Right About Now with Ryan Alford Episode Summary: BUSINESS NEWS & TRENDS: The Rise of Trading Cards - Trump's Address to Congress - Skype's Discontinuation Release Date: March 7, 2025

Overview

In this episode of Right About Now with Ryan Alford, hosts Ryan Alford and Chris Hansen delve into the latest business news and trends impacting the economy. The discussion spans a wide range of topics, including former President Donald Trump's recent address to Congress, the discontinuation of Skype, the evolving landscape of DEI (Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion) programs, tariffs affecting U.S. trade, the fluctuating cryptocurrency market, and the resurgence of trading cards. The conversation is both informative and engaging, blending serious analysis with light-hearted banter.

Trump's Address to Congress

Timestamp: [00:00 – 08:44]

Ryan and Chris unpack the key takeaways from Trump's recent speech to Congress. They critique the political theater surrounding the event, highlighting the polarized reactions from different political factions.

• Political Polarization: Ryan comments on the divisive nature of the clapping in the room, stating, "It's so high school... It's like grow up" ([06:07]).

• Tax Cuts and Economic Impact: The discussion shifts to Trump's proposals on tax cuts, with Ryan emphasizing the need for fiscal responsibility: "If we're starting with the cuts, you know, with finding waste... we can actually do some tax cuts if we can cut 2 trillion in waste" ([08:07]).

DEI Programs in Business

Timestamp: [08:44 – 15:12]

The hosts debate the effectiveness and financial implications of DEI initiatives within businesses.

• Financial Concerns: Ryan expresses skepticism about the cost of DEI programs, questioning their financial viability: "I just, I didn't realize how much money you spent on it" ([09:35]).

• Merit-Based Hiring: Both Ryan and Chris advocate for hiring based on merit rather than diversity quotas. Chris shares his experience, "No part of me has ever cared what color, what country, what your first language is of anybody in any employment situation" ([11:18]).

Tariffs and Trade

Timestamp: [15:12 – 17:33]

The conversation shifts to international trade tensions, specifically tariffs imposed on Canada, Mexico, and China.

• US Allies vs. Adversaries: Ryan differentiates between tariffs on allies like Canada and Mexico versus adversaries like China, noting the complexity of economic relationships.

• Economic Consequences: Chris touches on the potential long-term impacts of these tariffs, emphasizing the need for strategic economic policies: "It's a better alternative" compared to war ([17:27]).

Political Theater and Zelensky Incident

Timestamp: [17:33 – 20:34]

The hosts discuss a recent public dispute involving Ukrainian President Zelensky and Trump's administration.

• Public Perception: Both agree that the public airing of disputes is detrimental. Ryan remarks, "It probably also made public opinion about that war not in a positive light" ([18:46]).

• Private Diplomacy: Chris suggests that such conversations should remain private to maintain professionalism and diplomacy: "I think that should have just been a private conversation" ([19:37]).

Inflation and Energy Policy

Timestamp: [20:34 – 21:15]

The discussion moves to inflation rates and energy policies, particularly focusing on egg prices and oil drilling.

• Inflation Challenges: Ryan highlights the persistent issue of high egg prices, linking it to broader inflation concerns: "Trump blamed Biden for high egg prices and pledged to tackle inflation through oil and gas drilling" ([20:34]).

• Consumer Impact: Chris shares a personal anecdote about egg shortages, emphasizing real-world impacts: "There's no eggs at the Trader Joe's near my house for months now" ([20:45]).

Skype's Discontinuation

Timestamp: [21:15 – 23:31]

Ryan and Chris address the news about Skype being discontinued, discussing its relevance in today's communication landscape.

• Shift to Modern Platforms: They note the decline in Skype usage, with Chris stating, "FaceTime and Google Meets Zoom" have taken over ([22:22]).

• User Preferences: Ryan encourages listeners to migrate to more current platforms: "If you’re using Skype, it’s time to move baby, move" ([22:27]).

Cryptocurrency Market Updates

Timestamp: [23:31 – 28:31]

The hosts analyze recent trends in the cryptocurrency market, focusing on Bitcoin and XRP.

• Market Volatility: Ryan highlights the unstable nature of cryptocurrency prices: "It's sitting around 93,900... it's a roller coaster" ([26:21]).

• Investment Strategies: Chris advises a long-term investment perspective despite short-term fluctuations: "But long term I would still get in line and get on the ride" ([27:09]).

AI and Economic Impact

Timestamp: [28:31 – 30:11]

AI's role in the future job market and business operations is explored, with an emphasis on continuous learning and adaptation.

• Business Integration: Ryan underscores the importance of AI for entrepreneurs: "If you're a business owner, entrepreneur, you want to learn some more of the platforms, apps, ways you can use this in your business" ([28:36]).

• Skill Development: Chris compares learning AI to mastering a new video game, highlighting its accessibility and potential: "It's pretty user friendly... down the rabbit hole of exploration" ([29:55]).

Rise of Trading Cards

Timestamp: [30:11 – 34:40]

The episode concludes with a segment on the resurgence of trading cards, including sports and Pokémon cards. The hosts promote the RAD Collective and their offerings at breakingrad.com.

• Market Resurgence: Ryan expresses enthusiasm for the trading card market: "The Rise of Trading Cards... It's like legal gambling for children and adults" ([30:11]).

• Promotion of RAD Collective: Both hosts encourage listeners to visit their website for exclusive card sales and live breaks: "Go check out that sign up for our email list... See, I mean, don’t you want to hear that pack opening, Chris?" ([31:02]).

Conclusion

Ryan and Chris wrap up the episode by encouraging listeners to engage with their content on various platforms and to take advantage of the business opportunities presented by the evolving market trends discussed. They emphasize the importance of staying informed and adaptable in a rapidly changing economic landscape.

Notable Quotes:

• Ryan Alford: "If we're starting with the cuts... we can actually do some tax cuts if we can cut 2 trillion in waste." ([08:07])

• Chris Hansen: "No part of me has ever cared what color, what country, what your first language is of anybody in any employment situation." ([11:18])

• Ryan Alford: "If you’re using Skype, it’s time to move baby, move." ([22:27])

• Chris Hansen: "It's pretty user friendly... down the rabbit hole of exploration." ([29:55])

For more insights and full episode content, visit www.RyanIsRight.com or follow @rightaboutnowshow and @ryanalford on Instagram.