Scott’s Thoughts offers weekly insights from retail expert Scott Benedict on leadership, innovation, and industry trends. Explore topics like AI ethics, workplace professionalism, and global trade dynamics to stay ahead in the evolving retail landscape.
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Scott Benedict Podcasts
A new journal of emotional hygiene. From the makers of You Look Nice Today.
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The Revolutionary War started when a few colonists fired their muskets against the British Empire, then the world's military superpower. It ended—against all reasonable expectations— with an independent American and the ideas of liberty and self-governance spreading across the globe. All that happened because the rebels won the major battles. This podcast dives deep into each of them.
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Curated Questions: Conversations Celebrating the Power of Questions Hosted by Ken Woodward, Curated Questions is a thought-provoking podcast that celebrates the art and science of asking profound questions. This podcast is for curious minds who understand that the right question can unlock new perspectives and drive personal growth. What to Expect Insightful Conversations: Experts from diverse fields share their journey in mastering the craft of inquiry, revealing how it has transformed thei ...
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By the time a Catholic enters adulthood, they are more likely today, than ever, to stop following their Catholic Faith. We must work together to turn this around. Parents have the most serious obligation to do everything in their power to ensure their children's physical, social, cultural, moral, and religious upbringing. If you are ready to learn more about the Catholic Faith and take more responsibility to help those you know to prepare for eternal life in heaven, you've come to the right ...
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“CBS News Sunday Morning” correspondent Mo Rocca has always loved obituaries. Each episode of Mobituaries covers his favorite dearly departed people and things. This season profiles legendary athlete Jim Thorpe in "Death of an All-American", iconic singer/songwriter Peggy Lee in "Death of Cool", and even the death of the mid-Atlantic accent, best known from the likes of Katharine Hepburn, Franklin Roosevelt and Jacqueline Kennedy. Mo even has a few new things in store including an episode th ...
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Provide support, advice and direction to those who have undergone significant change so that they can continue to connect and fulfill their purpose.
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Why "Who Do I Say I Am?" Changes Everything! | Mike Hilson E50
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1:26:02"Who am I? Was never gonna turn out well. Who do I say I am? Had a chance." - Mike Hilson Host Ken Woodward welcomes Pastor Mike Hilson, senior pastor of New Life Church. They delve deep into how questions shape identity, leadership, and personal growth. Mike shares his journey, from wrestling with self-identity as a child to leading a thriving net…
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How Texas A&M's Core Values Transform Modern Retail Excellence
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6:46What happens when you apply university values to the retail world? Drawing from my experience teaching at Texas A&M University's Center for Retailing Studies, I've discovered that the six core Aggie values—respect, excellence, leadership, loyalty, integrity, and selfless service—create a powerful framework for retail success that goes far beyond th…
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The Key to Helping Others Find Their Own Questions! | Naomi Campbell #49
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1:24:16"Questions are an extremely sophisticated thinking skill that everyone can use and practice all the time." - Naomi Campbell In this episode, host Ken Woodward is in conversation with Naomi Campbell, Director of the Right Question Institute (RQI) Legal Empowerment Program. They delve into the transformative power of teaching people to ask questions,…
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Remember when RFID was always just around the corner? That future has quietly arrived, transforming retail in ways both subtle and profound. Radio frequency identification technology has completed its journey from expensive supply chain experiment to essential retail infrastructure. What changed? Tag costs have plummeted while accuracy has soared. …
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The Curated Questions Origin Story: When It All Began! | Ken Woodward #48
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27:30In this solo episode, host Ken Woodward delves into the origin and development of the 'Curated Questions' project, which began in 2018. Ken shares his personal journey of curiosity, inspiration from Tim Ferriss' podcast, and the influences that led to the creation of his blog and subsequent podcast. Highlighting notable milestones and influential i…
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Earnings Reveal the Power of Bargain Hunting
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6:33The retail landscape is telling us a fascinating story about American consumers and the economy right now. Discount retailers are absolutely crushing it as value-hungry shoppers flock to bargains. Five Below posted a jaw-dropping 50% jump in earnings per share alongside 24% revenue growth, while Burlington, Ollie's, and Dollar General all delivered…
