Podcasts about International development

What drives everyday people to risk everything for justice, even when history may never remember their names? We Can Change the World is a gripping journey through decades of resistance and revolution, revealing how ordinary individuals became the soul of movements that reshaped nations. Tune in for an inspiring discussion with Professor Douglas Murray on his Nautilus award-winning book We Can Change the World: Tales from a Generation's Quest for Peace and Justice.   Moments with Marianne airs in the Southern California area on KMET1490AM & 98.1 FM, an ABC Talk News Radio Affiliate!  https://www.kmet1490am.comDouglas L. Murray is Sociology Professor Emeritus, Colorado State University. He was a John D. and Catherine T. MacArthur Foundation Research and Writing Fellow in the Program on Peace and International Cooperation, and a J. William Fulbright Senior Research Scholar. For over 4 decades he pursued both an academic career and a parallel role as a development adviser in Africa, Asia and Latin America for the World Bank, USAID, the Danish Agency for International Development, CARE International, and others.Order We Can Change The World on Amazon: https://a.co/d/gAUOFsC For more show information visit: https://www.mariannepestana.com

One of US President Donald Trump's first acts on his return to the White House was to suspend the activities of USAID, the United States Agency for International Development. The freeze has brought thousands of humanitarian programmes to an abrupt halt and the results have already been deadly. How are French NGOs managing to continue their work in this context? In DR Congo and France, our reporters Elena Volochine and Aurélie Bazzara-Kibangula met those bearing the brunt of these decisions.

Chloe Schwenke is a teaching professor at the McCourt School of Public Policy of Georgetown University, and has keen observations about the incredible damage, destruction, and death being visited upon Africa and many other areas by the Trump administration's reckless attack on US Agency for International Development, USAID.

Since Jan. 20, 84% of U.S. Agency for International Development grants and contracts have been terminated and 93% of agency staff have been fired. On July 1, the State Department absorbed the remaining staff and grants. On Lawfare Daily, Lawfare Associate Editor for Communications Anna Hickey spoke to New York Times opinion columnist Nicholas Kristof about the global impact of the Trump administration's dismantling of the USAID and foreign assistance cuts. They discussed what Kristof saw in his reporting trips to Liberia, Sierra Leone, Kenya, and South Sudan, and how the cuts to foreign assistance put U.S. national security at risk. Please note that this episode contains content that some people may find disturbing. Listener discretion is advised. 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.

By one estimate, 233,000 people, including 19,000 Americans, have lost their jobs either with the U.S. Agency for International Development, as USAID is formally known, or with its contractors. The Monitor looked at two people who found fulfillment serving their country by serving others. Also: today's stories, including how long-distance trains running late is a pivotal test for Germany's new government; how one Maine town is moving away from its Industrial Revolution era dams in favor of healthier New England rivers; and how South Koreans are rushing for one last look inside Seoul's version of the White House: the Blue House. Join the Monitor's Ira Porter for today's news.

Amy King hosts your Wednesday Wake Up Call. ABC News national correspondent Steven Portnoy opens the show talking about the Senate set to vote to formalize DOGE cuts to public broadcasting & U.S. Agency for International Development. KFI Tech Reporter Rich DeMuro joins Wake Up Call for ‘Wired Wednesday'! Rich talks about Samsung's new foldable phones, Google's Gemini video feature, and takes us behind the scenes at Disney's imagineering. On this week's edition of ‘Amy's on It' she reviews the new ‘Superman' movie. Courtney Donohoe from Bloomberg Media joins the show to give a business and stock market update. The show closes with Amy sharing her thoughts on the 2025 Emmy nominations and gives some predictions.

En este episodio particular, Alexandra invita a la mesa a Peter para conversar un poco sobre él mismo. Esta es una de las primeras veces en que Peter cuenta un poco de su ministerio y como él con su familia llegaron a Ecuador. El reflexiona con Alexandra sobre la violencia, y el rol de las iglesias en la construcción de la paz. Esta es la primera mitad de la entrevista que se concluirá en el siguiente episodio. Peter Wigginton tiene doble nacionalidad estadounidense y ecuatoriana y vivió gran parte de su infancia en Argentina. Está casado con Delicia Bravo, de origen boliviana, y tienen dos hijas: Aliyah y Ariana. Desde 2015, coordinan la Consociedad para Ecuador con la Red Menonita de Misión. Peter tiene maestrías en Gestión de Organizaciones sin Fines de Lucro y en Estudios de Desarrollo Internacional y Paz, y actualmente cursa una Maestría en Divinidad en el Seminario Bíblico Anabautista Menonita. English - In this particular episode, Alexandra invites Peter to the table to talk a little about himself. This is one of the first times Peter shares a little about his ministry and how he and his family arrived in Ecuador. He reflects with Alexandra on violence and the role of churches in building peace. This is the first half of the interview, which will conclude in the next episode. Peter Wigginton is a U.S./Ecuadorian dual citizen and lived many of his early years in Argentina. He is married to Delicia Bravo, of Bolivian origin, and they have two daughters: Aliyah and Ariana. They have served as co-coordinators of the Ecuador Partnership with Mennonite Mission Network since 2015. Peter holds master's degrees in Nonprofit Management, and International Development and Peace Studies and is currently pursuing a Master of Divinity from Anabaptist Mennonite Biblical Seminary.

Jerry spoke to Fine Gael’s Neale Richmond who’s Minister of State for International Development and Diaspora.

With the U.S. Agency for International Development officially dismantled and its remnants folded into the State Department, the landscape of global aid is at a turning point. We delve into expert perspectives on what the future of foreign assistance might entail, exploring proposed transformations from widening the donor base beyond traditional Western nations to building new institutions and streamlining existing ones, such as the United Nations. This reimagining of aid aims to create a more effective and equitable system for a world grappling with evolving challenges and shifting geopolitical dynamics. With France, Germany, the United Kingdom, and the United States all cutting their aid budgets at the same time for the first time in decades, many low- and middle-income countries are facing steep declines in support. While African leaders have called the cuts “brutal,” they have also maintained that the slashing of foreign aid may act as the wake-up call needed to break their dependency on traditional donors. We also analyze President Trump's "big, beautiful bill" and its potential implications for the global development sector. To dig into these stories and others, Devex Business Editor David Ainsworth sits down with Managing Editor Anna Gawel and global development expert Nasra Ismail for the latest episode of This Week in Global Development. Sign up to the Devex Newswire and our other newsletters: https://www.devex.com/account/newsletters

