In this edition of This Week in Business History, Kelly Barner remembers key innovations, inventions, and firsts that took place between September 13th and the 17th. In our main story, she shares the life story of the man who fixed Thomas Edison’s lightbulb, drew Alexander Graham Bell’s telephone into reality, and made a real and lasting mark on his community. We’ll also hear about the release of Super Mario Bros., find out why the founder of General Motors hated cars, and wish a happy birthday to Agatha Christie and Wendy Thomas.
More Podcast Episodes
the buzz
Podcast
January 29, 2024
The NOW Generation: Unique Insight Into the World of a Trainee Pilot
The aviation industry is at the precipice of a major pilot shortage globally. Some data analysts predict that there will be a shortfall of almost 80,000 by 2032, with the US Air Force currently offering bonuses of up to $600,000 to retain pilots and their service. Middle Tennessee State University is doing much address that problem. In this new episode of Supply Chain Now, as a part of the NOW Generation series, we sit down with former UPS executive Tandreia Bellamy and her son, Anthony, the latter being a senior on MTSU’s highly regarded Aerospace Professional Pilot program. Tapping into the school’s impressive fleet of 47 aircraft, Anthony shares incredible insight into the life of a trainee pilot. He recounts the details of a solo cross-country training flight, communicating with traffic control and assessing which runway to land on. “The approach coming in, it was over the water and it was around sunset time, so it was beautiful,” he recalls. Tune in to hear Anthony’s story – the influence of his parents, amazing insights into his training, his overwhelming passion for the field, and plans for the future.
fashion supply chain sustainability
Podcast
April 23, 2026
Why Your Excess Inventory Is Costing You Millions and How to Fix It
What if your “waste” is actually one of your biggest profit opportunities? In this episode of Logistics With Purpose, we sit down with Stephanie Benedetto, CEO and co-founder of Aloqia, to uncover the massive hidden problem inside global supply chains—and how companies can turn excess inventory into measurable profit and impact. Right now, businesses are sitting on an estimated $2 trillion in excess inventory—costing them money in storage, labor, and lost opportunity. But what if that “waste” could be reused, resold, or repurposed at scale? Stephanie shares how leading brands are using AI, data, and smarter allocation strategies to: Reduce excess inventory Increase supply chain efficiency Cut costs and unlock new revenue Lower environmental impact without sacrificing growth Whether you’re in logistics, operations, procurement, or leadership, this conversation will change how you think about waste, efficiency, and opportunity in your business. This episode is hosted by Enrique Alvarez and Kristi Porter, and produced by Trisha Cordes, Joshua Miranda, and Amanda Luton. Additional Links & Resources Check out all the great resources and information mentioned during the show: Connect with Stephanie Learn more about Aloqia Learn more about our hosts Want more Logistics With Purpose®? We know you can’t…