Host Neeta Bidwai returns to explore the recent downgrading of US credit by Moody's, systemic global debt issues, complications in trade policy leading to white-collar crime, the disparities between AI hype and economic impact, and the espionage economy.

This episode of Good Revenue covers:

- Historic Credit Downgrade Crisis: Moody’s downgrades US credit from AAA to AA1, and global AAA-rated debt collapses from 60% in 2008 to 8%, indicating major systemic challenges similar to World War II-level fiscal strain.

- Trade Policy Chaos Creates Crime Wave: Tariff negotiations spark daily market uncertainty while generating an underground economy of trade crimes. Companies are mislabeling & undervaluing goods and routing through third countries, and tourism data reveals double-digit booking declines from major trading partners—the hidden cost of policy chaos.

- AI Reality Checks?: A massive University of Chicago study tracking 25,000 workers finds AI investments deliver "statistically zero" economic impact despite billions in corporate spending. Meanwhile, the Copyright Office’s AI framework triggers immediate leadership changes and the House passes a controversial 10-year AI regulation ban opposed by 49 state attorneys general which we might regret down the road.

- The Espionage Economy Emerges: Treasury scrutinizes $75 million in US venture capital flowing to China-linked AI startups while Commerce orders chip software design firms to halt all China sales. As R&D funding faces unprecedented budget cuts, America confronts a strategic paradox: protecting today's IP while potentially sacrificing tomorrow's innovation pipeline.

_

Where to find Neeta:

https://www.linkedin.com/in/neetabidwai/

Where to find Good Revenue:

https://goodrevenue.io/goodrevenue

https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCHrhuWbpYnUwrR75H2Ip4yQ

_

Highlights:

00:00 Introduction and Overview

00:20 Credit Downgrades: A Historic Shift

02:12 Trade Policy and White Collar Crime

05:01 AI Reality Check: Hype vs. Reality

07:48 The Espionage Economy: National Security Concerns

10:35 Conclusion and Final Thoughts

_

Referenced:

• U.S. credit downgraded: https://www.moodys.com/web/en/us/about-us/usrating.html

• Sovereign debt reaches record highs: https://www.spglobal.com/ratings/en/research/articles/250304-sovereign-debt-2025-commercial-debt-will-reach-a-new-record-high-of-77-trillion-13427943

• IMF warns of WW2 level debt: https://www.imf.org/en/Blogs/Articles/2025/04/23/rising-global-debt-requires-countries-to-put-their-fiscal-house-in-order

• Trivago: Tariffed tourists avoid US: https://www.theguardian.com/business/2025/may/27/tourists-from-countries-badly-hit-by-trump-tariffs-are-staying-away-from-us

• Trade wars cause crime: https://www.nytimes.com/2025/05/27/business/economy/trump-tariffs-trade-crime.html

• ITA: EU & Asian tourists avoid US: https://youtu.be/AAPd9U1jn-M

• AI economic impact study: https://papers.ssrn.com/sol3/papers.cfm?abstract_id=5219933

• Copyright office AI report: https://www.copyright.gov/ai/Copyright-and-Artificial-Intelligence-Part-3-Generative-AI-Training-Report-Pre-Publication-Version.pdf

• U.S. Treasury looking into Benchmark’s China ties:

https://www.semafor.com/article/05/09/2025/us-treasury-examining-benchmark-capitals-ties-to-chinese-startup-manus-ai

• CCP spying on Stanford: https://stanfordreview.org/investigation-uncovering-chinese-academic-espionage-at-stanford/

• FT: New restrictions on chips design exports to China: https://www.ft.com/content/2c0db765-03ac-4820-8a02-806469848bee

• Steve Blank on US R&D: https://www.nature.com/articles/d41586-025-01146-4

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Host Neeta Bidwai unpacks an interconnected web of digital vulnerabilities, market power concentration, and economic impacts affecting the global financial system.

