THE UNSEEN WAR™

Frank Warren, MBA
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THE UNSEEN WAR™ A Seabrook Wessex Group™ Production Hosted by Frank Warren, MBA Every day, thousands of America's family-owned manufacturers are caught in a global economic conflict they didn't ask for—and cannot avoid. Tariffs. Vendor collapses. HS-code errors. Shipping failures. Rising costs. Political volatility. The pressures are real, and they hit families first. In The Unseen War™, host Frank Warren, MBA pulls back the curtain on the forces reshaping American manufacturing. Through clear analysis, real-world examples, and deep dives into supply-chain chaos, Frank equips family-owned companies with tools, insight, and strategies to stay resilient in a world that's changing faster than they can adapt. This is the war no one sees—fought by people who didn't choose it.

Episodes

  1. Mar 10

    S2E5 - It's a Fairer Fight Now - Tariffs After the Learning Resources Decision

    A landmark Supreme Court decision has ruled that the International Emergency Economic Powers Act (IEEPA) cannot be used to impose tariffs. In this episode of The Unseen War, Frank Warren explains what the ruling means for U.S. trade policy, tariff authority, and the supply chains of family-owned manufacturing companies navigating the ongoing trade war.

    44 min

  2. Jan 30

    S2SE1 - From Blunt Force to Scalpel: The Future of U.S. Tariffs

    In this special episode of The Unseen War, the Seabrook Wessex Group's Director for Tariff Strategies, Frank Warren, cuts through the noise surrounding tariffs, the Supreme Court, and the future of U.S. trade policy. Contrary to headlines predicting either the end of tariffs or an escalation into something worse, this episode argues that neither outcome is likely. Instead, Frank explains why a potential Supreme Court decision sustaining the U.S. Court of International Trade's ruling against the administration's use of the International Emergency Economic Powers Act (IEEPA) would not eliminate tariffs—but fundamentally reshape them. Drawing on historical precedent, including the Reagan administration's use of the Trade Expansion Act of 1962, he outlines why future tariffs are likely to become narrower, slower, and more predictable. The episode reframes the current tariff regime as a shift from blunt force to surgical precision—and explains why that transition, while frustrating for policymakers, could be far more manageable for prepared businesses. For family-owned mid-market and lower-mid-market manufacturers already bearing the cost of tariffs, this episode offers both clarity and cautious hope—along with a clear call to prepare, not panic.

    14 min

  3. Jan 27

    S2E4 - Find Alternatives to China Without Breaking

    For many manufacturers, the question of China isn't whether to change, but how — and at what risk. In this episode of The Unseen War, Frank Warren breaks down a disciplined, non-reactive approach to supplier diversification in a tariff-driven environment. Rather than chasing headlines or attempting a risky, wholesale exit from China, this discussion reframes diversification as optionality — building layered alternatives that protect quality, cost, and relationships. Frank explains why supplier strategy should start with components, not countries, how to pilot diversification intelligently, and why preserving trust and leverage matters more than dramatic moves. This episode is a practical guide for family-owned and mid-market manufacturers who want to reduce exposure, restore balance, and prepare for a post–trade-war environment without burning bridges.

    18 min

  4. Jan 23

    DS2E3 - When Trade War-Related Risk Becomes Invisible

    In this dispatch, Frank Warren discusses the often-overlooked risks in trade wars, emphasizing that the most dangerous risks are those that organizations have stopped recognizing. He highlights the phenomenon of risk blindness, where companies become complacent due to stable operations, leading to margin erosion and distorted pricing decisions. Warren urges leaders to enhance visibility in their supply chains and to question their assumptions about supplier reliability, advocating for a proactive approach to risk management in a rapidly changing economic environment,

    5 min

  5. Jan 20

    S2E3 - When Risk Hides in Plain Sight

    Risk doesn't announce itself—especially during the trade war. In this episode of The Unseen War, Frank Warren shows how tariffs and volatility often hide inside healthy revenue, reliable suppliers, and long-standing contracts. Learn how to identify hidden exposure, map real risk without panic, and position your company to respond with clarity, confidence, and maneuverability in a permanently changed trade environment.

    20 min

  6. Jan 13

    S2E2 - Stopping Margin Erosion

    Summary In this episode of the Unseen War, Frank Warren discusses the critical issue of margin erosion faced by family-owned mid-market and lower mid-market manufacturing companies. He explains how changes in the trade environment, particularly due to tariffs, have led to increased operational risks and reduced profitability. The conversation highlights the gradual nature of margin erosion, the structural drivers behind it, and the importance of visibility and deliberate decision-making in navigating these challenges. Warren emphasizes that the decisions made during this time not only affect profits but also impact people and communities.

