Filed under: Uncategorized | Tags: Combs & Company, Did You Know That?, Jim Mottola, National ID, Sean O'Rourke
“They who can give up essential liberty to obtain a little temporary safety deserve neither liberty nor safety.” Benjamin Franklin
COVID-19 has certainly made its presence felt at the two-decade mark of the 21st Century (both negatively and positively). The current bent of the world toward vaccinations as a prerequisite for reopening naturally leads to a conversation about identification.
Jim Mottola and I talked about this very topic on the premier episode of Everything Cyber, so we’re returning to this fertile ground to address the changes since and possible future of dynamic identification.
James Mottola: https://www.linkedin.com/in/jamesmottola/
Sean O’Rourke: https://www.linkedin.com/in/scorcyber/
Music: “Tunnel Vision” by Stanley Gurvich via Artlist
Filed under: Uncategorized | Tags: Cyber Insurance, Cyber Resiliency, Cybersecurity, Did You Know That?, Indulge Your Curiosity, Judy Selby, Sean O'Rourke, You Tube Channel
“Rather than fearing or ignoring cyberattacks, do ensure your cyber resilience to them.” Stephane Nappo
Episode 2021:13
In a few decades, historians will write tomes explaining how the world evolved into its current state based on the 366 days that made up the year 2020. Among the explanations will be lessons learned during the intervening years and the mistakes repeated. Those in the technology arena don’t have the luxury of learning lessons over time or of repeated mistakes.
The next guest on Did You Know That? knows the perils of technology, but she’s more interested in how companies protect themselves from those perils. Judy Selby is an attorney, with a specialty in cyber insurance (a subject with which I’m familiar). Our conversation is about how businesses prepare for the inevitable cyber event and how they can thrive after being hit. This is a must watch/listen.
Find out more about Judy and her expertise via the links below:
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/judyselby/
Hinshaw website: https://www.hinshawlaw.com/professionals-judith-selby.html
Music: “Caution” by Skrxlla via Artlist
Filed under: Uncategorized | Tags: American Rescue Plan Act, ARPA, COBRA Subsidy, Insurance 101
Curious about how the ARPA COBRA Subsidies work? Check out this article from Benefit Resource!
The American Rescue Plan Act of 2021 (ARPA) was passed through the House and Senate this week. The bill was signed into law on March 11, 2021. While the specifics are still developing, here are 8 things to know about the COBRA subsidy that is included in the bill.
1. It’s a 100% subsidy.
While there were several iterations of the bill and subsidies, the final version includes a 100% subsidy. This will allow eligible individuals to obtain COBRA continuation coverage for their health plan without paying COBRA premiums.
2. It’s specific.
The COBRA subsidy is only available for premiums due from April 1, 2021 through September 30, 2021, referred to as the subsidy period. In order to be eligible, individuals must be in their 18-month Federal COBRA Coverage period.
3. Coverage is not automatic.
While newly eligible individuals will not need to pay premiums, they will still need to elect COBRA coverage in order to take advantage of the subsidy.
4. Employers are responsible for paying premiums, but receive a tax credit.
Employers sponsoring a group health plan will be responsible for paying health insurance carriers for the premiums. They will be reimbursed for 100% of the COBRA premiums through tax credits against certain payroll taxes.
5. New and previous qualified beneficiaries may be eligible.
The COBRA subsidy is available for individuals who are or become qualified beneficiaries as a result of involuntary termination of employment or a reduction in hours. This may include individuals who:
- become eligible for COBRA during the subsidy period
- previously elected COBRA coverage and have paid premiums for prior months
- have not elected COBRA coverage but are still eligible to elect COBRA
6. Eligible individuals will need to be notified.
Eligible individuals will need to receive an updated notification regarding their rights to COBRA and the COBRA subsidy. The Department of Labor and Department of Health and Human Services is expected to provide new model notices within 30-days of enactment of the law.
7. Subsidies apply to Group Health Plans, except FSAs.
The 100% COBRA subsidy applies to the underlying medical coverage, dental and vision plans. Participants may still be responsible for premiums if they elect coverage for an FSA (or other benefits being offered post-employment).
8. Individuals could elect to change coverage.
If an employer permits individuals to change coverage, the premium subsidy cannot exceed the cost of the coverage option the individual was in at the time of the qualifying event.
