Keeping it Real Podcast with Dr. Kuehl

Hosted by American Supply Association

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Episodes

100

Latest episode

Oct 2026

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About the show

A weekly podcast, “Keeping it Real with Dr. Kuehl,” debut in July 2020. In these podcasts, ASA Chief Economist, Dr. Chris Kuehl, provides a brief 5-10 minute economic update on areas of keen interest to ASA members, including industrial PVF commodities.

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60 recent

October 30, 20268 min

Data Centers, GDP Growth & the Future of Construction

Season 6, Episode 32: Welcome back to a new episode of Keeping it Real with Dr. Kuehl ! This week, we have a special guest host! With Dr. Chris Kuehl out this week, his colleague Keith Prather of Armada Corporate Intelligence is stepping in to deliver the latest economic insights and updates. ASA's weekly economic update podcast continues with Keith Prather of Armada Corporate Intelligence filling in for ASA Chief Economist Dr. Chris Kuehl. In Season 6, Episode 32, Keith shares his perspective on GDP readings and the Q3 economic reading. What are the impacts of data center construction? Overall, what is the stock market telling us about the outlook for our industry? How much of our current economic growth is being driven by data centers, both directly and indirectly? What holds up brand new project starts? What do we know about tier one projects through 2026 & 2028? Are there going to be delays?? Where do we see concern of tier two projects? Tier three projects - heavy speculations are building. Why?? What % of all of these tiered projects are at risk? Will we see any pullback on these projects? Ask Dr. Kuehl a Question! Have a question or topic for Chris Kuehl that you would like answered on this podcast? Email it to Brianna Dovichi at bdovichi@asa.net .

October 23, 20268 min

The 2030 Workforce Crisis - Are We Prepared for What’s Coming?

Season 6, Episode 31: Welcome back to a new episode of Keeping it Real with Dr. Kuehl. This week, Dr. Chris Kuehl gives an update on the progress of the the demographic collapse at the end of this decade. ASA Chief Economist Dr. Chris Kuehl is back with his weekly economic update podcast. In Season 6, Episode 31 (8:04 in length), ASA Chief Economist Dr. Chris Kuehl discusses the mother of all recessions predicated in 2030. Realistically can we predict the end of the decade? What potential challenges should we be preparing for, and what do we know about what’s coming? 2030 - where will the boomers leave us? Where does the next generation of workers come from? How are we catching on to training these next gen workers? Succession - who takes over companies of the CEO's who are starting to retire? What is driving what's happening in education? How can you recruit the best students? What is the next big challenge? Why is workforce a red flag right now?? How can we focus on where the workforce comes from? Ask Dr. Kuehl a Question! Have a question or topic for Chris Kuehl that you would like answered on this podcast? Email it to Brianna Dovichi at bdovichi@asa.net .

October 16, 20268 min

What’s Shaking the Bond Market?

Season 6, Episode 30: Welcome back to a new episode of Keeping it Real with Dr. Kuehl. This week, Dr. Chris Kuehl gives an update on finance. ASA Chief Economist Dr. Chris Kuehl is back with his weekly economic update podcast. In Season 6, Episode 30 (8:39 in length), ASA Chief Economist Dr. Chris Kuehl discusses the activity on the finance side of things - what implications does this have on ASA members? The global treasury route coming to an end? What are bond buyers looking for? Should they be concerned about government bonds? Is this good news for residential housing? When does mortgage activity take off? Are we there yet? Hesitation on what will happen with the election - what will this do to the bond market? Is it unlikely for The Fed to raise rates after the election? Is inflation a disease of growth? How do new competitors come into this market? What is the inflation we have now being driven by? Can inflation end over night? Does this make the bond market jittery? Ask Dr. Kuehl a Question! Have a question or topic for Chris Kuehl that you would like answered on this podcast or on his monthly ASA members only webinar? Email it to Brianna Dovichi at bdovichi@asa.net

October 9, 20268 min

The Economy & Election Season: What Lies Ahead?