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How Questions Create Instant Trust in Any Conversation! | Maury Rogow #47
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1:43:50"You were the most interested person in the room, and you're gonna get love." - Maury Rogow Maury Rogow is all about storytelling. He is the CEO of the Rip Media Group and creator of the Story2Sales methodology that's generated over $150 million in trackable revenue for clients. I appreciate the tag line, "Your brand will thrive or die, based on th…
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Sustainability at Retail 2.0: Commerce with Purpose
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6:33Sustainability has undergone a remarkable transformation in the retail landscape, evolving from a peripheral concern to what I'm calling "Sustainability at Retail 2.0" – a fundamental business imperative that drives both purpose and profit. The upcoming Consumer Impact Conference here in Northwest Arkansas has prompted me to reflect on how dramatic…
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Why the Right Question Feels Like an Invitation | Dr. Matt Lampe #46
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1:35:11"The meaning of your communication is the result you are getting." - Dr. Matt Lampe With a Doctorate from Alliant International University's California School of Professional Psychology, Matt has dedicated his career to transforming how organizations approach change, leadership development, and workplace agility. He is currently leading enterprise-…
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Personalization in Retail: How AI Shapes Your Shopping Experience
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5:30The retail experience is undergoing a quiet revolution. Remember when personalization simply meant seeing your name in an email? Those days are long gone. Today, artificial intelligence shapes virtually every aspect of how you shop—what products you see, what offers you receive, and sometimes even what prices you're quoted. As a retail expert, I've…
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The Power of Asking "What Do I Do Now?" Instead of "Why Me?" | Dr. Latorial Faison #45
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2:05:57"When I even think that I wanna give up, I can't because people like this put their life on the line so that I could have better opportunities." - Dr. Latorial Faison Dr. Latorial Faison is an HBCU and Virginia State University Professor, Poet, Author, Independent Scholar & Senior Military Spouse. A graduate of the University of Virginia, Virginia …
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Experience is the New Anchor for Physical Retail
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2:42What happens when a department store transforms into a destination featuring champagne bars, spas, and digital concierges? The retail revolution is here, and Printemps' Manhattan flagship exemplifies how smart retailers are reinventing physical shopping spaces for today's experience-hungry consumers. The fundamental truth reshaping retail today is …
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What Machines Can’t Imitate - On Questions, Doubt, and the Discipline of Curiosity | AI Alan Turing #44
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48:30"I suspect beauty comes when a question both sharpens and enlarges your vision." - AI Alan Turing In this special episode, we step back to a cold December night in 1951 and into the warm, wood-paneled room of The Britons Protection, a historic Manchester pub. Across the table sits Alan Turing, the mathematician, wartime codebreaker, and one of the …
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Retail's Great Reckoning: Why Stores are Closing Faster than Ever
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3:07The retail landscape is undergoing a seismic shift that demands our attention. With a projected 15,000 store closures across the United States in 2025, double last year's figure, we're witnessing what can only be described as a retail reckoning. Major players like Macy's, Walgreens, and Rite Aid are scaling back, while European legacy brands such a…
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The Scholar Who Sees Literature in Sneakers, Hip-Hop, and Gaming | Dr. Jemayne King #43
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1:39:08"Sneaker culture literature is no different than any other form of literature." - Dr. Jemayne King Jemayne, is creative, insightful, and VERY intentional. He is the founder of Sole Food Brand LLC, sole is spelled S.O.L.E which you will come to appreciate, and among many things, his company celebrates HBCUs (or Historically Black Colleges and Univer…
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Six Critical Challenges Facing Today's Retail Executives
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4:23The retail landscape is experiencing unprecedented turbulence, and I'll take you deep into the six critical challenges reshaping the industry. Rising inflation and tariff-driven cost pressures top the list, creating a complex balancing act as retailers struggle to maintain margins while keeping prices palatable for increasingly cost-conscious consu…
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Want Connection? Skip The Small Talk | Ashley Kirsner #42
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1:40:41"It is much safer to be vulnerable than you might think." - Ashley Kirsner Ashley is the founder and director of Skip the Small Talk, and believes in the efficacy of high-quality person-to-person interaction for improving psychological health. She has conducted research with professors at prestigious organizations such as Cornell University, the Ha…
