Podcasts about Madagascar

En esta edición de Chequia en 30': El Ministerio de Relaciones Exteriores checo anunció un plan para estrechar vínculos con Texas, hogar de una de las comunidades checas más grandes fuera de Europa | Terapia canina para lograr que los niños checos se concentran en las escuelas | Nace un extraño camaleón de Madagascar en un zoo checo, un hito único en el mundo.

Non Stop News dedica il podcast alle eccellenze nazionali per la Festa della Donna e lo sport post-olimpico. Arianna Alessi (vicepresidente OTB Foundation) aggiorna sui progetti sostegno donne in Afghanistan, Siria, Sudan, Madagascar; richieste Iran impossibili ora; 16 marzo Mela d'Oro Veneto Fondazione Marisa Bellisario per leadership femminile. ​ “Fisi News” con Michela Moioli (oro olimpica snowboard cross): argento squadre con Sommariva, bronzo individuale Milano-Cortina; emozione casa unica, crescita snowboard con ispirazione giovani/investimenti, prossimi impegni Coppa. Giorgio Rocca commenta weekend sci. ​ Paolo Magri (ISPI) analizza Iran: tensioni nucleari/Trump, aiuti umanitari donne bloccati. Andrea Salvati preview calcio: ieri risultati, stasera Derby Milan-Inter decisivo scudetto. Attualità con Maurizio Belpietro.

Hosted by David and Nycci Nellis. On today's show:· He's a flavor explorer and a culinary storyteller - Emmanuel Laroche, the noted food and beverage industry executive, creator and host of the podcast “Flavors Unknown,” and author of “Conversations Behind the Kitchen Door” and “A Taste of Madagascar;" · Kat Jiang from Seylou, the organic whole-grain bakery and mill in Blagden Alley, is in to introduce the Mid-Atlantic Grain Fair and Conference coming up March 15-16, organized by the Common Grain Alliance, bringing together farmers, millers, bakers, brewers, distillers, and food leaders from across the Middle Atlantic to strengthen the region's grain economy and reconnect the full grain supply chain from field to finished food; · Ashley Blake, owner of Prim's Café in Shaw. A brilliant concept for a beloved neighborhood hang-out, Prim's features coffee and espresso made with beans sourced from Adee's Coffee & Bar in Baltimore, matcha, chai, and more -- PLUS fresh pastries that are delivered fresh every morning; · Drink Segment: Rimtang in Georgetown is an outstanding Thai street food restaurant that we've featured several times on the show. Today we're talking cocktails -- and Rimtang's Kelly Duong is in to mix ‘em up.See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

Hosted by David and Nycci Nellis. On today's show:· He's a flavor explorer and a culinary storyteller - Emmanuel Laroche, the noted food and beverage industry executive, creator and host of the podcast “Flavors Unknown,” and author of “Conversations Behind the Kitchen Door” and “A Taste of Madagascar;" · Kat Jiang from Seylou, the organic whole-grain bakery and mill in Blagden Alley, is in to introduce the Mid-Atlantic Grain Fair and Conference coming up March 15-16, organized by the Common Grain Alliance, bringing together farmers, millers, bakers, brewers, distillers, and food leaders from across the Middle Atlantic to strengthen the region's grain economy and reconnect the full grain supply chain from field to finished food; · Ashley Blake, owner of Prim's Café in Shaw. A brilliant concept for a beloved neighborhood hang-out, Prim's features coffee and espresso made with beans sourced from Adee's Coffee & Bar in Baltimore, matcha, chai, and more -- PLUS fresh pastries that are delivered fresh every morning; · Drink Segment: Rimtang in Georgetown is an outstanding Thai street food restaurant that we've featured several times on the show. Today we're talking cocktails -- and Rimtang's Kelly Duong is in to mix ‘em up.See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

Interview with Mark Chalmers, President & CEO of Energy Fuels Inc.Our previous interview: https://www.cruxinvestor.com/posts/energy-fuels-nyseuuuu-advancing-rare-earth-integration-with-asm-acquisition-9151Recording date: 4th March 2026Energy Fuels Inc. (NYSE:UUUU) is one of the most strategically distinctive companies in the critical minerals space. While most Western rare earth ventures address a fragment of the supply chain, Energy Fuels has spent five years assembling a vertically integrated operation that spans the full value chain: from heavy mineral sands in Australia and Madagascar, monazite processing at its White Mesa Mill in Utah, to separated rare earth oxides, and following the acquisition of Australian Strategic Materials. No other Western company has assembled this complete a picture.The relevance of that distinction has never been greater. China controls an estimated 85–90% of global rare earth processing capacity, and Western governments, particularly the United States and Australia, have identified this dependency as a critical strategic vulnerability. Policy support, government financing programmes, and demand from original equipment manufacturers seeking non-Chinese supply are all converging to create the market that Energy Fuels has been building toward.The company's rare earth strategy is technically differentiated in an important way. By processing monazite rather than bastnäsite, Energy Fuels produces both light and heavy rare earth elements. Heavy rare earths, particularly dysprosium and terbium, are essential for the high-performance permanent magnets used in electric vehicles, wind turbines, and defence systems. This positions Energy Fuels in a part of the market where supply scarcity is most acute and strategic urgency is highest.Near-term, uranium is the business. Energy Fuels is guiding for up to 2.5 million pounds of uranium production (the highest of any US-based producer) at competitive costs, against a backdrop of firming uranium prices driven by a structural global supply deficit. This uranium revenue stream funds the rare earth build-out without requiring the company to dilute aggressively or rely entirely on external capital markets.On the financing front, the picture has changed materially. A Goldman Sachs-arranged convertible note, completed at just 0.75% interest in under one week, has pushed deployable capital to nearly $1 billion. The company's total build-out requirement is estimated at $2 billion, a figure that seemed ambitious 18 months ago but is now regarded by management, and increasingly by investors, as achievable through a combination of capital markets access, offtake agreements with floor price structures, and potential government support from the US and Australian governments.The two flagship projects: the Phase Two rare earth expansion at White Mesa, and the Vera heavy mineral sands project in Madagascar to carry a combined NPV of close to $4 billion and a combined EBITDA potential of $800–$900 million per year at steady-state. Full rare earth revenues are targeted from 2028–2030, making this a medium-to-long-term investment thesis.For investors with a 3–5 year horizon and conviction in the structural ex-China critical minerals demand story, Energy Fuels offers a rare combination: a producing uranium business generating real revenues today, and a rare earth platform with genuine scale, technical depth, and improving financial visibility. The build-out is complex and multi-year, but the pieces finally are falling into place.View Energy Fuels' company profile: https://www.cruxinvestor.com/companies/energy-fuelsSign up for Crux Investor: https://cruxinvestor.com

Oops! Someone forgot to edit a podcast episode for 3 months! That's right, this week (in December) Dan and Anna travel from Madagascar to mainland Africa to watch Alec Baldwin join the rest of the zoo gang for Madagascar 2: Escape 2 Africa! Is it a good time? I can't remember! If you would like to support In Conclusion, you can do so at patreon.com/inconclusion

So when I invite someone on the podcast, it's usually about promoting a particular project at a festival. There certainly is that here with director Andrew Kightlinger regarding his genre-breaking film OKAY (2026), which had its world premiere at Slamdance 2026, a festival that he also served on the jury. But we don't hit OKAY discussion until minute 27!That shouldn't surprise you, though, if you look at Andrew's biography. His origin story is incredible, yes, but what fascinated me the most is how deeply knowledgeable he is about the art of filmmaking. He was brought on to direct OKAY to highlight Fujifilm's GFX ETERNA 55 and Andrew did it in a way that made me rethink how he deal with human emotions on screen. There's a documentary about the project that is well worth watching.I wish every camera maker funded a gorgeous film to highlight their products. And I wish every filmmaker was as thoughtful as Andrew.In this episode, Andrew and I discuss:is Slamdance too indie? a hearty defense of the festival;his unique background into filmmaking, South Dakota by way of Madagascar;how pirated blockbusters are what's easily accessible around the world, including a hilarious story about belatedly watching TITANIC (1997);starting with shorts or jumping into features;the wild story about how he became a director and what he turned down to stay independent and true to his vision;how he makes successful pitches for investors, including a lot of dentists (who knew?!);how to find great collaborators;the common threads for films he judged at Slamdance and whether chapter headings say something about episodic content;what is OKAY about and how Andrew describes it;how to depict grief on screen and why OKAY is so original in its handling of the subject;giving feedback in a creative and useful way that finds a way to make art honestly;the connection between Fujifilm and Andrew;whether the ubiquity of great cameras means we're moving back to more story-led films;why some big budget films "look like crap";how indie films are screened and if Fujifilm thought about how people would watch the film;what's next for him.Andrew's Indie Film Highlight: WALKABOUT (1971) dir. by Nicholas Roeg; DIRTY WORK (1998) dir. by Bob SagetMemorable Quotes:"If anybody's thinking, ugh that's too hoity tody or that's not good enough, or whatever, just stop and just submit the movie...the movies are very varied. It's a very eclectic selection of films, and the tastes are all over the place, and that's what's really fun about the festival. It's it's a cornucopia of stuff and everybody should submit.""why is this kid obsessed with movies? Like, why? We want a scientist.""So we didn't see the last hour of Titanic until a year later when we went to Minnesota." "Because I went out to my dentist and said, hey, can I get 10 grand? He [said], sure!""A valuable lesson to learn as a filmmaker: choose your collaborators wisely.""Look at my name in the credits and you want to feel good about helping a young artist. And if you sell that to them, they'll invest. If you sell them numbers, they're not gonna do it.""Shorts are good as reps in the gym.""The common thread between all the movies that I watched on the feature jury, the movies in competition, I would say that 70% of them were in black and white, which is a trend right now, which kinda shocked me. And almost 50% of them had chapter headings throughout the film.""The short film is a movie about grief at its core, and it's about a woman who is grieving the death of her husband and she's trying to find healing by searching for him in the cosmos. And that's the general idea of the film, and people just need to watch it to figure out what that means.""OKAY is the most honest move I've ever made because I was able to pour myself into it.""Younger filmmakers send me like their ideas or treatments like, Hey, could you look at this? And I can tell that it's been written with that [AI] format.""[OKAY] was the weirdest concept by far. But they said, oh, that's our favorite one." "I wanted to make a movie that had very formalistic editing and very dirty 70 style camera work as well. And they didn't shy away from that."Links:Follow Andrew On InstagramWatch The Documentary On OKAYSupport this podcast at — https://redcircle.com/first-time-go/exclusive-content

In this vivid and important episode of Genuine Life Recovery, I'm joined by writer Christopher Carazas, author of the memoir Now That I'm Still Here: A Memoir of Ruin and Resurrection. Christopher shares the story of how a life that looked successful on the outside slowly collapsed under the weight of psychological abuse—and how he fought his way back after reaching the brink. From the outside, his life looked awesome. He worked around the world in places like Haiti, Mali, and Madagascar, building a career in international development. But privately, he was caught in a cycle of psychological and emotional abuse within his marriage. In this conversation, we talk about how abuse often doesn't start in overt ways. We delve into the cycle of psychological abuse and how it moves—subtle shifts, small manipulations, and moments of control that gradually become normal. Over time, the danger becomes harder to recognize, and many people find themselves living inside something they never would have accepted at the beginning. Christopher also shares how trauma doesn't simply disappear when the situation ends. The body and mind can continue carrying those survival patterns long after the danger is gone. Diagnosed with autism later in life, he reflects on how autism shaped his self-esteem, relationships, and what he was experiencing.  Most importantly, this episode is about hope—leaving, healing, and rebuilding a life after surviving the unimaginable.

Over the years, as barriers to international touring in the U.S. have risen, and more and more talented African and African diaspora artists have made their homes in American towns and cities, the sounds and voices of Africa have become more and more common on local scenes. In this edition of Afropop's "Africa in America" series, we spotlight women, Marie Daulne (of Zap Mama) collaborating with NYC Afrobeat band Antibalas, Razia of Madagascar, and the incomparable Afro-jazz innovator Somi, also Sudanese-born Alsarah and Awa Sangho of Mali.  Produced by Banning Eyre APWW #705

Flautas y acordeones a las puertas de Babel Flutes and accordions at the gates of Babel Traemos soplos de flautas y fuelles de acordeones, entre otras mil músicas, para viajar entre Persia, Albania, Líbano, Cataluña, Portugal, Luisiana, Madagascar, Mesopotamia y muchas Francias, en un programa en el que contamos con Olivier Rey, director del Babel Music XP de Marsella, como invitado para darnos las claves principales de la próxima edición de esta imprescindible cita. We bring the breath of flutes and the bellows of accordions, among a thousand other musics, to travel between Persia, Albania, Lebanon, Catalonia, Portugal, Louisiana, Madagascar, Mesopotamia and many Frances, in a programme in which we welcome Olivier Rey, director of Babel Music XP in Marseille, as a guest to share with us the main keys to the upcoming edition of this essential event. - Jean-Luc Thomas - Wojciech's jig - Souffleur de rêves - L'Antidote - Na na na - L'Antidote - Cocanha, Los Sara Fontan, Tarta Relena - La charmantina - 4132314 - Grégory Dargent - Ni le soleil... - H - dois,pois - Celebrazione - Disaccordion pulse - Clifton Chenier - Zydeco et pas sale - King of Louisiana blues and zydeco - Remaniny, Retovony - Hararavo bilo - Madagascar: L'accordéon du pays masikoro / The accordion of the Masikoro country [V.A.] - Lakhdar Hanou Orchestra - Enti Nour - L'odyssée de Nour # Mundofonews: - Babel Music XP (FR) Voz invitada: Guest voice: - Olivier Rey (Babel Music XP) De la portada de: / From the cover of: Madagascar: L'accordéon du pays masikoro

Check out the Weekly Top Leadership Links list. And we have a special 2 guest conversation with Robby Gallaty and Vick Green, co-authors of the new book Movement Ready Church. Robby is senior pastor of Long Hollow Church in the Nashville area, and author of multiple books and one of the leading voices in America on discipleship and disciple making. Vick is the CEO of Replicate Ministries, along with a strategic advisor, coach and consultant to pastors and churches nationwide. Make sure to visit http://h3leadership.com to access the full list and all the show notes. Share them with your team, repost the lists, and follow and subscribe. Thanks again to our partners for this episode: COME and SEE FOUNDATION – reaching a billion people with the story of Jesus. Visit http://comeandseefoundation.org. Come and See Foundation is on a mission to ensure that all 7 seasons of The Chosen are produced, translated into 600 languages, globally distributed, and kept FREE for all. From Michigan to Madagascar, people are encountering Jesus through The Chosen, Join Come and See in inviting a billion people to find and follow Jesus. You can play a supporting role in introducing the world to Jesus. Lean more and get involved at http://comeandseefoundation.org. And REGENT BANK - connect with the team at https://www.regent.bank/.  Regent Bank is one of the fastest-growing financial institutions in the country, uniquely positioned as a faith-based bank with a clear purpose: "To show God's love to employees, clients, and communities." Regent Bank stands out with both a dedicated prayer team and a specialized department focused exclusively on serving faith-based organizations, where all nonprofit clients are offered completely free banking services, along with highly competitive interest rates and access to specialized support across multiple financial areas. Find out more at http://regent.bank.

