If you are seeking new ways to increase your ROI on marketing with your commerce platform, or you may be an entrepreneur who wants to grow your team and be more efficient with your online business.
Talk Commerce with Brent W. Peterson draws stories from merchants, marketers, and entrepreneurs who share their experiences in the trenches to help you learn what works and what may not in your business.
Keep up with the current news on commerce platforms, marketing trends, and what is new in the entrepreneurial world. Episodes drop every Tuesday with the occasional bonus episodes.
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Green Goo Is Reinventing Plant-Based First Aid and Personal Care | Jodi Scott
2026/04/21
Jodi Scott, CEO and co-founder of Green Goo by Spry Life, shares her journey in creating plant-based first aid and personal care products. She discusses the challenges and triumphs of entrepreneurship, the importance of efficacy in natural products, and how her family plays a crucial role in the business. Jodi also addresses the impact of economic changes and tariffs on her company, and how technology, particularly AI, is helping to scale operations. The conversation highlights the significance of clean living and the potential of plant-based solutions in the health and wellness industry.
Takeaways
Green Goo focuses on plant-based first aid and personal care products.The company aims to provide effective alternatives to chemical-laden products.Jodi's sister, an herbalist, plays a key role in product development.The manufacturing process protects the integrity of the plants used.Green Goo products are designed for multiple uses, reducing the need for many items.Jodi's entrepreneurial journey began unexpectedly with a bed and breakfast.The company scaled rapidly, reaching 150,000 distribution points in five years.COVID-19 forced the company to pivot and adapt its business model.AI and technology are being leveraged to improve efficiencies.Family involvement is central to the company's operations and culture.
Chapters
00:00Introduction to Green Goo and Jodi Scott
02:01The Birth of Green Goo: A New Approach to First Aid
05:16The Efficacy of Plant-Based Solutions
07:03Jodi's Entrepreneurial Journey
10:11Scaling the Business: Challenges and Triumphs
11:48Navigating Business Partnerships and Buybacks
12:42Leveraging Technology for Growth
14:13Family Involvement in Business
16:03Adapting to Economic Changes
17:58Impact of Tariffs on Business
19:18Closing Thoughts and Shameless Plug
Live from Shoptalk: How Signifyd Is Redefining E-Commerce Fraud Protection Beyond the Checkout
2026/04/17
Fraud doesn't sleep, and neither does the challenge of keeping good customers happy while stopping bad actors in their tracks. In this live episode of Talk Commerce, recorded on the floor of Shoptalk in Las Vegas, host Isaac Morey sat down with Nicole Jass from Signifyd for a candid, fast-moving conversation about what it really takes to protect an e-commerce business today — without driving away the customers you've worked hard to earn.
From machine learning and consortium data models to agentic commerce and instant refunds, Nicole covers the full spectrum of what modern fraud protection looks like — and why it's about so much more than just stopping a bad transaction.
Key Takeaways
Fraud protection should grow revenue, not just cut losses. Signifyd helped Lenovo increase top-line sales by 4–5% by reducing false declines alongside fraud.The consortium model is a force multiplier. Sharing fraud signals across thousands of merchants means that stopping one bad actor protects everyone on the network simultaneously.Not all bots are bad anymore. Agentic commerce is changing how merchants need to think about automated traffic, and Signifyd is already preparing for that shift.Returns are the next fraud frontier. Instant refunds are a loyalty-building tool — but only when merchants can tell the difference between a genuine return and someone shipping a box of rocks.Scaling fraud teams with people alone won't work. As businesses grow, "Katie reviewing transactions" isn't a sustainable strategy. Machine learning fills the gap efficiently.The customer experience IS the product. Every decline, every friction point, every delayed refund is a moment of truth that either builds or breaks brand loyalty.
Live From Shoptalk: Getting Your Brand Ready for Agentic Commerce with Amera Khalil
2026/04/16
Recorded live at Shoptalk Spring 2026 by host Isaac Morey, the conversation features Amera Khalil, Director of Strategic Account Management at Commerce — the parent brand behind Feedonomics, BigCommerce, and MakeSwift. Together, they cover what brands actually need to do to stay visible as AI-powered discovery takes over consumer behavior. It's a practical, no-fluff conversation that's worth your time whether you're running a lean SMB operation or managing enterprise-level feeds.
