Best Michael Stefano Podcasts (2025)

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466. Brooklyn Nichols on Winning the DEKA World Championship in FIT, MILE, and STRONG! 1:12:35

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23h ago1:12:35

1:12:35

DEKA World Championships took place in Fort Lauderdale, FL this past weekend and while we focus on being an OCR podcast, this event has my interest every year! Since we didn't fly down to cover it in person (someday!), we looked for an athlete to have on the show to talk about their experience. It didn't take long to pick Brooklyn Nichols as our po…

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How Blended Finance Powers 8% IRR in Emerging Market Utilities 1:22:16

1d ago1:22:16

1:22:16

Blended finance is making hard deals in emerging markets investable. It drives real infrastructure development where capital markets are thin. And when the work involves emergency aid and building businesses, you need someone who’s seen how money really works in emerging markets. Few people know how to make those pieces fit together better than my …

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#392 Abdu Murray - Everything We're Told About The West Is Wrong 1:33:58

17h ago1:33:58

1:33:58

Zuby is joined by Abdu Murray; attorney, public speaker, author, and founder of Embrace the Truth. Abdu is a former Muslim who spent nine years investigating the historical, philosophical, and scientific claims of Christianity before converting. The two discuss what 'truth' is, the argument for God’s existence, and why Abdu sees the Bible as unique…

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Venture Capital’s New Frontier: Why India Wins in AgriTech, Rural Fintech, & Climate Resilience 1:25:38

3d ago1:25:38

1:25:38

My guest is Mark Kahn, Managing Partner at Omnivore, a $295 million venture capital firm investing in startups across agriculture, food, and the rural economy in India, focused on climate risk resilience. In this episode, we talk about how venture capital can be redesigned to fund climate adaptation in the real economy, and still deliver real retur…

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NEW EPISODE! 45. (in)Conspicuous Consumption: The Material Culture of Medieval Cyprus 43:06

3d ago43:06

43:06

Material culture-textiles, ceramics, furniture, even the games people played-offers us a window into the lived experience of a diverse society. From the magnificence of the Lusignan court, with its gold-threaded tapestries and Venetian clocks, to the humble cooking vessels of the lower classes, these artifacts reveal not only economic and social di…

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465. Taco Bell 50K with MaryJane Osuji! 56:32

9d ago56:32

56:32

We talked about the Taco Bell 50K in Colorado as a quick news story but then another one happened in Washington DC and I wanted to have someone on the show to talk about it! Carlo Piscitello noticed that MaryJane Osuji was taking on the challenge and suggested that she would be a good potential guest to talk about the experience. We met her at Worl…

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#391 Judd Saul - Something Disturbing Is Happening In Nigeria 41:10

7d ago41:10

41:10

Judd Saul shares his firsthand experiences inside Nigeria’s unfolding crisis, exposing the violence, misinformation, and global silence surrounding it. He discusses the historical roots of the conflict, the failure of institutions to protect the vulnerable, and his mission to support persecuted communities on the ground. This is a powerful look int…

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VALERIO SANNICANDRO - Instrumental & Vocal Works

7d ago

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Programme de VALERIO SANNICANDRO pour webSYNradio : Instrumental & Vocal Works. Les deux playlists élaborées pour webSYNradio — Instrumental Work et Vocal Work — rassemblent un ensemble d'œuvres composées au fil des dernières années pour des formations variées, allant de la musique de chambre au grand orchestre, avec ou sans dispositifs électroniqu…

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Why Impact Must Become Finance’s Third Axis: Rethinking Returns, Risk, and Responsibility 1:49:29

13d ago1:49:29

1:49:29

Richard Brandweiner, Chair of Impact Investing Australia and a longtime institutional investor, joins the show to discuss the realities of impact investing at scale. He reflects on universal ownership, system-level risks, blended finance, and what it truly takes to align capital with real-world outcomes and fiduciary expectations. Richard shares le…

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464. Kristopher Mendoza on His Return to OCR, Anesthesia, Colorado, and More! 1:56:44

12d ago1:56:44

1:56:44

Katelyn talks to Kris Mendoza about his first place finish at the SLO CAL Spartan Ultra. His potential return to OCR - including the Killington Ultra and World's Toughest Mudder. They talk about his journey to becoming a dental anesthesiologist. Katelyn also asks Kris a round of rapid fire questions that include his go to karaoke song, his favorite…

