Jeff DeBoer

Sharon Wilson

Jeff DeBoer & Sharon Wilson Géno

John Burke

John Burke, President of Trek Bikes

Stephen Sullivan

Stephen Sullivan, Founder and CEO of Stio

Michael Arougheti, Director, Co-Founder, Chief Executive Officer, and President of Ares Management

Robert Glazer

When it comes to helping your people, teams, and organization reach their full potential, Robert Glazer’s insight is unmatched. He is the Founder and Chairman of award-winning global partner marketing agency, Acceleration Partners, a global keynote speaker who has spoken on the TEDx stage, host of the Elevate Podcast, and #1 Wall Street Journal bestselling author. On the latest Walker Webcast, he joined Willy to discuss his recent book, Elevate Your Team: Empower Your Team to Reach Their Full Potential and Build a Business that Builds Leaders, how to build lasting organizations, the importance of investing in your people, creating a psychologically safe workplace, and so much more.

When it comes to helping your people, teams, and organization reach their full potential, Robert Glazer’s insight is unmatched. He is the Founder and Chairman of award-winning global partner marketing agency, Acceleration Partners, a global keynote speaker who has spoken on the TEDx stage, host of the Elevate Podcast, and #1 Wall Street Journal bestselling author. On the latest Walker Webcast, he joined Willy to discuss his recent book, Elevate Your Team: Empower Your Team to Reach Their Full Potential and Build a Business that Builds Leaders, how to build lasting organizations, the importance of investing in your people, creating a psychologically safe workplace, and so much more.

Robert Glazer, Founder and CEO of Acceleration Partners

Frances Frei

Our latest webcast guest advises senior executives on organizational and cultural changes and has transformed companies including Uber and WeWork into healthy, inclusive spaces.  Willy was joined by Frances Frei, Professor of Technology and Operations Management at Harvard Business School. They discussed secrets to creating organizational excellence, the key to successful leadership, concepts from her new book, Move Fast and Fix Things: The Trusted Leader’s Guide to Solving Hard Problems and Accelerating Change, the importance of inclusion in the workplace, and much more.

Our latest webcast guest advises senior executives on organizational and cultural changes and has transformed companies including Uber and WeWork into healthy, inclusive spaces. Willy was joined by Frances Frei, Professor of Technology and Operations Management at Harvard Business School. They discussed secrets to creating organizational excellence, the key to successful leadership, concepts from her new book, Move Fast and Fix Things: The Trusted Leader’s Guide to Solving Hard Problems and Accelerating Change, the importance of inclusion in the workplace, and much more.

Frances Frei, Professor at Harvard Business School

Chris Lee

Chris Lee, KKR on CRE investing

Phil Washington, CEO of Denver International Airport

Katherine Gehl

Katherine Gehl, Business Leader & Activist

Peter Linneman

Dr. Peter Linneman joined Willy for another hour of insight. He shared his thoughts on the Fed, inflation, rising rates, the potential recession, and asset class performance, as well as predictions for the future.

Dr. Peter Linneman, Leading Economist and Professional Emeritus

Bringing you fresh perspectives beyond commercial real estate from the popular Walker Webcast series. Walker &amp; Dunlop CEO Willy Walker taps into a diverse network of leaders to share wisdom that cuts across industry lines.  His guests are experts in their fields – from leading economists and CEOs to Harvard and Yale professors, and everything in between.  Our one goal is simple: providing our listeners with unique insights, unparalleled data, and real-time market analyses.

Julia Boorstin

Julia Boorstin, CNBC's Senior Media & Tech Correspondent

Chris Davenport

Willy welcomes Chris Davenport. He is a two-time World Champion skier, being the first person to ski all 54 of Colorado’s 14,000-foot peaks in less than a year. With numerous first descents of peaks worldwide under his belt, including Mt. Everest, he has been credited in over 30 ski films by Warren Miller and Matchstick Productions. He has authored books about the North American mountains, such as Ski The 14ers and 50 Classic Ski Descents of North America. Recently named one of ESPN’s 10 Greatest American Freeskiers of All Time, he is the Director of the nonprofit Protect Our Winters and the Senior Director of Skiing Innovation of Peak Ski Company.

