SNEED-CAST Presented by Sneed Coding Solutions

Sustainable Packaging Trends & Education with Julie Rice Suggs, PhD, from The Packaging School

This episode of the SNEED-CAST is brought to you by the SNEED-JET® Freed 41 Printer: https://sneedcoding.com/collections/frontpage/products/sneed-jet%C2%AE-freedom-41-4-inch-case-coder
In this episode of the SNEED-CAST, host Alexa chats with Julie Rice Suggs, Academic Director at The Packaging School, about how online education is reshaping the packaging industry. With over ten years of experience in packaging science, Julie offers fresh insight into how the industry is adapting—highlighting the growing need for flexible learning, the push toward sustainability, and what it all means for the future workforce. It’s a must-listen for packaging pros, educators, and anyone looking to stay ahead in a fast-changing field.
Timecodes:
00:00 - Introduction 02:30 - Julie’s Journey into Packaging  06:30 - The Packaging School vs. Traditional Education  10:45 - Designing Educational Programs for Modern Needs  18:00 - Certificate Programs at The Packaging School  24:30 - Sustainability in Packaging  29:00 - Emerging Trends and Overhyped Ideas  31:15 - Soft Skills and Lifelong Learning  35:00 - Closing Remarks and Resources  

SNEED-CAST Industry Update: WhyHunger Turns 50 | Trump’s Steel Tariff Plan | Sheetz Civil Rights Case

This episode of SNEED-CAST is brought to you by our SNEED-JET® Freedom Handheld Printer. Learn more: https://sneedcoding.com/collections/frontpage/products/sneed-jet-freedom-handheld
Thanks for joining us for another episode of SNEED-CAST; the show where we’re keeping you up to date with the ever changing world of manufacturing, processing, packaging, coding and so much more. Today we’ll be discussing topics ranging  from the economic ripple effects of Trump’s proposed 50% steel tariffs, to WhyHunger’s 50-year fight against food insecurity, to the uncertain future of civil rights enforcement in the Sheetz discrimination case, and finally, the fallout from a major federal immigration raid at an Omaha meatpacking plant.
Articles: 
1) What We Know About Trump's Promise to Hike Steel, Aluminum Tariffs to 50%www.foodmanufacturing.com/supply-chain/news/22942715/trumps-50-steel-tariffs-impact-on-us-economy?
2) WhyHunger Marks 50 Years of Fighting for Food Securitywww.foodmanufacturing.com/supply-chain/news/22942988/whyhunger-marks-50-years-of-fighting-for-food-security?
3) Sheetz Racial Discrimination Case Is on the Chopping Block as Trump Rewrites Civil Rightswww.foodmanufacturing.com/labor/news/22943070/sheetz-racial-discrimination-case-is-on-the-chopping-block-as-trump-rewrites-civil-rights?
4) Federal Immigration Raid at Omaha Meat Production Plant Sparks Protestswww.foodmanufacturing.com/labor/news/22943229/federal-immigration-raid-at-omaha-food-production-plant-sparks-protests

Brewing Success at Mad Llama Brewery

In this episode of the SNEED-CAST, Ken sits down with Stephen and Arrian, the passionate co-owners and brewers behind Mad Llama Brewery in Spring, Texas.
The story of Mad Llama Brewery is not just about craft beers; it’s about passion, persistence, and building a community around one shared love – exceptional brewing.  The episode dives into the brewery’s grassroots beginnings, with Stephen and Arian starting as homebrewers over 20 years ago and turning their hobby into a thriving local business.
From their careful product development to their thoughtful community-building efforts, such as the Llama Legion mug club and weekly events, the story of Mad Llama Brewery offers invaluable lessons in entrepreneurship, customer engagement, and staying true to your craft.  
00:00 - Intro    00:31 - Discovering Mad Llama    01:11 - From Homebrewing to Mad Llama   05:15 - Challenges and Triumphs of Starting a Brewery  
17:20 - Scaling Recipes and Brewing Challenges  
24:26 - Community Building Efforts   29:00 - Weekly Events at Mad Llama    30:48 - The Llama Legion   33:46 - Celebrating Milestones and Future Goals  
36:13 - Closing Thoughts  
Music: Stay Calm by Spiring   / user-57630131  License: Creative Commons — Attribution 3.0 Unported — CC BY 3.0Free Download / Stream: https://www.audiolibrary.com.co/spiri...Music promoted by Audio Library:    • Chill · Electronic · Pop by Spiring | No C...  
 