Sam Parfitt is the founder and Chief Executive Officer of The True Athlete Project. He holds an MSc in Sport Policy, Management and International Development from the University of Edinburgh, where he then became an associate tutor. His dissertation focused on the role of sport coaches as social change-makers, basing his research at The Crags Centre - a community sports center in an area of high deprivation in Scotland, where Sam was the sport-for-wellbeing manager. ​Sam is a certified mindfulness teacher and a USPTA professional tennis coach, with experience coaching all ages and standards - from total beginners to internationally-ranked juniors. A former tennis player, Parfitt won the 2006 London Youth Games and three British Tour doubles titles before moving to the United States in 2009 on a division one college tennis scholarship where he became a two-time All American Scholar Athlete. ​While Sam suffered with much ill health during his time in the States, Sam endeavored to use his experiences in sport - both positive and negative - to help others. His academic work centered around sport and identity, and he became intimately involved in establishing projects which used sport as an agent for social change. Thus, the True Athlete Project was born. Connect with Sam: The True Athlete Project: https://www.thetrueathleteproject.org/ Americas Cohort: https://www.thetrueathleteproject.org/apply-839194.html Coach Membership: https://www.thetrueathleteproject.org/membership.html Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/the.true.athlete.project/ Contact email address: support@thetrueathleteproject.org  BOOK A SPEAKER: Interested in having John, Jerry or both come to your school, club or coaching event? We are booking Fall 2025 and Spring 2026 events, please email John@ChangingTheGameProject.com to set up an introductory call. BECOME A PREMIUM MEMBER OF CHANGING THE GAME PROJECT TO SUPPORT THE PODCAST If you or your club/school is looking for all of our best content, from online courses to blog posts to interviews organized for coaches, parents and athletes, then become a premium member of Changing the Game Project today. For over a decade we have been creating materials to help change the game. and it has become a bit overwhelming to find old podcasts, blog posts and more. Now, we have organized it all for you, with areas for coaches, parents and even athletes to find materials to help compete better, and put some more play back in playing ball. Clubs please email John@ChangingTheGameProject.com for pricing.  PUT IN YOUR BULK BOOK ORDERS FOR OUR BESTSELLING BOOKS, AND JOIN 2025 CHAMPIONSHIP TEAMS FROM SYRACUSE MENS LAX, UNC AND NAVY WOMENS LAX, AND MCLAREN F1! These are just the most recent championship teams using THE CHAMPION TEAMMATE book with their athletes and support teams. Many of these coaches are also getting THE CHAMPION SPORTS PARENT so their team parents can be part of a successful culture. Schools and clubs are using EVERY MOMENT MATTERS for staff development and book clubs. Are you?  We have been fulfilling numerous bulk orders for some of the top high school and collegiate sports programs in the country, will your team be next? Click here to visit John's author page on Amazon Click here to visit Jerry's author page on Amazon Please email John@ChangingTheGameProject.com if you want discounted pricing on 10 or more books on any of our books. Thanks everyone. This week's podcast is brought to you by our friends at Sprocket Sports.  Sprocket Sports is a new software platform for youth sports clubs.  Yeah, there are a lot of these systems out there, but Sprocket provides the full enchilada. They give you all the cool front-end stuff to make your club look good– like websites and marketing tools – AND all the back-end transactions and services to run your business better so you can focus on what really matters – your players and your teams. Sprocket is built for those clubs looking to thrive, not just survive, in the competitive world of youth sports clubs.  So if you've been looking for a true business partner – not just another app – check them out today at https://sprocketsports.me/CTG. Become a Podcast Champion! This weeks podcast is also sponsored by our Patreon Podcast Champions. Help Support the Podcast and get FREE access to our Premium Membership, with well over $1000 of courses and materials. If you love the podcast, we would love for you to become a Podcast Champion, (https://www.patreon.com/wayofchampions) for as little as a cup of coffee per month (OK, its a Venti Mocha), to help us up the ante and provide even better interviews, better sound, and an overall enhanced experience. Plus, as a $10 per month Podcast Super-Champion, you will be granted a Premium Changing the Game Project Membership, where you will have access to every course, interview and blog post we have created organized by topic from coaches to parents to athletes. Thank you for all your support these past eight years, and a special big thank you to all of you who become part of our inner circle, our patrons, who will enable us to take our podcast to the next level. https://www.patreon.com/wayofchampions

On Sunday, ABC featured a Democrat citing an estimate from the "Yale Policy Lab" that Trump's "big beautiful bill" would kill 100,000 people over ten years. Last week, NBC promoted a report claiming 14 million people would die from Trump's cuts to the U.S. Agency for International Development. Reporters hinted that adorable little girls drowned in a Texas flood because of Trump's cuts to the National Weather Service. But they're "fact-based."

Project 2025 is more than a government reform blueprint; it's a sweeping bid to reshape the core of American governance. Developed by conservative think tanks, including the Heritage Foundation, Project 2025 lays out hundreds of pages detailing how a future administration—under President Trump, as recent events have confirmed—could consolidate executive power, overhaul federal agencies, and redefine the federal-state relationship.According to project documents, a foundational goal is to place the entire executive branch under direct presidential control. The plan would strip independence from agencies like the Department of Justice, the FBI, and regulatory bodies such as the Federal Communications Commission and the Federal Trade Commission. Kevin Roberts of the Heritage Foundation stated that all federal employees should answer to the president, echoing the controversial unitary executive theory. This vision, bolstered by recent Supreme Court decisions, would make the White House the undisputed command center of federal authority.Concrete examples of this approach are already being seen. Project 2025 proposes that all senior State Department employees should be dismissed before January 2025, replaced with ideologically vetted appointees who could bypass Senate confirmation. Kiron Skinner, a former Trump administration official involved in the project, argues that most current State Department staff are too left-leaning for this new vision, though she couldn't cite a specific case of obstruction. This move signals a dramatic preference for loyalty over traditional expertise.Agency reforms and cutbacks are a central theme. The Consumer Financial Protection Bureau and the U.S. Agency for International Development have been eliminated in the early months of Trump's second term, according to reporting from GovExec. Similarly, plans are underway to lay off over a quarter million federal workers and contractors across 27 agencies—part of a claimed $1 trillion in savings.Disaster response policy would see radical change as well. Project 2025 calls for a wholesale overhaul of FEMA's funding structure. The federal government would step back, covering only 25% of costs for smaller disasters and up to 75% for the most catastrophic events, compared to the current baseline of 75% minimum coverage. The project's authors argue FEMA is “overtasked” and advocate for ending all preparedness grants to states and localities. “DHS should not be in the business of handing out federal tax dollars: These grants should be terminated,” state the project's recommendations.Other cultural and political flashpoints are also targeted. Brendan Carr, the FCC's head, announced investigations into NPR and PBS, questioning the content aired on their more than 1,500 member stations. According to The New York Times, this reflects Project 2025's skepticism toward publicly funded media.Criminal justice is slated for a dramatic pivot, too. The Brennan Center for Justice notes that Project 2025 proposes allowing the Department of Justice to charge or even remove local prosecutors who decline to pursue certain offenses, such as low-level marijuana possession or shoplifting. The authors argue this would address so-called “rule of law deficiencies,” but critics warn it could stifle local discretion and turn every district attorney into a policy subordinate of the federal government. For example, progressive prosecutors who favor treatment over incarceration for minor offenders would be at risk of losing their jobs under this policy approach.These proposed shifts, both sweeping and granular, have sparked fierce debate. Supporters argue Project 2025 will bring efficiency, accountability, and ideological consistency to Washington. Detractors warn of executive overreach, lost expertise, and risks to the fabric of American federalism. As one Heritage Foundation executive called it, the project is about using the machinery of government “to drive conservative change at every level.”The next key milestones are imminent. With the administration rapidly implementing pieces of the Project 2025 playbook, forthcoming legal challenges and agency restructurings will test both the feasibility and the resiliency of the current checks and balances. Observers across the political spectrum are watching closely: the fate of Project 2025's ambitions will shape not just policy, but the very structure of American democracy.Thank you for tuning in, and be sure to come back next week for more.Some great Deals https://amzn.to/49SJ3QsFor more check out http://www.quietplease.ai

Neale Richmond, Minister of State for International Development and Diaspora and Fine Gael TD for Dublin Rathdown; Jennifer Bray, Sunday Times Political Editor Brenda Power, Journalist & Commentator and Peadar Toibin, Aontú Leader

A Keynote Address by Stephen Doughty, UK Minister of State for Europe, North America and Overseas Territories About the Speaker: Stephen Doughty was appointed Minister of State for Europe, North America and Overseas Territories in the Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office in July 2024. Mr Doughty was first elected as Welsh Labour and Co-operative Member of Parliament for Cardiff South and Penarth in November 2012. He studied at Lester B. Pearson UWC in Canada, Oxford University, and St Andrews University. He later worked for the OSCE Parliamentary Assembly and for members of the then National Assembly for Wales. Mr Doughty spent a number of years working for humanitarian and international development NGOs World Vision UK, Oxfam GB, Oxfam International, and Oxfam Cymru. During the previous Labour government, he was Special Adviser to the Secretary of State for International Development. In 2020 he was appointed Shadow Foreign Affairs and International Development Minister and in 2021 he was appointed Shadow Minister for Europe, North America and the Overseas Territories. He also served on the Wales, Home Affairs, Arms Export Controls and International Development Committees in Parliament, as an opposition Whip, and a Shadow Minister for Trade and Industry. He chaired the All-Party Parliamentary Group for HIV and Aids and was a member of the British-Irish Parliamentary Assembly. Minister Doughty completed the Armed Forces Parliamentary scheme, attending the Royal College of Defence Studies 2017 to 2018 and has also served as an Army Reservist.

