Hosted by nationally-known speaker and consultant Mark Amtower, Amtower Off-Center highlights the good, the bad, the ugly and the just plain silly of doing business in the government market. Every week experts join Mark for a lively discussion of current issues facing the government contractor community.
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With the new class structure resembling that of the Medieval times, opportunity is quickly disappearing for small business people, property owners, skilled workers and private sector professionals. Join world-renown author Joel Kotkin and tech-entrepreneur Marshall Toplansky as they explore what we can do to liberate the global middle class. They sit down with business, government, and citizen leaders to uncover the trends and give you the insights and tools to forge a better future. Joel Ko ...
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Transition Lab is a behind-the-scenes look at presidential transitions. Join Valerie Boyd, director of the Partnership for Public Service’s Center for Presidential Transition for candid discussions with transition experts, exploring the relationship between presidential transitions, effective government and a strong democracy. Transition Lab is a must-listen for anyone interested in developing a better understanding of what needs to happen before a president takes office or starts a second term.
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This week on Amtower Off Center, Nick Wakeman, editor in chief of Washington Technology, joins host Mark Amtower for a wide-ranging discussion on the state of the GovCon market as reflected by the WashTech 2025 Top 100 contractors. Topics discussed include: Tirst year-over-year decline in prime contracts since 2016 sequestration A recap of CGI's St…
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The battle for New York City's future is heating up as former Governor Andrew Cuomo faces off against progressive challenger Zoran Mamdani in what's shaping up to be an unpredictable mayoral race. With ranked-choice voting, multiple candidates, and current Mayor Eric Adams making a last-minute decision not to run in the Democratic primary, the city…
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As the Feudal Future podcast marks its fifth anniversary, hosts Joel Kotkin and Marshall Toplansky examine how dramatically our society has evolved since they first warned about the emergence of neo-feudalism—a concentration of wealth and power resembling historical feudal systems. The world has changed profoundly since they began. Political allian…
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Navigating US-Mexico Relations in Turbulent Times
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39:55The fault lines in US-Mexico relations have never been more visible. Our expert panel—featuring former CNN journalist Bruno Lopez and economist Alejandro Chaufen—brings decades of experience to unpacking one of North America's most crucial yet strained relationships. Recent polling reveals a shocking statistic: 80% of Mexicans now hold negative vie…
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Shauna Weatherly, former govie and now founder and president of FebSubK,joins host MarkAmtower for an in-depth discussion on the current state of the SmartPay (government charge card) program. Topics include: The charge card program background from inception in the late 1980s How it works and why it is so successful at what it does What is happenin…
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Crossroads: The Democratic Party in Transition
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37:07America stands at a political crossroads where old alliances are shifting and economic realities are reshaping party loyalties. The Democratic Party faces a profound identity crisis - pragmatic at the local level where mayors tackle real problems head-on, yet seemingly detached at the national level where ideology often trumps practicality. Our fas…
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Trump's Tariffs and the Future of US-Canada Relations
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40:10Trump's threatened tariffs against Canada have sparked more than just economic anxiety—they've triggered a profound identity crisis among our northern neighbors. Joining Joel Kotkin and Marshall Toplansky are John Kay (Quillette) and Rob Roberts (National Post), who offer razor-sharp insights into how this diplomatic tension is reshaping Canadian s…
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Barking Up the Right Tree: Can DOGE Fix Our Bloated Government?