Have you ever considered your profession as a ministry? Come to this session and hear about the biblical roots of nursing as ministry, your sacred calling to serve, and the importance of paying attention to those divine appointments. We will also talk about finding your passion and being persistent, all while drawing on the power of the Holy Spirit.

La salle de classe réunit des enfants aux personnalités et aux profils différents. Il arrive que certains, par leur attitude, perturbent le bon fonctionnement de la vie scolaire : il est turbulent avec ses camarades, elle est effacée, ne semble pas avoir d'amis, elle fait des bêtises pour se faire remarquer, il est agité et ne tient pas en place... Ces comportements jugés inadaptés sont parfois difficiles à gérer pour les autres élèves et les enseignants. Dans des classes souvent pléthoriques, le temps manque pour se concentrer sur un ou deux élèves en particulier. Face à un élément perturbateur, la tentation est grande de l'exclure du cours ou de l'isoler. Pourtant, ce comportement exprime souvent un mal-être plus grand et des difficultés qui vont au-delà de la salle de classe. Que se cache-t-il réellement derrière l'attitude d'un enfant qui « dérange » ? Comment réagir en tant qu'enseignants, parents pour mieux l'accompagner et lui redonner confiance à l'école ?   Avec : Anne Raynaud, psychiatre pour enfants et adultes. Fondatrice de l'Institut de la Parentalité. Autrice de Cet enfant qui dérange à l'école - les clés concrètes pour aider les enseignants et les parents à mieux l'accompagner (Marabout, 2026).   À retrouver également dans l'émission : En première partie, L'école autour du monde avec Emmanuelle Chaze, correspondante de RFI à Kiev en Ukraine. Alors que la guerre d'agression russe entre dans sa 5è année, cela fait aussi cinq ans que 4.6 millions d'enfants ne sont plus scolarisés dans des conditions normales. Avec des écoles endommagées ou détruites, des cours sans cesse interrompus par des alertes aériennes et des millions de personnes toujours déplacées, toute une génération d'élèves grandit et est éduquée dans des conditions précaires.   La chronique Décalages culturels de Charlie Dupiot, qui décrypte les malentendus culturels sur les campus français. Une chronique produite par RFI avec le soutien de l'Université Paris Cité.   La chronique Un parent, une question et les conseils du psychologue Ibrahima Giroux, professeur à l'Université Gaston Berger de Saint-Louis du Sénégal. Il répond à la question d'Aurélia, à Diego-Suarez à Madagascar.   Programmation musicale : ► Siempre Estas - Chinese Man, La Yegros ► Gratidude – Diese Mbangue. 

Variole du singe : vigilance renforcée à Maurice après un décès à Madagascar by TOPFM MAURITIUS

Gen Z wordt door sommigen als lui en oppervlakkig omschreven, maar wie beter kijkt, ziet een generatie die zich wereldwijd verzet tegen structurele onrechtvaardigheid en van elkaar leert over internationale grenzen heen. We praten over het Gen Z protest in Nepal, Madagascar en België met millennials Koen Bogaert (UGent) en Elien Spillebeen (MO*) en met Gen Z-ers Mira* (UGent campusbeztting) en Kaoutar El Afi (MO*).*Echte naam bekend bij de redactie

In this episode of Flavors Unknown, Emmanuel Laroche sits down with David Skinner, James Beard–recognized chef and founder of Ishtia, to explore the deep intersection of heritage, excellence, and emotional memory. David's story does not begin in a boardroom. It begins in his grandmother's kitchen—standing beside a pastry chef, breathing in the scent of cakes and cookies fresh from the oven. Those early sensory memories shaped not just his palate, but his philosophy: food is not performance. It is connection. At Ishtia, Skinner reinterprets Choctaw culinary traditions through a modern fine-dining lens. Corn, beans, squash—the foundational ingredients of Indigenous foodways—become vessels for storytelling. But this is not nostalgia. It is restoration. It is education. It is evolution without erasure. What you’ll learn from Chef David Skinner The emotional power of flavor and scent Why Native American cuisine deserves broader recognition The challenge of preserving authenticity while innovating His departure from food into finance—and what pulled him back The responsibility of telling Indigenous stories in contemporary spaces The science of smell and sensory immersion in dining The tension between creative freedom and operational reality What is the cost of excellence? Can fine dining become a vehicle for cultural restoration? How do you modernize tradition without diluting it? And what does it mean to return to your roots after building success elsewhere? Chapters 01:17 Exploring Early Memories of Flavors03:41 Cultural Heritage and Food Traditions06:49 The Concept Behind David’s Restaurant11:28 Creating Emotional Connections Through Food13:53 Interpreting Traditional Ingredients in Fine Dining19:02 The Coral Snake Soup Experience20:46 Storytelling Through Food23:26 A Culinary Journey Begins27:39 Transitioning to Finance and Back34:11 The Birth of Eculent38:59 Creating a Dynamic Dining Environment42:45 The Science of Smell in Dining44:04 Innovative Culinary Techniques46:13 Creating the Edible Forest48:39 Emotional Connections Through Food51:45 Global Culinary Experiences54:16 The Influence of Choctaw Cuisine56:32 Challenges in Sourcing Unique Ingredients01:00:59 Reflections on Culinary Freedom and Impact   Beyond the Mic: My Stories in Print A Taste of Madagascar: Culinary Riches of the Red Island invites readers to join me on his unforgettable journey across the island of Madagascar, where a vibrant culture and stunning ecosystem intertwine to create an extraordinary culinary experience. Explore the unique ingredients and traditions that define Madagascar and discover their profound impact on the global culinary landscape. Alongside the captivating stories, the book presents a collection of exciting recipes that showcase the incredible flavors and ingredients of Madagascar. Publication date: Tuesday, January 27, 2026 Pre-order the book here! “Conversations Behind the Kitchen Door” is my debut book, published in Fall 2022. It features insights from chefs and culinary leaders interviewed on the Flavors Unknown podcast, offering a behind-the-scenes look at creativity, culture, and the future of the hospitality industry. Get the book here! Links to most downloaded episodes (click on any picture to listen to the episode) Chef Sheldon Simeon Chef Andy Doubrava Chef Nina Compton Chef Jacques Pepin Social media Isthia Instagram Facebook Links mentioned in this episode Ishtia Restaurant SUBSCRIBE TO THE ‘FLAVORS UNKNOWN' NEWSLETTER

