Matters of Business is the podcast where academic research meets the real world of business.
Brought to you by the College of Business at Florida Atlantic University, each episode we sit down with FAU faculty, researchers, and industry leaders to go deeper than the headlines.
Whether we're unpacking consumer behavior, supply chains, economic trends, or what it means to pursue an executive education, this is your guide to navigating today's fast-moving business landscape, right here in South Florida.
Checking In on AI: What South Florida's Hospitality Industry Needs to Know Now
Recorded 4.10.26 South Florida's hospitality industry is booming, but with labor costs up, margins thinning, and operators being told AI is the answer, the question is where to actually start. In this episode, we sit down with Dr. Anil Bilgihan, professor of marketing and hospitality management at FAU's College of Business, to break down what AI is actually delivering for hotels and restaurants right now — and what it means for the workforce and the jobs most at risk. If you're a South Florid...
26 Mar 2026
The "It" Factor: One Entrepreneur's Research Into What Makes Investors Say Yes
For decades, Akhil Agrawal has been building companies, allocating capital, and making bets on founders. And every time he met the right one, he'd say the same thing: "this person's got it." But what is "it," exactly? Now five years into FAU's Executive PhD program, Akhil is researching the answer to that question. We talk about what brought a serial entrepreneur back to the classroom, the courses that changed the way he thinks about business, and the surprising direction his dissertation res...
19 Mar 2026
What Is the K-Shaped Economy? An FAU Economist Breaks It Down
You've probably heard the term "K-shaped economy," but what does it actually mean, and why should business leaders care? In this episode of Matters of Business, host Amber sits down with Dr. Bryan Cutsinger, faculty economist at Florida Atlantic University's College of Business, to unpack the forces driving economic divergence in the U.S. and what it means for businesses and consumers right here in South Florida. If you're navigating today's fast-moving financial landscape, this i...
3 Feb 2026
Building Smarter with Lean Six Sigma: How Executive MBA Students Transformed a Construction Startup
A classroom capstone turned into a published case study, and real operational change for a budding South Florida construction company. Florida Atlantic Executive MBA students and Dr. Tres Bishop walk through how Lean Six Sigma was used to diagnose process breakdowns, reduce cycle time, and reposition the business for more sustainable growth. Listen for practical lessons that translate beyond construction, offering tools that entrepreneurs and professionals can use across industries. Epiode Re...
21 Nov 2025
From Realtor to Researcher: Unpacking the Hidden Costs in Real Estate
What happens when you bring deep academic research to the market's day-to-day realities for a real estate agent? This episode follows Dr. Trishanna Gifford, a real estate agent and owner of a construction company, who blended her extensive professional background with academic research in FAU's Executive Ph.D. programs. Recorded November 7, 2025 Business.fau.edu
24 Oct 2025
ESG Explained: Why It Matters for Businesses and Investors
We sit down with Anna Agapova, finance professor at Florida Atlantic University’s College of Business, to unpack the world of ESG, Environmental, Social, and Governance. Whether you’re a business leader, investor, or simply curious about sustainable finance, this conversation will help you understand why ESG is shaping the future of business and how companies can build trust through transparency and storytelling. Recorded September 2025 Business.fau.edu
24 Sept 2025
From Waste to Wins: How Lean Six Sigma Drives Impact Across Industries
Lean Six Sigma has helped manufacturers cut costs and boost efficiency for decades, but its real power lies in its adaptability. In this episode, Dr. Tres Bishop shares how service industries like healthcare, education, and government can use these tools to solve big problems. We talk about the importance of leadership buy-in, the role of training, and how even small process changes can lead to major results. Recorded September 12, 2025 https://business.fau.edu/newsroom/podcasts/m...
31 Jul 2025
What’s Next for Travel? AI, Cruises & Cost-Conscious Getaways
In this episode of Matters of Business, we sit down with hospitality and tourism management director Peter Ricci to explore how the industry is adapting to economic uncertainty and rapid technological change. From AI-powered restaurant reservations to dynamic cruise pricing and the new no-tax-on-tips provision, Peter shares insights on how businesses and travelers can navigate the evolving landscape. https://business.fau.edu/podcasts
23 Jun 2025
Navigating Downside Risks: Is Now a Strategic Time to Invest in the Market?
This week's episode features David Fang, associate professor of accounting in the College of Business. He's diving into the complexities of downside risks, stock market volatility and how to think strategically about the timing of investing. This episode was recorded June 5, 2025.
2 May 2025
Supply Chains and Risk Management in the Age of Tariffs
This week, we are joined by Steven Carnovale, associate professor of supply chain management here in the College of Business. We're exploring the tricky world of supply chains and how firms are navigating the uncertainties with tariffs. https://business.fau.edu/podcasts
24 Feb 2025
Unpacking Inflation, the Economy and Tariffs
FAU’s William J. Luther and Amber Bonefont sit down to discuss the current state of inflation, how tariffs might affect the economy and the job market. business.fau.edu/podcasts
Reach and audience
Public platform figures. Ratings count people who left a rating, not total listeners.
YouTube views
901,941
Score snapshot 15 Sept 2025
Apple Podcasts (US)
5.0 / 5
2 ratings
Podcast Authority Score: 23 / 100
A composite of feed quality, social presence, YouTube performance and engagement. Read the methodology.
Quality
12
Social presence
0
YouTube
86
Engagement
0
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