The BITE Pod

In this episode of The BITE Pod, host Anne Riitho is joined by Thariq Kara, Co-Founder of BITE, and special guest Ruta Riley, a experienced international trade attorney, to break down the critical compliance challenges facing technology startups today. From export controls to sanctions and supply chain risk, this conversation highlights the high stakes of getting trade compliance wrong—and the business advantages of getting it righ...

In this episode of The BITE Pod, Anne sits down with Beth Lomax, founder of Lomax Associates and a expert trade compliance consultant specializing in the pharmaceutical and biotech sectors. Beth walks us through her career journey—from early roles in procurement to leading global trade compliance at Novartis and now advising companies across the life sciences industry.

We dive into the unique regulatory landscape pharma companies fa...

In this episode of The BITE Pod, we sit down with Kathleen Newell, Massachusetts Export Center, to talk about what it really takes to build a trade compliance program that works—especially for small and mid-sized businesses.

Kathleen walks us through:

• How to form a cross-functional compliance team

• Key program elements like classification, screening, and recordkeeping

• The importance of training and internal audits

• Free and low-cost g...

In this episode of The BITE Pod, hosts Anne Riitho & Thariq Kara sit down with eCommerce and supply chain expert Lila Landis to discuss the changing face trade. Lila shares her career journey and how professionals can stand out.

We explore what’s changed in eCommerce—from shifting regulations to new tech trends—and why it matters for the future of global trade. Lila also offers practical advice for the trade community on staying...

In this episode of The BITE Pod, we sit down with Michelle Frennier, founder of Evolution Trade Solutions, to explore the challenges and opportunities in global trade compliance. With over 20 years of experience, Michelle shares insights on how small compliance teams can effectively navigate regulations, the evolving role of technology in trade, and how businesses can leverage data for efficiency and risk mitigation.

We also discuss...

In this episode of The BITE Pod, Anne sits down with Pete Edge, former Executive Associate Director (EAD) at Homeland Security Investigations (HSI), now CEO at Controlled Strategies, to talk about career evolution, leadership, and the changing landscape of trade enforcement.

We discuss:

🔹 Pete’s journey from law enforcement to private sector leadership

🔹 How HSI’s mission and trade enforcement have evolved over the years

🔹 The power...

The Future of Trade Compliance with Kyle Grobler
Discover how trade compliance is evolving with Kyle Grobler in this insightful episode.

Kyle shares his journey from South Africa to becoming a global trade compliance expert. He dives into topics like HTS classifications, cost-saving strategies, and proactive solutions for cross-border shipments and customs.

You’ll also hear about:

Practical tips for simplifying trade complia...

In this episode of The BITE Pod, hosts Anne Riitho and Thariq Kara sit down with Mack West for a dynamic conversation that blends personal stories with sharp industry insights. Mack shares what it’s like to work for a family-owned business in the fast-paced world of trade compliance and logistics. From his unique perspective, we explore key predictions for 2025, including what’s on the horizon for de minimus thresholds, tariffs, an...

In this episode of The BITE Pod, we sit down with Cindy Allen to explore key trade compliance developments from 2024, including insights on forced labor regulations, de minimis thresholds, and tariffs. Cindy shares her outlook for 2025, highlighting critical trends in supply chain management and trade compliance, with a particular focus on tariffs. We also dive into her inspiring career journey, discussing strategies for transition...

In this episode of The BITE Pod, host Anne Riitho is joined by BITE CEO Thariq Kara and William Jansen, Director of Customs Brokerage & Account Management - Ecommerce at SEKO Logistics. William shares his journey into customs brokerage, outlining the various career paths available and spotlighting significant trends in the industry over the past five years. We discuss how leading organizations are supporting the trade community...

In this episode of The BITE Pod, host Anne Riitho, alongside BITE CEO and co-founder Thariq Kara, welcomes Tess Bone, a leader in corporate responsibility and ethical sourcing. Tess, with her experience at Tiffany & Co. and Fontheim International, brings fresh insights into tackling today's biggest challenges in global supply chains.

Dive into a powerful discussion on forced labor, child labor, gender-based violence, and th...

In this episode of The BITE Pod, Anne Riitho is joined by Bruce Foucart, an expert in intellectual property rights enforcement, and Timothy Gildea. They delve into the critical importance of protecting intellectual property, discussing the risks and impacts of IP theft on businesses, consumers, and national security. Bruce shares his extensive experience from his time as the Director of the US National Intellectual Property Rights ...

Welcome to The BITE Pod, your go-to source for insightful discussions on export controls, compliance, and risk management. Join our host Anne Riitho and Ken MacDonald as they delve into the complexities of the regulatory landscape. With over 30 years of experience in criminal investigations, specializing in cross-border crimes, export control, and counter-proliferation, Ken MacDonald brings a wealth of knowledge and expertise to th...

Join us on The BITE Pod as we delve into ESG—Environmental, Social, and Governance—and its vital role in global trade. This episode features Anne Marie, a recent Mount Allison University graduate with a passion for the intersection of religion and the climate crisis, and Tijana, a renewable energy expert with extensive experience in sub-Saharan Africa and Europe.

Together, we unpack ESG's impact on pollution, forced labor, and ...

In this episode of The BITE Pod, host Anne Riitho and trade auditor Cindy DeLeon tackle the pressing issue of forced labor compliance. Cindy, an expert in customs compliance, shares insights on preparing for anticipated changes to the UFLPA's Entity List and navigating increased enforcement actions. They discuss the implications of these developments for the future of trade compliance and stress the importance of collaboration ...

In this episode of The BITE Pod, join the BITE Team and legal expert Jonathan Tycko as they delve into the intricate world of customs fraud and whistleblowing under the False Claims Act. Discover how the Act operates in combating fraud against the government, including recent statistics and reports from the Department of Justice. Explore the various challenges faced by whistleblowers in bringing forward customs fraud cases and the ...

On this month's episode of the BITE Pod, hosts Anne Riitho, Dr. Tim Gildea, and esteemed guest, Dr. David Gerstein, provide an insightful discussion on safeguarding national security and fostering responsible trade practices. Dr. Gildea and Dr. Gerstein explore the challenges and developments in regulating critical and emerging technologies and share their predictions on future compliance trends.

Tune into The BITE Pod fo...

Join the BITE Team and special guest, David Albright, as we discuss Russia's efforts to avoid sanctions and bolster their drone manufacturing and procurement to support their war efforts in Ukraine. We highlight the gaps and loopholes in enforcement against this procurement, cover the different analytic approaches needed to close these gaps, as well as discuss Iran's involvement in Russian drone production.

Interested ...