Podcasts about mep

In this episode of Machine Shop Mastery, I sit down with Kyra Tillman, third-generation owner of BTM Industries. When Kyra returned to the family shop, she inherited more than just machines—she inherited decades of “this is how we've always done it.”  What she's done since is nothing short of a transformation. With grit, grace, and a serious knack for finding and using resources, Kyra has turned a quiet, closed-door machine shop into a vibrant, collaborative, culture-driven powerhouse—one where growth and fun coexist, Nerf guns included. We dig deep into how she transitioned the shop from old-school processes and undocumented tribal knowledge into a modern, ISO-certified job shop with an eye toward continued growth. Kyra shares candidly about the challenges of taking over from her father, navigating culture change, building an apprenticeship program, and leveraging MEP grants and peer groups to grow her business and team. This conversation is a roadmap for any shop owner who's been putting off change, underestimating the power of collaboration, or unsure where to start when it comes to scaling smarter—not just bigger.  Kyra's journey proves that transformation doesn't require perfection—it requires community, commitment, and a willingness to be both humble and hungry. Whether you're a next-gen leader or seasoned veteran, this episode is full of the kind of real talk and actionable advice that'll get you thinking differently.  You will want to hear this episode if you are interested in... (0:00) Goofballs with grit: The culture inside BTM Industries (0:31) Stay tuned for registration information about Top Shops 2025 (1:31) Introducing Kyra Tillman: Queen of resources and collaboration (3:46) Shop snapshot: BTM's low-volume, high-variety machining work (5:30) The origin story: From grandfather's founding to Kyra's return (9:12) Doubling revenue with the same headcount (11:28) Email campaigns and grant-funded lead gen (15:21) Collaborating with MEPs and why you should too (18:00) The power of industry groups like NTMA and peer networks (28:23) Culture change: From isolation to cross-training and teamwork (30:18) Grow your top and bottom-line with CLA (32:55) The family buyout and post-transition challenges (36:30) ERP systems, ISO certification, and lessons from poor fits (40:00) Hiring for character, training for skill (43:36) Tracking metrics and fostering team transparency (45:41) Getting comfortable with growth and being the face of the business (47:05) Culture wins: T-shirt design contests, Nerf wars, and tacos (49:48) Strategic decisions: Standardizing machines and tools (52:23) Advice for successors and new shop owners: Find your support system (53:52) Kyra's opinion on the trajectory of manufacturing (56:14) Why you need to listen to the Lights Out podcast Resources & People Mentioned Stay tuned for registration information about Top Shops 2025 NTMA 10,000 Small Businesses Vistage Grow your top and bottom-line with CLA Manufacturing Pathways Consortium Connect with Kyra Tillman Connect on LinkedIn BTM Industries Connect With Machine Shop Mastery The website LinkedIn YouTube Instagram Subscribe to Machine Shop Mastery on Apple, Spotify Audio Production and Show Notes by - PODCAST FAST TRACK

Scotland in Europe:  Our journey to the European Parliament! In this special episode of our podcast, Indypodcasters Fiona and Marlene share our exciting journey to Brussels where they joined a delegation organised by campaign groups Yes for EU and Europe for Scotland.   Our mission? To promote Scotland's place in Europe and meet with Members of the European Parliament (MEPs ) in support of an independent Scotland rejoining the EU. From behind the scenes moments to exclusive MEP interviews, this episdoe captures the warm welcome and strong support we received in the heart of the EU.  Our trip was not only inspiring for all the delegates but also formed part of the  Europe Day celebrations on May 9th with footage featured in an event held in Edinburgh and also livestreamed.  Key chapters: 00:00:21   Arriving in Brussels 00:02:53   Elise Tallaron, Heather Anderson, Alyn Smith and Marlene Halliday share their hopes for the visit 00:06:27   Emotional arrival at the European Parliament 00:11:48   Inside the Parliament 00:13:40   A message from Thomas Waitz MEP 00:18:15   Fiona and Marlene go exploring 00:20:47    Elise  introduces her team 00:21:33    A message from Vicent Marza Ibanez MEP 00:23:46    A glimpse of the debating chamber 00:24:38    A message from Olga Perez Vitoria, EFA Advisor 00:28:55    A chat with Hana from Coppieters Foundation 00:32:30    A message to our young people from Rina Hajdari and Charlotte Bechert 00:37:57   A message from Valentina Servera Clavell, EFA Campaigns 00:41:27   End of the day reflections from Heather Anderson and Alyn Smith 00:44:53   A message from Terry Reintke, MEP 00:46:19    Europe Day event excerpt from Q and A session Watch the video version of this podcast here: https://youtu.be/4L8rWoGFeJc?si=zpYPE61Kv-nDrbtC Watch the Europe Day event here: https://www.youtube.com/live/QoCJN_b5RDA?si=aiwUlBAelhQhAVCw #scotlandineurope #grassroots #scottishpolitics The Scottish Independence Podcasts team produce a NEW podcast episode every Friday search for Scottish Independence Podcasts wherever you get your podcasts.  Remember to like and subscribe! Contact Us: indypodcasters@gmail.com  Visit our website https://scottishindypod.scot for blogposts, newsletter signup and more episodes Subscribe for free to our Youtube channel @scottishindypodExtra for more of our video footage and clips.  video premieres most Tuesdays at 8pm If you've enjoyed this podcast you might like to buy us a coffee?  https://ko-fi.com/scottishindependencepodcasts or choose us as your Easyfundraising good cause. Music: Inspired by Kevin MacLeod

