AM/PM Podcast

#478 - Amazon Finally Axes Commingling! | Weekly Buzz 12/12/25

Amazon finally gets rid of the dreaded commingling. Will the post office stop delivering Amazon products? An important new rule for TikTok shop shipping. More stories on today’s Weekly Buzz! ► Watch The Podcasts On Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/@AMPMPodcast?sub_confirmation=1 [https://www.youtube.com/@AMPMPodcast?sub_confirmation=1] https://www.youtube.com/@Helium10SeriousSellersPodcast?sub_confirmation=1► Instagram: instagram.com/serioussellerspodcast ► Free Amazon Seller Chrome Extension: https://h10.me/extension ► Sign Up For Helium 10: https://h10.me/signup  (Use SSP10 To Save 10% For Life) ► Learn How To Sell on Amazon: https://h10.me/ft [https://h10.me/ft] We’re back with another episode of the AM/PM Podcast and Weekly Buzz with Helium 10’s VP of Education and Strategy, Bradley Sutton. Every week, we cover the latest breaking news in the Amazon, Walmart, and E-commerce space, talk about Helium 10’s newest features, and provide a training tip for the week for serious sellers of any level. Amazon: Commingling practices will end effective March 31, 2026 https://sellercentral.amazon.com/seller-news/articles/QVRWUERLSUtYMERFUiNHSktDTEM5N0s5MkRBWFAy [https://sellercentral.amazon.com/seller-news/articles/QVRWUERLSUtYMERFUiNHSktDTEM5N0s5MkRBWFAy]Amazon in discussions with USPS about future relationship https://www.reuters.com/technology/amazon-explores-cutting-ties-with-usps-washington-post-reports-2025-12-04/ [https://www.reuters.com/technology/amazon-explores-cutting-ties-with-usps-washington-post-reports-2025-12-04/]TikTok Shop tightens Postal Service shipping options for sellers https://www.retaildive.com/news/tiktok-shop-usps-label-requirements-change/807086/ [https://www.retaildive.com/news/tiktok-shop-usps-label-requirements-change/807086/]Assess new brand names with Brand Name Evaluator https://sellercentral.amazon.com/seller-news/articles/QVRWUERLSUtYMERFUiNHVzNBWVRVTEZWN0VQWU1C [https://sellercentral.amazon.com/seller-news/articles/QVRWUERLSUtYMERFUiNHVzNBWVRVTEZWN0VQWU1C]Helium 10 is hosting an Elite workshop in Irvine, CA with sessions on AI SEO, TikTok Shop growth, and keyword research. Use code Elite100 at https://h10.me/q4workshop [https://h10.me/q4workshop] for a free $299 ticket. Lastly, an announcement for Helium 10’s podcasts. The AM/PM Podcast will now focus on news and expert-led strategy trainings for e-commerce sellers. For brand stories and seller journeys, subscribe to the Serious Sellers Podcast. In episode #478 of the AM/PM Podcast and Weekly Buzz by Helium 10, Bradley covers: * 00:00 - Introduction * 01:28 - RIP Commingling * 08:58 - RIP USPS? * 10:15 - Amazon Listing Sync * 12:38 - RIP TikTok Shop USPS Labels * 14:18 - TikTok Shop Ads * 17:27 - Amazon Brand Evaluator * 19:18 - Elite Workshop * 20:29 - Serious Sellers Podcast Enjoy this episode? Want to be able to ask questions to Leo Sgovio live in a small group with other 7 and 8-figure Amazon sellers?  Join the Helium 10 Elite Mastermind and get monthly workshops, training, and networking calls with Kevin at h10.me/elite [http://h10.me/elite]Make sure to subscribe to the podcast on iTunes [https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/am-pm-podcast/id1069517661], Spotify [https://open.spotify.com/show/0To9xTXTrBrcExPDB1knVc], or wherever you listen to our podcast! 💰 Get Helium 10 with a special discount to start or scale your e-commerce business here: https://h10.me/h10 [https://h10.me/h10] Want to absolutely start crushing it on eCommerce and make more money? Follow these steps for helpful resources to get started: 1. Get the Ultimate Resource Guide [https://www.ampmpodcast.com/resources/] from Bradley Sutton, Carrie Miller, and Shivali Patel for tools and services that he uses every day to dominate on Amazon! 2. New to Selling on Amazon? Freedom Ticket offers the best tips, tricks, and strategies for beginners just starting out! Sign up for Freedom Ticket [https://pages.helium10.com/join-freedom-ticket]. 3. Trying to Find a New Product? Get the most powerful Amazon product research tool in Black Box, available only at Helium 10! Start researching with Black Box [https://pages.helium10.com/blackbox]. 4. Want to Verify Your Product Idea? Use Xray in our Chrome extension to check how lucrative your next product idea is with over a dozen metrics of data! Download the Helium 10 Chrome Extension [https://pages.helium10.com/xray]. 5. The Ultimate Software Tool Suite for Amazon Sellers! Get more Helium 10 [https://www.helium10.com/] tools that can help you optimize your listings and increase sales for a low price! Sign up today [https://members.helium10.com/user/signup]! 6. Does Amazon Owe YOU Money? Find Out for FREE! If you have been selling for over a year on Amazon, you may be owed money for lost or damaged inventory and not even know it. Get a FREE refund report [https://www.helium10.com/tools/refund-genie/] to see how much you’re owed! 7. Check out our other Amazon FBA podcasts including the Serious Sellers Podcast [https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/serious-sellers-podcast-amazon-fba-walmart-selling/id1453455876], as well as our Spanish [https://podcasts.apple.com/mx/podcast/serious-sellers-podcast-en-espa%C3%B1ol-aprende-a-vender/id1601265098] and German [https://podcasts.apple.com/be/podcast/serious-sellers-podcast-auf-deutsch-lerne-erfolgreich/id1601155781] versions! 8. You can also listen to the AM/PM Podcast on YouTube [https://www.youtube.com/@AMPMPodcast] here!