Chris Davenport, Extreme Skiing Champion

Richard Baker

Willy welcomes Richard Baker. Baker is currently the governor, CEO, and executive chairman of Hudson’s Bay Company (HBC), and is also the owner of National Realty and Development Corp (NRDC). In 2006, he acquired Lord &amp; Taylor for $1.2 billion and served as its Chairman. He purchased Hudson’s Bay in 2006 and took the company public in 2012, getting it listed on the Toronto Stock Exchange.The show starts with Richard emphasizing that “We’re all born with what we’re born with,” pointing out his innate ability to see things differently from a young age and his drive to go a different route. He believes that we need to maximize our strengths to build our self-confidence. Having studied hospitality at Cornell University, he thinks hospitality applies to all fields. As a natural people-pleaser, he aimed to change how real estate developers do business by focusing on customer service. Although his plans to acquire Toys R’ Us fell through, he created NRDC. Being in the game got him the Lord &amp; Taylor acquisition. “If you’re always hanging out by the hoop and playing the game, then you’ll make your share of baskets,” he says. He states that “We’re not investors, we’re value creators,” using intellectual leverage as a tool. The financial crisis only led him to pivot and maneuver in the right direction. Richard spotted an opportunity in Canada to turn it into a credit landscape, buying Hudson’s Bay despite initial detractors. His previous knowledge of running a department store made it easier for him to make a choice and operate the company.

Willy welcomes Richard Baker. Baker is currently the governor, CEO, and executive chairman of Hudson’s Bay Company (HBC), and is also the owner of National Realty and Development Corp (NRDC). In 2006, he acquired Lord &amp; Taylor for $1.2 billion and served as its Chairman. He purchased Hudson’s Bay in 2006 and took the company public in 2012, getting it listed on the Toronto Stock Exchange. The show starts with Richard emphasizing that “We’re all born with what we’re born with,” pointing out his innate ability to see things differently from a young age and his drive to go a different route. He believes that we need to maximize our strengths to build our self-confidence. Having studied hospitality at Cornell University, he thinks hospitality applies to all fields. As a natural people-pleaser, he aimed to change how real estate developers do business by focusing on customer service. Although his plans to acquire Toys R’ Us fell through, he created NRDC. Being in the game got him the Lord &amp; Taylor acquisition. “If you’re always hanging out by the hoop and playing the game, then you’ll make your share of baskets,” he says. He states that “We’re not investors, we’re value creators,” using intellectual leverage as a tool. The financial crisis only led him to pivot and maneuver in the right direction. Richard spotted an opportunity in Canada to turn it into a credit landscape, buying Hudson’s Bay despite initial detractors. His previous knowledge of running a department store made it easier for him to make a choice and operate the company.

Richard Baker, Governor, CEO, and executive chairman of Hudson’s Bay Company

Albert Ratner

Former CEO of Forest City Realty Trust, Albert Ratner and Economist Dr. Peter Linneman

Tommy Thompson

Tommy Thompson, Former Governor of Wisconsin

Willy welcomes Kris Mikkelsen, Ivy Zelman, and Aaron Appel. Kris Mikkelsen is the Executive Vice President of Walker &amp; Dunlop Investment Sales and is responsible for the origination and execution of investment sales and equity capital raise for multifamily assets focusing on the Southeastern markets. Ivy Zelman is the Executive Vice President of Walker &amp; Dunlop Research and Securities. She is also the CEO of Zelman &amp; Associates, a leading housing research and investment banking firm acquired by Walker &amp; Dunlop in 2021. Aaron Appel is the Senior Managing Director of Capital Markets at Walker &amp; Dunlop. He focuses on sourcing and structuring financing for all commercial real estate asset classes nationally.The episode starts with Ivy stating that the overall underwriting has significantly changed in terms of stringency and more conservative rent assumptions due to the uncertainty of capital cost. Kris explains that negative sentiment shows across the board because of the low supply index. A hawkish stance remains unless employment figures hike up. According to Aaron, core and value-add multifamily assets have liquidity but cost more. Less is needed to pay for the asset if borrowing costs increase substantially. Talking about his recent bridge loan, Aaron mentioned a good spread for the lender in loan value versus loan amount. Ivy adds that overall rent growth is holding up at levels of renewal basis; however, renewals will be stickier. Her forecast for rent growth is above 4.5% and moderation to 2%. The data is much more optimistic compared to new move-in rates. She also describes how more competition, such as in the supply from build-for-rent (BFR) operators or investors selling single-family rentals (SFR), is expected in 2023 and puts more pressure on decelerating rents. Affordability is also a factor for for-sale builders to turn to the rental market and sell units on a scattered basis.Although there are many construction loans in the market right now, Aaron believes getting them capitalized is challenging. He predicts a decrease in leverage of 10-15% and an increase in the cost of funds by 500 basis points. Inflation is a huge factor in the disinterest in these loans. Kris shares how this makes it difficult to predict numbers and adds that able-to sellers are currently clearing the market. Instead of finding buyers and committing to six-month deals, merchants now have to de-risk the rent roll. He also explains how they are currently transacting exclusively with closed-end vehicles not subject to quarterly markets or operating with separate account capital. He says that keeping sale activity to create liquidity and fund redemptions is the responsible thing to do. Aaron chimes in about how commercial real estate is a fantastic hedge against inflation, but with the swiftness of rate increases, it will undergo a reevaluation period of assets. When it comes to inflation, “the smaller the builder, the less likely they’ll see relief,” Ivy says.

