Ameritocracy

E82: CA Syndicated Opinion Columnist Dan Walters on California Politics, Economy, and a Way Forward

In this very special episode of Ameritocracy, host Troy Edgar [https://www.troyedgar.com/biography] travels to Sacramento to meet with Dan Walters [https://calmatters.org/author/dan-walters/], one of California's most syndicated columnists and author. He has covered the state's political scene since 1975, spending over 33 years at the Sacramento Bee [https://www.sacbee.com/], and currently writes for CalMatters [https://calmatters.org/author/dan-walters/#latest-stories]. Dan shares his insights on California's evolution from a Republican-leaning to a solidly Democratic state, shaped by shifts in industry and demographics. He highlights the state's heavy reliance on high-income taxpayers, which makes its budget vulnerable to economic swings and delves into pressing issues—like education, transportation, and housing affordability—that jeopardize its future. With over 50 years in journalism and four books on California's politics, Dan brings a seasoned perspective on the policies shaping the state's economic and political trajectory. Ameritocracy™ is produced by Prospect House Media and recorded in studio locations in Los Angeles and Washington D.C.

E81: IBM's Quantum Safe Senior Marketing Manager Ray Shieh on What is Quantum Computing?

This week on the Ameritocracy show, host Troy Edgar is in Washington, D.C. where he sits down with Ray Shieh, Quantum Safe [https://www.ibm.com/quantum/quantum-safe] Senior Product Marketing Manager at IBM [https://www.ibm.com/data-security?utm_content=SRCWW&p1=Search&p4=43700067972513691&p5=p&p9=58700007546740765&gad_source=1&gclid=Cj0KCQiAr7C6BhDRARIsAOUKifh7HXAg5KgKVC2fQsbMD0WTz1Uo8uC1J3r0sEMsj1Ca5zCqQqjEiSgaAkudEALw_wcB&gclsrc=aw.ds] for a fascinating conversation on the rapid advancement in quantum computing. Ray shares his journey from leading cybersecurity efforts at Microsoft [https://www.microsoft.com/en-us/security], both in Taiwan and Washington state, to his current role at IBM where he specializes in post-quantum cryptography and quantum-safe computing. Ray also discusses how he leverages his marketing and cybersecurity experience to explore potential quantum applications and highlights the importance of quantum-safe cryptography in safeguarding data from future threats. Ameritocracy™ is produced by Prospect House Media and recorded in studio locations in Los Angeles and Washington D.C.

E80: Sidebar Conversations - The Rise of Micro-Credentials w/ Troy Edgar & Anne Collier

Welcome to our monthly series where we dive into challenging topics, current events, explore faith, and much more. Expect fresh insights from familiar faces and new voices as we engage in candid discussions. Join us for open and honest fellowship, embracing diverse perspectives. Featured guest: Anne Collier, certified executive coach and CEO of Arudia [https://arudia.com/], a coaching and training firm based in Washington, D.C. Topics explored in this episode: * Does a degree still have value? * The importance of well-rounded skills * Resume building * Micro-credentialing do's and don'ts * Leadership development Wall Street Journal article 'College Doesn't Need to Take Four Years' can be found here [https://www.wsj.com/articles/college-doesnt-need-to-take-four-years-higher-education-credentials-university-degree-training-credits-students-11675370630]. Forbes article 'What are Microcredentials? A Complete Guide' can be found here [https://www.forbes.com/advisor/education/career-resources/microcredentials/]. Take the Actualized Leadership Profile [https://arudia.com/actualized-leadership-profile/] to find out to how your leadership can both positively and negatively influence your team and organizational culture. Ameritocracy™ is produced by Prospect House Media and recorded in studio locations in Los Angeles and Washington D.C.

E79: Western States Petroleum Association President Catherine Reheis-Boyd on CA Energy & Economic Needs

This week, Ameritocracy visits Sacramento, California where host Troy Edgar [https://www.troyedgar.com/biography] had the opportunity to meet with Cath Reheis-Boyd [https://www.wspa.org/staff/catherine-reheis-boyd/], President and CEO of the Western States Petroleum Associatio [https://www.wspa.org/]n, representing the industry's interest in exploration, production, refining, and transportation across California, Arizona, Nevada, Washington, and Oregon. From her roots in natural resource management to nearly 40 years in the energy sector, Cath discusses California's evolving oil and gas landscape, the challenges of recent state policies on drilling, and the balance needed between environmental goals and economic stability. Her insights shed light on how California's energy policies impact the entire West Coast and the nation. Tune in to hear from an industry leader committed to pragmatic solutions and passionate about guiding the energy sector into a future of meaningful change. Ameritocracy™ is produced by Prospect House Media and recorded in studio locations in Los Angeles and Washington D.C.

E78: USC MBV Program Director James Bogle on Integrity & Veteran Transition

On this week's episode of Ameritocracy, host Troy Edgar [https://www.troyedgar.com/biography] is joined in L.A. by James Bogle [https://www.marshall.usc.edu/personnel/james-bogle], the Director of the Master of Business for Veterans Program [https://www.marshall.usc.edu/programs/graduate-programs/specialized-masters/master-of-business-for-veterans] (MBV) at the USC Marshall School of Business. A seasoned Army veteran with extensive leadership experience, James shares his insights into the challenges veterans face transitioning to civilian life. We discussed the USC MBV program and how it equips veterans with the business acumen needed to thrive in corporate America or start their own venture. James highlights the importance of the program's cohort model in fostering invaluable in-person connections with other students and mentors who have contributed to its success. Troy is proud to support USC veteran students as a mentor and is excited about the MBV program's future, expanding its reach to other universities to increase awareness of its benefits for countless veterans. Ameritocracy™ is produced by Prospect House Media and recorded in studio locations in Los Angeles and Washington D.C.