Podcasts about Pep Boys

101 yr old Bea Franklin (at the time of interview on June 4, 2025), born June 30. 1924, is probably the only living eyewitness to the iconic 1945 Times Square sailor kisses nurse scene captured in an iconic photo seen around the world til this very day.  When the Emperor of Japan announced the Japanese surrender ending World War II, on Tuesday Aug 14, 1945, Bea was a student at New York University. When she heard the news that Japan surrendered...8 days after the atomic bomb exploded, she & her classmates took a subway uptown to Times Square where she actually witnessed the iconic 'Kiss' seen around the world.   In this historic and inspiring interview we discuss: -When did she realize she witnessed one of the most famous scenes in history -What made her decide to go to Times Square that day -How Bea is the daughter of Jack, one of the four Pep Boys automotive chain founders. -Her secrets to STILL living a fulfilling life - Recollections of her late husband's rare World War II photos -How she has lived in the same Long island house since 1958 with the same Landline phone! -How she survived and thrived with three different cancers -What she is most proud of in your life -What are her biggest regrets -What makes her happy and brings her the most joy -What would she recommends the average person do to Be Happier and Live Longer -Centenarian Bea is also a heterochromatic: has one Blue eye & one Brown eye . . . a trait found in less than 200,000 US humans. -Bea is a former school librarian,  & was married to Corporal Jerry Franklin for 51 years . . .They met Nov 4, 1945 & married (eloped) Nov 30, 1945 -What the most important "secret" is to overcoming devastating illness or other really bad news

Nathan Rhodes is the Owner of Total Automotive, an independent auto repair shop based in Chattanooga, Tennessee. With a background in machining and welding, Nathan's passion for cars began as a teenager maintaining his own vehicle. After working his way up from an installer at Pep Boys to a skilled technician, he eventually opened his own shop in 2019. Today, he leads a tight-knit team focused on quality service, honesty, and building long-term customer relationships. In this episode… The auto repair industry has evolved dramatically with the complexities of late-model engines and rapid urban growth. Independent shop owners must navigate changing customer expectations, technical advancements, and increasing competition. How can small auto repair businesses stand out and thrive in fast-paced environments? According to Nathan Rhodes of Total Automotive in Chattanooga, Tennessee, it all comes down to integrity, skilled craftsmanship, and strong customer relationships. By focusing on quality over quantity and hiring technicians who share his values, Nathan has built a trusted local brand known for doing the right thing — without relying heavily on advertising. On this episode of Gain Traction, Mike Edge welcomes Nathan for a conversation about starting an auto shop from scratch, the role of vocational training, how to manage oil consumption issues, and why personal connection is at the heart of lasting success. Nathan also reflects on the challenges of hiring the right people and his vision for expanding into tire and alignment services. Here's a glimpse of what you'll learn:  [01:42] How Chattanooga's rapid growth impacts traffic and boosts local auto repair business [06:05] Why learning to fix his first car sparked a passion for auto mechanics [07:06] Nathan Rhodes' early days: from Taco Bell to Pep Boys and hands-on training [08:55] Total Automotive's layout, culture, and commitment to cleanliness [10:13] The importance of educating customers and building trust in auto repair [13:29] How shops are addressing the oil consumption issues plaguing modern vehicles  [16:56] Why hiring the right people matters more than just filling roles [23:53] The quote that inspires Nathan's entrepreneurial drive Resources mentioned in this episode: Nathan Rhodes on LinkedIn  Total Automotive Mike Edge on LinkedIn Tread Partners Quotable Moments:  “We're well-known for doing the right thing — even when it's not the easiest route.” “If you can get up at 7 a.m. to build someone else's dream, you can get up at 5 a.m. to build your own.” “Most people come in here and they want to talk to me — that personal connection is huge.” “Nobody checks their oil anymore, and that's causing major engine problems we see every day.” “I'd rather take my time and hire the right person than fill a spot just to get someone in the door.” Action Steps:  Prioritize hiring quality technicians: Take time to find people who align with your shop's values and craftsmanship standards. Educate customers consistently: Build trust by explaining vehicle issues clearly and honestly, especially with complex systems. Maintain a clean and organized shop: A professional workspace sets the tone for both employee pride and customer confidence. Prepare to invest in essential equipment: Don't delay upgrades like alignment systems that support core services like tires. Build a business on word-of-mouth: Focus on doing the right thing consistently — loyal customers will spread the word. Sponsor for this episode... This episode is brought to you by Tread Partners.  At Tread Partners, we provide digital marketing for multi-location tire dealers and auto repair shops.  By using our strategy, branding, and marketing services, we help shops sell more tires and put more cars in bays. We've helped companies like Action Gator Tire, Colony Tire and Service, and Ulmer's Auto Care Center bring extreme growth in paid leads, ROI, and searches.  So, what are you waiting for? Visit www.treadpartners.com or email info@treadpartners.com to learn more.

In this episode of the Used Car Dealer Podcast, Zach talks with John Traver, the founder of Traver Technologies and TraverConnect, to explore the evolution of the BDC concept. John shares insights on launching TraverConnect, transforming service-lane interactions into revenue opportunities, and balancing people with technology to deliver an exceptional customer experience. This conversation dives into leadership lessons, changing customer expectations, and the future impact of AI and automation on automotive BDC.Automotive BDC & Fixed OperationsQ) Take us back to how you got in the auto industry and your origin story?Q) So talk about the early days of BDC adoption and how that went—were dealers skeptical?Q) So what were some of the biggest operational challenges as you scaled out your business?Q) And how did the different services evolve that you offer at your company as technology and dealership operations got more complex?Q) So what separates a top-performing dealership using your BDC service versus one that's not as organized?Q) How do you strike that balance between people, process, and technology?Q) How have customer expectations in the service department changed over the last 10 years, and how should dealers adapt?Q) What do you see as the biggest technology gaps today in fixed ops or BDCs?Q) Any thoughts on AI and some of the automation coming to market right now?Q) As we look to 2025 and dealers becoming more cost-conscious, where should they focus to drive the highest ROI?Q) What are you most excited about in the next year for Traver Connect and the automotive space generally?Listen to more episodes here: https://www.sellyautomotive.com/podcastRead the full transcription: https://blog.sellyautomotive.com/blog/john-traver-2025

Giant Mess podcast host Neal Lynch recaps the top stories and internet searches from December 2024, including:1:45 - What Watchmen Chapter 1 means for DC universe11:02 - The quirks of Peloton instructors17:43 - Job interviews with Virtual recruiters23:52 - what Soberish means34:05 - Snoop on a Stoop and Elf on a Shelf37:22 - Most searched Christmas songs42:38 - Daughter's pinkeye46:03 - Pep Boys and car troubles50:48 - Tough month for daughter1:02:04 - Cookie Day (sugar cookies stink)1:09:25 - Vaseline Advent Calendar1:11:30 - Employers asking for videos on job application1:14:02 - Top questions about astrological signs1:42:03 - Night shower vs morning shower1:45:15 - Back to back birthday parties in 1 day1:56:44 - Snow globe cocktail recipe2:00:19 - Most searched cozy Christmas movies2:06:53 - Christmas in South Carolina, which featured... Slap Card Games between slap-happy bros Feast of the Seven Fishes movie All-day fishing trip on Xmas Eve Smoking the world's longest and largest cigar Smoking out of a corn cob pipe The Loud Cup giving Vuvuzela flashbacks Scavenger hunt for a Disney cruise Carry On movie review Moving the peacock pen and mauling mice Making the worst cocktail ever Makeshift breathalyzer Smelling Salts Hot Dog Suction Cup New Year's Eve ball dropping Sonic The Hedgehog 3 in theater 2024 Year in ReviewFunny Stories from Giant Mess Podcast -  ⁠https://bit.ly/GiantMessFunnyStories⁠  ABOUT NEAL LYNCH:I'm an Irish-Italian-American who graduated from 1) a Catholic high school (even though I'm not Catholic), and 2) a college known for producing doctors and lacrosse players, then became neither. I was a former 4th string college quarterback and middle relief pitcher who thought an overpriced film and media studies degree was a smart choice. Now, I'm a single dad who likes to blog, vlog, podcast, write, edit, optimize, strategize, and over-analyze.  ABOUT "GIANT MESS":"Giant Mess" is a sloppy sports and entertainment podcast hosted by a giant mess, the Real Cinch Neal Lynch. Neal's a single dad who loves to talk New York Giants football, Mets baseball, movies, TV shows, and comedy. The podcast has movie reviews, tv show recaps and reactions, post-game analysis, predictions, and funny stories about life.Subscribe to Giant Mess on YouTube: ⁠https://bit.ly/GiantMessYT⁠ Follow me on:* Link Tree - ⁠https://linktr.ee/neallynch⁠  * My Official Blog - ⁠http://bit.ly/neallynchBLOG⁠ * Giant Mess Facebook Page - ⁠http://bit.ly/GiantMessFB⁠    * Twitter - ⁠http://bit.ly/NealLynchTW⁠     * Personal Instagram - ⁠http://bit.ly/NealLynchIG⁠    * Giant Mess Instagram - ⁠https://bit.ly/GiantMessInstagram⁠  * Subscribe to Giant Mess on Apple Podcasts - ⁠http://bit.ly/GiantMessApple⁠  * Subscribe to Giant Mess on Spotify - ⁠http://bit.ly/GiantMessSpotify⁠ 

