The future belongs to the curious.

In this episode of CPG Insiders, Mark Young and Justin Girouard discuss why mindset, imagination, and continuous learning are becoming the most valuable skills in the age of AI.

They also share the books that have had the greatest impact on their thinking around entrepreneurship, growth, leadership, influence, communication, and innovation.

Topics include:

• The 10-80-10 AI framework
• Why 10X thinking changes decision-making
• Who Not How and scaling through people
• The psychology of influence and persuasion
• Entrepreneurial operating systems and business growth
• Negotiation lessons from FBI hostage negotiator Chris Voss
• The future of AI, technology, and human potential

Plus, a complete reading list featuring books from Benjamin Hardy, Dan Sullivan, Byron Sharp, Robert Cialdini, Angus Fletcher, Peter Diamandis, Chris Voss, and more.

Featured books include:

• The 27 Unbreakable Rules
• HYPNO-TI$ING
• The Science of Scaling
• 10X Is Easier Than 2X
• Who Not How
• The Gap and the Gain
• Traction
• The Greater Game
• How Brands Grow
• Influence
• Pre-Suasion
• Primal Intelligence
• Never Split the Difference
• We Are As Gods

What separates brands that scale at retail from brands that struggle to stay on shelf?

In this episode of CPG Insiders, Mark Young and Justin Girouard sit down with Scott Fuselier and Matt Jones from BCI (Buckeye Corrugated) to break down the real role packaging plays in retail growth, operational efficiency, sustainability, and customer experience.

The conversation goes far beyond “just boxes.”

They unpack how leading brands use retail displays, power wings, pallet programs, fulfillment solutions, and sustainable packaging strategies to win with retailers like Walmart, Costco, Sam’s Club, Kroger, and more.

You’ll also hear:

• Why packaging is a brand introduction — not just a container
• How packaging impacts retail sell-through and damage rates
• What brands need to know about EPR and sustainability regulations
• The operational mistakes that cost brands money at retail
• How turnkey fulfillment and display programs work
• Why “plug-and-play” retail execution matters
• The future of sustainable corrugated packaging
• How brands can reduce freight costs and improve efficiency

If you’re a CPG founder, brand operator, retail leader, or packaging decision-maker, this episode is packed with practical insight.

Key Takeaways

• Retail packaging directly impacts sales, retailer relationships, and returns
• Sustainability is becoming a retail requirement — not a nice-to-have
• Damage reduction can dramatically improve profitability
• Smart packaging strategy creates operational and retail advantages
• Great displays help brands win more floor space and visibility

Breaking into retail isn’t just hard—it’s brutally unforgiving. With only a fraction of new CPG products surviving beyond two years, what separates the winners from the rest?

In this episode, Mark Young and Justin Girouard sit down with Bruce Montgomery and Tracey Priest of Road2Retail to unpack what it really takes to succeed in brick-and-mortar.

They go beyond the usual advice and get into the operational realities most founders overlook—from pricing strategy and margin math to supply chain readiness, retail expectations, and the hidden costs of failure.

If you’re an emerging brand aiming for retail shelves, this conversation is a must-listen.