Mission Matters Network

•

Channel • 41 Shows

Society & Culture

Society & Culture

Updated weekly
Business

Business

Updated twice weekly
Business

Business

Updated weekly
Business

Business

Updated weekly
Business

Business

Updated weekly
Technology

Technology

Updated weekly
Business

Business

Updated weekly

19 MAR

Iran: What comes next and how will it impact Ukraine?

I had the great pleasure in this episode in speaking with a world-renowned expert on Iran and militant Shia groups in the Middle East - and also an old friend from my Washington DC days - Phillip Smyth, to discuss the War in Iran and where it is heading. We covered it all - what does Trump do next? What does Iran do next? Will the Houthis soon cause problems for global trade on the other side of the Arabian peninsula? What will Israel do if Trump backs off? And how do the Gulf states respond? etc. etc.We also touched upon the impact on the global economy, the impact on Ukraine from this war, and the Iranian-Russian partnership. Tune in for truly a fascinating episode. About the Guest Phillip Smyth, world-renowned expert on Shia militant groups in the Middle East, former fellow at the Washington Institute of the Near East as well as at the Atlantic Council, and currently serves on the Counterterrorism Advisory Board of Homeland Security Today. Phillip has testified at numerous Congressional Hearings related to the Middle East. To learn more, visit:https://ubn.network/ Listen to more episodes on Mission Matters:https://missionmatters.com/author/Mark-McNamee/

19 Mar

•

1hr 12min
15 JAN

No, the war was not about NATO. This and other myths of the war - a discussion with Dr. Branislav Slantchev

With so much disinformation about the war particularly at this moment, I felt it would be good to do a show on some of these lies. Although I was hoping we could delve into the many myths of this war, we ended up speaking primarily about the central myth of this war: the Russian lie that this is a defensive war in retaliation against the last 30 years of NATO expansion. Listen in to understand the numerous reasons why this is clearly a lie. I had the great pleasure speaking with Dr. Branislav Slantchev, a professor of Political Science at UC San Diego, who helped provide extensive evidence and quotes by Russian leaders themselves clearly setting the record straight and proving this is a war of Russian imperial aggression, not a defensive war against NATO. His Foreign Affairs article - https://www.foreignaffairs.com/ukraine/obstacles-diplomacy-ukraineAnd I highly recommend you follow him on X at https://x.com/slantchev About the GuestDr. Branislav Slantchev is a Professor of Political Science at the University of California San Diego. Slantchev teaches courses in international relations, national security, and game theory. To learn more, visit:https://ubn.network/ Listen to more episodes on Mission Matters:https://missionmatters.com/author/Mark-McNamee/

15 Jan

•

1hr 9min
5 MAR

Gen. David Petraeus on the War in Ukraine at its 4 year anniversary

Last week marked the 4-year anniversary of Russia’s full scale invasion of Ukraine on February 24, 2022. To mark this date, I had the great pleasure to speak with Gen. David Petraeus to do an overview of where the war is today and where it’s heading. Among other topics discussed, we focused on: Why Americans should consider Ukraine vital to US national securityHow the West/Ukraine can stop PutinThe current state of the battlefield and outlook this yearThe primary lessons Western militaries can learn from UkraineAnd lastly, are Ukrainians currently "The Greatest Generation" of America's past? About the Guest General David Petraeus, served over 37 years in the U.S. military, including command of the Surge in Iraq, command of U.S. Central Command, and command of coalition forces in Afghanistan. Following retirement from the military, Gen. Petraeus served as Director of the CIA under President Obama. He is currently a Partner at KKR. Articles by Gen. Petraeus Foreign Affairs: https://www.foreignaffairs.com/middle-east/autonomous-battlefieldNational Interest: https://nationalinterest.org/feature/for-china-the-ukraine-war-is-a-laboratory To learn more, visit:https://ubn.network/ Listen to more episodes on Mission Matters:https://missionmatters.com/author/Mark-McNamee/

5 Mar

•

40 min
25/12/2025

The Positive Economic Impact of Ukrainians Abroad - A Chat with a Former Deputy Economic Minister

Over 6 mn Ukrainians fled their homeland after the full-scale invasion and have since settled abroad, mostly in Europe. In country after country, Ukrainians economic and financial contribution far outpaces the social support provided to them by those countries. To delve into this story, specifically as it pertains to the US, I had a very informative discussion with Oleksandr Romanishyn, a former Deputy Minister of Economy and current head of the think tank ISE group. He launched an Impact Study into Ukrainians' contribution to the US economy, which is far more substantial than I possibly could have imagined. Oleksandr Romanyshin is a policymaker and economist, having served as Deputy Minister of Economy of Ukraine (2020-2021). He is currently a Board Member of ISE Group and an Advisor to the Ukrainian American Chamber of Commerce and Industry (UACCI). With over 15 years of experience spanning government, IFIs, and corporate finance, he has contributed to Ukraine’s post-war recovery strategy, including inputs to the European Commission’s €50 billion Ukraine Facility. He was engaged in M&A and corporate finance in such companies as EY, Volwest Group, and Midland Group. He was the head of the World Bank's private sector development project in Ukraine. Beyond that, Oleksandr has published critical work on disinformation, the state of Ukraine's energy infrastructure, and local governance - all of which we discussed in the podcast. Links as noted in the podcast:Impact Study: https://ise-group.org/impact-studyPlatform UA2USA: https://ua2usa.org/ ISE's work on disinformation: https://ise-group.org/disinformationAI and disinformation policy paper: https://www.frontiersin.org/journals/artificial-intelligence/articles/10.3389/frai.2025.1569115 To learn more, visit:https://ubn.network/ Listen to more episodes on Mission Matters:https://missionmatters.com/author/Mark-McNamee/

