During this annual favorite Ron and Ed look back on the good, the bad, and the ugly of 2023 including their favorite episodes, news events, pop-culture, business trends, and in memorium.
Use these show notes to follow along with the audio:
Segment one
As we look back on 2023, we recognize James Johnston, the great British Historian. We lost him on January 12th at the age of 94. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/James_Howard-Johnston
We also lost Gina Lollobrigida on January 12th, an Italian actress, artist, and politician. She made Marilyn Monroe look like Shirley Temple. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Gina_Lollobrigida
Who made Ed’s list of notable losses in 2023? David Crosby - from Crosby, Stills, Nash, and Young - some amazing harmony! Also Cindy Williams from Laverne and Shirley. And Burt Bacharach.
And let’s not forget Tony Bennett. Some of his great work was towards the end of his career on a series of albums called Duets. Ed loves the one with Lady Gaga. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Cheek_to_Cheek_(album)
We also lost Robert Lucas who famously compared the US economy to an amusement park. Here’s a free article from FT that goes into the details: https://www.ft.com/content/b52a4aac-2e1f-46ce-a8ea-0441e1cfb9a5
Segment two
Also in 2023, we lost James Buckley - older brother to William. He was a distinguished US senator, Federal Judge, and Cabinet Member. He is 1 of only 45 people to serve in all 3 branches of the US government.
Joe the Plumber passed away in 2023. He famously challenged President Obama on taxes on 2008. https://www.theguardian.com/us-news/2023/aug/28/joe-plumber-dead-obama-campaign
We also lost Elinor Otto (October 28, 1919 – November 12, 2023), an American factory worker who was an original "Rosie the Riveter". She built airplanes for over a half-century, and spent many years working for Boeing
We also lost Shane McGowan in 2023 - lead singer of The Pogues. Here are a few of their greatest songs https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=j9jbdgZidu8
Others mentioned on the show today that we lost in 2023: Matthew Perry, Juanita Castro, Rosalynn Carter, Charlie Munger, and running back Jim Brown
Segment three
According to Chartable, our top shows of 2023 are 5) episode 446 4) episode 442 3) episode 445 2) episode 448 1) episode 444. Just visit TheSoulOfEnterprise.com slash episode number to visit any episode directly.
According to our website stats, our top shows are 2023 are: 5) episode 459 4) episode 434 3) episode 435 2) episode 450 1) episode 452. Just visit TheSoulOfEnterprise.com slash episode number to visit any episode directly.
Ron loves the Tony Gill episode, ESPECIALLY the poem at the end of the episode. Folks, you’ve got to hear this. https://www.thesoulofenterprise.com/417
Ron was really touched by the interview with Dr. David Alfrey. Here is the direct link: https://www.thesoulofenterprise.com/426
The Essentials of Strategy was a phenomenal episode. Ron mentioned this as one of his favorites in 2023: https://www.thesoulofenterprise.com/427
According to YouTube, our most popular episodes of all time are interviews. They are 5) Matthew Stewart 4) Thomas Sowell 3) Tyler Cowen 2) Donald Hoffman 1) Rory Sutherland https://www.youtube.com/@askTSOE
Segment four
And the winner is….BOTH the Oxford word of the year and American slang word of the year is….. RIZZ (don’t ask me. Go ask a teenager)
How about another 2023 American slang word: Stan… “I guess you can say I’m a Stan. I stan Taylor Swift (sustained fan or longtime fan)”
Cap is another 2023 American slang word. “You had dinner with Beyonce??? That’s cap.” (Lie or deceive)
Another slang word for 2023: Rotting… “Stay in bed. Play on social media. You are rotting for the day.”
Ed has some 2024 predications to close out the show: Biden will not be the Democratic nominee. AI will continue to be incredibly hyped…and useful. Bitcoin will pass 100k
Ron has a few 2024 predictions as well: Jimmy Lai faces a perilous future and China might make a move on Taiwan
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