Can AI, robotics, and self‑driving technology change the distribution landscape faster than the economy can adapt?

In this episode, hosts Kevin Brown and Tom Burton explore the intersection of economic volatility, AI innovation, and leadership adaptation. From robots vs. self‑driving cars to tariff strategy and monetary policy, they unpack the signals distributors should watch and the human‑centric mindset required to thrive amid transformation.

What You’ll Learn:

• The race between humanoid robots and self‑driving cars, and what it reveals about AI adoption timelines.
• Why the Fed’s two‑percent inflation target may be outdated in a world of live data and instant analytics.
• How prediction markets like Polymarket are redefining economic forecasting.
• The impact of tariffs, trade policy, and rate cuts on wholesale pricing and investment.
• Why AI literacy, leadership calibration, and contextual intelligence are the new core skills for distribution executives.
  
  

Episode Highlights:

• 03:05 – Robots or self-driving cars first? Why Kevin now believes humanoid robots may reach mainstream use sooner than autonomous vehicles
• 17:28 – From flying cars to manual transmissions: How consumers balance nostalgia with rapid AI-enabled innovation
• 29:52 – Is the Fed working with outdated economic models? How real-time AI data could reshape monetary policy
• 44:40 – Government shutdown predictions: How Polymarket’s 27% odds reveal deeper insights about economic sentiment
• 57:55 – Tariff strategy clarified: Why “refund rumors” are misleading and why methodology matters more than politics
• 01:10:08 – Leadership evolution: AI fluency, contextual intelligence, and functional empathy as core executive skills for 2026
• 01:19:30 – Closing take: Why leaders who integrate AI intentionally, rather than reactively—will define the next decade of distribution

Tools & Frameworks Mentioned:

• LeadSmart Channel Cloud™ — AI‑enabled CRM and Customer Intelligence platform for manufacturers and distributors.
• Polymarket — decentralized prediction market for real‑time economic signals.
• Context Engineering & Agentic AI Workflows — aligning AI systems with business intent and human oversight.
• Functional Empathy Model — bridging automation and human judgment in leadership development.

Closing Insight:

“AI doesn’t replace relationships, it reinforces them by removing friction.” — Kevin Brown

Leave a Review: Help us grow by sharing your thoughts on the show.

Learn more about the LeadSmart AI B2B Sales Platform: https://www.leadsmarttech.com/

Join the conversation each week on LinkedIn Live.

Want even more insight to the stories we discuss each week? Subscribe to the Around The Horn Newsletter.

You can also hear the podcast and other excellent content on our YouTube Channel.

Follow us on Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, or TikTok.

What does it take to navigate tariffs, rate cuts, and AI disruption all at once?

Hosts Kevin Brown and Tom Burton break down the week’s headlines that matter most to manufacturers and distributors, from the U.S. government shutdown and Fed policy to the emerging reality of AI‑driven decision‑making and agentic commerce. Discover why contextual intelligence is now a core leadership skill and how data strategy can turn economic uncertainty into competitive advantage. 

What You’ll Learn:

• Why the shutdown’s “fix” is really a delay until January 31, and how prediction markets like Polymarket quantify that risk 
• The truth about tariffs and refund rumors, and why smart pricing beats policy guesswork
• What the Fed’s next decision means for capital, lending, and distribution growth plans 
• How AI‑enabled CRM and customer intelligence platforms deliver clarity from chaos 
• Why leaders who blend economic awareness + data fluency will own the next decade of wholesale innovation 

Episode Highlights:

• 03 : 12 –  The shutdown “ends”… or does it? Budget reset and political realities behind the deal 
• 16 : 40 –  Prediction markets vs. traditional polls: how Polymarket nailed its forecast 
• 31 : 25 –  Rate‑cut drama: inside the Fed meeting math and the Burton Market prediction 
• 48 : 07 –  Tariff talk decoded, methodology matters more than headlines
• 01 : 03 : 14 – Refunds or fantasy? Legal complexity of tariff paybacks explained
• 01 : 14 : 58 –  AI and contextual intelligence: from theory to tool sets inside LeadSmart Channel Cloud™ 
• 01 : 28 : 47 –  Final takeaways, leadership, data literacy, and the new rules of economic resilience 

Meet the Hosts:

Kevin Brown and Tom Burton are co‑founders of LeadSmart Technologies, creators of LeadSmart Channel Cloud™, an AI‑enabled Customer Intelligence and Smart CRM platform purpose‑built for manufacturers and distributors. They bring decades of experience in distribution operations, software engineering, and data strategy to help leaders turn siloed information into growth insight.

