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In this special live episode recorded at the Country Music Hall of Fame in Nashville, Tennessee during the Sustainable Packaging Coalition Impact Event, Cory Connors shares the stage with Olga Kachook to present the Third Annual Sustainable Packaging Trends Report for 2025–2026. Olga walks through the four key trends shaping the industry and dives deeper into each one in conversation with Cory, covering everything from EPR maturity to innovation in healthcare packaging.Key Topics Discussed:Regions defining recyclability — Canada, the UK, and the EU leading the way and what that means for the USInnovation breakthroughs in OTC and healthcare packaging, including paper prescription bottlesEPR turning five — progress made and challenges that remainShared data driving recyclability clarity, including the upgrade of polypropylene cold cups under the How to Recycle programDesigning for EPR — setting your own certainty in the face of regulatory uncertaintyThe "magic wand" thought experiment: how would you design your packaging portfolio if starting fresh today?Coated paper and molded fiber as focus areas for the SPC's paper recyclability collaborativeThe role of AI sorting technology in generating better recycling dataReusable e-commerce as an emerging opportunity — FedEx and Returnity's B2B partnershipPredictions for the 2027 Trends Report, including consumer education and infrastructure expansion in EPR statesCabinet Health's refillable OTC packaging model, available at Target and AmazonResources Mentioned:Sustainable Packaging Coalition (SPC) SPC Paper Recyclability CollaborativeHow to Recycle ProgramCabinet Health — refillable OTC packagingNextGen ConsortiumReturnity Reusable ShippingContact: For more information on the SPC Trends Report, scan the QR code mentioned in the episode or visit sustainablepackaging.org.Thank you for tuning in to Sustainable Packaging with Cory Connors, presented by Atlantic Packaging!Support our Sponsors Learn more here:- 3M- Specright- Forest Connect with CoryConnect with Cory on LinkedIn here: https://www.linkedin.com/in/cory-connors/I'm here to help you make your packaging more sustainable! Reach out today and I'll get back to you asap. This podcast is an independent production and the podcast production is an original work of the author. All rights of ownership and reproduction are retained—copyright 2022.
What would happen if you woke up tomorrow and were suddenly taxed an extra 33% on every dollar of profit your business produced? In this rerun episode, I break down why that scenario isn't far off from what many founders are already doing, simply by failing to optimize their pricing, overhead, and after-tax income. Listen in as I walk through the three profit levers that matter most, why they drive more impact than almost anything else you can do, and how they can meaningfully increase your net income without hiring more people or scaling harder. You'll hear real examples from the eCommerceFuel community, data from the Trends Report, and practical steps you can take right now to strengthen your margins, streamline your operations, and dramatically improve your after-tax results. You can find show notes and more information by clicking here: https://tinyurl.com/z984zhyt Interested in our Private Community for 7-Figure Store Owners? Learn more here.
US and the World Planters are rolling across the Great North American corn belt. It is that time of year when the rubber meets the road with regard to all the plans put in place over the last few months. As of May, the 10th 57% of corn was planted in the US and 49% of intended soybean acreage was in the ground. So we’re off to a very good start. However, as every farmer knows there’s lots of risks planting those fields and there’s lots of risk ahead. Markets have been volatile. On Tuesday May the 12th the USDA released their latest WASDE report. The May report is USDA’s first detailed look into crop production for the 2026/2027 crop year. USDA is predicting new crop corn to be 15.995 billion bushels based on the yield guess of 183 bushels per acre. This was within pre report estimates and if it comes to fruition, it will be the second largest corn crop on record trailing only last year's 17.02-billion-bushel blockbuster. The planted acreage is set to come in at 95.3 million acres with harvested acreage projected at 87.4 million acres. It really wasn’t a big surprise with regard to these fundamental numbers. The corn ending stocks for 2026/27 are projected to be 1.957 billion bushels. Total corn usage is estimated to be 16.205 billion bushels. On the soybean side of the equation, USDA estimated numbers of 4.435 billion bushels of soybeans with a trendline yield of 53 bushels per acre and 84.7 million acres. If it comes to fruition, this will be the second largest soybean crop in U.S. history. US domestic soybean stocks are set to come in at 310 million bushels which was on the bottom end of the pre report estimates. The Brazilians are set to produce another 186 MMT crop of soybeans and the Argentinians are set to come in at 48 MMTs. USDA estimated 2026/2027 US wheat production to be 1.561 billion bushels which is a decrease from the 1.921 billion bushels last May. If this production comes to fruition, it will be the lowest wheat production since 1972. On May 15th corn and soybeans were about the same and wheat futures were higher than the last Market Trends report. July 2026 corn futures was at $4.55 a bushel. Dec 2026 corn was at $4.81 bu. The July 2026 soybean futures was at $11.77 bu. The November 2026 soybean futures were at $11.70. The July 2026 wheat futures closed at $6.35 a bushel. The Minneapolis July 2026 wheat futures closed at $6.85 a bushel with the September 2026 contract closing at $7.05 a bushel. The nearby oil futures as of May 15th, 2026, closed at $105.42/barrel much higher vs the nearby futures recorded in the last Market Trends report of $94.40/barrel. The average price for US ethanol in the US was $2.22/gallon, higher vs the $2.21/gallon recorded in the last Market Trends Report. The Canadian dollar noon rate on April 24th, 2026, was .7272 US, down vs the .7311 US reported here in the last Market Trends report. The Bank of Canada’s lending rate remained at 2.25%. Ontario The Grain Farmers of Ontario's estimation of planting put corn planting at 52% complete, soybeans are at 16 per cent complete, and spring cereals planting is 62 per cent complete across the province as of Wednesday, May 13, 2026. Weather has been uneven early in the season and especially cold going into mid-May. Producers will be hoping for hot weather for good crop emergence and adequate rainfall to get the crop off to a good start. Rainfall has been a bit on the light side in some areas of the province as of mid-May. In fact, although some wheat fields look very good some of the wheat fields that got side dressed late because of tough ground conditions are in need of a good rain. So far at least in the deep southwest of Ontario that has not happened. Weather is always a dominant factor with regard to crop progress. So far it is led to slow development, but of course we’re hoping for a quick turnaround. Ontario corn basis levels have hardly changed from the last Market Trends report. In fact if anything they are a bit lower. Soybeans on the other hand have much higher basis levels which are reflection of the lower Canadian dollar, higher futures prices and the lower soybean supplies in eastern Canada. The Canadian dollar currently at .7272 US continues to add stimulus to Ontario grain prices. Old crop corn basis levels are $1.40 to $2.05 over the July 2026 corn futures on May 15th across the province. New crop corn basis levels were $1.20 to $1.63 over Dec 2026 futures. The old crop basis levels for soybeans range from $3.45 to $4.20 over the July 2026 futures. New crop soybeans range from $3.16 to $3.45 over the November 2026 futures. Ontario SRW wheat prices are approximately $7.72. For July 2026 new crop the bid is in the $7.66/bu range. On May 15th the US replacement price for corn was $6.74/bushel. You can access all these Ontario grain prices in the marketing section at https://gfo.ca/marketing/daily-commodity-report/ The Bottom Line Our grain marketing reality is growing a little bit more mixed. A month ago, one of the main topics of discussion was the Iran war and how that had affected both fertilizer and fuel prices. By extension the grain markets rallied. However, that war has now become more dialed into the trading algorithms and a month-long ceasefire has mitigated some of the effect. Needless to say, oil prices are still elevated and the war could continue to flare up anytime. It is truly a wild card for grain producers this year across the North American corn belt. That might be the wild card but of course there is always the weather which has a big effect on what’s happening ahead. For instance, by the weekend of May 16th about 70% of the US corn crop could be planted as well as 2/3 of the soybean crop. Things have turned bearish and that’s partly because of the disappointment in Beijing and partly because of the great crop planting progress and the benign weather. It is leaning into a bearish market environment. If the weather decides to play nice, we know the rest of the story. We will have big crops and probably rising ending stocks. However, on the other hand if there is a hiccup involved with regard to crop weather in supply, we will likely see a mitigating effect on the price dropping. It is shaping up to be a super El Nino year. Looking back at the past super El Nino years, 2015, 1997 and 2023, all had record corn yields. Wheat is at an interesting point. The Chicago wheat contract which is especially relative to producers in Ontario has been dragged up by the HRW wheat price rally. This is happened because of the dry weather in the US southern plains. It is key because the United States will be at a low ebb for HRW for another year. This should support to some extent the Chicago wheat market. As always, with wheat grown everywhere, cheaper foreign wheat always has the potential to show up in US ports. Commodity Specific Comments Corn The US old crop corn ending stocks sitting at 2.1 billion bushels is putting a drag on the corn price. However, it is much higher than it was a year ago and has constantly threatened to go through $5 US. However, it has not done that and backed off currently at $4.81 a bushel. New crop ending stocks at 1.96 billion bushels are telling us there’s not a lot of concern. Old crop prices reflect this. We’ll have to see what the weather does this summer. The December contract breaking through $5 is a tough ask. Seasonality is always part of that and traditionally that has been mid-June for the highest new crop prices. However, over the past five years the seasonality seems to have changed because the best new crop prices being in the first part of May. That possibly might have happened this year. Weather risk and renewed war risk will likely be two factors to break that $5 barrier. The July 2026 corn contract is currently priced at 7.25 cents lower than the September 2026 contract a bearish indication of old crop corn demand. Seasonally, we know that corn prices tend to peak in early June and bottom out in early October. The July 2026 corn futures contract is at the 16th percentile of the past five-year price distribution range. Soybeans Soybeans have been on call with regard to any news coming out of China. At this point there hasn’t been specific numbers mentioned with regard to any type of renewed Chinese demand coming out of the presidential meeting in Beijing. Positive news out of that meeting might have taken the nearby month into the $12.00 futures territory. As it is now, there is really no shortage of soybeans in the United States or in the world at any level. Soybean prices fell after the summit with funds taking profits from the lack of news. However, there still could be increased Chinese buying but it might be more likely that it comes later in the season, when soybeans could be cheaper. Cheap always is the great elixir for Chinese soybean buying. The July 2026 soybean contract is currently priced .25 cents above the August contract considered bullish for old crop soybean demand. Seasonally, soybean prices tend to peak in early July and bottom out in early October. The July 2026 soybean contract is currently at the 28th percentile of the past five-year price distribution range. Wheat Wheat went up the limit in one trading session of the week ending May 16th. In the May USDA report all wheat production was down to 1.561 billion bushels, and this was 170 million bushels below trade estimates. The HRW wheat was estimated at 515 million bushels which is nearly 290 million bushels below last year. So, for whatever reason, we went up the limit but keep in mind most US wheat is still priced out of global markets. At the moment it’s a US phenomenon seeing this wheat price higher, at a certain point it will likely disappear. Needless to say, it does represent opportunity to price wheat. The Ontario wheat crop could sure use a rain in some areas, but generally looks good. Quality issues can always be a problem when it comes to wheat but drier than normal usually works well. Prices are also a dollar plus higher this year compared to what was received last harvest season in 2025. The Canadian dollar certainly helps with that. Producers will be hoping as the weather grows warmer wheat finds its sweet spot to bring in bumper yields. The Bottom Line (cont.) The Canadian dollar continues to flutter around the 72 cent level US. Over the last several weeks it is gyrated between 73 cents and 71 cents US bouncing in an inverse fashion to where the US dollar goes. At a certain point there is going to be a breakout to the upside and when it does it will be a problem for Ontario cash grain prices. As it is, stronger USD economic data and trade uncertainty with Canada hasn’t been good for the loonie. $0.80 US still seems like a long way off, thankfully for Ontario grain prices. The geopolitical situation continues to be a bit of a hot mess, but a hot mess that the grain trading algorithms have readily devoured. Whether it is Russia and Ukraine or Iran and the United States or Israel and Lebanon grain algorithms have adjusted. However, oil prices are still elevated which help grain prices generally. In the bearish fundamental environment for grain, which we are in now these geopolitical concerns can add a lot of spark to the market at unusual times. Keep in mind that we are in a time frame of grain seasonality we’re often times you can capture new crop marketing opportunities. It is also true that you can sell grain throughout the year successfully especially if you have market orders set. Capturing those market opportunities can be elusive especially in markets like these affected by geopolitical events beyond the grain fundamentals. Despite that, we move on. Here in Ontario, we have the challenge once again this spring of getting the crop in the ground. That can always certainly be a challenge, but it’s also challenged to market our crops in a profitable manner and capture those marketing opportunities when they come along. Grain continues to move out into the export market to compete with cheaper options. At the same time there are value added opportunities here at home built up by our industry overtime. Daily market intelligence remains key. Risk management never grows old. There will be many marketing opportunities ahead. The post Market Trends Report – May & June 2026 appeared first on Grain Farmers of Ontario.
