The FAM Podcast with Mark Kinsley

Discover the transformative power of sleep science in this insightful episode featuring Dr. Elie Gottlieb, Head of Applied Sleep Science at SleepScore Labs. Host Mark Kinsley explores how cutting-edge research and technology are not only helping people sleep better—but also driving innovation and growth for businesses in the sleep industry. What You’ll Learn:* How SleepScore Labs validates product...

3Z Brands CEO John Merwin returns to The FAM Podcast to talk about the future of mattress retail . From Helix’s brick-and-mortar rise to the viral impact of Brooklyn (his daughter and the brand), and the surprising acquisition of Southerland—a legacy wholesaler—Merwin reveals how the lines between DTC and traditional retail are being redrawn. 🛏️ Whether you’re a mattress retailer, manufacturer, or...

The FAM is excited to announce that Bedgear's CEO Eugene Aletto is speaking at Sleep Summit 2025. In honor of the announcement, we are replaying last year's most listened to episode, featuring the bad boy of bedding himself! Buckle up for an eye-opening chat with Eugene Alletto, the maverick CEO of Bedgear, who's revolutionizing the bedding industry with his bold and innovative approach. Dubbed th...

Can you build a competitive intelligence dashboard with no coding skills? Yes—and Mark Kinsley shows you how. In this episode, Kinsley demos how he used Manus.ai to create a mattress industry market tracker that monitors local competitors, scrapes promotional data, and identifies strategic threats. He also built a real-time stock dashboard to follow public companies like Sleep Number and Purple. I...

Dive into the inspiring journey of Dale Carlsen, the visionary behind Sleep Train, and discover how he reshaped an industry and gave back to his community. Join host Mark Kinsley as he sits down with Dale Carlsen, the legendary founder of Sleep Train, who built a 317-store empire with a unique culture of employee ownership and community support. In this episode, Dale Carlsen shares the story of bu...

Uncover the hidden question that transforms how you connect with your passion and purpose. Kinsley embarked on a transformative journey through Catalonia, Spain, where he met Harvey, an exceptional guide who poses a life-changing question: "A que te dedicas?" This episode dives into cultural insights and personal reflections that redefine the meaning of work and dedication. Join Mark as he reflect...

How do you transform a crowd focused on funnel cakes and fun houses into a line of eager mattress buyers? This week on The FAM Podcast, host Mark Kinsley sits down with Jason Goodman, the head of business development for City Mattress, to discuss the art of selling at high-traffic events like state fairs and rodeos. Goodman shares how to sell outside traditional retail environments. Learn how to c...

Discover how to 40X your productivity and revolutionize your business workflow with the power of AI!In this episode, Mark Kinsley reveals how to dramatically enhance your productivity using ChatGPT and generative AI, sharing insights from his teachings to mattress industry executives. Learn how AI is reshaping business operations, from idea generation to task automation, and why becoming a "prompt...

Discover the secret sauce behind City Mattress, one of America's most esteemed family-owned retailers. Join host Mark Kinsley as he delves into the recipe for success with Jason Goodman, Head of Business Development at City Mattress. This episode uncovers the blend of tradition, innovation, and quality that defines their retail strategy. In this episode, we explore the unique business strategies t...

Get ready to dive into the unforgettable experience of Dream Camp 2025 at the iconic Hotel Emma! Join host Mark Kinsley and co-host Tara Kinsley as they take you through the transformative journey of Dream Camp 2025, hosted at the stunning Hotel Emma. This episode features highlights from the event, including insights from Hernani Alves, former president of Sleep Train, and the unforgettable guaca...

Discover how Nate Cangemi transitioned from rock and roll to mattress mogul without selling his house! Join host Mark Kinsley as he sits down with Nate Cangemi, the dynamic frontman behind Golden Dreams Mattress and the official band of the Sleep Summit. Nate shares his journey from contemplating selling his house to launching a successful retail experience that redefines mattress shopping. Episod...

What do fitness, franchising, and Super Bowl champions have to do with mattresses? Brad Taylor explains it all. Join Mark Kinsley as he welcomes Brad Taylor, VP of Franchise Development at Snooze Mattress Company. With a background in fitness and franchising, Brad brings a fresh perspective to the sleep industry. In this episode, you'll hear how he's helping Snooze scale nationally, why wellness i...

When silence on sustainability speaks louder than words—and boomers quietly steal the economic spotlight—you know it’s time to rethink everything. In this episode of The FAM podcast, host Mark Kinsley recaps big takeaways from the 2025 ISPA conference in St. Pete’s, featuring fresh insights from Scot Case, VP of Sustainability at the National Retail Federation, and economist Dr. Christopher Kuehl...

