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In Episode #40, we are joined by Matt Plavan, CEO of Arcadia Biosciences. We discuss:Notable domestic and international developments in bioscience affecting plant genetics and the health of people in developing and developed nations.Arcadia’s work in increasing the nutritional value of traditional commodity products like soy and wheat that are widely consumed across the world.Developments in the biogenetics of cannabis (hemp) plants.The life of a CEO of a publicly traded company in a normal year and in a Covid-impacted year.Reading, listening, and watching recommendations from:Matt:The Five Dysfunctions of a Team by Patrick LencioniFred:Making Sense podcast, Episode #230 – An Insurrection of Lies by Sam HarrisJonathan:Africa’s Promising Untapped Potential for Hemp Production by New Frontier Data / CannabyteWe’ll see you next week when we sit down with David Knapp from Ornavera to discuss technological developments in global agriculture.

In Episode #39, we are joined by Nadia Lazareva, a senior manager at HSBC in Hong Kong. We discuss:Nadia's path from her native Russia to Hong KongWhy learning Mandarin is a great investmentWhat working at a large international bank like HSBC is likeNadia's advice to women and girls thinking of a career in bankingWhy there is nothing wrong with saying "I don't know"Finding the right balance between motherhood and workWhat a typical day looks like for a compliance officer at HSBCThe role of risk in career-buildingReading, listening, and watching recommendations from:NadiaMy Own Words, by Ruth Bader GinsburgFredSuspected Chinese spy targeted California politicians (Axios), by Bethany Allen-Ebrahimian and Zach DormanJonathanTo Stop China's Imperial Designs, Let It Bleed Itself Dry (The Federalist), by Sumantra MaitraWe’ll see you next week!

In Episode #38, we are joined by Wen Lii (李問), director of the Matsu Islands chapter of Taiwan's governing Democratic Progressive Party (DPP). We discuss:Taiwan's status and its relationship with China, in plain EnglishMatsu and its sister Kinmen islands unique position as Taiwanese islands on China's shoresHow China and Taiwan agreed on an informal schedule to exchange fire during the Cold WarHow our guest helped the DPP establish a Matsu presence and dramatically improve their vote tally on the islandsDressing up as a mussel shell and other tales from the Matsu campaign trail (pictures can be viewed HERE)Concerns on the islands over illegal fishing and sand mining activities by Chinese shipsReading, listening, and watching recommendations from:WenVisit Matsu!JonathanCannabis in the U.S. and E.U. (Harris Bricken webinar in partnership with German-based law firm KFN+ and Swiss-based law firm Froriep)FredRose Island (Netflix)

In Episode #37, Jonathan and Fred look back at the podcast's first year and look ahead at 2021.Some of the highlights:How 2020 and COVID-19 will change the way lawyers approach their work, especially in the transactional spaceThe China lessons of 2020 and how they will be applied going forwardWhy cannabis lawyers are excited about the next couple of yearsThe most downloaded episodes of 2020Episode 4 – Geetha Kandiah (Southeast Asia)Episode 3 – John Brittell (East Africa)Episode 2 – Dr. Jose Raul Perales (Puerto Rico)An appeal for guest and topic recommendationsWe look forward to your continued listenership in 2021!

In Episode #34, we are joined by Uday Garg, Managing Partner at Mandala Capital, a private equity firm focused on long term and sustainable investments across the food value chain in India and Southeast Asia. We discuss:The basics of food and agriculture ("agri") investing and why it is helpful to analogize to the oil and gas business.Why food and agri investment makes sense in Southeast Asia and India, from both a demand and supply perspective.The $2,000 per capita GDP threshold as a good indicator for consumption spikes in emerging nations.Mandala Capital's strategy for investing in food and agri.Why so much investment goes into agritech and whether agritech is really a new investment area.What cannabis (especially hemp) is doing to the US and global market and why seed companies and branding companies are most likely to emerge as major players.Impact investing and calculating an SROI (social return on investment).Reading, listening, and watching recommendations from:Uday40 Chances: Finding Hope in a Hungry World by Howard G. BuffetJonathanThe New Tech Supply Chain, a Nikkei Asia webinarFredA Woman Called Hey, a Sixth Tone article by Zhang Yue

