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Rittener Reflections
Worldwide trade has become increasingly complex, risky and unpredictable. Those who engage in cross-border trade have been forced to change long-standing practices and adjust their supply chain to continue providing the world with desired goods at an optimal cost. This coming year will continue to present those who engage in cross border trade with uncertainty and challenge. This podcast is intended to offer my reflections on this critical topic.
Episodes
Rittener ReflectionsEp38: The Dragon Under Pressure – An Insider’s View of Chinese Companies
Episode 36 brings Jeff together with Matt Bell, founder of TradeCompliance.Software, for a timely look at the fast‑changing trade tech landscape. After two…
Rittener ReflectionsEP37 – The Fragile Dragon: How China Sees Itself and The World Sees China
Jeff welcomes author Ker Gibbs for a candid conversation about China, drawn from decades of living and working between two worlds. They trace the experiences…
Rittener ReflectionsEP 36: Matt’s List: Mapping the Trade Tech Landscape
Matt Bell Episode 36 brings Jeff together with Matt Bell, founder of TradeCompliance.Software, for a timely look at the fast‑changing trade tech landscape…
Rittener ReflectionsEP 35: Leading the Trade Community – With WIT‑NC, TTRA, and PAEI
Event details and registration for the: WIT‑NC, TTRA, & PAEI 2026 Global Trade Compliance Best Practices Conference — October 14, 2026: Leading the Trade…
Rittener ReflectionsEP34: A Valentine Dream: Lifting the Lombardi at SoFi!
Jeff previews the 2026 NFL season with a ten‑point primer, a training‑camp field clip, and a warm, story‑rich conversation with two close friends, Robin and…
Rittener ReflectionsEP33: The Tariff Toolbox
Inspired by a toolbox passed down from his grandfather, Jeff uses Episode 33 to unpack the real tariff tools the President is reaching for in 2026. With IEEPA…
Rittener ReflectionsEP 32: 2026 World Cup: Reflections from the Bay Area
This episode follows Jeff’s month‑long experience of the 2026 World Cup as lived across the Bay Area. Along the way, he reflects on a World Cup journey that…
Rittener ReflectionsEP:31 Part 2 Geo‑Strategy: Operational Realities
Geostrategy is an inflection point; a way for companies to think strategically, act proactively, and neutralize surprises. In Part II, Jeff and Jeannette shift…
Rittener ReflectionsEP:31 Geo‑Strategy: Survival in a Geopolitical World
Jeff Rittener sits down with national‑security strategist Jennette Chu for a two‑part conversation on geo‑strategy; the discipline of connecting geopolitical…
Rittener ReflectionsEP30: Airbnb and Me. Tales of a New Airbnb Owner/Host
In this solo episode, Jeff records from inside his own Airbnb condo on Main Street in Fuquay‑Varina, North Carolina, to mark one year as a short‑term rental…
Rittener ReflectionsEP29: When Europe Stopped Following Washington – Export Controls in Europe: An Insider View
Europe's export control system is evolving quickly, creating new challenges for global companies operating across borders. In this episode, Jeff speaks with…
Rittener ReflectionsEP28: Part Two: Riding It with Confidence
With clarity on the forces shaping the profession, this second episode turns to what it takes to ride the rollercoaster with confidence in 2026. Bruce Jackson…
Rittener ReflectionsEP28: Part One: The New Rollercoaster Moment
Cross‑border trade is being reshaped by geopolitical tension, new regulatory demands, and rising expectations inside global companies. In this opening episode…
Rittener ReflectionsEP27: Know Your Data: Trade’s New AI Reality
Trade has become a strategic driver of the bottom line, and the team's leading it are being asked to move faster with greater accuracy than ever before. In…
Rittener ReflectionsEP26: Trustworthy AI for a Fragile Supply Chain
In this episode, Jeff sits down with Baz Khuti, CEO of Sustain360, to explore what trustworthy AI really looks like in a world where supply chains are becoming…
Rittener Reflections25: Tariffs, Refunds, and Uncertainty
This episode examines the Supreme Court’s decision striking down the IEEPA‑based tariffs and the confusion it created for importers. Jeff Rittener speaks with…
Rittener Reflections24: Super Bowl LX – An Unforgettable Day at Levi’s
I captured five live moments from Super Bowl LX with my daughter as we moved through the day at Levi’s — from arriving early to the final whistle — and added…
Rittener Reflections23: Intentional Leadership in Global Trade
2025 kept global trade on its heels. 2026 demands a different posture — one built on intentionality, clarity, and smart offense. In Episode 23, I break down…
Rittener Reflections21: Part 2 People in Portugal
Portugal has become one of the world’s most talked‑about destinations — and after spending time there, I understand why. Last week, I shared Pathways in…
Rittener Reflections22: 2025, the Year of the Unexpected
The final episode of Rittener Reflections for 2025. When I launched this podcast back in January, I opened with five certainties I believed would shape…
Rittener Reflections21: Pathways to Portugal
Portugal has become one of the world’s most popular destinations — a place people are visiting, revisiting, and in many cases choosing to call home. After…
Rittener Reflections20: Victory In Valencia
This one is special: I share my journey from San Francisco to Valencia, Spain — culminating in my victory at the Valencia Marathon.
