According to ListenNotes.com, there are approximately 3 million podcasts available globally. Very few podcasts make it past the 12-episode mark, because the amount of work required behind the scenes successfully over time is often underestimated.

That context makes this episode of the Supply Chain Now podcast that much more impressive: Episode 1,000.

In honor of the occasion, co-hosts Scott Luton and Greg White look back at favorite guests, interviews, and moments along the way, and pause to celebrate and give thanks for the whole team that works tirelessly to turn out leading content day in and day out.

It started with just one podcast per month and has since grown into a supply chain content juggernaut with around 30 episodes per month.

Of note, are a few moments that stand out in Scott and Greg’s minds:

• November of 2017: The very first time Scott and Greg appeared together on a podcast, not as co-hosts but as host and guest

• The original inspiration for the traditional close of every Supply Chain Now episode, “Do good, give forward and be the change that’s needed”

• What guests and listeners may be able to expect between today and episode 2,000

Intro/Outro (00:00:03):

Welcome to Supply Chain. Now, the voice of global supply chain supply chain now focuses on the best in the business for our worldwide audience, the people, the technologies, the best practices, and today’s critical issues, the challenges and opportunities. Stay tuned to hear from those Making Global Business happen right here on supply chain. Now.

Scott Luton (00:00:31):

Hey, good morning everybody. Scott Luton and Greg White with you here on Supply Chain. Now welcome to today’s episode, Greg. Special show today. Yeah,

Greg White (00:00:41):

1000,

Scott Luton (00:00:43):

Episode number 1000. So

Greg White (00:00:46):

Un unbelievable. You know, the average podcast, I think only lasts 12 episodes. Is that right, Scott? You, you’ve quoted numbers like that before,

Scott Luton (00:00:56):

So it depends on a couple different sources, but yes, it is, You’re, you’re dead on folks, folks, it starts to dawn on them how difficult it is to be consistent and turn out content and monetize the content and build a business out of it. So, um, but on the flip side, uh, we’re approaching at least according to listen notes.com, 3 million podcasts across the globe. How about that, Greg?

Greg White (00:01:21):

Wow. Wow. That, I mean, that is a lot. And I think we have upwards of two and a half million plays ourselves, right? That’s right. Something like that. We’d have to do the math, but, Well,

Scott Luton (00:01:33):

I, I’ll break up my, my, uh, protractor in the minute we’ll do that math. But, um,

Greg White (00:01:38):

Yeah, if you ask me to do math, this is gonna be a very long episode,

Scott Luton (00:01:40):

<laugh>. But hey, folks, to our listeners, uh, thank you for falling us all along way and tuning in and giving us all your feedback. We’re gonna touch on that in a minute. But really what Greg and I wanna do is, uh, is share some of the thoughts and observations kind of behind the scenes. We’ll talk, we’ll touch on some, some of our favorite, uh, guests. We, you know, we’ve done a few of these milestone episodes. We’ll talk about some of the business observations we’ve had, both for ours and the industry, right? And some other fun things we hope, uh, so stick with this here. But, you know, Greg, I’ll start with, before we get into, um, you know, the kinda the segments here, we’ve talked about this a lot. I don’t think episode numbers mean much to anyone other than the folks that create the content or the show. What’s your thought there?

Greg White (00:02:27):

Yeah, I, I don’t disagree. I mean, I think it’s really impressive. And we, we and other podcasters or whatever, live streamers, digital media persons, um, they’re really impressed with themselves when they hit a big number like this. And, and I think a lot of times, and we’ve had this discussion internally, should we bother with the episode number? I think it’s cool. I think it’s cool. I wonder if other people think it’s cool. Hey, you know what? Whether they like the numbers or not, I’m really thankful that all these people have listened to all these episodes, and I have a feeling some people are gonna start calculating because we have several people who listen to virtually everything we do. They’re gonna start calculating the number of hours that they’ve spent with us, and they’re probably gonna consider them themselves, part of our company or family <laugh>,

Scott Luton (00:03:20):

Right? As they should.

Greg White (00:03:21):

They may become dependence. They might, or they might claim us as dependence,

Scott Luton (00:03:25):

Right? <laugh> depends on how that revenue code works like that. But hey, Right? But, you know, I love the point you’re making because that’s really where we wanna start today. You know, this is a no frills episode. This is Scott and Greg, Um, as, as authentic and straightforward and natural as it comes. Uh, big thanks to our listeners around the world who have been on this journey with us. Uh, you know, that’s been the best part in so many different ways of this journey. And we’re gonna touch on kind of what, you know, um, how that started and, and kind of where we are now. Big thanks to our growing team. We’ve just added more to the team here just this week. Uh, they’re truly, you know, Greg mentioned the word family. It is a family, right? We’re in the trenches together, building something of sign of significance and, and on a mission together to do good and to move the needle. And, you know, that team allows Greg and I, and all of our hosts and our guests really to amplify the voice of supply chain, you know, be it focused on stories, people, critical issues of our time, you name it. Mm-hmm. <affirmative>. Uh, and, and that’s really where we wanna start, is, is, you know, offer you our gratitude in a very heartfelt way, because that’s been the best part and such an important part of what we’ve been doing for years. Now, Greg, your thoughts there? That’s

Greg White (00:04:39):

All that matters, right? I mean, without listeners, what is the point? And, and, um, and we hear, first of all, we hear from them so much, their ideas and their thoughts and their insights and inputs. Um, and we appreciate every single time that occurs. And of course, we know that they are spending their time with us, right? And it’s valuable time. And, um, just appreciate that so much. And, you know, you’re, the reason I I, everybody says this, don’t they? But you, you all are the reason that we do this. There’s no other reason to do it. I mean, we do think we’re pretty important and pretty smart. I happen to thank Scott is is the best podcast host on, on the planet. Um, and I would defy you to find someone else who’s as good. I mean, it’s like sitting next to Walter Cronkite.

Scott Luton (00:05:31):

Oh, goodness, great.

Greg White (00:05:32):

Somebody like that every day, really. It really is. And, and frankly, I’ve enjoyed it, every moment of it. So, um, you just make it. And so many people who are on the show say this, whenever they’ve been on a show, you make it so easy. And that’s not an easy thing to do. Cause we’ve been interviewed by other shows, um, and, and, you know, you are just so conscious of what our audience wants to hear and how they need, they prefer to consume it. And, um, you know, what, what we owe to them. I think that’s just, that’s the power of supply chain. Now, just my opinion,

Scott Luton (00:06:07):

Thank, uh, Greg, that’s, uh, um, Oh Christ Scott <laugh>. It’s incredible praise. And I, and I, I very much appreciate that. Um, you know, it’s important to the whole team that we keep our finger on the pulse of our listeners and, and what are they after and what’s important to them? What do they want to hear more about? What’s gonna help them get a bigger paycheck, grow their organization, you know, solve problems, old and new. All of that stuff is what we’re constantly, um, seeking to find out. So thank you very much, um, and keep the feedback to our listeners. Keep it coming. So, as we segue into some of the, some of the other thoughts and, and, um, experiences that we wanna share here. You know, Greg, I’m not sure the last time we did a milestone episode. You know, you, you and I both, we don’t take ourselves too seriously. We don’t take these, these podcast milestones too seriously. Mm-hmm. <affirmative>, uh, this one frankly snuck up on us. I think the last last time we did something like this was either 600 or eight or 800, one or the other.

