Insight on Business

Peace, Wine & Agriculture with Violet Grgich

For over a week we've been immersed in the story of Roots of Peace and the 2023 World Food Prize Laureate Heidi Kuhn and today yet another story. This time we visit with Violet Grgich who leads the family business, Grgich Hills Estate & Vineyard based in Napa Valley. Here you will learn about a back-story of the very beginnings of Roots of Peace that took place in Croatia a nation that had one-million land mines until Mike Grgich (Now 100 "years young") met Heidi Kuhn. Twenty-five years ago they walked and cleared the area of mines and today that part of Croatia is alive with agriculture. Today you'll hear that story and so many others from our guest Violet...we're talking wine, peace, marketing and regenerative agriculture.  And a shout out to The Festival of the Bells...you've got to go!  Here's Violet...

Thanks for listening!

The award winning Insight on Business the News Hour with Michael Libbie is the only weekday business news podcast in the Midwest. The national, regional and some local business news along with long-form business interviews can be heard Monday - Friday. You can subscribe on  PlayerFM, Podbean, iTunes, Spotify, Stitcher or TuneIn Radio. And you can catch The Business News Hour Week in Review each Sunday Noon on News/Talk 1540 KXEL. The Business News Hour is a production of Insight Advertising, Marketing & Communications. You can follow us on Twitter @IoB_NewsHour...and on Threads @Insight_On_Business.

Iowans for Health Liberty with Dr. Francesca Turner

I attended a recent event where I heard Emily Boevers, MD speak about Iowans for Health Liberty. This is a group that I did not know existed but what she said had a profound impact on those attending. Here, I sit with the co-founder of the group, Francesca Turner DO to learn more about their goal of helping create a health care system for women that is free from government interference. You'll also learn about the need for OB/GYN practitioners throughout the Hawkeye State and some talk about...funding. Meet Dr. Turner:  

Thanks for listening!

The award winning Insight on Business the News Hour with Michael Libbie is the only weekday business news podcast in the Midwest. The national, regional and some local business news along with long-form business interviews can be heard Monday - Friday. You can subscribe on  PlayerFM, Podbean, iTunes, Spotify, Stitcher or TuneIn Radio. And you can catch The Business News Hour Week in Review each Sunday Noon on News/Talk 1540 KXEL. The Business News Hour is a production of Insight Advertising, Marketing & Communications. You can follow us on Twitter @IoB_NewsHour...and on Threads @Insight_On_Business.

The Business News Headlines 13 September 2023

Might it be that we have a new word to describe inflation?  That's how we kick off the business news headlines today as the Labor Department released the latest numbers that reflected both an increase and a decrease.  How can that be?  Keep listening and we'll share.  If you want to reach us on social media and if you're on Threads you can find us @Insight_On_Business. And you can hook up with us all day on Twitter or "X" @IOB_NewsHour and on Instagram.  Here's what we've got for you today:

• Inflation: Up? Down? What?
• Apple, France and Radiation made the news;
• The clock is ticking what will the UAW do? An update;
• Amazon to increase pay & benefits for contract workers;
• Which state is the happiest?  We'll give you the top five;
• Sen. Mitt Romney of Utah says he is not running in 2024;
• J.C. Penny and "the hard-working American family";
• The Wall Street Report;
• Consumers are calling it..."Tipping Hell" and the result.

Thanks for listening!

The award winning Insight on Business the News Hour with Michael Libbie is the only weekday business news podcast in the Midwest. The national, regional and some local business news along with long-form business interviews can be heard Monday - Friday. You can subscribe on  PlayerFM, Podbean, iTunes, Spotify, Stitcher or TuneIn Radio. And you can catch The Business News Hour Week in Review each Sunday Noon on News/Talk 1540 KXEL. The Business News Hour is a production of Insight Advertising, Marketing & Communications. You can follow us on Twitter @IoB_NewsHour...and on Threads @Insight_On_Business.

DC Heavy Hydraulics a Small Business Spotlight

Join us as we make our way to Union, South Carolina and share this Small Business Spotlight. We're visiting with Ann Kerr the General Manager of DC Heavy Hydraulics.  The company has seen rapid growth over the past eight years. What's the driver of this growth? Ann suggests that is because of their commitment to customer service, building positive relationships and having a dedicated technical staff. We love showcasing growing small businesses. Listen in to our conversation and, perhaps, pick up some tips for your company.  Enjoy, we sure did.  

Thanks for listening!