Kayleigh Houde is an Associate Principal and Global Computational Projects Lead at Buro Happold, where she is responsible for the harmonized development of new technologies within the open-source coding platform BHoM. Her leadership extends to chairing the MEP 2040 Commitment, participating in the ECHO Project and ASHRAE Center of Excellence for Building Decarbonization. She is also a lecturer at the University of Pennsylvania, where she teaches Parametric Life Cycle Assessment. We spoke with Kayleigh soon after the MEP 2040 and Carbon Leadership Forum had released The Beginner's Guide to MEP Embodied Carbon, a critical resource that was eagerly awaited in the community. Naturally, we spoke with her about that effort and about the broader question of why embodied carbon is important for MEP practitioners. “We have coalesced a lot of data to to bridge gaps for the MEP disciplines and provide clarity about the MEP impact,” she says.Kayleigh's technical leadership is paralleled by her deep commitment to collaboration across disciplines, evidenced in many ways, including her work on the ECHO effort to harmonize data across disciplines and certification programs. “Computers aren't the thing,” Kayleigh says of the potential of computation in climate work and the built environment. “They are the thing that gets you to the thing. Really, what computations helps you to solve are some of issues that we have in human collaboration. Sometimes we think we're connecting but we are not really speaking the same language. Getting people to talk and collaborate is a big part of the solution in the computational work.”

Nevin (Adams) & Fred (Reish) brought their prolific,pugnacious, and provocative perspectives in a live podcast format to the record-breaking NAPA 401(k) Summit.That's right, at the mid-point of the 2025 NAPA 401(k)Summit, the precocious podcasting pair talked about a number of lessons to be learned from recent litigation, including:Who bears the burden of proof in ERISA litigation—according to the United States Supreme Court (bad policy, but "good" law)? A rare jury trial—and a BIG settlement.  Why they're rare (but may become more common).  Oh, and it involved a multiple employer plan (MEP).Fred clarifies his prediction on PEPs (but he's still a fan).And that's just Part 1! Episode Resources Burden of Proof RulingSupremes Back Cornell Plaintiffs in ERISA Burden of ProofStandardOral arguments in the case:  Supremes Hear ERISA Burden of Proof CaseThe Cornell University Litigation “Saga”  https://www.napa-net.org/header/search/?q=cornellERISA Jury TrialsJury Slaps Pentegra with $39 Million in Damages in MEPExcessive Fee SuitFidelity Wins Motion on Jury DemandPEP PerspectivesNevin & Fred: Could a Predominant PEPs Prediction ProvePositive?PEPs Will Match Single Employer Plan Adoption in 5 to 10 Years: Fred Reish

Issa Amro, Palestinian activist based in the West Bank; Niall Collins, Minister of State at the Department of Justice, Home Affairs & Migration; Lynn Boylan, Sinn Féin MEP for Dublin; Duncan Smith, Labour TD for Fingal East

Dr Salem Gharbia, Head of Department of Environmental Science at ATU and Irish-Palestinian citizen; Niall Collins, Minister of State at the Department of Justice, Home Affairs & Migration; Lynn Boylan, Sinn Féin MEP for Dublin; Duncan Smith, Labour TD for Fingal East