What does courage look like under fire? In captivity? In command? In service? This edition of Long Blue Leadership was recorded on location at the U.S. Air Force Academy's 33rd National Character and Leadership Symposium. We've explored these questions with our guests and captured the conversations for you. Ted Robertson, Multimedia and Podcast Specialist for the Air Force Academy Association and Foundation, hosts this special episode featuring voices shaped by combat, crises and lifelong service. Their message to cadets is clear: Leadership is earned through character, and character is forged in hard moments. - Seg. 1: Lt. Col. Mark George and C1C Jaime Snyder, officer and NCLS cadet director, respectively, set the stage for this year's NCLS and for the podcast. - Seg. 2: Senior Master Sgt. (Ret.) Israel "DT" Del Toro on courage in times of crisis. - Seg. 3: Task Force Hope developer and facilitator Maj. Tara Holmes on preparing future leaders to handle crisis before it happens. - Seg. 4: Former POW Maj. Gen. (Ret.) Edward Mechenbier '64, on leading in circumstances out of your control. - Seg. 5: Annapolis grad and Vietnam-era aviator, Capt. (Ret.) J. Charles Plumb on how character breeds courage. All of our guest's lives and careers reflect the reality of this year's theme through combat, crisis and service.     CONNECT WITH THE LONG BLUE LINE PODCAST NETWORK TEAM Ted Robertson | Producer and Editor:  Ted.Robertson@USAFA.org Send your feedback or nominate a guest: socialmedia@usafa.org   Ryan Hall | Director:  Ryan.Hall@USAFA.org  Bryan Grossman | Copy Editor:  Bryan.Grossman@USAFA.org Wyatt Hornsby | Executive Producer:  Wyatt.Hornsby@USAFA.org      ALL PAST LBL EPISODES  |  ALL LBLPN PRODUCTIONS AVAILABLE ON ALL MAJOR PODCAST PLATFORMS     FULL TRANSCRIPT OUR SPEAKERS:  - Host, Ted Robertson, Multimedia and Podcast Specialist, United States Air Force Academy Association and Foundation  - Seg. 1: C1C Jaime Snyder, NCLS Cadet Director; Lt. Col. Mark George, NCLS Officer  - Seg. 2: Senior Master Sargent Israel Del Toro  - Seg. 3: Maj. Tara Holmes, Task Force Hope  - Seg. 4: Maj. Gen. (Ret.) Edward Mechenbier '64  - Seg. 5: Capt. (Ret.) J. Charles Plumb   Ted Robertson 0:00 Welcome to Long Blue Line Podcast Network coverage of the 33rd annual National Character and Leadership Symposium. I'm Ted Robertson, multimedia and podcast specialist for the Air Force Academy Association & Foundation, coming to you from Polaris Hall located here at the United States Air Force Academy. This year's symposium centers on the theme Courage to Lead in the Profession of Arms: Combat and Crisis-tested Character, where attendees and cadets will explore how courage in all its forms shapes leaders when uncertainty, fear and consequence are real. Our coverage will start with the Center for Character and Leadership Development's Lt. Col. Mark George and NCLS director, Cadet 1st Class Jaime Snyder. They'll set the stage not only for NCLS, but for today's coverage. Then we'll talk with four key leaders speaking at the symposium, including Senior Master Sgt. (Ret.) Israel Del Torro on keeping courageous during times of crisis. We'll also talk with Task Force Hope developer and facilitator, Maj. Tara Holmes, on preparing leaders to handle crisis before it happens. Then, former POW, Maj. Gen. (Ret.) Edward Mechenbier, USAFA Class of '64, on leading in circumstances out of your control. And finally, Annapolis grad and Vietnam-era aviator, Capt. (Ret.) J. Charles Plumb, on how character breeds courage. All of our guests' lives and careers reflect the reality of this year's theme through combat, crisis and service. So I want to bring in our first two guests to help, as I said, frame the discussion today. We're going to dig in to learn what this is all about and sort of the “why” behind it. Cadet Jaime Snyder, 2026 NCLS director. Cadet Snyder, you've helped lead the organizing of the National Character and Leadership Symposium — 33rd year for this, as you know, and part of that work, you've trained cadets and permanent party. I'm going to ask you to explain permanent party, all of which helps strengthen your own public speaking and leadership communication skills. You want to kind of expound on that a bit? C1C Jaime Snyder 2:20 Yes, sir. So a part of my role being in NCLS is to, one, provide the guidance, the support and resources on the cadet side to succeed. But what really makes NCLS special is that we integrate permanent party with cadets. So oftentimes me, in supporting and training permanent party, is giving them cadet perspective, because while they're over here and the Center for Character and Leadership Development, we're over there in the Cadet Wing, and I can be the mediator between both parties. Ted Robertson 2:46 Let's talk a little bit about permanent party. What does that term mean? Who does that describe? C1C Jaime Snyder 2:52 Oh yes. Permanent party describes the civilian and military faculty that works in the Center for Character and Leadership Development that assists with the execution of NCLS — the National Character and Leadership Symposium. Ted Robertson 3:05 How big is the team behind this event every year? C1C Jaime Snyder 3:08 It's kind of complex where we'll get search cadets. We'll get a large number of volunteers, approximately around 300 from the Cadet Wing. Internal staff consists of 50 cadets who work it throughout the entire year, and around 50 staff members who are permanent party who work in the Center for Character and Leadership Development. Ted Robertson 3:29 I want to bring in next Lt. Col. Mark George, who is the experiential and training division chief and NCLS program director, the very fortunate man that gets to work for some incredibly talented cadets. Col. Mark George 3:43 That is absolutely true. Thanks to for having us on. Cadet Snyder has done an outstanding job leading this team. I came into this a little bit late. You know, we've had some reorganization here at the Academy, and after some shuffling, I got the honor and the privilege to take over NCLS while the planning was well underway. So my job was to just make sure this train kept rolling, that people had the resources that they needed, the top cover they needed. And as Jamie said, he was training me as a permanent party member to make sure that I had the cadet perspective. And then, you know, we were moving this ball forward as we got to this event. Ted Robertson 4:23 So coming up in the podcast we'll get to the sort of “why” and what's at the core of NCLS. Colonel, let's start with you. What is National Character and Leadership Symposium designed to do for cadets?   Col. Mark George 4:38 Sure. The National Character and Leadership Symposium — NCLS — is designed to bring exemplars that embody the core values and the traits that we want cadets to have when they become leaders on Day 1 and inspire them to a lifetime of service.   Ted Robertson 4:57 Cadet Snyder?   C1C Jaime Snyder 4:59 We definitely see at USAFA, there is a clear correlation with NCLS and character development. One thing we want cadets to get out of NCLS is to further develop leaders of character who are going to join the fight in the Air Force and Space Force, and that's why I see the epitome of NCLS as it's an opportunity to hear people's perspectives as well as learn from it and apply it to their daily lives. Ted Robertson 5:24 Gentlemen, this year's theme focuses on the courage to lead in the profession of arms. Cadet Snyder, we'll start with you. How did that theme come together, and why is it especially relevant for cadets right now? C1C Jaime Snyder 5:40 With our current structure at USAFA, we've had some implement of change. We recognize that the future war conflict is more prevalent than ever, and that it's important for the cadets to understand that we're changing the way we approach training, as well as what we're learning in curriculum. So this NCLS was an incredible opportunity to discuss courage when leading in the profession of arms, but furthermore, courage and crises-tested character. Which is what we're trying to further push along with what we do in training as well as what we teach in leadership. Ted Robertson 6:15 You make good decisions when your character is strong. You make those decisions with integrity when your character is intact and it's strong. Would you agree with that, Colonel? Col. Mark George 6:25 Absolutely. And I think Cadet Snyder hit the nail on the head that we really want the cadets to understand that the environments that they're stepping into are going to require that courage to do hard things. In my day, like we didn't necessarily think about the fight in that way. You know, we were kind of stovepiped in. And these cadets, whatever environment they may be stepping into, the next conflict is going to require a lot, a high demand of them, and their character is their foundation for that. Ted Robertson 6:59 One of the things you can say about this event is that it brings together voices from combat, crisis, athletics, academia and industry. How intentional is that mix, Cadet Snyder, and what do cadets gain from hearing such different perspectives on leadership and character? C1C Jaime Snyder 7:18 I think by hearing different perspectives, you get to see how universal courage is. When we say courage, it's not just one thing, it's also moral, social, spiritual. And by looking at different versions of courage, you can understand that there's different ways to actually apply courage. Understanding that courage is not the absence of fear, also knowing that courage is not simply being a confident individual. That it's more complex than you may define courage, and so you can then apply it that way — by looking at different perspectives. Ted Robertson 7:53 Colonel, I'll address this one to you as well. Col. Mark George 7:56 Sure. Courage — we're talking about courage here, and there's a heavy focus on the combat side with this year's speakers. The thing that sticks out to me is that courage always involves a decision to do the hard thing. And that's what all of our speakers brought this year. They're showing how in different environments, whether it's in a prison cell in Hanoi or up on the Space Station or — there's a hard decision and the right thing is sometimes pretty obvious, but it doesn't mean it's easy. It does not mean it's easy to do. And so courage always involves a decision to do the right thing. Ted Robertson 8:39 Cadet Snyder? C1C Jaime Snyder 8:40 What he said I find to be very true — understanding that courage is not simply doing something physical, but also in a leadership role, especially — we're talking to cadets who are going to soon be commissioned officers. It's important to know that you need to make the right decision on and off the battlefield. Ted Robertson 8:58 So from your perspective as a cadet — and this one is just for you, Cadet Snyder — what does it mean to help shape an event like NCLS while you're still developing as a leader yourself? C1C Jaime Snyder 9:10 What I've seen through NCLS is taking the time to relax. Don't focus on the future and focus where you're at right now, and that's character development. So don't let the pursuit of tomorrow diminish the joy today. We all have this aspiration to graduate, throw our hats in the air, Thunderbirds fly over. But right now it's important to focus on character development as that's going to be important as future officers. Ted Robertson 9:35 That makes 1,000% very clear sense. But I do want to ask you, less than 100 days from the day you toss your hat — you're giving me a big smile right now — talk about how that feels right now for you. C1C Jaime Snyder 9:47 It's incredible, and a part of it is less daunting, because I can say this institution has really prepared me to commission, and so it's more liberating than daunting for me. Ted Robertson 9:58 Col. George, I'm going to direct this one straight to you, and this is an ask of you from the leadership perspective: How do we events Like NCLS fit into the broader effort to intentionally develop leaders of character here at the Academy. Col. Mark George 10:14 So I get the honor of leading the experiential and training division in the Center for Character and Leadership Development. So we're all about creating experiences and those opportunities for cadets to have different types of environments where they'll learn about character. And right now, NCLS is an opportunity to listen to where people's character was tested, how they overcame it. And then we also have different events that we try to put the cadets in where we'll actually test their character. And that could be on the challenge tower, it could be through our character labs where we're having discussions. NCLS is a huge part of that, because the planning cycle is so long. Ted Robertson 10:59 Cadet Snyder? C1C Jaime Snyder 11:00 Yes, sir. One thing I wanted to add on to that is with NCLS, one thing that makes this event the most unique experience that I've had is the fact that we get to engage in meaningful dialog. This isn't a brief. This is an experience for everyone who attends. I've had the opportunity to talk to Col. George's son, who aspires to possibly come to the Air Force Academy. So I don't want to say this is just for cadets, but it's also a promotion tool. And understand that what we do at NCLS is very important. And anyone who wants to attend can come and see what we're doing and how important it is.   Col. Mark George 11:33 I want to thank you for that, by the way. He looks up to you, and that meant a lot.   Ted Robertson 11:37 That's pretty visionary stuff. That's touching the next generation. That's fantastic. All right, this is for you both. When cadets look back on NCLS years from now, what do you hope they're going to remember feeling or being challenged to do differently?   C1C Jaime Snyder 11:56 There is a very strong human component to NCLS, and with that, there's a human experience. Understanding that we're getting speakers and we'll see their bios that they're incredible. They have incredible stories of making the right decision when tensions were high, and getting to hear their stories and understand that they ultimately were no different than we are. Some of them were Air Force Academy graduates. Some graduated from the Naval Academy, West Point, other colleges, but they were young, 20-year-old people like we were as cadets. And so getting to understand where they're coming from, human experience is vital to NCLS, and how do we grow and understand where they're coming from? Ted Robertson 12:38 Col. George? Col. Mark George 12:39 Yeah, I think what I would want the cadets to remember is how these speakers made them feel. You're right, you won't remember every nugget of wisdom that was said. I just had the opportunity to talk with Gen. Scott Miller, and he was an incredible leader. And I feel like everything he was saying was gold. I wish I'd been able to write it down. But he really makes you feel like you understand just how important your role is going to be as a young leader. And when you come away as second lieutenants from this place, you've had incredible opportunities and now you're stepping out in the real world. I would think I want the cadets to remember that like, “Hey, what I do matters, and how I lead is very important to getting this mission done.”   Ted Robertson 13:24 Lt. Col. Mark George and C1C Jaime Snyder, officer and cadet in charge of the 33rd NCLS. Congratulations on the event. Well done, and thank you for spending time here with us on the podcast today. Hearing from both the cadet perspective and the senior leadership behind NCLS makes one thing very clear: This symposium is intentionally designed not just to inspire but to prepare future leaders for moments when character will be tested. And that brings me to my first featured guest, a man whose life story embodies what combat and crisis-tested character truly means. Israel “DT” Del Toro, welcome to the podcast. It's an honor to be with you here at the National Character and Leadership Symposium. Senior Master Sgt. (Ret.) Israel Del Toro 14:18 Thank you, Ted. Thanks for having me. Good to see you again.   Ted Robertson 14:21 Yes, it's not the first time we've gotten to spend some time together. Senior Master Sgt. Israel Del Toro 14:24 It's always great to talk to people, try and spread the word of the whole spark and the promise of my dad. Ted Robertson 14:30 The spark and the promises are the two things that really stood out to me about that interview — your heart and your soul man, from a very, very early age. Senior Master Sgt. Israel Del Toro 14:39 You know, losing my dad at 12, and then a year and a half later, losing my mom to a drunk driver, and being the oldest, you know, having to now kind of step up to be, like, the parent figure to my younger siblings. It was challenging.   Ted Robertson 14:55 Out of all of that, you wound up as a retired — you are currently a retired senior master sergeant. You took responsibility for your siblings, as you say, after you were orphaned as a teenager, and ultimately in the service combat-wounded airmen, and you survived catastrophic injuries against incredible odds, and that did not keep you down. One of the things that you did was you became an Invictus Games gold medalist. You're now a national speaker, and you talk a lot about resilience and purpose.   Senior Master Sgt. Israel Del Toro 15:27 Yes, sir. Yeah, Invictus, I won gold in shot put. It was pretty awesome. You know, everyone was just going nuts. Ted Robertson 15:37 You kind of make me feel like that was a soul-feeding, motivating time for you.   Senior Master Sgt. Israel Del Toro 15:42 It was. At that time, I was probably one of the senior guys, kind of. Obviously, I was one of the senior guys, wounded guys on the team, and so a lot of people looked up to me. And sometimes I wish — people would say, “Man, it's great. You're such trailblazer.” You're sometimes like, “Man, I just want to be one of the guys. I just, I just want to be No. 10.” You know, everything's all done, and no one's focusing everything on me. But it's a burden that I'm willing to carry on to try and continue to help people.   Ted Robertson 16:19 I want to linger here in your background a bit, because it's more than just impressive. I think impressive is pretty trite to describe what your background is. Let's start with before the Air Force and before combat, and just how your life demanded responsibility at such a young age. And what I want to ask is, how did stepping up for your family shape the leader that you became? Senior Master Sgt. Israel Del Toro 16:40 Well, I contribute that totally to my dad. I truly do. My dad was there. My dad, you know, I went everywhere with my dad. My dad — you know, he came from Mexico to this country, and he gave up a lot. You know, my family in Mexico is very wealthy, their ranchers and all that. He came here with nothing. And he always used to tell me, he's like, “Don't ever be envious of someone that's successful. Learn from them. Ask them questions.” He also used to tell me, “If you don't succeed, it's no one else's fault by yourself. Don't blame where you came from, where you grew up from, the situation. It is only your fault.” So my dad always had told me these little lessons and obviously the last lesson he gave me the night before he passed: Always take care of your family. And that just stayed with me, that kind of continued to shape me all throughout my life, all through my journey, at a young age to teenager to young adult to the military and to now, to this day, that really guided me to who I am. Now, it's like, I always hear people say, “Oh, man, I don't know if I can do it.” I was like, “Yeah, you can. You Just never know. You weren't ever put in that situation” I always believe — you always hear the fight or flight. “What are you gonna do?” I just fight, and I continue to fight. I just don't see the flight in me. And, you know, being the promise of take care of your family. Yes, I tell people, that originated with my family — my brothers and sisters. But throughout time it has evolved to now anyone I see that's having a hard time that needs maybe to hear a story or read a book or hear a journey to help them find that spark, because I see them now as my family. I see that as my family, as my mission now.   Ted Robertson 18:50 Let's stay with spark for a minute. It's just one of my favorite things that you've ever talked about. You're down, you've been badly burned, you're worried about whether you're going to survive, and a medic is helping you out, and he does something for you. He says something to you.   Senior Master Sgt. Israel Del Toro 19:07 Yeah, you know, the medic — I always like to say, you know, yes, I'm Air Force. Those guys were Army, and we bust each other's chops. But, we're all brothers and sisters, and we're down range, you know? We take care of each other, we tell stories, we talk about our family. So these guys knew what had happened in my past with my family. So when I'm, you know, laying there, after I coordinate getting air, and I started the adrenaline going down, I started getting scared. I was having a hard time breathing, and I just wanted to lay down and sleep. The medic came and reminded me, “DT, remember what you promised your son, that you'll never let him grow without his dad. Fight for your son. You got to fight for your son.” And he's just making me yell it. You use anything you can to keep your guy motivated, to help that spark go, keep going. And that's what he did. He found that spark to keep me going, to keep me fighting until that medevac came and to get me on that helicopter, to the FOB, to the hospital, and then to eventually San Antonio. Ted Robertson 20:24 After that injury, that's when the fight shifted. You had to get off the battlefield. You had to get that out of your head. You had to start battling for your recovery. So what did courage look like when progress seemed like it was slow and at one point nothing was guaranteed? Israel Del Toro 20:46 Yeah, it, you know, when he had a shift from now being on the battlefield to now a different kind of battle and your recovery, your way of life — it's difficult because you have people telling you this is what your life's going to be. You know, being told that you're never going to walk again. You got to be in a hospital for another year and a half, respirator for the rest of your life and your military career is pretty much over. You know, I like to say there's two choices again: Who you're going to be? Are you going to take the easy path, which is, I'm going to sit in a chair, accept what they say, hate life, you know, curse the world. Are you going to take the hard path where I want to fight? I'm going to show you I can do this. I'm going to prove that I still have value, and I want to come out of this ahead and show not only my son but the rest of the world. You stay positive, you find that spark, you will come out ahead. Ted Robertson 21:48 All right, last question on your background, because we're going to roll all this into why you're here and what messages you want to share with the cadets and the attendees that are here. You did something I don't think most human beings would even think about after that ordeal that you had been through all those years, everything. You reenlisted, and it wasn't just a medical milestone. It wasn't because you could, it was a conscious decision. So what internal commitment had to come first for you to make that decision. Israel Del Toro 22:22 You know, I guess it was, for me it was I loved my job. I knew I could teach, I could be prepare these next guys to [be] the next generation operators. Ted Robertson 22:38 You've never stopped being committed. You've never stopped. So it brings you to NCLS. This is the 33rd year for NCLS, and when you speak to cadets here, what message do you want them to take away with them? Senior Master Sgt. Israel Del Toro 22:53 I guess my message more is about that when you're in the military, no matter whatever happens to you, you still have a role to play. Even when I got hurt, did I miss being with my teammates? Yes, but now refocusing, OK, I'm here in this hospital, and I see all these wounded guys here as I guess I'm wounded also, but in my head is like I was still NCO in the Air Force. I still have a job to do. Yes, I'm hurt, I'm wounded, but the job of a leader is, no matter where you're at, is you try and take care of your troops. You try and make things better for them, even if you never see any of the benefits — that is your role. And so that's kind of what I want to leave with these guys that, you know, you're going to always have  challenges throughout your career, but you've always got to remember it's not about you, it's about the guys under you to take care of you. You know, I had a group of cadets yesterday and they were just asking me about leadership. So you know what? The best way to be a great leader is to earn the respect of yourtroops. If you demand it, you're not a leader, but when you earned the respect and they'll die for you, that is the greatest feeling. You know, I gave an example of one of the best moments I had after my injury, is after I got hurt, they sent my replacement, and he comes in and obviously introduce him to the scout team, to the Army company, individuals in leadership, and then the SF team, and all these guys I'm supporting. And the guy comes in like, “Hey, I'm here to replace DT.” And all of them, “You can't replace DT.” And I told that was the best moment that that's the best moment of respect, because I had Army guys saying, “He's our guy.” And that's the thing I told them, it's like, when you get to that moment when your guys say, “Nah, he's our guy,” I was like, “He can't replace him.” That is where you've truly earned the respect of your troops.   Ted Robertson 25:21 Israel, the only word that I can pull out of myself right now for your journey to describe it as “remarkable,” and you continue to give of yourself, and that's a wonderful thing. Your opportunity for a couple of final thoughts here, before we close out.   Senior Master Sgt. Israel Del Toro 25:38 Final thoughts, man, putting me on the spot, aren't you. I guess my final thoughts would be, you can't do it on your own. I'm not here right now, because I did it my own. I did it. I'm never gonna say that I did. I had friends, I had family, I had my wife that were by my side all throughout my journey to medical individuals. And I had those dark times, and I'm going down that spot, that rabbit hole, they were there to pull me out of it. So I think it's like, you know, don't try and do it on your own. We all need help. You know, the goal is, don't be prideful. There's a reason pride is one of the seven deadly sins. But, you know, ask for help, ask for advice. It's not going to hurt you. If anything, it will make you stronger and better. That's parting thoughts for the individuals listening to this. Ted Robertson 26:53 Perfect. Israel “DT” Del Toro, what a privilege to sit with you again. Want to say thank you from all of us for your service and continuing to lead by the example, which is a very rich and broad and deep example. Your story reminds us, and should remind us, that courage doesn't end with just survival. It always continues in service to others. Israel, thank you for being here.   Senior Master Sgt. Israel Del Toro 27:18 Thanks, Ted. I appreciate it. Thanks for having me again.   Ted Robertson 27:21 Israel's story reminds us that crisis and moral injury don't always arrive on a schedule, and that leaders are often expected to navigate those moments without ever having been taught how. That's where our next conversation takes us: into the intentional work of preparing leaders before crisis arrives. Maj. Tara Holmes, welcome to the podcast. It's great to have you with us as part of the National Character and Leadership Symposium.   Maj. Tara Holmes  27:46 Thanks for having me; glad to be here.   Ted Robertson 27:48 You are currently deputy chief of staff here at Headquarters USAFA. You are formerly chief of cadet development for CCLD, the Center for Character and Leadership development. By way of background, you flew.   Maj. Tara Holmes  28:01 So I am a B-52 electronic warfare officer by trade, and then moved over into white jets. So instructed in the in the T-1 and I've kind of been in education and training for, I'd say, since about 2017.   Ted Robertson  28:19 You also hold a Doctorate in Business and Management, and you are an AETC master instructor. I will let you explain AETC.   Maj. Tara Holmes  28:27 Air Education Training Command, that's one of the that's our majcom that's responsible for education and training, and they have a pathway to become a master instructor. So I finished the qualifications for that while I was in white jets and working over at Squadron Officer School.   Ted Robertson  28:46 So let's talk about your work with Task Force Hope. We'll talk about what Task Force Hope is, but you are and have been a developer and facilitator of Task Force Hope, which is a crisis and moral injury leadership workshop.   Maj. Tara Holmes  29:01 Task Force Hope is about providing immediately useful tools to our workshop participants to prepare them to lead through crisis, whether that is no-kidding combat related, or whether that's crisis on the home front, going through stuff in life that's really hard. We work through a series of key concepts and exercises, through storytelling and participant engagement that hopefully provides our participants some self-awareness and some tools to recover as it deals with their relationships.   Ted Robertson  29:39 We talked about this. There's a lot of nuance in what you're teaching these people. There's discernment in it. Who should you talk to, who you should trust with information that you want to share? Because ultimately, some of this becomes a pressure release valve, right?   