Explore every episode of the podcast Rittener Reflections

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.

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 more relevant and turbulent since my last episode. I will catch you up on where we stand with tariffs, explore the rationale behind President Trumps obsession with tariffs and at the end announce plans for a series of updates next week.

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, we will focus our discussion on one of the hottest, most controversial, and potentially disruptive topics of our day. Tariffs. Given the fluidity of the situation under the Trump administration, details and use of tariffs around the world may have changed multiple times before we get a chance to listen. However, let us go ahead and jump in with where we are at currently. I am really excited to have with me today, Brian White. Who is the Senior Director of Global Trade Compliance and Facilitation at Intel Corporation. Brian is responsible for leading a team of global customs and trade facilitation professionals to ensure barrier free trade while identifying strategic global customs opportunities. Assessing risk and advocating in government and industry forums.

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 days have left us feeling exhausted, confused, and at times overwhelmed as we digest the ongoing, around-the-clock news cycle. The issues are so important that none of us can afford to look away in case we miss something significant. However, we need to find ways to take a mini break and focus our attention on something more positive, enjoyable, and relaxing. I will use this episode to take a break from the news and all the focus on trade and tariffs and talk about something different. Join me as I consider distractions including my amazing trip to NOLA to watch Super Bowl LIX.

 Welcome back to this third episode of Rittener Reflections. Today, I offer my reflections about this incredibly challenging moment in our history regarding cross border trade. And then I will share with you an amazing conversation I had with someone who I admire and 40 years immersed in the ever changing world of global trade.

 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 Intel, I was worried that I would have little to do and in no time at all I would be bored. But fortunately, that is not the case, as you will hear in today's podcast. To begin with, though, I would like to express my sorrow and the horror of watching the Relentless wildfires ravage parts of Los Angeles. It is heartbreaking to witness and to consider the loss. of life and property of so many. All of us in this ultra connected world are likely to know someone impacted.

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, Vice President and General Manager of the International Trade Group at Intel. Over my 34 year career, I had the privilege of leading numerous global teams, working with some of the most brilliant and talented people at Intel.