For example: Assume at the time of termination an employee was enrolled in Plan A and the premium was $500 per month. They have an opportunity to enroll in Plan B, but it costs $700 per month. The employee’s subsidy cannot exceed the original premium of $500 per month.
Filed under: Uncategorized | Tags: Combs & Company, Did You Know That?, Homelessness, Mental Health, NYCHomeless, Sean O'Rourke, Shira Fisher
“We think sometimes that poverty is only being hungry, naked, and homeless. The poverty of being unwanted, unloved, and uncared for is the greatest poverty.” Mother Teresa
Episode 2021:12
Homelessness has been an issue for humans since a documented history was begun – and probably before. Like most complex societal issues, solutions have been tried, discarded, tried again, discarded again, and so on. Why would efforts in 2021 be different?
That and many other questions are addressed in this episode of Did You Know That? Shira Fisher has spent 13+ years of her life working for organizations using modern technologies, data, and approaches to put a dent in the 55,000 homeless in New York City. Despite the enormity of the effort and the incremental forward progress, she remains convinced this is one societal issue that can be solved. After you experience this conversation, you might as well.
Find out more about Shira and her background via LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/shira-fisher-8017667/.
Music: “What Makes Us Human” by Attila Erdelyi via Artlist
YOU’RE NOT FOR EVERYONE with Guest Kristin Andree
“Have you ever felt you spend so much time living your life, that you forget to enjoy it?
That the place you find yourself in seems almost unrecognizable, leaving you to wonder, how did I get here?”
Our next guest, Kristin Andree is helping us get right down into it!
Kristin is an Author, Speaker, Business Coach and Podcast Host.
Today’s episode we are diving deep into her new book “You’re Not For Everyone, But You Can Be For Everyone.”
Like the episode? Be sure to grab the book on Amazon.
Kristin Andree Contact:
Website: https://andreegroup.com/about-us/
LinkedIn: Kristin Andree
Instagram: @andreegroup
Filed under: Uncategorized | Tags: #businessethics, #didyouknowthat, capitalism, ethics, financialincentives, incentives, indulgeyourcuriosity, Sean O'Rourke, youtubechannel
(NOTE: Apologies in advance for the volume of my microphone. It apparently didn’t fully show up for the interview after testing.)
“Action indeed is the sole medium of expression for ethics.” Jane Addams
My enthrallment with history didn’t start until I met Mr. Ed Powers. Mr. Powers still teaches history where I went to high school and it’s he who lit the fuse. To this day – been a whole lotta days since – I still remember something he said during a discussion about the Vietnam War. To paraphrase, you can’t fight an -ism (e.g., Communism, Socialism, Capitalism, Buddhism, etc.). The -ism is an idea/philosophy/crutch utilized by people. So for me, any argument for/against an -ism is really about people.
How’s this relate to episode 2021:11 of Did You Know That? Christopher Young is all about people, specifically, the ethical actions of people in the business world. (Please hold all snarky comments until after the interview.) The world is made up of a lot of different -ism’s as they relate to business, which means there are a lot of people making business decisions on a second by second basis. We talk about how they’re making those decisions and how they can be better.
To find out more about Christopher and his work, check out the various sites below.
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/christopherwyoung/
Website: https://www.redmapecon.com/
Instagram: @theredmaplegroup
Twitter: @TheRMGroup_1
Rutgers University: https://www.business.rutgers.edu/faculty/christopher-young
Music: “Tunnel Vision” by Stanley Gurvich via Artlist
#businessethics #ethics #capitalism #incentives #financialincentives #didyouknowthat #indulgeyourcuriosity #youtubechannel
Filed under: Uncategorized | Tags: Chrisian Dysart, Combs & Company, Did You Know That?, Feature Friday, Sean O'Rourke
“You can be a career professional as a judge, a prosecutor, sometimes as a defense attorney, and never insist on fairness and justice. That’s tragic and that’s what we have to change.” Bryan Stevenson
Episode 2021:10
When you read the term defense attorney, what or who springs to mind? Hold that image in your mind until you meet my next guest on Did You Know That?
Christian Dysart probably doesn’t fit the narrative in your head as to what or who a defense attorney should be. But he has all the traits you’d want in the person fighting for your freedom/life. This is a conversation about the role of a defense attorney, criminal law, and how the system works (or doesn’t work) for those accused of a crime.