Rittener Reflections19: The Ugly Mug
Episode 19 arrives just before Thanksgiving: lessons from a lopsided mug and a turbulent year.” A lopsided mug from my childhood has become my metaphor for…
Rittener Reflections18: Export Controls: Past, Present, and the Path Forward. – Pt. 3 I Can See Clearly Now (Not!)
Welcome back to Rittener Reflections Episode 18 and to Part 3 of our series on export controls which I have called, “I can see clearly now” (Not!) You see…
Rittener Reflections18: Export Controls: Past, Present, and the Path Forward. – Pt. 2 Reality Check
Welcome back to this three-part series of Rittener Reflections where we seek to understand the complex, critical and ever-changing world of export controls…
Rittener Reflections18: Export Controls: Past, Present, and the Path Forward. – Pt: 1 The Long Strange Trip
The Long Strange Trip. In this first session, I’m joined by Bruce Jackson*, a longtime practitioner and friend whose depth of experience spans government…
Rittener Reflections17: Two lives. One legacy. A tribute to my parents, Patricia and Eric Rittener
Welcome to a special episode of Rittener Reflections. Today, I’m stepping away from my usual format to share something deeply personal. Last month, my mom…
Rittener Reflections16: Special Edition: Doing the Difficult Things
One year ago today, I testified before the U.S. Senate Permanent Subcommittee on Investigations. I was still with Intel. The topic: export controls, diversion…
Rittener Reflections15: – Doing Something “Wonderful” Again
For this episode, I revisit the topic of layoffs. Many individuals globally are affected by decisions made by corporations and governments to reduce their…
Rittener Reflections14: It Begins and Ends at Levi’s
From training camp dreams to Super Bowl destiny, the road to glory doesn’t just pass through Levi’s Stadium—it starts and ends here.
Rittener Reflections13: BIS 50% Rule – The Sayari Solution
2025: I am certain you need no reminder, but we are squarely in the middle of a trade war! Every day and all day there are news reports of some action, counter…
Rittener Reflections12: Pt.2 The China Business Conundrum
Please join me for episode 12, part 2 of “Rittener Reflections,” where I am joined by Ken Wilcox, the former CEO of Silicon Valley Bank (SVB) from…
Rittener Reflections12: Is Culture more important than Strategy?
Please join me for episode 12, part one of Rittener Reflections as I am joined by Ken Wilcox the former CEO of Silicon Valley Bank (SVB) from 2001 to 2011 and…
Rittener Reflections11: Involuntarily Separated
Involuntary separation, also known as layoff, termination, job elimination, or sometimes dismissal, is the outcome of corporate decisions to reduce their…
Rittener Reflections10: “Techno Nationalism” with Alex Capri: Examining global transformation
In this episode, we explore various topics in geopolitics, technology, and trade, including supply chain weaponization, export controls, tariffs, decoupling…
Rittener Reflections9: It’s a Marathon, Not a Sprint!
Join me for Episode 9 of Rittener Reflections featuring Robb Gordon who is a good friend and former colleague from Intel. Rob and I worked together and often…
Rittener Reflections8: Scenario Planning in a time of Uncertainty
In this episode of Rittener Reflections, I had the honor of spending a few moments with Sheldon Bernard, who is the founder of A440 Management LLC, a firm…
Rittener Reflections7: BIS Update Conference: Day 3
Today is March 20 and I am publishing the third and final part of this special episode of Rittener Reflections. I am excited to have Julie Whitt, Jose Vega and…
Rittener Reflections7: BIS Update Conference: Day 2
Today is March 19th and this is day two of my special three-part episode where we are enjoying real-time daily report outs, analysis, and insights from three…
Rittener Reflections7: BIS Update Conference Day 1
Please join me for a special three-part episode of Rittener Reflections where I receive real-time daily report out, analysis, and insights from three export…
Rittener Reflections6: Tariff Wars pt. 2
As the title of this episode suggests, I intend to keep the discussion of tariffs front and center as the Tariff War continues to escalate and has become even…
Rittener Reflections5: Tariff Wars
Welcome back to Rittner Reflections, a forum to address the dynamic, complex, and essential nature of cross border trade in our world today. For this episode…
Rittener Reflections4: Delightful Distraction
After reflecting on the three months since I left Intel and the opportunities that await me, I take us down a path of “delightful distractions.” The last 30…
Rittener Reflections3:The Dept. of KNOW
Welcome back to this third episode of Rittener Reflections. Today, I offer my reflections about this incredibly challenging moment in our history regarding…
Rittener Reflections2: Fasten Your Seatbelt
Hello, everyone. It is great to be back with you for episode number two of Written Reflections. The last two weeks have been quite busy for me. When I left…
Rittener Reflections1: 2025 Cross Border Trade Certainties
Hello and Happy New Year 2025. My name is Jeff Rittner and I am excited to start the new year by posting my first podcast. I am the former Chief Trade Officer…