Best Institute for the Study of Diplomacy Podcasts (2025)

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The Secret Life of Dictators with Frank Dikötter | Andrew Roberts | Hoover Institution 49:18

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1d ago49:18

49:18

Historian Frank Dikötter, author of How to Be a Dictator: The Cult of Personality in the Twentieth Century, discusses the dark psychology behind absolute power. From Hitler and Mao to Putin and Xi Jinping, Dikötter reveals how dictators use fear, lies, and the cult of personality to control not just people’s actions—but their thoughts. Why do tyran…

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What's next for Venezuela? 37:02

1d ago37:02

37:02

This week, Kelly talks with Carolina Jiménez Sandoval about the state of play between the United States and Venezuela amid increasing tensions, military strikes, and continued economic upheavel in the country. Carolina Jiménez Sandoval is the President of the Washington Office on Latin America (WOLA). She holds over 20 years of experience in resear…

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Will Gaza's Ceasefire Hold? 43:00

9d ago43:00

43:00

Interview with Mona Yacoubian on Gaza: 28:20 This week, Kelly and Tristen unpack NATO's defense ministers meeting in Brussels and the Trump–Zelenskyy visit to the White House—what it means for Ukraine aid, European drone-defense plans, and the Tomahawk debate. They then turn to political turbulence in Cameroon and Peru, give a quick update on Madag…

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Debating policy recommendations about inclusive social protection in protracted crises 40:45

12d ago40:45

40:45

Governments need to focus on local practical delivery, and people focused mechanisms, including dignity to deliver more effective social assistance in crisis contexts, experts explain in a new episode of the Between the Lines podcast. In this episode, researchers and policymakers examine why and how and when to use social protection approaches in d…

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The Revolution Throughout History with Dan Edelstein 37:14

15d ago37:14

37:14

This week, Kelly talks with Stanford University professor and author Dan Edelstein about his new book, The Revolution to Come: A History of an Idea from Thucydides to Lenin, (Princeton University Press, 2025). The book looks at how political thinkers from Plato to John Adams saw revolutions as a grave threat to society and advocated for a constitut…

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RERUN: The Power of Place with Ruth Mostern 36:47

20d ago36:47

36:47

Today, we're revisiting one of our favorite conversations from Educating to Be Human — and much has changed since we first recorded it. Back in September 2024, Lisa sat down with Ruth Mostern, Professor of History and founder of the World Historical Gazetteer, to explore how our sense of place influences the way we understand our past and our ident…

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Moldova's Turn Away from Russia with Ambassador Kent Logsdon 52:48

23d ago52:48

52:48

Interview with Ambassador Kent Logsdon on Moldova: 33:25 This week, Kelly and Tristen break down President Trump and Prime Minister Netanyahu's 20-point Gaza peace plan and what it signals for U.S.-Israel relations, as well as the ongoing ceasefire negotiations. They then look at the Gen-Z-led protests spreading across Morocco and Madagascar — echo…

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The War Below: Critical Minerals with Ernest Scheyder 43:17

1M ago43:17

43:17

This week, Kelly talks with Reuters reporter and author Ernest Scheyder about critical minerals and his new book: "The War Below: Lithium, Copper, and the Global Battle to Power Our Lives." Ernest Scheyder is a senior correspondent with Reuters covering critical minerals and the global energy transition. "The War Below: Lithium, Copper, and the Glo…

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On Faith, Community Organizing and Belonging with Fr. Jon Pedigo 40:56

1M ago40:56

40:56

In this episode of Educating to be Human, Lisa is joined by Jon Pedigo, known by some as Father Jon. He is a longtime social justice advocate and activist, faith leader within the Catholic diocese of San Jose, and the new executive director of People Acting in Community Together, or PACT. In conversation, they explore what it means to rebuild conne…

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Jews vs. Rome: Barry Strauss on Two Centuries of Jewish Revolt | Andrew Roberts | Hoover Institution 26:56

1M ago26:56

26:56

Why did the Jews keep fighting Rome for over 200 years — long after the Great Revolt ended in disaster? Hoover Senior Fellow Barry Strauss discusses the epic story of Judea’s rebellions against the world’s most powerful empire in this conversation and in his new book, Jews vs. Rome: Barry Strauss on Two Centuries of Jewish Revolt. From the fall of …

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Will Gen-Z Protests Change Nepal's Path? 41:29

1M ago41:29

41:29

Interview with Pranaya Rana on Nepal: 26:50 This week, Kelly and Tristen talk through Trump's speech at the UN General Assembly, his visit last week to the UK, and the administration's recent strikes on suspected Venezuelan cartels. They also provide some brief updates since the last episode: on Jair Bolsonaro's conviction in Brazil and the new Sau…