#477 - Hijacked Amazon Trucks + TikTok Shop Strategies

Amazon truckload hijacked, TikTok Shop creator tactics, new AI tools & strategies, Amazon PPC recovery, and a full revamp of the AM/PM & Serious Sellers Podcasts.   In this episode, Bradley Sutton kicks off a brand-new era for both the AM/PM Podcast and the Serious Sellers Podcast with co-hosts Carrie Miller and Shivali Patel. This simulcast episode sets the tone for what’s coming next: more Amazon, TikTok Shop, Walmart, and AI-driven strategies designed to help you make money in the AM and the PM. Bradley also shares the new format for both shows, including Weekly Buzz moving to AM/PM Podcast, expert-led trainings, and a renewed focus on real seller stories on Serious Sellers Podcast every Monday.   From there, things get wild. Carrie tells the story of a truckload of her Amazon inventory being hijacked on the freeway like a scene straight out of Fast & Furious, complete with a fake carrier, turned-off tracking, ransom demands, and a loss that ballooned to around $70K after tariffs. She breaks down what she learned about freight, tariffs, switching manufacturing from China to Turkey, and why sellers need to be more hands-on with carriers and agencies alike. Shivali then shares her own hard lesson: a high-margin product that kept failing customers, forcing her to pull the listing and rebuild the brand off-Amazon using a digital-first strategy that pairs a makeup mastery course with a physical product bonus and a new funnel powered by Google Ads.   To round out the episode, Shivali walks through exactly how she became a TikTok creator in just 12 days, qualified for the Creator Pilot Program, and started monetizing with TikTok Shop using existing camera-roll content, smart reposting, and product tagging. She also reveals some under-the-radar AI tools like Higgsfield and Arcads that can help sellers generate before-and-after content, influencer-style videos, and scalable creatives without always needing the physical product on hand. Carrie closes with one more key reminder for Amazon sellers: start paying attention to Rufus and optimize your listings around the real questions shoppers are asking, because AI-driven search is already changing how people discover products on Amazon.   In episode 477 of the AM/PM Podcast, Bradley, Carrie, and Shivali discuss: * 00:00 – Bradley kicks off the new era of the AM/PM & Serious Sellers Podcasts * 02:03 – Fast & Furious moment: an Amazon shipment gets hijacked * 03:20 – How the thieves impersonated the carrier and held the load for ransom * 05:14 – $70K in losses and what sellers MUST know about subcontracted carriers * 07:48 – Turning a product failure into a digital-product-first business model * 15:50 – Carrie moves manufacturing from China to Turkey - costs vs. tariffs * 16:55 – Major announcement: Weekly Buzz moves to the AM/PM Podcast * 22:10 – How Shivali became a TikTok Creator in 12 days &  * 27:45 – Carrie’s Amazon PPC agency disaster & how she rebuilt with Helium 10 * 34:05 – AI tools sellers haven’t heard of * 36:45 – Optimizing Amazon listings for Rufus AI * 37:55 – The future format of both podcasts moving forward

