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We're back with a new mini Coffee Break French lesson, and this time we're exploring a charming tradition that marks the start of the festive season in parts of Europe!
In Lugano, Switzerland, the cryptocurrency is accepted in some shops and for local municipal services.But the drive towards using what can often be a volatile payment method instead of Swiss francs, hasn't been welcomed by everyone.We hear from businesses, officials and consumers who are navigating this new world.Produced and presented by John Laurenson(Image: View of town on shore of Lake Lugano, Switzerland. Credit: Getty Images)
As the CEO of Art Basel, Noah Horowitz has made it his mission to ensure that the international art platform is seen, valued, and experienced—far beyond its art-fair roots—as a cultural catalyst and “opportunity accelerator.” Over the past 55 years, beginning with its tight-knit origins in Basel, Switzerland, in 1970, Art Basel has evolved into an international juggernaut, with best-in-class fairs also in Miami Beach, Hong Kong, and Paris—and soon, under Horowitz's leadership, Qatar, with an edition debuting there in February 2026. With more than two decades of experience, and as a tireless advocate and enthusiast for all things art, from artists and galleries to collectors and institutions, Horowitz is exactly the right person for the job.On this episode of Time Sensitive, Horowitz details his ambitious agenda to stretch Art Basel's reach into realms far beyond what would traditionally be considered the art world; shares his long-view perspective on the economics of art; and considers the centuries-old history that, in a roundabout way, helped lead to—and continues to inform and shape—today's art market.Show notes: [05:13] Art Basel Paris[05:13] Art Basel Qatar[05:13] Art Basel Miami Beach[05:13] Art Basel Hong Kong[07:54] Frida Escobedo[10:41] The Art Basel and UBS 2025 Survey of Global Collecting[10:41] Art Basel Awards[21:27] Rei Naito[23:51] Art of the Deal: Contemporary Art in a Global Financial Market (2011)[27:42] Rirkrit Tiravanija[41:18] High Art Lite: The Rise and Fall of Young British Art (2020)[32:42] KAWS[39:04] Princeton Record Exchange[42:18] Frieze[42:52] Hans Ulrich Obrist[42:52] Okwui Enwezor[45:00] Rem Koolhaas[45:57] Kirk Varnedoe[45:57] Pictures of Nothing: Abstract Art Since Pollock (2006)[50:05] Talking Prices: Symbolic Meanings of Prices on the Market for Contemporary Art (2005)[51:49] Clare McAndrew[54:42] The Experience Economy (2019)[58:43] Vincenzo de Bellis[1:03:04] Pérez Art Museum
ShadyPanda plays the long game. India mandates tracking software on mobile devices. Korea weighs punitive damages after a massive breach. Qualcomm patches a critical boot flaw impacting millions. OpenAI patches a Codex CLI vulnerability. Google patches Android zero-days. Cybersecurity issues prompt an FDA permanent recall for an at-home ventilator system. Switzerland questions the security of hyperscale clouds and SaaS services. One of the world's largest cyber insurers pulls back from the market. On our Threat Vector segment, David Moulton sits down with Stav Setty to unpack the Jingle Thief campaign. In Russia, Porsches take a holiday. Remember to leave us a 5-star rating and review in your favorite podcast app. Miss an episode? Sign-up for our daily intelligence roundup, Daily Briefing, and you'll never miss a beat. And be sure to follow CyberWire Daily on LinkedIn. Threat Vector segment In today's Threat Vector segment, host David Moulton, Senior Director of Thought Leadership for Unit 42, sits down with Stav Setty, Principal Researcher at Palo Alto Networks, to unpack Jingle Thief a cloud-only, identity-driven campaign that turned Microsoft 365 into a gift card printing press. Stav explains how the Morocco-based group known as Atlas Lion lived off the land inside M365 for months at a time, using tailored phishing and smishing pages, URL tricks, and internal phishing to compromise one user and quietly pivot to dozens more. To listen to the full conversation on Threat Vector, listen here. You can catch new episodes of Threat Vector every Thursday on your favorite podcast app. Selected Reading Browser extensions pushed malware to 4.3M Chrome, Edge users (The Register) India plans to verify and record every smartphone in circulation (TechCrunch) Apple to Resist India's Order to Preload Government App on iPhones (MacRumors) President orders probe into Coupang breach (The Korea Herald) Qualcomm Alerts Users to Critical Flaws That Compromise the Secure Boot Process (GB Hackers) Vulnerability in OpenAI Coding Agent Could Facilitate Attacks on Developers (SecurityWeek) Google Releases Patches for Android Zero-Day Flaws Exploited in the Wild (Infosecurity Magazine) 'Cyber Issue' Leads to FDA Recall of Baxter Respiratory Gear (GovInfoSecurity) Swiss government bans SaaS and cloud for sensitive info (The Register) Publication: Resolution on outsourcing data processing to the cloud (Privatim) Insurer Beazley Steps Back From Cyber Market as Attacks Surge (PYMNTS.com) Hundreds of Porsche Owners in Russia Unable to Start Cars After System Failure (The Moscow Times) Share your feedback. What do you think about CyberWire Daily? Please take a few minutes to share your thoughts with us by completing our brief listener survey. Thank you for helping us continue to improve our show. Want to hear your company in the show? N2K CyberWire helps you reach the industry's most influential leaders and operators, while building visibility, authority, and connectivity across the cybersecurity community. Learn more at sponsor.thecyberwire.com. The CyberWire is a production of N2K Networks, your source for strategic workforce intelligence. © N2K Networks, Inc. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
Send us a textYear's end is the perfect time to chase moments that help us fall in love with travel. We stitch together a lively route from New York's Erie Canal's quiet power to Namibia's Etosha, where elephants, zebra, and predators converge around water in an arid dreamscape. Along the way, we meet a winemaker who steers us into Spain's Alicante desert for a paella cooked over grapevines—one fire, one broth, no second chances—and learn why constraint can turn a meal into a memory that lasts.Our path bends to Sorrento, a flat and beautiful Italian base that opens to Capri, Ischia, and the Amalfi Coast. We talk walkable alleys, lemon groves that become limoncello, and sunset cocktails on cliffside terraces. We ride rails through Canada at sunrise and across Switzerland where a simple coffee sparks a love story. In Mexico City, lucha libre proves that travel joy can be loud, communal, and gloriously acrobatic, while Barcelona Spain lifts the spirit with castellers human towers, Sant Jordi's books and roses, and music festivals that sweep from legends to up-and-comers.We step into sacred time in Assisi in Italy's Umbrian region, to see Giotto's frescoes and St. Francis's world, then cross to India's Agra Fort where Shah Jahan arranged his bed and even a small mirror to keep the Taj Mahal always in view. Add a few delightful detours—a red-clay miniature golf course in Normandy, train-station romance in Belgium, a harmonica gifted to a child in a Ugandan forest (and a musical moment)!If these stories spark your curiosity, hit follow, and share with a friend who needs new trip ideas, Then dig into our archive of over 120 episodes to plan where your next unforgettable moment will begin.**Our guests this past year are a mix of travel pros and travel enthusiasts -- and all of them have insightful tips and stories to tell.**Podcast host Lea Lane has traveled to over 100 countries, and has written nine books, including the award-winning Places I Remember (Kirkus Reviews star rating, and 'one of the top 100 Indie books of the year'). She has contributed to dozens of guidebooks and has written thousands of travel articles. Contact her at placesirememberlealane.com_____Our award-winning travel podcast, Places I Remember with Lea Lane, has produced over 120 travel episodes! New episodes drop on the first Tuesday of the month, on Apple, Spotify, and wherever you listen to podcasts. _____Travel vlogs of featured podcasts-- with video and graphics -- now also drop on YouTube. Please subscribe, like, and comment.
We assess the impact of Pope Leo’s first foreign trip to Turkey and Lebanon. Then: the history of democracy in Gdańsk as Polish prime minister Donald Tusk and German chancellor Friedrich Merz meet in Berlin. Plus: we dive into Monocle’s new Switzerland handbook.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
GUESTYUKO WAKAYAMA YAMADA is the abbot of Shogakuji in Tokyo. She currently teaches at the International department of Eiheiji. She is the first nun to teach at Eiheiji, the head monastery of Soto Zen founded by Dogen Zenji. She trained at Aichi Senmon Niso-do, a training temple for female Soto Zen priests, where she also currently teaches. She was ordained in 1999 by the highly respected Rev. Shundo Aoyama-roshi. She was sent to Mt. Equity Zendo in United States for 2.5 years and has also practiced in Germany, Switzerland, France, Spain and Italy. After returning from Europe and finishing 2 more years at the Niso-do she studied at the graduate school of Komazawa University specializing in Chinese Zen History. Prior to becoming a Zen Buddhist nun, Yuko Yamada was a catholic nun in a convent for 3 years.HOSTREVEREND DANA TAKAGI (she/her) is a retired professor of Sociology and zen priest, practicing zen since 1998. She spent 33 years teaching sociology and Asian American history at UC Santa Cruz, and she is a past president of the Association for Asian American Studies.
Landfills have long been the end of the road for waste. Today, they're becoming the starting point for transformation. What if instead of disposal, we saw energy, materials and opportunity. Today we're exploring how waste to energy is reshaping the global circular economy. Hosts Phil Dillard and Angie Dickson, President of Inogen Alliance, are joined by Sofiane Kessouar, Senior EHS Consultant for Baden Consulting in Switzerland and Meiling Xu, Senior EHS Consultant, from Anew Global Consulting in China.Guest Quotes“ It keeps surprising me that people from other region of the world often still seem to consider landfills an acceptable method of waste treatment, and that waste to energy seems somewhat utopian to them. These plants don't just burn waste. They produce electricity and heat, often supplying homes or industry.” - Sofiane In China, landfill sectors is in the rapid transition, hundreds of old sites, , being closed or mined for the west. As of 2023, the number of municipal waste landfill sites across the country has decreased from 640 in 2015 to 366. The closed sites are now transforming into equal parks, industrial parks, or other land usage after soil remediation and the land redevelopment.” - MeilingTime Stamps01:14 – Switzerland's Waste-to-Energy Success02:08 – China's Rapid Waste Transition 05:02 – Misconceptions About Landfills & Incineration08:27 – What Zero Waste Looks Like in Practice12:06 – Waste-to-Energy in Europe's Sustainability Strategy14:54 – Innovation Spotlight: New Technologies in China18:42 – Industrial vs. Household Sorting Challenges23:26 – Aligning Global Corporate Waste StrategiesSponsor CopyRethinking EHS is brought to you by the Inogen Alliance. Inogen Alliance is a global network of 70+ companies providing environment, health, safety, and sustainability services, working together to provide one point of contact to guide multinational organizations to meet their global commitments locally. Visit inogenalliance.com to learn more.LinksInogenalliance.com/resourcesInogenalliance.com/podcast] Angie on LinkedInSofiane on LinkedInMeiling on LinkedInPhil on LinkedIn Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.