Key Takeaways
Data quality is the foundation. Before any AI strategy works, your product feeds need accurate titles, descriptions, sizes, and attributes.Enriched data isn't one-size-fits-all. Enrichment requirements vary by brand, category, and channel — and they need to match today's conversational search queries.Agentic commerce is already operational. Commerce built a fully functional agentic checkout experience for PacSun on Perplexity in under 30 days.Don't deploy AI for AI's sake. Without a clear business objective, AI implementation creates confusion rather than results.SMBs need to act now. LLM visibility isn't exclusive to enterprise brands — smaller businesses can start preparing today.Human oversight isn't optional. Quality assurance guardrails protect brand integrity and keep AI-generated content on point.Have AI conversations out loud. Brands strategizing behind closed doors miss partners who may already have the solutions they need.
Episode Summary
Amera opened by describing Commerce's three-brand structure. Feedonomics handles intelligent product feed management, BigCommerce powers flexible e-commerce experiences, and MakeSwift enables agile front-end design. She described Feedonomics' core value simply: taking complex data, making it clean and structured, and distributing it intelligently across every relevant channel.
From there, Isaac asked the big question: how is AI changing e-commerce? Amera's answer was direct. The traditional marketing funnel — performance ads, tracking, attribution models — is collapsing. Consumers are now using Perplexity, ChatGPT, and Claude not just for research but for actual purchase decisions. "The biggest change in e-commerce," she noted, "is the preparation to be visible on these LLMs while maintaining the quality of your data."
She broke agentic commerce readiness into clear layers. First, brands need solid foundational data — accurate product titles, descriptions, brand names, sizing. Without that, nothing else works. On top of that, brands need enriched data that responds to how people actually search today. Nobody's typing "suitcase" anymore. They're saying something like, "I'm going on a trip, I want something light, and I tend to overpack." Product data has to meet that kind of specificity.
Interestingly, she was candid about the complexity of getting onto LLM channels: "Just because you're a brand doesn't mean that your feed is going to be accepted." Approval processes are real hurdles, and the backend requirements — syncing inventory, enabling checkout, integrating payments — go well beyond what most marketing teams expect.
The PacSun case study was the episode's standout moment. Commerce built a complete agentic checkout experience for PacSun on Perplexity in under 30 days, during the holiday season. Shoppers could find PacSun jeans, select their size, and check out via PayPal — receiving a confirmation email from PacSun directly. "This is thrilling," Amera said, "because it's changed the way that we are looking at our expectations as consumers."
On AI risks, she stressed quality assurance. Feedonomics uses internal benchmarking systems that flag AI-generated content not meeting brand standards before it goes live. She also flagged a generational nuance: Gen Z consumers can detect cold, scripted AI content, and they don't respond well to it. Adjusting content based on audience expectations isn't a nice-to-have — it's essential.
For SMBs, her advice was to start with a data audit. Centralize your assets, identify missing fields, and find a feed partner who can submit requests to LLMs on your behalf. As she put it, "even if you're small, medium, or you're the big kahunas in the industry, you have to be present and you certainly have to be visible."
Final Thoughts
In this new era, AI agents act on behalf of shoppers — searching, comparing, and even checking out across multiple channels, often without ever visiting a merchant's website. These AI-driven experiences are seamless, contextual, and increasingly the default for how consumers interact with commerce online. Amera's message throughout this episode is clear: preparation beats hesitation every time.
So here's the question worth sitting with — if your brand's data isn't ready for an agent to read it, how feed-y is your commerce strategy for what's already here?
This has been produced in cooperation with Content Cucumberhttps://www.contentcucumber.com/
Chapters
00:00:00 — Introducing Amera Khalil and Commerce00:00:22 — What Feedonomics Actually Does00:00:46 — BigCommerce and MakeSwift Explained00:01:09 — How AI Is Changing E-Commerce00:01:59 — How Consumers Are Using LLMs to Shop00:02:38 — The Rise of the Brand Agent as Consumer00:03:13 — How Brands Can Prepare for Agentic Commerce00:03:50 — Why Data Quality Is the Foundation00:04:28 — What Data Enrichment Actually Means00:05:15 — Matching Long-Tail Search Queries with Enriched Feeds00:05:52 — AI Risks and the Humans-in-the-Loop Element00:06:25 — Quality Assurance and Guardrails for AI Content00:07:15 — How Brands Are Adapting — Real Customer Journeys00:08:05 — Enterprise Brands Going Live on LLMs00:09:33 — The PacSun Agentic Checkout Story00:12:58 — Advice for Small and Medium-Sized Businesses00:14:54 — Why Every Brand Needs to Be Visible on LLMs by 202800:15:45 — The Feedonomics Framework for Readiness00:16:02 — Amera's Hot Take from Shoptalk00:16:56 — Final Thoughts and What's Getting Exciting Again
How Wix eCommerce is Redefining Dropshipping Through Supplier Platforms with Jill Sherman
2026/04/14
In this episode of Talk Commerce, Jill Sherman from Wix discusses her journey from founding Modalyst to leading a division at Wix. She explains the drop shipping model, the importance of data-driven decisions, and how AI is revolutionizing e-commerce. Jill emphasizes the need for personalization and trust in online stores, and highlights Wix's innovative tools that empower entrepreneurs to build and scale their businesses effectively. The conversation also touches on the future of e-commerce and the role of storytelling in creating meaningful customer experiences.
