Podcasts about storefronts

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Dr. Mark Grether, SVP and General Manager of PayPal Ads, joins Phillip from PayPal's Manhattan offices to argue that the merchant storefront is migrating off owned websites and into LLMs. This may make the mechanics of customer experience and loyalty a bit murky, but Mark explains how PayPal's "transaction graph,”  built on real purchases across 30 million merchants and 400 million consumers, acts as the deterministic identity layer that the post-cookie ad world has been missing.  We also cover the evolving world of commerce media, from zero-click commerce and CTV attribution to PayPal Ads' newest product, Storefront Ads, which transforms the creative into the checkout.  The Cart Cartographer Key takeaways: Consumers now start product discovery on LLMs, not search engines or merchant sites. PayPal's transaction graph spans 30M merchants and 400M consumers, representing real purchases, not just clicks. Deterministic payment identity beats cookies and probabilistic IDs for cross-channel attribution. Storefront Ads turn any ad into a one-click, pre-populated checkout. Creators run two businesses: generating consumer data, then monetizing it. [00:04:03] "We're not just seeing behavior, we're actually seeing the real transactions. We know what people are purchasing — not whether they search for something or browse for something. We actually see what they are buying." – Mark Grether [00:11:00] "The trick about our identity is it was built from a finance perspective, meaning I need to understand that you are you and not your twin brother. Our identity has to clear a much higher bar compared to probabilistic IDs or cookies." – Mark Grether [00:13:40] "The idea of Storefront Ads is that the creative itself becomes the shop. You're getting exposed to the sneakers, and with one click, you can actually make the purchase. We already know who you are, we know your bank account, we know your address — everything is pre-populated. From a consumer perspective, it becomes super easy to finish a transaction." In-Show Mentions: PayPal's Storefront Ads Learn more about PayPal Ads Associated Links: Check out Future Commerce on YouTube Check out Future Commerce Plus for exclusive content and save on merch and print Subscribe to Insiders and The Senses to read more about what we are witnessing in the commerce world Listen to our other episodes of Future Commerce Have any questions or comments about the show? Let us know on futurecommerce.com, or reach out to us on Twitter, Facebook, Instagram, or LinkedIn. We love hearing from our listeners! Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

In this episode, we sit down with Sarah of Lilla + Rose Sourdough Bakery and Steph of Velvet Revival Consignment Collective to talk about turning entrepreneurial dreams into reality.We discuss their professional journeys, the leap into opening a brick-and-mortar storefront in downtown Kewaskum, and the biggest challenges they've faced so far. Sarah shares the art and science behind sourdough baking, while Steph explains how Velvet Revival's consignment model creates a unique shopping experience for the community.The conversation also explores navigating criticism as business owners, the inspiration behind their business names, inventory and marketing strategies, best-selling products, and how they're connecting with customers through local and private events.Whether you're a small business owner, aspiring entrepreneur, or simply love supporting local businesses, this episode offers an honest look at what it takes to build something new in a small-town community.Resources:https://www.lillaandrose.com | https://www.velvet-revival.com/Facebook: Lilla + Rose - Sourdough Bakery | Velvet RevivalInstagram: @lilla_and_rose | @velvetrevivalwi

Konuklar: Tuğba Yurtsever Kara, Eren Dengiz, Gizem Çelikoğlu, Merve Yılmaz Ulaş, Mine Merih Önal 92. bölümümüzde konuğumuz Storefront UI/UX ekibi oldu. Ekip yapısını, projelerini, teknoloji stack seçimlerini ve çok daha fazlasını konuştuk! Trendyol Talks'da Trendyol'daki kültürümüzü, kültürümüzden beslenen iş yapış biçimlerimizi ve ritüellerimizi konuşuyoruz. Trendyol Talks podcast kanalımızı takip etmeyi unutmayın!

OFFICIAL WEBSITE: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠http://www.stcosmocast.comOFFICIAL DISCORD: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://discord.gg/7XBWYR24d5OFFICIAL BLUESKY: ⁠⁠⁠⁠https://bsky.app/profile/cosmocast.bsky.social⁠ ⁠⁠Our Bookshop.org Affiliate Shop, all proceeds go to the show: https://bookshop.org/shop/Ramseslibrary⁠Thanks to our partnets at Titan Manga, we have an advance review of Dark Wing Vol. 3 in English, plus the usual bantern and news you come to expect from this show.TIMESTAMPS:00:00:00 Intro00:06:14 News00:56:27 Saint Seiya Dark Wing Vol. 3 Discussion02:40:32 ClosingLinks of Interest:Guf's Storefront w/ international shipping:https://gufstore.com/?mode=grp&gid=3110946&sort=nAthe'Art Mythology. Jackie's artist, who is taking commisions right now!https://x.com/Art_atheOrder Saint Seiya Dark Wing Vol. 1, 2,3 and 4 here from our affiliate link and support the show:https://bookshop.org/a/110374/9781787747180⁠⁠⁠ https://bookshop.org/a/110374/9781787747197⁠⁠ ⁠https://bookshop.org/a/110374/9781787747203https://bookshop.org/a/110374/9781787747210⁠Universo Saint Seiya: ⁠https://www.youtube.com/@UniversoSaintSeiya⁠Team’s Bluesky: Ramses: ⁠⁠⁠https://bsky.app/profile/professorramses.vtubers.socialJackie: ⁠⁠⁠⁠https://bsky.app/profile/flowermiko.bsky.social⁠⁠⁠⁠Benjas: ⁠⁠⁠⁠https://bsky.app/profile/el-benjas.bsky.social⁠⁠⁠⁠Ramses’ Twitch: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://www.twitch.tv/ProfRamsesVT⁠⁠⁠⁠MUSIC CREDITS: Opening and Ending by ⁠⁠⁠⁠Cyberdeous⁠⁠⁠⁠ off their album ⁠⁠⁠⁠Saint Sega⁠⁠⁠⁠. Buy this album and many other of their works now on Bandcamp!

