World Lens by WTCI

World Trade Center Institute
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Join the World Trade Center Institute and our network of more than 3,500 companies and hundreds of nonprofits, academic institutions, and government agencies every other week for unique insights straight from the experts. Host Michelle Evans is joined by a rotating crop of guests to discuss what’s happening. One week you might learn about the latest elections around the globe, and another might take you inside the succession planning of a small business.

  1. 3D AGO

    China’s Managed Meltdown: GDP Targets vs. Economic Reality

    While Beijing celebrates hitting a 5% GDP growth target, the view from the ground tells a story of systemic fracture. In this episode, Michelle Evans sits down with risk advisory expert Bruce McIndoe to go beyond the headlines and examine the "new normal" for the world’s second-largest economy.   Whether you are a global investor or a business leader, this episode offers a sobering look at how China is preparing for a future defined by a shrinking workforce and a "brain drain" of its most educated talent.

    24 min

  2. FEB 2

    Beyond the Runway: Shannetta Griffin on Engineering BWI's Next Chapter

    Shannetta Griffin didn't just become the first African American woman to lead Maryland Aviation Administration—she's redefining what a major airport can be. The former FAA Associate Administrator discusses BWI's competitive strategy in a three-airport market, navigating Southwest's 70% market share, and why the Hidden Disability Sunflower Program represents accessibility as innovation rather than compliance. From sustainable aviation fuel reality checks to the crucial difference between mentors and sponsors, Griffin reveals how 40 years of breaking barriers taught her that infrastructure isn't just about moving people—it's about transforming lives. If you think airports are just terminals and runways, this conversation will change your perspective.

    50 min

  3. JAN 19

    Venezuela Operation: Unpacking the U.S. Intervention and Its Global Ripple Effects

    WTCI board member Bruce McIndoe breaks down the January 3rd U.S. military operation in Caracas that captured President Nicolás Maduro. We examine the tactical execution, Venezuela's oil reserves and economic recovery challenges, the choice of leadership transition, and what this precedent means for international relations—from Latin American partnerships to NATO dynamics and the emerging global order.

    39 min

  4. 12/22/2025

    From Maryland to the World: TEDCO's Strategy for Economic Impact That Sticks

    Troy LeMaille-Stovall, CEO of TEDCO, joins host Michelle Evans to challenge everything we think we know about economic development. From $50 million partnerships with Taiwan and South Korea to directing 50% of investments toward historically under-invested markets, Troy reveals TEDCO's strategy for transforming Maryland's federal dependency from one of reliance to something more sustainable. Plus: the four S's of economic development, why cyber-agriculture is the next frontier, and how a digital concierge will soon guide Maryland entrepreneurs through their growth journey with 95% predictive accuracy.

    34 min

  5. 12/08/2025

    G20 Summit Insights: Key Takeaways and Observations

    When the U.S. boycotted the G20 Summit in Johannesburg, it wasn't just a diplomatic snub—it was a transfer of influence. In this episode, Michelle Evans and Bruce McIndoe break down how Trump's absence has handed the Global South the opportunity to shape the global agenda, why South African President Ramaphosa's refusal to hand the gavel to a junior diplomat signals a new era of middle-power assertiveness, and what it means when BRICS expands. From debt restructuring promises to de-dollarization strategies, this conversation explores whether we're witnessing a temporary power vacuum or the emergence of parallel governance structures.

    31 min

  6. 11/24/2025

    Terminal Corp's Century of Moving What Matters

    WTCI member Pete Menzies, President of The Terminal Corporation, joins host Michelle Evans to unpack what it takes to run a multigenerational logistics powerhouse in Baltimore. From weathering the Key Bridge collapse to navigating tariff turbulence, Pete reveals how family-owned flexibility outperforms corporate rigidity, which tech innovations have actually delivered (and which were all hype), and why the Howard Street Tunnel project is poised to reshape the Port of Baltimore.

    16 min

  7. 11/11/2025

    The Great Climate Retreat: COP30 and Who’s Still Fighting For Our Future

    With Europe pulling back and the US preparing to exit the Paris Agreement for a second time, COP30 meets in Brazil as global climate goals face a serious reality check. Michelle Evans and Bruce McIndoe examine who's actually leading on climate now that usual powerhouses are stepping away, and what happens as the 1.5°C target moves out of reach. We'll explore how AI's massive energy appetite conflicts with climate commitments, why the insurance crisis is reshaping coastal markets, and whether we're witnessing a temporary setback or a permanent shift in how the world approaches climate action.

    34 min

  8. 10/20/2025

    The High-Stakes Race for AI Supremacy

    In this Season 3 opener of The World Lens, Michelle and Bruce explore the high-stakes global competition for AI supremacy and the tiny chips that power it all. From U.S. export bans to China’s counterstrategies, from “chip diplomacy” to rare earth dominance, they explore how semiconductors have become the new currency of power. As the U.S. and China vie for control of the AI future, the conversation delves into what’s truly at stake: economic might, national security, and the global talent race that could determine who leads the next tech revolution.

    28 min
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Trailer

About

Join the World Trade Center Institute and our network of more than 3,500 companies and hundreds of nonprofits, academic institutions, and government agencies every other week for unique insights straight from the experts. Host Michelle Evans is joined by a rotating crop of guests to discuss what’s happening. One week you might learn about the latest elections around the globe, and another might take you inside the succession planning of a small business.

Information

  • Creator
    World Trade Center Institute
  • Years Active
    2024 - 2026
  • Episodes
    46
  • Rating
    Clean
  • Copyright
    © World Trade Center Institute
  • Show Website
    World Lens by WTCI