Takeaways
Jill Sherman runs a division at Wix focused on drop shipping.Modalyst was one of the largest drop shipping platforms before being acquired by Wix.Traveling with her kids is one of Jill's passions.Data-driven decisions are crucial for business growth.Drop shipping allows merchants to sell without holding inventory.AI can enhance the efficiency of drop shipping operations.Personalization is key to building trust with customers.Wix offers tools to help entrepreneurs create and manage their online stores.The future of e-commerce will heavily involve AI integration.Storytelling is essential for successful e-commerce businesses.
Chapters
00:00 Introduction to Jill Sherman and Wix02:16 Jill's Journey: From Retail to Dropshipping04:43 Understanding Dropshipping and Its Integration with Wix06:19 The Role of AI in Dropshipping09:35 Starting a Dropshipping Business: Key Strategies11:25 Building Trust and Personalization in E-commerce13:30 Wix's AI Tools for E-commerce16:40 Future Trends in E-commerce and Wix's Vision19:01 The Importance of Storytelling in E-commerce20:03 Closing Thoughts and Future Innovations
Achieving Unified Commerce Strategies for Retail Success with Thomas Lichtwerch
2026/04/07
In this episode of the Talk Commerce podcast Live from Shoptalk, host Isaac Morey sits down with Thomas Lichtwerch from Manhattan Associates during the vibrant Shoptalk Las Vegas conference. This conversation addresses the evolving demands of today’s retail environment, specifically focusing on the critical shift toward unified commerce. By analyzing data from a recent industry report, they break down the current state of retailer capabilities, the practical impact of customer experience on revenue, and how smaller brands can strategically position themselves to compete effectively in a landscape where consumer expectations are shifting at an unprecedented pace.
Key Takeaways
The Unified Commerce Gap: A significant majority of retailers—roughly two-thirds of the 400 studied—currently occupy the lower performance brackets, indicating widespread room for improvement in seamless omnichannel operations.Revenue Impact: Enhancing the customer experience correlates directly with tangible financial outcomes, with incremental growth opportunities identifiable for every billion dollars of revenue generated.Evolving Loyalty: Customer loyalty is declining as consumers have more options, easier mobile shopping experiences, and greater exposure to new brands via social platforms, making consistent service essential for retention.The AI Advantage: Artificial intelligence serves as a powerful tool for rapidly synthesizing massive data sets, enabling retailers to personalize shopping interactions, drive store traffic, and streamline returns without tedious manual queries.Mid-Market Agility: Unlike larger enterprises often constrained by complex legacy systems, smaller and medium-sized businesses possess a unique opportunity to adopt cutting-edge technology and integrate modern, flexible systems more rapidly.Episode Summary
During the discussion, Thomas highlights a notable finding from a four-year report involving 400 retailers across North America, EMEA, and Latam. Utilizing a third-party approach, the study evaluated various consumer experiences, from online purchasing to in-store returns. Thomas notes, "Really, 2/3 of the retailers that out of the 400 are scoring in the lower or the second lowest bracket." He emphasizes that closing this gap is not merely a technical exercise but a financial necessity, as improving these scores creates measurable incremental growth.
The dialogue pivots to the role of technology, specifically the influence of artificial intelligence. Thomas points out that AI is revolutionizing how retailers interact with data, moving beyond slow, manual queries to immediate, actionable insights. "AI overall, obviously what AI can really help is data," he explains. He further highlights that the blueprint for success varies by region, noting how consumers in different parts of the world, such as those in Latin America utilizing WhatsApp, engage with brands differently, necessitating tailored regional approaches rather than a rigid, one-size-fits-all strategy.
Final Thoughts
The retail sector is currently experiencing a period of intense transformation. While the pressure to innovate is high, the accessibility of microservices and API-driven technology provides a path forward for brands that remain adaptable. Ultimately, the question for retailers is not just about keeping pace with current trends, but whether they are leveraging their data effectively enough to future-proof their unified commerce against the next wave of disruption.