Greg White (00:07:04):

Really? I thought it five, but okay. Yeah.

Scott Luton (00:07:07):

Heck, it could have been five. Uh, um, I remember us and the team doing one, meaning Amanda did one, so they, maybe it was five, but, uh, but regardless, we wanna share a few eureka moments and, and thoughts in general that we picked up along the way. And I wanna start with, as maybe intuitively kinda on the content and, and on the guest. And Greg, before you share a couple of your thoughts, I wanna level set with folks. Cause what I did today, this morning, Greg, as I was doing a little bit of prep for this, is I went back to episode number seven, Greg. And do you know the significance of episode number seven?

Greg White (00:07:45):

Uh, was it, uh, um, no, I don’t. Was it the first time with your own equipment or

Scott Luton (00:07:55):

Something? No, it was the first time you and I actually collaborated. And you were leading a company, good guest founded. That’s right. Yes. So that was in, So Greg, that was in November, 2017. Okay. At that time, it was before really, we had founded the business that is supply chain. Now, we were cranking out, get this Greg one podcast a month, right? How about that?

Greg White (00:08:19):

How many do we do now,

Scott Luton (00:08:20):

<laugh>? I don’t, we, we,

Greg White (00:08:22):

It’s like two, It’s almost two day, isn’t it? I mean, it’s

Scott Luton (00:08:25):

A lot. It seems close. Uh, you at least an episode every Monday through, through Friday. All right? Yeah. So that right there, uh, easily gets us 20, 30 episodes a month. But, you know, we were talking about back then in November, 2017, a lot of same stuff. Cloud, Amazon forecasting, demand, sensing, some of the things that you, and we, but you especially are still passionate about. And if you remember, Greg, we picked on the year 1987 a lot, and we don’t know why, but we picked on that a quite a bit.

Greg White (00:08:57):

Wonder why that was <laugh>. It was just because we were think about that. So it would’ve been 30 years ago then. So we were kind of throwing back to 30 years ago.

Scott Luton (00:09:06):

Must have been ancient

Greg White (00:09:08):

History,

Scott Luton (00:09:09):

<laugh>, right? Right. One last thing, uh, and I wish we not hilarious. It really is. I wish we had, um, I’d brought this clip with me, maybe that that’s something we’ll do down the road, um, is we had our dear friend, uh, Albert Soto with this on the show, and El Elba p High Gallagher. But we were talking about Christmas, um, orders and how they gift buying stuff. And Albert <laugh>, Albert mentioned how he’ll talk about something he wants to get, and it pops up on his social feed

Greg White (00:09:40):

In 2017. I, I’ve heard people say that a lot since, but <laugh>, I mean, 2017 seems like eons ago, doesn’t it? But it really was only five years, and Yes.

Scott Luton (00:09:50):

Well, that

Greg White (00:09:51):

Has been happening for that time. That amount of time is fascinating.

Scott Luton (00:09:55):

Well, so the, the, the funny part was, is as passionate as you are now about true demand sensing, right? Mm-hmm. <affirmative> and planning and forecasting and all that true demand signals. Um, Albert says something like, that’s probably, you know, Facebook or something listening to me and one of one of us made a comment. No, that’s Greg. He’s determining those demand signals from right, from the, what you’re saying from my phones. That’s right.

Greg White (00:10:20):

Keep talking people.

Scott Luton (00:10:22):

But anyway, that, that was a great episode, and folks will try to, uh, put some of those old clips together so you can see it in context. But what about you, Greg? What, what’s, uh, what’s recent content maybe that comes to mind? Yeah,

Greg White (00:10:33):

Well, several things. Um, it, it’s so hard to, um, it’s so hard to cut it down to one person or one episode, but the, the context that you just gave, what we were talking about five years ago that we’re still talking about today, we hear that over and over again from people like Mike Griswold, who you can almost hear his frustration. He has been advising companies for over a decade to move into the two thousands or whatever, right? Right. And we hear so many statistics about companies that intend to do certain things. They intend to adopt advanced technology, but haven’t yet. And, and, you know, back then, in 2017, we were having that conversation. We didn’t even contemplate that something like covid could happen, right? And really show the real fragility of the supply chain. But I, I think in general, it’s the expertise that we see.

Greg White (00:11:32):

It’s the fantastic leadership. It is. And again, I think this, this goes to how comfortable you make people in the booth. It, it goes to how they reveal their real selves when they’re in here. And, um, you, you can’t, you can’t hide it if you’re, if you’re a great leader or great inspirational, alright, great leader. I’m thinking, you know, Rick McDonald and Sandra McQuillan, um, great inspirational, I’m thinking big show Bob Bova and others, right? I mean, some of them, their personalities are just bigger than life real givers, right? Um, you know, the, the people who have, uh, um, philanthropies or we did an episode on Veteran Voices where, um, some, um, veterans with PTSD really shared their inner selves there, right? I think of Steven Schmitty, who by the way, you know, as dark as the hours were that he described, he is absolutely smoking right now.

Greg White (00:12:38):

He is in such, such a great place. Been successful. We’ve partnered with him since that. Anyway, I just think about all the, um, impactful people that we have met in every way. I mean, some impacting business, some impacting personal lives. Enrique Alvarez, of course, and his company, who spawned the term, I mean, they really inspired me to come up with the term give forward because their business was about giving first, not giving back. Um, and so we just inverted the term and call it give forward. But, um, I think it’s things like that that really, uh, hit home. It is the real hum, uh, what do you call it? The real humanity, right? That you call it that, um, that our, our guests share with our audience.

Scott Luton (00:13:31):

Agreed. Man, you brought so many memories just in that, what you shared the last couple minutes. Well,

Greg White (00:13:36):

So I was, I was gonna suggest this earlier. And by the way, in case anyone wonders if this was rehearsed, it’s not <laugh>. Um, you know, I was thinking as you think about people or you think about situations, you know, what are some of the names that come immediately to mind, or some of the topics or discussions or words. I know you capture what you call t-shirts from a lot of people, and there have been a ton of those, right? So That’s right. My suggestion is you just shout ’em out as they come to your

Scott Luton (00:14:07):

<laugh>. So, Well, I, I got a couple here. It just so happens, this is completely unplanned, you know, if, if Greg has said anything of the utter truth today is that he and I jumped on here with, with our dear friend Justin, who’s a great production engineer, and, and then some, and just, we’re gonna just have a real conversation. What comes to mind? Here’s, we’re celebrating, you know, a ton of work. Um, but t-shirts you, that that’s a something we, we regularly stick with that kind of, those moments of brilliance. It’s just short enough to get on the back of a t-shirt. And it really, folks know what it means, and it makes you ready to run through walls oftentimes. So two of those that come to mind here recently, one was probably on a hundred episodes, 150 episodes ago, you and I and Kevin L. Jackson, were on an episode of The Buzz, right?

Scott Luton (00:14:51):

Every Monday, the live stream, remember Monday Cross Social 12 in Eastern Time. Then we, we dropped the replay via podcast, and it was around Martin Luther King Day, as I recall. And Kevin, uh, amongst other ques, uh, that he shared live a life of Consequence, be consequential mm-hmm. <affirmative>. And that still rings between my ears. I mean, we, we see what Kevin does regularly. Um, a ton of, um, uh, nonprofit work. You know, the New Museum down into Galveston is gonna change how folks, you know, um, um, think of the Juneteenth holiday, But man, be consequential, whatever you do. Um, yeah, your quick thought. I got one more I’m gonna share in a second. But your quick thoughts on that.