Happy Pride Month! Dive into an oldie but a goodie with this episode on an iconic sapphic romance. The pod will be back with a new episode next week! - Hey pals! Today, we're raving over DELILAH GREEN DOESN'T CARE by Ashley Herring Blake. Join grumpy NYC lesbian Delilah and sunshine PNW small town bisexual and single mom Claire as they reluctantly fall in love and try to sabotage their friend's wedding. Delilah Green is possibly the hottest woman we've read in a book. Claire is the cutest. And we fell in love with this book. Enjoy the show! Brazen banter: A pitch for Taylor Swift's Eras Tour! The anatomy of a wicked stepsister! Having children with a man? Cat Scale: 6 Revolutionary Resources Astrid Parker Doesn't Fail Attachment styles   SUPPORT THE PODCAST by visiting my Bookshop.org Storefront to get any book mentioned in the episode. If you use this link or go directly from my store, I earn a small commission. You can also buy me a coffee, shop some WRION merch, or grab something from my sapphic, bookish Etsy shop! FOLLOW THE PODCAST on Instagram/Threads @wereaditonenight or FOLLOW ME on Instagram @thealisonfinch Facebook: We Read It One Night Email: wereaditonenight [at] gmail.com

OFFICIAL WEBSITE: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠http://www.stcosmocast.comOFFICIAL DISCORD: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://discord.gg/7XBWYR24d5OFFICIAL BLUESKY: ⁠⁠⁠⁠https://bsky.app/profile/cosmocast.bsky.social⁠ ⁠⁠Our Bookshop.org Affiliate Shop, all proceeds go to the show: https://bookshop.org/shop/Ramseslibrary⁠Captialism strikes again as Saint Seiya invades McDonalds in Japan and we discuss it, but more importantly, Tenkai-Hen is here! we talk the first two chapters of the new series in this episode.TIMESTAMPS:00:00:00 Intro00:01:36 News01:29:40 Saint Seiya Tenkai-Hen 1-2 Discussion w/ spoilers02:56:42 ClosingLinks of Interest:Guf's Storefront w/ international shipping:https://gufstore.com/?mode=grp&gid=3110946&sort=nAthe'Art Mythology. Jackie's artist, who is taking commisions right now!https://x.com/Art_atheOrder Saint Seiya Dark Wing Vol. 1, 2,3 and 4 here from our affiliate link and support the show:https://bookshop.org/a/110374/9781787747180⁠⁠⁠ https://bookshop.org/a/110374/9781787747197⁠⁠ ⁠https://bookshop.org/a/110374/9781787747203https://bookshop.org/a/110374/9781787747210⁠Universo Saint Seiya: ⁠https://www.youtube.com/@UniversoSaintSeiya⁠Team's Bluesky: Ramses: ⁠⁠⁠https://bsky.app/profile/professorramses.vtubers.socialJackie: ⁠⁠⁠⁠https://bsky.app/profile/flowermiko.bsky.social⁠⁠⁠⁠Benjas: ⁠⁠⁠⁠https://bsky.app/profile/el-benjas.bsky.social⁠⁠⁠⁠Ramses' Twitch: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://www.twitch.tv/ProfRamsesVT⁠⁠⁠⁠MUSIC CREDITS: Opening and Ending by ⁠⁠⁠⁠Cyberdeous⁠⁠⁠⁠ off their album ⁠⁠⁠⁠Saint Sega⁠⁠⁠⁠. Buy this album and many other of their works now on Bandcamp!

In this Watson Weekly interview episode, Rick Watson is joined by Lennart Stevens, VP of Product Management for Agentforce Commerce at Salesforce, who walks through Storefront Next, the latest evolution of Salesforce's commerce storefront.Storefront Next is built for developers and for a world where AI and agentic coding are the default. You can spin up a new storefront inside Business Manager with a click-based setup. Under the hood it runs on Salesforce's Managed Runtime as a hosted headless surface, with an enhanced SCAPI layer that lets apps, kiosks, and other channels pull from the same data. The stack standardizes on React, Shadcn, and Tailwind. Existing customers keep their catalogs, prices, and promotions and surface them through the new API.The Watson Weekly interview is sponsored by Avalara - the agentic AI platform automating global tax and compliance for leading eCommerce brands. For more details: https://avalaratax.watsonweekly.com.Lennart also gets into the agentic tooling (agent shopper, agentic merchandising), quiet AI like product readiness scores that flag missing info without nagging, reusable content blocks and embedded Page Designer components, and turnkey industry templates for retail, cosmetics, and furniture that convert well out of the box. He covers the upgraded CLI, the growing library of skills, and support for UCP as the channel-selling standard.The whole point: cut the standup busywork so developers spend time on what actually moves the business.#watsonweekly #agentforce #storefrontnext #agentic

Listeners! Today, I'm joined by author Jenna Voris to mourn the death of YA romance, Sapphic media, and empathic literacy. Just kidding! We talk all those topics and more, as well as Jenna's adult debut THE LONG CON. Enjoy the show! Connect with Jenna: website; @jennavoris Preorder The Long Con (signed copy) Sapphic soccer: Cleat Cute by Meryl Wilsner; Ripe! starring Lola Tung SUPPORT THE PODCAST by visiting my Bookshop.org Storefront to get any book mentioned in the episode. If you use this link or go directly from my store, I earn a small commission. You can also buy me a coffee, shop some WRION merch, or grab something from my sapphic, bookish Etsy shop! FOLLOW THE PODCAST on Instagram/Threads @wereaditonenight or FOLLOW ME on Instagram @thealisonfinch Facebook: We Read It One Night Email: wereaditonenight [at] gmail.com

What if the biggest mistake in your business model is having a fixed address?Most operators spend their careers fighting for foot traffic. Michael Russo went the other direction. As the Chief Growth Officer of Wild Bill's, he bought a veteran-founded craft soda brand and scaled it into a 60-wagon franchise popping up at over 500 events a year nationwide.In this conversation, we get into why going where your customers already are is more scalable than trying to attract them, how to fail with discipline instead of just failing fast, and why direct customer conversations will teach you more than any analytics dashboard.If you're rethinking your revenue model or looking for a smarter path to scale, this one is worth your time.To learn more about Wild Bill's and their franchise opportunities, visit drinkwildbills.com._________________________________________________________Today's episode was brought to you by Square. If you want restaurant tech that actually supports how you run your restaurant, find out how Square can help at square.com/goodstuff.Free 5-Day Restaurant Marketing Masterclass – This is a live training where you'll learn the exact campaigns Josh has built and tested in real restaurants to attract new guests, increase visit frequency, and generate sales on demand. Save your spot at restaurantbusinessschool.com

At first glance, the buildings didn't look unusual. Empty storefronts. Generic office signs. Businesses that barely seemed open. But behind many of them was a massive flow of Medicaid money — part of a growing network of home healthcare companies accused of exploiting loopholes in the system and billing taxpayers for questionable services on a staggering scale.On this introductory episode of Behind The Story, investigative reporter Luke Rosiak explains how he used government data, computer coding, and old-fashioned reporting to uncover a billion-dollar fraud scheme hiding in plain sight. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Omari Richins, MPH of Public Health Careers podcast talks with Lydia Babcock, MA, MPH, PMP.Lydia uses participatory action research, ethnography, and mixed methods to help organizations identify root causes, close gaps, and design solutions that actually work for communities. Her work sits at the intersection of public health, medical anthropology, policy research, and community engagement, with experience spanning both domestic and global health settings - including serving as a Peace Corps Community Health Specialist in Malawi.Resume Workshop (May 24th): https://thephmillennial.com/workshops/