Willy welcomes Kris Mikkelsen, Ivy Zelman, and Aaron Appel. Kris Mikkelsen is the Executive Vice President of Walker &amp; Dunlop Investment Sales and is responsible for the origination and execution of investment sales and equity capital raise for multifamily assets focusing on the Southeastern markets. Ivy Zelman is the Executive Vice President of Walker &amp; Dunlop Research and Securities. She is also the CEO of Zelman &amp; Associates, a leading housing research and investment banking firm acquired by Walker &amp; Dunlop in 2021. Aaron Appel is the Senior Managing Director of Capital Markets at Walker &amp; Dunlop. He focuses on sourcing and structuring financing for all commercial real estate asset classes nationally. The episode starts with Ivy stating that the overall underwriting has significantly changed in terms of stringency and more conservative rent assumptions due to the uncertainty of capital cost. Kris explains that negative sentiment shows across the board because of the low supply index. A hawkish stance remains unless employment figures hike up. According to Aaron, core and value-add multifamily assets have liquidity but cost more. Less is needed to pay for the asset if borrowing costs increase substantially. Talking about his recent bridge loan, Aaron mentioned a good spread for the lender in loan value versus loan amount. Ivy adds that overall rent growth is holding up at levels of renewal basis; however, renewals will be stickier. Her forecast for rent growth is above 4.5% and moderation to 2%. The data is much more optimistic compared to new move-in rates. She also describes how more competition, such as in the supply from build-for-rent (BFR) operators or investors selling single-family rentals (SFR), is expected in 2023 and puts more pressure on decelerating rents. Affordability is also a factor for for-sale builders to turn to the rental market and sell units on a scattered basis. Although there are many construction loans in the market right now, Aaron believes getting them capitalized is challenging. He predicts a decrease in leverage of 10-15% and an increase in the cost of funds by 500 basis points. Inflation is a huge factor in the disinterest in these loans. Kris shares how this makes it difficult to predict numbers and adds that able-to sellers are currently clearing the market. Instead of finding buyers and committing to six-month deals, merchants now have to de-risk the rent roll. He also explains how they are currently transacting exclusively with closed-end vehicles not subject to quarterly markets or operating with separate account capital. He says that keeping sale activity to create liquidity and fund redemptions is the responsible thing to do. Aaron chimes in about how commercial real estate is a fantastic hedge against inflation, but with the swiftness of rate increases, it will undergo a reevaluation period of assets. When it comes to inflation, “the smaller the builder, the less likely they’ll see relief,” Ivy says.

