In this episode of Supply Chain Now, Scott Luton and special guest host Claudia Freed, President & CEO of EALGreen, welcome Chuck Johnston, Chief Strategy Officer at ReturnPro, for a deep dive into the “dark side” of supply chain: reverse logistics and returns management. They unpack why returns are a nearly trillion-dollar challenge in the U.S., how BORIS (buy online, return in store) strains store operations, and why many retailers still under-invest: leaders often can’t see the full cost across functions or make the ROI case for what’s treated as a cost center. Chuck shares how the space has evolved from yellow notepads to data-driven decisioning, highlighting intelligent algorithms that route items at the customer’s first return click, fraud mitigation with imaging and behavior signals, and how third-party innovation is compressing software build times. Claudia adds a nonprofit and circularity lens: donation channels, extended tax credits, and AI pilots (computer vision + MCP agents) that identify item condition and slotting in real time. Together, they explore where to start, why cross-functional “ambassadors” matter, and how partnerships across retailers, manufacturers, nonprofits, and 3PLs can turn returns from margin erosion into measurable value and social impact.   This episode is hosted by…

In a year defined by service, storytelling, and the power of community, Tango Tango’s first season put authentic veteran voices front and center. From Special Operations legends to storytellers preserving history, the series explored what it actually takes to translate military experience into meaningful civilian impact. In this special Season 1 Veteran’s Day wrap-up, Supply Chain Now’s Scott Luton joins Tango Tango’s own Lloyd Knight to unpack the year: why active listening is a podcaster’s superpower, what organizations get wrong (and right) about veteran hiring, and how Season 2 will go bigger with 20 episodes and even more consequential stories. Scott and Lloyd discuss the differences between Veterans Day, Memorial Day, and Armed Forces Day; three practical best practices for recruiting veteran talent; and highlights from standout episodes, from Pat McNamara’s raw, veteran-to-veteran conversation to Atomic Echoes, the PBS documentary that bridges U.S. servicemembers and survivors in Japan. They also preview Season 2 guests, live tapings, and crossovers with Supply Chain Now. Additional Links & Resources: Learn more about Tango Tango Learn more about our hosts Subscribe to the With That Said newsletter Learn more about Vetlanta Learn more about Supply Chain Now Work with us! Download Supply Chain Now’s…