Best Convenience Store News Podcasts (2025)

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You're a skeptical, penny-pinching CEO. What are your first steps for adopting AI? 43:55

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3d ago43:55

43:55

2025 will probably go down as the year artificial intelligence became an inevitable aspect of our lives. Anyone wishing to use it as a research tool, business strategist, data filter, personal coach or just a chatty companion has easy access to the technology. Indeed, most of the biggest companies in the world have been implementing AI in one way o…

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Ancient viruses, new threats 29:06

19m ago29:06

29:06

The global Covid 19 lockdown may seem like an eternity ago, but the threat of another full-scale pandemic has never resided. Scientists warn that as the Arctic permafrost continues to melt ancient viruses and bacteria are gradually being freed from the ice. The risks are significant, but researchers are working to identify potential threats and bet…

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Buc-ee’s, Wally’s and Wawa converge on Indy as convenience stores become cultural forces 50:54

10d ago50:54

50:54

Convenience stores are having a cultural moment. It’s more than a moment, actually—but they do like to emphasize speed. And after decades of being the butts of culinary jokes, they now like to emphasize fresh, ready-to-eat food—as well as plenty of gas pumps, product inventories that could rival a small Walmart and sophisticated branding strategies…

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Microplastic removal and decarbonising cement 29:07

13d ago29:07

29:07

Negotiations over a global treaty on microplastics have broken down. So, where to from here for one of the world's biggest environmental threats? We also get an update on new efforts to clean-up the cement production industry; and we look at AI chatbots and the increasing role they're playing as sources of advice and emotional support. Guests Dr Pr…

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Percussionists beat path to Indianapolis to celebrate their craft 36:55

10h ago36:55

36:55

If you’re someone who believes the drummer is more than someone at the back of the stage who keeps time, this week’s Percussive Arts Society International Convention, otherwise known as PASIC, is your kind of event. Joshua Simonds, executive director of the Indianapolis-based Percussive Arts Society, says the artistry of drummers is celebrated at t…

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Learning how to learn in the age of generative AI 29:07

19d ago29:07

29:07

It's exactly three years since ChatGPT burst onto the scene. In that short period of time the process of academic assessment has been in upheaval. Across the world educators are trying to address how students should be assessed and whether AI can be used for more than just helping a student to cheat. But a growing number of education researchers sa…

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What’s behind the Indiana Legislature’s special session on redistricting and how could it play out? 34:48

26d ago34:48

34:48

Gov. Mike Braun has called a special session of the Indiana Legislature, set to begin Monday, Nov. 3, that could make Indiana one of states to redraw its congressional maps before next year’s midterm elections. The Trump administration has lobbied Braun and Republican lawmakers since at least August to reapportion the state’s nine districts in hope…

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Disinformation, digital tech and democracy 29:06

7d ago29:06

29:06

In this programme we hear three thoughtful perspectives on the threat digital technologies pose for democracy. Henry Farrell from Johns Hopkins University argues disinformation must be tackled at a group level, not an individual one. Philosopher, John Tasioulas, says modern representative democracy is too easily corrupted by big tech. And AI specia…

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Pat East on the new buzz over buying businesses—and potential red flags 57:51

1M ago57:51

57:51

We’ve developed a romantic ideal of entrepreneurism in recent decades closely connected to startup culture and the brave souls who want to create something that can disrupt a product type or even a whole industry. But for a variety of reasons, a growing number of aspiring entrepreneurs of all ages are choosing to become business owners by acquiring…

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Getting up to speed with autonomous vehicles 29:07

15d ago29:07

29:07

Long before AI dominated the media hype-cycle, self-driving cars surfed the hyperbolic wave. But fully automated vehicles have now been a long time in development, long enough that we've decided it's time for an update. So, how advanced is the technology and where is the demand? We also find out about consumer attitudes toward the "driver-assist" t…

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Pete the Planner on what to do when you're furloughed 49:11

1M ago49:11

49:11

As the federal government shutdown drags on and thousands of federal workers are going without paychecks, we thought it would be a great time to check in with Peter Dunn about what to do if you’re suddenly laid off or facing a loss of income. Peter writes the Pete the Planner column and hosts the Pete the Planner podcast where he talks about money.…

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Technology and language — a dynamic relationship 29:07

1M ago29:07

29:07

While technology platforms increasingly dictate the way we write and converse, language is being modified to fight back, to subvert the platforms. In this show we examine the growth of "algospeak". And if you want to know how we'll all be communicating in the future, just listen to the way teenage girls speak, because young women lead the ongoing d…

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The serious business of scaring patrons at Indy Scream Park 43:23

