Export Stories Podcast

All the experts, all the consultants, and all the textbooks will tell you – the most important first step in developing any new relationship with a foreign company is due diligence.  It is a must.  Louise Kern, our guest for this episode, recognized this fact when she founded GloBis.  She is the President of the company, and we are delighted to speak with her.

After you’ve listened, we would love to hear your thoughts and comments, which you can post at https://www.exportstoriespodcast.com/ or on our Facebook or LinkedIn pages.

What could be more appropriate at this time, in this world of fluctuating tariffs and rules, than the wonderful guest we have for you today.  He has a profound knowledge of the axis between industrial manufacturing and international sales and distribution.  I am so glad that you can hear my conversation with Tom Dustman, International Sales Director for Sunnen, who shares his many stories with us.

 After you’ve listened, we would love to hear your thoughts and comments, which you can post at https://www.exportstoriespodcast.com/ or on our Facebook or LinkedIn pages.

What a year for international trade!  And we are not yet halfway through.  Sellers are confused.  Buyers are confused.  Governments are confused.  Let’s just say that 2026 has not been easy sailing for the U.S. exporter as they navigate changing rules and changing economic conditions.  So when Jim Anderson, experienced owner of ETCetera International and GO CENTER, offered to share the story of his export journey, I was thrilled and honored!

I hope you enjoy this episode. After you’ve listened, we would love to hear your thoughts and comments, which you can post at https://www.exportstoriespodcast.com/ or on our Facebook or LinkedIn pages.

In this episode of the Export Stories Podcast, host Betsy Olim sits down with Cindy Allen, a global trade expert and former Vice President of Regulatory Affairs and Compliance at FedEx Logistics, to unpack the growing complexity of international trade.

With over four decades of experience, Cindy shares her journey from an entry-level customs clerk to leading compliance strategy at some of the world’s largest logistics organizations. She offers a behind-the-scenes look at how global trade systems have evolved—and why compliance is now a critical business function, not an afterthought.

The conversation dives deep into today’s most pressing issues, including:

Cindy also explains how government agencies are leveraging decades of trade data with advanced AI tools to identify anomalies—making proactive compliance more important than ever.

Whether you're an experienced exporter, importer, or business leader navigating global markets, this episode delivers practical insights to help you stay compliant, reduce risk, and make smarter strategic decisions in an increasingly complex trade environment.

Many of you know, because I mention it frequently, that I grew up in Memphis.  And if you are from Memphis,  because of its proximity, you might have been lucky enough to visit one of the most beautiful and most interesting of American cities - New Orleans. The history is so fascinating.

And, if you are in the export or import business, you are going to be very excited to hear my conversation with today’s guest, Beth Branch, President & CEO of the Port of New Orleans.  Not only does she bring us up to date on what is happening with this dynamic ocean port, but she is also a great storyteller in her own right.

I hope you enjoy this episode. After you’ve listened, we would love to hear your thoughts and comments, which you can post at https://www.exportstoriespodcast.com/ or on our Facebook or LinkedIn pages.

Ever since Millionpodcasts.com named Export Stories Podcast as #6 of the Best International Trade Podcasts, I thought it might be nice to invite the #2 podcast to be our guest.  They are known as The Trade Guys podcast with Scott Miller and Bill Reinsch. What we decided to do was record a joint podcast.  It was so much fun talking to them, and you will learn a great deal – I promise.  So here are the three of us, chatting up a storm.

I hope you enjoy this episode. After you’ve listened, we would love to hear your thoughts and comments, which you can post at https://www.exportstoriespodcast.com/ or on our Facebook or LinkedIn pages.

To celebrate our 60th episode, an accomplishment of which I am very proud, I looked to a new subject that we haven’t remotely explored – the world of literary management.  How fortunate to be able to welcome a delightful guest - Emily Sweet who is the Partner, Strategy and Communications with Park, Fine, & Brower, a world-renowned literary management agency. 

Though very closely aligned with publishing, this is a wholly unique business. I was fascinated to learn about it and share our discussion with you.

I hope you enjoy this episode. After you’ve listened, we would love to hear your thoughts and comments, which you can post at https://www.exportstoriespodcast.com/ or on our Facebook or LinkedIn pages.

I always enjoy interviewing U.S. manufacturers with a long history of export because they are, in some ways, the heart of what Export Stories Podcast is all about. 

Today’s guest, Blanca Ramirez, works for one such remarkable company, and has some wonderful stories to share from her long experience in international trade.  Blanca is the Green Hydrogen Solutions Manager for Lectro Dryer, a Kentucky Company that serves international gases and liquids industries. 

I hope you enjoy this episode. After you’ve listened, we would love to hear your thoughts and comments, which you can post at https://www.exportstoriespodcast.com/ or on our Facebook or LinkedIn pages.

In our last episode with Ohio State’s CIBER’s Dr. Michael Knemeyer and Dominic DiCamillo, they proudly referred to Ohio State’s Fisher College of Business’ National Center for the Middle Market.  Such an important resource center; so, I am delighted to have as today’s guest the Managing Director, Doug Farren. 

We had a great discussion about the varied work that they do.  I know you will find it interesting.

I hope you enjoy this episode. After you’ve listened, we would love to hear your thoughts and comments, which you can post at https://www.exportstoriespodcast.com/ or on our Facebook or LinkedIn pages.

Sixteen of the U.S.’s great academic institutions host what is called The Centers for International Business Education and Research (CIBERs), created by an act of Congress. Through my great fortune, and some effort, we are lucky to host the Ohio State CIBER, with Michael Knemeyer, Professor of Logistics, Marketing & Logistics and International Programs through CIBER, and Dominic DiCamillo, Senior Director, Office of Global Business/CIBER.

We had a great discussion about their initiatives related to exports, global trade, and international logistics.  However, the Ohio State CIBER is unique in many ways. You’ll want to listen to learn more.

I hope you enjoy this episode. After you’ve listened, we would love to hear your thoughts and comments, which you can post at https://www.exportstoriespodcast.com/ or on our Facebook or LinkedIn pages.