Maj. Tara Holmes  29:52 Yeah, so one of the key concepts that we talk about is worthiness, right? I think often people feel pressure to not share what they're going through because they don't think their problems are worthy of attention, whether theirs or someone else's. That's one thing that we spend a lot of time on. And like you said, you know, who to who to share with, and at what level, some people are more free with sharing than others, and that's OK. So we work through some frameworks that help illustrate how people can kind of work through those levels, or gain some self-awareness and some clarity around where they fall. Something that is a, you know, deep seated secret for you, maybe something that somebody else is willing to openly share, they just don't see it as that big of a deal. So it's definitely about self-awareness and learning some tools to help relieve some of the pressure and drain on our batteries, as it were, that comes from holding these things in.   Ted Robertson  30:52 People who are attending the workshop are going to learn some things that they may not realize are draining their batteries. You're teaching them to discern what those are, and to be careful to try to avoid those. It sounds like an example to me of things that we don't realize we do, that drains us, right, instead of energizes us.   Maj. Tara Holmes  31:10 So we use the kind of metaphor of a smartphone, right? So there are things that drain us, that are big, that we're taking a lot of energy to conceal the hard things that we're dealing with in our life. But then there's, like, the pesky background apps, there's the things that are always running in the background of our lives that drain our energy without us really even noticing it. You know, so for me as an officer, but also as a mom and a spouse, some of the things that are always draining my batteries are my to-do list, the laundry app, maybe social media apps. Sometimes I've probably spend way too much time reading the news these days. That's kind of always on for me. We have these big things that are draining our batteries, but then we have these like small things that are constantly going on, right? So Task Force Hope is about recognizing what those things are for us and then making a commitment to ourselves to make this space and time to recover.   Ted Robertson  32:09 So that brings us to a really unique place. You kind of function at the intersection of character, leadership and development pretty much every day. So how do you define character when you're responsible for shaping it across an entire Cadet Wing.   Maj. Tara Holmes  32:24 To me, character is the essence of who they are. It is how you show up day after day. It's the habits that you have. That's why, when you do something out of character, people are able to say that. You know, we talk about building character strengths as building blocks towards certain virtues. And virtues is really excellence of character. So it's easy to talk about how to be an excellent athlete, or how to be an excellent academic, right? And that's one of our core values, is being excellent. Well, how do you have excellent character? It's really about leveraging your character strengths in a way that can lead you to be more virtuous, and that's the goal.   Ted Robertson  33:05 You've served, both operationally and as an instructor. Tell me how those things shape the way you think about preparing leaders not just to perform but to endure.   Maj. Tara Holmes  33:19 What comes to mind is the importance of training and building those habits. We're, you know, in the previous question, we talked about it in terms of character. You know, you can, you can use any kind of training. It's about building readiness, right? And being able to build those habits so that when you are faced with a challenge, you have a way to work through the challenge, right? That really came out for me, both operationally and as an instructor. So operationally, you rely on your training to get your job done, and then as an instructor, you're helping others build those habits so that one day when your students are faced with challenges, they can rely on their training as well.   Ted Robertson  34:01 We've talked a bit about your experiences and how they shape the way you think about preparing leaders, not just to perform but to endure. And now let's bring it right down to the direct connection between Task Force Hope and why you are here talking about this program to attendees at NCLS. When we talk about Task Force Hope, it's a program that is really designed to prepare leaders to navigate crisis and recover from both emotional and moral injury. What can you tell me about a gap that a workshop like this fills, that traditional leadership education sometimes or often misses?   Maj. Tara Holmes  34:38 Task Force Hope is preventative in nature. It's training to prevent people from letting their burdens get the best of them so that they can show up. They have the tools to show up fully charged when stuff hits the van. And not only that they do that for themselves, but then they can help their teammates or their subordinates also get there. It's self-awareness, because we all perform self-care differently, and what you need to recharge your batteries is different from the way that I would do it. So it's being intentional and having some tools to be able to identify what works for you and then how to make space in your life, and building that commitment to yourself, to make that space so that the next time that you face a crisis, you're not facing it at 10%, you're full up, you're ready to go. So it's that sustained self-care, if that's what you want to call it. And it's important to say that you know, in a 75-minute session, we're really doing our best to provide exposure to key concepts and these tools. What we hope is that people walk out with the start of something. It's not it's not the end of their work to be done.   Ted Robertson  35:54 How often do you hear the question, “Why didn't I hear this earlier in my career?”   Maj. Tara Holmes  36:00 Every workshop. Last year, after the workshop, we had a 1970-something graduate say that exact thing. For me personally, I had four people say something, you know, “Hey, I was a cadet here in '90-something, '80-something, 2000-something. And, you know, I really wish that I would have had this earlier.” So that's what we're trying to do. We're trying to bring it as early as we can.   Ted Robertson  36:26 OK, so our last question of our visit, if cadets take just one lesson from Task Force Hope and NCLs this year, what is your hope for that lesson to be?   Maj. Tara Holmes  36:39 My hope is that they're worth it. No problem is too big or too small to be dealt with, and like we talked about earlier, I think often people keep things to themselves because they feel like they shouldn't bother others, or there's their supervisors or their teammates with what's going on in their lives. And that's a drain. Like, that's a drain on the system. It eats up your energy, right? But our cadets are worth it. Whatever they're dealing with, big or small, is worthy of being addressed. I hope that's the takeaway, and that we all deal with things, right? We don't always know what other people are dealing with.   Ted Robertson  37:22 Maj. Holmes. Thank you for the work you're doing to prepare future leaders, not just to lead in moments of clarity, but to stand firm in moments of crisis. We appreciate you being here.   Maj. Tara Holmes  37:32 Thanks, Ted.   Ted Robertson  37:33 That focus on preservation, resilience and moral courage brings us to our next conversation, one shaped by combat, captivity and a life of service under the most demanding conditions. Coming up next, my conversation with Maj. Gen. (Ret.) Edward Mechenbier. Gen. Mechenbier, welcome to the podcast. It is a huge honor having you here, sir.   Maj. Gen. Edward Mechenbier 37:56 I hope you feel that way in a half hour so well,   Ted Robertson  37:59 Well, the conversation does promise to be interesting, because your life is… interesting. That was a pregnant pause, sir.   Maj. Gen. Edward Mechenbier 38:07 Yeah, I've enjoyed it. It's different.   Ted Robertson  38:11 Just to sort of frame things, you retired as a major general, and what year was that, sir,   Maj. Gen. Edward Mechenbier 38:15 2004   Ted Robertson  38:16 And you were USAFA Class of '64. You're a Vietnam-era pilot, having flown F-4s, you were shot down on your 113th combat mission, but that was you also your 80th over North Vietnam. OK, prisoner of war. Then for almost those entire six years following that, being shot down. You come with 3,600 flying hours across lots of different aircraft.   Maj. Gen. Edward Mechenbier  38:42 I was privileged fly either for primary capability or for familiarization with 43 different airplanes.   Ted Robertson  38:49 And now you describe yourself as a lifelong advocate for veterans and public service.   Maj. Gen. Edward Mechenbier  38:56 Well, yeah, I mean, I go to a couple prisons in Ohio, and “work with” is probably overstating my role. Veterans who are incarcerated for long periods of time. But my role is just to go there, spend some time, shoot the breeze with them, no agenda, no desired learning objective and let them know that somebody outside knows that they're there.   Ted Robertson  39:19 What I want to do is spend some time in your background. All right, I want to start with combat and captivity and how that tests leadership in its most extreme forms. And this is in course in keeping with the theme of NCLS here, what did character mean to you when circumstances were entirely beyond your control?   Maj. Gen. Edward Mechenbier  39:38 The Vietnamese kept us in small groups of one and two or three guys. I mean, we never really until near the end and later on when we got a little organization. But it got very down, very personal, when at one time, I was in a cell with four guys, three Class of 1964 Air Force Academy graduates and one poor Oklahoma State University graduate, and amongst the four of us, we had a senior ranking officer. And of course, you got the same rank, you go alphabetical. And so we made Ron Bliss the senior ranking officer in our room. We had a communication system. We had guidelines that, you know, which were basically consistent with the code of conduct. You know, name, rank, serial number, date of birth, don't answer further questions. Keep faith with your fellow positions. That was the key. Keep faith. Never do anything that you'd be embarrassed to tell somebody you did.   Ted Robertson  40:34 What you're explaining is how different leadership looks, and even how you describe it, how different it is from command. So now it comes down to trust and accountability and courage, and how do those show up in those conditions?   Maj. Gen. Edward Mechenbier  40:51 It was really a matter of, we always knew we were still in the fight. That was one thing that was with us, and so you just kind of conducted yourself with, OK, I'm not going to let myself be used. Now, we also knew that the more you resisted pushed back, the less likely they were to make you go meet an antiwar delegation or write a confession or do something else like that. So they tend to pick on, if you will, the low-hanging fruit or the easier guy to get to. So we always wanted to set the bar just a little bit out of their reach.   Ted Robertson  41:25 All right, having gone through all of that, it really can change people quite profoundly. So when you look back at it, what leadership lessons stayed with you long after you got out of captivity?   Maj. Gen. Edward Mechenbier  41:39 In the movie Return of Honor. Capt. Mike McGrath, Navy guy, describes the guys in their ability to resist torture and do things. And that's what you learn. Everybody's got a breaking point. If mine's here and somebody else's is there, that doesn't make me better or worse than them. So you learn to appreciate the talents and the weaknesses. If you know the foibles, the cracks in everybody around you and not to exploit them, but to understand them, and then to be the kind of leader that that they need.   Ted Robertson  42:12 Sir, one of the recurring themes when you're discussing leadership with leaders right is knowing something about each of your people so that you can relate to them in a way that that works for them and motivates them.   Maj. Gen. Edward Mechenbier  42:23 Yeah. Mark Welch, who's also a graduate and he is a chief of staff of the Air Force, always had a saying: “If you don't know what's going on, it's because you didn't ask.”   Ted Robertson  42:32 Now we're going to roll all that into your long journey between captivity and your visit here to NCLS this year. When you're speaking to the cadets at this year's event, what's your main hope? What do you hope they understand about courage before they even ever face combat?   Maj. Gen. Edward Mechenbier  42:54 Well, courage is a reaction to a clear and present threat. Nobody knows how they're gonna — know he's gonna say, OK, I'm gonna go to Vietnam and I want to get shot down, and when the Vietnamese capture me, I'm going to give them a middle finger and I'm going to be the meanest bad ass and hardest-to-break prisoner. Yeah, it's how you respond to the to the immediate perception of bodily harm or being used or something else like that. So courage is, yeah, it just happens. It's not something that you can put in a package and say, “OK, I've got courage.” It's how you respond to the situation, because you might respond quite differently than what you think.   Ted Robertson  43:35 And I have to say, you presented your story and you delivered your message in kind of a unique way. You drew from some contemporary references, specifically three clips from a movie that you like, that I was curious. How did you sum up your entire life in three movie clips from Madagascar? How did you do that?   Maj. Gen. Edward Mechenbier  43:57 Well, the three movie clips — when I watched the movie, I was looking at it, I have got two favorite movies. Madagascar is one, and the other is a Kelsey Grammer movie, Down Periscope. I mean, I think that is a perfect study in in leadership. But in the movie Madagascar, the premise was penguins can't fly, but yet it opens up with them applying resource, innovation imagination, and they eventually get this airplane to fly. OK, great. Success. Well, like everything else in life, things go wrong, and you got to have, No. 1, a backup plan, an exit ramp or a control mechanism for the disaster that's pending. So that's the second movie clip we saw. And then the third one was towards the end of the movie, when the crash landing has happened and the skipper asks for an accounting, and he's told that all passengers are accounted for, except two. And he says, that's the number I can live with. And the message there is, you go through life — you're going to have successes, but you're going to have failures, and failure has a cost, and it's not always pleasant, but that's OK, because that's life.   Ted Robertson  45:15 How do you explain how leaders can prepare themselves morally and mentally for moments they can't predict or control.   Maj. Gen. Edward Mechenbier  45:25 Watch movies like Madagascar and Down Periscope. You know, there's a breadth of unintentional, if you will, guidance on how to be a leader, if you know where to look or if you're looking for it. I mean, that's part of the whole progress program at the Academy. Nobody's going to say, OK, here's a scenario, lead these resources to a proper conclusion. It's kind of like, OK, here's the situation. What do we do? What can we do? What can't we do? It's like, in my presentation, I talk about being able to run across a pasture in nine seconds, in 10 seconds, but if the bull can do it, you're in trouble. So you got to realign your thinking, you got to realign your goals and you got to realign the application of resources. So that's the leadership part, right there. It's a realization of what you can and what you can't do. It's a realization of what you, your people, your resources, can and can't do. It's a realization of what the technology you have at your disposal to do your mission can and can't do. So it's all about workarounds and being flexible. And then the other thing is, we live in a world that just seems to be everything's got a prescription and a protocol on exactly how to do everything. Doesn't work that way. You got to be able to go left and right. You got to be able to be a little imaginative.   Ted Robertson  46:42 What parting thought did you leave the cadets with?   Maj. Gen. Edward Mechenbier  46:45 That failure is part of life. It's not death. And I'm part of an organization called American 300 — we go around and talk to young enlisted people and all the services to get them to understand that failure is a learning opportunity. It's not a dagger in the heart, and don't be afraid or ashamed to try, because if you don't, you'll never know what your true potential is. So with the cadets, we close with that last part from the movie Madagascar that basically said, OK, success comes with a price. Be aware and accept it.   Ted Robertson  47:23 All right, we've got to close it out here, but recap, if you would one more time that message that you want cadets to leave here with from having heard you speak.   Maj. Gen. Edward Mechenbier  47:32 You are now a living, breathing, viable, productive part of our United States Air Force. You bring talents that are unique. Apply them, but understand that they're all very transitory, and you have part of a larger community. If you stick with a community rather than the “I did,” “I want,” I have,” you'll go a long way.   Ted Robertson  47:54 All right, and stepping outside of that very briefly for your final thoughts, what would you like to leave listeners with today.   Maj. Gen. Edward Mechenbier  48:01 Be proud of the young men and women who are in our military now, not just those at the Air Force Academy. You know, our whole military structure has changed over the years. You know, it's a dynamic world. You got to be flexible and embrace change. We're so reluctant to change. Change is fine, except when you try to change me, is the old saying, but we all have to change. We have to be part of the world in which we live.     Ted Robertson  48:26 Gen. Mechenbier, I want to thank you from all of us for being here sharing those leadership lessons of yours and a lifetime of service that will continue to shape others — future leaders — for a very, very long time to come. We appreciate you very much.   Maj. Gen. Edward Mechenbier  48:43 Thank you much.   Ted Robertson  48:44 Our final conversation brings us to leadership at the strategic level, where decisions affect institutions, alliances and the nation itself. Capt. Charles Plumb, welcome to the podcast today, sir.   Capt. J. Charles Plumb  48:56 Thanks, Ted. Appreciate being here.   Ted Robertson  48:59 It is a privilege to have you. You retired as a Navy captain in 1991 and you have not slowed down, not one inch since. We're going to talk a little bit about the work that you're doing in some very interesting spaces. And what informs all of that. Naval Academy, Class of '64.   Capt. J. Charles Plumb  49:15 Yep, the Great Class of '64.     Ted Robertson  49:17 The great —that's how you express class pride?   Capt. J. Charles Plumb  49:20 Everybody knows the Great Class of '64.   Ted Robertson  49:23 So you are an Annapolis man.   Capt. J. Charles Plumb  49:25 I am, in fact.   Ted Robertson  49:26 No doubt. And a pilot. You flew F-4 Phantoms, and you are a Vietnam-era pilot. You spent most of your time over North Vietnam. Sometimes you got sent to South Vietnam, depending on what was going on. But you said that you have flown 74 combat missions.   Capt. J. Charles Plumb  49:45 Actually 74 and a half, Ted. I have one more takeoff and I have landings.   Ted Robertson  49:50 We should remember that, because it's a very important part of your life we haven't talked about yet. Since you got out of captivity, and then you retired a few years later, you became a published author and a speaker, and as such, you have been to every state, several countries, 5,000 presentations you've delivered in the leadership and character development space. Is there any reason you should not be here at NCLS?   Capt. J. Charles Plumb  50:24 Well, I appreciate that. You know, this is a great symposium, and I'm really proud to contribute to it.   Ted Robertson  50:32 Captain, you are a former POW.   Capt. J. Charles Plumb  50:36 Yes, I was shot down on my 75th mission and captured, tortured and spent the next 2,103 days in communist prison camps.   Ted Robertson  50:49 You said you got moved around a lot.   Capt. J. Charles Plumb  50:52 We did. I was in six different camps, and some of those camps more than once. We never really understood why. We kind of suspected that they wanted to try to deny any fraternization with their guards, and they wanted to keep us on our toes, because they recognized that being military guys, we were going to have leadership, and we were going to have organization and community and we were going to organize, to fight them, and they didn't want that. So they moved us around and kind of shuffled us up, which didn't work. We always had a military organization in every camp that I ever went to.   Ted Robertson  51:31 You found ways to support each other. You found ways to have a leadership structure, even in captivity.   Capt. J. Charles Plumb  51:39 We were all fighter pilots or air crews and most of us were we, you know, we had 10 Air Force Academy grads from '64 in five Naval Academy grads from '64 and so we had in a lot of other academy grads. I don't remember how many, but probably 70 total academy grads. And so, you know, we were, we were dedicated. We were lifers. We were, you know, we were very focused guys, which helped out a lot that we knew a lot about military leadership.   Ted Robertson  52:11 You grew up in the Midwest, and you married a Midwestern girl.   Capt. J. Charles Plumb  52:15 I did, my high school sweetheart the day after I graduated from Annapolis, we got married in the chapel, and my buddies were holding up their swords as we came out of the chapel. So it was a beautiful day.   Ted Robertson  52:27 Let's go back to how you found your way to the Naval Academy.   Capt. J. Charles Plumb  52:32 I was a farm kid from Kansas. Never seen the ocean, never been out of the four states of Kansas, Nebraska, Iowa, Missouri. Never been in an airplane, and I needed an education. Found that the Naval Academy offered me an education.   Ted Robertson  52:50 Outside of Air Force Academy circles, you probably already know that we think of, you know, salty sea dog sailors when we think of people going in the Navy, but you chose aviation.   Capt. J. Charles Plumb  53:02 I did. As a kid, I would see these Piper Cubs fly over and I was fascinated by flight, and wondered if I'd ever be able to ride in an airplane. That was my thought when I was a kid. I didn't have any hopes of ever being a pilot, you know, let alone a fighter pilot. That was, I was out of the realm. Nobody, as I grew up, ever told me that I could do that, or I should do that, or, you know, it would be a hope of mine to ever pilot an airplane. But I went to the Naval Academy and found out that was one of the options, and I took advantage of that option.   Ted Robertson  53:43 Yeah, and it led you, of course, to over North Vietnam, and the rest is that part of your history   Capt. J. Charles Plumb  53:51 Launched on the aircraft carrier Kitty Hawk on my wife's birthday, the 5th of November, wave goodbye to her, and promised her I'd be back in eight months. I didn't make it.   Ted Robertson  54:04 Hard. Very hard story to hear. Let's talk about all of that informing your presentation now, again, 5,000 of these delivered in the leadership and character development space, but you talk a lot about, in your presentation — and you keynoted here at NCLS — the mental game side of this, the integrity, the choices that you have to make, and character that sort of frames all of that.   Capt. J. Charles Plumb  54:38 My message to the cadets, and really to most of my audiences, is around challenge and adversity. And I tell the cadets that they work awfully hard trying to get a degree. They study, they go to computers, they read books all to get a degree. And what I point out to them is that more important than the degree that they will get from the Air Force Academy is a character that they build while they are here. That the integrity first, you know, is part of their motto. And if, in fact, they can learn and live that integrity, if they can learn and live the commitment that they have, if they can learn in and live these kind of ethereal things, the things that you can't measure, things you can't define, the things that, you know, that crop up in your in your mind, in the back of your mind, are more important than the lessons they learn from a computer. And so that's kind of my message.   Ted Robertson  55:49 You know, we're in a leadership laboratory here. The art and the science is character development. And you're talking about a kind of character that leads people to make good decisions and make those decisions with integrity in mind. How did that play into your captivity and getting you through that?   Capt. J. Charles Plumb  56:09 You know, of course, I studied leadership at the Naval Academy, and I think that my period of experience more than teaching me anything, it validated what I had learned. And the whole idea — and I love the fact that this is called, you know, the Character and Leadership Symposium, because lots of times you see leadership without character, that's a negative kind of leadership. And if a leader does not have character, he doesn't last very long, and he's not very effective. And so if you can keep your character up front, the leadership can follow easily. And that's pretty much what we had in the prison camps. Several of the qualities of leadership that I promote are the things that almost came natural in a prison camp. First of all, we had to find a focus, a reason. We had to find, you know — and that was developed by our leadership in the prison camp. Return with honor — that was our motto, return with honor. And we all rallied around that.   Ted Robertson  57:22 So all of that said, you're standing here in front of a really big group of people as a keynote speaker, lot of cadets, mostly cadets, yeah.   Capt. J. Charles Plumb  57:31 Now there were cadets. I'm speaking on a panel with Ed Mechenbier, my good buddy, and we're on a panel with mostly cadets. The first presentation, the keynote was by invitation only. So there were a number of civilians in the audience, number of cadets. There were Naval Academy midshipmen in my audience today. And we had ROTC people, and, you know, from all over the country. So it was quite a wide audience.   Ted Robertson  58:04 Quite a wide audience. And so if we were just focusing on what you leave with cadets, what do you want them to take away from their experience today?   Capt. J. Charles Plumb  58:15 I hope they understand my message, that more important than the degree that they graduate with, is the character that they graduate with, and the importance of the integrity that that they learned here, because that was vital in the prison camp, is integrity. We had to have each other's back, and when we when we finally were released, we refused to be released until all the sick, injured and enlisted men had gone home, and it was a question of integrity, is a question that this is the right thing to do. It's not the easy thing to do. Largely, the integrity thing to do is not the easiest thing to do, and that's what I wanted to leave with the cadets. In addition, I want them to know that regardless of what situation they're in, they still have a choice, and their choice is the way they respond to the surrounding adversity situation that they're in.   Ted Robertson  59:21 An Annapolis grad of '64, Midwest kid from Kansas who makes it into the cockpit, and like you said, 74 and a half flights, then some time in captivity, then to a published author with thousands of presentations all over the country, and some in in other countries. What final thoughts would you like to leave today, sir?   Capt. J. Charles Plumb  59:47 Well, you know, I think I've already told you, you know, you're a great interviewer, Ted, and I appreciate your questions. I think, finally, this whole idea of self-determination and I think that we all, and not just the cadets, but graduates and families and business people, families. You know that we all have choices, and sometimes when we deny the choice and give up that ability to make our life better for ourselves. And you know, we do it sometimes even when we're not even thinking about it. It's just automatic to blame somebody else for the problem, and in doing so, we give away that choice.   Ted Robertson  1:00:34 Don't give away the choice. Yeah, build that character and stick by your integrity all the time. Capt. J. Charles Plumb, what a privilege it is to meet you, sir. Glad that you're here at NCLs and keynoting like you are, and I do hope that our paths cross again.   Capt. J. Charles Plumb  1:00:52 Ted, thank you very much. I appreciate your willingness to tell my story. Thanks for that.   Ted Robertson  1:00:57 You're welcome, sir. Thank you. Ted Robertson Close As we've heard throughout these conversations, courage isn't a single moment. It's a lifelong practice, from cadets just beginning their journey to leaders shaped by combat and crisis to senior commanders responsible for forces and futures. Character is tested when certainty disappears and it's revealed by how we choose to lead. That's the challenge of the National Character and Leadership Symposium, and it's a challenge that extends far beyond these walls. I'm Ted Robertson, thank you for joining me for our Long Blue Line Podcast Network coverage of the 33rd National Character and Leadership Symposium. This podcast was recorded on Saturday, Feb. 21, 2026.         The Long Blue Line Podcast Network is presented by the U.S. Air Force Academy Association & Foundation      