Mike Burns is the Sales Director at Independent Tire Dealers Group, a company that supports independent tire dealers across the US by providing competitive buying power and networking opportunities. Under Mike's leadership, ITDG has achieved a 40% increase in locations over the past four years, expanding to 1,174 points of sale. Originally from New Jersey, Mike's career in the tire industry began at a Pep Boys store. He now resides in Houston, Texas with his wife and four daughters. In this episode… In an industry where competition is fierce, how does one independent tire dealer stand out and thrive? What strategies can turn a set of challenges into stepping stones for growth? Is there a way to leverage collective experience and resources while maintaining one's independence? Mike Burns, the Sales Director for the Independent Tire Dealer Group, offers insights into these questions by sharing his own journey from dishwashing at Boston Market to a leadership role in the tire industry. Through his career progression — from working at Pep Boys and Bridgestone Firestone to eventually joining ITDG — Mike underlines the importance of real-world experience, networking, and continuous learning. He emphasizes how ITDG helps independent dealers by providing a platform for growth, offering competitive programs, and fostering a network of like-minded professionals to share knowledge and support. The discussion also delves into the importance of balancing professional demands with personal growth, highlighting how skills learned in retail environments can translate to executive management. On this episode of Gain Traction, Mike Edge talks to Mike Burns about empowering independent tire dealers. They discuss ITDG's growth strategy, the significance of next-gen initiatives, and how Mike advises and supports ITDG members. The conversation paints a vivid picture of the tire industry, emphasizing the importance of relationships, adaptability, and strategic growth. With anecdotes from his personal and professional life, Mike highlights the value of community and collaboration in a competitive market. Here's a glimpse of what you'll learn:  [01:34] Meet Mike Burns: a voice made for radio [04:21] Mike's unlikely journey from New Jersey to Texas [05:57] How Bridgestone shaped Mike's future [17:05] Preparing future leaders in the tire industry [19:26] ITDG membership: listening and offering the right solutions [29:06] Mike's golden rule for success: treating people right Resources mentioned in this episode: Mike Burns on LinkedIn Independent Tire Dealers Group Pep Boys  Robert Everett on LinkedIn Bridgestone Americas  Mike Edge on LinkedIn Tread Partners Quotable Moments:  "You learn how to manage people. You learn how to manage your expenses. You learn how to handle customers." "Our mission is about enabling them to make the best possible decisions for their business." "Buy like you have 1,100 stores. We're like an equalizer." "Our story for as long as ITDG has been around is really one of growth." "Treat people the way that you would want to be treated, because it all comes back to you in the end." Action Steps:  Build strong industry relationships: Networking with peers and industry leaders can provide valuable insights and opportunities for growth. Seek continuous education and training: Pursuing further education, such as a MBA, or engaging in industry-specific training programs can enhance leadership and business management skills. Utilize technology for efficiency: Implementing technology and digital tools can streamline operations and improve customer service. Embrace a customer-centric approach: Focusing on customer satisfaction and service quality can lead to business success. Engage in next-generation leadership programs: Preparing the next generation to take on leadership roles ensures the continuity and success of the business. Sponsor for this episode... This episode is brought to you by Tread Partners.  At Tread Partners, we provide digital marketing for multi-location tire dealers and auto repair shops.  By using our strategy, branding, and marketing services, we help shops sell more tires and put more cars in bays. We've helped companies like Action Gator Tire, Colony Tire and Service, and Ulmer's Auto Care Center bring extreme growth in paid leads, ROI, and searches.  So, what are you waiting for? Visit www.treadpartners.com or email info@treadpartners.com to learn more.

#NHRA #DragRacing #automobile Antron Brown and Hector Arana Jr. win the Pep Boys NHRA Nationals! AB goes WFO to talk about it on WFO Radio. Antron will also discuss Angelle's first win in Top Alcohol Dragster. Hector Arana Jr. gives the details of his playoff win moving to just 60 points behind the lead. NHRA's Alan Reinhart will recap the event with WFO host, Joe Castello including Austin Prock's Funny Car win, Aaron Stanfield's Pro Stock win. The guys will preview the upcoming Carolina Nationals at zMAX Dragway. Interviews on WFO Radio have become part of winning for drivers in the NHRA Drag Racing Series. As part of the National Hot Rod Association's Track Announcing team, host Joe Castello brings insights directly from the world of professional NHRA Mission Foods and Lucas Oil Series Drag Racing. NHRA results and news are featured in weekly livestreams, NHRA's Alan Reinhart and other NHRA stars including John Force, Ron Capps, Antron Brown, Steve Torrence, Justin Ashley, Josh Hart, Austin Prock, Greg Anderson, and Erica Enders all make frequent stops on the WFO Radio Podcast and livestream. MERCH: https://www.teepublic.com/stores/wfo-radio?ref_id=24678 PATREON: https://www.patreon.com/WFORadio APPLE: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/wfo-radio-podcast/id449870843?ls=1 SPOTIFY: https://open.spotify.com/show/0oo5mn0E3VmfhRCTHyLQIS GOOGLE: https://podcasts.google.com/feed/aHR0cDovL2ZlZWRzLmZlZWRidXJuZXIuY29tL1dmb1JhZGlv

Frank starts the third hour with denunciations for the week. He moves on to talk with Bea Franklin, the 100 year old widow of a WWII Army photographer and the daughter of Pep Boys' Founder, Jack. They talk about making it to 100, war and her experience with a young Donald Trump. Frank finally gives the Conspiracy of the Day on new footage of the Kennedy assassination. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Frank starts the show like he always does on Fridays: With Ask Frank Anything. Frank spends the hour talking with Bill Birnes, a New York times bestselling author of The Day After Roswell, the Publisher of UFO Magazine and the editor of the UFO Encyclopedia. They discuss UAPs, extraterrestrial encounters and much more. Frank starts the third hour with denunciations for the week. He moves on to talk with Bea Franklin, the 100 year old widow of a WWII Army photographer and the daughter of Pep Boys' Founder, Jack. They talk about making it to 100, war and her experience with a young Donald Trump. Frank finally gives the Conspiracy of the Day on new footage of the Kennedy assassination. Frank wraps up the show asking for predictions for this election's 'October Surprise' that will shake up the race in a big way. He is also joined by Noam Laden for News You Can Use. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Bea Franklin, the 100 year old widow of a WWII Army photographer and the daughter of Pep Boys' Founder, Jack. Topic: How to make it to 100 Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Lesley Groff, CFM, IFMA Fellow is Facilities Manager at Pep Boys and Randy Groff, CFM, SFP is Director of Facilities and Energy at Four Seasons Produce while they are both passionate about FM and active members of IFMA. Mike Petrusky asks Lesley and Randy about their career journeys, finding each other, and the importance of connecting with a supportive network or "tribe" in the asset management industry. They explore the need to diversify knowledge and experience in facility management to add more value to organizations while gaining insights and learning from the experiences of other professionals. Mike finds out that Lesley and Randy also enjoy 80's rock and they offer inspiration for continuous career growth and discovering new opportunities as they provide the encouragement you need to be an Asset Champion! Connect with Lesley on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/lesley-groff-cfm-ifma-fellow-b6032515/ Connect with Randy on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/randy-groff-cfm-sfp-47b6a413/ Learn more about IFMA: https://www.ifma.org/ Watch Mike's “On My Way To Work” video series on YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLSkmmkVFvM4E39sM-pNaGhLoG0dkM947o Learn more about Eptura™: https://eptura.com/ Discover free resources and explore past interviews at: https://assetchampion.iofficecorp.com/ Connect with Mike on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/mikepetrusky/  

Greeny assesses what the Chiefs' best course of action is in the offseason and draft after restructuring Patrick Mahomes' contract to save cap room. What's the best move of the offseason so far? We play an agonizing group Sneaky Hembo Trivia before doing an Aaron Rodgers-themed Mad Lib in an attempt to replicate the ridiculousness of his potential vice presidential candidacy. We wrap up the show marveling at the typos on Kobe Bryant's statue at Crypto.com arena. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Welcome to the Instant Trivia podcast episode 1124, where we ask the best trivia on the Internet. Round 1. Category: Dr. Alex' Old-Time Feel-Good Medicine Show 1: Muscles inflamed?Joints in pain?Dr. Alex' Youth Elixir clears away the ol' rheumatiz, or osteo- this (and it ain't "porosis"!). arthritis. 2: Make your mucous membranes merry and mirthful! Enjoy Dr. Alex' Cure-All to fight these, be they duodenal or gastric. ulcers. 3: Ate too much MSG or feelin' a megrim, or one of these, comin' on? Beta-blocker, shmeta-blocker! Try Dr. Alex' Head Cream!. migraine. 4: For this inherited trait in men, sure, you can use Propecia--or my amazing new "Trebektophan". baldness. 5: Step right up!I got me an "L" of an ointment for the chronic lower back pain known as this 7-letter malady. lumbago. Round 2. Category: VAcation Spots. With V in quotes 1: A town 14 miles southwest of Paris developed around this 17th century palace that tourists flock to. Versailles. 2: Covering only 44 hectares, this country is found on the west bank of the Tiber River. Vatican City. 3: Ferdinand III made this city his royal residence in 1248, maybe to be near his barber. Seville. 4: The Trapp Family Lodge in Stowe in this state welcome skiers as well as superfans of "The Sound of Music". Vermont. 5: Brothers of the Sword merged with the Teutonic Knights and conquered this Baltic nation in the 13th century. Latvia. Round 3. Category: 5 Guys Named Moe 1: Last name of Moe of the Three Stooges. Howard (real name Moses Horvitz). 2: Moe Strauss founded this auto parts chain along with Manny Rosenfield and Jack Jackson. Pep Boys. 3: Major league catcher Moe Berg was also a WWII spy for this agency, precursor of the CIA. OSS (Office of Strategic Services). 4: Term for the type of country music Moe Bandy plays, the clubs where he began, or the "Queen" he sang of in 1981. Honky Tonk. 5: This "Kool" rapper's album "How Ya Like Me Now" began a rivalry with LL Cool J. Kool Moe Dee. Round 4. Category: Cable Dramas 1: Please refer to this actor as "Boss", his title role on a Chicago-set drama. Kelsey Grammer. 2: Denis Leary has to deal with fires and ghosts as Tommy Gavin on this show. Rescue Me. 3: CIA officer Claire Danes suspects that a U.S. marine sergeant is working for al Qaeda on this Showtime drama. Homeland. 4: Starz entered the arena with an ultra-bloody take on this character once played by Kirk Douglas. Spartacus. 5: The Starz series about this title swordsman has subtitles like "Blood and Sand" and "Gods of the Arena". Spartacus. Round 5. Category: The Lost World. With World in quotation marks 1: The American League's Boston Pilgrims won the first of these in 1903. World Series. 2: This NYC complex is noted for its huge twin towers of 110 stories each. World Trade Center. 3: Peter Jennings hosts this show on ABC. World News Tonight. 4: Abbreviated the WTO, it promotes and enforces international commerce laws. World Trade Organization. 5: A giant panda is the symbol of this international organization. the World Wildlife Fund. Thanks for listening! Come back tomorrow for more exciting trivia!Special thanks to https://blog.feedspot.com/trivia_podcasts/ AI Voices used