You can find out more about Christian and his work at:
Website: https://www.dysartwillis.com/
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/christian-e-dysart-9b412a4/
Twitter: @dysartwillis
Instagram: @dysartwillis
Music: “Taurus” by Ace via Artlist
“Where I was born and where and how I have lived is unimportant. It is what I have done with where I have been that should be of interest.” Georgia O’Keeffe
Episode 2021:9
Je ne sais quoi… an indescribable quality that makes someone or something so appealing. The “it” factor. It’s elusive, can’t be taught, but you know it when you see/hear/taste/smell/feel it.
As you’ll learn pretty quick during the next episode of Did You Know That?, Colleen Blum has all the “it” qualities you can envision. But she is where she is today because those qualities aren’t idle; she has put them to work for the last decade to reach a point of daily happiness. That is an accomplishment worth talking about, which we do.
Join us for a fun, engaging conversation and then go check out Colleen’s own podcast, “Try And Stop Me” (both on podcast platforms & YouTube), and other online accounts.
Try And Stop Me (YouTube): https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCwOj_bbR_Wq2TDdWxtIeG0g
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/colleenblum/
Instagram: tryandstopmepodcast
Combs & Company: https://combsandco.com/about__trashed/colleen-blum/
Music: “You Can’t Stop Me” by RocknStock via Artlist
#perseverance #ambition #drive #courage #tryandstopmepodcast #didyouknowthat #indulgeyourcuriosity #youtubechannel
Filed under: Uncategorized
“Congress shall make no law respecting an establishment of religion, or prohibiting the free exercise thereof; or abridging the freedom of speech, or of the press; or the right of the people peaceably to assemble, and to petition the Government for a redress of grievances.” 1st Amendment to the U.S. Constitution
Episode 2021:8
It can be argued these 45 words are the most important in this country. The breadth of protections offered by the amendment is in some ways the entire foundation for the democratic structure of the United States. But like any right, there have been challenges; some nefarious, others cultural. The current challenge comes from technology.
The rise of any new technology that expands our capabilities is often met with irrational exuberance. We almost always fall for the utopian visions put forward by the technology’s proponents, forgetting that it will be human beings – good, bad, and indifferent – who will mold the technology going forward. Thus, what evolves is both a blessing and a bane. The Internet is the 21st Century’s ultimate example of this phenomenon (so far).
What impact has the Internet had on the 1st Amendment, primarily free speech? My next guest on Did You Know That? is well versed on this question. Lyrissa Lidsky is the Dean of the University of Missouri School of Law and an authority on the intersection of free speech and the Internet. It’s a timely conversation that may change your thoughts about what you write/read on the World Wide Web.
To learn more about Lyrissa and her extensive work around the 1st Amendment, follow her via the links below:
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/lyrissa-lidsky-192815103/
Twitter: https://twitter.com/LidskyLidsky
MizzouLaw on Twitter: https://twitter.com/MizzouLaw
Research on SSRN Author page: https://ssrn.com/author=247860
#1stamendment #freedomofspeech #dataprivacy #didyouknowthat #indulgeyourcuriosity #youtubechannel
Filed under: Uncategorized | Tags: geometry, hyperbolic geometry, mathematics
“The beauty of mathematics only shows itself to more patient followers.” Maryam Mirzakhani
Episode 2021:7
Addition. Subtraction. Multiplication. Division. Algebra. Euclidian Geometry. Trigonometry. Calculus. For the vast majority of us, our formal study of math ends somewhere along this list. But this list doesn’t get us to space. Doesn’t get us mobile phones/tablets/devices. Doesn’t get us the Internet.
It’s not hyperbole to say mathematics can explain virtually the entire universe. That’s astounding if you really think about it. So does that mean mathematicians see the world differently than the rest of us? That’s one of the many questions I pose to Ara Basmajian, professor of hyperbolic geometry at Hunter College (part of the CUNY system), on this episode (2021:7) of Did You Know That?
If you want to dive into a whole new world and language, visit Ara’s links below:
Teaching: https://sites.google.com/view/basmajian/home/teaching
Research: https://sites.google.com/view/basmajian/home/research
YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xBSnPsGsH6U
YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yJWk_oAGlxo
Music: “Make Me Mad – instrumental Version” by Ofrin via Artlist
#mathematics #geometry #hyperbolicgeometry #universallanguage #didyouknowthat #indulgeyourcuriosity #youtubechannel
combsandco 