#476 - The Final Chapter: Kevin King, Guillermo Puyol, & the Untold Origins of Helium 10

Kevin King signs off with Helium 10 Co-founder Guillermo Puyol as they revisit the origins, wild early days, big lessons, and legacy behind one of e-commerce’s biggest success stories. For the final time as host of the AM/PM Podcast, Kevin King sits down with someone who helped change the course of his career and the Amazon seller world at large. In this emotional closing episode, Kevin welcomes Guillermo Puyol, the brilliant, behind-the-scenes architect who helped transform a small side project into one of the most influential software companies in e-commerce, co-founder of Helium 10.   Kevin and Gui go deep into the real origin story of Helium 10, from Manny discovering Amazon selling through Gui’s retail arbitrage side hustle, to the creation of early Helium 10 tools like Scribbles and Frankenstein, to the unexpected momentum that led to hockey-stick growth… and ultimately, a life-changing exit.   Along the way, they share never-before-told stories: * Recording podcasts from closets and garages * Manny Coats nearly being “kidnapped” (not really) * Why the AM/PM Podcast existed before Helium 10 * The infamous April Fools episode that caused chaos * The first Illuminati mastermind and the rise of Helium 10 Elite * The emotional whiplash after selling a company * And why both of them are now back in the startup trenches with AI   This episode is part history, part entrepreneurship masterclass, and part heartfelt goodbye as Kevin concludes his 3.5-year run as host, marking 180+ episodes.   Whether you’re an OG listener who remembers the early AM/PM days or someone new to the brand, this conversation gives you a rare, unfiltered look inside the building of a billion-dollar ecosystem and the people who made it happen. 🏁 Final Notes From Kevin   As I close out this chapter of the AM/PM Podcast and my 9.5-year journey with Helium 10, I want to thank every listener, guest, and team member who made this ride unforgettable. From the early days of tin-can microphones to global events and hundreds of episodes, this community has been the heartbeat behind everything we've built.   If you’d like to stay connected, continue learning, and go deeper into the world of high-level e-commerce, here are links to stay in touch with me. https://www.linkedin.com/in/kevin-king-amazon/ [https://www.linkedin.com/in/kevin-king-amazon/]https://www.youtube.com/@marketingmisfitspodcast [https://www.youtube.com/@marketingmisfitspodcast]https://join.billiondollarsellers.club/bdss-club/ [https://join.billiondollarsellers.club/bdss-club/] https://www.billiondollarsellers.com/ [https://www.billiondollarsellers.com/]   In episode 476 of the AM/PM Podcast, Kevin and Guillermo discuss: * 01:47 – How AM/PM Launched Kevin’s Entire Amazon Career * 04:46 – Why Guillermo Puyol Is the Perfect Final Guest * 10:20 – The True Origin Story: Flappy Bird, Financial Struggles, & a Chance Connection * 14:20 – Building the AM/PM Podcast to Build an Audience * 18:40 – The Moment Helium 10 Scribbles Was Born (Because Manny Tanked His Sales) * 21:35 – Naming Helium 10 the Night Before an Event * 26:00 – The Rise of the Illuminati Mastermind to Helium 10 Elite * 30:15 – The War Room Event That Changed Everything * 38:25 – Fireball Bottles, Screwball Whiskey & Conference Traditions * 41:05 – Watching Helium 10 Become a Global Giant * 46:10 – Life After the Exit: Identity, Depression, & Reinvention * 56:10 – The Founders Return: Manny & Guillermo Launching Kreator.ai * 01:03:00 – Advice to Entrepreneurs in 2025 * 01:10:45 – Kevin Shares His Own Next Chapter * 01:13:15 – A Final Farewell & Gratitude

