Steve and Jim talk about the impact of the recent illegal strike by the New York Transit Authority union members, how that action hurt small businesses, and what should be done to prevent this kind of thing from happening again.

Grace-Marie helps Jim understand the Medicare Drug Benefit programs that are currently available to senior citizens. She also provides a phone number and a Web site that will help with the decision of which provider to use.

Bill has a little bit of laryngitis but he's a trooper and he joins Jim to discuss the Fed's actions on interest rates, as well as to report on the survey he conducts each month with small business owners across America. The news is mostly good, with only an increase in inflation as a negative indicator.

Sam and Jim talk about the current and future economic conditions in the U.S. based on the survey Sam conducts with several hundred of his partners who are running businesses around the country. The new is better than last month, and the future looks bright.

Giovanni and Jim talk about some of the public policy issues that are helping small businesses, like the tax breaks. They go on to talk about a potential minimum wage increase and why that's bad policy for small business and indeed the marketplace.

Joan and Jim begin their visit talking about the "Christmas" debate that's going on around the world. They move on to discuss whether the pensions of failed businesses can become a national economic problem, and Jim has a prediction about this. Next they discuss a number of 2006 economic forecasts, an update on the Avian flu, news about the Patriot Act, and finally, what the IRS is going to be up to in the coming year with regard to small businesses.

Rafael and Jim talk about how a CEO peer group works and why small business owners should consider joining one. Rafael takes you inside one of the TEC meetings to let you see what happens and how much you can benefit from being a participant in a group which essentially becomes your board of directors.

Ray and Jim discuss the challenges Western companies face -- including small businesses -- with increased theft of intellectual property by China and other developing countries. Listen in to see what Ray says when Jim asks him which is the greater threat from China, their nuclear weapons or their theft of our intellectual property?

Tamar and Jim talk about how America as a "melting pot" of immigrants may be changing, and they reflect on whether that's a good thing or a bad thing.

Grace-Marie joins Jim to talk first about the avian flu and the threat of a possible global pandemic, and how changing of regulations could help in the development of vaccines. They move on to discuss how the recent report by the Tax Reform Commission could affect how we provide healthcare insurance for ourselves and our employees.