Today is the first day of Women's History Month, Bea Franklin—a 99-year-old beacon of positivity with an infectious philosophy on life, love, and aging. We talk about Bea's remarkable story, from her roots in Philadelphia and New York to her lifelong love affair with classical music. She'll share with us the extraordinary tales of her husband, a World War II war photographer, and the magic behind their swift marriage that defied her mother's expectations. Our conversation with Bea unveils the complexities of family dynamics, the art of maintaining relationships, and the timeless wisdom that comes with nearly a century of experiences. Bea's perspective on happiness, conflict resolution, and forgiveness will surely inspire you to look at your own relationships with a kinder lens. Plus, we'll hear fascinating anecdotes about her blue-and-brown eyes, brushes with historical figures, and the richness of her family's history from Russia to America. Reena, is motivated to reconnect with her own father after our heartwarming discussion, while Wayne, her dad, draws parallels to his Jewish heritage and the value of meaningful connections. As Bea recounts her contentment and hopes for the future, we're reminded that positivity and forgiveness are her true legacies. So join us, grab your headphones, and prepare to be charmed by our 'Queen Bea' Bea Franklin as she reveals the secrets to a happy life and the realization of the American dream. It's an episode you won't want to miss! Now, let's get talking.   99 Year 'Young" Daughter of the Pep Boys 'Jack" & breast and colon cancer survivor shares secrets to still living a fulfilling life. Nonagenarian (younger than 100) Bea is also heterochromatic: has one blue eye and one brown eye a trait found in less than 200,000 US humans. Former school librarian, married to Corporal Jerry Franklin for 51 years, they met Nov. 4th 1945 and eloped Nov. 30th, 1945. Bea is an example  of living life to the fullest, world traveller, theatre-goer, big dog owner and frequents upscale NYC and US restaurants. And in an age where having a landline phone is a rarity this golden treasure has the same phone # since 1958.   The iconic Pep Boys brand & logo has been in existence since 1921 . . . Even Saturday Night Live had a Pep Boys skit : https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cNvEWxbLSEA    Bea Strauss Franklin's  Dad "Jack" of the Pep Boys (Moe was his brother) later came to NYC & formed another automotive chain of stores : Strauss Stores.   Connect with Reena bettercalldaddy.com linkedin.com/in/reenafriedmanwatts twitter.com/reenareena instagram.com/reenafriedmanwatts instagram.com/bettercalldaddypodcast Me and my dad would love to hear from you, Drop us a review, reviews help more people find the show, and let us know what you like and what you'd like us to change, Please share the show with one friend who you think would be helped by the show  ratethispodcast.com/bettercalldaddy podchaser.com/bettercalldaddy   Castmagic is the AI tool I use for show notes and podcast title ideas, it has helped save me tons of time. I talked about it in this episode.  Please use my affiliate link if you sign up. https://get.castmagic.io/bettercalldaddy Are you a popular podcaster or a rising influencer? Or do you have a great idea for an online business? Then you should know that every great website starts with an awesome domain name. Namecheap offers hundreds of domain extensions, from the traditional dot com to creative extensions for podcasters like dot fm, dot live, or dot space.   Namecheap is the world's 2nd largest domain registrar, with nearly 17 million domains under management and a top web service provider for everything you need to launch an amazing website. Namecheap offers hundreds of domain extensions from the traditional .com to creative extensions like .fm, .live or .space  Namecheap is offering Better Call Daddy listeners 20% off any non-premium domain name for its first year of registration with the code REENA20. The offer cannot be combined with any existing sales but can override any current sale if its discount is less than 20%. The code is valid for all new and existing Namecheap customers. You can register up to 10 domains per account with this code.    To get a domain name with a 20% discount (including .com and 455 other extensions). Go to namecheap.com , search for your desired domain, and use the code REENA20 at checkout.     

In this episode, I welcome back to the podcast  Sophie Abrahamsson, President of Americas @ Bambuser.  With Sophie is Julian Guevara, Senior Vice President of Direct to Consumer with What Goes Around Comes Around.  I had the opportunity to visit Julian's store in SoHo recently and was super impressed by the business, their live-streaming studio and the team behind this innovative retailer.  One quick note: I had a mic gremlin early in the interview with Shopie's mic, but I resolved it quickly for the majority of our time together. Let's listen in now!Thanks to Stream Commerce for their support in making this episode happen. About SophieEducation: Bachelors Degree in Media & Communications from Università degli Studi di Firenze.Experience:  +10yr of international experience from e-commerce and marketing within retail. Marketing manager for LUISAVIAROMA, Head of Digital for & Other Stories and various business development positions at H&M group. About KentI help innovative digital companies tell their story and build relationships with prospective and established clients and partners. I've spent the last twenty years providing market analysis, research & thought leadership, market development and consulting services within the ecommerce technology and digital marketing community.Current focus: Globalization via cross-border ecommerce, marketplaces and international retail expansion. Co-founded the Global eCommerce Leaders Forum to foster community among and provide education to digital professionals with international growth objectives.My 20+ years of experience in the digital commerce and marketing industry and strong personal connections have provided me with opportunities to stay ahead of the curve and explore "what's next" for my clients and our audiences.My research, content marketing & thought leadership skills coupled with my strong client interface skills allow me to define & execute next-generation marketing and commerce strategies & improve business performance. Specialties/Skills: Market Research, Communications, Strategy, Planning, Best Practices, Trend, Data and Competitive Analysis, Public Speaking, Writing and ExpressionAbout JimJim Okamura is Partner with McMillan Doolittle - The Retail Experts. Jim has more than 25 years of consulting experience focused on the retail industry, including 20+ years in digital transformation strategies for retailers, brands and retail-related companies. Specializations include cross-border & global ecommerce and organization design for digital transformations. Through our global alliance, Ebeltoft Group, we have deep retail expertise in more than 20 countries.Clients include Wahl Clipper, Gap, adidas, Hunter Fan, Bassett Furniture, Giant Eagle, Federated Coop, Harley-Davidson, Baccarat, DSW, Tractor Supply Co., MasterCard, Verizon Wireless, Neiman Marcus, Navy Exchange, Lands' End, Microsoft, The Body Shop International, L Brands, Timberland, Media Markt, Lowe's Companies, Pep Boys, Crate and Barrel, Loyalty One, VISA, and Cadillac Fairview.Jim is a Co-founder of the Global E-Commerce Leaders Forum, a community and conference series focused on global and cross-border ecommerce. Digital Retail Globalization, such as riding China's ecommerce growth wave, is important for brands, retailers and distribution partners of all sizes.Michael LeBlanc  is the Founder & President of M.E. LeBlanc & Company Inc and a Senior Advisor to Retail Council of Canada as part of his advisory and consulting practice.   He brings 25+ years of brand/retail/marketing & eCommerce leadership experience, and has been on the front lines of retail industry change for his entire career.  Michael is the producer and host of a network of leading podcasts including Canada's top retail industry podcast,       The Voice of Retail, plus  Global eCommerce Leaders podcast, and The Food Professor  with Dr. Sylvain Charlebois.    You can learn more about Michael   here  or on     LinkedIn. Be sure and check out Michael's latest venture for fun and influencer riches - Last Request Barbecue,  his YouTube BBQ cooking channel!

Greetings and welcome to Season Three of the Global eCommerce Leaders #podcast, picking up from the New York edition of the Global eCommerce Leaders Forum, where I met and chatted with some of the most interesting global commerce leaders in the world live in person in the Stream Commerce podcast studio, gathered as part of the thriving GELF community.This season is brought to you by Stream Commerce, a full-service consultancy that ideates, strategizes, and executes growth marketing solutions for our clients. They partner with people and brands they believe in to create websites that are deeply committed to the user experience and drive omnichannel digital transformation. As the world changes, they listen, and they deliver world-class e-commerce websites on Shopify Plus.In this episode kicking us off for our third season, GELF co-founders Kent Allen and Jim Okamura take us through what they heard on the stage and in the hallways of GELF NYC 2023 and get us ready for GELF LA, February 22, 2024.  About KentI help innovative digital companies tell their story and build relationships with prospective and established clients and partners. I've spent the last twenty years providing market analysis, research & thought leadership, market development and consulting services within the ecommerce technology and digital marketing community.Current focus: Globalization via cross-border ecommerce, marketplaces and international retail expansion. Co-founded the Global eCommerce Leaders Forum to foster community among and provide education to digital professionals with international growth objectives.My 20+ years of experience in the digital commerce and marketing industry and strong personal connections have provided me with opportunities to stay ahead of the curve and explore "what's next" for my clients and our audiences.My research, content marketing & thought leadership skills coupled with my strong client interface skills allow me to define & execute next-generation marketing and commerce strategies & improve business performance. Specialties/Skills: Market Research, Communications, Strategy, Planning, Best Practices, Trend, Data and Competitive Analysis, Public Speaking, Writing and ExpressionAbout JimJim Okamura is Partner with McMillan Doolittle - The Retail Experts. Jim has more than 25 years of consulting experience focused on the retail industry, including 20+ years in digital transformation strategies for retailers, brands and retail-related companies. Specializations include cross-border & global ecommerce and organization design for digital transformations. Through our global alliance, Ebeltoft Group, we have deep retail expertise in more than 20 countries.Clients include Wahl Clipper, Gap, adidas, Hunter Fan, Bassett Furniture, Giant Eagle, Federated Coop, Harley-Davidson, Baccarat, DSW, Tractor Supply Co., MasterCard, Verizon Wireless, Neiman Marcus, Navy Exchange, Lands' End, Microsoft, The Body Shop International, L Brands, Timberland, Media Markt, Lowe's Companies, Pep Boys, Crate and Barrel, Loyalty One, VISA, and Cadillac Fairview.Jim is a Co-founder of the Global E-Commerce Leaders Forum, a community and conference series focused on global and cross-border ecommerce. Digital Retail Globalization, such as riding China's ecommerce growth wave, is important for brands, retailers and distribution partners of all sizes.Michael LeBlanc  is the Founder & President of M.E. LeBlanc & Company Inc and a Senior Advisor to Retail Council of Canada as part of his advisory and consulting practice.   He brings 25+ years of brand/retail/marketing & eCommerce leadership experience, and has been on the front lines of retail industry change for his entire career.  Michael is the producer and host of a network of leading podcasts including Canada's top retail industry podcast,       The Voice of Retail, plus  Global eCommerce Leaders podcast, and The Food Professor  with Dr. Sylvain Charlebois.    You can learn more about Michael   here  or on     LinkedIn. Be sure and check out Michael's latest venture for fun and influencer riches - Last Request Barbecue,  his YouTube BBQ cooking channel!

#NHRA #DragRacing #ReadingNats Doug Kalitta and Robert Hight join WFO after winning the Pep Boys NHRA Nationals. Doug Kalitta earned his 50th career NHRA win at Maple Grove Raceway with a victory over Steve Torrence in the Top Fuel final round. Doug was in a back up car after a qualifying incident, Robert Hight earned a victory in race 1 of the NHRA playoff system known as "The Countdown". Robert defeated Chad Green in the Funny Car final to give his John Force Racing team the NHRA points lead after race 1 of the playoffs. Both guests will look ahead to the Betway Carolina Nationals at zMAX Dragway. Interviews on WFO Radio have become part of winning for drivers in the NHRA #DragRacing Series. Host Joe Castello has over 30 years in drag racing, and it shows. As part of the National Hot Rod Association's Track Announcing team, Castello brings insights directly from the world of professional NHRA Camping World and Lucas Oil Series Drag Racing. NHRA results and news are featured in weekly livestreams, NHRA's Alan Reinhart and other NHRA stars including John Force, Ron Capps, Antron Brown, Steve Torrence, Greg Anderson, and Erica Enders all make frequent stops on the WFO Radio Podcast. MERCH: https://www.teepublic.com/stores/wfo-radio?ref_id=24678 PATREON: https://www.patreon.com/WFORadio APPLE: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/wfo-radio-podcast/id449870843?ls=1 SPOTIFY: https://open.spotify.com/show/0oo5mn0E3VmfhRCTHyLQIS GOOGLE: https://podcasts.google.com/feed/aHR0cDovL2ZlZWRzLmZlZWRidXJuZXIuY29tL1dmb1JhZGlv Free Mobile App: https://wforadio.com/m/

