The San Francisco Experience

International Investigative journalists are vulnerable to attack but Forbidden Stories is doing something about it. Safebox Network ensures that even if the reporter is killed, their story will be taken up and published be a network of collaborating journalists. The goal of the organization is to prevent reporters being silenced for their beliefs and discoveries.

San Francisco is on the rebound after years of political mismanagement and Covid hangover. 17 of the largest AI companies in the world are located in San Francisco. And the City continues to be a magnet for top talent - this time, AI specialists. Venture capital investment is also fueling a rapid turnaround.

In early January, Volker left on a six month road trip through South America. In March we recorded our first podcast as he wound up a two month visit to Peru. In today's episode, he recounts his travels through Chile from the Atacama Desert in the North to Tierra del Fuego in the South. Deserts, Lakes, Ice fields, Fjords and Tierra del Fuego: a country of dramatically diverse climates and landscapes.

Geling Yan is an acclaimed Chinese American author. Her books were widely circulated in China until the Covid Pandemic in 2020. She criticized the Chinese government for a lack of candor in dealing with the crisis. As a result her books are no longer published in China. Criminal Lu Yan Shi is inspired by her two grandfathers who were both persecuted as intellectuals. The cover art for the book was created by renowned Chinese artist and dissident AiWeiWei.

The US needs to bolster our public diplomacy with Europe and NATO members in particular. With the nation celebrating its' 250 th anniversary of Independence, it is the perfect reason to set out the welcome mat and reset frayed diplomatic ties.