#475 - Are Your Amazon Ads Bleeding Cash? How to Fix It with Brent Zahradnik

Let’s dive into Amazon PPC and break down DSP, AMC, wasted ad spend, and smarter campaign strategies. Learn how top brands win with data-driven advertising.   Can you afford to miss out on the secrets behind optimizing Amazon PPC, AMC, and DSP? Brent Zahradnik, a seasoned expert in Amazon advertising, brings his wealth of experience to our show, uncovering the complexities of Amazon advertising. Brent’s journey from the US to France adds a unique perspective to the conversation as he shares how balancing work across time zones and immersing in French culture has enriched his professional insights.   Amazon advertising has evolved dramatically from its early days of low cost-per-click rates and basic ad options. This episode unpacks the intricate landscape that demands expert management today, highlighting how advanced targeting and analytics have transformed strategy requirements. Brent shares poignant anecdotes of Amazon's initial ad experiments, while navigating the challenges that both advertisers and clients face in maintaining a competitive edge in this pay-to-play ecosystem.   The potential impact of AI on Amazon advertising agencies is another compelling topic Brent tackles, discussing how tools like Amazon Marketing Cloud (AMC) and Demand Side Platform (DSP) can revolutionize efficiency. With insights into selecting the right agency and the importance of comprehensive service packages, Brent guides listeners through optimizing their Amazon ad strategy. Whether you're a brand new to the platform or a seasoned seller, this episode promises actionable insights and the guidance needed to thrive in today's Amazon marketplace.   In episode 47 of the AM/PM Podcast, Kevin and Brent discuss: * 00:00 - Exploring Amazon PPC With Brent Zahradnik * 06:39 - Rise of Amazon Advertising Complexity * 09:53 - Evolution of Amazon Advertising * 12:44 - Agency vs Software in Amazon Sales * 16:25 - AI in Amazon Advertising and Integration * 23:00 - Impact of Rufus and COSMO in Amazon Advertising * 26:08 - Amazon PPC Strategy and Data Analysis  * 30:55 - Keyword Strategy for Amazon Ranking * 32:00 - Amazon DSP and Advertising Efficiency * 35:07 - Modern Brand Building With Amazon DSP * 38:16 - Combining Data Sets for Targeted Ads * 41:26 - Customer Funnel Strategy for Conquesting * 42:54 - Optimizing Amazon PPC and DSP Investments * 47:59 - How Brands Can Utilize Amazon DSP * 49:55 - Selecting an Amazon Advertising Agency * 56:19 - Automated Conversion Campaigns in DSP * 58:21 - Human Touch in Modern Advertising

#474 - Turning a Family Brand Into a Media Powerhouse with Kelsey Farrar

In this episode, our guest breaks down how he turned a small family brand into a thriving media empire through newsletters, podcasts, AI tools, and TikTok Shop strategies that build real e-commerce influence.   Join us for an engaging conversation on the AM/PM podcast as we explore the world of podcasts and newsletters with Kelsey Farrar, a seasoned expert and son of industry veteran Norm Farrar. Kelsey shares his unique insights into the evolution of newsletters and how they have become indispensable resources in the e-commerce industry. Learn how valuable content can transform newsletters from simple marketing tools into must-read resources that truly engage and inform subscribers. Discover how Kelsey was inspired by my presentation in Puerto Rico to revamp the Lunch with Norm newsletter, enhancing its value and engagement.   Listen in as we discuss the power of newsletters as a tool for building brand engagement. We highlight the importance of tailoring content to resonate with audiences and strategies like audience segmentation and interactive elements. The conversation touches on the importance of analyzing metrics to understand audience preferences, using current topics like TikTok shop bans to boost engagement. Kelsey also shares his journey from teaching English in Korea to collaborating with his dad on his personal brand during the COVID-19 pandemic, gaining valuable social media and branding insights.   Finally, we navigate the dynamics of hosting a podcast with nearly 700 episodes and the lessons learned from interacting with hundreds of guests. Discover the significance of having robust systems and processes in place to ensure business sustainability while avoiding the distractions of fleeting industry trends. We also explore the intricacies of building an online presence through platforms like Amazon affiliates and TikTok, highlighting the patience and persistence required for content creation. The episode concludes with reflections on the contrasting dynamics between Lunch with Norm and Marketing Misfits podcasts, emphasizing the importance of personal branding and networking in the digital landscape.   In episode 474 of the AM/PM Podcast, Kevin and Kelsey discuss: * 07:56 - Consistent, Light Newsletter With Industry Insights * 11:55 - Building Brand Engagement Through Newsletters * 15:36 - Family's Transition During COVID Shutdown * 21:45 - Business Success on Podcasts and Social Media * 24:20 - Navigating Business Trends and Growth * 30:26 - Social Media Influence and Product Experimentation * 32:31 - Navigating TikTok Shop Expectations * 39:35 - TikTok Brand Management and Affiliate Outreach * 43:31 - Podcast Dynamics and E-Commerce Trends * 45:13 - Comparing Podcast Formats and Audience Engagement * 48:17 - Podcast Format Pros and Cons * 51:01 - E-Commerce Industry and AI Advancements