El espacio aéreo entre Georgia y Azerbaiyán colapsa mientras la mancha de las bombas se extiende hasta un golfo Pérsico en llamas, obligando a rutas alternativas hacia Madagascar. Con el mundo en guerra, el régimen iraní entra en su momento más peligroso, enfrentando un conflicto que apenas comienza. Ante este escenario, la situación depende del instinto de supervivencia del régimen.

With close to 9 million domestic cats in Canada, and a third of them regularly roaming outdoors, we know that birds are heavily impacted by cats. In fact, cats are considered the number one threat to birds in Canada.Our guests, Julia Kilgour and Jonathan Chu, help us explore this fascinating and complex issue. From the science – predation numbers, the most vulnerable bird species, and how we study cats outdoors – to the complex emotions and human behaviours that impact conservation strategies. Jonathan and Julia help us learn how positive changes for birds doesn't have to mean leaving our furry friends behind. Travel to Madagascar, and other dream birding destinations with Birding Ecotours, visit birdingecotours.comWarm up with some Bird Friendly coffee from Birds and Beans. They donate to this podcast when you order at birdsandbeans.ca/warblers Jonathan Chu is a PhD candidate at the University of Guelph studying the impacts of outdoor domestic cats on wildlife. He accomplishes this by attaching tiny animal-borne cameras to cats, allowing him to see the world from the point-of-view of a cat!  Jonathan started in ecology from his love of birds and previously studied North American bird migratory timing advance, dispersal distance and wing morphology. He is also an avid birder who finds any excuse to go out and watch birds, though less so currently as a busy PhD student!  Julia Kilgour (she/her) is an urban ecologist based in Guelph, Ontario who wants to solve the problem of outdoor cats and their impacts on birds. For the last 10 years, she's been studying the effects of outdoor cats on birds and people in cities across North America. Julia is excited to work with communities in Canada to develop local strategies to help address this daunting issue. She is passionate about wildlife of all kinds, and loves watching and learning about birds (and other creatures) in her local urban forests. Andrea Gress (she/her) secretly thinks Piping Plovers are better than all the other birds...studied Renewable Resource Management at the University of Saskatchewan. She pivoted towards birds, after an internship in South Africa. Upon returning, she worked with Piping Plovers in Saskatchewan, and then as the Ontario Piping Plover Coordinator. Years of sharing her love of plovers with beach goers has turned into a full time communications role with Birds Canada.  Support the show

