U.S. Employee Engagement Falls to 20% in 2025, Gallup Finds
Gallup research cited by the PRSA Western District shows U.S. employee engagement fell to 20% in 2025, down from a 23% peak in 2022‑23. The decline, driven by waning manager engagement, threatens productivity, AI rollout and overall economic growth.
Kevin Warsh Faces Senate Hearing as Trump Nominates Potential Fed Chair
President Donald Trump has nominated former Federal Reserve governor Kevin Warsh to replace Jerome Powell. Warsh will appear before the Senate Banking Committee, where lawmakers will weigh his likely preference for lower interest rates against an inflationary backdrop shaped by...
Newsquawk Week Ahead Highlights (and Week in Review)- 20-24th April
The week’s headline is the looming expiry of the US‑Iran ceasefire on April 22, heightening geopolitical risk for energy markets. China’s People’s Bank is expected to leave its benchmark Loan Prime Rates unchanged at 3.00% (1‑year) and 3.50% (5‑year) amid Middle‑East...
SpaceX Files Confidential IPO Paperwork, Eyes $2 Trillion Valuation
Elon Musk’s SpaceX filed confidential documents to list on Nasdaq, targeting a $2 trillion valuation and a $75 billion capital raise. The filing, which includes a tiny free‑float, forced Nasdaq to tweak its listing rules, sparking debate over market impact and investor...
‘Bike Bus’ Founder Sam Balto Secures Global Momentum and Celebrity Backing
Founder Sam Balto says his ‘Bike Bus’ program, which organizes group rides for schoolchildren, is now operating in cities across multiple continents. High‑profile endorsements from singers Benson Boone and Justin Timberlake have turned the grassroots effort into a recognizable brand, highlighting...
A Games Company Released Agentic Tools to Generate Infinite AI Slop, and of Course You Have Already Guessed that It’s...
Roblox announced a new suite of "agentic" AI tools that let creators build entire experiences from a single text prompt. The system analyzes game code, asks clarifying questions, and produces a detailed, editable action plan while also generating meshes, models,...
Quantum AI Unveils quantumaieu.com to Boost European Market Presence
Quantum AI announced the launch of quantumaieu.com, replacing its former quantumai.co.com address to create a clearer European identity. The move is positioned as a step toward broader market penetration and partnership growth in Europe’s fast‑growing AI sector.
IronChess Rolls Out Integrated SEO Suite for Oklahoma City Pest‑Control Firms
IronChess Oklahoma City SEO introduced a new integrated SEO service tailored to pest‑control companies in Oklahoma City, promising higher local rankings and qualified leads. The launch underscores a shift toward industry‑specific digital strategies in the home‑services sector.
Blackstone Invests $17 Million in TextQL to Power Instant AI Answers for Executives
Blackstone’s early‑stage arm, Innovations Investments, led a $17 million strategic round in TextQL, a startup that uses AI agents to turn plain‑language questions into instant data insights. CEO Ethan Ding says the funding will accelerate entry into low‑liquidity markets like finance...
The Price of War
The Strait of Hormuz, a chokepoint that moves roughly one‑fifth of the world’s oil, has been effectively shut after Israel’s heavy strikes on Lebanon and U.S. sanctions on non‑Iranian tankers. The closure coincides with a fragile cease‑fire and a U.S....
Six Proven Systems to Supercharge Your Productivity
Proven productivity systems that work. 1. PARA: Organizes your digital workspace 2. Second Brain: Stores knowledge 3. GTD: Manages tasks: Capture 👉 Clarify 👉 Organize 👉 Do it 👉 Review 4. Time Blocking: Controls your schedule 5. Rule of One: Protects focus 6. Habit Tracker: Builds...
War Revives Stagflation Dangers for Global Economy
The seven‑week Middle East war is reigniting stagflation concerns as growth slows while inflation climbs. Early purchasing‑manager index data show a twin hit to output and price pressures in the conflict’s second month. Upcoming business surveys across multiple economies will...
The Ashes of Creation Debacle, Explained
Ashes of Creation, a crowdfunded medieval MMO, entered early access in 2025 after raising over $3 million, but shut down in February 2026. Intrepid Studios laid off roughly 210 employees and failed to deliver final paychecks. Co‑founder Steven Sharif faces accusations...
True Leadership Shines when Challenges Arise
Everyone is a good leader when times are easy. The question is, who are you when it's hard?
Fermi Inc's CEO Toby Neugebauer Steps Down, Shares Fall 30 Percent
Fermi Inc. announced that co‑founder and CEO Toby Neugebauer has stepped down, leaving an interim leadership team led by COO Jacobo Orti and board observer Anna Bofa. The news triggered a more than 31% drop in the stock during extended...