The large-scale shift to telework brought on by the COVID-19 pandemic is prompting businesses around the world to explore new avenues to engage with clients and friends. Harris Bricken is no exception, and we are happy to provide this podcast series: Global Law and Business, hosted by international attorneys Fred Rocafort and Jonathan Bench.In Episode #33, we are joined by Adam Bathgate and Korin Knights, lawyers at the Bermuda office of Walkers, an international law firm. We discuss:Bermuda's status as a British Overseas Territory (it is the oldest such territory)International finance centers (IFC) and the myths surrounding themBermuda's specialties as an IFC: insurance and reinsuranceWhat Adam misses about onshore in Europe—and what he does not.Korin's perspectives as a Bermudian lawyer at a global firm—and the example he hopes to set for aspiring lawyers from BermudaBermuda's opportunities for digital nomads and fintech entrepreneursDevelopments in Bermuda's legal framework for cannabisReading, listening, and watching recommendations from:AdamThe Spy and the Traitor, by Ben MacintyreKorin12 Rules for Life: An Antidote to Chaos, by Jordan B PetersonJoe Rogan ExperienceJonathan"Exclusive: Nintendo chief plots post-Animal Crossing future", Nikkei, by Jada NagumoFred"How China seeks to redefine global norms and keep the West at bay", Hong Kong Free Press, by Simon ShenWe’ll see you next week when we sit down with Uday Garg, managing partner at Mandala Capital.

In Episode #32, we are joined by Joel Gallo, CEO of Columbia China League Business Advisory Co., a cross-border transactions and management consulting firm. We discuss:The deferential treatment to Chinese companies listed on U.S. stock exchanges and why that matters to the markets and investors.The roles the Hong Kong, Shenzhen, and Shanghai stock exchanges play and how those roles have been changing in light of China's reform and the opening up of its financial sector.What is going on with global stock markets now as leading indicators of companies and global economies.What increased interest in digital currencies within various countries' governments will do to the global currency market.Reading, listening, and watching recommendations from:JoelMIT Technology ReviewForeign AffairsLe Monde DiplomatiqueJonathanPitchbookFredGoogle Maps and Google EarthThe Florida Panhandle and St. Mark's Wildlife RefugeWe’ll see you next week when we sit down to discuss venture capital in Southeast Asia with Uday Garg.

In Episode #31, we are joined by Doug Brush, a cybersecurity expert at Splunk. We discuss:Current legal frameworks used to address cybersecurity.Data privacy concerns, including the EU's GDPR and California's CCPA, and whether a business or government can ever be 100% cyber secure.How companies should think about their cybersecurity, including which data generates revenue for the business, the data lifecycle, breach responses, and cyber insurance.The goals, motivations, cadences, and patterns of state-sponsored and other hacker groups.Some of the most important issues being discussed today among cybersecurity professionals.Reading, listening, and watching recommendations from:DougVarious cyber insurance conferences available online (WSJ's Pro Cybersecurity Forum) (Net Diligence's Cyber Risk Conferences)Splunk.com's free online webinarsJonathanNikkei Asia's Inside the US Campaign to Cut China Out of the Tech Supply ChainFredSam Harris' Making Sense Podcast Episode #220 - The Information ApocalypseGQ's The Mystery of the Immaculate ConcussionWe’ll see you next week when we sit down with Joel Gallo, CEO of Columbia China League Business Advisory Co., a cross-border transactions and management consulting firm.

In Episode #30, we are joined by Sonia Gumpert, managing partner at Monereo Meyer Abogados, Harris Bricken's partner law firm in Spain. We discuss:How Sonia's firm accompanies foreign businesses on their "Spanish adventure."The experience of growing a leading business law firm from the ground up.Issues affecting women in the legal profession in Spain.The impact of COVID-19 on Spain and in particular its tourism sector.What Spain offers to foreign investors.Reading, listening, and watching recommendations from:SoniaExplore Spain!JonathanGoogle TranslateFredYouTube Premium"China's Man in Washington", by Mara Hvistendahl and Lee Fang (The Intercept)

In Episode #29, we are joined by Alberto Predieri, an Italian attorney and partner at de Bedin & Lee studio legale associato. We discuss:Alberto's fascinating career track, from Olympic sailor to international business attorney.The impact of COVID-19 on Italy and especially Lombardy, with Alberto's first-hand perspective.What a typical day looks like for a lawyer in Milan.The importance of understanding different cultural perspectives.Why a business lawyer working in a Continental jurisdiction might envy his or her common-law counterparts.The genesis of Alberto's Milan law firm's partnership with Hong Kong's de Bedin & Lee.AC Milan or Inter? (Spoiler: It's Juve for Alberto.)Reading, listening, and watching recommendations from:AlbertoFauda (Netflix) ... GLB's first repeat recommendation!Enquanto Salazar dormia (Portuguese) , by Domingos AmaralJonathan – "Greece 'sets up soundwave guns on its borders with Turkey to stop illegal migrants'", by Sophie Tanno (Daily Mail)Fred – Return to the caves of Shan-Gan-Ning border, by Koo Lap (Apple Daily)