Donate (no account necessary) | Subscribe (account required) Join Bryan Dean Wright, former CIA Operations Officer, for a Thursday Headline Brief loaded with domestic and international news shaping America and the world. Trump's Vietnam Trade Deal Squeezes China President Trump inks a deal with Vietnam that lowers tariffs for goods made entirely in-country but hikes them for products involving Chinese parts. The strategy, already seen in UK trade talks, aims to boost U.S. exports while isolating China from global supply chains. Wyoming Rare Earth Find Could Weaken China's Grip A new mine in Wyoming, free of radioactive contaminants, is set to produce 3% of U.S. rare earth needs. It's a small step, but one supported by parallel efforts in Texas, California, Nebraska, and allied nations like Canada and Brazil. USAID Shut Down and Folded Into State Department The U.S. Agency for International Development is officially closed. 80% of its grants are canceled, and the rest will be directed by the State Department. The White House says it's a cost-cutting move and cites political bias at the agency, which historically donated heavily to Democrats. Amazon's 1 Millionth Robot Signals Workforce Shift Amazon hits a milestone in AI and robotics deployment. Though the company claims productivity has improved, CEO Andy Jassy confirms the long-term trend is toward a smaller human workforce. Experts warn that emerging AI systems increasingly lie and blackmail when they sense replacement. Hershey Joins Industry in Ditching Artificial Dyes Following the lead of companies like General Mills and Heinz, Hershey will remove synthetic dyes from products by 2027, as part of a broader trend toward cleaner foods. Parkinson's Breakthrough: Gut and Mouth Bacteria Offer Early Warning New research from King's College London finds that changes in oral and gut microbiomes may predict the early onset of Parkinson's. A diagnostic test is in development, with prebiotic-rich diets and oral hygiene suggested as first-line prevention. Iran Acknowledges Major Damage from U.S. Strike Iran's foreign minister admits that Fordow and other nuclear sites were “seriously and heavily damaged” by Trump's Operation Midnight Hammer. Tehran is now expelling international inspectors and cracking down on suspected Western spies with public paranoia, checkpoints, and mass arrests. Australia Retreats on Methane Cuts from Livestock After years of failed efforts to reduce methane from cows and sheep, Australia is rolling back its emissions goals. Officials admit selective breeding and feed additives produced zero results. Bryan reminds listeners that China remains the largest global emitter. Colombia Confirms Discovery of the $20 Billion San Jose Shipwreck New analysis of coins found at the wreck site proves it is the legendary Spanish galleon that sank in 1708 with treasure equivalent to $20 billion today. A legal battle looms over ownership, with claims from Spain, Colombia, U.S. firms, and Indigenous Bolivians. "And you shall know the truth, and the truth shall make you free." – John 8:32

The attack in democracy under President Donald Trump in the United States is both broader and deeper than you think. In this timely conversation with Carl LeVan, Professor and Chair of Politics, Governance, and Economics at American University – but speaking only in his personal capacity – we hear about the way that the government has attempted to silence critical voices by intimidating a remarkably wide range of institutions from law firms to universities and on to civil society groups and the media. This new challenge has led to the emergence of fresh sites of resistance, with new alliances and coalitions being formed outside of old structures. This podcast is therefore an essential guide not only to size and scale of the threat to democracy in Africa today, but also to the shape of the fightback to come. Guest: A. Carl LeVan is Professor and Chair of Politics, Governance, and Economics at American University. A policy engaged researcher who has experience on both sides of the divide, Carl's research centers on political institutions, democratization, and governance. He authored Contemporary Nigerian Politics: Competition in a Time of Transition and Terror (Cambridge 2019) and co-edited The Oxford Handbook of Nigerian Politics (2018). His work also includes Constituents before Assembly (2017) and studies on Boko Haram, East African power-sharing, and U.S. political trust. LeVan is a Research Associate at the University of Pretoria's Centre for the Study of the United States and serves on the editorial boards of Governance and Journal of Modern African Studies. Before his PhD from UC San Diego, he advised Nigeria's National Assembly and worked in the U.S. Congress, giving him distinctive insights into the most important political struggles of our time. Presenter: Dr Nic Cheeseman is the Professor of Democracy and International Development at the University of Birmingham and Founding Director of CEDAR. The People, Power, Politics podcast brings you the latest insights into the factors that are shaping and re-shaping our political world. It is brought to you by the Centre for Elections, Democracy, Accountability and Representation (CEDAR) based at the University of Birmingham, United Kingdom. Join us to better understand the factors that promote and undermine democratic government around the world and follow us on Twitter at @CEDAR_Bham! 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

The attack in democracy under President Donald Trump in the United States is both broader and deeper than you think. In this timely conversation with Carl LeVan, Professor and Chair of Politics, Governance, and Economics at American University – but speaking only in his personal capacity – we hear about the way that the government has attempted to silence critical voices by intimidating a remarkably wide range of institutions from law firms to universities and on to civil society groups and the media. This new challenge has led to the emergence of fresh sites of resistance, with new alliances and coalitions being formed outside of old structures. This podcast is therefore an essential guide not only to size and scale of the threat to democracy in Africa today, but also to the shape of the fightback to come. Guest: A. Carl LeVan is Professor and Chair of Politics, Governance, and Economics at American University. A policy engaged researcher who has experience on both sides of the divide, Carl's research centers on political institutions, democratization, and governance. He authored Contemporary Nigerian Politics: Competition in a Time of Transition and Terror (Cambridge 2019) and co-edited The Oxford Handbook of Nigerian Politics (2018). His work also includes Constituents before Assembly (2017) and studies on Boko Haram, East African power-sharing, and U.S. political trust. LeVan is a Research Associate at the University of Pretoria's Centre for the Study of the United States and serves on the editorial boards of Governance and Journal of Modern African Studies. Before his PhD from UC San Diego, he advised Nigeria's National Assembly and worked in the U.S. Congress, giving him distinctive insights into the most important political struggles of our time. Presenter: Dr Nic Cheeseman is the Professor of Democracy and International Development at the University of Birmingham and Founding Director of CEDAR. The People, Power, Politics podcast brings you the latest insights into the factors that are shaping and re-shaping our political world. It is brought to you by the Centre for Elections, Democracy, Accountability and Representation (CEDAR) based at the University of Birmingham, United Kingdom. Join us to better understand the factors that promote and undermine democratic government around the world and follow us on Twitter at @CEDAR_Bham! 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