Greg White (00:15:36):

Well, that, I mean, there have been so many of those moments, but you know, Kevin, with everything that he does, gives us opportunities like that. And, you know, a lot of our fellow hosts of the other shows on the network, um, they’re such special people and, um, such experts in their own way, right? And I, or in their, I shouldn’t say in their own way, in their own field, right? Yep. Um, and I, you know, that’s something, honestly, that I really value could be because, you know, I do things outside of this investment and, um, and technology advisory and board of director’s roles and things like that. And, and it’s great to have people who are sharing their gifts with the world’s world, but aren’t just a talking head. They really know this stuff. I mean, so many times, um, you see somebody who’s an expert because they had a book ghost written for them, that makes them sound like an expert. Um, but I mean, these are people who really still do the doing. I mean, Kevin still advises people on cyber security and blockchain, and Kelly Barner still the procurement goddess, right? And Karen, in terms of supply chain planning, she is out there doing it and has been for just about two decades. <laugh>. Um,

Scott Luton (00:17:01):

We never break that card

Greg White (00:17:02):

No more than two decades, Scott

Scott Luton (00:17:04):

<laugh>,

Greg White (00:17:06):

Um, and so many more, right? I mean, I mean, so many people who are still working with us and have worked with us in the past, the supply chain doctor, right? Chris Barnes. Yep. Um, still out there doing it. Um, yeah, I, I, I just think it’s, it’s great to work with a group of people that can offer so much to the world. Not because they just have an opinion, but because they may have an opinion, but it’s because they have a tremendous amount and a tremendous depth of experience, knowledge, and curiosity in terms of continuing to learn.

Scott Luton (00:17:39):

Agreed. Uh, Mary Kay saliva, of course, who now leads our veteran voices, you know, Army veteran and, uh, outside

Greg White (00:17:47):

Mary Kay love, who invented

Scott Luton (00:17:49):

National Supply Chain Day. That is right. That was so many Mary Kate, right? No, you’re right, you’re right. Uh, Billy Ray Taylor, of course, I mean, you name it. The list of folks that are to your point, are doing it. Uh, they’re thought leaders in their space. Uh, they’re moving mountains and they’re giving forward and doing good all along the way. So, uh, one le other thing, and, and, you know, we really wanna make this show not just about, like look back moments of shows, right? Mm-hmm. <affirmative>, we really wanna kind of share some other things behind the scenes. So I just interviewed Crystal York and, uh, Greg, you may recall Crystal, uh, she’s been with us a couple different times mm-hmm. <affirmative> the course of her career. She recently was named the Fir the youngest, and the first African American president of, uh, the Southeast region of ame, which is a nonprofit organization Oh, wow.

Scott Luton (00:18:37):

Out there. So that’s awesome, right? Busting through, you know, setting all kinds of firsts that we, as we talked about. So when I, as I was interviewing her, one of the questions we asked her was, um, Hey, what, what would you say to folks, What would you say to kids that wanna make their their own firsts? You want to want to be trailblazers of their own? Well, she, uh, very unique answer. She goes, I dare you challenging those folks. I love it. Me and you both. It. Which really, I love that it’s, it chills up my spine. Um, uh, cuz you know, we’ve heard time and time again, you know, see it to be it, as we’ve talked with all sorts of folks that really want those world models that look like them in different walks of life, in those upper echelons of leadership. And it’s just, it, it was a wonderful interview.

Scott Luton (00:19:23):

So, so folks, check that out. Um, I think we’re dropping that on, um, by the, you know, just a couple days after we dropped this episode, 1000. So let’s shift gears of it though, because you mentioned Gift Forward, which is amongst the, uh, we could write a funk and Waal’s dictionary on all the genius phrases and words that Greg has coined. Um, you know, all along the way that educates us all. But it’s, in many ways, kidding aside, it goes back to purpose. What are you doing for other people, right? Mm. Uh, and that purpose, as I think about a couple things, Greg, you know, our supply chain procurement awards that, that our whole family got together and, and made happen, and we were able to write a big check collectively to Hope for Justice, which is out there, you know, leading the fight globally to eradicate modern slavery.

Scott Luton (00:20:14):

I mean, that is, man, that is noble mission. I think about leveraging logistics for Ukraine, which of course, Enrique and I Vector team are leading. But hey, we’re supporting it. We’re shouting from the mountaintops, trying to rally the troops to, to help come to the global community that’s moving goods that are needed. I think of our work with the now generation, you know, giving a voice, those folks, some of the brightest people you’ll meet that are just coming in the industry, we get a lot of feedback that, you know, hearing those voices and what they’re thinking, what’s between their ears is, are some of their favorite shows. And then finally, you know, Jenny FM’s, one of our, one of our dear friends, doing great things in, uh, really across the African continent. But that series we’ve invested in for years now, Supply chain leadership across Africa, Um, you know, really changing the conversations and where they’re coming from, because there’s no shortage of incredible, innovative ideas that will change global business that are there in South Africa and beyond, really, again, across the African continent. So those are some of the things that come to my mind. Greg, when you think of purpose, what comes to your mind?

Greg White (00:21:19):

Well, that’s the industry, Scott, that was an organization that basically credited you for their start and, and current success. So, uh, I mean, I think, um, you know, we don’t just say it, we do it, right? Mm-hmm. <affirmative>, and we don’t just do it to be able to say it. We just do it. Right. And, um, I think that’s, you know, there’s so many people in our organization and in our audience and in our, our supply chain and business and personal circles who are, uh, ever so giving of their time, of their talents, of their, um, of their money, right? Yeah. Um, and, you know, we’ve talked about this. So many people ask us, How do you do it? How do you get started? Or how do you do it? And, you know, I love to quote Lynn and Larry Partee, who encouraged people to, to get to start sailing because they sailed around the world several times as a couple in a tiny boat, and people asked them, How do you do it?

Greg White (00:22:15):

And they said, Start simple, start small and start now. So whether you’re sailing or you’re giving, that answer is still the same. Start simple, start small and start now. And I mean, I’m a sucker. I’m kind of a sucker. Somebody did that thing where they come up to you at the gas station today and said, Hey, in, in, in their car, and said, Hey, you know, we’re running low and gas. Can you help me? And I’m just like, I can give you an amount of money in my head. I’m going, I can give you an amount of money that is meaningful to you and meaningless to me. Mm-hmm. <affirmative>. And, and so that makes it easy. And I know it’s probably a scam, but I mean, they had to degrade themselves to do that. You know, I hope that that helps them with whatever problem they have, whether it’s gas or whatever. But, um, you know, I, I’m a firm believer, which is not always popular at a stoplight give to all that, all who ask of you, Right? Um, chances are almost 100% that they need the money more than you do, even if it’s a sham. Yeah.