    16 min

  7. Jan 9 ·  Bonus

    Dispatches from the Unseen War - 2.1

    Dispatches from the Unseen War – Episode 1 - Stopping Margin Erosion In this first mini-cast, Frank Warren of the Seabrook Wessex Group examines one of the most dangerous effects of the trade war: quiet margin erosion. Most companies don't lose profitability because something breaks. They lose it slowly, as tariffs raise landed costs, suppliers pass through increases, and contracts lag behind reality. Nothing snaps—but margins thin. Frank outlines three forces driving this erosion—tariff compression, supplier inertia, and contract lag—and offers a simple diagnostic exercise to help manufacturers restore visibility, regain leverage, and buy time for better decisions. This episode isn't about politics or winning the trade war. It's about protecting your company, your people, and positioning your business to operate profitably in a permanently changed trade environment. The trade war was not your idea. Surviving it is.

    11 min

  8. Jan 6

    Episode 1 - Navigating in the Unseen War

    In Episode 1 of Season Two of The Unseen War, Frank Warren explains why waiting for certainty—court rulings, policy reversals, or the "end" of the trade war—is no longer a viable strategy for family-owned manufacturing companies. Season One was about naming reality. Season Two is about operating inside it. This episode explores why volatility is no longer an interruption but the operating environment—and why resilient companies don't react to every ruling or headline. Instead, they build operating strength through decision clarity, supplier optionality, tariff literacy, and disciplined family governance under pressure. Using the ongoing VOS Selections tariff case as context, Frank explains why even a favorable court decision cannot undo broken supply chains, damaged relationships, or lost companies—and why leaders who pause waiting for certainty risk missing their moment to adapt. This is not about panic. It's not about quick fixes. It's about disciplined leadership when certainty is unavailable. If you lead a family-owned manufacturing business, Season Two is for you—not because you need more information, but because you deserve clarity.

    22 min

  9. 2025-12-29

    Episode 4 - Operating in the New Trade Environment

    Summary In this episode, Frank reflects on the first season of the Unseen War podcast, emphasizing the need for family-owned manufacturing companies to adapt to the rapidly changing global trade environment. He discusses the lessons learned from the trade war, the importance of strategic leadership, and the necessity of building resilience and redundancy in supply chains. As the podcast transitions into its second season, the focus will shift towards practical strategies for navigating the post-trade war landscape.

    24 min

  10. 2025-12-23

    Episode 3 - What Can Still Be Fixed . . And What Can't

    In this episode of the Unseen War podcast, Seabrook Wessex Group's Director for Tariff Stategies and Tactics, Frank Warren discusses the significant impact of tariffs and the ongoing trade war on family-owned and mid-market manufacturing companies. He emphasizes the importance of adapting to the new economic landscape, facing losses candidly, and developing strategies for survival and future success. The conversation covers the challenges manufacturers face, the need for strategic planning, and the importance of protecting valuable relationships and processes within businesses.

    45 min

  11. 2025-12-20

    Episode 2 - What to do When Your First Reaction was Wrong.

    In this episode of the Unseen War podcast the Seabrook Wessex Group's Director for Tariff Stategies and Tactics, Frank Warren, discusses the challenges faced by businesses during the trade war, particularly the impact of tariffs on supply chains and decision-making processes. He emphasizes the importance of communication, strategic resets, and team loyalty in navigating these turbulent times. Warren encourages listeners to take a thoughtful approach to decision-making and to prepare for the post-war economic landscape

    35 min

  12. 2025-12-02

    Episode 1 — The Fog Has Fallen

    In this first episode of The Unseen War™, Frank Warren MBA sets the stage for America's new economic battlefield — a conflict families never asked for but must now learn to navigate with clarity and purpose. Frank breaks down: The hidden pressures hitting family-owned manufacturers Real-world fallout from tariffs and policy shifts How unstable supply chains threaten generational businesses Why calm, strategic decision-making matters more than ever This episode introduces the mission behind The Unseen War™: **to guide family business leaders through forces they didn't choose, but must now survive.™ The trade war wasn't your choice. Surviving it is.™**

    31 min
  • 12 Episodes

About

THE UNSEEN WAR™ A Seabrook Wessex Group™ Production Hosted by Frank Warren, MBA Every day, thousands of America's family-owned manufacturers are caught in a global economic conflict they didn't ask for—and cannot avoid. Tariffs. Vendor collapses. HS-code errors. Shipping failures. Rising costs. Political volatility. The pressures are real, and they hit families first. In The Unseen War™, host Frank Warren, MBA pulls back the curtain on the forces reshaping American manufacturing. Through clear analysis, real-world examples, and deep dives into supply-chain chaos, Frank equips family-owned companies with tools, insight, and strategies to stay resilient in a world that's changing faster than they can adapt. This is the war no one sees—fought by people who didn't choose it.

Information

  • Creator
    Frank Warren, MBA
  • Years Active
    2025 - 2026
  • Episodes
    12
  • Rating
    Clean
  • Copyright
    © 2025
  • Show Website
    THE UNSEEN WAR™