Portland's city council is studying a vacancy fee — a tax on commercial property owners who can't find tenants — as though the problem is stubborn landlords holding out for higher rents rather than a city that has spent years making itself inhospitable to business. The proposal would penalize property owners for the predictable outcome of Portland's own permissive drug policies, chaotic encampments, and anti-business regulatory environment.The irony is staggering. Portland watched its downtown vacancy rate soar past 30% while businesses fled open-air drug markets and disorder the council refused to address. Now the same council that created the conditions for mass business exodus wants to extract money from the property owners left holding empty buildings. This isn't a policy — it's a shakedown dressed up as urban planning.A vacancy fee won't lure a single business back to a storefront surrounded by tents and needles. It will, however, give property owners one more reason to sell, walk away, or convert commercial space to other uses — accelerating the doom loop rather than reversing it. Portland's council is studying the wrong problem with the wrong solution.CHAPTERS0:00 Opening1:11 Portland Studies a Vacancy Fee2:29 Property Owners Reject Portland…3:52 Portland Ranks Among Worst Real Estate…5:40 Councilor Kunal Proposes Vacant…6:55 Portland Should Cut Taxes Not Add Fees8:21 Portland Commercial Vacancy Rate Hits…9:26 Portland Council Clarifies Vacancy…12:17 Survey: Portland Vacancies Driven by…15:02 Portland Drug Decriminalization Hurt…16:19 Business Leader Says Vacancy Fee…17:14 Portland Street Conditions Shuttering…20:55 Portland Needs Safety Over New Taxes23:05 Businesses Fleeing Portland for Red…Subscribe to @reasonablenews for daily commentary on Pacific Northwest politics and the stories the mainstream media buries.

OFFICIAL WEBSITE: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠http://www.stcosmocast.comOFFICIAL DISCORD: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://discord.gg/7XBWYR24d5OFFICIAL BLUESKY: ⁠⁠⁠⁠https://bsky.app/profile/cosmocast.bsky.social⁠ ⁠⁠Our Bookshop.org Affiliate Shop, all proceeds go to the show: https://bookshop.org/shop/Ramseslibrary⁠we promised Saint Mariya discussion, and we delivered on this edition of the podcast, but we also have news, banter, and Ramses digging himself into holes that you come to love about the podcast.TIMESTAMPS:00:00:00 Intro00:04:18 News00:56:35 Saint Mariya Chapter 14 discussion01:42:16 ClosingLinks of Interest:Guf's Storefront w/ international shipping:https://gufstore.com/?mode=grp&gid=3110946&sort=nAthe'Art Mythology. Jackie's artist, who is taking commisions right now!https://x.com/Art_atheOrder Saint Seiya Dark Wing Vol. 1, 2,3 and 4 here from our affiliate link and support the show:https://bookshop.org/a/110374/9781787747180⁠⁠⁠ https://bookshop.org/a/110374/9781787747197⁠⁠ ⁠https://bookshop.org/a/110374/9781787747203https://bookshop.org/a/110374/9781787747210⁠Universo Saint Seiya: ⁠https://www.youtube.com/@UniversoSaintSeiya⁠Team’s Bluesky: Ramses: ⁠⁠⁠https://bsky.app/profile/professorramses.vtubers.socialJackie: ⁠⁠⁠⁠https://bsky.app/profile/flowermiko.bsky.social⁠⁠⁠⁠Benjas: ⁠⁠⁠⁠https://bsky.app/profile/el-benjas.bsky.social⁠⁠⁠⁠Ramses’ Twitch: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://www.twitch.tv/ProfRamsesVT⁠⁠⁠⁠MUSIC CREDITS: Opening and Ending by ⁠⁠⁠⁠Cyberdeous⁠⁠⁠⁠ off their album ⁠⁠⁠⁠Saint Sega⁠⁠⁠⁠. Buy this album and many other of their works now on Bandcamp!

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

Hey comrades! Eloisa James is on the podcast this week to talk about her newest book THE LAST LADY B, first person in historical, gothic romance, Kickstarters, indie publishing, being part of Julia Quinn's inaugural book box, and Shakespeare in romance. You may remember I've mentioned that Eloisa was my advisor in college and arguably the spark that lit the fuse that eventually burst in to the flames of this podcast (did I take that metaphor too far?)--and she is so brilliant and clear-eyed and really has her finger on the pulse of this genre. Enjoy the show! Preorder LADY B from the Ripped Bodice Connect with Eloisa: website; Instagram; TikTok; Facebook *Note: Eloisa mentions that Sonali Dev writes Shakespeare retellings, but she actually writes Jane Austen retellings--still excellent, just a different author! SUPPORT THE PODCAST by visiting my Bookshop.org Storefront to get any book mentioned in the episode. If you use this link or go directly from my store, I earn a small commission. You can also buy me a coffee, shop some WRION merch, or grab something from my sapphic, bookish Etsy shop! FOLLOW THE PODCAST on Instagram/Threads @wereaditonenight or FOLLOW ME on Instagram @thealisonfinch Facebook: We Read It One Night Email: wereaditonenight [at] gmail.com

On this episode, I sit down with Sam Atkinson, co-founder of Swap, to get into one of the more interesting infrastructure stories in commerce right now. How do you build the back office that nobody wants to think about, and use it as the foundation for something that changes how people shop entirely?Sam played semi-professional football for West Brom until 18, studied law, worked at McKinsey, ran his own DTC business, and joined a fintech before co-founding Swap in 2023. The through line is someone who kept getting close enough to the hard problems in e-commerce to eventually decide to go and solve them.We get into what Swap actually is, the back office suite covering cross-border, returns, tax, compliance and demand planning, and why building that first gave them something most agentic commerce players don't have: the data, the integrations, and the customer trust to move fast. We talk about the agentic storefront they are already running live, the stats on conversion and returns, how they think about high intent versus low intent shoppers, and why they want to be the agent powering experiences like Brunello Cucinelli rather than replace what great brand teams do. And then the fundraising journey, what it actually looks like to raise capital across multiple rounds, and the state of the fund raising market in 2025 and 2026.Enjoy the show.Book a free demo at: swap-commerce.com/offcuts

Hey comrades! We have romance royalty on the podcast today in the form of Andie J. Christopher, aka the coiner of the Stern Brunch Daddy! We talk about the primordial SBD, Kleypas heroes, yearning MCs, and our favorite toxic hero traits. Enjoy the show! Connect with Andie: website; @authorandiej NYT romance terminology article SUPPORT THE PODCAST by visiting my Bookshop.org Storefront to get any book mentioned in the episode. If you use this link or go directly from my store, I earn a small commission. You can also buy me a coffee, shop some WRION merch, or grab something from my sapphic, bookish Etsy shop! FOLLOW THE PODCAST on Instagram/Threads @wereaditonenight or FOLLOW ME on Instagram @thealisonfinch Facebook: We Read It One Night Email: wereaditonenight [at] gmail.com

Can you really build a successful clothing brand in a small town?In this episode of Brews & Cruise Podcast, host Chris Jacobson sits down with the two women behind 507 Company, a fast-growing clothing and lifestyle brand based in Winona, Minnesota. What started as a simple idea has turned into a full downtown storefront—and they're breaking down exactly how they did it.From the early stages of building a brand to the realities of running a retail business, this episode dives into the challenges, risks, and lessons learned along the way. If you've ever thought about starting your own business, launching a clothing line, or turning an idea into something real, this conversation is packed with insight you won't want to miss.