Ask most hikers to name some European hiking trails and the 170km Tour Du Mont Blanc hiking trail will often crop up. This trail includes sections through France, Italy and Switzerland, and circumnavigates western Europe's highest mountain, Mont Blanc. For most hikers this trail, which starts and finishes in the Chamonix Valley, is undertaken in around 11 days but it can be done in a quicker, or slower fashion depending on the experience you are after.In this podcast episode we talk with hikers Joe and Annie who undertook this well-known European trail in August of 2025. www.australianhiker.com.au Australian Hiker can also be found on our various social media platforms Australian Hiker Facebook Australian Hiker Instagram Australian Hiker Twitter Australian Hiker Threads Australian Hiker Youtube
Through cosmic communication, learn how these mysterious beings may hold the key to our spiritual evolution.UFOs and the Extra-terrestrial Message reveals how UFOs are much more than strange shapes in the sky; they may be part of a multi-dimensional universe, which has become a common concept in everything from quantum physics to sci-fi blockbusters. String theory, hyperspace and dark matter have led physicists to realise that the three dimensions we thought described the universe aren't enough – there may actually be numerous dimensions. As this possibility evolves, the real prospect of meeting our extra-terrestrial neighbours emerges. From ancient texts to little-known eyewitness accounts, Richard explores the evidence of extraterrestrial life. He also looks at X-file exposés, fascinating personal experiences of alien contact, channelled messages from cosmic beings – and shows how these messages hold the key to our spiritual advancement and even to world peace.BioDescribed by Kindred Spirit magazine as one “one of the biggest talents in MBS”, Richard is an award-winning, international bestselling author on spirituality, and one of the foremost Disciples of Master of Yoga Dr George King.Richard's books, DVDs and CDs have been sold in many countries – translations have included Dutch, French, German, Italian, Portuguese, Spanish, Russian, Japanese and Estonian.He has taken part in hundreds of radio shows around the world including several appearances on Coast to Coast AM, which broadcasts to 475 radio shows throughout the USA. He regularly appeared as a co-host on Mike Allen's weekly show on LBC called The Phenomena Files.His TV appearances include GMTV on topics ranging from UFOs to angels, psychic powers and complementary medicine. He has also appeared on TV with Esther Rantzen, Eammon Holmes, Gloria Hunniford, Terry Wogan, Noel Edmonds and James Whale, and a host of documentaries and magazine programmes on all the terrestrial and many of the satellite channels.In addition to having had a column in The Observer, he has written for the Daily Express, Daily Mail, The Sun, Woman's World, Here's Health, Health and Fitness, the USA's Whole Life Times and Phenome-News, New Zealand's Lifestyle magazine and many other journals. He has appeared in most of Britain's national newspapers, and many magazines and local papers.As well as in the UK, he has lectured in the USA, Canada, New Zealand, Australia, Belgium, Italy, Switzerland and Nigeria, and for over 30 years, has been a keynote speaker at London's largest and most prestigious Mind Body Spirit Festival. He has spoken internationally at various venues including churches, synagogues, Buddhist temples, schools, universities, business conventions, charitable meetings and numerous conventions and bookstores, as well as to an audience of thousands at an open-air pop concert.Richard is the Executive Secretary of The Aetherius Society for Europe and a Bishop in The Aetherius Churches. He has devoted his life to the work of his late master and personal friend, Dr George King (1919-1997), who founded the Society.https://www.aetherius.org/https://www.amazon.com/dp/B00J75NB5K https://www.pastliveshypnosis.co.uk/https://www.patreon.com/alienufopodcastMy book 'Verified Near Death Exeriences' https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0DXKRGDFP Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.
About Julia Snedkova Julia Snedkova is a career strategist and executive coach for high-achieving women navigating leadership in the AI era. With 16+ years in senior roles across Fortune 500 companies in Europe, Middle East, Africa and Asia, and an INSEAD MBA, with a focus on Leadership & Organizational Behaviour, she brings a rare blend of boardroom fluency and deep coaching expertise. Julia is an ICF-certified coach trained by iPEC and a Certified Energy Leadership™ Index master practitioner. Her work focuses on helping ambitious corporate women future-proof their careers, break systemic barriers, and step into executive roles on their own terms. Known for her strategic clarity and sharp insight, Julia operates at the intersection of executive development, gender equity, and AI-driven career design. She has worked across 30+ markets and lived in Russia, France, Switzerland, and Singapore. Outside of coaching, she's a certified Hatha Yoga teacher and passionate about reading, travel, and self-renewal. Follow Julia on LinkedIn or subscribe to her career newsletter, Private Career Memo, already trusted by 10,000+ professionals across LinkedIn and email, for actionable insights on leading, growing, and staying indispensable in the future of work. Episode Notes 11:42 Lesson 1: Know what you want 15:52 Lesson 2: Know why you want it 20:56 Affiliate Break 21:44 Lesson 3: Plan to get there 30:19 Lesson 4: Ask for it
Weihnachten steht vor der Tür. Wir haben eine Anleitung, wie man die Weihnachtstage überstehen kann und welches Pflichtprogramm dazu gehört – vom Essen, über die Filme bis zur Familienberatung in digitalen Belangen: Natürlich mit Tipps, was gut ankommt und was dem Nerd von Welt die Weihnachtslaune verdirbt. Heute zu hundert Prozent KI-frei!
Hello fellow travellers! It wouldn't be a proper season if I didn't include an episode about discounted travels deals in South Africa. In this episode I discuss free birthday entrance deals that South Africans can get at certain tourist attractions in Cape Town. One of them is one of the world's "seven wonders of nature". So, if you're planning to travel to Cape Town soon, I advise that you plan your trip around your birthday and celebrate your birthday week in the Mother City so that you can enjoy some discounted travel deals. Enjoy!________________________Are you planning to travel through Europe soon? I've heard that travelling by train is the best way to explore the countryside and discover the historical cultural wonders of the continent.Rail Europe is a trusted online booking platform for European train travel. International travellers planning to travel through Europe by train can book tickets and passes using Rail Europe's website and app. Their user-friendly website offers a simple and secure booking experience, as well as accepts multiple payment options in different currencies, catering to travellers from all over the world. Rail Europe also connects commuters to a wide variety of train operators across 35 countries. This allows travellers to search and compare trips options to find the best and cheapest tickets available. Rail Europe is your one-stop shop for European train booking and travel. Book your train ticket here. Discover the Alps
The Rich Zeoli Show- Full Episode (12/01/2025): 3:05pm- The man allegedly responsible for shooting two National Guard members had been granted asylum from Afghanistan. While on Meet the Press, Department of Homeland Security Secretary Krisit Noem said initial investigations suggest the man became radicalized while in the United States. 3:10pm- In her latest editorial for The New York Post, Miranda Devine writes that a “damning report” labels the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) as a “rudderless ship” and “all f*cked up” under the leadership of Director Kash Patel and Deputy Director Dan Bongino. The report alleges that Bongino has an “unfortunate obsession with social media.” 3:30pm- A report from Ernesto Londono of The New York Times documents rampant fraud plaguing Minnesota—dozens of people have been charged with stealing more than $1 billion in taxpayer money from programs meant to feed hungry children and provide therapy for autistic children. Critics of Governor Tim Walz say his administration allowed the fraud to persist “partly because state officials were fearful of alienating the Somali community” who were largely responsible for the scams. 3:50pm- It's finally here! “Be Nice to Matt DeSantis Week” kicks off. Earlier this year, Linda Kerns—Attorney & Pennsylvania Election Integrity Counsel for the Republican National Committee and Donald Trump—donated money to the Travis Manion Foundation during 1210 WPHT's fundraiser in exchange for Rich guaranteeing he would be nice to Matt for one full week before the end of the year. 4:05pm- A report from Ernesto Londono of The New York Times documents rampant fraud plaguing Minnesota—dozens of people have been charged with stealing more than $1 billion in taxpayer money from programs meant to feed hungry children and provide therapy for autistic children. Critics of Governor Tim Walz say his administration allowed the fraud to persist “partly because state officials were fearful of alienating the Somali community” who were largely responsible for the scams. 4:15pm- Is even Europe getting sick of far-left taxation policies? On Sunday, Switzerland rejected a referendum that would have placed a 50% inheritance tax on assets above 50 million Swiss francs, or about $62 million. 4:40pm- TV recommendations: Death by Lightning on Netflix—which is based on Candece Millard's book on the assassination of President James Garfield. 5:05pm- The man allegedly responsible for shooting two National Guard members had been granted asylum from Afghanistan. While on Meet the Press, Department of Homeland Security Secretary Krisit Noem said initial investigations suggest the man became radicalized while in the United States. National Guard member Sarah Beckstorm, sadly, died from her wounds. Meanwhile, Guardsman Andrew Wolfe remains in critical condition. West Virginia Gov. Patrick Morrisey said Wolfe was responsive on Monday. 5:25pm- Last month, while speaking from the House floor, Rep. Jasmine Crockett (D-TX) accused several Republicans including EPA Administrator Lee Zeldin of taking campaign donations from Jeffrey Epstein. However, her claim was horribly misleading. The donations were from a Dr. Jeffrey Epstein—a different Jeffery Epstein, with no relation to the predator. Astoundingly, Crockett recently doubled down on her outlandish claims during a segment on MS Now. 5:40pm- Linda Kerns calls in to outline the rules for “Be Nice to Matt Week”—so far, Rich has violated every instruction. 6:00pm- A Washington Post report states that Department of War Secretary Pete Hegseth authorized a series of deadly strikes on a drug trafficking boat in the Caribbean, ordering military officials to “kill everybody.” The directive, according to the report, led to a second strike killing several crew members that survived the initial assault on the vessel. 6:20pm- Food and Drug Administration (FDA) Commissioner, and Johns Hopkins surgeon, Dr. Marty Makary weighed in on a theory that ...
The Rich Zeoli Show- Hour 2: 4:05pm- A report from Ernesto Londono of The New York Times documents rampant fraud plaguing Minnesota—dozens of people have been charged with stealing more than $1 billion in taxpayer money from programs meant to feed hungry children and provide therapy for autistic children. Critics of Governor Tim Walz say his administration allowed the fraud to persist “partly because state officials were fearful of alienating the Somali community” who were largely responsible for the scams. 4:15pm- Is even Europe getting sick of far-left taxation policies? On Sunday, Switzerland rejected a referendum that would have placed a 50% inheritance tax on assets above 50 million Swiss francs, or about $62 million. 4:40pm- TV recommendations: Death by Lightning on Netflix—which is based on Candece Millard's book on the assassination of President James Garfield.
Today we're talking about the rise of independent hype watches. Until very recently, as we've discussed on this podcast, independent watchmaking was something of a backwater of the watch industry or at best the realm of the cognoscenti. But in recent years, creations from the likes of MB&F, Simon Brette, Rexhep Rexhepi and today's guest Sylvain Berneron have become objects of desire, cutthroat demand and even speculation. How did it get this way? What are the drivers? And what role do the brands and watchmakers themselves play in the economy of hype? Our guest is Sylvain Berneron, a French-born industrial and fine-arts trained designer who, after early roles in automotive design at BMW, moved into the watch world — spending five years at Breitling (ultimately as Chief Product Officer) and earlier working for the Richemont Group on brands such as IWC and Jaeger‑LeCoultre. In 2022 Sylvain founded his independent brand Berneron (based in Neuchâtel, Switzerland) and launched the Mirage collection, noted for its all-gold movement, shaped asymmetric case. And this summer, he unveiled his second collection, the Quantième Annuel. Both collections are highly limited – variants are produced in just 24 units each annually. Hosted by Asher Rapkin and Gabe Reilly, co-founders of Collective Horology, Openwork goes inside the watch industry. You can find us online at collectivehorology.com. To get in touch with suggestions, feedback or questions, email podcast@collectivehorology.com.