This episode of The Future Built Smarter features Robbie Jones, an IMEG project executive and mechanical engineer who led the firm's design of the new Advanced Engineering Building at the University of Nevada, Las Vegas—ENR's 2024 Best of the Best Project in the higher education/research category.  The Advanced Engineering Building (AEB), located in the university's “Innovation Corridor,” is designed to foster innovation and interdisciplinary collaboration within UNLV's Howard R. Hughes College of Engineering. The AEB supports growing enrollment, education, and research in robotics, cybersecurity, biomedical engineering, energy and water, and artificial intelligence. The three-story, 52,000-sf building features wet and dry labs, classrooms, a maker space, an outdoor aviary for drone testing, and a flexible auditorium or “flexatorium” that can be used as a lecture hall or event space. IMEG provided MEP and technology design for the facility, which also will aid start-ups in Nevada's growing tech industry. To ensure the MEP design would meet the needs of the university, Robbie, a UNLV engineering graduate, met with several engineering department faculty members—some of whom had been his professors when he was a student. “Never in a hundred years would I have thought that I would be designing an engineering building for UNLV,” says Robbie. “I was excited about doing it, and it was a cool thing for me … kind of a feather in my hat. I've done some billion-dollar gaming projects, and I think this is one of my favorite buildings.” Read the IMEG case study to see photographs of the AEB and learn more about the engineering design. For a tour of the building, watch this UNLV video.

In today's episode we have Steve Carroll, CEO and Co-Founder of Kelso Industries, join us to share his journey from a small-town construction background to leading a 25-acquisition HVAC roll-up. We dive into his Walmart days scaling EBITDA from $15M to $250M, his views on where PE firms get it wrong, and how Kelso's long-term partnership model is flipping the script on traditional roll-ups.[00:00] Steve Carroll joins to discuss Kelso Industries' growth from 1st to 25th acquisition [00:27] Background: Walmart experience and scaling from $15M to $250M EBITDA [00:54] Early years: rural Oregon, construction, MBA, and entrepreneurial itch [01:50] Lessons from Walmart and foundation of Kelso [02:21] Mistake PE firms make: copying each other, bidding up same assets [03:05] Advice: PE should pursue untapped markets and take first-mover risks [04:21] Kelso's differentiator: deep focus on one long-term strategy [05:49] “All in” mindset and scaling Kelso as one big platform [06:18] First acquisition story: moving to AZ, transition challenges [07:46] Struggles, COVID, and lessons learned from initial takeover [08:43] Pivot to partnership model after burnout and realization [09:42] Defining partnership: skin in the game, shared long-term vision [11:08] Case study: Pancho in Idaho becomes the blueprint for future deals [13:03] Criteria for Kelso partnerships and alignment with long-term goals [14:00] Integration learnings: then vs. now at deal #25 [14:50] Kelso now offers finance, legal, HR, recruiting, and systems support [17:44] Operational push: MEP+ and one-call solution model [18:43] Scale enabling better integration and centralized resources [19:12] Raw Selection salary reports plug [20:11] Top 3 learnings: partnership, finance investment, data center boom [23:23] Walmart story: monetizing eyeballs, retail media, Sam's Club success [26:17] Building a $250M EBITDA business unit through creative thinking [27:42] Why HVAC: passion, mission-critical systems, smartest people on site [28:49] Key influence: Brad Jacobs and “How to Make a Few Billion Dollars”Connect with Steve Carroll on LinkedIn. Thanks for tuning in.Subscribe for more episodes on  iTunes & SpotifyGot feedback or questions? Email Alex at alex.rawlings@raw-selection.com. Until next time—keep smashing it!

Joining Anton to run through the main stories from the Sunday papers is Lynn Boylan, MEP; John Cunningham, Relationship Director at Morgan McKinley; Kate O'Connell, Former Fine Gael TD; and Conor Faughnan, CEO at Royal Irish Automobile Club & commentator on transport & related issues.

durée : 02:59:34 - Le 6/9 - par : Ali Baddou, Marion L'hour, Benjamin Dussy, Mathilde Khlat, Elodie Royer - Aujourd'hui dans le 6/9, nous recevons, à 7h50, le photographe brésilien Sebastião Salgado pour son expo : "Œuvres de la collection de la MEP” et celle de son fils, “Rodrigo, une vie d'artiste”. A 8h20, notre invité est Philippe Grandcolas, Directeur de recherche au CNRS, auteur de "Biodiversité". - réalisé par : Marie MéRIER

Europe Day is looming large on the horizon. The day, which celebrates "peace and unity in Europe", is celebrated on the 5th of May by the Council of Europe and on the 9th of May by the European Union. An event to mark Europe Day will be held today in Ennis. “Europe: Past, Present, Future” will take place at the Old Ground Hotel later (10am-12pm). It is being hosted by the Mayor of Ennis, Committee of Regions member, and Fianna Fáil Councillor, Clare Colleran Molloy. To discuss this further, Alan Morrissey was joined in studio by Ireland South Fianna Fáil MEP, Billy Kelleher and Mayor of Ennis, Committee of Regions member, and Fianna Fáil Councillor, Clare Colleran Molloy.

