Podcasts about Meridian International Center

In this episode of the Z3 Podcast, Host Rabbi Amitai Fraiman, Chuck Freilich, and Maggie Feldman-Piltch discuss the evolving concept of national security in the context of Israel and the United States. From the impact of October 7 to the evolving nature of warfare, they dive into the tensions, values, and deep strategic ties between the U.S. and Israel. They explore what keeps nations safe today beyond simply armies and borders as well as the operational differences between the two nations and the challenges they face moving forward.If you're interested in U.S.–Israel relations and security strategy this is a conversation you don't want to miss.About Our GuestsProf. Chuck Freilich, a senior fellow at INSS, was a deputy national security adviser in Israel. He was a long-time senior fellow at Harvard's Belfer Center and has taught political science at Harvard, Columbia, NYU and Tel Aviv Universities. Freilich is the author of Zion's Dilemmas: How Israel Makes National Security Policy (Cornell Press 2012); Israeli National Security: A New Strategy for an Era of Change (Oxford Press 2018); and Israel and the Cyber Threat: How the Startup Nation Became a Global Cyber Power (Oxford Press 2023). He is now working on a book on the US-Israeli strategic and military relationship. Freilich has written some 250 op-eds in American and Israeli press and is the senior editor of the Israel Journal of Foreign Affairs.Maggie Feldman-Piltch makes national security make sense. Her writing under the name Non-State Actress reaches several hundred thousand people a week. She is the Managing Director of Unicorn Strategies and an Advisor to several defense frontier technology companies. She previously led the Digital and Electronic Warfare portfolio for the Wilson Center's Science and Technology Innovation Program prior to the institution, including the Wilson Presidential Library's, destruction by the Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE). She's been a Non-Resident Senior Fellow at the Atlantic Council and completed a non-resident fellowship at Joint Special Operations University, guest lectures at the National War College and is exceedingly proud of her engagement with Meridian International Center, Munich Security Conference, and her undergraduate alma mater Wesleyan University.Chapters(00:00) Defining National Security(05:04) Current Threats to National Security(17:34) Impact of October 7th on National Security(30:37) The Nature of the US-Israel Relationship(37:12) The Critical U.S.-Israel Relationship(39:02) Israel's Strategic Importance(42:11) Understanding Bilateral Relationships(43:58) Operational Differences in National Security(47:00) The Nature of Modern Warfare(50:52) Current U.S.-Israel Relations(55:56) Challenges in U.S.-Israel Relations(01:00:59) The Future of U.S.-Israel Relations

Erica Ginsberg is the author of the much-needed book, CREATIVE RESILIENCE, released on December 5, 2023, [https://www.ericaginsberg.com/books] and blog [https://www.ericaginsberg.com/blog], which help artists reframe the challenges of the creative process and creative life. The book features experiences of artists from a variety of disciplines, ages and backgrounds. Topics include motivation, self-confidence, blocks, rejection and balancing creative pursuits with the rest of life. CREATIVE RESILIENCE "is the book I was born to write," Erica says. It draws from her journey and those of others with whom she has worked, recognizing that the creative process is part of everything that we do, whether we are artists or not. In the book, Erica helps readers navigate their own creative processes. She encourages readers to think of their motivations behind their creative endeavors as a way to stay focused on why they choose to do what they do and to not allow discouragements and rejections derail creative projects. "Know what your best is, which is a spectrum [depending on various factors on a given day]," says Erica, "and continue to strive, while being realistic," as you move forward. She observes that rejection can be used as a form of feedback. Erica has drawn on creativity in a variety of different roles: writer, documentary filmmaker, story consultant, and project manager. While working at the U.S. Department of State, she pursued her masters degree in film and video and co-founded the documentary film organization Docs In Progress [http://www.docsinprogress.org], serving as its founding executive director for more than a decade. Docs In Progress is thriving, but it took three years before its founders were able to pay themselves for their work. She also co-hosts The D-Word [http://www.d-word.com], a peer-to-peer global community for documentary professionals. One of Erica's documentary film projects is called "Creative Feds," about musicians whose "day jobs" were working in federal government agencies. The film explores the ways these individuals balance their two careers and how having a creative outlet is essential and can feed all parts of a person's life. In addition to working in the arts, Erica organizes professional development study tours to the United States for mid-career professionals from around the world as a Senior Program Officer with Meridian International Center. She finds joy in travel, painting (though she does not consider herself a painter), collage, reading, nature hikes and spending time with friends, family and her dog Lulu. Her goal is to always keep learning something new. If you are in the Washington, DC area, come to Erica's book talk on CREATIVE RESILIENCE at Docs In Progress (8560 2nd Ave., Silver Spring, MD) on January 17, 2024 from 6:30-8:30 pm. Learn more about Erica's work at ericaginsberg.com Follow her on social media: https://www.instagram.com/erica.ginsberg https://www.facebook.com/erica.ginsberg https://www.linkedin.com/in/ericaginsberg/ --- Support this podcast: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/maria-leonard-olsen/support

Junious “House” Brickhouse is an internationally established educator, choreographer and cultural preservationist with over 30 years of experience in Urban Dance Culture. Born in Virginia Beach, VA, his dance training began at family gatherings dancing the funk styles of the era. Growing up, he sought out all the learning opportunities available to him, from community centers to parking lots, where young people were teaching each other and building communities around urban dance forms. Early on, he established himself as a leader and mentor in those communities, serving to educate and guide others. At age 18, Junious embarked on an over 21-year career as a Logistics Professional in the U.S. Army and later as a Department of Defense contractor. Throughout his time in various international assignments, Junious developed both a military and dance career, eventually rising to positions of leadership and responsibility in both areas. As the Founding Executive Director of Urban Artistry Inc. (www.urbanartistry.org), Junious has inspired and created a movement of artists dedicated to the preservation of urban dance culture, specifically within communities of practice. As Urban Artistry’s Executive Director, Junious produces projects such as The International Soul Society Festival, The Preservatory and the UA Digital Archives to encourage other artists to research and document tradition bearers and their contributions. As a scholar/practitioner, Junious teaches at colleges and universities, using an experiential approach to teaching, Movement of the African American South, Hip Hop Culture as well as Urban Dance movement and the cultural context from which it evolves. As the Director of Next Level, an initiative sponsored by the U.S. Department of State Bureau of Educational and Cultural Affairs in association with the Department of Music at the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill and the Meridian International Center for Cultural Diplomacy, Junious works tirelessly to promote international cultural exchange in underserved communities, conflict transformation and entrepreneurial skill-building through Hip Hop music and dance. A citizen folklorist, Junious also conducts independent research into those cultural traditions whose influence is reflected in urban dance culture. From Ring Shouts and Acoustic Country Blues to Hip Hop, understanding the nature and meaning of these art forms and their influences is what motivates this artist. --- Support this podcast: https://anchor.fm/styles-n-dris/support

