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Because That's What Heroes Do

Because That’s What Heroes Do – Firefly – Episode 1, Serenity

Megan and I go in a different direction for our next sci-fi series as we take up the 2002 series Firefly. The show is an American space Western drama television series. The series is set in the year 2517, after the arrival of humans in a new star system, and follows the adventures of the renegade crew of Serenity, a “Firefly-class” spaceship. The ensemble cast portrays the nine characters who live on Serenity.

In this episode, Tom and Megan begin with the Pilot Episode, “Serenity,” by discussing the characters and their dynamics. You’ll hear their thoughts on the Western tropes present in the show and the moral ambiguity that’s reminiscent of Deep Space Nine. They discuss the portrayal of sex work and the universe in which the show takes place, examining the political nature of the conflict and the dangers of terraforming. You want to see their fascinating comparison between the Reavers and the Borg, both being a horrifying transformation of humans. The hosts also analyze the alliance and its similarities to other governmental agencies in space franchises, such as Star Wars, and the mishmash of various genres, languages, peoples, concepts, and ideas presented in the show. Join the Because That’s What Heroes Do community to participate in fascinating discussions and theories for the next episodes.

Highlights:

  • Firefly TV Show Review – Pilot Episode
  • Western Genre and Firefly Characters Comparison
  • Problematic Tropes and Characterization in Mid-2000s TV
  • Political Conflict and Terraforming in Alternate Universe
  • Comparison of Firefly’s Reavers to Borg and Hitchcock
  • Comparing Alliance to Star Wars Empire

 Resources

Megan Dougherty 

LinkedIn

One Stone Creative

Twitter

Tom 

Instagram

Facebook

YouTube

Twitter

LinkedIn

Categories
Trekking Through Compliance

Trekking Through Compliance – Episode 0 – Introduction to the Updated Series

Since 2017, I have posted the podcast Trekking Through Compliance each summer. Not only am I a full-fledged Trekkie, there are many of us in the compliance community. To commemorate the 6th anniversary of this series, I have updated each episode with new commentary and insights for the compliance professional and business executive. Each episode is relatively short, coming in at 10 minutes or so. This allows you to get a handle on the storyline and the lessons learned from it. So even if you have listed and re-listened over the past 4 summers, you will learn something new and revisit one of the most significant TV series ever.


In this podcast series, I explore compliance, leadership, and risk management through the lens of Star Trek-The Original Series in a 79-episode offering. Each podcast reviews the episode’s creative team, story synopsis, and three key lessons learned on compliance, leadership, and governance. If you love Star Trek as I do, this podcast series is for you. I will use two key resources for each offering: (1) Eric’s Excruciatingly Detailed Star Trek (TOS) Plot Summaries, which has plot summaries for every episode, and (2) MissionLogPodcast.com, a Rod Roddenberry podcast where Ken Ray and John Champion explore every episode of every Star Trek, the Original Series. Please note that I will use the order of release in this podcast series, so the first episode is the premier TV show on September 10, 1966, The Man Trap. This means that both pilots will appear later in the series. Also, the TV premiers are on a different schedule than the production schedule. So, listen over the next 79 episodes, revisit one of television’s great achievements, and learn how you can use Star Trek to improve your corporate compliance program and yourself as a compliance professional. We are going to have some fun.

Categories
Career Can D0

The Project Management Paradigm: Exploring Possibilities with Eddie Merla

A proficient project manager plays a vital role in guiding a project to its successful completion, impacting both organizational objectives and individual lives. In this episode of Career Can Do, project management expert Eddie Merla joins Mary Ann Faremouth to share insights for anyone contemplating or currently in the field of project management. Eddie Merla is a seasoned project management  professional whose expertise extends to training and consulting. He is also the co-author of Communicate, Lead and Transform, a book which teaches effective leadership and transformation strategies. He serves as an adjunct professor at Rice University’s Susan M. Glascock School of Continuing Studies. He and Mary Ann explore the journey into project management, including the skills required, the importance of certification, and the tangible benefits this profession can bring to organizations and individuals alike.

Project management is not just about understanding the tasks at hand; it’s a more holistic approach that requires a blend of numerous skills. Eddie underscores the importance of leadership, communication, time management, creative problem-solving, and team-building skills. Moreover, he emphasizes that “project management is about managing value, not just tasks.” This implies that a good project manager should look beyond mere task completion, focusing on creating and maintaining value throughout the project’s lifecycle.

 

Eddie believes that certification, particularly the Project Management Professional (PMP) certification, can be a valuable stepping stone in the journey to becoming a proficient project manager. “Obtaining the certification requires experience and passing a credential exam,” he tells listeners. This certification can help individuals understand the language and processes of project management, enabling them to integrate into the role seamlessly.

 

Project management brings tangible benefits that extend beyond mere task execution, Eddie shares. It formalizes the process, impacts lives and organizations, and enhances the success rate of projects. Reflecting on his experiences, he suggests that project management is essentially about “weathering the storm and helping organizations achieve their goals.”

 

Resources

Eddie Merla on the Web | LinkedIn | Communicate, Lead and Transform

Faremouth.com

Categories
let's talk about it

It’s Art, Let’s Talk About It – Jason Scull

The Museum of Western Art is dedicated to excellence in the collection, preservation, and promotion of Western Heritage and our diverse audiences’ education and cultural enrichment. The Museum serves as a bridge between the past and the present, ensuring that the legacy of the American West will be preserved for the future. Western Art is as engaging and important as ever. In this podcast series, Museum Executive Director Darrell Beauchamp visits with the artists who work in this Western heritage to talk about their work, the legacy of Western Art, and why talking about it is so important today.