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Kathleen Funchion, who’s Sinn Féin MEP for Ireland South, spoke to Jerry after her former partner was convicted under section four of the Harassment, Harmful Communications and Related Offences Act 2020, also known as Coco’s Law. Former Kilkenny County Councillor Sean Tyrell has been imprisoned for his harassment and abuse of Ms Funchion. If you have been affected by anything you heard in this interview, you may contact Adapt Kerry Women’s Refuge on 066 712 9100.

Sinn Féin MEP, Kathleen Funchion, talks about the conviction of her ex-partner, Sean Tyrell, who was convicted under the Harassment and Harmful Communications Act, also known as Coco's Law.

If you're in the trenches of manufacturing like we are—running a shop, growing a business, or even dreaming of starting your own—this episode is going to hit home. We're diving deep into the real challenges and choices that come with equipping a machine shop. It's not just about what machine to buy; it's about how to make smart, future-proof decisions that keep your business agile and competitive.  We walk through what it really takes to get started, from the very first piece of equipment to building an infrastructure that can handle growth. It's a real-world conversation on budgets, strategy, and how to stretch your dollar without cutting corners that matter. We talk openly about our own experiences—the good, the bad, and the costly. Whether it's figuring out if we should buy new or used, or realizing after the fact that we didn't budget for tooling, coolant, or the right chip conveyor, we've made the mistakes so you don't have to.  We even get into the nitty-gritty of power and air requirements, something that can seriously bottleneck your operation if overlooked. It's not glamorous, but it's the kind of stuff that makes or breaks a shop's ability to deliver and grow. What's great about this episode is that it's not just our perspective. We brought in Keith Granno, a guy who's been around the block more times than most in machinery sales. While we focus on what we've learned from running our own shops, Keith gives a broader view—what he's seen work across hundreds of different businesses.  He's sold everything from entry-level mills to million-dollar systems, so he knows what it takes at every level. Together, we cover how to think about versatility, automation, and preparing for the jobs we don't even have yet. If you want to set your shop up for long-term success, this episode is your blueprint. Segments (0:00) Introduction of guest Keith Granno and the range of machines he's sold (0:33) Take the Modern Machine Shop Top Shops survey (7:27) Starting a machine shop: budget machines vs. high-end equipment (12:39) Importance of having a known customer or diving in without one (16:44) Choosing niche equipment based on market demand and local gaps (18:22) New vs. used machinery: depreciation, risks, and inspections (23:13) The value of machine inspections and warranty limitations for used machines (26:43) Common mistakes in buying machines: budgeting beyond the machine itself (28:51) Aligning machine purchases with business vision (31:35) Key factors when selecting machines: size, tooling, automation, spindle specs (36:31) The role of sales reps in ensuring proper machine specs (37:25) Learn how to grow your top and bottom line with CLA (40:35) Infrastructure deep dive: power requirements, costs, and real-world constraints (45:55) Air systems in a shop: compressors, tanks, dryers, and why they matter (50:48) Considerations for tooling, fixtures and workholding  (1:01:07) Keith's thoughts on shop layout and efficiency (1:07:54) The importance of MEP programs to manufacturing  (1:11:12) How to get connect with Keith & TITANS of CNC (1:12:42) Find a salesperson you trust to help you build out your shop (1:16:14) Why you should check out the Buy the Numbers podcast Resources mentioned on this episode The Art and Science of Buying Machines Take the Modern Machine Shop Top Shops survey The Quiet Cut That's Loudly Threatening Small Manufacturing Connect with Keith on LinkedIn Connect With MakingChips www.MakingChips.com On Facebook On LinkedIn On Instagram On Twitter On YouTube

Maria Walsh, Fine Gael MEP for Midlands–North-West; Kathleen Funchion, Sinn Féin MEP for Ireland South; Ciaran Mullooly, Independent Ireland MEP for Midlands–North-West

Marc O'Driscoll, North East Correspondent; Maria Walsh, Fine Gael MEP for Midlands–North-West; Kathleen Funchion, Sinn Féin MEP for Ireland South; Ciaran Mullooly, Independent Ireland MEP for Midlands–North-West

Maria Walsh, Fine Gael MEP for Midlands–North-West; Kathleen Funchion, Sinn Féin MEP for Ireland South; Ciaran Mullooly, Independent Ireland MEP for Midlands–North-West

John Cooke, RTÉ Radio 1 reporter; Maria Walsh, Fine Gael MEP for Midlands–North-West; Kathleen Funchion, Sinn Féin MEP for Ireland South; Ciaran Mullooly, Independent Ireland MEP for Midlands–North-West

An MEP for this region is denying that an invitation sent to the President of the European Commission to come to Clare is a PR exercise. Ireland South Fianna Fáil MEP Cynthia Ní Mhurchú has written to Ursula von der Leyen inviting her to this county next month to tour the local pharmaceutical and medical technology sector. The aim of the tour, according to Ní Mhurchú, would be to demonstrate the role that this county plays in Europe's "life sciences economy". She says it's her duty to represent workers who may feel their future is uncertain at present.