Season 6, Episode 29: Welcome back to a new episode of Keeping it Real with Dr. Kuehl. This week, Dr. Chris Kuehl gives an update on politics. ASA Chief Economist Dr. Chris Kuehl is back with his weekly economic update podcast. In Season 6, Episode 29 (8:39 in length), ASA Chief Economist Dr. Chris Kuehl discusses how politics play into the economic conversation. Politicians have 2 phases - what are they focused on? What is the number one focus for that middle of the road voter? Inflation, fuel prices, The Middle East - why was this focused generally in politics? Overall, the economy isn't doing too bad - is this ironic? What income earners are less affected by what is going on in the economy? Mixed bag of how the election will turn out - what have the politicians shifted their focus to? How do the Fed's tactics work?? How do people get into new businesses? What does this have to do with competitor prices & inflation? What will it take to lower oil prices? How long will these economic issues last and what is the impact? Frantic month of economic discussion ahead - what can we expect? Ask Dr. Kuehl a Question! Have a question or topic for Chris Kuehl that you would like answered on this podcast or on his monthly ASA members only webinar? Email it to Brianna Dovichi at bdovichi@asa.net

October 2, 20269 min

Are Transportation & Supply Chain Challenges Here to Stay?

Season 6, Episode 28: Welcome back to a new episode of Keeping it Real with Dr. Kuehl. This week, Dr. Chris Kuehl gives an update on transportation & supply chain challenges. ASA Chief Economist Dr. Chris Kuehl is back with his weekly economic update podcast. In Season 6, Episode 28 (9:07 in length), ASA Chief Economist Dr. Chris Kuehl discusses fuel, workforce challenges, consolidation, supply chains and transportation costs. Did we get what we expected with the fuel crisis? Was anyone surprised? What is the industry itself reacting to? Workforce shortage discussion - predictable or not? Required retirement, is this becoming a big issue? Is there a permanent problem with infrastructure? Consolidation is a big conversation - how are ASA members effected? Is anyone at risk? How long should we watch the supply chain? Transportation is a cost - is anyone actually making money? Where is the U.S. transportation grid ranked? Are we failing?? Ask Dr. Kuehl a Question! Have a question or topic for Chris Kuehl that you would like answered on this podcast or on his monthly ASA members only webinar? Email it to Brianna Dovichi at bdovichi@asa.net

September 25, 20267 min

Four Big Economic Moves Shaping the Week

Season 6, Episode 27: Welcome back to a new episode of Keeping it Real with Dr. Kuehl. This week, Dr. Chris Kuehl talks about the economic data from this week. ASA Chief Economist Dr. Chris Kuehl is back with his weekly economic update podcast. In Season 6, Episode 27 (7:20 in length), ASA Chief Economist Dr. Chris Kuehl discusses the data changes and the four things that happened this week in the economy that effects ASA members. The big jump in the ten year bond yield - are the bond buyers nervous? What are the bond buyers looking at?? How much has the yield gone up? Is there any control on the bond market? Inflation on the construction sector - what is driving this? Why is there a stall in the existing housing market? Oil prices... they were falling, and then they weren't - why? Is there a lot of volatility as the oil market is concerned? Do tariffs have impact on the U.S. vs Canada? What industries are affected by these tariffs? When can we actually relax? Ask Dr. Kuehl a Question! Have a question or topic for Chris Kuehl that you would like answered on this podcast or on his monthly ASA members only webinar? Email it to Brianna Dovichi at bdovichi@asa.net

September 11, 20267 min

The Oil Streak Is Over — Should We Be Worried?