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Why Your Brand's Digital Experience Matters More Than You Think
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5:00The digital shelf has officially become the front door to retail, and brands ignoring this reality are missing the bigger picture. Profitero's "US Digitally Influenced Shopper Report for 2025" delivers a wake-up call that demands attention: digital touchpoints influence three times more purchases than e-commerce sales figures alone suggest. While m…
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The Question of Beauty: A Photographer's Pursuit | Robert Sturman #41
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1:23:54"I realized that paying attention is a form of a question." - Robert Sturman Robert Sturman is a seeker and visual storyteller. Driven by an unshakeable belief that beauty exists everywhere. He has pursued this vision as an Official Artist of the Grammy Awards and the FIFA World Cup, and as a globally recognized photographer who captures the healin…
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From Cannes to Commerce: Retail Media's Growing Influence
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3:42Ever wondered how the retail media landscape is evolving beyond traditional advertising? In this eye-opening exploration of insights from the Cannes Lions International Festival of Creativity, I share fascinating developments that are reshaping how brands connect with consumers through retail channels. The retail media revolution is gaining momentu…
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Reviving Benjamin Franklin's Junto: How Questions Built America | Ken Woodward #40
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24:31"They were the leather apron crowd, average guys intent on having extraordinary conversations." - Ken Woodward In this episode of Curated Questions, host Ken Woodward uncovers a forgotten antidote to our fractured discourse: Benjamin Franklin's Junto. In 1727 Philadelphia, a 21-year-old printer gathered tradesmen—the 'leather apron crowd'—for Frida…
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Walmart vs Amazon: Battle for Your Smart TV Shopping Experience
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3:40The retail media landscape is transforming dramatically as major players make strategic moves to control the space where viewing meets buying. Walmart's recent $2.3 billion acquisition of Vizio has created a powerful new ecosystem that combines the retailer's extensive shopper data with Vizio's SmartCast operating system and its 18 million active a…
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How Asking 'What Was That Like' Creates Extraordinary Connection | Scott Johnson #39
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1:35:40"I brought these people together and now they're engaging with each other and enriching each other's lives." - Scott Johnson Scott is a curious listener and natural connector. He started The Computer Tutor in 1999 and then expanded to include a compendium podcast, which he hosted for several hundred episodes. Driven by an insatiable desire to under…
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Wholesale Clubs: Business vs. Consumer Focus
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4:30Retail's wholesale club landscape is changing dramatically, but are you aware of how these shifts might affect your shopping strategy or business approach? Drawing from my extensive career in wholesale club retail, I share fascinating insights from a recent Warehouse Club Focus analysis that reveals surprising trends in how the major players are po…
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How Do You Build a Life That Honors All Your Talents? | Ernest Ponraj #38
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1:10:12"That's where things started with my idea and vision for this space." - Ernest Ponraj Dr. Ernest Ponraj, a native of Montgomery County, Maryland, pursued his undergraduate studies at Pacific Union College in California before earning his Doctorate of Dental Surgery from Loma Linda University in 2008. After obtaining his DDS license, he returned to …
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Walmart International: More Than Just Revenue Streams
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3:16The untapped potential of international retail operations lies far beyond simple revenue generation. When Walmart International CEO Kathryn McLay spoke about the company's global businesses at their recent shareholder meeting, one powerful insight stood out: these international operations function as sophisticated innovation engines that fuel growt…
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Walking 2,085 Miles Through America's Hard History | Ken Woodward #37
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35:05"Albeit on wobbly legs, I chose courage." - Ken Woodward Curated Questions host, Ken Woodward recounts his transformative journey of questioning deeply held beliefs about patriotism and social justice, influenced by significant moments, readings, and personal encounters. This introspective episode delves into his midlife reevaluation of American hi…
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Ever feel disheartened by endless headlines about billionaires exploiting their wealth at society's expense? Scott Benedict offers a refreshing counternarrative straight from Northwest Arkansas, where wealthy families have transformed prosperity into community treasures. What makes Northwest Arkansas special isn't just its natural beauty, but the l…