This has been produced in cooperation with Content Cucumberhttps://www.contentcucumber.com/
Scaling International Brands in the US Market with Bashak Ilhan
2026/04/07
In this episode of Talk Commerce, Brent Peterson interviews Bashak Ilhan, founder and CEO of Road Group. They discuss Bashak's entrepreneurial journey, her passion for global business, and the intricacies of building brands for the US market. The conversation covers various topics including the challenges of e-commerce, the impact of tariffs, and the importance of emotional value in branding. Bashak shares success stories of brands that have thrived in the US and emphasizes the role of AI in shaping the future of shopping. She encourages aspiring brands to pursue their dreams and offers her expertise in navigating the complexities of the market.
Takeaways
Bashak Ilhan is an experienced entrepreneur with a passion for global business.Road Group helps international brands enter the US market.Understanding market differences is crucial for brand success.Amazon is a competitive platform that requires strong branding.US customers have higher return rates compared to other markets.Tariffs and shipping challenges impact European brands entering the US.Brands must be prepared for high volume when entering big box retail.Success stories highlight the potential for growth in the US market.AI is transforming the e-commerce landscape.Emotional value is becoming increasingly important in consumer purchasing decisions.
Chapters
00:00 Introduction to Bashak Ilhan and Road Group02:51 Bashak's Entrepreneurial Journey and Motivations05:21 Client Engagement and Brand Building Strategies08:17 Navigating Market Differences: US vs Europe11:01 Success Stories and Brand Growth13:34 The Future of E-commerce and AI16:23 Closing Thoughts and Contact Information
Live from Shoptalk Transforming Marketing Strategies with AI | Karen Wood
2026/04/06
In this episode of the Talk Commerce podcast Live from Shoptalk, host Isaac Morey speaks with Karen Wood, the Chief Marketing Officer at Treasure Data. Filmed directly from the bustling show floor at Shoptalk in Las Vegas, this episode explores the practical application of artificial intelligence in modern marketing. The conversation highlights how businesses—ranging from mid-sized companies to large enterprises—can leverage their existing data to drive customer loyalty, identify brand advocates, and drastically improve operational efficiency.
Key Takeaways
Data Utilization: Many companies possess vast amounts of customer data but fail to maximize its potential for repeat business and loyalty.Identifying Advocates: Advanced propensity modeling and AI allow brands to identify potential and current brand advocates by synthesizing real-time data across various channels, including web activity and physical store interactions.Efficiency Gains: By utilizing AI, tasks that previously required weeks of work—such as audience segmentation and campaign activation—can now be executed in minutes using natural language commands.Mid-Market Support: Medium-sized businesses, which often have smaller, strapped teams, stand to benefit most from all-in-one AI marketing platforms that enable them to do more with fewer resources.The Reality of AI: Genuine expertise in AI is still evolving; successful adoption relies on continuous learning, testing, and incorporating real-world feedback into product development.Chapter Minutes:
00:00 Introduction to Talk Commerce at Shoptalk00:16 Understanding the Treasure Data platform00:41 Unlocking customer data opportunities01:42 Identifying and cultivating brand advocates02:27 Integrating AI into the marketing stack04:14 AI solutions for mid-market businesses05:48 Introduction to the Marketing Super Agent06:55 Karen Wood's hot take on AI adoption07:54 Reflections on the Shoptalk experience
This has been produced in cooperation with Content Cucumberhttps://www.contentcucumber.com/
Live from Shoptalk Implementing Agentic Commerce for Business Growth with Dan Wagner of Rezolve AI
2026/04/03
In this episode of Talk Commerce, Isaac Morey hosts a conversation recorded directly from the floor of Shoptalk in Las Vegas. The discussion features Dan Wagner, the founder and CEO of Rezolve AI, who provides insights into the rapidly evolving landscape of retail technology. The pair explores the essential role of agentic commerce, addressing how businesses must adapt to the shifting expectations of consumers who demand more conversational and intuitive shopping experiences.
Key Takeaways
Urgency of Adoption: Businesses must integrate agentic commerce immediately because AI-driven search agents will exponentially increase the volume of traffic directed toward e-commerce sites.The Hallucination Barrier: Standard large language models often struggle with accuracy, making them unfit for commerce; Rezolve AI focuses on proprietary technology to ensure reliability.Conversational Search: The traditional method of filtering through hundreds of products is becoming obsolete, replaced by natural language queries that mimic a helpful in-store sales assistant.Infrastructure Requirements: Preparing for the future requires robust database architecture capable of handling trillions of interactions rather than mere billions.Personalization Standards: The necessity for consumers to navigate to a second page of search results indicates a failure in current site personalization technology.Episode Summary
The conversation opens with an assessment of the current state of e-commerce. Dan explains that the industry stands on the precipice of a massive transformation driven by AI agents. Unlike manual shopping, where a consumer might visit a handful of websites, future AI agents will interrogate hundreds of sites simultaneously to deliver precise product recommendations. Dan notes, "The volume of search activity that e-commerce is going to see is going to go through the roof very fast." He warns that businesses failing to prepare for this influx risk site failure and lost revenue.