Why it matters: The Specialty Sleep Association (SSA) is reshaping the sleep industry by providing a platform for innovative products and fostering connections among manufacturers and retailers. Key Insights: In a recent episode of the FAM Podcast, Mark Kinsley and SSA Executive Director Tambra Jones discussed the history and mission of the SSA, which has evolved since the days of waterbeds. Histo...

In the mid-90s, as the popularity of waterbeds waned, a new wave of sleep products began to emerge. This shift paved the way for the formation of the Specialty Sleep Association (SSA). Tambra Jones, executive director of the SSA, played a pivotal role in this evolution, bringing together manufacturers, retailers, and futon experts. The SSA organized trade shows and established a permanent showroom...

What if you could automate your most tedious tasks, save hours every week, and finally feel like Tony Stark in your own AI-powered Ironman suit? Host & Guest Introduction: In this episode, Mark Kinsley, is joined by Rex Harris, an AI consultant and product manager whose resume boasts stints at Amazon, Pandora, Electronic Arts, and Bright. Rex is here to break down AI's role in business, how au...

🚀 One text message. Five minutes. A $5,000 sale. What if your follow-ups were actually closing deals instead of getting ghosted? In this episode of The FAM Podcast , host Mark Kinsley sits down with Kelly Christal , co-owner of six Mattress Firm franchise stores in South Dakota, to talk about the game-changing impact of Podium’s automated follow-up system. Kelly shares how her team skyrocketed cu...

What happens when the Mom of the FAM makes a big move? You get a rollercoaster of emotions, heartfelt goodbyes, and some seriously witty banter . In today's episode, Mark Kinsley sits down with Adrienne Woods—the woman who has kept the FAM running smoothly behind the scenes—to talk about her next big adventure, the wildest part of working with Mark, and the unexpected way she’s using Traction (yes...

🚀 Buying furniture isn’t just about picking pretty pieces—it’s an art, a science, and sometimes involves a tiger. (Yes, really.) Join Mark Kinsley as he chats with Ashley Kaminiski , a powerhouse buyer at American Furniture Warehouse (AFW) who’s shaping how people shop for their homes. With 15 years in the industry and a keen eye for trends, Ashley spills the secrets of furniture buying, customer...

What happens when you mix 20 years of independent retail experience with a passion for mattresses? You get Chad Fischer, the new Director of Bedding at BrandSource, and he’s on a mission to shake things up in the sleep industry! Mark Kinsley welcomes Chad Fischer, a seasoned leader in the bedding industry, who has stepped into a brand-new role at BrandSource. Chad shares his journey, his vision fo...

Selling a mattress isn’t just a transaction—it’s an art. And if you’re missing out on the luxury AND value zones, you’re leaving money on the table. This episode of The FAM Podcast features Brent Batterman , a powerhouse in the mattress industry, breaking down barbell selling and how to dominate both ends of the market like a pro. 📌 What’s the best way to sell mattresses in 2025? Brent Batterman...

🎰 Sensory overload, late-night networking, and the wildest karaoke showdown—welcome to the ultimate Las Vegas Market recap! In this episode of The FAM Podcast, host Mark Kinsley is joined by his wife and FAM’s Director of Events, Tara Kinsley, to break down all the behind-the-scenes action from Vegas Market. From showroom highlights and innovative products to the now-legendary FAM House Party, th...

Are your store hours holding you back? Mark Kinsley sits down with Brian Morgan, CEO of Austin Couch Potatoes, to tackle how customer behavior is reshaping retail strategies. From discovering the power of after-hours web traffic to using AI tools like Podium to elevate customer engagement, Brian shares his journey of innovation. Learn how this bootstrap entrepreneur turned a Craigslist hustle into...

Buckle up for a fascinating ride as host Mark Kinsley sits down with Sean Bergman, CEO of PureCare, to explore how the company brings stability to retailers amidst economic uncertainty. From global sourcing strategies to family business culture and even dog training tips, this episode has something for everyone. Sean reveals the secrets behind PureCare's product innovations, their commitment to gl...

What’s cooler than cool? Sleep science revolutionized by Tara Youngblood, the visionary behind Geli Sleep and her groundbreaking innovations! Join Kinsley as he chats with Tara Youngblood, co-founder of Geli Sleep, TED speaker, and holder of over 40 sleep-related patents. Tara is on a mission to transform the way we rest with innovative solutions that deliver better sleep effortlessly. Summary: In...