Scott Luton (00:23:21):

Excellent point there. Um,

Greg White (00:23:23):

And I just on the other hand say, Yeah, um, Charity Navigator <laugh>, if you Right, If you really want to make sure that you’re giving, and there’s no harm in that, I mean, you don’t have to be a sucker like me, Uh, I mean, there’s no harm in that, but do run, um, the charities that you give to through charity navigator.org, and they can tell you how efficient they are, are with the money, and give to those that are most efficient. And never forget Goodwill is not a charity. Mm. It is a for-profit entity with a CEO who makes $2 million a year.

Scott Luton (00:23:57):

Uh, I really appreciate you brought that up because it illustrates one of the points I’m definitely gonna make. Uh, and folks check out Charity Navigator do your due diligence. There’s some organizations, unfortunately, that have extremely a high overhead, and it really prevents them from serving their mission in a meaningful way. But, um, the, the frank honest truth, you are hearing it, this is the thousandth. And then some example of that, and some of my favorite moments, uh, especially on live programming is when Greg gets on, you know, something’s got his attention. Oftentimes it’s China and <laugh>, and he gives him all of that, and then some and, and some. And really, you gotta sit back and let it go, because it’s oftentimes it’s brilliant, Number one, it’s always number two, truthful. And number three, it really, it, it should be said. And so many folks, I don’t know if it’s fear or if it’s it, it often goes unsaid. So those are some of my favorite, you know, uh, Greg’s gonna tell it like it is moments. Uh, and Greg, that’s, that makes for, uh, at least from my chair and for many other folks we’ve heard from, uh, captivating, uh, live streaming. How about that?

Greg White (00:25:11):

Well, thank you. I appreciate that. And, you know, um, I have often said and often been told, and I think everyone should take this to heart, there’s a difference between you needed to say that and that needed to be said. Right? A lot of people will say something and they’ll say, That needed to be said, Did it? Or did you just feel the need to say it? And, and sometimes while I’m doing that, I even wonder myself, but none of it is ever just, it’s not hyperbole. It’s all factually based. It’s all, um, truthful to the best of my knowledge. Right. Right. And, and usually it’s, it’s an awakening or a warning to people who otherwise don’t hear the full truth. Right. And, you know, um, part, part of what I do with the commentaries that I do on LinkedIn is that I do a lot of saying what you’d otherwise have to read between the lines for. And, um, it’s funny you say that, Scott, because I remember, I can’t tell you the number of times I’ve heard this, but it’s a lot. Hundreds

Scott Luton (00:26:18):

<laugh>.

Greg White (00:26:19):

People will say, Greg, you say the things, the rest of us only think Mm. And and I have to tell you, I’m willing to take the bullet for everyone who thinks that way. I really am. And it’s amazing. Um, it’s amazing for, uh, to have those discussions because I am, um, earth first people first, Right? Justice, first, um, equality first, all of those things. I mean, I just think that, um, those are not political stances, right? Right. Those are human stances. And I think their stances we’re taking, you know, you know, if you really want to get me ranting, talk about China and, and slavery before labor, whatever euphemism you want to use, um, you combine those two things, and there’s a couple shows in there mm-hmm.

Scott Luton (00:27:12):

<affirmative>,

Greg White (00:27:12):

Gosh. And the mostly yelling shows

Scott Luton (00:27:14):

<laugh>, but it, again, it needs to be said. There’s, they’re so often, I mean, heck, we, we, we, as we, uh, met with Tim Nelson, who leads up Hope for Justice nonprofit, I’ll check that out. Um, heck in the hour he spent with us, I think he enlightened both of us and many of the, many of the travesties. And unfortunately, it’s growing in 2022, a machine to have to say that human slavery, modern slavery, is that

Greg White (00:27:41):

Possible? I know. How is

Scott Luton (00:27:42):

It possible? It’s crazy. Um, but nevertheless, so we’ve kind of talked about content as we kind of reflect a bit. We’ve kind of talked about purpose and folks, we share, look, we share these things with the utmost humility. I mean, they’re really important to us, which is why we’re talking about it now. Um, we’ve got some wonderful partners that work with us to really move the needle and help others. And, and there’s a lot of kindra spirits there. Um, and

Greg White (00:28:07):

We talked, I share just one more thing. Yeah, please, Scott. That can’t possibly be interpreted as bragging because neither of us have, as far as I know, have given to it. I mean, other than a lot of publicity. And that’s this, the Dave Creche Foundation. So Alison Croy is a friend of Supply Chain now. She’s the president of, I’m sorry, uh, what’s the name of her company?

Scott Luton (00:28:33):

Oh, Win Tech Inc.

Greg White (00:28:34):

Win Tech Inc. Right. And her mother, Donna Croy works with us, is an executive producer and former CNN producer. And her dad, her father, Dave Croci, loves sports, uh, has passed away, but left this incredible legacy of the Dave Creche Foundation, where, um, they, they make sure that kids that otherwise would not have, have sporting gear, have sporting gear. And, and if you want, if you want to understand impact, um, this year, they, uh, made sure that every player at a school in Marietta, Georgia, called Osborne High School, had helmets, which they did not. And otherwise, that team would not have, that school, would not have been able to field a team to play football, high school football, which has all of, all of its virtues of, you know, building fitness and keeping kids outta trouble and teaching teamwork and all those other things, but also instills a tremendous amount of pride in an organization, a community, and a school.

Greg White (00:29:39):

And that that team that almost didn’t play right, almost didn’t play football this season, started five and Oh, that is thanks directly to the Dave Crche Foundation. Yeah. That is the kind of impact. I mean, that is the real kind of impact that you can have when, when you give, I mean, o you know, obviously Tim, um, and Hope for Justice. It’s far more than hope. That’s just the name. It’s really Action for Justice, but Right. Um, and, you know, they do a ton also, but sometimes it’s local and it’s small that you see that real, very real impact. And I am so thankful, um, so thankful to, of two things. One that Donna and Dave, um, built this legacy. And secondly, that Osborne doesn’t play my daughter’s alma mater Harrison High School this season, <laugh> may have been stomping the guts out of everybody. <laugh>.

Scott Luton (00:30:37):

Well, what’s so funny about that story is, is I had Alison on a show, uh, not too long ago, talking, uh, cyber security and some of the things that Sian leaders need to know. And we talked about that, and we talked about Dave Che Foundation and great work they’re doing. Well, prior to that show, I was doing a little bit of homework to kind of get a sense of overall ac uh, athletic prowess, I’ll call it. Well, at least to the records I could find in quick Google search. Osborne High School hadn’t had a winning record since at least 2002. And Greg, if you, as you total those numbers mm-hmm. <affirmative>, it ain’t real close. So to hear what they’re doing this year, you know, buoyed by the confidence and, and folks that, that came together and invested in new helmets and, you know, believed in them, to have them undefeated and just killing teams, that is such a great story.

Greg White (00:31:26):

Yeah. Um, it’s really making a good friend of mine, Earl Earhart, who is also a state, was, he’s a retired state representative, uh, in Georgia. It’s making him pretty happy because he went to Osborne High School. So

Scott Luton (00:31:38):

<laugh> love that.

Greg White (00:31:39):

You gotta love that. Right? I mean, he hasn’t, he hasn’t been in college for a lot of decades,

Scott Luton (00:31:45):

<laugh> and, and high school for even longer <laugh>. So, um, alright. So we’re kind of, we were talking content, we’re talking purpose, of course. Those are those, and all their many definitions are really important about this journey here that we’re celebrating with you, our listeners. Um, and then we gotta kind, uh, what I’m calling a catchall bucket, Greg. Mm. A catchall bucket. Uhoh. Uh, I’m not sure

Greg White (00:32:10):

That sounds like an episode extender right there.