In this inaugural episode of “It’s Art, Let’s Talk About It,” host Darrell Beauchamp interviews sculptor Jason Scull and talks about how he got started in sculpting and how his mother’s encouragement helped his artistry blossom. Despite his family’s farming and ranching background, Jason found solace and inspiration in art. He explains how his journey into sculpting began with a simple question at a museum, leading to an exciting and fulfilling career.

Jason primarily sculpts cows, horses, and Hispanic subjects, denoting Texas culture and regional work. The podcast explores the significance of mentorship and the responsibility of successful artists to give back, including Jason’s work with the Western Art Academy. The hosts also touch on the history and future of the Cowboy Artists of America organization and provide useful advice for aspiring artists. Listen in as Jason and Darrell dive deep into the world of visual art in this exciting and enlightening conversation. If you’ve ever been interested in sculpting or art, this episode is a must-listen.

Here are three tips to keep in mind:

1. Believe in yourself – Jason’s story is an inspiring example of how believing in yourself and your abilities can lead to amazing opportunities. Don’t be afraid to take chances and explore new paths.

2. Find inspiration in unexpected places – Sometimes, inspiration can be found in the most unexpected places. Jason’s chance question at a museum led to his passion for sculpting. Keep an open mind and let yourself be inspired by the world around you.

3. Practice, practice, practice – Jason didn’t become a talented sculptor overnight. It took years of hard work and dedication. Whatever your passion may be, remember that practice and persistence are key to improving.

As Jason says: “The circuitous route our lives take at times takes us to strange places.” Listen to this episode to learn more about Jason’s incredible journey and how his love of sculpting has helped him find fulfillment in life.

 Resources

Museum of Western Art

Darrell Beauchamp on LinkedIn

Jason Scull

Categories
Life with GDPR

Life With GDPR: Class Action Update

Tom Fox and Jonathan Armstrong, renowned experts in cyber security, co-host the award-winning Life with GDPR. Join them in this episode as they discuss the recent court decision in the Austrian case and its implications on GDPR claims. Discover the guidelines for GDPR damage compensation, assessment of damages, liability provisions, and how businesses can make themselves more robust to avoid such claims. They also delve into the importance of acting quickly in the event of a breach and insurers’ sophistication in cyberattack policies. Tune in to learn more, and check out the article on the quarterly compliance website. Don’t miss out on their engaging conversation and valuable insights!

 

Key Takeaways:

  • Understanding GDPR compensation claims
  • Insurance Claims and Breach Response Strategy
  • Cyber insurance is becoming more selective in writing cover

Notable Quotes:

“I would say when you have a title like that, you get the attention of many class action lawyers.”

“Not every infringement of GDPR automatically gives rise to compensation.”

“The right to compensation under GDPR needs 3 things. Firstly, an infringement of GDPR; secondly, material damage resulting; and thirdly, a causal link between the damage and the infringement.”

“If you haven’t got the right team in place, Even on New Year’s Day or Christmas day, Easter or Passover or, you know, during fasting, then that’s your fault, not ours, and regulators are not forgiving.”

 Resources:

For more information on the issues raised in this podcast, check out the Cordery Compliance News Section. For more information on Cordery Compliance, go to their website here. Also, check out the GDPR Navigator, one of the top resources for GDPR Compliance, by clicking here.

Connect with Tom Fox

Connect with Jonathan Armstrong

Categories
Sustainability

Sustainability: The Business Opportunity of the 21st Century – Purpose Driven Business: A Winning Strategy

We are at a moment of enormous global change and even greater business opportunity. Climate change is the single biggest commercial opportunity of our time. In this podcast, Tom Fox and Sustainability guru Richard Blundell explore the opportunities open to businesses that embrace sustainability from the business perspective. Find out why sustainability is the greatest opportunity of the 21st century, and you can prepare your business to take advantage of the unprecedented global opportunity.

Join co-hosts Tom Fox and Richard Blundell as they explore the business opportunity of the 21st century in their podcast, sustainability. In this episode, the hosts dive into net zero emissions and how businesses can utilize nature as a carbon sink to combat global warming. They discuss the importance of regenerating natural ecosystems and the role of Environmental, Social, and Governance frameworks in measuring and improving companies’ environmental footprint.

Tom and Richard also highlight the impressive accomplishments of a company that achieved net zero emissions by mimicking nature, reducing costs, improving competitiveness, and increasing customer goodwill. The episode concludes with a discussion on attracting and retaining the best talent by focusing on delivering improved societal and environmental outcomes alongside economic outcomes. Tune in for more intriguing insights on how sustainability can drive business success!

Key Highlights:

  • Net 0 and removing carbon dioxide
  • Sustainability practices for business efficiency and benefits
  • Creating a Net Zero Company
  • Importance of Sustainability in Talent Acquisition
  • The Importance of Purpose for Business Success

Listen to the full episode for insights and practical tips for incorporating sustainability into business practices. Richard’s enthusiasm and practicality will inspire you to explore sustainability as a business opportunity.

Resources

Richard Blundell

Tom Fox

Instagram

Facebook

YouTube

Twitter

LinkedIn

Categories
Daily Compliance News

Daily Compliance News – June 1, 2023 – The He Said/He Said Edition

Welcome to the Daily Compliance News. Each day, Tom Fox, the Voice of Compliance, brings you compliance-related stories to start your day. Sit back, enjoy a cup of morning coffee, and listen to the Daily Compliance News. All from the Compliance Podcast Network. Each day we consider four stories from the business world, compliance, ethics, risk management, leadership, or general interest for the compliance professional.

Stories we are following in today’s edition:

  • Do you have the right to disconnect? (FT)
  • Jho Low in Macau. (Al Jazeera)
  • 737 Max family victims can sue for pre-crash pain and suffering of victims. (Reuters)
  • Jes Staley says he talked to Jamie Dimon about Epstein. (WSJ)