Matt Hertz is the Founder and CEO of Third Person, a digital marketplace that uses AI to help e-commerce brands connect with third-party logistics (3PL) partners. He is also the Founder of Second Marathon, a consulting company that has helped brands like Walmart, PacSun, and Milk Bar optimize their supply chains. As a seasoned e-commerce and supply chain professional, Matt has over 15 years of experience leading operations at companies, including Rent the Runway and Birchbox.

Finding the right fulfillment partner can make or break an e-commerce business, yet the logistics industry is crowded, complex, and often opaque. Brands and 3PL companies often struggle with mismatched expectations, inefficient processes, and missed opportunities for alignment. How can these companies cut through the noise and build mutually beneficial partnerships?

According to supply chain consultant Matt Hertz, fruitful partnerships begin with clarity; brands and logistics providers must define their needs and strengths before becoming partners. He encourages 3PL companies to say no to poor-fit clients, focus on a clear niche, and build operational discipline, while brands should prioritize fit over reputation or scale. This helps reduce friction and create long-term, scalable relationships.

In this episode of The Tao of Pizza Podcast, Mark Hiddleson and Dr. Jeremy Weisz chat with Matt Hertz, Founder and CEO of Third Person, about improving fulfillment partnerships in a fragmented logistics market. Matt shares how AI-driven matchmaking works, why 3PLs must define a clear ideal customer profile, and how curated, small-scale events outperform large trade shows.

Kevin Clark is the President and Federation Leader at Content Evolution, a global federation of companies and professionals. Before Content Evolution, he served as the Director of Brand and Values Experience at IBM, where he stewarded the company's ThinkPad notebook computers. Kevin holds multiple board and advisory positions and is the co-author of several books and journal articles on collective intelligence and human interaction.

With technology evolving, many organizations struggle to keep their people, purpose, and innovation aligned. As automation and AI reshape entire industries, leaders must maintain human connection and sound judgment. How can businesses adapt while staying true to their core values?

According to leadership and brand expert Kevin Clark, the key lies in aligning values, character, and competence to achieve lasting growth. Organizations must nurture judgment and humanity even as AI becomes more capable, turning technology into a tool that amplifies rather than replaces human insight. Kevin also urges leaders to intentionally schedule personal time to fuel creativity and prevent burnout, helping them make smarter, more purposeful decisions.

In this episode of The Tao of Pizza Podcast, Mark Hiddleson chats with Kevin Clark, President and Federation Leader at Content Evolution, about blending human values with innovation. Kevin discusses his 3V model of Values, Value, and Valuation, what he learned from leading the ThinkPad brand at IBM, and how AI can inspire creativity and collective intelligence.

Jeremy Van Puffelen is the President of PRISM Logistics, a third-party logistics company specializing in warehousing and supply chain services for consumer packaged goods, food and beverage, retail, and manufacturing businesses. With more than 20 years at the company, he has helped PRISM expand its warehouse footprint to over two million square feet. Jeremy also serves on the board of the International Warehouse Logistics Association (IWLA).

The evolution of the logistics industry is driven by automation, efficiency, and changing customer expectations. How can companies scale without losing the human touch that keeps teams and clients connected?

As an operations and business development expert in the logistics industry, Jeremy Van Puffelen advocates for understanding every corner of your business — from sweeping warehouse floors to leading executive teams. He recommends spending time on the ground to understand real operational costs and challenges before making strategic decisions. Jeremy maintains that automation should amplify — not replace — human potential and that transparency in pricing and performance builds trust. Leveraging technology and teamwork as tools can create sustainable, people-first growth.

Tune in to this episode of The Tao of Pizza Podcast as Mark Hiddleson interviews Jeremy Van Puffelen, President of PRISM Logistics, about how hands-on leadership and automation shape modern logistics. Jeremy delves into the company's automated guided vehicles (AGV) journey, lessons in building lasting client relationships, and how to foster a family-oriented culture of continuous improvement.

Glenn Ecalne is a Business, Supply Chain and Logistics, and Financial Literacy Teacher at Patterson High School. With experience working in supply chain and logistics for companies like Home Depot, Amazon, and Kohl's, he teaches students within the school district's vocational and CTE pathways.

Many high school graduates enter the workforce without the foundational skills needed to succeed in logistics, warehousing, or even personal finance. This lack of preparation often leads to high attrition rates, missed career opportunities, and poor long-term financial decisions. How can educators close the gap between academic learning and real-world readiness in supply chain management?

Logistics and business teacher Glenn Ecalne has built a hands-on, skills-based curriculum at Patterson High School. He immerses students in a fully functional warehouse setting, teaches practical tools like the STAR method for interviews, and integrates Six Sigma certifications into the classroom. Glenn also instills habits like early 401(k) contributions and budgeting, ensuring students are equipped to land jobs and grow within their careers.

Tune in to this episode of The Tao of Pizza Podcast as Mark Hiddleson interviews Glenn Ecalne, Business, Supply Chain and Logistics, and Financial Literacy Teacher at Patterson High School, about preparing students for the supply chain and logistics workforce through vocational training programs. Glenn discusses real-world training, including warehousing simulations, interview techniques, and industry partnerships that create tuition-free career paths.

