By Greg Kozera
Director of Marketing for Shale Crescent USA
When Lynnda had her breast cancer surgery last year, she had prayers from friends around the world. The oncologist gave all her options after surgery, one was preventive radiation. He talked about eastern medicine versus western medicine. Doc said radiation could reduce reoccurrence by 50%. Lynnda asked, “What are the chances now?” “About 8%.” “So, radiation would reduce my chances of reoccurrence from 8% to 4%.” “Yes.” Doc replied. We have good friends in Asia, (eastern) two who are doctors. Both said, “Radiation has risks. We would never recommend it with such a low benefit.” Lynnda chose not to do radiation. She is cancer free.
Lynnda and I are blessed to travel extensively telling the story of the Shale Crescent Region to business people around the world. In the process we met many people and have developed friendships. Nathan, Shale Crescent USA President and I are on video calls weekly with foreign companies. No matter the country, race or religion, people are far more alike than they are different. They want to live in peace, earn a living and take care of their families. Some examples are;
In Europe, “Holiday” (time off work) is taken seriously. Many companies shutdown for weeks in July and August. The Europeans learned how important time off is for boosting energy and creativity. One CEO from France told me he would be off work for most of July. I asked what he was going to do. “I will be swimming with sharks.” I assumed it was a work thing until he sent a photo of the sharks he was swimming with in the ocean. Swimming with sharks requires his total attention and focus. He can’t think about work. It creates the distraction and relaxation he needs to return to work energized and invigorated.
The governments of India and Pakistan have been at war in some form for years over land. There are no direct flights between India and Pakistan. We have friends in both countries. The people are very similar. They prefer to be at peace. Business people still find ways to trade.
The evils of war are the results a few people in leadership positions who seek power and unleash the evils of war on millions. We had a Zoom call with a Ukrainian company from their bomb shelter in Kiev. The executive has 3 children under 8 years old. He fears for their safety. They can’t play outside like U.S. children. He doesn’t know if his factory will be standing tomorrow. This man doesn’t like the Ukraine War but he doesn’t want his family to live under Russian rule.
We are working with Romanian companies. Following business on a Zoom call with the CEO of a Romanian manufacturer after the Russia-Ukraine War started, I asked if he was worried about their natural gas getting shutoff and people freezing to death. He responded, “Romania lived under Russian rule during the Cold War. When it got very cold, Moscow got the gas and we were shutoff. We know what it is like to be cold in January. We did not go “green” like Western Europe. When the Cold War ended we drilled and fracked our own oil and gas wells. We don’t have enough gas to run our entire country like you do in the USA. We won’t freeze.”
At SelectUSA I met with the CEO of another Romanian company. She said, “You in the United States don’t understand how serious it is. I live on the Ukraine border. An errant Russian missile could land on my house. We are afraid the U.S. might use Romania as a bargaining chip in peace talks with Putin. We don’t want to be ruled by Russia again.”
In 2024 we did an event in Germany telling the Shale Crescent Region’s story. On the trip we met with President of Plastics Europe who told us plastics demand will double or triple by 2040. By 2040 the EU requires all fossil fuel content to be out of plastic products. How are you going to do that?” I asked. “We have no idea.” The average European doesn’t know what this means to them. The Chinese are excited about getting more EU plastic manufacturing.
A company from Finland expanded to Ohio and will be manufacturing products here. They have an incredible positive attitude and are fun to be around. When I asked the hotel desk clerk if the Finland delegation had arrived she said, “Yes. They are delightful.” Finland has long, cold, dark winters and are the happiest people on earth.
Most people don’t get to choose their leaders. I love the Chinese & Russian people. I don’t like what their leaders do. We find people the world over as friendly, wanting to live their lives in peace and provide for their families. Israel is surrounded by countries who want to see it destroyed. When the Israeli delegation was here recently, one of the the members bought two fishing rods with tackle for him and his young son. Family time is important.
There will always be leaders who are focused on their power and their needs. They don’t care if people die or suffer. Remember these are the 1% who propagate evil. What can we do to help the 99% who are good and want to live in peace and find prosperity?
This Christmas season we can take a lesson from the Finns and smile more. We can choose to change our attitude to one of positivity and possibility. The USA is blessed with resources especially energy. I believe we have a responsibility to share our resources with the world, not keep them in the ground. We can lift the world from energy poverty.
We can make the world better by treating everyone with dignity and respect. Smile more. Avoid hatred. We see business people concerned more with integrity than race, country, skin tone or religion. Starting with ourselves we can make Peace on Earth come true. Merry Christmas!
© 2025 Shale Crescent USA
Greg Kozera, [email protected] is the Director of Marketing for Shale Crescent USA. He is a professional engineer with a Masters in Environmental Engineering and over 40 years of experience in the energy industry. Greg is a leadership expert, high school soccer coach, professional speaker, author of four books and many published articles.
