The Global List Podcast

We produce over 400m tonnes of plastic waste every year but what if you could convert that waste into ecofriendly spider silk and other materials? What if you could engineer a bacteria to digest and transform polyethylene plastic waste – the kind used in many single-use items – into a high-value protein product? This isn’t science fiction – it’s actual science. Join us for an informative and engaging conversation with Prof. Helen Zha and Prof. Mattheos Koffas (Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute) to learn more about their groundbreaking research. This is part of The Global List Podcast's ongoing “Future Materials” series which examines innovative & sustainable breakthroughs in materials science, biomaterials, bioengineering, biotechnology and nanotechnology.

MDMA has emerged as a highly effective treatment for PTSD and one organization is leading the way. In this insightful and uplifting conversation, we speak with Juliana Mercer, the Director of Public Policy for the nonprofit organization Healing Breakthrough, which advocates for system-wide adoption of MDMA-Assisted Therapy in the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs. Join us for a very special episode of The Global List Podcast and find out how MDMA is helping veterans to manage and overcome PTSD, and what it means for therapy in general. May is Mental Health Awareness Month.

The Ukraine-Russia War, the largest armed conflict in Europe since WW2, will reach the 2-year mark on February 24, 2024. It’s a critical milestone to assess the overall progress and what lies ahead. We flew to Berlin for another in-depth and engaging conversation with Dr. Marina Miron of King’s College (London). We covered a wide range of topics including Ukraine’s 2023 counteroffensive (what went right/wrong), the key lessons learned, relative strengths and weaknesses, strategic and tactical factors, the rapid advances in drone warfare, NATO’s challenges and opportunities, PMCs and the overall outlook for 2024. We also discuss Russia’s broader war and multipronged effort in geopolitical realignment, information/cyber warfare and active measures. This is a conversation you need to hear.

Join us for a special, holiday-themed episode of The Global List Podcast as we travel around the world – from Germany to Spain to Scotland to the Bahamas – to find the most interesting Christmas traditions, intriguing characters and fascinating customs. Our special guest is Alex Palmer, the author of the New York Times Bestseller “The Santa Claus Man: The Rise and Fall of a Jazz Age Con Man and the Invention of Christmas” as well as “The Atlas of Christmas: The Merriest, Tastiest, Quirkiest Holiday Traditions from Around the World”. So grab some eggnog (or mulled wine), sit back and get ready for a Christmas journey unlike any other.

How do you tackle Misinformation, Disinformation, and Malinformation in the age of Artificial Intelligence, Social Media, and Hyper Partisanship? What tools can be used to fight “Information Disorder”? Why is Finland unique in this respect and how can you effectively teach digital & media literacy? Join us as we travel to Spain for an illuminating conversation with Dr. Kari Kivinen, one of the leading global experts on Misinformation & Disinformation. Dr. Kivinen is the former Secretary-General of the European School system and the ex-Head of the French-Finnish School of Helsinki where he championed the Finnish Curriculum, which teaches students how to identify Misinformation, Disinformation and Propaganda from the primary school level.

More than ever before, global companies are forced to deal with critical issues in the supply chain such as forced labor and conflict minerals. For example, the average smartphone contains more than 40 different minerals including four “conflict minerals" (tin, tantalum, tungsten, gold). Cobalt, a critical component in lithium-ion batteries, is mostly produced in the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC), which has struggled with periodic violence and human rights abuses. So, how can companies (especially manufacturers) guarantee responsible sourcing, gain visibility into the supply chain, effectively manage risks and ensure sustainability? How can they keep up with emerging regulations as well as stakeholder expectations? As part of our “Sustainable Business” series, we traveled to Washington D.C. and the DRC to speak with Jamie Wallisch of Assent on the key trends, challenges, and opportunities.

How do you get inside the mind of an extremist? What are the building blocks of radicalization and what does de-radicalization look like? How is technology fueling extremism and what’s behind current trends in global and domestic terrorism? In this first episode of season 2, we fly to London for an eye-opening conversation with Prof. Peter Neumann, Professor of Security Studies at the Department of War Studies, King’s College, and founder of the International Centre for the Study of Radicalisation. It has been 22 years since the tragic September 11th attacks and launch of the Global War on Terror but there are old challenges and new threats to contend with – abroad and at home. Join us as we dig deeper into a complex topic that affects us all.

The global water crisis is inextricably linked to climate change and it is intensifying. Currently, 771 million people in the world (1 in 10) lack access to clean water. By 2050, five billion people will face water shortages. So, can you “harvest” water to meet growing demand? How exactly can you “grow” H2O? It is an intriguing concept and the perfect topic for the season 1 finale of The Global List Podcast. This time around, we travel to Melbourne, Australia, to sit down with Terry Paule, Co-Founder and CEO of Botanical Water Technologies. Join us for an informative and thought-provoking conversation and find out why global water security is so critical; how Botanical Water Technologies is tackling the water crisis from India to California; and get the story behind the world’s first blockchain water trading platform.

The world of cryptocurrency continues to draw a lot of interest as well as controversy. But it is time to go beyond sensational headlines for some clear-minded, expert analysis. What are the mechanics of the blockchain infrastructure? What does decentralization mean? How did the banking crisis influence crypto's emergence and how has crypto evolved over the years? What will drive mainstream adoption and which new innovations are on the horizon? In this episode of The Global List, we travel to England for an informative conversation with Prof. Christopher Carr, a  Lecturer based at the University of Exeter, specializing in cryptography and blockchain technology.