Hey comrades! I'm celebrating Autistic Appreciation Month with Birdie Schae as we talk about her upcoming sapphic, autistic, beach volleyball YA romance, SMASH OR PASS. Birdie and I talk the importance of HEAs and providing a  safe spaces for younger readers. This is a celebration of diverse love!  Connect with Birdie: website; @birdienotabird - Insta; TikTok What is comphet? Timothy Janovsky's episode SUPPORT THE PODCAST by visiting my Bookshop.org Storefront to get any book mentioned in the episode. If you use this link or go directly from my store, I earn a small commission. You can also buy me a coffee, shop some WRION merch, or grab something from my sapphic, bookish Etsy shop! FOLLOW THE PODCAST on Instagram/Threads @wereaditonenight or FOLLOW ME on Instagram @thealisonfinch Facebook: We Read It One Night Email: wereaditonenight [at] gmail.com

If you are someone who has either grown out of your home-based studio, or you don't even have a spot for a home-based studio, this episode is full of tips for you! I am talking with Heidy of Decor by Heidy about opening a brick and mortar store and some of the choices she made along the way that finally got her to her beautiful store located in Florida. She also shares a really smart idea about outsourcing deliveries and how it's helped the installation side of her business, too. And I'm excited that this month kicks off a new sponsorship and a new partnership with Betallic, who chose Heidy as their guest! Betallic is known around the world for high-quality foil and latex balloons, and for supporting the balloon community through education and inspiration.  If you're looking to grow your skills, be sure to check out Betallic Balloon Club, an online community where you can subscribe for monthly classes (including Heidy's!), learn new balloon recipes and connect with balloon artists from all over the world. Plus, mark your calendars for the IBC event happening October 20-22, 2026, in Miami, Florida.   In the UGlu Hotline, hear one listener's tip for finding what colors are comparable across brands.   Unlock three free bonus episodes!    RESOURCES MENTIONED: Sales Sets Betallic  Havin' A Party Wholesale (save 5% on orders $200+ with code PODCAST) buildwiththeguild.com UGlu by Pro Tapes (save 5% on orders $200+ at Havin' A Party with code PODCAST)  DM @thebrightballoon on Instagram to ask a question or leave advice for the UGlu Hotline! 2026 Bright Balloon Planner  @balloonboutiquebyheidy  - - - - On the Bright Side Apple | Patreon Join the Bright Balloon email list  The Bright Balloon on YouTube 

Portland city leaders are exploring a new “vacancy fee” aimed at tackling the growing number of empty storefronts downtown. With high vacancy rates hurting foot traffic and economic recovery, the proposed policy would charge property owners who leave retail or commercial spaces unused for extended periods, encouraging them to lower rents or find tenants faster. The idea is still in early stages, with the city funding a study to determine how the fee would work and its potential impact. Supporters say it could help revitalize downtown, while critics worry it may discourage investment and unfairly burden property owners.

4/1/26Episode SummaryThis episode explains what Shopify's “agentic storefronts” are, why they matter, and what store owners should do to prepare.It frames a shift in e-commerce: shopping is moving from websites to AI conversations, where tools like ChatGPT recommend and surface products directly from Shopify catalogs.The traditional funnel (search → click → browse → buy) is changing into a single conversational interaction, with AI handling discovery, comparison, and decision-making.Success in this environment depends less on storefront design and more on structured product data, clean metadata, and catalog quality, since AI relies on that data to decide what to show.The episode emphasizes that merchants must shift their strategy from “driving traffic” to being selected by AI, which requires better product organization, clear attributes, and consistent data.It concludes with practical guidance: optimize your catalog, ensure accurate data, and start treating AI platforms as a new high-intent sales channel.Show LinksDatify - https://apps.shopify.com/datifyShopify Help on Agentic Storefronts - https://help.shopify.com/en/manual/online-sales-channels/agentic-storefrontsShopify Product Taxonomy Explorer - https://shopify.github.io/product-taxonomy/releases/2026-02/Video & Transcripthttps://jadepuma.com/blogs/the-shopify-solutions-podcast/episode-182-a-practical-guide-to-shopify-s-agentic-storefronts 

Hey pals! Enjoy the treat of this absolutely decadent deep-dive into DREAMING OF YOU by Lisa Kleypas with co-host of Fated Mates and co-founder of Derek Craven Day (aka the most important romance holiday in February), Jen Prokop. We put on our analysis hats and notice things about this book that we've never noticed before, proving once and for all why this is one of the all-time great all-nighter romance novels. Enjoy the show! Connect with Jen: website; @jenreadsromance New York Magazine MAGA women article KLEYPAS EPISODES: Ep. 20 - Marrying Winterborne Wallflowers #1: Ep. 75 - Secrets of a Summer Night Wallflowers #2: Ep. 85 - It Happened One Autumn Wallflowers #3: Ep. 87 - Devil in Winter Wallflowers #4: Ep. 96 - Scandal in Spring   SUPPORT THE PODCAST by visiting my Bookshop.org Storefront to get any book mentioned in the episode. If you use this link or go directly from my store, I earn a small commission. You can also buy me a coffee, shop some WRION merch, or grab something from my sapphic, bookish Etsy shop! FOLLOW THE PODCAST on Instagram/Threads @wereaditonenight or FOLLOW ME on Instagram @thealisonfinch Facebook: We Read It One Night Email: wereaditonenight [at] gmail.com

Today's MadTech Daily covers OpenAI testing an Ads Manager and preparing its Agentic Storefronts feature, Meta being expelled from IAB Sweden while it plans major staff layoffs, and TikTok investors facing a huge bill from the Trump Administration. 