Scott Luton (00:32:12):

<laugh>. No, this, I might be saving some of the best stuff for last, and Im try not to get in trouble. Um, you know, if this catchall bucket was a flavor at Baskin Robbins, I’m not sure what flavor we would call it. Um, I’m thinking it’s like stone soup, little, this little bit that, but

Greg White (00:32:30):

All 31.

Scott Luton (00:32:31):

Right? All 31. But one of the things that we talk about a lot, and I think we’ve experienced a lot through, through, whether they’re, um, you know, video podcasts or live streams or webinars, you know, there’s always this moment on the front end we call the pre-show, um, that folks are getting together on the platform. We’re checking sound where you’re, you know, we’re kind of talking about what our game plan is. You know, we’re getting, oftentimes we’re getting to know the folks for the first time, Right. And Greg, we might be gazillionaires if we have recorded most of those pre-show and dropped them as podcast. I mean, that’s some of the best stuff. You know, sometimes a pre-show, and I’m, and I’m tongue in cheek here, sometimes a pre-show is almost even better than some of the best conversations we release.

Greg White (00:33:16):

You know, it’s funny you say that because, uh, it’s not always obvious and probably almost never obvious to our audience. The people tighten up a little bit when, when the camera goes on and the mic goes on and the red light goes on that says on Air <laugh>. Um, and, and you can see it. It’s not a huge difference, but you can see it. It’s almost like I, I I, I, I think we probably subconsciously do it. We kind of try to help steer them the right direction a little bit. Ask them the question in the right way. But you can see it. We do it a little bit too. We’ll go off after a show also, Right? And go, Man, that was really good. You know, sometimes I wonder when we’re in the green room after a show, why don’t, why don’t I ask the question that way?

Greg White (00:34:01):

Right. Man, that was really good. The what? That answer you gave, that was really good. Um, and I think it’s because, I mean, this is just my justification. It’s because we’re, we’re trying to pre present something that is neutral, agnostic, as you say, not a sales pitch. Even if it’s a service provider, we just want you to know their viewpoint on the world and understand what they can do. If it’s to that viewpoint or, you know, in other ways, um, you know, for their time, they get the opportunity to share what their company does. Right. So, um, so anyway, we’re trying to keep that agnostic. And I think sometimes I defend that a little too strongly, maybe,

Scott Luton (00:34:40):

I dunno. Ah, man. Nah, nothing you do is too strong, man. Keep it all coming. We need the extra doses of Greg White. Um, and they all said amen. Uh, all right. So let’s, let’s, uh, let’s talk about, I mean, heck, you’re kind of making the next point just kind of dawned on me, You know, uh, Greg and I, and I hope, and Justin, keep me in check here. Uh, this is, this is how I feel, is that what you see here is the same as if you, you know, caught us at an event or whatever. This is, this is a hundred percent authentic. And, and we, I laugh a lot. Greg laughs a lot, uh, sometimes at me, sometimes with me. Um, but our team sometimes

Greg White (00:35:24):

Irreverently about the topic, right? Right. I mean, sometimes we’re a little bit cavalier around nons terribly serious topics.

Scott Luton (00:35:34):

Right? Right. Well, and, and, and so two thoughts come to mind. First off, the, the last few years have taught us many things, uh, and not just the last few years, just, uh, work life, business, this business journey in general, the ups and downs at life and, and business are gonna take you. But always maintaining a healthy sense of humor, right. Has been really important. But also, you know, we’re we, um, um, some folks create content on in their spare time and love it. Some of the best content’s out there. You know, we happen to be creating content while building a business and building a team and, and, and serving many organizations. And, and so when I talk about the sense of humor and we’re, we’re having fun, I, I had a former, former business partner wants tell me that if folks are laughing and they’re laughing regularly, that is a great sign. It doesn’t mean you’re gonna build a, a, a billion dollar empire, but man, it is really a great sign. And Greg, that’s one thing as I, as I think about our family here and how we may appear to folks that, uh, aren’t, you know, rob elbows with us, that’s a really big part of, uh, the culture here, right?

Greg White (00:36:41):

It’s huge. I mean, we, first of all, we take this industry and the opportunities and, and the failures and the ups and downs and, um, the, all the learnings, the fragility, the resiliencies, all of those other keywords, we take all of that very, very seriously. But at the same time, you do have to kind of sit back and chuckle. And it is fascinating. It, this is another thing. We oughta record what’s in the green room, because we could do outtakes where Katherine or Amanda or Chantel or Clay especially say something that is just so hilarious that, um, we had somebody who had blinds in their office the other day, and, um, and no one could figure out how to, how to use the blinds. And Katherine said, It’s the blinds leading the blinds <laugh>. So

Scott Luton (00:37:34):

That’s,

Greg White (00:37:35):

It’s, and we all, we all cracked up except for the poor guy who was in an office full of blinds, which somehow resolved itself, by the way. I mean, talk about divine intervention, who knows? Um, but it, you’re right, It is, it, uh, you have to have a, a, a healthy dose of humor. Uh, you know, as many people say, If I don’t laugh, I’ll cry. And Right. Um, and what we do is a very serious business. I mean, I think we would all argue, and I think a lot of people would agree with us finally after decades, that supply chain is the business. Mm. Right. Supply chain delivers on every promise you make from a sales promise to a marketing promise, to a branding promise, to a corporate identity, and a corporate ethicality to a core value promise that your company makes. Right? Supply chain touches every one of those things.

Greg White (00:38:23):

And it can be very serious, and it can be very, very costly. And, um, and at the same time, you know, and I, I hope, I hope it doesn’t come across this way, it’s kind of easy for me, and I think for you too, because we’ve been doing it so long and we’ve had the benefit of, of doing it a lot, but also of learning from some of the best practitioners in, in the industry every single day. Um, and I think I, I think I particularly can be a little bit cavalier with some of the discussions calling things stupid or this or that, or whatever, right? Cause they are kind of funny to me. But in the end, I recognize why things are the way they are, and that they still need to be, um, seriously approached and fixed or, or taken opportunity of and that kind of thing. So, Yep. But yeah, it is, it’s, and it is so much fun because we deal with people in, um, you know, in, in a trade that we all know so well. Um, and occasionally we just kind of hit on something where we’re like, <laugh>, that’s, Yeah. Never thought of it that way before.

Scott Luton (00:39:32):

Oh boy. You’re absolutely right. Uh, and, and all of that is very, you know, um, we probably both have been around folks, plenty of folks in our journeys that they’re, they’re one way in front of people, maybe behind their desk at work or whatever. And then when you get into private, they are completely different. But, uh, here, it’s, um, you get what you see, um, in, in so many different ways. And, and that’s a

Greg White (00:39:58):

Good way to, And some people are tight as a drum 24 7. And honestly, I feel sorry for those people because it, life must be a real, life’s a struggle enough as it is. I mean, things go wrong, right? And everything. But man, if you can’t just, every once in a while just sit back and chuckle a little bit, um, do

Scott Luton (00:40:18):

Your blood

Greg White (00:40:18):

Pressure. That’s gotta be tough.