This week, host Richard Graves sits down with former Great Britain and England international basketball player Kofi Josephs, an athlete whose journey through elite sport has been anything but ordinary. From growing up in Birmingham to playing in front of Michael Jordan at the Jordan Brand Classic, suffering two major hip surgeries in the US collegiate system, becoming the British Basketball League's highest-scoring British player, and navigating the hidden psychological battles behind performance… Kofi's story is raw, real, and deeply relevant for anyone working in elite sport. Now the founder of WhyNotI, a preventative mental health tech platform designed specifically for elite athletes, Kofi is on a mission to reshape how professional environments understand – and support – the person behind the performer. This episode offers an unfiltered look at the pressures, cultural challenges, expectations, and mental load that athletes carry, and the systemic changes needed to truly support sustainable high performance. What You'll Learn The hidden mental toll of elite sport and why performance alone never tells the full story. How perfectionism, pressure, and identity shape athlete wellbeing – and where support structures fall short. Why mental health must be preventative, not reactive, if teams want consistency and longevity in performance. Insights into the collegiate system in the US and its cultural, emotional, and psychological challenges for young athletes. Why separating “the athlete” from “the person” is flawed, and how reframing this changes support strategies. The crucial role of coaches, GMs, and ownership in building environments where mental health is prioritised. How WhyNotI is using technology, psychology, and data to influence policy, culture, and player care across elite sport. About Kofi Josephs Kofi Josephs is a former professional basketball player who represented England at the Commonwealth Games and Great Britain at EuroBasket, competing across elite leagues worldwide including Germany, Spain, Switzerland, Saudi Arabia, and Iceland. A psychology graduate and outspoken advocate for athlete mental health, Kofi has built a platform that blends his lived experience with scientific insight. He is the founder of WhyNotI, a preventative mental health tech solution designed to provide bespoke support for elite performers while equipping organisations with the data needed to improve culture, care, and decision-making. Kofi now works across sport, safeguarding, and policy, collaborating with leaders from national governing bodies, Olympic sports, and high-performance environments to drive systemic change. FREE 7d SCIENCE FOR SPORT ACADEMY TRIAL SIGN UP NOW: https://bit.ly/SFSepisode241 Learn Quicker & More Effectively Optimise Your Athletes' Recovery Position Yourself As An Expert To Your Athletes And Naturally Improve Buy-In Reduce Your Athletes' Injury Ratese Save 100's Of Dollars A Year That Would Otherwise Be Spent On Books, Courses And More Improve Your Athletes' Performance Advance Forward In Your Career, Allowing You To Earn More Money And Work With Elite-Level Athletes Save Yourself The Stress & Worry Of Constantly Trying To Stay Up-To-Date With Sports Science Research
As December arrives in the Shenandoah Valley, most residents brace for winter's first flakes with equal parts nostalgia and dread. Yet for Ken Slack, communications specialist for the Virginia Department of Transportation (VDOT), the "S-word" signals something far more serious: the start of long days, sleepless nights, and the full activation of a year-round effort to keep the region moving safely. During this year's annual "Snow Show" on The Valley Today, host Janet Michael talks with Ken to uncover what really happens behind the scenes before, during, and after winter storms. The conversation reveals a complex system of planning, people, equipment, and science—all working together to protect the Shenandoah Valley's roads. A Year-Round Operation: Preparing for Winter in July Although most Virginians don't think about snow until the weather turns cold, VDOT never stops planning for winter. Ken explains that salt acquisition, equipment preparation, and contractor coordination happen "pretty much year-round." Because Mid-Atlantic states often pull from the same salt suppliers, VDOT begins stockpiling materials months in advance. By early summer, the agency starts contracting plow operators and supplemental crews—critical partners, since VDOT alone cannot cover the 11-county region with 150 miles of Interstate 81 in the Staunton District. For many contractors, winter work fills seasonal employment gaps, making it a mutually beneficial relationship. As fall approaches, VDOT conducts "dry runs," where plows, spreaders, dump trucks, graders, and even the occasional snowblower undergo rigorous inspection. Mechanics check everything from hydraulics to electronic components to the flashing safety lights. New operators also drive their designated routes with seasoned staff to learn every cul-de-sac, mailbox, driveway, and hazard before the first storm arrives. More Than Machines: The Human Infrastructure VDOT's winter workforce extends far beyond plow drivers. The agency maintains equipment repair shops in multiple locations—including Staunton, Winchester, Harrisonburg, and Alleghany County—staffed with specialists who not only service vehicles in the shop but often crawl under trucks on the roadside during storms. The agency also relies on dozens of employees whose regular jobs have nothing to do with snow removal. During weather events, environmental staff, surveyors, office workers, and administrative teams might be reassigned to phone operations, storm reporting, or road-condition updates that feed directly into the statewide 511 Virginia system. As Ken puts it, "VDOT is an all-hands-on-deck operation whenever it snows." Forecasting the Fight: Science Meets Local Knowledge Weather drives nearly every decision VDOT makes during a storm. To stay ahead, the agency collaborates closely with two National Weather Service offices—Sterling for the northern Shenandoah Valley and Blacksburg for the southern region—while also relying on a private forecasting consultant. However, the most valuable insights often come from the ground. Supervisors stationed throughout the district contribute hyperlocal knowledge about cold pockets, shaded roadways, tricky curves, and elevations where conditions can change dramatically within a few miles. This matters in a district that stretches from Page County's valleys to Highland County's rugged ridges, nicknamed "Virginia's Switzerland" for its long, snowy seasons. Understanding Treatments: Brine, Salt, and Abrasives One of the most common misconceptions among drivers involves road treatments—particularly when VDOT chooses not to pre-treat ahead of a storm. Ken clarifies that brine (a saltwater solution) only works when applied well in advance of snowfall. If a storm begins with rain, the liquid simply washes away. That's why VDOT carefully times its anti-icing operations 24 to 36 hours before precipitation arrives. Salt remains the standard treatment, but once temperatures drop into the low 20s or teens, its effectiveness weakens. That's when the agency may incorporate abrasives—fine, gritty particles smaller than pea gravel—to help vehicles gain traction. In extreme cold, VDOT may also use calcium chloride, a more potent but costlier option reserved for the harshest conditions. And yes—VDOT mixes its own brine in giant onsite tanks equipped with agitators. The Interstates Come First: Prioritizing What Matters Most When snow starts falling, VDOT's first priority is always the interstates and major primary roads that support hospitals, fire and rescue, commercial trucking, and essential travel. During heavy storms, plow operators may spend the entire event clearing a single 30-mile stretch of Interstate 81, circling back and forth until snowfall eases. Only once the major routes are reasonably clear can operators move to secondary roads and neighborhoods. Why Staying Home Makes a Difference Both Janet and Ken stress one message above all: staying off the roads during storms dramatically improves safety—and speeds up VDOT's work. "It's a lot easier to plow a road that doesn't have any vehicles on it," Ken explains. Fewer cars mean fewer accidents, fewer stuck vehicles blocking lanes, and fewer obstacles for plow drivers navigating low visibility and icy conditions. For those who must drive—retail workers, health-care employees, and service professionals—Ken offers clear advice: leave early, drive slowly, avoid sudden movements, and give yourself far more stopping distance than usual. And when in doubt, assume the road is icy—especially when freezing rain creates hazardous, nearly invisible "black ice." Tools for Drivers: 511 and Real-Time Road Temperature Data VDOT's 511 Virginia system provides far more than traffic cameras. Drivers can access pavement temperature readings, weather station data, alerts, and real-time incident reports—tools that help them decide when (or whether) to travel. Even VDOT staff use the traffic cameras to track approaching storms: "They'll watch the snow hit Mount Jackson, and they know it's coming next." A Final Word: Respect the Storm As the conversation ends, Ken offers one last reminder: preparation, patience, and caution remain the keys to a safer winter season. Whether you're a commuter, a weekend traveler, or just someone who loves snow days, VDOT's work depends on drivers doing their part. And if you need an excuse to stay home? Janet jokes that she'll be citing Ken personally.
Doug Green, Publisher of Technology Reseller News, interviews Helmut Minor, Managing Director of envenance GmbH and President of envenance SAS, in this special welcome podcast for ASCDI's newest member. Envenance delivers a next-generation, fully digital ITAD platform designed to support multinational enterprises with consistent, compliant asset disposition across borders. A Digital-First, Asset-Free ITAD Model Envenance operates as a software-driven orchestrator, not a recycler or logistics operator. The company centralizes global ITAD operations through: A single digital portal for orders, tracking, documentation, and ESG reporting Standardized processes that work across all EU countries, the UK, Switzerland, and beyond Pre-vetted logistics and recycling partners managed directly by Envenance One contract, one invoice, and unified compliance for all locations “We drain the complexity out of ITAD,” Minor notes. “Customers see one simple process. We handle everything behind the scenes.” Built for Compliance, Visibility, and Scale Envenance ensures strict adherence to EU waste regulations, country-specific documentation requirements, and verified in-country recycling. The platform provides: Near real-time status updates Full chain-of-custody documentation Recycling and ESG reporting needed for audits and EPR filings A People-Powered Network While Envenance is highly digital, Minor emphasizes that experience and relationships with local partners remain central to their success. “You can't replace people. The platform works because the network behind it works.” Global Capabilities Though Europe is the core focus, Envenance has delivered ITAD projects in the U.S. and other regions—especially where secure inventory capture and compliance documentation are required. Learn More Envenance's new website offers service details, videos, and updates: https://www.envenance-global.com/
Next year we've got three big trips on the docket - Thailand, Scotland/ London, and Switzerland/Italy. By mixing cash fares, smart point redemptions, and repositioning, we share the exact math behind paying cash to Asia, and two goals to keep travel calmer and on budget.• booking strategy for a family of five using points, cash, and portals• why one‑cent redemptions lost to Amex travel offers and 5x earning• routing choices to access lounges and smoother layovers• Thailand plan with Phuket, Koh Samui, and Bangkok as bases• London and Edinburgh logistics for seven travelers• chasing return award space after routes vanish• Aeroplan business class to Zurich and Boston repositioning• hotel approaches in Zurich, Lake Como, and Italy• domestic add‑ons to Oceanside and Disneyland with Hyatt certs• budget tracking on trips to curb overspend• ADHD medication updates improving family travel dynamicsI think I'm like very close to a thousand followers on Instagram. So if maybe you don't already follow, go over and give us a follow @travelpartyof5
World news in 7 minutes. Monday 1st December 2025Today : Ukraine Black Sea drones. Switzerland referendums. Spain protests. Lithuania balloons. Nigeria schools closed. Guinea-Bissau 'sham'. Senegal oil spill. Honduras election. Trump Hernandez pardon. St Vincent election. Asia floods. Hong Kong fire. Australia gambling and wedding.SEND7 is supported by our amazing listeners like you.Our supporters get access to the transcripts and vocabulary list written by us every day.Our supporters get access to an English worksheet made by us once per week.Our supporters get access to our weekly news quiz made by us once per week.We give 10% of our profit to Effective Altruism charities. You can become a supporter at send7.org/supportContact us at podcast@send7.org or send an audio message at speakpipe.com/send7Please leave a rating on Apple podcasts or Spotify.We don't use AI! Every word is written and recorded by us!Since 2020, SEND7 (Simple English News Daily in 7 minutes) has been telling the most important world news stories in intermediate English. Every day, listen to the most important stories from every part of the world in slow, clear English. Whether you are an intermediate learner trying to improve your advanced, technical and business English, or if you are a native speaker who just wants to hear a summary of world news as fast as possible, join Stephen Devincenzi, Juliet Martin and Niall Moore every morning. Transcripts, vocabulary lists, worksheets and our weekly world news quiz are available for our amazing supporters at send7.org. Simple English News Daily is the perfect way to start your day, by practising your listening skills and understanding complicated daily news in a simple way. It is also highly valuable for IELTS and TOEFL students. Students, teachers, TEFL teachers, and people with English as a second language, tell us that they use SEND7 because they can learn English through hard topics, but simple grammar. We believe that the best way to improve your spoken English is to immerse yourself in real-life content, such as what our podcast provides. SEND7 covers all news including politics, business, natural events and human rights. Whether it is happening in Europe, Africa, Asia, the Americas or Oceania, you will hear it on SEND7, and you will understand it.Get your daily news and improve your English listening in the time it takes to make a coffee.For more information visit send7.org/contact or send an email to podcast@send7.org
A climate tax targeting billionaires crashed hard at the Swiss ballot, upholding a national trend of rejecting proposals that threaten Switzerland's wealth haven status.View the full article here.Subscribe to the IMI Daily newsletter here.