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#390 Marissa Streit - Education In The USA Is Being Weaponised 1:19:31

14d ago1:19:31

1:19:31

Marissa Streit is the CEO of PragerU, a conservative media organisation and education platform. Marissa shares her experiences growing up in Israel, serving in the military, and returning to the United States to pursue a career in education. Zuby and Marissa dig into concerns about the American education system and how historical context shapes lea…

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FELIX BLUME - Rituels funeraires

14d ago

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Programme de FELIX BLUME pour webSYNradio : Rituels funeraires . Le compagnonnage de Websynradio avec Felix Blume se poursuit en empruntant les routes de l'au delà et se pose à Haiti, au Congo, au Chili, en Equateur. Grâce à l'écoute attentive que Félix développe dans son travail de documentariste et d'artiste sonore, nous sommes invités dans des r…

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463. Operation Rucksgiving with Erica Jackman! 38:05

17d ago38:05

38:05

Katelyn talks with Erica Jackman as she prepares to host her first ever chapter of Rucksgiving in Providence, Rhode Island! Listen to Erica and Katelyn talk about the importance of supporting local food banks and giving back to communities. Erica shares tips about Rucking and even gives a sneak peak into the velcro patch for completing this 9 mile …

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Affordable Housing & High Returns: How RBC’s Stable-Prepay Mortgage Portfolios Deliver Alpha and Community Wealth (#113) 1:21:26

23d ago1:21:26

1:21:26

In this episode, I talk with Ron Homer – Chief Strategist for Impact Investing at RBC Global Asset Management, and one of the earliest architects of community development investing in the United States. Ron’s perspective was shaped in Bedford-Stuyvesant, where he watched a thriving neighborhood decline not because of its people but because mortgage…

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Primary Source XLV: The Travels of Wilbrand von Oldeburg 2:24

21d ago2:24

2:24

To begin with, I'd like to draw your attention to the music in this primary source. It is called J. II. 9 (Turin Codex) also known as the Cyprus Codex, an anonymous manuscript created at the Nicosia court in the early 15th century during the Frankish rule of Cyprus under the Lusignan Dynasty. It is the only known source of Western music from the re…

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#389 Xaviaer DuRousseau - Progressives Won't Like This 46:02

21d ago46:02

46:02

Zuby sits down with political commentator and activist Xaviaer DuRousseau. Xavier shares his transformative journey from liberal activism to becoming a prominent conservative voice online. He discusses the pivotal moments that reshaped his worldview, including going viral, confronting public backlash, and reflecting on personal struggles. The conve…

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The Contrarian Bet: Why Investing in India & Africa is "Less Risky Than Silicon Valley VC" (#112) 1:32:51

24d ago1:32:51

1:32:51

My guest today is Eva Yazhari – General Partner at Beyond Capital Ventures and one of the most original thinkers in the world of impact investing. Trained on Wall Street, Eva left finance to found Beyond Capital, turning her expertise toward building impact-driven markets. Beyond Capital Fund was structured as a nonprofit, a 501(c)3 – not to do cha…

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BONUS EPISODE! Armenian-Cypriots with Alexander-Michael Hadjilyra 37:53

29d ago37:53

37:53

The history of Armenians in Cyprus is traced back to centuries, shaped by waves of migration, resilience, and cultural contributions. In this episode, I sit down with Alexander-Michael Hadjilyra to explore the deep-rooted history of Armenian Cypriots, from their earliest presence on the island to their pivotal role in modern Cypriot society. We dis…

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462. Mark Jones on DEKA Ruck, Oscar Mike, and 24 Hour Rucking World Record! 56:58

26d ago56:58

56:58

It has been a while since we've had the man who got us into rucking on the show and Jason Dupree was talking about how he would be live streaming his 24 hour rucking world record attempt! I reached out to Mark Jones after his success because I wanted to catch up with him to talk about his adding rucking to DEKA events, his world record performance,…

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#388 Seneca Scott - Progressive Ideas Are Destroying America 1:12:51

28d ago1:12:51

1:12:51

In this episode, Zuby sits down with Seneca Scott, an Oakland-based former union organiser turned community advocate and political candidate. Seneca shares his early involvement in the labour movement, his shift toward urban farming, and how burnout led him to rediscover his purpose through grassroots activism. The two discuss California's progress…

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461. Tyler Veerman on Colorado, OCR Redemption, Pike's Peak Progress, and More! 57:19