The attack in democracy under President Donald Trump in the United States is both broader and deeper than you think. In this timely conversation with Carl LeVan, Professor and Chair of Politics, Governance, and Economics at American University – but speaking only in his personal capacity – we hear about the way that the government has attempted to silence critical voices by intimidating a remarkably wide range of institutions from law firms to universities and on to civil society groups and the media. This new challenge has led to the emergence of fresh sites of resistance, with new alliances and coalitions being formed outside of old structures. This podcast is therefore an essential guide not only to size and scale of the threat to democracy in Africa today, but also to the shape of the fightback to come. Guest: A. Carl LeVan is Professor and Chair of Politics, Governance, and Economics at American University. A policy engaged researcher who has experience on both sides of the divide, Carl's research centers on political institutions, democratization, and governance. He authored Contemporary Nigerian Politics: Competition in a Time of Transition and Terror (Cambridge 2019) and co-edited The Oxford Handbook of Nigerian Politics (2018). His work also includes Constituents before Assembly (2017) and studies on Boko Haram, East African power-sharing, and U.S. political trust. LeVan is a Research Associate at the University of Pretoria's Centre for the Study of the United States and serves on the editorial boards of Governance and Journal of Modern African Studies. Before his PhD from UC San Diego, he advised Nigeria's National Assembly and worked in the U.S. Congress, giving him distinctive insights into the most important political struggles of our time. Presenter: Dr Nic Cheeseman is the Professor of Democracy and International Development at the University of Birmingham and Founding Director of CEDAR. The People, Power, Politics podcast brings you the latest insights into the factors that are shaping and re-shaping our political world. It is brought to you by the Centre for Elections, Democracy, Accountability and Representation (CEDAR) based at the University of Birmingham, United Kingdom. Join us to better understand the factors that promote and undermine democratic government around the world and follow us on Twitter at @CEDAR_Bham! Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

In this episode of Climate Positive, host Hilary Langer speaks with Aadith Moorthy, founder and CEO of Boomitra, a global soil carbon marketplace that pays farmers for adopting regenerative agriculture. Boomitra's AI-powered platform uses satellite data to measure and verify carbon sequestration, turning healthier soil into long-term income for farmers. Aadith shares how attending a farmer's funeral in India sparked the idea for Boomitra, how their marketplace is already increasing farm revenues, and when they expect to reach gigaton-scale carbon removal. A winner of the Earthshot Prize and a Time100 Next inductee, Aadith is helping redefine how we fight climate change—from the soil to the sky.Links:Boomitra websiteAadith Moorthy on LinkedInEarthshot Prize | BoomitraTime100 Next 2024Boomitra's South America Grassland Restoration Project Achieves Verra Registration Episode recorded February 19, 2025 Email your feedback to Chad, Gil, Hilary, and Guy at climatepositive@hasi.com.

USAID was an early target of the Trump Administration. But moving fast and breaking things can be expensive. A recent memo from the DOGE lead for the agency's shutdown now estimates an ongoing cost of six billion dollars each year for the forseeable future. Here with more on the details of the process and the memo is Senior Reporter for Bloomberg Government, Ian Kullgren.See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

About the Book Over the last decade, election campaigns in India have undergone a dramatic shift. Political parties increasingly rely on political consulting firms, social media volunteers, pollsters, data-driven insights, and hashtag wars to mobilize voters. What is driving these changes in the landscape of electioneering? The Backstage of Democracy: India's Election Campaigns and the People Who Manage Them (Cambridge UP, 2024) takes readers to the hidden arena of strategizing and deliberations that takes place between politicians and a new cabal of political professionals as they organize election campaigns in India. The book argues that this change is not reducible to a story of technological innovations alone. Rather, it is indicative of a new political culture where ideas of political expertise, the distribution of power within parties, and citizens' attitudes towards political participation have undergone a profound change. Marshalling an eclectic range of data sources, the book breaks new ground on how we understand the workings of India's electoral and party politics. About the Author Amogh Dhar Sharma is Departmental Lecturer in the Oxford Department of International Development, University of Oxford. After receiving his PhD from the University of Oxford, he was awarded an Economic and Social Research Council (ESRC) postdoctoral fellowship. His research explores the interface between politics and technology, political communication and histories of science and technology. 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

About the Book Over the last decade, election campaigns in India have undergone a dramatic shift. Political parties increasingly rely on political consulting firms, social media volunteers, pollsters, data-driven insights, and hashtag wars to mobilize voters. What is driving these changes in the landscape of electioneering? The Backstage of Democracy: India's Election Campaigns and the People Who Manage Them (Cambridge UP, 2024) takes readers to the hidden arena of strategizing and deliberations that takes place between politicians and a new cabal of political professionals as they organize election campaigns in India. The book argues that this change is not reducible to a story of technological innovations alone. Rather, it is indicative of a new political culture where ideas of political expertise, the distribution of power within parties, and citizens' attitudes towards political participation have undergone a profound change. Marshalling an eclectic range of data sources, the book breaks new ground on how we understand the workings of India's electoral and party politics. About the Author Amogh Dhar Sharma is Departmental Lecturer in the Oxford Department of International Development, University of Oxford. After receiving his PhD from the University of Oxford, he was awarded an Economic and Social Research Council (ESRC) postdoctoral fellowship. His research explores the interface between politics and technology, political communication and histories of science and technology. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices Support our show by becoming a premium member! https://newbooksnetwork.supportingcast.fm/political-science

About the Book Over the last decade, election campaigns in India have undergone a dramatic shift. Political parties increasingly rely on political consulting firms, social media volunteers, pollsters, data-driven insights, and hashtag wars to mobilize voters. What is driving these changes in the landscape of electioneering? The Backstage of Democracy: India's Election Campaigns and the People Who Manage Them (Cambridge UP, 2024) takes readers to the hidden arena of strategizing and deliberations that takes place between politicians and a new cabal of political professionals as they organize election campaigns in India. The book argues that this change is not reducible to a story of technological innovations alone. Rather, it is indicative of a new political culture where ideas of political expertise, the distribution of power within parties, and citizens' attitudes towards political participation have undergone a profound change. Marshalling an eclectic range of data sources, the book breaks new ground on how we understand the workings of India's electoral and party politics. About the Author Amogh Dhar Sharma is Departmental Lecturer in the Oxford Department of International Development, University of Oxford. After receiving his PhD from the University of Oxford, he was awarded an Economic and Social Research Council (ESRC) postdoctoral fellowship. His research explores the interface between politics and technology, political communication and histories of science and technology. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices Support our show by becoming a premium member! https://newbooksnetwork.supportingcast.fm/south-asian-studies

About the Book Over the last decade, election campaigns in India have undergone a dramatic shift. Political parties increasingly rely on political consulting firms, social media volunteers, pollsters, data-driven insights, and hashtag wars to mobilize voters. What is driving these changes in the landscape of electioneering? The Backstage of Democracy: India's Election Campaigns and the People Who Manage Them (Cambridge UP, 2024) takes readers to the hidden arena of strategizing and deliberations that takes place between politicians and a new cabal of political professionals as they organize election campaigns in India. The book argues that this change is not reducible to a story of technological innovations alone. Rather, it is indicative of a new political culture where ideas of political expertise, the distribution of power within parties, and citizens' attitudes towards political participation have undergone a profound change. Marshalling an eclectic range of data sources, the book breaks new ground on how we understand the workings of India's electoral and party politics. About the Author Amogh Dhar Sharma is Departmental Lecturer in the Oxford Department of International Development, University of Oxford. After receiving his PhD from the University of Oxford, he was awarded an Economic and Social Research Council (ESRC) postdoctoral fellowship. His research explores the interface between politics and technology, political communication and histories of science and technology.