52-year-old Jaona from Madagascar is known by everyone as a man who values hard work. 

Il CO.P.E. – Cooperazione Paesi Emergenti – opera in Madagascar con progetti per offrire supporto e opportunità ai giovani.

Le nouveau président de Madagascar a serré la main de Vladimir Poutine et d'Emmanuel Macron, ces derniers jours. Deux hommes qui ne se parlent plus. Deux visions du monde qui s'affrontent. Mais peut-on vraiment être ami avec tout le monde quand on est un pays africain face aux grandes puissances ? Est-ce de la sagesse ou de la naïveté dangereuse ? Et surtout vous, en Afrique, qu'est-ce que ces alliances vous ont réellement rapporté ? Standard : +33 9 693 693 70 Mail : appels.actu@rfi.fr Facebook : Appels sur l'actualité - RFI Twitter : @appelsactu

Le président de la refondation de Madagascar a quitté Paris mercredi 25 février soir. Le colonel Michaël Randrianirina a rencontré Emmanuel Macron, à l'Élysée. Auparavant, il était reçu avec les honneurs par Vladimir Poutine à Moscou. Depuis la chute de l'ex-président Andry Rajoelina en octobre dernier, le commandant du Corps d'armée des personnels et des services administratifs et techniques montre des signes de rapprochement avec la Russie, mais sa visite parisienne dans la foulée montre que Madagascar ne veut pas rompre avec son partenaire historique. La politologue Christiane Rafidinarivo est chercheuse associée au Centre de recherches politiques de Sciences Po. Elle est la Grande invitée Afrique de Sidy Yansané.    RFI :  Le président de la Refondation, Michaël Randrianirina, achève une tournée qui l'a successivement mené à Moscou, où il a rencontré Vladimir Poutine, puis à Paris aux côtés d'Emmanuel Macron. « Grand écart diplomatique, numéro d'équilibriste », disent déjà les commentaires… Vous partagez cette analyse ?  Christiane Rafidinarivo : Le président de la Refondation de la République de Madagascar a toujours affirmé qu'il voulait mener une ligne diplomatique qui ne discrimine personne, qui ne cherche pas à rejeter d'emblée, par idéologie ou tout autre considération, un partenaire potentiel qui peut apporter quelque chose pour satisfaire les besoins de la population malgache, que l'on sait être dans une situation difficile. Il est vrai que Madagascar a toujours entretenu une relation privilégiée avec la France, mais la Russie est aussi un vieux partenaire. Finalement, voyez-vous vraiment une rupture dans la nouvelle diplomatie malgache ? En termes de partenariat, non, car la France est un partenaire de toujours. Et la Russie est un partenaire très ancien. Il me semble que Madagascar s'apprête à commémorer 55 ans de relation avec la Russie. Mais ce qui peut être qualifié de rupture, c'est ce recentrement de la diplomatie malgache sur les besoins immédiats des Malgaches. La vraie nouveauté est internationale, c'est le nouveau contexte géopolitique. Et c'est sans doute là que l'on peut mieux comprendre pourquoi on parle de renouvellement de partenariat. D'un côté, Madagascar affirme de nouvelles priorités tournées vers sa population, et d'un autre côté, tout cela se fait dans un contexte géopolitique qui a considérablement changé ces cinq dernières années justement. De son côté, la Gen Z, la société civile qui a principalement contribué à renverser l'ancien président Andry Rajoelina, dénonce une mise en scène diplomatique pour décrire la rencontre entre les présidents français et malgache à l'Elysée. Cette Gen Z, qui s'estime mise de côté, ne lui a-t-on pas volé sa révolution finalement, comme cela s'est vu dans d'autres pays d'Afrique où les militaires ont pris le pouvoir ?  Ce que je constate et que j'observe en tant que chercheuse, c'est que la Gen Z est en dialogue avec le ministère chargé de la Refondation, qui est un ministère d'Etat, et même avec le président de la Refondation lui-même. Certains éléments très connus de la Gen Z sont dans les cabinets ministériels et la Gen Z continue effectivement à avoir une participation politique très intéressante dans l'espace public, de façon à avoir une forme de politisation qui puisse lui permettre de participer à la concertation nationale qui est en cours, certes, mais également au débat public de façon constructive. Et c'est ce qu'elle fait. Ce qui est très nouveau, c'est la liberté d'expression, d'opinion, de manifestation. Il y a un renouveau de la participation démocratique à Madagascar. Pour la première fois de son histoire, et si cela se concrétise, la Grande Île aura une constitution qui n'aura pas été parachutée par des experts extérieurs et avec une poignée de Malgaches. Est-ce une vraie coopération ou un rapport de force masqué ? Auquel cas, il y aurait une forme de démocratie de façade. Le moratoire sur les permis miniers a été levé. Désormais, excepté pour l'or, les entreprises extractives ont le droit d'exploiter les richesses minières malgaches. Que dire de cette nouvelle politique industrielle et minière ? Constatez-vous de nouveaux partenaires ou des partenaires anciens signer des contrats ? Ce que les autorités disent souhaiter, c'est l'ouverture à la concurrence, et surtout que ce soit un marché ouvert aux Malgaches mêmes, chose rare auparavant. L'or a été mis de côté car le président de la Refondation a expliqué, au retour de ses voyages aux Émirats arabes unis notamment, qu'il souhaitait organiser un comptoir de l'or avec une régulation beaucoup plus institutionnalisée du secteur, qu'il ne soit pas un secteur réservé aux grands acteurs en oligarchie, et surtout préempté par les trafiquants. Quand on sait que la Banque centrale malgache a très peu de réserves d'or dans ses coffres, on comprend à quel point ce pays a été pillé.

pWotD Episode 3221: Martin Short Welcome to popular Wiki of the Day, spotlighting Wikipedia's most visited pages, giving you a peek into what the world is curious about today.With 210,595 views on Wednesday, 25 February 2026 our article of the day is Martin Short.Martin Hayter Short (born March 26, 1950) is a Canadian comedian, actor, and writer. Short is known as an energetic comedian who gained prominence for his roles in sketch comedy. He has also acted in numerous films and television shows. His awards include two Primetime Emmy Awards, two Actor Awards, and a Tony Award. Short was made an officer of the Order of Canada in 2019.Short is known for his work on the television programs SCTV and Saturday Night Live. He created the characters Jiminy Glick and Ed Grimley. He also acted in the sitcom Mulaney (2014–2015), the variety series Maya & Marty (2016), and the drama series The Morning Show (2019). He has also had an active career on stage, starring in Broadway productions including Neil Simon's musicals The Goodbye Girl (1993) and Little Me (1998–1999). The latter earned him a Tony Award for Best Actor in a Musical and the former a nomination in the same category.On film, Short has acted in comedy films such as Three Amigos (1986), Innerspace (1987), Three Fugitives (1989), Father of the Bride (1991), Captain Ron (1992), Clifford (1994), Father of the Bride Part II (1995), Mars Attacks! (1996), Jungle 2 Jungle (1997), Mumford (1999) and The Santa Clause 3: The Escape Clause (2006). Short voiced roles in The Pebble and the Penguin (1995), The Prince of Egypt (1998), Jimmy Neutron: Boy Genius (2001), Treasure Planet (2002), Madagascar 3: Europe's Most Wanted (2012), Frankenweenie (2012), and The Wind Rises (2013). He also voiced the Cat in the Hat in the PBS Kids series The Cat in the Hat Knows a Lot About That! (2010–2013).In 2015, Short started touring nationally with the comedian Steve Martin. In 2018, they released their Netflix special An Evening You Will Forget for the Rest of Your Life which received four Primetime Emmy Award nominations. Since 2021, he has co-starred in the Hulu comedy series Only Murders in the Building alongside Martin and Selena Gomez. For his performance he has earned nominations for the Primetime Emmy Award, the Golden Globe Award, and a Critics' Choice Television Award, and won a SAG Award.This recording reflects the Wikipedia text as of 02:25 UTC on Thursday, 26 February 2026.For the full current version of the article, see Martin Short on Wikipedia.This podcast uses content from Wikipedia under the Creative Commons Attribution-ShareAlike License.Visit our archives at wikioftheday.com and subscribe to stay updated on new episodes.Follow us on Mastodon at @wikioftheday@masto.ai.Also check out Curmudgeon's Corner, a current events podcast.Until next time, I'm neural Ayanda.

Residents and students learn from others about original motivation, long-haul stamina, pearls and pitfalls of living in community, debt, vision for one’s next step to the nations, and helping the needy now tensioned with investing in education to help others later.

« C'est ce qui s'appelle jouer l'équilibriste, s'exclame Le Monde Afrique. Cinq jours après avoir été reçu au Kremlin par Vladimir Poutine, le nouveau président malgache, Michaël Randrianirina, a eu les honneurs de l'Élysée où il a déjeuné, hier, avec Emmanuel Macron. Des visites coup sur coup qui illustrent la diplomatie “tous azimuts“ que le colonel malgache entend pratiquer. (…) Pour l'heure, Michaël Randrianirina, qui veut faire de sa politique “pragmatique“ et “non alignée“ un marqueur de sa présidence, n'estime pas avoir à choisir un partenaire plutôt qu'un autre. » En fait, analyse La Tribune à Antananarivo, « le récent rapprochement diplomatique entre Madagascar et la Russie, parfois célébré localement comme un acte de souveraineté et de non-alignement, dissimule de profonds enjeux géostratégiques. Pour une Russie sous sanctions, l'intérêt est structurel, pointe le quotidien malgache. Moscou convoite le port en eaux profondes de Diego-Suarez pour projeter sa flotte, vise les minerais critiques (graphite, terres rares, uranium), et déploie son système financier alternatif pour contourner la surveillance occidentale. Cependant, tempère La Tribune, cette diplomatie multisectorielle est un champ de mines pour Antananarivo. La France, qui redoute une “sahélisation“ de la région, tente de maintenir son ancrage stratégique vital dans l'océan Indien avec un pragmatisme prudent. Surtout, ce pari expose l'île à une riposte sévère de la part de Washington, note encore le quotidien malgache. En s'associant à des réseaux financiers russes sanctionnés, Madagascar risque notamment l'exclusion de l'AGOA, ce qui menacerait directement plus de 100 000 emplois dans le textile. Prise entre les grandes puissances, la Grande Île pourrait bien devenir le théâtre d'une nouvelle guerre froide plutôt que de conquérir sa véritable indépendance. » Le déjeuner à Moscou et le dessert à Paris « Quand la route de Paris passe par Moscou ! », titre pour sa part Wakatsera.com au Burkina Faso. « En moins de dix jours, le colonel Michaël Randrianirina aura serré les mains de deux présidents de la République qui sont loin de partager la même vision de la gouvernance et de la diplomatie. (…) Antananarivo, entrée dans une nouvelle ère politique dont le rythme a été dicté par la GenZ, et soucieuse de diversifier son répertoire de partenaires, Antananarivo n'a trouvé aucun mal à déjeuner à Moscou et prendre le dessert à Paris, sa table historique. Le nouvel homme fort de Tana a donc, visiblement, fait le choix de mettre ses œufs sécuritaires dans le panier russe, pointe encore Le Pays, tout en gardant ceux de la coopération classique dans le plateau français. Ce qui n'est pas sans susciter des interrogations auprès de la société civile malgache, notamment le Collectif des citoyens et la GenZ (…). »  En effet, complète Afrik.com, « si cette hyperactivité diplomatique place Madagascar sous les projecteurs, elle suscite également des doutes au sein de l'opinion publique malgache. Des voix s'élèvent pour réclamer davantage de transparence sur les accords signés en coulisses. Le Collectif des citoyens et des organisations citoyennes insiste sur la nécessité d'une redevabilité au retour du chef de l'État. De leur côté, les mouvements de jeunesse s'interrogent ouvertement sur les contreparties concrètes de ce rapprochement avec Paris, craignant que cette “diversification des alliances“ ne cache des engagements flous ou contraignants pour l'avenir de la Grande Île. » La France contre-attaque Pour Jeune Afrique, on assiste à « une guerre d'influence entre Paris et Moscou sur le continent africain. La France entend jouer sur ses atouts, convaincue de proposer une offre supérieure à celle de la Russie, au moins dans les domaines économique et culturel. Premier partenaire bilatéral de Madagascar, avec près d'un milliard d'euros d'échanges, la France dispose (en effet) d'un tissu économique composé de centaines d'entreprises et structuré par plus de 50 filiales dans les domaines des hydrocarbures, de l'agro-industrie, des télécoms ou des services financiers qui emploient de nombreux travailleurs locaux. » Plus largement, pointe encore Jeune Afrique, « renouveler la relation politique avec Madagascar et les partenariats avec l'ensemble des pays africains est l'objectif principal du président Macron, jusqu'au sommet Afrique-France de Nairobi, qui aura lieu les 11 et 12 mai prochain, au Kenya. Ce sera la première fois que la France organisera un tel événement dans un pays non-francophone du continent. Signe de la volonté de Paris de diversifier ses partenariats africains à l'heure où la Russie, mais aussi la Chine, la Turquie ou encore les Émirats arabes unis, contestent ce que la France percevait comme son pré carré inaliénable. »