Tools & Frameworks Mentioned:

• LeadSmart Channel Cloud™ — Unified AI CRM for distributors & manufacturers 
• Context Engineering — Aligning AI systems with business intent 
• Agentic Commerce — Autonomous AI workflows for B2B transactions 
• Prediction Markets (Polymarket) — Crowdsourced economic signal analysis 
• Customer Intelligence Framework — Transforming ERP and CRM data into actionable insight 

Closing Insight:

“AI doesn’t replace relationships, it reinforces them by removing friction.” — Kevin Brown 

Leave a Review: Help us grow by sharing your thoughts on the show.

Learn more about the LeadSmart AI B2B Sales Platform: https://www.leadsmarttech.com/

Join the conversation each week on LinkedIn Live.

Want even more insight to the stories we discuss each week? Subscribe to the Around The Horn Newsletter.

You can also hear the podcast and other excellent content on our YouTube Channel.

Follow us on Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, or TikTok.

What happens when tariffs, rate cuts, and AI forecasting collide in the world of wholesale distribution?

In this episode, Kevin Brown and Tom Burton break down the latest economic, technological, and policy shifts affecting distributors and manufacturers.

From the longest U.S. government shutdown in history to the Supreme Court’s pending tariff ruling, they unpack what these changes mean for margins, pricing, and the role of AI-driven customer intelligence in building resilient distribution networks.

What You’ll Learn:

• How government shutdowns and rate changes create ripple effects across distribution
• The true meaning of a 17.9% average tariff rate, and why not everyone feels it equally
• Why tariff refunds could take years (or never happen at all)
• How AI-enabled CRM and contextual intelligence are helping distributors gain visibility into customers and pricing gaps
• What smart distributors are doing to balance efficiency, inventory, and profitability heading into 2026

Episode Highlights:

• 03:10 – The U.S. government shutdown “ends”… or just gets delayed until January 31
• 15:25 – How prediction markets like Polymarket are shaping economic forecasting
• 27:40 – The Fed’s next move: dissenters, inflation targets, and “The Burton Market”
• 43:05 – Tariff talk: why the Supreme Court ruling isn’t really about tariffs
• 55:18 – Mark Brohan’s article on the 17.9% effective tariff rate and what it means for distributors
• 01:07:34 – Why smaller distributors dependent on wholesalers face steeper challenges
• 01:16:55 – Final thoughts: AI, efficiency, and the future of pricing power

Meet the Hosts:

Kevin Brown and Tom Burton are co-founders of LeadSmart Technologies, creators of LeadSmart Channel Cloud™, the industry’s first AI-enabled Customer Intelligence and Smart CRM platform built exclusively for manufacturers and distributors.

Tools, Frameworks, or Strategies Mentioned:

• LeadSmart Channel Cloud™ – Unified customer intelligence platform for distributors and manufacturers
• Polymarket – Decentralized prediction market for economic forecasting
• Yale Budget Lab Study – Analysis of U.S. tariff rates and macroeconomic effects
• Context Engineering – Aligning AI systems with business intent
• Customer Intelligence Framework – Turning siloed ERP, CRM, and eCommerce data into actionable insights
  
  

Closing Insight:

“AI doesn’t replace relationships, it reinforces them by removing friction.” — Kevin Brown

From tariff volatility to AI-driven opportunity, this episode explores how distributors can navigate uncertainty with smarter strategy, deeper data, and stronger customer connections.

Leave a Review: Help us grow by sharing your thoughts on the show.

Learn more about the LeadSmart AI B2B Sales Platform: https://www.leadsmarttech.com/

Join the conversation each week on LinkedIn Live.

Want even more insight to the stories we discuss each week? Subscribe to the Around The Horn Newsletter.

You can also hear the podcast and other excellent content on our YouTube Channel.

Follow us on Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, or TikTok.

What do rate cuts, tariffs, and the rise of agentic AI mean for the future of wholesale distribution?

In this episode, Kevin Brown and Tom Burton dissect the week’s biggest economic shifts, from the Federal Reserve’s policy moves to AI’s rapid integration across manufacturing, logistics, and B2B commerce. Learn how forward-thinking distributors are preparing for 2026, where automation meets leadership and contextual intelligence defines competitive advantage.

