We're back! To launch us into a new year, Dean shares his experiences and insights from NRF 2026. We follow that with a look at our most popular podcasts and content from 2025, audit our predictions at the start of last year, and make new ones for 2026.

Top 2025 Content:

• The RFID Revolution
• How to Sell Networking & Connectivity
• RFID for Checkout
• 3 Things Retailers Want in POS
• Healthcare Mobility Survey
• VARTECH 2025 Recap

Around the Nation: The 2U Tour kicks off in Tampa on Feb. 24th

#VARValue - What can VARs expect from BlueStar this year?

On Our Radar (Christmas Gift Edition)

Dean - Electric pump, therapeutic massage gun, & candle warmer

John - The Bartesian cocktail maker and Spider-Man 2 for the PS5

Keep in Touch!

Email – nation@bluestarinc.com

LinkedIn - https://www.linkedin.com/company/blue-star

Subscribe to the BlueStar Nation Newsletter - https://nation.bluestarinc.com/#subscribe

Sponsored by:

Elo Backpack, powered by Intel

We're wrapping up our sixth season with the annual discussion of all things Star Wars with special guest Sam Hughes! What's the latest news on new movies, series, and scrapped projects? We're actually getting a new film next year (The Mandalorian & Grogu), but will it be good? After brief discussions on "Skeleton Crew," "Tales of the Underworld," and "Visions 3," we dig deep into season 2 of "Andor," one of our favorite Star Wars projects.

Around the Nation: Happy Holidays from all of us to all of you in BlueStar Nation!

Keep in Touch!

Email – nation@bluestarinc.com

LinkedIn - https://www.linkedin.com/company/blue-star

Subscribe to the BlueStar Nation Newsletter - https://nation.bluestarinc.com/#subscribe

Sponsored by:

Elo I-Series Steel

The NRF "Big Show" is a huge event that kicks off a new year for retailers, suppliers, consumer brands, technology providers, and more. For new and veteran attendees alike, it can be overwhelming and exhausting. This week, Intel's Mariya Zorotovich is bringing her experience from across the retail world to share tips for making the most of the show (and any industry event!). What does this year's theme, "The Next Now," mean? What should first-timers expect, and how do veterans prepare? How do we differentiate between cool ideas and real potential solutions that could represent growth for the channel? Put on your comfy shoes and enjoy!

Learn more about how Intel is elevating retail customer experience with their partners at NRF!

Around the Nation: Watch the IHL 2026 Retail Trends Webinar

#VARValue - For VARs, ISVs, and vendor partners attending NRF, what is Intel’s approach to the show, and how will they be interacting with existing and potential partners? What does BlueStar do at the show?

On Our Radar

Mariya - Agentic AI for checkout & change leadership

Dean - Toy Story 5

John - Is grey hair a good thing?

Keep in Touch!

Email – nation@bluestarinc.com

LinkedIn - https://www.linkedin.com/company/blue-star

Subscribe to the BlueStar Nation Newsletter - https://nation.bluestarinc.com/#subscribe

Sponsored by:

EloPOS Instant Rebate Promo

The interest in RFID has never been higher, but what's driving it, and how can the channel capitalize on this momentum? This week, we have an all-star panel: Zebra's Patti Blessing, AIM Global's Mary Lou Bosco, and GS1 US's Teresa Williams. What does the RFID market look like from a broad perspective and within the channel? How are standards and mandates helping guide RFID adoption in industries like retail and healthcare? Is RFID the solution for fighting organized retail crime? Listen to find out why RFID is like a vegetable.

Around the Nation: Check out next week's NRF Prep episode with Intel's Mariya Zorotovich

#VARValue - Final thoughts on the future of RFID and how Zebra, AIM, and GS1 are helping the channel grow and prepare.

On Our Radar

Teresa - NFC tags around the home

Mary Lou - Ja'Marr Chase suspension

Patti - Shopping with RFID

Dean - AI country artist

John - Gabb smart watch for kids

Keep in Touch!