When discussing the reliability of AI, Dan addresses the industry-wide challenge of hallucinations. He highlights that standard models are not designed for the 24/7, high-stakes environment of active retail sales. Rezolve AI has dedicated nine years to developing a solution that mitigates these errors, positioning the company as a leader in creating technology that is truly fit for commercial purposes.
The dialogue shifts toward the changing behavior of shoppers. Dan argues that the traditional, static e-commerce model is nearing its end of life. Consumers prefer natural, conversational interactions, similar to speaking with a human salesperson. He states, "The progression of a natural interaction with sales agents, Gen AI salespeople, is human nature." By focusing on this shift, Rezolve AI aims to replace inefficient search filters with experiences that present the user with only the most relevant options, eliminating the need for page-two browsing.
Looking forward, Dan emphasizes the importance of infrastructure. Rezolve AI has invested in distributed database architectures to manage the projected transition from billions to trillions of interactions. This commitment ensures that their partners remain functional even as traffic patterns become significantly more complex.
Final Thoughts
The insights shared by Dan Wagner illuminate a critical transition period for retailers. Companies that prioritize conversational engagement and robust backend infrastructure today will likely define the commerce landscape of tomorrow. As the industry shifts toward these automated, intelligent systems, leaders must ask themselves if they are building a strategy that treats AI as a novelty or as the core engine of their growth, proving that in this new era, your strategy must be truly .
Connect with Dan on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/dan-wagner/
This has been produced in cooperation with Content Cucumberhttps://www.contentcucumber.com/
Follow Talk Commerce on your favorite platform:
YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@talkcommerceBluesky: https://bsky.app/profile/talkcommerce.bsky.socialApple Podcasts: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/talk-commerce/id1561204656Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/7Alx6N7ERrPEXIBb41FZ1nTwitter: @talkingcommerceLinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/talk-commerceFacebook: https://www.facebook.com/talkingcommerceWebsite: https://talk-commerce.com/
Live from Shoptalk: Partnerships and Ecosystem Growth with Ken Chestnut of Intuit
2026/04/02
In this episode Live from Shoptalk, host Isaac Morey sits down with Ken Chestnut, the Global Head of Partner Ecosystem at Intuit, live from the floor of Shoptalk in Las Vegas. If you have ever wondered how industry leaders like Intuit—the powerhouse behind QuickBooks and Mailchimp—are bridging the gap between financial operations and marketing growth, this episode provides a front-row seat. They discuss the realities of the modern Martech stack, the strategic implementation of artificial intelligence, and why retention is the new frontier for small business success.
Key Takeaways
Retention Over Acquisition: Ken emphasizes that "retention is the new acquisition." While top-of-funnel marketing is important, businesses achieve higher ROI by focusing on loyalty and servicing existing customers effectively.AI as a Means, Not an End: Rather than viewing AI as a content-generation tool, Intuit uses it for predictive analytics and personalization at scale, helping business owners "punch above their weight class" without needing massive marketing departments.The Power of Integration: A significant hurdle for small businesses is data silos. By integrating platforms like Shopify with QuickBooks and Mailchimp, businesses can move away from "data hoarding" and toward actionable insights.The Rise of Agentic Commerce: Ken shares a forward-looking perspective on "agentic-to-agentic" purchasing, where AI agents handle transactions. He notes that the next great challenge for brands will be ensuring their identity and personalization strategies remain relevant when a bot—not a human—is making the buying decision.The conversation opens with a focus on the core mission of Intuit: providing an end-to-end platform for small businesses. Ken explains that while QuickBooks handles the "run" side of business, Mailchimp powers the "grow" side. He highlights a critical shift in marketing strategy, noting, "The ROI on owned channels, whether it's email or SMS, is significantly higher than paid media, often reaching up to 40x ROI."
As the discussion progresses, Isaac and Ken address the common struggle of data silos. Many businesses use between 6 and 20 different technologies, creating a fragmented view of their customers. Ken explains how Intuit leverages AI to unify this data, specifically citing the February integration with Shopify as a prime example. "Our top 10% of joint merchants are seeing on average a 30x ROI because of that deep end-to-end solution," Ken notes, emphasizing the impact of combined roadmaps and joint innovation.