Today's bonus episode is all about MEPs, and actually a very urgent issue related to MEPs. For context, the Manufacturing Extension Partnership (MEP) is a public-private partnership that delivers comprehensive, proven solutions by helping small and medium-sized manufacturers grow, make operational improvements, and reduce risk.To put it in more simplified terms - MEPs provide resources to small- and medium-sized manufacturers that allow them to adopt new technology, upskill and train their people, and ultimately create jobs in their area. Every state has one, they go by different names in different states, and it was recently announced that this program was being defunded.Specifically, funding for 10 state MEP initiatives expired at the end of March, and the government's controlling agency, the National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST), chose not to renew them. This is a moving target, it could change (as it already has once by extending the deadline to the end of the fiscal year), and quite frankly manufacturers don't know what's going to happen. It hasn't been communicated as to why this cut is taking place, but the reality is right now is there is a concern across the manufacturing community that funding for the entire MEP initiative - across all 50 states - might get cut.As a result of this action, a number of manufacturing podcasters got together to discuss the situation and actions that you, as manufacturers, can take to have your voices heard and say "This is ridiculous. My MEP has helped my business and community succeed for XYZ reason." We cannot afford to lose a critical resource like this that so many small- to mid-sized manufacturers rely on. All this an more in today's episode.

In this episode of Grow Sessions, Tony Pavlakis sits down with Jim Megerson of Anvil Agrinomics about the complexities of designing efficient indoor cannabis cultivation facilities. Titled “Connecting Your Cannabis Grow: Easy Efficiency with Integrated Systems,” the episode emphasizes the critical need for system integration over siloed approaches. Early collaboration between architects and engineers is spotlighted as essential to avoiding costly structural and operational issues.They dive into key design considerations—like balancing upfront costs with long-term returns, adopting effective building automation systems, and tackling the integration of environmental controls (such as lighting and fertigation) from the start. The discussion also explores the value of consistent data tracking for smart operational decisions and the importance of a well-defined business plan that drives infrastructure needs, rather than forcing operations into existing building limitations.Strategic planning and integrated design are essential for the future of efficient indoor cultivation. Tune in now to gain practical insights from this must-hear episode.About Jim Megerson, Anvil ArgninomicsWith over 40 years of experience in the design and construction of building systems, Jim Megerson leads Anvil Agrinomics while keeping current with issues of building systems design, including indoor controlled environments for agriculture, energy efficiency standards and green building practices. During college, Jim completed a sheet metal worker apprenticeship program where he gained invaluable knowledge in the fabrication and installation of sheet metal products, HVAC equipment and associated hardware for large commercial, material handling and clean room applications. This combines world class engineering knowledge along with hands-on, tool belt wearing experience to balancing design, construction cost, operations & maintenance to achieve the best return on the owner's HVACD investment.Jim participates on multiple National Committees including the NCIAs' Facility committee and ASHRAEs' MTG on controlled environments for agriculture. He regularly speaks on these topics at national conferences.Anvil Agrinomics has completed MEP design on over 40 cannabis cultivation and manufacturing spaces and over 20 dispensaries in 20 different states. This combines to approximately 1.8 million sqft of cannabis industry facilities.If you have questions, you can reach Jim at jmeg@anvil-ag.com.Please visit www.anvil-ag.com to learn more about Anvil Agrinomics.Thanks for listening. Be sure to subscribe to our podcast to receive upcoming episodes.

Lynn Boylan, Sinn Féin MEP for Dublin // Sarah Collins, Europe Correspondent for the Business Post

We dive deep into the essential elements of launching major construction projects, focusing on the crucial pre-construction planning that prevents costly surprises and unhappy clients.• Determining jurisdiction (city vs. county) is the first critical step in understanding permit requirements• Professional expertise needed often includes structural engineers, civil engineers, arborists, and MEP specialists• Foundation work and excavation represent the largest variables in estimating with potential for significant cost swings• Utility connections require careful planning for water, power, gas/propane, and septic systems• Implementing a structured pre-construction due diligence process protects both contractors and clients• Transparent client communication about potential variables and change orders builds trust• Construction logistics planning prevents unexpected property damage and restoration costs• Leveraging subcontractor expertise helps create accurate preliminary estimates• Experience is crucial - new contractors should work under established GCs before taking on large projects independentlyCommunication is key and education is how you get customers to not be upset with you. When clients understand the process, they become partners rather than adversaries when challenges arise.Struggling to grow your contracting business? The Foundations Program is designed to help contractors break free from the chaos and build a business that runs smoothly. You'll get a customized training program, 1-on-1 coaching, and access to a full paperwork database—including contracts and the Client Engagement Agreement. Join the Foundations Program today!