Subscribe for ad-free episodes + bonus content: https://realestatemarketminute.supercast.com/ Instagram: @thesalibgroup Email: mark@thesalibgroup.com A new NAR 2026 Generational Trends Report reveals major shifts happening across the U.S. housing market. In this episode, we break down which generations are gaining power, which groups are struggling, and why demographic changes could have a major impact on home prices, inventory, condos, townhomes, and the future of real estate across America. We also discuss first-time buyers, downsizing trends, and what these changes could mean for buyers, sellers, investors, and real estate agents going forward.
It's EV News Briefly for Monday 27 April 2026, everything you need to know in less than 5 minutes if you haven't got time for the full show.Patreon supporters fund this show, get the episodes ad free, as soon as they're ready and are part of the EV News Daily Community. You can be like them by clicking here: https://www.patreon.com/EVNewsDailyKIA CUTS EUROPE PRICES TO FIGHT CHINESEKia CEO Song Ho-sung announced a deliberate price-cutting strategy at the company's Investor Day, narrowing the price gap with Chinese rivals like BYD from 20–25% to 15–20%. Despite reporting a quarterly profit decline on 24 April due to higher European sales incentives, Kia says its solid profit base can sustain the strategy, with the upcoming EV2 small SUV set to challenge the BYD Dolphin Surf directly.BYD DENZA Z TAKES AIM AT TESLABYD unveiled the production Denza Z at the 2026 Beijing Auto Show — an all-electric supercar with around 1,000 hp, a sub-two-second 0–60 mph claim, and three variants including a coupe and convertible. Estimated at around $65,000 in China, it targets the Tesla Roadster 2 and is prioritised for European sales, with a Goodwood Festival of Speed debut planned and full technical details due in July 2026.OIL SHOCK COULD SPEED UK EV UPTAKERising oil prices following US and Israeli strikes on Iran and closure of the Strait of Hormuz are shifting the economic case toward EVs, accelerating a consumer tipping point already supported by better batteries. A large EV fleet could transform UK grid stability through vehicle-to-grid systems, with Ofgem estimating that half of projected EVs on V2G by 2030 could provide 16GW of flexible capacity — five times the projected output of Hinkley Point C.PHEVS COST MORE TO BUY AND RUNECIU data shows eight of the UK's 10 best-selling PHEVs carry a higher sticker price than comparable EVs, with an average gap of £4,150 or 10%, even as the average new EV has fallen below the average new petrol car for the first time. Real-world PHEV fuel costs run 490% above official figures, pushing annual fuelling costs to around £1,030 — £620 more per year than an equivalent EV — making total cost of ownership over £1,000 per year higher than going fully electric.OMODA & JAECOO HITS ONE MILLION SALESOmoda & Jaecoo reached one million cumulative global sales in April 2026, just three years after its international debut, recording monthly sales of over 60,000 units in March and operating across 69 markets with 1,364 dealers. Europe drove 41.5% of total global sales, with a 246% year-on-year rise in March, and the brand ranked sixth in the UK with a 4.7% market share — with Omoda & Jaecoo now targeting one million annual sales by 2027.GWM PULLS ORA 03 FROM UKGWM has withdrawn the Ora 03 electric hatchback from the UK market after only 542 units were registered across all of 2025 and just 26 in Q1 2026, ending a four-year run for the model originally launched as the Funky Cat. No new stock will be supplied, with the car available only from existing dealer inventory as GWM shifts focus to a broader European growth strategy.LEAPMOTOR B05 TARGETS EUROPE WITH LOW PRICESLeapmotor's B05 compact hatchback will launch in Europe starting at €26,900 in Italy, undercutting every major rival by at least €10,000, including the Volkswagen ID.3 at €40,990, the BYD Dolphin at €35,000 and the MG4 at €34,000. At 4,430 mm long with rear-wheel drive, 160 kW, a 0–100 km/h time of 6.7 seconds and DC fast charging peaking at 174 kW, it combines size, performance and price in a package that directly targets the mainstream European EV market.US EV MAKERS PRESS DIRECT SALES FIGHTUS EV makers including Tesla, Rivian and Lucid are escalating efforts to bypass the dealer franchise model, which still controls 96% of new-vehicle deliveries, using new legal strategies and ballot initiative threats — though the three brands combined held less than 4% of the US light-vehicle market in 2025. The bigger industry fear is not EV startups but legacy or foreign brands like Volkswagen's Scout Motors breaking the model open for all manufacturers, which could fundamentally reshape US auto retail.MG WEIGHS SPAIN FOR EUROPEAN EV PLANTMG Motor reportedly favours Spain — particularly Galicia — over Hungary for its first European EV manufacturing plant, driven largely by Galicia's strong shipping links to the UK, MG's most important European market. No final decision has been made, but the move is driven by SAIC facing the EU's highest Chinese automaker tariff rate of 35.3%, even as producing cars in Europe will cost more than manufacturing them in China.AVERAGE EV RETAINS 97% OF ITS RANGE AFTER THREE YEARSRecurrent's 2026 EV Market and Trends Report found that the average EV retains 97% of its range after three years and 95% after five years, with five brands — Cadillac, Ford, Hyundai, Mercedes and Rivian — showing zero apparent range loss over five years. Used EV demand surged 53.9% between February and March 2026, with the average used EV now priced at $34,653 — just $1,012 below an equivalent ICE vehicle — while average new EV range for 2026 models rose 11% to 325 miles.
US and the World It is that time of year again when planters are rolling across the Great North American corn belt. As always, there are variations on this theme depending on the weather. Some producers are going well, some are delayed by rain, and some haven’t even started yet. However, as we look into 2026, we have a world awash in grain but at the same time deeply troubled by geopolitical events in the Black Sea and the Strait of Hormuz. Our grain price environment equation is being buffeted every which way. On April 9th the USDA came out with their latest WASDE report. There were few changes coming from the USDA on April 9th. US corn production for 2025/26 Is still pegged at a record 17.02 billion bushels with a yield forecast of 186.5 bushels per acre. Corn ethanol usage came in at 5.6 billion bushels, feed and residual usage came in at 6.2 billion bushels and food seed and residual use and industrial use was projected at 6.97 billion bushels. This year US farmers surveyed came up with the figure of 95.3 million acres of corn which is down 3% from a year ago. Soybeans on the other hand are projected to be 84.7 million acres which is up 4% from last year. Winter wheat acreage is the lowest since 1919. On the soybean side of the equation old crop ending stocks are still set at 350 million bushels. USDA did trim its export estimate by 35 million bushels to 1.54 billion bushels. Total usage is set at 4.262 billion bushels. There was a lowering a world ending stocks reflecting some higher crushed estimates. Production in Brazil remains at 180 MMT and 48 MMT in Argentina. On the global side of things, wheat ending stocks actually increased slightly from the March estimate. On April 24th corn, soybeans and wheat futures were higher than the last Market Trends report. May 2026 corn futures was at $4.55 a bushel. Dec 2026 corn was at $4.84 bu. The May 2026 soybean futures was at $11.78 bu. The November 2026 soybean futures were at $11.55. The May 2026 wheat futures closed at $6.08 a bushel. The Minneapolis May 2026 wheat futures closed at $6.76 a bushel with the September 2026 contract closing at $7.09 a bushel.The nearby oil futures as of April 24th, 2026, closed at $94.40/barrel much lower vs the nearby futures recorded in the last Market Trends report of $111.54/barrel. The average price for US ethanol in the US was $2.21/gallon, down vs the $2.25/gallon recorded in the last Market Trends Report. The Canadian dollar noon rate on April 24th, 2026, was .7311 US, up vs the .7185 US reported here in the last Market Trends report. The Bank of Canada’s lending rate remained at 2.25%. Ontario Wet weather has been a characteristic in the early spring throughout Ontario limiting field activity. However, there has been widespread side dressing nitrogen on the wheat with some acres left behind as of Saturday April 25th because of rain showers inundating Ontario. Producers will be looking for dry weather both to get this side dressing done as well as commence corn planting. Statistics Canada is estimating Ontario farmers will grow 2.316 million acres of corn this year and 2.894 million acres of soybeans. In Quebec we’re looking at 825 thousand acres of corn and a million acres of soybeans. Intuitively, the Ontario corn number doesn’t seem quite right especially with the higher fertilizer and fuel costs this spring. However, much of the corn acreage in the province will depend on spring weather. At this early date there is still wide opportunity to garner big corn acres the spring. The erosion in the Canadian dollar of a couple cents since the last Market Trends report is partly responsible for the lower soybean basis in Ontario. However, keep in mind that the short crop in eastern Ontario last year is resulting in a deficit of soybeans to export. This has led to basis strength especially a few weeks ago. At the same time there has been US corn imported into Quebec to satisfy some local requirements. It is all a function of price and as local prices approach the US replacement price, there will be corn imports. Old crop corn basis levels are $1.45 to $2.15 over the May 2026 corn futures on April 24th across the province. New crop corn basis levels were $1.25 to $1.60 over Dec 2026 futures. The old crop basis levels for soybeans range from $3.10 to $3.91 over the May 2026 futures. New crop soybeans range from $3.09 to $3.40 over the November 2026 futures. Ontario SRW wheat prices are approximately $7.43. For July 2026 new crop the bid is in the $7.36/bu range. On April 24th the US replacement price for corn was $6.68/bushel. You can access all these Ontario grain prices in the marketing section at https://gfo.ca/marketing/daily-commodity-report/ The Bottom Line In many ways, it’s a new day. For some producers they may have old crop left in the bin but for others it is long in the rear view mirror. What we face as we go into planting our crops this year is risk that we’ve become accustomed to overtime. There are the fundamentals of grain which refers to the supply and demand but of course there is also the weather which we deal with all the time. As we look into 2026 weather concerns will continually dominate where we go. Outlier years like 2012 and 1988 will happen again. However, for the most part they are rare. Needless to say, we will be in a continual weather market until the crop is made. Another important point to realize as we move ahead is that grain fundamentals don’t seem to matter as much as they used to. For instance, right now the world is awash in grain especially coming off good crops from last year. At the same time futures prices have moved higher partly because of geopolitical events and partly because of things unknown. In many ways there is no connection to previous days no classic technical or fundamental analysis to apply. What we’re finding is that trading algorithms are dialed in to social media posts especially at the highest level of the American government and over the last several weeks this has made market prices go higher. Also too, with war in Iran much uncertainty has reigned and the trading algorithms have responded positively. It is always hard to know what will come next especially in this market environment. We know that the potential for another big crop in the United States followed by another big crop in South America is more or less likely. Keep in mind that also will be dialed into the grain trading algorithms. In fact, you might make an argument cash basis may become even more important depending on where you farm. At the end of the day, it is our cash prices which is the litmus test for our market decisions. The war in Iran continues and its effect on our agricultural markets will surely continue. Keep in mind that grain analysts are not military analysts, which creates a lot of noise within the marketplace. As it is, the energy market will continually be a place for big volatility. Soybean oil will be affected as well as our corn markets. We cannot ignore the daily headlines out of Iran. It will always be an influence until things settle down Commodity Specific Comments Corn Corn futures prices lost about $0.40 from their March highs and are currently working halfway back to those March levels. Whether they get there or not is another point of contention. For instance, at the present time we are planting new crop corn and you would think it would take a lot of weather delays and new news to have an effect on our old corn prices as we move forward. For new crop corn there has always been the discussion since the start of the war in Iran about how higher fuel and fertilizer prices might affect US acreage this spring. That debate is still ongoing, but it is probably more likely that weather will affect the corn acres vwesus the fuel and fertilizer debate. Keep in mind that earlier the USDA had forecast 95.3 million acres of corn to be planted this spring. The July 2026 corn contract is currently priced at 5.25 cents lower than the September 2026 contract a neutral to bearish indication of old crop corn demand. Seasonally, we know that corn prices tend to peak in early June and bottom out in early October. The July 2026 corn futures contract is at the 18th percentile of the past five-year price distribution range. Soybeans Soybeans usually have a lot to say, but not so much for the moment. We have been in a trading range of about $0.25 up and down since the big drop on March the 12th. Keep in mind the Chinese have not been back to buy soybeans even though there is a US China summit supposed to be taking place in May. US export demand has been pretty nonexistent within this vacuum. We also know there are