Export compliance shouldn’t be full of surprises — but too often, it is.

In this episode of The BITE Pod, host Anne Riitho sits down with Sarah Massie, Founder and President of S Massie Consulting, to unpack the rules exporters deal with every day but rarely feel confident about.

Sarah brings more than 20 years of experience in international business, ITAR/EAR guidance, and export compliance training. She breaks down the BIS and OFAC 50% rules, anti-boycott requirements, and common misconceptions around military end users — all in a way that’s clear, practical, and refreshingly non-intimidating.

If you’ve ever felt blindsided by the “rules you didn’t know you needed to know,” this conversation will help you rethink how you screen customers, train your teams, and build a compliance program that actually works.

Whether you’re a small manufacturer or a global exporter, you’ll walk away with actionable insights — and far fewer surprises.

BITE

Sarah Massie

Trade compliance is evolving — fast.
In this episode of The BITE Pod, host Anne Riitho speaks with Tosca Derrick, Director of Global Trade Compliance at Bunzl Distribution, about how technology, leadership, and context are reshaping the future of global trade.

Tosca shares 20+ years of experience in customs and import/export operations, from classifying products at UPS to leading compliance across 23 global businesses. Together, they discuss:

• How automation is transforming trade compliance

• The strategic role of classification and tariff engineering

• Building stronger compliance programs through technology and data

• The rise of women leaders in international trade (OWIT North Texas)

• Why trade professionals are no longer the roadblock — they’re the roadmap

Whether you work in customs compliance, global trade, or supply chain risk management, this episode offers real-world insights on adapting to change, leading with strategy, and leveraging tools that matter.

What happens when a century-old trade provision suddenly disappears? In this episode of The BITE Pod, host Anne Riitho sits down with Agustin Farias of Passport Global to unpack the sweeping changes to U.S. de minimis rules — once a cornerstone of cross-border e-commerce.

Agustin brings more than two decades of experience helping Fortune 100 retailers and international brands expand across borders, optimize logistics, and navigate compliance. Together, we explore:

• The history of de minimis — from $1 in 1930 to $800 in 2015 — and its 2025 elimination

• How the February, May, and August policy changes disrupted millions of shipments and entire supply chains

• The operational and strategic challenges facing e-commerce and DTC brands, from tariff costs to forced labor compliance

• How innovative brands are adapting — from sourcing shifts and duty drawback programs to AI-driven product classification

If you’re in e-commerce, logistics, or trade compliance, this conversation is a must-listen. Change is the new norm, but with the right strategy, businesses can turn disruption into opportunity.

What do baby gorillas, timber exports, and corporate risk advisory have in common? In this episode of The BITE Pod, host Anne Riitho is joined by William Brown, Eric Stouch, and Elisabeth Frick of Focused Conservation and Akili Alliance, to explore how wildlife trafficking is evolving — and how law enforcement, technology, and business intelligence can work together to stop it. From fake CITES certificates and animal cover loads to capacity building in African wildlife crime units, this conversation spans continents and sectors to spotlight what's really driving illegal trade — and what we can do about it.

In this episode of The BITE Pod, host Anne Riitho is joined by Thariq Kara, Co-Founder of BITE, and special guest Ruta Riley, a experienced international trade attorney, to break down the critical compliance challenges facing technology startups today. From export controls to sanctions and supply chain risk, this conversation highlights the high stakes of getting trade compliance wrong—and the business advantages of getting it right.

Ruta explains what constitutes an export (hint: it’s more than just shipping hardware), and walks through key regulations like ITAR, EAR, and OFAC. The discussion covers how startups can proactively screen for risk, build compliance into their design and supply chain processes, and use automation to avoid costly enforcement actions. Thariq weighs in on the government’s increasing use of data and automation, and why early compliance isn’t just about avoiding fines—it’s about unlocking global growth.

Whether you're working on semiconductors, AI, or any dual-use tech, this episode is packed with practical advice and real-world insight to help your startup navigate trade compliance with confidence.

In this episode of The BITE Pod, Anne sits down with Beth Lomax, founder of Lomax Associates and a expert trade compliance consultant specializing in the pharmaceutical and biotech sectors. Beth walks us through her career journey—from early roles in procurement to leading global trade compliance at Novartis and now advising companies across the life sciences industry.

We dive into the unique regulatory landscape pharma companies face, including the roles of the FDA, USDA, DEA, and even the Fish & Wildlife Service. Beth shares why classifying Active Pharmaceutical Ingredients (the chemical compounds responsible for a drug’s effects) requires specialized knowledge, how manufacturing constraints impact compliance decisions, and what companies need to know about potential new tariffs.

We also touch on practical tools, resource limitations for smaller firms, and the value of even basic automation to support compliance efforts. Whether you're new to trade compliance or navigating complex pharma supply chains, this episode is packed with valuable insights.

In this episode of The BITE Pod, we sit down with Kathleen Newell, Massachusetts Export Center, to talk about what it really takes to build a trade compliance program that works—especially for small and mid-sized businesses.

Kathleen walks us through:

• How to form a cross-functional compliance team

• Key program elements like classification, screening, and recordkeeping

• The importance of training and internal audits

• Free and low-cost government and industry resources available to businesses in Massachusetts, and nationally

She also shares practical advice on tailoring compliance programs to fit your company’s size, industry, and risk profile—plus tips for staying ahead of regulatory change in 2025.

Whether you're building a program from scratch or tightening up your existing controls, this episode is packed with actionable insights and support you didn’t know you had access to.

In this episode of The BITE Pod, hosts Anne Riitho & Thariq Kara sit down with eCommerce and supply chain expert Lila Landis to discuss the changing face trade. Lila shares her career journey and how professionals can stand out.

We explore what’s changed in eCommerce—from shifting regulations to new tech trends—and why it matters for the future of global trade. Lila also offers practical advice for the trade community on staying compliant, competitive, and ready for what’s next.

Topics Covered:

• Building a career in trade

• How eCommerce is reshaping supply chains and compliance

• Actionable insights for trade professionals

Tune in for a thoughtful and forward-looking conversation with one of the industry’s sharpest voices.

In this episode of The BITE Pod, we sit down with Michelle Frennier, founder of Evolution Trade Solutions, to explore the challenges and opportunities in global trade compliance. With over 20 years of experience, Michelle shares insights on how small compliance teams can effectively navigate regulations, the evolving role of technology in trade, and how businesses can leverage data for efficiency and risk mitigation.

We also discuss the pitfalls of adopting compliance tools without proper evaluation, how AI is shaping the industry, and the key factors in determining the ROI of trade technology. Plus, we wrap up with a fun conversation about Michelle’s love for vintage cars!

Join us for a deep dive into trade compliance, strategy, and innovation with one of the industry’s leading voices.

In this episode of The BITE Pod, Anne sits down with Pete Edge, former Executive Associate Director (EAD) at Homeland Security Investigations (HSI), now CEO at Controlled Strategies, to talk about career evolution, leadership, and the changing landscape of trade enforcement.

We discuss:

🔹 Pete’s journey from law enforcement to private sector leadership

🔹 How HSI’s mission and trade enforcement have evolved over the years

🔹 The power of mentorship in helping former agents transition into new careers and the role of the customs / HSI alumni association

🔹 What leadership looks like in high-stakes compliance and investigations

If you're interested in career pivots, the intersection of government and industry, or the future of trade enforcement, this episode is for you!