Rob Cushman

At MODEX 2026 in Atlanta, Scott Luton reconnected with James Malley, Co-Founder and CEO of Paccurate, for a conversation that blended humor, operational insight, and a fresh perspective on where warehouse technology is headed. While the discussion included everything from Disney World to hot dog bun conspiracies, the core message was serious: supply chain organizations are entering a new phase where control, visibility, and operational simplicity matter more than flashy technology demos.   MODEX 2026: Less Hype, More Optimization After nearly a decade of attending MODEX events, Malley sees a clear shift in this year’s show floor dynamic. “I notice in some years at MODEX, there will be all kinds of wild technology that’s kind of futuristic. And in other years, the vibe seems to focus more on the maturation of technology in very established categories,” he explains. “This year is more of the latter.” In other words, the industry appears to be moving from experimentation toward optimization. Rather than chasing the next shiny object, many supply chain leaders are focusing on getting more value from the systems and automation they already have in place. Deeper analytics, better visibility, and operational refinement are becoming bigger priorities than headline-grabbing robotics demonstrations.…

The first podcast available for download reportedly was Queen Elizabeth’s 2004 Christmas address. Apparently, people were hungry to download anything they could. Social media influencers, true crime aficionados, comedians, scholars, and business leaders all have stepped up to meet demand. There are now more than 4 million registered podcasts around the world – and more than 100 million listeners in the United States alone. And according to Edison Research, as of June 2024, podcasts occupied 9% of Americans’ total audio consumption time. “From podcast to podcast, thought leadership is everywhere, educating the masses in innovative ways,” Nancy Marshall – aka The PR Maven – wrote in a Forbes Council post. Supply chain-focused podcasts, in particular, have evolved into powerful platforms for building brand authority, sharing thought leadership, and achieving deeper audience engagement. The State of Supply Chain Podcasts in 2025 Podcasts today cover everything from the arts to zoology. In January, several of the top podcasts on Spotify were devoted to crime, self-help, and relationships. The Joe Rogan Experience, ranked No. 5, is categorized as a culture podcast. How I Built This, No. 9, is all about entrepreneurship. Notably, two-thirds of listeners say they hear news discussed on podcasts and…