Shows
Better in BucharestLight, Shadow, and Salvation: The Theology of The Lord of the Rings - Robert KoonsWhat if The Lord of the Rings is more than just an epic fantasy—what if it's a doorway to deeper spiritual truth?In this thought-provoking episode, Dr. Robert Koons, professor of philosophy at the University of Texas, walks us through the Christian foundations woven into the heart of J.R.R. Tolkien’s mythology. From the philosophy of Neoplatonism and the nature of evil, to providence, eucatastrophe, and the redemptive role of humble heroes like Frodo and Sam, we uncover how Tolkien used myth not to escape reality, but to illuminate it.We explore the...
2025-08-041h 06Better in BucharestWhy Do We Suffer? A Conversation on Pain, Freedom, and God’s Love - Robert KoonsIn this episode of Better in Bucharest, we explore one of life’s most difficult questions: If God is all-powerful and loving, why does suffering exist?Our guest is Dr. Robert Koons, professor of philosophy at the University of Texas at Austin, a leading Christian thinker known for his work on metaphysics, the philosophy of religion, and the interface between faith and reason. With clarity, wisdom, and deep compassion, Dr. Koons walks us through a theological and philosophical journey into the heart of the problem of suffering.From reflections on free wi...
2025-07-0759 minBetter in BucharestCentered for Success: How Faith, Failure, and Integrity Built a Business Giant - David RidleyIn this inspiring episode of Better in Bucharest, we sit down with David Ridley, the founding partner and former CEO of Invesco Real Estate—one of the world’s leading global real estate investment firms, managing over $90 billion in assets. David’s leadership helped grow the firm into a respected global player known for its integrity, culture, and people-first approach.But David’s story didn’t begin with Ivy League credentials or a fast track to the top. From losing his mother at age nine to raising himself and earning average grades, David learned early on to pers...
2025-07-0749 minBetter in BucharestNegotiation Without Compromise: Lessons in Leadership and Integrity with George LucasIn this episode of Better in Bucharest, we sit down with Dr. George Lucas—co-author of The One Minute Negotiator, bestselling author, and international expert in sales, leadership, and negotiation. With warmth and insight, George shares life lessons from his childhood in Kansas City, his academic journey, and over 25 years of experience helping organizations navigate complex negotiations.We explore what negotiation really is (and isn’t), why so many people fear it, and how to prepare mentally and strategically for success—both in business and everyday life. George breaks down the four types of negotiation strategies, highlights the da...
2025-07-0348 minBetter in BucharestBehind the Conflict: Values, Purpose, and the Path ForwardThis episode explores how we handle conflict and why doing it well is crucial for our relationships, leadership, and growth. Instead of avoiding or escalating conflict, we’re encouraged to view it as a “crucial conversation” — a moment to listen, understand, and grow.The speakers walk through:Why conflict is unavoidable and how it impacts our lives.Different ways people naturally respond to conflict.How our personality and values shape our reactions (using the DISC model).A practical 4-step framework to navigate conflict: describe the context, name the behavior, express the impact, and seek a solution.The ep...
2025-07-0346 min
In the National InterestRethinking American Grand Strategy (w/ Ionut Popescu)What should America's grand strategy look like in a world shaped by resurgent great powers, regional conflict, and rising multipolarity? As China pushes to dominate the Asia-Pacific and Russia asserts itself in its near abroad, the stakes for global order—and for U.S. leadership—have never been higher. Meanwhile, the Trump administration faces the challenge of distinguishing first-order priorities from second-order distractions. Should Washington continue pursuing global primacy, or shift toward a leaner, more focused strategy rooted in realism? In this episode, Jacob Heilbrunn speaks with Ionut Popescu, Associate Professor of Political Science at Texas State University. Dr. Pope...