Season 6, Episode 26: Welcome back to a new episode of Keeping it Real with Dr. Kuehl. This week, Dr. Chris Kuehl talks about the oil streak ending. ASA Chief Economist Dr. Chris Kuehl is back with his weekly economic update podcast. In Season 6, Episode 26 (7:44 in length), ASA Chief Economist Dr. Chris Kuehl discusses oil! What did the price per barrel jump to over night? Why did this happen? Is there a crisis regarding oil transportation in the Middle East? Admission by the administration - will this be solved by the November election? What conversation has come out of the White House? Do they know for sure that the global reserves have been used up? What results in this and what is being reflected? High pump prices - does this affect multiple sectors? Diesel is already a crisis - now do we have to worry about normal gasoline? Holiday retail, what does this have to do with anything? Ask Dr. Kuehl a Question! Have a question or topic for Chris Kuehl that you would like answered on this podcast or on his monthly ASA members only webinar? Email it to Brianna Dovichi at bdovichi@asa.net

September 4, 20267 min

Better-Than-Expected Job Growth—But Where Are the Skilled Workers?

Season 6, Episode 25: Welcome back to a new episode of Keeping it Real with Dr. Kuehl. This week, Dr. Chris Kuehl talks about the latest labor data, stronger-than-expected job growth and what it means for the economy. ASA Chief Economist Dr. Chris Kuehl is back with his weekly economic update podcast. In Season 6, Episode 25 (7:44 in length), Dr. Kuehl breaks down the encouraging employment numbers, the ongoing shortage of skilled workers and how workforce challenges may affect business productivity. Were the latest labor numbers better than expected? Where did the economy add 162,000 jobs? Why did job growth improve after several slower months? How did seasonal hiring affect the latest numbers? Why are companies struggling to find trained and experienced workers? Are businesses hiring untrained employees and training them internally? How long does it take for a new employee to become fully productive? Could workforce training slow business growth and capacity utilization? What is capacity utilization and why does it matter? Which industry experienced the largest employment gains? Is the healthcare sector beginning to recover from pandemic-related workforce losses? Could retail hiring provide another boost in the coming months? Ask Dr. Kuehl a Question! Have a question or topic for Chris Kuehl that you would like answered on this podcast? Email it to Brianna Dovichi at bdovichi@asa.net .

August 28, 20268 min

Three Market Events Shaping the Second Half of the Year

Season 6, Episode 24: Welcome back to a new episode of Keeping it Real with Dr. Kuehl. This week, Keith Prather, Armada's very own, talks to members about oil prices, interest rates and the latest tariff developments. With ASA Chief Economist Dr. Chris Kuehl out this week, Keith Prather of Armada is stepping in to deliver the latest economic update. In Season 6, Episode 24 (8:21 in length), Keith breaks down three major events ASA members should be watching and what they could mean for the second half of the year. What is the current price per barrel of oil? Are oil prices elevated? Are we seeing a ripple effect across other parts of the market? What are the implications of the current bond rates? How are the bond market and oil prices connected? What was the final ruling on tariffs? What do we still not know about the tariff rulings? Why could the Section 338 tariff on Canada directly affect ASA members? Which sectors could be impacted the most? Could the Federal Reserve’s upcoming decision result in an interest-rate hike? What should ASA members expect during the second half of the year? Ask Dr. Kuehl a Question! Have a question or topic for Chris Kuehl that you would like answered on this podcast? Email it to Brianna Dovichi at bdovichi@asa.net .

August 14, 20268 min

Good News for the Economy — But Will It Last?

Season 6, Episode 23: Welcome back to a new episode of Keeping it Real with Dr. Kuehl. This week, Dr. Chris Kuehl talks about how come the news has been good lately?? ASA Chief Economist Dr. Chris Kuehl is back with his weekly economic update podcast. In Season 6, Episode 23 (7:59 in length), ASA Chief Economist Dr. Chris Kuehl discusses the encouraging news lately and what does it really mean? Inflation numbers down - is this a trend?? Job growth as bad as we thought it would be? The second quarter numbers - what did we end up with? What are third quarter predications? Why are we seeing decent numbers?? Seasonal change, what does this have to do with things? Are companies waiting for economic data to tell them what to do? Are companies constantly adjusting? Are we going into a golden period?? What is beginning to emerge after a year? Ask Dr. Kuehl a Question! Have a question or topic for Chris Kuehl that you would like answered on this podcast or on his monthly ASA members only webinar? Email it to Brianna Dovichi at bdovichi@asa.net