Lithium has emerged as the “metal of the future”. It is the critical component in lithium-ion batteries, powering everything from smartphones to Electric Vehicles (EVs). The low-carbon future requires lithium. But which countries are poised to lead the way in lithium mining and what are the challenges and opportunities? Can supply keep up with rising demand? What does the future hold and who will lead the lithium revolution? Chile, which holds the world’s largest lithium reserves, is the first stop in our new “Future Metals” series. We flew to Santiago for an informative conversation with Daniel Weinstein, Partner at Urzua Abogados, covering Chile’s lithium potential, mining experience, unique advantages, and a little-known Cold War regulation that holds the key to the future.

This is the second part of our interview with Dr. Marina Miron from King’s College (Defence Studies Department – Centre for Military Ethics) focusing on the military dimension of the Ukraine-Russia war. This part of our conversation focuses on the critical, next phase of the war and includes an analysis of tank warfare & air warfare; NATO’s ability to support Ukraine and adapt to the varied needs on the ground; the changing contours of the battlefield in East and South Ukraine; the critical window between now and the delivery of new weapons; and the key geopolitical and economic factors in the background. What role can Leopard 2 tanks play in the months ahead? Can fighter jets be deployed effectively? What are the pros and cons? What are the realistic expectations? Listen to this episode and find out what.

This marks the start of a new series focused on the military, political and humanitarian dimensions of the Ukraine-Russia War. In this series opener focused on the military dimension, we spoke with Dr. Marina Miron from King’s College (Defence Studies Department – Centre for Military Ethics). This in-depth conversation covers a wide range of topics including contrasting modes of military leadership; early expectations versus outcomes; the critical reasons behind Ukraine’s performance; Russia’s under-performance and lingering issues; NATO’s role, challenges and lessons learned; cyber/information warfare; the ever-changing battlefield & weapons; the geopolitical “war beyond the war”; and the key factors to consider in the critical, next phase.

Did you know that Silicon Valley isn’t the world leader when it comes to startups? In this latest episode of The Global List Podcast, we travel to Israel for an informative, in-depth conversation with Oded Agam, the Co-Founder and Managing Partner of NextLeap Ventures. You will find out how and why Israel earned the title of “Startup Nation” – with more startups per capita than anywhere else in the world. You will also find out why Israel’s entrepreneurial culture has generated so many startups and unicorns; how military service contributes to innovation & startup success; and why business and technology can also serve as a bridge to peace and progress.

The Amazon Rainforest is the world’s most important and diverse ecosystem – representing 10% of known species and 34m people. On average, a “new” species of animal or plant is discovered in the Amazon every 3 days. So, what’s it like to find the largest tree in the Amazon and how can technology, particularly LiDAR, enhance biodiversity, forest management, and conservation? In this latest episode of The Global List Podcast, we venture deep into the Amazon for an illuminating conversation with Prof. Eric Bastos Görgens. In 2019, it was Prof. Görgens’ group of Brazilian and British researchers who located the largest tree in the Amazon, 88 meters (289ft) high. Since then, the research project has mapped even more of the Amazon using the latest in LiDAR and drone technology as well as innovative research methods.

Given climate change, rapid urbanization and food supply/security issues, how will we feed ourselves as we move into the future? Can we continue to just rely on traditional farming given weather-related issues and the impact on climate change? What role can vertical/indoor farming play in addressing the challenges? In this latest episode of The Global List Podcast, we travel to Copenhagen, Denmark, for a conversation with Anders Riemann, the Founder and CEO of Nordic Harvest – Europe’s largest vertical farm.

Rewilding has emerged as one of the most promising strategies to mitigate Climate Change and restore Biodiversity. But how do Rewilding and Carbon Offsetting fit into the Climate Action & Environmental agenda? What are the key benefits, challenges, and success stories? In this brand new episode of The Global List, we travel to the Scottish Highlands to speak with Richard Clarke, the managing director of Highland Carbon, which creates bespoke carbon offsetting solutions for corporations. Join our latest adventure and get an insider’s view of the rewilding revolution as COP27 gets underway.

When it comes to reducing emissions and pollution, air travel remains one of the last remaining frontiers. So, can we make air travel sustainable? What is Sustainable Aviation Fuel (SAF) and can it power commercial airlines in the near future? In this brand new episode of The Global List, we fly to Amsterdam, Holland, to chat with Sarah Wilkin, the Founder & CEO of Fly Green Alliance, which specializes in sustainable travel solutions for aviation & sports, as well as the wide-scale adoption of SAF. Come aboard and find out what’s on the horizon in decarbonised, sustainable travel & mobility.

As the saying goes, necessity is the mother of invention. So, how do you create your own COVID vaccine when you don’t have access to the intellectual property? In this episode of The Global List, I travel to Cape Town, South Africa, to speak with Dr. Petro Terblanche, the Managing Director of Afrigen Biologics and Vaccines, which made history by creating the first-ever African COVID vaccine based on the publicly available sequence of Moderna’s mRNA vaccine. Find out how Afrigen fused innovation, science and technology to forge this breakthrough and what’s next.

The Nordic Region (Scandinavia) is a world leader when it comes to Cleantech Innovation and Sustainability. But why? What are the key factors behind this? What trends can we spot and what key lessons can we take away? In this very first episode of The Global List, we travel to Sweden to speak with Magnus Agerström, Managing Director of Cleantech Scandinavia, and we find out how the Nordic countries are tackling Cleantech, Climate Change and Sustainability.