We launch season four by reframing prepping as a competitive edge for entrepreneurs and B2B operators. Real stories from Ukraine, Lebanon and Afghanistan reveal how continuity plans, barter networks and remote-first systems turn crises into growth.

• sponsors and NPC Game tie-in with Get Prepped
• prepping as a business strategy, not fear
• conflict zone case studies with measurable growth
• logistics pivots and drone delivery lessons
• solar-backed reliability as a sellable product
• barter networks and trade credits for liquidity
• continuity planning, cross-training and supplier redundancy
• remote-first operations and audit trails for trust
• quarterly risk drills and simple resilient offers
• leadership that communicates, measures and rewards reliability

Check out Holly Dazzle at the Michigan Renaissance Festival grounds

Send us a text

Support the show

Thanks for listening to The Trading Post Podcast!

Find all our important links— https://linktr.ee/traderstu

This episode of The Trading Post is proudly sponsored by Press X 2 Play Games, Metro Trading Association, and the Michigan Renaissance Festival. Exciting news—I’m featured as The Trader at the Trading Post in Press X 2 Play’s upcoming video game! Learn more about Press X 2 Play at pressx2play.games, discover how Metro Trading Association helps businesses grow through barter and trade, and explore the magic of the Michigan Renaissance Festival.

Questions or guest suggestions? Email us at thetradingpostwithtraderstu@gmail.com

“Whistles In The West” was written, recorded, and produced by Durracell, exclusively for use with Trader Stu’s platform.
The track is protected under U.S. Copyright (filed and registered), and rights to use have been granted specifically to Trader Stu for content and promotional use related to his brand and media presence.
For additional licensing, custom audio, or to inquire about future collaborations and performances, contact:
📧 durracellmusic@gmail.com
🌐 www.durracell.com

© 2025 The Trading Post Podcast. All rights reserved.

We share how a simple, audio-only podcast outpaced SEO, educated prospects on B2B trade, and opened doors to sponsors and even a video game cameo. The workflow stays light, the topics align with real searches, and distribution meets listeners where they already network.

• origin story of Trader Stew and early businesses
• why podcasting over SEO for educating prospects
• how trade credits and fees work in a curated network
• audio-only setup and minimal-edit workflow
• building authority through consistent publishing
• seasons used as chapters for navigation
• trend-led topics and AI-assisted outlines
• distribution via LinkedIn and Alignable for reach
• Buzzsprout hosting, leveling, and monetization metrics
• practical gear options from phone mics to wireless kits
• avoiding podfade by lowering friction to ship
• turning collaborations into sponsorships and evergreen placements

Be good or be good at it

Send us a text

Support the show

Thanks for listening to The Trading Post Podcast!

Find all our important links— https://linktr.ee/traderstu

This episode of The Trading Post is proudly sponsored by Press X 2 Play Games, Metro Trading Association, and the Michigan Renaissance Festival. Exciting news—I’m featured as The Trader at the Trading Post in Press X 2 Play’s upcoming video game! Learn more about Press X 2 Play at pressx2play.games, discover how Metro Trading Association helps businesses grow through barter and trade, and explore the magic of the Michigan Renaissance Festival.

Questions or guest suggestions? Email us at thetradingpostwithtraderstu@gmail.com

“Whistles In The West” was written, recorded, and produced by Durracell, exclusively for use with Trader Stu’s platform.
The track is protected under U.S. Copyright (filed and registered), and rights to use have been granted specifically to Trader Stu for content and promotional use related to his brand and media presence.
For additional licensing, custom audio, or to inquire about future collaborations and performances, contact:
📧 durracellmusic@gmail.com
🌐 www.durracell.com

© 2025 The Trading Post Podcast. All rights reserved.

We share why a substitute teaching plan got scrapped and why we doubled down on B2B trade. We unpack the empty lunch rush, tipping fatigue, and how restaurants use vouchers and breakage to turn quiet hours into revenue.

• credit-hour roadblock ends sub teaching plan
• recommitment to trading network and podcast marketing
• signs of recession and local gym closure
• fading lunch rush and shifting diner habits
• frustration with forced tipping screens at checkout
• why restaurants thrive on controlled barter
• using gift certificates to manage trade flow
• capturing breakage and small cash add-ons
• prospecting insights from strip malls
• winter strategy for restaurants to fill seats

If you're a restaurant, consider joining a trade organization in your area. Now might be a good time to consider joining a trade organization in your area.

Send us a text

Support the show

Thanks for listening to The Trading Post Podcast!

Find all our important links— https://linktr.ee/traderstu

This episode of The Trading Post is proudly sponsored by Press X 2 Play Games, Metro Trading Association, and the Michigan Renaissance Festival. Exciting news—I’m featured as The Trader at the Trading Post in Press X 2 Play’s upcoming video game! Learn more about Press X 2 Play at pressx2play.games, discover how Metro Trading Association helps businesses grow through barter and trade, and explore the magic of the Michigan Renaissance Festival.

Questions or guest suggestions? Email us at thetradingpostwithtraderstu@gmail.com

“Whistles In The West” was written, recorded, and produced by Durracell, exclusively for use with Trader Stu’s platform.
The track is protected under U.S. Copyright (filed and registered), and rights to use have been granted specifically to Trader Stu for content and promotional use related to his brand and media presence.
For additional licensing, custom audio, or to inquire about future collaborations and performances, contact:
📧 durracellmusic@gmail.com
🌐 www.durracell.com

© 2025 The Trading Post Podcast. All rights reserved.

