Merchant Sales Podcast

• How ISOs Can Stay Ahead of Industry Change

  In this week’s episode, James Shepherd sits down with Allen Kopelman, CEO of Nationwide Payment Systems and host of the B2B Vault podcast, for a wide-ranging discussion on the biggest shifts reshaping merchant services today. From the Visa/Mastercard settlement and VAMP chargeback rules to the growing pressure on ISOs to own their tech stack, Allen shares what he’s seeing firsthand — and why agents must rethink how they sell, support, and position technology to compete in 2026 and beyond. They break down the rise of processor-agnostic software, the future of hardware, the growing push for ISOs to streamline onboarding with automated funnels, and how agents can stay relevant by focusing on the right verticals, the right partners, and the right products. After the interview, James and Patti Murphy dive into a new Today in Payments, breaking down fresh data on holiday spending, the continued rise of Buy Now, Pay Later, and the growing momentum behind real-time payments like RTP and FedNow—and how they compare to legacy ACH rails.

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• Avoiding the Most Common Agent Mistakes

  In this week’s episode of the Merchant Sales Podcast, James Shepherd welcomes back Steven Morris for a direct and practical conversation about the mistakes agents commonly make when entering the merchant services industry. Steven shares real-world insights from the front lines, what slows agents down, what causes deals to fall through, and how new reps can build a stronger foundation for long-term success. After the interview, James and Patti Murphy team up for another insightful Today in Payments, covering the latest headlines and shifts shaping the payments landscape.

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• What is Payment Processing?

  In this episode, James Shepherd delivers a straightforward, easy-to-understand explanation of what credit card processing is and how it works, from the basics of authorization and settlement to the role of processors, acquirers, and merchant accounts. Whether you're new to payments or need a refresher, this is the perfect foundational guide to help you understand the moving parts behind every transaction and how they connect to merchant sales. After the lesson, stick around for Today in Payments with Patti Murphy, where James and Patti cover the latest industry headlines.

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• High Risk Processing with Full Stack Payments / TCG | Live Event Recap

  In this week’s episode of the Merchant Sales Podcast, James Shepherd shares a replay from a recent live event with partners at TCG, diving deep into today’s high-risk landscape—and why VAMP is creating massive disruption for Shopify merchants. James breaks down what high-risk accounts really are, how VAMP is triggering holds and shutdowns across Shopify, and why this shift is driving a surge of merchants urgently seeking new processing options. You’ll also hear insights on how agents and ISOs can capture these opportunities by leveraging the Full Stack Payments app in partnership with TCG. After the replay, stick around for Today in Payments with James and Patti Murphy as they unpack the latest industry headlines, including major developments around the Visa–Mastercard settlement and other news shaping the week.

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• Vertical vs General Solution Strategy

  As the payments landscape continues to evolve, how should ISOs, agents, and software providers approach 2026—by going all-in on vertical-specific solutions or by refining generalized offerings that can serve a wider market? In this solo episode, James Shepherd shares hard-earned insights from his experience running both CCStorage, a vertical-specific solution, and Stackably, a more generalized tech platform. He breaks down the advantages and challenges of each approach and offers practical advice on how to align your strategy for growth, innovation, and long-term success in the coming year. Whether you’re building software, growing an ISO, or rethinking your 2026 roadmap, this is an episode you won’t want to miss.

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