The Spiro Circle

Note: This episode is the final of three recorded interviews conducted on the same day using a new platform. Some growing pains were expected, and this final edit is a bit rougher than I’d like, including some intermittent sound issues that could not be removed. Thanks for your patience as we refine the process — future episodes will appear smoother. - JS.A few weeks ago, I spoke with Erel Herzog, co-founder of Combatica, a company specializing in advanced tactical training simulators that utilize VR technology. We discussed the evolution of training technologies, the impact of VR on defense training, partnerships with law enforcement, and the potential for dual-use applications in entertainment.The conversation was, in some ways, an update to some time we spent together last year, when I first became aware of the company and its devices. I visited its offices in Israel and experienced firsthand how the technology can help armies and soldiers in training. One of the perks of being a tech journalist in Startup Nation!I was thrown into a virtual school and had to react to a live shooter, who was attacking students in several classrooms. It was pretty impressive (and, I’m told, it has only improved). Those interested in reading my in-depth review can see more on CTech, but here is a preview:Whereas the Vision Pro was an impressive piece of technology, I wouldn’t rush to walk around with it on my face. The device is heavy and cabled, immersive but somewhat disorientating. Here, Combatica’s Quest technology and AI scenarios are the complete opposite: the light headpiece is barely noticeable and I felt no problems running, ducking, and navigating the artificial environment. It felt like I was inside the computer games I used to play or as if I had upgraded from the laser tag playgrounds I used to visit as a child.More: Soldiers are getting an XR boost for training on the battlegroundThis time around, Erel shared insights on the future of immersive technologies more generally, as the company is expanding into the gaming space - think paintballing without all the bruising! We also spoke about Israel’s role in the growing industry, and emphasized the importance of real-world applications and community engagement.Some takeaways from our talk:* How Combatica aims to enhance tactical training for military and law enforcement.* VR technology allows for realistic training scenarios without physical consequences.* His time in the IDF helped him recognize a gap in simulation training technology.* The company has a high satisfaction rate among users - 97%!* Israel is positioned to lead in applied AI and immersive tech.Feel free to check out the interview above, and follow them for more updates. Get full access to The Spiro Circle at jamesspiro.substack.com/subscribe

Anyone who knows me understands just how much I love food. Good cuisine is nice, but bad dishes are sometimes even better! Anything from dining out with friends to ordering in on a lonely evening gets me excited to try new things.But another thing people know about me is that I absolutely hate to cook!It’s not that I don’t appreciate it, but I just find it too stressful, creative, and consuming. I leave it to close family and friends to explore a kitchen on my behalf. I’ll enjoy some time operating a BBQ, but my expertise stops there. But there’s so much more to food than just mealtime. It can offer insight into someone’s heart, mind, and heritage. It can form a community and connect with culture. I wanted to speak with someone who truly understood this. This week, I spoke with Maricel Gentile. In this episode, she shares her journey from growing up in the Philippines to becoming a celebrated chef and culinary educator in the United States. She can claim to be Hulu’s Recipe Rumble Holiday Champion as well as the author of Maricel’s Simply Asian Cookbook. Over the years, she has also appeared on Food Network and PBS, and served as a Chef Ambassador for Korea’s Ministry of Fisheries (K-Seafood).In our conversation, we discussed the deep connections between food, culture, and personal history, emphasizing how her grandmother's influence shaped her passion for cooking. Maricel highlights the uniqueness of Filipino cuisine, her decision to leave a corporate career to pursue her culinary dreams, and the recognition she has received in the food industry. We then discuss the role of food in building community and preserving cultural identity.Some takeaways include:* How food encompasses migration, parenthood, and belonging.* Simplicity in cooking can lead to better dishes.* Teaching Filipino cuisine is a way to share culture.* How food triggers emotional memories.* Quitting a corporate job can lead to personal fulfillment.* Cooking can be a bridge between generations.* How her cookbook can simplify the process of learning Asian cuisine.Those interested can check out her website or purchase her cookbook, both of which can be found below. https://maricelskitchen.com/chef-maricel/ https://www.amazon.com/Maricels-Simply-Cookbook-Maricel-Gentile/dp/B0F79Q684CFollow Maricel on social media: Get full access to The Spiro Circle at jamesspiro.substack.com/subscribe