Jake Martin and co-host Landry Smith return after a long break to discuss the current “state of play” for gaming, including major shifts at PlayStation and Xbox, the Switch 2's early momentum, and how PC and console experiences are increasingly converging. They share frustrations with rising subscription costs and debate whether subscription models help or hurt creativity. In Landry's new segment “Let's Fix That,” they call out digital storefront “slop”—misleading, low-quality, and explicit shovelware flooding PlayStation and Nintendo shops—and suggest stronger curation and publishing limits. They wrap with what they've been playing, including Landry's praise for Xenoblade Chronicles X and Jake's surprisingly addictive time with Pokémon Pokopia.Timestamps:00:00 Intro01:48 Show Rundown and New Segment02:30 State of Play10:54 Are Game Subscriptions Worth It?14:06 PC vs Console23:14 Lets Fix That - "E-Slop"38:32 What Are Ya Playin'?38:50 Xenoblade Chronicles X44:27 Pokemon Pokopia54:48 Wrap Up and Plugs

Pals! We're back with the second half of Bridgerton season 4! This one definitely goes at or near the top of our favorite seasons for one main reason: it's capital R Romance! Shocking that a show adapting romance novels is at its best when it focuses on the love story, right? We also discuss whether we think Francesca or Eloise will be the star of next season and who we think the new Lady Whistledown is. Enjoy the show! Eloise as a matchmaker video SUPPORT THE PODCAST by visiting my Bookshop.org Storefront to get any book mentioned in the episode. If you use this link or go directly from my store, I earn a small commission. You can also buy me a coffee, shop some WRION merch, or grab something from my sapphic, bookish Etsy shop! FOLLOW THE PODCAST on Instagram/Threads @wereaditonenight or FOLLOW ME on Instagram @thealisonfinch Facebook: We Read It One Night Email: wereaditonenight [at] gmail.com

Today - Douglas Mayor Jose Grijalva says he wants to be the one out front selling the city to businesses — working directly with property owners and potential tenants, and keeping City Hall in the background until the paperwork stage.Support the show: https://www.myheraldreview.com/site/forms/subscription_services/See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Most businesses start with an idea. The resilient ones start with a pivot.Before Local Fixture became a creative landmark in Whittier, it was an e-commerce hustle when larger companies overtook the market. This episode is about what happens when entrepreneurs read the writing on the wall, trust their instincts, and build something rooted in community instead of algorithms.In today's episode of Amiga Handle Your Shit, Jackie Tapia sits down with Erika and Jason Chung, founders of Local Fixture, to talk about their journey from ranking number one on Google for handbags in the early 2000s to creating one of Whittier's most beloved local storefronts. What began as a search-engine-optimized online business eventually transformed into a physical space designed to foster connections and create a curated local experience.Jason shares how his early success in e-commerce forced him to pivot when corporate giants overtook the market, and how family investment and calculated risk made their first storefront possible. Erika reflects on the vision behind Local Fixture — inspired by Westside boutiques, fueled by the desire to bring something fresh to their hometown, and shaped by the needs of young families craving thoughtful, curated products.Together, they unpack what scaling really looks like: outgrowing a beloved space after 12 years, navigating leases, managing cash flow, and building a team that feels like family. They also dive into practical business lessons — from reading Profit First to prioritizing cash flow, to using organic social media and AI experimentation to stay relevant without massive marketing budgets.Tune in to episode 272 of Amiga Handle Your Shit for an honest conversation about pivoting, scaling, family-run business dynamics, and building something local that big corporations cannot replicate.Episode Takeaways:How ranking #1 on Google for handbags led to an unexpected pivot (04:00)Why competing with Amazon forced a strategic shift into brick-and-mortar (05:00)The role of family investment in launching their first storefront (08:00)How inspiration from Westside boutiques shaped the Local Fixture concept (09:30)What scaling actually looks like after 12 years in one location (10:20)The philosophy behind creating an in-store experience customers cannot get online (11:30)Navigating hiring, delegation, and working as a married couple (14:00)Why passion and realistic expectations matter more than hype (15:40)Why cash flow management is the backbone of any sustainable business (16:00)How organic social media — and even AI — plays a role in modern marketing (18:00)Resources:Local Fixture websiteInstagramTikTokConnect with Jason:Email: jason@localfixture.comLinkedInLet's Connect!WebsiteFacebookInstagramLinkedInJackie Tapia Arbonne's websiteBook: The AMIGA Way: Release Cultural Limiting Beliefs to Transform Your Life Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Felix van de Sand (CEO von COBE) erklärt, warum UX/UI Design weit mehr als bunte Buttons ist. In dieser Folge erfährst du, wie Markenwerte in Pixel übersetzt werden, was hinter „hedonischer Qualität“ steckt und warum KI-Modelle bald unsere digitalen Storefronts ersetzen könnten.

Legendary in Dallas, the Brewer Storefront is the community-service and pro bono arm of the national law firm Brewer, Attorneys & Counselors, established in 1995 to provide high-level legal advocacy to individuals and organizations who would otherwise likely be unable to access the "big law" resources they provide. Attorneys Ian Shaw and Josh Harris join us to tell the story of the Storefront, the amazing impacts they've achieved, and their plans to continue making a tremendous difference in Texas and beyond.Learn more about the Brewer Storefront at https://www.brewerattorneys.com/pro-bono.Thanks for listening! Learn more about Progress Texas and how you can support our ongoing work at https://progresstexas.org/.

Loon Comrades! You know this couldn't be a book podcast if I only gave you an episode on the Heated Rivalry show. Today, I'm talking about Heated Rivalry: the book by Rachel Reid with my certified Local Gay Icon™  friend, Braun, who says both the show and the book changed his life, and his perspective on the possibilities of queer media. We squeal over Shane, Ilya, Scott, and Kip; pitch some fanfic ideas featuring a surprise guest we're both a fan of; and talk about how the book differs from the show (and which one we like better). Also, stick around to the end to listen to us convince you to run for local office! Connect with Braun: Instagram Fated States Oath (local political donation)   Subscribe! Follow! Rate! Review! Tell your friends and family! Bookshop.org Storefront: buy a book mentioned in the episode through this link and I earn a small commission Buy me coffee WRION merch! My feminist, sapphic, bookish Etsy shop! Instagram/Threads: @wereaditonenight TikTok: @wereaditonenight Facebook: We Read It One Night Email: wereaditonenight [at] gmail.com

This is our daily Tech and Business report. KCBS Radio News Anchor Holly Quan spoke with Bloomberg's Spencer Soper. Amazon has surpassed Walmart, becoming the world's top company based on sales. Still, Walmart has been working on expanding its online sales, which may boost the company past its competitor's tests of brick-and mortar store strategy.

Comrades! To paraphrase the wise words of Kate Bush, I wouldn't leave you out in the cold, so this episode I'm letting you into the window of my thoughts on Wuthering Heights (the book by Emily Bronte) and "Wuthering Heights" (the movie by Emerald Fennell). I'm joined by Caro, aka @difficultwomanreads, a Wuthering Heights internet scholar and haver of many right opinions about gothic literature. We talk Heathcliff and Cathy as romance MC archetypes, what adaptation really means, and plenty of romance novels to read next if you want that Wuthering Heights angst with the HEA guarantee. What did you think of the new movie? Enjoy the show!   Connect with Caro: Insta; Threads Heathcliff cosplay: @antiquated.omens Episodes on books mentioned: Lisa Kleypas: Wallflowers - Secrets of a Summer Night; It Happened One Autumn; Devil in Winter; Scandal in Spring Lord of Scoundrels Lothaire: Part 1; Part 2   SUPPORT THE PODCAST by visiting my Bookshop.org Storefront to get any book mentioned in the episode. If you use this link or go directly from my store, I earn a small commission. You can also buy me a coffee, shop some WRION merch, or grab something from my sapphic, bookish Etsy shop! FOLLOW THE PODCAST on Instagram/Threads @wereaditonenight or FOLLOW ME on Instagram @thealisonfinch Facebook: We Read It One Night Email: wereaditonenight [at] gmail.com

