Mission Matters Network

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Channel • 41 Shows

Careers

Careers

Updated weekly
Management

Management

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Society & Culture

Updated weekly
Investing

Investing

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Self-Improvement

Self-Improvement

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Management

Management

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Relationships

Relationships

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08/05/2025

A conversation with a Bucha survivor - from life under Russian occupation to living in Europe

From Bucha to the Hague - hear the inspiring story of Yana Rudenko, a survivor of the Russian occupation in Bucha in February/March 2022, who then fled Ukraine and settled in The Hague, Netherlands. Understand what it's like to live under Russian occupation, no contact with the outside world, no internet or phone connection, no power, 24-hour martial law and the constant uncertainty over your personal future. Hear her story of resilience and dedication to remember what Ukraine is fighting for. Yana Rudenko resides in The Netherlands where she is a co-founder of the DroneAid Collective, an initiative based that engages displaced Ukrainians and rehabilitating veterans in building drones for the Armed Forces of Ukraine. To learn more, visit: https://ubn.network/ Listen to more episodes on Mission Matters: https://missionmatters.com/author/Mark-McNamee/

08/05/2025

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46 min
05/09/2024

A Ukrainian soldier who survived a Russian POW Camp: The Story of Bogdan Zarytsky Part 1

What's it like to be a Ukrainian prisoner of war held in Russian captivity? How do you survive the torture and beatings? This the story of Bogdan Zarytsky, a soldier of the Azov Battalion. In this first part of our interview, we discuss Bogdan's life as a soldier before the full-scale invasion in February 2022, then fighting in Mariupol and the Azovstal complex upon Russia's full-scale invasion, and finally his captivity in Russia's POW camp in Olenivka. Hear how Bogdan survived it all: the deaths of his fellow soldiers, the beatings, the starvation, the extreme weight loss, the lack of energy, the lack of hope. Even amid all this suffering, there were moments of inspiration and love. Listen to this podcast to find out. Note that this is Bogdan's first time discussing his experience in English. These are terribly difficult topics to discuss for him, much less not in his native language. This episode is a tribute to Bogdan's courage. Bogdan Zarytsky, Soldier of Azov Battalion. Born in Sumy, Ukraine, Bogdan joined the military in 2015 and later the Azov Battalion. After fighting in Mariupol at the outbreak of the full-scale invasion in February 2022, Bogdan then fought in Azovstal and was taken into Russian captivity for several months. He was then released in a prisoner exchange in late 2022 and has since been living in Kyiv with his wife and their child. To learn more, visit: https://ubn.network/ Listen to more episodes on Mission Matters: https://missionmatters.com/author/Mark-McNamee/

05/09/2024

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27 min
28/01/2025

Burnout, Innovation & AI with Neal Mann of Noan

Neal Mann knows the pressure of high-stakes environments—and the toll it takes. In this episode, Neal shares his journey from journalism to co-founding Noan, diving into the challenges of burnout in high-pressure industries. He opens up about the importance of balancing work, family, and personal passions, and how his experience shaped his approach to mental health and entrepreneurship. Neal and Patrice explore the intersection of AI and burnout, highlighting how technology can reduce stress for entrepreneurs by streamlining workflows and lowering barriers for aspiring business owners. They discuss the exciting potential of DIY app development, the cultural differences in managing burnout, and how society’s addiction to work contributes to the problem. Neal Mann is a journalist-turned-entrepreneur and the Co-founder of Noan. With a passion for innovation, Neal helps business owners leverage technology to work smarter, not harder. Through his leadership and storytelling, Neal advocates for healthier ways to approach work, mental health, and creativity in today’s fast-paced world. 🌿 Subscribe, share, and leave a review to help others transform their leadership and reduce burnout. Listen to more episodes on Mission Matters: https://missionmatters.com/author/patrice-bonfiglio/