Drew Thomas Hendricks is the President of Barrels Ahead, a wine and craft marketing agency that accelerates company growth through content development, SEO, and paid search. Drew is also the President of Nimbletoad, Inc., a digital marketing agency specializing in web design, SEO, and PPC. He is the Founder of VineCat, which allowed users to inventory and track their wine through a cloud-based cellar management application, before closing its doors in 2010.

Businesses in industries experiencing downturns, like the wine and mental health spaces, struggle to connect with their ideal audiences, often relying on outdated marketing tactics or one-size-fits-all messaging. When these industries face increased competition and changing consumer behavior, how can brands create deeper, more authentic relationships with the people they serve?

According to digital marketing strategist Drew Hendricks, psychographic targeting — understanding customer identity through lifestyle, interests, and values — can help businesses break free from generic demographic segmentation. For wineries, Drew emphasizes moving beyond age-based marketing to identify a shared cultural ethos. For mental health providers, he recommends crafting websites that guide potential clients through complex therapy options using a Socratic funnel approach.

In this episode of The Tao of Pizza Podcast, Mark Hiddleson welcomes Drew Hendricks, President of Barrels Ahead and Nimbletoad, Inc., to discuss building human-centered marketing systems. Drew talks about using AI-powered agents, crafting therapeutic websites that educate clients, and how to find fulfillment.

Desmond Clark is the Founder and President of Bear Down Logistics, a third-party brokerage that offers dispatching and warehousing solutions. After a successful 12-year NFL career, he became a global motivational speaker, accountability coach, two-time published author, and podcaster. Before founding Bear Down Logistics, Desmond was a Co-owner and Partner at The Insurance People, a full-service agency that assists businesses and families in securing various types of insurance. His mission is to share his life lessons, cultivate meaningful relationships, and create value for others.

Breaking into a new industry with no prior experience can feel like a leap of faith, especially when you must pivot unexpectedly. How can you adapt and embrace opportunities for reinvention and growth?

Former NFL tight end and motivational speaker Desmond Clark transitioned from the football field to founding a fast-growing logistics company. With no background in the industry, Desmond leaned into curiosity, relationship-building, and a high-performance mindset developed during his sports career. He emphasizes the importance of building authentic connections through his "FORD" sales approach, focusing on family, occupation, recreation, and dreams. By building a meaningful personal brand, committing to consistent excellence, and remaining self-motivated through purpose-driven goals, you can build a career and life from scratch.

Tune in to this episode of The Tao of Pizza Podcast as Mark Hiddleson interviews Desmond Clark, Founder of Bear Down Logistics, about high-performance leadership and relationship-driven sales. Desmond shares how a LinkedIn connection led to a new career, his company's niche in heavy haul logistics, and how he built a broker-agent model.

Nancy Fateen is the President of Seizmic Inc., an engineering and consulting firm within the material handling industry. She is also the President of Submittal Services, Inc., which provides permit management services for the material handling industry. Nancy started her career in material handling at the age of 17 and has held roles in customer service, CAD drafting, accounting, and permit package preparation.

Navigating warehouse safety, engineering compliance, and team leadership in a male-dominated industry can be overwhelming, especially when you're simultaneously juggling growth and customer satisfaction. How can business owners stay ahead of regulations, empower their teams, and lead with intention and clarity?

As an experienced executive in the logistics and material handling industry, Nancy Fateen has adapted her leadership approach to trends and male-dominated stereotypes. She highlights the value of building education around real-world experience, recommending that leaders embrace lifelong learning to stay sharp and adaptive. Nancy also advocates for proactive warehouse safety, urging companies to conduct regular rack inspections, train internal teams to spot red flags, and maintain updated engineering documentation to meet insurance and regulatory demands. When leading a team, women entrepreneurs should integrate emotional intelligence into the workplace to empower team members with resilience.

In this episode of The Tao of Pizza Podcast, Nancy Fateen, President of Seizmic Inc., returns to speak with Mark Hiddleson about warehouse safety, leadership, and continuous improvement. Nancy talks about OSHA compliance, her experience participating in Vistage, and how she leads a multigenerational company.

Danielle Neely is the Co-founder of KNC Marketing, where she creates custom marketing plans to help businesses increase sales. As a seasoned digital marketer, she has worked in the food service, manufacturing, automotive, finance, and nonprofit spaces. Danielle specializes in content creation, social media marketing, and digital advertising.

Proactive communication and strategic marketing are key to business growth in industrial sectors. Rather than waiting for leads to come in, companies must take initiative by following up promptly, creating educational content, and leveraging digital marketing tools. How can businesses optimize their marketing efforts to attract high-quality leads and establish thought leadership?

With expertise in B2B marketing, Danielle Neely has mastered strategies to help industrial companies enhance their brand visibility. She suggests leveraging SEO-driven content, Google advertising, and video marketing to engage prospects effectively. Additionally, she highlights LinkedIn's role in B2B marketing, explaining how thought leadership and active engagement can foster credibility and attract your target audience. By enhancing these strategies with AI, businesses can streamline content creation while maintaining authenticity.

In today's episode of The Tao of Pizza Podcast, Mark Hiddleson chats with Danielle Neely, the Co-founder of KNC Marketing, about marketing strategies for industrial businesses. Danielle shares her experience navigating a traditionally male-dominated industry, insights on distribution marketing, and how to create engaging video content.