Welcome to Art is Awesome, the show where we talk with an artist or art worker with a connection to the San Francisco Bay Area. Today, Emily features San Francisco wire sculptor Kristine Mays discussing her politically charged exhibition "State of the Union" at Modernism Gallery. Created in response to the uncertainty and division at the beginning of 2025, the show explores themes of American identity, social justice, and individual responsibility through intricate wire sculptures.Kristine walks through several powerful pieces: "This is America," a frayed wire American flag with beads representing blood and tears; "Human Complacency," depicting the see/hear/speak no evil concept; and "Modern Day Lynchings and Hashtag Memorials," featuring hand-embroidered names of Black people killed by police on silk ribbons. Many works incorporate quotes from writers like Audre Lord, whose words "your silence will not save you" inspired Mays to create this body of work as both political statement and personal healing.She traces her creative journey from childhood craft projects with her mother to her current practice working with construction-grade wire. She explains how she creates faceless figures and sculptural garments that allow viewers to project their own stories and recognize loved ones through gesture alone. The meditative quality of working with wire and its durability appeal to her desire to create lasting legacy work.A major milestone: the Smithsonian National Museum of African American History and Culture recently acquired her piece "Hush Harbor." Kristine, who has participated in San Francisco Open Studios for over 20 years, credits her "divinely led" journey and her mother's early encouragement to create without fear of failure.About Artist Kristine Mays :Kristine Mays, a San Francisco native has been an exhibiting artist since 1993. She was the Grand Finale Winner in 2015 of the 5th Annual Bombay Sapphire Artisan Series National Competition. This competition not only provided an opportunity to exhibit her work at Art Basel Miami, but she had a solo exhibition at the Scope NYC Art Fair as well, and was also afforded a chance to collaborate on a large scale public mural. Her mural is on the side of the Boom Boom Room in San Francisco on Fillmore and Geary Streets. (It has large wire feathers placed among the portraits that adorn the walls, reflecting the fleeting existence of black jazz musicians in San Francisco.) In 2015 she also participated in the Hearts in San Francisco program, creating a large 400 pound heart for their annual public art installation. The heart spent a few weeks on display in Union Square before going to its final home upon purchase from AT&T.In 2009, Kristine was a featured artist in the San Francisco Art Commission's "Art in Storefronts" pilot program, a project which transformed vacant storefronts and commercial corridors into a destination for contemporary art, bringing a new energy to the Bayview Hunters Point neighborhood. A participant in the San Francisco Open Studios program for over 20 years, Kristine has also served on the Board of Directors for ArtSpan-- the Producers of SF Open Studios and has participated on several of their committees. Kristine served as the 2011-2013 artist-in-residence at the Bayview Hunters Point Shipyard in San Francisco. She is a graduate of Lowell High School, received her Bachelor Degree in Arts Administration from DePaul University and has occasionally served as a grant review panelist through the San Francisco Arts Commission.Seeking to create impact and change with her art, Kristine has participated in raising thousands of dollars for AIDS research through the sale of her work by collaborating with organizations like Visual Aid, the San Francisco Alliance Health Project and WE-Actx. Her work has received local and national press including mentions in the San Francisco Chronicle, New York Times, The New York Post, The Washington Post, Source Magazine, Artsy, and the interior design blog Apartment Therapy. She is represented by Simon Breitbard Fine Arts in SF, the Richard Beavers Gallery in Brooklyn and Zenith Gallery in Washington DC.Kristine has participated in programming at the De Young Museum, Museum of African Diaspora (MoAD) and exhibited at the California African American Museum (CAAM) in Los Angeles, CA. Collectors of her work include an eclectic mix of people including Star Wars creator George Lucas and the dearly departed Peggy Cooper Cafritz (who amassed one of the country's largest private collections of African-American art). Her work is displayed in many Bay Area homes and private collections throughout the USA.Visit Kristine's Website:  KristineMays.comFollow Kristine on Instagram: @KristineMaysFor more about Kristine's exhibit, "State of the Union" CLICK HERE--About Podcast Host Emily Wilson:Emily a writer in San Francisco, with work in outlets including Hyperallergic, Artforum, 48 Hills, the Daily Beast, California Magazine, Latino USA, and Women's Media Center. She often writes about the arts. For years, she taught adults getting their high school diplomas at City College of San Francisco.Follow Emily on Instagram: @PureEWilFollow Art Is Awesome on Instagram: @ArtIsAwesome_Podcast--CREDITS:Art Is Awesome is Hosted, Created & Executive Produced by Emily Wilson. Theme Music "Loopster" Courtesy of Kevin MacLeod (incompetech.com)Licensed under Creative Commons: By Attribution 4.0 LicenseThe Podcast is Co-Produced, Developed & Edited by Charlene Goto of @GoToProductions. For more info, visit Go-ToProductions.com Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

Dearest, gentle comrades, it's here! The Bridgerton Season 4: Part 1 episode! I'm joined by multi-time guest host, Elodie, to chat what we loved about this season and what we didn't. We swoon over Sophie and want to shake Benedict for being such a dummy. We explore the Lady Danbury/Queen Charlotte subplot, Violet's absolutely *blooming* boobs, and the upstairs/downstairs dynamic. We also rant about what the heck is going on with Eloise's character and give the Michaela antis the set down they need. Let us know what you think of this season in your review or on socials. Enjoy the show! Bridgerton Episodes: Season 1 E1; E2; E3; E4; E5; E6; E7; E8 S2 S3: Part 1, Part 2 Elodie's previous episodes:  When a Scot Ties the Knot by Tessa Dare Always Only You by Chloe Liese Alison's Francesca/Michaela reel   SUPPORT THE PODCAST by visiting my Bookshop.org Storefront to get any book mentioned in the episode. If you use this link or go directly from my store, I earn a small commission. You can also buy me a coffee, shop some WRION merch, or grab something from my Sapphic, bookish Etsy shop! FOLLOW THE PODCAST on Instagram/Threads @wereaditonenight or FOLLOW ME on Instagram @thealisonfinch Facebook: We Read It One Night Email: wereaditonenight [at] gmail.com

This week on Xbox Expansion Pass, the conversation centers on how quickly the gaming industry is shifting — and what that means for hardware, platforms, and players. A Nintendo Direct packed with Xbox-adjacent announcements signals just how normalized multi-platform publishing has become. At the same time, new data shows hardware sales continuing to slide across the industry, even as engagement and monthly active users remain strong. The discussion also digs into the Epic Games Store's record year, what multiple storefronts could mean for future Xbox hardware, and why competition — not exclusivity — may be the defining force of the next generation. Additional topics include: Xbox titles becoming expected on Nintendo platforms Why engagement now matters more than boxes sold The risks and rewards of pricing games at $70+ Live-service optics vs actual game quality What a Windows-based future could mean for consoles