28/01/2025

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35 min
03/06/2025

Mastering Self-Leadership: From Martial Arts to the Boardroom with Lars Sudmann

Lars Sundmann is an advisor, keynote speaker and executive trainer on leadership, strategy, innovation and communication for global corporations and their leaders. He is the owner of Sudmann & Company, a consulting and management training network. Lars is drawing on his business experience (e.g. as CFO Belgium of Procter & Gamble) as well as consulting expertise with Fortune500 companies to help companies achieve better business and organizational results. Before you lead others, you must first lead yourself. In this episode of The Black Belt in Leadership, host Aslak de Silva is joined by executive advisor, keynote speaker, and TEDx veteran Lars Sudmann to dive deep into the art and discipline of self-leadership. Drawing on his experience as CFO of Procter & Gamble Belgium, advisor to global giants like Microsoft and Siemens, and as a martial arts competitor, Lars shares powerful tools and stories to help leaders navigate pressure, overcome self-doubt, and stay balanced in the chaos. You’ll learn: Why leadership often doesn’t match your expectationsHow to run a “character traits check” to uncover blind spotsWhat daily reflection and reframing can do for your clarity and composureHow to handle imposter syndrome with perspective and courageWhether you’re an executive, entrepreneur, or just stepping into your first leadership role, this conversation is packed with practical wisdom.Find more from Lars at www.lars-sudmann.com To learn more, visit: https://www.selflystore.com/ Listen to more episodes on Mission Matters: https://missionmatters.com/author/aslak-de-silva/

03/06/2025

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50 min
10/05/2023

The Allure of the Cult: Unpacking the Complexities of Joining and Leaving

We're going to delve into the question of why people join these groups in the first place. Cults have been around for thousands of years, and yet they continue to attract new members even in our modern, supposedly enlightened age. So what is it about cults that draws people in? Is it a desire for community and belonging, a search for spiritual meaning, or something else entirely? To learn more, visit: https://humanerrorsolutions.com/ Listen to more episodes on Mission Matters: https://missionmatters.com/author/ginette-collazo/

10/05/2023

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30 min
22/05/2025

Heroic battles and horrific Russian war crimes - What happened in the first month of the war as Ukrainians defended Kyiv Part 2

This is Part 2 of my interview with Svit, where we dive into exactly what happened in Bucha and Irpin—and uncover the real story behind the Ghost of Kyiv. If you haven’t already, make sure to listen to Part 1, where we explore the critical battles just north of Kyiv that helped save the city—and the country—during those pivotal early hours and days of the invasion. You can find more information about the live tour here - https://capitaltourskiev.com/ or on IG here - https://www.instagram.com/capital_tours_kiev/ Please also consider contributing to Svit's close friends fighting at the front doing artillery reconnaissance. You can send via PayPal directly here - cawkoo@gmail.com. Their platoon was just awarded a medal from President Zelenskyi! To learn more, visit: https://ubn.network/ Listen to more episodes on Mission Matters: https://missionmatters.com/author/Mark-McNamee/ To learn more, visit: https://ubn.network/ Listen to more episodes on Mission Matters: https://missionmatters.com/author/Mark-McNamee/

22/05/2025

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28 min
05/06/2025

What about Ukraine's domestic defense production? A chat with Ukraine's head of the Defense Procurement Agency (DPA)

There's alot of talk about Western military support to Ukraine, but what about Ukraine's own capabilities? To discuss that, I had on the show Arsen Zhumadilov, the head of the Defense Procurement Agency. Arsen discussed some critical developments in Ukraine's ability to defend itself - with a particular focus on drones - while focusing on how the process works in terms of getting Ukrainian-produced military equipment from the producers to the appropriate brigade at the front. We also talked about the latest procurement innovation in the DOT-Chain Defense, which serves almost as an Amazon marketplace for brigades seeking drones for the fight. Arsen Zhumadilov, In March 2025, he was appointed Director of the Defense Procurement Agency, and on May 2, 2025, he was appointed Chairman of the Commission for the Reorganization of the State Logistics Operator. Public administrator, Crimean Tatar public figure, senior lecturer at the Department of Political Science at the National University of Kyiv-Mohyla Academy. He has extensive experience in building state institutions and reforming public procurement. In April 2023, he headed the defense procurement reform team within the Office of Change Support at the Ministry of Defense of Ukraine. From 2019 to 2023, he served as Director General of the State Enterprise Medical Procurement of Ukraine. From October 2023 to March 2024, he headed the State Enterprise “State Logistics Operator”. Arsen has several higher education degrees. He graduated from Taras Shevchenko National University of Kyiv with a Master of Laws and a Master of Political Science. He holds a Master’s degree in Public Administration and Management from the London School of Economics (UK). He also holds an Executive MBA from Kyiv Mohyla Business School. To learn more, visit: https://ubn.network/ Listen to more episodes on Mission Matters: https://missionmatters.com/author/Mark-McNamee/

05/06/2025

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30 min
29/01/2025

AI Meets Loan Trading: How Language Models Are Creating Near-Perfect Matches for Buyers and Sellers with Ofer Shapira

