Hosted by nationally-known speaker and consultant Mark Amtower, Amtower Off-Center highlights the good, the bad, the ugly and the just plain silly of doing business in the government market. Every week experts join Mark for a lively discussion of current issues facing the government contractor community.
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Center For Presidential Transition Podcasts
Transition Lab is a behind-the-scenes look at presidential transitions. Join Valerie Boyd, director of the Partnership for Public Service’s Center for Presidential Transition for candid discussions with transition experts, exploring the relationship between presidential transitions, effective government and a strong democracy. Transition Lab is a must-listen for anyone interested in developing a better understanding of what needs to happen before a president takes office or starts a second term.
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Democracy in Focus is a new program from New Narratives and Front Page Africa looking at Liberia's governance and democracy. It's a collaboration with reporters from some of Liberia's leading newsrooms in the New Narratives program. Funding is provided by the Swedish embassy in Liberia and the American Jewish World Service. The funders had no say in the program's content.
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Protestors Demand Action on Drug Crisis, AID Cuts Hit Entire Economy, Seawall For West Point Set to Begin, and Expert Warns War Crimes Court Security Must Start Now
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28:30Coming up in this episode. The country’s drug crisis takes center stage. Citizens march on the capitol demanding action as vigilantes destroy drug dens. The massive cuts to us aid being felt across economy. From street sellers to medium sized businesses the loss of business is hurting. After years of delay a seawall meant to save thousands of homes…
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Laura Ries, chairwoman of Reis Consulting and author of multiple business strategy books, joins host Mark Amtower on this week's Amtower Off Center to discuss her latest book: The Strategic Enemy. Topics include: Building your brand with an "enemy" in mind Branding mistakes entrepreneurs make The power of saying NO to maintain focus Why brand exten…
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SPECIAL: Cecil Griffiths, security expert, on the challenges of protecting witnesses and national security during a war crimes court
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24:04Welcome to this special edition of Democracy in Focus, a collaboration between New Narratives and Front Page Africa. I’m Anthony Stephens. As plans for Liberia’s war and economic crimes court get underway, we’re running a series of special interviews with Liberian and international experts and stakeholders about how the courts could work. In this i…
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This week on Amtower Off Center, host Mark Amtower is joined by Evan Weisel, principal and co-founder of W2 Communications for a discussion on thought leadership in GovCon. Topics discussed include: What constitutes thought leadership for our market Thought leadership examples including white papers, case studies, data-based research and more How t…
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Navigating the current GovCon environment
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43:23
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43:23This week on Amtower Off Center, host Mark Amtower is joined by Kaamil Khan, president of Makpar Corporation, a small IT services firm. Topics discussed include: Khan's journey to become president of the family owned business, leveraging his law degree and a natural talent for BD Makpar's experience with my LinkedIn training and the benefits thereo…
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Government Suspends Chaotic ID Rollout and Liberia's Forests Face New Threats as Charcoal Production Soars and EcoGuards Resume Hunting
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28:30
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28:30Coming up in this episode. Following a chaotic rollout process, the government indefinitely suspends its compulsory national ID registration program. As climate change causes more and more farms to fail, rural dwellers turn to charcoal production to survive in a renewed threat to Liberia’s forests At the same time, the end of international funding …
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SPECIAL INTERVIEW: Marvin Tarawally, founder of LiberiaGivingMonth, the new online nonprofit donation platform
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28:08
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28:08Welcome to this special edition of Democracy in Focus, a collaboration between New Narratives and Front Page Africa. I’m Anthony Stephens. It’s not news to anyone that Liberia has been one of the countries most impacted by US President Donald Trump’s cuts to aid. Hundreds of Liberian NGO jobs have been lost. But a new online donation platform calle…
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SPECIAL INTERVIEW: Retiring U.S. Ambassador to Liberia, Mark Toner
1:03:36
1:03:36
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1:03:36In this special bonus episode of Democracy in Focus, Anthony Stephens has an exclusive interview with Ambassador Mark Toner on his decision to retire just one year into his two year post. Ambassador Toner's announcement came a day before Liberian President Joseph Boakai had a coveted meeting at the White House with U.S. President Donald Trump. Tone…
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This week on Amtower Off Center, Kevin Plexico, SVP of Deltek, joins host Mark Amtower for a deep discussion on the current state of government contracting. Topics include: YTD contract activity vs FY 24, and how it has impacted spending The impact on SIs, VARs, small contractors and others Regulatory changes and the future of GWACs The new Deltek …
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"Leaders Need to Love People More Than Their Foreign Bank Accounts" - A SPECIAL INTERVIEW With Leymah Gbowee, Nobel Laureate
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38:41
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38:41Welcome to this special edition of Democracy in Focus, a collaboration between New Narratives and Front Page Africa. I’m Anthony Stephens. As plans for Liberia’s war and economic crimes court get underway, we’re running a series of special interviews with Liberian and international experts and stakeholders about how the courts could work. In this i…
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Liberia Wins Seat on UN Security Council; an Interview with Nobel Laureate Leymah Gbowee, Experts Call for Mental Health Support as War Time Justice Begins, and Pregnant Women Fear the Worst After USAid ...
