Podcasts about foreign service

What does it look like to open a door that changes everything?In this episode of Undercurrents, we trace the remarkable story of how Canada became a world leader in refugee welcome — and why that legacy matters more now than ever.Host Ken Ogasawara sits down with Mike Molloy, retired Foreign Service officer and one of the architects of the world's first private refugee sponsorship program, to hear how a small clause buried in a 1976 immigration act became a lifeline for hundreds of thousands of people fleeing the Indo-China wars. And how MCC became a foundational partner in making it all work.We also hear from Kaylee Perez, MCC's Global Migration and Resettlement Strategic Initiatives Lead, who brings both professional expertise and deeply personal roots to this work. Her insight: the antidote to fear is proximity.Together, their stories remind us that welcoming the stranger isn't a radical idea, it's foundational to our faith expression.In this episode:Why Bill Janzen's "drop the rope" approach to government negotiation built something extraordinaryWhat Hearts of Freedom — 170+ interviews with former refugees — reveals about gratitude, belonging, and Canadian identityWhy 66% of Canadians still support refugee welcome, even if you'd never know it from the comments sectionHow the We're Better Together campaign is equipping everyday people to shift the conversation in their own communitiesThe data is clear. Refugees strengthen Canada's workforce, arrive ready to contribute, see their incomes grow, and become citizens at remarkable rates. But as Kaylee reminds us — this was never just about economics. It's about who we want to be.Ready to act?Learn about refugee sponsorship at mcc.orgJoin the We're Better Together campaign at the Canadian Council for Refugees: https://mcc.org/better-togetherExplore the Hearts of Freedom project: heartsoffreedom.orgUse the discussion guide on our website to bring this conversation to your church or community groupSend us a note at podcast@mcco.ca — we'd love to hear from youTranscription is here.Discussion guide here.Undercurrents is sponsored in part by Kindred Credit Union.Credits:Production support from Christen KongLogo artwork by Jesse BergenTheme song by Brian MacMillanExecutive produced by Sandra Reimer.

Taiwan Representative to Denmark Robin J.C. Cheng's career in Taiwan's Foreign Service spans several stints across the United States, Tuvalu, and now Denmark. The de-facto ambassador traces his path from law student to seasoned diplomat, and opens up about what he hopes to achieve for Taiwan in the northern European country. Hosted by ICRT's Hope Ngo. -- Hosting provided by SoundOn

In this episode of Occupied Thoughts, FMEP Fellow Peter Beinart speaks with Professor Dana El Kurd (University of Richmond) and Professor Nader Hashemi (Georgetown University) about how the current war increases Iran's “soft power," why Saudi Arabia and the UAE are reacting differently to Iran and Israel, and why American hegemony remains in the Middle East.  ​​Dana El Kurd is an associate professor at the University of Richmond in the Department of Political Science, and a senior nonresident fellow at the Arab Center Washington. Nader Hashemi is the Director of the Alwaleed Center for Muslim-Christian Understanding, an Associate Professor of Middle East and Islamic Politics at the Edmund A. Walsh School of Foreign Service at Georgetown University, and a non-resident fellow at Democracy for the Arab World Now (DAWN). Peter Beinart is a Non-Resident Fellow at the Foundation for Middle East Peace. He is also a Professor of Journalism and Political Science at the City University of New York, a Contributing opinion writer at the New York Times, an Editor-at-Large at Jewish Currents, and an MSNOW Political Commentator. His newest book (published 2025) is Being Jewish After the Destruction of Gaza: A Reckoning. He publishes regularly on https://peterbeinart.substack.com/. Original music by Jalal Yaquoub.

The Roundtable Panel: a daily open discussion of issues in the news and beyond. Today's panelists are Professor of History and International Relations at Vassar College. He is a specialist on the history of US foreign policy Robert Brigham, Former Vice President for Editorial Development at the New York Press Association and Former Longtime Editor of 'The Daily Gazette' Judy Patrick, and Diplomat in Residence at Bard College. She retired from the U.S. Foreign Service in 2025 after over 30 years in public service. Her last post was ambassador to the SE Asian country, Timor-Leste Donna Welton.

In this episode of the ChinaPower Podcast, Dr. Andrea Kendall-Taylor and Dr. Evan Medeiros join us to unpack President Putin's visit to Beijing. They discuss what the timing reveals about China's diplomatic strategy after the Trump–Xi meeting, and how both sides used optics to serve their own interests. The conversation explores Russia's growing dependence on China, the limits of the partnership including the stalled Power of Siberia II pipeline, and what to watch for in China-Russia security cooperation. Andrea Kendall-Taylor is a Senior Fellow and Director of the Transatlantic Security Program at the Center for a New American Security. Evan Medeiros is the Penner Family Chair in Asia Studies in the School of Foreign Service and the Cling Family Distinguished Fellow in U.S.-China Studies at Georgetown University.

Conversation with Washington Post columnist and political scientist Shadi Hamid on American power, democracy, and the case for hegemony in the 21st centuryIs America a force for good in the world? It's a question that has become increasingly uncomfortable to ask—and even more uncomfortable to answer. In this episode of Due Diligence, I sit down with political scientist, columnist, and author Shadi Hamid to explore one of the central tensions of modern politics: how should we think about American power in a world where power is unavoidable? Drawing from his new book, The Case for American Power, Shadi argues that while America has often fallen short of its ideals, it remains the least bad option in a world where someone will inevitably wield power. Throughout the conversation, we wrestle with a question that sits at the heart of Due Diligence: How do we hold America accountable for its failures without losing sight of what makes the American project worth preserving? Whether you're skeptical of American power, broadly supportive of it, or deeply conflicted about both, this conversation offers a thoughtful exploration of democracy, empire, idealism, realism, and the future of the international order.(00:43) Meet Shadi Hamid(01:56) Why power must be embraced(04:14) Why America is morally superior among great powers(05:28) The Nirvana fallacy (09:28) Is American foreign policy responsive to democracy?(12:09) How Gaza became a progressive litmus test (15:13) James Baldwin's argument(17:37) Why Democratic pride in America collapsed (20:44) Pride in country vs. love of country(25:17) Why American hypocrisy is a feature, not a bug(33:50) Sincerity vs. propaganda(36:21) Why having ideals makes America different(37:53) Why presidents fold on their foreign policy promises(41:15) The Obama tragedy & disappointment(42:59) How Obama obstructed Arab democracy(45:37) The uncomfortable reason America doesn't support Arab democracy(48:02) When America chose the moral path (51:23) Why supporting democracy is in America's self-interest(54:27) Why China's rise has been overstated(59:43) The role of cultural values in democracy(01:03:50) Idealism vs. realism(01:06:35) The challenge of writing this book(01:08:54) Why America's advantage is immigrationAbout Shadi HamidShadi Hamid is a columnist at The Washington Post, where he focuses on culture, religion and foreign policy. He is also a senior fellow at Georgetown University's Center for Muslim-Christian Understanding. Previously, he was a senior fellow at the Brookings Institution and a contributing writer at The Atlantic. Hamid is the author of several books, including most recently, “The Case For American Power.” In 2019, Hamid was named one of the world's top 50 thinkers by Prospect magazine. He is also the co-founder of “Wisdom of Crowds,” a podcast, newsletter and debate platform. Hamid received his B.S. and M.A. from Georgetown University's School of Foreign Service and his PhD in political science from Oxford University, where he was a Marshall Scholar.Subscribe & followDue Diligence SubstackDue Diligence InstagramDulma's Instagram