1M ago43:23

43:23

Anderson native Benjamin Nagengast comes by his bent for entrepreneurism and artistic design naturally. His mother founded a prominent design and engineering firm in the Anderson area, and his father was involved in several enterprises, including his own ceramic pottery business. When Ben was 10, his mother suggested the family start a pumpkin patc…

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Are we turning the housing crisis into a living crisis? 28:10

28d ago28:10

28:10

We build more and more homes for growing urban populations. But doing so without providing much needed amenities doesn't serve our suburbs and the people who live in them. It risks confounding social isolation and urban sprawl. There's also climate change to consider. In a heating world, how do we plan our suburbs to deal with higher temperatures? …

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What a state audit reveals about the IEDC, Elevate Ventures and more 27:16

2M ago27:16

27:16

Gov. Mike Braun’s administration last week released an audit the governor ordered last spring of the Indiana Economic Development Corp. — the state’s job creation agency — and related organizations, including the IEDC’s foundation as well as Elevate Ventures, the Applied Research Institute and other groups. From the beginning, the governor and Comm…

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Reviving the past and digital mapping for the future 29:06

2M ago29:06

29:06

The remote Canadian island of Oikiqtaruk is disappearing fast, but its cultural and environmental heritage is being captured in digital form. We talk to those involved in the project about its ambition and their success to date. Also, recreating long lost cultural artefacts. For the Madrid-based organisation Factum Foundation it's a journey of reco…

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Goodwill CEO expands programs, embraces mergers, tries new territories 1:02:40

2M ago1:02:40

1:02:40

Kent Kramer registered an inkling of his calling early in high school when he started working for a supermarket in his native Muncie. He loved helping customers, getting to know them better, examining what they were buying and seeing how they stretched their food dollars. After college he jumped onto the store management track with Sam’s Club, deep…

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Are we kidding ourselves about decarbonisation? 29:06

2M ago29:06

29:06

Australian rooftops are resplendent with solar panels, but sustainability expert, Martin Brueckner, warns the popular notion that we're rapidly transitioning away from fossil fuels is deceptive. When you add Australia's fossil fuels exports to our domestic energy usage, he says, it's clear that "decarbonisation is yet to begin in earnest". Also, wh…

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Rugby star wants to make Indy the sport’s home field 45:06

2M ago45:06

45:06

Two months ago, one of America’s most prominent rugby players—both on the professional and international level—announced he was retiring at the age of 30. As a news event, this wasn’t on the level of an NBA All-Star retiring. But if you were a rugby fan or an alumnus of Indiana University, you probably knew the name Bryce Campbell, who had the dist…

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Is globalisation dying? 29:08

2M ago29:08

29:08

Globalisation isn’t what it used to be thanks to the legacy of the Covid-19 lockdown and, more recently, Donald Trump’s weaponisation of tariffs. But while it’s often given a bad rap, globalisation is about more than just trade, it’s also about the international exchange of ideas and talent. So, is it dying, withering or simply transforming? Listen…

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How Performance Food Group Is Fostering Male Allyship 7:07

2M ago7:07

7:07

Nate Lindesmith discusses the impact of the distributor's Male Allyship Committee.By Convenience Store News

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Pew Research’s Richard Fry unpacks gender gap in college enrollment 39:38

2M ago39:38

39:38

The gap between women and men attending college in Indiana continues to grow in favor of women. In raw numbers, 72,419 more girls than boys who graduated from Indiana high schools from 2009 to 2023 went on to higher education. Another head-jerking trend: The overall percentage of high school grads in Indiana who enroll in higher education stumbled …

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Taxing carbon on the border and at sea 29:05

2M ago29:05

29:05

The European Union is implementing a groundbreaking new tax: a carbon border tax. It's meant to prevent distortions between countries with differing emissions standards and so to reduce emissions. But will it work? The same can be asked about the International Maritime Organisation's proposed new carbon levy on shipping. Also on the show, an update…

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Loyalty Isn’t Dead — It’s Just Getting Smarter (CEO of Convenience and Energy Advisors, Peter Rasmussen) 42:52

3M ago42:52

42:52

Most loyalty programs are broken. Retailers spend millions on discounts, apps, and activations—yet customers drift away. As Peter Rasmussen said during our conversation: “I spent money to get you into the program, and now how do I keep you?” Peter knows what works... He helped lead Wawa’s massive Florida expansion and today, as CEO of Convenience a…

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Dave Lindquist previews can't-miss events on 2025-2026 A&E calendar 31:14

3M ago31:14

31:14

Each year, IBJ publishes an A&E Fall Preview guide. And for the past two years, reporter Dave Lindquist has packed that guide full of can’t-miss events for the fall, winter and even into the spring. Dave pours over the schedules of dozens of organizations and event spaces in town to make his picks, which include big-time performances as well as the…