The award winning Insight on Business the News Hour with Michael Libbie is the only weekday business news podcast in the Midwest. The national, regional and some local business news along with long-form business interviews can be heard Monday - Friday. You can subscribe on  PlayerFM, Podbean, iTunes, Spotify, Stitcher or TuneIn Radio. And you can catch The Business News Hour Week in Review each Sunday Noon on News/Talk 1540 KXEL. The Business News Hour is a production of Insight Advertising, Marketing & Communications. You can follow us on Twitter @IoB_NewsHour...and on Threads @Insight_On_Business.

The Importance of Telling Your Story with Alan Kemp

There is a good chance that you don't know much about the community you live in. Sure you know about the stores and the streets but what about city government? Here Alan Kemp the Executive Director of the Iowa League of Cities talks about the importance of each city to make sure they tell their story. The project is called Simplicity: Your City Simplified. From water to streets to how the government works to other infrastructure projects your city has so much to share and here Alan talks about cities creating those nuggets and making sure they get the word out to the citizens. That story and a look ahead to the League's Annual Event this year in Cedar Rapids. 

Thanks for listening!

The award winning Insight on Business the News Hour with Michael Libbie is the only weekday business news podcast in the Midwest. The national, regional and some local business news along with long-form business interviews can be heard Monday - Friday. You can subscribe on PlayerFM, Podbean, iTunes, Spotify, Stitcher or TuneIn Radio. And you can catch The Business News Hour Week in Review each Sunday Noon on News/Talk 1540 KXEL. The Business News Hour is a production of Insight Advertising, Marketing & Communications. You can follow us on Twitter @IoB_NewsHour...and on Threads @Insight_On_Business.

Crushing It In a Family Business meet Jake Walmer

Recently we traveled to Lancaster County in Pennsylvania and spent some time with folks from the National Tractor Parts Dealer Association (NTPDA). Our host was Wengers of Myerstown a multi-generation company that is seriously crushing it when it comes to construction and agricultural parts. Here we sit down with family member Jake Walmer and talk about the past, present and future.  How this company has continued to expand, where their market is and how technology has made a huge difference in overall sales. Oh, one other thing the Wengers Foundation has given millions of dollars to local non-profits. It's part of their mission.  Here's Jake...

Thanks for listening!

The award winning Insight on Business the News Hour with Michael Libbie is the only weekday business news podcast in the Midwest. The national, regional and some local business news along with long-form business interviews can be heard Monday - Friday. You can subscribe on PlayerFM, Podbean, iTunes, Spotify, Stitcher or TuneIn Radio. And you can catch The Business News Hour Week in Review each Sunday Noon on News/Talk 1540 KXEL. The Business News Hour is a production of Insight Advertising, Marketing & Communications. You can follow us on Twitter @IoB_NewsHour...and on Threads @Insight_On_Business.

The Business News Headlines and More 28 July 2023

Welcome to the Friday Edition of the Business News Headlines and a programming note: We're back on the air with the Business Week in Review this Sunday at Noon Central and only on News/Talk 1540 KXEL covering the top business news stories of the week along with two business conversations.  And, yes, we do stream. Also today don't pass by our interview with Jake Walmer from Wengers of Myerstown a family owned company that is crushing it in the world of construction and agricultural parts. Also, if you're on Threads you can find us @Insight_On_Business. And you can hook up with us all day on Twitter @IOB_NewsHour and on Instagram.  Here's what we've got for you today:

• Inflation data ticks down yet again;
• The markets did react;
• Adidas cuts ties with Ye but still selling sneakers;
• The Vietnamese company expanding to North Carolina;
• The grocery business is tough...ask Amazon;
• The Wall Street Report;
• Threads is losing early adopters. What's next?

For the interview you'll meet Jake Walmer part of the multi-generational family that runs Wengers of Myerstown, Pennsylvania. We were recently there and visited with Jake about a host of things from the world of construction and agricultural parts to how technology has boosted their business to their mission of giving back millions to the community. It's a great story and you can hear it if you click our player below.

Thanks for listening!

The award winning Insight on Business the News Hour with Michael Libbie is the only weekday business news podcast in the Midwest. The national, regional and some local business news along with long-form business interviews can be heard Monday - Friday. You can subscribe on PlayerFM, Podbean, iTunes, Spotify, Stitcher or TuneIn Radio. And you can catch The Business News Hour Week in Review each Sunday Noon on News/Talk 1540 KXEL. The Business News Hour is a production of Insight Advertising, Marketing & Communications. You can follow us on Twitter @IoB_NewsHour...and on Threads @Insight_On_Business.