Send us Fan MailMost people assume national security delays are about technology.They're not.  They're about paperwork - and it can take up to two years just to deploy software the government already wants.Andrew Black is a national security entrepreneur, cybersecurity executive, and emerging technology strategist whose career has sat at the intersection of AI, defense, cyber risk, and global security operations.Andrew is currently the CEO of Kovr.ai ( https://kovr.ai/ ) an AI-native cyber compliance platform focused on one of the biggest bottlenecks in modern national security: getting software and cloud systems authorized for use in highly regulated and classified environments. Kovr.ai is using AI to automate complex compliance frameworks like FedRAMP and CMMC, helping organizations become “ATO-ready” (Authority to Operate) in minutes rather than months.  Andrew also now serves as Chief Strategy Officer of Fortreum  ( https://fortreum.com/ ) which recently acquired Kovr.aiBefore joining Kovr.ai, Andrew led emerging technology initiatives at Amazon Web Services (AWS), where he worked with government leaders on next-generation capabilities spanning artificial intelligence, generative AI, quantum computing, high-performance computing, edge systems, and space technologies.Andrew's career has also included leadership roles at Gartner, advisory work with the Krach Institute for Tech Diplomacy at Purdue, venture investing with NextGen Venture Partners, and teaching national security and data analysis as adjunct faculty at Georgetown University Walsh School of Foreign Service.Earlier in his career, Andrew worked in counter-terrorism, threat modeling, and risk analytics, building data-driven systems to allocate anti-terrorism resources and anticipate geopolitical instability in frontier and conflict-affected regions.A graduate of University of St Andrews and Georgetown University, Andrew has spent two decades helping government and industry navigate increasingly complex technological and security landscapes - and today he's focused on transforming how AI can accelerate trust, compliance, and operational readiness across the defense ecosystem.#AI #Cybersecurity #NationalSecurity #DefenseTech #FedRAMP #CMMC #ATO #ArtificialIntelligence #GovTech #CyberCompliance #CloudSecurity #KovrAI #DoD #ZeroTrust #EmergingTech #Startup #MachineLearning #CyberDefense #FutureOfAI #GovernmentTechnologySupport the show

Send us Fan MailA naked dinner party assignment. An alligator living by a dollar store. A “be more efficient” book that actually teaches you to rest. Lifestyle and wellness reporter Madeleine Aggeler has made a career out of taking the internet's strangest trends seriously enough to find the human truth inside them, and she joins us to explain how that work actually happens. We start with Madeleine's unconventional journalism origin story: a childhood spent devouring magazines, a detour through the Peace Corps and Foreign Service ambitions, then a one-year gamble in New York that turns temp work and small gigs into a real reporting career. She breaks down what it was like learning on the fly during the high-output days at The Cut, why writing fast can sharpen your voice and how a bold pandemic-era move helped her chase the kind of long-form journalism she wanted to do. From there, we get practical about idea generation and wellness reporting. Madeleine shares how she spots stories, why trusting your gut often beats guessing what readers want and how she balances curiosity with healthy skepticism in an age of nonstop health content. We talk about trends that surprised her, trends she'd never do again and the “boring” habits that keep showing up as the most reliable wellness advice. Finally, she tells us what she's watching now, including strength training culture and the relationship side of GLP-1 medications. If you like smart, funny reporting that still asks big questions about loneliness, dating culture, beauty standards and self-improvement, hit subscribe, share this with a friend and leave a review so more listeners can find us.Madeleine Aggeler's author page at The Guardianhttps://www.theguardian.com/profile/madeleine-aggelerMadeleine's LinkedInhttps://www.linkedin.com/in/madeleine-aggeler/Blueskyhttps://bsky.app/profile/mmaggeler.bsky.social 

Is the State Department serving the American people—or protecting a broken bureaucracy?In this episode ofThe Feds, Stephanie sits down with Foreign Service officer and Feds for Freedom co-founderMarcus Thornton to tackle one of the biggest questions in government reform today:What is happening inside the Department of State that needs radical transparency—and radical reform?Together, they examine the systemic problems inside the State Department and Foreign Service, from accountability failures and ideological insularity to family policy, recruitment, overseas assignments, and religious discrimination. 

On this special podcast episode, we are sharing the opening statements from the Munk Debate on Foreign Wars, which took place this past Wednesday May 20th in front of a packed crowd at Toronto’s Meridian Hall. Against the backdrop of America’s war with Iran — and after nearly three decades of disastrous Middle East interventions — the debate asked whether the U.S. should continue intervening abroad, and what that means for the future of global order. The resolution was: Be it resolved, don’t go hunting monsters. Arguing against the motion was Mike Pompeo, 70th U.S. Secretary of State, former Director of the CIA, and four-term U.S. Congressman. He was joined by Victoria Nuland, whose 35-year career in the U.S. Foreign Service includes roles as Acting Deputy Secretary of State, Assistant Secretary of State for European and Eurasian Affairs, and U.S. Ambassador to NATO. Arguing in favour of the motion were two former Munk Debaters and the world’s leading proponents of U.S. foreign policy restraint: John Mearsheimer, the R. Wendell Harrison Distinguished Service Professor of Political Science at the University of Chicago and Stephen Walt, Professor of International Affairs at Harvard Kennedy School. Find out how to watch the full debate at www.munkdebates.com

A joint U.S.-Israeli attack on Iran, followed by Iranian retaliation against U.S. military assets, Israel and other U.S. allies, has engulfed much of the Middle East in a conflict with global repercussions. Israel and the United States campaign's immediate aim was to decapitate the Islamic Republic's leadership, and it quickly achieved this goal. But the broader objectives of the operation are still clouded in uncertainty. What might be enough for them to declare victory is still unclear. Two months in, a weak ceasefire is in place, but outbursts of hostilities remain as the U.S. seeks to break the chokehold Iran has placed in the Hormuz Strait disrupting the global economy. Evidence points at Iran, the U.S. and Israel fighting different wars in the same territory making a lasting ceasefire very difficult. This session draws on Crisis Group's latest analysis to assess the trajectory of the conflict, examine the strategic calculations of the main stakeholders, and explore whether pathways to de-escalation remain viable—or whether the region is heading toward a more protracted and expansive war. Ali Vaez is International Crisis Group's Iran Project Director and Senior Adviser to the Group's President. He led Crisis Group's efforts in helping to bridge the gaps between Iran and the P5+1 that led to the landmark 2015 nuclear deal. Previously, he served as a Senior Political Affairs Officer at the United Nations Department of Political and Peacebuilding Affairs and was the Iran Project Director at the Federation of American Scientists. He is an adjunct professor at Georgetown University's Edmund A. Walsh School of Foreign Service and a Fellow at the Foreign Policy Institute of the Johns Hopkins School of Advanced International Studies. He is a co-author of How Sanctions Work: Iran and the Impact of Economic Warfare.

On this episode of Unsupervised Learning Razib talks to Christopher Rufo. Rufo is a senior fellow at the Manhattan Institute for Policy Research. A contributing editor at City Journal, author of the New York Times bestseller America's Cultural Revolution, and 2025 Bradley Prize recipient, he also serves as a New College of Florida board member and Distinguished Fellow at Hillsdale College. He is also co-host of the podcast Rufo and Lomez. Raised in Sacramento, California, Rufo graduated magna cum laude from Georgetown University's Walsh School of Foreign Service in 2006 and a Master of Liberal Arts in Government from Harvard Extension School in 2022. He lives in the Pacific Northwest with his wife and children. Razib and Rufo first discuss his California upbringing and the idyllic environment of the Golden State. They discuss what they both love about California and why it matters for the US as a whole. Razib brings up the contrast with Texas, where the weather and scenery are less attractive, but pro-business and pro-housing regulatory framework has attracted many migrants from California. Rufo then details exactly what he's uncovered about the poor governance in his home state under Gavin Newsom. They also discuss the prospects in the current governor's race, and whether California's pathologies can ever be fixed.

