are. Some of these things you've probably never even heard about. We'll talk about life insurance contracts. We'll talk about agriculture, energy, of course, real estate and all of those things. But inside you, you'll get some new ideas about things that you never even thought you could invest in. MC Lobster is a cashflow investor and a serial entrepreneur. He's the creator and host of the top rated business and investing podcast, the cashflow Ninja.   which has been downloaded over 3 million times in over 180 countries. He's also the president and CEO of Producers Wealth, a virtual wealth creation firm that assists investors and business owners to set up and implement infinite banking. All right, without further ado, the one, the only MC Lobster, let's go. This is the Passive Income Attorney Podcast.   where you'll discover the secrets and strategies of the ultra wealthy on how they build streams of passive income to give them the freedom we all want. Attorney Seth Bradley will help you end the cycle of trading your time for money so you can make money while you sleep. Start living the good life on your own terms. Now, here's your host, Seth Bradley. MC Lobster, what's going on, brother? Welcome to the show.   Great to be back. Great to connect. Looking forward to our conversation.   Seth Bradley (04:25.71) Absolutely, man. You are my first repeat guest. So you have that honor. Awesome, man. Well, for our listeners that haven't heard you on the first episode, maybe just give a quick rundown of a little bit about your background and who you are and, you know, where you come from and all that kind of stuff,   Definitely honored.   M.C Laubscher (04:46.542) Yeah, originally from South Africa, came to the US in 2001 and just blown away with the opportunity in this in this country. I mean, there's literally no place with the upward mobility like the US. You can literally start here with absolutely nothing, which is what I did. Basically a backpack, a suitcase, five hundred bucks, sense of humor, sense of adventure. And I'm an entrepreneur investor. I've started several companies.   failed at a lot of them, they had a lot of success in some of them. I've been an investor since 2001 in real estate. And I have a couple of companies, people know me for the Cash Loan Ninja, which is a podcast that I started six years ago, which has turned into a full blown financial education company. We have podcasts, tools, resources, programs, and now books. And then also,   know, I have a company called Producers Wealth. We help folks all across the United States. In 49 states, set up infinite banking, a cashflow management strategy utilizing an insurance product. And then I also have a company where we do a lot of syndications in the resort and multifamily space called Producers Capital Partners. But I love cashflow. I love talking about cashflow, creating it.   positioning it efficiently and managing it and then multiplying it. So everything cashflow gets me excited.   Is that all you got going on, man?   M.C Laubscher (06:20.8) You know, throw throw throw a family that's very active and love to do stuff in there. I've got a beautiful wife and two young kids to all one for an off and three boy and a girl. So you can just imagine the energy there. So a full time job almost by itself, right?   That's   All right. Yeah. So many hours in the day, man. I don't know how you do it. I know how you do it. I love what you said about upward mobility, man. And I think we take that for granted in the US. So how is that different in other countries for us? don't even think about that sort of thing.   Yeah, so I grew up in South Africa and then I was fortunate enough, I traveled to a number of African countries and then I also traveled to a number of European countries, Latin American countries and Asian countries. And I don't think people realize, like if you're born in the United States, you literally won a lottery ticket. I it's I don't know how else to say it. When I got here, I looked at this and I'm like, wait a second. So there's not really like you could, mean,   You just bring your game, you start where you're at and the sky's the limit where, you know, it's very tough in certain countries. Let's just use Africa as an example, you know, in South Africa, the lack of infrastructure, supportive infrastructure for somebody starting there and maybe folks from other countries can relate like in Brazil is probably the same, a of Latin American countries that don't have the same infrastructure that's in the States. So let's just say you are,   M.C Laubscher (07:53.614) you're born on the lowest economic rung. That happens to folks, right? If you're born in the United States, well, you still have access to stuff. You could go to a library, jump on a computer, learn skills, there's public schools. When you're born in a shanty town in South Africa or in a favela in Brazil, you don't have the same access. And also when you come here, literally,   I mean, you look at all the rags to reach the stories and, funnily enough, a lot of it is immigrants. You see it, a lot of immigrants rise to the top because most of them, whether they're from Africa, the Middle East, Eastern European countries, Latin America, that's kind of what they experienced too. And I've had conversations with them too where they're like, man, you could do anything you want to here. There's nothing holding you back.   and the sky is limit. It's not even the limit. You could go to space if you want like Elon. no, it's an incredible place. It still is. We live in an incredible time in the US is an incredible country, where, you know, it's all what you make of it, and all how you approach it, right?   Yeah, for sure. mean, it's kind of like, the access to information, the access to technology, the access to education. I know that's kind of a, you know, we fight about that all the time, but we have access to those things up to a certain point for free. Whereas other places do not have that access to information, technology, education. And that in itself gives you power. Knowledge is power. It's not just a saying.   