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U.S. Foreign Policy in a Multipolar World with Emma Ashford 29:11

1M ago29:11

29:11

Kelly talks with Emma Ashford about her new book, First Among Equals: U.S. Foreign Policy in a Multipolar World (Yale University Press, 2025), where she proposes a return to a more pragmatic, realist set of strategic principles, ones better suited for the emerging multipolar world, that would pursue narrower U.S. interests, cultivate the capabiliti…

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The Promise of Public Diplomacy with Paul Kruchoski 38:59

2M ago38:59

38:59

In this episode of Educating to Be Human, Lisa Petrides is joined by Paul Kruchoski, a former senior diplomat at the U.S. State Department and often described as a changemaker within the institution, about the human side of public diplomacy and its deep ties to education. Far from being abstract negotiations behind closed doors, public diplomacy is…

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Trade, Security, and the Future of U.S.–India Ties with Sameer Lalwani 46:15

2M ago46:15

46:15

Interview with Sameer Lalwani — 27:32 This week, Kelly and Tristan cover Israel's unprecedented strike on Hamas leaders in Doha and the diplomatic fallout for Qatar and the Gaza ceasefire talks, the historic trial of Brazil's former president Jair Bolsonaro and what it means for democratic resilience, and Beijing's memory-politics summit—complete w…

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USAID's Gutting and The Future of International Aid: Ambassador Erin Mckee 41:39

2M ago41:39

41:39

This week, Kelly talks with former assistant administrator of USAID, Erin McKee, in light of the department's gutting in recent months. She is now serving as the CEO of Nova Ukraina, a nonprofit organization dedicated to providing humanitarian aid to the people of Ukraine and raising awareness about Ukraine in the United States and throughout the w…

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RERUN: Monsters with Erin O'Connell 25:58

2M ago25:58

25:58

We're bringing back the show that started it all - Monsters! In this rerun of our premiere episode of Educating to be Human, Lisa Petrides speaks with Erin O'Connell, a university classics professor, who has used her expertise over the years as a teacher of Ancient Greek and Ancient Greek culture to delve into the world of Monsters, how we define t…

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Can External Pressure Bring Peace to the DRC? 45:20

2M ago45:20

45:20

Interview with Liam Karr — 28:50 This week, Kelly and Tristan cover the recent rounds of summit diplomacy between Presidents Trump and Putin and subsequent meetings with European leaders, the recent moves in Somaliland's quest for recognition, and the new settlements in the West Bank approved by Israel's finance minister. Kelly is then joined by Li…

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American Institutions, Higher Education, Talk Shows, and Nougies with Ben Sasse 48:38

2M ago48:38

48:38

Former US Senator and university president Ben Sasse joins Andrew Roberts on Secrets of Statecraft for a candid and very wide-ranging conversation about the state of American institutions and how to revitalize them. Sasse explains why Congress has become weak and dysfunctional, why entitlement spending and debt threaten U.S. stability, and how soci…

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Breaking the silence on caste in academia 54:26

2M ago54:26

54:26

Caste isn’t just a South Asian issue — it shapes who speaks, who listens, and who is heard in academic and development spaces worldwide. In this episode of Between the Lines, we confront how caste hierarchies continue to influence the production of knowledge, access to opportunity, and the experience of being in higher education. Hosted by Chandni …

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AI in the Classroom: Power, Bias and Opportunity with Maha Bali 45:22

3M ago45:22

45:22

In this episode of Educating to Be Human, Lisa Petrides is joined by Maha Bali, a leading voice in digital pedagogy and open education. Maha invites us to see digital literacy not just as learning how to use tools, but as something deeply tied to identity, power, and relationships. As AI increasingly becomes part of the fabric of our daily lives, M…

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Dr. Sophal Ear on the Thailand-Cambodia Ceasefire 41:13

3M ago41:13

41:13

Interview with Dr. Sophal Ear: 25:30 This week, Kelly and Tristan examine the backsliding of democracy in El Salvador and analyze the regional implications for President Bukele's political crackdown. They then explore Trump's escalating tariff war with India, which threatens to undermine the partnership between the world's two largest democracies. …

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Around The World With Condoleezza Rice | Secrets of Statecraft 37:58

3M ago37:58

37:58

Historian Andrew Roberts is joined by former U.S. Secretary of State and current Director of the Hoover Institution Condoleezza Rice for a dive deep into today’s international hotspots—including Russia’s invasion of Ukraine, rising tensions with China over Taiwan, and the complex relationships between Russia, China, Iran, and North Korea. Their dis…

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Why Community Colleges Matter More Than Ever with Keith Curry 35:08

