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 hearing so much about it, especially from my daughter who traveled there last year, I finally had the chance to explore it myself. Her insights shaped how I planned the trip and how I approached each day, and in many ways this episode continues that conversation.

This one is special: I share my journey from San Francisco to Valencia, Spain — culminating in my victory at the Valencia Marathon.

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 this ugly year in trade and in life. In this episode, I share its story, the turbulence of 2025, and five lessons worth keeping. I’ll leave you with a gentle invitation: What “ugly mugs” have you kept? What stories do they hold? And stay tuned—Episode 20 may come to you from Spain, as I run the Valencia Marathon and reflect on what’s next.

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, we’ve looked back, we’ve looked around—and now we look ahead. But clarity is elusive. Will the world split into two economic spheres? Can AI help automate classification? Should we revive old licensing models? And what is the key to success in creating some means of predictability in a world of geopolitical uncertainty? Once again, I am joined by Bruce Jackson and together we will explore these questions with candor, curiosity, and maybe a little humor. Because in export controls, déjà vu isn’t just a feeling—it’s a forecast.”

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, the past, present and the way forward. In Part 1, which I called The Long Strange Trip, we explored the historical arc of export controls. Today, we turn to the present—and it’s complicated. From China’s tech ambitions to Russia’s impact on multilateral regimes, from AI’s promise and peril to the post-COVID compliance landscape, exporters face a maze of challenges. I am again joined by Bruce Jackson, whose depth of experience helps us make sense of this shifting terrain and brings deep insight into how companies are adapting, what regulators are prioritizing, and where the real risks lie. This is the reality check.

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, industry, and the multilateral frameworks that define this space. Bruce has not only witnessed the evolution of export controls—he’s helped shape how companies and policymakers respond to it. We will trace the long, strange trip: from the Cold War’s COCOM era to the post-Berlin Wall regulation rewrites, from the rise of multilateral controls to the relaxation of those same controls, and into the regulatory shifts of the past two administrations—including entity list, Huawei, and semiconductors.

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 passed away peacefully at home, surrounded by family. A few days later, I gave a talk at her memorial service—a tribute honoring her faith, family, and the things she loved most. This episode begins with that recording. It’s also about my dad, who passed away in March 2022. I’ve re-recorded his tribute—not only to preserve his memory but to reflect on the themes that shaped his life: his past, his patriotism, and his passions.

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 risk, and the role of U.S. technology in global conflict. This week on my podcast, I’m telling the story—not of what I said, but of what it meant. It’s about showing up when the stakes are high.

For this episode, I revisit the topic of layoffs. Many individuals globally are affected by decisions made by corporations and governments to reduce their workforce. While layoffs can be challenging, they may also lead to new opportunities.  It can be traumatic and uncomfortable, but it can be positive and liberating, opening new opportunities never imagined.  

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.

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 action, speculation of a pending action or threats to take an action involving global trade.

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 2001 to 2011, and the CEO of SVB’s joint venture with the Shanghai Pudong Development Bank in Shanghai until 2015.I hope you enjoyed listening to Ken and me […]

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 CEO of SVB's joint venture with the Shanghai Pudong Development Bank in Shanghai until 2015. Ken is also the author of two books. The first published in 2020 is "Leading Through Culture: How Real Leaders Create Cultures That Motivate People to Achieve Great Things" and the second published in 2024 is "The China Business Conundrum: Ensure That "Win-Win" Doesn't Mean Western Companies Lose Twice. In the first segment of Episode 12, Ken and I will explore his perspective that culture takes precedence over strategy and will discuss several key leadership practices that inspire individuals to achieve exceptional outcomes.

Involuntary separation, also known as layoff, termination, job elimination, or sometimes dismissal, is the outcome of corporate decisions to reduce their workforce. It has been exactly six months since my involuntary separation from Intel Corp. In episode 11 of Rittener Reflections, I provide a concise update on my activities over the past six months. More importantly, I will discuss the realities associated with involuntary separation and offer five tips for effectively navigating through such an experience.  

In this episode, we explore various topics in geopolitics, technology, and trade, including supply chain weaponization, export controls, tariffs, decoupling, nearshoring, tech diplomacy, and twelve strategic technology power multipliers.

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 ran together when we were at the same place at the same time. In this episode I will reflect on two of my favorite topics: Trade and Running. In addition to describing some of our memorable running adventures we dive into some timely and important geopolitical topics including US/China relations, Taiwan, Intel and more. I also offer some reflections on running marathons and provide a real time update on the iconic Boston Marathon.

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 focused on Special Situations and decision making under uncertainty. He is a trailblazer in the world of applied decision sciences. With over 15 years of experience in "special project" work for Fortune 100 boards and executive teams, Together, we discussed the critical necessity for entities to engage in scenario planning during times of uncertainty.

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 Robert Kearsley with me as we wrap up our conversation on the last day of the Bureau and Industry's Annual Update Conference on export controls and policy in Washington DC.   Listen to hear these amazing experts provide more in-depth analysis of key topics and their final assessment of the conference.  Thank you for joining!

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 export control experts who are on the ground in Washington DC attending the Bureau and Industry's Annual Update Conference on export controls and policy.  You will want to listen in as they offer key take aways from the plenary sessions on multilateral controls and export enforcement.

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 control experts attending the Bureau and Industry's Annual Update Conference this week in Washington DC.