Yeah, think think about the time that we live in. Who is it? Who is in Star Trek? Was it like Buck Rogers or Captain Kirk? Was Captain Kirk the guy? So, I mean, I still remember and we had very little TV. I grew up inside everywhere. We had like two TV channels, but one of them had like Star Trek episodes on. And I still remember like he would press a button and talk to someone on the telly on like a like a television screen.   M.C Laubscher (10:01.082) and I always saw, man, that's, that's, it's so cool. They're not even the same galaxy at that stage, but they're talking to one another. I like they're in the same room. We have access to that. And for most part, it's free. We have like access to star Trek technology in the time that we live in for base, for, most, for the most part, it's free. So you have a smartphone and.   you have some service or an internet connection, you're good to go. yeah, and again, the technology, which, you know, it's the frenemy. It's your friend and it's the enemy. It's a frenemy. But for the most part, if you approach it right and utilize it right, now a lot of the opportunities, when I came here in about 2001,   It was just around the internet kind of boom. So most people didn't really know what was happening there yet, but now everybody's in it. and all over the world. So a lot of the opportunity that only existed in the U.S. then too, are now available in other areas for folks to start online businesses and that kind of stuff globally. You know, to bring it back with Africa, I see on my last visit, and it's been a while ago, but I just remember seeing folks walking around with smartphones and that's all they transected bank.   They do everything on their smartphones. They have SIM cards and they buy like airtime. And I'm like, man, what you could do with a smartphone these days. It's quite incredible. So it's starting to open up in other places. yeah, you know, it's quite, we live in remarkable times and sometimes I don't think we appreciate it because we're so used to it. It's like, man, why is my internet taking so long to get on? I'm like, does anybody remember dial-up?   You know, it's like. Yeah, it will dial up, man. It's like, yeah, if we click on a link on our phone or click on a link on our computer and it takes more than like, you know, a snap, we're just like, what is going on? This is ridiculous. I can't get anything done. like, well, what did you get done when you didn't have that?   M.C Laubscher (12:09.986) Yeah. Yeah. Yeah. As like I said, before I came to the States, I remember we had dial up and I would add to download emails. So you would start at dial up and you would basically hit start for your emails to download and you would go and grab a cup of coffee and do whatever you have to do. And like 20, 30 minutes later, your emails would have been downloaded. That's so now it's, it's like this and everything moves quicker, right? So you can, you can disrupt slow, archaic,   markets in any asset class really, really quickly with technology and boy, there's some dinosaurs, especially in the markets that we were operating, real estate being one of them. And I'm in insurance too, mean, both very, very big dinosaurs that's ready for disruption.   Yeah. Yeah. So let's talk about some of those things that you invest in. know you're pretty famous for infinite banking and also in commercial real estate. mean, what are some of the things that, are some of the best vehicles to invest in that you're seeing today and how has that maybe changed recently? I, and I asked that because there's a lot of people out there, you know, they'll listen to one podcast, right? And it'll just be like, you have to do this. If you don't do this one thing, if you don't take this one magic pill,   You're never going to be able to retire, achieve financial freedom, but we all know that that's not true. Hopefully we all know that, but what are, what are some of the investment vehicles that you love and why?   Yeah, I love what you just said. It's the maximalist approach, right? It's because I made my money in single family real estate that that's the only way to do it or multifamily or so. And that's why my show is to just get as many different ideas in business and real estate and commodities, paper assets. We covered crypto and blockchain since 2016, as I thought was was pretty exciting then. Now it's like out of control. But   M.C Laubscher (14:07.562) Actually, this ties into one of the reasons why I wrote my latest book, because most people would say, MC, you've interviewed like the best minds of business and investing and all these different opinions on your show, which was very funny in the beginning because we're so used to echo chambers. You know, I didn't want an echo chamber. So I would have someone on, for example, that hates Bitcoin. And then was someone on that loves it. And that's the only thing. And people are like, I don't understand. I'm like, yeah, you have to you're both sides of the argument.   and then to make a decision. But yeah, I wrote the 21 base cashflow niches, the book where I share, you know, the top 21 that's been shared on my show and I threw in five bonus ones there, but you know, as a marketer, 26 doesn't set as well as 21, right? It's funny how psychology works. Seven's good, 10, 20, 21. And then you gotta go to 50, I guess, or 100 off to that, right?   But anyway, 21 is what I used for the name of the book. Yeah, I mean, there's incredible niches that I don't think people think about. When you invest too, you know, this is just what I've done and I just share what I do. I eat my own cooking without throwing up. But what I initially did when I built the cashflow portfolio is I was very clear on what I was trying to accomplish with each investment. So what do I mean by that? So some investments you're going to buy,   that's going to be tax favorable, right? A little bit of light on the cash flow maybe, good on appreciation or a little bit light there, but really good on taxes. Then there's certain investments that's very strong on cash flow, okay on the taxes and good on appreciation. And then there's some that's purely on appreciation, okay on taxes and okay on cash flow, but it's really driven by the appreciation. And then there's some that   that's really good on all three. Knocks out a ton of taxes, great cash flow and appreciation like real estate is one of those assets that does that. So you have to be very clear when you build out a portfolio and I would advise just this is what I'm doing in the time that we're living in today that you have diversified income streams within a cashflow portfolio because we're living, mean, again, during times of great change   M.C Laubscher (16:29.25) There's going to be disruption. There's going to be chaos. You don't want to be in one. You don't want to put all of your eggs just in one basket. And that's you know, that's the horse that's going to win you the Kentucky Derby. You got to have a stable of horses and have many access to many different income streams. So what are some of the what are some of the coolest ones that I've seen? There are some some, know, if you're looking for taxes, there's some great plays and energy, great plays.   