It really was the stuff of nightmares. A Swiss tourist, who was swimming with dolphins off the NSW coast, was suddenly mauled by a three-metre bull shark. The 25-year-old died from her injuries, despite her heroic boyfriend, an exchange student also from Switzerland, fighting off the shark and carrying her to shore. Today, environment and climate reporter Caitlin Fitzsimmons, on why the number of people killed by sharks in Australia is rising.Subscribe to The Age & SMH: https://subscribe.smh.com.au/See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
Through cosmic communication, learn how these mysterious beings may hold the key to our spiritual evolution.UFOs and the Extra-terrestrial Message reveals how UFOs are much more than strange shapes in the sky; they may be part of a multi-dimensional universe, which has become a common concept in everything from quantum physics to sci-fi blockbusters. String theory, hyperspace and dark matter have led physicists to realise that the three dimensions we thought described the universe aren't enough – there may actually be numerous dimensions. As this possibility evolves, the real prospect of meeting our extra-terrestrial neighbours emerges. From ancient texts to little-known eyewitness accounts, Richard explores the evidence of extraterrestrial life. He also looks at X-file exposés, fascinating personal experiences of alien contact, channelled messages from cosmic beings – and shows how these messages hold the key to our spiritual advancement and even to world peace.BioDescribed by Kindred Spirit magazine as one “one of the biggest talents in MBS”, Richard is an award-winning, international bestselling author on spirituality, and one of the foremost Disciples of Master of Yoga Dr George King.Richard's books, DVDs and CDs have been sold in many countries – translations have included Dutch, French, German, Italian, Portuguese, Spanish, Russian, Japanese and Estonian.He has taken part in hundreds of radio shows around the world including several appearances on Coast to Coast AM, which broadcasts to 475 radio shows throughout the USA. He regularly appeared as a co-host on Mike Allen's weekly show on LBC called The Phenomena Files.His TV appearances include GMTV on topics ranging from UFOs to angels, psychic powers and complementary medicine. He has also appeared on TV with Esther Rantzen, Eammon Holmes, Gloria Hunniford, Terry Wogan, Noel Edmonds and James Whale, and a host of documentaries and magazine programmes on all the terrestrial and many of the satellite channels.In addition to having had a column in The Observer, he has written for the Daily Express, Daily Mail, The Sun, Woman's World, Here's Health, Health and Fitness, the USA's Whole Life Times and Phenome-News, New Zealand's Lifestyle magazine and many other journals. He has appeared in most of Britain's national newspapers, and many magazines and local papers.As well as in the UK, he has lectured in the USA, Canada, New Zealand, Australia, Belgium, Italy, Switzerland and Nigeria, and for over 30 years, has been a keynote speaker at London's largest and most prestigious Mind Body Spirit Festival. He has spoken internationally at various venues including churches, synagogues, Buddhist temples, schools, universities, business conventions, charitable meetings and numerous conventions and bookstores, as well as to an audience of thousands at an open-air pop concert.Richard is the Executive Secretary of The Aetherius Society for Europe and a Bishop in The Aetherius Churches. He has devoted his life to the work of his late master and personal friend, Dr George King (1919-1997), who founded the Society.https://www.aetherius.org/https://www.amazon.com/dp/B00J75NB5K https://www.pastliveshypnosis.co.uk/https://www.patreon.com/alienufopodcastMy book 'Verified Near Death Exeriences' https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0DXKRGDFP Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.
It really was the stuff of nightmares. A Swiss tourist, who was swimming with dolphins off the NSW coast, was suddenly mauled by a three-metre bull shark. The 25-year-old died from her injuries, despite her heroic boyfriend, an exchange student also from Switzerland, fighting off the shark and carrying her to shore. Today, environment and climate reporter Caitlin Fitzsimmons, on why the number of people killed by sharks in Australia is rising.Subscribe to The Age & SMH: https://subscribe.smh.com.au/See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
The Game Changers podcast celebrates true pioneers who inspire us to take the big step forward and up in education and beyond. In episode 205 (Part 3) of Game Changers, Phil Cummins joins in conversation with Dr Donnie Adams! Dr Donnie Adams is based at the Faculty of Education, University of Melbourne, Australia. He obtained his Ph.D. in Educational Leadership from University of Malaya under the Bright Sparks scholarship and was awarded the University of Malaya's Excellence Award 2016: PhD Completion in Less than 3 Years. His significant contributions to the field have been recognised with several awards, including the Australian Council for Educational Leaders (VIC) Fellowship Award 2025 and the Emerald Young Researcher Award 2021 from Emerald Publishing. Additionally, he was featured by Britishpedia as one of the 'Successful People in Malaysia' in Education. He serves as Editor-in-Chief of Educational Research and Evaluation and is an editorial board member of several top-tier journals. With a strong commitment to education reform, his work has shaped inclusive school leadership practices across the Asia-Pacific, driving meaningful and systemic change by empowering teachers and future leaders. He has engaged in professional consultation and research partnerships with leading institutions worldwide, including the Ministries of Education in Malaysia and the Maldives, the Department of Education in the Philippines, the British Council in Nepal, ETH Zürich in Switzerland, The HEAD Foundation in Singapore, UNICEF, Teach For Malaysia, and the Asian Universities Alliance. The Game Changers podcast is produced by Evan Phillips supported by a School for tomorrow (aschoolfortomorrow.com), and powered by CIRCLE Education. The podcast is hosted on SoundCloud and distributed through Spotify, Google Podcasts, and Apple Podcasts. Please subscribe and tell your friends you like what you are hearing. You can contact us at gamechangers@circle.education, on Twitter and Instagram via @GameChangersPC, and you can also connect with Phil via LinkedIn, Twitter and Instagram. Let's go!
November closed with markets focused on hopes of a Fed rate cut, which overshadowed fears of an AI bubble. The S&P 500 made strong gains in a holiday-shortened week, while technology lagged, leaving the Nasdaq down in November for the first time after seven months of gains. European equities ended the month slightly higher, supported by the strong outperformance of Switzerland's SMI last week. Silver is hitting new highs, while gold is also climbing. In Asia, Chinese PMI data disappointed, while India stood out with 8.2% GDP growth in the third quarter. The head of Japan's central bank hinted at a rate rise during a speech on Monday. Mensur Pocinci, Head of Technical Analysis Research, shares his views on the USD, precious metals, and his outlook for US equities.(00:00) - Introduction: Helen Freer, Product & Investment Content (00:28) - Markets wrap-up: Mike Rauber, Product & Investment Content (06:31) - Technical Analysis update: Mensur Pocinci, Head of Technical Analysis (09:51) - Closing remarks: Helen Freer, Product & Investment Content Would you like to support this show? Please leave us a review and star rating on Apple Podcasts, Spotify or wherever you get your podcasts.
Your morning briefing, the business news you need in just 15 minutes.On today's podcast:(1) Rachel Reeves denied misleading the British public about the state of the UK’s public finances ahead of her budget, as she faced ongoing criticism over her messaging in the run-up to Wednesday’s £26 billion package of tax hikes.(2) Prime Minister Keir Starmer said he’ll make a renewed push to curb UK welfare spending, as he vies to revive his ailing premiership and sell a budget which was poorly received by voters.(3) US and Ukrainian negotiators said they had productive discussions about a framework for a peace deal, but there was no final breakthrough as President Donald Trump continues to push for a truce with Russia.(4) President Donald Trump said Sunday he has decided on his pick for the next Federal Reserve chair after making clear he expects his nominee to deliver interest-rate cuts.(5) Switzerland voted to reject a 50% inheritance tax on super-rich residents after wealthy entrepreneurs threatened to leave the country.PODCAST CONVERSATION: Inside the Ostrich Effect: How Ignorance Has Become a Survival StrategySee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
Good Sunday to you,A bit of admin before we come to today's thought piece.First, in case you missed it, here is this week's commentary, mostly ranting about the budget, the UK's inept leadership and what actions you, as an investor, should take:And this week I also appeared on comedian Geoff Norcott's podcast, What Most People Think. Here are the links to the show on Apple and Spotify, if of interest.But for your thought piece today, we have another great little World War Two gold story which didn't make the cut. The farcical journey of Albanian and Italian gold (NB: a tonne of gold is about a medium-sized suitcase full).As the Nazis took both Austria and Czechoslovakia with ease, Italian Prime Minister Benito Mussolini grew anxious to flex his own muscles.Albania would be his target. Geographically, culturally and historically, it made sense: Albania had been part of the Roman Empire even before northern Italy.In April 1939, Italy invaded with a force that contained 400 planes, 300 small tanks, 12 warships, and 22,000 men. But some untrained Albanian locals with the help of a few soldiers managed to drive them back into the sea. Such was 20th century Italian warfare.The Italians made it on the second attempt, however, and the capital, Tirana, fell.The Albanian King Zog gave an impassioned speech on the radio, urging resistance, but nobody heard it because Albania at the time had fewer than 2,000 radios, and the Italians soon managed to jam the airwaves anyway. Shortly after giving the speech, like the true patriot he was, he fled the country, taking enough gold with him to lead a long life of luxury in exile, eventually ending up in Egypt as a guest of King Farouk, to whom he had to pay $20 million for refuge.Albania's founders believed in gold, and their currency, the lek, was based on it. Inflation, as a result, had been nonexistent. The central bank was established in the summer of 1925, and it had worked hard to build up its gold holdings. At home, it had encouraged citizens to swap their jewellery for paper money. That private gold was then added to the nation's gold holdings. Whenever possible, the country increased its gold holdings in London.But by the time of the invasion in 1939, most of Albania's 2.3 tonnes was in Italy anyway, where it had been sent for safekeeping. The Italians managed to confiscate quite a bit more in coins and jewellery from citizens.We fast forward four years.The Italian dilemma: give their gold to the Nazis or the Allies? In 1943, Allied forces moved north from Africa into Sicily and then Italy: the invasion of the soft underbelly of Europe had begun.Hectic days followed the ousting of Mussolini in July. The Italian Fascists were still nominally in charge. They declared Rome an open city in the hope of avoiding Allied air attacks. But by September 1943, the Nazis had control of the capital and central Italy, and they wanted Italy's gold moved to Berlin, while they still had control of the area.They began confiscating the gold of Italian citizens in Rome, especially Italian Jews. The amounts demanded were unrealistic, but Roman Jews reached into their family treasures, their synagogues and institutions to turn in what they had. The Pope, Pius XII, heard about the demands and authorised Catholic churches to lend Jews gold so they could reach the quota.But the big prize was in the Italian Central Bank, and several Nazi organisations had their eyes on it: Himmler's SS, Göring's Four Year Plan, von Ribbentrop's Foreign Office, and Funk's Reichsbank. Even the Bank of International Settlements (BIS), which was worried about its investments in Italy, started making demands that Italy send it gold. Initially, the governor of the Italian bank, Vincenzo Azzolini, made out that he was offended by the idea, but he soon realised the BIS was a better option than Berlin, whichever Nazi department received it.The Italians did not know what to do. On the one hand, they did not want the Nazis to have their gold, but nor did they want the invading Allies to have it either. They thought of sending it to Sardinia, they thought of sending it to the Swiss border. They sent small amounts of gold to branch offices around Italy, but the Bologna gold went missing, as did much of the Milan gold - now supposedly in Turin, but actually hidden in a well. They even sent some to colonial outposts in Benghazi, Rhodes and Addis Ababa.The Albanian gold Italy had stolen was still sitting in the Italian bank's vault, so, under pressure from the Nazis, they sent that up to the Reichsbank in Berlin, while they tried to come up with a solution.The following day, Niccolò Introna, the Italian bank's deputy general manager, had his plan: to build a false wall in the bank's underground vaults. He would then backdate documents to show the gold had been moved to Potenza, a town in the Italian south that was about to fall into Allied hands, but hide the gold behind the wall.Bank governor Azzolini approved the plan, but then ruled that only half the gold should be hidden. The next day the wall was built. The day after that, the official order to ship the gold to Berlin came in from the German ambassador. If the bank did not agree, the Germans would simply seize it. At this point, Azzolini learned that the Germans had seized government records, from which they would know the size and location of the country's gold. Azzolini lost his nerve and had the wall torn down.The next day, the German military unit arrived at the bank with orders to move the gold north by air. Azzolini stalled them, saying it would be safer by train. The Germans sent 5 tonnes by air, the rest - 119 tonnes - was sent by train to Milan. From there, it was shipped to Fortezza, Bolzano, close to the border with Germany and under their control, where it stayed for several months. The now-ousted Mussolini even signed his approval that it be sent there.The following spring, Azzolini, who above all wanted to stop the gold going to Berlin, struck a deal with Swiss and German representatives that would see 26 tonnes sent to Switzerland, some to the BIS and some to the Swiss National Bank.Göring, however, insisted he needed money and suggested giving Italy Reichsmarks for its gold. The deal was signed without the Bank of Italy knowing about it. 50 tonnes left Fortezza, which included 8 tonnes Italy had stolen from Yugoslavia earlier in the war in "restitution" (that's another story). The delivery arrived in Berlin a tonne light. As almost always by this point in the war, someone had their hands in the till.The process of shipping the next batch of Italian gold - some 22 tonnes - went on for months, as some (but not all) Italian officials tried to stall. But eventually, that too was dispatched. That too arrived in Berlin a tonne light.When American forces eventually liberated Fortezza, they found 25 tonnes. It was handed over to the Bank of Italy.What a mess.Stories like this fill the pages of The Secret History of Gold (although this one didn't actually make the cut).The Secret History of Gold is available at Amazon, Waterstones and all good bookshops. I hear the audiobook, read by me, is excellent. And it would make a wonderful Christmas present! This is a public episode. If you'd like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit www.theflyingfrisby.com/subscribe
A rising Christchurch ballet star is poised to take another big leap in her career, after being selected as a candidate for Switzerland's prestigious Prix de Lausanne. RNZs Jean Edwards reports.