Note: This episode is the first of three recorded on a new platform. Some growing pains were expected, and the final edit is a bit rougher than I’d like. Thanks for your patience as we refine the process — future episodes will appear smoother. - JS.For 45 years, non-profit Beit Issie Shapiro has been a pioneering leader and innovator in the field of disabilities, and championed equal opportunity, full community involvement, and improved quality of life for people with disabilities.They believe in the ability of people with disabilities and provide “innovative services, programs, knowledge-sharing models, and policy advocacy” to help them lead a full life and be actively involved in every part of Israel and globally.Ahmir Lerner is its CEO. He joined The Spiro Circle to share his experience in the defense of Israel and his transition to social resilience, focusing on the work of Beit Issie Shapiro. He discusses innovative therapeutic techniques, the organization's response to the recent war, and the importance of addressing mental health needs for people with disabilities.The episode was recorded as we approach the two-year mark of Israel’s ongoing war with Gaza following the Hamas attack on October 7. Since then, thousands of soldiers have been injured in war, with many of them facing life-changing recoveries. Like many other sectors in Israel, it adjusted its strategies and has since offered 1,500 free hours of therapy.In our talk, Lerner emphasized the impact of their work on society, the legislative changes they have initiated, and the future initiatives aimed at improving inclusion and accessibility in Israel.Some takeaways from our conversation:* The organization provided over 1,500 hours of free therapy during the war.* It aims to change societal attitudes towards disability and inclusion.* Mental health services for people with disabilities are crucial and often overlooked.* Legislation is a key tool for creating societal change.* The organization is working on early intervention for children with disabilities.* Community involvement and support are essential for success.You can learn more about Beit Issie Shapiro and consider making a donation to its cause via its website: https://beitissie.org.il/enThe Spiro Circle is a reader-supported publication. To receive new posts and support my work, consider becoming a free or paid subscriber. Get full access to The Spiro Circle at jamesspiro.substack.com/subscribe

This week, I sat down with Derek Crager for a conversation on the intersection of neurodiversity and artificial intelligence. Both topics are often misunderstood by the wider public, sometimes leading to misinformation, stigma, or even apprehension. We explore how embracing different ways of thinking can unlock new opportunities in technology, why AI might be uniquely positioned to support neurodiverse communities, and what it means to build tools and workplaces that value every kind of mind. The Spiro Circle is a reader-supported publication. To receive new posts and support my work, consider becoming a free or paid subscriber.It wasn’t until Derek was 50 years old that he himself was diagnosed with ADHD, Dyslexia, and Autism. Before that, he knew he was a bit different.He described himself as the ‘weird’ kid in the classroom, but he never quite knew the core differences that he had compared to others. He didn't quite understand where he fit in the world. But his diagnosis completely changed his life and hs outlook. I wanted to speak a bit more with Derek about what it meant to be neurodiverse, and what it meant to be neurodiverse in a world that's being immersed in artificial intelligence. What are some of the best ways that people can learn or develop in a world that's being completely engulfed by technology?Well, Derek is an AI Solutions Architect and the Founder of Practical AI . Its Pocket Mentor product sets out to be an AI voice tool for those seeking assistance in some of their workplace tasks. Some of the company’s core beliefs include that: * AI should be practical* Shared learning fuels growth* Shared earning rewards effort* Transparency and fairness matter* Neurodiversity is a strengthWe also discuss some of the nuances that neurotypical and neurodiverse people experience each day. He cites studies from the New England Journal, and we each share what kind of tech helps us thrive in our environments. Please feel free to also catch this episode on YouTube, Spotify, and Apple - it has gone live there, too. Get full access to The Spiro Circle at jamesspiro.substack.com/subscribe

