{"type":"rich","version":"1.0","provider_name":"Transistor","provider_url":"https://transistor.fm","author_name":"AeviPod","title":"Inside Aevi: Why partnerships matter more than ever ","html":"","width":"100%","height":180,"duration":1512,"description":"Payments isn’t just about technology. It’s about the people making decisions in fast‑moving, high‑pressure environments, where every choice shapes how businesses scale, partner, and compete. And yet, the human side of payments is often overlooked, reduced to job titles instead of the thinking behind them.\nIn this episode of Inside Aevi, Sierra McMillen, Head of Partnerships US at Aevi, joins Nathan to share her journey into payments and what partnerships really mean in an increasingly complex ecosystem. From an unexpected start in Oklahoma to building relationships that drive growth, she brings a practical, people-first perspective to one of the industry’s most important roles.\nDrawing on experience across PSPs, ISVs, and merchants, Sierra explores the realities behind some of the industry’s biggest conversations. From the ongoing build versus buy debate to the rise of AI and agentic commerce, she breaks down what is changing, what is being overhyped, and where businesses need to focus if they want to scale without losing control. Along the way, the conversation moves beyond the professional, touching on travel stories, personal habits, and what it means to stay curious in an industry that never slows down.\nThis episode covers:How Sierra’s unconventional path led her into paymentsWhy partnerships sit at the centre of growth in a fragmented industryThe reality behind the build versus buy conversationHow trends move across regions and what the US can learn from global marketsWhat AI and agentic commerce actually mean in practiceWhy vendor lock-in is becoming unacceptable for merchantsThe human side of payments, from decision-making to day-to-day realitiesIf you are navigating partnerships, rethinking your payment strategy, or trying to make sense of where the industry is heading next, this episode offers a grounded, real-world perspective.","thumbnail_url":"https://img.transistorcdn.com/LGkp_jbU_gocT4TJEPGTvJbvqL7DGfxt8WTWVo1y9Vs/rs:fill:0:0:1/w:400/h:400/q:60/mb:500000/aHR0cHM6Ly9pbWct/dXBsb2FkLXByb2R1/Y3Rpb24udHJhbnNp/c3Rvci5mbS8xNjc3/ZmJlZGUxMDExMjBj/NWYyZmMyYWMyOWVj/YTI3Yi5wbmc.webp","thumbnail_width":300,"thumbnail_height":300}