What does it take to be a successful restaurant owner? What does it take to be a successful franchisor? Listen to Todd Parent as he joins Jim Blasingame to talk about what went into founding and growing Extremem Pizza. This is a clinic on how to give yourself the maximum opportunity to be successful.

When will the consumer come back to the marketplace? Joan Pryde and Jim Blasingame talk about this topic, plus the pace of economic recovery, a look at global GDP, increase in government regulations on energy and other topics covered in this week's Kiplinger Letter.

How have books fared as a component of free speech? Ken Davis joins Jim Blasingame during Banned Book Week, to review the history of banned books and the future of free speech in print.

Austin Kiplinger is a national treasure, a witness to a century one of Jim Blasingame's heroes. Listen as Jim interviews this 91 year-old journalist about keeping contemporary and opportunities challenges in perspective.

Is capitalism dead. Is capitalism evil? Julia Seymour and Jim Blasingame discuss the current debate over these issues and make the case that capitalism is neither evil or deal, especially on Main Street, where small businesses work.

How did the recent election go in Afghanistan and what are the future prospects for this country to successfully govern itself? Rich Galen talks with Jim Blasingame about his recent assignment as an election observer and his thoughts on the future of this country.

Beginning with a reflection on the late Ted Kennedy, Joan Pryde and Jim Blasingame talk about the impact of cyber-crime and how to not become a victim. They also talk about consumer behavior, an increase in anti-trust scrutiny, "cash for clunkers" and regional wireless broadband.

Will the U.S. lead the world out of recession? How long will the recession last? What will the role of the Fed be in the future? These issues and others are discussed by Joan Pryde and Jim Blasingame, including the American auto industry and whether tax increases will be part of health care reform.

The current health care reform and cap-and-trade debates are two critical issues being debated that will have enormous influences on small businesses. Don Lambro joins Jim Blasingame to talk about these issues and how the debate is progressing in Congress.

What's the future of manufacturing in the U.S.? Will health care reform pass in 2009? Will the SBA increase lending to small business exporters? How much more financial regulations will be imposed? Joan Pryde joins Jim Blasingame to discuss these topics and more.