likely be more soybeans planted this year in the United States. It is no secret that at the present time South America and Brazil in particular owns the soybean market. They’ve had another record crop over 180 MMT and this will continue to permeate within soybean prices for the near future. As we move ahead, there would have to be another explosion in oil prices or some type of weather calamity in the United States to make this soybean price get much higher. The July 2026 soybean contract is currently priced 6.75 cents above the August contract considered bullish for old crop soybean demand. Seasonally, soybean prices tend to peak in early July and bottom out in early October. The July 2026 soybean contract is currently at the 28th percentile of the past five-year price distribution range. Wheat Wheat has been a bit of a bright spot in the agricultural commodity market, something that doesn’t usually happen. Remember, wheat is almost everywhere in abundance, but it is spring in the southern US plains where it is dry. This with reduced acres has put a bit of kick in wheat's step. However, keep in mind the wheat prices are lower on the global stage versus in the US. Remarkably, even the US has imported some wheat this year based on that fact. All of this might mean that we are looking at a major marketing opportunity for wheat at the present time. It may be that time in Ontario as well. Wheat prices now are approximately a dollar plus higher than they were last harvest in July of 2025. Wheat producers might argue it’s still not enough, but plus $7.50 wheat has not been here for at least a couple years. Quality issues are always a concern when it comes to wheat, but we are still a long ways from that. For many producers especially on heavy soils, side dressing nitrogen is still the main priority as we head into May. The Bottom Line (cont.) The Canadian dollar is up about a cent in half from three weeks ago which is always a dampening effect for Ontario cash grain prices. These times are tumultuous with the war going on in Iran and recently the American dollar has been sliding which usually results in the Canadian dollar gaining in value. We have also had some Canadian economic data that was pretty good combined with the spectre of interest rate cuts being less likely and oil prices being supportive. Having our Canadian loonie flutter around the 73-cent mark as always good for Ontario cash grain prices. As it is, there is still trouble in the Strait of Hormoz and producers will need to keep abreast of these things especially with regard to how it affects the US and Canadian dollar. When you combine the geopolitical effects, we see now with the oncoming growing season there is a world of risk ahead for grain prices. Keep in mind that ignoring the war for a minute we’re going into a time where seasonality with grain pricing tells us we may see contracting opportunities quite near. In fact, we have already seen some based on the lower prices we had last season. It will be important during this time to keep market orders current in pricing your grain. As stated, earlier USDA has forecast 95.3 million acres of corn and 84.7 million acres of soybeans this year. That’s happening right now and will surely be affected by weather and who knows what else. Once again, there seemingly will be grain everywhere following a consistently normal script for grain prices. However, we all know as producers it is a long way till payday. There is a world of risk ahead including USDA reports which may define price direction for the near future. Needless to say, the planting season does represent a bit of a new day for grain pricing. Everything seems new. A new fundamental will emerge. A new story will be told. The algorithms need more distraction. Within this mix, it's not lost on farmers that risk management doesn't grow old. Daily market intelligence will remain key. There will be many grain marketing opportunities ahead.The post Market Trends Report – April & May 2026 appeared first on Grain Farmers of Ontario.
"Succeeding with paid was not about how good your ROAS was. What the paid experts did so well was they had built a business model structurally that allowed them to put as much money as they possible into that paid engine." Andrew Youderian surveyed 300 store owners representing $3.5 billion in revenue for the sixth annual eComFuel Trends Report, and the data broke four things Shopify merchants have been told were true. AI adoption is at 72% and producing zero financial edge. Non-AI adopters are growing profits faster than adopters. Amazon's share of revenue is back to 2017 levels while more brands than ever are selling on it. Gross margins hit an all-time high the same year net margins hit an all-time low. In this episode we dig into the paid traffic reversal that changed Andrew's own mind, why 97% of stores now run paid ads, the P&L math that separates winners from losers, and the financial literacy stat that moves net margins by 50%. SPONSORS Swym - Wishlists, Back in Stock alerts, & more getswym.com/kurt Cleverific - Smart order editing for Shopify cleverific.com Zipify - Build high-converting sales funnels zipify.com/KURT LINKS eComFuel 2026 Trends Report: https://www.ecommercefuel.com Financial Mastery for Ecom Store Owners (free course): https://www.ecommercefuel.com/mastery/ WORK WITH KURT Apply for Shopify Help ethercycle.com/apply See Our Results ethercycle.com/work Free Newsletter kurtelster.com The Unofficial Shopify Podcast is hosted by Kurt Elster and explores the stories behind successful Shopify stores. Get actionable insights, practical strategies, and proven tactics from entrepreneurs who've built thriving ecommerce businesses.
What are the biggest hidden shifts happening inside seven- and eight-figure businesses right now, and how are they changing the way companies grow, hire, and manage money? In this episode, you'll learn key insights from a large-scale industry trends report built from 300+ high-performing brands, breaking down the real operational and financial changes shaping the industry. From business model evolution to the impact of tariffs, I'll unpack what's actually driving performance behind the scenes. Listen in to learn what businesses did when tariffs hit, why hiring became the number one struggle across industries, and how operational pressure is forcing founders to rethink how they structure their teams, warehouses, and cash flow. Most importantly, you'll hear why financial fluency is becoming a critical advantage for business owners and how taking money out of your business strategically can actually support long-term, sustainable growth. You can find show notes and more information by clicking here: https://tinyurl.com/3mudzkwx Interested in our Private Community for 7-Figure Store Owners? Learn more here. Want to hear about new episodes and eCommerce news round-ups? Subscribe via email.
Host Luke McNamara is joined by Chris Linklater, Practice Leader at Mandiant, to discuss the 2026 edition of Mandiant's M-Trends Report. Chris dives into the latest trends observed in breached throughout 2025 and into this year, noting some of the key aspects organizations should focus on in applying these insights into today's threat landscape. https://cloud.google.com/security/resources/m-trends
What are the fastest-growing eCommerce brands actually doing behind the scenes, and how do you know if your business is on the right track? In this episode, I'm breaking down insights from a massive industry trends report built from 300 seven- and eight-figure brands. You'll learn what's working, what's not, and the benchmarks you should be paying attention to when it comes to growth, margins, and marketing performance. Listen in as I dive into the reality of paid traffic in today's market, why nearly every brand is investing in ads, and how rising competition is impacting profitability. I also cover which platforms are dominating (and why), the real pros and cons of selling on Amazon, and how AI adoption is shaping the future of eCommerce. You can find show notes and more information by clicking here: https://tinyurl.com/2er2z54j Interested in our Private Community for 7-Figure Store Owners? Learn more here. Want to hear about new episodes and eCommerce news round-ups? Subscribe via email.
Kyle Forrest is a Principal and the Future of HR Leader at Deloitte Consulting, where he helps organizations navigate the rapidly evolving intersection of Humans and AI. In this live episode from the Transform Conference in Las Vegas, Kyle breaks down two of the key trends from Deloitte's 2026 Global Human Capital Trends Report. During our conversation, he explores how organizations can stay relevant amid constant change, why traditional change management is falling short, and what it means to become “changeful.” Kyle also dives into the rise of orchestration—where leaders must align human and machine capabilities—and what it takes to unlock real productivity gains in an AI-powered workplace.LinksKyle's LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/kyleforrest/Deloitte Human Capital Trends 2026: https://www.deloitte.com/us/en/insights/topics/talent/human-capital-trends.html
US and the World The calendar date has changed and with that so has the psychology. Where we have been musing about old crop stocks for several weeks and months now, April 2026 will be the month where planters will really start to roll both in corn and soybeans. The March 31st USDA Prospective plantings report always serves as a benchmark for the new crop year ahead of us. Sometimes, this report can see explosive market action as the algorithms have it dialed in. With war raging it is an uneven time in markets. The March 31st report set this up for what we may be looking at in crop acreage this year. US producers surveyed across the United States will be planting less corn and more soybeans in 2026. The US corn acreage came in at 95.3 million acres which is down 3% from last year. On the soybean side of the ledger US soybean producers intend to plant 84.7 million acres in 2026 which is up 4% from last year. The winter wheat acreage for 2026 is estimated to be 43.8 million acres down 3% from 2025 and the lowest number since 1919. Winter wheat acreage planted area was set at 32.4 million acres which is down 2% from last year.The acreage numbers are very similar to a year ago. Keep in mind that that could change greatly over the year ahead. Case in point is if you look over the last 20 years the average corn change between March intentions and final plantings is 1.634 million acres with soybeans at 1.868 million acres. The biggest swings during this have been 6.5 million acres for corn and 8.5 million acres for soybeans. So, despite the USDA report on March 31st being important there are always variations on the theme as we move ahead. On April 3rd corn, soybeans and wheat futures were lower than the last Market Trends report. May 2026 corn futures was at $4.52 a bushel. Dec 2026 corn was at $4.81 bu. The May 2026 soybean futures was at $11.63 bu. The November 2026 soybean futures were at $11.54. The May 2026 wheat futures closed at $5.98 a bushel. The Minneapolis May 2026 wheat futures closed at $6.46 a bushel with the September 2026 contract closing at $6.76 a bushel. The nearby oil futures as of April 2nd, 2026, closed at $111.54/barrel much higher vs the nearby futures recorded in the last Market Trends report of $98.71/barrel. The average price for US ethanol in the US was $2.25/gallon, up vs the $2.16/gallon recorded in the last Market Trends Report. The Canadian dollar noon rate on April 2nd, 2026, was .7185 US, down vs the .7291 US reported here in the last Market Trends report. The Bank of Canada’s lending rate remained at 2.25%. Ontario In Ontario, it’s that time of year when everybody’s getting ready to plant. However, there have been hints of spring with a few warm days but so far is not wide open. Side dressing of nitrogen on wheat has barely started early in April with uneven weather. Needless to say, the wheat crop looks good although are there are a few poor fields from winter kill in specific areas. Basis levels are very close to the same or slightly higher than they were since the last Market Trends report. Eastern Ontario corn basis which has been significantly higher than southwestern Ontario has eroded slightly. This likely will continue to be volatile throughout 2026 because of the short crop in this area last year. The soybean basis is largely affected by the volatility in the Canadian dollar and with it fluttering in the $0.71 range soybean basis has been strong. Basis is always a reflection of supply and demand within your local area, however, as usual Canadian basis levels reflect greatly the value of the Canadian dollar. This is especially true for soybeans and wheat. It has been accentuated lately by the big moves in futures values caused by the war in Iran. If this continues, we should expect continuing volatility on basis levels. Old crop corn basis levels are $1.45 to $2.15 over the May 2026 corn futures on April 2nd across the province. New crop corn basis levels were $1.25 to $1.69 over Dec 2026 futures. The old crop basis levels for soybeans range from $3.30 to $4.24 over the May 2026 futures. New crop soybeans range from $3.20 to $3.55 over the November 2026 futures. Ontario SRW wheat prices are approximately $7.43. For July 2026 new crop the bid is in the $7.40/bu range. On March 13th the US replacement price for corn was $6.76/bushel. You can access all these Ontario grain prices in the marketing section at https://gfo.ca/marketing/daily-commodity-report/ The Bottom Line It’s been all about the war for the last two weeks but at a certain point you become numb to the pain. In other words, even the markets get the war dialed in. However, keep in mind that this price volatility isn’t going to go away, and it has been significant. For instance, after the January USDA report corn went down $0.50 a bushel. The rally in May futures did regain all of that and more before trailing off. Who would have expected that after the January limit down move. As it is, with war dialed in to the algorithms we’ve seen a 22-month high in both corn and soybeans. Of course, the question is what happens now? With war raging in the Middle East affecting the price of oil it is also hard to say. However, prices are higher now than we’ve become