Tag: rittenerreflections

  • EP30: Airbnb and Me. Tales of a New Airbnb Owner/Host

    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…

  • EP29: When Europe Stopped Following Washington – Export Controls in Europe: An Insider View

    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,…

  • EP28: Part Two: Riding It with Confidence

    With clarity on the forces shaping the profession, this second episode turns to what it takes to ride the rollercoaster with confidence in 2026. Bruce Jackson and Karen Murphy return discussing the capabilities, leadership qualities, hiring priorities, and practical improvements that define strong trade teams today and what it now means to lead with clarity,…

  • EP28: Part One: The New Rollercoaster Moment

    Cross‑border trade is being reshaped by geopolitical tension, new regulatory demands, and rising expectations inside global companies. In this opening episode, Bruce Jackson and Karen Murphy join Jeff Rittener to explore the new rollercoaster moment facing trade professionals — why the role is shifting, what’s driving the volatility, and how teams can navigate a profession…

  • EP27: Know Your Data: Trade’s New AI Reality

    Trade has become a strategic driver of the bottom line, and the team’s leading it are being asked to move faster with greater accuracy than ever before. In this episode, Angela Aaron, Vice President of Trade Compliance at KlearNow.AI, joins Jeff to explain why “knowing your data” is now the core requirement for efficient, compliant,…

  • EP26: Trustworthy AI for a Fragile Supply Chain

    In this episode, Jeff sits down with Baz Khuti, CEO of Sustain360, to explore what trustworthy AI really looks like in a world where supply chains are becoming more fragile and more exposed. They discuss why traditional tools can’t keep up with climate shocks, policy volatility, ownership complexity, and critical‑minerals risk — and how agentic…

  • 24: Super Bowl LX – An Unforgettable Day at Levi’s

    I captured five live moments from Super Bowl LX with my daughter as we moved through the day at Levi’s — from arriving early to the final whistle — and added my reflections to bring the story together. A thread that began in Episode 14 comes full circle as a champion is crowned just ten…

  • 23: Intentional Leadership in Global Trade

    2025 kept global trade on its heels. 2026 demands a different posture — one built on intentionality, clarity, and smart offense. In Episode 23, I break down the forces reshaping global trade and the mindset and moves leaders need to navigate the year ahead.

  • 21: Part 2 People in Portugal

    Portugal has become one of the world’s most talked‑about destinations — and after spending time there, I understand why. Last week, I shared Pathways in Portugal, a reflection on how Lisbon and Porto revealed themselves through movement and stillness. This week, I’m focusing on the people — the conversations, small moments, and unexpected connections that…

  • 21: Pathways to Portugal

    Portugal has become one of the world’s most popular destinations — a place people are visiting, revisiting, and in many cases choosing to call home. After hearing so much about it, especially from my daughter who traveled there last year, I finally had the chance to explore it myself. Her insights shaped how I planned…