In this very special episode of Ameritocracy, host Troy Edgar travels to Sacramento to meet with Dan Walters, one of California's most syndicated columnists and author. He has covered the state's political scene since 1975, spending over 33 years at the Sacramento Bee, and currently writes for CalMatters.

Dan shares his insights on California's evolution from a Republican-leaning to a solidly Democratic state, shaped by shifts in industry and demographics. He highlights the state's heavy reliance on high-income taxpayers, which makes its budget vulnerable to economic swings and delves into pressing issues—like education, transportation, and housing affordability—that jeopardize its future.

With over 50 years in journalism and four books on California's politics, Dan brings a seasoned perspective on the policies shaping the state's economic and political trajectory.

Ameritocracy™ is produced by Prospect House Media and recorded in studio locations in Los Angeles and Washington D.C.

This week on the Ameritocracy show, host Troy Edgar is in Washington, D.C. where he sits down with Ray Shieh, Quantum Safe Senior Product Marketing Manager at IBM for a fascinating conversation on the rapid advancement in quantum computing.

Ray shares his journey from leading cybersecurity efforts at Microsoft, both in Taiwan and Washington state, to his current role at IBM where he specializes in post-quantum cryptography and quantum-safe computing.

Ray also discusses how he leverages his marketing and cybersecurity experience to explore potential quantum applications and highlights the importance of quantum-safe cryptography in safeguarding data from future threats.

Ameritocracy™ is produced by Prospect House Media and recorded in studio locations in Los Angeles and Washington D.C.

Welcome to our monthly series where we dive into challenging topics, current events, explore faith, and much more. Expect fresh insights from familiar faces and new voices as we engage in candid discussions. Join us for open and honest fellowship, embracing diverse perspectives.

Featured guest: Anne Collier, certified executive coach and CEO of Arudia, a coaching and training firm based in Washington, D.C.

Topics explored in this episode:

• Does a degree still have value?
• The importance of well-rounded skills
• Resume building
• Micro-credentialing do's and don'ts
• Leadership development

Wall Street Journal article 'College Doesn't Need to Take Four Years' can be found here.

Forbes article 'What are Microcredentials? A Complete Guide' can be found here.

Take the Actualized Leadership Profile to find out to how your leadership can both positively and negatively influence your team and organizational culture.

Ameritocracy™ is produced by Prospect House Media and recorded in studio locations in Los Angeles and Washington D.C.

This week, Ameritocracy visits Sacramento, California where host Troy Edgar had the opportunity to meet with Cath Reheis-Boyd, President and CEO of the Western States Petroleum Association, representing the industry's interest in exploration, production, refining, and transportation across California, Arizona, Nevada, Washington, and Oregon.

From her roots in natural resource management to nearly 40 years in the energy sector, Cath discusses California's evolving oil and gas landscape, the challenges of recent state policies on drilling, and the balance needed between environmental goals and economic stability. Her insights shed light on how California's energy policies impact the entire West Coast and the nation.

Tune in to hear from an industry leader committed to pragmatic solutions and passionate about guiding the energy sector into a future of meaningful change.

Ameritocracy™ is produced by Prospect House Media and recorded in studio locations in Los Angeles and Washington D.C.

On this week's episode of Ameritocracy, host Troy Edgar is joined in L.A. by James Bogle, the Director of the Master of Business for Veterans Program (MBV) at the USC Marshall School of Business. A seasoned Army veteran with extensive leadership experience, James shares his insights into the challenges veterans face transitioning to civilian life.

We discussed the USC MBV program and how it equips veterans with the business acumen needed to thrive in corporate America or start their own venture. James highlights the importance of the program's cohort model in fostering invaluable in-person connections with other students and mentors who have contributed to its success.

Troy is proud to support USC veteran students as a mentor and is excited about the MBV program's future, expanding its reach to other universities to increase awareness of its benefits for countless veterans.

Ameritocracy™ is produced by Prospect House Media and recorded in studio locations in Los Angeles and Washington D.C.

This week, Ameritocracy travels to Sacramento, California, where host Troy Edgar meets with Rob Stutzman. Rob is a veteran political strategist and communications expert with extensive experience in California politics. He is the founder and president of Stutzman Public Affairs, a leading consultancy that advises on political campaigns, media relations, and crisis communications. Stutzman is well-known for his role as the deputy chief of staff for communications to former California Governor Arnold Schwarzenegger.

