Brian J Matos

In this episode, Brian speaks with Dr. Laura Reeves to unpack the realities behind one of the biggest shifts in the modern workplace. From productivity and trust to fairness and generational expectations, we go beyond the headlines to explore what's actually changing — and what isn't. They discuss why hybrid work looks very different depending on your role, why some employees benefit far more than...

In this conversation, Philip Metzger shares his extensive experience in the space industry, discussing the differences between government and commercial space exploration, the potential for practical applications in space, and the future of humanity's presence beyond Earth. He emphasizes the importance of commercial ventures in making space exploration sustainable and profitable, while also addres...

In an age where misinformation spreads faster than truth — and reality itself feels increasingly hard to define — how do information wars actually work? In this episode, Brian is joined by Peter Pomerantsev , one of the world's leading thinkers on propaganda, disinformation, and political warfare. Peter is a journalist, author, and Senior Fellow at the SNF Agora Institute at Johns Hopkins Universi...

Brian is joined by  Professor Alfred W. McCoy , one of the world's foremost historians of empire, intelligence, and covert power, for a wide-ranging conversation that reframes how we understand the Cold War, the rise and fall of imperial powers — and the world we're living in today. Prof. McCoy, a Yale Ph. D., is the Fred Harvey Harrington Professor of History at the University of Wisconsin–Madiso...

How do you grow a company without burning out the parents who make it run—including you? In this episode, Brian sits down with  Amit Singh Kalley , founder of For Working Parents , to map a practical, humane path to high performance. Amit shares his journey from being an educator to becoming an entrepreneur focused on helping working parents navigate the complexities of parenting in a digital age....

Richard Ellis joins the show to cut through the noise surrounding AI and digital transformation. We discuss the real state of AI adoption, what organizations must do to get data-ready, and how leaders can measure ROI amid rapid change. Richard also breaks down the rising challenges in cybersecurity, data privacy, and workforce skills as businesses adapt to the next era of intelligent technology. G...

Parenting in 2025 is noisy, fast, and full of trade-offs. In this episode, Brian speaks with experienced writer, editor and journalist, Zara Hanawalt , to unpack the realities shaping family life today—from tech and TikTok advice to school choices, cultural norms, and even the "tradwife" discourse. We explore why the  default parent role persists, how class and policy shape everyday experiences, a...

Protectionism is back. Tariffs, export controls, and "de-risking" are reshaping supply chains, prices, and growth. In this episode, Brian sits down with Dr. Muhammad Ali Nasir , Associate Professor of Economics at the University of Leeds , to unpack what this policy turn really means—for businesses, workers, and investors worldwide. Guest Dr. Nasir is a macroeconomist whose research spans monetary...

In this episode, Brian J. Matos sits down with Professor Charles Kupchan—renowned international relations scholar, former White House advisor, and senior fellow at the Council on Foreign Relations—for a deep dive into the rapidly changing global landscape. Together, they explore the decline of Western dominance and the emergence of a multipolar world, the erosion of liberal democratic norms, and t...

What happens when elections continue, but democratic values quietly erode? In this episode, Brian J. Matos sits down with veteran intelligence analyst and policy adviser Fulton T. Armstrong to explore the rise of illiberal democracies—governments where democratic structures exist in form, but not in function. Drawing from decades of experience in U.S. intelligence and foreign policy, including his...

In this thought-provoking episode, Brian is joined by Lieutenant Colonel Paul Lushenko—U.S. Army strategist, drone warfare expert, and co-editor of Drones and Global Order —to explore the evolving battlefield shaped by drones and artificial intelligence. Together, they unpack how drone warfare is changing military strategy, public perception, and international law. From Ukraine's tactical drone ad...

As global alliances realign and authoritarian regimes grow bolder, is the U.S. losing its grip on the world order it once led? In this episode, Brian welcomes back Irina Tsukerman — human rights attorney, geopolitical analyst, and president of Scarab Rising, Inc. — for a wide-ranging conversation on the evolving dynamics of international power. Irina offers sharp insights into the growing cooperat...

In this episode, Brian speaks with Kate Howells, Public Education Specialist at The Planetary Society , editor of  The Planetary Report and former member of Canada's Space Advisory Board. Kate is a leading voice in global space science advocacy, helping connect the dots between cutting-edge exploration, public engagement, and the long-term benefits of science for society. Together, they explore th...