Email – nation@bluestarinc.com

LinkedIn - https://www.linkedin.com/company/blue-star

Subscribe to the BlueStar Nation Newsletter - https://nation.bluestarinc.com/#subscribe

Sponsored by:

Zebra TC22R Handheld RFID Reader

Elo Legacy

It's the 250th episode!!! We like to celebrate milestones with fun topics, and having this one fall on Thanksgiving presented the perfect opportunity to discuss the tech we are thankful for with Sarah Schlueter. First, we share our takes (some quite controversial?) on the Thanksgiving holiday, the food, and leftovers. Then, what tech makes our personal and professional lives better, and we wouldn't want to live without? You'll also hear from colleagues and friends around the channel.

Thanks to all our listeners who keep us going...on to the next 250!

Around the Nation: BlueStar's Webinar Series

On Our Radar

Sarah - Bye bye to the penny

Dean - Russia's AIdol robot flops

John - Parasocial - Cambridge Dictionary word of the year

Keep in Touch!

Email – nation@bluestarinc.com

LinkedIn - https://www.linkedin.com/company/blue-star

Subscribe to the BlueStar Nation Newsletter - https://nation.bluestarinc.com/#subscribe

Sponsored by:

Elo's Self-Service Array

Visitor management is an oft-overlooked opportunity for resellers in industries they already serve, especially education, healthcare, government, and any enterprise where security, protecting sensitive information, or employee and guest safety are prioritized. This week, Epson's Michael Weitz joins to explain the challenges of outdated or traditional visitor management, where you should be looking for business, and why color-printing badges and passes elevate the process. It's the episode that's looking a little shady...

Around the Nation: Need help with your next project? Ask about our Custom Configuration capabilities!

#VARValue - How does the Colorworks printer line enhance the visitor management process, and how should VARs approach their customers about changing existing technology?

On Our Radar

Michael - RAMaggeddon

Dean - Workslop

John - iPhone Pocket

Keep in Touch!

Email – nation@bluestarinc.com

LinkedIn - https://www.linkedin.com/company/blue-star

Subscribe to the BlueStar Nation Newsletter - https://nation.bluestarinc.com/#subscribe

Sponsored by:

Epson C4000 Color Inkjet Label Printer

Elo Non-Touch Displays

BlueStar Academy is our new training program designed to help VARs, ISVs, and vendors give their new (or veteran) sales reps access to education on core technologies, industries, and skills to grow as a solution seller. This week, Mike Monocello, BlueStar Academy program leader and training specialist, explains what executives and managers want from these trainings, how he's building courses, and what attendees can expect. Pay attention...there may be a quiz later!

Learn more about BlueStar Academy and provide your feedback to guide our schedule for 2026

Around the Nation: Find software partners on TEConnect Live

On Our Radar

Mike - Network-attached storage James - Mirage AI Video John - MLB The Show 2025

Keep in Touch!

Email – nation@bluestarinc.com LinkedIn - https://www.linkedin.com/company/blue-star Subscribe to the BlueStar Nation Newsletter - https://nation.bluestarinc.com/#subscribe Sponsored by:

Elo's I-Series 5 rf IDEAS WAVE ID Minis

Labeling in fast-paced QSRs is a critical, time-sensitive task that ensures orders for in-store patrons, delivery drivers, and pickups are properly sorted and accurate. That's where linerless printing can make operations more efficient. This week, Epson's Thermal Label Product Manager, Ian Livesay, joins the podcast to make the case for linerless over die-cut labels. What problems does it solve? Are there other industries that could use them? It's an aggressively sticky episode!

Around the Nation: Watch the BlueStar/Intel Solutions Summit

#VARValue - How does Epson approach linerless label printing? What are some key products VARs should know about, and how do they help you win business?

On Our Radar

Ian - AI-enabled recycling

John - IKEA smartphone bed

Keep in Touch!

Email – nation@bluestarinc.com

LinkedIn - https://www.linkedin.com/company/blue-star

Subscribe to the BlueStar Nation Newsletter - https://nation.bluestarinc.com/#subscribe

Sponsored by:

Epson TM-L100 Liner-free Label Printer

EloPOS Instant Rebate Promo