Across Ukraine, Gaza, Lebanon, Syria, Iraq, Yemen, and now the Gulf, water systems are no longer just collateral damage. They are becoming targets and tools of coercion. Dams, desalination plants, pumping stations, rivers, reservoirs, and electricity grids are being pulled into the battlespace, with civilians paying the highest price.This matters far beyond the battlefield. When water infrastructure is attacked, the consequences ripple through food security, energy production, public health, migration, fertiliser markets, political stability, and the legitimacy of states themselves. In a world already shaped by climate stress, fragile governance and geopolitical escalation, attacks on water and our access to water are becoming yet another significant international risk.Today on The International Risk Podcast, we are joined by Dr Marcus King, Professor of the Practice in Environment and International Affairs at Georgetown University's Walsh School of Foreign Service, Vice Chair of the Council on Strategic Risks, and one of the world's leading experts on water weaponisation. Dr King is the author of Weaponizing Water: Water Stress and Islamist Extremist Violence in Africa and the Middle East, and his work has helped define how states and non-state actors use water as a weapon, a bargaining chip, and a tool of control.The International Risk Podcast brings you conversations with global experts, frontline practitioners, and senior decision-makers who are shaping how we understand and respond to international risk. From geopolitical volatility and organised crime, to cybersecurity threats and hybrid warfare, each episode explores the forces transforming our world and what smart leaders must do to navigate them. Whether you're a board member, policymaker, or risk professional, The International Risk Podcast delivers actionable insights, sharp analysis, and real-world stories that matter.Dominic Bowen is the host of The International Risk Podcast and Europe's leading expert on international risk and crisis management. As Head of Strategic Advisory and Partner at one of Europe's leading risk management consulting firms, Dominic advises CEOs, boards, and senior executives across the continent on how to prepare for uncertainty and act with intent. He has spent decades working in war zones, advising multinational companies, and supporting Europe's business leaders. This episode was produced by Anna KummelstedtTell us what you liked!

As U.S. and Chinese leaders meet in Beijing, the future of the world's most important economic relationship hangs in the balance. In this episode of Current Account, Clay is joined by Evan Medeiros, a professor in the School of Foreign Service at Georgetown University and former director at the White House National Security Council, to assess what is at stake in the latest round of talks and what each side hopes to achieve.  They explore the evolving sources of leverage on both sides, from trade and investment to critical minerals and advanced technologies, and examine the gap between leader level diplomacy and a deeper structural rivalry. The conversation also looks at how domestic politics may constrain any deal and what a more stable U.S.-China relationship could realistically look like in the years ahead. This IIF Podcast was hosted by Clay Lowery, Executive Vice President, Research and Policy, with production and research contributions from Christian Klein, Digital Graphics and Production Associate and Miranda Silverman, Senior Program Assistant.

Eric and Eliot lament the firing of 200 Foreign Service officers and the recent large-scale exodus of senior diplomats from public service. They discuss the impact of the Trump Administration's diplomatic malpractice including the handling of Operation Freedom and their own disagreements about it. They assess the likely costs of ensuring Iran is not left in control of the Strait of Hormuz and the inevitable long-term future US presence in the Persian Gulf. They also consider the impact of the UK local elections and the collapse of support for Keir Starmer's Labour Party. Finally, they address the US troop withdrawals from Germany and Vladimir Putin's worsening political, economic, and personal situation.Eric & Frank Miller on Withdrawing From Germany:https://www.thebulwark.com/p/withdrawing-troops-from-germany-is-own-goal-trump-merz-natoSecretary Hegseth's Defense Budget Video:https://x.com/SecWar/status/2052396775797891417?s=20Shield of the Republic is a Bulwark podcast co-sponsored by the Miller Center of Public Affairs at the University of Virginia.

About the Show:"My sense of identity as an American never was as pronounced as it was when I was overseas." – Jamie AtkinsonSome people find Northwest Arkansas. Jamie Atkinson chose it after seeing most of the world first.Before planting roots in the region, Jamie Atkinson spent years as a U.S. Foreign Service officer, living and working across more than 55 countries—Argentina, Nicaragua, Bulgaria, Bolivia, the Czech Republic, and beyond. Along the way, he discovered that Delta blues music wasn't just something he loved — it was a universal language that opened doors, built trust, and connected him to people across cultures and continents. Now back in the U.S. and deeply invested in Northwest Arkansas, Jamie joins me on the podcast to talk about what it means to carry your roots with you around the world, why this corner of the Ozarks convinced his family to stay, and how a lifetime of service is shaping what comes next.Key Takeaways:Music is a Bridge: Delta blues connected people in Argentina, Bolivia, and the American South—showing that music can bring cultures together.Importance of Perspective: Living overseas gave Jamie Atkinson a deeper appreciation for being American and for appreciating other cultures.Building Community: Investing in Northwest Arkansas is about more than property—it's about relationships, teamwork, and belonging.Local Roots with Global Experience: Jamie Atkinson's experience in the Foreign Service taught him to listen, compromise, and find common ground—skills he brings to community leadership.Giving Back: Returning home, Jamie Atkinson seeks to serve his adopted community through both local business and public service.All this and more on this episode of the I Am Northwest Arkansas® podcastImportant Links and Mentions on the Show*Website: Jamie for ArkansasReach Jamie Atkinson on social: Facebook, Instagram, and LinkedInMusic Education Initiative (Orson Weems)Fayetteville Public LibraryPryor Center Juke JointFindItNWA.com NWA's Hyperlocal Business DirectoryThis episode is sponsored by*Signature Bank of Arkansas "Community Banking at its Best!"*Note: some of the resources mentioned may be affiliate links. This means we get paid a commission (at no extra cost to you) if you use that link to make a purchase.Connect more with I am Northwest Arkansas:Grab our Newsletter Email Us at hello@iamnorthwestarkansas.comConnect With Our Facebook Page Connect With Us on Threads Connect With Our Instagram Connect With Our LinkedIn PageJoin The Facebook Group Connect with our Fearless Host, Randy Wilburn on LinkedInThank you for listening to this I am Northwest Arkansas podcast episode. We showcase businesses, culture, entrepreneurship, and life in the Ozarks.Consider donating to our production team to keep this podcast running smoothly. Donate to I Am Northwest ArkansasMentioned in this episode:Signature Bank of Arkansas "Community Banking at its Best!"FindItNWA.comLooking to discover the best local businesses in Northwest Arkansas?

This week on the GovNavigators Show, Adam and Robert sit down with Daniel Gaush, Acting Director of the International Cooperative Administrative Support Services Service Center at the U.S. Department of State, for a fascinating look at one of the federal government's largest and least understood shared services operations.Daniel explains how the ICASS system coordinates administrative support for more than 300 federal entities across embassies and consulates worldwide, everything from HR and motor pools to security, facilities, and logistics. He shares stories from a 24-year career spanning Morocco, China, Afghanistan, and Washington, including negotiating trade agreements, touring a Chinese nuclear reactor, and managing support operations in wartime environments.The conversation explores the promise and pain points of shared services: balancing costs, managing interagency consensus, handling global crises, and adapting to major structural changes, such as the integration of USAID functions into the State Department. Daniel also reflects on the unique culture of the Foreign Service and offers advice for the next generation of Americans considering international public service careers.Show Notes:Final Report from The President's Council to Assess the FederalEmergency Management AgencyWhat's on the GovNavigators' Radar?May 13: House Oversight & Government Reform Committee Hearing: DoW Financial Management: Examining Progress and New Audit Approaches May 14: House Oversight & Government Reform Hearing: Reducing America's National Debt: Rooting Out Federal Waste, Fraud, and Overregulation May 14-15: ACT-IAC's Emerging Technology & Innovation Summit

On this episode of Unsupervised Learning Razib talks to Russ Greene, who promoted the idea of "Total Boomer Luxury Communism." Greene currently serves as the Executive Director of the Prime Mover Institute, a public interest organization and think tank he launched to advocate for American energy dominance. Previously, he was a Senior Fellow for the Economy at the Stand Together Trust. In this role, he managed a grantmaking portfolio centered on federal regulatory affairs and strategic litigation, with a strong focus on classical liberalism and critiques of Environmental, Social, and Governance (ESG) corporate frameworks. Greene also directed brand defense and government affairs for CrossFit Inc. He has a Bachelor of Science in International Politics from Georgetown University's Walsh School of Foreign Service. Greene and Razib talk about the fiscal insolvency of Social Security in six years, and the shift of the federal budget to focus on transfers from younger generations to older ones. Greene also talks about the fiscal situation in the developed world more generally, out of the United States, and the general issues engendered by massive pension systems. They discuss the history of past changes to benefits programs for senior citizens, and how it puts the squeeze on all other areas of the budget.  