The Trump administration reportedly plans to end funding for the Manufacturing Extension Partnership (MEP) program, a public-private partnership that supports small and medium-sized manufacturers, which represent nearly 98% of firms in the U.S. While the Department of Commerce did not officially announce a funding cut, U.S. Senator Tammy Baldwin (D-WI) issued a statement that said the Trump administration would halt funding for 10 MEP centers.

Despite the exclusion of the pharmaceutical industry from Liberation Day tariffs and the introduction of a 90 day, US President Donald Trump has warned that big pharma is next on the list. As the pharmaceutical industry is the biggest Irish export to the US, what impact will this uncertainty have on our economy and European as a whole? Pat discusses this and more with Gareth Sheridan, CEO of Nutriband and Billy Kelleher, MEP for Ireland South (part of the health committee on the EP).

Paul Mason, author and columnist with The New European; Barry Andrews, Fianna Fáil MEP for Dublin and Kiri Paramore, Professor of Asian Studies at University College Cork.

Fianna Fáil MEP for Ireland South Cynthia Ní Mhurchú has got updated regional crime figures from the CSO. Whilst recorded shoplifting offences did drop by 10.7% between 2023 and 2024 in Kerry, the trend over the past 20 years has been upwards with a 108% in the number of recorded incidents of shoplifting in the Kerry Garda Division between the years 2003 and 2024, going from 340 in 2003 up to 707 in 2024. 2023 and 2024 are the years with the highest recorded incidents of shoplifting in Kerry since 2003. Kerry had 707 incidents of shoplifting recorded by the CSO in 2024 but Donegal, by comparisons, had 384 incidents of shoplifting recorded in 2024.

Mairead McGuinness, former European Commissioner and MEP, discusses the impact on Europe of a 20% tariff on EU goods exported to the United States.

Pat Leahy, political editor of the Irish Times // Billy Kelleher, Fianna Fáil MEP for Ireland South // George Lawlor, Labour TD for Wexford

On Monday evening, the European People's Party EPP tried and failed to push for a review of how the European Commission funds certain climate NGOs. The text voted by the MEP's in Strasbourg argues that the Commission is basically paying NGOs to lobby for the Green Deal. Or,simply put, hiring cheerleaders for its own policies.But what is the underlying reason the EPP has declared war on NGOs and did the Commission water down the agreement over NGO lobbying transparency?Join us on our journey through the events that shape the European continent and the European Union.Production: By Europod, in co production with Sphera Network.Follow us on:LinkedInInstagram Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Stuart McNamara, spokesperson for The Irish Craft and Artisan Distilleries Association and director of Portmagee Whiskey in Kerry, and Barry Cowen, Fianna Fáil MEP discuss the exposure of the Irish Whiskey Industry to US tariffs and what can be done to insure the future of jobs.To catch the full conversation, press the play button on this page.

James O'Connor, Fianna Fáil TD for Cork East // Lynn Boylan, Sinn Féin MEP for Dublin

Radikale Venstre vil sy EU-flaget på ærmet af danske soldater. Moderaterme vil afskaffe alle EU-forbehold. Skal Danmark gå fuldbyrdet ind i EU-samarbejdet? Er EU svaret når forholdet til USA vakler? Eller vil det betyde et endegyldigt farvel til NATO og selvbestemmelse i Danmark? Du kan blande dig i debatten ved at ringe ind fra 12:15-13:30 på 7021 1919 eller send en sms til 1212. Panel: Kristoffer Storm, MEP (DD), Charlotte Flindt Pedersen, direktør for Udenrigspolitisk Selskab, Lars Kaaber, chefredaktør for det borgerlige netmedie, Kontrast, Martin Lidegaard, politisk leder, Radikale Venstre og Stine Bosse, MEP, Moderaterne. Vært: Mathias Pedersen. Producer og tilrettelægger: Camilla Michelle Mikkelsen.