State of CRE with Kris Mikkelsen, EVP of Investment Sales, Aaron Appel, SMD of Capital Markets, and Ivy Zelman, EVP of Research & Securities

Russell Reynolds

Willy welcomes Clarke Murphy. He is the Board and CEO Leadership Advisor at Russell Reynolds Associates. He leverages 30 years of experience in the executive recruiting industry to advise on critical leadership mandates across sectors. He has provided leadership advisory services to corporations, such as Duke Energy, Deutsche Bank, and Siemens. Before joining Russell Reynolds, he was a banking officer at Manufacturers Hanover Trust Company. He hosts the Redefiners podcast, interviewing daring leaders who have transformed their organizations and created extraordinary impact.Clarke Murphy begins by talking about the smooth and textbook leadership transition in Russell Reynolds, the ideal number of board members, and the biggest benefit to running a public company – a strong focus on the client. The popularity of LinkedIn did not kill off the executive search firm because Clarke believes that posting resumes isn’t recruitment and that the website is more of a career development community. With Russell Reynolds, Clarke chose to focus on advising and recruiting board members, CEOs, and C-suite candidates, concentrating on board effectiveness and leadership development. The company has also worked closely with LinkedIn, testing new products and services and leveraging each other’s communities. Clarke explains how CEO academies should be transparent to their participants that they are investing time and money in them. He was anxious that the pandemic would encourage cost-cutting and layoffs due to not being able to afford to keep their employees. However, he believes that the best companies in the world retain their best people longer than their competitors. Currently, talent wins because of the abundance of cash, resulting in the nature of a leader significantly changing in the past 20 years. “Leadership is no longer about leading. It’s about creating followership,” he says. He thinks young people are thirsty for knowledge and improvement and will stay if you assure them that they’re on a winning team. Clarke enjoys sailing and retells his near-death experience of mistaking a 40-foot steel barnacle-covered container for a whale. However, his cautious and quick-thinking skills saved him and his crew. He explains how successful leaders all had sustainability mindsets with the four competencies: multi-level system thinking, stakeholder inclusion, disruptive innovation, and long-term activation. They also achieved a balance of people, the planet, and profit.

Willy welcomes Clarke Murphy. He is the Board and CEO Leadership Advisor at Russell Reynolds Associates. He leverages 30 years of experience in the executive recruiting industry to advise on critical leadership mandates across sectors. He has provided leadership advisory services to corporations, such as Duke Energy, Deutsche Bank, and Siemens. Before joining Russell Reynolds, he was a banking officer at Manufacturers Hanover Trust Company. He hosts the Redefiners podcast, interviewing daring leaders who have transformed their organizations and created extraordinary impact. Clarke Murphy begins by talking about the smooth and textbook leadership transition in Russell Reynolds, the ideal number of board members, and the biggest benefit to running a public company – a strong focus on the client. The popularity of LinkedIn did not kill off the executive search firm because Clarke believes that posting resumes isn’t recruitment and that the website is more of a career development community. With Russell Reynolds, Clarke chose to focus on advising and recruiting board members, CEOs, and C-suite candidates, concentrating on board effectiveness and leadership development. The company has also worked closely with LinkedIn, testing new products and services and leveraging each other’s communities. Clarke explains how CEO academies should be transparent to their participants that they are investing time and money in them. He was anxious that the pandemic would encourage cost-cutting and layoffs due to not being able to afford to keep their employees. However, he believes that the best companies in the world retain their best people longer than their competitors. Currently, talent wins because of the abundance of cash, resulting in the nature of a leader significantly changing in the past 20 years. “Leadership is no longer about leading. It’s about creating followership,” he says. He thinks young people are thirsty for knowledge and improvement and will stay if you assure them that they’re on a winning team. Clarke enjoys sailing and retells his near-death experience of mistaking a 40-foot steel barnacle-covered container for a whale. However, his cautious and quick-thinking skills saved him and his crew. He explains how successful leaders all had sustainability mindsets with the four competencies: multi-level system thinking, stakeholder inclusion, disruptive innovation, and long-term activation. They also achieved a balance of people, the planet, and profit.