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40:53The Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE) has become one of the most controversial initiatives of the Trump administration, but what does it actually represent? We're joined by Shawn Steel, National Committeeman for the Republican National Committee, and Professor Luke Nichter, historian at Chapman University, to explore the deeper meaning beh…
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El Futuro es Latino-Keeping the Dream Alive for the Next Generation
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43:09The future of California's economy depends on Latino communities. This stark reality emerges vividly in our special town hall session recorded at the Cheech Collection for Chicano Art in Riverside, where experts gathered to discuss findings from "El Futuro es Latino," a groundbreaking research project from Chapman University. The numbers tell a com…
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Populism Unpacked: Voices from the Heartland
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40:16Dive into the compelling world of populism in our latest podcast episode where we engage with thought leaders Ryan Streeter and Karl Zinsmeister. With multiple perspectives surrounding the rise of populism, this episode unpacks what it means for the future of American governance and society at large. Discussing the resurgence of populism, our guest…
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The Trump administation's executive orders and their impact on GovCon
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40:32This week on Amtower Off Center, host Mark Amtower is joined by Nick Wakeman, editor in chief of Washington Technology for a wide-ranging, candid discussion of the new administration's executive orders impacting the GovCon industry. Topics include: The order from GSA to investigate the"consulting" contracts of the top 10 OASIS contractors Tthe temp…
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Is the energy sector on the brink of a transformative era? Join us as we welcome energy expert Robert Bryce to share his insights on the current state of the industry and the potential influence of the Trump administration's policies. We delve into the differing perspectives within the oil and gas sector, contrasting the views of super majors with …
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Challenges and Solutions for California's Economy
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37:23
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37:23Is California losing its status as a global innovation powerhouse? Join us for a compelling conversation with Dr. Ken Murphy as we explore the shifting dynamics of California's economic landscape. We question whether the iconic tech hub is maintaining its edge or if it's at risk of devolving into a neo-feudalist economy. While Silicon Valley contin…
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The 2024 Presidential Transition: What Happened? With Heath Brown
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52:21The peaceful transfer of power occurred successfully at noon on Jan. 20, 2025, when President Joe Biden handed control of the federal government to President-elect Donald Trump. After an election cycle characterized by intense partisanship and distrust, how did officials manage this monumental task? Today on the final episode this season of “Transi…
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Breaking Down Barriers in Housing Development
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51:51
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51:51Discover why building a home in California now costs over $1.2 million per unit as we navigate the maze of the state's housing crisis with Gary London and Jennifer Hernandez. These experts shed light on the staggering decline in permits for single and multifamily homes and discuss why, despite numerous housing laws, the production needle remains st…
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The Changing Face of Education and the Power of Tech
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41:23
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41:23What if AI could transform the way we learn, making education more engaging and impactful? Join us as we sit down with Ramit Varma, CEO and co-founder of Breakout Learning, to explore this provocative idea. Discover how his innovative approach is reshaping classroom discussions by addressing common issues like uneven participation and free-riding, …
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This week on Amtower Off Center, host Mark Amtower is joined by GovNavigators co-founder Robert Shea for a very lively discussion on the upcoming administration. Topics include: Managing the transition Major policy shifts What are some of the priorities for DOD DOGE and the impending efficiencies OPM and Schedule F Lots of great policy-nerd minutae…
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2024 in Review: Feudalism, Politics, and Global Shifts
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31:46What if the future of global politics looks more like a return to feudalism than continuous progress? Discover the surprising dynamics of 2024 as Marshall Toplansky and Joel Kotkin discuss the unraveling of the liberal world order and the rise of pragmatic priorities among voters. We uncover how shifting societal trends, from the unexpected support…
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This week on Amtower Off Center, host Mark Amtower is joined by Aubrey Gainfort, by day a federal contracting officer, and after work host of the Breaking the Standard podcast, which is nearing its 5th anniversary. Topics discussed include: Five things contractors need to do Five things contractors should NOT do How and why to start your own podcas…
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How’s the 2024 transition going? With Max Stier
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35:26‘Tis the season – and not just for the holidays! The 2024 transition is in full swing, so for this episode of Transition Lab, we invited our CEO and president Max Stier to join us for a discussion of President-elect Donald Trump’s (second!) presidential transition and how it stacks up against those of the last few administrations. Max Stier has ser…
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Exploring South Africa's Conservative Turn and Economic Outlook
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50:07Dr. Franz Cronje and Bheki Mahlobo join us to unravel the unexpected conservative leanings within South Africa's electorate, a surprising twist given the nation's turbulent history. Together, we examine the African National Congress's promises and its transformative role since apartheid's end, leading to significant socioeconomic changes. Through h…
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Tips on how to bid for government contracts