This week I listened to a podcast about the virtue of justice. It was hosted by Ryan Holiday and featured a conversation with Rutger Bregman - two of my favorite writers!The conversation was called “You’re Not Wasting Time, You’re Wasting Your Life,” and it talked about moral ambition, the truth about success, work, and impact. It tied in nicely with a separate conversation I had with my recent guest, climate entrepreneur Josh Dorfman, which took place for The Spiro Circle this week. “The idea always has been how I can identify solutions to help a consumer or an individual become more sustainable in their lifestyles - in a way they're going to want to do it,” Josh explained in the episode. “[Where] it's not about sacrifice, it's not about suffering, it's not about inconvenience, because if it is those things, very few people are going to stick with it.”Josh is the creator of The Lazy Environmentalist and Co-Founder and CEO of Plantd, which produces carbon-negative building materials made from fast-growing plant fibers. He is also the host of the Supercool podcast, which showcases scalable, profitable climate solutions. It’s all well and good to strive to become a powerful CEO or influential world leader, but if you’re not living up to your full potential or trying to make the world a better place, are you truly succeeding? I wanted to hear more about Josh’s mission of climate entrepreneurship and how the world is benefiting from scientific and technological innovation.We discussed the following things:* Climate Entrepreneurship and how it differs from regular entrepreneurship * $2.2 billion of investment globally into clean energy technologies in 2025* Cultural and societal shifts toward climate innovation * The ‘ring’ of countries around the equator helping boost innovation* How storytelling influences climate technology adoption * Emerging technologies in the space * Companies that are revolutionizing antiquated servicesI love it when different topics and ideas that I explore converge like this. I urge you all to listen to Holiday’s episode and check out Bregman’s books (I’ve read his first two, “Utopia for Realists: How We Can Build The Ideal World” and “Humankind: A Hopeful History”. His newest, “Moral Ambition: Stop Wasting Your Talent and Start Making a Difference”, is on my list, and I am starting it soon!READ: The time I visited Ryan Holiday’s bookstore in Bastrop, Texas Of course, I also encourage you to check out Josh’s work in the space and to listen to this episode to learn more about how our actions can help improve the world. You can subscribe for more updates and to be notified when more episodes go live. Get full access to The Spiro Circle at jamesspiro.substack.com/subscribe

Welcome back to The Spiro Circle, where today I want to dive deep into identity, culture, and the people shaping Jewish life today.With Tu B’Av right around the corner (for those who don’t know, think ‘Israel’s Valentine’s Day’), I was excited to speak with Aleeza Ben Shalom: Matchmaker, dating coach, author, and star of Netflix’s Jewish Matchmaking.She has helped thousands of Jews navigate the complex, emotional, and challenging world of modern Jewish dating. Aleeza is also a Voice of the People Council Member and is working with them on a new series exploring the emotional, cultural, and generational challenges that define Jewish relationships in 2025.We discuss everything from traditional matchmaking techniques vs. modern-day AI dating apps, spiritual connections and family pressures, and what the global Jewry is facing post-October 7.This episode also included this podcast’s first ‘lightning round’ - hang around until the end to hear some surprising insights. If you haven’t subscribed to The Spiro Circle yet, now’s a great time. If you upgrade to become a paid subscriber, you will get the first three months free — with full access to comment sections, exclusive articles, and special perks. Your support is always appreciated. - JS Get full access to The Spiro Circle at jamesspiro.substack.com/subscribe