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When Every Conversation Holds Possibility | Jeff Wetzler #36
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51:00"That is the question. What can I learn from this person?" - Jeff Wetzler Jeff is a learner and teacher. Blending a unique set of leadership experiences in business and education, he has pursued this quest as a management consultant to the world’s top corporations, as a learning facilitator for leaders around the world, as Chief Learning Officer at…
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Balancing Technology and Trust: The Future of Responsible Retail Innovation
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5:34Responsible technology use in retail isn't getting enough attention. While everyone's talking about AI and personalization, we need to focus on how these powerful tools align with customer-centric strategies and ethical governance frameworks. The exciting potential of AI in retail goes far beyond basic recommendations. Today's technology enables pr…
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When You Show Up for Yourself, Your World Changes | Shelbie Morgan #35
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1:02:44"I had a lot of small victories, but it wasn't until I showed up as me completely that my world began to change." - Shelbie Morgan Shelbie Morgan is a force for good. Good purpose, good energy, good vibes, and good financial literacy. For several years, Shelbie worked in corporate marketing and social media, with her last corporate role in human re…
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When Tariffs Hit the Shelf: A Retailer's Survival Guide
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4:41The shifting landscape of tariff and trade policies has dramatically transformed the retail sector, pushing companies to rethink their fundamental strategies. This episode dives deep into how major retailers are responding to these pressures—from Walmart's forthright acknowledgment of price increases to Home Depot's ambitious supply chain diversifi…
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From FBI Interrogations to Corporate Conversations | MK Palmore #34
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1:20:06"The secret to interviewing is knowing when to shut up and listen." - MK Palmore M.K. Palmore's story begins where many transformational leaders find their compass—in service to something greater than themselves. Born and raised in Washington, D.C., during a time when the city carried the sobering title of "murder capital" of the United States, the…
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Loyalty programs are revolutionizing how consumers interact with online grocery platforms, creating deeper engagement and significantly higher spending. Drawing from my extensive experience as a retail consultant, I examine how digital grocery services have evolved beyond mere convenience into powerful loyalty-building tools that drive both revenue…
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From Cowboy Dreams to Coaching Life Transitions | Tony Kennedy #33
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43:34"What are we going to do afterwards?" - Tony Kennedy Tony Kennedy began his collegiate football career by earning a Division I scholarship at Virginia Tech (1988-1992). In 1993, Tony signed as a free agent with the Dallas Cowboys, fulfilling a childhood dream. Although he finished his professional career in 1994, he has remained active in the colle…
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Email vs. SMS: Surprising Effectiveness Data for Retailers
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4:06What's really working in digital marketing for retailers today? In this eye-opening discussion, we dive into surprising findings from Listrack's annual cross-channel benchmarking report that challenges conventional wisdom about effective marketing tactics. The data reveals a fascinating paradox: while email marketing volume increased by 43% over th…
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Why Curiosity Converts Better Than Commission | Patrick Dubois #32
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1:31:04"We want to learn from our mistakes. And remember, it's a miss-take, so we can do it again." - Patrick Dubois Patrick Dubois has over 30 years of experience in corporate sales and leadership for the veterinary and pet spaces. In 2024, he launched his own consultancy, Sales Growth Today, as a conduit to share his expertise through coaching, seminars…
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Twenty years have passed since Walmart's landmark sustainability commitment under CEO Lee Scott, yet the retail industry still faces significant challenges in fully embracing sustainable practices. The disconnect is particularly evident in household goods categories, where consumer demand for eco-friendly options continues to grow without matching …
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Digital Revolution in the Grocery Landscape: How Economic Pressures are Reshaping Consumer Behavior
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4:20Ibotta's annual State of Spend report reveals significant shifts in grocery shopping behaviors due to economic pressures, with 72% of consumers prioritizing essentials and showing increased price sensitivity at the expense of brand loyalty. • Consumer spending on groceries continues to rise annually while discretionary categories like personal care…
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Kevin Kelly: The Future Belongs to the Question-Makers | Kevin Kelly #31