3M ago35:08

35:08

In this episode of Educating to Be Human, Lisa dives into education that is truly rooted in the community, with Dr. Keith Curry, President of Compton College. His efforts to address the real-life challenges that students face at community college are remarkable: meeting basic needs (such as food, housing, textbooks), achieving academic success, and…

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Lord (Conrad) Black’s Remarkable Historical Erudition | Andrew Roberts | Hoover Institution 46:51

3M ago46:51

46:51

The Canadian businessman and peer Conrad Black has published the second volume of his political and strategic history of the world, from 14AD to 1648, and it’s a corker.By Hoover Institution

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CFR's Ebenezer Obadare: Nigeria's Turning Point? 34:27

3M ago34:27

34:27

This week, Kelly talks with Council on Foreign Relations Senior Fellow Ebenezer Obadare about Nigeria's growing security and economic challenges under President Bola Tinubu. Ebenezer discusses how the country is facing escalating violence from Boko Haram, growing political instability, and widespread economic hardship. Obadare also highlights Niger…

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Between roles: Mother, student, or self? 48:05

3M ago48:05

48:05

What does it mean to navigate motherhood while pursuing a postgraduate degree? How do students balance identity, care, and academia in a world not built with them in mind? In this IDS Between the Lines podcast, MA Gender and Development (GAD) students Patronela Tshuma, Chaltu Merera Fana, and Akinyi Ochieng’ speak about their journeys as mothers pu…

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Libraries at Risk: Access, Preservation, and Cultural Memory with Chris Freeland 32:25

3M ago32:25

32:25

In this episode of Educating to be Human, Lisa speaks with Chris Freeland, Director of Library Services at the Internet Archive, about the evolving role of libraries in society and their critical function in preserving equitable access to knowledge and serving as a memory institution. They explore the challenges libraries face today—from book bans …

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Colombia's Political Instability with Crisis Group's Elizabeth Dickinson 27:28

4M ago27:28

27:28

This week, Kelly talks with International Crisis Group Analyst Elizabeth Dickinson about the surge in cartel-driven violence in Colombia and how USAID cuts have impacted the country. Elizabeth discusses how criminal groups have filled the vacuum left by FARC's demobilization in 2016, leading to the highest coca cultivation levels in Colombia's hist…

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Taking the Mystery Out of Menopause: Educating for Better Care with Joanna Strober 24:06

4M ago24:06

24:06

In this episode of Educating to be Human, Lisa speaks with Joanna Strober, seasoned entrepreneur and founder of MidiHealth—a virtual clinic providing personalized care for women navigating midlife changes like perimenopause and menopause. Together, Lisa and Joanna discuss why this stage of life remains one of the most under-researched, underfunded,…

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Kelly and Tristen on The UN Turning 80, NATO's Trump Strategy, and US Strikes on Iran 29:30

4M ago29:30

29:30

This week, Kelly and Tristan look back on the United Nations as it marks its 80th anniversary, reflecting on its evolution from the failed League of Nations and assessing its future challenges, including Security Council reform. They also analyze the recent NATO summit, exploring how European allies have managed the alliance's relationship with Pre…

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Sir Niall Ferguson: Time-Knight | Andrew Roberts | Hoover Institution 57:33

4M ago57:33

57:33

Sir Niall Ferguson on time travel, Trump bombing Iran, historical counterfactuals, Doctor Who, The Time Lord, using the past to help the present and future, the University of Austin’s revolutionary experiment, ChatGPT, and God possibly helping to split the atom.By Hoover Institution

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FDR and the Invention of National Security with Andrew Preston 33:54

4M ago33:54

33:54

Kelly talks with Andrew Preston about his new book, Total Defense: The New Deal and the Invention of National Security. Preston explores how FDR revolutionized national security policy by connecting domestic New Deal programs to global defense strategies. Andrew Preston is a Professor of American History based at Clare College, Cambridge, where he …

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Dignity in development 44:41

4M ago44:41

44:41

The development sector proclaims that it values dignity. Yet it often breaks this promise, with people leaving encounters with charities feeling bruised and unseen. In this podcast, drawn from a recent lecture at IDS, research fellow Marina Apgar is in conversation with Tom Wein from the IDinsight Dignity Initiative who examines dignity as a core v…

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Food Justice Begins in the Classroom with Stephen Ritz 37:17

4M ago37:17

37:17

In this episode of Educating to Be Human, Lisa speaks with Stephen Ritz, founder of the Green Bronx Machine, about how we can transform education by returning to the most essential teacher of all: food. What if learning began not with a textbook, but with a seed? Stephen's journey - from a South Bronx classroom to a global network of edible educati…

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The Pope's Spies: Yvonnick Denoël on the Vatican's Clandestine Operations 37:33