In this episode of Movement Maker: The Podcast, Terri Broussard Williams meets with political adviser, media contributor, and social entrepreneur Rina Shah. This Fireside Chat is a quick look into Rina’s work and passion to serve others. If you haven't thought about running for political office before, then after tuning in to this episode you unquestionably will reconsider. Rina believes that we all have gifts and skills necessary to make a contribution to our country. Listen, learn, and get the tools to take action of your own after this Fireside Chat. About The Host: Terri Broussard Williams believes that leaders turn moments into movements. She also believes that anyone can be a great leader. Terri explains that movements can be as big as passing a law, building a church, or starting a nonprofit. They can also be as small as giving to someone in need, showing kindness, or helping students at a school get gym equipment. This podcast is here to help you with the HOW and WHY people build movements. Terri breaks it down each time using the #FirestarterFormula which is: find your cause, build a community to help, communicate your vision, and work to see change. In each episode of this podcast, we’ll take a look at one of the four pillars of the #MovementMakerTribe including philanthropy, policy change, movement-building, and the movement from within. This edition of Movement Maker: The Podcast is a special fireside chat with firestarters, where Terri introduces you to the changemakers in “Find Your Fire.”  “Find Your Fire,” is Terri’s first book. It is a #1 Amazon New Release and Best Seller. Cosmopolitan Magazine list it as the #6 non-fiction book of 2020. Get your own copy of “Find Your Fire” here! Episode Notes: Moderator/Host: Terri Broussard Williams, Founder, Movement Maker Tribe + Social Impact Strategist, Lobbyist Very important guests: Rina Shah is a Washington, DC based political adviser, social entrepreneur, and media contributor. Over the past decade, she’s been nationally and internationally-recognized as a political maven, reformer, and innovator – having advised nearly 25 political campaigns and initiatives, at various levels. Nowadays, she is the Founder of Republican Women for Biden and Co-Host of the political podcast, “Left Hook, Right Jab” set to launch next month.   Notable highlights in Shah's political career include senior leadership roles on two U.S. Presidential campaigns, and prior to that, half a decade on Capitol Hill as a senior aide in the offices of two Republican members of the U.S. House of Representatives. In 2016, Rina Shah was elected as a Delegate to the 2016 Republican National Convention; however, due to statements she made about then-candidate Donald Trump during an appearance on FOX News, she was unjustly unseated by local party officials. After a high-profile battle through which she was reinstated as a Delegate by the RNC, the Washington Post dubbed her as “the poster girl for the #NeverTrump movement.” In August of 2016, Shah was tapped as Chief Spokesperson and one of the top strategists to Independent presidential candidate Evan McMullin’s campaign. That same year, she was also honored to receive BMW automaker's 'Pay It 4Ward' award "for lifting others as she rises." Shah’s opinion editorials have been published in outlets spanning the globe. Next week, she will become a columnist at The Week. She is the Co-Founder and Emeritus Board Member of Women’s Public Leadership Network, and also a board member of four non-partisan non-profit organizations each aimed at getting more women into government and politics. Politico has named Shah as an Ambassador for their annual “Women Rule” summit two years in a row, and she was also a headlining speaker at the Independent Women’s Forum (IWF) “March for All Women” D.C. rally last year. Rina Shah is a member of the American Enterprise Institute's Leadership Network, Meridian International Center's Global Leadership Council, and recently joined the leadership team of The Lincoln Project’s “Lincoln Women” coalition. Shah frequently appears on-air at MSNBC and PBS, as well as internationally on Al Jazeera English & Arabic, to offer political analysis and guest commentary. She is a native of southern West Virginia and the proud daughter of immigrants from Uganda and India. Shah and her husband are parents of two daughters. Get your own copy of “Find Your Fire” here! After you listen, be sure to check out: Want your copy of “Find Your Fire” signed by the author? Click Here. The #MovementMakerTribe Facebook insider group, join us for all things #MovementMaker inspired. Follow the #MovementMakerTribe on Instagram. Get your #MovementMaker swag here! Sign up for some “Friday Fuel” - a newsletter providing weekly love letters meant to inspire the change-maker in all of us. Book Terri to speak. Reach out if you are interested in Rina’s work - Instagram + Twitter Subscribe to Movement Maker: The Podcast wherever you listen to podcasts. If you enjoyed the show, please leave us a rating or review!

Dressed in a suit and tie, American comedian Jesse Appell broadcasts a comedy show from his parent’s kitchen in Boston to his audience of more than 2 million viewers across China and the world. Appell moved to China seven years ago to study Chinese comedy and became a standup comedian in Beijing, but the pandemic landed him back in Boston, where he’d gone to visit family in February and then got stuck.Related: Chinese reactions to Trump and Biden are mixed  He created the “Jesse@Home Show” as a way to continue his work from afar. Now, he looks for laughs by scrolling through the online comments posted by viewers.Appell’s comedy is part of a long history of cultural diplomacy between the US and China. His latest episode is about the upcoming US elections. He uses humor to explain American politics. For instance, what’s up with Biden’s sunglasses?Fans in China tune in for a laugh, and also to learn about the US from an American’s perspective, something they rarely get in China. Last year, China and the US celebrated 40 years of diplomatic relations. This year, their relationship has been severely tested. Amid the pandemic and rising tensions, cultural diplomacy projects between the two countries have suffered. Related: 'You can’t just break up’: US-China tensions add stress for binational couples“So, this is about the only applause I get nowadays as a comedian is just waiting for the little 'haha' comments to come across the screen at the right time,” Appell said. Appell loves to make people laugh, but he’s serious about the work he does to translate American culture for a Chinese audience, even if it has to be online.“It’s easy to forget that most Americans will never go to China and most Chinese will never go to America. So if we’re going to do successful people to people relations, it basically has to be on the internet."Jesse Appell, American comedian usually based in Beijing, China“It’s easy to forget that most Americans will never go to China, and most Chinese will never go to America. So, if we’re going to do successful people-to-people relations, it basically has to be on the internet,” he said.Musical performances, art exchanges and sports competitions have all helped to strengthen the relationship between the two countries since the early 1970s. Pingpong matches between China and the US paved the way for President Richard Nixon’s historic visit to China, and the normalization of relations between the two countries. Related: K-pop and Chinese hip-hop artists grapple with their responses to BLM “Some people say we build a bridge, but actually, we also make sure that people come across the bridge, so that kind of emotional involvement [is] through the arts."Mengtong Guan, executive director, Ping Pong ArtsMengtong Guan, the executive director at Ping Pong Arts, a nonprofit based in the US and China that organizes artistic exchange programs, explained, “Some people say we build a bridge, but actually, we also make sure that people come across the bridge, so, that kind of emotional involvement through the arts.” “Art is almost the glue, it’s almost the backdrop to allow government officials to get in the same room together." Terry Harvey, vice president for cultural diplomacy, Meridian Center, Washington, DCTerry Harvey, vice president for cultural diplomacy at the Meridian International Center in Washington, DC, agrees.“Art is almost the glue, it’s almost the backdrop to allow government officials to get in the same room together,” he said. “And it may just kind of start a little bit of a dialogue that may then result in something bigger later.”Each year, the US government allocates millions of dollars to cultural diplomacy programs, like writer exchanges and hip-hop workshops. But the pandemic has made those projects almost impossible to pull off.Harvey says that events his group planned with the Chinese Embassy had to be canceled this year. Rising political tensions was definitely a factor. Still, he’s optimistic about the future.“I know that as soon as the tide turns in a positive fashion, we’re working together immediately,” he said. “I mean, it’s kind of a way to kind of get things started again.”He sees performers like Appell as crucial to rebuilding relationships between countries that aren’t getting along.“In a lot of ways, they are the front-line workers of cultural diplomacy,” he said.Appell agrees.“The work that I’m doing is more valuable in a world where we’re fighting. The problem is, it’s just much harder to make a living doing it,” he said.Appell feels an obligation to keep doing the work, even while he’s stuck in his parents’ home in Boston. He knows there’s value in his comedy. Plus, he says, it’s a lot of fun.