accustomed to over the last 18 to 24 months. Closing your eyes for a minute and imagine a trading world without the war and we would likely see a far different picture. Think about seasonality, think about the spring weather, and think about “hot and dry” that may come this summer. At this point in early April, we are sitting better than we expected, almost a gift on the price front. US farmers produced 17.02 billion bushels of corn last year. Will that happen again and if it does will prices stay where they are? Keep in mind it's usually around the middle of June going into the July 4th weekend new crop corn reaches its high point. Soybeans are made in August which likely will be the same this year. However, there are always variations on the theme, and we’ll need to manage that risk looking ahead into a 2026 growing season. Crude oil is always a default when it comes to the prices of our agricultural commodities. It is always part of the Market Trends report but in 2026 it is really changing the game. We have seen about a doubling in price of crude oil in the last 30 days with the resulting increase in the price of gasoline, diesel fuel and other distillates. Who knows if it’s over and who knows if $200 oil is possible. It’s a war thing, but it is reality. Our grain prices to some extent are taking a lead from oil but of course they are much more reluctant than oil probably will be Commodity Specific Comments Corn One of the bigger questions this spring is how much corn will be shifted into soybeans because of higher fertilizer prices. Estimates vary but about 75% of fertilizer has already been put down for corn in the United States mitigating much of that move. However, we never know and for the remaining acres it definitely could shift out of corn. Keep in mind, the American farmer loves growing corn and even with higher fertilizer prices it’s hard to see new crop acreage going down much further than what the USDA estimated. Simply put, we are well supplied with corn in the United States. On March 1st, USDA put quarterly stocks at 9.024 billion bushels. That was slightly lower than the trade expected. Keep in mind that demand for this corn has been off the chart this year and price has been partly accentuated since the drop off in January by the war going on in the Middle East. The May 2026 corn contract is currently priced at 11.75 cents lower than the July 2026 contract a neutral to bearish indication of old crop corn demand. Seasonally, we know that corn prices tend to peak in early June and bottom out in early October. The May 2026 corn futures contract is at the 18th percentile of the past five-year price distribution range. Soybeans The soybean rally started back in late January possibly to the notion that the market wanted to buy soybean acres. However, we know after that that the forces of the world took over with war starting to rage in Iran. The funds have also piled on hoping to ride the wave up. This is happening despite big supplies coming out of South America. Sometimes, things just don’t make sense. Earlier we had been looking at the Trump meeting with President Xi of China as the flash point for American soybean buying. However, that meeting was postponed with a result in the decrease in the price of soybeans. Keep in mind that meeting is now rescheduled for May and market algorithms will be dialed into renewed buying from China for American soybeans. It’s like betting on how noisy can a firecracker pop. Trading algorithms pay attention to these news items and as we get closer to the meeting in May, so the prices will be sensitive to it. The May 2026 soybean contract is currently priced 16 cents below the July contract considered bearish for soybean demand. Seasonally, soybean prices tend to peak in early July and bottom out in early October. The January 2026 soybean contract is currently at the 26th percentile of the past five-year price distribution range. Wheat Wheat prices are higher than they’ve usually been, which should set off celebrations in the wheat complex. However, we know that some of this is due to the dryness in the American southwest plains, but also due to some of these prices tied to the increasing price of oil. Keep in mind that we’re coming off 5-year lows at the end of 2025. At the same time USDA prospective plantings report tells us that we have the least wheat acres since 1919. At a certain point you would hope it would break out, but in the wheat market that’s like waiting for Godet. In Ontario, wheat prices are much higher than they were a year ago and although producers would like to see them surely go higher, lots of market orders might have hit lately. We are approximately $1.50 a bushel higher than we were last summer when the wheat was taken off the field. A Canadian dollar at .7185 US certainly helps. As per usual, in a war situation all bets are off, but we are in a better situation than we were a year ago. The Bottom Line (cont.) The Canadian dollar is telling a story even though it is hard to know what it is. From March 9th to April 3rd, 2026, the Canadian dollar dropped from almost 74 cents US to .7185 cents US. This was significantly positive for Ontario cash grains prices and will continue to be if the Canadian dollar continues to break. As always, the value of the Canadian dollar moves in an inverse fashion to the US dollar. However, there is always a variation on the theme, this time with war being part of it. The Canadian dollar at the 71 US dollar level likely presents good opportunities for cash grain pricing. We know that these are unique times in the grain market. The hot war of the last few weeks has made it that way. Part of the reason for this are the funds which form non-commercial demand have piled into corn and soybeans. In fact, we have the largest net long position in corn and soybeans in the funds since May of 2026. In fact, you might argue that the funds are banking on more war, energy gains and China picking up in buying US soybeans. When they are long, farmers so to speak are riding the wave, when they go short, often times we end up in the drink. Here we are in April of 2026. Keep in mind March 1st corn stocks were up 11% at 9.02 billion bushels the largest on record. Soybean stocks were at 2.01 billion bushels up 10% and the largest in ten years. Wheat stocks were the largest in five years. Simply put these onerous grain stocks are punching way below their weight. Grain prices spurred by oil and war have spawned an alternative fundamental universe, a least for the time being. We move ahead with caution, but with market orders in the mix. War markets make everything volatile and violent. At the same time many of us will have started planting by the next time Market Trends in published. As the weeks move on so will the war risk, but it will be mixed with the inherit production risks we always face. The challenge for Ontario farmers will be to manage that risk. As always, daily market intelligence will remain key. There will be many marketing opportunities ahead. The post Special Edition – Market Trends Report – USDA Report April 5, 2026 appeared first on Grain Farmers of Ontario.
Who actually survives when the real estate market slows down? In this episode, James Dwiggins and Keith Robinson sit down with Jack Miller for a wide-ranging conversation about the forces shaping the next phase of residential real estate. Drawing on research analyzing the top 1,000 brokerages, Jack shares what the strongest companies do differently and why market downturns tend to separate durable businesses from fragile ones. The conversation explores industry consolidation, MLS consolidation, AI, mortgage companies entering real estate, and the market cycles that influence every brokerage and agent. And at the end, Jack answers one simple question: if you were building in today's market, what would you focus on? His answer might be the most important takeaway of the entire episode. Links mentioned during the episode: https://www.zillow.com/news/zillow-becomes-first-real-estate-app-in-chatgpt/ https://youtu.be/7pVtHyjvTg4 https://youtu.be/7A67sotkGZ8 https://www.ebay.com/itm/376986998992 Connect with Jack on LinkedIn - Facebook. Check out T3 Sixty on LinkedIn - Instagram - Facebook and online at t360.com. Other T3 Sixty resources: News: www.realestatenews.com Trends Report: www.t3trends.com Real Estate Almanac: www.realestatealmanac.com Subscribe to Real Estate Insiders Unfiltered on YouTube! https://www.youtube.com/@RealEstateInsidersUnfiltered?sub_confirmation=1 To learn more about becoming a sponsor of the show, send us an email: jessica@inman.com You asked for it. We delivered. Check out our new merch! https://merch.realestateinsidersunfiltered.com/ Follow Real Estate Insiders Unfiltered Podcast on Instagram - YouTube, Facebook - TikTok. Visit us online at realestateinsidersunfiltered.com. Link to Facebook Page: https://www.facebook.com/RealEstateInsidersUnfiltered Link to Instagram Page: https://www.instagram.com/realestateinsiderspod/ Link to YouTube Page: https://www.youtube.com/@RealEstateInsidersUnfiltered Link to TikTok Page: https://www.tiktok.com/@realestateinsiderspod Link to website: https://realestateinsidersunfiltered.com This podcast is produced by Two Brothers Creative. https://twobrotherscreative.com/contact/
Marketing teams are producing more content than ever, with output up 85% year over year. But compliance teams have not kept pace, creating a growing gap that is reshaping how organizations manage risk, brand, and workflows.  In this episode of the Brand Intelligence Podcast, William Tyree sits down with Alex Hubbard, VP of Product and AI at IntelligenceBank, to unpack the biggest insights from the 2026 Content Trends Report. Drawing on aggregated platform data and real customer conversations, they explore what is really changing inside modern marketing and compliance teams. They discuss: Why content production and data volume are accelerating, especially with AI and video The operational strain on compliance teams and how leading organizations are adapting The shift from compliance as a final review step to compliance embedded across the workflow How synthetic media, AI-generated content, and evolving regulations are introducing new risks Why brand compliance is becoming more complex across regions, teams, and channels The role of DAM as a decisioning layer and AI control center How metadata is becoming foundational for scalable compliance automation The new roles emerging in marketing, including AI workflow and operations leaders This conversation offers a clear view of where marketing, compliance, and AI are heading, and what teams need to rethink now to keep up. Download the full report here: https://intelligencebank.com/content-marketing-trends-report/
US and the World In mid-March it is that time of year when planters are either rolling in the southern regions of the American corn belt or are being adjusted for the planting season that is almost upon us. It has been an eventful winter to say the least with prices advancing especially in the last few weeks with war breaking out in the Middle East between the United States, Israel, and Iran. War markets are never easy to explain, always filled with uncertainty. It will make it challenging as all of our planters get ready to roll. Amid all of this upset, the USDA released their latest WASDE report on March 10th. The March USDA report was a bit of status quo compared to reports of the past. There were no domestic changes for corn soybeans and wheat but a few changes globally. US corn production is still pegged at 17.02 billion bushels with the yield forecast of 186.5 bushels per acre. This is a huge number which should remain a benchmark for all producers this year. Total domestic use for US corn is still pegged at 13.17 billion bushels with ending stocks coming in at 2.127 billion bushels. USDA increased Brazil’s corn production by 1 MMT to 132 MMTs. Argentinian Production was decreased by the same amount down to 30.7 MMTs. These were all the same from the February report, but the US crush was increased slightly to 2.575 billion bushels. The total soybean usage was projected at 4.262 billion bushels reflecting the slight increase in the soybean crush. Soybean ending stocks are still projected to come in at 350 million bushels. Brazilian soybean production was kept the same at 180 MMTS but Argentinian soybean production was actually decreased slightly down to 48 MMTs. US domestic wheat stocks were unchanged from 931 million bushels. Globally, wheat stocks were down slightly from the February report. On March 14th corn, soybeans and wheat futures were higher than the last Market Trends report. May 2026 corn futures was at $4.67 a bushel. Dec 2026 corn was at $4.91 bu. The May 2026 soybean futures was at $12.25 bu. The November 2026 soybean futures were at $11.61. The May 2026 wheat futures closed at $6.13 a bushel. The Minneapolis May 2026 wheat futures closed at $6.45 a bushel with the September 2026 contract closing at $6.75 a bushel. The nearby oil futures as of March 13th closed at $98.71/barrel much higher vs the nearby futures recorded in the last Market Trends report of $62.89/barrel. The average price for US ethanol in the US was $2.16/gallon, up vs the $2.03/gallon recorded in the last Market Trends Report. The Canadian dollar noon rate on March 13th, 2026, was .7291 US, down vs the .7345 US reported here in the last Market Trends report. The Bank of Canada’s lending rate remained at 2.25%. Ontario Winter is still holding on in Ontario although there was a bit of a thaw in early March where much of the snow disappeared. On the weekend of March 14th some areas of Ontario were hit again with heavy snow. The winter wheat that has emerged from the snow looks quite good at this time. Producers will be hoping for good weather ahead. Basis levels for grains have increased slightly over the last 30 days partly related to the Canadian dollar still under $0.73 and or the appreciation in grain futures value. There is not as much grain in Ontario bins as there usually is especially in eastern Ontario and basis does reflect this. Basis levels in Ontario are also fluid and will probably continue to be throughout 2026 until harvest time. Yes, we still have a lot of empty space in eastern Ontario because of the drought last year. We will have to see how that changes depending on the crop