1M ago57:19

57:19

Savage Race reportedly had their best turn out to a race in the past 5 years! The elite side had a pretty great turn out with an increased payout at the event and when I saw that Tyler Veerman won, I knew that I wanted to have him on the show again! We first met and interviewed him after he won the 15K at OCRWC, had dinner with him in Palmerton aft…

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LanD ExcapE (Gavino GANAU / Giovanni DIBELTULU) - Ogni cosa è un segnale

1M ago

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Programme de LanD ExcapE (Gavino GANAU / Giovanni DIBELTULU) pour webSYNradio : Ogni cosa è un segnale. L’intention de cette playlist inédite et originale élaborée pour webSYNradio est donc de proposer des suggestions sonores, en utilisant des langages qui stimulent la réflexion sur le monde d’aujourd’hui, sur ce qui se passe, et sur la manière don…

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50 Shades of Green: The €850+ Billion Logic Behind AXA’s Investment Approach (#111) 1:18:21

1M ago1:18:21

1:18:21

My guest today is Jamie Friedland, a former U.S. Treasury trader turned sustainability analyst at AXA Investment Managers – one of the world’s largest and most active players in sustainable investing. He joined AXA Investment Managers – now part of BNP Paribas Group – in March 2022. Within the group, BNP Paribas Asset Management oversees over €716 …

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44. Piety and Passion: Women in Medieval Cyprus with Angel Nicolaou-Konnari 1:00:42

1M ago1:00:42

1:00:42

The legal status of women in medieval Cyprus was influenced by a mix of Byzantine, Frankish, and local customs. While legal frameworks varied, women often faced limitations on property ownership and inheritance rights. However, some women managed to attain positions of influence and power, challenging traditional norms. Despite societal constraints…

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#387 Sal Di Stefano - The Psychology Of Getting Jacked 47:48

1M ago47:48

47:48

Zuby is joined by Sal Di Stefano, host of the Mind Pump Podcast. Sal opens up about his personal fitness journey, from battling insecurities to becoming a leader in the industry. The two explore the dark side of fitness obsession, how faith has played a pivotal role in Sal’s life. The conversation expands to include balancing ambition with sacrific…

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Double-Dividends from Nature-Risk: Using Geospatial Data to Pinpoint Hidden Alpha in Global Portfolios (#110) 1:56:22

1M ago1:56:22

1:56:22

My guest today is Laura Segafredo – Chief Growth Officer at NatureAlpha, and a systems thinker who’s spent the last twenty years connecting science, policy, and capital to build tools that help finance face the realities of the climate crisis. Laura began her career as an energy economist in Europe and California, contributing to major climate poli…

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460. Jason Dupree on Livestreaming North American OCR and Hybrid Events, Burnout, and More! 1:49:38

1M ago1:49:38

1:49:38

We have been wanting to do another episode with Jason Dupree ever since he started carrying North American OCR and hybrid live streams on his back! We may be a bit bias because we have been friends with Jason for many years now but we don't believe he gets half of the credit that he deserves for what he does for both sports. We discuss how he start…

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#386 Michael Shellenberger - The Left Doesn't Want You To See This 1:43:18

1M ago1:43:18

1:43:18

Zuby is joined by author and journalist Michael Shellenberger for a wide-ranging conversation on truth, media, and the environment. Michael reacts to the assassination of Charlie Kirk, examines how social platforms distort our perception of crime, and explores the radicalisation of universities and media. The two explore environmental myths, debate…

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Sustainability 2.0: How Growth Investors Unlock Hidden ROI from ESG Metrics (#109) 1:11:13

2M ago1:11:13

1:11:13

My guest is Nidhi Chadda, founder and CEO of Enzo Advisors – a female- and minority-led sustainability and climate advisory firm that helps companies and investors integrate ESG factors into strategy and performance. She’s a former Wall Street portfolio manager who believes ESG isn’t about politics – it’s about disciplined risk management and long-…

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459. Libbie Joyce on Spartan Youth Insurance Changes, Championship Events, and More! 1:11:28

2M ago1:11:28

1:11:28

Libbie Joyce has been in the sport of obstacle course racing for a long time and has been seen as a great hope for the future of the sport (no pressure)! We had the chance to briefly meet her at World's Toughest Mudder where she helped rabbit the event helping The OCR Report. We explained that we have been wanting to have her on the show for a whil…

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#385 Adam Cheyer - The Man Who Created Siri 1:16:43