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42:50This week on Amtower Off Center, host Mark Amtower is joined by Brian Lindholm, founder and managing principal at FedSavvy Strategies for a discussion on the myriad of sources available to government contractors for researching before bidding. Topics include: What open source intel is available to contractors How to parse this data for useful items…
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From Boardrooms to Government: The Influence of Business Leaders on Politics
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29:50What happens when business leaders swap boardrooms for the halls of government? Tevi Troy joins us to unpack this fascinating transition with insights from his book, "The Power and the Money." Together, we navigate the evolving political alliances in the business world, especially the shift from traditional industrial powerhouses to tech giants and…
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Too many cooks in the kitchen? With Lanhee Chen
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42:18Assigning one job to two people can be a recipe for disaster. Yet, presidential candidates typically have two policy teams—one for the campaign operation and one for the transition operation. Campaigns already do policy work, so why does a transition need a policy team, too? Today on “Transition Lab,” we’re joined by Lanhee Chen, the policy directo…
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Ross Wilkers, senior reporter for Washington Technology, joins host Mark Amtower on this week's Amtower Off Center for a follow-up interview, this time addressing the Washington Technology Fast 50 contractors. The list includes fifty companies that submitted financial data to WashTech to verify their growth over the past 5 years. Topics include: Ty…
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Political Parties and Latino Economic Priorities
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33:52Discover how the Latino community is redefining America's democratic landscape with our fascinating guest, Mike Madrid, author of "The Latino Century." In our conversation, we promise you'll gain a deeper understanding of the seismic shift as Latinos transition from minority status to a central demographic force, particularly in California. This ep…
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Chris Parente of Story Tech Consulting joins host Mark Amtower on this week's Amtower Off Center for a wide ranging discussion on B2G content. Topics discussed include: The value of a content calendar Developing your own/your company POV Listening when customers and prospects talk as they are often telling you what they want to hear back from you W…
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How do we build a better government? With Jenny Mattingley
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38:58Political pundits wax on about government waste, red tape and inefficiency, but the truth is that while the federal government can learn plenty from the private sector, no magic wand would make government operate exactly like a business—and for good reasons. This week on “Transition Lab," we speak with our resident expert on government management, …
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Presidential Politics: Civility, Unity, and the Future of American Leadership
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40:40What role do civility and unity play in the chaotic realm of presidential elective politics? Esteemed professors William Inboden and Luke Nichter join us to unravel the tumultuous history of presidential elections, drawing compelling parallels between past and present political climates. We dissect the pervasive influence of social media and foreig…
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How do you become a political appointee? With Kathryn Dunn Tenpas
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52:03Getting a job can be really hard—but getting a job as a Senate-confirmed, presidential appointee can be even harder. Today on “Transition Lab,” we welcome Kathryn Dunn Tenpas for a conversation about the role of political appointees in the federal government and the pathway to these jobs. Tenpas is director of the Katzmann Initiative and a visiting…
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This week on Amtower Off Center, Ross Wilkers, senior reporter with Washington Technology, joins host Mark Amtower for a wide-ranging discussion regarding current events in the government market. Topics discussed include: Market trends M&A activity across the market VC activity becoming even more strategic Trends in the Top 100 contractors The upco…
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The Future of Social Media: Trends and Impact
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41:05Global connectivity or fragmented realities? Professor Vicki Katz from Chapman University joins us to unpack the complex impact of social media on media literacy. This episode promises to illuminate how social platforms, while bridging distances, also fracture our information landscape. Curious about how this affects our ability to discern truth an…
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Navigating Global Trends: Gen Z, AI, and the Rise of Populism
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26:31Global trends are at a tipping point, and we have Emanuel Probst, global lead of brand thought leadership at Ipsos, to guide us through the chaos. Is nationalism the new norm, and can Gen Z be the bridge that connects a divided world? As we reminisce about the turbulent 1960s, we uncover the modern-day parallels of rising populism and disinformatio…
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Israel's Innovation: Reshaping Global Landscapes with George Gilder
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29:07What if a small nation could reshape the global landscape through sheer innovation and resilience? In this compelling episode of the Feudal Future Podcast, we welcome George Gilder, a visionary thinker and author, to illuminate how Israel's technological prowess is revolutionizing industries worldwide. Gilder provides fascinating insights from his …
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Ever heard of an agency review team? With Melody Barnes
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49:24During every presidential transition, flocks of people parachute into agencies across the federal government. From November to January, these agency review teams serve as the bridge between the president-elect and the mammoth organization they will soon oversee, relaying information back and forth to prepare for a smooth handoff of power. Organizin…
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Author, consultant and speaker Andy Fry joins host Mark Amtower on this week's Amtower Off Center for a discussion of two of Fry's books: The Consultant's Code and The Trust Paradigm. Topics discussed include: The 4 pillars of consulting (intelligence, effort, likeability and intent) with a brief dive into each pillar. Why trust is key, including W…
