What does it really take to build an ISO capable of boarding 600+ new merchant accounts every month? In this week’s episode, James Shepherd sits down with Dustin Magaziner of PayBright to explore the strategies, systems, and mindset behind scaling an ISO to that level. From operational challenges to growth tactics, Dustin shares a behind-the-scenes look at what’s working today in the industry.

Then, James is joined by Patti Murphy for Today in Payments, where they unpack the latest stories shaping the future of payments—including updates on interchange regulation and surcharging.

Ever wondered what it takes to move from a retail ISO to a wholesale ISO—or what a Payfac actually is? In this week’s episode, James Shepherd sits down with Kyle Morgan to unpack the mechanics of payments behind the scenes. Learn why faster funding for merchants comes at a cost, how the flow of funds works, and the differences between wholesale ISOs and Payfacs.

Then, James is joined by Patti Murphy for Today in Payments, where they cover the latest updates from some of the biggest players in the industry and what’s working (and not working) in their approach to payments.

It is no secret that ISOs are looking for integrated payments partnerships, while ISVs want access to payments industry distribution, but so far, these partnerships have not lived up to the hype. In this week's episode, James Shepherd shares the 6 reasons why ISOs and ISVs have not worked well together so far and what both sides can do about it. Then, James is joined by Patti Murphy for a Today in Payments segment covering the latest news and trends shaping the payments industry.

Are industry conferences worth your time and money? In this episode, James Shepherd sits down with John Newton, chief organizer of the Western States Acquirers Association (WSAA), to talk about how to decide whether to attend, the value of sponsoring versus being an attendee, and proven strategies to maximize networking opportunities. James also shares why some of his best deals and connections have come directly from events like WSAA.

📅 Don’t miss your chance to connect with the industry’s top professionals—register now for the WSAA 2025 Conference at westernstatesacquirers.org.

As stablecoins gain traction, it’s time to revisit the role of Bitcoin in the payments industry. This week, James Shepherd and Patti Murphy sit down with Jason Keil of Polaris Payments for a timely conversation about where Bitcoin is headed, how new legislation could influence adoption, and what payment professionals should expect over the next 12 to 24 months.

Then, Rich Norton shares some quick sales tips from the field, and Patti returns with a Today in Payments segment covering the rise of real-time payments—despite a few technical hiccups!

High-risk merchant accounts are one of the most challenging areas in payments. In this week’s episode, James Shepherd interviews Jerry Gialanella from Fort Point Payments to break down what it really takes to get high-risk deals approved, the pitfalls to avoid, and how their team gets it done.

Afterward, Rich Norton shares actionable sales tips from the field, and Patti Murphy joins James for Today in Payments to discuss major industry shifts—from stablecoin developments and Bitcoin trends to PayPal’s latest moves and the GENIUS Act.

What’s it really like for a vertical software company to integrate payments? In this week’s episode, James Shepherd sits down with Derek Henmi, founder of Vino—a platform built specifically for wineries and a partner of Full Stack Payments. They discuss the realities of software development, integrating with Dejavoo, and navigating the world of payments from an ISV’s perspective. If you want to understand what software companies truly face when embedding payments, this episode is a must-listen.

Then, Rich Norton shares practical sales tips from the field, and Patti Murphy joins James for a powerful Today in Payments segment focused on interchange regulation, surcharging, and other hot-button industry topics.

Chargebacks are evolving—and if you’re selling merchant services, underwriting accounts, or handling compliance, you need to be ahead of the curve. In this episode, James Shepherd interviews Scott Adams, one of the industry’s leading experts on chargeback management and Visa’s new VAMP program. Scott offers a clear breakdown of what VAMP means for ISOs, processors, and merchants, and how to prepare for what’s coming next.

Then, Rich Norton shares sales strategies from the field, and Patti Murphy joins James for Today in Payments, covering key developments in stablecoin, Fed payments, and more.

This week’s episode is packed with insights you won’t want to miss. James Shepherd kicks things off with Vlad Sadovskiy of Netevia to discuss the future of integrated payments, the evolution of Clover, and a new capital raise for Full Stack Payments through Netevia Financial. Learn more about that funding announcement here: https://fullstackpayments.com/capital-funding

Vlad also shares a fun behind-the-scenes story about using the Netevia card at the Stanley Cup Finals.

After the interview, James and Patti Murphy dive into a wide-ranging Today in Payments segment, exploring how stablecoins could disrupt the current card networks by running over Visa and Mastercard rails. Could this new wave of innovation reshape how we all get paid?

Get the full story on the blog here: https://todayinpayments.com/blog/swipe-tap-or-token-the-changing-face-of-payments

Your P&L should be more than a spreadsheet—it should be a tool for growth. In this episode, James Shepherd sits down with a fractional CFO who works with top payments companies to break down how to get your financials in order, raise capital, and prepare your business for acquisition or expansion. Whether you’re building toward a valuation event or just want clearer insight into your revenue, this conversation is packed with valuable advice.

Then, Rich Norton shares practical sales strategies for agents, and James joins Patti Murphy for Today in Payments to cover the latest news—from a new stablecoin backed by Mastercard and PayPal to the future of POS and processor-agnostic solutions.