Business News: Railroads Merge, Prebiotic Pepsi Pops Off, Real Estate Investors Surge, and Chicago's Sports Collectors Convention Heats Up
SUMMARY
Ryan Alford breaks down 8 major stories shaping business and marketing—from Shopify’s AI assistant and a historic railroad merger to PepsiCo’s prebiotic cola and Nike’s rapid sneaker lab. Plus: TikTok’s 60-minute videos, Sprite x Jalen Hurts, and more.
TAKEAWAYS
Shopify's introduction of the AI assistant Sidekick and its impact on e-commerce.
The merger between Union Pacific and Norfolk Southern, creating a coast-to-coast railroad network.
PepsiCo's launch of a prebiotic cola aimed at health-conscious consumers.
Live Nation Urban's new creator network for connecting brands with influencers.
The increasing role of investors in the single-family housing market.
Nike's Air Imagination Lab for rapid sneaker prototyping using 3D printing.
Sprite's NFL marketing campaign featuring quarterback Jalen Hurts and player-led storytelling.
TikTok's testing of longer video uploads, potentially challenging YouTube.
The National Sports Collectors Convention in Chicago and its significance in the collectibles market.
The overarching theme of reducing friction in business processes to enhance efficiency and customer satisfaction.
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Innercise: John Assaraf is Helping Rewire Minds for Unstoppable Success
Right About Now with Ryan Alford
Join media personality and marketing expert Ryan Alford as he dives into dynamic conversations with top entrepreneurs, marketers, and influencers. "Right About Now" brings you actionable insights on business, marketing, and personal branding, helping you stay ahead in today's fast-paced digital world. Whether it's exploring how character and charisma can make millions or unveiling the strategies behind viral success, Ryan delivers a fresh perspective with every episode. Perfect for anyone looking to elevate their business game and unlock their full potential.
Resources:
Right About Now NewsletterFree Podcast Monetization CourseJoin The NetworkFollow Us On InstagramSubscribe To Our Youtube ChannelVibe Science Media
SUMMARY
In this episode of Right About Now, Ryan Alford sits down with John Assaraf, a world-renowned mindset and business growth expert who has built five multimillion-dollar companies, authored 14 books—including two New York Times bestsellers—and starred in The Secret and Quest for Success with the Dalai Lama and Richard Branson. Known for his appearances on Larry King Live and The Ellen DeGeneres Show, John shares how mastering your inner game—mindset, habits, and emotional resilience—is the key to thriving in business and life. He also dives into how his Innercise app and myNeuroGym.com platform help people rewire their brains, overcome limitations, and achieve their biggest goals—especially in today’s fast-paced, AI-driven world.
TAKEAWAYS
Importance of mindset in achieving success in business and life.
The role of self-talk and emotional regulation in peak performance.
Understanding the neuro mechanics of the brain and its impact on behavior.
The concept of self-mastery and the necessity of self-acceptance.
The distinction between growth and fixed mindsets in handling pressure.
The significance of expanding personal limits (headroom) and potential.
The process of rewiring the brain to create new empowering beliefs.
The impact of consistency and delayed gratification on long-term success.
Navigating the challenges and opportunities presented by artificial intelligence.
The importance of curiosity and lifelong learning in adapting to change.
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Secrets to Influencer Marketing & Brand Engagement
In this Right About Now compilation, host Ryan Alford is joined by top voices in marketing and entrepreneurship—Gary Vee, Mike and Kass, Mark Kohler, Steve Pratt, Dani Lynn Robinson, and Ishveen Jolly—to break down what it really takes to stand out in today’s crowded content landscape.From the decline of traditional media to the rise of digital-first strategies, these experts share how to earn—not expect—attention through authentic content, clear goals, and smart influencer partnerships. Whether you're building a brand or scaling a business, this episode delivers real-world insights you can act on.TAKEAWAYSFundraising processes and the skills required for successful fundraising in entrepreneurship.The importance of focusing on customer revenue rather than relying solely on investor funding.Dynamics of co-founder relationships and the significance of complementary skills in partnerships.Innovations in the collectibles market, particularly the intersection of physical and digital products like trading cards and NFTs.Strategies for small business owners regarding tax planning and financial management.The role of mindset and consistency in overcoming entrepreneurial challenges and achieving success.The impact of content saturation on audience attention and the necessity of creating valuable content.The evolution of media consumption habits, particularly among younger audiences and the rise of podcasts.The importance of amplifying content across multiple platforms for maximum impact.The need for clarity in campaign objectives and flexibility in creative approaches to influencer marketing.See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.