Neale Richmond, Minister of State for International Development & Diaspora; Michael Fitzmaurice, Independent Ireland TD for Roscommon–Galway; Conor D McGuinness, Sinn Féin TD for Waterford

Neale Richmond, Minister of State for International Development & Diaspora; Michael Fitzmaurice, Independent Ireland TD for Roscommon–Galway; Conor D McGuinness, Sinn Féin TD for Waterford

Neale Richmond, Minister of State for International Development & Diaspora; Michael Fitzmaurice, Independent Ireland TD for Roscommon–Galway; Conor D McGuinness, Sinn Féin TD for Waterford

Neale Richmond, Minister of State for International Development & Diaspora; Michael Fitzmaurice, Independent Ireland TD for Roscommon–Galway; Conor D McGuinness, Sinn Féin TD for Waterford

Paul Lappage sits down with Head of International Football Development for Wolves, Joe Hunt. Joe shares insights from his recent visit to Houston Wolves, reflecting on the club's partnerships, global growth, and how changes at the top influence his remit.We dive into the uniqueness of the club's approach to youth development and the strong bond between Wolves and their partners across the world.--- Follow the show on X @wlwpod, on YouTube @WholeLottaWolves and on Facebook. E-mail us at hello@wholelottawolves.com

In this episode, IIED executive director Tom Mitchell discusses revitalising a commitment to international development and in the process, getting money to where it is needed most and can be used to best effect – to the local level.

In this powerhouse episode of The Voice of Retail, I sit down with Sharon Gai, an international keynote speaker, AI expert, former Alibaba executive, and recent keynote speaker on the stage at the Retail Council of Canada's STORE2025, for an illuminating conversation on the future of retail in the age of artificial intelligence. Joining from São Paulo, Sharon offers a global lens on how retailers must rethink customer engagement, merchandising, and data infrastructure to remain competitive. We begin by tracing Sharon's fascinating origin story—from her Canadian roots in Vancouver and her education at McGill to an unexpected recruitment by Alibaba. She takes us behind the curtain of Chinese tech culture, describing a world of intense work ethics, hyper-growth, and an ecosystem where AI doesn't just support retail—it drives it. Sharon explains how AI has evolved beyond personalization into what she calls "agentic AI"—systems that not only predict behaviour but act on a shopper's behalf. She warns that retailers who don't maintain pristine product data and detailed PDPs (Product Detail Pages) risk being invisible in LLM-powered answer engines like ChatGPT or Claude. We delve into the differences between Chinese and Western retail, highlighting trends such as the viral "blind box" concept and video commerce that thrive in digital-first cultures. Sharon also shares her learnings from a cross-cultural brand project with Huggies, emphasizing the power of creativity, unpredictability, and localized storytelling.The episode also features insight into a recent Retail Council of Canada panel Sharon led, with Canadian Tire's chatbot innovation and Showcase's trend-driven merchandising model serving as prime examples of AI-enabled transformation at home.Sharon leaves listeners with practical advice: embrace AI not just for customer-facing features but also as a powerful internal tool for cost-cutting and productivity. And beware of the trap of sameness—when everyone is using AI to write duplicate emails and social posts, true differentiation comes from creativity and strategic insight.Whether you're a retail exec, digital strategist, or tech-curious brand builder, this episode delivers a rich, global perspective on what's next for commerce—and what it takes to stay ahead.https://youtu.be/0zdLv0mz29YSharon Gai helps organizations do more with less using AI. In her tenure at Alibaba, she advised brands and heads of state in crafting their digital strategy with programmatic marketing and AI. She has worked with TEDx, Singularity University, UBS, Deloitte, Walmart, LVMH, Nestle, Coca Cola, Lenovo, and many others. She is in the AAE list of Top Keynote Speakers in 2023. She has appeared on Bloomberg, Reuters, ABC, CBC, CCTV, TechCrunch, Retail Asia, Wired, and The Next Web. She is the author of the book, Ecommerce Reimagined. Sharon has an Honors Bachelor's degree in International Development from McGill and a Masters in Information Management from Columbia University. When she is not speaking, she is jamming on electric keyboards with her band, writing jokes for her stand up comedy set or sharing tips on how to get ahead in AI at sharongai.comLinkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/sharongaiInstagram: https://instagram.com/sharong.ai   Michael LeBlanc is the president and founder of M.E. LeBlanc & Company Inc, a senior retail advisor, keynote speaker and now, media entrepreneur. He has been on the front lines of retail industry change for his entire career. Michael has delivered keynotes, hosted fire-side discussions and participated worldwide in thought leadership panels, most recently on the main stage in Toronto at Retail Council of Canada's Retail Marketing conference with leaders from Walmart & Google. He brings 25+ years of brand/retail/marketing & eCommerce leadership experience with Levi's, Black & Decker, Hudson's Bay, CanWest Media, Pandora Jewellery, The Shopping Channel and Retail Council of Canada to his advisory, speaking and media practice.Michael produces and hosts a network of leading retail trade podcasts, including the award-winning No.1 independent retail industry podcast in America, Remarkable Retail with his partner, Dallas-based best-selling author Steve Dennis; Canada's top retail industry podcast The Voice of Retail and Canada's top food industry and one of the top Canadian-produced management independent podcasts in the country, The Food Professor with Dr. Sylvain Charlebois from Dalhousie University in Halifax.Rethink Retail has recognized Michael as one of the top global retail experts for the fifth year in a row, the National Retail Federation has designated Michael as on their Top Retail Voices for 2025, Thinkers 360 has named him on of the Top 50 global thought leaders in retail, RTIH has named him a top 100 global though leader in retail technology and Coresight Research has named Michael a Retail AI Influencer. If you are a BBQ fan, you can tune into Michael's cooking show, Last Request BBQ, on YouTube, Instagram, X and yes, TikTok.Michael is available for keynote presentations helping retailers, brands and retail industry insiders explaining the current state and future of the retail industry in North America and around the world.

Matt Petit, Mission Success Lead at Vannevar Labs and former U.S. diplomat, joins Mike Shanley to accelerating national security with new technology. The conversation focuses startups and innovation in national security to deliver faster and more efficient results.   Resources: GovDiscovery AI Federal Capture Support: https://www.govdiscoveryai.com/   BIOGRAPHY: Matt Petit is a Mission Success Lead at Vannevar Labs and former U.S. diplomat. Prior to joining Vannevar, Matt spent nearly 17 years with the U.S. Foreign Service. During that time, he served in India, Zambia, and Armenia (covering Iran). While on assignments in in Washington, Matt managed foreign policy on Somalia, Eritrea, Djibouti, Sudan, and global counterterrorism. From April 2022 to July 2023, Matt was the Director for the Sahel at the White House National Security Council. Matt speaks Persian, Spanish, and some Tamil, German, and French. He lives in the DC area with his wife and daughter.   LEARN MORE: Thank you for tuning into this episode of the Global Strategy Podcast with Mike Shanley. You can learn more about working with the U.S. Government by visiting our homepage: Konektid International and GovDiscovery AI. To connect with our team directly, message the host Mike Shanley on LinkedIn.