Brian wraps up season 2 with his reflections on the topics covered over the past year and some memorable interviews with his guests over the past 2 years. Brian reviews critical topics that this podcast discussed long before they were mainstream topics, proving how this show keeps listeners ahead of the headlines, giving them a competitive advantage in planning for their future.  Listen to this sh...

Brian interviews Phillip Ullmann, a self-described social business entrepreneur,   with a track record of building disruptive business models that deliver value – measured as much by people, communities, and nature as by financial assets. In this conversation, Phillip shares his journey from transforming a family manufacturing business to exploring the concept of social enterprise. He discusses th...

Brian explores the legal and practical concepts of ceasefire deals with Marika Sosnowski, an Australian-qualified lawyer, a Postdoctoral Research Fellow at Melbourne Law School and a Research Associate at the German Institute for Global and Area Studies (GIGA) in Hamburg. She works as a legal anthropologist with primary research interests in the fields of critical security studies (mainly ceasefir...

Brian interviews Raul Lomeli-Azoubel, Co-Founder, Chairman & Chief Community Officer at Welcome Tech, Inc. , the "digital Ellis Island" and future global platform for immigration. Welcome Tech is a venture funded mobile tech platform helping immigrant communities connect to opportunity including optimal information, products and services they need to succeed in a new country. Currently focused on...

Brian speaks with Dr. Mehmood Hussain to discuss his authorship on the Kashmir conflict and the concept of "Responsibility to Protect" (R2P). Dr. Hussain is an Assistant Professor and Coordinator of the Department of International Relations at the University of Azad Jammu and Kashmir Muzaffarabad, Pakistan. His writings have appeared in the Chinese Political Science Review, East Asia Journal, Jour...

Brian interviews Fritznel Octave, an award-winning journalist with over 25 years of experience covering Haitian news, culture, politics, economics and social justice. He serves as Haiti Editor for The Haitian Times online newspaper. An author, speaker and coach, Fritznel has committed his life to impactful storytelling and amplifying marginalized voices. His latest book, "Haiti Between Pestilence...

Brian speaks with Svetlana Chigozie Onye, a climate justice advocate, writer, journalist, and researcher. In this conversation, Svetlana and Brian discuss the critical intersection of mental health and climate change, particularly in the context of African nations. She highlights the unique challenges faced by African countries, including the disproportionate impact of climate change despite low e...

Brian is joined by Demitri Fierro, a writer and a Sustainability and Stakeholder Strategist. He has published more than 100 articles to date on The Cool Down , where he is an avid contributor on subjects like electric vehicle adoption, wildlife conservation and climate tech. Demitri recently earned an MBA in Sustainable Solutions from Presidio Graduate School in San Francisco. For the last two yea...

Brian interviews Stephanie L. Canizales, PhD, a researcher, author, and professor in the Department of Sociology at the University of California, Berkeley, where she is Faculty Director of the  Berkeley Interdisciplinary Migration Initiative . She earned her PhD in Sociology from the University of Southern California (2018). Stephanie specializes in the study of international migration and immigra...

Brian is joined by Professor Demetrius Floudas for a conversation on the risks and potential dangers of advanced artificial intelligence if not thoughtfully regulated.  Demetrius A. Floudas is a transnational lawyer, a legal adviser specializing in tech and an AI regulatory & policy theorist. With extensive experience, he has counseled governments, corporations, and start-ups on regulatory aspects...

Brian interviews Hussein Ibish, senior resident scholar at the  Arab Gulf States Institute in Washington . He is also a weekly columnist for  The National  (UAE) and  Now Media , and a monthly contributing writer for  The  International New York Times . Ibish is also a regular contributor to many other American and Middle Eastern publications.  In this episode, we explore the history of the Isreal...

Brian interviews Jake Meador, editor-in-chief of Mere Orthodoxy and author of two books, I n Search of the Common Good: Christian Fidelity in a Fractured World  and  What are Christians for?: Life Together at the End of the World . Jake also serves as a contributing editor with Plough   and as a board member with the Davenant Institute .  The conversation explores the topic of church attendance as...