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.

• 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.

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.

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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.

• 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.

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.

TAKEAWAYS

• Fundraising 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.

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