develops this summer. On top of that we always have the movement of the Canadian dollar which will affect basis levels to producers. All of this is a moving target and something that producers always have to have their eye on. Old crop corn basis levels are $1.30 to $2.28 over the May 2026 corn futures on March 13th across the province. New crop corn basis levels were $1.15 to $1.60 over Dec 2026 futures. The old crop basis levels for soybeans range from $3.25 to $4.04 over the May 2026 futures. New crop soybeans range from $3.04 to $3.34 over the November 2026 futures. Ontario SRW wheat prices are approximately $7.56. For July 2026 new crop the bid is in the $7.40/bu range. On March 13th the US replacement price for corn was $6.89/bushel. You can access all these Ontario grain prices in the marketing section at https://gfo.ca/marketing/daily-commodity-report/ The Bottom Line Forget about what you been thinking, it’s all about the war now. About four years ago we saw what the Ukraine and Russia war did to the commodity market with wheat exploding higher. However, it was unexpected to some extent when the Americans and Israelis attacked Iran about 12 days ago and with that it upset the grain market apple cart. Funds who had been net short the market suddenly were exiting their positions. Also too, the price of oil exploded and there was spillover effect in grains. It simply is a new world in 2026. Keep in mind it is so difficult to know where we’re going. Much of it will depend on how long it lasts but is likely to last long. The oil market was languishing in the $50s and $60s but now pushed up toward $120.00 briefly on the futures market. The Strait of Hormuz have been blocked which is transit to about 20% of the world’s oil. In many ways this is a Black Swan we didn’t see coming. For a world that is full of grain seemingly only a few weeks ago now there is a completely different planning horizon. Prices have risen substantially over the last month and especially in the last two weeks. This is happening despite bearish fundamentals that have kept the lid on grain prices for quite some time. It will also probably raise the specter of extreme volatility as we could be facing a world calamity not seen in quite a few years. The Brazil harvest in soybeans is coming to a completion and it is record setting once again. As these soybeans are being harvested, planters are in the fields with the second crop of corn for Brazil. This means that there will not only be the war risk, but we are also in a weather market watching how much moisture these new corn plants will be provided. There is a world of risk out there. Commodity Specific Comments Corn With the war on going, it is no secret that prices are going higher for both fuel and fertilizer. With corn a bigger user of fertilizer than soybeans it would seem that the funds are remaining a little bit more neutral on the corn acres that could be planted this spring. We will find that out in the March 31st USDA report. In the meantime, to some extent corn will follow the price of oil and the funds are setting up to go long depending on the immediate future. At the present time they don’t have a big, long position, but this could certainly change and when it changes to could change in a big way. However, the state of acres for 2026 is still in flux. Earlier the USDA had pitched 94 million acres of corn in their outlook conference. The May 2026 corn contract is currently priced at 11.25 cents lower than the July 2026 contract a neutral to bearish indication of old crop corn demand. Seasonally, we know that corn prices tend to peak in early June and bottom out in early October. The May 2026 corn futures contract is at the 19th percentile of the past five-year price distribution range. Soybeans The soybean market has been fairly effusive even before the war started. It also is sensitive to the social media posts coming out of the White House. Earlier, the American president had said that he hoped China would come in and buy an extra 8 MMTs of soybeans in the immediate future. Since then, there hasn’t been any American beans sold and Brazilian beans are still a dollar a bushel below American values. There is a meeting scheduled in Beijing between President Trump and President Xi at the end of March and early April. It’s hard to know now exactly what will come from this meeting especially with the war going on. However, it has not been beyond the realm of possibility that new soybean buying announcements would come from this meeting. However, the new price volatility caused by the war may eat that narrative alive. Earlier the USDA had mused about 85 million soybean acres for this year in the United States. That number will be refreshed on March 31st, and it certainly also will be enhanced by any announcement coming from the potential meeting of the leaders in Beijing. The May 2026 soybean contract is currently priced 12.5 cents below the July contract considered bearish for soybean demand. Seasonally, soybean prices tend to peak in early July and bottom out in early October. The January 2026 soybean contract is currently at the 33rd percentile of the past five-year price distribution range. Wheat There is wheat everywhere but keep in mind that this is war and wheat prices are up about a dollar a bushel since the end of January. With the war seemingly chasing out the market bears, it is likely that wheat prices will be a bit more sensitive to weather concerns going forward such as dryness in many of the worlds production areas where wheat is coming out of dormancy. It’s also true that wheat might just be explosive based on a volatile nature of war in the Strait of Hormuz. It’s hard to imagine wheat prices going back down in this environment but that spectre also exists. In Ontario it is an important time coming up for wheat about to break dormancy. Fields in the deep southwest of the province are already very green and nitrogen application will likely take place very soon for the early birds. According to Agricorp there are 1,046,568 wheat acres this year in Ontario. Currently prices are about a dollar higher than they were last year for wheat off the combine in July of 2026. The Bottom Line (cont.) The Canadian dollar continues to flutter around the 73 cent US level. The war has actually caused an increase in the value of the American dollar which is always negative for the Canadian dollar. This has continually added stimulus to Ontario gain crash prices. Keep in mind there is a war going on none and none of this is stable and as producers we must watch our currency fluctuations to capture good basis levels especially on soybeans. It’s important to keep in mind then when it comes to grain marketing we’re still on the long road. Yes, we should expect extreme gyrations based on the geopolitics of the day. For instance, we all know that the price of oil is in the crosshairs. If it continues to go up possibly over $125.00 a barrel you could see the funds take their money and get it into grains. Keep in mind the non-commercial demand which is commonly referred to as funds will have no loyalty during this difficult time of war. Of course, as always nobody knows what is about to happen. For new crop pricing surely there have been some market orders hit already as December corn was headed toward $5 and beans were headed toward $12.00. We also have the tremendous costs involved this year of higher fertilizer and higher fuel prices which seems to be getting worse after already being high. Much will depend on geopolitical events in the war, and much will depend on the price of oil and how much a jilted global economy becomes. Market orders can be one of the best ways to capture these price opportunities. It is a long road to payday for Ontario grain producers. It might be argued that the latest geopolitical event with the problems in the Middle East is an opportunity and a gift along the marketing highway. This has happened despite grain fundamentals which are onerous suggesting price goes the other way. We need to set up for success. It is a difficult time for sure based on the war. Keep in mind risk management is a continual process and there will be many marketing opportunities ahead. Daily market intelligence will remain key. The post Market Trends Report – March & April 2026 appeared first on Grain Farmers of Ontario.
HR leaders are being asked to modernize faster than their organizations are ready for. New AI tools appear weekly, vendors promise transformation, and the pressure to “do something” keeps mounting. At the same time, most HR teams are still running complex, multi-step processes built for a very different era.In this episode, Josh Bersin helps cut through the noise by reframing what AI transformation actually looks like inside HR. Rather than chasing dozens of tools or fearing job displacement, he argues that the real work ahead is architectural. Deciding what to build versus buy. Determining which processes matter most. And putting human ownership around data, judgment, and governance so AI can scale responsibly.You'll hear why onboarding, learning, feedback, and career development are not isolated workflows, but interconnected systems that AI can finally stitch together if HR leads the design. Josh also explains why organizations that get this right will not reduce HR's importance, but elevate it.This conversation is for HR leaders who feel both excited and overwhelmed, and who want a clearer mental model for where to start, what to prioritize, and how to partner with IT without losing their seat at the table.About our guest Josh Bersin is a global HR industry analyst, researcher, and founder of The Josh Bersin Company. He has spent decades advising CHROs and executive teams on talent, leadership, and workforce transformation, and is a leading voice on how AI is reshaping the HR function in practice, not theory.Stay connected with foHRsightTo sign up for our monthly newsletter, foHRsight, visit http://www.futurefohrward.com/subscribe Follow us on LinkedIn:Mark Edgar – www.linkedin.com/in/markedgarhr/Naomi Titleman Colla – www.linkedin.com/in/naomititlemancolla/future foHRward – www.linkedin.com/company/future-fohrward/Follow us on Instagram: www.instagram.com/futurefohrward/Support the show
Agency Nation Radio - Insurance Marketing, Sales and Technology
In this special kickoff episode tied to the release of the “2026 Big ‘I' Agents Council for Technology Tech Trends Report,” Kasey Connors, executive director of the Big “I” Agents Council for Technology (ACT), is joined by Andy Siegel, president of Siegel Insurance, and Michael Mellars, President and COO of Legacy Risk Solutions and members of the ACT National Committee. Together, they unpack what made 2025 a turning point for the insurance industry, from the rapid rise of artificial intelligence (AI) and automation to a broader mindset shift that brought technology into leadership-level business conversations. “Technology moved from the back office into leadership conversations. It's no longer about what tools exist—it's about how technology impacts profitability, staffing, risk and long-term sustainability,” Connors notes. The discussion explores how agencies of all sizes are navigating change management, evaluating new tools and balancing AI with the human touch. From direct bill reconciliation and AI-powered call summaries to policy checking and workflow automation, Siegel and Mellars share real-world examples of what's working and what agencies should focus on in 2026. This episode sets the stage for the ACT Tech Trends Report, which combines agent research with insights from carriers and technology partners. Check out the full report here: https://www.independentagent.com/technology-trends-report/ Agency Nation Radio is where insurance professionals turn on the mic and share unscripted stories about leadership, technology, marketing, success and failure—stories that helped make them the professionals they are today. From Main Street USA to the pages of Independent Agent magazine—we've got the stories you want to hear. For more, catch Agency Nation Radio on your favorite streaming platform or visit iamagazine.com/podcasts.
State education agencies are moving faster than they are known for, and not because they want to. AI, funding uncertainty, and capacity constraints are forcing decisions that cannot wait.In this episode, Elana Leoni sits down with Julia Fallon of SETDA to unpack what the 2025 State EdTech Trends Report really tells us about where states are focused, what feels most fragile right now, and why modernization matters more than chasing the next innovation. This conversation is especially relevant for education marketers and leaders who want to understand how state priorities shape district decisions, and how to engage more thoughtfully in a tight, high-stakes environment.What You'll LearnWhat SETDA is and why its State EdTech Trends Report offers a unique state-level lensHow the report is built, who contributes to it, and why it is timed around legislative sessionsWhy AI surpassed cybersecurity as the top state ed tech priority for the first timeWhat that shift signals about responsibility, risk, and trust, not enthusiasmWhere state AI guidance typically lives, how it varies, and why quality mattersWhy capacity and coherence, not commitment, are the most fragile issues right nowWhat the end of ESSER funding looks like in real operational terms, not just percentagesWhy Julia argues education needs modernization, not “innovation,” and how that reframes decision-makingWhat professional learning needs to look like to actually support adoption and impactA practical example of state-level ecosystem building from NebraskaFor more, visit the show notes here.
Join CFC experts John Suter, vice president of economic research, and Jan Ahlen, vice president, utility research and policy, for their takes on the trends our research teams expect will shape 2026. This episode contains the audio content from our 2026 Industry and Economic Trends Report. If you'd rather watch Jan and John, their commentaries are available as videos in the full report. Visit the full Trends Report for more, including videos and PDF transcripts.For questions and requests about industry research topics, please contact utilityresearchpolicy@nrucfc.coop.For questions and requests about economic topics, please contact economicresearch@nrucfc.coop.