How is the Chinese Communist Party exploiting poor, but resource-rich or strategically situated countries using debt-trap diplomacy? What role is the US playing in the global response to coronavirus? And, how do authoritarian regimes like China, have an outsized influence in international organizations like the WHO and the UN Human Rights Council? In this episode, we sit down with Bonnie Glick, the Deputy Administrator of the US Agency for International Development (USAID). She has worked in the foreign service at the State Department, in the private sector at IBM, and in the world of development non-profits as a Senior Vice President at Meridian International Center. This is American Thought Leaders

Objectives: - Discuss elements of the “engaged” portion of Northwest FCS framework- Illustrate the importance of engagement for effective leadership- Explore practical elements of living an engaged lifeParticipant Bios:- Jon Clifton is the Global Managing Partner of Gallup, an advisory firm that specializes in big data analytics of employees, customers, students and citizens. Jon’s mission is to help 7 billion citizens be heard on their most pressing work and life issues through the Gallup World Poll, a 100-year initiative spanning 150 countries.Jon is a nonresident Senior Fellow at Baylor University’s Institute for Studies of Religion. He serves on the board at Gallup, Meridian International Center, StreetWise Partners and Findyr.Because of his expertise, Jon has been interviewed on BBC News, C-SPAN’s Washington Journal, and Al-Jazeera, and has testified in front of the U.S. Congress on the state of American small business and entrepreneurship. He is a frequent contributor on Gallup.com and has written for The Hill, The Diplomatic Courier and The Global Action Report.Jon received a bachelor’s degree in political science and history from the University of Michigan and a Juris Doctor in international law from the University of Nebraska. He was awarded an honorary doctorate in humane letters from Midland University.- Phil DiPofi has served as President and CEO of Northwest Farm Credit Services since January 2011. Northwest FCS has over 700 employees in 45 locations serving more than 16,000 customer-members throughout Alaska, Washington, Oregon, Idaho and Montana. He also serves as the Vice Chair on the Board of Directors for Farm Credit Financial Partners, Inc., and is a member of the Farm Credit System’s President’s Planning Committee.Phil formerly served as Chief Banking Officer at CoBank, where he was responsible for all of the bank’s strategic banking functions, including Agribusiness, Direct Lending with Farm Credit Associations, Rural Infrastructure, Leasing, and Banking Services. Prior to joining CoBank, Phil served in a variety of executive positions for two national commercial banks.Phil earned his bachelor’s degree from the State University College of New York at Buffalo, and his master’s in business administration with a concentration in accounting from Niagara University. As a lifetime learner, Phil continues to advance his learning and development. He is currently participating in Gonzaga’s Graduate Program in Organizational Leadership and in the Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT) Advanced Certificate for Executives. He also serves on Gonzaga University’s School of Leadership Studies Advisory Board.Phil and his wife, Jodi reside in Spokane, Washington and have three grown children and two grandchildren.- Scott Linklater is a native of rural Washington having grown up in the heart of apple and cherry country in Okanogan.  Scott has earned a bachelor’s degree in business administration from Washington State University, a master’s degree in adult education from the University of Idaho, and a doctorate degree in Leadership Studies from Gonzaga University.  Scott is a learning and development practitioner with experience directing training efforts at Monte Carlo Resort & Casino in Las Vegas and Red Lion Hotels Corporation. Currently, Scott is the Vice President – Learning Design at Northwest Farm Credit Services. Scott has published books and academic research with a focus on leadership, employment, organizational development and trust in business. Copyright © 2019 Northwest Farm Credit Services. All Rights Reserved.

Julie Yoder is an English language teacher and coach. She helps international professionals overcome their language and cultural challenges and communicate with confidence. She is also a poet, tap dancer, and drummer and previously trained in none of these things. Invited twice by the State Department and Meridian International Center to share with Ukrainian and Russian teachers, administrators and government officials her customization process for instruction and general experience delivering English for Specific Purposes courses in the private market. Semifinalist in the 2019 UPS Store Small Biz Challenge 2019 (10 semifinalists of 1,700 applicants) Website: https://www.englishwithpurpose.com/ Twitter: @EngWithPurpose

On this episode, Aigul Adzhieva (Айгуля Аджиева) a TV producer from Kyrgyzstan, joins Matt for a discussion about media challenges today, bride kidnapping, and the role of journalists in her country. Enjoy! ABOUT OUR GUEST: Aigul Adzhieva is a TV producer from Bishkek, Kyrgyzstan with a bachelor's degree in Journalism and 11 years of working experience in Broadcasting. She started working as a reporter of the morning program and moved to a management position, helping her obtain a distinguished knowledge of video production process. She participated in a one-year fellowship at the European College of Liberal Arts in Berlin, where she learned about art analysis and research and discovered the sources of creativity and imagination. In the past two years she has become interested in talk show and documentaries production. As a mid-career professional, she wants to develop Kyrgyz media's ability to produce high quality content. NOTE: Episode recorded on November 4th, 2019 at the University of Texas at Austin. Our guest appears courtesy of the Meridian International Center and the Central Asian Journalist-in-Residence program funded by the US Department of State. Thanks for listening and if you like us and support open academic programming, please take a second to rate the show on Apple Podcasts, TuneIn, or on our Facebook page. We so appreciate your support!! CREDITS Co-Producer: Matthew Orr (Connect: facebook.com/orrrmatthew) Co-Producer: Tom Rehnquist (Connect: facebook.com/thomas.rehnquist) Supervising Producer: Kathryn Yegorov-Crate Associate Producer: Tracy Heim Associate Producer: Lera Toropin Executive Editor/Music Producer: Charlie Harper (Connect: facebook.com/charlie.harper.1485 Instagram: @charlieharpermusic www.charlieharpermusic.com) Additional background music by Blue Dot Sessions Executive Producer & Creator: Michelle Daniel (Connect: facebook.com/mdanielgeraci Instagram: @michelledaniel86 www.msdaniel.com) Follow The Slavic Connexion on Instagram: @slavxradio, Twitter: @SlavXRadio, and on Facebook: facebook.com/slavxradio . Visit www.slavxradio.com for more episodes and information. Special Guest: Aigulya Adjieva (Айгуля Аджиева).