#NHRA #DragRacing #MapleGrove The NHRA Countdown is on! Alan Reinhart and Joe Castello recap Maple Grove Raceway with a visit from Pro Stock and Pro Stock Motorcycle winners, Matt Hartford and Matt Smith. Joe and Alan will also discuss Doug Kalitta's 50th career Top Fuel win, Robert Hight's dominant Funny Car win, and Matt Hartford's determined Pro Stock win after emergency surgery and an emergency Saturday night test session. The guys will look ahead to race 2 of the NHRA playoffs, the Betway Carolina NHRA Nationals at zMAX Dragway. Follow along with WFO Radio... Interviews on WFO Radio have become part of winning for drivers in the NHRA #DragRacing Series. Host Joe Castello has over 30 years in drag racing, and it shows. As part of the National Hot Rod Association's Track Announcing team, Castello brings insights directly from the world of professional NHRA Camping World and Lucas Oil Series Drag Racing. NHRA results and news are featured in weekly livestreams, NHRA's Alan Reinhart and other NHRA stars including John Force, Ron Capps, Antron Brown, Steve Torrence, Greg Anderson, and Erica Enders all make frequent stops on the WFO Radio Podcast. MERCH: https://www.teepublic.com/stores/wfo-radio?ref_id=24678 PATREON: https://www.patreon.com/WFORadio APPLE: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/wfo-radio-podcast/id449870843?ls=1 SPOTIFY: https://open.spotify.com/show/0oo5mn0E3VmfhRCTHyLQIS GOOGLE: https://podcasts.google.com/feed/aHR0cDovL2ZlZWRzLmZlZWRidXJuZXIuY29tL1dmb1JhZGlv Free Mobile App: https://wforadio.com/m/

On Thursday October 12th, the Global Ecommerce Leaders Forum (GELF) community will be back in New York City live and in-person for another full day of learning, sharing and networking. Join global ecommerce leaders from leading DTC and retail brands for keynotes, breakout sessions, peer/executive discussions/meetups and networking as we return to Convene Midtown Westin October! In this episode, GELF co-founders Kent Allen and Jim Okamura give us an exclusive preview of the fantastic speakers and thought leadership that is part of the agenda for the GELF NYC 2023 forum.  I'll be there in the StreamCommerce podcasting studio chatting with the key industry players that bring this community alive!Are you a retail ecommerce leader interested in speaking at GELF NYC 2023 on Thursday, October 12th? If so, please contact the GELF producers by emailing speak@globalecommerce.coAs always, GELF NYC 2023 is a retailer/DTC brand-only, sponsor-only event. If you are a cross-border solution provider, an ecommerce platform or marketplace operator, software company, agency, data aggregator, logistics provider or other global ecommerce solution or service provider interested in sponsoring and attending GELF NYC '23, we would love to have you join us as a sponsor. Please contact sponsor@globalecommerce.co About KentI help innovative digital companies tell their story and build relationships with prospective and established clients and partners. I've spent the last twenty years providing market analysis, research & thought leadership, market development and consulting services within the ecommerce technology and digital marketing community.Current focus: Globalization via cross-border ecommerce, marketplaces and international retail expansion. Co-founded the Global eCommerce Leaders Forum to foster community among and provide education to digital professionals with international growth objectives.My 20+ years of experience in the digital commerce and marketing industry and strong personal connections have provided me with opportunities to stay ahead of the curve and explore "what's next" for my clients and our audiences.My research, content marketing & thought leadership skills coupled with my strong client interface skills allow me to define & execute next-generation marketing and commerce strategies & improve business performance. Specialties/Skills: Market Research, Communications, Strategy, Planning, Best Practices, Trend, Data and Competitive Analysis, Public Speaking, Writing and ExpressionAbout JimJim Okamura is Partner with McMillan Doolittle - The Retail Experts. Jim has more than 25 years of consulting experience focused on the retail industry, including 20+ years in digital transformation strategies for retailers, brands and retail-related companies. Specializations include cross-border & global ecommerce and organization design for digital transformations. Through our global alliance, Ebeltoft Group, we have deep retail expertise in more than 20 countries.Clients include Wahl Clipper, Gap, adidas, Hunter Fan, Bassett Furniture, Giant Eagle, Federated Coop, Harley-Davidson, Baccarat, DSW, Tractor Supply Co., MasterCard, Verizon Wireless, Neiman Marcus, Navy Exchange, Lands' End, Microsoft, The Body Shop International, L Brands, Timberland, Media Markt, Lowe's Companies, Pep Boys, Crate and Barrel, Loyalty One, VISA, and Cadillac Fairview.Jim is a Co-founder of the Global E-Commerce Leaders Forum, a community and conference series focused on global and cross-border ecommerce. Digital Retail Globalization, such as riding China's ecommerce growth wave, is important for brands, retailers and distribution partners of all sizes.Michael LeBlanc  is the Founder & President of M.E. LeBlanc & Company Inc and a Senior Advisor to Retail Council of Canada as part of his advisory and consulting practice.   He brings 25+ years of brand/retail/marketing & eCommerce leadership experience, and has been on the front lines of retail industry change for his entire career.  Michael is the producer and host of a network of leading podcasts including Canada's top retail industry podcast,       The Voice of Retail, plus  Global eCommerce Leaders podcast, and The Food Professor  with Dr. Sylvain Charlebois.    You can learn more about Michael   here  or on     LinkedIn. Be sure and check out Michael's latest venture for fun and influencer riches - Last Request Barbecue,  his YouTube BBQ cooking channel!

Bea Franklin is a shining example of a life well-lived, defying age and adversity with her infectious spirit and zest for life. As the daughter of the iconic Pep Boys' "Jack," Bea has a rich history deeply intertwined with the automotive industry. Yet her journey extends far beyond her family's business legacy.Born almost 99 years ago, Bea is a testament to resilience and vitality. She proudly carries the title of a breast cancer survivor, inspiring others with her strength and determination. Bea's longevity is matched only by her vibrant personality, and she remains a true force to be reckoned with.One of the unique features that set Bea apart is her heterochromatic eyes—she possesses one blue eye and one brown eye. This rare trait, found in less than 200,000 individuals in the United States, is just one of the many fascinating aspects of Bea's captivating persona.Having served as a school librarian in her earlier years, Bea's love for knowledge and literature is evident. However, it was her serendipitous encounter with Corporal Jerry Franklin on November 4, 1945, that would forever change her life. The couple married in a spontaneous elopement just weeks later, on November 30, 1945, and remained devoted partners for an incredible 51 years.Bea's life is a testament to living life to the fullest. She has travelled the world, explored various countries spanning over 30 nations and visited 30 states across the United States. With a passion for theatre, Bea frequents upscale New York City restaurants and delights in the vibrant energy of Broadway shows. Her love for the arts extends beyond the stage, as she cherishes her friendships with accomplished actors and actresses, often travelling to support them during their performances in touring companies throughout the United States.Despite living in an age where landline phones are rare, Bea still proudly holds onto the same phone number she obtained in 1958—a true testament to her unwavering spirit and connection to the past.Bea's father, "Jack," co-founded the iconic Pep Boys brand and logo in 1921, leaving an indelible mark on automotive history. In addition to this achievement, he went on to establish another successful chain of stores, Strauss Stores, after relocating to New York City. The family's contributions to the automotive industry are deeply rooted in Bea's personal history.Through her late husband's lens, Bea bears witness to rare World War Two photographs that capture the unfolding events of history. Corporal Jerry Franklin, a US Army photographer with the Signal Corps' 163rd Photo Company, documented the invasions throughout Europe and North Africa. His gripping images include the liberation of the Dachau concentration camp, as well as encounters with renowned figures like Franklin Roosevelt, Dwight Eisenhower, Humphrey Bogart, Mickey Rooney, and Joe E. Lewis.As an engaging storyteller, Bea recounts her humorous experience of serving lunch to a future US President with an attitude. Her home has been a hub of social gatherings, welcoming influential individuals such as a US President, legendary boxing champion and TV personality Rocky Graziano, and prominent NHL players from the New York Rangers.Bea Franklin epitomizes a life filled with adventure, resilience, and genuine connections. Her experiences and recollections offer invaluable insights into a bygone era and inspire others to embrace every moment, cherishing the memories that shape our lives. As Bea continues to share her secrets to a fulfilling life, she leaves an indelible mark on all who have the pleasure of knowing her. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

On this week's episode, Micah and Chris share about when Chris's proposal to his wife which included a trip to the tire shop, an arcade, and a minor league baseball team!?!? Find out how Call of Duty and Cheetos get people in trouble with the police. Chris and Micah also dive into some exotic food including Haggis, Grasshoppers that taste like popcorn and 100 year old eggs?!?! Find out what Mickey Mouse, Pep Boys, and Crunchy Spiders all have in common on this hot episode of the Doughnut Box Podcast!

Extraordinary 98-Year 'Young' Bea Franklin Serves As A Real-Life Witness To History!Her House-guests included a former US President + TV & Sports StarsBea Franklin is quite something. At 98 years of age (99 this June), when most people her age are quite inactive, this treasure is an oxymoron. Breast cancer survivor Bea is living, quite possibly, some of the best years of her life as she tells her extraordinary life story for anyone who'll listen. And she is quite worthy of the attention.From a 1942 rooftop concert at the Astor Hotel where she saw legendary crooner Frank Sinatra and Tommy Dorsey to her household friends that included boxing legend Rocky Graziano to being the daughter of the Founder of the automotive legend, The Pep Boys, which later morphed to the Strauss Stores. She was actually present for the iconic "Kiss" of that unknown sailor in Time Square 8 days after the two atomic bombs exploded in Hiroshima and Nagasaki (Japan) at the end of World War II. These were just some of iconic moments Bea Franklin bore witness to.*Witnessing the famous iconic "Kiss" in Time Square and how she managed to be at the right place at the right time * Her late husband of 51 years, Jerry's experiences photographing President Roosevelt and other historic dignitaries * Her famous Dad who co-founded The Pep Boys * A United States President + TV & Sports Stars who she welcomed into her home 