Scott Luton (00:40:19):

That’s right. Yeah. Well, that’s a great segue to this, this next, uh, thing I wanted to bring up. Um,

Greg White (00:40:25):

I don’t know how you do that. I, I’m not kidding you. Nobody believes that this is unscripted anymore. And I’m telling you folks, it’s not, I don’t know how he does it, but that’s what makes him the greatest host. Oh. In all of social media.

Scott Luton (00:40:37):

It is. Uh, you’re too kind, way too kind. But going back to what you’re saying a second ago, you know, about the good days and the bad days, and the things that work and the things that don’t work. Yep. You know, when you’re building a business, Cause truly, you know, uh, here we’re on a podcast, but between live streams, webinars, virtual events, um, you know, uh, other written content, um, you know, helping campaigns be heard sometimes for the first time mm-hmm. <affirmative> when there’s startups and they’re going through those, those throws other times are big brands that wanna find, you know, different demographics across our global audience, you name it, helping really amplify, um, and building a business around amplifying the voice of, of global spot chain. But, hey, I’ll be the first person to tell you. I’m not gonna roll it out and parade it.

Scott Luton (00:41:23):

But we experiment a lot. And if every experiment’s working, you are completely in your comfort zone, and you, and you’re not gonna, you know, find, uh, niches and, and find truly innovative ideas. And that brings up me to a, a thought Greg. Mm. Because as we’re experimenting, not only do we have, we experiment, and look, you’re, we’re both entrepreneurs. Um, you’ve done some really big things that, that we’ve talked about and some previous shows and, and I’m proud of to partner with, with folks like you that have done what you’ve done. But as we’ve experimented a supply chain, now, you, not all of it’s been content shows or talent or hosts or whatever, some of it has been business relationships. Right. And a lot of times, thankfully, we have found kindred spirits that do business the right way. Right? Yeah. And with value and ethics and all the good stuff.

Scott Luton (00:42:15):

But on the other hand, here and there, we find out folks that when the chips are down, they don’t do business the right way. Right. And when I was thinking about what we wanna share here, you know, we’re, I’m the last person that airs dirty laundry, anything. But it’s really, I think we should be cognizant, you know, especially as someone like me, Greg, we were just talking about it, you know, in the last couple weeks, it’s easier for me to throw trust around and over trust, and then you get burnt, and it’s like, Man, I’m never gonna, never gonna touch. Then

Greg White (00:42:48):

You’re really. Right?

Scott Luton (00:42:49):

Right, right. But, um, you know, finding those, those folks that do business with, as you’re building your business that do it the right way with, with ethics and values. And when I think of what’s gone into, you know, thousand episodes, some of those great names certainly come to mind. Your thoughts, Greg.

Greg White (00:43:07):

Well, yeah. You know, we <laugh> so many, so many thoughts here. Um, right. You and I just had this discussion while I was at the airport yesterday, right? When people show you who they really are, believe them the first time, that’s the best advice that Maya Angelou ever gave any of us the very best. And she gave a lot of advice. Um, but I, I think if, if you’re, when you’re dealing with, um, other entities, I think you also have to recognize that sometimes the pain they inflict on you is, it’s, I, I don’t wanna say not intentional, it’s negligent, right? Because people are, are, are for good reason and, and, um, to their own credit are selfish and very self-interested. And you have to be because, um, pick a vendor, right? Pick anyone that we work with.

Scott Luton (00:44:03):

I’ve got a couple in my mind right now. Well, I don’t

Greg White (00:44:05):

Want you to name ’em

Scott Luton (00:44:06):

<laugh>.

Greg White (00:44:07):

We’re thinking of the same person. As a matter of fact, I guarantee it. Um, she has a twin. Um, and, um, we, uh, we are, you know, they are, while they’re, they want to be fair to you, they can’t help, but they can’t overcome their own self-interest. It is in fact the concept of enlightened self-interest that you’re looking for. And what you have to ask is n not, I mean, I approach things kind of inversely and, and I kind of look for what could go wrong or what could, uh, what could, uh, diverge our interests first and analyze, um, analyze business partners that way. And that way I have a, uh, I think a more realistic expectation, or at least an understanding. And for me, it helps me because I used to think that everybody who even inadvertently did me wrong was trying to screw me as I used to tell people. And I still love to say, I wouldn’t be so paranoid if everyone wasn’t out to get me <laugh>,

Scott Luton (00:45:11):

But <laugh>.

Greg White (00:45:14):

But, but it’s not always intentional. Sometimes it’s just negligence. Right? Right. And you see that a lot in supply chain. You see retailers being negligent to their suppliers and, um, having, you know, not nurturing the relationship. Yep. My favorite phrase of covid, um, it’s too, you know, when, when every, when all the toilet paper was hitting the fan, um, it’s too late to make friends now. Right? If you’ve been mistreating your trading partners, and, but you’re right. I mean, it’s not all, it’s not always, uh, roses and daffodils. Sometimes there are some thorns out there prickly pairs.

Scott Luton (00:45:56):

So true Shakespearean, uh, yeah. That you usually,

Greg White (00:45:59):

But you know what the key is, however you deal with it, Right? Whether you take more of a cautious approach like I do, or a, or a, a generous approach like Scott does, however you deal with it, just keep your eyes open. And the key is to recognize that most people are not trying to harm you or your business. They are just negligent. And if you are aware of what their self-interest might be, you can see where they would, um, have the potential to, to do you harm. That’s right. Whether they want to or not.

Scott Luton (00:46:31):

And, and there are lessons to be learned there, whether it is, uh, interpersonal partnerships, supply chain partnerships, all points in between. But really finding those organizations and those leaders that do business the right way. Now, a couple last points, and we’re gonna let folks have their day back or their evening back, or what have you. Um, I think a business leader, some of my favorite conversations and, and really, uh, goes beyond content. When I think about, you know, some, some of the lessons that these shows and conversations have taught me is the most, some of the most successful leaders we’ve sat down with, Right? Whether it’s in person or remotely, whatever. And these folks are top of the mountain working for either very successful startups or, you know, big time brands. Everyone knows. Yeah. Right? So, so often these leaders are so humble and so oftentimes painfully honest, even vulnerable.

Scott Luton (00:47:31):

And all of that teaches me time and time again how that allows them to not only garner the trust of their teams, sometimes global workforces, right? But, but also then find opportunities because of how they lead. You know, these are oftentimes, these are companies that have got so much of it already figured out cuz they’re successful mm-hmm. <affirmative>, but they don’t sit on that and their leaders don’t sit on that. And it really portrays the culture of organizations that continue to succeed. And that’s been, I mean, for me, I sit back and just kind of, um, sometimes I gotta close my mouth cuz it’s like, you know, it’s like a masterclass time and time again. I

Greg White (00:48:10):

Know it exactly what you’re talking about. Yeah.

Scott Luton (00:48:12):

Your thought.

Greg White (00:48:14):

Um, well, I, as I usually do, I had the inverse. I mean, we’ve seen some and I have commented on some truly horrible leaders. Very true. Right? One

Scott Luton (00:48:24):

Of my favorite moments for sure.

Greg White (00:48:27):

<laugh>,

Scott Luton (00:48:28):

We get,

Greg White (00:48:29):

And oddly, uh, you know, I was proven right, sadly for the members of the company, but thankfully they were all saved and badies were, uh,

Scott Luton (00:48:40):

Objected.