Finally, the discussion turns to the future. Ken shares his "hot take" on the shift toward agentic purchasing. He challenges listeners to think about how their brand will maintain its value when automated agents prioritize price and specifications over brand loyalty. The episode concludes with a look at Intuit’s move into the mid-market space, ensuring that as their smallest customers succeed and scale, the Intuit ecosystem scales right along with them.
Final Thoughts:
This episode serves as a reminder that the most successful businesses are those that minimize friction and maximize intelligence. By integrating financial data with marketing efforts, merchants can turn their numbers into narratives that drive genuine loyalty. As the industry moves toward AI-driven decision-making, the ability to build an effective ecosystem will be the best strategy of the modern commerce era.
Chapters
00:00 - Introduction to the episode and setting the scene at Shoptalk01:45 - The role of ecosystem management in modern commerce03:30 - Distinguishing between bolt-on tools and foundational platform architecture06:15 - Criteria for selecting high-value partners08:45 - Maintaining platform consistency while fostering third-party innovation12:20 - Closing thoughts on the future of ecosystem growth
About Our Guest
Ken Chestnut is the Global Head of Partner Ecosystem for @Intuit Mailchimp. With an extensive background in defining and scaling technology alliances at companies like AWS and Stripe, Ken specializes in category definition and go-to-market strategies. He is focused on building ecosystems where both technology and service partners contribute meaningfully to the success of small and mid-sized businesses globally.
This has been produced in cooperation with Content Cucumberhttps://www.contentcucumber.com/
Follow Talk Commerce on your favorite platform:
YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@talkcommerceBluesky: https://bsky.app/profile/talkcommerce.bsky.socialApple Podcasts: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/talk-commerce/id1561204656Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/7Alx6N7ERrPEXIBb41FZ1nTwitter: @talkingcommerceLinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/talk-commerceFacebook: https://www.facebook.com/talkingcommerceWebsite: https://talk-commerce.com/
Mark Shust on Building a Modern PHP Framework
2026/04/01
Mark Shust discusses the development of Marko.build, a modern PHP framework inspired by Magento, aiming to simplify complex e-commerce development. The conversation covers the limitations of Magento, the vision behind Marko, and its potential to revolutionize e-commerce development with modularity, AI integration, and flexibility.
Key topics
The limitations of Magento 2 and the need for a modern frameworkThe vision and features of Marko.build, a new PHP framework inspired by MagentoThe role of modularity, dependency injection, and AI in future e-commerce development
Chapters
00:00 Introduction to Mark Shust and M Academy02:40 The Vision Behind M Academy05:24 Introducing Marko.build: A New Framework07:42 The Modular Approach of Marko10:48 Building with Marko: Flexibility and Integration13:26 Marko Talk: A Real-Time Messaging App16:05 The Future of PHP and Marko18:41 Feedback and Community Engagement21:32 Open Source vs. SaaS: A Philosophical Divide24:10 The Current State of Magento 227:03 Global Perspectives on Magento Adoption29:32 Getting Started with Marko
resources
Marko Framework - https://marko.buildMarko GitHub Repository - https://github.com/marko-frameworkMark Shust's M Academy - https://m.academy
Guest links
Website - https://marko.buildGitHub - https://github.com/marko-frameworkM Academy - https://m.academy
Scaling Personalized Commerce Strategies with Bloomreach | Christina Augustine
2026/03/31
In this episode of Talk Commerce, Christina Augustine, COO of Bloomreach, discusses the transformative role of conversational agents in e-commerce, the importance of personalization, and the future of websites in the age of AI. She emphasizes the need for businesses to adapt to changing consumer behaviors and the significance of integrating AI while maintaining human oversight. The conversation also touches on the evolving landscape of composable platforms and the economic considerations affecting e-commerce today.
Takeaways
Christina Augustine is the COO at Bloomreach, focusing on conversational agents and AI.Conversational agents enhance customer experiences by personalizing interactions.Personalization in e-commerce has evolved from being creepy to expected.AI can help automate shopping experiences but requires human oversight.Websites will not disappear; they will coexist with AI-driven platforms.Understanding consumer behavior is crucial for effective marketing strategies.SEO is impacted by AI-generated content, requiring new approaches.Composable platforms are becoming more flexible and user-friendly.Economic scrutiny is influencing consumer spending habits.Businesses should leverage customer insights to improve their offerings.