Disclaimer, not a tax accountant or CPA, but when you invest oil and gas, different energy projects, there's a very, very, very good tax incentives from a strong cash flow and so forth. So that's a great tax strategy, by the way, to offset active income, not just only passive income. If you do it properly and you're investing in it. And by the way, in case anybody hasn't checked energy prices.   It's just skyrocket. Try and put gas in wherever you are right now. So energy prices has a great appreciation with inflation, great cash flow and great taxes. the tax play is really good with that one. Then, of course, mean, different types of real estate. But one thing that I would share that was very interesting when I was writing this book is kind of reflecting on the years of and I've done this six years and all the people that I've interviewed. But one thing was very interesting.   So agricultural, the market is big. There's many different things in agriculture. And that's where a lot of folks obviously invest farmland, livestock, produce, that kind of stuff. What I found just fascinating was the portfolio allocations of some of the wealthiest people on this planet in timber, more specifically tea.   And I'm like, wait a second, because I've some friends that work in family offices, too. So when I came across this, I reached out to them and I'm like, I see like, is there a lot of like the some of the families that are working with you invested in this asset class? And they're like, yeah, it's in all of our portfolios. And I'm like, that is fascinating. So teak, which is in the timber category is is there. And then I started looking into this. And it's like institutional companies are buying this hedge funds.   M.C Laubscher (18:58.594) family offices, like Ted Turner is one of the largest investors. And I looked into this and I'm like, why? And then of course, you reach the conclusion that what happens in agriculture, trees grow, they grew five years ago, they're gonna grow five years from now, they're gonna grow 20 to 25 years from now, they're just gonna do what they do if they're in the right climate, in the right country.   And so forth, so it provides stability to a portfolio. So it's a long term play. It's not a get rich quick scheme. Anybody that's in agriculture that has ever invested in that space knows that this is not a Bitcoin where you buy something and the next day it doubles. It's I mean, it's literally you have to hand it over to God. It's nature. It's going to take time to grow before you harvest. And when you harvest, obviously.   you're going to generate some cash flow from it. But I thought that was fascinating that how they build their portfolio there, they have to have things in there that stabilize it. Obviously, it's very big on real estate. There's a lot of energy plays on there. There's a lot of that in there. Another great asset class that can stabilize the portfolio, which I'm personally an investor in too, is life settlements.   And a lot of folks that say, is what is life settlement? So you can actually sell life insurance contracts just like you would sell real estate notes. So why would somebody sell a life insurance contract? Well, there are some folks that, like most Americans, have all their wealth in their homes and in a 401k. And that's it. No diversification. what happened in 2008, 2009? Well.   They were in retirement already and maybe lost the majority of the equity of the value of their house. They got clobbered in their stock portfolio and their retirement accounts. And now they're out of money basically. So what do you do? And now because of the stress, there's an illness too. So you can sell and you realize, I have a life insurance policy that I could sell to an investor. And then obviously the investor can, and this is being underwritten of course, an agent and so forth.   M.C Laubscher (21:21.804) But they have a life insurance policy that they can sell and live out the remainder of their life comfortably. So there's a win-win on both sides of it. I'll give an example. Let's just say you have a million dollar death benefit and a life insurance policy, and you have like $50,000 in cash value. And you're in a very bad situation like these folks are that I just told you. Well, you could go.   to a live settlement company at that stage, if you qualify, not all of them of course qualify, it has to be under underwritten to make sense for an investor to buy that. But let's just say you could get four to five times the amount that you have some, even if you're getting $200,000, $250,000 in cash, the investor would then pay for that. And then now they own the life insurance policy. So eventually when   when the seller then passes away, then obviously the proceeds gets paid out to the investor. So they got money to live out the remainder of their life comfortably. The other folks then obviously got a return on the investment that they made. And there's pools of this, there's funds, it's a security. So there's a lot of undesirable, just disclaimer and I was warned about all this stuff is there's undesirable.   characters in every industry. And as you can imagine, there's probably a lot in that space. Just be aware that if it's in a fund, which is the best way to do it, because you can diversify over a large number of policies and utilize the law of large numbers like insurance companies, it is a security. So there are security laws that apply to all those things. it's essentially for accredited investors that have access to this.   