His expertise in managing high-profile campaigns and navigating complex political landscapes makes him a key figure in political strategy, particularly within California. Rob shares his perspective on the leading presidential candidates, their campaigns, and the latest polling data. Beyond his strategic expertise, Rob is also the host of the popular podcast "Highball Politics".

Ameritocracy™ is produced by Prospect House Media and recorded in studio locations in Los Angeles and Washington D.C.

In this episode of Ameritocracy, host Troy Edgar meets with JB Jaso at our L.A. studio. JB, a former US Army veteran, who made the successful transition from military service to a leadership role in the sports industry.

From his Long Beach roots, to serving his country and now overseeing security for the Los Angeles Angels, we look into the challenges and rewards of his military service, including his expertise in Army's Special Operations CBRNE (Chemical, Biological, Radiological, Nuclear, and Explosives) unit and how he prepared for post-service life.

JB also discusses Major League Baseball stadium security and his unwavering commitment to giving back. He shares his involvement with the Pancreatic Cancer Action Network, a cause close to his heart, and his leadership role in the Orange County affiliate. Get ready for an inspiring conversation about leadership, service, and community.

A great follow-up episode is E36: MLB Pro Scouts Brad (SF Giants), Taylor (TX Rangers) Cameron on Identifying & Developing Talent. Two scouts, 4 World Series rings. Scouting top talent is like stepping up to the plate—whether in business or sports, finding that MVP is every leader's toughest play. In this episode, we dive into how to call strikes on character, make clutch calls on potential, and use tech to knock talent discovery out of the park.

Ameritocracy™ is produced by Prospect House Media and recorded in studio locations in Los Angeles and Washington D.C.

This week on Ameritocracy, host Troy Edgar delves into the life of automotive pioneer Henry Ford. From his humble beginning on a Michigan farm to his role in revolutionizing transportation, Ford's story is a testament to innovation.

We'll explore how his development of the Model T and the assembly line made cars more accessible, transforming the way people lived and worked. However, we'll also examine the darker side of his legacy, including his controversial views and his complex relationship with labor unions.

Join us for insights into Ford's philosophies on wealth, society, and philanthropy.

Recommended reading: "My Life and Work" by Henry Ford.

Ameritocracy™ is produced by Prospect House Media and recorded in studio locations in Los Angeles and Washington DC.

This week on the Ameritocracy show, host Troy Edgar is joined in Washington, D.C. by Author, Jennifer Pahlka, a leading voice in transforming government for the digital age. They discuss Jen's New York Times-acclaimed book, "Recoding America: Why Government is Failing in the Digital Age and How We Can Do Better."

Jen also helped establish the United States Digital Service while serving as U.S. Deputy Chief Technology Officer. She is currently the co-founder of U.S. Digital Response, a non-profit organization assisting governments, nonprofits, and public entities in responding quickly to critical public needs.

She is a Senior Fellow at both the Niskanen Center and Federation of American Scientists, think tanks in Washington, D.C.

Follow Jen on Substack at Eating Policy, where she talks about the problems of state capacity (government's ability to achieve its policy goals) and how to fix them.

Ameritocracy™ is produced by Prospect House Media and recorded in studio locations in Los Angeles and Washington DC.

This week, Ameritocracy is in Washington, D.C. where host Troy Edgar is joined by Holly Mehringer, Assistant Administrator and Chief Financial Officer for the Transportation Security Administration.

Holly shares her incredible journey from Massillon, Ohio, and her 18-year civil service career in the Air Force, her transition to the Department of Homeland Security, and her current role as the CFO for TSA, managing the agency's $11 billion budget.

Holly discusses the challenges and rewards of her role and the importance of effective communication and collaboration with key stakeholders, including OMB and Congress. Her passion for her work, leadership, and commitment to public service is inspiring and makes her an effective federal leader.

Learn more about PALACE Acquire (PAQ) and other training programs here.

Ameritocracy™ is produced by Prospect House Media and recorded in studio locations in Los Angeles and Washington DC.