Greg White (00:48:40):

Yes. Thank you. I I don’t know why executed came to mind.

Scott Luton (00:48:49):

18,

Greg White (00:48:49):

So many leaders at every level, and I think that is one of the most important things that we talk about so much is you can lead from anywhere, Right? Lead from the front, lead from the back, whatever, but lead from wherever you are. Right? You don’t have to be Rick McDonald. Um, you don’t have to be Sandra McQuillan, right? Um, you can be, you can be a student, right? I mean, we had that whole class of Morgan State students who just an unbelievable graduating class of, of, uh, supply chain now professionals, Right? Go on to do great, great things. And we see ’em all the time with our now, you know, the now generation discussions that we have. Um, just some incredible leaders. I so embarrassed, I cannot remember his name, but he’s at Dell, the first one.

Scott Luton (00:49:37):

Oh,

Greg White (00:49:38):

Come on.

Scott Luton (00:49:40):

It’ll come to me. Keep going.

Greg White (00:49:41):

I wanna say Carthic, but it’s not, but it,

Scott Luton (00:49:44):

It’ll come to me.

Greg White (00:49:44):

Okay. Just shout it when it does <laugh>. I’ll talk slowly so you can get a word in <laugh>. Um, but you know, people like that who are so aware, Ka

Scott Luton (00:49:54):

Karn

Greg White (00:49:55):

Ka. Yeah. Yep. Um, very good man.

Scott Luton (00:49:59):

Try.

Greg White (00:50:00):

Um, so that’s another thing, by the way, gang, that makes him the best post ever. He can like recall an episode that we did six years ago. Well, we haven’t done six years ago,

Scott Luton (00:50:11):

<laugh>

Greg White (00:50:12):

Five years ago.

Scott Luton (00:50:13):

That’s right. Yeah. We’ll stick with five.

Greg White (00:50:15):

Yeah. Um, but you know, we’ve seen people leading from everywhere, right? We’ve seen mentors, leading mentees, we’ve seen mentees teaching mentors things. Um, you know, and I just think that that’s one of the best lessons that I think anyone could take away from this is, is you can lead from anywhere. Mm. You really can. And, and all you have to do is take the reins. It, it might be something small, right? It might be culture, you know, um, sorry, this is a proud dad moment, but my middle daughter, Delaney was put in charge of culture at her company of now I think 4,000 people. Wow. Because when she was the hundred and 50th employee, she so showed some aptitude and initiative there, and CEO was just like, that’s yours now. So, wow. She even coaches or has coached, I don’t know if she still does it, actively has coached the CEO on how to exemplify the culture that he wants to see.

Scott Luton (00:51:17):

So that is incredible.

Greg White (00:51:19):

All and that, that’s great leadership on two fronts. First of all, the c for recognizing that, that, wow, I believe the CEO is 100% responsible for, for, um, the culture of a company that he, in his case, needed help, right? To keep his own culture and, um, needed guidance himself. That’s a huge leadership moment. You talk about being vulnerable, right? Um, I think that, you know, those kind of leadership moments and leadership traits are really, really admirable.

Scott Luton (00:51:52):

Agreed. Uh, heads off to Delaney. That was awesome. I’m glad you brought that up. Um, so one, one final on my end. And, um, you know, for me, this is gonna sound a really simple, but it’s been, uh, a mindful practice that’s really helped, you know, in the entrepreneurial journey. You’ve got days, Greg, I know you can relate to it just correlate to it. Many of the listeners, whether you’re, for that matter, whether you’re an entrepreneur or practice, work

Greg White (00:52:18):

Or not, Right? Just days work.

Scott Luton (00:52:20):

Work, right? Right. The days can come at you some of these days so fast, right? So fast and folks want you to make decisions or they won’t, uh, resolution or, or they, they want other things, whatever. And, you know, we talk a lot about a, a strong bias for action. You know, deed’s, not words that’s core to who we are. But as leaders, since we’re talking kinda leaders, uh, let best practices there. Some days some of the best things you can do is call time out, shut down email, sitting on a bench in the park, and give your mind an opportunity to actively work, a challenge, an innovation, a dilemma, whatever it is. You know, if you, if you stay in the do all the time, you’re really, um, you’re gonna make some, you’re gonna make more mistakes than you have to. You’re gonna make some really bad decisions. Prob probably more than really thinking things through and just taking those, those regular moments. So calling time out is a good thing. Stopping and thinking and not always doing has certainly been a big part of this, uh, uh, thousand episode journey, or five year journey, whatever you wanna call it. Greg, Uh, your final thoughts, whether related to that or anything else you wanna throw in the kitchen sink here?

Greg White (00:53:35):

Yeah, well, uh, to that point, I think there, it’s really interesting. Um, so we actually had a leadership coach, um, at Blue Ridge. And, uh, you know, the first thing he said was, if, if you want to know if you’ve hit the ceiling or are are hitting the wall as a leader, if someone asks you, how was your day? And your answer is, Your answer was busy and that’s all you can come up with, then you have hit the ceiling as a leader and you, you don’t have enough time to reflect and solve, right? You’re just doing all the time. I think, you know, you want a simple test. If that’s, if that’s your answer when you get home and, and talk to the family, how was your day busy, right? Um, you’re not, you’re not, um, not only not, um, being as productive as you can as a leader, but you’re not drinking in everything you can.

Greg White (00:54:31):

And I have to tell you, it was a huge challenge for me because I used to watch those television shows where a cop gets into a case and gets way too far into it, and then her boss says, You need to take a couple days off. And she’s like, No, I’m not gonna take the day off. Yes. It’s, that wasn’t right. That wasn’t a request, that was an order. And then this cop is just like totally dumbfounded, wandering around a park, sits on a bench, sees something small that’s not even related to the case and has a breakthrough. And that happens. It happens when you open your mind to it. And I think you have to be, as you said, Scott, and you are very good at be very conscious to give your mind the space to do that. And, um, yeah, I think that’s important, that, that’s hugely important. And, and to be able to reflect, um, to check out a little bit. Right? And it, it is amazing how often it just happens to you. Yep. You know? Agreed. Agreed. So where do you do your best thinking, Scott? I’m curious.

Scott Luton (00:55:36):

Oh gosh. Well, you know, I was talking about a park bench. So we spent a lot of time in Monroe, Georgia. Right. Our studios in Atlanta. That’s

Greg White (00:55:44):

Where I envisioned when you said that. Yes. Yeah.

Scott Luton (00:55:46):

Well, there’s a, there’s a great little, uh, square and kind of in front of the local courthouse, and you got kinda like Main Street, usa you know, kind of like the downtown area. So there’s a little bit of people watching. You got squirrels and birds, um, you know, and you’re just a far away enough where you know you’re not in the think the, the thick of the hustle and bustle. So you got something kind of occupy your mind as your mind occupies you. Yep. Um, and so that, whether it’s that, whether it’s in my backyard for that matter, um, whether it’s, uh, driving only about you, if I’m driving, I’m solving something with my brain, that windshield time, keeping the phone, you know, phone and sometimes even the radio off. Mm-hmm. <affirmative>. Um, that’s been some eureka moments for me. How about you?