This episode of Good Revenue covers:

• The SaaS Vulnerability Crisis: JP Morgan's warning about SaaS creating substantial vulnerabilities in the global economic system by prioritizing features over security
• Cyber Threat Evolution: Microsoft's "Silk Typhoon" warning highlighting threat actors exploiting both IT supply chains and AI technologies simultaneously
• Antitrust Actions Reshaping Tech: Major legal defeats for Google and regulatory challenges for Meta that could fundamentally restructure the tech landscape
• Economic Storm Signals: Apollo Global Management's alarming report showing sharp decline in earnings outlook, manufacturing contraction, and rising cost pressures
• Tariff Impact Projections: Wharton Budget Model projecting tariffs will reduce long-run GDP by 6% and wages by 5%
• Labor Market Cooling: Shrinking pay increase gap between job switchers and stayers signaling a shifting employment landscape
• Tourism Decline Warning Signs: International arrivals dropping significantly with potential $90 billion GDP impact, early indicator of economic contraction

_

Where to find Neeta:

https://www.linkedin.com/in/neetabidwai/

Where to find Good Revenue:

https://goodrevenue.io/goodrevenue

https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCHrhuWbpYnUwrR75H2Ip4yQ

_

Highlights:

00:00 Introduction and Overview

00:27 Cybersecurity Threats and Vulnerabilities

02:08 Market Power Concentration and Antitrust

03:54 Economic State and Impending Recession

06:27 Impact of Tariffs and Trade Policies

07:50 Labor Market Shifts and Tourism Impact

09:45 Conclusion and Final Thoughts

_

Referenced:

• JP Morgan: https://www.jpmorgan.com/technology/technology-blog/open-letter-to-our-suppliers

• Attackers targeting IT & AI: https://www.microsoft.com/en-us/security/blog/2025/03/05/silk-typhoon-targeting-it-supply-chain/

• Apollo: https://www.apolloacademy.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/04/042625-ConsumerandFirms_v2.pdf

• Wharton: https://budgetmodel.wharton.upenn.edu/issues/2025/4/10/economic-effects-of-president-trumps-tariffs

• Switching jobs doesn’t pay: https://www.statista.com/chart/31032/median-year-over-year-change-in-annual-pay-in-the-us

• Air travel down: https://www.trade.gov/feature-article/march-2025-air-passenger-travel

• Full list: https://youtu.be/AAPd9U1jn-M

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Keith Carrato, VP of Product at Leatherman, discusses balancing innovation, commercial viability, trust, and integrity in company culture.

In this episode of Good Revenue, host Neeta Bidwai and Keith cover:

• How founder Tim Leatherman’s persistence led to the development of the Pocket Survival Tool (PST) despite initial rejections, resulting in a company that has thrived for over 40 years.
• Why Leatherman’s core philosophy is to equip users to tackle challenges creatively in various scenarios.
• How disciplined product briefs distinguish between essential features and “nice-to-haves” to prevent feature overload.
• Embracing failure as a learning opportunity at Leatherman fosters high performance.
• How the company navigates tariffs and international competition while staying true to core values: quality, American manufacturing, and integrating consumer feedback.

_

Where to find Keith:

https://www.linkedin.com/in/keith-carrato-a810911/

Where to find Neeta:

https://www.linkedin.com/in/neetabidwai/

Where to find Good Revenue:

https://goodrevenue.io/goodrevenue

https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCHrhuWbpYnUwrR75H2Ip4yQ

_

Highlights:

00:00 Introduction and Guest Welcome

00:54 Leatherman's Origin Story

03:46 Leatherman's Problem-Solving Focus

06:35 Product Development Insights

20:58 Embracing Failure and Learning

25:02 Recognizing the Role of Colors in Product Design

26:16 The Journey from Apparel to Product Innovation

26:55 The Power of Curiosity in Product Development

29:38 Commitment to Quality and Community in Portland

34:50 Navigating Tariffs and International Growth

42:27 Customer Stories and Product Reliability

45:23 Building a Culture of Trust in High-Performance Organizations

_

Referenced:

• Leatherman: https://www.leatherman.com/

• Tim Leatherman: https://www.rei.com/blog/camp/innovators-tim-leatherman

• Nike: https://www.nike.com/

• Gerber: https://www.gerbergear.com/en-us

• Keen: https://www.keenfootwear.com/

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.