In Philippians 2, the Bible says: "In humility value others above yourselves, not looking to your own interests but each of you to the interests of the others." Stephanie, a wife and mother from Madagascar, showed this kind of selfless love every day. 

Among the many plans, ideas, and plots that the Nazis hatched, the Madagascar plan is by no means intuitive to our modern minds. However, it was considered for many years to be a potential solution to their 'problems'. Wanna know more? You know what to do!Let's Chat! Bluesky: TINAHLPodcastEmail: thisisnotahistorylecture@gmail.com

The latest news in the great ramageddon of 2026 doesn't look good. Now we can expect to not buy hard drives for a reasonable price.Scientists discovered a new bacteria that comes with massive antibiotic resistances. Madagascar, it's time to close the borders.Film Professors are complaining that students aren't paying attention to films. Is it because films are too long, or is TikTok really ruining everything?***We enjoyed a nice drink of Rez which you can get a 10% discount when you type NERDS at the checkout from the Rez website at www.drinkrez.com ***Resources MentionedThe Great Handheld Price Spiral (Steam Deck Announces Inventory Issues, ROG Xbox Ally X Gets Price Hike Thanks To Computer Hardware Shortages. Steam Deck™ )Microbes: The Untold Frozen Saga (First genome sequence and functional profiling of Psychrobacter SC65A.3 preserved in 5,000-year-old cave ice: insights into ancient resistome, antimicrobial potential, and enzymatic activities)Classroom vs. TikTok (College Professors Are Stunned The “TikTok Generation” Can't Sit Through Long Movies In Film Courses – But What Did They Expect?)Full Show Notes : https://docs.google.com/document/d/1FRE6Hy7Pno3oSLMjKy6ina61FZBQu68ur8EbZKXP0AE/edit?usp=sharing***If you'd like to be featured on the show, send us an email: Nerds.Amalgamated@gmail.comFollow us on: Facebook || Twitter || TwitchJoin the Community on Discord: https://discord.gg/VqdBVH5aAnd watch us on YouTube: Nerds Amalgamated - YouTube

In this episode, we sit down with Margaux Huille during the latest edition of 1-54 Art Fair in Marrakech.Having previously worked on the fair in Marrakech, Margaux shares her decision to transition from the fast-paced environment of an international art fair to a new chapter in Madagascar, where she is now working with Fondation H.Our conversation traces this geographic and professional shift, reflecting on what it means to move from producing a major art event to engaging with a foundation context rooted in a different local landscape.A grounded discussion on mobility within the art world, evolving roles behind the scenes, and the personal and professional recalibrations that come with choosing a new terrain.Useful links:Website: ⁠https://www.diptykmag.com/⁠Newsletter: ⁠Sign-up form⁠Instagram: ⁠https://www.instagram.com/diptykmagazine/

For the second week, Gabon has suspended social media platforms like Whatsapp, YouTube, Facebook, and Instagram - in a move it says is aimed at curbing the spread of false information and cyberbullying. What does this mean for the youth, as well as the right to access information in the country?And what does it take for an African athlete to make it to the Winter Olympics? We speak to 24-year-old skier Mialitiana Clerc, who represented Madagascar at this year's edition in Italy. Presenter: Nkechi Ogbonna Producers: Bella Twine and Basma El Atti Technical Producer: Herbert Masua Senior Producer: Charles Gitonga Editors: Samuel Murunga and Maryam Abdalla

Nous recevons l'athlète de haut niveau Mialitiana Clerc depuis Milano-Cortina, où elle a disputé ses troisièmes Jeux olympiques d'hiver sous les couleurs de Madagascar. Représenter une petite nation africaine dans une discipline dominée par l'Europe et l'Amérique du Nord, relever les défis financiers, porter l'espoir d'un continent... Que dit sa présence de l'avenir des Africains aux JO d'hiver ?

Reunimos músicas poliédricas y metamórficas, en las cuales también estilos y artistas de diversos orígenes confluyen. Viajamos entre Madagascar, La Reunión, Grecia, Serbia y también con encuentros entre músicos persas, burkineses, franceses y canadienses. Pero previamente habíamos abierto con el recuerdo a los míticos Pata Negra, aunando flamenco y blues, en homenaje al recientemente desaparecido Rafael Amador. We bring together polyhedral and metamorphic music in which styles and artists of diverse origins converge. We travel between Madagascar, La Réunion, Greece and Serbia, and we also bring encounters between Persian, Burkinabé, French and Canadian musicians. But we had previously opened with a remembrance of the legendary Pata Negra, uniting flamenco and blues, in tribute to the recently passed away Rafael Amador. - Pata Negra - Blues de la frontera - Blues de la frontera - Damily - Zipo tralala - Fanjiry - Abraham Réunion - Carnaval - Jaden an nou - Hami Hamoo - Africa - Siya - Mativetsky Amiri Pagé - Maktrismos - Metamorphose - Iakovos Moysiadis - Burning coal / Karvouno anammeno - Lydian stone - Men in Exile: Panos Skouteris, Thodoris Ziarkas, Manousos Klapakis - Sirto fereis - Exile I - Bogdan Nikolić Donja - Gridlock - Mute traffic - Alum Alu - Neizturami - Ederlezi / Neizturami [single] - (Pata Negra - Calle Betis - Blues de la frontera)  Rafael Amador

Send a textHow do you turn a technical camera launch into a soulful piece of science fiction? In this episode, director Andrew Kightlinger joins the Rumikay Talks podcast to break down the reality of a career in film. From his unique childhood education in Madagascar—where movies arrived in a traveling "Red Island Video Club" footlocker—to directing a feature for Sylvester Stallone, Andrew shares what it takes to survive and thrive in the industry.In this episode, we discuss:The "Sting" of Rejection: Why the "no's" never stop hurting, but how to stop taking them personally.The Art of the Pitch: How Andrew landed the Fujifilm GFX launch by pitching emotional storytelling over technical specs.Vulnerability on Set: Why being a "benevolent director" and taking acting classes leads to more truthful performances.Grief as Inspiration: How the loss of his grandmother fueled the script for his latest sci-fi short.Atomic Habits: Why small steps and personal growth are essential for staying focused as a creative.✨ Selected links from the episode: ✨Andrew's IG: https://www.instagram.com/andrew.vhsOKAY at Slamdance:https://slamdance.com/26-lineup/Slamdance Film Festival: February 19th–25th in Los Angeles (and virtually!)

Est-ce que vivre à l'étranger change notre façon d'apprendre… et d'élever nos enfants ?Dans cet épisode de French Expat, je reçois Sophie Werth, éducatrice, directrice d'école primaire à The École à New York, maman, et expatriée depuis plus de 17 ans.De la France rurale à Abu Dhabi, de Madagascar au Maroc, avant de s'installer à Manhattan, son parcours raconte une autre manière de penser l'éducation : plus ouverte, plus adaptable, profondément humaine.Dans cette conversation, nous parlons :des chocs culturels dans les systèmes éducatifsde la différence entre un “travaille bien” français et un “have fun” américainde plurilinguisme et d'enfants capables de naviguer entre plusieurs languesdu choix crucial de l'école quand on s'expatriede la transition vers le système américainet de ce que l'expatriation apprend, aussi, aux adultesSophie partage son regard à la fois d'experte et de maman, avec des anecdotes concrètes et des conseils précieux pour les familles vivant entre plusieurs cultures.Un épisode pour tous les parents et pour tous ceux qui s'interrogent sur ce que l'école transmet, au-delà des programmes.Merci à The Ecole d'avoir sponsorisé cet épisode.French Expat est un podcast de French Morning qui raconte les parcours de vie des Français établis hors de France. Retrouvez-le sur toutes les plateformes d'écoute : Spotify, Apple Podcast, Deezer, Google Podcast, Podcast Addict, Amazon Music. Cet épisode est raconté, produit et réalisé par Anne-Fleur Andrle, habillé et mixé par Alice Krief. Hébergé par Acast. Visitez acast.com/privacy pour plus d'informations.

From the beginning of the seventeenth century, French colonies and trading posts sprawled across the Atlantic and Indian Oceans. In the first pan-imperial history of the early French Empire in the English language, Mélanie Lamotte shows how an increasingly cohesive legal culture came to govern the lives of enslaved and free people of African, Malagasy, South Asian, and Native American descent. She also illuminates the important role played by these populations in the development of the empire, from Louisiana to Guadeloupe, Senegambia, Madagascar, Isle Bourbon, and India. The early French Empire has often been portrayed as a fragmented conglomerate of isolated colonies or regions. Yet Lamotte shows that racial policies issued by the metropole, as well as by officials in the Atlantic and Indian Oceans, significantly influenced one another. Rather than focusing on the actions of administrators, however, Lamotte also reveals the extensive influence of people on the ground—especially those of non-European descent. Through their sexuality and their labor, along with their socio-economic and political endeavors, they played a critical role in building the empire and setting its limits. As they sought justice for themselves, strove to protect their kin, and aimed to improve their social conditions, these individuals also pushed against the advancement of white dominion in unexpected ways. Archivally rich and rigorously documented, By Flesh and Toil: How Sex, Race, and Labor Shaped the Early French Empire (Harvard UP, 2026) illuminates the transoceanic connections that united the French colonial world—and recasts people of African, Malagasy, South Asian, and Native American descent as key actors in the story of empire-building. This interview is conducted by Dr Lewis Wade, a Humboldt Research Fellow at the University of Bamberg. He is the author of the prize-winning Privilege, Economy and State in Old Regime France and can be found on Bluesky @wadehistory.bsky.social. 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

From the beginning of the seventeenth century, French colonies and trading posts sprawled across the Atlantic and Indian Oceans. In the first pan-imperial history of the early French Empire in the English language, Mélanie Lamotte shows how an increasingly cohesive legal culture came to govern the lives of enslaved and free people of African, Malagasy, South Asian, and Native American descent. She also illuminates the important role played by these populations in the development of the empire, from Louisiana to Guadeloupe, Senegambia, Madagascar, Isle Bourbon, and India. The early French Empire has often been portrayed as a fragmented conglomerate of isolated colonies or regions. Yet Lamotte shows that racial policies issued by the metropole, as well as by officials in the Atlantic and Indian Oceans, significantly influenced one another. Rather than focusing on the actions of administrators, however, Lamotte also reveals the extensive influence of people on the ground—especially those of non-European descent. Through their sexuality and their labor, along with their socio-economic and political endeavors, they played a critical role in building the empire and setting its limits. As they sought justice for themselves, strove to protect their kin, and aimed to improve their social conditions, these individuals also pushed against the advancement of white dominion in unexpected ways. Archivally rich and rigorously documented, By Flesh and Toil: How Sex, Race, and Labor Shaped the Early French Empire (Harvard UP, 2026) illuminates the transoceanic connections that united the French colonial world—and recasts people of African, Malagasy, South Asian, and Native American descent as key actors in the story of empire-building. This interview is conducted by Dr Lewis Wade, a Humboldt Research Fellow at the University of Bamberg. He is the author of the prize-winning Privilege, Economy and State in Old Regime France and can be found on Bluesky @wadehistory.bsky.social. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices Support our show by becoming a premium member! https://newbooksnetwork.supportingcast.fm/history

Have you longed to integrate your Christian faith into your patient care—on the mission field abroad, in your work in the US, and during your training? Are you not sure how to do this in a caring, ethical, sensitive, and relevant manner? This “working” session will explore the ethical basis for spiritual care and provide you with professional, timely, and proven practical methods to care for the whole person in the clinical setting. https://www.dropbox.com/scl/fi/qpah9kh1lttg6cm1jjop9/Bob-Mason-Ethics-of-Spiritual-Care-revised.pptx?rlkey=0emve2ja8282nv8xc4uinq1hg&st=9033htwx&dl=0