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Regulation changes & other issues in contracting
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43:05This week on Amtower Off Center, Larry Allen, president of Allen Federal Business Partners, joins host Mark Amtower to discuss current issues in contracting including upcoming changes in regulations. Topics include: The recurring issue of contractors failing to deliver on what was promised in their contracts New OMB guidance is coming on the use of…
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What if the Constitution had the solutions all along? With Yuval Levin
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46:21The federal government seems broken, but it might not be for the reasons you think. In this episode of “Transition Lab,” Yuval Levin talks with us about the surprising ways in which a the U.S. Constitution—despite being centuries old—could help us address our most pressing modern social and political problems. Yuval Levin is the director of Social,…
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This week on Amtower Off Center, host Mark Amtower is joined by Peter Jacobs of the Merritt Group for a discussion on the evolution and current state of podcasting, especially as it pertains to GovCon. Topics include: The advent of podcasts with other Web 2.0 tools in the late 1990s, early 2000s Types of GovCon podcasts Hurdles to starting a podcas…
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How do you lead a presidential transition? With former Governor Mike Leavitt
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40:00A law on presidential transitions bears former Utah Gov. Mike Leavitt's name for a reason: he wrote the book on managing the peaceful transfer of power from one president to the next. Twelve years ago, Leavitt built “the ship that never sailed:” the Romney Readiness Project. He memorialized this work in a book by the same name, creating a playbook …
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Discover how the heartland of America is transforming its political landscape on the Feudal Future podcast. Join us as we sit down with experts like William Binning and Michael Lind to unravel the historical shifts in Midwestern populism, tracing its journey from left-wing origins to its current right-leaning momentum. Learn about the pivotal role …
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What can we learn from the 2016 transition? With Ann O’Leary and Rich Bagger
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53:13We remember the 2016 election as one of the most bruising, knockdown, polarized elections of our time, but behind the scenes, representatives for both Donald Trump and Hillary Clinton were quietly preparing each candidate to transition into office. Today, we speak with Ann O’Leary, co-executive director of the Clinton-Kaine Transition Project, and …
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Tech job Market-Navigating the New Job Market Landscape
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46:21
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46:21Unlock the secrets to thriving in the future job market with insights from Ginger Baxter, Assistant Dean at the Argyros College of Business and Economics, and Tom Piechota, Dean of the Fowler School of Engineering at Chapman University. Discover why the days of traditional degrees ruling the job market are fading and how a blend of foundational edu…
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This week on Amtower Off Center, host Mark Amtower is joined by GovCon marketing expert Lisa Sherwin Wulf of LSW Marketing, who returns for a lively discussion on branding in GovCon. Topics discussed include: Do small contractors understand the power of branding and how to implement it Key elements of a brand plan Tag lines and logos How does a com…
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Navigating the Housing Affordability Crisis
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53:43
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53:43Housing prices are through the roof, but why? Join us as we navigate the complex maze of housing affordability with insights from Ross Elliott, Peter Holle, and Wendell Cox. We break down how decades of flawed policies and excessive regulations have made homeownership a distant dream for many in the U.S., Canada, and Australia. Wendell Cox amplifie…
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British Elections-European Populism and Its Impact on the UK
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36:25Labour's unexpected triumph and the Conservative Party’s dramatic collapse signal a seismic shift in British politics. Join us as Tom Slater, editor of Spiked, dissects the election results, revealing how Labour managed to capture victory with just 34% of the vote and the implications of the Conservative Party's loss to the right-wing Reform Party.…
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Two parties, too many problems? With Lee Drutman
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42:52Red versus blue, Republican versus Democrat, liberal versus conservative. Today’s politics are driven by intense partisan conflict, but things haven’t always been this way. In this episode of “Transition Lab,” we talk to Lee Drutman about how our two-party system and winner-take-all elections have inflamed our political divisions. Not to worry, tho…
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Why should we care about government, anyway? With Eric Liu
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55:11Once we leave high school social studies behind, government can feel distant, complex, impersonal and overwhelming. On today’s episode of Transition Lab, we talk with Eric Liu, co-founder of Citizen University. Eric established Citizen University to rebuild a civic culture in America and help individuals engage with one another across partisan line…
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The Future of Cars: Hybrid and Electric Insights
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30:36Can electric vehicle mandates really deliver the green future we're promised, or are we speeding towards unintended roadblocks? Join us as we dissect the real implications of EV adoption with our insightful guests, Jamie Farley from Performance Brokerage Services and Mark Mills from the National Center for Energy Analytics. Jamie reveals the surpri…
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This week on Amtower Off Center, host Mark Amtower is joined by GovCon marketing expert Lisa Sherwin Wulf of LSW Marketing. Topics discussed include: End of FY marketing Things NOT to do at end of FY Content and when to gate your content End of FY events See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.…
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