Institutions, they just buy tons of policies on their own. Life insurance companies buy policies from other. They buy policies from other insurers to have on their books as a hedge. Folks like Warren Buffett, Bill Gates, shocker, he's a big investor in that kind of stuff, too. But yeah, it's a very interesting asset class. And again, with the teak, what does it provide?   M.C Laubscher (23:37.87) Well, it provides stability because you're essentially buying your equity upfront. So the only factor is time, which will impact your return, obviously, right? So you could get a very nice return on that, which you kind of know when you buy it, sort of the equity that you have in that policy. And then with Teak, I mean, it stabilizes a portfolio. So between the two of those great plays, settlements, not as much cash flow heavy, but great upside potential appreciation.   So that was the main driver of that, but it stabilizes portfolios. So there's some interesting stuff that I've seen, but those are, you know, I figured I wanted to share some of the stuff that can stabilize a portfolio too, especially during times of craziness where it's not just speculative kind of place.   Yeah, that's fascinating, man. There's so many different things that you've invested in and that there are just to invest in in general and people just don't know about it, right? They get stuck in that, that 401k stocks and bonds bubble. And they think that that's just the only way to invest. And that's why sometimes I'll say, just get into a passive real estate deal, right? Not just because that's the only way to invest, but once you do it once you kind of surround yourself with those types of people that are looking at alternative investments. And then you start your mind just kind of opens up to   all these different things in agriculture, in energy, in, you know, all of those things that you just mentioned that are out there to invest in. And you just start seeing all these opportunities just around you. And then you can kind of start diversifying away from that.   Yeah, you know what another one is, and I cover this in the book too, which would be interesting for your folks at the time that we live in. You know, we had the whole Joe Rogan thing, the Joe Rogan experience controversy, and we had these folks that wanted to pull their music off Spotify. So some folks, if they actually read the story, might have grasped how that side of the business works. But essentially, you can invest in music royalties. And that's another niche on the book, which someone shared on my show.   M.C Laubscher (25:39.118) a couple of years ago, which I found was fascinating. Now, a musician can sell a portion or all of the royalties on their music to an investor. And that's essentially what happened to a lot of those folks that wanted to leave Spotify. They don't even own their royalties or all of it, maybe a small portion or a part of it, but corporations do. They own their music royalties.   So every single time a song gets played somewhere or is used in a movie or something, royalties are paid on that and the investor collects cashflow. Now, do we listen to music when markets crash? Yeah. Do we listen to music when markets boom? Yeah. We always listen to music, you know, whether it's good or bad times. So it's another, it's another interesting aspect of, of that. Now, why would a musician sell their royalties?   And this is fascinating because that side of the business and my brother, my brother is a musician too. So I learned a little bit of that, that side of it and had an insight of that, but why would they sell a portion or all of it? So maybe they need to fund the next album and they don't have a record label backing that. And maybe they just want to do it themselves or, you know, for them to raise money for the next project would be, would be one example of that. So, and of course, if there's   partial ownership of royalties. It's actually the best way to do that because otherwise the musician doesn't have incentives to keep promoting those songs. Right. So you almost want to go like 50 50 with someone to make sure like they've got skin in the game to still promote their albums and the songs and play them at concerts and all that kind of stuff. Otherwise, they're not really going to care because they don't own the rights or the royalties to that music anymore.   So it's fascinating. There's a whole exchange, as you can invest like an investor, but there's so many ways to do it. There's so many ways. see to your point, I see people argue all the time. This one's better, this one's better, this one. I'm like, you can make, it's incredible to see the ways that people can make money and become successful. There's so many ways to do it.   Seth Bradley (27:53.698) Yeah. Are there any, I know you went through quite a few there and I want to give the entire book away, but are there, is there another like really surprising one that kind of stands out in that book where somebody's going to read and they're like, what? That's crazy.   Yeah, I throw in there a different angle on crypto. So I share a strategy in there. I share a crypto strategy and then I share an angle of how to look at it as an investor because most people think cryptocurrency and blockchain and they go, oh, I just buy Bitcoin and it goes up 20 fold and now I'm a millionaire or a doggy coin and I'll be fine.   But there's actually that's very speculative, obviously, and you're a speculator. What the folks, the absolute cash flow ninjas have done is they have approached this as investors in the space. So they have followed what I call the California gold rush strategy. So they looked at this and said, wow, all right, there's gold found in California and San Francisco in that area.   Instead of going to mine or dig or pan for gold, I'm going to be the person selling the shovels, the picks, the equipment. I'm going to be the person selling the clothes like Levi Strauss. I'm going to be the person there that has provides housing, hotels, bars, restaurants, entertainment, brothels, whatever floats your boat. And I'm going to be the person that offers financial services like Wells Fargo.   