The average new car now costs over $50,000, with monthly payments nearing $760.

So how did Ford post its best U.S. sales year since 2019?

In this episode of Market Outsiders, Namaan and Jenny Rae break down how Ford defied expectations in 2025 – despite tariffs, high rates, and weakening EV demand.

They cover:

• Why 2025 may have been the first “normal” auto year since COVID
• How financing, hybrids, and product mix drove Ford’s outperformance
• What Ford must change in 2026 as margins shift beyond unit sales

This is a forward-looking strategy conversation on how automakers adapt when cars start behaving more like platforms than products.

Partner Links:

• Learn more about NordStellar's Threat Exposure Management Program; unlock 10% off with code SIMPLIFIED-10

Chapters:

03:05 — 2025 Auto Industry Overview
06:33 — Ford's Unexpected Success
08:56 — Consumer Behavior and Car Buying Trends
13:53 — Analyzing the Automotive Market Trends
16:40 — Consumer Behavior and Financing Strategies
19:51 — The Shift Towards Hybrid and Electric Vehicles
22:46 — Sales Performance and Market Share Insights
25:38 — Future Strategies for Automotive Companies
28:30 — Monetizing Customer Relationships Post-Purchase

Learn more about Executive Presentation and Storytelling Training with Management Consulted

More Market Outsiders:

• Connect with Namaan and Jenny Rae on LinkedIn
• Follow Management Consulted on LinkedIn and subscribe on YouTube

Cannabis just moved from Schedule I to Schedule III — and the biggest implications have nothing to do with lifestyle or politics.

In this episode of Market Outsiders, Jenny Rae and Namaan break down what reclassification means for the market: who benefits, who loses, and why cannabis stocks dropped on “good” news.

They unpack the real unlocks behind the headlines — Medicare and Medicaid eligibility, federally funded research, banking access, and why Big Pharma, consumer giants, and even beer companies may now have the edge.

This is a regulatory shock case study: how one policy change reshapes competition, pricing power, supply chains, and long-term winners across healthcare and consumer markets.

Partner Links:

• Learn more about NordStellar's Threat Exposure Management Program; unlock 10% off with code SIMPLIFIED-10

Chapters:

01:05 — What Cannabis Reclassification Actually Changes
03:15 — Schedule I vs Schedule III: Why It Matters
05:45 — Banking, Taxes, and the Industry’s Hidden Constraints
08:20 — Medicare, Medicaid, and the Real Demand Unlock
11:10 — Why Cannabis Stocks Fell on “Good” News
13:30 — Big Pharma, Big Beer, and New Market Entrants
19:40 — Supply Chains, Compliance, and Rising Costs
25:00 — Who Wins, Who Loses, and What Comes Next

Learn more about Executive Presentation and Storytelling Training with Management Consulted

More Market Outsiders:

• Connect with Namaan and Jenny Rae on LinkedIn
• Follow Management Consulted on LinkedIn and subscribe on YouTube

Thrive Market just became the first major online grocer to drop alcohol completely, and the internet is cheering… but the business case isn’t what it seems.

In this episode, we break down the real reasons behind the move, what the data actually says about drinking trends, and why households, not individuals, tell the true story.

We cover:

• Why “54% of adults drink alcohol” is the wrong metric for retailers
• The hidden logistics + regulatory friction behind alcohol shipping
• How Thrive’s branding strategy earns attention, even if the business case is thin
• The one customer-insight mistake we see companies make again and again

A fascinating look at strategy, consumer behavior, and the storytelling behind business decisions.

Partner Links:

• Learn more about NordStellar's Threat Exposure Management Program; unlock 20% off with code BLACKFRIDAY20 until Dec. 10, 2025

Chapters:

• 03:19 Consumer Trends in Alcohol Consumption
• 06:23 Business Model Analysis of Thrive Market
• 09:05 Logistical Challenges in Alcohol Sales
• 12:07 Market Size and Consumer Preferences
• 15:38 Branding and Business Storytelling
• 17:30 How Great Strategists Think Past the Press Release
• 21:00 Households, Not Individuals: Why the 54% Stat Misleads
• 23:30 Takeaways on Strategy, Storytelling & Alcohol’s Future

Learn more about Executive Presentation and Storytelling Training with Management Consulted

More Market Outsiders:

• Connect with Namaan and Jenny Rae on LinkedIn
• Follow Management Consulted on LinkedIn and subscribe on YouTube