Every now and then, you hear from someone whose career leaves you wondering, "How has one person done all of that?"In this month's Better by Association, hosts Steven Stout, FASAE, CAE, and Katy Jo Markert sit down with Charles Smitherman, PhD, JD, MSt, CAE, CEO of APRO, for a conversation that's equal parts insightful and entertaining.Charles shares fresh perspectives on leadership, advocacy, the future of AI, and how associations can position themselves as trusted sources in a rapidly changing world.Plus, catch Charles as one of our breakout session speakers at TSAE's New Ideas 2026 Conference in Galveston this September!🎧 Listen to the latest episode of Better by Association here: https://bit.ly/4vRuPJ3

Access matters.

For many families, the ability to obtain essential household goods through flexible lease-purchase options can make a meaningful difference. But industries built around access must also be built around trust, responsibility, transparency, and advocacy.

In this episode of The Bliss Business Podcast, we welcome Charles Smitherman, PhD, JD, MSt, CAE, CEO of the APRO, the nation’s trade organization representing the rent-to-own industry. Charles leads national advocacy, policy strategy, and industry positioning for the RTO sector, with a focus on consumer access, dignity, responsible innovation, and accurate public understanding.

Charles is also the co-author of The Rent-to-Own Revolution: The Definitive Industry History of Advocacy and Consumer Access, a book that traces the evolution of rent-to-own from 19th-century installment retail to a modern, regulated model for flexible access to essential goods.

In Rent-to-Own with a Purpose, we explore:
• Why consumer access and dignity matter in business
• How rent-to-own leaders balance profit with responsibility
• Why advocacy shapes public trust and industry standards
• How regulation, perception, and innovation affect the RTO sector
• Why accurate narratives matter in the age of AI
• How servant leadership can guide an industry through change

📅 Tuesday, August 4, 2026
🕚 11:00 a.m. PST
🎙️ Hosted by Stephen Sakach and Michael L.
🎧 Produced by Martha Huerta

Responsible business is not only about what a company sells. It is about how it creates access, protects trust, and serves people with dignity.