The Roundtable Panel: a daily open discussion of issues in the news and beyond. Today's panelists are a former NY elementary teacher and now 2nd year PhD student at RPI Sophia Acquisto, Senior Fellow for Health Policy at The Empire Center for Public Policy Bill Hammond, and Diplomat in Residence at Bard College. She retired from the U.S. Foreign Service in 2025 after over 30 years in public service. Her last post was ambassador to the SE Asian country, Timor-Leste Donna Welton.

The State Department has concluded its widespread reduction in force nearly a year after it began. The department is officially separating hundreds of Foreign Service officers who received reduction in force notices last summer. The department tried to part ways with these employees before, but has kept on paid administrative leave since July 2025. Federal News Network's Jory Heckman has more. See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

Tod Robberson is the author of Globemaster Down: Soviet Espionage and the Doomed Attempt to Sneak Nukes into Europe, released on March 31, 2026. Tod is a Pulitzer Prize-winning journalist who spent four decades as a reporter, bureau chief, correspondent and/or editor for various news organizations including The Washington Post, Dallas Morning News, St. Louis Post-Dispatch and Reuters news agency. He currently is a senior editor for investigative news at ESPN. Robberson has lived in London, Panama, Mexico, Cyprus, El Salvador, Lebanon and Saudi Arabia and holds a master’s degree from the Georgetown University School of Foreign Service. He has covered wars throughout Latin America, the Middle East and Afghanistan and has provided guest commentary for CNN, MSNBC, National Public Radio, Sky News and Telemundo. In addition to his 2010 Pulitzer Prize for editorial writing, Robberson has received a National Headliners Award, the SAIS-Novartis Award for international reporting, and statewide journalism awards in Texas and Missouri. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Send us Fan MailHe's been shot at, caught in revolutions, climbed mountains most people would not touch, and survived a ship fire in the Gulf of Alaska. But John Graham's most important journey is the one that comes after the adrenaline, when he turns risk into a search for meaning and a life of service. We sit down with John, a former U.S. Foreign Service officer and a longtime leader of the Giraffe Heroes Project, to unpack how powerful storytelling works in modern communication strategy. John explains why he opens with adventure stories to earn attention, especially from tough business audiences, and how he uses that attention to pivot toward purpose, courage, and community impact. Along the way, he shares the moments that changed his trajectory, including Vietnam and the night he thought he might die at sea, and what those experiences taught him about values that actually last. We also dig into what “giving back” can look like in real life. John makes a case that service is not reserved for saints or retirees, and that ethical leadership, honest work, and even hard choices like whistleblowing can be acts of service. He also talks about reaching a new generation through podcasts and short-form video on TikTok, Instagram, and YouTube, plus what he's learned from replying to thousands of comments from people trying to find courage in their own lives. If you get something from this conversation, subscribe, share it with a friend, and leave a review so more people can find it. What's one small way you could stick your neck out this week?Support the showGot a question about something you heard today? Have a great suggestion for a topic or know someone who should be a guest? Reach out to us:askcarl@carlspeaks.caIf you're ready to take the plunge and join the over 3 million people who have joined the podcast space, we'd love to hear your idea and help you get started! Book your Podcast Strategy Session today:https://podcastsolutionsmadesimple.com/get-started/Never miss an episode! Subscribe wherever you get your podcast by clicking here:https://communicationconnectioncommunity.buzzsprout.comFollow us on LinkedIn:https://www.linkedin.com/company/podcast-solutions-made-simpleFollow us on Instagram:https://www.instagram.com/podcastsolutionsmadesimple/Follow us on Facebook:www.facebook.com/groups/podcastlaunchmadesimpleFollow us on Twitter:https://twitter.com/carlrichards72

What happens when a single mom in the Foreign Service gets the double whammy — "your child might have dyslexia" AND profound hearing loss? She figures it out. Katharyn Havens joins Cheryl from outside Nairobi, Kenya, where she's running a multi-age homeschool pod, teaching kids AI ethics, and building her own AI co-pilot for homeschool parents.In this episode:How cochlear implant surgery changed everything — and bought them timeWhy Katherine walked away from a 14-year Foreign Service careerThe year they moved to Florida, ditched the diagnosis, and just learned to liveHow her son went from nonverbal to reading Green Eggs and Ham — on his own timelineBuilding a homeschool pod in Kenya with kids of all agesHer AI code of ethics for kids (yes, they have written rules)What "symphonic thinking" is and why it's the most future-proof skill you can teachWhether you're just starting out or deep in the homeschool journey, Katherine's story will remind you: you know your kid best. Trust that.Connect with Katharyn: Substack: https://substack.com/@kairoslearninglifestyle?utm_campaign=profile&utm_medium=profile-pageInstagram: https://www.instagram.com/radicallyresetting/?hl=enYouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@KairosRiseHomeschoolwww.KairosRise.com

Nicolas Levi is a researcher at the Institute of Mediterranean and Oriental Cultures of the Polish Academy of Sciences. He has authored numerous books related to North Korea and is a regular commentator on the country's elite social and political structures. I Was a North Korean Diplomat: Inside the Secret World of Pyongyang's Foreign Service (Independently Published, 2026) is Levi's tenth book, a collaborative work based on extensive dialogues with Han Jin-myung (a pseudonym),  a former member of the North Korean elite who served in a specialized military drone unit and the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, before defecting in 2015. The book provides a rare, ground-level look at the life of the North Korean upper class, tracing Han's journey from a privileged childhood in Pyongyang to the high-pressure world of international diplomacy and illicit regime fundraising in Southeast Asia. Through Han's testimony, the book explores the psychological realities of loyalty, the "golden cage" of the North Korean elite, and the climate of fear following the 2013 execution of Jang Song-thaek, offering readers a unique perspective on the inner workings of the North Korean state. Anthony Kao is a writer who intersects international affairs and cultural criticism. He founded/edits Cinema Escapist—a publication exploring the sociopolitical context behind global film and television—and also writes for outlets like The Guardian, Al Jazeera, The Diplomat, and Eater. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices Support our show by becoming a premium member! https://newbooksnetwork.supportingcast.fm/new-books-network