Hello, and welcome to the Voice of Retail podcast! My name is Michael LeBlanc, and I am your host. I believe in the power of storytelling to bring the retail industry to life. Each week, I'll bring insights, perspectives, and experiences from some of the retail industry's most innovative and influential voices.   This podcast is produced in conjunction with Retail Council of Canada.Kent Allen and Jim Okamura, co-founders of the successful Global eCommerce Leaders Forums and community, are back on the podcast sharing their expertise and providing us with a timely update on the state of cross-border and global eCommerce, including a view to China, Europe, LATAM and where retailers and brands should focus when looking for international growth.More information about the Global eCommerce Leaders Forum in LA here About KentI help innovative digital companies tell their story and build relationships with prospective and established clients and partners. I've spent the last twenty years providing market analysis, research & thought leadership, market development and consulting services within the ecommerce technology and digital marketing community.Current focus: Globalization via cross-border ecommerce, marketplaces and international retail expansion. Co-founded the Global eCommerce Leaders Forum to foster community among and provide education to digital professionals with international growth objectives.My 20+ years of experience in the digital commerce and marketing industry and strong personal connections have provided me with opportunities to stay ahead of the curve and explore "what's next" for my clients and our audiences.My research, content marketing & thought leadership skills coupled with my strong client interface skills allow me to define & execute next-generation marketing and commerce strategies & improve business performance. Specialties/Skills: Market Research, Communications, Strategy, Planning, Best Practices, Trend, Data and Competitive Analysis, Public Speaking, Writing and ExpressionAbout JimJim Okamura is Partner with McMillan Doolittle - The Retail Experts. Jim has more than 25 years of consulting experience focused on the retail industry, including 20+ years in digital transformation strategies for retailers, brands and retail-related companies. Specializations include cross-border & global ecommerce and organization design for digital transformations. Through our global alliance, Ebeltoft Group, we have deep retail expertise in more than 20 countries.Clients include Wahl Clipper, Gap, adidas, Hunter Fan, Bassett Furniture, Giant Eagle, Federated Coop, Harley-Davidson, Baccarat, DSW, Tractor Supply Co., MasterCard, Verizon Wireless, Neiman Marcus, Navy Exchange, Lands' End, Microsoft, The Body Shop International, L Brands, Timberland, Media Markt, Lowe's Companies, Pep Boys, Crate and Barrel, Loyalty One, VISA, and Cadillac Fairview.Jim is a Co-founder of the Global E-Commerce Leaders Forum, a community and conference series focused on global and cross-border ecommerce. Digital Retail Globalization, such as riding China's ecommerce growth wave, is important for brands, retailers and distribution partners of all sizes. About MichaelMichael is the Founder & President of M.E. LeBlanc & Company Inc. and a Senior Advisor to Retail Council of Canada and the Bank of Canada as part of his advisory and consulting practice. He brings 25+ years of brand/retail/marketing & eCommerce leadership experience with Levi's, Black & Decker, Hudson's Bay, Today's Shopping Choice and Pandora Jewellery.   Michael has been on the front lines of retail industry change for his entire career. He has delivered keynotes, hosted fire-side discussions with C-level executives and participated worldwide in thought leadership panels. ReThink Retail has added Michael to their prestigious Top Global Retail Influencers list for 2023 for the third year in a row. Michael is also the president of Maven Media, producing a network of leading trade podcasts, including Canada's top retail industry podcast, The Voice of Retail. He produces and co-hosts Remarkable Retail with best-selling author Steve Dennis, now ranked one of the top retail podcasts in the world. Based in New York, Conversations with CommerceNext is a podcast focusing on retail eCommerce, digital marketing and retail careers with episodes talking with C-level executives operating in the U.S. and internationally. Based in San Francisco, Global eCommerce Leaders podcast explores global cross-border issues and opportunities for eCommerce brands and retailers. Last but not least, Michael is the producer and host of the "Last Request Barbeque" channel on YouTube, where he cooks meals to die for - and collaborates with top brands as a food and product influencer across North America.

On tonight's edition of the Other Side of Midnight: Frank begins by talking about Ukrainian President Zelensky wearing a sweatshirt as he gave his speech to the U.S. Congress and then speaks to Bea Franklin, the 98 year old widow of a WWII Army photographer and the daughter of Pep Boys' Founder, Jack about tips for living a fulfilling life. Then, Frank talks about a study that says that parents who have at least one son experience a quicker cognitive decline and also goes to the mail. Not long after that, Frank talks about Republican Senator of Utah, Mike Lee pushing for a law to ban pornography and after, Frank takes a walk on the boardwalk with Mayor Beth Maccagnano-Holtzman, the Mayor of Ventnor, NJ and this year's Honoree as “Woman of the Year” at New Year's Eve Eve for the AC Report. Later, Frank takes calls on charities that people give to and then Brian Kilmeade, New York Times best-selling author, co-host of Fox and Friends on Fox News and a radio talk show host heard every morning from 10am-Noon on 77WABC joins Frank to talk about the news of the day. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Frank Morano interviews Bea Franklin, the 98 year Old Widow of a WWII Army photographer and the daughter of Pep Boys' Founder, Jack about tips for living a fulfilling life.   Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Robert Hight, Erica Enders, Austin Prock, and Joey Gladstone discuss winning race 1 of the 2022 NHRA Countdown at Maple Grove Raceway following the Pep Boys NHRA Nationals. NHRA's Alan Reinhart joins Joe Castello debrief after the historic first race of the Koretsky era at Maple Grove. The guys look ahead to race 2 of the NHRA playoffs, the Betway Carolina Nationals at zMAX Dragway. Tim Wilkerson discusses the teams that helped him make it to the final in a special bonus interview. Interviews on WFO Radio have become part of winning for drivers in the NHRA #DragRacing Series. Host Joe Castello has over 30 years in drag racing, and it shows. As part of the National Hot Rod Association's Track Announcing team, Castello brings insights directly from the world of professional NHRA Camping World and Lucas Oil Series Drag Racing. NHRA results and news are featured in weekly livestreams, NHRA's Alan Reinhart and other NHRA stars including John Force, Ron Capps, Antron Brown, Steve Torrence, Greg Anderson, and Erica Enders all make frequent stops on the WFO Radio Podcast. Website: WFORadio.com Apple: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/wfo-radio-podcast/id449870843?ls=1 Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/0oo5mn0E3VmfhRCTHyLQIS Google: https://podcasts.google.com/feed/aHR0cDovL2ZlZWRzLmZlZWRidXJuZXIuY29tL1dmb1JhZGlv Free Mobile App: https://wforadio.com/m/

Get ready for the NHRA Playoffs! U.S. Nationals winner, Matt Smith, joins Alan Reinhart and Joe Castello to talk about his second Indy win and preview the 2022 NHRA Countdown. Alan and Joe will look ahead to the 6 race trial that will determine the 2022 NHRA Camping World Drag Racing Series Champions. The guys will also preview the return to Maple Grove Raceway with Kyle Koretsky, now owned by the Koretsky family, AKA "The House of Chaos". Interviews on WFO Radio have become part of winning for drivers in the NHRA #DragRacing Series. Host Joe Castello has over 30 years in drag racing, and it shows. As part of the National Hot Rod Association's Track Announcing team, Castello brings insights directly from the world of professional NHRA Camping World and Lucas Oil Series Drag Racing. NHRA results and news are featured in weekly livestreams, NHRA's Alan Reinhart and other NHRA stars including John Force, Ron Capps, Antron Brown, Steve Torrence, Greg Anderson, and Erica Enders all make frequent stops on the WFO Radio Podcast. Website: WFORadio.com Apple: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/wfo-radio-podcast/id449870843?ls=1 Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/0oo5mn0E3VmfhRCTHyLQIS Google: https://podcasts.google.com/feed/aHR0cDovL2ZlZWRzLmZlZWRidXJuZXIuY29tL1dmb1JhZGlv Free Mobile App: https://wforadio.com/m/

Greek Week is back and this time it's a double feature! Josh is telling Derek the familiar and not so familiar story of King Midas and following it up with the tale of Asclepius, the Greek God of Medicine.  If you're wondering how they are connected, well it's mostly that Apollo kind of sucks.

Ryan Kugler was the President and Co-Owner of DVA, Inc, one of the nation's largest distributors of excess inventory. Ryan was born in Chicago, Illinois and moved to Los Angeles shortly thereafter. Right from the start, Ryan took a strong interest in film and everything surrounding the medium. At the age of 13, Ryan made his way onto several studio lots with the intent of soaking it all up. On one particular day, Ryan found himself at Paramount and stumbled onto the set of the hit TV show, Cheers. He soon met the entire cast. When asked by Ted Danson about his interest in TV and films, Ryan replied, “I want to be a Director.” It was then that Mr. Danson made him an offer too good to pass up. Ryan was to write and direct his own short-movie in which Mr. Danson and several other Cheers cast members would appear. Several months later, Ryan made good. He directed his first short film, “The Question,” right there on the Paramount Lot, starring none other than Ted Danson, Kirsty Alley, Woody Harrelson and George Wendt. Soon thereafter, Ryan began working for DVA, Inc. on his summer breaks, and when he completed his schooling, he relocated to Florida to work full-time in the sales division at DVA, Inc. After learning the ropes, he soon moved up to Buyer, and eventually followed that by getting promoted to VP of Purchasing. With his unique blend of creative intuition and operational strength, as well as his exceptional skills in sales, Ryan founded the Closeout Division of DVA, Inc., making DVA, Inc. the largest buyer of closeouts in the Entertainment industry — and selling to the largest retailers across the United States. In 1998, Ryan opened up offices in Los Angeles to specifically serve the Movie Studios, Music Labels, and Game Publishers. Since then, he has developed relationships with all of the major studios, labels and publishers, helping them with their inventory issues that arise as well as servicing over 350 retail accounts with 25,000 storefronts. With an account base of over 350 companies, including such retailers as Best Buy, Target, Sear/Kmart, Pep Boys, Staples and more, Ryan has built and grown the Division to 30+ employees, selling over 20 million units per year and generating $20+ million in annual sales. As a public face for the entertainment industry as well as the overstock world, Ryan routinely appears on both National TV and in print. He has appeared on the CBS Early Show, ABC7 News in Los Angeles, and on the KTLA Prime Time News. Ryan has also been featured in Entrepreneur Magazine, the Washington Post, the Los Angeles Times, the Los Angeles Business Journal, Moviemaker Magazine and the New York Times. Ryan has continually lent his voice and vast knowledge of the entertainment industry to conferences and seminars as well as to students. Most recently, Ryan spoke to postgraduates at the Peter F. Drucker & Masotoshi Ito Graduate School of Management at Claremont Graduate University. He also spoke to current students at Art Center College of Design. In addition to speaking at seminars and conferences, Ryan also hosts film seminars which provide practical, real-world advice to filmmakers, actors, producers and anyone else who wants to succeed in the movie production and distribution industry. Ryan recently completed work co-authoring a book with best-selling author Eric Sherman, detailing the ins and outs of film distribution business. As ever, Ryan remains very busy with all of these endeavors, while also fulfilling his desire to help the community. He is the Executive Director of the Say No to Drugs Race for twelve years running, and serves on the Toluca Lake city council. When asked what he considers his greatest strength, Ryan responded with a few key principles, saying: “Be nice to everyone, always return phone calls, and stay in communication with everyone. Try your hardest to make anything happen.” In 2014, Ryan created three new companies: A5 Events, Ideal Content and Plan B Distribution. Connect with Jon Dwoskin: Twitter: @jdwoskin Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/jonathan.dwoskin Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/thejondwoskinexperience/ Website: https://jondwoskin.com/LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/jondwoskin/ Email: jon@jondwoskin.com Get Jon's Book: The Think Big Movement: Grow your business big. Very Big!   Connect with Ryan Kugler: Website: aplanb.com Twitter: https://www.twitter.com/ryanjkugler LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/feed/?trk=homepage-basic_signin-form_submit Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/myidealcontent

After taking our enemies to task on the previous episode, we're trying to focus on the positive this time. Yes, all of the news stories are bad, but have you SEEN some of this streaming content??? Notes: alt-ventriloquists, primeval lesbian current, The Creamster, The Immaculate MILF, Beavis and Butt-head Gaiden, sleight of tongue, PIZZA HUT HAS GONE WOKE, patching madness, Pep Boys podcast, Garfield's Nightmare promise ring, Taco Bell austerity, Dark Tower pizza lottery, floating punches, Yew Nork, Kraven the MILFHunter, Moritori Rex, M&M Anxiety, Halo moves, The Professor, Funko to Fascist Pipeline

