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Simply Trade

Simply Trade

By: Global Training Center
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Summary

 Do you find yourself randomly classifying products… when you are not at work?

Does the reason why you jump out of bed every morning have anything to do with validating your supply chain to insure trade compliance?

Did you sit in your favorite chair with a glass of wine, paging through the latest regulations and thought to yourself, ‘what a great way to spend my free time’?

If any of these apply to you, then you are very likely a ‘trade geek’… that is why we created Simply Trade just for you.

Your hosts, Andy and Lalo have a combined 60+ years in the industry. Covering everything from logistics to technology. There is so much to learn with the ever-evolving world of trade.

We’ve invited some friends over to our podcast to simply ’shoot the ship’ on all things trade. So join us every week as we discuss current and important trade topics with experts in their field who are passionate about helping you succeed!

You’ll never run out of things to learn when it comes to trading goods across international borders.

Let’s get to it!Copyright 2024 All rights reserved. Economics
Episodes
  • [ROUNDUP] Building a Career Through Opportunity and Resilience with Laura DiBella, Chairman at the Federal Maritime Commission

    [ROUNDUP] Building a Career Through Opportunity and Resilience with Laura DiBella, Chairman at the Federal Maritime Commission
    May 11 2026
    Host: Annik Sobing Guest: Laura DiBella, Chair, Federal Maritime Commission Published: May 2026 Length: ~27 minutes Presented by: Global Training Center From Resilience to Maritime Leadership Annik Sobing sits down with Laura DiBella for a deeply personal and inspiring conversation about leadership, resilience, and the path that brought her to the Federal Maritime Commission. Laura shares how her upbringing as a first-generation American, her family’s financial hardships, and the loss of her brother shaped her values and her drive to serve. The conversation also explores her career journey through real estate, economic development, ports, and maritime leadership, as well as what the industry needs now to move forward with clarity and support. Who This Episode Is Valuable For This episode is especially valuable for young professionals who are still figuring out their path and want to hear how resilience, adaptability, and being open to unexpected opportunities can shape a career. Laura’s story is also meaningful for leaders in her position or anyone at a senior level, because it offers a reminder of where they came from and how personal experience can influence the way they lead, serve, and make decisions. What You’ll Learn in This Episode Laura’s early life Laura talks about her Sicilian family background, the example her parents set, and how watching her father build a business from nothing shaped her understanding of hard work and perseverance. She also opens up about the hardships her family faced during the early 1990s recession. How adversity shaped her path The episode explores how personal loss and financial instability influenced Laura’s outlook on life and service. She explains how running, school, and later work became ways to channel that energy into something productive and meaningful. Career growth across industries Laura traces her path from real estate into economic development, then into port leadership, maritime work, and ultimately her current role at the FMC. Her story shows how one opportunity can lead naturally into the next when you stay open to learning and growth. What maritime needs now Laura gives a clear message that the maritime industry needs coordinated support, policy clarity, and real follow-through. She emphasizes that maritime priorities should not be stalled by politics and need urgent attention because of their impact on economic and national security. Why her story resonates The conversation is honest, thoughtful, and personal, making it one of the most memorable episodes of the show. Laura’s openness about her past and her willingness to keep showing up for the industry make this a powerful listen for anyone in trade or logistics. Credits Host: Annik Sobing Guest: Laura DiBella Presented by: Global Training Center Subscribe & Follow Stay connected with the Simply Trade community and never miss an episode that helps you trade smarter. 🎧 Listen on: • Apple Podcasts • Spotify • YouTube 💬 Connect with us: • Simply Trade • Global Training Center • Trade Geeks Community Don’t forget to rate, review, and share with your fellow trade geeks! Want to be on the show or have topic suggestions? SimplyTrade@GlobalTrainingCenter.com
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    27 mins
  • [Cindy's Version] It's time to go (Back To a Traditional Trade Process)

    [Cindy's Version] It's time to go (Back To a Traditional Trade Process)
    May 8 2026

    Host: Cindy Allen Published: May 2026 Length: ~12 minutes Presented by: Global Training Center

    It’s Time to Go: Refunds, Trade Policy, and What Comes Next

    In this episode of Simply Trade: Cindy’s Version, Cindy Allen walks listeners through a busy week in international trade while using Taylor Swift’s “It’s Time to Go” as the theme. She covers the latest Court of International Trade ruling on Section 122, the ongoing CAPE refund process, Section 301 hearings, possible changes to Section 232 tariffs, and new concerns around CPSC data requirements. The episode also touches on fraud prevention, ACE help desk issues, and why it may be time to return to more traditional trade processes with clearer timelines and checks and balances.

    What You’ll Learn in This Episode

    Court and tariff updates Cindy explains the recent CIT ruling on Section 122 and how it may affect future trade actions. She also discusses the possibility of further appeals and what that could mean for importers.

