The Trading Post

We share how a simple, audio-only podcast outpaced SEO, educated prospects on B2B trade, and opened doors to sponsors and even a video game cameo. The workflow stays light, the topics align with real searches, and distribution meets listeners where they already network.

• origin story of Trader Stew and early businesses
• why podcasting over SEO for educating prospects
• how trade credits and fees work in a curated...

We share why a substitute teaching plan got scrapped and why we doubled down on B2B trade. We unpack the empty lunch rush, tipping fatigue, and how restaurants use vouchers and breakage to turn quiet hours into revenue.

• credit-hour roadblock ends sub teaching plan
• recommitment to trading network and podcast marketing
• signs of recession and local gym closure
• fading lunch rush and shifting diner habits

We push into the hard edges of SNAP: who it helps, who it misses, and how incentives shape what ends up on the table. From $292 to $975, from whole loins to rice and beans, we test frugal tools, rant about fast food EBT, and ask for real stories from the field.

• why discomfort can drive progress and comfort can stall it
• how SNAP amounts compare to real grocery costs
• eating well on less using bulk cuts and stap...

We share what worked and what didn’t while prepping and hosting a trade show, plus why we shipped a flawed audio episode to keep momentum. We dig into pay-per-appointment cold calling, LinkedIn access risks, and how to scale outreach without burning trust.

• choosing cadence over perfect audio to keep growth
• trade show highlights and why paying for setup wins
• real-world barter value from fridges to golf balls

We explain why sponsoring niche podcasters and YouTubers beats mass ads for small businesses and local services. We share pricing ranges, performance tactics like affiliate links, and how authenticity drives trust and conversion.

• housekeeping, health update, and sponsorship changes
• local referrals and side projects including game trailer and indoor media billboards
• limited-time free ad screens for early indoo...

After a brief hiatus due to illness, I return to discuss my career pivot and new entrepreneurial plans. I'm scaling back my work at Metro Trading Association to pursue substitute teaching and explore starting a cottage food business.

• Transitioning to part-time work at MTA due to changing economic landscape
• Starting substitute teaching as a stable career option amidst AI advancements
• Planning to launch a ...

Sustainability means more than recycling—sometimes it's about getting creative and maximizing what you already have, whether it's grilling equipment or business resources.

• The dilemma of repairing versus replacing a Weber kettle with rusted vents
• How spending $126 on repairs proved better than $1,800 on a new gravity smoker
• Preserving valuable accessories, knowledge, and muscle memory when upgrading...

Trader Stu reveals how business barter creates opportunities for new customers and partnerships while sharing his journey using podcasting instead of SEO to market his business. He discusses innovative marketing strategies and shares exciting local events happening at the Michigan Renaissance Festival.

• Using barter as a powerful business growth tool that isn't taught in business schools
• Partnership with Quantu...

We unlock the secrets of business-to-business trade through powerful networking strategies and explore using podcasts as a marketing tool instead of relying solely on SEO.

• Working from home while dealing with family health challenges demonstrates today's business flexibility
• Renaissance Festival sponsorship provides free tickets in exchange for podcast promotions
• New partnership with an indoor billboard ...

Behind the scenes of a local Chamber of Commerce networking event called "Coffee Talk," sharing real elevator pitches from business professionals across diverse industries.

• Speed networking events allow participants to give 2-minute elevator pitches to multiple tables
• Using notes is perfectly acceptable and helps ensure you cover all important points
• The key components of a good pitch include a clea...

We unlock the secrets of Renaissance-era business strategies and discover how 16th-century merchants mastered networking, marketing, and creative value exchange long before modern B2B concepts existed.

• Medieval merchants created powerful visual branding with storefront symbols that became the precursors to modern logos
• Professional "criers" served as human billboards, offering free samples while chanting ...

Trader Stu explores why restaurants should join barter groups as a strategic business move in today's challenging economic climate.

• Restaurants face rising costs, cautious consumer spending, and fierce competition for loyal customers
• Barter offers a creative way to overcome these challenges while preserving cash flow
• Trade unused inventory and empty tables for essential services like cleaning, marketing,...

Affiliate and influencer marketing are no longer just for consumer brands—they're transforming B2B marketing with performance-based models that prioritize trust and authenticity over mass reach. Traditional marketing approaches are converging with new digital strategies as B2B companies recognize the power of micro-influencers and genuine content partnerships.

• COVID-19 accelerated digital transformation across indus...

Trader Stu shares strategic approaches for blending trade and cash to maximize business revenue and expand customer reach with real-world examples from new members. 

• Combining trade with cash transactions creates a powerful marketing strategy that preserves cash while driving new business
• Birch Run Speedway uses trade for ticket sales while keeping concessions, merchandise, and sponsorships cash-only
• Customer...

The Trading Post podcast unlocks the secret formula to transforming business cards into profitable relationships using a simple, measurable strategy that works at any networking event.

• Approach networking events with the "40 card challenge" - emptying your left pocket of business cards while filling your right pocket with prospects
• Most people fail at networking because they collect cards but never follow...

We dive into the reality of using LinkedIn for lead generation and why audio content might be making a surprising comeback while video content becomes less effective for busy professionals.

• LinkedIn claims 80% of B2B leads originate there, but regional businesses may find better results on local platforms like Alignable
• AI-powered prospecting shows 30% higher conversion rates when properly implemented
• Video c...

We reflect on the journey of podcasting and content creation, comparing it to gardening where growth happens invisibly at first but eventually blossoms with patience and persistence.

• Recently reached milestone of 25 podcast episodes
• Importance of properly crediting sources in podcast content
• Growth in podcasting takes time, just like plants need weeks to emerge from soil
• Most "overnight successes&q...

Staying consistent with podcasting becomes especially challenging during summer months when family obligations, home repairs, and world events compete for attention and energy. 

• Summer creates unique challenges for content creators with disrupted routines and family priorities
• Home repairs and family health issues can quickly derail a podcast schedule
• World events and news cycles create additional distraction...

We explore the top 10 ways to engage podcast listeners while sharing insights from personal experience in the podcasting world. The discussion reveals why authenticity trumps production quality and how building community can transform your podcast marketing strategy.

• Ask for feedback and reviews once you've built an audience beyond family and friends
• Encourage listeners to share your podcast on social media pl...