Export Stories Podcast

Hosted by Betsy Olim, Andrew Bartolotta, Olim International

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May 2026

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About the show

Welcome to Export Stories, a podcast of one-on-one interviews featuring stories from the wide—and sometimes crazy—world of U.S. exporting. Your host for Export Stories is Betsy Olim, President of Olim International, a U.S.-based export management company. Betsy has a made a 37-year career of developing global sales and distribution for U.S. companies. Olim International, Inc. provides professional export management and international distribution services to small- and medium-sized U.S. companies. Whether helping to open new international markets or strengthening a company’s unique, competitive advantages in existing export markets, Olim brings strategic vision and added value to our clients’ international distribution programs.

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60 recent

May 18, 202657 min

How AI Is Transforming Import & Export Compliance: Insights from Cindy Allen

In this episode of the Export Stories Podcast, host Betsy Olim sits down with Cindy Allen, a global trade expert and former Vice President of Regulatory Affairs and Compliance at FedEx Logistics, to unpack the growing complexity of international trade. With over four decades of experience, Cindy shares her journey from an entry-level customs clerk to leading compliance strategy at some of the world’s largest logistics organizations. She offers a behind-the-scenes look at how global trade systems have evolved—and why compliance is now a critical business function, not an afterthought. The conversation dives deep into today’s most pressing issues, including: The rise of AI in government trade enforcement and risk analysis How tariffs, trade regulations, and policy shifts are impacting importers and exporters Why companies must understand their compliance “risk profile” The increasing role of compliance leaders at the executive level Real-world strategies for navigating audits, disputes, and regulatory challenges Cindy also explains how government agencies are leveraging decades of trade data with advanced AI tools to identify anomalies—making proactive compliance more important than ever. Whether you're an experienced exporter, importer, or business leader navigating global markets, this episode delivers practical insights to help you stay compliant, reduce risk, and make smarter strategic decisions in an increasingly complex trade environment.

January 24, 202649 min

Beth Branch, President & CEO of the Port of New Orleans - Multimodal Hub and Much, Much More

Many of you know, because I mention it frequently, that I grew up in Memphis. And if you are from Memphis, because of its proximity, you might have been lucky enough to visit one of the most beautiful and most interesting of American cities - New Orleans. The history is so fascinating.And, if you are in the export or import business, you are going to be very excited to hear my conversation with today’s guest, Beth Branch, President & CEO of the Port of New Orleans. Not only does she bring us up to date on what is happening with this dynamic ocean port, but she is also a great storyteller in her own right.I hope you enjoy this episode. After you’ve listened, we would love to hear your thoughts and comments, which you can post at https://www.exportstoriespodcast.com/ or on our Facebook or LinkedIn pages.

October 28, 202535 min

Our Joint Podcast with The Trade Guys Podcast

Ever since Millionpodcasts.com named Export Stories Podcast as #6 of the Best International Trade Podcasts, I thought it might be nice to invite the #2 podcast to be our guest. They are known as The Trade Guys podcast with Scott Miller and Bill Reinsch. What we decided to do was record a joint podcast. It was so much fun talking to them, and you will learn a great deal – I promise. So here are the three of us, chatting up a storm.I hope you enjoy this episode. After you’ve listened, we would love to hear your thoughts and comments, which you can post at https://www.exportstoriespodcast.com/ or on our Facebook or LinkedIn pages.

September 8, 202558 min

Emily Sweet Shares Stories about the World of International Literary Agency

To celebrate our 60th episode, an accomplishment of which I am very proud, I looked to a new subject that we haven’t remotely explored – the world of literary management. How fortunate to be able to welcome a delightful guest - Emily Sweet who is the Partner, Strategy and Communications with Park, Fine, & Brower, a world-renowned literary management agency. Though very closely aligned with publishing, this is a wholly unique business. I was fascinated to learn about it and share our discussion with you.I hope you enjoy this episode. After you’ve listened, we would love to hear your thoughts and comments, which you can post at https://www.exportstoriespodcast.com/ or on our Facebook or LinkedIn pages.