In the next few episodes, we are excited to have an intimate look into Central Asian countries thanks to a rare visit from several wonderful journalists who were competitively selected for a US State Department-sponsored exchange program, which was made possible through the Meridian International Center (see the press release here: https://www.meridian.org/news/texas-international-education-consortium-brings-u-s-state-departments-central-asian-journalist-in-residence-program-for-month-long-mentorship-and-residency-program-in-texas/). On this episode, Matt and Tom speak with Erkinbek and Aigul, two media professionals from Kyrgyzstan who are wrapping up internships at main media outlets here in Austin, Texas. Thanks to their insights, we gain a glimpse of the media landscape in their country and the differences between US and Kyrgyzstan media and the various issues that crop up in each space. PRODUCER'S NOTE: Our guests today appear courtesy of Texas International Education Consortium (www.tiec.org) and Meridian International Center (www.meridian.org). Special thanks to Sonia McLaughlin at TIEC, Professor Mark Pomar from the School of Journalism at UT, and the CAJIR program for providing funding. Attention Austinites INVITATION FROM LBJ'S MIRTA BASELOVIC to join graduate students for the Interntional Relations and Human Rights panel which will be held on UT campus November 22nd, 2019 from 12pm to 2pm in UTC 3.104. If you can't make it, the event should be featured on this podcast and/or livestreamed. For more information email: mdaniel@austin.utexas.edu . Food provided for attendees! RECORDING NOTE: Episode recorded November 1st, 2019 at the University of Texas at Austin. CREDITS Co-Producer: Tom Rehnquist (Connect: facebook.com/thomas.rehnquist) Co-Producer: Matthew Orr (Connect: facebook.com/orrrmatthew) Supervising Producer: Kathryn Yegorov-Crate Associate Producer: Samantha Farmer Associate Producer: Lera Toropin Music Producer: Charlie Harper (Connect: facebook.com/charlie.harper.1485 Instagram: @charlieharpermusic Visit him on the web: www.charlieharpermusic.com) (Additional original music by Scott Holmes, Chuzausen, Mid-Air Machine, Checkie Brown, Christian Bjoerklund) Executive Producer & Creator: Michelle Daniel (Connect: facebook.com/mdanielgeraci Instagram: @michelledaniel86) www.msdaniel.com Follow The Slavic Connexion on Instagram: @slavxradio, Twitter: @SlavXRadio, and on Facebook: facebook.com/slavxradio . Visit www.slavxradio.com for more episodes and information. Special Guests: Aigulya Adjieva (Айгуля Аджиева) and Erkinbek Kamalov.

Ambassador Stuart Holliday, President and CEO of the Meridian International Center, joins the podcast to discuss the organization's focus on trade this year. Where do trade relations between the U.S. and China currently stand, and how should the U.S. shape its longer-term global trade strategy? Later, Politico's chief economic correspondent Ben White discusses what President Donald Trump gets right about the U.S. position on global trade. Where does the U.S. stand after withdrawing from the Trans-Pacific Partnership trade deal?

Ambassador Stuart Holliday, President and CEO of the Meridian International Center, joins the podcast to discuss the organization's focus on trade this year. Where do trade relations between the U.S. and China currently stand, and how should the U.S. shape its longer-term global trade strategy? Later, Politico's chief economic correspondent Ben White discusses what President Donald Trump gets right about the U.S. position on global trade. Where does the U.S. stand after withdrawing from the Trans-Pacific Partnership trade deal?

Ambassador Stuart Holliday, President and CEO of the Meridian International Center, joins the podcast to discuss the organization’s focus on trade this year. Where do trade relations between the U.S. and China currently stand, and how should the U.S. shape its longer-term global trade strategy? Later, Politico’s chief economic correspondent Ben White discusses what President Donald Trump gets right about the U.S. position on global trade. Where does the U.S. stand after withdrawing from the Trans-Pacific Partnership trade deal?

Hosts: David Adler, Beth Kormanik Guest: Kris Coratti In the final edition of GatherGeeks' "Sparking Change" series of episodes recorded at the Meridian International Center in Washington, BizBash C.E.O. David Adler chats with Kris Coratti, the vice president of communications and events for the Washington Post. Coratti discusses how the publication's events are an extension of the newsroom, sharing tips for choosing topics, preparing speakers, curating an audience, and providing value after the event. She also dives into ways to create effective sponsorships, tips for hosting a morning event, and more. Download or subscribe to the show at bizbash.com/gathergeeks. Running time: 59:19

Hosts: David Adler, Beth Kormanik, Alex Carter Guest: Ron Bracco In the latest edition of GatherGeeks' "Sparking Change" series of episodes recorded at the Meridian International Center in Washington, BizBash C.E.O. David Adler and Zkipster's Alex Carter chat with Ron Bracco, vice president of events for production agency Hargrove. He traces the company's long history of producing everything from the G8 Summit and AIPAC Conference to brand activations and corporate events. Bracco goes in-depth in the planning process, sharing details on event design and layout, branding, security, and more. He also discusses how to create environments that promote dialogue, the different between "feeling" moments and "wow" moments, and more. Download or subscribe to the show at bizbash.com/gathergeeks. Running time: 42:02

The Stevens Group is pleased to present a new podcast series that salutes the masters of public relations and revels in their observations, insights and advice to PR professionals.  This new series is part of the ongoing partnership between The Stevens Group and CommPRO to bring to PR, digital/interactive and marketing communications agencies the wisdom of those who have reached the top of the PR profession.       About Our Guest Mark Penn, Chairman & CEO, MDC Partners, Managing Partner & President, The Stagwell Group Mark Penn is the President and Managing Partner of The Stagwell Group, a private equity fund focused on the marketing services industry. In this role, Penn directs the acquisition process and oversees the Group's portfolio companies. Penn has been in research, advertising, public relations, polling and consulting for nearly 40 years. Before founding The Stagwell Group, he served in senior executive positions at Microsoft where as Executive Vice President and Chief Strategy Officer, he was responsible for working on core strategic issues across Microsoft's products, value propositions and investments and leading the company's competitive research and analysis. Penn's experience in growing, building and managing agencies is well-documented. As the co-founder and CEO of Penn Schoen Berland, a global market research firm that he built and sold to WPP, he demonstrated value creation in a crowded industry serving clients with innovative techniques from being first with overnight polling to pioneering unique ad testing methods used by Presidents and Fortune 100 corporations. At WPP, he also became CEO of Burson-Marsteller, and managed the two companies to record profit growth during that period. He is also known as the strategist for and creator of well-known campaigns and ads, helping reelect President Bill Clinton and his move to the political center, devising then Senator Hillary Clinton's successful “Upstate strategy,” creating Tony Blair's "Forward not Back" campaign in 2005 and the “3AM” ad in the 2008 Presidential primaries, and led the team on Microsoft's hugely successful 2014 Super Bowl ad when he headed advertising there. Penn has been a senior adviser to global corporate and political leaders including Bill Gates and Steve Ballmer, Bill Ford, U.K. Prime Minister Tony Blair, Israeli Prime Minister Menachem Begin, Senator Hillary Rodham Clinton and President Bill Clinton. He has helped elect over 25 heads of state around the world. Penn is also a globally recognized thought leader. He authored the Wall Street Journal and New York Times bestselling book “Microtrends: The Small Forces Behind Tomorrow's Big Changes”; and was a columnist for the Wall Street Journal, Time.com, POLITICO, and The Huffington Post. In a cover story, Time Magazine called him “Master of the Message.” Penn earned a bachelor's degree from Harvard College and attended Columbia Law School. He is a member of the Council on Foreign Relations and the National Holocaust Museum's Committee on Conscience, and serves on the board of Meridian International Center. Penn is also a Visiting Lecturer at Harvard College and a Professorial Lecturer at George Washington University.

