Entrepreneur Stories

The Business News Headlines and Mayor Brad Cavanagh of Dubuque 10 October 2025

We've seen all of this before.  How the threat of higher tariffs tank Wall Street and that is exactly what happened today.  This is the Business News Headlines for Friday the 10th day of October and thanks for listening!  In other news, there is more to the U.S. vs China rhetoric from the president and we’ll share that as well. The firings of government workers has begun and details are starting to trickle in. Air traffic controllers, and we’re already short staffed there, who call in sick rather than work for no pay…may be fired. We’ll check on the dismal numbers in The Wall Street Report and UPS informs consumers that the company is simply throwing away packages that have been with U.S. Customs.  For the conversation you’ll meet the Mayor of the oldest city in Iowa…his name is Brad Cavanagh.  But first the news…Let’s go!
Thanks for listening!
The award winning Insight on Business the News Hour with Michael Libbie is the only weekday business news podcast in the Midwest. The national, regional and some local business news along with long-form business interviews can be heard Monday - Friday. You can subscribe on  PlayerFM, Podbean, iTunes, Spotify, Stitcher or TuneIn Radio. And you can catch The Business News Hour Week in Review each Sunday Noon Central on News/Talk 1540 KXEL. The Business News Hour is a production of Insight Advertising, Marketing & Communications. You can follow us on Twitter @IoB_NewsHour...and on Threads @Insight_On_Business.

The Good Government Show with Dave Martin

Can  government be good? In just a moment you'll hear from Dave Martin the Host and Producer of The Good Government Show. Dave travels the U.S. in search of people who help create good government.  People who's only agenda is helping the citizens who elected them live in an exceptional city, town or county. We first met Dave at an Iowa League of Cities event a year ago and finally got around to sitting with him to learn more about the show, how it got started and so much more.  Now meet Dave!
Thanks for listening!
The award winning Insight on Business the News Hour with Michael Libbie is the only weekday business news podcast in the Midwest. The national, regional and some local business news along with long-form business interviews can be heard Monday - Friday. You can subscribe on  PlayerFM, Podbean, iTunes, Spotify, Stitcher or TuneIn Radio. And you can catch The Business News Hour Week in Review each Sunday Noon Central on News/Talk 1540 KXEL. The Business News Hour is a production of Insight Advertising, Marketing & Communications. You can follow us on Twitter @IoB_NewsHour...and on Threads @Insight_On_Business.

The Business News Headlines and The Good Government Show 3 October 2025

On the first Friday of each month at 8:30AM Eastern many of us cast our eyes toward Washington, D.C. for a look at the monthly jobs report.  This morning...nothing. Think government shutdown. This is the Business News Headlines for Friday the 3rd day of October, great to be back and thanks for listening.  In other news, retribution?  You decide. The fired transportation official sues the Trump Administration. India and China have agreed to restart airline service between the two nations. There is a massive recall issued by Walmart and it has to do with furniture.  We’ll check the numbers in the Wall Street Report and while the government shutdown has delayed the official jobs report we did get a peek at what may be going on through LinkedIn.  For the conversation you’ll meet entrepreneur Dave Martin the host and producer of The Good Government Show…can government be…good?  We’ll let Dave share that…but first the news.
Thanks for listening!
The award winning Insight on Business the News Hour with Michael Libbie is the only weekday business news podcast in the Midwest. The national, regional and some local business news along with long-form business interviews can be heard Monday - Friday. You can subscribe on  PlayerFM, Podbean, iTunes, Spotify, Stitcher or TuneIn Radio. And you can catch The Business News Hour Week in Review each Sunday Noon Central on News/Talk 1540 KXEL. The Business News Hour is a production of Insight Advertising, Marketing & Communications. You can follow us on Twitter @IoB_NewsHour...and on Threads @Insight_On_Business.

