Coffee with Closers

Secretary Charles Djou is the CEO of the American Battle Monuments Commission (ABMC), as well as an Afghanistan war veteran and former Congressman representing Hawaii.

His current organization, the ABMC, honors the more than 200,000 American service members who died, and are buried, overseas by maintaining and promoting America's commemorative cemeteries and memorials.

In this episode, Sec. Djou talks about the importance of remembering our country's service and sacrifice, what it takes to commemorate D-Day in Normandy, and his message to young people.

An update on the podcast and its beloved host, Steve Burke.

On this week’s episode of Coffee with Closers, we continue our conversation with Steve DelBianco, the president and CEO of NetChoice, a trade association representing some of the largest e-commerce and technology companies in the world, including Amazon, Google, Meta and eBay. 

Mr. DelBianco discusses a major antitrust lawsuit the Federal Trade Commission has brought against Amazon, and in particular how both consumers and small businesses will be negatively impacted if the FTC succeeds in court.

He also weighs in on efforts by state governments to legally mandate age and identity verification for users accessing online services and why those policies are flawed.

Joining us on this week’s episode of Coffee with Closers is Steve DelBianco, the president and CEO of NetChoice, a trade association representing some of the largest e-commerce and technology companies in the world. 

In the wake of a sweeping, federal executive order regulating the development of generative artificial intelligence, Mr. DelBianco breaks down the directive. While acknowledging there are some good elements to it, he also takes issue with multiple pain points. He also shares his thoughts on what the future holds for AI and whether the technology should be feared or embraced.  

Joining us on this week’s episode of Coffee with Closers is Steve Cone, Chief of Communications, Marketing and Philanthropy at Capital Caring Health, the largest not-for-profit provider of advanced illness care in Greater Washington, D.C. It is also one of the fifteen original hospice providers established in the United States.

Mr. Cone unravels some of the misperceptions and fears that are affecting hospice utilization, especially among people of color and the LGBTQ+ community in Washington, D.C. He also discusses the mission Capital Caring Health is on to help change the narrative, so the public and the medical community come to better understand and fully embrace all that hospice care offers patients and their families. 

Joining us on this week’s episode of Coffee with Closers is Brian Dodge, President of the Retail Industry Leaders Association (RILA), a trade group representing the nation’s largest retailers, which include Target, Best Buy, Home Depot and Walmart. 

He discusses some of the hottest consumer spending trends right now, as well as steps retailers have taken to help ensure there is enough inventory to meet customer demand this holiday shopping season. 

We also dive into some of the most pressing issues facing the industry today and ways in which his organization is tackling them head-on. This includes the rise in organized retail theft, continuing efforts to lower payment card “swipe fees” and disruptive labor disputes as well as worker strikes.

As America prepares to honor all of the brave heroes who served our country, on Veterans Day, we are re-aring the Coffee with Closers episode featuring Vietnam Veterans Memorial co-founder Robert Doubek. 

A former Air Force intelligence officer, Mr. Doubek recounts the powerful and moving story of how the Vietnam Veterans Memorial was created and the challenging responsibility he was entrusted with to ensure the completeness and accuracy of the 58,000 names inscribed on the Memorial's granite wall. 

He also explains how the controversy that erupted over its design almost doomed the project.

Joining us on this week’s episode of Coffee with Closers is Chris Whatley, Executive Director of The HALO Trust USA and Valeriia Shumska, Field Officer with The HALO Trust, the largest landmine clearance organization in the world.

We discuss the organization’s most urgent priority, clearing contaminated land of landmines and other explosives in war-torn Ukraine.  

Not only are these devices injuring and killing innocent civilians, but also making it harder for Ukrainian farmers to grow crops, which is threatening the global food supply.  

Earlier this year, we were fortunate to interview holocaust historian, curator and American Jewish University professor Dr. Michael Berenbaum. He joined Coffee with Closers to preview the opening of “Auschwitz. Not long ago. Not far away.” This world-renowned traveling exhibition is currently at the Ronald Reagan Presidential Library in Simi Valley California. 

In light of the recent atrocities in Israel, we've decided to re-air the episode. Dr. Berenbaum sheds light on the significance of educating people of all ages about one of humanity's darkest chapters and the profound lessons it holds for our present times.

Due to overwhelming demand, “Auschwitz. Not long ago. Not far away.” was extended through January 28, 2024 at the Reagan Library. 

Joining us on this week’s episode of Coffee with Closers is New York Times bestselling author Annie Barrows. She discusses her new children’s book, Iggy Rules the Animal Kingdom. Ms. Barrows also shares her thoughts on the decline in book reading in America and the advent of ChatGPT technology.