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28:30Coming up in this episode. Liberia wins a seat on the un security council. Ambassadors and President Boakai applaud the historic moment. Nobel laureate, Leymah Gbowee urges government to seize the win to drive war time justice beginning with economic crimes. As US aid cuts end a more than $US100 million maternal and infant mortality program, expert…
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This week on Amtower Off Center, Nick Wakeman, editor in chief of Washington Technology, joins host Mark Amtower for a wide-ranging discussion on the state of the GovCon market as reflected by the WashTech 2025 Top 100 contractors. Topics discussed include: First year-over-year decline in prime contracts since 2016 sequestration A recap of CGI's St…
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Special Interview: Rosemary Mbabazi, Rwanda's Ambassador to Liberia, On What the World Can Learn from Rwanda's Journey from Genocide
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18:46
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18:46Welcome to this special edition of Democracy in Focus, a collaboration between New Narratives and Front Page Africa. I’m Anthony Stephens. As plans for Liberia’s war and economic crimes court get underway, we’re running a series of special interviews with Liberian and international experts and stakeholders about how the courts could work. In this i…
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President Quiets Doubters With Big War Crimes Court Budget and A Critical Report Says EPA Failures Cost Liberians a Crucial Weather Warning System
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28:30President Boakai quiets doubters with a renewed mandate for the war crimes court office and a big increase in budget to two million dollars As Rwanda commemorates thirty-one years since its genocide, its ambassador says the world can learn from its path to reconciliation and justice. And… a report says a lack of competence and inflated salary claim…
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Shauna Weatherly, former govie and now founder and president of FebSubK,joins host MarkAmtower for an in-depth discussion on the current state of the SmartPay (government charge card) program. Topics include: The charge card program background from inception in the late 1980s How it works and why it is so successful at what it does What is happenin…
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Heart Disease, Stroke and Diabetes Reach Crisis Levels; 3500 USAID teaching scholarships cut and poverty rises in rural Liberia
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28:30
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28:30In this episode..A silent killer is stalking Liberians. Heart disease, stroke, diabetes and other so called non communicable diseases are reaching crisis levels. Experts say awareness campaigns are needed. Thousands of teachers pursuing degrees in education are ejected from us aid- funded scholarships. Experts say Liberia’s school children will los…
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SPECIAL Interview: Dr. Clement Peter, outgoing WHO Representative on the growing crisis of heart disease, diabetes, cancer and other preventable diseases
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22:49
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22:49Heart disease, cancer, mental illness and diabetes are some of a group of diseases that are growing at an alarming rate in Liberia, killing far more people than better known killers like malaria and typhoid. More than one in three deaths are now caused by so-called lifestyle diseases – preventable diseases that are primarily caused by diet, stress,…
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Coming up in this episode. As Liberia comes to terms with us aid cuts, economists warn of lost jobs and public services with more aid cuts looming. Local NGO heads worry about the ripple effects as staff are laid off, scholarships end and drugs run out. And…..the aid cuts situation also throws into jeopardy, Liberia’s much-heralded campaign to esta…
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The Trump administation's executive orders and their impact on GovCon
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40:32This week on Amtower Off Center, host Mark Amtower is joined by Nick Wakeman, editor in chief of Washington Technology for a wide-ranging, candid discussion of the new administration's executive orders impacting the GovCon industry. Topics include: The order from GSA to investigate the"consulting" contracts of the top 10 OASIS contractors Tthe temp…
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The 2024 Presidential Transition: What Happened? With Heath Brown
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52:21The peaceful transfer of power occurred successfully at noon on Jan. 20, 2025, when President Joe Biden handed control of the federal government to President-elect Donald Trump. After an election cycle characterized by intense partisanship and distrust, how did officials manage this monumental task? Today on the final episode this season of “Transi…
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An Exclusive Interview with the New Head of War Crimes Court Office, K1 Goes on Trial in the US, Forest Communities Nervous About Carbon Trading and, Following Liberia's Most Devastating Rainy Season in ...