Today, I wanted to dive into another episode from the CTech BiblioTech archive. This time, I am highlighting my conversation with Dr. Tomas Chamorro-Premuzic, author of “I, Human: AI, Automation, and the Quest to Reclaim What Makes Us Unique”, which was recorded in August 2023.The book is an exploration of how AI will change our lives and what we can do to ensure we maintain our personalities and uniqueness. Many of the topics we address in the conversation relate to how different generations might respond to the algorithms living beside us. For example, he cites tech leaders like Bill Gates and Elon Musk, who present concerning views of AI, but also respond positively to how Gen-Z might learn to adopt such technologies.“One of the things that the digital age has introduced is ever more and more ADD-like behaviors,” he said. “We are pressed to do things quicker and quicker. And therefore, there are few rewards for pausing and thinking.”Even though he believes humans are “perfectly capable” of stopping and taking time to consider their thoughts and actions, most decisions made today in the AI age are so rapid that they become predictable and therefore easily outsourced to machines.“Gen-Z and the next generation will need to showcase their expertise in a different area or a different way,” he told me during the recording for CTech. “Expertise is mutating from knowing a lot of answers to asking the right questions - from memorizing and retrieving facts to knowing how, why, and where the facts are wrong… Demonstrating and cultivating expertise is a big challenge for the young generations.”MORE: I asked Eric Weinstein about my baby's future in an AI world.Tomas is an organizational psychologist who works mostly in the areas of personality profiling, people analytics, talent identification, the interface between human and artificial intelligence, and leadership development. He is the Chief Innovation Officer at ManpowerGroup, a professor of business psychology at University College London and at Columbia University, co-founder of deepersignals.com, and an associate at Harvard’s Entrepreneurial Finance Lab.Those interested in an extended written interview with Tomas can find it on CTech by following this link.You can also buy your own copy here: https://www.amazon.com/Human-Automation-Quest-Reclaim-Unique/dp/1647820553 Get full access to The Spiro Circle at jamesspiro.substack.com/subscribe

The Voice of the People, a global initiative spearheaded by President Isaac Herzog to unite and empower Jewish communities worldwide. The organization recently released its 2025 Jewish Landscape Report based on responses from over 10,000 Jews across six continents.The results were shocking.It revealed that rising antisemitism - across campuses, workplaces, and social media - has overtaken all other issues as the number one concern uniting Jews of all ages, backgrounds, and denominations.Some troubling figures that caught my eye highlighted that respondents in Israel (89%) expressed deep concern for the safety and stability of diaspora communities, and British Jews (81%) reported a growing need to conceal their identities in public.I spoke to CMO and CPO Neta Danciger about these results and what they meant. Interestingly, she told me that, however many people were hiding their Jewish identities as a result of real-life events, it also caused many others to speak out louder than usual and reidentify with their heritage.She described these people as “October 8th Jews.”“I learned it from the answers to our survey,” she said in today’s episode. “So many people refer to themselves as ‘October 8th Jews.’ They felt that after October 7th, something changed in their identity, in the way they feel as a Jewish person in the world. Many started to feel they wanted to be involved in the Jewish community or network.”Our conversation includes more results from the survey as well as an examination of the sentiment felt among Jews as a whole. In addition to our conversation, you can also download the full report here: https://www.voiceofthepeople.network/landscape-report/#fullYou can follow Voice of the People below: Facebook | Instagram | LinkedinThe Spiro Circle is a reader-supported publication. To receive new posts and support my work, consider becoming a free or paid subscriber. Get full access to The Spiro Circle at jamesspiro.substack.com/subscribe

We all have incentives. I have an incentive to produce this podcast well enough so that I attract more readers and listeners, and hopefully, you have an incentive to tune into new episodes with a goal to learn something or get enjoyment from it. I also carry personal incentives, such as being a good father, husband, brother, son, colleague, and member of my community. Some incentives are more cynical. Money or fame often drives people to big things, but not without risk or without affecting their ego, health, or safety. Reward and punishment, each on different sides of a coin, can determine incentive structures. “Incentives are something that drives families, economies, companies, and societies,” I wrote for CTech in 2023. “We are told as children that if we behave well, we can have a candy bar or play outside with our friends. As employees, we may be incentivized with money or status, or find fulfillment from within by knowing we are doing something that adds meaning to our lives and our communities.”I wanted to share this conversation with you today from CTech’s BiblioTech archive because I believe it relates strongly to each of us. The interview, which was conducted for CTech as part of its BiblioTech series, is still as relevant as ever.About Uri Gneezy:Uri Gneezy is a Professor of Economics and Strategy and the Epstein/Atkinson Chair in Behavioral Economics at the University of California San Diego Rady School of Management. Before that, he was a faculty member at the University of Chicago, Technion, and Haifa. Uri’s research focuses on using both lab and field experiments to study how people react to incentives. He is the co-writer of The Why Axis, which discusses how using field experiments can improve our understanding of economic interactions in the real world.You can read the entire (albeit lightly edited) transcript of this interview directly on CTech: You can also catch a copy of Mixed Signals: How Incentives Really Work on Amazon here: https://www.amazon.com/Mixed-Signals-Incentives-Really-Work/dp/0300255535 Get full access to The Spiro Circle at jamesspiro.substack.com/subscribe