You take a different strategic approach of investing. So you actually go in as an investor and say, like in the crypto and blockchain space, I'll give you some examples. The folks that have absolutely made a fortune in this space. Yeah, they had some Bitcoin. Yeah, they were early investors in Bitcoin and Ethereum. But guess what? They were early investors in exchanges. You know, I actually was in the Bauschman group of one of the first investors in Coinbase, which is now   M.C Laubscher (29:59.714) They went public. I think he did pretty well. The same with Kraken. He's also one of the earliest investors in Kraken. So he's on exchange. So the same with music. Do you think a lot of people trade crypto when the markets are going up? Absolutely. A lot of people are chasing the pump. Do you think there's a lot of activity on an exchange when crypto wets the bed and corrects? Absolutely. There's a panic selling going on.   Markets go up, down and sideways. They make money regardless. So that's one way of doing it. But think of other things, right? You know, in the cannabis space, everything was like, if you're a lawyer, I mean, you would never run out of work. If you are a tax accountant, you would never run out of work in that space. The same with crypto. So there's so many legal things happening there. And think about estate plans.   You have coins. How are you planning on transferring that to your children or your grandchildren? How does that work? Nobody's figured that out. There's companies that have been started in that space to address that problem. And you could be an investor in that company. How about taxes? You think they're coming off the taxes in crypto? You think if you're investing in a very, very good tax firm globally or locally and so forth that specializes in crypto, you're going to lose money?   going to be busier than ever. So it's a different kind of angle that you're coming in as an investor in the space, less sexy. I prefer it that way, cash flow, taxes, you're a business owner, that kind of stuff. But it's not the Elon Musk doggy coin kind of style that you're investing in the space. It's a little bit more strategic.   Right. Yeah, I love that, man. And you can use that, you know, that strategy across different industries. Like you said, you know, you're, selling, you're selling the picks and the, and the pans for the gold rushers. You're, selling the tools rather than actually going and trying to find the gold. And those are the people that actually got rich during the gold rush, right? People that sold the tool. So just think about, you know, any hot industry that way, like, what can I do? That's kind of that ancillary angle rather than the direct angle. And that could be the   Seth Bradley (32:18.03) the better investment.   Yeah, it's almost like I interviewed Jim Rogers a couple of times on my show and he's very comical, legendary investor. And he always said to me, know, when I asked him about how, how we like some of the big hits that he had and some of his best investments, he said, MC, it's quite simple. All I do is I sit and I just wait until people, the money is just lying on the floor. And then I go and pick up the money. That's all I do.   So and then I asked him about, all right, what is that? What is how does that relate to it? And it's like when you see something that's a no brainer that everybody else is seeing. I mean, like, for example, the legal side and the taxes and crypto kind of a no brainer. Not a lot of people are thinking about it. It was the same way in cannabis, too, where everybody wanted to invest in a farm or a farmer or dispensary or a distribution and all this stuff.   and deal with all the headaches of the federal government and the local government, you could have been the lawyer starting a legal firm dealing with those headaches for them. You would never run out of work and you could probably charge much, much more. And it's the same thing with the tax thing. So that, in my opinion, was it's just that money lying on the floor waiting to be picked up as an investor.   Yeah, perfect man. Nailed it. one last gold nugget before we jump into the freedom for   M.C Laubscher (33:48.362) Absolutely. Yeah, so I would say the big thing is you have to be very, very specific, obviously, why you're doing what you're doing, what you have and why you have it and what it's doing for you from a strategy. And then that's how you build your cashflow portfolio. But don't forget about the other stuff in your economy. There's a way to make your money as efficiently as possible. There's a way to position it.   And then there's a way to invest in this portfolio. And then there's a way to protect all of us with proper asset protection, with proper estate planning and with proper tax strategy. So most folks don't even think about the estate planning, the asset protection and the tax strategy. You're going to wish you have in five years. This will be a sound bite that that you can keep. You're going to wish you have thought about these things and not just on the shiny stuff.   I know because I've made all of those mistakes. I became a much better business owner investor when I started to put it all together and just didn't chase shiny stuff or had tunnel vision.   Yeah. Awesome, man. All right. Let's jump into the freedom for we're to mix it up a little bit because you've already been on the show once.   It's time for the Freedom Four.   Seth Bradley (35:09.422) So what does your morning routine look like?   You know, it varies since I have two very young kids, but there's one, but there's two things that are consistent. So I make sure that I go for a walk 45 minutes to an hour. And I do spend an hour thinking. It's a habit that I've developed over time and that I learned from Keith Cunningham. So he just calls it thinking time. We don't think because it's the hardest thing to do as Andrew Ford would always say,   So I make sure that I block everything off. No computers, no smartphones, nothing, just me and a pad. And I write down, I have certain frameworks I use to analyze things and help me think through things, looking at the dangers that are out there, the opportunities and how I can capitalize on a lot of the stuff. that's, I mean, that's definitely, that's in my morning. The other stuff, it varies because they got two young ones, but those two things are consistent. So.   clear my mind with a walk, get some exercise in, and then thinking for an hour.   