Insight on Business

Out to Lunch with Jeff Stein and Ken Chester

Join us for the latest Out to Lunch segment this time with Jeff Stein the News and Program Director for News/Talk 1540 KXEL and Ken Chester from the nationally syndicated program Tech Mobility.  To be sure I've known these two guys for some time and whenever we get together it's a hoot. However, usually it's just the three of us.  Now you get to join in our conversation over lunch at Gilroy's Kitchen + Pub + Patio in West Des Moines. (You've got to check their new website!)  We kick things off with "Quick Bites". Three questions every guest gets:  Book, Movie and Career other than the current job. Then it's conversation over lunch. Enjoy and thanks for coming by! 

Out to Lunch is part of the award winning Insight on Business the News Hour with Michael Libbie 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 Central 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 Economic Impact of Rivers and Streams

Over the past fifteen years old and abandoned rail lines have been repurposed to become bicycle trails for the thousands of people who enjoy riding, sometimes, miles each week. That has resulted in some major economic development as restaurants, bars, ice cream joints and retailers open shops along those trails. Now another long forgotten asset is going to be used to impact business. My guest is Stephanie Oppel from ICON or the Iowa Confluence Water Trails group who is in to share with us that groups vision for the future. In addition, creating water activity should also help push along efforts of cleaning up rivers, streams and lakes from pollutants. A win/win.  Meet Stephanie:

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 5 February 2024

Great to be back in our studio following our adventure at CattleCon 24 by the National Cattlemen's Beef Association. We'll be brining you some stories about that in the coming days and weeks. Meanwhile, today we invite you to meet Stephanie Oppel the Executive Director of ICON the Iowa Confluence Water Trails group that predicts massive economic development by reimagining our rivers and streams. Make sure you click through for that. Also,  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. Facebook? Sure were there too.  Here's what we've got for you today: 

• Credit card balances worry many and why;
• Hospitality workers and a tentative contract in Vegas;
• And, President Biden was there as well;
• Casinos don't have to police habitual gamblers;
• The Department of Justice and Bank Redlining;
• Automakers reassessing EV's and why;
• The Wall Street Report;
• AI, Deep Fakes and real money. Ouch!

For the interview you'll meet Stephanie Oppel the Executive Director of ICON the Iowa Confluence Water Trails group who says that reimaging our rivers and streams will contribute greatly to some serious economic development for cities and towns fortunate to have those rivers and streams. To listen to this conversation, click our player. 

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 26 September 2023

Great to be back with you. Yesterday our crew took the day off for the Jewish Holiday of Yom Kippur and today shuffled back into the office tired but ready to get at it. Click through for the news headlines plus a conversation about a book fair with entrepreneur and author Tyler Granger. It's pretty cool what he is doing and a neat bit of information for your community should you want to copy his efforts.  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:

• An historic first: Biden and the UAW;
• Actors open another front in their strike;
• Target closing 9 stores and why;
• Want a job in Paris? We have news;
• Confidence in the U.S. economy is slipping;
• Talking wages: UPS drivers vs. Amazon drivers;
• The Wall Street Report;
• Coming back to TV...some details post strike.

For the interview you'll meet Tyler Granger the author and entrepreneur who is behind the Windsor Heights, Iowa Book Fair for the second year. Here you'll learn more about why he decided to use his own money to promote authors from across the Hawkeye State. And, it's a pretty cool story. To listen, just click our player. 

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.

Fall Fest 2023 - Get To Know Our Community

While this may seem "hyper-local" it very well may give you and your community some ideas on how to create a winning event for the whole family. Here you'll meet Lauren Campbell and Susan Skeries who both sit on the Windsor Heights, Iowa City Council. They head up the Special Events Committee for the community of just over 5,200 people located in the middle of the Greater Des Moines Metro with over 700,000 folks. Our focus is on the Windsor Heights Fall Fest that takes place on October 6th and 7th. Here you'll learn more about the community and what happens when people band together to get some things...done. Enjoy! Oh, and you can click on the image to enlarge and see that Windsor Heights has in store for you.

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 4 February 2022

The weekend is upon us. Today the newscast comes from a very cold Mason City, Iowa where the wind is howling and it's three degrees.  Today, along with the business news headlines you'll hear from Jeff Pitts in his last broadcast for us. He's been a rock for nearly six years and we appreciated his loyalty. But he's moving on from his gig with Cityview. You might say this is another example of the Great Resignation and we wish him well. In the news:

• A mixed bag on Wall Street but...Oil?
• The Jobs Report was amazing, no...really;
• One company expects consumers to back off spending;
• Some big news out of Lowes today;
• Are the days of Mega-Malls over;
• Could a union be coming to a Google player;
• Speaking of unions a do-over vote in Alabama;
• The Wall Street Report;
• And, are PIP's bad? No not Gladys Knight.