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Turning Followers into Brand Ambassadors with Luke Yarnton
Right About Now with Ryan AlfordJoin media personality and marketing expert Ryan Alford as he dives into dynamic conversations with top entrepreneurs, marketers, and influencers. "Right About Now" brings you actionable insights on business, marketing, and personal branding, helping you stay ahead in today's fast-paced digital world. Whether it's exploring how character and charisma can make millions or unveiling the strategies behind viral success, Ryan delivers a fresh perspective with every episode. Perfect for anyone looking to elevate their business game and unlock their full potential.Resources:Right About Now NewsletterFree Podcast Monetization CourseJoin The NetworkFollow Us On InstagramSubscribe To Our Youtube ChannelVibe Science MediaSUMMARYIn this episode of "Right About Now," host Ryan Alford and guest Luke Yarnton, co-founder of The Rave, explore the evolution of influencer marketing. They discuss the shift from relying on big-name influencers to leveraging micro and nano influencers—often existing customers—for authentic brand advocacy. Luke shares strategies for building “ambassador armies,” engaging customers through simple, rewarding tasks, and fostering community. The conversation highlights the importance of authenticity, effective tracking, and gamification, while predicting a future where influencer and affiliate marketing are democratized and accessible to all.TAKEAWAYSEvolution of influencer marketing over the past decadeShift from large influencers to micro and nano influencersImportance of trust and authenticity in influencer endorsementsBuilding an "ambassador army" of genuine brand advocatesStrategies for identifying and engaging potential brand ambassadorsThe role of community management in fostering brand loyaltyBalancing performance marketing with brand marketing through influencer partnershipsUtilizing gamification to motivate micro and nano influencersThe impact of demographic factors on influencer effectivenessFuture trends in decentralized and democratized influencer marketingSee Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.
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Business News: Stripe Bypasses IPO, Amazon’s Dark Pattern Debacle, MLB Tests AI Umpires, Microsoft’s Surprising Ad Surge
SUMMARYIn this episode of "Right About Now with Ryan Alford," Ryan breaks down seven major business stories shaping the week. Topics include MLB’s new automated umpire system, Microsoft’s surge in AI-driven ad revenue, Stripe’s $3B employee tender offer and IPO delay, Amazon’s FTC lawsuit over Prime’s “dark patterns,” TikTok Shop’s rapid trend shifts, Starbucks’ real-time pricing experiment, and Delta Airlines’ fintech-like diversification. Ryan highlights how speed, innovation, and data-driven decisions are disrupting legacy business models, urging listeners to adapt quickly or risk falling behind.TAKEAWAYSIntroduction of automated ball and strike challenge system in MLB, emphasizing data-driven decision-making.Microsoft’s significant Q3 earnings, highlighting $20 billion in advertising revenue and advancements in AI-driven ads.Stripe's $3 billion employee tender offer and the strategic delay of its IPO, focusing on private market advantages.Legal challenges faced by Amazon regarding deceptive practices in Prime enrollment and cancellation processes.TikTok Shop's July trend report showcasing rapid shifts in consumer demand and the need for agile supply chain management.Starbucks experimenting with real-time pricing transparency to enhance customer experience and adapt to market demands.Delta Airlines' strong Q2 performance and diversification strategies, resembling fintech operations rather than traditional airline metrics.Walmart's partnership with Rivian for electric delivery vans aimed at reducing carbon emissions and optimizing delivery efficiency.The overarching theme of velocity in business, stressing the importance of speed and adaptability in various industries.The impact of technology and innovation on traditional business practices and consumer behavior.See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.
The #1 Marketing & Business Show on Apple PodcastsWelcome to Right About Now, where real American business gets a megaphone—and the B.S. gets the boot.Hosted by marketing disrupter Ryan Alford—entrepreneur, founder, and the guy brands call when they want attention—this show slices through the noise with uncensored insights, hard-earned wisdom, and straight-up truths from the frontlines of business.Every week, you’ll get two punchy episodes:Tuesday’s Guest Sessions: The real stories behind the rise of celebrity founders, rebel entrepreneurs, and marketing mavericks who actually do the work.Friday’s No B.S. Business Briefing: Real-time takes on what’s happening across business, culture, and tech—filtered through Ryan’s unfiltered lens.Forget the LinkedIn fluff. This is for doers, builders, and dreamers who want results—not recycled soundbites.Business the way it really works. Real people. Real wins. Real screw-ups.No MBA required. Just guts, hustle, and a sense of humor.Subscribe, listen, and get Right About Now.Because business isn’t broken—it’s just been boring & stale. Until now.
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