AEA, Fastport Gain Federal Avionics Apprenticeship Sponsor Status
The Aircraft Electronics Association (AEA) and workforce‑development firm Fastport have been certified by the U.S. Department of Labor as a Registered Apprenticeship Sponsor. The designation enables them to launch federally recognized apprenticeship programs that combine paid on‑the‑job training, technical instruction,...
Festival Talk Sparks Real Green Job Hire
Susty Fitz & getting to talk all things @greenjobsboard in mainstream festivals & finding out someone got a job from us >>>🌱💕🥹
Entrepreneurship Feels Like a Falling Platform Game
In podcasts interviews I regularly compare entrepreneurship to a video game. It can feel like the track is constantly falling away beneath you but the only thing to do is lock in and keep going.
Jim Cramer Explains How PepsiCo (PEP)’s CEO Ramon Laguarta Is “Winning With Innovation”
Jim Cramer praised PepsiCo CEO Ramon Laguarta for reviving earnings growth in the consumer packaged goods sector. Laguarta’s playbook centers on smaller, price‑friendly snack packs, a fast‑hydration Gatorade formula, and the acquisition of natural‑drink brand Poppi. He also reinforced cost...
CEOs Schedule Friday Afternoon Layoffs, Mirror Self‑reflection
Tech CEOs in the mirror the morning before announcing a 20% layoff at 4pm on a Friday
Traders Ready to Put War Behind Them Dial Up Risk
Investors are shifting toward lower‑rated investment‑grade bonds as the Iran‑U.S. truce appears to hold. In early April, net purchases of BBB‑rated debt reached $500 million, while $7.3 billion of higher‑rated A‑plus and above notes were sold, according to JPMorgan Chase. The move...
More Central Bank Independence?
Bank of England Governor Andrew Bailey is urging a push for stronger central‑bank independence, arguing it will shield the institution’s price‑stability mandate from political interference. In a recent discussion, economist Steve Keen challenged this narrative, describing the prevailing monetary‑policy framework...
Lakers Get Bad News From Giannis Antetokounmpo on Saturday
Giannis Antetokounmpo told the Gogi’s Garage podcast he "doesn't like LA," effectively shutting down recent Los Angeles Lakers trade chatter. Despite ongoing speculation, the two‑time MVP reaffirmed his commitment to the Milwaukee Bucks for the remainder of the season. The Bucks...
Hollywood Talent Giant Draws Suitors Amid Epstein Fallout
The Team, formerly known as Wasserman, is up for sale after founder Casey Wasserman's emails appeared in the Jeffrey Epstein files. The agency rebranded in March to distance itself from the scandal, and several parties—including United Talent Agency, private‑equity firm Permira,...
Fever's Boston Lands Record $6.3M Extension
Aliyah Boston, a three‑time WNBA All‑Star, signed a four‑year, $6.3 million extension with the Indiana Fever, establishing the league’s highest total salary to date. The deal, enabled by a new CBA provision, pays her $1 million in 2026—below the standard max—then 20 percent...
Source: Texans, Anderson Agree to $150M Deal
The Houston Texans have secured All‑Pro defensive end Will Anderson Jr. on a three‑year, $150 million extension, including $134 million guaranteed, making him the league’s highest‑paid non‑quarterback. The deal follows the team’s activation of his 2027 fifth‑year option and caps a draft‑day investment...
Last 3 Mastermind Spots for High‑Fee Speakers
Next week I’ll be finalizing the last 3 spots of a mastermind for keynote speakers. 10 total spots, two annual retreats, building our businesses together. Paid program already featuring authors, consultants, exec coaches, and creators who are at or near...
Why Great Leaders Pause Before Acting in a Crisis
Great leaders often feel compelled to act immediately when a crisis erupts, but the most effective response begins inward. Psychologist and CEO coach Yosi Amram argues that pausing to acknowledge and process emotions restores clarity and prevents rash decisions. He...
Lawyers Want Product, VCs Want Pivot—Different Priorities
Me as Lawyer & LegalTech Founder talking to.. VCs: “Yeah, okay, but I don’t understand your wedge, you should do X differnt, but have you thought about Y?” Other Attorneys: *cuts me off* ..”yep, I get it. How do I sign...
Stories Sell: Use Success Cases to Overcome Objections
Powerful and persuasive sales conversations always include success stories that show how products or services have specifically worked for past customers or clients. Your prospective client might be trained to resist a sales pitch, but no one can resist a...
EB-2 NIW Green Card Approval Case Study: Supply Chain Professional From Argentina Becomes a U.S. Permanent Resident
Colombo & Hurd secured an EB‑2 National Interest Waiver green card for an Argentinian supply‑chain and data‑science professional, allowing him to establish a consulting firm in the United States. The petition overcame a USCIS Request for Evidence by tying the...
