This Week at Supply Chain Now: April 27th – May 1st

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…

The modern supply chain landscape is defined by constant disruption, demanding a proactive approach to challenges. In our guide to supply chain disruptions, we delve into the critical sources of disruption reshaping the industry: climate change, global conflict, and labor disputes. Through data-driven insights and expert analysis, we offer strategies for building resilient supply chains, emphasizing the importance of leveraging technology, supplier management, and collaboration. Read on to learn how to navigate the complexities of supply chain disruptions and thrive in this era of uncertainty. Working in an Era of Supply Chain Disruption At the onset of the supply chain crisis spurred by the COVID-19 pandemic, many in the industry thought that the time of constant disruptions and delays would resolve with the pandemic. This, however, has proven far from true. Instead, our increasingly global supply chain — ever more reliant on a complex network of international transportation partners — is more vulnerable than ever to disruptions. In this section, we’ll look at three sources of disruption transforming the industry. 1. Climate Change Takes its Toll on Normal Operations Climate change is leading to new supply chain vulnerabilities. One significant example is the Panama Canal, a critical artery in global…