2025-04-0217 minBetter in BucharestPete Knutson - Intentional Growth: How to Maximize Your College Years for Lifelong SuccessPeter D. Knutson is a partner advisor in Allworth’s Lawrence, Kansas office. A graduate of Baylor University, where he earned degrees in both Financial Planning and Real Estate, he later moved to Pennsylvania where he taught an adult continuing education course on personal financial planning through Penn State University. Anxious to start a family, he subsequently relocated to Kansas where he coached University of Kansas professors, staff, and administrators about making informed investment and financial planning decisions. A CERTIFIED FINANCIAL PLANNER™ professional with 30 years of advisory experience, he is the father of five children. When he is not work...
2025-03-1827 minBetter in BucharestJimmy Martin - Finding Your Why: Purpose-Driven Paths to SuccessJimmy Martin is an accomplished healthcare executive with extensiveexperience in the industry. As the Vice President of Business Developmentat Three Oaks Hospice, he plays a key role in driving strategic growth andexpanding the organization's reach.Prior to this, he served as the Chief Executive Officer of Total Patient Care,where he was responsible for enhancing operational efficiency and leadingbusiness development initiatives.A graduate of Baylor University, Martin brings a strong educationalfoundation and a deep understanding of the healthcare sector to hisleadership roles.
2025-03-1822 minBetter in BucharestDavid O'hara - Beyond Titles: How to Grow Your Leadership from the Inside OutDavid is a values-based executive with demonstrated leadership in building a shared vision, translating that vision to execution, organizational development, and successful strategies for early and growth-stage businesses.David serves as President at Improving and has been with the company since its founding in 2007. He sits on the board of United Texas Bank. He is a Founding Member of the Forbes Dallas Business Council. He is a graduate of the Integral Leadership Program (ILP) at Stagen Leadership Academy. He has been an external coach for the Senior Leadership Initiative since 2013 and is now participating in the Executive...
2025-03-1828 min
Book ShelterEmergent Strategy and Grand Strategy: How American Presidents Succeed in Foreign PolicyIonut Popescu's "Emergent Strategy and Grand Strategy" explores how American presidents succeed in foreign policy by examining the competing models of Grand Strategy and Emergent Strategy. The book analyzes key foreign policy decisions made by presidents from Truman to Obama, using case studies to determine whether strategic success is the result of long-term grand strategic designs or the ability to adapt to changing circumstances. Popescu tests the competing expectations of the Grand Strategy and Emergent Strategy models through these case studies. The author compares the cases to see which strategic model leads to greater success....
2025-02-1413 minBetter in BucharestScott Thompson - The meaning of FriendshipThe podcast explores the importance of deep, long-term friendships, emphasizing that authentic friendship requires emotional investment, time, and effort. The three guests share how they became friends during childhood and college, chose to live near each other to strengthen their relationship, and how this decision positively impacted their lives, families, and careers.
2024-12-101h 17Better in BucharestScott Thompson & friends - The importance of friendshipFriendship is more than just shared laughter or casual meetups—it’s about trust, vulnerability, and walking through life’s highs and lows together. Whether you’re looking to strengthen old friendships, navigate conflicts, or build new connections, this podcast episode is for you.
2024-12-1030 minBetter in BucharestThe story of Lynda RandleThis episode features Lynda, who shares her journey of faith, career, and personal transformation. Lynda Tait Randle, as Bill Gaither has fondly introduced her for over a decade, was born in the inner city of Washington, D.C. She is the middle child of seven and feels blessed to have had the privilege of being raised in a Christian home. Despite being led to the Lord at the young age of 12, it would be years later before she really experienced the freedom from bondage that only God could give. Music became a way out of pain and heartache for...
2024-12-1030 minBetter in BucharestKevin Nunnally - Preparing for the jobs for the futureThis podcast features Kevin Nunnally, a retired IBM Vice President, discussing his career, leadership philosophy, and insights on the evolving workplace. The key takeaways include:Career and Technological Evolution: Kevin reflects on his 34 years at IBM and beyond, detailing major technological shifts—mainframes, personal computing, the internet, mobile tech, cloud computing, and now AI. He emphasizes how these advancements have transformed work, eliminating routine tasks through automation and demanding higher-level skills like strategy, innovation, and problem-solving.Workplace Challenges and Culture Shifts: Kevin critiques the top-down leadership style popularized by figures like Steve Jobs, contrasting it...