Connect with Christy on linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/christinaaugustine/
Or learn more about Bloomreach here: https://www.linkedin.com/company/bloomreach/
Chapters
00:00 Introduction to Bloomreach and Christina Augustine02:21 Understanding Conversational Agents in Commerce06:52 The Future of Agentic Commerce09:20 The Role of Websites in E-commerce11:39 Advancements in Personalization with AI14:32 Ensuring Human Oversight in AI Interactions16:11 Navigating Content in an AI-Driven World19:11 The Evolution of Composable Platforms21:56 E-commerce Outlook Amid Economic Changes23:43 Upselling and Cross-Selling Strategies25:01 Learning from Customer Interactions27:04 Closing Thoughts and Future Directions
Leveraging Agentic Workflows for Smarter Commerce | Tim Johnson
2026/03/24
In this episode of Talk Commerce, Tim Johnson discusses the evolving role of AI in workplace automation, the importance of effective prompting, and the need for tailored sales playbooks. He emphasizes the significance of subject matter experts in leveraging AI tools and the changing expectations of clients in terms of personalization. Tim also shares insights on the future of e-commerce and the rapid development of products in the market.
AI is transforming workflows and automating processes.Effective prompting is crucial for maximizing AI tools.Sales playbooks need to be tailored to specific industries.Subject matter experts are essential for guiding AI use.Clients expect personalized interactions based on research.Personalization must be balanced with trust and accuracy.Rapid product development is becoming the norm in e-commerce.Companies must navigate the risks of quick market entry.Staying updated on AI advancements is vital for success.Engaging with clients on a personal level enhances relationships.
Chapters
00:00Introduction to Tim Johnson and His Role
01:38The Evolution of AI in Workflows
04:36Educating Teams on Effective Prompting
08:16Tailoring Sales Playbooks with AI
10:52The Importance of Subject Matter Experts
13:39Understanding Client Expectations
16:28Navigating Personalization and Trust
18:24The Future of E-commerce and Rapid Development
22:16Closing Thoughts and Shameless Plug
Transforming the Future of Last Mile Delivery with Arrive AI with Dan O'Toole
2026/03/17
Are you ready to witness the shift in how packages reach your doorstep? In this episode of Talk Commerce, I sit down with Dan O'Toole, the founder and CEO of Arrive AI, to discuss how the industry is moving past the hype of drone delivery and into the era of practical, scalable infrastructure.
For years, the logistics conversation has focused almost exclusively on the vehicles—the drones, the ground robots, and the self-driving trucks. However, Dan brings a fresh perspective that challenges the status quo. He argues that the industry has overlooked the most critical component of the supply chain: the physical endpoint. If you cannot securely and effectively drop off a package, the efficiency of the vehicle becomes irrelevant.
Dan shares his journey of realizing that autonomous delivery would never scale without a safe, secure, and universal access point. We explore the development of Arrive Points, which act as smart, connected mailboxes capable of handling everything from drone drops to traditional parcel deliveries. This is not just a hardware play; it is a platform designed to orchestrate commerce, providing users with a "shipping store at their door." Imagine managing all your inbound and outbound logistics, returns, and transactional history directly from your curb via an app.
Throughout our conversation, Dan highlights the importance of being "platform agnostic." By welcoming all shippers and delivery methods—whether they are drones, robots, or conventional vehicles—Arrive AI is positioning itself to be the standard in the delivery ecosystem, much like the Tesla Supercharger network did for electric vehicles.
We also cover the fascinating role of data in this new landscape. Beyond mere delivery, these smart access points provide real-time insights, from micro-weather tracking and pothole identification to emergency response support that can guide first responders to the exact location of a crisis.
As we look toward 2026 and beyond, Dan emphasizes that this is an evergreen market. With 170 million addresses in the U.S. alone, the opportunity for growth is massive. However, he cautions that this industry is judged by its failures, not its successes. To achieve widespread adoption, the technology must function with near-perfect reliability.
Whether you are involved in ecommerce, supply chain logistics, or simply interested in how AI is reshaping our daily lives, this episode offers a look at the infrastructure that will define the next decade of commerce.
Chapters:00:00 - Introduction02:12 - The Genesis of Arrive AI03:59 - Scaling Autonomous Infrastructure05:24 - Weather Challenges and Solutions06:54 - Real-World Deployments: Hancock Health08:36 - The Philosophy of Co-opetition09:49 - Air Traffic Control for Ground Delivery12:00 - AI as an Accelerant13:49 - Disruption and Security16:25 - Diverse Use Cases18:12 - The "Funnest" Side of Logistics19:16 - Looking Ahead to 202620:48 - Final Thoughts and Closing
Michael Bervell and Test Party Are Fixing Web Accessibility for E-Commerce
2026/03/10
Brent Peterson interviews Michael Bervell, CEO and founder of Test Party. They discuss the importance of accessibility in digital products, the challenges of compliance with legal standards, and the innovations in accessibility testing that Test Party is bringing to the market. Michael shares his journey into product inclusion, the significance of understanding global business perspectives, and the future of e-commerce innovations driven by AI.