Tariffs the Jewelry Business and Lab Grown Diamonds with Chuck Kuba

The jewelry business has been hard hit with the tariffs. Here you'll meet Chuck Kuba who owns Iowa Diamond.  He shares what wild pricing he is receiving for jewelry he gets from India, which also happens to be the center of the diamond trade. He'll also share some amazing facts about "lab grown diamonds" that truly surprised us.  Now, meet Chuck Kuba from Iowa Diamond. 
Thanks for listening!
The award winning Insight on Business the News Hour with Michael Libbie is the only weekday business news podcast in the Midwest. The national, regional and some local business news along with long-form business interviews can be heard Monday - Friday. You can subscribe on  PlayerFM, Podbean, iTunes, Spotify, Stitcher or TuneIn Radio. And you can catch The Business News Hour Week in Review each Sunday Noon Central on News/Talk 1540 KXEL. The Business News Hour is a production of Insight Advertising, Marketing & Communications. You can follow us on Twitter @IoB_NewsHour...and on Threads @Insight_On_Business.

The Business News Headlines and Chuck Kuba on Tariffs

Fifty-five billion dollars for the buy-out of Electronic Arts and who's paying?  We'll share that story first.  This is the Business News Headlines for Monday the 29th day of September, thanks for listening.  In other news, so you still think AI will not be responsible for jobs lost?  We have a story for you.  Walmart has, once again, shocked the retail market…we’ll tell you about it. New news about Trump Tariffs…this time targeting the movie industry. We’ll check the numbers in The Wall Street Report and a look at the fragile job market.  For the conversation you’ll meet Chuck Kuba the owner of Iowa Diamond and how the tariffs have impacted the jewelry business and an amazing story about lab created diamonds and how they stack up the natural stones…  Chuck Kuba from IowaDiamond.com is coming up but first the news.
Thanks for listening!
The award winning Insight on Business the News Hour with Michael Libbie is the only weekday business news podcast in the Midwest. The national, regional and some local business news along with long-form business interviews can be heard Monday - Friday. You can subscribe on  PlayerFM, Podbean, iTunes, Spotify, Stitcher or TuneIn Radio. And you can catch The Business News Hour Week in Review each Sunday Noon Central on News/Talk 1540 KXEL. The Business News Hour is a production of Insight Advertising, Marketing & Communications. You can follow us on Twitter @IoB_NewsHour...and on Threads @Insight_On_Business.

Meet Chef Lynn Pritchard of Table 128 and Hugo's of Des Moines

Over the years some of my favorite conversations are with talented chefs. I marvel at their creative ability. The time it takes to create a first-class dish through trial and error is a test of endurance. Here you'll meet Chef Lynn Pritchard who I've known for years. Once based in Clive, Iowa Table 128 moved last year to just south of Downtown Des Moines into a beautiful space with plenty of parking. (You MUST GO!) Then Chef Pritchard recently opened Hugo's of Des Moines located near the Drake Campus.  Here we talk about both locations, the uncertainty of tariffs on the food industry, the celebration of fine food and so much more.  Enjoy...we did!
Thanks for listening!
The award winning Insight on Business the News Hour with Michael Libbie is the only weekday business news podcast in the Midwest. The national, regional and some local business news along with long-form business interviews can be heard Monday - Friday. You can subscribe on  PlayerFM, Podbean, iTunes, Spotify, Stitcher or TuneIn Radio. And you can catch The Business News Hour Week in Review each Sunday Noon Central on News/Talk 1540 KXEL. The Business News Hour is a production of Insight Advertising, Marketing & Communications. You can follow us on Twitter @IoB_NewsHour...and on Threads @Insight_On_Business.

