Keeping Commerce Weird

In this episode of Keeping Commerce Weird, Travis Hess sits down with Commerce VP of Market Strategy Al Williams to explore why the tools keep changing but human behavior doesn't. They cover the history of friction in commerce, the real psychology behind buying decisions, and whether AI checkout is more hype than substance. Tune in for a Commerce Therapy session on returns gone hilariously wrong, a crystal ball prediction on brand trust, and proof that not everyone is ready to give up the thrill of the hunt.

In this episode of Keeping Commerce Weird, Travis Hess sits down with B2B commerce strategist Brent Peterson to examine the current ecommerce platform landscape. They explore why merchant freedom, platform fit, and customer ownership matter even more in the AI era, while divulging a few unpopular opinions along the way. Call it platform group therapy disguised as a history lesson, with a running reminder that there's no one size fits all platform.

In this episode of Keeping Commerce Weird, Travis Hess sits down with ecommerce strategist and industry commentator Vinny O'Brien for an unfiltered conversation on AI, commerce, and the stories everyone keeps getting wrong. From hot takes on profitability, marketplaces, and industry hype to why B2B might have more to teach us than B2C, they unpack what's actually changing — and what isn't. Tune in for sharp opinions, a few laughs, and a reminder that there's always money in the banana stand.

In this episode of Keeping Commerce Weird, Travis Hess is joined by B2B commerce strategist, former Forrester analyst, and author Andy Hoar to unpack what AI actually means for the future of B2B. They explore why AI adoption may be happening faster than most people realize, why the biggest opportunities aren't always customer-facing, and why changing processes might matter more than buying new technology. Tune in for a candid conversation on AI-native companies, the hidden power of the "middle mile," and why the future of B2B belongs to organizations that can combine great data, smarter workflows, and very human expertise.
Check out Andy's new book here.

In this episode of Keeping Commerce Weird, Travis Hess is joined bt analyst Heather Hershey to unpack why AI in commerce feels both inevitable and a little unhinged. They dig into what’s actually changing (hint: it’s not just the storefront), why product data is suddenly the main character, and how brands are navigating a world where bots are rewriting the rules of discovery and decision-making. Tune in for a candid conversation on how the future belongs to those who can turn messy data into meaningful experiences — without losing their minds (or their brand) along the way.

In this episode of Keeping Commerce Weird, Travis Hess sits down with futurist Anders Sörman-Nilsson for a candid conversation on what happens when AI stops assisting the shopper and starts becoming the shopper. They unpack how agentic commerce is reshaping discovery, trust, and the customer journey — and how annoying CAPTCHAs have gotten. Tune in for a preview of Anders’ upcoming Commerce Live keynote on April 30 in Chicago and why brands need to prepare now for what’s coming next.

In this episode of Keeping Commerce Weird, Travis Hess sits down with digital transformation veteran Andy Lark for a candid conversation on what AI transformation really means. They unpack why this isn’t just another tech upgrade but a full systems rethink — from feeds and data to orchestration and customer experience. Tune in to hear why most companies are stuck in old patterns (yes, still repainting the same garbage truck) and why the brands that win are the ones that center everything around the customer.

In this episode of Keeping Commerce Weird, Travis Hess sits down with Patchworks CEO Jim Herbert for a candid CEO-to-CEO chat. Tune in to hear them unpack what real leadership looks like under pressure — delegating without losing control, embracing the lonely parts of the job, and building teams that can handle growth without chaos. They dig into why APIs are the backbone of modern commerce, where AI is genuinely useful (and where the hype runs hot), and why the backend might just be the real star of the show.

In this episode of Keeping Commerce Weird, Travis Hess sits down with Commerce CPO Vipul Shah to talk product strategy through the most serious lens imaginable: pizza. Tune in to hear them unpack how great products are built — nailing the basics, balancing speed with quality, and knowing when to take bold swings without breaking trust. It’s a conversation about catering to customers, nailing your craft, and if pickles belong on pizza.

In this episode of Keeping Commerce Weird, Travis Hess hits the streets of NYC, literally, from the Commerce Cab during NRF 2026. Joined by Dave Brown from Accenture Song, the conversation covers what retailers are really talking about coming out of Retail’s Big Show, why AI has officially moved from buzzword to business mandate, and what the newly announced Commerce + Accenture partnership signals for the year ahead. Tune in for an open conversation about innovation, collaboration, and navigating what’s next — recorded in traffic, as intended.