Inspiring Leadership, Empowering Teams, and Driving Engagement with Craig Coyle

The SNEED-CAST's latest episode dives deep into the transformative approach to leadership with Craig Coyle, U.S. Army veteran, former Apache pilot, and founder of Operation Lead. Hosted by Alexa, the discussion unpacks the gaps in corporate leadership development and the lessons Craig has carried from the military into the world of business leadership coaching. Craig highlights the struggles leaders face when transitioning into new roles and explores why most leadership training fails. Organizations, he argues, often overlook the importance of aligning leadership development with clear business outcomes, which leads to ineffective training programs and high failure rates among new leaders. According to Craig, tools, consistent implementation, and fostering strong leadership communities can significantly change this narrative.

Introducing The SNEED-JET® Titan Tabletop & Celebrating Fifty Episodes!

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Welcome to the milestone 50th episode of SNEED-CAST, where the team celebrates two years of engaging conversations, innovative products, and inspiring business stories. Hosted by Quentin, this special edition brings together co-hosts Alexa and Santos to introduce the groundbreaking SNEED-JET® Titan Tabletop Printer, designed to fill a critical gap in printing solutions for growing businesses. This episode also features highlights from the past episodes, expert advice from entrepreneurs, and some fun moments that showcase why SNEED-CAST has become a favorite among small business owners.
Timecodes:  00:00 - Welcome to the 50th Episode: 00:08 - Introducing the SNEED-JET® Titan Tabletop Printer 02:05 - Ideal Users for the Titan Tabletop Printer03:15 - Key Features Overview07:10 - Design Matters10:07 - Customer Success and Stories18:05 - Scaling to Retail Advice27:00 - Industry Expert Clips40:26 - Fun SNEED-CAST Moments47:00 - Thank You to the Community

Industry Update: RFK Jr.'s Food Dye Ban, Trade Tensions, and Rising Costs Rocking America

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Thanks for joining us for another episode of SNEED-CAST; the show where we’re keeping you up to date with the ever changing world of manufacturing, processing, packaging, coding and so much more. Today we’ll be discussing topics ranging  from RFK Jr.’s plan to phase out artificial food dyes from the U.S. food supply, to how small businesses are grappling with the impact of rising import costs from China. We’ll also dive into how U.S. consumer confidence has plummeted amid ongoing trade tensions, and examine how inflation is cooling, yet Americans are stepping up spending in anticipation of tariff impacts. Finally, we’ll look at how funding cuts are threatening to deepen the hunger crisis, as more families rely on food banks due to rising living costs.  
 
Articles: 
1) RFK Jr. Plans to Phase Out 8 Artificial Dyes from U.S. Food Supplywww.foodmanufacturing.com/supply-chain/news/22939291/rfk-jr-plans-to-phase-out-8-artificial-dyes-from-us-food-supply?
2) Small Businesses Dependent on Chinese Imports Are Feeling More Desperatewww.foodmanufacturing.com/home/news/22939789/small-businesses-dependent-on-chinese-imports-are-feeling-more-desperate?
3) U.S. Consumer Confidence Plummets to Covid-Era Low as Trade War Stokes Anxietywww.foodmanufacturing.com/consumer-trends/news/22939891/us-consumer-confidence-plummets-to-covidera-low-as-trade-war-stokes-anxiety?
4) U.S. Inflation Cools and Americans Step Up Spending as They Brace for Tariff Impact  www.foodmanufacturing.com/consumer-trends/news/22939994/us-inflation-cools-and-americans-step-up-spending-as-they-brace-for-tariff-impact?
5) Funding Cuts Threaten to Deepen Hunger Crisis as Rising Costs Send More Families to Food Bankswww.foodmanufacturing.com/consumer-trends/news/22940037/funding-cuts-threaten-to-deepen-hunger-crisis-as-rising-costs-send-more-families-to-food-banks?
 

The Impact of Tariffs & Small Format Cans in The Craft Brewing World with Jessica Infante

The latest episode of SNEED-CAST dives deep into the complexities of the craft beer industry, featuring insights from Jessica Infante, Managing Editor at Brewbound. Hosted by Alexa and Quinton, the conversation covers significant challenges facing brewers today—from the impact of tariffs on aluminum prices to evolving packaging trends like small cans and their appeal to Gen Z and Baby Boomers alike.  
Time codes: 
00:00 - Introduction  00:31 - The Haziness of Aluminum Tariffs  02:48 - Challenges with Aluminum Supply During the Pandemic  04:25 - Craft Brewers Grappling with Tariff Volatility  10:23 - The Rise of Small Cans  17:45 - Gen Z’s Drinking Preferences  18:51 - The Decline of Craft Beer Sales  23:20 - Direct-to-Consumer Shipping  29:29 - Alcohol and Health Conversations  33:06 - Spring Beer Favorites  