Hey comrades! The state of the romance genre is wild right now and I'm so excited to have author Adriana Herrera on to talk about it. We chat where the romance genre is and where it's going, fanfiction and fandom, community, feminism in romance, and (of course) Heated Rivalry. It was so awesome to hear Adriana speak and I hope you enjoy listening as much as I did! Connect with Adriana: website; @ladriana_herrera: Insta/Threads AH2 Collections Her Night with Santa episode   Subscribe! Follow! Rate! Review! Tell your friends and family! Bookshop.org Storefront: buy a book mentioned in the episode through this link and I earn a small commission Buy me coffee WRION merch! My feminist, sapphic, bookish Etsy shop! Instagram/Threads: @wereaditonenight TikTok: @wereaditonenight Facebook: We Read It One Night Email: wereaditonenight [at] gmail.com

Omari Richins, MPH of Public Health Careers podcast addresses the pressures faced by graduates as they transition into the public health workforce. He emphasizes the importance of navigating this phase with intention rather than rushing into job applications. Omari encourages listeners to define their personal anchors, choose guiding themes for their career journey, and focus on commitments that shape their actions. He advocates for a sustainable job search strategy and highlights the value of mentorship and support during this critical time.

AI is no longer making goofy videos. It's making buying decisions.AI agents are changing the way people shop, today we explain why e-commerce brands are quietly losing visibility even when ads and conversion rates look fine. Shopping decisions are moving upstream into AI tools like ChatGPT, Gemini, and Perplexity, before a customer ever visits your website.If traffic feels lighter but nothing looks broken, this episode explains why and what disciplined operators must fix now to stay selectable as AI becomes the gatekeeper.

Hey comrades! It's the first deep dive (deep cut? slice? stab?) of the year and we're really getting under your skin with listener suggested serial killer romance BUTCHER & BLACKBIRD by Brynne Weaver. I'm joined by returning guest host Katie to talk about this bonkers romance in which two bonkers people, Sloane and Rowan, fall in love and also murder a good amount of people on the way. Enjoy the show! Katie's previous episode: Morning Glory Milking Farm C.M. Nascosta episode Ep. 80 - Xeni   Dr. Death Podcast Subscribe! Follow! Rate! Review! Tell your friends and family! Bookshop.org Storefront: buy a book mentioned in the episode through this link and I earn a small commission Buy me coffee WRION merch! My feminist, sapphic, bookish Etsy shop! Instagram/Threads: @wereaditonenight TikTok: @wereaditonenight Facebook: We Read It One Night Email: wereaditonenight [at] gmail.com

Comrades, welcome to the Asylum! I'm joined by Ada and Ruby from the Loon Call Podcast to discuss season 1 of Heated Rivalry! We talk joining the fandom, adapting romance, who fell first (Ilya or Shane), favorite scenes, and more. Spoilers and squealing abound. Enjoy the show! Listen to Loon Call; @looncallpod Connect with Ada: @adagetsliterary Connect with Ruby: @rubybarrettwrite   Heated Rivalry cinematography: Valentina Vee Romancing the Data episode   Subscribe! Follow! Rate! Review! Tell your friends and family! Bookshop.org Storefront: buy a book mentioned in the episode through this link and I earn a small commission Buy me coffee WRION merch! My feminist, sapphic, bookish Etsy shop! Instagram/Threads: @wereaditonenight TikTok: @wereaditonenight Facebook: We Read It One Night Email: wereaditonenight [at] gmail.com

Melanie Scofield of Jacksonville, OR shares how her battle with cancer led her to create one of the country's best farm stands by focusing on building community, serving others, and being consistentGet full show notes and transcript here: https://forrager.com/podcast/158

In this explosive deep dive, Tara exposes the staggering scope of government fraud hiding in plain sight — starting with $19 BILLION in daycare fraud alone. From Minnesota to California, federally funded “childcare centers” exist only on paper: boarded-up buildings, barred doors, zero children — yet tens of millions flowing in taxpayer money. Tara breaks down how Biden-era rule changes weakened oversight, how fraud metastasized nationwide, and why panic has set in among Democrat officials as investigators finally move in. This episode connects the dots between mass migration, job shortfalls, welfare dependency, and systemic fraud — and explains why independent journalism on X shattered a media blockade that once made all of this untouchable.

In this episode of Building A Better Brand®, host Tony Triumph sits down with Angel Gregorio, the visionary entrepreneur and community builder behind The Spice Suite and Black and Forth—DC's first Black-owned strip mall. Recorded live during Congressional Black Caucus Week, this conversation traces Angel's intentional journey from the classroom to multimillion-dollar real estate development. Angel pulls back the curtain on her "rule-breaking" philosophy, sharing how she transformed a single vacant storefront into a national movement for collective ownership and economic empowerment.The conversation reveals Angel's unfiltered approach to scaling, from using a 9-to-5 as a "dream investor" to navigating a $2.3M renovation and securing emergency city legislation to complete her mission. Together, they explore the importance of discernment, the power of peer-led mentorship, and why moving beyond the "struggle narrative" is essential for building sustainable community systems. Whether you are a brick-and-mortar founder or a digital operator, this episode offers a masterclass in purpose-driven entrepreneurship and what it truly looks like to build a better brand through service, distinction, and disruption.What You'll Learn in This Episode:Momentum for the "Big Leap": The real story behind leaving a career in education to bet fully on a single storefront and the mindset required to scale.Building Big in DC: How The Spice Suite evolved into Black and Forth—DC's first Black-owned strip mall—and the shift from shop owner to real estate developer.The Math of Scaling: A transparent breakdown of a $2.3M renovation, including city infrastructure requirements and the hidden costs of scaling brick-and-mortar.Partnership Over Hustle: How to leverage civic engagement and emergency legislation to secure high-level funding, including a $1M grant.The Hybrid Model: Why every for-profit needs a nonprofit arm and how Dream Incubator was built on service before structure.Systems Over Struggle: A vital conversation on moving beyond the “struggle narrative” to focus on operational outcomes and sustainable business solutions.Brand Authority & Data: How to use relevant insights and performance data to communicate brand value to funders, government entities, and customers.