Hosts: David Adler, Alex Carter Guest: André Wells In the latest edition of GatherGeeks' "Sparking Change" series of episodes recorded at the Meridian International Center in Washington, BizBash C.E.O. David Adler and Zkipster's Alex Carter chat with André Wells, the owner of Events by André Wells. He discusses his event philosophy, sharing the questions he asks clients, the importance of a carefully curated guest list, and how to know when an event has impact. He also explains how to make every guest feel like a V.I.P., how to create effective fund-raising ideas, ways decor can further an event's mission, and more. Download or subscribe to the show at bizbash.com/gathergeeks. Running time: 34:58

Hosts: David Adler, Beth Kormanik, Alex Carter Guest: Tammy Haddad In the latest edition of GatherGeeks' "Sparking Change" series of episodes recorded at the Meridian International Center in Washington, BizBash C.E.O. David Adler and Zkipster's Alex Carter chat with Tammy Haddad, president and C.E.O. of consulting firm Haddad Media. She uses fun anecdotes from her long career in Washington to discuss the art of curating a guest list and seating chart, how to promote conversations, and ways to convey the story of your event. She also shares why the most important Washington business happens at events, how to be a good event guest, and much more. Download or subscribe to the show at bizbash.com/gathergeeks. Running time: 37:32

Hosts: David Adler, Beth Kormanik, Alex Carter Guest: Natalie Jones In the first edition of GatherGeeks' "Sparking Change" series of episodes recorded at the Meridian International Center in Washington, BizBash C.E.O. David Adler and Zkipster's Alex Carter chat with Natalie Jones, the center's senior vice president for external affairs and the former deputy chief of protocol at the State Department. She shares what it was like planning events and meetings for presidents and foreign governments, discussing why creating a comfortable setting conductive to change-making conversations is crucial. Jones also shares ways to understand each guest's needs and preferences, best practices for gifting and seating charts, and the community-building work she's doing at the Meridian International Center. Download or subscribe to the show at bizbash.com/gathergeeks. Running time: 48:42

Recipient of the 2018 Bill Frenzel Champion of Free Trade Award Former U.S. Secretary of Commerce 2005-2009 Carlos Gutierrez is Chair of Albright Stonebridge Group. Secretary Gutierrez served as U.S. Secretary of Commerce from 2005 to 2009 under President George W. Bush, where he worked with foreign government and business leaders to advance economic relationships, enhance trade, and promote U.S. exports. Secretary Gutierrez also played a key role in the passage of landmark free trade agreements that remove trade barriers, expand export opportunities, and boost global investment. Previously, Secretary Gutierrez spent nearly thirty years with Kellogg Company, a global manufacturer and marketer of well-known food brands. After assignments in Latin America, Canada, Asia, and the United States, he became President and Chief Executive Officer of Kellogg in 1999 − the youngest CEO in the company's hundred year history. In April 2000, he was named Chairman of the Board of Kellogg Company. Secretary Gutierrez joined ASG from Citi, where he was Vice Chairman of the Institutional Clients Group and a member of the Senior Strategic Advisory Group. He currently serves as the Chair of the National Foreign Trade Council and of the U.S. Chamber of Commerce’s U.S.-Cuba Business Council and is on the boards of the Chamber's U.S.-India Business Council and the Boao Forum for Asia. He is also Chairman of the Board of Trustees of Meridian International Center and serves on the boards of Occidental Petroleum Corporation, MetLife, PricewaterhouseCoopers (PwC), Time Warner, Viridis Learning, the George W. Bush Institute’s Human Freedom Advisory Council, and Republicans for Immigration Reform. Secretary Gutierrez was born in Havana, Cuba. He is married to Edilia and has three grown children. He is based in Washington, DC. Recorded in Minneapolis on November 27, 2018  

Hosts: David Adler, Beth Kormanik Guests: Stuart Holiday, Jane Sloat Ritchie   In this episode of GatherGeeks, David Adler, C.E.O. of BizBash, and Beth Kormanik, editor in chief of BizBash, hear from Ambassador Stuart Holiday, president and C.E.O. of the Meridian International Center; and Jane Sloat Ritche, founder of the Meridian House Ball. The group discusses the upcoming Meridian Ball, which celebrates its 50th anniversary on October 12, and how the black-tie fund-raiser has evolved over the decades. They share how the gala has withstood the test of time, why protocol is so crucial for Washington-based events, what aspect of the event is the most challenging to plan, and what event planners can learn from the gala’s longevity. Download or subscribe to the show at bizbash.com/gathergeeks. Running time 60:11  