Rethinking EPR: Impacts and Challenges for Packaging and CPGs with Lisa McTigue Pierce

Lisa McTeague Pierce, Executive Editor at Packaging Digest, explores Extended Producer Responsibility (EPR) and its impact on the packaging and CPG industry in a recent episode of SNEED-CAST. EPR shifts packaging waste management costs from consumers to producers, but Pierce highlights its early-stage flaws, including inconsistent state regulations, consumer cost burdens, and missed recycling opportunities. She discusses state-specific legislation, like Oregon's framework, and compares global initiatives such as Europe’s Green Dot. Pierce critiques EPR’s inefficiencies while suggesting alternatives like bottle bills and closed-loop recycling systems. This insightful discussion offers valuable recommendations for navigating evolving sustainability legislation.

Turning Heritage into Hustle with Florence Dennis of Flows Tasty Treats

What does it take to turn a childhood snack into a Costco brand? Florence Dennis, founder of Flo's Tasty Treats, shares her journey on SNEED-CAST. From her roots in Ghana and Liberia to breaking into major retailers, Florence discusses creating her signature roasted corn and peanuts, building an African snack box, and her 3-year persistence to land on Costco shelves. She also talks about balancing entrepreneurship with her role in education, her $1M scholarship fund goal, and tips for aspiring entrepreneurs. Plus, get a sneak peek at Flo’s new flavors and Walmart expansion plans! Don’t miss this inspiring episode!
Chapters: 
00:00 - Welcome and Introduction  01:19 - A Mission to Celebrate African Heritage Through Food 02:33 - Childhood Roots in Roasted Corn and Peanut Snacks  04:07 - Shifting Perceptions of African Cuisine08:07 - Balancing Entrepreneurship and Education Advocacy10:35 - Overcoming Initial Business Challenges  14:17 - Breaking Into Costco19:18 - Key Lessons for Aspiring Entrepreneurs24:25 - The Give Back Program25:55 - What’s Next for Flo’s Tasty Treats28:31 - Closing Remarks

Industry Update: Tariff Wars, USDA Cuts, Fishermen Abuse and more!

Thanks for joining us for another episode of SNEED-CAST; the show where we’re keeping you up to date with the ever changing world of manufacturing, processing, packaging, coding and so much more. Today we’ll be discussing topics ranging  from the possible implementation of 200% retaliatory tariffs, the impact of Trump’s trade war on Kentucky’s bourbon industry, recent convictions for pandemic-era food fraud, and a lawsuit against canned tuna producer Bumble Bee over labor abuse allegations. We’ll also discuss the USDA’s decision to end a program connecting farms with schools and its suspension of food deliveries to food banks. Stay tuned for an in-depth look at these pressing issues.
Articles: 
1) Trump Threatens Retaliatory 200% Tariff on European Wine After EU Proposes American Whiskey Tariffwww.foodmanufacturing.com/supply-chain/news/22935946/trump-threatens-retaliatory-200-tariff-on-european-wine-after-eu-proposes-american-whiskey-tariff?2) Kentucky Bourbon Makers Fear Becoming 'Collateral Damage' in Trump's Trade Warwww.foodmanufacturing.com/supply-chain/news/22935668/kentucky-bourbon-makers-fear-becoming-collateral-damage-in-trumps-trade-war?3) Minnesota Jury Convicts Alleged Ringleader of Massive Pandemic Food Fraud Scheme on All Countswww.foodmanufacturing.com/supply-chain/news/22936510/minnesota-jury-convicts-alleged-ringleader-of-massive-pandemic-food-fraud-scheme-on-all-counts?4) Indonesian Fishermen Sue Bumble Bee, Say the Canned Tuna Giant Knew of Abuse in Its Supply Chainwww.foodmanufacturing.com/labor/news/22935898/indonesian-fishermen-sue-bumble-bee-say-the-canned-tuna-giant-knew-of-abuse-in-its-supply-chain?5) USDA Ends Program that Helped Schools Serve Food from Local Farmerswww.foodmanufacturing.com/supply-chain/news/22935959/usda-ends-program-that-helped-schools-serve-food-from-local-farmers?6) USDA halts millions of dollars worth of deliveries to food bankswww.politico.com/news/2025/03/19/usda-halts-deliveries-food-banks-trump-00239453
Time codes:
00:53 - 200% Tariffs3:50 - Bourbon Tariff Blowback6:23 - Pandemic Food Fraud8:33 - Fishermen Abuse10:51 - USDA Ends Program13:12 - USA Halts Food Bank Program