No business will be impacted in 2025 as much as cryptocurrency. President Trump's executive order concerning crypto encompasses several key points aimed at promoting growth.

But what do individuals and businesses need to know about the world of crypto? Where are the financial risks and benefits? How can brands harness blockchain technology to enhance their relationship with consumers?

In this episode, Mark Beckman discusses the evolving landscape of cryptocurrency with Nicholas Lyons, founder of Verus. They delve into President Trump's executive order on crypto, its implications for 2025, and the critical role of blockchain technology for brands.

The conversation covers the different eras of cryptocurrency, the importance of stablecoins, and the potential regulatory changes under the new administration. They also explore the intersection of AI and crypto, the role of meme coins, and how geopolitical dynamics might shift in this new era. Elon Musk's influence on meme culture and his role in the crypto market is also highlighted, along with the broader impact on the financial systems and consumer markets.

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Episode Links:
Nicholas on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/nicholas-lyons-20015230/

Verus: https://verus.io/

Valu.Earth: https://valu.earth/

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John Perkins is the economic hitman. A conman. Perkins arranged meetings with world leaders specifically to create debt traps. Death economies. When the world leaders failed to comply, it was made clear that Perkins had serious force behind him. He calls them his jackals: the CIA.

John Perkins was a chief economist who leveraged the World Bank, the United Nations, and the IMF to extract valuable resources around the globe in regions like the Middle East and South America. His actions expanded wealth inequality. And as a result, there was an assassination attempt on Jon's life.

The United States has been exploiting various regions of the world for decades. Now China is following and setting debt traps across Africa, the Middle East, Russia, and beyond.

In this episode, Marc dives deep into the life and experiences of John Perkins, the renowned author of Confessions of an Economic Hitman. John shares his eye-opening journey as a former chief economist and self-described "economic hitman," revealing how he orchestrated debt traps to exploit nations globally. From negotiating billion-dollar deals to witnessing the devastating consequences of these actions, Perkins paints a haunting picture of the "death economy" and its enduring legacy.

The conversation also explores China's adoption of similar strategies, modern-day debt traps, and the technological evolution of economic warfare, including AI and drones. Perkins introduces his transformative vision of a "life economy," offering hope for a sustainable and equitable future.

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Episode Links:
Website: https://johnperkins.org/
John on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/jperkinsauthor/#
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/johnperkinsauthor?_rdr
X: https://x.com/jperkinsauthor

Books:
Confessions of an Economic Hitman
The Secret History of the American Empire
Touching the Jaguar

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Will Gucci take off? Is Hermes dead in its tracks? Artificial intelligence is a superpower that will launch the luxury sector into the stratosphere, but only for brands wise enough to embrace the new technology now.

David Klingbeil is the founder and CEO of Submarine.ai and a professor at New York University who specializes in the luxury sector. Who better to break down the opportunities and threats which exist perfectly at the intersection of AI and luxury than David? Nobody!

On this episode, Mr. Klingbeil weighs in on how AI will transform the relationship between luxury houses and consumers vis-a-vis new hardware, AI-augmented storytelling, fashion robots, and of course - they gotta pay! - cryptocurrency.

Klingbeil highlights the potential for AI to revolutionize how luxury brands identify trends, create content, and improve customer service, while also addressing the challenges and risks associated with AI adoption.

The episode offers a deep dive into the intersection of technology and luxury, featuring real-world examples and future predictions.

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Episode Links:
David on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/davidklingbeil
Twitter: https://x.com/DAKlingbeil

Website: https://submarine.ai/

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Artificial intelligence is changing the relationship between brands and consumers. And of course, as CPG and retail brands do everything possible to unlock more value, AI has become a new tool for CMOs. Accenture's Managing Director and Partner, Karen Fang Grant, joined me to share her perspective on new AI trends, market disruptors, and the reinvention of retail experiences.

If you are a chief marketing officer and seeking information about how best to leverage AI in 2025, you're in the right place! Karen's in-depth knowledge and personal obsession surrounding consumer products and retail is unparalleled. She loves L'Oreal.

On this episode, Karen and I discuss AI's impact on marketing, content creation, the value chain, personalized shopping experiences, customer privacy, data security, and even the drawbacks of artificial intelligence.

The discussion delves into new AI trends, the influence of AI on content creation, personalized shopping experiences, customer privacy, and data security. Karen shares her insights on the evolving role of brands in an AI-driven world, the transformation of marketing strategies, and the potential for AI to redefine consumer trust and loyalty.

The conversation also covers the implications of AI for job displacement and the importance of maintaining human creativity and authenticity in brand communication.

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Sign up for the Some Future Day Newsletter here: https://marcbeckman.substack.com/

Episode Links:
Karen on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/karen-fang-grant

Twitter: https://x.com/KarenFangGrant

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We have entered a post-nuclear warfare period because of AI. When it comes to offensive capability, AI creates new weapons of war, with the biggest being drones. Most of us are aware of how drones are currently used on the battlefield: a lone human operator drives a drone into enemy territory for the purpose of gathering intelligence or to drop a very limited ordnance, like a single grenade, onto the enemy. Indeed, we have seen this repeatedly in the war between Russia and Ukraine.

However, military futurists are already homing in on the capability of drones to be bolstered to a staggering degree when AI is introduced into the mix. The most talked about is the ability of large groups of drones to create drone swarms. These very large groups of drones would be able to launch coordinated attacks that would overwhelm enemy defenses.