Please join us at patreon.com/tortoiseshack Sinn Féin MEP, Lynn Boylan, has had a turbulent return to the European Parliament and that's a good thing given the current state of things at the heart of the EU. She joined us in the tortoise shack to talk about her recent experiences and the challenge of slowing the pace of attacks on climate action and other aspects that fall within the EU's competence. The Tortoise Shack Garron Noone podcast is out now here:https://www.patreon.com/posts/patron-exclusive-124980682 Support Dignity for Palestine:https://www.patreon.com/posts/dignity-for-your-124980167

Charlie McConalogue, Minister of State at the Department of Tourism, Culture, Arts, Gaeltacht, Sport & Media; Lynn Boylan, Sinn Féin MEP for Dublin; Peadar Tóibín, Aontú leader and TD for Meath West

Ciaran O'Connor, Senior Analyst at the Institute of Strategic Dialogue; Charlie McConalogue, Minister of State at the Department of Tourism, Culture, Arts, Gaeltacht, Sport & Media; Lynn Boylan, Sinn Féin MEP for Dublin; Peadar Tóibín, Aontú leader and TD for Meath West

Cianan Murray, Victim of Michael Shine; Charlie McConalogue, Minister of State at the Department of Tourism, Culture, Arts, Gaeltacht, Sport & Media; Lynn Boylan, Sinn Féin MEP for Dublin; Peadar Tóibín, Aontú leader and TD for Meath West

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Charles O'Donnell, Aisling O'Brien and Breifne O'Brien bring you the biggest stories of the week in Irish agriculture from Agriland, which this week includes: Nitrogen levels in rivers improves;ICMSA calls on co-ops to focus on holding base milk price;The latest on beef prices;14% of young farmers failed CIS-YF scheme inspections;ACRES soil sampling deadline;5,000 apply for TAMS tranche 6;MEP says transport rule changes will drive up costs for farmers.Don't forget to rate, review and follow The Farming Week, Agriland's weekly review of Irish agriculture, and visit Agriland.ie for more. 

ABOUT OUR GUESTS:  Daryl Anne Estill is an experienced Project Manager and Leader in the commercial MEP construction industry; spanning semiconductor, pharmaceutical, offices, CNG stations, and multifamily markets. In addition to her direct role as a PM, she is integral to strategic planning, training and development, process improvements, and mentorship for her organization. As a public speaker, mentor, and industry leader, her advocacy work focuses on Women in Construction/Industry, Gender Equity and Equity in general, Mental Health, and Servant Leadership. Daryl is recognized as Empowering Women in Industry's 2024 Mentor of the Year.CONNECT WITH DARYL ANNE Website: https://linktr.ee/darylanneestill Social Media: LinkedIn  Jill Miller is a visionary leader making work human again, dedicated to advancing economic mobility for workers. As the Founder & CEO of Lunum, Jill is transforming how businesses measure workforce investments, driving economic growth and stronger ecosystems where everyone is valued. Jill has a proven history of fostering partnerships and creating solutions that align operational excellence with workforce advancement. She previously founded Below the Line, an advisory firm that supported employee ownership transitions and developed entrepreneurship programs for underserved communities. Jill serves on the Board of Directors for the Spondylitis Association of America and hosts Spondycast. She is a member of the National Small Business Association Leadership Council and was named the 2024 Innovator of the Year by Empowering Women in Industry. CONNECT WITH JILL Website: https://lunum.io/ Social Media: LinkedIn  EPISODE  LINKS DEI Deconstructed Book Reconstructing DEI Book Flipping Table Meme EWII Membership EWII Magazine EWII Website EWII Events  QUOTES AND KEY TAKEAWAYS Equity: “Giving people what they need when they need it.” “First one through the door opens the door for the rest.” “We need to start talking in terms of individuals and talking in systems. We're here because it was designed for us to be here.” Overlooked Potential Effect: Men tend to be promoted based on potential. Women tend to be promoted based on demonstrated performance. “You have to be looking right through a telescope and through a microscope.” “Your intention does not override impact.” “Nice is not the same thing as kind.” “I am not afraid for I was born to do this.” – Joan of Arc  

In this episode, we look into the Mandarin Excellence Programme (MEP)—a groundbreaking initiative that is transforming language learning in schools across England. With over 16,000 students benefiting from its immersive and intensive approach, the MEP is setting new standards for language education and opening doors for young learners. Joining us are three experts deeply involved in the programme:

Martin Heydon, Minister of State at Dept of Agriculture, Food, Fisheries & Marine; Kathleen Funchion, Sinn Féin MEP for Ireland South; Sinead Gibney, Social Democrats TD for Dublin Rathdown

Martin Heydon, Minister of State at Dept of Agriculture, Food, Fisheries & Marine; Kathleen Funchion, Sinn Féin MEP for Ireland South; Sinead Gibney, Social Democrats TD for Dublin Rathdown

Tánaiste Simon Harris will bring draft legislation to Cabinet tomorrow to modify the triple lock on Irish troop deployment and remove the need for UN Security Council approval for peacekeeping missions abroad. To debate this Shane was joined on the show by Neale Richmond Minister of State at the Department of Foreign Affairs and Lynn Boylan Sinn Féin MEP.