Nicolas Levi is a researcher at the Institute of Mediterranean and Oriental Cultures of the Polish Academy of Sciences. He has authored numerous books related to North Korea and is a regular commentator on the country's elite social and political structures. I Was a North Korean Diplomat: Inside the Secret World of Pyongyang's Foreign Service (Independently Published, 2026) is Levi's tenth book, a collaborative work based on extensive dialogues with Han Jin-myung (a pseudonym),  a former member of the North Korean elite who served in a specialized military drone unit and the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, before defecting in 2015. The book provides a rare, ground-level look at the life of the North Korean upper class, tracing Han's journey from a privileged childhood in Pyongyang to the high-pressure world of international diplomacy and illicit regime fundraising in Southeast Asia. Through Han's testimony, the book explores the psychological realities of loyalty, the "golden cage" of the North Korean elite, and the climate of fear following the 2013 execution of Jang Song-thaek, offering readers a unique perspective on the inner workings of the North Korean state. Anthony Kao is a writer who intersects international affairs and cultural criticism. He founded/edits Cinema Escapist—a publication exploring the sociopolitical context behind global film and television—and also writes for outlets like The Guardian, Al Jazeera, The Diplomat, and Eater. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices Support our show by becoming a premium member! https://newbooksnetwork.supportingcast.fm/east-asian-studies

Nicolas Levi is a researcher at the Institute of Mediterranean and Oriental Cultures of the Polish Academy of Sciences. He has authored numerous books related to North Korea and is a regular commentator on the country's elite social and political structures. I Was a North Korean Diplomat: Inside the Secret World of Pyongyang's Foreign Service (Independently Published, 2026) is Levi's tenth book, a collaborative work based on extensive dialogues with Han Jin-myung (a pseudonym),  a former member of the North Korean elite who served in a specialized military drone unit and the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, before defecting in 2015. The book provides a rare, ground-level look at the life of the North Korean upper class, tracing Han's journey from a privileged childhood in Pyongyang to the high-pressure world of international diplomacy and illicit regime fundraising in Southeast Asia. Through Han's testimony, the book explores the psychological realities of loyalty, the "golden cage" of the North Korean elite, and the climate of fear following the 2013 execution of Jang Song-thaek, offering readers a unique perspective on the inner workings of the North Korean state. Anthony Kao is a writer who intersects international affairs and cultural criticism. He founded/edits Cinema Escapist—a publication exploring the sociopolitical context behind global film and television—and also writes for outlets like The Guardian, Al Jazeera, The Diplomat, and Eater. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices Support our show by becoming a premium member! https://newbooksnetwork.supportingcast.fm/biography

Nicolas Levi is a researcher at the Institute of Mediterranean and Oriental Cultures of the Polish Academy of Sciences. He has authored numerous books related to North Korea and is a regular commentator on the country's elite social and political structures. I Was a North Korean Diplomat: Inside the Secret World of Pyongyang's Foreign Service (Independently Published, 2026) is Levi's tenth book, a collaborative work based on extensive dialogues with Han Jin-myung (a pseudonym),  a former member of the North Korean elite who served in a specialized military drone unit and the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, before defecting in 2015. The book provides a rare, ground-level look at the life of the North Korean upper class, tracing Han's journey from a privileged childhood in Pyongyang to the high-pressure world of international diplomacy and illicit regime fundraising in Southeast Asia. Through Han's testimony, the book explores the psychological realities of loyalty, the "golden cage" of the North Korean elite, and the climate of fear following the 2013 execution of Jang Song-thaek, offering readers a unique perspective on the inner workings of the North Korean state. Anthony Kao is a writer who intersects international affairs and cultural criticism. He founded/edits Cinema Escapist—a publication exploring the sociopolitical context behind global film and television—and also writes for outlets like The Guardian, Al Jazeera, The Diplomat, and Eater. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices Support our show by becoming a premium member! https://newbooksnetwork.supportingcast.fm/language

Nicolas Levi is a researcher at the Institute of Mediterranean and Oriental Cultures of the Polish Academy of Sciences. He has authored numerous books related to North Korea and is a regular commentator on the country's elite social and political structures. I Was a North Korean Diplomat: Inside the Secret World of Pyongyang's Foreign Service (Independently Published, 2026) is Levi's tenth book, a collaborative work based on extensive dialogues with Han Jin-myung (a pseudonym),  a former member of the North Korean elite who served in a specialized military drone unit and the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, before defecting in 2015. The book provides a rare, ground-level look at the life of the North Korean upper class, tracing Han's journey from a privileged childhood in Pyongyang to the high-pressure world of international diplomacy and illicit regime fundraising in Southeast Asia. Through Han's testimony, the book explores the psychological realities of loyalty, the "golden cage" of the North Korean elite, and the climate of fear following the 2013 execution of Jang Song-thaek, offering readers a unique perspective on the inner workings of the North Korean state. Anthony Kao is a writer who intersects international affairs and cultural criticism. He founded/edits Cinema Escapist—a publication exploring the sociopolitical context behind global film and television—and also writes for outlets like The Guardian, Al Jazeera, The Diplomat, and Eater. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices Support our show by becoming a premium member! https://newbooksnetwork.supportingcast.fm/politics-and-polemics

Nicolas Levi is a researcher at the Institute of Mediterranean and Oriental Cultures of the Polish Academy of Sciences. He has authored numerous books related to North Korea and is a regular commentator on the country's elite social and political structures. I Was a North Korean Diplomat: Inside the Secret World of Pyongyang's Foreign Service (Independently Published, 2026) is Levi's tenth book, a collaborative work based on extensive dialogues with Han Jin-myung (a pseudonym),  a former member of the North Korean elite who served in a specialized military drone unit and the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, before defecting in 2015. The book provides a rare, ground-level look at the life of the North Korean upper class, tracing Han's journey from a privileged childhood in Pyongyang to the high-pressure world of international diplomacy and illicit regime fundraising in Southeast Asia. Through Han's testimony, the book explores the psychological realities of loyalty, the "golden cage" of the North Korean elite, and the climate of fear following the 2013 execution of Jang Song-thaek, offering readers a unique perspective on the inner workings of the North Korean state. Anthony Kao is a writer who intersects international affairs and cultural criticism. He founded/edits Cinema Escapist—a publication exploring the sociopolitical context behind global film and television—and also writes for outlets like The Guardian, Al Jazeera, The Diplomat, and Eater. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices Support our show by becoming a premium member! https://newbooksnetwork.supportingcast.fm/korean-studies

Nicolas Levi is a researcher at the Institute of Mediterranean and Oriental Cultures of the Polish Academy of Sciences. He has authored numerous books related to North Korea and is a regular commentator on the country's elite social and political structures. I Was a North Korean Diplomat: Inside the Secret World of Pyongyang's Foreign Service (Independently Published, 2026) is Levi's tenth book, a collaborative work based on extensive dialogues with Han Jin-myung (a pseudonym),  a former member of the North Korean elite who served in a specialized military drone unit and the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, before defecting in 2015. The book provides a rare, ground-level look at the life of the North Korean upper class, tracing Han's journey from a privileged childhood in Pyongyang to the high-pressure world of international diplomacy and illicit regime fundraising in Southeast Asia. Through Han's testimony, the book explores the psychological realities of loyalty, the "golden cage" of the North Korean elite, and the climate of fear following the 2013 execution of Jang Song-thaek, offering readers a unique perspective on the inner workings of the North Korean state. Anthony Kao is a writer who intersects international affairs and cultural criticism. He founded/edits Cinema Escapist—a publication exploring the sociopolitical context behind global film and television—and also writes for outlets like The Guardian, Al Jazeera, The Diplomat, and Eater. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Welcome to All About AFSPA April! In today's episode, we are discussing the Foreign Service Benefit Plan. With AFSPA's Sr. Director of Health Operations, Igor Cherevko, we visit some of the most frequently asked questions and common topics that our Health Benefits Officers encounter. Drug Pricing Tool: https://www.express-scripts.com/frontend/commercial-open-enrollment/afspaforeignservicebenefitplan/plans/68c2cfb07c0b92001c878c32/apps/medication#/Lyra Health: Call 1-877-505-7147 or visit https://www.lyrahealth.com/. Truman Group: https://trumangroup.com/ For more information on FSBP, visit www.afspa.org/fsbp.  