In Episode #28, we are joined by Sonu Ratra, Co-founder of Akraya and Founder of Women Back to Work. We discuss:Sonu's career path from India to the U.S. and working in a male-dominated technology environment.How a difficult business meeting after the birth of her daughter led to her founding Akraya and its Women Back to Work initiative that works to educate companies regarding the significant contributions of women who have taken a career break to care for children or other family members.The success story of one "returner" who is now a project manager at Cisco after a 19 year career gap.Barriers in the workplace for women of color, especially during and post-Covid.Sonu's involvement in an international "Peace through Business" program with The Institute for Economic Empowerment of Women, including her mentoring women entrepreneurs from Rwanda and Afghanistan.The worldwide contributions of women to society and women's rights as universal human rights.Advice for girls and women who want to have full participation and contribute to their work and world environments in meaningful ways.Reading, listening, and watching recommendations from:SonuJust Mercy: A Story of Justice and Redemption by Brian StevensonNo Shortcuts to the Top: Climbing the World's 14 Highest Peaks by Ed Viesturs, David Roberts, and Stephen HoyeHidden Brain podcast on NPRJonathan – World's Toughest Race: Eco-Challenge Fiji on Amazon Prime VideoFred – Blind Spot: The Road to 9/11 podcast by NPR (hosted by Jim O'Grady)

In Episode #27, we are joined by Andrea Holtan, an international trade specialist and adjunct professor at Seattle University's Albers School of Business and Economics. We discuss:Andrea's career trajectory, including being the only female working for a Japanese company early in her careerThe role of licensed customs brokersThe experience of working in South Africa and KenyaSection 301 tariffs: What they are, why they were imposed, and what they mean for AmericansAntidumping and countervailing duty trendsThe scourge of forced laborReading, listening, and watching recommendations from:Andrea – Kiss, Bow, Or Shake Hands, by Terri Morrison and Wayne A. ConawayJonathan – "Why China’s recovery is not what it seems" (Financial Times), by Michael PettisFred – "Beijing Believes Trump Is Accelerating American Decline" (Foreign Policy), by Rush Doshi

In Episode #26, we are joined by Mark McLawhorn. We discuss:Mark's law firm, McLawhorn LegalSouth Carolina's consolidation as a foreign investment hubThe importance of judicial clerkships in the American legal systemMark's LLM studies at the Chinese University of Hong KongThe experience of being a Black man in Hong KongThoughts on our current national moment here in the United StatesReading, listening, and watching recommendations from:Mark – The Social Dilemma (Netflix)Fred – Rough Waters Ahead for Vietnam-China Relations, by Huong Le Thu (Carnegie Endowment for International Peace)Jonathan – "This is the Asian Century: Seven reasons to be optimistic about it", by Nikkei staff writers (Nikkei Asian Review)

In Episode #25, we are joined by Adam Bigelow. We discuss:Adam's background in patent translation and gemstone mining with an eye toward tying together the Japan and US markets.The current Japanese business environment, compared to its Asian neighbors.How Shinzo Abe's departure and Yoshihide Suga taking the prime minister role will affect the way Japan does business internally and internationally.Japan's prospects as a country as it continues to grapple with its aging population.Japanese skill in automatization compared to its prospects for innovation.Japan's response to China's rise.Reading, listening, and watching recommendations from:AdamNHK World BroadcastsMurakami Haruki's novelsFred – Making Sense podcast by Sam Harris, Episode 217 - The New Religion of Anti-RacismJonathan – Hamilton musical on Disney+

In Episode #24, we are joined by Professor Eric Talbot Jensen, of Brigham Young University Law School. We discuss:How public international law resembles and differs from national bodies of law.The law of warfare as it applies to cyberwarfare, and how sovereign powers diverge in their views on the subject.Cyberwarfare's likely impact on future conflicts.Where are the world's best hackers?What rampant IP theft by China reveals about its geopolitical self-perception.The dangers of cyber-enabled election intervention by foreign powers in the 2020 U.S. elections compared to the 2016 elections.Reading, listening, and watching recommendations from:EricArmy of None: Autonomous Weapons and the Future of War, by Paul ScharreArticles of War (Lieber Institute West Point)Fred – Intelligence Matters (CBS News)Jonathan – CounterPoint