What would happen if you woke up tomorrow and were suddenly taxed an extra 33% on every dollar of profit your business produced? In this episode, I break down why that scenario isn't far off from what many founders are already doing, simply by failing to optimize their pricing, overhead, and after-tax income. Listen in as I walk through the three profit levers that matter most, why they drive more impact than almost anything else you can do, and how they can meaningfully increase your net income without hiring more people or scaling harder. You'll hear real examples from the eCommerceFuel community, data from the Trends Report, and practical steps you can take right now to strengthen your margins, streamline your operations, and dramatically improve your after-tax results. You can find show notes and more information by clicking here: https://bit.ly/4a2X2Uo Interested in our Private Community for 7-Figure Store Owners? Learn more here. Want to hear about new episodes and eCommerce news round-ups? Subscribe via email.
What happens when leading wellness journalists hear the Global Wellness Trends revealed live and react in real time? In this episode of StarrCast, we bring you on-the-ground interviews with media voices covering the 2026 Global Wellness Trends and unpack what these shifts mean for wellness, hospitality, beauty, and longevity. Recorded in New York during the official trend unveiling, this episode captures how editors and analysts interpret the trends, where they see momentum building, and how these insights will shape coverage, consumer behavior, and industry strategy over the coming year. What You'll Learn: How wellness journalists are interpreting the Global Wellness Summit trend release Which longevity, beauty, and health trends the media believes will gain real traction Why women's health and longevity are becoming unavoidable storylines How social wellness and festival style experiences are resonating with audiences What media leaders see as gaps between trend forecasting and real world adoption Episode Highlights: 03:18 – Media reactions to the Global Wellness Summit trend release 08:42 – Why journalists see women led longevity as a defining storyline 15:07 – Skin longevity and how beauty media is reframing aging 21:55 – Strength training, sports, and the evolving narrative around women's health 29:34 – Microplastics and why media attention is accelerating concern 36:18 – Festivalization of wellness and what audiences are craving now 43:06 – Longevity residences through the lens of media and consumer trust Meet the Guests: Claire McCormack Senior Editor at The Beauty Independent, covering beauty, wellness, and longevity innovation with a focus on science-backed consumer trends. Darlene Fiske Founder and CEO of The Fiske Group, advising wellness, spa, and hospitality brands on media strategy, positioning, and industry visibility. Sara Jones Founder, Editor, and Publisher of Spa & Wellness MexiCaribe, reporting on wellness, hospitality, and longevity trends across Mexico and Latin America. Jane Kitchen Media Trends Analyst at the Global Wellness Institute and author of the longevity residences trend, specializing in wellness real estate and long-term health infrastructure. Tools, Frameworks, or Strategies Mentioned: Global Wellness Summit Future Trends methodology Media driven trend validation and storytelling frameworks Skin longevity science and reporting lenses Social wellness and experiential health programming models Closing Insight: Trends shape industries, but media shapes belief. Hearing how journalists interpret these ideas offers a rare look at how wellness narratives move from forecasts to headlines and into culture. Looking for expert advice in Spa Consulting, with live training and online learning? Spa Consulting: wynnebusiness.com/spa-management-consulting Live Training: wynnebusiness.com/live-education Online Learning: wynnebusiness.com/spa-management-courses Other Links: Visit Global Wellness Summit Trends 2026: https://www.globalwellnesssummit.com/2026trends/ Connect With the Guests: Claire McCormack: https://www.linkedin.com/in/clairemccormackmba/ Darlene Fiske: https://www.linkedin.com/in/darlenefiske Sara Jones: https://mx.linkedin.com/in/sarajonesspawell Jane Kitchen: https://www.linkedin.com/in/kitchenjane/ Follow Lisa on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/lisastarrwynnebusiness, Listen on Apple: https://podcasts.apple.com/at/podcast/starrcast/id1565223226 Listen on Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/00tW92ruuwangYoLxR9WDd Watch the StarrCast on YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@wynnebusiness Join us on Facebook: facebook.com/wynnebusiness/?ref=bookmarks Join us on Instagram: instagram.com/wynnebusiness
Local advertising is entering one of its most complex and opportunity-rich years yet. In this episode of Leading Local Insights, BIA Founder & CEO Tom Buono and BIA's senior analysts expand on insights from BIA's 2026 Local Advertising Trends Report to examine what's shaping the $182 billion local advertising market.The conversation highlights where growth is emerging, including CTV and cross-platform video, digital out-of-home, and national brands leaning further into local markets. The team also discusses which business verticals are gaining momentum and what that means for sales strategies.The episode also touches on the 2026 midterm election cycle, with the BIA analysts offering perspective on how political advertising may influence demand and inventory in select markets as the year unfolds.Grounded in BIA's latest trends analysis, this episode delivers clear, data-backed insights to help local media leaders navigate change and identify opportunity in 2026. To download the full 2026 Trends Report, visit www.bia.com/2026trends.
PRGN Presents: News & Views from the Public Relations Global Network
Terrie Ard returns to discuss the findings of the 2026 M.Cast™ Trends Report. She explains the importance of adopting a "futurist mindset" and looking for signals and patterns of change to anticipate what is coming next, rather than simply reacting to the present.Terrie explains the concept of the "Invisible AI Revolution," predicting that artificial intelligence will soon move from a novelty tool to transparent infrastructure, much like the internet and electricity have in the past. Because of this shift, an organization's true competitive advantage will not be the technology itself, but rather "durable skills" — distinctly human capabilities like critical thinking, empathy, and strategy.Abbie and Terrie also discuss the trend of "Verified or Vulnerable," highlighting why proving trust is a business imperative in an era of skepticism and misinformation. Terrie offers practical advice for leaders on how to use third-party validation and data transparency to earn that trust and how to apply the report's framework to their 2026 marketing plans.Key Takeaways Think Like a Futurist: Success requires looking for patterns and implications to act on trends before they become mainstream, shifting focus from "what's now" to "what's next".The Invisible AI Revolution: We are approaching a point where AI will become "invisible" infrastructure, seamlessly embedded into business operations rather than functioning as a standalone tool.The Human Competitive Advantage: As AI becomes a commodity, the organizations that win will be those that prioritize human strengths—such as critical thinking, strategy, and authentic storytelling.Verified or Vulnerable: In an age of deepfakes and misinformation, reputation alone is not enough; brands must provide "verifiable proof" through data, certifications, and real customer testimonials to earn trust.About the Guest As Partner, President & COO, Terrie Ard leads the strategic direction and growth of Moore, a future-forward agency, including key initiatives, partnerships, and client development. With a passion for collaboration and culture building, Terrie oversees the Moore Team, boasting a 92% retention rate. Her leadership and insight have propelled the agency to achieve a remarkable 98% client retention rate, positioning it as a top 50 marketing agency nationally and top 200 globally.With 30 years of marketing and business strategy experience, Terrie has been instrumental in leading the integration of artificial intelligence into the agency's operations, client servicing, and product development, enhancing innovation and efficiency in marketing campaigns and internal processes. Terrie's expertise in corporate positioning, branding, and crisis communications, combined with her passion for innovation, has solidified her reputation as a visionary leader in the industry.A graduate of Florida State University with a bachelor's degree in communications, Terrie is Accredited in Public Relations (APR) and a Certified Public Relations Counselor (CPRC). She has been recognized by Florida Trend as one of the top 500 most influential leaders. She is a recipient of the Florida Public Relations Association Stanley Tait Award for Leadership, the American Advertising...
This week on TrendsTalk, ITR Economist and Speaker Taylor St. Germain breaks down the global economic outlook for 2026 at a time when geopolitical uncertainty and trade policy changes are creating anxiety for business leaders. Despite the noise, key indicators point to continued global growth, though not without important shifts that could impact your strategy. Which regions are positioned to outperform, and how should businesses think about trade and supply chain risk this year? Watch to understand what matters most for planning in 2026 and beyond. What does this global growth environment mean for your business decisions? Click here for a Free Preview of Trends Report → https://hubs.la/Q03ybVV00
Chad Gordon sits down with Ann Rollins, Dr. Jay Campbell, and Britney Cole to unpack the shifts redefining HR and L&D in 2026. They cut through the noise to right to what's real, what's hype, and what leaders should do now to build capability, engagement, and performance in a year where expectations keep rising and resources don't. To dive deeper into this year's trends, visit: https://resources.blanchard.com/ebooks/2026-hr-l-d-trends-report
In this episode of On the Record, brought to you by Associated Equipment Distributors, we are closing out the year by dedicating the episode to a preview of the 2026 Dealer Business Outlook & Trends Report.
It's our end-of-year special! We sit down with guest commentator Ryan Culpepper to unpack the 2025 Website Trends Report from Hired Hand–powered sites: what visitors looked at most, how they searched, and which pages actually converted. We dig into animal view data (by class, pedigree, and photo style), search patterns that drove inquiries and sales, and the rise of new breeds joining the platform—and what that means for marketing in the year ahead.We also get practical about “digital chores”—the simple, regular tasks that keep a ranch website working: fresh photos, accurate pedigrees, clean sale pens, and smarter links between social, classifieds, and your site. If you want a tighter, more effective online presence in 2025, this episode is your playbook.Send us a textFrom the Pasture with Hired Hand:Hired Hand Websites (@hiredhandwebsites): https://hiredhandsoftware.comHired Hand Live (@hiredhandlive): https://hiredhandlive.comInstagram: https://www.instagram.com/hiredhandwebsites/Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/HiredHandSoftwareTikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@hiredhandwebsitesNewsletter: https://www.hiredhandsoftware.com/resources/stay-informed
Content Sells: Attract, Convert & Keep Your Ideal Clients with Content Marketing That Works
First… a personal note from Suzi and Michelle: Yes, this really is the last Content Sells episode after 10 incredible years. We will get on with our regular "Show Notes" in just a moment, but first, we wanted to say to you, our dear listener… THANK YOU. We are both so deeply grateful to YOU and have loved making this show for you. Thank you for listening to us on your walks, while driving, at the gym, at work and everywhere else we enjoyed the privilege of your time and attention. We never took that responsibility lightly. Thank you so much for your presence, your feedback, your support and, most of all, for your own adventure as a business owner and content creator – you have inspired us (and continue to inspire us) every single day! Thank you! OK… on with the Show (notes) ;-) It's time to say goodbye to Content Sells! In this final episode, Suzi and Michelle close the door on a decade-long chapter – one that shaped their thinking, their teaching, their businesses, and the lives of thousands of women who tuned in every fortnight. This final episode isn't just a farewell; it's a moment of reflection on what it really means to create content with purpose, longevity, and heart. In this episode, your hosts Suzi Dafnis and Michelle Falzon honour the evolution of the show, the community it's built, and the role it has played inside the HerBusiness ecosystem, the Marketing Success Mastermind and beyond. It's an intimate conversation about endings, beginnings, creative seasons, and the strategic decisions we all face as business owners. You'll hear the behind-the-scenes insights that shaped their 10-year run — from the surprising stats about podcast longevity, to the lessons that kept them consistent, generous, collaborative, and anchored in their mantra: No content without conversion. And while it's the end of the show, you'll hear in this episode how both Suzi and Michelle will continue to support you moving forward. Listen to This Episode to Hear More About: Why Suzi and Michelle chose to end the podcast now — and how to recognise when a piece of content has fulfilled its strategic purpose. The surprising truth about podcast longevity — and what their 10-year run reveals about consistency and audience trust. Why "No content without conversion" remains the single most powerful filter you can apply to any content decision. How understanding your ideal client reshapes everything from episode ideas to strategic messaging. The real reason consistency outperforms intensity — and how fortnightly publishing built a decade-long relationship with listeners. What collaboration