Walter Haydock draws a direct line from military risk management to the enterprise AI challenge. His argues that organizations need to stop doing "math with colors," and move toward quantitative assessment that assigns dollar values to potential AI failures. Much of the conversation in this episode focuses on ISO 42001, the global standard for AI management systems, which Haydock has championed and which his own firm has gone through. He draws a three-part taxonomy of AI governance frameworks: legislation you either comply with or don't, voluntary self-attestable frameworks like the NIST AI RMF, and externally certifiable standards like ISO 42001 that bring independent verification. Haydock outlines a forward-looking vision in which certification, insurance, and legal safe harbors reinforce one another. Machine-readable audit data will eventually allow insurers to make informed underwriting decisions about AI risk, reducing uncertainty for both enterprises and their customers.  Though, as he acknowledges, we are still far from that environment, with AI audits today still roughly 90% manual. Walter Haydock is the founder of StackAware, which helps AI-powered companies manage security, compliance, and privacy risk. Before entering the private sector, he served as a reconnaissance and intelligence officer in the U.S. Marine Corps, as a professional staff member for the Homeland Security Committee of the U.S. House of Representatives, and as an analyst at the National Counterterrorism Center. He is a graduate of the United States Naval Academy, Georgetown University's School of Foreign Service, and Harvard Business School. Transcript Deploy Securely (Haydock's Substack)

Max and Donatienne discuss the fallout from the Iran war and this week's Hungarian election. Then, Max is joined by Federico Steinberg, Prince of Asturias distinguished visiting professor at Georgetown University's School of Foreign Service and visiting fellow at CSIS, on the war's economic costs for Europe.  (00:00) Intro (00:45) Iran war fallout  (14:43) Hungary election (22:38) Federico Steinberg   Learn more: Russian Roulette | CSIS Podcasts Europe Needs Bold Economic Action in the Face of the Iran Shock What Is at Stake in Hungary's Election?

In this episode, Mike sits down with Evan Medeiros, the Penner Family Chair in Asia Studies at Georgetown's School of Foreign Service and Cling Family Distinguished Fellow in U.S.–China Studies. They examine Beijing's response to the war in Iran, trace the evolution of the China–Iran relationship, and assess the conflict's long-term strategic implications for Asia and U.S.–China competition.

This week on Talk World Radio, we're talking about Iran, the world, and the problem of war. Our guest Matthew Hoh is a disabled Marine Corps veteran of the Iraq War and former Afghan War State Department Officer. In 2009, after being appointed to the Foreign Service, Hoh resigned his post in Afghanistan over the Obama administration's escalation of the Afghan War. He is now an analyst and commentator on foreign and military policy issues as a senior fellow with the Eisenhower Media Network. He serves on the advisory boards of many peace organizations, including Veterans For Peace and World BEYOND War, and is an associate member of Veteran Intelligence Professionals for Sanity.

Kirsty Graham, CEO of Edelman U.S., draws on three decades in global policy and communications to unpack the findings of the Edelman Trust Barometer and why leaders today must act as “trust brokers.” In an age when AI can mimic us, she argues, leaders must become better at being human. She reflects on why workplaces have become “islands of civility” and how corporate leaders can rebuild trust at scale. Kirsty previously spent 16 years in New Zealand's Foreign Service and a decade in senior global roles at Pfizer. Since joining Edelman in 2020, she has held multiple leadership positions and now serves on the firm's Global Executive Leadership Team.Tags: janice, ellig, podcast, kirsty, graham, leaders, executive, impact, society, business, ceo

Kirsty Graham, CEO of Edelman U.S., draws on three decades in global policy and communications to unpack the findings of the Edelman Trust Barometer and why leaders today must act as “trust brokers.” In an age when AI can mimic us, she argues, leaders must become better at being human. She reflects on why workplaces have become “islands of civility” and how corporate leaders can rebuild trust at scale. Kirsty previously spent 16 years in New Zealand's Foreign Service and a decade in senior global roles at Pfizer. Since joining Edelman in 2020, she has held multiple leadership positions and now serves on the firm's Global Executive Leadership Team.Tags: janice, ellig, podcast, kirsty, graham, leaders, executive, impact, society, business, ceo

The State Department carried out widespread layoffs last summer. But it's still scrutinizing its workforce. The Department is planning to potentially remove or reassign more Foreign Service employees who don't meet new performance standards. This comes as the Trump administration is planning to limit the number of federal employees who can receive top marks on their annual performance reviews. Federal News Network's Jory Heckman has more. See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

Recorded 3-18-26

Thomas M. Duffy is a retired American diplomat and naval officer writing as an independent researcher. His interests are naval history and maritime strategy. Tom's assignments over his 38-year overall career with the US Government included service aboard USS Cochrane (DDG-21) during the Tanker War and as a maritime strategist in the Pentagon with the US Navy's Strategic Concepts Group (OP-603). After joining the Foreign Service, he served primarily in the Middle East, including as the first State Department Foreign Policy Advisor (POLAD) with the US FIFTH Fleet in Bahrain and as US Consul General in Jeddah, Saudi Arabia. Tom holds a BA in Government from Notre Dame and an MA in War Studies from King's College, London. He is a graduate of the US Naval War College and taught about strategy at the US National War College. J. Overton is co-host of the Sea Control podcast and edited the essay collection “Seapower by Other Means: Naval Contributions to National Objectives Beyond Sea Control, Power Projection, and Traditional Service Missions.” Links - Tanker War in the Gulf: Operation Earnest Will, Diplomacy and Seapower in Practice Stop Phrasing Military Moves as ‘Deterrence' Tom's Linkedin page

Return of Tyranny explains why counterrevolutions both emerge and succeed, marshalling original data on counterrevolutions worldwide since 1900. It also offers a fresh perspective and new evidence on the reversal of Egypt's 2011 revolution, one of the most prominent recent episodes of counterrevolution. The book forwards a movement-centric argument that emphasizes the strategies revolutionary leaders embrace, both during their opposition campaigns and after they seize power. Movements that wage violent resistance and espouse radical ideologies establish regimes that are very difficult to overthrow. By contrast, democratic revolutions like Egypt's are much more vulnerable – though the book also identifies a path by which they too can avoid counterrevolution. By preserving their elite coalitions and broad popular support, these movements can return to mass mobilization to thwart counterrevolutionary threats. In an era of resurgent authoritarianism worldwide, Return of Tyranny sheds light on one particularly violent form of reactionary politics. Meet our speakers Killian Clarke is an Assistant Professor in the Edmund A. Walsh School of Foreign Service at Georgetown University, affiliated with the Center for Contemporary Arab Studies. His research focuses on revolution, protest, democratization, and authoritarianism with a regional focus on the Middle East. He is the author of Return of Tyranny: Why Counterrevolutions Emerge and Succeed (Cambridge University Press, 2025), as well as peer-reviewed articles in the American Political Science Review, Annual Review of Political Science, British Journal of Political Science, and World Politics. Hazem Kandil is the Cambridge University Professor of Historical and Political Sociology, Fellow of St Catharine's College and Head of Department. He studies power relations and social interactions, focusing on war, regime change, intellectuals and ideology in America, Europe, and the Middle East. He holds a PhD in Sociology from UCLA, and MA degrees in Political Theory and International Relations. His publications include Power Triangle: Military, Security, and Politics in Regime Change (Oxford University Press 2016), Inside the Brotherhood (Polity 2014), and Soldiers, Spies, and Statesmen (Verso 2012). Kandil received the Philip Leverhulme Prize (2014) and a ProFutura Scientia Fellowship (2016). After finishing a book project on US military campaigns from 1960 to the present, he started a new one on encounters with Critical Theory. Meet our chair Katerina Dalacoura is Associate Professor in International Relations at the London School of Economics and Political Science, and Director of the LSE Middle East Centre. She held a Major Research Fellowship by the Leverhulme Trust between 2021 and 2024. The project findings will shortly be published as a book monograph by Cambridge University Press, under the title Islamic International Thought in Turkey: History, Civilisation and Nation.