In Episode #23, we are joined by Nathan Sheranian, Senior Director of HR at Freshworks. We discuss:The differences and similarities in companies and employees from Africa, Asia, and North America.Freshworks' expansion from its roots in India to Silicon Valley and beyond.Covid-19's impact on the work environment and whether multinational companies will fare differently than domestic companies.Corporate initiatives to address gender disparities in mid- and upper-level management in technology companies.Reading, listening, and watching recommendations from:NathanThe Story of Human Language, an Audible Great Course by John McWhorterWashington: A Life by Ron ChernowThe Body: A Guide for Occupants by Bill BrysonFred – Cádiz are Finally Back, But Not in the Way That They Dreamed Of (The Guardian)Jonathan – The Candy Shop War by Brandon Mull

In Episode #22, we are joined by Glenn Davies, CEO of CannAcubed, a cannabis technology company based in Singapore. We discuss:Why cannabis is an attractive crop for countries in Asia, even where legalization for domestic consumption may not be on the horizon for many years.How the UN's sustainability goals dovetail with cannabis growth, including Life on Land, Responsible Production, Poverty Alleviation, and Climate Action.Which countries in Asia are rising stars in the cannabis space.Why Asian cannabis is more sustainable than the North American cannabis model.The launch of the Asia Industrial Hemp Association and what it is doing for governments and companies in Asia.Reading, listening, and watching recommendations from:GlennBiofuels in Asia - An Analysis of Sustainability Options (USAID)Sustainable Development: Building a Case for Hemp by Pauline Sullivan, Catherine Chan-Halbrendt, and Tun Lin (Journal of Textile and Apparel, Technology and Management)Fred - This Land podcast by Rebecca NagelJonathan - Hong Kong Security Law Sparks Race for Asia's Next Financial Capital (Nikkei Asian Review)

In Episode #21, we are joined by Ofir Angel, chairman of AUREN Israel and an expert on advanced technologies and international taxation. We discuss:How Ofir grew a family business into a global consulting firm.Israel’s consolidation as an attractive investment destination over the last two decades and why Israeli businesspersons focus on international opportunities.How US companies in particular can benefit from Israel’s massive investments in infrastructure projects and the country’s advantages in life sciences.The critical importance of tax considerations when doing business abroad.Israel’s recent signing of a peace deal with the United Arab Emirates and which countries may follow the UAE.Reading, listening, and watching recommendations from:OfirAUREN’s blogMind Time: How ten mindful minutes can enhance your work, health and happiness, by Michael Chaskalson and Dr Megan ReitzFredFauda (Netflix)Jonathan“The Israel-UAE deal is good news for a troubled region” (The Economist)

In Episode #20, we discuss:The role of the World Bank in global development and how to access a career in international development.How the World Bank, as a lender of last resort, classifies countries and balances a country's financing needs with its geopolitical and other risks.Key risks in infrastructure finance in developing nations.Key trends in PPPs, project finance, and infrastructure finance pre-, during-, and post-Covid.How developing nations are faring through Covid and their prospects for recovery.Reading, listening, and watching recommendations from:PrajaktaThe World Bank's PPP Blog article "COVID-19 and Infrastructure: A Very Tricky Opportunity" by Richard AbadieThe Financial Times and The EconomistFred"How China Controlled the Coronavirus" (The New Yorker), by Peter HesslerJonathan"Coronavirus Stalks Southeast Asia's Once-thriving Unicorns" (Nikkei Asian Review), by Shotaro Tani, Wataru Suzuki, and Peter GuestNote, the opinions expressed are solely Prajakta Chitre's and do not express views or opinions of the World Bank Group as an institution.

In Episode #19, we are privileged to engage in a fascinating, if at times sad, conversation with Rayhan Asat, a Washington, DC-based attorney and Uyghur advocate. We discuss:Who are the Uyghurs and what are the root causes of their current human rights crisis?The imprisonment by the Chinese authorities of Rayhan’s brother, Ekpar, after he participated in the U.S. State Department’s International Visitor Leadership Program (IVLP).Uyghur forced labor in China supply chains and what companies can do to avoid getting entangled in the problem.The connections between the different Turkic peoples, including the Uyghurs.Rayhan’s views on Turkey, as a former resident of Istanbul.