2024-11-2015 minBetter in BucharestTisha Gillespie - Key aspects of having a mentorThe podcast delves into the importance of relationships and mentorship in shaping our understanding of the world, particularly in an era of rapid technological advancements. The speaker emphasizes that while technology changes the way we live, human connections remain essential, a truth highlighted during the isolation of the COVID-19 pandemic.Key Takeaways:Relationships MatterHuman interactions are integral to personal growth and well-being.Family roles, such as being a parent, are deeply fulfilling and influential.The Elephant Story AnalogyThe classic tale of blind men and an elephant illustrates how limited perspectives...
2024-11-2019 minBetter in BucharestChris Tatham - True leadershipThe podcast episode of Better in Bucharest features Chris Tatham, CEO of a global market research firm, sharing transformative leadership lessons rooted in faith, humility, and service.Chris reflects on his early ambition for wealth and power, inspired by figures like Donald Trump, but reveals how his worldview shifted as he recognized the fleeting nature of fame and material success. Anchoring his life in faith and serving others reshaped his approach to leadership, family, and business.Key points of his philosophy include:Excellence in Small Things: Success begins with humility and attention...
2024-11-2019 minBetter in BucharestRon Coble - The importance of having a mentorRon Coble - Senior Vice President (Ret) South Central Regional Executive at Zurich North America. He graduated from Ardmore High School in 1974, Murray State College in 1976, and Oklahoma State University in 1979. His career spanned from 1984 to 2011 with Farmers Insurance Group/Zurich Financial, where he held various positions in Claims, Marketing, Distribution Management, Legislative-Regulatory Affairs, Media, Compliance, Risk Management, and Executive Administration. He recently retired as a Senior Vice President.Throughout his career, he moved 10 times, living in Texas, Oklahoma, and California, and worked both nationally and internationally. He has served on several boards, including holding t...
2024-08-1246 minBetter in BucharestPete Knutson - Be in the gamePeter D. Knutson is a partner-advisor at Allworth’s Lawrence, Kansas office. He holds degrees in Financial Planning and Real Estate from Baylor University. After graduating, he moved to Pennsylvania, where he taught a personal financial planning course for adult continuing education at Penn State University. Eager to start a family, he later settled in Kansas, where he provided investment and financial planning guidance to University of Kansas professors, staff, and administrators. A CERTIFIED FINANCIAL PLANNER™ professional with three decades of advisory experience, Peter is a father of five. Peter has a deep love for Romania and is pa...
2024-08-121h 08Better in BucharestChris Tatham - CEO at ETC InstituteMake Your Life Matter By Exhibiting Five Qualities That Make Great Employees Who Become Great Leaders
2023-10-2619 minBetter in BucharestJanet Nash - Respect and KindnessAttorney and Senior Vice President for American Century Investments (Retired)
2023-10-2624 minBetter in BucharestJeff Crowe - Businessman, trader and economics professorHe holds a BSBA in Finance and Economics from the University of Missouri and has worked in finance, trading futures, and options, for 29 years.
2023-06-1149 min
Better in BucharestKevin Connor - Senior VP, General Counsel and Secretary at AMCKevin Connor speaks about his faith, career, marriage, and life.
2022-05-2935 min
PODCAST DE PSICOLOGIA DEL SERPororoca, una obsesión violenta y criminalCristina y Tudor Ionescu han formado una familia feliz con sus dos hijos, Maria e Ilie. Él trabaja para una compañía telefónica y ella es contable. Ambos están en la treintena y viven en un bonito apartamento en una ciudad rumana. Su vida es la de una pareja normal con sus hijos. Pero una mañana de domingo, cuando Tudor lleva a sus hijos al parque, Maria desaparece. Sus vidas cambian abruptamente para siempre.
Título original: Pororoca
Año: 2017
Duración: 152 min.
País: Rumanía Rumanía
Dirección: Constantin Popescu
Guion: Constantin Popescu
Fotografía: Liviu Margh...