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28:03COMING UP IN THIS EPISODE. WE SPEAK WITH THE NEW HEAD OF LIBERIA’S WAR AND ECONOMIC CRIMES COURT DR JALLAH BARBU. VICTIMS DEMAND TOUGH PUNISHMENT AS FORMER LURD REBEL COMMANDER “K1 GOES ON TRIAL IN THE US GOVERNMENT CELEBRATES AS CARBON TRADING WINS APPROVAL AT THE UN COP 20 CLIMATE SUMMIT. BUT FOREST COMMUNITIES SAY THEY’RE BEING LEFT OUT. AND…..T…
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This week on Amtower Off Center, host Mark Amtower is joined by GovNavigators co-founder Robert Shea for a very lively discussion on the upcoming administration. Topics include: Managing the transition Major policy shifts What are some of the priorities for DOD DOGE and the impending efficiencies OPM and Schedule F Lots of great policy-nerd minutae…
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This week on Amtower Off Center, host Mark Amtower is joined by Aubrey Gainfort, by day a federal contracting officer, and after work host of the Breaking the Standard podcast, which is nearing its 5th anniversary. Topics discussed include: Five things contractors need to do Five things contractors should NOT do How and why to start your own podcas…
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How’s the 2024 transition going? With Max Stier
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35:26‘Tis the season – and not just for the holidays! The 2024 transition is in full swing, so for this episode of Transition Lab, we invited our CEO and president Max Stier to join us for a discussion of President-elect Donald Trump’s (second!) presidential transition and how it stacks up against those of the last few administrations. Max Stier has ser…
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EXCLUSIVE: Dr. Jallah Barbu, newly appointed Executive Director of the Office of War and Economics Crimes Court
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43:27Welcome to this special edition of Democracy in Focus, a collaboration between New Narratives and Front Page Africa. I’m Anthony Stephens. In this exclusive interview, I speak with Jallah Barbu, newly appointed executive director of the Office of War and Economic Crimes Courts. Dr. Barbu will lead Liberia’s long overdue effort to hold those who upe…
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SPECIAL: Interview with Seidu Swaray, of Liberian Association of Psychosocial Services On Liberians' Mental Heath Post War and Self Care as a Court Gets Underway
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21:37
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21:37In this interview, Anthony Stephens speaks with Seidu Swaray, a leading mental health counsellor and executive director of the Liberia Association of Psychosocial Services. Swaray’s group provides psychosocial services to Liberians, including victims of the civil wars. He describes the profound mental health challenges facing the country after the …
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SPECIAL: Interview with Peterson Sonyah, Head of Liberia Largest Survivors Group
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21:09
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21:09Welcome to this special edition of Democracy in Focus, a collaboration between New Narratives and Front Page Africa. I’m Anthony Stephens. As plans for Liberia’s war and economic crimes courts get underway, we’re running a series of special interviews with Liberian and international experts and stakeholders about how the courts could work. In this …
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Tips on how to bid for government contracts
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42:50
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42:50This week on Amtower Off Center, host Mark Amtower is joined by Brian Lindholm, founder and managing principal at FedSavvy Strategies for a discussion on the myriad of sources available to government contractors for researching before bidding. Topics include: What open source intel is available to contractors How to parse this data for useful items…
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Too many cooks in the kitchen? With Lanhee Chen
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42:18Assigning one job to two people can be a recipe for disaster. Yet, presidential candidates typically have two policy teams—one for the campaign operation and one for the transition operation. Campaigns already do policy work, so why does a transition need a policy team, too? Today on “Transition Lab,” we’re joined by Lanhee Chen, the policy directo…
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Ross Wilkers, senior reporter for Washington Technology, joins host Mark Amtower on this week's Amtower Off Center for a follow-up interview, this time addressing the Washington Technology Fast 50 contractors. The list includes fifty companies that submitted financial data to WashTech to verify their growth over the past 5 years. Topics include: Ty…
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High Schoolers' Dreams Die in Rural Liberia, the Country Prepares for Mpox and the EPA Cleans Up Our Air
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28:11
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28:11In this episode: The dreams of young rural Liberians die early because of a lack of high schools. Half of all stroke and heart disease deaths in Liberia are caused by air pollution. Liberia’s environmental protection agency takes its first steps to clean up our air. Liberia's mpox cases rise as the government confirms the deadly strain that has kil…
