How is thought leadership changing in the age of AI—and what makes original insight more valuable than ever? NCMM Executive Director Doug Farren sits down with Jason Mlicki, Principal of Rattleback and longtime partner of the Center, to discuss the evolving role of thought leadership, the growth of NCMM over its first 15 years, and how middle market leaders can use research and insights to make better-informed decisions.

Learn more about Rattleback at:  www.rattleback.com

Building a Voice: Thought Leadership, AI, and the Growth of NCMM 

In this episode of The Market That Moves America, Doug Farren sits down with Martin Wise, founder and Executive Chairman of RelPro, to explore how middle market companies can turn data into a competitive advantage. Martin shares why data quality matters more than data quantity, the common misconceptions business leaders have about AI and analytics, and how organizations can use timely, accurate information to strengthen relationships and drive growth.

To learn more about RelPro, visit www.relpro.com [http://www.relpro.com/].

Data as a Strategic Asset: How Actionable Intelligence Fuels Middle Market Growth

Economic uncertainty is real—but America’s middle market isn’t standing still.

In the latest episode of The Market That Moves America, Doug Farren talks with Roger Bailey, Associate Dean of Executive Education and Centers at Fisher College of Business at of The Ohio State University, about what the latest Middle Market Indicator reveals. They dive into how businesses are navigating growth, cautious hiring, strategic investment, and the rapid rise of AI. Together, they explore what’s driving the resilience of middle market companies, as well as what leaders should be watching as they look toward the rest of 2026.

Investing Through Uncertainty: The Middle Market’s Next Move

In this episode, Doug Farren sits down with Tony Pietrocola, Co-Founder and President of AgileBlue, to explore how agentic AI is reshaping cybersecurity, and why middle market companies are now prime targets. They discuss rising threats like deepfakes, accelerated vulnerability exploitation, and “shadow AI,” along with the growing need for standalone cyber budgets and stronger governance.

Tony also shares lessons from building and scaling tech companies, offering guidance for leaders navigating today’s fast-moving digital risk landscape.

For more on AgileBlue, visit: agileblue.com [https://agileblue.com/]

Securing the Middle Market: Cyber Risk, Agentic AI, and the New Digital Reality

What happens when a company decides its next chapter should belong to its employees? In this episode, Doug Farren sits down with John Drake, president at advertising agency Drake Cooper, to explore the agency’s transition to a 100% employee-owned ESOP. They discuss continuity, talent attraction, employee engagement, and why employee ownership can create stronger alignment between culture, performance, and long-term growth.

To learn more about Drake Cooper, visit their website:  https://drakecooper.com

To read NCMM's case study on Drake Cooper's ESOP journey, visit:  https://www.middlemarketcenter.org/case-studies/drake-cooper

Rethinking Succession in the Middle Market: The ESOP Journey of Drake Cooper

In this episode, Doug Farren sits down with Laura Cooke of Positive Foundry to explore why talent management has shifted from an HR function to a core business strategy. They discuss how middle market companies can build high-trust cultures, develop manager effectiveness, and navigate the challenges of a multigenerational workforce. Laura also shares her perspective on AI's role in the workplace and why human connection remains irreplaceable in learning and development.

To learn more about Positive Foundry, visit: https://positivefoundry.com/

People Are the Strategy: Building High-Performing Cultures in the Middle Market

What separates companies that weather disruption from those that fall behind? In this episode, Justin Boardman of Chubb joins NCMM’s Doug Farren to explore how resilience is becoming a defining capability for middle market organizations. From the rise of cyber risk as a board-level priority to the growing importance of business continuity planning, the discussion highlights how leaders can prepare for the unexpected. Learn why agility, proactive planning, and integrated risk strategies are critical to staying competitive in today’s environment.

To explore Chubb's Middle Market Insights, visit this link [https://www.chubb.com/us/ncmm].

Building Resilience in a World of Constant Risk

Host Doug Farren of the National Center for the Middle Market sits down with Jerry Grisko, CEO, and Brad Lakhia, CFO of CBIZ, to unpack new research on how middle market leaders make the hard calls that shape performance.

Drawing on NCMM's recent survey of 400 middle market businesses, they break down the four decision-making mindsets that emerged from the results and what leaders protect (or sacrifice) when pressure hits.

You’ll hear where ROI is showing up (especially in technology), understand why clarity and reliable data drive decision-making, and why “growth matters most” even as profitability often wins when tradeoffs get real.

You can read the full report here: Middlemarketcenter.org [https://www.middlemarketcenter.org/middle-market-research-reports-full-research/the-tradeoff-economy]

Tradeoffs That Move America

Economic headlines can be noisy—but the data tells a clearer story.

Join NCMM’s Doug Farren and Wells Fargo economist Jackie Benson as they connect Q4 2025 Middle Market Indicator results with national economic trends. The discussion covers how middle market companies are navigating tariffs and labor force constraints, why growth has remained resilient, and what business leaders should keep an eye on as interest rates and policy dynamics evolve in 2026.

What’s Driving Business Thinking Now? An Economist’s Take on Tariffs, Rates, and Labor

In this episode, Doug Farren sits down with Interim Dean Aravind Chandrasekaran to explore how The Ohio State University Max M. Fisher College of Business is redefining business education through experiential learning, industry partnerships, and forward‑looking curriculum design. They discuss the critical role of research centers like the National Center for the Middle Market, which has a long and storied connection to Fisher, in bridging academic insight with real‑world challenges facing mid‑sized companies.

Shaping the Future of Business Education: A Conversation with Fisher’s Interim Dean

Doug Farren (@middlemarketcenter) · Zencastr

Doug Farren (@middlemarketcenter)

With the help of industry experts and company leaders, the National Center for the Middle Market offers insights about a critical but often overlooked segment of the US economy – the middle market. Each episode, we get a new perspective from middle market leaders and stakeholders on current trends and emerging issues, allowing us to see the full picture and get an inside look into the market that moves America.