Working Undercover for the ATF: His Journey, Special Episode. Working undercover for the ATF is not just a job, it is a life lived in shadows, deception, and constant danger. For Lou Valoze, a retired federal agent with the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives, that life became his reality for nearly a decade as he infiltrated some of the most violent criminal organizations in the United States. Look for The Law Enforcement Talk Radio Show and Podcast on social media like their Facebook , Instagram , LinkedIn , Medium and other social media platforms. His journey through police work at the federal level reveals the true cost of confronting violent crime head-on, while quietly removing thousands of illegal guns from the streets. This special episode is streaming for free on the Law Enforcement Talk Radio Show and Podcast website, on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, YouTube, and most every major Podcast platform A Life Lived Undercover Lou Valoze's career stands apart even within federal law enforcement circles. As a long-term undercover ATF agent, he specialized in “storefront stings”, covert operations where agents create fake businesses to attract criminals involved in gun trafficking, drugs, and organized crime. Supporting articles about this and much more from Law Enforcement Talk Radio Show and Podcast in platforms like Medium , Blogspot and Linkedin . “These criminals believed I was one of them,” Valoze explains. “That was the only way to get close enough to stop them.” By posing as a gun runner, Valoze gained the trust of violent offenders, gang members, and organized crime groups. Over time, those relationships led to the seizure of more than a thousand illegal firearms and the arrest of countless dangerous individuals. Working Undercover for the ATF: His Journey, Special Episode. Available for free on their website and streaming on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, Youtube and other podcast platforms. From Business to Federal Law Enforcement Valoze's path to undercover work was far from typical. With a background in economics and business, he initially pursued a career in banking. Everything changed after a chance conversation with an undercover Drug Enforcement Administration agent. “That single conversation flipped my entire future,” Valoze recalls. “I realized I wanted to serve, to make a real difference.” That decision led him to the Department of Justice and eventually to a 25-year career with the ATF, where his expertise reshaped undercover operations nationwide. Storefront Stings and Violent Crime Storefront stings became Valoze's signature. These operations allowed ATF agents to dismantle criminal networks from the inside, identifying gun traffickers who fueled violent crime by supplying weapons to prohibited persons, gangs, and drug dealers. Working Undercover for the ATF: His Journey, Special Episode. The Law Enforcement Talk Radio Show and Podcast episode is available for free on their website , Apple Podcasts , Spotify and most major podcast platforms. “Storefronts gave us something traditional policing couldn't,” Valoze says. “Time, access, and insight into how these groups really operated.” From 2006 to 2014, Valoze's fictitious businesses served as magnets for criminal activity, resulting in thousands of guns seized and millions of dollars' worth of drugs removed from circulation. The Toll of a Double Life While the successes were significant, the personal toll was heavy. Living undercover meant maintaining a constant dual identity, blurring the line between law enforcement and criminal persona. The interview can be found on The Law Enforcement Talk Radio Show and Podcast website, on Apple podcasts, Spotify, Youtube and on LinkedIn, Facebook, Instagram, and across most podcast platforms where listeners will find authentic law enforcement stories. “There were moments when it became hard to tell where the undercover role ended and where I began,” Valoze admits. That psychological strain, combined with the ever-present threat of exposure, became one of the most challenging aspects of his career. These experiences are documented in his book, Storefront Sting: An ATF Agent's Life Undercover, co-authored with Brian Whitney. Working Undercover for the ATF: His Journey, Special Episode. Telling the Story: Book, Podcast, and Documentary Published in 2022, Storefront Sting offers an insider's look at one of the most dangerous and successful undercover operations in ATF history. The book chronicles how small-time fencing schemes evolved into deep infiltrations of major criminal organizations. “This story needed to be told,” Valoze says. “Not for me, but so people understand what it takes to take violent criminals off the streets.” His work has since expanded beyond the book. Valoze now shares his journey through speaking engagements, podcast appearances on the Law Enforcement Talk Radio Show and Podcast available for free on their website, plus Apple Podcasts, Spotify, Youtube and most major podcast platforms. It is also featured across their Facebook, Instagram, and major news platforms like their Medium and Blogspot pages. The full podcast episode is streaming now on their website, on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, Youtube and across Facebook, Instagram, and LinkedIn. His operations are also highlighted in the Discovery Channel series Operation Undercover: Guns & Drugs in Carolina, streaming on Discovery, HBO Max, and Investigation Discovery. The documentary provides a rare, in-depth look at the risks, strategy, and human cost of federal undercover work. Protecting Communities Through Federal Policing The ATF's mission is central to Valoze's story. As a federal agency under the Department of Justice, the ATF confronts violent crime involving firearms, explosives, arson, and illegal trafficking. Through advanced crime gun intelligence and partnerships with state and local police, the agency works to dismantle the networks that fuel violence. Working Undercover for the ATF: His Journey, Special Episode. “Every gun we took off the street meant fewer chances for someone to get hurt,” Valoze reflects. A Legacy of Service Today, Lou Valoze is recognized not only as a retired ATF agent, but as an author, speaker, and voice for those who have worked in silence to protect American communities. His journey offers a rare glimpse into the realities of working undercover for the ATF, and the sacrifices required to confront violent crime at its source. “This wasn't about glory,” Valoze says. “It was about doing the job, even when no one could know who you really were.” This Special Episode explores the unseen world of federal undercover policing, where trust is weaponized, danger is constant, and the fight against violent crime happens far from the spotlight. Listeners can tune in on the Law Enforcement Talk Radio Show website, on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, YouTube, and most every major Podcast platform and follow updates on Facebook, Instagram, and other major News outlets. You can find the show on Facebook, Instagram, Pinterest, X (formerly Twitter), and LinkedIn, as well as read companion articles and updates on Medium, Blogspot, YouTube, and even IMDB. You can help contribute money to make the Gunrunner Movie . The film that Hollywood won't touch. It is about a now Retired Police Officer that was shot 6 times while investigating Gunrunning. He died 3 times during Medical treatment and was resuscitated. You can join the fight by giving a monetary “gift” to help ensure the making of his film at agunrunnerfilm.com . Background song Hurricane is used with permission from the band Dark Horse Flyer. You can contact John J. “Jay” Wiley by email at Jay@letradio.com , or learn more about him on their website . Stay connected with updates and future episodes by following the show on Facebook, Instagram, LinkedIn, their website and other Social Media Platforms. Find a wide variety of great podcasts online at The Podcast Zone Facebook Page , look for the one with the bright green logo. Be sure to check out our website . Be sure to follow us on X , Instagram , Facebook, Pinterest, Linkedin and other social media platforms for the latest episodes and news. Working Undercover for the ATF: His Journey, Special Episode. Attributions Amazon.com Lou Valoze ATF.Gov Wikipedia Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

From the BBC World Service: Shein is making headlines for more than its new brick-and-mortar store in Paris's famed BHV department store. But the launch has been overshadowed by French authorities' investigation into disturbing, illegal products sold on the platform, as well as on Temu, AliExpress, and Wish. Today, we'll learn more. And some people in Thailand are relying on informal money lenders to cover the bills as consumer debt levels soar. We'll examine the deeper costs.

From the BBC World Service: Shein is making headlines for more than its new brick-and-mortar store in Paris's famed BHV department store. But the launch has been overshadowed by French authorities' investigation into disturbing, illegal products sold on the platform, as well as on Temu, AliExpress, and Wish. Today, we'll learn more. And some people in Thailand are relying on informal money lenders to cover the bills as consumer debt levels soar. We'll examine the deeper costs.