Clarke Murphy, CEO Leadership Advisor at Russell Reynolds

Bobby Turner

Willy welcomes Bobby Turner. He is the CEO and Principal of Turner Impact and has established himself as a pioneer in social impact investing. A graduate of the Wharton School at the University of Pennsylvania, he is the former Chairman, CEO, and Co-Founding Partner of Canyon Capital Realty Advisors. He has committed to offering reasonable financial returns for investors and developing opportunities for underserved communities.Bobby Turner opens the show by relating the importance of sports in becoming a successful businessman, as it teaches you how problems come quickly. He fondly remembers Baltimore, growing up with "great perspective and diversity." He believes in reigniting the American dream as the pandemic has proven our resilience but demotivated the nation, highlighting the crises in food, housing, and healthcare and the disparity of wealth and hope. He emphasizes the importance of evolving, exploring and trying new experiences, and seeing the social issues in our present world. He recalls working for his father in a footwear factory in Puerto Rico as an eye-opener. He describes the working conditions as "subhuman" and "disheartening." After speaking with fellow machine operators, he unraveled how most of them don't have other options for livelihood. He explains how most people forget their privilege and that nobody is entitled to success; thus, we must pay our luck forward. Money being the sole metric of success was an idea Bobby refused to adhere to as he delved into philanthropy and saw how organizations only provided Band-Aid answers to entrenched problems—curing these required durable, scalable, sustainable, and profitable market forces. He formed the Canyon Johnson Urban Fund with Magic Johnson in 1998, raising $5 million in two years. Fighting against arrogance and distrust, he discovered the mismatch between supply and demand in underserved communities. Operating in these areas requires a diverse perspective to understand the people.

Willy welcomes Bobby Turner. He is the CEO and Principal of Turner Impact and has established himself as a pioneer in social impact investing. A graduate of the Wharton School at the University of Pennsylvania, he is the former Chairman, CEO, and Co-Founding Partner of Canyon Capital Realty Advisors. He has committed to offering reasonable financial returns for investors and developing opportunities for underserved communities. Bobby Turner opens the show by relating the importance of sports in becoming a successful businessman, as it teaches you how problems come quickly. He fondly remembers Baltimore, growing up with "great perspective and diversity." He believes in reigniting the American dream as the pandemic has proven our resilience but demotivated the nation, highlighting the crises in food, housing, and healthcare and the disparity of wealth and hope. He emphasizes the importance of evolving, exploring and trying new experiences, and seeing the social issues in our present world. He recalls working for his father in a footwear factory in Puerto Rico as an eye-opener. He describes the working conditions as "subhuman" and "disheartening." After speaking with fellow machine operators, he unraveled how most of them don't have other options for livelihood. He explains how most people forget their privilege and that nobody is entitled to success; thus, we must pay our luck forward. Money being the sole metric of success was an idea Bobby refused to adhere to as he delved into philanthropy and saw how organizations only provided Band-Aid answers to entrenched problems—curing these required durable, scalable, sustainable, and profitable market forces. He formed the Canyon Johnson Urban Fund with Magic Johnson in 1998, raising $5 million in two years. Fighting against arrogance and distrust, he discovered the mismatch between supply and demand in underserved communities. Operating in these areas requires a diverse perspective to understand the people.

Bobby Turner, Principal and CEO, Turner Impact Capital

Larry Sabato

Willy welcomes Dr. Larry Sabato. He is a political scientist, political analyst, and the Robert Kent Gooch Professor of Politics at the University of Virginia. He is the founder and director of the university's Center for Politics, which publishes Sabato's Ball, his online newsletter where he writes electoral predictions and analysis.Dr. Larry Sabato begins by discussing remaining nonpartisan in an increasingly divisive environment. He is only interested in picking the winners and claims to have a good idea of where the upcoming results are going. He aims to get people involved and excited about politics. Research done by the Center of Politics interviewed 1,000 Donald Trump supporters and 1,000 Joe Biden supporters, which resulted in 51% of Trump supporters believing that Democratic states should secede from the union, and 42% of Biden supporters wish the same for Republican states. Nowadays, people feel strongly about their campaigns that even some Americans don't believe that Biden was legitimately elected despite zero evidence of fraud. People think they're entitled to facts and opinions in a no-facts era. Dr. Sabato calls for returning to basics and the civic education of young people. Although existing systems work, Dr. Sabato recommends voting on paper to eliminate questioning. Having computers with the Internet creates doubts and is at risk of hacking. It's difficult for a third party to emerge even though it can change political dynamics. The two major parties comprise most of Congress and wouldn't want a smaller slice of the pie. Gerrymandering is a big issue, with Democrats in Virginia making decisions that, in the end, favored Republicans. Dr. Sabato talks about open primaries where people vote for four candidates in order, and each candidate receives a certain number of votes based on how high they are ranked. This system can produce centrist results, and Dr. Sabato is open to this reform.Despite Donald Trump receiving a larger turnout than usual, Dr. Sabato still hopes more people will be voting this year. Moving on to the gubernatorial elections, he describes how "hypocrisy is the lifeblood of politics." He predicts Brian Kemp winning even without a runoff. He explains how split-ticket results are rare, as their parties determine 90% of voters. He says we shouldn't believe the Gallup polls, and split ticketing mainly happened in the 70s. An entirely Republican sweep isn't possible, one of the reasons being the overturning of Roe v. Wade. He foresees Republicans winning Oregon, Wisconsin, and Kansas. Although Massachusetts and Maryland are Republican, Dr. Sabato thinks they will lose in a landslide. He believes that Sonny Perdue leaning heavily in Trump's direction was a mistake that ended his career. He explains how the Republican party is divided into two halves: one is entirely dedicated to Trump, and the other is much more conservative than Larry Hogan. He predicts Jared Polis is not running against Biden, but reruns are possible. It's also expected that Kevin McCarthy will win as a speaker. He describes how every president will experience one or both Houses of Congress controlled by the other party, but veto power will be exercised to counter it.