What You’ll Learn:

• Why AI literacy and contextual intelligence are essential leadership skills in 2025
• How tariffs, prediction markets, and Fed rate cuts are shaping industrial investment
• The emerging impact of agentic commerce on B2B buying behavior
• The business risks of ungoverned generative AI in enterprise settings
• How distributors can balance data automation with human trust in decision-making

Episode Highlights:

• 04:18 – How the U.S. government shutdown is influencing the Fed’s economic playbook
• 18:32 – What the latest rate cuts reveal about manufacturing, inflation, and capital investment
• 33:27 – Tariffs, Supreme Court delays, and the uncertain trade horizon for distributors
• 51:08 – The “AI slop” problem: when generative tools create risk instead of efficiency
• 01:04:22 – Amazon and PayPal move toward agentic commerce, what B2B can learn
• 01:14:10 – The rise of humanoid robotics and physical AI in supply chain operations
• 01:26:55 – Why courage and clarity will define the next generation of distribution leaders

Meet the Hosts:

Kevin Brown and Tom Burton are the co-founders of LeadSmart Technologies, creators of LeadSmart Channel Cloud™, an AI-enabled CRM and customer intelligence platform for distributors and manufacturers. With decades of combined experience in digital transformation, leadership strategy, and industrial data systems, they help B2B leaders thrive in the age of AI-driven distribution.

Tools, Frameworks, or Strategies Mentioned:

• LeadSmart Channel Cloud™ – AI-powered CRM + Customer Intelligence for distribution
• Agentic Commerce – The next evolution of AI-driven transactional systems
• Context Engineering – Framework for aligning AI with business intent
• Industrial Supply Association (ISA) – Leadership development and AI fluency initiatives
• Section 232 & 301 Tariff Mechanisms – Understanding how U.S. trade rules impact sourcing

Closing Insight or CTA:

“AI doesn’t replace relationships, it reinforces them by removing friction.” — Kevin Brown

As AI redefines how businesses operate, leadership must evolve alongside it.

Leave a Review: Help us grow by sharing your thoughts on the show.

Learn more about the LeadSmart AI B2B Sales Platform: https://www.leadsmarttech.com/

Join the conversation each week on LinkedIn Live.

Want even more insight to the stories we discuss each week? Subscribe to the Around The Horn Newsletter.

You can also hear the podcast and other excellent content on our YouTube Channel.

Follow us on Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, or TikTok.

What happens when two industry veterans break down the biggest stories shaping wholesale distribution, AI adoption, and the global economy, live and unfiltered?

In this episode, Kevin Brown and Tom Burton analyze everything from Fed rate cuts and tariffs to the rise of AI-driven commerce and the evolving role of leadership in an age of automation. Through their signature mix of insight and humor, they explore how distributors can stay resilient, data-smart, and human-centered amid rapid technological and economic change.

What You’ll Learn:

• Why AI-driven transformation is redefining productivity and workforce trust
• How agentic commerce and AI-powered purchasing are disrupting e-commerce models
• The real-world effects of rate cuts, tariffs, and government shutdowns on the wholesale channel
• Why contextual intelligence and digital ecosystems are the new growth drivers
• How leaders can leverage AI and emotional intelligence to future-proof their organizations
  
  

Episode Highlights:

• 04:08 – A look at market sentiment in wholesale distribution heading into 2025
• 16:42 – What the Fed’s latest rate cut means for lending, mortgages, and growth capital
• 31:55 – The ripple effects of the ongoing government shutdown on supply chains
• 46:30 – Trump’s proposed tariff reset and its implications for import-dependent industries
• 59:18 – How AI adoption is reshaping manufacturing and reducing burnout in operations
• 01:10:05 – Agentic commerce and how PayPal is leading the charge in AI-driven transactions
• 01:20:44 – Why distributors must rethink e-commerce or risk losing 25% of their market share

Meet the Hosts:

Kevin Brown and Tom Burton are the co-founders of LeadSmart Technologies, creators of LeadSmart Channel Cloud™, an AI-powered CRM and customer intelligence platform built for distributors and manufacturers. Together, they bring over 40 years of experience in digital transformation, AI strategy, and industrial growth, translating complex trends into actionable insights for industry leaders.