Greg White (00:56:30):

Yeah, driving is a big one for me. Um, you know, hiking or, or, you know, or going for a walk or whatever is, is big. Um, uh, strangely waking up in the middle of the night. So really for, for my entire adult career, I’ve either had a, um, um, what used to be called a tape recorder, a digital recorder, <laugh>, um, with me. Interesting. Or a notepad or a digital recorder. Now my phone, uh, next to the bed because I’ll wake up and not be able to go back to sleep until I spill it. Ah. Cause I know if I go back to sleep, I’m gonna forget it. And sometimes I never come back to it. But occasionally, it’s one of those things that is, you know, you just solved quantum physics, right? So <laugh>, okay, I don’t even know what quantum physics is.

Scott Luton (00:57:25):

Me, makes two of us.

Greg White (00:57:26):

But, you know, whatever is quantum physics to us, is this vexing, Is that to us, Right? That I, I mean, I, uh, yeah. I think actually weirdly, that, that kind of pop up in the middle of the night.

Scott Luton (00:57:41):

I bet you’ll have it. You’ll have a, uh, you’ll have a urge tonight, I betton. And you’ll have to share the, uh, billion dollar idea that hits your brain tonight, if that will drop it in episode number 2000. So there we go. This is coming soon.

Greg White (00:57:54):

That’s a good idea.

Scott Luton (00:57:55):

Um, well folks, uh, you know, hopefully you’re still with us as, as Greg and I have kind of shared some things that, that, uh, are important, lighter, lighter hearted moments, but also very serious moments of this, this journey we we’re on with you and certainly with our team. When I give a big shout out to, uh, Amanda, um, you know, who, who was right there beside me when it was, you know, episode one before it was, you know, as we were still figuring out what we were doing. And then, uh, you know, Greg at episode seven, you know, that was, uh, a, a big moment and we’ve had so much fun while, uh, moving the needle and, and amplifying so many of the conversations and topics. Some of them get, get a lot of attention, and many of them have not. And we’re gonna continue to our listeners, that’s our commitment to you.

Scott Luton (00:58:47):

You know, what you’ve seen over the last thousand episodes, especially the better ones, <laugh>. Um, we’re gonna continue to deliver on that, that brand promise to you. Content that is of consequence, you know, missions, noble missions, uh, with lots of purpose that really help others in a very practical way. And that’s core to who we are as people. While all those things, while having some fun, and hopefully you’re smiling at least once, maybe, maybe laughing at least while once an hour. That’s why I tell my kids wanna drop ’em off in the morning, Find a way to laugh at least once an hour. Right? And they can almost recite that and about seven other things I share with ’em in a stupid hokey dad sense, but with good intent.

Greg White (00:59:30):

I’ll remember it though.

Scott Luton (00:59:32):

I hope so. I hope so.

Greg White (00:59:33):

They’ll forget it from the time they’re like 13 to about 23. But then they’ll come back and go, I’m sorry, it was such a brat when I was 23.

Scott Luton (00:59:41):

Greg, I so much see that. But, uh, I wanna give you, so, uh, we’re gonna sign off here in just a second. But Greg, we take this, you know, um, we take the, to your point earlier about halfway through, this is very real. This is, we’re very serious about, uh, what we’re building, what we’re doing, uh, in so many different levels here. Uh, your final thought before, uh, I sign us out, not lot like school, sign us off, I guess signing out. Uh, remember the old day running

Greg White (01:00:07):

Out means we can go to the, to the Dairy Queen, right? For luck, Grandma <laugh> used to sign me outta school

Scott Luton (01:00:13):

Or to the dentist. Or to the dentist, which is not

Greg White (01:00:15):

Fun anyway. Know never that, never, um, yeah, I think, gosh, there’s just so much. I I, there’s no way to do what, what we experience on a day to day basis, Uh, justice in even an hour or whatever this episode’s gonna take edit, edit vigorously Justin, by the way. Um, but, but I, you know, I think the important thing for all of us to recognize is that we are, we are all, and we really believe this, we are all in this together. Oh, just today, the very first customer of Blue Ridge, my, my company, um, called me today and said, you know, we need to talk about, you know, whether we need AI for this, or robotic process automation or whatever. And he said, Jurgen Sleeter, who is in charge of supply chain, it’s CRP Industries, um, said, you know, I’ve listened to a couple of your shows about AI and, and other advanced technologies, and I so locked on that.

Greg White (01:01:22):

Oh, you listened. I didn’t even hear what he said after that. He may have said, and I think you’re an idiot, cuz I don’t know what he said after that. But, you know, it’s good to know that we are, uh, or can reach people like that and, and give them something of value. And, and that is because we truly believe we are in this with you. Look, we don’t always, we do still some, but we don’t always do this every day like you do. We are not in the thick of it every single day. Um, but we are some days and we’re keeping our hand in it. And we’re trying to be as knowledgeable as we can about the things that, you know, and deal with every single day and the things that we can do, or we can facilitate or we can, uh, prompt people to do that help advance the practice of supply chain and, and by virtue of that, enhance this global, uh, commerce network that exists around the world. Right? So, I, I mean, I hope we’re doing something good. I mean, I know that we are, but I mean, I hope that, um, it’s, it’s valuable to people, um, not for our sake, but for theirs.

Scott Luton (01:02:31):

Yep. Well said. Folks. Thank you for being with us. Uh, some of you may have been with us through all, uh, the first thousand episodes and some of the things we’ve been up to. Uh, some of you may have just joined us in the last, uh, who knows, last couple dozen, four minutes episode, <laugh> and some. That’s right. Some of you may have joined us in the last, uh, four minutes or 40 minutes, but we’re grateful. We are, like Greg says, We’re, we’re, we’re all in this together. Keep the feedback coming. Uh, feedback as, as, uh, Kelly Barner and Phil Oon have said, Feedback is certainly a blessing. Uh, but hey, hold on. Also hold on to your hat because you ain’t seen nothing yet. Uh, big finish this year and just wait to 2023. So with all of that said, but all of that said, and I certainly felt like a Bask and Robins trip where we, we touched on every flavor, but with lots of intent, uh, and good will for all. Uh, and, and, you know, sharing, you get what you see, you know, sharing, sharing some of the things that really have stopped us in our tracks or made us laugh, our lot of our socks off throughout this journey. Uh, we’re gonna sign off here and call this episode 1000. And we’re gonna look back on this maybe in 40 years and say, Man, what in the world were they thinking? What

Greg White (01:03:47):

A couple of idiots we

Scott Luton (01:03:49):

Were <laugh>, right? But it is what it is, folks, thank you, thank you, thank you, thank you. Keep the feedback coming, uh, hold us accountable to this mission we’re on. And with all of that said, on behalf of Greg White and our entire team here, our family here at Supply Chain now, this is Scott Luton challenging you. Hey, it’s all about deeds. Nu words do good, give forward and be the change that’s needed. And what that said, what’s the next time? Right back here at Supply Chain now. Thanks everybody.

Scott Luton (01:04:19):

Thanks

Intro/Outro (01:04:20):

For being a part of our supply chain Now, community. Check out all of our programming@supplychainnow.com and make sure you subscribe to Supply Chain now, anywhere you listen to podcasts. And follow us on Facebook, LinkedIn, Twitter, and Instagram. See you next time on Supply Chain. Now.