For nearly six years Jeff Pitts the Managing Editor for Cityview Magazine has been chatting up "Stuff to DO" in the Greater Des Moines Metro every Friday. Every Friday without fail. That is a bunch of time being together and what started out as "fun" has blossomed into a friendship. This is his final broadcast for Cityview. Jeff has decided to go do "something else". Not exactly sure what that might be but he too is now part of the "Great Resignation" that is going on all across the country.  The good news is that we'll still visit from time to time.  Thank you Jeff for being such a loyal sidekick for so very long.  Now, on to the FUN Stuff this weekend into next week:

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 & More 28 January 2022

Welcome to the Friday Edition of the Business News Headlines!  Like we say around here, "Only two more working days until...Monday!" In the news...the bulls came out to play today and...did they ever.  Let's go!

• The markets turn green and wow;
• Could you rethink Crypto:
• Businesses are bouncing back faster;
• Consumers, the Economy and something is wrong;
• Walmart has some big news;
• The Wall Street Report;
• Wages an "Open Book" in NYC...no, really!

It's FRIDAY and each Friday we sit down with Jeff Pitts from Cityview Magazine and chat it up about Stuff to DO in the Greater Des Moines Metro this weekend into next week.  On tap today is the CIRCUS...yes! Today through Sunday.  And some circus talk from long agon in Detroit and those drum sticks.  Sports with the Iowa Wolves and the Iowa Wild. New stuff at the DSM Playhouse. Golden Girls from Des Moines Performing Arts. Some symphony news. Botanical Blues on Sunday. A Valentine's Day PSA...guys...you listening? Iowa State plays Kansas...a big game and the Iowa Ag Expo is in town next week. Watch out for plenty of pickups!  Have some fun with us! 

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.

Stuff to DO with Cityview the Christmas Edition

Yes, we're on it even on Christmas Eve. Here Jeff Pitts the managing editor of Cityview Magazine is in to chat it up about a host of things going on mostly next week. But there are still light shows to see tonight and then some Iowa Wild Hockey next week. Some Drake games some trivia and the Bucs hit the ice as well. It's Friday Fun even on Christmas Eve. Enjoy and have a great Christmas. 

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 17 December 2021

It was another rough day on Wall Street and we'll share that story and click ahead for Stuff to DO in the Greater Des Moines Metro with Jeff Pitts from Cityview. But, first the news:

• Stocks fell again today and why;
• No more "cooking with gas" in NYC;
• The "Never Ending Pasta Bowl" may be ending;
• Oregon grocery store chains to replace striking workers;
• Episodes of The Apprentice and legal issues in the news;
• The Wall Street Report;
• The December we didn't want to...remember.

What just a week before Christmas? Yikes! If you haven't been out to see the lights, see a great play, ballet or...a bit of hockey we're here to push you along. With me, as he is each Friday is Jeff Pitts the managing editor of Cityview Magazine with his list of "Stuff to Do" in the greater Des Moines Metro this weekend into next week. Click through and find out who made the cut this week.

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 & More 3 December 2021

It's been a wild week on Wall Street compounded by the new variant and the threat of a government shutdown. Whew... And, because it is Friday stay with us because after the news we're riffing about Bitcoin Machines as well as "Stuff to DO" in the Greater Des Moines Metro with Jeff Pitts from Cityview. But...first the news:

• The jobs report and the unemployment rate;
• Produce and maple syrup made the news;
• She asked, "Why are beef prices so high?"
• Another retail giant to close stores in January;
• That Bass Pro/Sportsman's Warehouse deal...off;
• The Wall Street Report;
• Don't get rid of that home office...yet.

Each week Jeff Pitts the managing editor for Cityview Magazine comes in to chat it up about "Stuff to DO" in the Greater Des Moines Metro but today...we spend some time talking about his fascination with a "Bitcoin Machine". "Hey, you just plug it in and it spits out money..." Clearly I'm not buying it (and neither is his Bride) but it makes for a fun listen. Then we get into sports, music, plays a little Big Ten conversation about the football game and more. Hey, it's Friday...have some fun already! 

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.