2022-02-2711 minPODCAST DE PSICOLOGIA DEL SERPororoca, una obsesión violenta y criminalCristina y Tudor Ionescu han formado una familia feliz con sus dos hijos, Maria e Ilie. Él trabaja para una compañía telefónica y ella es contable. Ambos están en la treintena y viven en un bonito apartamento en una ciudad rumana. Su vida es la de una pareja normal con sus hijos. Pero una mañana de domingo, cuando Tudor lleva a sus hijos al parque, Maria desaparece. Sus vidas cambian abruptamente para siempre.
Título original: Pororoca
Año: 2017
Duración: 152 min.
País: Rumanía Rumanía
Dirección: Constantin Popescu
Guion: Constantin Popescu
Fotografía: Liviu Margh...
2022-02-2711 min
Better in BucharestDr. Liz Jackson - Faith, doubt and Pascal's WagerDr. Liz Jackson is an Assistant Professor in the Department of Philosophy at Ryerson University. Previously, she was a Research Fellow in the School of Philosophy at Australian National University.She received her Ph.D. from the Department of Philosophy at the University of Notre Dame, and my BA in philosophy at Kansas State University.In this episode, Dr. Liz Jackson answered some interesting questions, like what Pascal’s Wager is? Is faith consistent with science? Is faith a 'crutch’? She also spoke about her doubts and what helped her in those moments.
2022-01-1253 min
Better in BucharestScott Gunnigle - The importance of networkingScott is a Medical Device Senior leader and has held Commercial positions in various capacities throughout his career with start-ups and Fortune 50 companies. Scott and his wife Elizabeth have four children on the young adult path and reside in Kansas City. Scott’s critical competency in life and leadership and life is an intense investment in people and understanding underlying motive for behavior. He continues to learn and strives in developing high-performance sales organizations.
2021-12-2024 min
Better in BucharestMelissa Beltrame - Chief Marketing Officer at Lead BankMelissa Beltrame is the Chief Marketing Office at Lead Bank, a community-minded, independent commercial bank, recognized for its innovative approach to community banking and unique banking solutions that allows real people, real businesses, and their communities to thrive. Headquartered in Kansas City, Missouri, yet serving clients digitally throughout the United States, Lead Bank is known for being a small business advocate, having outstanding client service, and creating financial pathways to those, who in the past, have been underserved. Melissa graduated Cum Laude with her Bachelor of Art degree from Vanderbilt University. Prior to joining Lead Ba...
2021-11-3036 min
Better in BucharestDr. Jerry Root - The Problem of sufferingJerry Root is a Professor at Wheaton College in Wheaton, Illinois, and a visiting Professor at Biola University. He has been studying C. S. Lewis and topics constellating around Lewis for 50 years, as well as teaching Lewis for 40 years. He has lectured on Lewis topics at 78 Universities in 18 countries. Besides his many books, Jerry has written numerous articles about C. S. Lewis and evangelism published in other books, journals, and periodicals.
2021-11-2548 minBetter in BucharestBen Jackson - CEO of Bungii | Forbes 30 Under 30Bungii is a Kansas-based company with a similar concept to ride-sharing apps like Uber and Lyft, but instead of transporting people, it transports people's stuff. Ben Jackson was named to Forbes’ ‘30 Under 30’ list.
2021-09-1427 min
Better in BucharestNathan Magnuson - Author of the books Stand Out! and Ignite Your Leadership ExpertiseNathan Magnuson is a corporate leadership development consultant, coach, and trainer. He's worked in a staff or consulting role with several Fortune 500 companies and large public service organizations, including Accenture, MASCO, FBI, and Defense Intelligence Agency. Nathan is also a military veteran, having served a tour with the Army Special Operations in Operation Iraqi Freedom.In addition to corporate work, Nathan is also the author of Stand Out! (Jun 2020) and Ignite Your Leadership Expertise (Oct 2018) and has articles posted on his site NathanMagnuson.com and in various leadership publications.Nathan grew up in Kansas City...