Yeah. Yeah. Sometimes we, have these ideal morning routines put together, but it, know, especially when you have kids and you have all these different variables, that's not always possible, but you know, there are a couple of things that you definitely need to carve out and just make sure you do every single day. All right. With all your success, what is one limiting belief that you've crushed along the way and how did you get past it?   M.C Laubscher (36:40.63) I do it every day and limiting beliefs in the sense of, people talk about the mindset of abundance, you know, and having an abundant mindset, you know, and I intentionally move every single day when I get up, there are some certain elements of scarcity and I transform that into abundance and I do it intentionally. It's actually part of thinking time. You know, I've listened to all the gurus, I get all that.   But I don't wake up in the morning and go, yeah, this is going to be great. Every every person wakes up. This is just how we were built. If we weren't built this way, we wouldn't have survived. So we get up and we scan our environment and we start kind of not in a fearful fear isn't the right word, but it's kind of like fight or flight situation. Like I said, if you're not built that if you weren't built that way, you wouldn't be alive right now. We wouldn't be as a specie.   because otherwise we would have probably the saber-toothed tiger would have probably gotten us. So we were built that way. So I do it intentionally to transform from whatever elements it is of scarcity into abundance. And by doing that and doing that every single day intentionally, it changes your whole day. then you don't have any bad days. So I don't get up drumming my chest saying everything is perfect and rosy and rainbows and unicorns.   I understand that there are certain things that I've got to work out kinks and I have frameworks to do that. And I just make sure that I do it every single day. So overcoming limiting beliefs, we all have some of them. think like the, mean, the biggest one, there are some things like, the biggest one that I've ever came lightly and this is probably over the last three years is,   You know, Dan Sullivan, which is one of my coaches, a strategic coach said, you need to work less and make more money. And I'm like, I don't know how to do I know what's what's the catch here? Yeah. So that was a limiting belief. then I'm like, wait a second, does he have a superpower that I don't have? But then I started to realize that you could structure your day and then have proper systems and processes in place. And that I work four days a week now when I started as an entrepreneur, it was   M.C Laubscher (39:05.866) seven days a week, 10 to 12 hours. Now I work four days a week and it's probably seven to eight hours at most because I have those systems and processes in place. it was, mean, yeah, talk about a limiting belief right there. It was something that I to work out and figure out.   Yeah. Yeah. And it's counterintuitive, right? It's like, wait, work less and make more. That's not how it works. That's not how I was taught growing up. That's not how it works.   It's everything, everything against what you were have been taught in school, right? So it's almost like you have to break down core foundational beliefs and a mindset. You have to double down on that. It's like when Labeque Saki said he makes more money every year and pays less in taxes. When you first hear that and you read the book, you're like, well, how does that, how does that work? So again, beliefs that have to change and then your mindset and then you   learn the game of money and you're like, yeah, that is that's what they do. This is what the castle and then just do they make more money every year, they pay less in taxes, actually get money back from the government, legally, and they work less and then and they make more money.   Yeah, exactly. I had Tom Willwright on the show last month and he said the same thing. That was the his big quote was, you know, the wealthier you get, the less taxes you pay. It's like what? Yeah, but it's 100 percent true, 100 percent true. What do you believe separates successful people like yourself who have taken action and taken control of their life and their own economy from those who get stuck in the nine to five, never take action and maybe never get started with cash flow?   M.C Laubscher (40:50.57) I own all of my outcomes. And I think that's the biggest difference between a lot of folks and people that achieve certain levels of success. I don't blame anyone. Everything that happens is because of me. So even if there is something nefarious done to you, I shouldn't have put myself in that position and I should have seen it coming. So it's my responsibility, not anybody else's.   So I take responsibility for everything that I've done in my past, my present, my future. I own everything. So I was stuck for a while in a deep dark place. We're talking now like 10, 12 years ago and I wasn't going anywhere at that stage. And that was the one switch that I made and I've never looked back since, you know? So I own everything. The good, the bad and the ugly.   Yeah, I love that more than you know, man. Accountability is my number one principle in everything in business and life. Even again, if you if you know inside that maybe it was somebody else's fault, it still doesn't matter. You say, well, what could I have done to change it and to make it better? What could I have done differently? Take accountability for it. Don't blame other people.   Yeah, there's a person that I follow that I was very honored to meet in person, Tim Grover. And he's the guy behind Michael Jordan. mean, he's Michael Jordan's coach, Kobe's coach, know, Dwayne Wade. And he was actually, it's funny that I just saw that he actually worked with the Rams over the past month too, during that. And he's just, I mean, quite incredible because he literally gets you into   This is how a champion thinks. This is what's going in their mind. This is how they're wired. And those folks, mean, it's just so interesting to see. Even if folks don't win, listen to what Tom Brady said, by the way, in his playoff loss before he retired. Where they're like, you you didn't get the ball back and you didn't have another shot. basically you thought you were going into overtime, but then that final play that the Rams got you and he's like,   M.C Laubscher (43:12.386) I shouldn't we shouldn't have been in that situation. I shouldn't have put my team in that situation in the first place. So that's all they think. That's all those folks think. And I know it's sports, but there's so much between sports, obviously, and and business and investing. So you look at the mind of a champion in any industry in any part of part of life. And that's all those folks think, whether it's a whether it's sports, it's a business, a marriage, investments, you know, they own it.   