    CAPE refund progress The episode shares encouraging news that CAPE refunds are reportedly hitting bank accounts. Cindy also covers the 45-day review window and the safeguards CBP is using to catch duplicate or mistaken filings.

    Fraud and cybersecurity concerns Cindy highlights CBP’s webinar and CSMS update about fraud in the CAPE process, including the need to verify bank details and watch for duplicate filings. She notes that many of the problems CBP is seeing are clerical or procedural rather than outright fraud.

    New compliance pressure The conversation shifts to the upcoming CPSC data requirements and why many importers may not yet be prepared. Cindy explains that the timeline is tight and that companies should work closely with brokers to get ahead of the new filing expectations.

    Why “It’s Time to Go” fits Cindy uses the Taylor Swift song to reflect the need to move away from overly novel tariff approaches and back toward more traditional trade processes. Her message is that trade needs time, structure, and predictability in order to plan and adjust effectively.

    Credits Host: Cindy Allen Presented by: Global Training Center

    Subscribe & Follow

    Stay up to date with the latest in global trade:

    • 🎧 Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/09m199JO6fuNumbcrHTkGq?utm_source=SimplyTradePodcast
    • 🍎 Apple Podcasts: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/simply-trade/id1640329690?utm_source=SimplyTradePodcast
    • ▶️ YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@simplytradepod?utm_source=SimplyTradePodcast
    🤝 Connect With Us

    • Global Training Center: https://www.linkedin.com/company/global-training-center?utm_source=SimplyTradePodcast
    🎙️ Want to Be on the Show?

    Have insights on trade compliance, enforcement trends, or real-world execution?

    Reach out—we’d love to have you on.
    Show More Show Less
    13 mins
  • How AI Product Passports Are Changing Trade Compliance; with Evan Smith

    How AI Product Passports Are Changing Trade Compliance; with Evan Smith
    May 7 2026
    Host: Lalo Solorzano and Andy Shiles Guest(s): Evan Smith Published: May 7, 2026 Length: 43:23 Presented by: Global Training Center Summary Global trade is changing fast, and compliance teams are being asked to do more than ever before. In this episode of Simply Trade, Lalo Solorzano and Andy Shiles welcome back Evan Smith of Altana to discuss how artificial intelligence, supply chain visibility, and product passports are reshaping the way importers, brokers, forwarders, and governments approach trade compliance. Evan explains why traditional customs entry data is no longer enough for today’s regulatory environment, especially as forced labor enforcement, tariff stacking, rules of origin, carbon requirements, and geopolitical risk all demand a deeper understanding of the full value chain. The conversation explores how product passports can help companies move from reactive problem-solving to proactive trade assurance, allowing importers to document, validate, and communicate product and supply chain information before goods arrive at the border. This episode matters because it highlights a major shift: trade compliance is no longer just a back-office function. It is becoming a strategic business capability that can reduce risk, improve speed to market, and create competitive advantage. Transcript source: Main Topic / Discussion The episode focuses on the rise of AI-enabled product passports and how they can help companies manage modern trade compliance challenges. Evan Smith explains how Altana’s technology maps value chain networks, supports regulatory attestations, and helps businesses better understand supplier relationships, origin data, forced labor risk, tariff exposure, USMCA qualification, and other trade requirements. A key theme is the shift from transaction-based compliance to network-based compliance. Instead of relying only on individual customs entries, companies are being encouraged to build a deeper, ongoing view of their products and supply chains. This allows trade teams to identify risk earlier, respond more effectively to government inquiries, and potentially gain trade facilitation benefits through pre-validation and stronger documentation. The discussion also emphasizes leadership’s role in elevating trade compliance across product design, sourcing, procurement, logistics, and overall business strategy. Key Takeaways • Customs authorities are increasingly focused on full supply chain and value chain visibility, not just entry-level transaction data. • Product passports can help importers proactively document product identity, supplier networks, origin details, and compliance evidence. • AI is not replacing trade professionals; it is giving them better tools to manage growing complexity. • Trade compliance should be involved earlier in business decisions, including design, sourcing, procurement, and logistics planning. • Companies that understand and manage their value chain networks can reduce risk, improve clearance outcomes, and create competitive advantage. • Leadership must provide trade teams with the authority, budget, tools, and organizational access needed to respond to today’s trade environment. Resources & Mentions • Global Training Center • Altana Credits Host: Lalo Solorzano – LinkedIn Andy Shiles – LinkedIn Guest(s): Evan Smith – LinkedIn Producer: Lalo Solorzano 📢 Subscribe & Follow Stay connected with the Simply Trade community and never miss an episode that helps you trade smarter. 🎧 Listen on: • Apple Podcasts • Spotify • YouTube 💬 Connect with us: • Simply Trade • Global Training Center • Trade Geeks Community Don’t forget to rate, review, and share with your fellow trade geeks! Want to be on the show or have topic suggestions? SimplyTrade@GlobalTrainingCenter.com
    Show More Show Less
    44 mins
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