What happens if tariffs reshape the U.S. deficit, AI runs procurement, and humanoid robots stock your warehouse, all at the same time?

In this episode of Around the Horn in Wholesale Distribution, Kevin Brown and Tom Burton break down the Supreme Court tariff ruling uncertainty, rising GDP versus “vibecession” sentiment, AI-driven commerce protocols, Amazon’s data marketplace strategy, robotics in warehouse operations, and the accelerating consolidation in building materials distribution.

What You’ll Learn:

• Why the Supreme Court’s pending tariff decision could reshape trade policy, inflation, and the federal deficit
• What “vibecession” means — and why consumer sentiment doesn’t match GDP growth
• How Amazon’s AI content marketplace and Universal Commerce Protocol could redefine B2B eCommerce
• Why structured data architecture matters more than “just building a data lake”
• How robotics, shelf-scanning AI, and humanoid automation will transform warehouse operations
• What QXO’s $2.25B Kodiak acquisition signals about consolidation in building materials distribution

Episode Highlights:

• 03:40 – Tariff revenue surges 300% and the Supreme Court uncertainty
• 12:15 – Inflation data, CPI trends, and the economic impact of tariff refunds
• 21:30 – Consumer sentiment vs. GDP growth: understanding the “vibecession”
• 33:45 – Amazon’s AI content marketplace and the future of proprietary data monetization
• 45:10 – Universal Commerce Protocol and AI agents completing complex B2B orders
• 58:20 – Data lakes vs. data readiness: why structure, governance, and context matter
• 01:07:35 – Robotics in wholesale distribution: shelf-scanning AI and warehouse gamification
• 01:18:50 – QXO acquires Kodiak Building Partners: what consolidation means for distributors
• 01:28:15 – Leadership insights: communication phrases that strengthen teams

Tools, Frameworks, and Strategies Mentioned:

• Unified data platforms for wholesale distribution
• Smart CRM and aggregated ERP integration
• AI-driven commerce and machine-readable product data
• Data lakes vs. structured data architecture
• Warehouse gamification performance dashboards
• AI shelf-scanning robotics
• Universal Commerce Protocol for agentic B2B transactions

Closing Insight:

“The longer uncertainty lingers, the more strategic clarity matters.”

Tariffs, AI, robotics, consolidation, none of it is slowing down. The distributors and manufacturers who win in this environment will not be the ones waiting for perfect conditions. They’ll be the ones building structured data foundations, modernizing commerce workflows, and preparing for AI-native operations today.

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What happens when intuition, AI, tariffs, and leadership collide in wholesale distribution?

In this episode of Around the Horn Podcast, Kevin Brown and Tom Burton are joined by Mike Hockett of Modern Distribution Management to unpack the biggest forces shaping distribution leaders right now, from trade policy and infrastructure risk to AI governance and executive decision-making under uncertainty.

What You’ll Learn:

• Why intuition still matters in executive decision-making, even in a data-driven world
• How tariffs are changing distributor behavior, pricing strategy, and inventory planning
• The hidden risks of AI agents, vibe coding, and unsecured automation inside the enterprise
• What NAW leaders are really discussing behind closed doors about the future of wholesale distribution
• How top distributors are redefining productivity, focus, and profitable growth

Episode Highlights:

• 05:12 – Why the NAW Executive Summit is different from every other industry event
• 14:40 – “Listen to the whispers”: using intuition when data breaks down
• 26:18 – Leadership lessons from crisis decision-making and 9/11
• 38:55 – Tariffs, front-loaded demand, and the reality distributors are planning for
• 52:30 – AI agents, data leakage, and why governance matters more than speed
• 01:08:10 – The real ROI of AI in wholesale distribution, not the hype
• 01:22:45 – Productivity, focus, and why most leaders only execute half their priorities
  
  

Meet the Guest:

Mike Hockett is Executive Editor at Modern Distribution Management (MDM) and part of the National Association of Wholesalers. He brings a deep perspective on distributor economics, leadership trends, AI adoption, and the structural forces reshaping the wholesale distribution industry.

Tools, Frameworks, and Strategies Mentioned:

• Executive intuition frameworks for decision-making in uncertainty
• AI governance and agent-based system risk management
• Tariff response strategies in wholesale distribution
• Productivity alignment models for leadership teams
• Data-driven prioritization and alerting systems in enterprise platforms

Closing Insight:

“In a world of volatility, the winners aren’t waiting for certainty—they’re building systems that adapt.”

If you’re a distributor, manufacturer, or industry leader navigating AI, tariffs, and transformation, this episode will help you think more clearly about what actually matters next.

Connect with Mike Hockett: https://www.linkedin.com/in/mike-hockett-mdm/

Leave a Review: Help us grow by sharing your thoughts on the show.

Learn more about the LeadSmart AI B2B Sales Platform: https://www.leadsmarttech.com/

Join the conversation each week on LinkedIn Live.

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You can also hear the podcast and other excellent content on our YouTube Channel.

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What happens when wholesale distribution collides with tariffs, AI acceleration, and rising customer expectations?

In this episode of Around The Horn Podcast, Kevin Brown and Tom Burton unpack the most important forces shaping wholesale distribution today, from policy shifts and economic signals to e-commerce, automation, and leadership in an AI driven world.

This conversation goes beyond headlines to explore what these changes really mean for distributors, manufacturers, and channel leaders who are navigating uncertainty while trying to build resilient, future ready organizations.

What You’ll Learn:

• Why tariffs are no longer a temporary disruption and how distributors are adjusting pricing, sourcing, and inventory strategies
• How AI is reshaping marketing, sales, and customer service and where most companies are still getting it wrong
• What the rise of B2B e commerce and next day delivery expectations means for margins, operations, and customer experience
• Why “higher value work” is becoming a core job requirement and not just a leadership slogan
• How automation, robotics, and reshoring are influencing long term workforce and supply chain decisions
  
  

Episode Highlights:

• 04:10 – Key takeaways from the NAW Executive Summit and why executive intuition still matters
• 11:45 – Tariffs, trade policy, and why most distributors now assume they are here to stay
• 22:30 – Interest rates, economic signals, and what the Fed’s direction means for wholesale demand
• 34:05 – How tariffs are quietly reshaping pricing behavior and product selection across distribution
• 45:40 – The Amazon effect, next day delivery expectations, and whether instant gratification is sustainable
• 58:20 – AI in marketing and sales and why more tools do not always equal more productivity
• 01:08:55 – Higher value work, skill development, and what AI first thinking really looks like in distribution
• 01:20:10 – Leadership, teams, and what high performance organizations can learn from endurance racing
  
  

Tools, Frameworks, or Strategies Mentioned:

• AI first workflows in sales, marketing, and customer service
• Higher value work and skill developer mindset
• Agent assisted commerce and automation in B2B buying
• Robotics and reshoring as responses to labor and cost pressure
• Customer intelligence platforms and integrated CRM strategy
  
  

Closing Insight:

The future of wholesale distribution is not about reacting faster. It is about thinking differently. Leaders who combine industry expertise with AI capability and disciplined execution will be the ones who create durable advantage in a volatile market.

Leave a Review: Help us grow by sharing your thoughts on the show.

Learn more about the LeadSmart AI B2B Sales Platform: https://www.leadsmarttech.com/

Join the conversation each week on LinkedIn Live.

Want even more insight to the stories we discuss each week? Subscribe to the Around The Horn Newsletter.

You can also hear the podcast and other excellent content on our YouTube Channel.

Follow us on Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, or TikTok.