Highlights: Ask Alexa: “Play W W 1 Centennial News Podcast” |@ 01:00 Second Liberty Bond drive launches |@ 02:00 Spy ring in Palestine - Mike Shuster |@ 06:25 War In the Sky - RiesenFlugzeug - behemoths of the sky |@ 10:10 Great War Alliance Forum |@ 13:05 Follow up on Cardines Field rededication |@ 13:55 Holding talks about WWI in communities - Richard Rubin |@ 15:15 Speaking WWI -  This week: “Booby Trap” |@ 21:30 100C/100M in Ridgewood, NJ - Chris Stout |@ 23:10 “Rendezvous With Death” - David Hanna |@ 28:30 Pershing/Lafayette statues rededicated in Versaille |@ 34:40 Trek through the Dolomites - WWrtie Blog w Shannon Huffman Polson |@ 36:00 The Buzz on #CountdownToVeteransDay -Katherine Akey |@ 36:55----more---- Opening Welcome to World War 1 centennial News - It’s about WW1 THEN - what was happening 100 years ago this week  - and it’s about WW1 NOW - news and updates about the centennial and the commemoration. Today is October 4th, 2017 and our guests this week are: Mike Shuster from the great war project blog,    Richard Rubin, author of The Last of the Doughboys and Back Over There Chris Stout from the 100 Cities / 100 Memorials project in Ridgewood, New Jersey And David Hanna, author of the WW1 book and now website - Rendezvous with Death   WW1 Centennial News is brought to you by the U.S. World War I Centennial Commission and the Pritzker Military Museum and Library. I’m Theo Mayer - the Chief Technologist for the Commission and your host. Welcome to the show. Preface Before we get going today I wanted to let you know, especially all of you who own Amazon Echo or other Alexa enabled device, Alexa has a new skill. If you say “Alexa, play the “W” “W” one centennial news podcast” she will dutifully find the most current episode on the internet and play it for you. We are excited because that opens up WW1 Centennial News to 20 million new player and all you have to do is ask! Welcome to the future - but right now - let’s jump into our wayback machine and head 100 years into the past! World War One THEN 100 Year Ago This Week [MUSIC TRANSITION] Yes, we’ve gone back in time 100 years to explore the war that changed the world! And It’s the first week of October 1917. What’s on the US government’s mind this week? Raising money to pay for the war! [SOUND EFFECT] Dateline October 1st 1917 Headline: Secretary of the treasury - McAdoo begins Second Liberty Loan Drive... Five Billion Dollars from Ten Million Subscribers fixed as goal! So In 1917, financing a war with deficit spending is not at all the plan. The Wilson administration is determined to raise the money needed for this immense effort, and in part, by issuing of government backed war bonds. This is innovative… and it is interesting to note, that the same 1917 law that authorizes the war bonds will continue to be used to sell US treasury bonds 100 years later! Back in June (during our episode 24), we reported on the Wilson administration touting the first liberty loan drive was an unprecedented and huge success. In fact, they raised $2 billion dollars from five and one half million people! A century later that $2 billion is the equivalent of 38 billion dollars. So - not too bad! This Second Liberty Bond drive is targeting twice as much revenue from two times as many subscribers. Though there is a lot of controversy about how successful the liberty bond program is, with the government claiming HUGE success and other press of the time criticizing lackluster enthusiasm and talking about the discounting of the bonds,  anyone who has ever undertaken to raise substantial amounts of money KNOWS, it’s no cake walk! Focusing on participation by the general public as small investors -- Secretary  Mcadoo reaches out to the administration’s secret weapon --- their powerhouse of propaganda, their empresario of promo, their master of emotion, their superman of spin - George Creel’s Committee on Public Information! This is the same outfit that publishes the daily Official Bulletin that we use here on the podcast every week to tell you the story of WW1, and whose pages we re-publish daily on the centennial anniversary of their original publication at ww1cc.org/bulletin. Anyway, Creel is probably America’s first marketing genius. He shows up as the man behind the curtain all over the place during this period... And with outrageous but brilliant ideas - like in late May -- as the first Liberty loan drive wraps up, he gets all churches, schools and city halls around the country to ring their bells every night in a countdown to the end of the first drive! Talk about taking your promotion to the grassroots. Last week we reported on the massive national billboard campaign for “Food will win the war” including using electric lights to light up the billboards at night. We have not verified that Creel was the man behind this endeavor, but it has his style written all over it. He is also a multi-media and social media genius… and In 1917 that means the flaming hot new media of the MOVIES and the Phonograph. Before the 4th liberty bond sale is over, and there will be 4 of them - Creel will have recruited the biggest stars of the day including Al jolson, Mary Pickford, Douglas Fairbanks and his premiere celebrity pitch man - Charlie Chaplin Creel doesn’t just go big, he also goes wide. George puts together a citizen army of 70,000 called “the 4 minute men”. He arms them with 4 minutes speeches - And in this case - on why buying Bonds is the key to Liberty and Freedom for Americans and why it is every citizens patriotic duty to participate He sends this army into every movie theater in the nation, arranging for them to make their presentation just before the features film. And so McAdoo launches his second liberty loan campaign 100 years ago this week! [SOUND EFFECT] Great War Project Now we are joined by Mike shuster, former NPR correspondent and curator for the Great War Project blog, to walk us through his fascinating post - A Ring of Spies in Palestine… all about a Jewish Spy ring assisting the british against the turks --- that gets busted by the turkish Secret Police... Welcome Mike! [Mike Shuster] Thank you Mike. That was Mike Shuster from the Great War Project blog. LINK: http://greatwarproject.org/2017/10/01/ring-of-spies-in-palestine/ War in the Sky This week in the Great War in the sky, there are two stories worth noting. The first involves a british Battle cruiser - The HMS Repulse. At the time, she is touted to be the fastest battle ship of the fleet. On October 1st 1917, having built a strange - slightly up-angled - platform on top of the turret of one of the big 15-inch guns  - her captain faces the Repulse into the wind --. Sitting atop the platform, Royal Naval Air Service Commander F.J. Rutland fires up the engine on his Sopwith Pup fighter plane. He cranks the RPM, higher, higher and higher still as the battle cruiser pushes into the wind - Finally he lets loose the brakes and his planes takes to the air making it the first fighter plane ever launched from such a ship! He, of course, does NOT attempt a landing on same! And we have a link in the podcast notes showing you a picture of the rig they used. Also this week, on October 5th, after a long period of unfavorable weather, the Germans finally send planes to the UK for a night raid on London. Nineteen Gotha bombers and two Reisenflugzeug bombers come at the brits in several waves causing quite a bit of damage but inflicting no casualties. Now… Reisenflugzeug literally means GIANT AIRPLANE in German… and they were. These multi-engine behemoths had wingspans of 100 feet or more and seemed more like an exercise in the art of the possible instead of the art of war. This was to be the last German raid against the UK until January of 1918 - the Gotha bombers and two of these behemoth flying machines let loose their payloads over the UK during the war in the sky - 100 years ago this week. We also have a link to a picture of a Reisenflugzeug in the podcast notes. Link: http://media.iwm.org.uk/ciim5/331/146/mid_000000.jpg https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/d/d3/Riesenflugzeug_Siemens_Schuckert_VIII_1918.jpg/1200px-Riesenflugzeug_Siemens_Schuckert_VIII_1918.jpg [SOUND EFFECT] The Great War Channel If you’d like to watch some videos about WW1, visit our friend at the Great War Channel on Youtube - They have well over 400 episodes about WW1 and from a more European perspective. New episodes for this week include: The Battle of Polygon Wood Recap of Our Trip to Italy and Slovenia And Denmark in WW1 Follow the link in the podcast notes or search for “the great war” on youtube. Link: https://www.youtube.com/user/TheGreatWar World War One NOW [SOUND EFFECT] We have moved forward in time to the present… Welcome to WW1 Centennial News NOW  - This part of the program is not about history but how the centennial of the War that changed the world is being commemorated today. Commission News This week in Commission news, we highlight a panel discussion about the Origins of the Trilateral Alliance - The alliance between Britain, America and France during World War One, its difficult birth, and its enduring impact after the war. The event was part of the Great War Alliance Forum at the Meridian International Center, a premier nonprofit global leadership organization headquartered in Washington DC Our own Commissioner Monique Seefried was part of the team that explored the history of the trilateral alliance; societal changes and the future of global conflict. You can read more about the event and watch the videos of this insightful discussion by following the link in the podcast notes. Link:https://www.meridian.org/project/the-great-war-alliance-forum/ [Sound Effect] Activities and Events Cardines Field Next, in our Activities and Events Section, we wanted to follow up on our report about the Rededication of Cardines Baseball Field which took place on September 29th, US Centennial Commissioner Jack Monahan attended the event in Rhode island,  that included an Army-Navy baseball game played by students from the U.S. Naval War College dressed in period baseball uniforms. Thanks to Associated Press reporter Jennifer McDermott from Rhode Island, the story about this unique and fun WW1 commemoration event got picked up by newspapers, blogs and posts all around the country This includes the New York Times, the Washington Post and local papers in Washington State, North Carolina, Texas, Oklahoma and more. Check out the articles from across the country in the podcast notes. We invite YOU to add your own event to the National U.S. WW1 Centennial Events Register. Go to ww1cc.org/events, click the big red button and post your WW1 commemoration event for all to discover. We just added a new category this week for Social Media Events - so if you are planning a Facebook Live, livestream, WW1 Hackathon or other online WW1 commemoration event - get it posted and let our community of interest know! links: http://ww1cc.org/events https://www.nytimes.com/aponline/2017/09/29/us/ap-us-wwi-baseball-game.html https://www.washingtonpost.com/news/early-lead/wp/2017/09/28/army-soldiers-and-navy-sailors-to-recreate-world-war-i-era-baseball-game/?utm_term=.aa623b76c64e http://www.thenewportbuzz.com/batter-up-naval-war-college-to-host-wwi-baseball-at-cardines-field-this-friday/12817 http://www.thenewstribune.com/sports/article175660656.html