makes possible that wouldn't exist if you tried to create in isolation. How a podcast becomes part of your body of work — sharpening your thinking, strengthening your voice, and supporting your legacy. Why generosity is a growth strategy (and how it builds a community that stays with you for years). The "Step 2" gap most business owners miss — and why Episode 11 remains one of their most referenced teachings. What to do when you feel called to pivot — and how both Suzi and Michelle are evolving their work from here. How your 'non-negotiables' simplify decisions and create a rhythm you can sustain for years. Why foundational ideas need to be taught 20 different ways — and how this deepens mastery for you and your clients. A behind-the-scenes look at favourite episodes — from Lady Gaga insights to sales page frameworks and unforgettable guest interviews. The power of saying yes before you feel ready — and how Episode 1 became a threshold moment that shaped everything that followed. What's next for Suzi, Michelle, the Marketing Success Mastermind and the HerBusiness Network – how the work continues, even as the podcast concludes. And so much more… Content Sells Podcast Episodes: EP 01 – The Content Universe https://herbusiness.com/podcast/01-the-content-universe/ EP 02 – Your Ideal Client https://herbusiness.com/podcast/02-your-ideal-client/ EP 11 – The Step 2 Secret https://herbusiness.com/podcast/11-step-2-secret/ EP 23 – How to Craft an Offer That Sells https://herbusiness.com/podcast/how-to-craft-an-offer-that-sells/ EP 121 – Content Lessons We Learned From Lady Gaga https://herbusiness.com/podcast/content-lessons-we-learned-from-lady-gaga/ EP 206 – The 16 Essential Elements of a High-Converting Sales Page https://herbusiness.com/podcast/the-16-essential-elements-of-a-high-converting-sales-page/ EP 225 – How We Produce This Podcast https://herbusiness.com/podcast/how-we-produce-this-podcast/ EP 226 – Best Books for Content Marketers – 2024 Edition ** With Free Download "Content Sells Recommended Reading List" https://herbusiness.com/podcast/best-books-for-content-marketers-2024-edition/ EP 251 – Winning Proposals – How to Get More Clients To Say Yes More Often – Part 1 https://herbusiness.com/podcast/winning-proposals-how-to-get-more-clients-to-say-yes-more-often-part-1/ EP 252 – Winning Proposals – How to Get More Clients To Say Yes More Often – Part 2 https://herbusiness.com/podcast/winning-proposals-how-to-get-more-clients-to-say-yes-more-often-part-2/ EP 273 – How to Grow Your Podcast With Award-Winning Producer & Broadcaster Gab Burke https://herbusiness.com/podcast/how-to-grow-your-podcast-with-award-winning-producer-and-broadcaster-gab-burke/ People and Resources Mentioned: Valerie Khoo — https://www.valeriekhoo.com Jeff Walker — https://jeffwalker.com Marisa Murgatroyd — https://liveyourmessage.com Stu McLaren — https://stumclaren.com Victoria Labalme — https://victorialabalme.com Ryan Levesque — https://ryanlevesque.net/ Joanna Wiebe — https://copyhackers.com Clint Salter — https://www.linkedin.com/in/clintsalter/ Susan Bradley — https://thesocialsalesgirls.com James Wedmore — https://jameswedmore.com Linda Diggle — https://www.lindadiggle.com Amanda Farmer — https://www.yourstrataproperty.com.au Fiona Keary — https://styleliberation.com.au Susan Bell — https://www.susanbell.com.au Cat Matson – https://www.catmatson.com.au/ People Powered Business with Kristy-Lee Billett — https://www.peoplepoweredbusiness.com.au Riverside 2025 Podcast Statistics and Trends Report — https://riverside.com/blog/podcast-statistics Social Media for Small Business Podcast – https://podcasts.apple.com/au/podcast/social-media-for-small-business/id467504559 Content Sells Reading List – https://herbusiness.com/podcast/best-books-for-content-marketers-2024-edition/
If you ask most podcasters what they're doing to grow their show, the answers sound familiar: posting clips on social media, chasing consistency, experimenting with video, and hoping the algorithm finally notices them. But when you look at the data - real, self-reported data from creators who've been at this for years - a different story emerges. Growth isn't evenly distributed, and effort doesn't automatically translate into momentum. Some podcasts with massive audiences are shrinking, while smaller, focused shows are quietly compounding month over month. The gap isn't about talent or effort but it's truly about strategy.That's why my conversation with Jeremy Enns stopped me in my tracks. As the researcher behind the Podcast Marketing Trends Report, Jeremy looks past tactics and into patterns. What stood out most wasn't what podcasters should be doing, but what actually correlates with sustainable growth and what doesn't. Even more striking: his personal recommendation for podcasters who want to grow without ever touching social media. Not as a contrarian take, but as a data-informed one.Chapters:03:10 – Who took the Podcast Marketing Trends Report 2005 05:30 – Why Big Podcasts Are Shrinking While Small Shows Grow07:20 – You Don't Need a Large Audience to Build a Profitable Podcast09:55 – The Reality Behind Declining Podcast Growth Rates12:45 – Audio vs. Video: How Metrics Are Being Distorted16:50 – Do Social Platforms Actually Drive Podcast Growth?20:00 – Short-Form Video Builds Brands, Not Downloads28:40 – Why Email Is the Most Underrated Growth Channel37:05 – How to Grow a Podcast Without Social MediaResources mentioned in this episode:For the full list of links, resources and show notes, please visit:https://www.thepodcastspace.com/podcast/s4-112-what-300-podcasters-reveal-about-podcast-growth-in-2025-podcast-marketing-trends-report
In this episode of devcast, Hannah Taylor sits down with three influential leaders shaping the rental living sector to explore their remarkable journeys to the C-suite and discuss the biggest challenges facing the industry today. Our guests share candid insights on: Non-linear career paths and taking leaps of faith The importance of curiosity, asking for help, and learning from mistakes Building and inspiring high-performing teams through culture Talent attraction and retention in a sector many haven't heard of Why career progression must be clearly communicated to avoid losing top talent The transferable skills rental living needs from hospitality, PBSA, and facilities management This conversation also teases key findings from our 2026 Rental Living Salary and Trends Report, revealing that 44% of professionals "fell into" the sector without knowing it existed – highlighting both the challenge and opportunity ahead for the industry. Featured Guests: Katherine Russell – Director of Build to Rent, John Lewis Partnership John Kenny – COO, Realstar Morwenna Hall – COO, Related Argent Sign up for the 2026 Rental Living Salary and Trends Report: https://bit.ly/rental-living-salary-guide Connect with deverellsmith:
This week, we went live with Alana Levin from Variant Fund to discuss Variant's 2025 Crypto Trends Report, regulatory progress, stablecoin proliferation, DEX growth, wallet UX evolution, the future of global digital currencies, and more. Thanks for tuning in! As always, remember this podcast is for informational purposes only, and any views expressed by anyone on the show are solely their opinions, not financial advice. -- Resources The 2025 Crypto Trends Report: https://x.com/AlanaDLevin/status/1990804860027965727?s=20 -- Follow Blockworks Research: https://x.com/blockworksres Follow Variant Fund: https://x.com/variantfund Follow Alana: https://x.com/AlanaDLevin Follow Danny: https://x.com/defi_kay_ Follow Boccaccio: https://x.com/salveboccaccio -- Katana directs chain revenue back to DeFi users for consistently higher yields. It starts with VaultBridge, which turns bridged assets into yield streams that back a perpetually funded real yield, boosting rewards for DeFi users. Katana is pioneering Productive TVL, assets actually being used in DeFi and reinforces this with Chain-owned Liquidity, permanent liquidity the chain controls. Stop sleeping on your bags: https://app.katana.network/?utm_source=BW-Pod -- Uniswap's Trading API offers plug-and-play access to deep onchain and off-chain liquidity, delivering enterprise-grade crypto trading without the complexity - from one of the most trusted teams in DeFi. Click to get started with seamless, scalable access to Uniswap's powerful onchain trading infrastructure. https://hub.uniswap.org/?utm_source=blockworks&utm_medium=podcast&utm_campaign=ww_web_bw_awa_trading-api_20251117_podcast_clicks -- Subscribe on YouTube: https://bit.ly/3foDS38 Subscribe on Apple: https://apple.co/3SNhUEt Subscribe on Spotify: https://spoti.fi/3NlP1hA Get top market insights and the latest in crypto news. Subscribe to Blockworks Daily Newsletter: https://blockworks.co/newsletter/ -- Timestamps: (0:00) Introduction (2:11) Market Outlook (8:31) The 2025 Crypto Trends Report (12:42) Overview of Variant Fund (15:35) Katana Ad (16:05) Potential Regulatory Risk (18:14) Crypto's Top Assets (22:24) New Crypto Assets (24:40) DEX Market Share Growth (31:14) Katana Ad (31:46) Improving Wallet UX (35:47) Stablecoin Fragmentation (46:28) Uniswap Ad (47:14) Productizing Stablecoins (52:57) Stablecoins Impact on USD Dominance (58:27) Closing Comments -- Check out Blockworks Research today! Research, data, governance, tokenomics, and models – now, all in one place Blockworks Research: https://www.blockworksresearch.com/ Free Daily Newsletter: https://blockworks.co/newsletter -- Disclaimer: Nothing said on 0xResearch is a recommendation to buy or sell securities or tokens. This podcast is for informational purposes only, and any views expressed by anyone on the show are solely our opinions, not financial advice. Boccaccio, Danny, and our guests may hold positions in the companies, funds, or projects discussed.
It's about that time of year. Here is what healing arts practitioner's can expect in the upcoming year. The shifts are subtle but totally obvious! ________________________________ ▲ Become a certified breathwork facilitator: https://www.flowbreathworktraining.com/ ▲ Learn your Healer Archetype: www.alwaysplay.org/healerarchetype ▲ Read my Breathwork book, Breathe: www.alwaysplay.org/orderbreathe ▲ Free Playground for Mystics: https://tinyurl.com/playground222 ▲ Connect on social: @shanila.sattar ▲ YouTube: https://youtube.com/c/shanilasattar ▲ Healing Arts Practitioner Training Program Immersion: www.alwaysplay.org/immersion
In this bonus episode recorded live at EDUCAUSE in Nashville, Dustin sits down with Crista Copp and Mark McCormack from EDUCAUSE to unpack their just-released 2026 Top 10 List. From AI and digital literacy to resilience and community building, the conversation explores the critical shifts happening in higher ed technology. The theme? Intentionality and connection—both between people and across systems. This is the episode for campus leaders navigating change and looking for clarity amid complexity.Guest Names:Mark McCormack - Senior Director of Research and Insights at EDUCAUSE Crista Copp - Vice President of Research at EDUCAUSEGuest Socials:Mark McCormack Crista CoppGuest Bios:Mark McCormack, Ph.D., serves as the EDUCAUSE Senior Director of Analytics & Research, overseeing the association's member-facing data and analytics services (Core Data Service, ETRAC) and portfolio of original research projects. Before coming to EDUCAUSE, Mark served in leadership and research positions for professional associations and other non-profit organizations across a variety of spheres, including higher education, K-12 education, youth development, performing arts, and community development. Crista Copp leads research and data initiatives at EDUCAUSE that empower higher education leaders to make informed decisions about technology, strategy, and the student experience. Her work connects data with purpose—translating complex trends into actionable insights that support innovation, equity, and institutional resilience. Together with a talented team, Crista is shaping a research agenda that is not only informative, but transformative. - - - -Connect With Our Host:Dustin Ramsdellhttps://www.linkedin.com/in/dustinramsdell/About The Enrollify Podcast Network:The Higher Ed Geek is a part of the Enrollify Podcast Network. If you like this podcast, chances are you'll like other Enrollify shows too!Enrollify is made possible by Element451 — The AI Workforce Platform for Higher Ed. Learn more at element451.com. Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.
What does financial health really look like in America today — and how can we help households thrive in an increasingly complex financial world? In this episode of Real Money, Real Experts, hosts Rachael DeLeon and Dr. Brandy Baxter sit down with Lisa Berdie from the Financial Health Network and Dr. Gary Mottola from the Financial Investor Education Foundation (FINRA) to uncover the latest research on financial capability, resilience, and well-being. From the Financial Health Pulse to the National Financial Capability Study, they explore what drives financial health, how major life events like job loss or medical emergencies impact households, and what behaviors can help families build stability. Lisa and Gary also discuss systemic and structural barriers, trends in credit use, and practical steps financial counselors and educators can take to empower clients. Tune in for a deep dive into data, insights, and real-world strategies to help Americans navigate their financial lives with confidence and control.Show Notes: 02:46 Get To Know Lisa & Gary06:49 The Importance of Collaboration in Financial Research08:34 Surprising Findings from the 2024 National Financial Capability Study09:28 What's Driving Household Financial Health?16:13 Can Households Keep Up with Financial Complexity?20:00 Practical Steps to Strengthen Financial Health27:28 Lisa & Gary's 2 CentsShow Note Links:Connect with Gary on Linkedin!Explore Gary's research on FINRA!Look into Financial Health Pulse 2025 U.S. Trends Report!Connect with Lisa on Linkedin!Want to get involved with AFCPE®?Here are a few places to start: Become a Member, Sign up for an Essentials Course, or Get AFC Certified today! Want to support the podcast? We love partnering with organizations that share our mission and values. Download our media kit.