Willy welcomes Dr. Larry Sabato. He is a political scientist, political analyst, and the Robert Kent Gooch Professor of Politics at the University of Virginia. He is the founder and director of the university's Center for Politics, which publishes Sabato's Ball, his online newsletter where he writes electoral predictions and analysis. Dr. Larry Sabato begins by discussing remaining nonpartisan in an increasingly divisive environment. He is only interested in picking the winners and claims to have a good idea of where the upcoming results are going. He aims to get people involved and excited about politics. Research done by the Center of Politics interviewed 1,000 Donald Trump supporters and 1,000 Joe Biden supporters, which resulted in 51% of Trump supporters believing that Democratic states should secede from the union, and 42% of Biden supporters wish the same for Republican states. Nowadays, people feel strongly about their campaigns that even some Americans don't believe that Biden was legitimately elected despite zero evidence of fraud. People think they're entitled to facts and opinions in a no-facts era. Dr. Sabato calls for returning to basics and the civic education of young people. Although existing systems work, Dr. Sabato recommends voting on paper to eliminate questioning. Having computers with the Internet creates doubts and is at risk of hacking. It's difficult for a third party to emerge even though it can change political dynamics. The two major parties comprise most of Congress and wouldn't want a smaller slice of the pie. Gerrymandering is a big issue, with Democrats in Virginia making decisions that, in the end, favored Republicans. Dr. Sabato talks about open primaries where people vote for four candidates in order, and each candidate receives a certain number of votes based on how high they are ranked. This system can produce centrist results, and Dr. Sabato is open to this reform. Despite Donald Trump receiving a larger turnout than usual, Dr. Sabato still hopes more people will be voting this year. Moving on to the gubernatorial elections, he describes how "hypocrisy is the lifeblood of politics." He predicts Brian Kemp winning even without a runoff. He explains how split-ticket results are rare, as their parties determine 90% of voters. He says we shouldn't believe the Gallup polls, and split ticketing mainly happened in the 70s. An entirely Republican sweep isn't possible, one of the reasons being the overturning of Roe v. Wade. He foresees Republicans winning Oregon, Wisconsin, and Kansas. Although Massachusetts and Maryland are Republican, Dr. Sabato thinks they will lose in a landslide. He believes that Sonny Perdue leaning heavily in Trump's direction was a mistake that ended his career. He explains how the Republican party is divided into two halves: one is entirely dedicated to Trump, and the other is much more conservative than Larry Hogan. He predicts Jared Polis is not running against Biden, but reruns are possible. It's also expected that Kevin McCarthy will win as a speaker. He describes how every president will experience one or both Houses of Congress controlled by the other party, but veto power will be exercised to counter it.