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Existential hope vs Existential Fear 29:00

2M ago29:00

29:00

Existential risks to human life abound, from the threat of nuclear Armageddon; to an uninhabitable planet; or an AI-induced apocalypse. Understanding such risks and how we can best respond to them is the preoccupation of S. J. Beard. But the Cambridge University researcher also speaks of "existential hope", a way of addressing our fears without the…

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Pete the Planner on whether buying a home is always a smart investment 44:39

3M ago44:39

44:39

Home ownership is viewed in many circles as a standard rite of passage for young adults. It indicates a certain financial wherewithal and the understanding that buying a home is an early key to building wealth. It’s supposed to be one of your most important investments. It’s the prime ingredient in what we consider the American Dream. And to be fra…

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Cooperation, not conflict on the High Seas 29:06

2M ago29:06

29:06

We're now halfway through the UN-designated "Ocean Decade" — new research initiatives have been launched, and global cooperation has been strengthened as scientists work to learn more about our oceans and to harness their potential in the fight against adverse climate change. But there are still questions to be answered: How firm are the commitment…

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'It all comes back to relationships,' says banker turned small-biz owner 52:58

3M ago52:58

52:58

Cindy Schum grew up in a troubled family situation and, as she describes herself today, was terribly shy and awkward. Still, she found ways to put herself in situations that could help her be more outgoing. She was great at working with numbers, and she gravitated to a career in commercial lending that put her in front of business owners who loved …

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Convenience culture's inconvenient truth 29:06

3M ago29:06

29:06

Humans have an evolutionary bias toward seeking convenience, experts say. But what happens when the desire for convenience becomes a dominant social and economic expectation? Future Tense explores the hidden costs of convenience for the environment and the economy. Making things too easy can in fact be bad for you. Guests Alison Angus — Head of Pra…

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She kept her job but hit the road, lived in a school bus and reclaimed her calling 55:31

3M ago55:31

55:31

Karmen Johnson certainly had the trappings of traditional successin her mid-20s: the corporate job in finance, the new house and a wedding inthe works. Then she took a hard left turn in the early 2020s and transformedworking from home to working and living on the road. She got a taste for what folks call van life—outfitting a truck, bus or van as a…

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Perspectives on the potential of AI-powered policing 28:56

3M ago28:56

28:56

Policing has always embraced new technologies and Artificial Intelligence is, of course, the flavour of the month. Working out when and why it should be used is crucial, according to law enforcement specialists. What’s also important is ensuring appropriate human oversight. Future Tense - The creeping militarisation of our police Guests Dr Marion O…

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Who’s afraid of the big, bad FAFSA? Here’s what families can expect this fall. 56:21

4M ago56:21

56:21

You might already be familiar with filling out the FAFSA form, or you might only know it by reputation. That reputation is somewhere between filing your annual income taxes and running an Ironman triathalon. Revisions, technology issues and widespread confusion over the availability of the form over the past two years might make it seem even more s…

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The truth about AI and productivity 29:08

3M ago29:08

29:08

How real is the link between Artificial Intelligence and increased productivity? Jon Whittle from the CSIRO, one of Australia's leading science agencies, has been examining the latest research. He helps us sort facts from fiction. Also, literacy and problem-solving skills have taken a dive in many developed countries — could an over-reliance on tec…

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Christine Brennan on Caitlin Clark’s cultural influence and the WNBA’s growing pains 1:02:40

4M ago1:02:40

1:02:40

In this episode of the IBJ Podcast, USA Today columnist and sports broadcasting veteran Christine Brennan speaks with IBJ's Mickey Shuey about "On Her Game," her bestselling unauthorized biography of Indiana Fever’s star Caitlyn Clark. Brennan explains how a chance encounter at the Olympic swimming trials led to a whirlwind book deal, and why Clark…

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Sinking Cities 29:09

3M ago29:09

29:09

Cities across the world are beginning to sink — some by as much as 10 centimetres a year. A recent study suggests that more than a third of urban Chinese resident now live in a sinking city. The cause is often ascribed to climate change, but is there something else at play? Could our thirst for water actually be the culprit? Also, how much do our u…

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Indy’s fast-rising chief of community outreach on potholes, curbside recycling, rural roots 49:10

4M ago49:10

49:10

Natalie van Dongen grew up in a small farming community outside a modest city in central Illinois. She spent most of her youth either in school or in the woods by her home. Approaching high school graduation, she wanted to study theater in college and definitely didn’t want to go to Butler University, where both of her parents graduated. But that’s…

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How to balance the population needs on our planet 29:08

4M ago29:08

29:08

We face multiple looming demographic crises — and our responses seemingly contradict each other. A rapidly aging population means that we need more children to be born. But it's foreseeable that resources on Earth simply can't sustain many more people. How can we solve this conundrum? Original broadcast on May 22, 2022 Guests Dr Stuart Gietel Baste…