http://www.newsobserver.com/sports/article175660656.html http://www.houstonchronicle.com/news/article/Sailors-and-soldiers-to-recreate-World-War-I-12240885.php http://www.brownsvilleherald.com/sports/article_d3a6e966-fb51-5b87-8718-dc03ab061fae.html http://newsok.com/sailors-and-soldiers-to-recreate-world-war-i-baseball-game/article/feed/1435175 https://www.theet.com/web_exclusive/us/sailors-and-soldiers-recreate-world-war-i-baseball-game/article_3da2b656-0e29-5316-845e-0fa637e2e5d2.html http://www.phillytrib.com/news/state_and_region/sailors-and-soldiers-recreate-world-war-i-baseball-game/article_2bc1387a-441a-5107-a1b6-00254a8585a9.html [SOUND EFFECT] Richard Rubin Talks To Towns We are joined by our good friend Richard Rubin - author of the WWI books, The Last of the Doughboys and Back Over There. Richard is joining us today to talk to us about his experiences during speaking engagements across the country about World War One. Welcome, Richard! [exchange greetings] [So Richard, you have gone around the country to speak about your books, the research that went into them and World War 1 at large -  tell us a bit about these events?] [Richard, you mentioned that people often come with artifacts,  photos, mementos, and family histories. Why do you think people are so eager to share these with you? ] [-Is there one story or artifact that someone brought in that stands out in your mind?] [-If somebody wants to have hold one of these events, how do they get a hold of you?] Richard Rubin - Thank you very much for coming on! That was author Richard Rubin, we have links in the podcast notes to Richard’s website which is also a great way to contact him. link:https://www.richardrubinonline.com/ [SOUND EFFECT] Speaking WW1 And now for our feature “Speaking World War 1 - Where we  explore today’s words & phrases that are rooted in the war  --- First some background - In spanish, a bobo is a fool, a clown, or someone who is easily cheated" … in the late 1800’s the term was anglicised into “booby” for terms like Booby Prize - and Booby Trap… then, it signified a prank like a book, or water put atop a door left ajar - so when someone walked in - Sploosh! And a great big guffaw! In WWI the word ‘Booby Trap” this week’s speaking WW1 word - took on a whole new sinister meaning! The English journalist Sir Philip Gibbs wrote in his war memoir From Bapaume to Passchendaele: “the enemy left … slow-working fuses and ‘booby-traps’ to blow a man to bits or blind him for life if he touched a harmless looking stick or opened the lid of a box, or stumbled over an old boot.” So troops picked up the phrase to describe a myriad of explosive devices deliberately disguised as a harmless objects often left behind in territory that exchanged hands, hidden in doorways, set to go off when a curious soldier opened the lid to a box or rifled through abandoned equipment. In modern times with this tactic becoming a major tool in asymmetric warfare the term was updated to IED - Improvised Explosive Device. Booby-trap --- a fool’s trap - one more word that was altered forever during the War that Changed the World. See the podcast notes to learn more! link: https://www.theguardian.com/education/2014/jun/28/first-world-war-one-soldiers-tommies-common-language-trenches http://joellambert.com/123/history-booby-traps/   [SOUND EFFECT] 100 Cities/100 Memorials Chris Stout - Ridgewood, NJ Next, we are going to profile another 100 Cities / 100 Memorials project. That is our $200,000 matching grant giveaway to rescue ailing WW1 memorials. Last week, we profiled a project from Swanton Ohio. This week, we head to Ridgewood, NJ. Joining us is Chris Stout, a member of Ridgewood’s American Legion Post 53 and a self-appointed amateur local historian. Welcome, Chris! [exchange greetings] [Chris.. The saying is “a man is not dead until he is forgotten” and that frames your 100 Cities / 100 Memorials project. Tell us about it.] [What was your reaction when you learned about being one of the awardees for a Matching Grant by the program?] [Can you tell us about the rededication that took place on Memorial day?] [Chris - What distinguishes your project - for me - is that it is a fairly small project that is righting a large issue… Congratulations to you and your whole post!] Thank you so much for being here with us today! That was Chris Stout, member of American Legion Post 53, local historian and resident of Ridgewood, New Jersey. We will continue to profile the submitting teams and their unique and amazing projects on the show over the coming months. Learn more about the 100 Cities / 100 Memorials program at ww1cc.org/100memorials or follow the link in the podcast notes. Link: www.ww1cc.org/100memorials http://www.worldwar1centennial.org/index.php/communicate/press-media/wwi-centennial-news/3166-first-50-official-wwi-centennial-memorials-to-be-announced.html   [SOUND EFFECT] Stories of Service Rendezvous With death - Interview with David Hanna In our “Remember the veterans” section, today we have David Hanna with us. David is a history teacher at Stuyvesant (Sty-ves-ant) High School in New York City and author of two books, Knights of the Sea about a naval battle that occurred off the coast of Maine in 1813; and Rendezvous with Death, about the original group of American volunteers in the French Army in 1914. Welcome, David! [exchange greetings] [David, how did you come to write a book about the American Volunteers of WW1?] [As you’ve noted, the dozens of Americans that volunteered in 1914 represented a cross-section of American society at the time. What common impulse made them volunteer for the war?] [There are many famous individuals who volunteered early on in the war: Ernest Hemingway, Alan Seeger, e. e. cummings, Walt Disney… but of all the many volunteers you’ve researched, does anyone stand out to you?] [David: How did you decide on the title “Rendezvous with Death”?] [David - put up a website on the Commissions server - what kinds of information can I find there?] Thank you so much for joining us! That was David Hanna, author of Rendezvous with Death and curator of the website at ww1cc.org/rendezvous The links are in the podcast notes. Link:http://www.worldwar1centennial.org/index.php/rendezvous-with-death-home-page.html https://www.amazon.com/Rendezvous-Death-Americans-Foreign-Civilization/dp/1621573966/ref=asap_bc?ie=UTF8 International Report For our International Report, we head to France, to the town of Versaille for an interesting story about two companion statues one of General Pershing and the other of the Marquis de Lafayette The statues were recently restored and re-dedicated on October 6th 2017. The dual monuments to the generals were originally built in 1937, two equestrian statues of the generals on nine meter tall pedestals on either side of the road leading into the town of Versaille. The two statues were erected to commemorate the friendship between France and the United States and to pay tribute to the Americans troops for their significant contribution to the Allied victory in 1918. The statues were hastily built in plaster with a bronze patina (puh-tee-nuh) so they could be in place and on view for they’re inauguration, which took place with General Pershing present on a European tour. The plaster statues were quickly damaged by exposure and had never been replaced, until now. On October 6th 2017, exactly 80 years after the initial inauguration, permanent versions of the statues were re-dedicated.  Read more about the statues and the rededication at the links in the podcast notes. link:http://www.pershing-lafayette-versailles.org/ http://centenaire.org/fr/en-france/versailles-ceremonie-restauration-monument-pershing-la-fayette   WWrite Blog It’s time for an update for our WWRITE blog, which explores WWI’s Influence on contemporary writing and scholarship, this week's post is: “What the Mountains Hold: A Writer's Trek Through the Dolomites of Mark Helprin's WWI Italy” The post brings a fresh face to the WWI Italy described in  Hemingway's “A Farewell to Arms”. Author and veteran, Shannon Huffman Polson, takes us on a spellbinding trek through the Dolomites, where 689,000 Italians perished during the war. Following the footsteps of characters from Mark Helprin's novel, “A Soldier of the Great War”, Polson leads us through the stark, striking landscape of one of Italian-history's most indelible memories. A stunning narrative not to be missed! Read it by following the link in the podcast notes. Link: www.ww1cc.org.wwrite http://www.worldwar1centennial.org/index.php/articles-posts/3190-what-the-mountains-hold.html   The Buzz - WW1 in Social Media Posts That brings us to the buzz - the centennial of WW1 this week in social media with Katherine Akey - Katherine - You have two stories to share with us today - Take it away! Thanks Theo! Fort Riley and the 1st Division Museum Watch a great video series about the 1st division in WW1! link:https://www.facebook.com/FtRileyMuseums/ https://www.facebook.com/FtRileyMuseums/videos/1217575371721494/ Countdown to Veterans Day Follow us as we #countdowntoveteransday . You can join in, too! link:https://www.facebook.com/ww1centennial/photos/a.290566277785344.1073741829.185589304949709/845531832288783/?type=3&theater https://www.facebook.com/hashtag/countdowntoveteransday https://www.instagram.com/explore/tags/countdowntoveteransday/?hl=en   Closing Well It’s time to wrap things up - and for those who listen through to the very end of the episode you know about the little treats we always put there. We want to thank our guests: Mike Shuster and his report on espionage in the middle east   Richard Rubin, telling us about his experiences speaking across the country Chris Stout from the 100 Cities / 100 Memorials project in Ridgewood, New Jersey David Hanna giving us insight into the Americans who joined the war well before America did Katherine Akey the Commission’s social media director and also the line producer for the show. And I am Theo Mayer - your host.   The US World War One Centennial Commission was created by Congress to honor, commemorate and educate about WW1. Our programs are to-- inspire a national conversation and awareness about WW1; This program is a part of that…. We are bringing the lessons of the 100 years ago into today's classrooms; We are helping to restore WW1 memorials in communities of all sizes across our country; and of course we are building America’s National WW1 Memorial in Washington DC. If you like the work we are doing, please support it with a tax deductible donation at ww1cc.org/donate - all lower case Or if you are on your smart phone text  the word: WW1 to 41444. that's the letters ww the number 1 texted to 41444. Any amount is appreciated. We want to thank commission’s founding sponsor the Pritzker Military Museum and Library for their support. The podcast can be found on our website at ww1cc.org/cn   on  iTunes and google play ww1 Centennial News, and on Amazon Echo or other Alexa enabled devices. Our twitter and instagram handles are both @ww1cc and we are on facebook @ww1centennial. Thanks for joining us. And don’t forget to share the stories you are hearing here with someone about the war that changed the world! [music - The man behind the hammer and the plow - Arthur Fields - Edison Record] Alexa: Play the W W 1 Centennial News Podcast [Alexa response]   So long!