2M ago1:16:43

1:16:43

Zuby is joined by Adam Cheyer, a tech entrepreneur, AI pioneer, and co-founder of Siri voice assistant. Adam traces the evolution of artificial intelligence from early hype cycles to today’s breakthroughs, explaining the ‘Iris project’ and how it led to Siri. Adam shares stories from Apple's secret acquisition, working with Steve Jobs, and launchin…

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Primary Source XLIV: From the Pen of Stefano Lusignan 1:36

2M ago1:36

1:36

Stefano Lusignan (also known as Étienne de Lusignan) was a member of the Lusignan family, which ruled over Cyprus during the medieval period. He is known for his historical works, particularly his chronicles that provide valuable insights into the history and culture of Cyprus during his time. Though writing at the tail end of the Venetian Period, …

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Moving from IRR to IMM: Investing Based on the Impact Multiple of Money | Michael Etzel, Bridgespan (#108) 1:48:01

2M ago1:48:01

1:48:01

My guest today is Michael Etzel – a partner at Bridgespan, and one of the key architects behind a shift that’s still unfolding: the effort to bring hard-nosed analytical discipline to a field once seen as closer to charity than capital. Michael came to this work from the social sector, back when “impact investing” wasn’t yet a defined field. At Bri…

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458. Run the Rocks 5K at the Red Rocks in Colorado! 51:34

2M ago51:34

51:34

We went to Colorado for a wedding (congratulations Mike and Kierstin!) and wanted to cram in as much sightseeing as possible. We weren't able to go to the Red Rocks on Saturday due to an event but luckily Katelyn saw that the following day had the Run the Rocks 5K that we could participate in! A quick Target trip later we were mostly ready to take …

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143 | LEE SMITH - Let Them Think You're Crazy 58:47

2M ago58:47

58:47

Let Them Think You're Crazy with NFL Veteran LEE SMITH Sign up for the DAD THE MAN Newsletter for exclusive content and show updates! DISCUSSION POINTS Raising four kids The magic of having a daughter Growing up with an alcoholic dad Raising kids in college God planned this life for you Trusting God’s plan Living a life of crazy faith No growth hap…

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Ancient Scripts, City-States, and Hidden Museum Treasures: A Huge Year Ahead for The History of Cyprus Podcast 3:04

2M ago3:04

3:04

Big things are coming! I’m sharing some exciting updates about what’s ahead for The History of Cyprus Podcast — including new episodes on the Cypro-Minoan script, ancient Cypriot city-states, and even a chat with The Met Museum curators on the grand reopening of the Cesnola Collection.By cyprusthepodcast

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#384 Scott Adams - Fighting Cancer & Leaving a Legacy 1:09:25

2M ago1:09:25

1:09:25

Zuby is joined by Scott Adams for a conversation spanning health, culture, and technology. Scott shares a personal health update, including hormone therapy and his prostate cancer journey, why he chose to go public, and how it’s changed his outlook. The two explore Scott’s broader impact, the current socio-political climate, supply-chain dependence…

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457. Neighborhood Ninjas and Pull-Ups for Playgrounds with Alex Katz! 1:10:51

2M ago1:10:51

1:10:51

We had the pleasure of meeting Alex Katz while working at the New England OCR Expo and loved learning about Neighborhood Ninjas and their incredible mission. Alex recently reached out to let us know about an upcoming event being held at Ultimate Obstacles which is the same venue where we've hosted the Expo for the past few years! Neighborhood Ninja…

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40% IRR & Social Justice: How Vox Built Brazil’s 1st Impact Fund Scaling Solutions for the Base of the Pyramid (#107) 1:37:42

2M ago1:37:42

1:37:42

By Scott Arnell

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#383 Josef Witt-Doerring - They Lied To You About Depression & Psychiatric Medication 1:41:40

2M ago1:41:40

1:41:40

Zuby is joined by psychiatrist Dr. Josef Witt-Doerring to discuss the modern mental-health crisis. The two trace the history of psychiatric medications, unpack the “chemical imbalance” narrative, and examine how diagnoses and incentives can drive overprescription. Josef explains under-discussed risks like drug-induced psychosis, akathisia, and post…

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43. Erudites in Exile: The Kigalas Family with Ioannis Kyriakantonakis 59:16