In this episode, host Mark Beckman interviews Aviv Shapira, CEO and founder of XTEND, a leading company in AI-powered autonomy and tactical drone solutions. They discuss the transformative role of artificial intelligence in post-nuclear warfare, focusing on the evolution of drone technology and its applications in military, public safety, and search and rescue missions. Aviv shares insights on the future of warfare, the ethical implications of AI in decision-making, and the company’s contributions to the U.S. Department of Defense.

The conversation also delves into Aviv’s entrepreneurial journey, balancing innovation with ethical considerations, and the potential global impact of autonomous systems on security and defense.

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Episode Links:
Aviv Shapira on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/aviv-shapira/?originalSubdomain=il

XTEND: https://www.xtend.me/

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“For the survivor who chooses to testify, it is clear: his duty is to bear witness for the dead and for the living. He has no right to deprive future generations of a past that belongs to our collective memory. To forget would be not only dangerous, but offensive.” These are the immortal words of Holocaust survivor Elie Wiesel.

You are about to hear the enduring words of Aviva Siegel. Aviva was a hostage in Gaza. Aviva's husband, Keith Siegel, is still a hostage in Gaza. At six in the morning on October 7th, fifteen terrorists shot their way into Aviva and Keith's home. Aviva's primal scream reached the heavens. The terrorists shot Keith, and they broke his rib.

Soon thereafter Aviva and Keith, still in their pajamas, were forced at gunpoint to enter their own car. The kidnappers drove to Gaza where more terrorists, people with sticks, mothers, children, and even elders and babies lined the streets, anxiously awaiting the arrival of the Jews from the nearby kibbutz, who were immediately forced underground, into dark tunnels, into captivity.

And since then, for more than 440 days, Keith has been trapped, numbed, beaten, starved, tortured, asphyxiated, drained, psychologically battered, and the inexhaustible list of atrocities continues.

In this episode, Aviva Siegel shares her harrowing experience of being held hostage in Gaza by Hamas. She recounts the traumatic events that began on October 7th, when terrorists invaded her home, shot her husband Keith, and took them both captives.

Aviva details the ordeal of being moved between multiple locations, subjected to brutal treatment, and the continuous fear and uncertainty they faced. She speaks about the deep love for her husband and her relentless hope for his return, as well as her belief in the power of love and humanity despite the atrocities she witnessed.

The episode also delves into her life before the kidnapping and her dedication to teaching young children. Calling for unity and compassion, Aviva voices a heartfelt plea for peace and the return of all hostages.

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Episode Links:
Bring them home now: https://stories.bringthemhomenow.net/

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I had the honor of meeting Ambassador John Rakolta, Jr. this past summer in New York City. His name may not sound familiar, but John is a serious visionary who currently serves as chairman of Walbridge, a $6.5 billion construction firm based in Detroit, Michigan. Founded in 1916, Walbridge boasts being one of America's largest contractors with deep roots tied to building automotive and manufacturing facilities. Impressively, John predicted the importance of technology in American commerce and steered Walbridge into the future.

Today, Walbridge is a leader in building electric vehicle facilities and hyperscale data centers. But here's where it gets interesting: Mr. Rakolta served as the United States Ambassador to the United Arab Emirates and played a lead role in architecting the Abraham Accords between the UAE and Israel. Since then, the Middle East has been literally on fire.

On this episode, Ambassador Rakolta provides an in-depth analysis of the Middle East and shares for the first time how the Abraham Accords were established, how they have been effective, and what's next in the region. Ambassador Rakolta also shares his insights on effective leadership, his personal work ethic, and reflections on the current state and future prospects of peace in the region.

The episode concludes with thoughts on national security and the importance of bringing manufacturing back to the United States.

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Episode Links:
Amb. John Rakolta Jr.: https://www.linkedin.com/in/amb-john-rakolta-jr-ret-9883507/
Walbridge: https://www.walbridge.com/people/john-rakolta-jr/

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The bravest person on the planet is Iranian. Her name is Ahoo Daryaei. Ahoo is a student who stripped to her underwear on the streets of Iran after the Iranian morality police accosted her for not wearing a hijab. There is an honorific title for this kind of Iranian woman: shirzan. Ahoo is shirzan: a lioness; a woman who protects herself, her family, friends, community, and country at all costs.

Shirzan.

Iran has many shirzans, including my guest, Nazee Moinian. Nazee was born in Iran but fled with her family for freedom. She holds a PhD in Iranian studies with a sharp understanding of the nation's rich, rich history, plus its modern-day leaders from the Shah through the Ayatollah Khomeini. Nazee currently serves as a fellow at the Middle East Institute, speaks five languages, and hosts various think tanks on this subject matter.

Could a feminist uprising topple Iran's theocracy? Is the Iranian regime on the verge of collapsing?

In this episode of Some Future Day, host Marc Beckman sits down with Nazee Moinian, an insightful voice on Iranian culture, history, and geopolitics. Nazee takes us on a journey through the vibrant and transformative years of 1960s and 70s Iran, recounting the country's progress under the Shah's modernization efforts and its dramatic shift following the Islamic Revolution.

Delving into her personal experiences growing up in Iran, Nazee reflects on the socio-cultural evolution of the nation, the role of women as fearless change agents, and the historic bond between Iran and Israel. The conversation explores the complexities of Iran’s current regime, its foreign policies, and the ongoing resistance led by courageous Iranian women.

With historical depth and poignant storytelling, this episode highlights the resilience of a people yearning for freedom and the potential for a brighter future. Tune in for a riveting discussion on leadership, cultural transformation, and the enduring power of hope.

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Episode Links:
Nazee on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/nazeemahnazmoinian

Nazee on Twitter: https://x.com/nazeemoinian?lang=en

Jpost Article: https://www.jpost.com/opinion/article-820947

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