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50:30"In any vibrant, ongoing discipline, questioning has to be at the heart of it, or there's no growth." - Kevin Kelly Kevin Kelly is one of the most original voices in technology and culture. Kevin's career is a journey through the heart of innovation. He helped launch Wired magazine, shaping our understanding of the digital revolution. Before that, …
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Specialty Retail's Journey Toward Seamless Omnichannel Experiences
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4:06Specialty retailers are rapidly adopting unified commerce strategies with increased technology investments in AI-driven personalization, real-time inventory management, and integrated CRM systems to meet consumer demands for consistent experiences across all touchpoints. • Adoption rates for omnichannel strategies have significantly increased among…
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The Hybrid Retail Revolution: Finding Balance in a Post-DTC World
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4:44Remember when direct-to-consumer brands were going to revolutionize retail forever? Those billion-dollar valuations for companies like Casper, Away, and Glossier seemed to validate a future where traditional retail partnerships would become obsolete. Fast forward to today, and the landscape looks dramatically different. What happened to the DTC rev…
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Intentionally Cracking Love's Enigma Through Analytics | Tim Molnar #30
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1:25:48"The better question is, how am I feeling in my body at the end of or during this date? Do I feel safe? Do I feel seen? Am I energized?" - Tim Molnar Tim Molnar isn't your typical dating coach—he's a fascinating blend of academic researcher and practical relationship strategist who's transformed how we think about finding love. As a former Fulbrigh…
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How Tariff Policies Are Reshaping Retail and Tech Industries
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5:05Trade tensions and government tariff policies are creating significant disruptions across retail and tech sectors, forcing companies to rapidly adapt their strategies and operations. The economic landscape is shifting beneath our feet as government tariff and trade policies send tremors through both retail and technology sectors. What started as po…
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How Walmart is Setting the Standard for AI Ethics
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5:29Prepare to dive into the intriguing world of artificial intelligence in retail and discover how it's changing the landscape of shopping as we know it. This episode uncovers the positive impact of AI technologies on customer service, supply chain optimization, and marketing strategies, highlighting how companies are leveraging data to understand con…
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Cultivating Transformational Growth Through Questions | Dave Reynolds #29
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1:25:40"We don't want it to be transactional. We want it to be transformational." - Dave Reynolds Dave Reynolds is a serial entrepreneur and the founder and CEO of the Rumin8 Group in Halifax, Nova Scotia, Canada. Rumin8 is dedicated to helping entrepreneurs scale small and medium-sized organizations through executive coaching, performance management tool…
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Shifting Standards: Lessons from Kroger's Leadership Shake-Up
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5:20The unexpected resignation of Kroger's CEO, Rodney McMullen, has sparked serious conversations around workplace professionalism and the expectations we place on leaders. In the episode, Scott Benedict explores not just what led to McMullen's departure, but the broader implications for businesses navigating the post-pandemic landscape. Have we, as a…
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Tariffs and Trade: Navigating the New Retail Landscape
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3:40Dive into the complexity of tariffs and trade policies in the retail industry that affects your shopping experience more than you might think! We explore how shifting global dynamics challenge retailers, forcing them to rethink sourcing strategies and adapt their business models. In this engaging discussion, we break down the current tariffs, the i…
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From Lightning's Wrath to Neuro Resilience | Lisa Wimberger #28
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1:11:26"When you mix curiosity with the urgency of imminent death, you get power you never knew you had." - Lisa Wimberger To understand Lisa's story, we must first acknowledge that humans have three primary options in moments of stress or fear: fight, flee, or freeze. Lisa is predisposed to the freeze response. Hit by lightning on her 15th birthday, clin…
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Nordstrom and Macy’s Bold Move Towards Financial Clarity
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2:29The retail industry is witnessing a pivotal change as Nordstrom and Macy's shift from traditional inventory accounting to cost-based methods, providing a clearer picture of profitability. This evolution emphasizes the need for accuracy and adaptability in modern retail to enhance financial health and transparency. • Nordstrom and Macy's lead a tran…
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