Today, I want to share a conversation with Josh Wheeler, founder of Be Broadcast, about the state of UK broadcast media and, notably, how it covers certain topics. The conversation follows a report written by Be Broadcast that outlines how TV and radio stations in the UK approach their reporting on climate change [linked below]. It was a 6-month analysis examining media coverage for events such as the Spanish floods, the Californian wildfire, and the US withdrawal from the Paris agreement. Specifically, I wanted to look at how the media presents its messaging versus how the public sentiment reacts to it. I was quite amazed at the use of language. The report found that 55% of all UK media coverage regarding climate change is ‘alarmist’ and uses extreme expressions such as ‘ticking time bomb’, evoking a sense of catastrophe among its viewers.Should UK media be conveying any form of emotional messaging in its reporting, and what does that do to its credibility? We discuss it all.Those who follow this channel know that I sometimes talk about Israel and I sometimes talk about the United States, but I very rarely talk about my hometown, the UK. Since I studied Broadcast Journalism as my first degree over there, I thought this was the perfect topic to dive into. Click below to see the entire report: Be Broadcast Mission Control: The Climate Conversation »https://bebroadcast.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2025/03/Be-Broadcasts-Mission-Control-The-Climate-Conversation.pdf Get full access to The Spiro Circle at jamesspiro.substack.com/subscribe

This week, I spoke with Hillel Fuld, an American Israeli business technology advisor. A lot of you are probably already familiar with Hillel. He's got a large social media following online where he talks about all things Israeli high-tech, Startup Nation, Zionism, but also Israel's fight with Hamas.Importantly, he's also fighting for its reputation as it struggles to gain sympathy among young people.I wanted to speak to Hillel about a bunch of things. Honestly, we could have spoken all day. But we limited it to Israel's tech sector and also the fight online against ‘anti-Zionism’ - which, as many of us know, is often a dog whistle for antisemitism.We spoke about some of the media personalities in the space and how they've tackled the conversation surrounding Israel. Notably, Piers Morgan and Joe Rogan’s recent episode with Dave Smith and Douglas Murray.We also spoke about Israel's tech sector and what the anti-Zionists may be missing when they think of Israel.Those calling to boycott our country underestimate the presence that Israel has in shaping the technology of our world.I hope you enjoy.The Spiro Circle is a reader-supported publication. To receive new posts and support my work, consider becoming a free or paid subscriber. Get full access to The Spiro Circle at jamesspiro.substack.com/subscribe