The Business News Headlines & More 27 July 2023

One of the stories we just didn't have time for is about beef prices and here it is: USDA released retail meat prices detailing what consumers were paying for meat in June. All fresh aggregate retail prices of beef hit new all-time highs in June, increasing to $7.57 per pound, about 3 cents per pound over the previous record high in October of 2021. Retail fresh beef prices are 3.1% higher than last year at this time. Retail pork prices continued to decline, coming in at $4.68 per pound, about 5% lower than last June. Broiler retail prices ticked higher. The composite price is 2% higher than last year but just under a new cord high by 4 cents. Now you know and welcome to the Business News Headlines for Thursday the 27th of July.  Don't miss out on the conversation below with Debi Durham (pictured) from the Iowa Economic Development Authority as we talk about Iowa, Israel workforce challenges and the unique location of the Hawkeye State.  Click ahead for the news and, if you're on Threads you can find us @Insight_On_Business. And you can hook up with us all day on Twitter @IOB_NewsHour and on Instagram.  Here's what we've got for you today:

• Tick Spit and Red Meat...no, this is real;
• Surprise says the U.S. economy;
• The White House weighs into housing issues;
• Tesla and a "secret suppression" group;
• Tipping...getting out of control and why;
• The Wall Street Report;
• Today is "Black Women's Equal Pay Day". What that means.

For the interview we're joined by Debi Durham the Director of the Iowa Economic Development Authority who recently addressed Iowans for Israel about economic opportunities, the unique location Iowa enjoys and so much more. To listen to that conversation click our player below:

Thanks for listening!

The award winning Insight on Business the News Hour with Michael Libbie is the only weekday business news podcast in the Midwest. The national, regional and some local business news along with long-form business interviews can be heard Monday - Friday. You can subscribe on PlayerFM, Podbean, iTunes, Spotify, Stitcher or TuneIn Radio. And you can catch The Business News Hour Week in Review each Sunday Noon on News/Talk 1540 KXEL. The Business News Hour is a production of Insight Advertising, Marketing & Communications. You can follow us on Twitter @IoB_NewsHour...and on Threads @Insight_On_Business.

Entrepreneur and Community Activist meet Rachael Scott

Recently we traveled to Iowa City, Iowa for EntreFest, the annual event that brings together entrepreneurs from not only the Hawkeye State but from across the country to network and learn.  As we've done in the past we set up our microphones and invite some interesting folks to join us in describing their new...or established businesses. Here you'll meet Rachael Scott a coffee entrepreneur who has a mobile service and brick and mortar at The Early Bird Cafe. Plus she is a community organizer working to rehab the south side of Iowa City at The South District Market. One very busy young lady. 

Thanks for listening!

The award winning Insight on Business the News Hour with Michael Libbie is the only weekday business news podcast in the Midwest. The national, regional and some local business news along with long-form business interviews can be heard Monday - Friday. You can subscribe on PlayerFM, Podbean, iTunes, Spotify, Stitcher or TuneIn Radio. And you can catch The Business News Hour Week in Review each Sunday Noon on News/Talk 1540 KXEL. The Business News Hour is a production of Insight Advertising, Marketing & Communications. You can follow us on Twitter @IoB_NewsHour.

The Business News Headlines and More 28 June 2023

elcome back and we want to make sure you click ahead and meet coffee entrepreneur and community activist Rachael Scott from Iowa City, Iowa. We met up during EntreFest earlier this month and she's got quite the story and a very busy life. Also, remember that you can hook up with us all day on Twitter @IOB_NewsHour and on Instagram.  Here's what we've got for you today:   

• Traveling by air this weekend?  Good luck...
• "It's the economy stupid." Some thoughts;
• Weddings are getting weird and why;
• Gen Z and debt...it's quite the load;
• How about a nearly Free Beer Weekend?
• The Wall Street Report
• First Netflix now...Costco.

Plus, for the interview you'll meet coffee entrepreneur Rachael Scott who we met while reporting on EntreFest 2023. She started out with Cafe On the Go, morphed into the South District Market and hopes her efforts revitalize the south side of Iowa City, Iowa. To listen to this remarkable woman click our player below.

Thanks for listening!

The award winning Insight on Business the News Hour with Michael Libbie is the only weekday business news podcast in the Midwest. The national, regional and some local business news along with long-form business interviews can be heard Monday - Friday. You can subscribe on PlayerFM, Podbean, iTunes, Spotify, Stitcher or TuneIn Radio. And you can catch The Business News Hour Week in Review each Sunday Noon on News/Talk 1540 KXEL. The Business News Hour is a production of Insight Advertising, Marketing & Communications. You can follow us on Twitter @IoB_NewsHour.