Where Genius Grows

By now we've all heard of Bitcoin, but what is it and how does it work? How is cyber currency changing the way we conduct financial transactions?

Jesse Posner (@JessePosner) is a securities lawyer turned programmer. In this interview Jesse provides a primer on cyber currency, covering both its great promise and tremendous pitfalls.

For further reading, Jesse recommends: - Satoshi Nakamoto's white paper: https://bitcoin.org/bitcoin.pdf - The forum Bitcoin Talk: http://www.bitcointalk.org

When you're dining out with your friends, it's fun to get lost in the conversation. Nothing brings you back to reality as reliably or as fast as the drawn out hassle of negotiating the check.

Software developer Serge Amouzou (@SergeAmouzou) doesn't believe that paying at a restaurant should dampen our mood. Serge is the founder of Delect (@GetDelect), an app designed to simplify and improve your restaurant experience. You will enjoy Serge's predictions about how dining technology will very soon cut wait times, improve service, and allow restaurants to tailor your night out explicitly to your preferences.

Download the Delect app: - for iPhone: https://itunes.apple.com/us/app/delect/id1156323700 - for Android: https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=com.delect.guest

"My credibility is everything. If I'm viewed as in any way uncredible, I will lose everything." — Avi Mayer

What does it mean to be a spokesman? When you are one, why is it critical to know before whom you stand? And why is it important to build relationships?

Avi Mayer (@AviMayer) is the spokesman for the Jewish Agency for Israel. In this interview Avi explores his path to becoming a spokesman.

The spokesman par excellence that Avi talks about is Abba Eban. Avi recommends the following two books on Abba Eban: - Abba Eban: A Biography: http://amzn.to/2hS90oc - Eban: http://amzn.to/2hS7X7Q

When we hear a major public speech, we often take for granted that it was written by someone other than the speaker. But does the speechwriter do justice to the speaker's voice?

In this interview speechwriter David Levey discusses the process of writing for a principal, discovering their needs and providing appropriate support. David cites examples of genius speech-writing and suggests actions you can take to cultivate your own speech-writing skill.

Given how many natural languages are out there that you will never learn, what would possess someone to study an invented language like Esperanto, Klingon, or Dothraki? And who on earth would take the time to invent one?

This question drove linguist Arika Okrent (@arikaokrent) to research and write a book about invented languages. In this interview Arika offers an overview of the most salient languages invented since the 17th century. She provides fascinating historical context about the inventors, their motivations, and the reception of their languages.

Arika's book is In the Land of Invented Languages: Adventures in Linguistic Creativity, Madness, and Genius: http://amzn.to/2hr6qq3. Arika is also a columnist for Mental Floss.

To an outsider, the political arena may appear vast and foreboding. How do you get anything done?

Mark Bayer (@BayerStrategic) is the founder and president of Bayer Strategic Consulting, a government affairs and communications firm. Mark has served as a chief of staff, both in the US House of Representatives and in the US Senate in a Capitol Hill career spanning two decades. In this interview Mark shares useful perspectives on advancing your political agenda.

The languages we speak define who we are. What were to happen if you discovered a language that changed the course of your life?

Sarah Aroeste (@SarahAroeste) discusses this in depth in this interview. Sarah has forged a remarkable international, award-winning career by singing in the Sephardic language of Ladino. Sarah talks about infusing both her own original songs as well as 15th-century Ladino folks songs with her unique blend of pop, rock, and jazz.

Sarah's albums: - Ora de Despertar - http://amzn.to/2gHEAat - Gracia - http://amzn.to/2hJvNT1 - Puertas - http://amzn.to/2hB7ue0 - A La Una: in the Beginning - http://amzn.to/2gHEvn7

The movie featuring Ladino language with Tom Hanks: Every Time We Say Goodbye - http://amzn.to/2hiuD3U

What if there were no need to find your voice? And owning your voice, with full-throated pride, were a matter of letting go of obstacles nobody can put in your way but you?

Celesta Kirk is a voice teacher and the owner of SolfedgeStudio in Washington, DC. She holds that your singing voice is your birthright. In this interview Celesta suggests concrete actions you can take to claim it!