Today, I wanted to dive into another episode from the CTech BiblioTech archive. This time, my conversation with Nimrod Vromen, author of “Prompting Happiness: A Guide to Prompting a Life Worth Living” recorded in July, 2024.The book is an exploration of the human condition and the pursuit of true happiness. Nimrod navigates the complexities of midlife challenges, leveraging the potential of AI to provide practical strategies for personal growth and well-being.In perhaps one of the first times I can think of, Nimrod also openly admits to using ChatGPT to help him pen his work.“When I suddenly started playing with ChatGPT in October 2022, my philosophizing exploded because I felt that I was playing around with a technological revolution that was akin to the atomic bomb,” he told me during the episode. “I felt that I had seen technological revolutions in my 17 years as a professional. I saw the Internet in 1999 as a teenager, and computers before that in 1993. I thought to myself, ‘there's been nothing like this’. Every single technological revolution since the atomic bomb was an acceleration of a process that humanity has been dealing with forever, which is a process of interconnectivity, working together, and increased productivity.”“But if you think about the atom bomb, that's a revolution where you do not live in the same world afterward. You think about AI now in that context, a day before this revolution. Humans are defined by their subjective experience of life and their collective experience of life, which is defined through their communication with one another, right? A day after AI passes the Turing test, the whole experience is going to change because now I can connect with infinite versions of humans. It's just a different world. And that set me off on a course of thoughts about my profession, about my family, about education.”Nimrod is Founder and CEO of Ark Empowerment and Consiglieri - aiming to transform the world of professional services with AI. He is also the Chief Growth Officer for the Startup Sector at Arnon, Tadmor-Levy, after 16 years as a corporate lawyer at the firm. For the soul, he wrote and produced “Startup: Confidential”, an internet video series hosted on CTech and Calcalist, and authored “Prompting Happiness: A Guide to Prompting a Life Worth Living”. The book follows Nimrod as he addresses the complexities of modern life while offering a road map for navigating those intricacies, ranging from stimulating conversations on the future of AI to helpful strategies for fostering happiness in an increasingly digital society.Those interested in an extended written interview with Nimrod can find it on CTech via following this link.You can also buy your own copy here: https://www.amazon.com/Prompting-Happiness-Guide-Worth-Living-ebook/dp/B0D369PVDN Get full access to The Spiro Circle at jamesspiro.substack.com/subscribe

This week, I decided to do something a bit differently. I wanted to post a video episode from BiblioTech, a CTech video series I produced just over a year ago. In the summer of 2023, I interviewed several authors about their newly published books, and today’s episode will be from its archive: Meet Yaniv Rivlin. Yaniv is the Founding General Manager of Bird in Israel, where he also ran the EMEA Government Partnerships department. Before that, he co-founded and served as the Executive Vice President of Comtribute, a company that provided organizations with an online platform to raise funds and engage with consumers.When we recorded this episode in September 2023, he had just celebrated the English release of "Live Like a Startup: Take The Initiative and Transform Your Life”. The book, originally published in Hebrew, was a #1 bestseller in Israel and is available now for readers looking for invaluable insights on creating genuine, lasting success in business and life.“It is totally chaotic, but our life is chaotic. One of the things that I talk about throughout the book is getting into that state of fear,” he told me at the time. “When you start a startup, you take a risk. You go into that state of fear.”In some ways, The Spiro Circle has been my startup. I left my comfort zone to take on a new task, learn a new skill, and make myself more vulnerable. I am incredibly proud of what I have achieved so far and look forward to seeing all the ways this project will go in the future. For now, please enjoy our conversation. We discuss:* Yaniv’s personal journey and the start of his career. * The concept of Israeli “Chutzpah” and how it helps founders.* What business leaders, entrepreneurs, or startup founders can learn from this book.You can also read my entire interview with Yaniv on CTech’s website, which goes into far more detail about his book and journey. Those who enjoyed our conversation are invited to purchase Yaniv’s book here: https://www.amazon.com/Live-Like-Startup-Initiative-Transform/dp/B0CGL4H5S5 Get full access to The Spiro Circle at jamesspiro.substack.com/subscribe

I’ve been thinking a lot about parenthood recently. Those who know me personally will know that I have my first child on the way. In the summer, I’ll be the father to a little boy - and I couldn’t be more excited and more nervous.But today’s world isn’t easy for boys. They’re being raised to think that any masculinity they possess is somehow toxic. Or that they should or should not be acting a certain way.On top of that, western nations are seeing men as the victims of deaths of despair - that is, death by suicide, drug overdose, or alcohol-related illness.Women are outpacing men both in terms of university degrees and salaries in some working areas, making men’s traditional roles more obsolete.This has all been on my mind. Men need strong mentorship, family structures, and inspiring leaders to help them grow and succeed - but where from?This week I spoke to JP Dumas. Originally from a working-class upbringing in LA, he dodged the twin evils of gang violence and the crack epidemic, to become an executive in corporate America.I wanted to hear from him about his journey and the lessons of resilience and leadership. I hope you enjoy it.Notes: * You might see my camera angle change for a few minutes - that was just a little technical glitch!* At the start of the video, I make reference to JP currently working with children as a mentor. This is incorrect and something he did in the past. Get full access to The Spiro Circle at jamesspiro.substack.com/subscribe