From breakdancing to deejaying to producing music, DJ Chino does it all. He has roots in Orlando, but that's not where it all began. DJ Chino, a.k.a. Valdemar Crame, was born in the Philippines before moving to Maui when he was 7 years old. Five years later he was on the move again, this time to Florida. It was in Orlando where his parents found good job opportunities and decided to move their family. Chino found a love for dancing during his teen years. “Being Filippino and breakdancing they go together” he said. He recalled making a dance group called Mind 180 with his brother Chet. “He was one of the best breakdancers in the city and we went to dance battles with like 20-30 dancers and it was a lot of fun”, Chino said. Although dancing was fun, Chino found himself focusing on the music. Often the flow in the club didn't fit what a dancer was looking for. So he decided to change that. “I said, ‘You know, what I'm gonna do? I'm gonna DJ for my group,'” he said. Now, almost two decades in the music scene, the name DJ Chino is a staple. From throwing parties and learning from others, Chino said it was a lot of work. “I really needed to learn from the best on the scene and at the time DJ Cesar, DJ Nasty, DJ Khaled, and DJ Prostyle, a lot of these guys that are now legends in the city helped me”, he said. Known as the turntable dragon DJ Chino found himself at 102 JAMZ, a popular hip-hop and R&B station that coined Orlando “Jamlando”. “They opened a lot of doors so I'm forever grateful to those guys for showing me the business, and now, you know, 20 years later, I'm still doing what I love,” Chino said. Still on the scene, Chino does more than just local sets. Now he travels all over and is even sponsored by Pep Boys, traveling to throw corporate parties. Aside from deejaying, Chino has been producing music since 2000. While doing that Chino kept remixing songs for his mix shows and landed a few official remixes for Atlantic Records. “It wasn't until 2018 when I started our electronic group Breikthru that we got our song ‘Brick by Brick' signed with Brooklyn Fire Records,” Chino said. That led to signing the electronic hit “Find Me” with Don Diablo's label Hexagon. “If you want to be a DJ, you love music, it's a perfect job for you. You know, because as long as you love music, you will always make it to your finish line,” Chino said. “This Deejaying is actually about music more than it is a paycheck and I came into it because I love to DJ and I love music. All that other stuff will come along with it.”

Bill is one of those guys you can say is on top of his game. Entrepreneurs seek him out to be behind the scenes to solve problems, act as a sounding board, mediate disputes, and address issues in front of the c-suite. He utilizes his strong marketing background, to facilitate growth, sales, and marketing strategy and incorporate measures to ensure revenue generation, cost reduction, and risk mitigation for his clients. As he states... I help business owners, successful business owners, scale their business, bring in the right players, mostly around marketing a lot of businesses that are trying to scale. They have a hard time finding the right marketing partners to help that without hiring full-time staff. And that's not always the best solution.How were you able to cultivate all your key relationships over your career? How did you figure out the key to that success? A lot of it starts with people like Glenn and networking with Glenn. Networking with other people in our group, mastermind groups being open, being at conferences, just being open to have these conversations with people and learn and not shut down. You really open up your experiences when you talk to people in other industries.What was that "a-ha moment" you had to become an entrepreneur? I hired a supplier once and we worked very closely together to build a loyalty program for Gap, Banana Republic and Old Navy. And I liked his life. I liked what I saw. He was out signing deals. He was traveling all around. He was doing some entertaining. He was capturing business and enjoying that life. And I thought I'm never going to have that in the corporate world.And what's great about being an entrepreneur is that you can do it your own way! Everything I do in life, I run more in a corporate manner. But I like the freedom of the entrepreneur, so I'm kind of a hybrid.When you come from the corporate world and transition into an entrepreneur, it's natural to keep that life in the rearview mirror, for a time. But as Bill says, that crutch goes away. I think the corporate background probably is a hindrance because it's a crutch. I always think, Oh, I can always go back. I don't anymore. I've been out so long. But for the first seven, eight, nine years I kept thinking, "Man, it'd be nice to have a paycheck every week. Man, it'd be nice just to talk to people at the water cooler and not work as hard as I'm out here working." I'm probably not employable because I would drive people insane with "Let's get something done now."How important is self-awareness of who you are and what you are doing? You have to have a continual analysis of yourself and where you're going. Because once someone goes on the entrepreneurial journey, they don't really know where they're going to end up. But if you're too focused on where you're going to end up, it could end badly. And some of my business does not end up where I wanted them to go. But because I had a bigger awareness of myself, I knew where I wanted to take myself. So where I'm at today is perfect.What would you advise fellow entrepreneurs that are struggling, perhaps or trying to get to the next level? Rely on your network and ask a lot of questions. When I look back, there were quite a few times I'd ask and listen to the answers that they give you. Be around people that have already been in your shoes that can give you that advice.I'm a trusted advisor and servant leader that works behind the scenes to focus the entrepreneur's time, energy and productivity to the 20% effort that gets 80% of the identified company goals. After 15+ years of experience in Fortune 500 companies, 12 of which were in executive marketing roles, I struck out buying businesses and executing rebranding, turnaround, and growth strategies. During my corporate career, I was a key influencer in revenue growth at retail and financial services companies, including GE Money, Victoria's Secret, Old Navy, Pep Boys, Gap, Banana Republic, Alliance Data Systems,

Recap the Circle K 4-Wide NHRA Nationals from zMAX Dragway with Alan Reinhart and Joe Castello. The guys talk about John Force's amazing 155th Funny Car victory, Mike Salinas winning Top Fuel with Pep Boys in the house, and Steve Johnson's back to back victories after his very confident WFO appearance. Plus, Chris Thorne is two for two in Fuel Tech Pro Modified. Joe and Alan will also dive into the Lucas Oil Series winners, Constant Aviation Factory Stock Showdown, and the behind the scenes details of the race weekend in Charlotte, NC. Plus, Mark Jones joins to discuss his Vortech Superchargers Top Dragster win at the final Spring Nationals at Houston Raceway! Interviews on WFO Radio have become part of winning for drivers in the NHRA Drag Racing Series. Host Joe Castello, has over 30 years in drag racing an it shows. As part of the National Hot Rod Association, Track Announcing team, Castello brings insights directly from the world of professional NHRA Camping World and Lucas Oil Series Drag Racing. NHRA results and news are featured in weekly livestreams, NHRA's Alan Reinhart and other NHRA stars including John Force, Ron Capps, Antron Brown, Steve Torrence, Greg Anderson, and Erica Enders all make frequent stops on the WFO Radio Podcast.. Website: WFORadio.com Audio Podcast: Apple https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/wfo-radio-podcast/id449870843?ls=1 Spotify https://open.spotify.com/show/0oo5mn0E3VmfhRCTHyLQIS Google https://podcasts.google.com/feed/aHR0cDovL2ZlZWRzLmZlZWRidXJuZXIuY29tL1dmb1JhZGlv Free Mobile App: https://wforadio.com/m/ WFO Merch: https://wforadio.com/wfo-store/

In this special episode GELF Co-Founders Kent Allen and Jim Okamura take us through a recap of the GELF event held recently in 2022. If you liked this podcast, you can follow us on Apple iTunes, Spotify, Amazon music podcast channel or your favorite podcast platform, please rate and review with a five star rating and be sure and recommend to a friend or colleague in the retail and cross-borders commerce industry.I'm Michael LeBlanc, Founder and President of M.E. LeBlanc and Company Inc. and you can learn more about me on LinkedIn, and you can learn more about the Global E-Commerce Leaders Forum and continue to keep up with the latest on cross-border commerce online at https://www.globalecommerceleadersforum.com/Safe travels everyonePhoto by Jonathan Gonzalez on UnsplashAbout Us Kent AllenI help innovative digital companies tell their story and build relationships with prospective and established clients and partners. I've spent the last twenty years providing market analysis, research & thought leadership, market development and consulting services within the ecommerce technology and digital marketing community.Current focus: Globalization via cross-border ecommerce, marketplaces and international retail expansion. Co-founded the Global eCommerce Leaders Forum to foster community among and provide education to digital professionals with international growth objectives.My 20+ years of experience in the digital commerce and marketing industry and strong personal connections have provided me with opportunities to stay ahead of the curve and explore "what's next" for my clients and our audiences.My research, content marketing & thought leadership skills coupled with my strong client interface skills allow me to define & execute next-generation marketing and commerce strategies & improve business performance.Specialties/Skills: Market Research, Communications, Strategy, Planning, Best Practices, Trend, Data and Competitive Analysis, Public Speaking, Writing and Expression Jim OkamuraJim Okamura is Partner with McMillan Doolittle - The Retail Experts. Jim has more than 25 years of consulting experience focused on the retail industry, including 20+ years in digital transformation strategies for retailers, brands and retail-related companies. Specializations include cross-border & global ecommerce and organization design for digital transformations. Through our global alliance, Ebeltoft Group, we have deep retail expertise in more than 20 countries.Clients include Wahl Clipper, Gap, adidas, Hunter Fan, Bassett Furniture, Giant Eagle, Federated Coop, Harley-Davidson, Baccarat, DSW, Tractor Supply Co., MasterCard, Verizon Wireless, Neiman Marcus, Navy Exchange, Lands' End, Microsoft, The Body Shop International, L Brands, Timberland, Media Markt, Lowe's Companies, Pep Boys, Crate and Barrel, Loyalty One, VISA, and Cadillac Fairview.Jim is a Co-founder of the Global E-Commerce Leaders Forum, a community and conference series focused on global and cross-border ecommerce. Digital Retail Globalization, such as riding China's ecommerce growth wave, is important for brands, retailers and distribution partners of all sizes. About MichaelMichael is the Founder & President of M.E. LeBlanc & Company Inc and a Senior Advisor to Retail Council of Canada as part of his advisory and consulting practice. He brings 25+ years of brand/retail/marketing & eCommerce leadership experience and has been on the front lines of retail industry change for his entire career. He has delivered keynotes, hosted fire-side discussions with C-level executives and participated on thought leadership panels worldwide.  Michael was recently added to ReThink Retail's prestigious Top 100 Global Retail Influencers for a second year in  2022. Michael is also the producer and host of a network of leading podcasts, including Canada's top retail industry podcast, The Voice of Retail, plus the Remarkable Retail with author Steve Dennis, Global E-Commerce Tech Talks and The Food Professor with Dr. Sylvain Charlebois.  Most recently, Michael launched Conversations with CommerceNext, a podcast focussed on retail eCommerce, digital marketing and retail careers - all available on Apple, Spotify, Amazon Music and all major podcast platforms.   Michael is also the producer and host of the “Last Request Barbeque” channel on YouTube where he cooks meals to die for and influencer riches.

On this episode we are joined by our friend David Zafra. Neti Pot gets a 1 star review for possibly killing someone, Pep Boys forgets to tighten the bolts on several cars, A reviewer reminisces about his crush on the Donut Shop owner's daughter, and more!

