Research Uncensored

Get ready for another episode of Research Uncensored, where hosts Bruce Takefman and Amber Hunter sit down with Gregg Wassmansdorf, Senior Managing Director of Global Strategy Consulting at Newmark and one of the world's leading site selection consultants.

Together they explore how tariffs, geopolitical uncertainty, and shifting global supply chains are reshaping corporate location decisions and foreign direct investment. Gregg shares why site readiness, speed, and certainty have become critical advantages for communities competing for investment, while explaining the realities behind reshoring and today's rapidly evolving manufacturing landscape.

Join Bruce, Amber, and Gregg for this insightful episode as they discuss the future of site selection, the evolving role of economic developers, and the strategies communities need to attract investment and remain competitive in an increasingly uncertain global economy.

Get ready for a new episode of Research Uncensored, where hosts Bruce Takefman and Amber Hunter sit down with Nathan Ohle, President & CEO of the International Economic Development Council.

They discuss IEDC’s 100 year milestone and how the organization continues to shape the future of economic development, moving beyond deal making to build stronger, more connected communities.

The episode also announces the launch of the ResearchFDI FDIP Fellowship, giving one emerging professional the opportunity to attend the 2026 IEDC Annual Conference fully funded and earn their FDIP certification.

Join Bruce, Amber, and Nathan as they reflect on a century of impact and what comes next for the profession.

Get ready for episode two of the new season of Research Uncensored, where hosts Bruce Takefman and Amber Hunter sit down with Jason J. Giulietti, President & CEO of Central SC Alliance. 

Together they explore the growing importance of regional collaboration, the realities of building high-performing teams, and how data-driven strategies are shaping more effective lead generation and investment attraction. Jason gives an inside look at how Central South Carolina navigates complex regional dynamics while staying accountable, transparent, and focused on outcomes.

The conversation also tackles one of the industry’s most pressing challenges: energy. From rising demand driven by AI and automation to renewed interest in nuclear power, Jason explains how energy has become a defining factor in site selection and what communities must do to remain competitive.

Join Bruce, Amber, and Jason for this insightful episode as they unpack the strategies, challenges, and bold thinking required to win projects and drive growth in today’s economic development landscape.

Get ready for the first episode of the new season of Research Uncensored, where hosts Bruce Takefman and Amber Hunter sit down with Didi Caldwell, CEO of Global Location Strategies aka "The Factory Whisperer". Together, they explore how shifting trade dynamics, deglobalization, and energy constraints are reshaping corporate investment and site selection decisions around the world.

Didi shares her insights and real-world experience advising major global investments, offering a closer look at the risks investors are navigating and what truly makes communities competitive in today’s environment

Join us for this insightful season premiere you won’t want to miss, as Bruce, Amber, and Didi unpack the forces redefining global investment and the strategies leaders need to succeed in 2026 and beyond. 

Get ready for an inspiring episode of "Research Uncensored" featuring Len Magyar and Sean Dyke from Southwestern Ontario Marketing Alliance (SOMA). 
They'll take you behind the scenes of winning big deals and revolutionizing the automotive industry in Southwestern Ontario. Len and Sean will share their winning strategies, personal experiences, and valuable insights into handling large-scale deals like the recent Volkswagen Giga factory in St-Thomas, Ontario or recruiting Toyota to Woodstock, Ontario in 2015. 
Join us for this insightful episode as Len and Sean provide valuable perspectives on winning major deals, and the best practices to ensure future success.

In this episode, we are thrilled to welcome Samantha Pinkal and Casey Gilchrist from the Greater Phoenix Economic Council to share their expertise in the realm of location marketing and business recruitment. As seasoned professionals, they will be revealing valuable tips and tricks for marketing a location, attracting businesses, and becoming the best business recruitment specialist.
 Don't miss out on this opportunity to learn from Samantha Pinkal and Casey Gilchrist, as they share their wealth of knowledge and experience in helping the Greater Phoenix area thrive. 
Tune in now!

On this episode of "Research Uncensored," CEO of Southwest Michigan First, Jonas Peterson, joins us to discuss his accelerated career as well as the future of leadership in economic development. We'll be focusing on career development, exploring the importance of mentorship in developing effective leaders, and discussing the rise of economic development as a career-choice. 
Join us as we delve into the latest trends in economic development and what they mean for emerging leaders.

We are excited to kick off our fourth season of Research Uncensored with our good friend Matt Tackett. Matt is the President of the Southern Economic Development Council (SEDC), one of the largest professional associations for economic developers in North America, which covers 17 states and includes over 1,000 members.

In this episode, Matt will be sharing his insights on what SEDC is prioritizing in 2023 and how they are working to advance their mission to grow strong economies that create jobs, opportunity, and prosperity in the American south.

For this episode of Research Uncensored, we welcome BRF Shreveport's own Ryan Culp. Ryan provides insight into his organization's best practices and how BRF positions itself to successfully support investment in the region. He also talks about his own career trajectory, sharing details about his transition from the private sector, where he previously worked for an outdoor sporting goods manufacturer in Bend, OR, to economic development in Shreveport, Louisiana. 

For this episode of Research Uncensored, we welcome Invest West Midlands' own Tracey Davenport and Anil Vaidya to talk about their work in promoting investment in the British West Midlands and their efforts to establish the region as a Life Sciences and innovation hub. We will also hear about their investment promotion work in North America and how that has tied into the upcoming Commonwealth Games, set to take place from July 28 to August 8 in Birmingham.