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BlueStar Nation is the podcast that tackles the hot topics, trends, and emerging technologies impacting the specialty IT reseller channel, software companies, MSPs, and hardware manufacturers. Hosted by John Martin & Dean Reverman. Tell us what YOU want to hear about: nation@bluestarinc.com
Episodes
Thursday Dec 18, 2025
Thursday Dec 18, 2025
We're wrapping up our sixth season with the annual discussion of all things Star Wars with special guest Sam Hughes! What's the latest news on new movies, series, and scrapped projects? We're actually getting a new film next year (The Mandalorian & Grogu), but will it be good? After brief discussions on "Skeleton Crew," "Tales of the Underworld," and "Visions 3," we dig deep into season 2 of "Andor," one of our favorite Star Wars projects.
Around the Nation: Happy Holidays from all of us to all of you in BlueStar Nation!
Keep in Touch!
Email – nation@bluestarinc.com
LinkedIn - https://www.linkedin.com/company/blue-star
Subscribe to the BlueStar Nation Newsletter - https://nation.bluestarinc.com/#subscribe
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Thursday Dec 11, 2025
Thursday Dec 11, 2025
The NRF "Big Show" is a huge event that kicks off a new year for retailers, suppliers, consumer brands, technology providers, and more. For new and veteran attendees alike, it can be overwhelming and exhausting. This week, Intel's Mariya Zorotovich is bringing her experience from across the retail world to share tips for making the most of the show (and any industry event!). What does this year's theme, "The Next Now," mean? What should first-timers expect, and how do veterans prepare? How do we differentiate between cool ideas and real potential solutions that could represent growth for the channel? Put on your comfy shoes and enjoy!
Learn more about how Intel is elevating retail customer experience with their partners at NRF!
Around the Nation: Watch the IHL 2026 Retail Trends Webinar
#VARValue - For VARs, ISVs, and vendor partners attending NRF, what is Intel’s approach to the show, and how will they be interacting with existing and potential partners? What does BlueStar do at the show?
On Our Radar
Mariya - Agentic AI for checkout & change leadership
Dean - Toy Story 5
John - Is grey hair a good thing?
Keep in Touch!
Email – nation@bluestarinc.com
LinkedIn - https://www.linkedin.com/company/blue-star
Subscribe to the BlueStar Nation Newsletter - https://nation.bluestarinc.com/#subscribe
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Thursday Dec 04, 2025
Thursday Dec 04, 2025
The interest in RFID has never been higher, but what's driving it, and how can the channel capitalize on this momentum? This week, we have an all-star panel: Zebra's Patti Blessing, AIM Global's Mary Lou Bosco, and GS1 US's Teresa Williams. What does the RFID market look like from a broad perspective and within the channel? How are standards and mandates helping guide RFID adoption in industries like retail and healthcare? Is RFID the solution for fighting organized retail crime? Listen to find out why RFID is like a vegetable.
Around the Nation: Check out next week's NRF Prep episode with Intel's Mariya Zorotovich
#VARValue - Final thoughts on the future of RFID and how Zebra, AIM, and GS1 are helping the channel grow and prepare.
On Our Radar
Teresa - NFC tags around the home
Mary Lou - Ja'Marr Chase suspension
Patti - Shopping with RFID
Dean - AI country artist
John - Gabb smart watch for kids
Keep in Touch!
Email – nation@bluestarinc.com
LinkedIn - https://www.linkedin.com/company/blue-star
Subscribe to the BlueStar Nation Newsletter - https://nation.bluestarinc.com/#subscribe
Sponsored by:
Thursday Nov 27, 2025
Thursday Nov 27, 2025
It's the 250th episode!!! We like to celebrate milestones with fun topics, and having this one fall on Thanksgiving presented the perfect opportunity to discuss the tech we are thankful for with Sarah Schlueter. First, we share our takes (some quite controversial?) on the Thanksgiving holiday, the food, and leftovers. Then, what tech makes our personal and professional lives better, and we wouldn't want to live without? You'll also hear from colleagues and friends around the channel.
Thanks to all our listeners who keep us going...on to the next 250!
Around the Nation: BlueStar's Webinar Series
On Our Radar
Sarah - Bye bye to the penny
Dean - Russia's AIdol robot flops
John - Parasocial - Cambridge Dictionary word of the year
Keep in Touch!
Email – nation@bluestarinc.com
LinkedIn - https://www.linkedin.com/company/blue-star
Subscribe to the BlueStar Nation Newsletter - https://nation.bluestarinc.com/#subscribe
Sponsored by:
Elo's Self-Service Array
Thursday Nov 20, 2025
Thursday Nov 20, 2025
Visitor management is an oft-overlooked opportunity for resellers in industries they already serve, especially education, healthcare, government, and any enterprise where security, protecting sensitive information, or employee and guest safety are prioritized. This week, Epson's Michael Weitz joins to explain the challenges of outdated or traditional visitor management, where you should be looking for business, and why color-printing badges and passes elevate the process. It's the episode that's looking a little shady...
Around the Nation: Need help with your next project? Ask about our Custom Configuration capabilities!
#VARValue - How does the Colorworks printer line enhance the visitor management process, and how should VARs approach their customers about changing existing technology?
On Our Radar
Michael - RAMaggeddon
Dean - Workslop
John - iPhone Pocket
Keep in Touch!