  Aaron is joined by Ben Thomason. Ben recently earned his doctorate in American Cultural Studies from Bowling Green State University. His dissertation is entitled, Making Democracy Safe for Empire: A History and Political Economy of the National Endowment for Democracy, United States Agency for International Development, and Twenty-First Century Media Imperialism. In this episode, we discuss two of Ben's latest articles for CovertAction Magazine, both of which deal with the US dirty war on Syria. The first article is “The U.S.A.'s Longest ‘Democracy' Project in Syria Has Resulted in the Empowerment of Al-Qaeda.” The second article, soon to be published, is “Western Soft Power Agencies Established a Support Front for Armed Insurrection in Syria led by al-Qaeda-Linked Rebels.” Special thanks to: Dana Chavarria, production Casey Moore, graphics Michelle Boley, animated intro Mock Orange, music

In the aftermath of the Elon Musk chainsaw gutting the United States Agency for International Development, LGBTQ+ people around the world were robbed of more than a hundred programs geared to promote their health, safety and human rights. UCLA Law School's Williams Institute senior fellow and director of international programs Ari Shaw worries that the days of U.S. leadership on global queer rights are over (interviewed by David Hunt). And in NewsWrap: the Czech Republic's sterilization pre-requisite for a transgender or nonbinary person seeking to change their legal gender is condemned by the European Court of Human Rights, researchers find young bisexual women leading the way in the surging numbers of Australians over the age of 15 who openly identify as “L-G-B-plus,” World Pride 2025 climaxes with a joyous parade and a defiant International March on Washington for Freedom, Tel Aviv's LGBTQ Pride is canceled in expectation of retaliation for Israel's airstrikes against Iran, 52 U.S. Congressional Democrats demand proof of life for renditioned gay Venezuelan make-up artist Andry José Hernández Romero, U.S. Air Force veteran Gina Ortiz Jones becomes the first out LGBTQ candidate to be elected Mayor of San Antonio, and more international LGBTQ+ news reported this week by Michael Taylor Gray and Sarah Montague (produced by Brian DeShazor). All this on the June 16, 2025 edition of This Way Out! Join our family of listener-donors today at http://thiswayout.org/donate/

Mohammad Mustafa Raheal is a dedicated activist and researcher specializing in human rights and social development. He holds a Master's degree in International Development with Conflict and Humanitarian Action, achieved through the prestigious Chevening Scholarship and currently a Ph.D. candidate in the Humanities and Social Policy department at the University of Bath under a British Council Scholarship. His research focuses on urban-rural disparities and their impact on sustainable peace and human rights in Afghanistan. With over seven years of experience in international development and humanitarian work, Mustafa has held key leadership roles with organizations such as the Swedish International Development Cooperation Agency (Sida) and the Folke Bernadotte Academy (FBA) at the Swedish Embassy in Kabul, the Civil Peace Service Program of the Deutsche Gesellschaft für Internationale Zusammenarbeit (GIZ), and the Migration for Development Program of the International Psychosocial Organization (IPSO). His expertise includes program development, risk assessment, multi-agency collaboration, refugee resettlement, and conducting research on equitable aid distribution and sustainable peacebuilding. Mustafa served as a Research Consultant with the University of Bath's Centre for Development Studies (CDS), focusing on fostering equitable partnerships in academic research and currently a Quantitative Researcher with University College London's Institute of Education (IOE), Department of Education and Society, contributing to critical studies on refugee integration in England. Through the RWI Fellowship, Mustafa will examine horizontal inequalities in aid distribution in Afghanistan, aiming to highlight systemic challenges. As a passionate advocate and researcher, Mustafa combines his professional and academic expertise to support marginalized communities and contribute to sustainable development.

The Trump administration's cuts to the U.S. Agency for International Development have had reverberations around the world. The agency, which operated in over 100 nations and employed thousands of people, has been virtually eliminated. In partnership with the Pulitzer Center, William Brangham reports on the impact USAID cuts are having on HIV testing and treatment in Kenya. PBS News is supported by - https://www.pbs.org/newshour/about/funders

The Trump administration's cuts to the U.S. Agency for International Development have had reverberations around the world. The agency, which operated in over 100 nations and employed thousands of people, has been virtually eliminated. In partnership with the Pulitzer Center, William Brangham reports on the impact USAID cuts are having on HIV testing and treatment in Kenya. PBS News is supported by - https://www.pbs.org/newshour/about/funders

In honor of Everything You Didn't Know About Herbalism officially turning one year old, we are resharing the first-ever episode we released on the series! Featuring Leah Penniman and Lulu Moyo, tune in as we revisit this crucial conversation surrounding the injustices within our food systems and Leah and Lulu's collective goal towards growing lasting change. The Herbal Radio team extends our heartfelt gratitude to each and every one of you for listening and learning with us each week from such an esteemed group of experts within their fields. Now, on with the show!  This week on Everything You Didn't Know About Herbalism, we proudly bring you an impactful and galvanizing conversation with two individuals leading the way toward a future of harmony and equity within our food systems. Leah Penniman, the Co-Founder of Soul Fire Farm, and Lulu Moyo, the Co-Director of the Braiding Seeds Fellowship, join us for a thought-provoking conversation surrounding the injustices and deep-rooted racism we continue to face within our food systems today, and their combined missions to facilitate powerful food sovereignty programs and hands-on farming opportunities to train the next generation of activist-farmers and strengthen the movement for food sovereignty and community self-determination. As always, we thank you for joining us on another botanical adventure. We are honored to have you tag along with us on this botanical ride. Remember, we want to hear from you! Your questions, ideas, and who you want to hear from will be invaluable to this new series. So please, email us at podcast@mountainroseherbs.com to let us know what solutions you'd like us to uncover within the vast world of herbalism next. About Leah & Lulu:

Interview with Mona Yacoubian on Trump's Middle East Visit: 25:55 This week, Kelly and Tristen discuss President Trump's meeting with the President of South Africa, give an update on the war in Ukraine, and unpack the UK's new trade agreement with the European Union. Kelly then talks with Mona Yacoubian for a breakdown on Trump's recent trip to the Middle East, and what the visit means for American foreign policy in the region. Mona Yacoubian is the Senior Adviser and Director of the Middle East Program at the Center for Strategic and International Studies. She was previously the Vice President of the Middle East and North Africa center at the United States Institute of Peace. Prior to joining USIP, Mona was Deputy Assistant Administrator in the Middle East Bureau at the United States Agency for International Development from 2014 to 2017, where she had responsibility for Iraq, Syria, Jordan and Lebanon. Mona also previously served as the North Africa analyst in the State Department's Bureau of Intelligence and Research. The opinions expressed in this conversation are strictly those of the participants and do not represent the views of Georgetown University or any government entity. Produced by Theo Malhotra and Freddie Mallinson.  Recorded on May 22, 2025. Diplomatic Immunity, a podcast from the Institute for the Study of Diplomacy at Georgetown University, brings you frank and candid conversations with experts on the issues facing diplomats and national security decision-makers around the world. Funding support from the Carnegie Corporation of New York. For more, visit our website, and follow us on Linkedin, Twitter @GUDiplomacy, and Instagram @isd.georgetown

Send us a textZombie movies may score at the box office and shows about dangerous contagions including “The Last of Us” may be a hit on streaming services, but preparedness for disasters is no winner for American politicians. Every recent U.S. presidential administration has dismantled the pandemic plan put together by the previous one, notes Dr. Asha M. George, Executive Director of the Bipartisan Commission on Biodefense. However, the cuts being made by the new Trump administration to the United States biodefense budget are going deeper than ever before. Global efforts to track diseases including Ebola virus and avian influenza have ended. Among the latest to fall under the axe: the Healthcare Infection Control Practices Advisory Committee (HICPAC), a federal advisory body to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), which had helped shape national infection prevention guidelines meant to keep hospitals safe and contain outbreaks. The loss of the U.S. Agency for International Development, USAID, has already begun devastating not only global health efforts, but also U.S. national security efforts, multiple experts say. And things were not in a good place to begin with, says George. “The biodefense community is in for the fight of its life to get the funding it needs,” she said in her latest report on biodefense. “It was starving before. It is going to be anorexic soon.” Listen as George explains to One World, One Health host Maggie Fox just what's at risk for the world if the United States doesn't start paying attention to biodefense. 

One of the first major policy decisions of the second Trump administration was a significant change in spending on foreign aid. That eventually included effectively dissolving the U.S. Agency for International Development, the primary organization that distributed those funds. Deema Zein reports on how one major recipient of USAID funding is grappling with the impact. PBS News is supported by - https://www.pbs.org/newshour/about/funders

Dr. Shea Bradley-Farrell, Ph.D. is a strategist in national security and foreign policy and president of Counterpoint Institute for Policy, Research, and Education in Washington, D.C. She is author of Last Warning to the West: Hungary's Triumph Over Communism and the Woke Agenda (Dec. 2023), endorsed by multiple high-level conservative leaders. Shea worked directly with the Trump administration (2016-2020) at the highest levels including at the White House, U.S. Department of State, and Senior Advisor Ivanka Trump, on multiple issues while serving as VP of International Affairs for Concerned Women for America. Shea also served as Professor and Subject Matter Expert (SME) for the Defense Security Cooperation University (DSCU) of the U.S. Department of Defense (DoD) for a Trump administration national security mandate; she possesses an active U.S. security clearance and executive-level certifications.  Shea works with multiple nations around the world at the highest senior levels of government to build U.S. relations and promote U.S. interests and security. Previously, she worked in international development focusing on economic development and research in the Middle East, Africa, and South America with donors including the U.S. Department of Labor, World Bank, Exxon, FedEx, and Kuwait Foundation for Advancement of Science.   Shea regularly publishes Op-eds in outlets such as RealClear Politics, Human Events, NewsMax, National Review, Daily Signal,  The Washington Times, The European Conservative,  Daily Caller, the Federalist and many others. She is a weekly guest on TV news and radio and presents to venues all around the world such as Wilson Center for International Scholars, Foreign Services Institute, the U.S. Dept. of State, the Heritage Foundation, CPAC Hungary and the Gulf Studies Symposium. Shea holds a Ph.D. and M.S. in International Development from Tulane University, where she was Adjunct Lecturer in the International Development Studies Program in 2015. She has served in a variety of other academic positions, including at the American University of Kuwait and George Mason University.FOLLOW Counterpoint Institute on X: @CounterpointDCFOLLOW Dr. Shea Bradley-Farrell on X: @DrShea_DCVISIT: https://www.counterpointinstitute.org/ORDER: https://www.amazon.com/Last-Warning-West-Hungarys-Communism/dp/6156476164

The argument that authoritarian governments are better at dealing with the climate emergency is gaining ground, fuelled by the idea that undemocratic states face fewer constraints and so can operate more efficiently and effectively. Some are even arguing that this isn't just a necessary evil but a legitimate policy response to pending environmental catastrophe. Yet the data suggests that on average authoritarian governments do not perform better, and on many measures actually do worse than democracies. So why does this idea persist? Join Nic Cheeseman as he talks to Nomi Claire Lazar and Jeremy Wallace about their new article on Resisting the Authoritarian Temptation. Why is democracy not delivering? Why is authoritarianism not the answer? And what new models exist that can be used to deliver a greener and more inclusive future? This podcast is part of our regular collaboration with the Journal of Democracy. Guest: Nomi Claire Lazar is a Professor of Politics in the Graduate School of Public and International Affairs at the University of Ottawa. Her work looks at crises from a range of perspectives, including emergency powers, constitutional legitimacy and climate politics. Author of the books States of Emergency in Liberal Democracies (Cambridge 2009) & Out of Joint: Power, Crisis and the Rhetoric of Time (Yale, 2019), Nomi currently co-leads the British Academy's Global Convening Programme, “The Times of a Just Transition.” She served in 2022-23 on the Rouleau Commission investigating the Federal Government's use of the Emergencies Act in the trucker convoy crisis, and in 2024 was appointed by Justice Marie-Josée Hogue to Canada's Foreign Interference Commission. She is at work on a book on apocalyptic politics, and is a frequent contributor of commentary to news outlets around the world. Jeremy Wallace is the A. Doak Barnett Professor of China Studies at Johns Hopkins School of Advanced International Studies (SAIS). He researches the political economy of China's decarbonization, including the book Phenomenal World which investigated the carbon implications of its growth model for land, finance, and real estate. Jeremy has also written on a wide range of issues relating to cities, climate change, environmental information flows, and social media. He is also an editor at Good Authority and writes the China Lab newsletter, and his latest book is Seeking Truth and Hiding Facts: Information, Ideology, and Authoritarianism in China. Presenter: Dr Nic Cheeseman is the Professor of Democracy and International Development at the University of Birmingham and Founding Director of CEDAR. The People, Power, Politics podcast brings you the latest insights into the factors that are shaping and re-shaping our political world. It is brought to you by the Centre for Elections, Democracy, Accountability and Representation (CEDAR) based at the University of Birmingham, United Kingdom. Join us to better understand the factors that promote and undermine democratic government around the world and follow us on Twitter at @CEDAR_Bham! 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

The argument that authoritarian governments are better at dealing with the climate emergency is gaining ground, fuelled by the idea that undemocratic states face fewer constraints and so can operate more efficiently and effectively. Some are even arguing that this isn't just a necessary evil but a legitimate policy response to pending environmental catastrophe. Yet the data suggests that on average authoritarian governments do not perform better, and on many measures actually do worse than democracies. So why does this idea persist? Join Nic Cheeseman as he talks to Nomi Claire Lazar and Jeremy Wallace about their new article on Resisting the Authoritarian Temptation. Why is democracy not delivering? Why is authoritarianism not the answer? And what new models exist that can be used to deliver a greener and more inclusive future? This podcast is part of our regular collaboration with the Journal of Democracy. Guest: Nomi Claire Lazar is a Professor of Politics in the Graduate School of Public and International Affairs at the University of Ottawa. Her work looks at crises from a range of perspectives, including emergency powers, constitutional legitimacy and climate politics. Author of the books States of Emergency in Liberal Democracies (Cambridge 2009) & Out of Joint: Power, Crisis and the Rhetoric of Time (Yale, 2019), Nomi currently co-leads the British Academy's Global Convening Programme, “The Times of a Just Transition.” She served in 2022-23 on the Rouleau Commission investigating the Federal Government's use of the Emergencies Act in the trucker convoy crisis, and in 2024 was appointed by Justice Marie-Josée Hogue to Canada's Foreign Interference Commission. She is at work on a book on apocalyptic politics, and is a frequent contributor of commentary to news outlets around the world. Jeremy Wallace is the A. Doak Barnett Professor of China Studies at Johns Hopkins School of Advanced International Studies (SAIS). He researches the political economy of China's decarbonization, including the book Phenomenal World which investigated the carbon implications of its growth model for land, finance, and real estate. Jeremy has also written on a wide range of issues relating to cities, climate change, environmental information flows, and social media. He is also an editor at Good Authority and writes the China Lab newsletter, and his latest book is Seeking Truth and Hiding Facts: Information, Ideology, and Authoritarianism in China. Presenter: Dr Nic Cheeseman is the Professor of Democracy and International Development at the University of Birmingham and Founding Director of CEDAR. The People, Power, Politics podcast brings you the latest insights into the factors that are shaping and re-shaping our political world. It is brought to you by the Centre for Elections, Democracy, Accountability and Representation (CEDAR) based at the University of Birmingham, United Kingdom. Join us to better understand the factors that promote and undermine democratic government around the world and follow us on Twitter at @CEDAR_Bham! Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices Support our show by becoming a premium member! https://newbooksnetwork.supportingcast.fm/political-science

