# The Blockbuster Video Rental Downfall: Navigating Crisis and Competition | Jim Keyes CEO

> For Immediate Release · Release No. 109. Episode 109 · 34 min · February 23, 2026 · Hosted by Ronnie Spellman.

DALLAS, TX — February 23, 2026 — In this episode of the Business Decoded podcast, host Ronnie Spellman interviews Jim Keyes, former CEO of both 7-Eleven and Blockbuster, to explore the vital intersection of leadership, adaptability, and the pursuit of the American Dream. Keyes argues that crisis and change represent the greatest opportunities for growth, provided leaders can overcome the "big company disease" of inertia and fear. By reflecting on his experiences navigating corporate restructuring and competing with digital disruptors like Netflix and Amazon, Keyes emphasizes that "Education is Freedom," asserting that lifelong learning and cultural literacy are the ultimate tools for overcoming fear and achieving both personal and societal progress.

## Listen to this story

- [Audio (MP3)](https://anchor.fm/s/f9c994c0/podcast/play/115586731/https%3A%2F%2Fd3ctxlq1ktw2nl.cloudfront.net%2Fstaging%2F2026-1-16%2F418210237-44100-2-5edc813a2268.mp3)
- [Full video interview on YouTube](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ruJu401Bexk)

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## More releases

- [Newer release · No. 110 — Defining Power: From Fortune 500 Lists to AI Innovation | Emma Hinchliffe, Fortune Writer](https://businessdecodedpodcast.com/press/110-defining-power-from-fortune-500-lists-to-ai-innovation/llms.txt)
- [Older release · No. 108 — The Power of Fractional Marketing for Business Success | Kyle Bogucki](https://businessdecodedpodcast.com/press/108-the-power-of-fractional-marketing-for-business-success-kyle/llms.txt)
- [Back to the Archive](https://businessdecodedpodcast.com/press/llms.txt)

## About Business Decoded

Business Decoded is a weekly interview podcast hosted by Ronnie Spellman and recorded in Dallas, Texas. Since May 2024 the show has published more than 130 episodes with founders, CEOs and operators — including the former CEO of Blockbuster and 7-Eleven, the CEO of the Dallas News Corporation, and the President of the Dallas Business Journal. Episodes are available on every major podcast platform.

- Name: Business Decoded Podcast
- Host: Ronnie Spellman
- Based in: Dallas, Texas
- Episodes: 145
- On air since: May 2024
- Cadence: Weekly
- Recorded in: Dallas, TX
- Listen: Apple Podcasts (https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/business-decoded/id1763740523), Spotify (https://open.spotify.com/show/1Ildz9DtHaibIZ93SSe6Ci), YouTube (https://www.youtube.com/@BusinessDecodedPodcast), iHeart (https://www.iheart.com/podcast/269-business-decoded-226671025/), Amazon Music (https://music.amazon.com/podcasts/57c19cd0-3bfc-4db8-811e-10a40da80458/business-decoded), RSS (https://anchor.fm/s/f9c994c0/podcast/rss)
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- Produced by: Andy Costa Films (https://www.andycostafilms.com)

Page: https://businessdecodedpodcast.com/press/109-the-blockbuster-video-rental-downfall-navigating-crisis-and-competition

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