Welcome to Global eCommerce Tech Talks,  I'm your host Michael LeBlanc. Live from my podcasting studio high above the Vegas sands during Shoptalk 2022, I sit down and talk about the latest news and developments in the global eCommerce industry with two of the sharpest minds in the space.Kent Allen and Jim Okamura, consultants, advisors, industry analysts and co-founders of the Global Ecommerce Leaders Forum, are back as my special guests in-person together for an exclusive interview in my Las Vegas podcast studio.  We catch up and talk about the latest developments in global commerce, including the moves China is making internationally, the echo-boom of worldwide eCommerce and the upcoming GELF LA event on April 21, which is open to all retailers to apply to attend.If you liked this podcast you can follow us on Apple iTunes, Spotify,    Amazon music podcast channel or your favourite podcast platform, please rate and review with a five star rating and be sure and recommend to a friend or colleague in the retail and cross-borders commerce industry.I'm Michael LeBlanc, Founder and President of M.E. LeBlanc and Company Inc. and you can learn more about me on www.meleblanc.co, and you can learn more about the Global E-Commerce Leaders Forum  and continue to keep up with the latest on cross-border commerce online at https://www.globalecommerceleadersforum.com/ Kent AllenI help innovative digital companies tell their story and build relationships with prospective and established clients and partners. I've spent the last twenty years providing market analysis, research & thought leadership, market development and consulting services within the ecommerce technology and digital marketing community.Current focus: Globalization via cross-border ecommerce, marketplaces and international retail expansion. Co-founded the Global eCommerce Leaders Forum to foster community among and provide education to digital professionals with international growth objectives.My 20+ years of experience in the digital commerce and marketing industry and strong personal connections have provided me with opportunities to stay ahead of the curve and explore "what's next" for my clients and our audiences.My research, content marketing & thought leadership skills coupled with my strong client interface skills allow me to define & execute next-generation marketing and commerce strategies & improve business performance.Specialties/Skills: Market Research, Communications, Strategy, Planning, Best Practices, Trend, Data and Competitive Analysis, Public Speaking, Writing and Expression Jim OkamuraJim Okamura is Partner with McMillan Doolittle - The Retail Experts. Jim has more than 25 years of consulting experience focused on the retail industry, including 20+ years in digital transformation strategies for retailers, brands and retail-related companies. Specializations include cross-border & global ecommerce and organization design for digital transformations. Through our global alliance, Ebeltoft Group, we have deep retail expertise in more than 20 countries.Clients include Wahl Clipper, Gap, adidas, Hunter Fan, Bassett Furniture, Giant Eagle, Federated Coop, Harley-Davidson, Baccarat, DSW, Tractor Supply Co., MasterCard, Verizon Wireless, Neiman Marcus, Navy Exchange, Lands' End, Microsoft, The Body Shop International, L Brands, Timberland, Media Markt, Lowe's Companies, Pep Boys, Crate and Barrel, Loyalty One, VISA, and Cadillac Fairview.Jim is a Co-founder of the Global E-Commerce Leaders Forum, a community and conference series focused on global and cross-border ecommerce. Digital Retail Globalization, such as riding China's ecommerce growth wave, is important for brands, retailers and distribution partners of all sizes. About MichaelMichael is the Founder & President of M.E. LeBlanc & Company Inc and a Senior Advisor to Retail Council of Canada as part of his advisory and consulting practice. He brings 25+ years of brand/retail/marketing & eCommerce leadership experience and has been on the front lines of retail industry change for his entire career. He has delivered keynotes, hosted fire-side discussions with C-level executives and participated on thought leadership panels worldwide.  Michael was recently added to ReThink Retail's prestigious Top 100 Global Retail Influencers for a second year in  2022. Michael is also the producer and host of a network of leading podcasts, including Canada's top retail industry podcast, The Voice of Retail, plus the Remarkable Retail with author Steve Dennis, Global E-Commerce Tech Talks and The Food Professor with Dr. Sylvain Charlebois.  Most recently, Michael launched Conversations with CommerceNext, a podcast focussed on retail eCommerce, digital marketing and retail careers - all available on Apple, Spotify, Amazon Music and all major podcast platforms.   Michael is also the producer and host of the “Last Request Barbeque” channel on YouTube where he cooks meals to die for and influencer riches.

Welcome to The Voice of Retail. I'm your host Michael LeBlanc. This podcast is brought to you in conjunction with Retail Council of Canada. Live from my podcasting studio high above the Vegas sands during Shoptalk 2022, I sit down and talk about the latest news and developments in the global eCommerce industry with two of the sharpest minds in the space. Kent Allen and Jim Okamura, consultants, advisors, industry analysts and co-founders of the Global Ecommerce Leaders Forum, are back as my special guests in-person together for an exclusive interview in my Las Vegas podcast studio.   We catch up and talk about the latest developments in global commerce, including the moves China is making internationally, the echo-boom of worldwide eCommerce and the upcoming GELF LA event on April 21, which is open to all retailers to apply to attend.Thanks for tuning into this special episode of The Voice of Retail.  If you haven't already, be sure and click subscribe on your favourite podcast platform so new episodes will land automatically twice a week, and check out my other retail industry media properties; the Remarkable Retail podcast, the Conversations with CommerceNext podcast, and the Food Professor podcast.  Last but not least, if you are into BBQ, check out my all new YouTube barbecue show, Last Request Barbeque, with new episodes each and every week! I'm your host Michael LeBlanc, President of M.E. LeBlanc & Company & Maven Media, and if you're looking for more content, or want to chat  follow me on LinkedIn, or visit my website meleblanc.co!  Have a safe week everyone!Learn more and sign up for the GELF LA event here:https://www.globalecommerceleadersforum.com/la2022/Photo by NASA on UnsplashAbout KentI help innovative digital companies tell their story and build relationships with prospective and established clients and partners. I've spent the last twenty years providing market analysis, research & thought leadership, market development and consulting services within the ecommerce technology and digital marketing community.Current focus: Globalization via cross-border ecommerce, marketplaces and international retail expansion. Co-founded the Global eCommerce Leaders Forum to foster community among and provide education to digital professionals with international growth objectives.My 20+ years of experience in the digital commerce and marketing industry and strong personal connections have provided me with opportunities to stay ahead of the curve and explore "what's next" for my clients and our audiences.My research, content marketing & thought leadership skills coupled with my strong client interface skills allow me to define & execute next-generation marketing and commerce strategies & improve business performance. Specialties/Skills: Market Research, Communications, Strategy, Planning, Best Practices, Trend, Data and Competitive Analysis, Public Speaking, Writing and ExpressionAbout Jim Jim Okamura is Partner with McMillan Doolittle - The Retail Experts. Jim has more than 25 years of consulting experience focused on the retail industry, including 20+ years in digital transformation strategies for retailers, brands and retail-related companies. Specializations include cross-border & global ecommerce and organization design for digital transformations. Through our global alliance, Ebeltoft Group, we have deep retail expertise in more than 20 countries.Clients include Wahl Clipper, Gap, adidas, Hunter Fan, Bassett Furniture, Giant Eagle, Federated Coop, Harley-Davidson, Baccarat, DSW, Tractor Supply Co., MasterCard, Verizon Wireless, Neiman Marcus, Navy Exchange, Lands' End, Microsoft, The Body Shop International, L Brands, Timberland, Media Markt, Lowe's Companies, Pep Boys, Crate and Barrel, Loyalty One, VISA, and Cadillac Fairview.Jim is a Co-founder of the Global E-Commerce Leaders Forum, a community and conference series focused on global and cross-border ecommerce. Digital Retail Globalization, such as riding China's ecommerce growth wave, is important for brands, retailers and distribution partners of all sizes.About MichaelMichael is the Founder & President of M.E. LeBlanc & Company Inc and a Senior Advisor to Retail Council of Canada as part of his advisory and consulting practice. He brings 25+ years of brand/retail/marketing & eCommerce leadership experience and has been on the front lines of retail industry change for his entire career. He has delivered keynotes, hosted fire-side discussions with C-level executives and participated on thought leadership panels worldwide.  Michael was recently added to ReThink Retail's prestigious Top 100 Global Retail Influencers for a second year in  2022. Michael is also the producer and host of a network of leading podcasts, including Canada's top retail industry podcast, The Voice of Retail, plus the Remarkable Retail with author Steve Dennis, Global E-Commerce Tech Talks and The Food Professor with Dr. Sylvain Charlebois.  Most recently, Michael launched Conversations with CommerceNext, a podcast focussed on retail eCommerce, digital marketing and retail careers - all available on Apple, Spotify, Amazon Music and all major podcast platforms.   Michael is also the producer and host of the “Last Request Barbeque” channel on YouTube where he cooks meals to die for and influencer riches.

Ben's on some really good back pain medication and advises us on how long to refrigerate our car parts. He also presents our trivia question pondering the meaning of Pantera - both the car and by the associative property, also the metal band. Dave is shocked to find that Pep Boys no longer carries fuses, or any other car parts besides tires & batteries. Maybe this is what is making him want to turn his Jeep into a U-Boat. Dawn is threatened by the over-aggressive driving of others on the interstate and notes that the number of traffic deaths has gone up recently. Mickey grinds his gears after suffering some light abuse and the gang ponders whether there should be a nanny device for high beam restriction. Mickey also threatens to share his internet search history so our intrepid troop gracefully exits... We welcome your support via Patreon and your questions and feedback via our website.

Ryan was born in Chicago, Illinois and moved to Los Angeles shortly thereafter. Right from the start, Ryan took a strong interest in film and everything surrounding the medium. At the age of 13, Ryan made his way onto several studio lots with the intent of soaking it all up. On one particular day, Ryan found himself at Paramount and stumbled onto the set of the hit TV show, Cheers. He soon met the entire cast. When asked by Ted Danson about his interest in TV and films, Ryan replied, “I want to be a Director.” It was then that Mr. Danson made him an offer too good to pass up.Ryan was to write and direct his own short-movie in which Mr. Danson and several other Cheers cast members would appear. Several months later, Ryan made good. He directed his first short film, “The Question,” right there on the Paramount Lot, starring none other than Ted Danson, Kirsty Alley, Woody Harrelson and George Wendt.Soon thereafter, Ryan began working for DVA, Inc. on his summer breaks, and when he completed his schooling, he relocated to Florida to work full-time in the sales division at DVA, Inc. After learning the ropes, he soon moved up to Buyer, and eventually followed that by getting promoted to VP of Purchasing. With his unique blend of creative intuition and operational strength, as well as his exceptional skills in sales, Ryan founded the Closeout Division of DVA, Inc., making DVA, Inc. the largest buyer of closeouts in the Entertainment industry — and selling to the largest retailers across the United States.In 1998, Ryan opened up offices in Los Angeles to specifically serve the Movie Studios, Music Labels, and Game Publishers. Since then, he has developed relationships with all of the major studios, labels and publishers, helping them with their inventory issues that arise as well as servicing over 350 retail accounts with 25,000 storefronts.With an account base of over 350 companies, including such retailers as Best Buy, Target, Sear/Kmart, Pep Boys, Staples and more, Ryan has built and grown the Division to 30+ employees, selling over 20 million units per year and generating $20+ million in annual sales.As a public face for the entertainment industry as well as the overstock world, Ryan routinely appears on both National TV and in print. He has appeared on the CBS Early Show, ABC 7 News in Los Angeles, and on the KTLA Prime Time News. Ryan has also been featured in Entrepreneur Magazine, the Washington Post, the Los Angeles Times, the Los Angeles Business Journal, Moviemaker Magazine and the New York Times.Ryan has continually lent his voice and vast knowledge of the entertainment industry to conferences and seminars as well as to students. Most recently, Ryan spoke to postgraduates at the Peter F. Drucker & Masotoshi Ito Graduate School of Management at Claremont Graduate University. He also spoke to current students at Art Center College of Design. In addition to speaking at seminars and conferences, Ryan also hosts film seminars which provide practical, real-world advice to filmmakers, actors, producers and anyone else who wants to succeed in the movie production and distribution industry. Ryan recently completed work co-authoring a book with best-selling author Eric Sherman, detailing the ins and outs of film distribution business.As ever, Ryan remains very busy with all of these endeavors, while also fulfilling his desire to help the community. He is the Executive Director of the Say No to Drugs Race for twelve years running, and serves on the Toluca Lake city council. When asked what he considers his greatest strength, Ryan responded with a few key principles, saying: “Be nice to everyone, always return phone calls, and stay in communication with everyone. Try your hardest to make anything happen.”Learn More: http://www.ryankugler.com/Influential Influencers with Mike Saundershttps://businessinnovatorsradio.com/influential-entrepreneurs-with-mike-saunders/Source: https://businessinnovatorsradio.com/interview-with-ryan-kugler-owner-president-of-plan-b-distribution