Tools, Frameworks, or Strategies Mentioned:

• LeadSmart Channel Cloud™ – AI-enabled CRM and Customer Intelligence platform
• Agentic Commerce – AI-driven transactional automation and conversational e-commerce
• Context Engineering – Framework for aligning AI and workflow intent
• Human + Machine Collaboration Model – Integrating empathy and analytics for smarter teams
• ISA Leadership Academy – Developing adaptive, future-ready leaders across the supply chain

Closing Insight:

“AI isn’t going to take your job; it’s someone using AI that will.” — Kevin Brown

From economic volatility to AI-enabled innovation, this episode challenges distribution leaders to rethink strategy, leverage intelligence, and lead through disruption.

Leave a Review: Help us grow by sharing your thoughts on the show.

Learn more about the LeadSmart AI B2B Sales Platform: https://www.leadsmarttech.com/

Join the conversation each week on LinkedIn Live.

Want even more insight to the stories we discuss each week? Subscribe to the Around The Horn Newsletter.

You can also hear the podcast and other excellent content on our YouTube Channel.

Follow us on Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, or TikTok.

What does the future of leadership look like in the distribution industry?

In this special episode, Kevin Brown and Tom Burton sit down with Brendan Breen, President of the Industrial Supply Association (ISA), to explore how leadership transformation, AI adoption, and workforce evolution are redefining what it means to run a modern distribution business. From data-driven decision-making to generational shifts in workplace expectations, this episode unpacks the trends shaping the next decade of industrial growth.

What You’ll Learn:

• How AI-driven transformation is changing the leadership playbook for distributors and manufacturers
• Why emotional intelligence and adaptability are now core leadership competencies
• How ISA is building a bridge between legacy leaders and next-gen talent
• The role of digital ecosystems in shaping connected supply chains and value-based selling
• What human-first leadership means in the era of automation and analytics

Episode Highlights:

• 04:35 – Brendan Breen on redefining leadership for a digital-first industrial economy
• 16:20 – AI and workforce transformation: adapting without alienating talent
• 29:02 – ISA’s evolving mission: from association to innovation accelerator
• 43:18 – How next-gen leaders are reshaping the future of manufacturing and distribution
• 57:40 – Data transparency, ethics, and the rise of context-aware leadership
• 01:10:26 – Building scalable ecosystems that merge AI and human expertise
• 01:23:12 – How to lead with empathy and foresight in the age of automation
• 01:33:58 – Closing reflections: why the future belongs to adaptive leaders

Meet the Guest:

Brendan Breen is the President of the Industrial Supply Association (ISA), where he leads initiatives to modernize the industrial supply channel through education, digital transformation, and community collaboration. His work helps bridge the gap between experienced leaders and emerging talent in distribution and manufacturing.

Tools, Frameworks, or Strategies Mentioned:

• LeadSmart Channel Cloud™ – AI-powered CRM + Customer Intelligence platform
• ISA Leadership Academy – Building resilient, future-ready leadership teams
• Context Engineering – Framework for aligning AI systems with business intent
• Human + Machine Collaboration Model – A people-centered approach to automation

Closing Insight:

“AI won’t replace leaders, but it will expose the ones who refuse to adapt.” — Brendan Breen

From digital transformation to leadership evolution, this episode is a must-listen for distribution executives, manufacturers, and future leaders navigating the intersection of technology, talent, and transformation.

Leave a Review: Help us grow by sharing your thoughts on the show.

Learn more about the LeadSmart AI B2B Sales Platform: https://www.leadsmarttech.com/

Join the conversation each week on LinkedIn Live.

Want even more insight to the stories we discuss each week? Subscribe to the Around The Horn Newsletter.

You can also hear the podcast and other excellent content on our YouTube Channel.

Follow us on Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, or TikTok.

Here’s (more than) a hint: it’s AI Engine Optimization. And right now, it could be even more important than SEO for B2B visibility.

In this episode, Kevin Brown and Tom Burton unpack the latest economic shifts, from the government shutdown’s ripple effects to the rise of AI-driven commerce, and how they’re transforming manufacturing, logistics, and customer engagement. Learn why context engineering and AI-enabled CRM platforms are redefining the way distributors compete and connect in 2025.