5M ago37:33

37:33

Kelly talks with Yvonnick Denoël about his new book, Vatican Spies: From the Second World War to Pope Francis, exploring the Vatican's little-known intelligence operations. Yvonnick is a French historian, publisher and intelligence specialist who has written on the CIA, Mossad, and espionage in the twentieth century. His new book uncovers a little-…

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Tim Bouverie and the Diplomacy of World War II | Andrew Roberts | Hoover Institution 42:31

5M ago42:31

42:31

British historian Tim Bouverie discusses the knotty diplomatic dilemmas faced by Churchill, Roosevelt, and Stalin.By Hoover Institution

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Will Popular Elections Undermine Mexico's Court System? Plus updates on South Korea, Poland, and the Sahel 48:36

5M ago48:36

48:36

Interview with David Mora on Mexico's Judicial Elections: 27:20 This week, Kelly and Tristen unpack key elections in Poland and South Korea, and examine the growing reach of an Al-Qaeda affiliate in West Africa. Kelly then sits down with David Mora to explore Mexico's recent judicial elections and their implications for Mexican democracy and U.S.-M…

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When Meditation Replaces Detention, with Atman Smith 36:38

5M ago36:38

36:38

In this episode of Educating to be Human, Lisa speaks with Atman Smith, founder of the Holistic Life Foundation, about the transformative power of bringing mindfulness, yoga, and meditation into not just schools, but also rehab centers and senior living centers. What began as a personal journey in search of deeper meaning evolved into a community-l…

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Amitav Acharya: Why The International Order Will Survive Western Decline 49:29

5M ago49:29

49:29

Kelly talks with Amitav Acharya about his new book The Once and Future World Order and the deep roots of global civilization beyond the West. They explore why the recent decline of American dominance doesn't mean collapse, but a chance to build a more just, inclusive global system. Amitav Acharya is the UNESCO Chair in Transnational Challenges and …

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“Well, He Got Beheaded”: Caroline, Countess of Derby, on her Husband’s Family’s Illustrious History | Andrew Roberts | Hoover Institution 57:12

5M ago57:12

57:12

Caroline Stanley, Countess of Derby, is an English aristocrat, art historian, and philanthropist. Affectionately known as “Cazzy,” she is married to Edward Stanley, 19th Earl of Derby, and serves as the chatelaine of Knowsley Hall, the ancestral seat of the Stanley family in Merseyside. In this conversation, which also delves into topics ranging fr…

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Mona Yacoubian on Trump's Middle East Visit 40:11

5M ago40:11

40:11

Interview with Mona Yacoubian on Trump's Middle East Visit: 25:55 This week, Kelly and Tristen discuss President Trump's meeting with the President of South Africa, give an update on the war in Ukraine, and unpack the UK's new trade agreement with the European Union. Kelly then talks with Mona Yacoubian for a breakdown on Trump's recent trip to the…

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A Thousand Pounds of Learning with Wendy Millet 38:00

5M ago38:00

38:00

Welcome to Season 2 of Educating to Be Human! In this premiere episode, host Lisa Petrides speaks with Wendy Millet— co-founder of Gallop Ventures, and Director of TomKat Ranch Educational Foundation. Together, Lisa and Wendy explore what it means to learn in a way that engages both body and mind, restores connection with nature, and builds the kin…

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Moisés Naím on Authoritarianism 25:28

5M ago25:28

25:28

Next up this Summer, Kelly talks with bestselling author Moisés Naím about the rise of authoritarianism around the world. Moisés Naím is an internationally syndicated columnist and best-selling author of several books, including most recently "The Revenge of Power: How Autocrats Are Reinventing Politics for the 21st Century," published in 2023. In …

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Statecraft In An Age Of Strongmen | Andrew Roberts | Hoover Institution 1:06:04

6M ago1:06:04

1:06:04

In this unique return visit to Secrets of Statecraft, New York Times columnist Bret Stephens discusses why defending Ukraine is in America’s interest, and reflects on the perils of Western flirtation with authoritarian figures. Recorded on May 16, 2025.By Hoover Institution

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Sameer Lalwani on India-Pakistan tensions 37:28

6M ago37:28

37:28

Interview with Sameer Lalwani on India-Pakistan: 21:30 This week, Kelly and Tristen digest the recent elections in Australia and President Putin's WWII victory day parade, and remember the life and legacy of legendary IR scholar Joseph Nye. Kelly then talks with to Sameer Lalwani for an update on recent tensions between India and Pakistan. Sameer L…

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Patricia Owens: A History of International Thought without Men 39:18

6M ago39:18

39:18

In the first episode of our summer series, Kelly talks with Oxford University Professor Patricia Owens about her new book "Erased: A History of International Thought Without Men." Kelly and Patricia discuss how women and minority voices were erased from the early cannon of interntional relations, what that means for the practice of IR, and how the …

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