From the beginning of the seventeenth century, French colonies and trading posts sprawled across the Atlantic and Indian Oceans. In the first pan-imperial history of the early French Empire in the English language, Mélanie Lamotte shows how an increasingly cohesive legal culture came to govern the lives of enslaved and free people of African, Malagasy, South Asian, and Native American descent. She also illuminates the important role played by these populations in the development of the empire, from Louisiana to Guadeloupe, Senegambia, Madagascar, Isle Bourbon, and India. The early French Empire has often been portrayed as a fragmented conglomerate of isolated colonies or regions. Yet Lamotte shows that racial policies issued by the metropole, as well as by officials in the Atlantic and Indian Oceans, significantly influenced one another. Rather than focusing on the actions of administrators, however, Lamotte also reveals the extensive influence of people on the ground—especially those of non-European descent. Through their sexuality and their labor, along with their socio-economic and political endeavors, they played a critical role in building the empire and setting its limits. As they sought justice for themselves, strove to protect their kin, and aimed to improve their social conditions, these individuals also pushed against the advancement of white dominion in unexpected ways. Archivally rich and rigorously documented, By Flesh and Toil: How Sex, Race, and Labor Shaped the Early French Empire (Harvard UP, 2026) illuminates the transoceanic connections that united the French colonial world—and recasts people of African, Malagasy, South Asian, and Native American descent as key actors in the story of empire-building. This interview is conducted by Dr Lewis Wade, a Humboldt Research Fellow at the University of Bamberg. He is the author of the prize-winning Privilege, Economy and State in Old Regime France and can be found on Bluesky @wadehistory.bsky.social. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Over 130,000 years ago, White-throated Rails migrated across hundreds of miles from Madagascar to the tiny island of Aldabra. Fossil records show that these wayward birds evolved to be entirely flightless, and went extinct when the island was lost to sea level rise. But some 20,000 years later, Aldabra reemerged from the Indian Ocean and a new wave of rails settled in. Today, the Aldabra subspecies of White-throated Rails are flightless once again! It's a rare example of a phenomenon called iterative evolution.More info and transcript at BirdNote.org.Want more BirdNote? Subscribe to our weekly newsletter. Sign up for BirdNote+ to get ad-free listening and other perks. BirdNote is a nonprofit. Your tax-deductible gift makes these shows possible.  Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

In this special episode of Flavors Unknown, Emmanuel Laroche sits down with the Ambassador of Madagascar, Lantosoa Rakotomalala, for a conversation recorded inside the Embassy of Madagascar in Washington, DC. On the day his new book A Taste of Madagascar is released, this discussion explores how Madagascar tells its story through food, biodiversity, and cultural identity. Madagascar is often associated with vanilla. But the island's culinary and economic landscape is far more complex, from zebu and lychee exports to innovative caviar production and a new generation of Malagasy chefs redefining the country's gastronomic voice. Together, they discuss the deeper role food plays in diplomacy, sustainability, and national pride. What you’ll learn from Madagascar Ambassador The ambassador’s role is to protect Madagascar’s interests in the US.Madagascar is the fourth largest island, known for its biodiversity. Many Americans have misconceptions about Madagascar’s location and culture. Tourism in Madagascar focuses on biodiversity and community-based experiences. Vanilla from Madagascar represents 80% of the global market. Zebu is a cultural symbol of wealth and community in Madagascar. Madagascar is innovating in culinary arts, including caviar production. The culinary scene in Madagascar includes unique ingredients like wild pepper and cocoa. Cultural diplomacy is essential for promoting Madagascar’s image abroad. The upcoming book ‘A Taste of Madagascar’ aims to showcase the country’s culinary heritage Chapters 00:00 Introduction and Role of the Ambassador 02:29 Introducing Madagascar: Geography and Culture 04:28 Misconceptions About Madagascar 07:03 Top Attractions in Madagascar 09:29 Culinary Delights: Madagascar’s Unique Flavors 12:21 The Importance of Vanilla and Other Ingredients 14:20 The Significance of Zebu in Malagasy Culture 16:52 Caviar Production in Madagascar 19:43 Personal Culinary Experiences and Favorite Dishes 22:03 Lychee Production and Export 25:09 Cultural Diplomacy and the Upcoming Book 27:31 Conclusion and Future Discussions 42:30 Outro Episode 205.mp3 Beyond the Mic: My Stories in Print A Taste of Madagascar: Culinary Riches of the Red Island invites readers to join me on his unforgettable journey across the island of Madagascar, where a vibrant culture and stunning ecosystem intertwine to create an extraordinary culinary experience. Explore the unique ingredients and traditions that define Madagascar and discover their profound impact on the global culinary landscape. Alongside the captivating stories, the book presents a collection of exciting recipes that showcase the incredible flavors and ingredients of Madagascar. Publication date: Tuesday, January 27, 2026 Pre-order the book here! “Conversations Behind the Kitchen Door” is my debut book, published in Fall 2022. It features insights from chefs and culinary leaders interviewed on the Flavors Unknown podcast, offering a behind-the-scenes look at creativity, culture, and the future of the hospitality industry. Get the book here! Links to most downloaded episodes (click on any picture to listen to the episode) Chef Sheldon Simeon Chef Andy Doubrava Chef Nina Compton Chef Jacques Pepin Links mentioned in this episode Madagascar Embassy in Washington DC SUBSCRIBE TO THE ‘FLAVORS UNKNOWN' NEWSLETTER

Le Journal en français facile du lundi 16 février 2026, 17 h 00 à Paris.Retrouvez votre épisode avec la transcription synchronisée et des exercices pédagogiques pour progresser en français : http://rfi.my/CRwQ.A

Camel Trophy Legends Ian Chapman & Tom Collins: Knife Fights, Hurricanes, and the Stories Behind the MudSteve Beres and Ike Goss host an episode of The Underpowered Hour recorded during extreme storm conditions at the Camel Trophy 45 event at Eastnor Castle. They interview longtime Camel Trophy organizer Ian Chapman and Camel Trophy and Land Rover legend Tom Collins, covering stories from past events including a confrontation involving journalist Robert Pelton Young, memories from Madagascar 1987, and how former competitors became key support staff. Chapman and Collins discuss Land Rover's limited role in organizing Camel Trophy, how vehicles were chosen based on availability and marketing launches (including Defender, Discovery, Range Rover, and Freelander), and why the event ultimately worked because of the people and the selection process. The conversation includes notable incidents such as a famous windscreen-penetrating log accident, helicopter crash survivals, a minefield navigation story during a pre-scout, and reflections on the lasting camaraderie of Camel Trophy reunions. The episode ends with thanks to the Camel Trophy Owners Club and event organizers, and a promise of future Land Rover podcast episodes.

Chinese conservationists have worked hard to protect the critically endangered Chinese alligator, creating new habitats for them after significant alterations made most of their Yangtze River home unsuitable. Thanks to the power of GPS technology, we now have some fascinating insights into how they are using the wetlands they are being reintroduced to, and it's mixed news. We follow that chat up with two new species of sand swimming skinks from Madagascar, and some big news from Tom about a brand new mammal. Become a Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/herphighlights Merch: https://www.redbubble.com/people/herphighlights/shop Full reference list available here: http://www.herphighlights.podbean.com Main Paper References: Li M, Sun K, Wang Z, Zhang C, Gao Y, Zhang S, Tu G, Wu X, Pan T. 2025. Extremely limited spatial and temporal utilization for wild Chinese alligator (Alligator sinensis). Biology Letters 21:20250513. DOI: 10.1098/rsbl.2025.0513. Species of the Bi-Week: Miralles A, Schmidt R, Rakotoarison A, Delaunay A, Freiwald A, Rahagalala NA, Rakotomanga S, Razafimanafo D, Ratsoavina FM, Crottini A, Raselimanana AP, Glaw F, Vences M. 2025. Integrative taxonomy of Madagascar's sand-swimming skinks (Scincidae: Voeltzkowia , Grandidierina) and preliminary evidence for an overlooked inland belt of white sand patches across the island's west. Zoological Journal of the Linnean Society 205:zlaf147. DOI: 10.1093/zoolinnean/zlaf147. Other Mentioned Papers/Studies: Sun K, Li M, Wang Z, Sun S, Yang J, Wu X, Pan T. 2025. Habitat Integrity Challenges for the Chinese Alligator Amid Land Occupation by Human: Pathways for Protection. Ecology and Evolution 15:e71113. DOI: 10.1002/ece3.71113. Other Links/Mentions: Wild London (~37 minutes in for Aesculapian snakes) - https://www.bbc.co.uk/programmes/m002hzg7  Editing and Music: Intro/outro – Treehouse by Ed Nelson Species Bi-week theme – Michael Timothy Other Music – The Passion HiFi, https://www.thepassionhifi.com

Madagascar: Back-to-back cyclones leave hundreds of thousands in urgent needUNHCR warns of mounting hardship facing Afghan returnees UN rights office concerned over deepening socio-economic crisis in Cuba 

China may still be the world's largest emitter of carbon dioxide, but CO2 levels have been falling due to a push for clean energy. New data suggests 2025 was the first full year to show a decline. The reported drop in emissions is estimated to be around 0.3%, but campaigners say it could represent a milestone. Also: The International Olympic Committee (IOC) has banned Vladyslav Heraskevych for continuing to wear a helmet featuring images of athletes killed during Russia's invasion of Ukraine. Heraskevych, a skeleton pilot, posted "This is the price of our dignity" on social media after being banned. Russia says it is blocking the messaging service Whatsapp. The BBC speaks to Juliette Bryant - a former model from South Africa who was groomed and abused by Jeffrey Epstein. Why spy agencies think North Korean leader Kim Jong Un is handing power over to his teenage daughter. Dozens of people have died in Madagascar, after a tropical cyclone hit the island nation... and we look at the life of Dawson's Creek actor James Van Der Beek, who's died aged 48.The Global News Podcast brings you the breaking news you need to hear, as it happens. Listen for the latest headlines and current affairs from around the world. Politics, economics, climate, business, technology, health – we cover it all with expert analysis and insight. Get the news that matters, delivered twice a day on weekdays and daily at weekends, plus special bonus episodes reacting to urgent breaking stories. Follow or subscribe now and never miss a moment. Get in touch: globalpodcast@bbc.co.uk

In this episode, Mia Clerc: Live Without Regrets, Mia (Madagascar, alpine skiing) looks ahead to Milano Cortina 2026 with a focus on patience, joy, and staying present. She shares with co-host Dani Aravich how returning from a 2021 injury reshaped her training mindset, and what it takes to keep confidence when pressure and performance anxiety hit. Mia also explains the reality of racing for a small nation, from limited equipment to piecing together support through family and sponsors, while still following her dreams. She talks about grounding routines before competition, leaning on loved ones from afar, and the pride of representing Madagascar on the Winter Games stage. Mia illustrates resilience with intention, leaving us with reminders to take chances and trust the long process.

Le Journal en français facile du mercredi 11 février 2026, 17 h 00 à Paris. Retrouvez votre épisode avec la transcription synchronisée et des exercices pédagogiques pour progresser en français : http://rfi.my/CR1S.A

This week we discuss Forrest learning about new animals at Vantara, escaped monkeys in St Louis, and a potential extinct animal living in Madagascar. Enjoy! (TWT 195)Factor: Head to https://factormeals.com/wild50off and use code wild50off to get 50 percent off and free breakfast for a year.Raycon: The Essential Open Earbuds are here to help you go for gold. Go to https://buyraycon.com/wildtimesopen to get 15% off. Thanks Raycon for sponsoring!Brooklyn Bedding: Go to http://brooklynbedding.com/ and use my promo code WILD at checkout to get 30% off sitewide.Get More Wild Times Podcast Episodes:https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/wildtimespod/subscribehttps://www.patreon.com/wildtimespodMore Wild Times:Instagram: http://instagram.com/wildtimespodTikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@wildtimespodcastFacebook: https://www.facebook.com/wildtimespod/X: https://x.com/wildtimespodDiscord: https://discord.gg/ytzKBbC9DbWebsite: https://wildtimes.club/Merch: https://thewildtimespodcast.com/merchBattle Royale Card Game: https://wildtimes.club/brOur Favorite Products:https://www.amazon.com/shop/thewildtimespodcastMusic/Jingles by: www.soundcloud.com/mimmkeyThis video may contain paid promotion.#ad #sponsored #forrestgalante #extinctoralive #podcast

More than 3500 athletes from 93 countries will be competing for 195 medals at the Milan-Cortina Games. Three countries will be making their Winter Olympic debuts at the 2026 Games, the African nations of Benin and Guinea Bissau along with the United Arab Emirates. But with the established winter sport nations such as Norway, the United States of America, Canada and Germany looking to dominate the medal table once again, how hard is it for new countries to compete on the world stage?Eight African nations will be represented this time with Eritrea, Kenya, Madagascar, Morocco, Nigeria and South Africa along with the two debutants taking part. South Africa is sending its largest ever team with five athletes, but over six decades since an African nation made its Winter Olympics debut, the continent's first medal remains elusive.Matt Smith only took up the sport three years ago and is now going to be South Africa's sole cross-country skier in the upcoming games. He tells Lee James why he hopes his inclusion can inspire generations to come, and why he's been nicknamed the 'Snowbok'. Simidele Adeagbo became the first Nigerian to compete at the Winter Olympics in 2018 and was the first black female Olympian in the sport of Skeleton. She says with a more than a billion people on the African continent it's important its athletes are proportionately represented when it comes to the Winter Olympics.Every Monday to Friday, More than the Score tells stories beyond the scoreline from all over the world of sport. From the Winter Olympics to the Super Bowl, the Australian Open to the Diamond League, and netball to Formula 1. We've got interviews with extraordinary athletes like Ivory Coast legend Yaya Toure, boxing royalty Cecilia Braekhus and cycling sprint king Harrie Lavreysen, as well as the experts working behind the scenes, from the referees who run VAR to the coaches keeping athletes in peak form. Plus, we've got the expertise of the BBC's top journalists, who share their insights from decades of covering sport at all levels. And if you've got your own take on the stories we cover, we'd love to hear from you. Email morethanthescore@bbc.co.uk, or WhatsApp us on 0044 800 032 0470. You can find more information, along with our privacy notice, on our website: www.bbcworldservice.com/morethanthescore