Better in Bucharest

Special guest: Dr. Robert C. Koons, philosophy professor at the University of Texas at Austin. In this episode he walks through 9 fundamental questions about suffering — why God allows pain, what role free will plays, and how we can find meaning in our own suffering. Recommended for anyone looking for real answers, not empty comfort.

What if The Lord of the Rings is more than just an epic fantasy—what if it's a doorway to deeper spiritual truth? In this thought-provoking episode, Dr. Robert Koons, professor of philosophy at the University of Texas, walks us through the Christian foundations woven into the heart of J.R.R. Tolkien’s mythology. From the philosophy of Neoplatonism and the nature of evil, to providence, eucata...

In this episode of Better in Bucharest , we explore one of life’s most difficult questions: If God is all-powerful and loving, why does suffering exist? Our guest is Dr. Robert Koons , professor of philosophy at the University of Texas at Austin, a leading Christian thinker known for his work on metaphysics, the philosophy of religion, and the interface between faith and reason. With clarity, wisd...

In this inspiring episode of Better in Bucharest , we sit down with David Ridley , the founding partner and former CEO of Invesco Real Estate—one of the world’s leading global real estate investment firms, managing over $90 billion in assets. David’s leadership helped grow the firm into a respected global player known for its integrity, culture, and people-first approach. But David’s story didn’t...

In this episode of Better in Bucharest , we sit down with Dr. George Lucas—co-author of The One Minute Negotiator , bestselling author, and international expert in sales, leadership, and negotiation. With warmth and insight, George shares life lessons from his childhood in Kansas City, his academic journey, and over 25 years of experience helping organizations navigate complex negotiations. We exp...

This episode explores how we handle conflict and why doing it well is crucial for our relationships, leadership, and growth. Instead of avoiding or escalating conflict, we’re encouraged to view it as a “crucial conversation” — a moment to listen, understand, and grow. The speakers walk through: Why conflict is unavoidable and how it impacts our lives. Different ways people naturally respond to con...

Jimmy Martin is an accomplished healthcare executive with extensive experience in the industry. As the Vice President of Business Development at Three Oaks Hospice, he plays a key role in driving strategic growth and expanding the organization's reach. Prior to this, he served as the Chief Executive Officer of Total Patient Care, where he was responsible for enhancing operational efficiency a...

Peter D. Knutson is a partner advisor in Allworth’s Lawrence, Kansas office. A graduate of Baylor University, where he earned degrees in both Financial Planning and Real Estate, he later moved to Pennsylvania where he taught an adult continuing education course on personal financial planning through Penn State University. Anxious to start a family, he subsequently relocated to Kansas where he coac...

David is a values-based executive with demonstrated leadership in building a shared vision, translating that vision to execution, organizational development, and successful strategies for early and growth-stage businesses. David serves as President at Improving and has been with the company since its founding in 2007. He sits on the board of United Texas Bank. He is a Founding Member of the Forbes...

The podcast explores the importance of deep, long-term friendships, emphasizing that authentic friendship requires emotional investment, time, and effort. The three guests share how they became friends during childhood and college, chose to live near each other to strengthen their relationship, and how this decision positively impacted their lives, families, and careers.

This episode features Lynda, who shares her journey of faith, career, and personal transformation. Lynda Tait Randle, as Bill Gaither has fondly introduced her for over a decade, was born in the inner city of Washington, D.C. She is the middle child of seven and feels blessed to have had the privilege of being raised in a Christian home. Despite being led to the Lord at the young age of 12, it wou...

This podcast features Kevin Nunnally, a retired IBM Vice President, discussing his career, leadership philosophy, and insights on the evolving workplace. The key takeaways include: Career and Technological Evolution : Kevin reflects on his 34 years at IBM and beyond, detailing major technological shifts—mainframes, personal computing, the internet, mobile tech, cloud computing, and now AI. He emph...

The podcast delves into the importance of relationships and mentorship in shaping our understanding of the world, particularly in an era of rapid technological advancements. The speaker emphasizes that while technology changes the way we live, human connections remain essential, a truth highlighted during the isolation of the COVID-19 pandemic. Key Takeaways: Relationships Matter Human interaction...

The podcast episode of Better in Bucharest features Chris Tatham, CEO of a global market research firm, sharing transformative leadership lessons rooted in faith, humility, and service. Chris reflects on his early ambition for wealth and power, inspired by figures like Donald Trump, but reveals how his worldview shifted as he recognized the fleeting nature of fame and material success. Anchoring h...

Ron Coble - Senior Vice President (Ret) South Central Regional Executive at Zurich North America.  He graduated from Ardmore High School in 1974, Murray State College in 1976, and Oklahoma State University in 1979. His career spanned from 1984 to 2011 with Farmers Insurance Group/Zurich Financial, where he held various positions in Claims, Marketing, Distribution Management, Legislative-Regulatory...

Peter D. Knutson is a partner-advisor at Allworth’s Lawrence, Kansas office. He holds degrees in Financial Planning and Real Estate from Baylor University. After graduating, he moved to Pennsylvania, where he taught a personal financial planning course for adult continuing education at Penn State University. Eager to start a family, he later settled in Kansas, where he provided investment and fina...

Make Your Life Matter By Exhibiting Five Qualities That Make Great Employees Who Become Great Leaders 

Attorney and Senior Vice President for American Century Investments (Retired)

He holds a BSBA in Finance and Economics from the University of Missouri and has worked in finance, trading futures, and options, for 29 years.  

Kevin Connor speaks about his faith, career, marriage, and life. 

Dr. Liz Jackson is an Assistant Professor in the Department of Philosophy at Ryerson University. Previously, she was a Research Fellow in the School of Philosophy at Australian National University . She received her Ph. D. from the Department of Philosophy at the University of Notre Dame , and my BA in philosophy at Kansas State University . In this episode, Dr. Liz Jackson answered some interesti...

Scott is a Medical Device Senior leader and has held Commercial positions in various capacities throughout his career with start-ups and Fortune 50 companies. Scott and his wife Elizabeth have four children on the young adult path and reside in Kansas City. Scott’s critical competency in life and leadership and life is an intense investment in people and understanding underlying motive for behavio...

Melissa Beltrame is the Chief Marketing Office at Lead Bank, a community-minded, independent commercial bank, recognized for its innovative approach to community banking and unique banking solutions that allows real people, real businesses, and their communities to thrive.  Headquartered in Kansas City, Missouri, yet serving clients digitally throughout the United States, Lead Bank is known for be...

Jerry Root is a Professor at Wheaton College in Wheaton, Illinois, and a visiting Professor at Biola University.  He has been studying C. S. Lewis and topics constellating around Lewis for 50 years, as well as teaching Lewis for 40 years. He has lectured on Lewis topics at 78 Universities in 18 countries. Besides his many books, Jerry has written numerous articles about C. S. Lewis and evangelism...

Bungii is a Kansas-based company with a similar concept to ride-sharing apps like Uber and Lyft, but instead of transporting people, it transports people's stuff.  Ben Jackson was named to Forbes’ ‘30 Under 30’ list.