We push into the hard edges of SNAP: who it helps, who it misses, and how incentives shape what ends up on the table. From $292 to $975, from whole loins to rice and beans, we test frugal tools, rant about fast food EBT, and ask for real stories from the field.

• why discomfort can drive progress and comfort can stall it
• how SNAP amounts compare to real grocery costs
• eating well on less using bulk cuts and staples
• unfair hoops after layoffs and how people game the rules
• concerns about EBT at fast food and corner stores
• proposal for curated food boxes to improve nutrition
• rising bills, cutting subs, and living within limits
• hustle culture myths versus patient, steady work
• family housing and support as cost relief
• the push and pull between safety nets and self‑reliance

Send us a text

Support the show

Thanks for listening to The Trading Post Podcast!

Find all our important links— https://linktr.ee/traderstu

Questions or guest suggestions? Email us at thetradingpostwithtraderstu@gmail.com

© 2025 The Trading Post Podcast. All rights reserved.

We share what worked and what didn’t while prepping and hosting a trade show, plus why we shipped a flawed audio episode to keep momentum. We dig into pay-per-appointment cold calling, LinkedIn access risks, and how to scale outreach without burning trust.

• choosing cadence over perfect audio to keep growth
• trade show highlights and why paying for setup wins
• real-world barter value from fridges to golf balls
• new member sign-up via event proof and energy
• testing pay-per-appointment cold callers with SLAs
• guarding brand by avoiding shared logins on LinkedIn
• list hygiene and auditing activity for quality control
• building resilience with flexible part-time teaching
• stacking systems to reduce grind and increase leverage
• voice acting cameo in a new beta video game

Send us a text

Support the show

Thanks for listening to The Trading Post Podcast!

Find all our important links— https://linktr.ee/traderstu

This episode of The Trading Post is proudly sponsored by Press X 2 Play Games, Metro Trading Association, and the Michigan Renaissance Festival. Exciting news—I’m featured as The Trader at the Trading Post in Press X 2 Play’s upcoming video game! Learn more about Press X 2 Play at pressx2play.games, discover how Metro Trading Association helps businesses grow through barter and trade, and explore the magic of the Michigan Renaissance Festival.

Questions or guest suggestions? Email us at thetradingpostwithtraderstu@gmail.com

“Whistles In The West” was written, recorded, and produced by Durracell, exclusively for use with Trader Stu’s platform.
The track is protected under U.S. Copyright (filed and registered), and rights to use have been granted specifically to Trader Stu for content and promotional use related to his brand and media presence.
For additional licensing, custom audio, or to inquire about future collaborations and performances, contact:
📧 durracellmusic@gmail.com
🌐 www.durracell.com

© 2025 The Trading Post Podcast. All rights reserved.

We explain why sponsoring niche podcasters and YouTubers beats mass ads for small businesses and local services. We share pricing ranges, performance tactics like affiliate links, and how authenticity drives trust and conversion.

• housekeeping, health update, and sponsorship changes
• local referrals and side projects including game trailer and indoor media billboards
• limited-time free ad screens for early indoor media adopters
• why micro-influencers outperform celebrity and mass media for SMEs
• host-read authenticity and trust from real experience
• measurable ROI with affiliate links, codes, and custom URLs
• pricing bands for 1k–100k creators and budget planning
• local vs national targeting for relevance and cost control
• B2B focus on credibility, guesting, and long-term trust
• action plan: test 3–5 creators and allocate 5–10% budget

Send us a text

Support the show

Thanks for listening to The Trading Post Podcast!

Find all our important links— https://linktr.ee/traderstu

Questions or guest suggestions? Email us at thetradingpostwithtraderstu@gmail.com

© 2025 The Trading Post Podcast. All rights reserved.

After a brief hiatus due to illness, I return to discuss my career pivot and new entrepreneurial plans. I'm scaling back my work at Metro Trading Association to pursue substitute teaching and explore starting a cottage food business.

• Transitioning to part-time work at MTA due to changing economic landscape
• Starting substitute teaching as a stable career option amidst AI advancements
• Planning to launch a cottage food business under Michigan's $25,000 sales cap
• Exploring food business ideas with low overhead and high profit margins
• Considering the example of a successful but mediocre BBQ vendor at a campground
• Evaluating multiple income streams for better work-life balance

Visit the Renaissance Festival for their final weekend! Metro Trading Association members can get tickets on trade.

Send us a text

Support the show

Thanks for listening to The Trading Post Podcast!

Find all our important links— https://linktr.ee/traderstu

Questions or guest suggestions? Email us at thetradingpostwithtraderstu@gmail.com

© 2025 The Trading Post Podcast. All rights reserved.

Sustainability means more than recycling—sometimes it's about getting creative and maximizing what you already have, whether it's grilling equipment or business resources.

• The dilemma of repairing versus replacing a Weber kettle with rusted vents
• How spending $126 on repairs proved better than $1,800 on a new gravity smoker
• Preserving valuable accessories, knowledge, and muscle memory when upgrading
• Business owners resist change for similar reasons: comfort with existing processes
• Finding value in teaching children hands-on approaches rather than automation
• Smart, sustainable moves: audit what you have before replacing it
• Upgrade or repair before buying new, especially when already invested in tools
• Resistance from your team might signal a need for training rather than overhaul
• Resourcefulness is something to celebrate and share with customers

Hit me up if you want to trade stories, join MTA, or just chat business or barbecue!

Send us a text

Support the show

Thanks for listening to The Trading Post Podcast!

Find all our important links— https://linktr.ee/traderstu

Questions or guest suggestions? Email us at thetradingpostwithtraderstu@gmail.com

© 2025 The Trading Post Podcast. All rights reserved.