Beyond BAFF

Baltic-American Freedom Foundation

Stories of impactful change by scientists and researchers. Change that begins with the Baltic-American Freedom Foundation, but continues to expand above any limits, industry rules, groups of people or even countries.

  1. #21 Shaping Careers, Shaping Futures with Zane Culkstena

    MAR 11

    #21 Shaping Careers, Shaping Futures with Zane Culkstena

    Meet Zane Culkstena, a Latvian researcher from the data-based career education field. Zane is the founder of ERDA, a consultancy firm that specializes in employer branding and organizational development. Her expertise has helped numerous businesses achieve their goals by developing effective strategies to attract and retain top talent. As someone with dual interests, Zane’s entrepreneurial spirit has led her to found and currently chair Kim? Contemporary Art Center, which is a nonprofit organization dedicated to promoting contemporary art in Latvia. In addition to her work in the arts, Zane also serves on the Supervisory Board of the Art Academy of Latvia, where she brings her strategic mindset and innovative approach to help shape the institution's future. In the podcast, we talk about:  What is the difference between data-based career education and traditional?How do students benefit from data-based career education?Which are the safe jobs out there?What has been Zane’s career journey like?How has an entrepreneurial itch led her to become an entrepreneur with multiple teams?What does Zane dream of?Sign up to receive occasional emails with new episodes, updates, and behind-the-scenes content from the Beyond BAFF podcast: https://mailchi.mp/balticamericanfreedomfoundation/podcast-list  Learn more about the scholarship opportunities provided by the Baltic-American Freedom Foundation to help Baltic Scientists fund their research in the United States: www.balticamericanfreedomfoundation.org Learn more about the scholarship opportunities provided by the Baltic-American Freedom Foundation to help Baltic Scientists fund their research in the United States: www.balticamericanfreedomfoundation.org

    52 min
  2. #19 Behind the Scenes of Investigative Journalism with Inga Springe

    JAN 28

    #19 Behind the Scenes of Investigative Journalism with Inga Springe

    Inga Springe is a Latvian Investigative journalist, who is also the co-founder and investigative reporter of Re:Baltica, a nonprofit Baltic Center for Investigative Journalism. It is based in Riga, but its work is cross-border on issues like RUS information operations, money laundering, etc.   In 2014, Inga Spriņge was named one of the “outstanding challengers from Central and Eastern Europe” in the project NewEurope100, supported by Google and the Financial Times. She has been the head of the Latvian Journalists Association and is co-teaching Media literacy classes. Currently, she is based for nine months in Ann Arbor, Michigan with her husband. At the podcast, we talk about:  The story of founding Re:Baltica and burning out due to poor business management.How media management training gave her a new direction and aim.What are the most applicable things she learned in the US for managing her business better?How does writing about Russian influence look like for an investigative journalist?Practical tips for fact-checking the news on social media?Personal reflections and future goals?Sign up to receive occasional emails with new episodes, updates, and behind-the-scenes content from the Beyond BAFF podcast: https://mailchi.mp/balticamericanfreedomfoundation/podcast-list  Learn more about the scholarship opportunities provided by the Baltic-American Freedom Foundation to help Baltic Scientists fund their research in the United States: www.balticamericanfreedomfoundation.org

    49 min
  3. #18 Restoring Wetlands to Climate Coolers with Kuno Kasak

    JAN 7

    #18 Restoring Wetlands to Climate Coolers with Kuno Kasak

    This Beyond BAFF podcast episode features Kuno Kasak, an Estonian environmental researcher. Kuno is a Professor in Environmental Technology at the Department of Geography, University of Tartu.  During the recording of this episode, he is actually temporarily back in the US, working at the University of California, Berkeley, as a Visiting Professor through The Fulbright Program. He is currently conducting research at the Biometeorology Lab focusing on wetlands methane flux dynamics.  Join us as we delve into the research of a prominent scientist focused on restoring damaged wetlands. We talk about the origins of his PhD studies in wastewater treatment to his current work on greenhouse gas fluxes and ecological systems, this episode explores the intricate planning, challenges, and collaborative efforts involved in wetland restoration. Learn about significant projects in California, the differences in restoration approaches across climates, the importance of community engagement, and groundbreaking findings that could shape future climate mitigation strategies.  At the podcast, we talk about:  Kuno’s background and PhD Journey Importance of wetlands in climate change Challenges and solutions in wetland restorationResearch in the US and California wetlandsScientific curiosity and career development Future of wetland research and personal insights Sign up to receive occasional emails with new episodes, updates, and behind-the-scenes content from the Beyond BAFF podcast: https://mailchi.mp/balticamericanfreedomfoundation/podcast-list  Learn more about the scholarship opportunities provided by the Baltic-American Freedom Foundation to help Baltic Scientists fund their research in the United States: www.balticamericanfreedomfoundation.org

    33 min

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Stories of impactful change by scientists and researchers. Change that begins with the Baltic-American Freedom Foundation, but continues to expand above any limits, industry rules, groups of people or even countries.