In this episode of the podcast, members of the InfoQ editorial staff and friends of InfoQ will discuss current trends in the cloud and DevOps domains as part of our annual trends report creation process. These reports provide InfoQ readers with a high-level overview of key topics to watch and also help the editorial team focus on innovative technologies. In addition to the report and the trends graph available on InfoQ.com, this podcast offers a chance to hear our raw conversation and the stories shared by our expert practitioners. Read a transcript of this interview: http://bit.ly/3KBz5us Subscribe to the Software Architects' Newsletter for your monthly guide to the essential news and experience from industry peers on emerging patterns and technologies: https://www.infoq.com/software-architects-newsletter Upcoming Events: InfoQ Dev Summit Munich (October 15-16, 2025) Essential insights on critical software development priorities. https://devsummit.infoq.com/conference/munich2025 QCon San Francisco 2025 (November 17-21, 2025) Get practical inspiration and best practices on emerging software trends directly from senior software developers at early adopter companies. https://qconsf.com/ QCon AI New York 2025 (December 16-17, 2025) https://ai.qconferences.com/ QCon London 2026 (March 16-19, 2026) https://qconlondon.com/ The InfoQ Podcasts: Weekly inspiration to drive innovation and build great teams from senior software leaders. Listen to all our podcasts and read interview transcripts: - The InfoQ Podcast https://www.infoq.com/podcasts/ - Engineering Culture Podcast by InfoQ https://www.infoq.com/podcasts/#engineering_culture - Generally AI: https://www.infoq.com/generally-ai-podcast/ Follow InfoQ: - Mastodon: https://techhub.social/@infoq - X: https://x.com/InfoQ?from=@ - LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/infoq/ - Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/InfoQdotcom# - Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/infoqdotcom/?hl=en - Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/infoq - Bluesky: https://bsky.app/profile/infoq.com Write for InfoQ: Learn and share the changes and innovations in professional software development. - Join a community of experts. - Increase your visibility. - Grow your career. https://www.infoq.com/write-for-infoq
In this episode of the podcast, members of the InfoQ editorial staff and friends of InfoQ discuss the current trends in the domain of AI, ML and Data Engineering. One of the regular features of InfoQ are the trends reports, which each focus on a different aspect of software development. These reports provide the InfoQ readers and listeners with a high-level overview of the topics to pay attention to this year. InfoQ AI, ML and Data Engineering editorial team met with external guests to discuss the trends in AI and ML areas, and what to watch out for the next 12 months. In addition to the written report and trends graph, this podcast provides a recording of a discussion where expert panelists discuss how innovative AI technologies are disrupting the industry. Read a transcript of this interview: http://bit.ly/4nRpvlF Subscribe to the Software Architects' Newsletter for your monthly guide to the essential news and experience from industry peers on emerging patterns and technologies: https://www.infoq.com/software-architects-newsletter Upcoming Events: InfoQ Dev Summit Munich (October 15-16, 2025) Essential insights on critical software development priorities. https://devsummit.infoq.com/conference/munich2025 QCon San Francisco 2025 (November 17-21, 2025) Get practical inspiration and best practices on emerging software trends directly from senior software developers at early adopter companies. https://qconsf.com/ QCon AI New York 2025 (December 16-17, 2025) https://ai.qconferences.com/ QCon London 2026 (March 16-19, 2026) https://qconlondon.com/ The InfoQ Podcasts: Weekly inspiration to drive innovation and build great teams from senior software leaders. Listen to all our podcasts and read interview transcripts: - The InfoQ Podcast https://www.infoq.com/podcasts/ - Engineering Culture Podcast by InfoQ https://www.infoq.com/podcasts/#engineering_culture - Generally AI: https://www.infoq.com/generally-ai-podcast/ Follow InfoQ: - Mastodon: https://techhub.social/@infoq - X: https://x.com/InfoQ?from=@ - LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/infoq/ - Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/InfoQdotcom# - Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/infoqdotcom/?hl=en - Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/infoq - Bluesky: https://bsky.app/profile/infoq.com Write for InfoQ: Learn and share the changes and innovations in professional software development. - Join a community of experts. - Increase your visibility. - Grow your career. https://www.infoq.com/write-for-infoq
Today in the business of podcasting: how Gen Z is shaping sports media, a look at YouTube's new culture and trends report, how transparency is influencing influencer sponsor pay, and On Air Fest/Work x Work announce a rebrand. Find links to every article covered by heading to the Download section of SoundsProfitable.com, or by clicking here to go directly to today's installment.
Today in the business of podcasting: how Gen Z is shaping sports media, a look at YouTube's new culture and trends report, how transparency is influencing influencer sponsor pay, and On Air Fest/Work x Work announce a rebrand. Find links to every article covered by heading to the Download section of SoundsProfitable.com, or by clicking here to go directly to today's installment.
8-12-2025: Wake Up Missouri with Randy Tobler, Stephanie Bell, John Marsh, and Producer Drake
SANS Internet Stormcenter Daily Network/Cyber Security and Information Security Stormcast
Daily Trends Report A new trends report will bring you daily data highlights via e-mail. https://isc.sans.edu/diary/New%20Feature%3A%20Daily%20Trends%20Report/32170 NVidia Triton RCE Wiz found an interesting information leakage vulnerability in NVidia s Triton servers that can be leveraged to remote code execution. https://www.wiz.io/blog/nvidia-triton-cve-2025-23319-vuln-chain-to-ai-server Cursor AI MCP Vulnerability An attacker could abuse negligent Cursor MCP configurations to implement backdoors into developer machines. https://www.aim.security/lp/aim-labs-curxecute-blogpost
Mallory Willsea sits down with Mike Bell, Chief Marketing Officer at Everspring, to explore the disruptive impact of AI search tools on college discovery and decision-making. Drawing from Everspring's just-released 2025 AI Search Trends report, they unpack how platforms like ChatGPT and Perplexity are reshaping the higher education marketing funnel. With over 450,000 student interactions analyzed, the data reveals a major shift in student behavior—and a warning for marketers who aren't ready. If you're a higher ed CMO wondering where your institution stands in AI-generated search results, this episode is your wake-up call.Related Links: 2025 AI Search Trends Report by EverspringRegister for the Admission + AI Summit on August 21st - - - -Connect With Our Host:Mallory Willsea https://www.linkedin.com/in/mallorywillsea/https://twitter.com/mallorywillseaAbout The Enrollify Podcast Network:The Higher Ed Pulse is a part of the Enrollify Podcast Network. If you like this podcast, chances are you'll like other Enrollify shows too!Enrollify is made possible by Element451 — The AI Workforce Platform for Higher Ed. Learn more at element451.com.
Timestamps: 0:00 The Prime Googler 0:07 YouTube ad-friendly guidelines update 2:10 Age-checks are rolling out everywhere 3:59 IGN Gaming Trends report 6:09 Proton! 7:06 QUICK BITS INTRO 7:15 Threadripper 9980X, 9970X reviews 7:40 Micron 9650, first PCIe 6.0 SSD 8:12 Photoshop Harmonize, ChatGPT Study Mode 8:49 Peacock feathers can emit laser beams! 9:18 Microsoft Smurface Laptop NEWS SOURCES: https://lmg.gg/3rfnc Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
In this episode of the HR Leaders Podcast, we're joined by Kyle Forrest, U.S. Future of HR Leader at Deloitte. Kyle unpacks key insights from Deloitte's 2025 Global Human Capital Trends Report, based on responses from 13,000+ professionals across 90 countries. He explains how leaders can navigate tension between human and business outcomes, why 40% of work is wasted on non-value tasks, and how organizations are rethinking the role of managers, AI, and workforce experience. If you're leading transformation or planning for the future of work, this episode is your roadmap.
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What would happen to your business if your customer service operations went down right now? Do you have the tools and strategies in place to handle a sudden crisis, or would your contact center be scrambling to meet demand?Today, we're discussing how AI and cloud-based solutions can help organizations manage crises and enhance customer service operations with John Finch at RingCentral. We'll explore key strategies for building resilience in customer service, particularly in response to recent IT outages.John Finch leads product marketing at RingCentral for the customer engagement portfolio, which includes RingCX and RingSense AI, as RingCentral scales and expands its global customer engagement reach. He has held product marketing leadership roles at Zendesk, Dialpad, Serenova (LiveOps), and Genesys, launching Enterprise SaaS contact center solutions into the market.RESOURCESRingCentral: https://www.ringcentral.comRingCentral's 2025 Trends Report:https://www.ringcentral.com/us/en/blog/the-state-of-ai-in-business-communications-key-insights-from-ringcentrals-2025-trends-report/Don't miss Medallia Experience 2025, March 24-26 in Las Vegas: Registration is now available: https://cvent.me/AmO1k0Use code MEDEXP25 for $200 off registrationRegister now for HumanX 2025. This AI-focused event which brings some of the most forward-thinking minds in technology together. Register now with the code "HX25p_tab" for $250 off the regular price.Connect with Greg on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/gregkihlstromDon't miss a thing: get the latest episodes, sign up for our newsletter and more: https://www.theagilebrand.showCheck out The Agile Brand Guide website with articles, insights, and Martechipedia, the wiki for marketing technology: https://www.agilebrandguide.com The Agile Brand podcast is brought to you by TEKsystems. Learn more here: https://www.teksystems.com/versionnextnowThe Agile Brand is produced by Missing Link—a Latina-owned strategy-driven, creatively fueled production co-op. From ideation to creation, they craft human connections through intelligent, engaging and informative content. https://www.missinglink.company Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
What would happen to your business if your customer service operations went down right now? Do you have the tools and strategies in place to handle a sudden crisis, or would your contact center be scrambling to meet demand? Today, we're discussing how AI and cloud-based solutions can help organizations manage crises and enhance customer service operations with John Finch at RingCentral. We'll explore key strategies for building resilience in customer service, particularly in response to recent IT outages. John Finch leads product marketing at RingCentral for the customer engagement portfolio, which includes RingCX and RingSense AI, as RingCentral scales and expands its global customer engagement reach. He has held product marketing leadership roles at Zendesk, Dialpad, Serenova (LiveOps), and Genesys, launching Enterprise SaaS contact center solutions into the market. RESOURCES RingCentral: https://www.ringcentral.com RingCentral's 2025 Trends Report: https://www.ringcentral.com/us/en/blog/the-state-of-ai-in-business-communications-key-insights-from-ringcentrals-2025-trends-report/ Don't miss Medallia Experience 2025, March 24-26 in Las Vegas: Registration is now available: https://cvent.me/AmO1k0 Use code MEDEXP25 for $200 off registration Register now for HumanX 2025. This AI-focused event which brings some of the most forward-thinking minds in technology together. Register now with the code "HX25p_tab" for $250 off the regular price. Connect with Greg on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/gregkihlstrom Don't miss a thing: get the latest episodes, sign up for our newsletter and more: https://www.theagilebrand.show Check out The Agile Brand Guide website with articles, insights, and Martechipedia, the wiki for marketing technology: https://www.agilebrandguide.com The Agile Brand podcast is brought to you by TEKsystems. Learn more here: https://www.teksystems.com/versionnextnow The Agile Brand is produced by Missing Link—a Latina-owned strategy-driven, creatively fueled production co-op. From ideation to creation, they craft human connections through intelligent, engaging and informative content. https://www.missinglink.company