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Can Indy's All-Star moment shine without Clark? 39:46

4M ago39:46

39:46

Host Mickey Shuey unpacks the high-stakes arrival of the 2025 WNBA All-Star Weekend in Indianapolis—and explores what it means that the league's biggest star, Caitlin Clark, is sidelined. With thousands descending upon the Circle City. Featuring interviews with WNBA Chief Growth Officer Colie Edison, USA Today columnist Christine Brennan, sports ma…

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Lessons from South Korea's security dilemma 28:38

4M ago28:38

28:38

South Korea is a test case in how to maintain democracy against sustained pressure from dictatorship. The innovative and entrepreneurial country lives in the shadow of China and Russia, and its capital Seoul lies only 50km from the North Korean border. It hasn't been easy, but the difficulties South Korea faces and the way it deals with them could …

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Indiana’s first Miss Basketball on Caitlin Clark and 50 years of progress 56:29

5M ago56:29

56:29

We’ve hit a head-spinning milestone in the history and development of women’s basketball in Indiana. This week, Indianapolis is hosting the WNBA All-Star Game and all of its related festivities, coming amid an unprecedented surge in popularity for women’s basketball. The top vote-getter for the game is Caitin Clark of the Indiana Fever—a team that …

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A turning point for the United Nations 28:38

4M ago28:38

28:38

Suffering internal division and stymied by geopolitical bullying, the United Nations is facing a future of diminishing influence. As the organisation marks its 80th birthday, it's also dealing with a serious financial shortfall brought on by both China and the United States, its two biggest donors. Secretary General, Antonio Guterres, has launched …

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“Am I crazy for doing this?” asks attorney turned bookstore owner 1:01:31

5M ago1:01:31

1:01:31

Independent bookstores have been on the retail death watch for a few decades now. But, as one American author might put it, reports of their impending demise have been greatly exaggerated. For many, the recipe for success is local ownership, strict attention to local needs and concerns and calendars packed with special events to help create a sense…

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The potential benefits and risks of developing "mirror life" 28:38

4M ago28:38

28:38

Synthetic biologists are hard at work developing artificial biological molecules as the first step toward developing a mirror cell that would be immune from infection. If they're successful, it could transform the world of medicine. But while the potential of mirror life is great, so too are the risks. There are warnings of a catastrophic impact if…

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Pete the Planner’s advice for Gen X’s retirement dilemmas 52:16

5M ago52:16

52:16

Coming after the baby boomers, Generation X is often referred to as “the forgotten generation,” the self-reliant generation and perhaps the last free-range generation. Today, you certainly could argue that it's becoming the financial-panic generation. The first Gen Xers hit the workforce right around the time pensions gave way to 401(k) accounts wi…

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The world after us! 28:38

4M ago28:38

28:38

What will Earth look like when humans become extinct? What "technofossils" will paleontologists of the future unearth and no doubt ponder over? Will we be remembered for our achievements or merely our rubbish? Also, which animals might rise to fill our role at the top of the pecking order? And is the future of live music really as dire as many pred…

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Purdue's plans for downtown Indy extension and city's move to fix West Street 42:50

5M ago42:50

42:50

Nearly one year ago—July 1, 2024—the urban university in downtown Indianapolis known as IUPUI—or Indiana University-Purdue University at Indianapolis—officially split into two separate campuses. This created Indiana University Indianapolis, a standalone campus in the IU system, and Purdue University in Indianapolis, which is considered an extension…

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How to start your own golden age 28:38

5M ago28:38

28:38

History has many lessons for how to develop a successful civilisation. The trick is to understand the patterns that lead to optimism and innovation. So, where do we rate in the 21st century? Also, why all history is revisionist and why a healthy sense of revisionism drives a deeper understanding of the past, present and future. Guests Johan Norberg…

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CEO of fast-growing Indy housing developer on urban and suburban markets, being ‘a joiner’ 49:18

5M ago49:18

49:18

Indianapolis-based housing developer Onyx + East recently scored a three-peat on IBJ’s annual list of fast-growing companies—all of which were on the watch of CEO Kelli Lawrence. She took the top job in 2019, when its annual revenue was about $19 million. By 2024, its annual revenue had climbed to $90 million—a nearly 375% increase over five years.…

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Australia and Canada — Strategic partners, but near total strangers? 28:38

6M ago28:38

28:38

Australia and Canada share much in common, politically, historically and socially. Why then do we know so little about each other? In a time of global uncertainty does it make sense for Canada and Australia to build a closer bond? If the two prosperous liberal middle powers worked together more closely, could they be a greater force for positive ch…