That on the outcomes.   Yeah, for sure. I'm listening to Winning right now, his book on Audible. it's great so far. All right. Last but not least, what does financial freedom mean to you?   You know, freedom is is a is it's it's we're living during interesting times. It's funny how freedom is is being spun. You know, I'm one of those folks that. Nobody grants you freedom, no one. You just you just take it, you're born free and you take it. You know, you can't you can't negotiate it, you can't vote for it, you can't beg for it, you can't plead for it, you just take it.   And you do that by taking action. So financial freedom and the same thing is no one no one's going to give it to you. And you're just going to have to go out and take it. And in the sense is what freedom means to me is having freedom of time, how I spend my time, what I do, having freedom of money. I do things and I spend my time how money no longer becomes a reason why and why I'm not doing something.   M.C Laubscher (44:55.126) relationships, having freedom of relationships. doing cool things with people that I like to do things with and hanging out with people that I want to hang out with. So I don't have to hang out with someone just to hang out with someone. That's what freedom means. then obviously purpose, know, purpose is, yeah, the freedom to pursue what you want to pursue, the stuff that you want to work on, the stuff that you're passionate about.   So you don't do things just to do things and you have to get there by the way, you know, if you if you see all the things that I've had to do to get to the part where I just do stuff that I want to do. It's been a long road. It didn't start with that, but that should be the goal in the end. So we all have to do things that we don't like to do and some way or shape or form. But essentially, when you get to financial freedom, you can just focus on the things that you want to do that you're passionate about, whatever they are. If it's   doing cool things with cool people and cool places. If it's spending time supporting your charities and your church and so forth and being actively involved with that. There's folks that I know that are very wealthy that, mean, they just, and a lot of them, by the way, right now, they're just buying ranches and farms and just living off the land in the middle of nowhere, you know, in different states.   Yeah, I mean, and that's that's it. That's it. That's what they that's what they want to do right now. Get away from all the craziness. They kind of see that things are going to get wilder and crazier in the in coming months and the next couple of years. And they're like, I don't want to participate in this. I'm just going to buy a piece of land in the middle of nowhere and come back when this so when the dust settles. So, yeah, that's that's that's what that's what it means to me. It's it's something that I talk about a lot, too, that I'm pretty passionate about.   Because we are in a fight for it now too. You know, all over the world in many, many, many different ways. So my own little way, I try to, you know, help as many people as I can to get the financial park right. Because if you are financially independent and free, you know, you're not going to be forced into a corner or have your back to the wall and be forced to make decisions that are against your principles, your values, and what you believe in. You're going to tell   M.C Laubscher (47:18.466) people to go pound sand. So I want as many people to be in that position as possible.   man, that was an awesome answer, dude. Let's wrap it up, man. It's been awesome having you on the show. Where can our listeners find out more about you? Where can they get that new book? 21 Best Cash Flow Niches. Tell us all about it.   So cashflowninja.com is everything Cashflow Ninja and the book is called the 21 Best Cashflow Ninjas, Creating Wealth and the Best Alternative Cashflow Investments. It's available on Amazon or cashflowninja.com. And when your listeners purchase a copy of the book, just screenshot a proof of your purchase to my team at info at cashflowninja.com and I'll throw in some bonus goodies. I'll give you a digital version of the book if you wanna read it on Kindle.   A audio version of the book, if you just want to listen to it, driving in your car, working out or hanging out. I've actually curated a library of interviews specifically where people talk about these niches. You'll get access to that and more bonus goodies. So it's available on Amazon dot com, but also at cash learning dot com, you'll be able to buy the book. The twenty one best cash flow and it just creating wealth in the best alternative cash flow investments.   Awesome brother. Well, congratulations on the book launch and it's been awesome having you on the show again. I MC let's catch up soon.   M.C Laubscher (48:37.962) Absolutely. Thank you so much for having me.   All right kiddos, MC Lobster, the cash flow ninja, drop in bombs. As always, he always comes up with all these new ideas, all these new ways to create cash flow and income outside of the box. We're not just talking about real estate. We're not just talking about stocks, bonds and mutual funds. We're talking about agriculture, life insurance contracts, all these different ways that you can create income for yourself. There's more than one way.   to create income that does not involve just lawyering, just doctoring, just engineering, just doing your, just creating your active daily, trading your time for money income. So at the end of the day, look, this is the major key. The major key is to get started. Again, I always say start out with a real estate syndication on the passive side because...   