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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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.

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SUMMARY

In 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.

TAKEAWAYS

• Evolution of influencer marketing over the past decade
• Shift from large influencers to micro and nano influencers
• Importance of trust and authenticity in influencer endorsements
• Building an "ambassador army" of genuine brand advocates
• Strategies for identifying and engaging potential brand ambassadors
• The role of community management in fostering brand loyalty
• Balancing performance marketing with brand marketing through influencer partnerships
• Utilizing gamification to motivate micro and nano influencers
• The impact of demographic factors on influencer effectiveness
• Future trends in decentralized and democratized influencer marketing

See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

SUMMARY

In 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.

TAKEAWAYS

• Introduction 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.

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 Newsletter

Free Podcast Monetization Course

Join The Network

Follow Us On Instagram

Subscribe To Our Youtube Channel

Vibe Science Media

SUMMARY

In this episode of "Right About Now," host Ryan Alford interviews Yousuf Ahmed, founder of B-Sides, a sustainable snack brand. Yousuf shares his journey from Goldman Sachs to food entrepreneurship, focusing on upcycling food byproducts into tasty snacks. The discussion covers product development challenges, branding inspired by 80s/90s music, and strategies for scaling the business. Yousuf emphasizes balancing great taste with sustainability and profitability, highlighting the importance of authenticity and operational efficiency. The episode offers insights into building a purpose-driven brand and navigating the complexities of the modern snack industry.

TAKEAWAYS

• Transition from investment banking to food entrepreneurship
• Background in the music industry and its influence on career choices
• Concept of upcycling in the food industry and its sustainability benefits
• Challenges in product development using upcycled ingredients
• Importance of balancing taste and sustainability in consumer products
• Marketing strategies for authentic promotion of sustainable snacks
• Target audience for sustainable snack products and their preferences
• Omnichannel distribution strategy for reaching consumers
• Vertical integration in manufacturing to improve profit margins
• Insights on consumer awareness and cultural references in branding

See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

On this episode of "Right About Now with Ryan Alford," Ryan covers five major business stories, including looming 25% tariffs on tech imports from China and South Korea, the anticipated launch of OpenAI’s GPT-5 and its impact on the AI industry, and insights from guest Matt Britton on AI-driven changes in hardware, creativity, and coding. The episode also discusses talent competition among tech giants, Amazon Prime Day’s retail shakeup, and the latest Federal Reserve rate outlook. Listeners get sharp analysis on how these trends will shape business, technology, and everyday life.

TAKEAWAYS

• Price increase of 25% on tech products from China and South Korea due to tariffs.
• Upcoming release of GPT-5 by OpenAI and its potential impact on the AI landscape.
• Insights on the rapid evolution of AI and hardware development.
• The transformation of creativity and coding skills due to AI advancements.
• Talent acquisition trends in the tech industry, including poaching of top engineers.
• Amazon Prime Day sales and retail strategies to compete with online shopping.
• Federal Reserve's interest rate outlook and its implications for the market.
• The impact of AI on everyday life and the future of robotics.
• The consolidation of AI tools and its effects on business operations.
• The importance of adapting marketing strategies to consumer behavior and scarcity.

See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

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 Newsletter

Free Podcast Monetization Course

Join The Network

Follow Us On Instagram

Subscribe To Our Youtube Channel

Vibe Science Media

SUMMARY

In this episode of "Right About Now," host Ryan Alford interviews Chris Allen, star of Netflix’s "Million Dollar Secret." Chris shares his journey from finance to launching a beverage startup, and how reality TV fame has impacted his business and personal life. The conversation explores the challenges of building a personal brand, adapting to a global audience, and handling online scrutiny. Chris discusses leveraging his new platform for business opportunities and emphasizes the importance of authenticity, sales skills, and purpose in entrepreneurship. The episode offers insights into the intersection of business, media, and personal growth.

TAKEAWAYS

• Transition from finance to the beverage industry
• Experience and dynamics of reality TV, specifically "Million Dollar Secret"
• Importance of personal branding in business
• Challenges of online fame and social media discourse
• Current state and decline of the seltzer market
• Strategies for engaging a global audience with non-alcoholic beverages
• Monetizing reality TV fame and aligning business interests with fanbase
• Importance of content creation and social media engagement
• Key business skills: sales and influence
• Defining success beyond fame and the importance of purpose in decision-making

See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.