What You’ll Learn:

• Why tariffs and supply chain realignments are now “business as usual” for U.S. distributors
• How prediction markets like Polymarket are outperforming traditional economic forecasts
• What the Fed’s next moves could mean for interest rates, hiring, and inflation
• Why AI Engine Optimization (AEO) is replacing traditional SEO for B2B visibility
• How LeadSmart’s AI-enabled Channel Cloud™ is transforming CRM into Customer Intelligence
  
  

Episode Highlights:

• 04:10 – The government shutdown and why markets barely reacted
• 13:45 – Fed predictions, Polymarket insights, and crowd-sourced forecasting
• 25:30 – Inflation, unemployment, and the rise of AI’s role in economic stability
• 36:48 – Tariffs, China trade tensions, and supply chain recalibration
• 49:05 – Fastenal’s organic growth strategy and the power of data-driven wallet share
• 59:58 – Schneider Electric + NVIDIA: powering AI data centers of the future
• 01:10:22 – From SEO to Generative Engine Optimization (GEO): preparing content for AI search
• 01:22:45 – Why AI isn’t replacing people, but empowering those who know how to use it

Tools, Frameworks, or Strategies Mentioned:

• LeadSmart Channel Cloud™ – AI-powered CRM + Customer Intelligence platform
• Polymarket – decentralized prediction market forecasting economic probabilities
• AI Engine Optimization (AEO) / Generative Engine Optimization (GEO) – frameworks for AI discoverability
• Context Engineering – Gartner’s model for contextual AI and workflow design
• Agentic Workflows – AI-driven automation aligned with distributor processes

Closing Insight:

“AI won’t take your job. But someone using AI better than you will.” — Tom Burton

From government shutdowns to AI search adoption, this episode dives into the forces transforming distribution. Subscribe to Around the Horn in Wholesale Distribution for weekly conversations on digital transformation, leadership, and customer intelligence in manufacturing and B2B commerce.

Leave a Review: Help us grow by sharing your thoughts on the show.

Learn more about the LeadSmart AI B2B Sales Platform: https://www.leadsmarttech.com/

Join the conversation each week on LinkedIn Live.

Want even more insight to the stories we discuss each week? Subscribe to the Around The Horn Newsletter.

You can also hear the podcast and other excellent content on our YouTube Channel.

Follow us on Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, or TikTok.

What happens when a government shutdown, interest rate cuts, and AI-driven commerce collide with the future of wholesale distribution?

In this week’s Around the Horn in Wholesale Distribution, Kevin Brown and Tom Burton unpack the headlines that matter: the Fed’s next move, tariff resilience, and how AI-enabled platforms like LeadSmart Channel Cloud™ are reframing CRM as a growth engine. You’ll also hear why AI Engine Optimization (AEO) is quickly replacing SEO, and what it means for distributors competing in an Amazon + OpenAI marketplace.

What You’ll Learn:

• Why CRM adoption fails, and how LeadSmart’s smart CRM reframes it as customer enablement
• How prediction markets like Polymarket may forecast economic shifts more accurately than government data
• Why tariffs, lithium mining, and government-backed investments signal long-term supply chain realignment
• How AI search and embedded transactions could challenge Amazon’s dominance
• Why AI ethics and workforce augmentation matter more than “replacement” narratives
  
  

Episode Highlights:

03:05 – Government shutdown politics and the missing jobs report

13:45 – Fed rate cuts, prediction markets, and Polymarket’s surprising odds

25:52 – Consumer confidence paradox: nervous workers, steady spending

37:20 – U.S. invests in lithium mines and Intel, national security or sovereign wealth strategy?

50:18 – Tariffs reshaping global supply chains and stalling multimillion-dollar projects

01:01:12 – OpenAI launches checkout: what it means for distributors vs. Amazon

01:12:05 – AI content optimization: moving from SEO to Generative Engine Optimization (GEO)

01:19:10 – Why AI won’t take jobs, but people using AI will

Tools, Frameworks, or Strategies Mentioned

• LeadSmart Channel Cloud™ – AI-enabled CRM + customer intelligence platform
• Polymarket – decentralized prediction markets for real-time sentiment
• AI Engine Optimization (AEO) & Generative Engine Optimization (GEO) – future-proofing content strategy
• Agentic AI Workflows – automation with human-in-the-loop oversight
• Digital Twins & Lithium Investments – future of industrial resilience

Closing Insight:

“If you have siloed data, you have siloed AI. The winners unify data to future-proof supply chains.” – Kevin Brown

Leave a Review: Help us grow by sharing your thoughts on the show.

Learn more about the LeadSmart AI B2B Sales Platform: https://www.leadsmarttech.com/

Join the conversation each week on LinkedIn Live.

Want even more insight to the stories we discuss each week? Subscribe to the Around The Horn Newsletter.

You can also hear the podcast and other excellent content on our YouTube Channel.

Follow us on Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, or TikTok.