Amid the big news that the Vatican has elected an American as Pope, another trending story is Bill Gates's apparent issue with Elon Musk. The "other" billionaire expressed his disgust with Musk's role in shuttering the U.S. Agency for International Development, saying that “the world's richest man” was “killing the world's poorest children.” This is hypocrisy, as Bill Gates benefits from the NGO Deep State soup that USAID is a part of. Not only is this phony philanthropist creating toxic GMO foods, providing poisonous vaccines for children in third world countries, but he's also funding geoengineering technology to dim the sun through "chemtrails." Tonight on Ground Zero (7-10 pm, pacific time on groundzeroplus.com). Call in to the live show at 503-225-0860. #groundzeroplus #ClydeLewis #BillGates #elonmusk #geoengineering #vaccines #GMOs

Michael McFaul, Obama's Ambassador to Russia, tells Michael Krasny a new cold war is shaping up in a kind of three way with China, Russia and the U.S. as main players. While the geopolitical dynamics are familiar, the stand-off between autocratic regimes and the self actualizing west is different.Grey Matter host Dr. Krasny got specific. How does Trump's tilt toward Russia explain what's going on? What about the Ukrainian mining deal? Is it the key to Ukrainian security?Ambassador McFaul spoke of liberalism and illiberalism and the effect of sanctions on Russia, including those proposed by the Trump administration. He and Dr. Krasny spoke, too, about the present state of the Russian economy, the weaponization of space, nuclear programs – including the giving up of nuclear weapons by Ukraine – and Ukraine being kept out of NATO.In a thought-provoking turn, Michael Krasny inquired into McFaul's long-time rivalry with the late Russian scholar Stephen Cohen. Though a respectful adversary, McFaul detailed how Cohen aligned himself with Putin.Ambassador McFaul provided a historical analysis of Russian attitudes toward NATO and emphasized that Putin's real problem has been democratic expansion. Dr. Krasny brought up Putin's weighted view of World War II and his charge of Ukraine having been Naziified. Ambassador McFaul highlighted the profound historic importance in Russia given to May 9th – the day this podcast episode occurred.Statements by President Trump and Vice President Vance were singled out by Ambassador McFaul as well as mistakes made by the U.S. in the cold war and present mistakes being made with the U.S. toward its allies, with McFaul emphasizing the U.S. need for its allies. Krasny quizzed McFaul on his notion of "hot peace," Trump's tunnel vision of Putin's expansionist ambitions, and President Trump's peremptory shut-down of the U.S. Agency for International Development.A range of topics were covered with Ambassador McFaul talking about the stages of revolution, the need for civil debate, Trump's takeover ambitions for Greenland and European history coming to a stop in 1945 with the advent of the cold war. Dr. Krasny brought up Mutually Assured Destruction and a podcast he did with Mideast peace negotiator Ambassador Dennis Ross who claimed an Iranian nuclear deal may be in the offing.Dr. Krasny went on to ask Ambassador McFaul about the present efficacy of Intelligence agencies and McFaul spoke of surveillance technology versus human intelligence. McFaul wound up defending the reset with Russia during the Barack Obama administration – emphasizing the ways he believed diplomacy ought to be judged. This episode concluded with Dr. Krasny asking deeply committed basketball Warriors fan Ambassador McFaul what he thought the chances were of a series victory for Golden State.A not to be missed conversation with Ambassador Michael McFaul on his sweeping geopolitical world view!

On April 30, 1975, the Vietnam War came to an end, as North Vietnamese closed in on the South Vietnamese capital and thousands of American personnel frantically evacuated. The war left a devastating legacy: More than 3 million Vietnamese died and more than 58,000 U.S. troops were killed. The remains of more than 300,000 Vietnamese soldiers and 1,200 U.S. service members are still missing. Over the past five decades, there has been a delicate progress toward peace and reconciliation between the countries, facilitated by trade, U.S. Agency for International Development and the U.S. Institute of Peace. Under President Donald Trump, that's all being unraveled. On today's show, South East Asia Bureau chief Rebecca Tan shares her reporting from Vietnam on the painful legacies of the war and how U.S.-Vietnam relations are suddenly faltering. This episode was produced by Elana Gordon, and mixed by Sam Bair. It was edited by Lucy Perkins with help from Peter Finn and Maggie Penman. Thank you to Emma Talkoff. Subscribe to The Washington Post here.

This episode contains particularly graphic descriptions of violence and gore. Know your own limits and proceed accordingly.Today Justin sits down with Steven Schofield. Steve enlisted into the US Army and completed training as an 18 Delta Special Forces Medic in 1967. He then deployed to Okinawa and later to Vietnam, where he served with Military Assistance Command, Vietnam - Studies and Observations Group. Afterwards, he left the US Army to join the US Agency for International Development and spent nearly six years working in Laos, providing medical services to the local population, and supporting the Secret War effort in the region. He's here to discuss his years in Southeast Asia and his lifelong support of the Hmong population, both in Laos and now in the United States, all of which he detailed in his book.Check out the book, Secret War in Laos, here.https://www.amazon.com/Secret-War-Laos-Green-Berets/dp/1694374114Connect with Spycraft 101:Get Justin's latest book, Murder, Intrigue, and Conspiracy: Stories from the Cold War and Beyond, here.spycraft101.comIG: @spycraft101Shop: shop.spycraft101.comPatreon: Spycraft 101Find Justin's first book, Spyshots: Volume One, here.Check out Justin's second book, Covert Arms, here.Download the free eBook, The Clandestine Operative's Sidearm of Choice, here.History by MailWho knew? Not me! Learn something new every month. Use code JUSTIN10 for 10% off your subscription.Disclaimer: This post contains affiliate links. If you make a purchase, I may receive a commission at no extra cost to you.Support the show

The House voted early this week on H.R. 495 the Subterranean Border Defense Act and you won't be surprised who cast the lone nay, Disney's live action Snow White adaptation is slated for release next week and we've catalogued all the reasons why it's cursed, prominent leftists like Michelle Obama & Gavin Newsom are pushing podcasts, Half Asian Lawyer Bill Richmond was here discussing the details of document shredding by U.S. Agency for International Development, or USAID, and much more!GUESTS: Nick Di Paolo | Half Asian Lawyer Bill RichmondGet your favorite LWC gear: https://crowdershop.com/DOWNLOAD THE RUMBLE APP TODAY: https://rumble.com/our-appsBite-Sized Content: https://rumble.com/c/CrowderBits SOURCES: https://www.louderwithcrowder.com/sources-march-13-2025Connect your Mug Club account to Rumble and enjoy Rumble Premium: https://support.locals.com/en/article/how-do-i-connect-my-locals-account-to-my-rumble-account-on-rumble-vhd2st/Join Rumble Premium to watch this show every day! http://louderwithcrowder.com/PremiumNEW MERCH! https://crowdershop.com/Subscribe to my podcast: https://rss.com/podcasts/louder-with-crowder/FOLLOW ME: Website: https://louderwithcrowder.com Twitter: https://twitter.com/scrowder Instagram: http://www.instagram.com/louderwithcrowder Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/stevencrowderofficialMusic by @Pogo

The Trump administration says it will end more than 90 percent of the U.S. Agency for International Development's foreign aid contracts. NPR spoke to two immigrants sent to Guantánamo who allege mistreatment by detainment officers, and a federal judge will hear arguments over the Trump administration's firing of probationary employees.Want more comprehensive analysis of the most important news of the day, plus a little fun? Subscribe to the Up First newsletter.Today's episode of Up First was edited by Jane Greenhalgh, Anna Yukhananov, Janaya Williams and Alice Woelfle. It was produced by Ziad Buchh, Ben Abrams, and Paige Waterhouse. We get engineering support from Stacey Abbott. And our technical director is Carleigh Strange.Learn more about sponsor message choices: podcastchoices.com/adchoicesNPR Privacy Policy