Ambassador Stuart Holliday, President & CEO of Meridian International Center, interviews 2016 YLAI fellow Dason Anthony, owner of FIVE95 Dresses company from Guyana.

Ambassador Stuart Holliday, President & CEO of Meridian International Center, interviews 2016 YLAI fellow Mariela Sporn, CEO and Founder of RealRef company from Buenos Aires, Argentina.

Mark Penn, Pollster for President Bill Clinton Executive Vice President & Chief Strategy Officer, Microsoft Corporation Mark Penn is Executive Vice President and Chief Strategy Officer at Microsoft Corporation, responsible for working on core strategic issues across Microsoft's products, value propositions, and investments and leading the company's competitive research and analysis. Penn reports to CEO Satya Nadella and serves on Microsoft's Senior Leadership Team. He oversees an interdisciplinary strategy team and works with product and other teams across the company. Previously, Penn was worldwide CEO of Burson-Marsteller and CEO of Penn Schoen Berland, serving as senior adviser to global corporate and political leaders including Bill Gates, Bill Ford, UK Prime Minister Tony Blair, Israeli Prime Minister Menachem Begin, Senator Hillary Rodham Clinton and President Bill Clinton. For six years, Penn served as White House Pollster to President Clinton and was a key strategy adviser in his 1996 re-election, identifying "soccer moms" as the key swing vote needed for victory. Penn also served as chief strategist to Hillary Clinton in her Senate campaigns and 2008 Presidential campaign, devising her "upstate strategy" in New York and creating the "3 AM" ad in the 2008 primaries. Throughout his career, Penn has helped elect more than 25 leaders in the United States, Asia, Latin America and Europe. Penn is the author of the 2007 bestselling book "Microtrends: The Small Forces Behind Tomorrow's Big Changes," and of the recurring Wall Street Journal "Microtrends" column. In a cover story, Time Magazine called him "Master of the Message." Penn earned a bachelor's degree from Harvard College and attended Columbia Law School. He is a member of the Council on Foreign Relations and the National Holocaust Museum's Committee on Conscience, and he serves on the board of Meridian International Center. Penn is also a visiting lecturer at Harvard College.   Dr. Jan van Lohuizen, Pollster for President George W. Bush Chairman, Voter Consumer Research, Inc. Dr. Jan van Lohuizen, Chairman and one of the founding members of Voter Consumer Research, has directed public opinion research projects since 1977. His area of expertise is in public policy and elections research. He has conducted opinion research for hundreds of political campaigns. His principal emphasis today is on surveys for initiative and referendum campaigns and opinion research on public policy issues. Clients include prominent elected officials, major U.S. corporations, industry associations, and think tanks.