25/12/2025

•

40 min
22 JAN

What has happened to the US?

I admit I departed from my usual more detached analytical style, and spoke a bit more from the heart in this one. Too much has happened and for too long to not do a podcast like this. Most of my adult life I have spent in Europe and so have gained a solid perspective on how Europeans and other non-Americans view the US and how these views have developed. I'm also asked routinely by friends and family back in the US how non-Americans view the US. So in this episode, motivated by Trump's threats to European and NATO democratic allies, I felt compelled to dive into these perceptions and touched upon what it means to be American. Who are we as Americans if we don't have principles and beliefs that we ascribe to? To learn more, visit:https://ubn.network/ Listen to more episodes on Mission Matters:https://missionmatters.com/author/Mark-McNamee/

22 Jan

•

29 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

•

28 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

•

28 min
12/07/2023

Unlocking the Entrepreneur Within You with Paul Thompson

Paul Thompson, Consultant, Fund Manager of One Call Capital and author of the book, ESCAPE: Money Mindset To Freedom With Stocks, Real Estate and Starting Your Own Business, has become a well-known figure in the world of real estate investing. From his own unwavering desire to escape the confines of a traditional 9-5 position and build a thriving entrepreneurial career in real estate to his unyielding determination to achieve financial freedom, Paul shares his personal experiences and invaluable insights to empower others who yearn for a similar path. Having felt the limitations of a corporate job firsthand, Paul embarked on a mission to unlock the secrets of real estate investing. His extensive knowledge and practical expertise have since made him a sought-after guest on various real estate podcasts, and he has even established his own successful podcast, Ready Investor One, where he imparts the essential mindset and mechanics required for real estate investment success and empowers individuals to achieve personal and financial freedom. Paul's commitment to helping individuals break free from the shackles of a 9-5 job led him to create the vibrant My Freedom Foundry real estate community. Within this community, he guides and supports aspiring entrepreneurs through the diverse landscape of real estate investment strategies and forging their own paths to financial success and wealth building. Drawing from his own journey, Paul specializes in assisting busy professionals who yearn to transition out of their traditional 9-5 positions and embark on an entrepreneurial path in real estate. You can connect with Paul directly on LinkedIn or reach out to him via email (the story behind his email address promises to be an intriguing tale). https://www.linkedin.com/in/paulthompson-wincoreinvest/ toolsoup@gmail.com www.pauldavidthompson.com To learn more, visit: https://billbymel.com/ Listen to more episodes on Mission Matters: https://missionmatters.com/author/bill-bymel/

12/07/2023

•

25 min
16/11/2022

Kamil Homsi Conversation about Inflation & GeoPolitics

Inflation is the Bull in a China Shop. It's known for destroying economies and creating new world orders. Kamil Homsi is a global investor with very interesting perspectives on the state of US and Global Economies as a Result of tremendous inflation figures in 2022. Kamil Homsi, Co-Founder & CEO of the GRC Investment Group in Dubai, and global entrepreneur with 35+ years of transaction-concentric experience in cross-border deal structures, public-private partnerships, alternative investments, and capital markets. To learn more, visit: https://billbymel.com/ Listen to more episodes on Mission Matters: https://missionmatters.com/author/bill-bymel/

16/11/2022

•

21 min
25/01/2023

Joe Bettag's Conservative Approach to High-Risk Real Estate Investments

With four decades of experience in the distressed real estate space including commercial developments, apartments, and condo conversions, Joe Bettag, Broker/Owner of Coastal Properties established in 1991 and located in Jupiter, Florida, manages REO’s on behalf of Fannie Mae, VA and private equity. As a true leader in the industry, Joe has been a top performing REO Sales Manager for a NYSE listed company managing large REO portfolios and a partner in a private equity group acquiring, managing, and selling non-performing loans and REO’s. Connect further with Joe and get information on his new fund at www.coastalpropertiesflorida.com To learn more, visit: https://billbymel.com/ Listen to more episodes on Mission Matters: https://missionmatters.com/author/bill-bymel/

25/01/2023

•

41 min

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

Website

Mission Matters Network

Top Shows

Top Episodes

About