As I approach the 10-episode milestone of this podcast, I have been on a journey to discover what exactly I want this to be. I am meeting with guests who all have unique insights or experiences in their personal lives or in a professional capacity.It’s been a challenge, but I feel each episode gets a little easier; every time I whip out the camera, I get a little more confident at producing these, and each episode gets a little better.I suppose what I’m trying to say is that I remained motivated to keep going - to overcome the obstacles of making this show and keeping a positive mindset.This brings me to my latest guest, Swati Shirname. Swati is originally from India and moved to the United States to embark on several high-level jobs before becoming an executive at a corporate company. Then, she went off on her path and wrote a new book: “Generative AI for Leaders: Playbook for Innovation.” [link below"]She did all this while being the single mother to two young daughters and overcoming not one, not two, but three different diseases over her life that doctors described to her as ‘incurable’.This week, I spoke to Swati about her career trajectory, the parallels between parenthood and executive leadership, and how mindset really can be everything.I hope you enjoy it.Check out her book here: https://www.amazon.com/Generative-AI-Leaders-Playbook-Innovation/dp/B0DPLP4C2S Get full access to The Spiro Circle at jamesspiro.substack.com/subscribe

It's no secret that Israel’s reputation has taken a tumble after the Hamas attack on October 7 and the subsequent war fought in Gaza, headed by Iran and its proxies.We’ve all seen the online conversation and the physical protests at college campuses and across the streets of European countries.Whereas many of Israel’s supporters suggest that a loud minority creates this noise, sadly data is showing this changing sentiment toward Israel has further intensified: a poll by YouGov shows that in the last five months, American sympathy toward Israel has dropped: despite maintaining a plurality of support, the second highest number of respondents are now ‘unsure’.The 4% drop in support represents 10 million Americans.This news was also coupled with Israel’s dead-last ranking on the 2024 Nation Brands Index, thanks to perceptions among Gen Z as a country associated with the "forces of chaos" rather than as one contributing to global stability. This makes it less popular than North Korea, Russia, or other Middle Eastern countries.I spoke with writer and strategic consultant Joanna Landau about these findings and what they mean for Israel in the future. She is the co-author of “Ethical Tribing: Connecting the Next Generation to Israel in the Digital Era,” and we discussed a variety of topics:* The YouGov poll that shows a fall in American support for Israel* How countries can improve their reputations* Taking the reputation fight onto the online battlefield* Joanna’s new initiative, Israel & Partners, to help improve the country’s reputation You can find a link to her book, which I recommend (with no commission!), here: https://www.amazon.co.uk/Ethical-Tribing-Connecting-Generation-Digital/dp/1959840347 Enjoy! Get full access to The Spiro Circle at jamesspiro.substack.com/subscribe

I first met Adir Freilich in October 2017, soon after I moved to Israel. For the first year, we worked on a podcast together called Startup Camel. I didn’t know it at the time, but that would be the first time I dabbled in Israeli high-tech and podcasting - something I would still be doing almost eight years later!In the time I have known Adir, he has remained optimistic and resilient despite four near-death experiences. * At age 7 he was hit by a car* At age 17 his appendix burst, requiring emergency surgery* At age 27 he survived the ‘Miracle on the Hudson’ plane crash* At age 36 he was diagnosed with stage four cancer and made a full recoveryI wanted to speak with Adir about how these experiences have shaped his mindset. He is one of the most optimistic people I know, and yet he has had to overcome several physical, emotional, and mental obstacles along the way. He discusses The Law of Attraction, the power of positive thinking, and shares advice with those who may be facing their own battles.I hope you enjoy it. You can get in touch with Adir through his Instagram or Email: IG: @iammanhattan Adirfreilich@gmail.com Get full access to The Spiro Circle at jamesspiro.substack.com/subscribe

Last Friday saw Kanye West, also known as Ye, unleash a tirade of antisemitic, sexist, and abusive tweets on X where he called himself a Nazi, praised Hitler, and blamed Jews for a myriad of problems.It was a return to a form we saw in December 2022, when his last outburst led to him being dropped by Addidas and largely canceled by the wider world.A little over two years have passed, and the world is different. Elon Musk purchased Twitter, turning it into X, and reinstated his account in a turn that was said to promote free speech.It’s been three days and Kanye has suggested that “Jewish People are always going to steal”... they “Love to take ownership over shit they didn't make or own”, and that they “are like bitches” who need to be “kept in check”.He also praised Hitler and made tasteless comments against the black community, gay people, Muslims, and white people more generally. Honestly, the list goes on.At the time of this episode’s recording on Sunday evening, his posts all remained up apart from some being ‘limited’ with restricted share abilities due to X’s rules against hateful content. In the 12 hours following this conversation, he had also started posting pornographic material - and by the time this episode was published (Monday morning), his account appeared deactivated.Those who know me know that my libertarian instinct has always favored free speech online over censorship. I do believe that the internet should be open and free, and bad ideas should be presented and judged accordingly. I prescribe to Musk’s idea that free speech is the bedrock of a functioning democracy, and that speech that matches the law should remain online - then the free market of ideas will sort the good from the bad.But even I had to take a moment to consider how Kanye’s rant was allowed to continue. Old Twitter may have censored too much, but this was a little extreme, even for me. And I was concerned about the real-world consequences of actions taken by such a prominent public figure.To understand all of this better and gain a different perspective, I spoke to CyberWell Founder & Executive Director Tal-Or Cohen Montemayor. CyberWell is an independent nonprofit focused on combatting online antisemitism and Holocaust denial on social media. I wanted to know more about the impact these outbursts have on online discourse, how and if that bleeds over to the ‘real’ world, and what other social media platforms are doing in comparison to X.I hope you enjoy it.The Spiro Circle is a reader-supported publication. To receive new posts and support my work, consider becoming a free or paid subscriber. Get full access to The Spiro Circle at jamesspiro.substack.com/subscribe

This week, I was joined by Omri Hurwitz, regarded by many as a media maven in marketing, tech, PR, and more.If you’re active in the Israeli tech ecosystem, you have certainly come across his content over various social media channels where he meets with prominent players in the sector while offering his analysis of news events.Omri and I have shared a few conversations in the past about New Media. Over the years we have discussed Elon Musk’s purchase of Twitter and its consequences, Fake News, and the general media landscape as it continues to evolve.Every time we speak there is something new to discuss.This time, our focus was on the unstoppable train of AI and how it has been impacting our information and news cycles.Together we discussed:* The future of media* AI algorithms in news* Community Notes and its power to fight fake news* The impact of China’s DeepSeek* The need to remove media ecosystemsPlease feel free to watch or listen here wherever you get your podcasts. Unlike previous episodes, video is not essential for this conversation.Follow Omri here: https://x.com/OmriHurwitzhttps://www.linkedin.com/in/omrihurwitzThe Spiro Circle is a reader-supported publication. To receive new posts and support my work, consider becoming a free or paid subscriber. Get full access to The Spiro Circle at jamesspiro.substack.com/subscribe

Here I tell the story of my experience visiting Kfar Aza and Nova, two sites impacted by the Hamas attack across Israel on October 7, 2023.I discuss the following topics:* The pain of the locals in the Kibbutz* The Nova site and modern-day memorials* Israel’s new responsibility as a site for “Tragedy Tourism”* UNRWA trucks were giving aid… but no one talks about it!My latest article, published in The Times of Israel, provides an in-depth review of my day. You can read it below: https://blogs.timesofisrael.com/kfar-aza-and-me/ Get full access to The Spiro Circle at jamesspiro.substack.com/subscribe