What does it really take to lead with purpose, rise through multiple sectors, and keep going when people underestimate you? In this inspiring episode of Start the Week With Wisdom, Bridget Burns and Sarah Custer sit down with Dr. DeAngela Burns-Wallace to talk about leadership, service, resilience, career growth, and the journey behind her new book Made for This. From higher education leadership to state government, diplomacy, philanthropy, and national impact, Dr. Burns-Wallace shares the values, lessons, and personal experiences that shaped her path. This conversation is for anyone interested in leadership development, women in leadership, higher education, personal growth, career advancement, overcoming adversity, and building a legacy of service. If you've ever wondered how to stay grounded while stepping into bigger opportunities, how to turn being underestimated into fuel, or how to lead people with empathy, intention, and courage, this episode is for you. Packed with wisdom on mentorship, purpose-driven leadership, storytelling, career transitions, and the power of sharing your journey, this is a motivating conversation for leaders at every stage.You'll Hear:→ Dr. DeAngela Burns-Wallace share how her early leadership training came from family, church, community, and a deep belief in service.→ How writing Made for This began as a leadership book and evolved into a leadership memoir after she realized that her personal story was just as important as the lessons she wanted to teach. → The conversation explores how Dr. Burns-Wallace navigated roles across higher education, the Foreign Service, state government, and philanthropy while staying rooted in access, opportunity, and economic mobility. → Dr. Burns-Wallace also opens up about what it means to be underestimated, how to keep that from becoming internalized, and how great leaders create policies, cultures, and opportunities that prevent others from being limited in the same way. → You'll also hear a memorable discussion about the music behind each chapter of her book, how songs can capture seasons of life, and why storytelling matters so much in leadership.Learn more about the UIA by visiting:WebsiteLinkedInTwitterYouTubeFacebookThis week's episode is sponsored by Mainstay, a student retention and engagement tool where you can increase student and staff engagement with the only platform consistently proven to boost engagement, retention, and wellbeing. To learn more about Mainstay, click here.

Send me a DM here (it doesn't let me respond), OR email me: imagineabetterworld2020@gmail.comToday I'm honored to introduce you all to: Air Force Veteran, Former All-Source Intelligence Analyst, loving and devoted wife, UAP and HNI experiencer, humanitarian, non-globalist human rights efforts activist Michaela FacharA distinguished U.S. Air Force veteran, Michaela served as an All-Source Intelligence Analyst, including a deployment to the CENTCOM Air Operations Center in Qatar from October 2020 to May 2021. There, she processed mission reports, including anomalous UAP activity and instances of "blue on blue" information - revealing choke points in intelligence flow that she later went public with on to highlight systemic issues in information sharing. Her analytical sharpness - honed through high-stakes environments - extended to China-focused intelligence work, leveraging her Mandarin proficiency from time spent living in China earlier in life. Following her deployment, she interned with the Defense Intelligence Agency's Special Operations Division before diving into academia.At Georgetown University, Michaela earned her Master's in Foreign Service. Immersed in courses on globalization, international relations theory, realism, idealism, and social constructivism, she sought to dissect policy failures to prevent future missteps. Yet, in the year 2021, during this intellectually intense period, her path veered into the extraordinary. What began as accelerated insights and "downloads" escalated into a life-altering experience: contact with non-human intelligence (NHI).This encounter unfolded dramatically - marked by crumbling perceptions of space-time, urgent premonitions of nuclear risks, symbolic visions, and a surreal hospital sequence blending apparent government orchestration, psychological distress, and spiritual liberation. She encountered entities, received symbolic messages, and felt cosmic connections. Though initially attributed to potential mental health challenges, the experience ultimately liberated her spiritually, shifting her from a "normie" national security trajectory to one aligned with deeper truths.Today, Michaela walks her true path with fierce purpose. She envisions collaborating with trustworthy allies to liberate children from demonic influences and believes many courageous souls volunteered for this pivotal time to transition humanity away from globalist, satanic Illuminati control. CONNECT WITH MICHAELA: X: https://x.com/MichaelaFacharIG: https://www.instagram.com/michaelafachar/ CONNECT WITH FOCUS CONGO: IG: https://www.instagram.com/focuscongo/LinkTree: https://linktr.ee/focuscongo?utm_source=ig&utm_medium=social&utm_content=link_in_bio&fbclid=PAZXh0bgNhZW0CMTEAc3J0YwZhcHBfaWQMMjU2MjgxMDQwNTU4AAGnOFPJEb44ul3qAAyHFSaWXCFJFLReDuHR-jhCSJfI0ib6im99chksEXVuPVM_aem_7lD03RV2SsU1ofEYtyk9-gCONNECT WITH EMMA:YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@imaginationpodcastofficialEMAIL: imagineabetterworld2020@gmail.com OR standbysurvivors@protonmail.comMy Substack: https://emmakatherine.substack.com/BUY ME A COFFEE: https://www.buymeacoffee.coSupport the show

In this episode from Highclere Castle, I sit down with Nick Hopton to talk about his book, "Marma Mia," which begins as the story of buying and restoring a holiday house in an unspoiled part of Tuscany, the Maremma and becomes a wider family and personal journey. Nick shares how reading "A Year in Provence" during COVID while he was British Ambassador to Libya helped inspire him to write a feel-good book that encourages readers to discover lesser-known regions. We discuss his Foreign Office career and his approach to languages, including learning Arabic across postings such as Morocco, Yemen, Qatar and Libya, along with French, Italian, Spanish, some German, and some Farsi ahead of becoming ambassador to Iran after the 2015 nuclear deal and the reopening of the British embassy. Nick explains how a friend's suggestion to look beyond Chianti led serendipitously to the first house they viewed and ultimately boughtalongside the realities of renovating abroad: high costs, practical challenges, and the highs and lows of making a place work for family life. We also talk about his unexpected love of landscaping and working with a skilled digger operator he calls “Michelangelo,” the region's food, wine, local olive oil and its strong Tuscan accent. Nick recounts a memorable moment when a friend arrived with an armed escort and the town's mayor turned out to greet them, and he updates me on ongoing projects, including drilling a 97-meter well to reach a fresh aquifer. Looking ahead, Nick describes writing best in the relative isolation of the Italian house and shares his interest in writing more broadly about the Mediterranean, linked to his role creating a new program at the University of Cambridge Centre for Geopolitics. We touch on the Napoleonic history of the area, including the principality of Piombino and Lucca and Napoleon's sister Elisa and end with a playful question about a dream dance guest Nick chooses Dante's Beatrice, reflecting his early love of Dante's poetry and its lifelong influence.00:00 Meet Nick Hopton & the book ‘Marma Mia' (restoring a house in Italy)00:50 Inspired by ‘A Year in Provence': writing a feel-good travel memoir during COVID01:59 Diplomatic life & learning languages: Arabic, French, Italian (and more)04:26 Why you should speak the local language (even with bad grammar)05:17 Falling for Tuscany's Maremma: the serendipitous house-buying story07:42 Renovation reality: highs, lows, and why the Maremma stays authentic08:44 Landscaping obsession: diggers, Kubotas, and ‘Michelangelo' the operator11:05 Food, wine & dialect: tomatoes, olive oil, and the Tuscan accent12:49 Small-town surprises: the ambassador friend visit and the mayor's welcome13:43 The work never ends: is the villa project ever really finished?14:01 Digging a 97m Well & the Never-Ending House Project14:27 What's Next After the Book: A Wider Mediterranean Focus14:58 Seeing the Mediterranean Holistically (Cambridge Geopolitics & Trade Routes)16:26 Duff Cooper, John Julius Norwich & Highclere's Colorful Guests17:20 Writing Habits: Tuscany, Isolation, Rhythm & Beating Procrastination18:37 Italy, Maremma & Napoleonic History: Elisa and the Principality of Piombino and Lucca20:30 Diplomatic Postings & Reopening the UK Embassy in Iran (2015)23:09 Iran Today: Regime Weakness, Protests, and a Hope to Visit the Cradle of Civilization24:21 Highclere's Library, the Book Club, and a Shared Love of Italy25:27 Finale: The Summer Dance Fantasy Guest—Dante, Beatrice & Vita NovaYou can hear more episodes of Lady Carnarvon's Official Podcasts at https://www.ladycarnarvon.com/podcast/New episodes are published on the first day of every month.