The Business News Headlines and Chef Lynn Pritchard 12 September 2025

The Ying and Yang of two of President Trump's policies don't mix well.  That kicks things off this afternoon.  This is the Business News Headlines for Friday the 12th day of September, thanks for listening! In other news, the graphic videos of the murder of Charlie Kirk call content moderation into question. The Congressional Budget Office has a warning about the US economy and employment. Boeing workers reject the latest contract offer extending the strike at 3 Midwestern factories. Wall Street ended the day mixed however at some record levels…we’ll check the numbers in The Wall Street Report. And, finally consumer confidence takes yet another hit and we’ll share what you say you are feeling.  For the conversation you’ll meet Chef Lynn Pritchard the man behind Table 128 and Hugo's of Des Moines.  What’s it like being a restauranter in 2025…we asked.  Let’s go!
Thanks for listening!
The award winning Insight on Business the News Hour with Michael Libbie is the only weekday business news podcast in the Midwest. The national, regional and some local business news along with long-form business interviews can be heard Monday - Friday. You can subscribe on  PlayerFM, Podbean, iTunes, Spotify, Stitcher or TuneIn Radio. And you can catch The Business News Hour Week in Review each Sunday Noon Central on News/Talk 1540 KXEL. The Business News Hour is a production of Insight Advertising, Marketing & Communications. You can follow us on Twitter @IoB_NewsHour...and on Threads @Insight_On_Business.

Shadley Grei - Author, Publisher, Actor...Brilliant!

Back in 2018 Shadley Grei came back to Des Moines for a "one-man" play which was a huge success. Now he's back from his gig in California with a new boon and a very different publishing company.  The book, "Before Closure" is a fascinating story of love lost and we talk about that here.  But what is really stunning is Kingbird Press a publishing house that, unlike others, returns 90% of book sales back to the writer. Usually it's 10%.  You know that book that is in your head?  Connect with Shadley and let it out. Enjoy! 
Thanks for listening!
The award winning Insight on Business the News Hour with Michael Libbie is the only weekday business news podcast in the Midwest. The national, regional and some local business news along with long-form business interviews can be heard Monday - Friday. You can subscribe on  PlayerFM, Podbean, iTunes, Spotify, Stitcher or TuneIn Radio. And you can catch The Business News Hour Week in Review each Sunday Noon Central on News/Talk 1540 KXEL. The Business News Hour is a production of Insight Advertising, Marketing & Communications. You can follow us on Twitter @IoB_NewsHour...and on Threads @Insight_On_Business.
 

Meet Ryan Martin from Green Spring Tractor

While in Norfolk, Virginia for the Summer Meeting of the National Tractor Parts Dealer Association I had the opportunity to sit down with Ryan Martin who with his parents operate Green Spring Tractor in Newville, PA.  Not only is Ryan a charming young man  but he is also grounded much more than many 19 year-old folks. Here we talk about his parents, the work he does and how his faith helps keep him grounded.  Meet Ryan Martin.
Thanks for listening!
The award winning Insight on Business the News Hour with Michael Libbie is the only weekday business news podcast in the Midwest. The national, regional and some local business news along with long-form business interviews can be heard Monday - Friday. You can subscribe on  PlayerFM, Podbean, iTunes, Spotify, Stitcher or TuneIn Radio. And you can catch The Business News Hour Week in Review each Sunday Noon Central on News/Talk 1540 KXEL. The Business News Hour is a production of Insight Advertising, Marketing & Communications. You can follow us on Twitter @IoB_NewsHour...and on Threads @Insight_On_Business.
 

The Business News Headlines 14 August 2025

The other day we reported on consumer inflation report that came in under what economists projected. Today was a much different story and it was impactful.  This is the Business News Headlines for Thursday the 14th day of August, thanks for listening! In other news, let’s talk about Taylor Swift…much more pleasant. Air Canada has started to cancel flights ahead of a work stoppage. Some new menu items coming to a national chicken chain…  We’ve got the numbers in the Wall Street Report and if you are buying a home we’ve got some good news about the latest 30 year fixed mortgage rate.  Let’s go!
Thanks for listening!
The award winning Insight on Business the News Hour with Michael Libbie is the only weekday business news podcast in the Midwest. The national, regional and some local business news along with long-form business interviews can be heard Monday - Friday. You can subscribe on  PlayerFM, Podbean, iTunes, Spotify, Stitcher or TuneIn Radio. And you can catch The Business News Hour Week in Review each Sunday Noon Central on News/Talk 1540 KXEL. The Business News Hour is a production of Insight Advertising, Marketing & Communications. You can follow us on Twitter @IoB_NewsHour...and on Threads @Insight_On_Business.