Jonathan Bench speaks with Julia de Luca, São Paulo–based Business Development lead at Banco Itaú and former tech investment banker, about Latin America’s tech ecosystem—where a maturity gap with the U.S. coexists with abundant real-world problems to solve. They unpack why fintech still dominates, how Brazil’s pro-competition Central Bank and the instant-payments system Pix—along with “payment institution” rules—accelerated financial inclusion, and where AI wrappers and stablecoins are gaining traction. Julia offers an investor playbook (visit the region, build trusted on-the-ground networks, and avoid treating LATAM as a monolith), contrasts Mexico’s recent venture surge and U.S. proximity with Brazil’s scale and stronger institutions, and reflects on founder challenges, women’s underrepresentation, and her Sunday newsletter (~14k subscribers) syndicated by Nasdaq.

Jonathan Bench speaks with Kato Aerts, a Belgium-based partner at Lydian and international employment lawyer, about the evolving realities of EU employment law amid remote work and cross-border teams. Kato breaks down choice-of-law and mandatory protections, contrasts termination regimes in Belgium, the Netherlands, and France, and unpacks practical guidance on expatriate assignments vs. temporary secondments. They also explore workations and digital nomads, gig-economy and influencer/child-labor questions, migration-driven diversity and rising discrimination claims, Brexit-era permit timelines, and the legal and ethical implications of AI in hiring and training.

Jonathan Bench speaks with Roick Feng, co-managing partner of Zhong Yin Law Firm in Taiwan, about life and business amid rising cross-strait tensions. They explore generational attitudes, supply-chain strategies from “China-plus-one” to commit-or-exit, Taiwan’s rule-of-law advantages over mainland China, and the island’s evolving blockchain/VASP regulatory landscape—plus why Taiwan is an ideal launchpad for Asia and how lawyers act as strategic partners.

Jonathan Bench speaks with John Brittell, an East Africa–based managing partner at Six Figure Ventures, about the region’s evolving tech and investment landscape. John shares on-the-ground insights into intra-regional trade, regulatory fragmentation across 54 countries, common investor misconceptions, and where infrastructure and AI are creating near-term opportunities—from ISP/Wi-Fi and EV charging to insurtech and fintech. They also explore how startups, multinationals, and policymakers navigate informal markets, election-year dynamics, and protectionist rules, and why his fund blends VC and PE with short hold periods to accelerate exits.

Jonathan Bench speaks with Azmul Haque, founder of Collyer Law LLC and a tri-qualified lawyer in England, India, and Singapore. Azmul shares insights on Singapore’s rise as a financial and legal hub, the opportunities and risks for investors in Southeast Asia, and how cultural nuances shape business across the region. They also explore Singapore’s unique approach to innovation, regulation, and its growing role as the “Delaware of Asia.” 

Jonathan Bench speaks with Katarzyna "Kasia" Szczudlik, a Warsaw-based lawyer and partner at Schoenherr, about the evolving legal and business landscape in Poland and Central Europe. Kasia shares insights on MiCA delays and their impact on crypto, renewed U.S. tech interest in the region, and the growing role of defense investments. They also explore how financial institutions, startups, and regulators are navigating AI, data privacy, and overregulation in a rapidly changing European market.

Jonathan Bench speaks with Matias Otero Johansson, founder of Sihai Business Consultancy, about navigating China's evolving business landscape post-COVID. They explore cultural perspectives, branding challenges, social media trends, and the role of technology and AI in shaping opportunities for companies on the ground. Connect with Matias on LinkedIn here.