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.