that will open your eyes to opportunities. That's what it did for me. When I started investing in commercial real estate to begin with, it was through a passive investment. And then I invested more and then I invested more. And then my network expanded and to people like MC who exposed my mind to ideas about other types of ways to get started in multiple streams of income. Then I bought into franchises, then I bought into crypto, then I bought into all these different things. But until you get started,   and you get this cashflow train moving, you're gonna be stuck. You're gonna be stuck at your day job with one stream of income, putting yourself and your family's financial future at risk. So I encourage you to just get started. So if you're ready to take action and partner with us on one of our next passive real estate deals, go to passiveincomeattorney.com, join our Esquire passive investor club and get started today. All right, kids, until next time, enjoy the journey.   M.C Laubscher (50:34.616) Thank you for listening to the Passive Income Attorney Podcast with Seth Bradley. Do you want more ideas on how to generate multiple streams of passive income? Then jump over to passiveincomeattorney.com for show notes and resources. Then apply for the private Facebook community by searching for the Passive Income Attorney on Facebook. And we'll see you on the next episode. Links from the Show and Guest Info and Links: Seth Bradley's Links: https://x.com/sethbradleyesq https://www.youtube.com/@sethbradleyesq www.facebook.com/sethbradleyesq https://www.threads.com/@sethbradleyesq https://www.instagram.com/sethbradleyesq/ https://www.linkedin.com/in/sethbradleyesq/ https://passiveincomeattorney.com/seth-bradley/ https://www.biggerpockets.com/users/sethbradleyesq https://medium.com/@sethbradleyesq https://www.tiktok.com/@sethbradleyesq?lang=en M.C Laubscher's Link: https://cashflowninja.com/ https://www.amazon.com/Best-Cashflow-NichesTM-Alternative-Investments/dp/1737883414

On this episode of Christopher Lochhead: Follow Your Different, we sit down with marketing royalty Laura Ries, the daughter of Al Ries and Chairwoman of RIES, to unpack what makes for truly powerful brand building. The discussion, sparked by American Eagle's controversial Sydney Sweeney campaign, offers a masterclass in cutting through the noise and making brands that dominate for decades, not just news cycles. In a world obsessed with fleeting attention spans, viral TikToks, and celebrity partnerships, the rules for building a lasting brand have never been more confusing, or more misunderstood. When “attention” has become the trending currency, too many marketers forget the fundamental principles that separate overnight sensations from category-defining legends. You're listening to Christopher Lochhead: Follow Your Different. We are the real dialogue podcast for people with a different mind. So get your mind in a different place, and hey ho, let's go. Chasing Attention Versus Owning a Strategic Position Laura Ries doesn't mince words. Right from the start, she asks, “Are we just going out for attention's sake?” In the American Eagle campaign, the retailer had Sydney Sweeney, a star adored by a young demographic. front and center with the tagline “Sydney Sweeney has great jeans.” The resulting hullabaloo proved attention-grabbing, but Laura and Christopher quickly zero in on the flaw: it was a win for Sweeney's personal brand, maybe the category of jeans, but not for American Eagle. Compare this to the iconic Brooke Shields for Calvin Klein moment, seared into pop culture by its taboo-breaking line: “Nothing comes between me and my Calvins.” Everyone still remembers it. And Shields herself, now in her 50s and 60s, gets asked about it to this day. Why did it stick when so many celebrity-driven campaigns fade fast? Laura argues the difference is clear: Calvin Klein tied a provocative moment to a real, ownable positioning idea. It wasn't just attention; it was differentiation, and it transformed the brand. The Leader, the Challenger, and the Power of Contrasts Christopher then adds, “The category king of jeans is Levi Strauss”. If you're not the leader, you can't just market the category; you must establish a well-defined, opposite position. Calvin Klein's campaign worked because it created a contrast in the market: there's an implied competitor, a reason to choose Calvin's over everything else. American Eagle, on the other hand, failed to anchor its campaign in any clear difference or strategic enemy. Christopher asks, “If you're American Eagle, what the fuck are you doing?” To this, they both agree: at the very least, American Eagle, given its patriotic name, should have leaned into American-made authenticity rather than a generic celebrity endorsement disconnected from any unique brand promise. Category Design: The True Differentiator Brands like Dude Wipes and Liquid Death exemplify the playbook for building new categories, and thus, legendary brands. Dude Wipes didn't invent wipes, just as Liquid Death didn't invent water. But they staked out a radically different, memorable position: “Dude” wipes for men, and canned water that resembles a beer or energy drink and brands itself as death to plastics. This isn't attention for attention's sake; it's strategic, memorable, and deeply anchored to a big idea: a core enemy, a new experience, a bold promise. To hear more from Laura Ries and her thoughts on why virality isn't enough to build a legendary brand, download and listen to this episode. Bio Laura Ries is a leading marketing strategist, best-selling author, and global keynote speaker. She is the co-author of several influential books on branding, including The 22 Immutable Laws of Branding and The Fall of Advertising & the Rise of PR written with her late father and legendary positioning pioneer, Al Ries. Her new book The Strategic Enemy: How to Build & Position a Brand Worth Fighting For will be published in S...

Levi Strauss didn't dig for gold—he built something even better. In this episode, kids will learn how Levi used smart thinking, frugality, and hard work to grow a tiny dry goods business into one of the most famous clothing companies in the world.