S2E13: Understanding Trends, Staying Ahead of the Next Big Story
Release Date: 08/04/2024
S3E11: A Conversation About Misinformation, Disinformation and Propaganda with Peter Pomerantsev
Brian J Matos
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 where he co-directs the Arena Initiative. His work explores how modern power operates through narratives, identity, and emotional manipulation rather than facts alone. We discuss how authoritarian regimes — and increasingly,...
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S3E10: Cold War Espionage, Declining Empires and Geopolitical Analysis w/ Prof. Alfred W. McCoy
Brian J Matos
Brian is joined by , 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–Madison and author of several widely cited books on geopolitics, empire, and intelligence, tracing the role of covert operations, narcotics economies, and surveillance systems in the exercise of American global power....
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S3E9: Supporting Parents and Employers in the Modern Economy w/ Amit Singh Kalley
Brian J Matos
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 , 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. He discusses the challenges of screen time, the importance of workplace flexibility, and the evolving roles of parents in modern society. Amit emphasizes the need for empathy and understanding in both parenting and...
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S3E8: Beyond AI Hype: Richard Ellis on Practical AI Adoption & the Future of Work
Brian J Matos
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. Guest Richard Ellis is a seasoned technology executive and digital transformation strategist with more than two decades of experience guiding global organizations through the evolving landscape of AI,...
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S3E7: Understanding the Modern Age of Parenting with Zara Hanawalt
Brian J Matos
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, and the one thing no app can replace: emotional presence. Guest Zara Hanawalt is a Chicago-based freelance journalist covering parenting, women’s health, work, and culture, with bylines at...
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S3E6: The Complexities of Protectionism with Prof. Muhammad Ali Nasir, PhD.
Brian J Matos
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 and financial economics, international trade and finance, and policy transmission. He is the author of (Palgrave, 2022). Learn more about Prof. Nasir: and What You’ll Learn How tariffs...
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S3E5: From Dominance to Diffusion: Charles Kupchan on the Future of Global Power
Brian J Matos
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 the implications of new economic and technological forces on global stability. Kupchan offers a candid and strategic view of where international power is heading—and what role the United States...
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S3E4: Inside Illiberal Democracies – Strongmen, Institutions & the Global Struggle for Freedom with Fulton Armstrong
Brian J Matos
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 current role with Syracuse University’s Maxwell School, Armstrong examines how leaders like Viktor Orbán and Nayib Bukele consolidate power, weaken institutions, and use populism to...
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S3E3: War by Algorithm: Trust, Drones, and the AI Battlefield w/ LTC Paul Lushenko
Brian J Matos
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 advancements to the murky ethics of autonomous targeting and AI-driven decision-making, this conversation examines how lethal force is increasingly influenced by algorithms and automation. LTC...
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S3E2: Geopolitical Flashpoints and the Decline of U.S. Influence — Irina Tsukerman on the Global Power Shift
Brian J Matos
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 cooperation between China, Russia, Iran, and North Korea, the shifting role of non-state actors, and the ideological blind spots in current U.S. foreign policy. They discuss the rise of hybrid warfare,...
info_outlineThis episode is a thank you message to the listeners and a recap of the topics covered so far in Season 2 that include issues being discussed on this show well before they emerge in legacy media coverage. Brian emphasizes the importance of understanding big global trends and the benefits of staying ahead of the next big story, so you can confidently make informed decisions for yourself, your business, your family and your community. Some of the topics covered first on this program that emerged into mainstream consciousness include the path to the presidency for women (discussed before the nomination of Kamalas Harris for President in the U.S.), cybersecurity issues (discussed before the CrowdStrike outage), the threats posed by artificial intelligence (discussed before new EU AI laws took effect), demographic changes (discussed before it became a social issue discussed in election campiagns acrosss North America and Europe), and populism and nationalism in Europe (discussed before the major elections of 2024 across the contient). Brian invites listeners to catch up on past episodes because it is never too late to catch up, get informed and reigniate your curiosity about the world around you.
You can find all epsiodes, past and present on the main show website: http://www.brianjmatos.com/
Question for Brian? Email: info@brianjmatos.com or DM on Twitter @BrianJMatos