2M ago59:16

59:16

In this episode, we explore the fascinating history of the Kigalas family, a prominent Cypriot family that played a significant role in the religious and intellectual landscape of the 16th and 17th centuries. My guest, Ioannis Kyriakantonakis, provides an in-depth look at the political and religious dynamics of the Kigalas family. At the heart of o…

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Accidental Father of Impact: Nick O'Donohoe on Leading BSC, BII & Building Investability in Emerging Markets (#106) 1:34:56

2M ago1:34:56

1:34:56

My guest today is Nick O’Donohoe CMG – former CEO of British International Investment, co-founder of Big Society Capital, and one of the early figures to frame impact investing as a financial discipline. Nick spent nearly three decades in global banking – first at Goldman Sachs, then at JPMorgan, where he rose to become Global Head of Research. Whe…

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456. FISO OCR World Championship and USAOCR with Vivien Tran and Kevin Thompson! 1:07:40

2M ago1:07:40

1:07:40

The FISO OCR World Championships recently had their 3rd event weekend in Sweden this year and by all accounts it was the best one by far! This is admittely a low bar due to overflowing portopotties in Belgium and many obstacles not being built in Costa Rica, etc. However, by working alongside the Tough Viking crew they had plenty of experience to p…

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#382 Clifton Duncan & Hawk Jensen - You Will Never Look At COVID The Same Way Again 1:21:03

3M ago1:21:03

1:21:03

Zuby is joined by filmmaker Hawk Jensen and actor-writer Clifton Duncan for a candid reckoning with the COVID years. They explore how fear, propaganda, and bureaucracy shaped behavior; the media’s power to sculpt “the science”; and the moral psychology behind compliance, cowardice, and courage. This is a thorough reflection on the pandemic. Timesta…

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The Terrifying Math of Stranded Assets: Why Oil & Gas Valuations May Be Off by $100+ Trillion | Mark Campanale (#105) 1:40:58

3M ago1:40:58

1:40:58

In this episode, I sit down with Mark Campanale, founder of Carbon Tracker and Planet Tracker, best known for introducing one of the most disruptive ideas in climate finance: the carbon bubble. Mark’s journey began in his 20s, crossing the Sahara and working in a famine camp, where he first saw how capital, policy, and poverty were deeply linked. A…

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455. Annie Dube on Injury, Firefighting, Winning Spartan Trifecta and Pan American Championships, and More! 1:10:51

2M ago1:10:51

1:10:51

Spartan Trifecta World Championship took place a week before Spartan Pan American Championship and there was a badass woman who won both events! It's been a couple years since we have had Annie Dube on the show and I figured this would be a great time to reach back out and catch up on how life has been going! We talk about her overcoming injuries, …

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#381 Amy Alkon - The Truth About Menopause 58:59

3M ago58:59

58:59

Zuby is joined by science writer and author Amy Alkon for a conversation on women's health. Amy shares her journey into science writing and what inspired her to take on the medical establishment with her latest book, 'Going Menopostal'. The two dive into the critical importance of evidence-based medical care, the myths surrounding menopause, and th…

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$28B and Counting: Inside Grosvenor’s Returns-First Impact Approach to Scaling Sustainable Capital Across Private Markets | Jonathan Hirschtritt (#104) 1:46:15

3M ago1:46:15

1:46:15

In this episode, my guest is Jonathan Hirschtritt, Head of Sustainability & Investment at GCM Grosvenor – a leading global alternative asset manager for more than five decades. The firm manages over $80 billion across the full spectrum of alternatives and has built one of the most comprehensive impact and sustainability investing platforms in priva…

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Primary Source XLIII: From the Pen of Charles Patin 1:29

3M ago1:29

1:29

"The Charites of Cyprus infused him with charm, With the tongue of Homer and the mind of Plato. -A distich from Ioannis Kigalas' portrait Ioannis Kigalas (Greek: Ιωάννης Κιγάλας; Italian: Giovanni Cigala, c. 1622 – c. 5 November 1687) was a Cypriot scholar and professor of Philosophy, Language and Logic at the University of Padua. Along with his br…

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454. reRun of 296. Rylan Schadegg on Winning Spartan North American Championship, Palm Beach Deka FIT, and Faith! 1:14:24

3M ago1:14:24

1:14:24

Rylan Schadegg was a beloved member of both the OCR and hybrid racing communities! Our paths had crossed numerous times during our coverage of obstacle course racing and he stood out as always being very kind and respectful. We were devastated to hear the news of his passing and we wanted to do something for those that loved him. We first had him o…