Takeaways
Michael Bervell is the CEO and founder of Test Party.Product inclusion is crucial for digital products.Accessibility is not just about websites but all digital products.Compliance with ADA and WCAG is essential for businesses.Test Party automates accessibility testing and fixes issues.Accessibility tools can help developers create compliant websites.
Chapters
00:00 Introduction to Michael Bervell and His Passions02:59 The Importance of Product Inclusion and Accessibility10:14 Navigating Compliance and Legal Standards13:30 Innovations in Accessibility Testing with Test Party16:41 Exploring Global Business Perspectives20:49 Future Innovations in E-commerce and AI
LiquiDonate Is Turning Retail Waste Into Community Impact Through Sustainable Donations with Disney Petit
2026/03/04
Disney Petit, founder of Liquid Donate, discusses her passion for sustainability and the innovative solutions her company provides for donating excess inventory and bulky items. She explains the matching algorithm that connects retailers with nonprofits, the impact of their work on reducing waste, and the future trends in sustainability, including Extended Producer Responsibility (EPR). The discussion also touches on the growing focus on sustainability among retailers and the importance of community engagement in donation efforts.
Takeaways
Liquid Donate helps retailers donate excess inventory to nonprofits.The company has developed a matching algorithm for donations.Over 12 million items have been donated to date.Sustainability is becoming a priority for retailers.EPR legislation will shift responsibility to producers.Community engagement is key in donation efforts.Logistics for bulky donations are complex but manageable.Reducing transit distance by 90% is a significant achievement.Retailers are increasingly focused on sustainability initiatives.Asking friends for excess items can foster community support.
Chapters
00:00 Introduction to Liquid Donate and Passion for Sustainability02:37 Innovative Solutions for Bulky Donations05:32 The Matching Algorithm and Logistics Coordination08:25 Expanding Donation Opportunities for Retailers11:18 Impact on Sustainability and Environmental Statistics13:57 Future Trends in Sustainability and EPR Legislation16:36 Retailer Trends and the Influence of Tariffs19:31 Closing Thoughts and Community Engagement
Podcast reviews
Read Talk Commerce podcast reviews
5 out of 5
27 reviews
★★★★★
Your Biz Rules-Leslie Hassler 2025/11/26
Smart, Strategic, and Surprisingly Fun
Talk Commerce is a standout podcast for entrepreneurs, eCommerce leaders, and growth-minded business owners. Host Brent Peterson brings a refreshing m...
★★★★★
Great pizza person 2025/04/21
Great show as a listener and interviewee
I had a great experience being interviewed by Brent. He’s friendly and organized, and it felt like just a conversation with a friend. I am now a lis...
★★★★★
Slate Flosser 2024/11/25
A must-listen!
As a female founder running an ecommerce biz, Talk Commerce is must-listen filled with actionable insights and real-world strategies. Love the wide ra...
★★★★★
LJGK 2024/06/27
Great Podcast for Ecom sellers
I love this podcast because he has on guests who are pros in running ecommerce businesses. It keeps me up to date on the changes that happen in this ...
★★★★★
5/20/24 Lisa Hammett 2024/06/01
Great listen
Brent is a great interviewer. He asks thought provoking questions and has a great rapport with his guests. He always provides great value to his lis...
★★★★★
Gettysburg Great 2024/05/01
Came for the insight, stayed for the jokes!
I always love listening to Brent pick the brains of his guests while still keeping the conversation relaxed and comfortable. You always get the best n...
★★★★★
Mischa-Z 2024/04/24
Brent asks the best questions!
Brent does such a good job of asking questions that get you into the mind and heart of his guests. Love his podcast.
★★★★★
SusanMakolea 2022/10/04
Marketing and culture
I get a lot out of the discussions with experts in marketing and culture, for those of us in the non-techie world.
★★★★★
Alundas H 2022/10/03
Genius!!!!!
Brent is a genius when it comes to the marketing game! I love yearning want we could do or how we can become better for our business! Brent, thank you...
★★★★★
howardtnyc 2021/10/05
Great content
A great listen if you're looking to update yourself with what's going on in the digital world. Super informative!