Pamela Posada is a Salvadoran Bitcoin maximalist and YouTube strategist who transitioned from fashion design to a digital nomad lifestyle fully on Bitcoin in 2022, now producing content that highlights women's roles in the ecosystem. She champions El Salvador's Bitcoin adoption through event participation, like speaking at Adopting Bitcoin and hosting women-focused workshops during Bitcoin Month. Her posts often fuse cultural landmarks with crypto advocacy, underscoring the nation's orange-pilled future amid global investment shifts in Latin America.
A practitioner in Switzerland shares his recent cultivation experiences including learning to study the Fa in Chinese and memorizing the introductory section of Zhuan Falun, Lunyu. He also shares how his family life improved when he was able to lookin within and practice the principles of Dafa in his home, and how he recognized and overcame the attachment of jealousy while working on a project with his brother. This and other experience-sharing from the Minghui website.Original Articles:1. [Fahui] Improving by Solidly Studying the Teachings2. [Fahui] Coordinating With Other Practitioners to Pass Legislation to Oppose the Persecution3. [Fahui] Becoming An Altruistic Person To provide feedback on this podcast, please email us at feedback@minghuiradio.org
We're joined by Mehran Gul, author of The New Geography of Innovation, who paints a detailed picture on how innovation power is shifting from Silicon Valley to unexpected places - China, Singapore, Switzerland, and beyond. As a former advisor at the World Economic Forum and World Bank, Mehran has spent years studying the frontier of technological development, institutional evolution, and national strategy. His research spans eight countries across three continents summarised in his new book which challenges Western innovation orthodoxy—and offers a compelling vision for a more distributed, more inclusive innovation future. We dive into: -How Chinese talent is shaping the Global AI landscape -Why innovation isn't just unicorns and startups, but includes state-led infrastructure -Singapore's invisible excellence: no unicorns, but global digital leadership -Switzerland's surprising dominance in R&D and public transport innovation -The cultural and structural flaws in Europe's startup scene -What stable governance, national purpose, and civic trust do for innovation -What people get wrong about AI, disruption, and the future of work Key Takeaways from the Episode: 1. China Is No Longer a Copycat: China's MSRA lab published the most cited scientific paper of the 21st century—training a generation of AI researchers that now dominate the global talent pipeline. 2. Singapore and Switzerland Show Us a Different Model: Forget unicorns. These countries focus on systems-level innovation—urban planning, transport, digital governance—that directly improve lives. 3. Government Can Drive Real Innovation: Singapore's GovTech and digital twin strategy prove that with the right institutions, even small countries can lead the world. 4. Europe's Cultural Challenge: While Europe has capital and talent, its innovation suffers from risk aversion, private mindsets, and a fear of visible failure. 5. Stock Options as a Cultural Lens: The difference between PayPal's billionaire mafia and Skype's 11 millionaires reveals how equity culture influences ambition and scale. 6. Unicorns Are a Poor Innovation Metric: Mehran critiques the obsession with unicorn counts and valuations. True innovation should be measured by quality of life, productivity, and institutional resilience. 7. The Real AI Debate Isn't Job Loss: We overhype automation and job loss. The real question is: who controls the models, who benefits, and how do we ensure global equity? 8. Innovation Will Be Multipolar: The future isn't a US-China binary. Countries like Canada, South Korea, and Estonia are becoming quiet powerhouses of tech progress. 9. Infrastructure Is Innovation: Switzerland's trains, Korea's chip fabs, and China's urban ecosystems all show that building real-world infrastructure is just as innovative as launching apps. 10. Innovation Must Be Contextualized: What works in San Francisco doesn't always work in São Paulo or Jakarta. Mehran urges us to localize innovation strategies for real impact. Timestamps: (00:00) – Introduction to Mehran Gul and the new geography of innovation (02:45) – Why China's MSRA lab transformed the AI talent pipeline (06:15) – Singapore's silent innovation model: no unicorns, huge impact (10:00) – Switzerland's success: trains, CERN, and the quality of life index (14:45) – The structural flaws in Europe's innovation culture (20:00) – PayPal vs. Skype: why startup equity design matters (24:30) – How Canada built world-class AI labs with public funding (28:30) – Unicorns vs. real progress: rethinking innovation metrics (33:00) – What most people get wrong about AI and automation (37:00) – National strategy, political trust, and innovation performance (42:00) – Innovation across the Global South: case studies and insights (47:00) – The future of innovation in a multipolar world (51:30) – Final thoughts on building innovation systems that serve humanity Join us for a powerful, myth-busting journey across the world's new innovation hotspots—with one of the most insightful thinkers on global tech strategy. Follow our host (@iwaheedo) for more conversations on technology, power, and emerging markets.
Watch The X22 Report On Video No videos found (function(w,d,s,i){w.ldAdInit=w.ldAdInit||[];w.ldAdInit.push({slot:17532056201798502,size:[0, 0],id:"ld-9437-3289"});if(!d.getElementById(i)){var j=d.createElement(s),p=d.getElementsByTagName(s)[0];j.async=true;j.src="https://cdn2.decide.dev/_js/ajs.js";j.id=i;p.parentNode.insertBefore(j,p);}})(window,document,"script","ld-ajs");pt> Click On Picture To See Larger PictureTrump is bringing the country out of the Biden/Obama recession. The [CB] is trapped because they never expected Trump’s parallel economic system to be building at lightning speed. Trump is putting everything into place to transition the people from the [CB] which means we will not need the income tax. [DS] has now used one of it’s soldiers to begin the color revolution. The [DS] wants a civil war in the end and they are pushing it. Trump knows the playbook and this is why he took the path of waking the people up and building the counterinsurgency. The people must see who the true enemy is, only when the people see the enemy can we fight the enemy. Trump put all this into place for this moment. Economy https://twitter.com/KobeissiLetter/status/1994238315730473327?s=20 Challenger Gray spiked +99,010, to 153,074, the highest since March. This also marks the highest monthly number for any October in 22 years. All while employees notified of mass layoffs via WARN notices tracked by Revelio rose +11,912 last month to 43,626, the 2nd-highest in at least 2 years. US layoffs are accelerating. https://twitter.com/KobeissiLetter/status/1994222461252980749?s=20 percentage has persisted above 90% for 12 months. Such an elevated reading has been seen only a few times over the last 35 years. Over the last 2 years, global central banks have cuts rates 316 times, the highest reading in at least 25 years. To put this into perspective, there were 313 cumulative cuts in 2008-2010 in response to the financial crisis. Global monetary policy is easing. Amazing How Central Bank Money-Printing Reversed around the World after the Inflation Shock Balance sheets of the Fed, ECB, BOJ, BOE, and central banks of China, Canada, Australia, Switzerland, and India as % of GDP. The major central banks around the world have been unwinding their balance sheets for the past few years, even the Bank of Japan, which got a late start in 2024. Their balance sheets had swollen to grotesque proportions during the global QE frenzy that started in 2008, and QE-mania during and after the pandemic. But that has been getting unwound. The Bank for International Settlements (BIS), an umbrella organization owned by its member central banks, released its latest quarterly data on central bank balance sheets today. We'll look at the decline of the balance sheets of nine major central banks: Federal Reserve, European Central Bank, Bank of Japan, People's Bank of China, Bank of England, Central Bank of India, Bank of Canada, Reserve Bank of Australia, and the Swiss National Bank. In normal times, central-bank balance sheets, including the Fed's balance sheet, grew with the economy, as measured by GDP; and the ratio of total assets as a percentage of GDP back then was low and roughly stable over the years. Years of QE then caused the ratios to explode. And years of QT have now caused the ratios to shrink dramatically. They're all seeing the same thing: A continued threat of inflation and massive distortions and risks in asset prices, including dangerous housing bubbles that are now deflating in some markets. So they've been removing some of the fuel, to walk back from those risks. Source: wolfstreet.com (function(w,d,s,i){w.ldAdInit=w.ldAdInit||[];w.ldAdInit.push({slot:18510697282300316,size:[0, 0],id:"ld-8599-9832"});if(!d.getElementById(i)){var j=d.createElement(s),p=d.getElementsByTagName(s)[0];j.async=true;j.src="https://cdn2.decide.dev/_js/ajs.js";j.id=i;p.parentNode.insertBefore(j,p);}})(window,document,"script","ld-ajs"); https://twitter.com/WatcherGuru/status/1994194115467071830?s=20 Yes, President Trump did make that statement in a recent address (likely his Thanksgiving message to U.S. troops on November 27, 2025). Based on the video clip in the X post you linked, here’s the relevant excerpt from his remarks:“The next couple of years, I think we’ll substantially be cutting and maybe cutting out completely, but we’ll be cutting income tax—could be almost completely cutting it—because the money we’re taking in is going to be so large.”This aligns closely with the claim in the WatcherGuru post. Multiple news outlets have reported on the comments, confirming they are authentic and recent. For context, Trump has floated similar ideas about offsetting or replacing income taxes with tariff revenue multiple times during his campaign and presidency, though experts have questioned the feasibility due to the massive revenue gap (tariffs currently generate far less than income taxes). DOGE Geopolitical Globalist Germany's Firewall Against the AfD Collapses as Half the Country Now Open to Voting for Them For the first time since the party entered parliament about nine years ago, the anti-democratic cordon sanitaire around the right-wing, anti-globalist Alternative für Deutschland appears to have cracked wide open. According to the latest INSA/Bild poll, fewer than half of all German voters (just 49%) now say they would “never” vote AfD—down from a staggering 75% only a few years ago, This is nothing short of a historic breakthrough. Despite years of state-funded smear campaigns, constant domestic intelligence surveillance (Verfassungsschutz), court cases, job dismissals, bank account closures, repeated violence against party members by left-globalist extremists, and even serious discussions about banning the party outright, ordinary Germans are finally seeing through the propaganda and recognizing the AfD as the only serious opposition to a failing system. Source: thegatewaypundit.com all the Liars and Pretenders of the Radical Left Media are going out of business! At the conclusion of the G20, South Africa refused to hand off the G20 Presidency to a Senior Representative from our U.S. Embassy, who attended the Closing Ceremony. Therefore, at my direction, South Africa will NOT be receiving an invitation to the 2026 G20, which will be hosted in the Great City of Miami, Florida next year. South Africa has demonstrated to the World they are not a country worthy of Membership anywhere, and we are going to stop all payments and subsidies to them, effective immediately. Thank you for your attention to this matter! War/Peace Zelensky sent aide to US talks to ‘protect’ him from corruption probe – media Zelensky appointed his chief of staff, Andrey Yermak, to head Kiev’s negotiating delegation in Geneva last weekend after learning that anti-corruption investigators were preparing a suspicion notice against the aide,The report comes amid fallout from a massive $100 million graft scheme involving the Ukrainian leader’s inner circle, including long-time associate Timur Mindich, who has been charged with running a kickback scheme in the energy sector and fled before the authorities could detain him.Surveillance of the Mindich case by the National Anti-Corruption Bureau of Ukraine (NABU) reportedly captured conversations involving Zelensky and Yermak, potentially implicating both. Source: sott.net https://twitter.com/MarioNawfal/status/1994307774860189739?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw%7Ctwcamp%5Etweetembed%7Ctwterm%5E1994307774860189739%7Ctwgr%5Ee8d979a9c10fbfc326b32333d206fa988e9c3418%7Ctwcon%5Es1_c10&ref_url=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.thegatewaypundit.com%2F2025%2F11%2Fnew-ukraines-anti-corruption-bureau-raids-home-andriy%2F Zelensky's chief of staff. The latest raid comes days after a $100M bribery scandal rocked Ukraine's energy sector – but no official word yet if this is linked. Neither agency has commented on the raid yet. NATO states considering ‘cyber offensive' against Russia – Politico NATO's European members are reportedly considering joint offensive cyber operations against Russia, Politico reported on Thursday, citing two senior EU government officials and three diplomats. Western governments are assessing cyber and other options in response to alleged “hybrid attacks” by Moscow, according to the publication. Latvian Foreign Minister Baiba Braze told Politico that NATO must “be more proactive on the cyber offensive” and better coordinate their intelligence services. “And it's not talking that sends a signal – it's doing,” she said. In late 2024, NATO unveiled plans to establish a new integrated cyber defense center at its headquarters in Belgium, which is expected to go online by 2028. Stefano Piermarocchi, the head of cyber risk management within NATO's chief information office, told Breaking Defense that the new hub would enhance Source: rt.com Russian President Vladimir Putin Gives Remarkably Detailed Explanation of Current Peace Negotiation Status – Either Ukraine Concedes Diplomatically, or We Will Win Militarily Source: theconservativetreehouse.com Medical/False Flags [DS] Agenda https://twitter.com/RogerJStoneJr/status/1993883057414353293?s=20 https://twitter.com/RapidResponse47/status/1994206037998538849?s=20 https://twitter.com/AGPamBondi/status/1994194638421340290?s=20 https://twitter.com/VickieforNYC/status/1993899026651951335?s=20 foreign warzone. Yet almost every major lefty account is parroting this narrative. It’s bizarre. Like “of COURSE people are going to try and murder the National Guard, what did you expect to happen in Washington” Is this the narrative here? That Washington is Fallujah? Or is it that the left has declared a de facto state of war, and casualties are now just to be expected? It’s extremely bad either way. https://twitter.com/TheStormRedux/status/1994054785163522357?s=20 that the President said it's times to bring in more law enforcement to make sure that a city that had the 4th highest homicide rate in the country, that that violence was quelled. I'm not even gonna go there!” Liberals have been spending the last 12 hours trying to place the blame on Trump for bringing the NG to the city. Truly unbelievable how ungrateful these people are https://twitter.com/disclosetv/status/1993876798866653577?s=20 https://twitter.com/thevivafrei/status/1994116243154973175?s=20 intentions, everything takes on a whole new meaning. https://twitter.com/ZannSuz/status/1993859778414580217?s=20 https://twitter.com/JLRINVESTIGATES/status/1994214556671889810?s=20 https://twitter.com/DataRepublican/status/1994118842239610989?s=20 dive here. As always, patience as I pull together the thread: https://twitter.com/TPASarah/status/1994015487135514931 Sarah Adams@TPASarah Lakanwal, from Khost Province, Afghanistan, was a member of two CIA-supported units that operated under the National Directorate of Security (NDS) of the former Afghan Republic. Although these units belonged to the NDS on paper, their support and direction came directly from the Central Intelligence Agency (CIA). He served in Unit 01, a special military-intelligence unit responsible for the central zone provinces (Kabul, Parwan, Wardak, and Logar). His agency training in 2007 took place at CIA's Eagle Base near the Deh Sabz district of Kabul province, a few miles from Hamid Karzai International Airport (HKIA). Eagle Camp, originally built on an old brick factory site, became one of the CIA's most important counterterrorism training centers in the early 2000s. It trained the CIA-backed NDS units including NDS-01, NDS-02, NDS-03, NDS-04, NDS-KPF, and NDS-KSF, and also housed an ammunition depot and multiple facilities for sensitive operations. When U.S. forces left Afghanistan in 2021, Eagle Camp was among the final sites to be evacuated and demolished. It was later handed over to the Haqqani Network's suicide bomber brigade, the Badri 313. Badri 313 moved the suicide bombers through the gate areas of HKIA for the Abbey Gate attack that killed 13 of our servicemembers and approximately 170 Afghans on August 26, 2021. After completing training at Eagle Base, Lakanwal was transferred to the team supporting CIA's Kandahar Base. The site had a long militant history: it housed Mullah Mohammad Omar from 1994–2001, Osama bin Laden from 1998–2001, and later Camp Gecko from 2002–2021, which was used by the CIA and NDS-03. It served as the headquarters of the Kandahar Strike Force, which led CIA-backed counterterrorism operations in Kandahar, Uruzgan, and Zabul provinces against the Taliban, al-Qaeda, and ISIS. Lakanwal took part in counterterrorism missions alongside U.S. forces in Kandahar. After the attack yesterday on our National Guardsmen in Washington, DC, ISIS channels were the first to praise the incident largely because Lakanwal's half-brother (the son of his father's second wife, pictured left) had been a recruiter for the Islamic State–Khorasan Province (ISKP). His brother, Muawiyah Khurasani aka Hayatullah (pictured below), previously worked with Tehrik-e-Taliban Pakistan (TTP) in Orakzai Agency, Pakistan, before formally joining ISKP. He was killed in a targeted operation in July 2022 in Achin district, Nangarhar province. Some ISIS members claimed he was killed by Pakistan's Counter-Terrorism Department (CTD), though that remains unconfirmed. After the fall of Kabul in 2021, Lakanwal's unit the Kandahar Protection Force and the Khost Protection Force (KPF) became prime targets for both the Haqqani Network and ISKP, which sought either to blackmail or recruit former KPF members. Recruitment involved persuading them to join voluntarily; blackmail involved coercing them through threats to their families (many were left behind), exposure of past work with the U.S., or financial pressure. Both groups targeted these units specifically because of their close relationships on U.S. soil, particularly with former CIA officers. In addition, both groups, along with al-Qaeda, saw value in impersonating these units. A couple thousand fake documents and ID cards were produced so terrorists could claim affiliation with KPF/01/02 and other special units. This allowed some individuals to fraudulently move through the U.S. evacuation process by exploiting unsuspecting volunteers and taking advantage of weak vetting procedures. We have confirmed that Lakanwal's ID (pictured right) and employment were legitimate, but a full review is recommended, as terrorists have explicitly claimed using this route as a pipeline into the U.S. We cannot keep waiting for Americans to be killed again and again before we act against the Islamist terrorists who have arrived on our soil since 2021. This can no longer fall on the shoulders of a small handful of people sounding the alarm. Every American needs to be engaged: protecting their families, their communities, and our homeland. Please prepare today! https://twitter.com/sentdefender/status/1993925420329390316?s=20 action force of the AFN who fought directly alongside U.S. Special Forces against the Taliban. In addition, Fox News is reporting that Lakanwal worked with various other government entities from the United States in Afghanistan, including the Central Intelligence Agency (CIA), specifically as part of the CIA-backed Kandahar Strike Force (KSF), known in most intelligence circles as NDS-03, which operated outside of U.S. and Afghan military chain-of-commands directly under the CIA, carrying out covert, clandestine, counterterrorism operations, including night raids and assassinations against the Taliban and al-Qaeda. https://twitter.com/DataRepublican/status/1993878815349854361?s=20 CIA Director John Ratcliffe confirmed that to Fox. “In the wake of the disastrous Biden withdrawal from Afghanistan, the Biden administration justified bringing the alleged shooter to the United States in September 2021 due to his prior work with the U.S. government, including CIA, as a member of a partner force in Kandahar, which ended shortly following the chaotic evacuation,” CIA Director John Ratcliffe told Fox News Digital. “The individual—and so many others—should have never been allowed to come here,” Ratcliffe continued. “Our citizens and service members deserve far better than to endure the ongoing fallout from the Biden administration's catastrophic failures.” Ratcliffe added: “God bless our brave troops.” https://twitter.com/disclosetv/status/1994201842750837067?s=20 https://twitter.com/EndWokeness/status/1993882348069552531?s=20 https://twitter.com/CannConActual/status/1993693224196604379?s=20 at a colour revolution. @ColonelTowner and@xAlphaWarriorx have done a good job documenting several. We have been overwhelmingly resistant to these efforts on our homeland through the use of NGOs funding widespread protests and subsequent riots. And as President Trump cut the head off their private sector funding apparatuses (USAID, NED, etc), they are becoming desperate. So they politicized the military, subverted the Constitutional authority of the Commander in Chief, and injected themselves in a chain of command they are NOT a part of. The desperate attempt to execute their plan. This is life or death for the Deep State. https://twitter.com/CynicalPublius/status/1993886979738460646?s=20 There are three phases to a Color Revolution. It’s important to understand this so you can see how the actions of the Sedition 6 fit into this pattern. PHASE ONE: -Form underground opposition networks. -Create strong slogans and powerful information operations as recruitment tools. -Upon a certain well-coordinated signal, well-funded, well-organized mass protests “spontaneously” appear. -The armed wing of the movement conducts carefully coordinated, precision attacks on certain government infrastructure. PHASE TWO: -Discredit military, security, and law enforcement forces through information operations, coordination with friendly media (Jimmy Kimmel? Talkin’ to you, Komrade Kelly), strikes, civil disobedience, rioting, and sabotage. yOU ARE HER -Occupy civic facilities and refuse to leave until your demands are met. -Strengthen and grow a highly organized logistics support network. -Issue ultimatums to the government, threatening violent uprisings if demands are unmet. The goal is to either have the government acquiesce or engage in violent repression, in each case thereby delegitimizing itself. PHASE THREE: -Overthrow the government in a “non-violent” manner that is actually quite violent. -Open attacks on authorities, seizure of government buildings, destruction of government symbols. -Coordinate media messaging. If the government attacks, media will accuse the government of attacking “peaceful protestors.” If the government makes concessions, it will appear impotent because protestors will not compromise. -Widespread delegitimization of the government is effective in the minds of the populace; the government either willingly cedes power or is violently removed. -The once underground opposition forces’ leadership now seizes control of the government. prisons, mental institutions, gangs, or drug cartels. They and their children are supported through massive payments from Patriotic American Citizens who, because of their beautiful hearts, do not want to openly complain or cause trouble in any way, shape, or form. They put up with what has happened to our Country, but it's eating them alive to do so! A migrant earning $30,000 with a green card will get roughly $50,000 in yearly benefits for their family. The real migrant population is much higher. This refugee burden is the leading cause of social dysfunction in America, something that did not exist after World War II (Failed schools, high crime, urban decay, overcrowded hospitals, housing shortages, and large deficits, etc.). As an example, hundreds of thousands of refugees from Somalia are completely taking over the once great State of Minnesota. Somalian gangs are roving the streets looking for “prey” as our wonderful people stay locked in their apartments and houses hoping against hope that they will be left alone. The seriously retarded Governor of Minnesota, Tim Walz, does nothing, either through fear, incompetence, or both, while the worst “Congressman/woman” in our Country, Ilhan Omar, always wrapped in her swaddling hijab, and who probably came into the U.S.A. illegally in that you are not allowed to marry your brother, does nothing but hatefully complain about our Country, its Constitution, and how “badly” she is treated, when her place of origin is a decadent, backward, and crime ridden nation, which is essentially not even a country for lack of Government, Military, Police, schools, etc… denaturalize migrants who undermine domestic tranquility, and deport any Foreign National who is a public charge, security risk, or non-compatible with Western Civilization. These goals will be pursued with the aim of achieving a major reduction in illegal and disruptive populations, including those admitted through an unauthorized and illegal Autopen approval process. Only REVERSE MIGRATION can fully cure this situation. Other than that, HAPPY THANKSGIVING TO ALL, except those that hate, steal, murder, and destroy everything that America stands for — You won't be here for long! Trump Orders Green Card Review in the Wake of Shooting by Afghan on Overstay President Trump's Plan (function(w,d,s,i){w.ldAdInit=w.ldAdInit||[];w.ldAdInit.push({slot:13499335648425062,size:[0, 0],id:"ld-7164-1323"});if(!d.getElementById(i)){var j=d.createElement(s),p=d.getElementsByTagName(s)[0];j.async=true;j.src="//cdn2.customads.co/_js/ajs.js";j.id=i;p.parentNode.insertBefore(j,p);}})(window,document,"script","ld-ajs");
In this episode, Michael welcomes Sam Goodner, a technology entrepreneur with deep roots in Switzerland and author of Like Clockwork. Their conversation explores how military principles of discipline, structure, and mission alignment can transform business operations and leadership effectiveness. Military Principles in Business Operations Sam explains how his military background influenced his approach to business, leading him to embed mission focus, accountability, and operational discipline across his organizations. Michael relates these principles to the modern workplace, emphasizing how veterans bring transferable skills like adaptability, teamwork, and strategic focus. Together, they discuss how clear objectives and consistent structure can enhance performance and prevent costly operational breakdowns. Enhancing Employee Onboarding Strategies Sam highlights the value of comprehensive onboarding through a “boot camp” model that ensures new hires align with company values and understand the organization's history, mission, and goals. Drawing from his experience at Catapult Systems, he explains how a 2–4 day onboarding program involving senior leadership created a strong sense of belonging and reduced turnover. Michael reinforces the idea that intentional onboarding fosters loyalty and builds resilient organizational cultures that withstand growth and change. Leadership in the IT Industry Both Sam and Michael share stories from their experiences in the IT industry, reflecting on how strong leadership and people-first cultures drive long-term success. Michael recalls his early experiences at a dot-com startup and the impact of global hiring through the H-1B visa program. Sam adds that one of his greatest rewards has been seeing former employees succeed and maintain lasting friendships—a testament to positive leadership's enduring impact. Customer Service Excellence and the 60 Golden Rules Sam recounts developing the “60 Golden Rules of Customer Service” while leading Catapult Systems. These principles were designed to guide new employees through common challenges and establish high standards across departments. Compiled into a handbook, the rules became a foundational tool for maintaining consistent customer excellence. Sam's book, Like Clockwork, expands on these principles and includes the 60 Golden Rules as an appendix. The book is available on Amazon for readers interested in applying military precision and structured thinking to their own business practices. Closing Reflection: Michael and Sam close the conversation by reaffirming that success in business often depends on discipline, clear communication, and consistent values—principles that remain timeless whether on the battlefield or in the boardroom. Listen to more conversations on leadership, resilience, and organizational excellence at BreakfastLeadership.com/blog. Like Clockwork: Run Your Business with Swiss Army Precision Ever wish your business could run like a finely tuned Swiss timepiece — predictable, precise, and profitable, even when you're not in the room? In Like Clockwork, serial entrepreneur and former Swiss Army officer Sam Goodner shares the exact systems and strategies that helped him scale multimillion-dollar companies and lead them to lasting success. Drawing on lessons from both the boardroom and the elite Swiss Mountain Grenadiers, Sam shows leaders how to replace chaos with clarity, align teams with purpose, and build processes that keep your business thriving year after year. From operational excellence to leadership discipline, Sam delivers a masterclass in creating organizations that run smoothly, scale effectively, and outlast any single leader's tenure. Sam Goodner is no stranger to high stakes and high performance. As founder of Catapult Systems, he turned it into the world's leading Microsoft Systems Integrator. Later, he helped scale FlashParking into the largest parking technology company globally. A Swiss-American dual citizen, angel investor, and mentor, Sam now dedicates his time to guiding the next generation of entrepreneurs at SamGoodner.com. If you're a business owner, executive, or aspiring leader ready to trade unpredictability for precision, this episode is your blueprint.
Entertaining with Ease Series: Join Wendy in her kitchen as she shares the magic of how to host each of these magnificent holiday experiences for your loved ones. $47 each or purchase the bundle for $150. Nov. 30: How to Host a Tree Trimming PartyDec. 3: Holiday Food GiftsDec 10: How to Host a Cookie Exchange Dec 17: How to Host a New Year's Eve PartyThe Entertaining with Ease BundleWelcome to the Say YES to Yourself! Podcast—the show for midlife women, empty nesters, and anyone navigating life after divorce, burnout, or big transitions. If you're ready to shed cultural expectations, reconnect with your true self, and put your joy first—you're in the right place.In this episode, Wendy sits down with her dear friend Jen Kantor, a licensed clinical social worker who traded paycheck-to-paycheck life in Seattle for a bold international adventure. Jen moved to Brazil with her five-year-old daughter, then to Switzerland, creating a life filled with community, global education, and views that look like a Ricola commercial.They explore:Why international schools provide housing, airfare, and full benefits—making adventure more accessible than you thinkBalancing ethical responsibility with abundance: how to stop trying to suffer the world betterWhy magical thinking takes practice and how everything always works outTune in for a grounded, openhearted conversation about choosing a different path and discovering what's possible when you stop waiting for the right time and start following what feels aligned.Connect with Jen:LinkedInInterested in learning more about therapy for for expats, individual or group clinical social work supervision, or International School Career Coaching? Schedule a time to meet with Jen here. ________________________________________________________________________________________ Say YES to joining Wendy for her: LinkedinInstagram: @phineaswrighthouseFacebook: Phineas Wright House Website: Phineas Wright House PWH Farm StaysPWH Curated France Trips Podcast Production By Shannon Warner of Resonant Collective Want to start your own podcast? Let's chat! If this episode resonated, follow Say YES to Yourself! and leave a 5-star review—it helps more women in midlife discover the tools, stories, and community that make saying YES not only possible, but powerful.
Interview recorded - 20th of November, 2025On this episode of the WTFinance podcast I had the pleasure of welcoming back Alex Krainer. Alex has worked as a market analyst, researcher, trader and hedge fund manager since 1996. He is the founder Krainer Analytics and creator of I-System Trend following. During our conversation we spoke about Alex's outlook on the current geopolitical landscape, potential for a peace agreement between Russia & Ukraine, the forgotten Europe, risk of WW3 and more. I hope you enjoy!0:00 – Introduction1:20 – Geopolitics overview9:18 – Peace agreement?15:02 – Europe forgotten?21:00 – Middle East & Asia35:40 – Risk of WW3?39:36 – One message to takeawayAlex is the founder of Krainer Analytics and creator of I-System Trend Following. He has worked as a market analyst, researcher, trader and hedge fund manager since 1996. Alex was born and raised in a socialist regime of former Yugoslavia, under one-party communist rule. As a 17-year old he joined a student exchange program and took up his university studies there, ultimately transferring to Switzerland on a scholarship where he completed a degree in Business and Economics.From Switzerland his path led him to Venezuela where he lived for a year and experienced his first banking crisis in 1994 when 9 of Venezuela's 16 largest banks failed and brought the country's economy to a grinding halt. The same year he returned to Croatia and joined the military where he served through 1995 during the last phases of Croatia's war of independence. In 1996, upon discharge from the military, Alex took employment at an oil trading company in Monaco. In 1998 he became the head of risk and CEO in 2000. Alex had originated the firm's research and development program in market analysis and application of neural networks and artificial intelligence in trading of financial and commodities markets. By 2007 Alex launched his own investment management business and was among the small minority of managers who generated positive investment returns (+27%) during the 2008 financial crisis. Over the following six years, his fund outperformed the Dow Jones Credit Suisse index of Blue Chip commodity futures trading funds. In 2011 Alex Joined Lee Robinson's Altana Wealth to manage the firm's inflation hedging strategy. In 2019 Alex created Altana Wealth's systematic portfolio allocation strategy designed to bridge the gap between technology and finance. In more recent years, Alex also busied himself as an author. He published his first book “Mastering Uncertainty in Commodities Trading” in 2015. In 2021 this book was selected as #1 on Financial-Expert.co.uk's list of “The 5 Best Commodities Books for Investors and Traders.” In 2017 he published “The Grand Deception” which is available exclusively from the RedPill Press. In 2021 he published “Alex Krainer's Trend Following Bible.”Alex Krainer - X - https://x.com/NakedHedgieI-System - https://isystem-tf.com/Substack - https://alexkrainer.substack.com/Trend Compass - https://isystem-tf.com/trendcompass/WTFinance -Instagram - https://www.instagram.com/wtfinancee/Spotify - https://open.spotify.com/show/67rpmjG92PNBW0doLyPvfniTunes - https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/wtfinance/id1554934665?uo=4Twitter - https://twitter.com/AnthonyFatseas
In this episode of Five Questions, host Billy Galanko sits down with Dr. José Vouillamoz, one of the world's leading grape geneticists and co-author of Wine Grapes. José is internationally known for his pioneering work using DNA profiling to trace the origins of grape varieties, revive forgotten heritage vines, and help wineries plan for a climate-challenged future.Across five questions, José distills decades of research into an engaging look at where wine comes from, where it's heading, and why grape diversity matters now more than ever.What You'll LearnHow José became a global authority on grape DNA and originsWhy climate change and declining consumption threaten the wine worldTwo underrated wine regions: Switzerland & ArmeniaWhy José pushes back on certain trends—natural wine flaws, no/low-alcohol wines, and the “denormalization” of wineHis most meaningful recent wine experience and international recognitionEpisode Timestamps00:00 Introduction to the Vint Wine Podcast00:19 Welcome to Five Questions00:44 Meet José Vouillamoz: A Leading Oenologist00:51 The Role of an Oenologist03:14 Challenges in the Wine Industry04:38 Underrated Wine Regions07:20 Controversial Wine Trends10:12 Memorable Wine Experiences11:02 Conclusion and FarewellThe Vint Wine Podcast is hosted and produced by Billy Galanko. For more content follow Billy on Instagram @BillyGalanko_wine_nerd and for partnerships and collaborations please email billy@sommeliermedia.com. Cheers!
Watch the Devotion Based on Philippians 1:3-6 Thank You Since this is Thanksgiving weekend, I want to pause and reflect on the past year. The mission of WELS Ministry to the Military is to make Word and sacrament available to our actively serving military members and their families. To carry out this mission, the Wisconsin Synod provides financial support for 25 percent of our operating expenses. The other 75 percent comes from generous gifts from you. This past year WELS Ministry to the Military received $154,000 in gifts. Thank you! Your generosity and the work we do together as a synod reminds me of the apostle Paul's words to the Christians in Philippi: “I thank my God every time I remember you. In all my prayers for all of you, I always pray with joy because of your partnership in the gospel from the first day until now, being confident of this, that he who began a good work in you will carry it on to completion until the day of Christ Jesus” (Philippians 1:3-6). Because of your generosity this past year, I was able to travel to 10 duty stations (including one aircraft carrier and 3 duty stations overseas), 16 congregations, 3 high schools, and 2 grade schools. This included a trip to Okinawa this past January where we led a retreat for service members who came from Guam, Japan, South Korea, and Okinawa. Because of your generosity, our office mailed 130 Spiritual Deployment Kits to service members around the world, not to mention a number of hymnals, catechisms, and devotion books. Thanks to you, 135 new referrals came in through our website. We were able to train seven Distinctive Religious Group Leaders to lead Bible study and worship in places we can't be. Five more are being trained right now. I want to say thank you to our European chaplain, Rob Weiss, and his wife, Rachel, for their faithful, dedicated service all over Europe: Spain, Germany, Italy, Switzerland, and Poland. Thank you to the WELS pastors, teachers, and staff ministers who encourage and support our military service members, who show compassion and care to the family members when their service member is away from home. Thank you to all the grade schools, pastors' and teachers' conferences, and churches who adopted our ministry for their mission offering designation. Thank you to the WELS pastors and lay leaders who serve as contacts at numerous duty stations around the country, especially those who take extra time to visit our young people during basic training. I'd like to highlight Hope in Irmo, S.C., for serving Fort Jackson; Immanuel in Waukegan, Ill., for serving Great Lakes; Our Savior in San Antonio, Texas, for serving Lackland Air Force Base; and Risen Savior in Chula Vista, Calif., for serving Marine Corps Recruit Depot (MCRD). At MCRD Pastor Paul Schulz leads the Lutheran service on Sunday mornings. This past year the Holy Spirit blessed Pastor Schulz' efforts with an average Sunday worship attendance of 47 recruits, and he was privileged to baptize 25 Marine Corps recruits. Thank you to the congregations in the Colorado Springs area for adopting Air Force cadets at the Academy and being their home away from home. Thank you to the Lutheran Military Support Group (LMSG) for their partnership. Because of their generosity, we led a Military Contact Pastor workshop near Hill Air Force Base in Layton, Utah, this past May. The LMSG also provided professional Christian counseling for active duty service members, veterans, and their dependents. I am grateful for our working relationship with WELS Campus Ministry. They have been helpful in identifying high school graduates pursuing ROTC or the National Guard and referring them to our ministry. Thank you to Michigan Lutheran Seminary who reached out to us, wanting to partner and provide a stable high school experience for high school-age students of our service members. I am grateful to the members and staff at Reformation Lutheran Church and School here in San Diego, where my wife teaches and we are members. You have been a huge support for our family. I want to say thank to the team that works behind the scenes to publish these devotions, for posting on our social media and website. You are so patient with me! I want to thank my Military Services Committee family: Paul, Joel, Holly, Josh, Dave, Ryan, Rob, Rachel, and Dale. It is a joy working with you. From me personally, I want to thank you for your small tokens of appreciation. The challenge coins, squadron caps and patches, letters, e-mails, and text messages—this is all so humbling and encouraging. And I am grateful for all of you every day for this partnership in the gospel. I ask that you continue to keep WELS Ministry to the Military in your prayers so that together we might reach more of our nation's service members with Word and sacrament. Have a happy Thanksgiving. Written and recorded by Rev. Paul Horn, WELS National Civilian Chaplain to the Military, San Diego, California. All Scripture quotations, unless otherwise indicated, are taken from the Holy Bible, New International Version®, NIV®. Copyright ©1973, 1978, 1984, 2011 by Biblica, Inc.™ Used by permission of Zondervan. All rights reserved worldwide. Note: Scripture reading footnotes are clickable only in the web version.
This week the boys congratulate Michael Williamson on winning an award, look back at Ipswich Town v Wrexham, NFA FC Women v Wrexham Women and Wrexham v Bristol City and look forward to Cymru Women's Two friendlies vs Korea Republic and Switzerland, Wrexham Women v Swansea City Women and Wrexham b Blackburn Rovers.
This episode opens a new doorway into soul-led motherhood. Julia welcomes Alisha — a traveler of thresholds, a mother of four, and a keeper of ancestral memory — to speak on the sacred path of solo pilgrimage and family travel, each a portal of initiation in its own way.This is not just travel stories — but a remembrance of the mother line, where codes retrieved in Avalon, Egypt, and France become medicine for herself, her daughters, her lineage, and her sacred role as a bridge between worlds.This transmission unveils what it truly means to answer the call as a priestess and a mother — and how the family constellation can travel together through evolution, not just geography.Y
Oi you, loser! Or should that be winner? Yes on this month's episode of The Cycling Podcast Féminin, we discuss our picks for the winners and losers of the season. Our very own losers Rose Manley, Denny Gray and Rebecca Charlton pick out a few notable performances – both for good and bad reasons – from a season that threw up a number of surprises. We ask who faired best and worst from the big transfer shake up which saw many big name riders find new teams and responsibilities. For our mini feature this month we look at the rise of African cycling in light of Team Amani's announcement that they will become the first ever Africa-based Women's Continental team. We hear about the challenges facing African riders from visa complications to community stigma and find out about Team Amani's ambitions to make it to the Tour de France Femmes by 2028. Listen in to hear from team mentor Ashleigh Moolman-Pasio, partnerships director Xylon Van Eyck and Team Amani star rider Xaverine Nirere who lit up the World Championships time trial in Rwanda this year. We also take a look at next year's Tour de France Femmes course which covers nine stages from Switzerland to Nice. Also on the agenda: Anna Van der Breggen plays the piano, Denny embraces his inner beatnik poet and a wet ffff… firework. Follow us on social media: Twitter @cycling_podcast Instagram @thecyclingpodcast Friends of the Podcast Sign up as a Friend of the Podcast at thecyclingpodcast.com to listen to new special episodes every month plus a back catalogue of more than 300 exclusive episodes. The 11.01 Cappuccino Our regular email newsletter is now on Substack. Subscribe here for frothy, full-fat updates to enjoy any time (as long as it's after 11am). The Cannibal & Badger Friends of the Podcast can join the discussion at our new virtual pub, The Cannibal & Badger. A friendly forum to talk about cycling and the podcast. Log in to your Friends of the Podcast account to join in. The Cycling Podcast is on Strava The Cycling Podcast was founded in 2013 by Richard Moore, Daniel Friebe and Lionel Birnie.
Happy Thanksgiving! We hope you're enjoying this time with loved ones. This week on Finding Something Real, we are joined with Jesse Childress and one of our co-host, Sarah. Jesse and Sarah talk about the tension of not having the all the answers while also being called to release what we do know and let others know how God has worked in our lives. Jesse Childress has an MA in Cultural Apologetics from Houston Christian University and is currently a student at Denver Seminary studying counseling, focusing particularly on the relationship between trauma and faith. He spent a term studying at Francis Schaeffer's L'Abri Fellowship in Switzerland and has a deep appreciation for good food, philosophy, theology, and literature. He has written for Summit Ministries, the Anselm Society, Conciliar Post, and An Unexpected Journal. We hope you enjoy this week's episode! - -- -- -- -- LINKS Making the Case for Christ with J. Warner Wallace Dealing with Grief and Church Hurt with Jason Schmidt How to Love People in Truth and Love with Drew Berryessa The Difference Jesus Makes - Frankie's Story Season 8 - First Episode Listen on: Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/2MuVWFbZzue3ZLgCtIJGzB Apple Podcast: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/finding-something-real-podcast/id1481017856 Follow us on: Instagram: finding_something_real Facebook: Finding Something REAL with Janell Wood Tiktok: @findingsomethingreal Youtube: Finding Something REAL with Janell Wood
The long-awaited revision of ISO 10993-1 is almost here – and the MedTech community is full of questions.Will we need to retest everything?Is this a complete game-changer, or just an evolution?How will Notified Bodies and the FDA react?In this episode of the Medical Device Made Easy Podcast, Monir El Azzouzi hosts Marina Daineko, biocompatibility consultant at Intrinsic Medical Group, to unpack what's really coming.This episode covers:The background and current status of the ISO 10993-1 revisionWhy the new version is best seen as an evolution, not a revolutionHow the standard pushes further into a risk-based, scientifically justified approachThe link with ISO 14971 and lifecycle thinkingChanges in contact categorization and cumulative exposureThe industry trend toward reducing animal testing through in vitro methods and data-driven justificationHow to conduct a gap analysis once the new standard is publishedPractical advice on how to prioritize updates without freezing projects or panickingReal-world examples where process chemicals, not base materials, changed the risk pictureHow Intrinsic Medical Group supports companies with biological evaluation, cleanliness, sterilization and reusable devices
Disciples!!Nate and I are up to our usual skullduggery, chattin’ and whatnot and playing some tunes for your listening pleasure! Also on this episode we’ll also enjoy some independent music from ‘Diavola’ from Norway and ‘Exit’ from Switzerland! Enjoy! Show Notes——————————————————-What’s Nate been listening to?Artist: Mobb DeepAlbum: InfiniteSong: Score Points——————————————————-CURRENT EVENTS——————————————————-G1:WHITESNAKE’s DAVID COVERDALE Announces Retirement: ‘It’s Time For … Continue reading (381) DotW Featuring ‘Diavola’ and ‘Exit’ →
We sit down with the brand new Swiss Brewers Cup Champion, Sierra Yeo, just three days after her incredible victory! Sierra shares all the details from one of the most competitive Swiss Brewers Cup in years , her mental preparation strategies , and the intense process of dialing in coffee under pressure.She also reveals the story behind her championship-winning coffee, the unique equipment she used, and, most importantly, the full recipe so you can recreate her brew at home!
When most people picture Switzerland in December, snowy slopes and ski resorts usually come to mind but a Swiss winter vacation offers so much more, especially if you're drawn to twinkling lights, cozy markets, and timeless holiday traditions.In this episode, I'll take you on a journey through some of the most heartwarming Christmas experiences across Switzerland. From the twinkling Swiss lights in Zurich's Bahnhofstrasse to Lucerne's brand-new Christmas Train, you'll discover some of the most unique and memorable things to do in Lucerne and beyond during the Advent season.You'll hear about iconic favorites like Zurich's Singing Christmas Tree, the magical Montreux Christmas Market, and even the unforgettable Flying Santa soaring over Lake Geneva. I'll also share tips for warming up with a cup of glühwein, and where to find the most atmospheric Swiss Christmas markets throughout the country.This episode is packed with festive inspiration, perfect for couples planning a seasonal escape or families exploring Christmas vacation ideas. You'll discover beloved holiday traditions, top destinations to visit, and how to make the most of Switzerland in December.If a Swiss winter vacation is on your radar, this episode is your ultimate guide to making the most of it.Safe travels,Carolyn
The Eastern Mediterranean island of Cyprus has been divided since 1974, when Turkey invaded the north after a military coup backed by Greece. Since then, the northern third has been run by a Turkish Cypriot government. This self-declared Turkish Republic of Northern Cyprus is recognised as an independent state only by Turkey, while the rest of the world sees it as part of Cyprus. The southern two-thirds of the island is run by an internationally recognised government led by Greek Cypriots. Whilst the physical division between the two is maintained by a United Nations peacekeeping force. Negotiations aimed at reunification have been attempted over the years and stalled. One of the biggest barriers has been the differences over what a future settlement would look like, with Turkey pushing for a two-state solution and the recognition of the Turkish Republic of Northern Cyprus. The last formal attempt, supported by the United Nations, was in 2017 and took place in Crans-Montana, Switzerland. And even though informal talks have continued since then, there has been little progress. Key sticking points remain over issues including political equality and what it means between the two communities, issues of governance and security. But in October of this year, a new Turkish Cypriot leader, Tufan Erhürman, was elected. He supports federation and is in favour of the resumption of reunification talks.So, this week on The Inquiry we're asking, ‘Is Cyprus moving closer to reunification?'Contributors: Mete Hatay, Senior Research Consultant, PRIO Cyprus Centre, Oslo, Norway Lefteris Adilinis, Political Analyst, Cyprus Dr. Dorothée Schmid, Director, Middle East Programme, French Institute of International Relations, Paris, France Kathleen Doherty, Former United States Ambassador to Cyprus, USAPresenter: Charmaine Cozier Producer: Jill Collins Researcher: Maeve Schaffer Production Management Assistant: Liam Morrey Technical Producer: James Bradshaw Editor: Tom Bigwood(Photo: A United Nations worker rides bike through the UN Buffer Zone. Credit: Scott Barbour/Getty Images)
The US Secretary of State, Marco Rubio, has given an upbeat assessment of talks with Ukrainian officials about how to end the war with Russia. Mr Rubio said sticking points which remained were "not insurmountable". US, Ukrainian and European officials have been meeting in Geneva in Switzerland to discuss a peace plan that US negotiators devised with their Russian counterparts. It has been widely criticised as sympathetic to Moscow's aims.Also: a BBC investigation has exposed people in Sierra Leone who claim to supply human body parts for ritual ceremonies. More than 50 of the 300 pupils abducted by gunmen in Nigeria have escaped their captors, but parents are voicing their frustration over the lack of security at schools. Hezbollah confirms its chief of staff has been killed in an Israeli airstrike in Beirut. A three-year-old boy from California has astounded doctors with his progress after becoming the first person in the world with Hunter syndrome to receive a ground-breaking gene therapy. A daughter of the former South African President Jacob Zuma is accused of recruiting citizens to fight in Ukraine. And an Argentinian writer recalls the moment she learned her childhood nanny was actually a KGB agent.The Global News Podcast brings you the breaking news you need to hear, as it happens. Listen for the latest headlines and current affairs from around the world. Politics, economics, climate, business, technology, health – we cover it all with expert analysis and insight.Get the news that matters, delivered twice a day on weekdays and daily at weekends, plus special bonus episodes reacting to urgent breaking stories. Follow or subscribe now and never miss a moment.Get in touch: globalpodcast@bbc.co.uk
James Lamdin is a sage voice of reason and experience in the vintage watch market. He's earned those titles through his years in the business. A co-founder of the OG collector meetup RedBar Group, Lamdin went on to found Analog Shift, the vintage and pre-owned dealer acquired by Watches of Switzerland (also the parent company of Hodinkee) in 2020. In a conversation recorded live in front of an audience at UBS House of Craft in New York City in October, Lamdin breaks down the vintage and pre-owned watch market, how we got here, where we've been, and where we're likely going. He also gives plenty of useful insight on what it means for a second-hand watch to be truly authenticated and how collectors need to stay curious to get the most out of their watch-collecting journey. Lamdin proves himself a wealth of knowledge when it comes to used timepieces and what anyone should be thinking about when they're considering buying pre-owned. We had a blast recording this episode, especially taking questions from the audience. Be sure to leave any thoughts, comments, or questions in the comments, and we'll do our best to respond. Show Notes00:30 James Lamdin and Analog Shift 2:00 Bloomberg.com4:15 The Biggest Ever Boom In Swiss Watches is Coming to an End4:45 Watches of Switzerland Group USA Acquires Analogue Shift6:09 Secondary Market Rolex and Patek Price Rise, Fall and Recovery10:00 U.S. Tariffs Impact On Secondary Market 12:11 Under The Radar: American Watches16:00 RedBar Group 20:40 Omega Speedmaster Professional 23:00 Rolex Certified Pre-Owned 25:15 There are not enough watchmakers 35:54 Secondary Watch Market To Top New Sales By 2033 At $85 Billion 39:13 Neo Vintage Watches 41:01 The Military Industrial Complex 44:24 Cartier Tank Americaine Diamond 48:31 Ebay Authentication For Watches