Dr. Larry Sabato, Political Analyst & Professor of Politics at the University of Virgina

James Stavridis

Willy welcomes James Stavridis. He is a retired US Navy Admiral and Supreme Allied Commander of NATO and the best-selling author of 2034: A Novel of the Next World War and To Risk It All: Nine Conflicts and the Crucible of Decision. He is currently the Vice Chair of Global Affairs, Managing Director of the Carlyle Group, and Chair of the Board of Trustees of the Rockefeller Foundation.James begins discussing his career in the Naval Academy in the late 1970s. Being on a top-five national-ranked team, his coach brought over an experienced Pakistani player, beating him and his members, making it his first lesson on humility. In his freshman year, he decided to be a sailor, much to his father's disappointment, who was a former infantry officer. But the choice paid off 25 years later. The first 20 years of his career were during the Cold War. He described knowing every detail of every Russian warship and conducting tabletop exercises. He points out aircraft carriers as the US's biggest advantage over Russia, while their strong point was undersea warfare. He mentions how the current Russian army is only a shadow of its former self. Due to bombings of US embassies in East Africa, James and his group were tasked to launch Tomahawk missiles on Osama Bin Laden's residence in the late 1990s. The mission failed because Pakistani residents informed Bin Laden of their presence. In 2001, Bin Laden returned fire on the Pentagon, killing many of James' close comrades and friends, ironically in the "safest place in the world." James affirms how Navy men are trained firefighters, able to combat the fire after the bombing.The Pentagon bombing taught James that "life can change forever in an instant," the importance of being ready at all times, and the flexibility in changing strategies. After 911, James was tasked with creating a tactical think tank called Deep Blue, gathering the smartest men in all ranks for a year and a half before becoming a carrier strike commander. The anger fueled James and the rest of the military to implement dramatic changes and innovate, fighting against internal parochialism. He emphasizes the importance of breaking those barriers in times of crisis. He believes the workforce should be challenged, incentivized, and rewarded for new ideas. He uses "innovation cells," having a small number of switched-on people to brainstorm with and compensating them exceptionally for their work. James thinks the US is not paying enough attention to South America, despite engaging with Colombia previously. He explains how South America has untapped potential for natural resources and economic and cultural diversity. Finland and Sweden joining NATO is a formidable threat against Vladimir Putin's war as these nations are highly-skilled air and land fighters, respectively. Their geographical locations and hold on the Arctic are also advantages.

Willy welcomes James Stavridis. He is a retired US Navy Admiral and Supreme Allied Commander of NATO and the best-selling author of 2034: A Novel of the Next World War and To Risk It All: Nine Conflicts and the Crucible of Decision. He is currently the Vice Chair of Global Affairs, Managing Director of the Carlyle Group, and Chair of the Board of Trustees of the Rockefeller Foundation. James begins discussing his career in the Naval Academy in the late 1970s. Being on a top-five national-ranked team, his coach brought over an experienced Pakistani player, beating him and his members, making it his first lesson on humility. In his freshman year, he decided to be a sailor, much to his father's disappointment, who was a former infantry officer. But the choice paid off 25 years later. The first 20 years of his career were during the Cold War. He described knowing every detail of every Russian warship and conducting tabletop exercises. He points out aircraft carriers as the US's biggest advantage over Russia, while their strong point was undersea warfare. He mentions how the current Russian army is only a shadow of its former self. Due to bombings of US embassies in East Africa, James and his group were tasked to launch Tomahawk missiles on Osama Bin Laden's residence in the late 1990s. The mission failed because Pakistani residents informed Bin Laden of their presence. In 2001, Bin Laden returned fire on the Pentagon, killing many of James' close comrades and friends, ironically in the "safest place in the world." James affirms how Navy men are trained firefighters, able to combat the fire after the bombing. The Pentagon bombing taught James that "life can change forever in an instant," the importance of being ready at all times, and the flexibility in changing strategies. After 911, James was tasked with creating a tactical think tank called Deep Blue, gathering the smartest men in all ranks for a year and a half before becoming a carrier strike commander. The anger fueled James and the rest of the military to implement dramatic changes and innovate, fighting against internal parochialism. He emphasizes the importance of breaking those barriers in times of crisis. He believes the workforce should be challenged, incentivized, and rewarded for new ideas. He uses "innovation cells," having a small number of switched-on people to brainstorm with and compensating them exceptionally for their work. James thinks the US is not paying enough attention to South America, despite engaging with Colombia previously. He explains how South America has untapped potential for natural resources and economic and cultural diversity. Finland and Sweden joining NATO is a formidable threat against Vladimir Putin's war as these nations are highly-skilled air and land fighters, respectively. Their geographical locations and hold on the Arctic are also advantages.

James Stavridis, Retired US Admiral

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