June 30, 202549 min

Blanca Ramirez Shares Stories about the Remarkable Company that is Lectro Dryer of Kentucky

I always enjoy interviewing U.S. manufacturers with a long history of export because they are, in some ways, the heart of what Export Stories Podcast is all about. Today’s guest, Blanca Ramirez, works for one such remarkable company, and has some wonderful stories to share from her long experience in international trade. Blanca is the Green Hydrogen Solutions Manager for Lectro Dryer, a Kentucky Company that serves international gases and liquids industries. I hope you enjoy this episode. After you’ve listened, we would love to hear your thoughts and comments, which you can post at https://www.exportstoriespodcast.com/ or on our Facebook or LinkedIn pages.

June 20, 202549 min

Doug Farren Discusses the Ohio State’s National Center for Middle Markets

In our last episode with Ohio State’s CIBER’s Dr. Michael Knemeyer and Dominic DiCamillo, they proudly referred to Ohio State’s Fisher College of Business’ National Center for the Middle Market. Such an important resource center; so, I am delighted to have as today’s guest the Managing Director, Doug Farren. We had a great discussion about the varied work that they do. I know you will find it interesting. I hope you enjoy this episode. After you’ve listened, we would love to hear your thoughts and comments, which you can post at https://www.exportstoriespodcast.com/ or on our Facebook or LinkedIn pages.

May 23, 202552 min

Ohio State CIBER – Discussion with Michael Knemeyer and Dominic DiCamillo

Sixteen of the U.S.’s great academic institutions host what is called The Centers for International Business Education and Research (CIBERs), created by an act of Congress. Through my great fortune, and some effort, we are lucky to host the Ohio State CIBER, with Michael Knemeyer, Professor of Logistics, Marketing & Logistics and International Programs through CIBER, and Dominic DiCamillo, Senior Director, Office of Global Business/CIBER.We had a great discussion about their initiatives related to exports, global trade, and international logistics. However, the Ohio State CIBER is unique in many ways. You’ll want to listen to learn more.I hope you enjoy this episode. After you’ve listened, we would love to hear your thoughts and comments, which you can post at https://www.exportstoriespodcast.com/ or on our Facebook or LinkedIn pages.

March 7, 202543 min

Paul Edelblut Educates Us on AI’s Use in Export

We’re back – finally - for year 7 of Export Stories Podcast. I’m pinching myself. Thank you for joining us.I was very determined that our first episode of 2025 would be about AI and exports. I found the perfect guest for a ‘deep dive’ discussion. He is Paul Edelblut, Vice President of Global Operations for Vantage Labs. We are so honored to have Paul join us. You’ll hear the voluminous questions that I had for Paul, and the ease in which he is able to discuss the technology and its relevance to the export community. And, of course, he shared some fascinating stories with us.I hope you enjoy this episode. After you’ve listened, we would love to hear your thoughts and comments, which you can post at https://www.exportstoriespodcast.com/ or on our Facebook or LinkedIn pages.

November 21, 202439 min

John Butler and Agricenter International – A Gem in the World of Agricultural Research

You have probably noticed that I keep coming back to the subject of agriculture on this podcast – for very good reasons – it is critical to the U.S. export economy. And then it occurred to me – here, practically in my own backyard, in Shelby County, TN, we have the most amazing not-for-profit organization – Agricenter International. So, it is our good fortune that the President and CEO, John Butler, agreed to be my guest and enlighten us all about the Agricenter. John’s background is both unique and fascinating. I hope you enjoy our conversation.After you’ve listened, we would love to hear your thoughts and comments, which you can post at https://www.exportstoriespodcast.com/ or on our Facebook or LinkedIn pages.

October 9, 202435 min

Andrew White of Comptus Shares Some of the Secrets to Successful Exporting

What a great conversation we have lined up for you today! Our guest, Andrew White, is the President of Comptus, a New Hampshire manufacturer and seller of commercial environmental sensors and controls. You will learn what they do and how they serve many important markets. Andrew earned his Bachelor of Arts in Government from Harvard University, and an MBA from Plymouth State University. When asked to be a guest on our podcast, he was happy to have a chance to share his success stories with other exporters or those new to exporting. That, of course, is what Export Stories is all about. Comptus is a fascinating business, and I hope you enjoy this episode. After you’ve listened, we would love to hear your thoughts and comments, which you can post at https://www.exportstoriespodcast.com/ or on our Facebook or LinkedIn pages.