This week marked 4 years since Russia's invasion of Ukraine, and the start of a war that served as a wakeup call for Europe and the West. Since then, we've seen Europe take drastic steps to cut its ties to Russian gas, redrawing the region's energy map. Greece has played, and continues to play, a key role in this story. At the same time, questions remain about European security, the continued Russian threat, and whether the Trump administration can deliver a negotiated peace. Finally, the war in Ukraine also brought the world's attention to a murkier side of the Kremlin's playbook, and that's the weaponization of the Orthodox Church and its campaign to undermine the Ecumenical Patriarchate. Ambassador Geoffrey Pyatt, Charles Kupchan, Elena Lazarou, and Aristotle Papanikolaou join Thanos Davelis this week for a deep dive into how Russia's invasion of Ukraine four years ago has changed Europe, reshaped the region's energy map, and impacted the Ecumenical Patriarchate and Orthodoxy around the world. Taking us to our “I am HALC” segment, we're putting the spotlight on Andreas Akaras, looking at his time on Capitol Hill and his work bringing Turkey to justice over the attack by Turkish President Erdogan's bodyguards against US protesters in Washington, DC. A little more info on our guests: Charles Kupchan is a senior fellow at the Council on Foreign Relations (CFR) and professor of international affairs at Georgetown University in the Walsh School of Foreign Service and Department of Government. Elena Lazarou is the Director General of ELIAMEP and an expert specializing in EU foreign policy, global geopolitics, transatlantic relations, and security and defence issues. Amb. Geoffrey Pyatt is former US ambassador to Greece and Assistant Secretary of State for Energy Resources. Aristotle Papanikolaou is a Professor of Theology and the Archbishop Demetrios Chair in Orthodox Theology and Culture. He is Co-founding Director of the Orthodox Christian Studies Center at Fordham University. You can support The Greek Current by joining HALC as a member here.

In December 2025, a four-ship People's Liberation Army Navy task group - including an amphibious assault ship capable of carrying 1,000 Marines and 30 helicopters - tracked southeast through the Western Pacific, passing through waters near Palau, Micronesia, and the Marshall Islands. Australia scrambled surveillance aircraft. Pacific Island leaders said almost nothing publicly. Most of the world barely noticed.Our guest noticed - because she was there. Ambassador Laura Stone just retired as the US Ambassador to the Republic of the Marshall Islands, capping a distinguished Foreign Service career that included multiple tours in Beijing and serving as Acting Deputy Assistant Secretary of State for China. She joins hosts Ray Powell and Jim Carouso to explain why this naval activity matters far more than the headlines suggest.In this episode: What is China's “second island cloud” strategy, and why does the Marshall Islands sit at its center? What is the Compact of Free Association, and why does it make the Marshall Islands far more than just a remote atoll? What is Kwajalein Atoll, and why should you Google it right now? How is China using economic influence, bribery, and Belt and Road investment to gain a foothold in the Pacific - and what's working (and not working) in the US response? What does the gutting of USAID mean for the Pacific Islands? And what does the nuclear legacy of US atomic testing still mean for Marshallese people today?Ambassador Stone also paints a frank picture of the Marshall Islands' future - a country losing 3–5% of its population per year to outward migration, sitting just six feet above sea level, facing an existential climate threat that Washington is no longer prioritizing.

Chicago Way w/John Kass (02/23/26): Nicholas Kass steps in for Jeff Carlin & John Kass as illness plagues the Kasso-sphere to present one of his favorite JohnKassNews.com columns, Riding a Good Horse in the Snow, Part 2. Nick is a regular contributor and, most notably, a retired U.S. Foreign Service officer, diplomat, and Intelligence expert […]

On today's show, host Esty Dinur is in conversation with Killian Clarke about his new book, Return of Tyranny: Why Counterrevolutions Emerge and Succeed. He researches moments of democratic liberation brought about by mass struggle and why some succeed and others fail. Though he did not write about the US, he's seen his research become surprising and tragically poignant in the second Trump presidency. Clarke says that democratic backsliding like we're seeing in the US, has happened in other democracies around the world. But elected leaders who systematically dismantle institutions of democracy and then install an authoritarian regime is far more common in young democracies than in places like the US. It's shocking how quickly Trump and his team are succeeding. There are resonances between tyrants everywhere in how they cement their rule and gain popularity. They also discuss comparisons between Trump and Hitler's rise to power, political polarization in the US, Clarke's research on Egypt, and the vulnerability of other unarmed revolutions. Clarke says that there are downsides to the prevalence of technology in today's social movements and says that grassroots organizing is needed to sustain a movement. He recommends Zeynep Tufekci's book, Twitter and Tear Gas and says it's possible to pressure the Democratic Party to stand for something, like was done during the Civil Rights Movement.  Killian Clarke is an Assistant Professor in the Edmund A. Walsh School of Foreign Service at Georgetown University, affiliated with the Center for Contemporary Arab Studies. His research examines revolution, protest, democratization, and authoritarianism with a regional focus on the Middle East. He is the author of Return of Tyranny: Why Counterrevolutions Emerge and Succeed (Cambridge University Press, 2025), as well as peer-reviewed articles in the American Political Science Review, Annual Review of Political Science, British Journal of Political Science, and World Politics. Featured image of the cover of Return of Tyranny: Why Counterrevolutions Emerge and Succeed, available from Cambridge University Press. Did you enjoy this story? Your funding makes great, local journalism like this possible. Donate hereThe post How to Make Tyrants and Cement Power appeared first on WORT-FM 89.9.

On today's episode, Lawfare Managing Editor Tyler McBrien sits down with John Dinkelman, president of the American Foreign Service Association (AFSA), to discuss his organization's latest report, entitled, “At the Breaking Point: The State of the U.S. Foreign Service in 2025.” They talk about why AFSA undertook such a project after the federal government workforce survey was canceled earlier in the year, the report's major findings, and why a robust foreign service is vital to U.S. national security.To receive ad-free podcasts, become a Lawfare Material Supporter at www.patreon.com/lawfare. You can also support Lawfare by making a one-time donation at https://givebutter.com/lawfare-institute.Support this show http://supporter.acast.com/lawfare. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Tonight on The Last Word: Questions grow amid shifting stories of boat strikes. Also, health care premiums are set to spike in the new year. Plus, Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent says Donald Trump “has been right” on tariffs. And U.S. Foreign Service reports historically low morale. Rep. John Garamendi, Lt. Col. Rachel VanLandingham, Rep. Melanie Stansbury, Betsey Stevenson, and Amb. Michael McFaul join Ali Velshi. To listen to this show and other MS podcasts without ads, sign up for MS NOW Premium on Apple Podcasts. Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.