Episodes

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

    24: Super Bowl LX – An Unforgettable Day at Levi’s
    Feb 10 2026
    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 miles from home.
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    21 mins
  • 23: Intentional Leadership in Global Trade

    23: Intentional Leadership in Global Trade
    Jan 27 2026
    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.
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    41 mins
  • 21: Part 2 People in Portugal

    21: Part 2 People in Portugal
    Jan 6 2026
    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 shaped the experience in ways no itinerary ever could. What stayed with me long after I returned home wasn’t the architecture or the food, but the people. These encounters revealed something about Lisbon, something about Porto, and something about myself. I hope you enjoy meeting them.
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    32 mins
  • 22: 2025, the Year of the Unexpected

    22: 2025, the Year of the Unexpected
    Dec 30 2025
    The final episode of Rittener Reflections for 2025. When I launched this podcast back in January, I opened with five certainties I believed would shape cross‑border trade in the year ahead. What I didn’t anticipate—what none of us anticipated—was just how unpredictable 2025 would become. If Episode 1 was about preparing for volatility, this episode is about living through it. With this episode, I will close the loop. I’ll revisit those five certainties, reflect on what actually happened, and then share some personal reflections on why, for me, 2025 became the year of the unexpected.
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    22 mins
  • 21: Pathways to Portugal

    21: Pathways to Portugal
    Dec 26 2025
    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 the trip and how I approached each day, and in many ways this episode continues that conversation.
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    1 hr and 5 mins
  • 20: Victory In Valencia

    20: Victory In Valencia
    Dec 11 2025
    This one is special: I share my journey from San Francisco to Valencia, Spain — culminating in my victory at the Valencia Marathon.
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    54 mins
  • 19: The Ugly Mug

    19: The Ugly Mug
    Nov 24 2025
    Episode 19 arrives just before Thanksgiving: lessons from a lopsided mug and a turbulent year.” A lopsided mug from my childhood has become my metaphor for this ugly year in trade and in life. In this episode, I share its story, the turbulence of 2025, and five lessons worth keeping. I’ll leave you with a gentle invitation: What “ugly mugs” have you kept? What stories do they hold? And stay tuned—Episode 20 may come to you from Spain, as I run the Valencia Marathon and reflect on what’s next.
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    22 mins
  • 18: Export Controls: Past, Present, and the Path Forward. – Pt. 3 I Can See Clearly Now (Not!)

    18: Export Controls: Past, Present, and the Path Forward. – Pt. 3 I Can See Clearly Now (Not!)
    Oct 29 2025
    Welcome back to Rittener Reflections Episode 18 and to Part 3 of our series on export controls which I have called, “I can see clearly now” (Not!) You see, we’ve looked back, we’ve looked around—and now we look ahead. But clarity is elusive. Will the world split into two economic spheres? Can AI help automate classification? Should we revive old licensing models? And what is the key to success in creating some means of predictability in a world of geopolitical uncertainty? Once again, I am joined by Bruce Jackson and together we will explore these questions with candor, curiosity, and maybe a little humor. Because in export controls, déjà vu isn’t just a feeling—it’s a forecast.”
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    53 mins