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Chris Parente of Story Tech Consulting joins host Mark Amtower on this week's Amtower Off Center for a wide ranging discussion on B2G content. Topics discussed include: The value of a content calendar Developing your own/your company POV Listening when customers and prospects talk as they are often telling you what they want to hear back from you W…
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How do we build a better government? With Jenny Mattingley
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38:58Political pundits wax on about government waste, red tape and inefficiency, but the truth is that while the federal government can learn plenty from the private sector, no magic wand would make government operate exactly like a business—and for good reasons. This week on “Transition Lab," we speak with our resident expert on government management, …
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KPELLE EDITION: Experts Weigh in on Models for War and Economics Crimes Courts and, is Liberia Ready for Mpox?
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27:30
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27:30Coming up in this episode .. As plans for Liberia’s war and economic crimes courts’ get underway, we speak to experts on the major issues court designers will have to consider. Who will be tried? How much international involvement is needed? And what are the security challenges? One thing is already clear - funding will be limited. And some worry t…
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LIBERIAN ENGLISH EDITION: Experts Weigh in on Models for War and Economics Crimes Courts and, is Liberia Ready for Mpox?
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28:14
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28:14Coming up in this episode .. As plans for Liberia’s war and economic crimes courts’ get underway, we speak to experts on the major issues court designers will have to consider. Who will be tried? How much international involvement is needed? And what are the security challenges? One thing is already clear - funding will be limited. And some worry t…
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LORMA Language Edition: Nearly 400,000 Children Live on Liberia's Streets, Access to Toilets Among Worst in World
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29:25
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29:25Thanks to host: Korpo Kollie of Radio Kintoma in Lofa County Coming up in this episode … New data shows nearly 370,000 Liberian children are living on the streets. Many live a hellish existence of sex work and drugs. Access to toilets is still a big problem for rural Liberians. Leading to sickness and death of thousands of citizens. The Boakai admi…
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Special: Taiwan Gongloe, Veteran Liberian Human Rights Lawyer, Shares His Thoughts on Liberia's Upcoming War and Economics Crimes Courts
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10:56
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10:56Welcome to this special edition of Democracy in Focus, a collaboration between New Narratives and Front Page Africa. I’m Anthony Stephens. As plans for Liberia’s war and economic crimes courts get underway, we are running a series of special interviews with Liberian and international justice experts and stakeholders about how the courts could work.…
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Special: Hassan Bility, Long Time Justice Advocate and Head of Global Justice and Research Project Shares His Thoughts on Liberia's War and Economics Crimes Courts
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31:53
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31:53Welcome to this special edition of Democracy in Focus, a collaboration between New Narratives and Front Page Africa. I’m Anthony Stephens. As plans for Liberia’s war and economic crimes courts get underway, we’re running a series of special interviews with Liberian and international justice experts and stakeholders about how the courts could work. …
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How do you become a political appointee? With Kathryn Dunn Tenpas
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52:03Getting a job can be really hard—but getting a job as a Senate-confirmed, presidential appointee can be even harder. Today on “Transition Lab,” we welcome Kathryn Dunn Tenpas for a conversation about the role of political appointees in the federal government and the pathway to these jobs. Tenpas is director of the Katzmann Initiative and a visiting…
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This week on Amtower Off Center, Ross Wilkers, senior reporter with Washington Technology, joins host Mark Amtower for a wide-ranging discussion regarding current events in the government market. Topics discussed include: Market trends M&A activity across the market VC activity becoming even more strategic Trends in the Top 100 contractors The upco…
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Ever heard of an agency review team? With Melody Barnes
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49:24
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49:24During every presidential transition, flocks of people parachute into agencies across the federal government. From November to January, these agency review teams serve as the bridge between the president-elect and the mammoth organization they will soon oversee, relaying information back and forth to prepare for a smooth handoff of power. Organizin…
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Experts Weigh in on Models for War and Economics Crimes Courts and, is Liberia Ready for Mpox?