Ryan was born in Chicago, Illinois and moved to Los Angeles shortly thereafter. Right from the start, Ryan took a strong interest in film and everything surrounding the medium. At the age of 13, Ryan made his way onto several studio lots with the intent of soaking it all up. On one particular day, Ryan found himself at Paramount and stumbled onto the set of the hit TV show, Cheers. He soon met the entire cast. When asked by Ted Danson about his interest in TV and films, Ryan replied, “I want to be a Director.” It was then that Mr. Danson made him an offer too good to pass up.Ryan was to write and direct his own short-movie in which Mr. Danson and several other Cheers cast members would appear. Several months later, Ryan made good. He directed his first short film, “The Question,” right there on the Paramount Lot, starring none other than Ted Danson, Kirsty Alley, Woody Harrelson and George Wendt.Soon thereafter, Ryan began working for DVA, Inc. on his summer breaks, and when he completed his schooling, he relocated to Florida to work full-time in the sales division at DVA, Inc. After learning the ropes, he soon moved up to Buyer, and eventually followed that by getting promoted to VP of Purchasing. With his unique blend of creative intuition and operational strength, as well as his exceptional skills in sales, Ryan founded the Closeout Division of DVA, Inc., making DVA, Inc. the largest buyer of closeouts in the Entertainment industry — and selling to the largest retailers across the United States.In 1998, Ryan opened up offices in Los Angeles to specifically serve the Movie Studios, Music Labels, and Game Publishers. Since then, he has developed relationships with all of the major studios, labels and publishers, helping them with their inventory issues that arise as well as servicing over 350 retail accounts with 25,000 storefronts.With an account base of over 350 companies, including such retailers as Best Buy, Target, Sear/Kmart, Pep Boys, Staples and more, Ryan has built and grown the Division to 30+ employees, selling over 20 million units per year and generating $20+ million in annual sales.As a public face for the entertainment industry as well as the overstock world, Ryan routinely appears on both National TV and in print. He has appeared on the CBS Early Show, ABC 7 News in Los Angeles, and on the KTLA Prime Time News. Ryan has also been featured in Entrepreneur Magazine, the Washington Post, the Los Angeles Times, the Los Angeles Business Journal, Moviemaker Magazine and the New York Times.Ryan has continually lent his voice and vast knowledge of the entertainment industry to conferences and seminars as well as to students. Most recently, Ryan spoke to postgraduates at the Peter F. Drucker & Masotoshi Ito Graduate School of Management at Claremont Graduate University. He also spoke to current students at Art Center College of Design. In addition to speaking at seminars and conferences, Ryan also hosts film seminars which provide practical, real-world advice to filmmakers, actors, producers and anyone else who wants to succeed in the movie production and distribution industry. Ryan recently completed work co-authoring a book with best-selling author Eric Sherman, detailing the ins and outs of film distribution business.As ever, Ryan remains very busy with all of these endeavors, while also fulfilling his desire to help the community. He is the Executive Director of the Say No to Drugs Race for twelve years running, and serves on the Toluca Lake city council. When asked what he considers his greatest strength, Ryan responded with a few key principles, saying: “Be nice to everyone, always return phone calls, and stay in communication with everyone. Try your hardest to make anything happen.”Learn More: http://www.ryankugler.com/Influential Influencers with Mike Saundershttps://businessinnovatorsradio.com/influential-entrepreneurs-with-mike-saunders/Source: https://businessinnovatorsradio.com/interview-with-ryan-kugler-owner-president-of-plan-b-distribution

Life changes, vlogging, and head lights, this is a new episode of Reality Blows! Nick and Ash tackle the will-they-won't-they question of recapping The Challenge, they had a journey along a highway, and Ash has a thing for hearts. Plus, Big Brother talk and Lily's special treat. Enjoy!

Some discrete recordings of Patrick Betts (Andy Bridges). Music:Noir Theme by PK Jazz Collective SFX from Freesound.org and Epidemic Sound

Esta semana en Islas de Robinson nos movemos entre 1974 y 1977 entre un puñado de discos y coordenadas especialmente motivadoras por estos lares. En busca de calor. Suenan: DUCKS DELUXE - "DADDY PUT THE BOMP" ("DUCKS DELUXE", 1974) / CROMWELL - "DEAL ME IN" ("AT THE GALLOP", 1975) / CHARLIE & THE PEP BOYS - "LARA" ("DADDY'S GIRL", 1976) / NILS LOFGREN - "INCIDENTALLY... IT'S OVER" ("CRY TOUGH", 1976) / GRAHAM PARKER & THE RUMOUR - "POURIN' IT ALL OUT" ("HEAT TREATMENT", 1976) / ELVIS COSTELLO - "RADIO SWEETHEART" (SINGLE, 1977/) DIRK HAMILTON - "ALIAS I" ("ALIAS I", 1977) / TELEVISION - "PROVE IT" ("MARQUEE MOON", 1977) / ELLIOTT MURPHY - "JUST A STORY FROM AMERICA" ("JUST A STORY FROM AMERICA", 1977) / ANDY PRATT - "KAREN'S SONG" ("RESOLUTION", 1976) / VAN DUREN - "GROW YOURSELF UP" ("ARE YOU SERIOUS?", 1977) / UNICORN - "FERRY BOAT" ("TOO MANY CROOKS", 1976) / Escuchar audio

Pinckney v. The Pep Boys

Joe Kluck, award-winning artist from Wayne County, PA, speaking about his work and creative life. His work is featured in the current exhibition at the Artists for Art Gallery, 101 Penn Avenue in downtown Scranton. The show is titled, "Pep Boys" and includes, as well, the work of Earl Lehman and Mickey Campbell, through May 29, 2021, Thursday, Friday & Saturday from noon to 6:00 pm. The show will be available for viewing virtually on the AFA website or YouTube Channel in early June. www.artistsforart.org/ www.joekluck.com/

A discretely recorded conversation between Jefferson (Bill Fryer) and his "attorney" (Andy Bridges).   Also, an appearance from Jessica (CassAsssss) Music:Noir Theme by PK Jazz Collective SFX from Freesound.org

Today Business Property Pro Mike Gioioso heads to the "City of Brotherly Love" for a Retail Market update from Commercial Real Estate thought leader, Rob Samtmann. Rob Samtmann has been active in the commercial real estate industry as a Tenant Representation Broker or Landlord Representation Broker in the Philadelphia Metropolitan Area since 1995. At present, he is now a managing Principal with Equity Retail Brokers - www.equityretailbrokers.com In Rob's career at Equity Retail Brokers he has been fortunate to work with retailers including ShopRite Supermarkets, Shoe Carnival, Gander Mountain, BJ's Wholesale Club, Babies R Us/Toys R Us, Lowe's Home Improvement, Starbucks, Friday's, Party City, Sleep Number Beds, Vitamin Shoppe, Pep Boys, Firestone, FedEx, Pet Supplies Plus, Quaker Steak & Lube, Wendy's, PDQ, Wells Fargo, Travinia, Ten Thousand Villages, Thirsty Lion, Rite Aid, Alton Lane, Capriotti's, Empire Beauty, Arby's, PNC Bank, Verizon Wireless, Sleep Number, Lou Lou Boutique, Pet Valu, Primrose Schools, Red Robin, Rumble Boxing, Applebee's, Lime Fresh, Pancheros, Outback Steakhouse, Ruby Tuesday, TGI Friday's, STS Tire, Banfield Pet Hospital, Blue Pearl Pet Hospital, C2 Education, Oportun, Rumble Boxing, Noah's, and Kindercare. Rob and Mike frequently collaborate through their participation in the Retail Brokers Network (RBN) - www.retailbrokersnetwork.com , an association of 60+ Independent Commercial Real Estate firms throughout the United States and Canada. In today's episode we chat about what's on trend in the retail drive through and pad universe, what Rob witnesses working in the current Pandemic-hobbled state of Retail, and we collect some beginner tips on Rob's favorite tech toy.... his DJI Drone! For more Business and Commercial Real Estate insider insight, please subscribe! or follow me on social @businesspropertypro. www.businesspropertypro.com Business Property Pro is the blog of Mike Gioioso, Vice-President of Brokerage at MacKenzie Commercial Real Estate Services. Mike is committed to serving clients in hopes of achieving their customized goals, whether or not those goals require brokerage assistance. IT'S ALL ABOUT FULL SERVICE MacKenzie's seven firms provide clients a competitive, full-service platform of offerings in leasing, sales, investment sales, tenant and landlord advisory services, corporate and business consulting, development, general construction, property and asset management, multifamily management, debt and equity capital placement, and GIS/data analytics. With more than 225 employees, MacKenzie is one of the largest, non-affiliated full-service commercial real estate firms in the Mid-Atlantic. Together, our associates prove time and again why we are the company you keep. Let's chat : hello@businesspropertypro.com

The Pep Boys are back, and this time we ain't selling auto parts mommmaaa. This week we talk about how I used to hunt frogs and eat them raw as a kid, then we tell the dubious tale of Grimace's involvement in WW1.

Businesses are leaving Facebook in droves, but not for the reasons you may think. In this episode of Komando on Demand, you'll find out why Kim Komando, along with celebrities like Cher and businesses like Mozilla and Pep Boys are abandoning Facebook. Kim also talks about what you need to know about Facebook's controversial new posting guidelines for businesses and gain fresh marketing ideas. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

"Rob Black & Your Money" - Radio Show June 30 - KDOW 1220 AM (7a-9a) Briefing.com's Chief Market Analyst Patrick O'Hare talks Greece, US Economy & the jobs report. Other topics include China, Pep Boys, home prices & more.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.