The Paycast Network

Welcome back to the second official interview in our Paycast Network at SEAA 2026 series! In this episode, host Chase Gunnell sits down with Mitch Buscemi from GR4VY to demystify payment orchestration infrastructure and explain how an agnostic cloud vault protects portfolios, optimizes checkout routing, and leverages a unified dashboard to streamline sub-merchant data for ISOs. After flawlessly nailing our local Miami trivia question, Mitch shares the brilliant "Shift+4" origin story behind the GR4VY name, passes along an unexpected city planning book recommendation, and closes out the interview by facing off in our signature "Sell Me This Duck" challenge—delivering a hilariously creative pitch on why a giant rubber duck is your ultimate bathtub "loophole insurance policy."

The interview drops from SEAA 2026 in Miami Beach have officially begun, and host **Chase Gunnell** is kicking things off with a jam-packed episode featuring our first guest, **Carlos Nieto**, and a surprise appearance from SEAA President **John McCormick**! Chase sits down with Carlos to discuss the power of building stronger industry connections, portfolio protection for new agents, and a sneak peek at Carlos's upcoming bilingual education series on the network. Later, John McCormick joins the booth as our third speaker to celebrate SEAA's monumental 25th Anniversary and their record-breaking attendance of over 1,600 industry professionals. John shares a fascinating look at the 25-year evolution of payment technology—recalling the days when booths required dedicated telephone lines—and explains why advancing tech won't destroy the ISO model, but will actually make the human element more critical than ever for local retailers who need trusted partners. From deep industry insights to hilarious behind-the-scenes chaos involving a missing conference booth and a mysterious delivery of pre-sonic gummies, Chase, Carlos, and John deliver a must-watch kickoff interview you don't want to miss!

In this episode of the Paycast Network, host Chase sits down with industry innovator Zac Gottlieb, founder of Tampa Bay Pay, to pull back the curtain on the often-misunderstood world of payment processing. Zach shares his journey from operating as a solo producer in Richmond, Virginia, to organically building a dynamic sales team in St. Petersburg, Florida, detailing the operational shifts required to scale a business based on reputation rather than cold recruitment. From breaking down the complex mechanics of interchange rates and exposing the hidden costs of flat-rate pricing models, to dropping a hot take on why merchant processors should be held to the same rigorous professional standards as CPAs, lawyers, and bankers, this conversation offers an illuminating, no-nonsense look at how radical transparency and authentic relationships are rewriting the script for local business growth.

In this empowering episode of The Paycast Network, host Chase sits down with industry leaders Raquel De La Fuente, Lynn Soram, and Tina Waldrup for a candid, unfiltered conversation about the realities, challenges, and triumphs of being a woman in the male-dominated industry. After kicking things off with a lively sales trivia game, the panel dives deep into the unique advantages women bring to the table, redefining traditional sales by prioritizing merchant education and forging deep, family-like client relationships built on trust. The guests share deeply personal stories about surviving toxic corporate environments during critical life moments, explaining how those turning points ultimately pushed them to embrace the freedom, flexibility, and uncapped earning potential of becoming their own bosses. Packed with actionable advice on navigating contracts, finding the right mentors, and maintaining long-term success habits like daily goal-setting and structured planning, this episode serves as an invaluable roadmap and a rallying cry for women looking to claim their space and make some noise in merchant services. 

In this episode of The Paycast Network, we sit down with payments industry titan Rod Katzfey—Chief Strategy Officer of Pay Compass and President of the Midwest Acquirers Association (MWAA)—for an inside look at a legendary 40-year career in merchant services. Rod tracks his evolution from a 100% commission sales rep to an industry leader who has spearheaded over 24 M&A deals, sharing his foundational philosophy of selling education over rates to win lifelong clients. Tune in for invaluable entrepreneurial insights as Rod tests his roots in Missouri trivia, discusses his passionate 20+ year volunteer legacy growing the MWAA, and shares classic, boots-on-the-ground strategies for fighting fraud—including an ingenious old-school trick involving crayons and pizza delivery drivers.

In this episode of The Paycast Network, host Chase sits down with Andrew Gill of Gill Payment Solutions to chart his remarkable evolution from a zero-training telemarketer conducting interviews in office stairwells to a powerhouse in the merchant services industry. Andrew pulls back the curtain on his strategic transition from a structured W2 sales manager to a high-earning 1099 independent agent, sharing the exact relationship-building frameworks—like his strict "sunset rule" for daily client communication—that have kept his merchants fiercely loyal through major career pivots. Packed with invaluable sales tactics and incredible anecdotes, including how he landed luxury watchmaker Audemars Piguet and navigated the Empire State Building’s portfolio during the pandemic, this episode is a masterclass in self-discipline, active coaching, and the art of the long-game hustle.

In this dynamic episode of The Paycast Network, host Chase and a full house of industry experts, including John McCormick of the Southeast Acquirers Association (SEAA), dive into the much-anticipated 25th Anniversary SEAA Conference at the iconic Fontainebleau Miami Beach. The discussion transitions from a lighthearted 1950s sales trivia session to deep insights for new agents, emphasizing the power of mentorship and professional networking in a traditionally siloed industry. Listeners get an exclusive look at the event’s highlights, from the debut of "Payments Connection"—a high-energy "speed dating" style product showcase—to the inspiring keynote from former NFL player and magician Jon Dorenbos. Whether you're a seasoned veteran or a newcomer looking to "break the ice," this episode serves as the ultimate guide to navigating one of the payment industry’s premier events and making lasting connections.

In this episode, host Chase Gunnell sits down with industry expert Jesse Memmel to dissect the critical strategies behind "merchant stickiness". Moving far beyond basic rate and terminal discussions, the conversation shifts to how agents and ISOs can truly lock in their merchant relationships by providing indispensable third-party value. They explore practical solutions like the Enroll and Pay loyalty program and the AI-driven Snap Menu, highlighting how these integrations transform service providers from simple vendors into essential business consultants. If you’re looking to protect your portfolio and elevate your approach from transactional selling to a partnership-focused strategy, this discussion provides the expert insight you need to thrive in the modern payments landscape.

In this episode of the Paycast Network, we’re joined by industry heavyweights Andrew Gill, Zach Gottlieb, and Clay Shivers to pull back the curtain on what it actually takes to build a standout brand in the 2026 payment landscape. We dive deep into the diverse philosophies behind their success—from Andrew’s luxury "Black Card" aesthetic and personal touch at Gill Payment Solutions, to Zach’s hyper-local, blue-collar transparency at Tampa Bay Pay, and Clay’s focus on building ironclad loyalty through expert customization at ClayPay. Between debates on the psychology of the color red and the quirky branding lessons of Albert Einstein, the guys discuss why branding is a "stamina game" that requires long-term authenticity to cut through the noise of AI-generated content. Whether you're looking to scale for a franchise or just trying to survive a weird ChatGPT review, this conversation proves that in an automated world, the person behind the terminal is still your most valuable asset.

Joining the Paycast Network for an insightful 1-on-1 is Scott Morley, a self-described industry "dinosaur" and the current Director of Strategic Partnerships at Linked2Pay. Scott traces his extensive career from the early days of door-to-door sales to his current role navigating the specialized world of "complex" merchants, such as travel businesses and collection agencies. Throughout the episode, he breaks down why he prioritizes sustainable, long-term partnerships over the common "churn and burn" mentality, offering candid advice for those looking to thrive in the merchant services space. From Detroit trivia to the evolution of payment technology, Scott provides a unique perspective on avoiding the allure of high-volume "shiny objects" and the importance of finding a vertical you truly enjoy.