Discover how former bankruptcy attorney, Ofer Shapira, is revolutionizing the loan trading industry with a groundbreaking AI-driven platform. Join us as we uncover the journey that led Ofer from the legal field to becoming a tech innovator, focused on transforming the way loan portfolios, including distressed and illiquid assets, are traded. We're unpacking the platform's unmatched ability to automate transactions, provide pricing benchmarks, and vet trading partners - all while safeguarding seller privacy. Explore the world of loan trading through the lens of language models and their potential to enhance the industry's matchmaking process. Imagine a scenario where buyer frustrations with varying preferences are minimized through AI models that capture nuanced details, akin to a dating app for investors. While these models aren't flawless, they present a significant opportunity to improve the traditional brokering process, offering a human-like engagement that aligns with business goals, streamlining the market for better efficiencies. We'll also delve into the broader implications of global power shifts and geopolitical risks, exploring how these dynamics affect economies and financial products. Ofer shares predictions on emerging alliances and the interconnectedness of global events, highlighting the importance of staying vigilant in a rapidly changing landscape. Connect further with Ofer Shapira at LinkedIn https://www.linkedin.com/in/ofer-shapira/ or https://www.soteriamarket.com. Unlock elite low risk investment opportunities tailored to your priorities. Let our expert team maximize your returns while you focus on what matters most. Join our family of successful investors creating a lasting legacy of financial wealth and community impact together. Start or elevate your portfolio today. Email bill@firstliencapital.com or go to https://www.firstliencapital.com to invest with us. To learn more, visit: https://billbymel.com/ Listen to more episodes on Mission Matters: https://missionmatters.com/author/bill-bymel/

29/01/2025

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28 min
24/10/2024

Labor Market Data, What It Is and Why It Matters

Today I talked to Andrew Crapuchettes about employee recruitment, nurturing and development. We also delve into labor market data, what it is and why it matters in today's highly competitive workforce market. Andrew is a pioneer in the labor market data and analytics industry, and he is the visionary behind RedBalloon. Mr. Crapuchettes began his career as a young Silicon Valley entrepreneur, building business process automation and selling 3D modeling software. In 2001, Mr. Crapuchettes became a founding member and later CEO of Emsi (now Lightcast), which he transformed from a little-known consulting company of three employees to an international economic data firm with over 250 employees worldwide. Mr. Crapuchettes not only pioneered the operational tenets that rocketed Emsi to success, but led the company through four successful transitions to two private equity firms, a strategic buyer, and a national non-profit, with each transition producing significant returns for the investors. Mr. Crapuchettes has also contributed his talents to numerous other companies, some of which have led to additional strategic and MBO exits. He has taught graduate-level classes on 3D modeling and software architecture, and has served on the board of multiple non-profit organizations. He and his wife live in Idaho with their five children. To learn more, visit: https://www.linkedin.com/in/donald-booth-25b9288b Listen to more episodes on Mission Matters: https://missionmatters.com/author/don-booth

24/10/2024

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49 min
25/09/2024

Coffee with Bill: Billion-Dollar Dreams and Boutique Standards: How First Lien Capital Continues to Scale Without Compromise

Every morning starts with my beloved Nespresso, a ritual that has become a metaphor for the quality I strive to maintain in every aspect of my life and business. From my beginnings in the film industry to my current role in real estate investing, I've learned that prioritizing high standards of excellence over rapid expansion can lead to more meaningful successes and loyal clients. Let's discuss the complexities of balancing quality with growth in the business world and the true value of quality before quantity in building a robust and reliable business. Whether it's choosing loyalty to Olive Garden over another Italian restaurant or our unwavering dedication to managing non-performing loans (NPLs) with meticulous care, leading to resolutions three times faster than our competitors, our quality-first approach highlights expertise that only occurs through experience mastery. As CEO and Chief Investment Officer of First Lien Capital, now considering our next level scaling of our operations, we confront the ongoing challenge of upholding our high standards while aiming for profitability. Tune in to hear our journey from managing over $100 million in equity capital to contemplating billion-dollar Assets Under Management, all while standing strong in our intention to maintain excellence in investment management. This episode is a deep dive into valuable lessons of the ongoing effort of balancing quality with profitability, to elevate all our personal and professional endeavors. Unlock elite low risk investment opportunities tailored to your priorities. Let our experts maximize your returns while you focus on what matters most. Join our family of successful investors and create a lasting legacy of financial wealth and community impact together. Start or elevate your portfolio today. Email bill@firstliencapital.com or go to https://www.firstliencapital.com. Stay connected with Bill Bymel and First Lien Capital: Linktree: https://linktr.ee/billbymel To learn more, visit: https://billbymel.com/ Listen to more episodes on Mission Matters: https://missionmatters.com/author/bill-bymel/

25/09/2024

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28 min

Welcome to the Mission Matters Podcast Network where we amplify stories of entrepreneurs, executives and experts.