2021-07-1752 min
Better in BucharestJanet Nash - Attorney and Senior Vice President for American Century InvestmentsJanet Nash is Senior Vice President for American Century Investments, a Kansas City-based investment firm, where she is responsible for legal support of all distribution efforts, both domestic and international. Janet’s hobbies include music, photography, traveling, writing, and playing with her husband, Dean, and their three sons, Reilly, Spenser, and Riordan.
2021-07-1731 min
Better in BucharestTisha Gillespie - The Spiritual Formation of Young PeopleIn this episode, Tisha Gillepsie (coach and mentor at Reconnect Resources) shares lessons she learned from her parents, what spiritual formation is, why it is essential for spiritual growth, and how a young person can grow in this area. Tisha has over thirty years of experience investing in the ‘next’ generation of leaders through relational mentoring and coaching. She served as a US Placement Coordinator for Amicus International Student Exchange and her family has hosted three European exchange students. In her current work with Reconnect Resources, she is motivated by a desire to see young people thrive indivi...
2020-08-2729 min
Better in BucharestPaul Gastineau - How to manage your money in your 20sIn this episode, Paul Gastineau - Retired Vice President Regulatory Relations CenterPoint Energy - shares lessons he learned from his grandparents, who thrived in the great depression, how to save money for 'rainy days,' and the importance of generosity.CenterPoint Energy is a Fortune 500 Company that delivers electricity and natural gas in various states in the US.
2020-08-2519 min
Better in BucharestMarcus Mossberger - Sr Director, Industry and Solution Strategy at Infor - Working remotely in the age of COVID 19In this episode, Marcus Mossberger discusses the future of working remotely, how we navigate this time without losing our mind, and the importance of transferable skills.
2020-08-1928 min
Better in BucharestSteve Cesler - VP P&G Global (Ret) - 3 Crisis Leadership Ideas for Challenging TimesThe coronavirus has disrupted the daily lives of millions of people around the globe. In this episode Steve Cesler, VP at P&G (Ret), talks about what can we do to navigate the many challenges of the days that lie ahead.
2020-06-2428 min
Better in BucharestKevin Nunnally - VP IBM Global (Ret) - Overcoming worries, fears and anxietyIn this episode, Kevin tells us lessons he learned in 30 years of working at IBM, how his Christian faith helped him get through the hard times, the importance of friendships and why he has hope in these difficult times when the whole world is affected by COVID-19.
2020-04-2630 min
Wisdom Factory Literary Society PodcastCOUNTER-TERRORISM KEEPING AMERICA SAFE & STATE SPONSORS OF TERRORISM | #006Preston Nieves and Nicholas Flores.
We will be analyzing the actions of state sponsors of terrorism and assessing the threat they pose to American security, we will also be offering policy options about how the US should conduct its foreign diplomacy when it comes to interacting with countries that support terrorists.
Special Guest: Dr. Ionut Popescu PhD Duke University, B.A. Occidental College,
Blog: https://wisdomfactoryliterarysocietyt... Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/wisdomfactor... Venmo: @WisdomFactorylsTXST
2019-03-1629 min![DEF CON 23 [Audio] Speeches from the Hacker Convention](http://www.defcon.org/images/defcon-23/dc-23-itunes-logo-Audio.jpg){kind=logo}
DEF CON 23 [Audio] Speeches from the Hacker ConventionIonut Popescu - NetRipper - Smart traffic sniffing for penetration testersMaterials Available here:https://media.defcon.org/DEF%20CON%2023/DEF%20CON%2023%20presentations/DEFCON-23-Ionut-Popescu-NetRipper.pdf
Whitepaper Here: DEFCON-23-Ionut-Popescu-NetRipper-WP.pdf
NetRipper - Smart traffic sniffing for penetration testers
Ionut Popescu Senior Security Consultant at KPMG Romania
The post-exploitation activities in a penetration test can be challenging if the tester has low-privileges on a fully patched, well configured Windows machine. This work presents a technique for helping the tester to find useful information by sniffing network traffic of the applications on the compromised machine, despite his low-privileged rights. Furthermore, the encrypted traffic is also...
2015-10-2200 min