Born and raised in Chicago, Steven worked in account management on international brands for Young & Rubicam (Y&R) Advertising in Beijing, Shanghai, Guangzhou, Hong Kong, Ho Chi Minh City and Singapore. While in Singapore, he also produced & hosted a Latin Music radio show at the weekend, the World Music & Latin Music Channels for Singapore Airlines In-flight, was a voice-over talent, acted in film, and wrote for one of the country’s newspapers.

After his 16 years in Asia, Steven moved to New York to work for Y&R. While there, he launched “The One Way Ticket Show” podcast which he now devotes himself to full time as both host and producer. Now in its 11th season, on the show, he explores with his acclaimed guests where they would go if given a one way ticket, no coming back. Destinations may be in the past, present, future, real, imaginary or state of mind. (www.theonewayticketshow.com and wherever you download your podcasts).

Steven also produces and hosts the “IsraelCast” podcast for Jewish National Fund USA (JNF) where his fascinating guests, highlight the latest from Israel in high-tech, innovation, the culinary arts, water management, archeology, agriculture, environmental protection, programs for the disabled and more. (www.jnf.org/israelcast).

He is also the producer of the “What’s Burning” podcast from the Galilee Culinary Institute which features interviews with top chefs, restaurateurs and major players in the food world. (www.galileeculinaryinstitute.com/whatsburning)

Steven also works with other podcasters on their programs – from concept to launch through social media follow-up.

When he’s not podcasting, Steven, who’s an exhibited photographer, enjoys traveling (he’s visited over 70 countries) and especially loves venturing to less-traveled destinations, e.g., North Korea, Libya, Syria, Sudan, Iraq, Algeria, Burundi, Saudi Arabia, etc.

Steven received his B.A. in Chinese Language & Literature from Washington University in St. Louis, and his M.A. in International Relations from The Johns Hopkins University School of Advanced International Studies (SAIS) in Washington, D.C. He completed coursework towards his undergraduate degree at the School of Oriental & African Studies (SOAS) at the University of London, and at Nanjing University in China. He was a Rotary Foundation Scholar at the National University of Singapore’s Chinese Language & Research Center.

A vegan for over 3.5 years now, he is an active volunteer, is an avid reader and gym, museum, and theatre-goer, and since August 2021, has been working to help resettle Afghan refugees.