Lynn Boylan, Sinn Féin MEP for the Dublin Constituency, discusses being detained and denied access to Israel during an official trip with an EU delegation.

This episode of The Future Built Smarter examines the state of the hospitality market with IMEG's Bob Winter—one in a series of conversations with the firm's market sector leaders. Most recently serving as an IMEG client executive in southern California, Bob is now turning his full attention to the growth and continued development of IMEG's portfolio in the hospitality sector—a market he has led for several years and in which he has vast experience. “I absolutely am excited,” he says of his re-established focus. “Our hospitality group includes MEP, structural, technology, and architectural lighting experts, and our teams are spread across the country, from New York and Philadelphia to Chicago, Denver, Las Vegas, and Southern California. “Hospitality is relationship-based,” he adds, with teams assembled for specific projects based on the type of project and expertise required, regardless of where a project is located. “Projects led by developers or architects in Chicago could be taking place in other markets throughout the country, maybe South Florida, for example. It always helps if we have an office where the project is, which we often do, but the design can be done by a remote team.” Bob's key goals include expanding IMEG's work in luxury resorts, adaptive reuse, and major renovation projects. “The more complicated, the more challenging projects—those are the ones we want to acquire more of,” he says. Efficiency is another priority. “I want to work with the team so that we're very efficient in our execution, taking advantage of hospitality's repetitive design elements. Every property is unique, but guest room stacks are often similar, for example.” While economic uncertainty has been “top of mind” in the industry for the past year and a half, he says 2025 has been identified as a year of “cautious optimism.” One area of growth is in branded residences, which help finance hospitality projects. “We have a number of these that we were successful in winning—like a Dream Hotel with condos, a Waldorf project with residences, and a Breckenridge Grand Vacation project,” he says. Another area of opportunity is in property improvement plans (PIPs), which require hotels to undergo updates every seven to 10 years. “Certainly, during COVID, PIP requirements got lax,” Bob says. “Some properties look tired as a result. But PIPs are no longer optional going forward.” A key geographic area for growth is the Sun Belt—particularly Florida, Texas, Georgia, and South Carolina. “There's quite a bit of work happening there,” he says. He also sees renewed investment interest in San Francisco and San Diego. “San Francisco is attracting private equity interest because properties can likely be obtained at a good deal, and recovery is noticeable.” Despite the uncertainties in the market, Bob remains optimistic about the future of hospitality. “Hopefully by the end of Q1 or Q2, we'll see a resurgence,” he says. “Consistent schedules, less delays, and more activity across the board—that's what I'm hoping for.”

Welcome back to Hospitality Meets, where we dive into the stories behind the people who keep the hospitality world buzzing!

For years, Westminster has been addicted to Twitter (now called X). Host Sascha O'Sullivan looks at how the site – and SW1's reliance on it – has changed since tech billionaire Elon Musk took over. Sascha talks to Charlie Peters, journalist at GB News, whose story about grooming gangs was amplified by Musk before going on to dominate Britain's news cycle for a fortnight. She compares how the same story was covered originally by freelance journalist Julie Bindel, who exposed the extent of the grooming gangs in 2007, in a world before social media was so prevalent.  Labour MP Emily Thornberry and chair of the foreign affairs select committee reflects on going viral for the wrong reasons and subsequently resigning in 2014. She explains how politicians' use of social media has changed since then, subject to algorithms that favour right-wing content.  And Sascha takes a deep dive into how Nigel Farage has harnessed the power of going viral for decades – all the way back to his days as an MEP. She speaks to his former comms chief Gawain Towler and social media journalist Sophia Smith Galer – and asks whether the left needs to raise its game when it comes to mastering social media.  Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

The past two years have seen the EU bring in landmark legislation to curb the power of big tech companies such as Apple, Google and Meta, threatening to break up the companies that do not play by its rules on privacy and competition. But not everyone agrees with its approach. Murad Ahmed speaks to Aura Salla, former lobbyist for Meta and now an MEP in Brussels, who says EU rules will work to rein in Big Tech, and may even harm the development of Europe's own tech industry.Free to read:EU reassesses tech probes into Apple, Google and MetaEurope's rushed attempt to set the rules for AIWhat impact is the Digital Markets Act having?This season of Tech Tonic is presented by Murad Ahmed, and produced by Persis Love. Edwin Lane is the senior producer and Manuela Saragosa is the executive producer. Sound design by Breen Turner and Samantha Giovinco, with original music from Metaphor Music. The FT's head of audio is Cheryl Brumley.Read a transcript of this episode on FT.com Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.