28:08
28:08
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28:08Coming up in this episode .. As plans for Liberia’s war and economic crimes courts’ get underway, we speak to experts on the major issues court designers will have to consider. Who will be tried? How much international involvement is needed? And what are the security challenges? One thing is already clear - funding will be limited. And some worry t…
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Author, consultant and speaker Andy Fry joins host Mark Amtower on this week's Amtower Off Center for a discussion of two of Fry's books: The Consultant's Code and The Trust Paradigm. Topics discussed include: The 4 pillars of consulting (intelligence, effort, likeability and intent) with a brief dive into each pillar. Why trust is key, including W…
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SPECIAL: Reed Brody, Leading Human Rights Lawyer and Victims' Lawyer in Habre Trial
24:15
24:15
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24:15Welcome to this special edition of Democracy in Focus, a collaboration between New Narratives and Front Page Africa. I’m Anthony Stephens. As plans for Liberia’s war and economic crimes courts get underway, we are running a series of special interviews with Liberian and international justice experts and stakeholders about how the courts could work.…
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SPECIAL: Tennen Tehoungue, Liberian Transitional Justice Expert, on the War and Economics Crimes Court
25:29
25:29
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25:29Welcome to this special edition of Democracy in Focus, a collaboration between New Narratives and Front Page Africa. I’m Anthony Stephens. As plans for Liberia’s war and economic crimes courts get underway, we are running a series of special interviews with Liberian and international justice experts and stakeholders about how the courts could work.…
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SPECIAL: Alain Werner, Director of Justice Activists Civitas Maxima, on Liberia's War and Economics Crimes Courts
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19:40
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19:40Welcome to this special edition of Democracy in Focus, a collaboration between New Narratives and Front Page Africa. I’m Anthony Stephens. As plans for Liberia’s war and economic crimes courts get underway, we are running a series of special interviews with Liberian and international transitional justice experts and stakeholders about how the court…
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Regulation changes & other issues in contracting
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43:05This week on Amtower Off Center, Larry Allen, president of Allen Federal Business Partners, joins host Mark Amtower to discuss current issues in contracting including upcoming changes in regulations. Topics include: The recurring issue of contractors failing to deliver on what was promised in their contracts New OMB guidance is coming on the use of…
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What if the Constitution had the solutions all along? With Yuval Levin
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46:21The federal government seems broken, but it might not be for the reasons you think. In this episode of “Transition Lab,” Yuval Levin talks with us about the surprising ways in which a the U.S. Constitution—despite being centuries old—could help us address our most pressing modern social and political problems. Yuval Levin is the director of Social,…
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This week on Amtower Off Center, host Mark Amtower is joined by Peter Jacobs of the Merritt Group for a discussion on the evolution and current state of podcasting, especially as it pertains to GovCon. Topics include: The advent of podcasts with other Web 2.0 tools in the late 1990s, early 2000s Types of GovCon podcasts Hurdles to starting a podcas…
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Liberian English Version: Nearly 400,000 Children Live on Liberia's Streets - Many Involved in Drugs and Sex Work, Access to Toilets Among Worst in World and Religious Leaders Urge Action on Climate
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28:44
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28:44DEH NEWS WE COMIN TUHK TODAY……… TWO BEE GROUP DAH WEHKIN ON CHAYREN MATTERS IN LIBERIA DEH CALL MINISTRY OF GENDER AND UNICEF SAY, LIBERIA GEH ALMOST 370 THOUSAND CHAYREN ON DEH STREETS. DEH SAY SUMMAH DEH CHAYREN DEM DOIN HO-PO-JOE WEHK WHILE SUM CAN BE TAKIN DRUGS. PLENTAY PEEPOH IN DEH INTEERUH STAY GEH BEE PROBLEM WITH TOILET HUS BAYNAY… DEH CA…
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