Email – nation@bluestarinc.com
LinkedIn - https://www.linkedin.com/company/blue-star
Subscribe to the BlueStar Nation Newsletter - https://nation.bluestarinc.com/#subscribe
Sponsored by:
Thursday Nov 13, 2025
Thursday Nov 13, 2025
BlueStar Academy is our new training program designed to help VARs, ISVs, and vendors give their new (or veteran) sales reps access to education on core technologies, industries, and skills to grow as a solution seller. This week, Mike Monocello, BlueStar Academy program leader and training specialist, explains what executives and managers want from these trainings, how he's building courses, and what attendees can expect. Pay attention...there may be a quiz later!
Learn more about BlueStar Academy and provide your feedback to guide our schedule for 2026
Around the Nation: Find software partners on TEConnect Live
On Our Radar
Mike - Network-attached storage
James - Mirage AI Video
John - MLB The Show 2025
Keep in Touch!
Email – nation@bluestarinc.com
LinkedIn - https://www.linkedin.com/company/blue-star
Subscribe to the BlueStar Nation Newsletter - https://nation.bluestarinc.com/#subscribe
Sponsored by:
Thursday Nov 06, 2025
Thursday Nov 06, 2025
Labeling in fast-paced QSRs is a critical, time-sensitive task that ensures orders for in-store patrons, delivery drivers, and pickups are properly sorted and accurate. That's where linerless printing can make operations more efficient. This week, Epson's Thermal Label Product Manager, Ian Livesay, joins the podcast to make the case for linerless over die-cut labels. What problems does it solve? Are there other industries that could use them? It's an aggressively sticky episode!
Around the Nation: Watch the BlueStar/Intel Solutions Summit
#VARValue - How does Epson approach linerless label printing? What are some key products VARs should know about, and how do they help you win business?
On Our Radar
Ian - AI-enabled recycling
John - IKEA smartphone bed
Keep in Touch!
Email – nation@bluestarinc.com
LinkedIn - https://www.linkedin.com/company/blue-star
Subscribe to the BlueStar Nation Newsletter - https://nation.bluestarinc.com/#subscribe
Sponsored by:
Thursday Oct 30, 2025
Thursday Oct 30, 2025
Manufacturers, distributors, T&L, and warehousing are always looking to become more efficient and productive, but are they embracing automation in the same areas we think they should? That was the subject of the latest BlueStar Nation end-user survey, sponsored by our friends at Honeywell. We asked their industry expert, Matt Sterner, to join the show to dissect the data. Why were business leaders so confident about their inventory and shipping practices? What did the data reveal about ongoing manual practices? How often are equipment downtimes and safety issues impacting productivity? It's an episode packed with insight and just a little hot air.
Read about the survey results here!
Around the Nation: Tell us what technology you're thankful for and tune in to our Thanksgiving episode (#250!!)
#VARValue - Did any other findings in the survey stand out to Matt? How is Honeywell helping the reseller community tackle productivity with their customers?
On Our Radar
Matt - Freight theft
Dean - Pivotal BlackFly "flying car"
John - Why do onions make us cry so easily?
Keep in Touch!
Email – nation@bluestarinc.com
LinkedIn - https://www.linkedin.com/company/blue-star
Subscribe to the BlueStar Nation Newsletter - https://nation.bluestarinc.com/#subscribe
Sponsored by:
Elo I-Series Steel
Thursday Oct 23, 2025
Thursday Oct 23, 2025
It's spooky season, so we're revisiting last year's Halloween episode where we riff on all things tricks and treats!
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Originally released October 31st, 2024
In honor of a Halloween release, we're talking about the spooky season with special guests Sam Hughes and...the Ghostface killer from Scream? (It's Sarah Schlueter!) What are some movies/TV shows that have scared us? Favorite Halloween costumes? What technology scares us? Best candy? It's the episode so packed that Dean could only say, "Oh."
TEConnecting with us:
Sarah - The story behind Spirit Halloween
Sam - Digital literacy in an age of misinformation
Dean - Stem-cell therapy for diabetes
John - Evil on Paramount Plus
Keep in Touch!
Email - nation@bluestarinc.com
LinkedIn - https://www.linkedin.com/company/blue-star
Subscribe to the BlueStar Nation Newsletter - https://nation.bluestarinc.com/#subscribe
Sponsored by:
Thursday Oct 16, 2025
Thursday Oct 16, 2025
We'll be back later this month with the results of a survey on warehouse and manufacturing automation, making this a great time to revisit this conversation about addressing human work and augmentation alongside technology.
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Originally aired March 27, 2025
Supply chain jobs in warehouses, manufacturing, and delivery continue to face a challenging labor market. At the same time, costs remain high, and consumer demands create more pressure to make, distribute, and deliver products quickly. That’s where automation technology has come in to help, but it’s not a total replacement for people, which makes it essential to understand the human element as well. Today, Newcastle’s Kevin Ledversis & Honeywell’s Kelley Wood are sharing their thoughts on the topic. What’s changed about labor post-pandemic? What are supply chain businesses saying about automating their workforce? Is AI a game-changer or a new complication in balancing workforce efficiency and productivity?
Around the Nation: Explore Industries & Technologies at BlueStarInc.com
#VARValue - Newcastle & Honeywell put a lot of thought into how technology helps and augments people, even as they also lean into automation and AI. How has that helped you grow, and what lessons can VARs take away from your approach?
On Our Radar
Kevin - Future shopping experiences at NRF
Kelley - The ARK robo-kitchen
Dean - 2025 predictions...from 100 years ago
John - Mining the moon
Keep in Touch!
Email – nation@bluestarinc.com
LinkedIn - https://www.linkedin.com/company/blue-star
Subscribe to the BlueStar Nation Newsletter - https://nation.bluestarinc.com/#subscribe
Sponsored by: