Trade Beyond Borders.
Real conversations on global business, culture, and life's most important issues in times of uncertainty.
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Reflections on Trade
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Recent Episodes
EP:31 Geo‑Strategy: Survival in a Geopolitical World
June 16, 2026
Jeff Rittener sits down with national‑security strategist Jennette Chu for a two‑part conversation on geo‑strategy; the discipline of connecting geopolitical reality to corporate decision‑making. Together, they explore how national security, economic statecraft, and technology leadership are reshaping the global operating environment. Part I examines the strategic forces driving this shift, while Part II turns to the operational realities companies face as they navigate rapid geopolitical change. This series offers leaders a clear framework for operating in a world where geopolitics is now part of the job.
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EP30: Airbnb and Me. Tales of a New Airbnb Owner/Host
May 28, 2026
In this solo episode, Jeff records from inside his own Airbnb condo on Main Street in Fuquay‑Varina, North Carolina, to mark one year as a short‑term rental owner and host. He tells the full story: what led him to buy the condo in the first place, the scramble of those first bookings, the guest moments that made him laugh and problem‑solve on the fly, and what he’s learned about hospitality, systems, and people along the way. He also touches on a few practical takeaways for both future hosts and guests. If you’ve ever stayed in a short‑term rental, thought about hosting, or simply enjoy a good story, this one offers a candid look behind the scenes.
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EP29: When Europe Stopped Following Washington - Export Controls in Europe: An Insider View
May 12, 2026
Europe's export control system is evolving quickly, creating new challenges for global companies operating across borders. In this episode, Jeff speaks with Anna Goncz, founder of the Export Compliance Academy, for an inside view of how EU rules are developing — from the post-Ukraine shift in European posture to the practical realities of dual-use licensing, member state divergence, and the growing tension between EU and U.S. approaches. Anna brings a rare ground-level perspective from inside the European system, helping global trade professionals understand what's changing, why it matters, and what comes next. This conversation adds the essential European lens to Jeff's ongoing series on the evolving trade profession.
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