Manufacturing Rebound Driven by Imports, Not Tariffs
There's a stealth manufacturing recovery underway, evident in output, not jobs. Don't credit tariffs; the strongest growth is in sectors with little tariff protection, and strong imports: AI-related computers, electronics, etc; and aerospace. https://t.co/jqdZIRreAO
Shift Budgets to Paid Video Content for Distribution Boost
Marketing teams need to shift budgets to paid content, particularly video, because the clips are everything. Partnering with a New Media company is the distribution lift.
Why People Aren't Buying (and How to Fix It)
Creators report a slowdown in digital product sales as the year begins, prompting panic and defensive cost‑cutting. The article argues that trimming expenses without investing in growth only prolongs stagnation. It stresses that buyer uncertainty is rising, making trust the...
Google Gemini's Lyria Generates Full Songs, Not Just Lyrics
Creating song lyrics with AI is so 2025. Now you can compose entire songs using the Lyria model in Google Gemini. It's pretty darn astonishing. Here's how it works, with sample tracks in a variety of styles: https://t.co/7pNLIXLKWJ #gemini #lyria...
Marine‑style Customer Success Drives Explosive NRR Growth
Can you imagine what industry NRR would be if customer success organizations were run like the Marines instead of Miss Rachel kumbaya kindergartens?
OpenAI’s Sora Lead Bill Peebles and VP of AI for Science Kevin Weil Are Both Leaving as the Company Refocuses...
OpenAI has wound down its Sora video generation effort and announced the departure of Bill Peebles, the team’s head. At the same time, Kevin Weil, the former chief product officer and most recent VP of AI for Science, also left...
GroupthinkAI Goes Headless, Private, User‑Provided LLM Keys
taking @groupthinkAI fully headless and private this weekend, removing all cost structure and letting users provide their own LLM API keys and storage
DJI's New Compact Vlogger Adds Battery, Memory, 240fps 4K
DJI's latest compact vlogging camera improves on its already capable predecessor with better battery life, built-in memory, new accessories, professional color profiles and 4K video now up to 240fps. https://t.co/7gVsVMjGoC
Channel Partners Expo 2026 | Candid Observations You Won't See Elsewhere
The author released a candid video summarizing observations from the 2026 Channel Partners Expo, the premier gathering for technology channel sales. The commentary highlights a pullback by legacy technology solution distributors, uneven AI adoption, and a widening education gap for...
YC Set to Win AI Boom by Scaling Founders
1/ In the AI/robotics revolution, the biggest winner is actually going to be @ycombinator—because the world is about to need 100x more founders. And YC creates great founders at scale. Sounds weird but hear me out for a hot second 🧵👇
Old Repositioning Guide Becomes Startup Marketing Blueprint
For reasons I'm not entirely sure I fully understand, this 14-year post is suddenly quite relevant to many software startups again. Getting a lot of traffic and I'm recommending it to several companies I work with. Marketing Vision While Selling...
India's Cabotage Reversal Threatens Sri Lanka Transshipment Role
Serious question: But isn't India reversing the 2018 cabotage reform? Where does that leave Sri Lanka and India in the transshipment picture?
Wasserman Sale Draws Top Suitors After Epstein Emails
New, with @LaurenSHirsch: Suitors including UTA, Permira, Patrick Whitesell and a bidding group including Reddit co-founder Alexis Ohanian + Avail co-founder Chris Giliberti are circling Wasserman, which went up for sale amid the Epstein emails: https://t.co/7vC0VDGkvn
IMF Underestimates Growth After Major Economic Shocks
IMF growth forecasts are much too pessimistic when they come right after big shocks. It was that way in Apr. 2025 after "Liberation Day" and it's like that again now. I talked about this on this morning's live stream that...
VC Funding Offers No Advantage, Only Debt and Fatigue
Taking VC is statistically indistinguishable from not starting a company, except you'll be poorer and more exhausted.
CEO Calls for Transparent, Responsible AI Communication
If you were a foundational model lab CEO, what would you say to the public about AI, knowing that your words count and will be scrutinized?
Deflation: Tech’s Gift, Not an Economic Threat
Deflation is not a bad thing. We’ve had it for decades in technology, and it’s a massive good, sort of a gift from the economy to everyone who has dollars, in proportion to their number of dollars.
CEO Leverages Claude AI to Explain Business Case, Margin Loan
$KPG.AX CEO uses Claude to lay out the case for the business and addresses personal margin loan situation Good stuff
Junior Investment Jobs Face Uncertain Future Through 2027
For the first time since the ChatGPT moment in November 2022, I'm starting to get worried about the labor market outlook for junior investment talent into 2027. Maybe the kids won't be alright.