Best Institute for the Study of Diplomacy Podcasts (2025)

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Ep 238: James Titterton on Medieval Deception 43:56

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9m ago43:56

43:56

James Titterton, historian and author of Deception in Medieval Warfare: Trickery and Cunning in the Central Middle Ages, joins the show to discuss strategies and stratagems in the age of castles and knights. ▪️ Times • 01:29 Introduction • 02:18 High Middle Ages • 09:03 Oathbreakers • 12:01 Sources • 16:21 Doctrine • 22:07 Bribery • 31:23 Spies and…

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

4h 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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Ep 237: Toshi Yoshihara on China’s Subversive Strategies 57:59

1d ago57:59

57:59

By Nebulous Media

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

5d 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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Ep 236: Joshua Rovner on Grand Strategy 51:00

5d ago51:00

51:00

Joshua Rovner, Associate Professor in the School of International Service at American University and author of Strategy and Grand Strategy, joins the show to discuss the tension between pursuing military victory and securing a nation. ▪️ Times • 01:28 Introduction • 01:35 MIT • 05:03 Grand strategy • 10:45 Peloponnesian War • 18:05 Spartan strategy…

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

9d 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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Ep 235: Tyler Grey on Serving in Delta Force and the Warrior’s Journey 1:18:15

8d ago1:18:15

1:18:15

Tyler Grey, Delta Force veteran and author of Forged in Chaos: A Warrior's Origin Story, joins the show to discuss his experiences as a member of the U.S. Army’s most elite combat unit, his journey as a warrior, and the continuing struggle to understand post-traumatic stress. ▪️ Times • 01:30 Introduction • 01:48 Bakersfield, CA • 06:51 Predators a…

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

15d 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

12d 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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Ep 234: A. Wess Mitchell on Diplomacy 57:42

12d ago57:42

57:42

A. Wess Mitchell, former Assistant Secretary of State for European and Eurasian Affairs, historian, and author of Great Power Diplomacy: The Skill of Statecraft from Attila the Hun to Kissinger, joins the show to discuss just what diplomacy is. ▪️ Times • 01:37 Introduction • 02:08 Bad reutation • 04:37 Misconceptions • 09:35 A part of grand strate…

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Ep 233: Mick Ryan on the Ukraine War’s Urgent Lessons 42:11

15d ago42:11

42:11

Major General Mick Ryan, Australian Army (retired), Senior Fellow for Military Studies the Lowy Institute and author of the Futura Doctrina substack, joins the show to discuss his latest piece, Translating Ukraine Lessons for the Pacific Theatre. ▪️ Times • 01:40 Introduction • 02:18 Translation • 04:03 Ground forces • 08:40 Australian defense • 11…

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

19d 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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Ep 232: Ran Baratz on the Gaza War and Israel’s ‘Postmodern’ Military 53:07

19d ago53:07

53:07

Ran Baratz, military historian and former senior Israeli official, and author of What's Wrong with the Postmodern Military?, joins the show to discuss operations in Gaza and problems with how the IDF officer corps thinks about war. ▪️ Times • 01:37 Introduction • 02:27 Gaza • 06:23 Diplomatic obstacles • 12:27 Worse than you think • 15:28 Paradigm …

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The Promise of Public Diplomacy with Paul Kruchoski 38:59

23d 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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Ep 231: Peter Rough on Russian Drone Incursions into NATO 36:04

22d ago36:04

36:04

Peter Rough, senior fellow and director of the Center on Europe and Eurasia at the Hudson Institute, joins the show to discuss the recent Russian drone incursions in Poland and Romania and what they mean. ▪️ Times • 01:08 Introduction • 01:35 What actually happened? • 05:30 Destructive decoys • 07:27 European moods • 11:23 Rightwing response • 16:3…

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

26d 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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Ep 230: Prit Buttar on the Great Soviet Offensive of 1944 46:05

26d ago46:05

46:05

Prit Buttar, historian and author of Bagration 1944: The Great Soviet Offensive, joins the show to discuss the immense Russian campaign that broke the German Army on the Eastern Front. ▪️ Times • 01:48 Introduction • 02:50 A war unto itself • 08:02 Flanders • 15:20 Maskirovka • 24:35 Soviet intelligence • 28:27 Bolshevism • 30:22 Lebensraum • 31:40…

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Ep 229: Nadège Rolland on China’s Borderlands 48:20

29d ago48:20

48:20

Nadège Rolland, Distinguished Fellow, China Studies, at the National Bureau of Asian Research (NBR) and principal investigator for the Mapping China's Borderlands: Dashboard, joins the show to discuss the shifting visions China has of its frontiers. ▪️ Times • 01:35 Introduction • 02:34 What is “China?” • 10:26 Sovereignty • 19:30 Double translatio…

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Ep 228: Brad Bowman and Ryan Brobst on “Axis” Military Cooperation 49:44

1M ago49:44

49:44

Brad Bowman and Ryan Brobst, senior and deputy directors of the Center on Military and Political Power at FDD, join the show to discuss the military relationships between America’s major antagonists. ▪️ Times • 01:47 Introduction • 02:40 Axis cooperation • 08:02 Interoperability • 11:19 Fighting all three • 14:49 Potential • 20:57 The arsenal • 26:…

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

1M 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

1M 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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Ep 227: Yaakov Katz on What Went Wrong on 10/7 51:57

1M ago51:57

51:57

Yaakov Katz, senior fellow at The Jewish People Policy Institute and author of While Israel Slept: How Hamas Surprised the Most Powerful Military in the Middle East, joins the show to discuss Israel’s intelligence and military failures on the night of 6-7 October, 2023. ▪️ Times • 01:35 Introduction • 02:47 Foundational facts • 09:45 Communication …

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Ep 226: Geoffrey Wawro on the Vietnam War 59:27

1M ago59:27

59:27

Geoffrey Wawro, founding director of the Military History Center at the University of North Texas and author of The Vietnam War: A Military History, joins the show to discuss the causes of U.S. failure in Vietnam. ▪️ Times • 01:21 Introduction • 01:50 Schools of thought • 07:45 Orthodoxy • 13:24 A war of choice • 17:49 Ambivalence • 20:15 Korean ni…

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

1M 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

1M 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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Ep 225: Geoff Ball on the Evacuation of Kabul 1:14:03

1M ago1:14:03

1:14:03

Major Geoff Ball, USMC, co-founder of the Connecting File, commanded Company G, 2nd Battalion, 1st Marines during the evacuation at Kabul International Airport in 2021, including the suicide bombing at Abbey Gate on 26 August. He shares the story of his company and their extraordinary service in Afghanistan. ▪️ Times • 01:51 Introduction • 02:03 Th…

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Ep 224: Barry Strauss on Ancient Rome’s Wars with Israel 46:58

2M ago46:58

46:58

Barry Strauss, Corliss Page Dean Fellow at the Hoover Institution and author of Jews vs. Rome: Two Centuries of Rebellion Against the World's Mightiest Empire, joins the show to discuss the long, fractious, often violent relationship between Ancient Rome and her Jewish subjects. ▪️ Times • 01:11 Introduction • 01:37 Rome and Parthia • 07:50 Judea •…

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

2M 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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Ep 223: Mick Ryan on Ukraine Negotiations and Fighting 33:08

2M ago33:08

33:08

Major General Mick Ryan, Australian Army (retired), Senior Fellow for Military Studies the Lowy Institute and author of the Futura Doctrina Substack, joins the show to break down the latest on Ukraine, from the battlefield to the White House. ▪️ Times • 01:05 Introduction • 02:06 The front • 06:23 Fortress belt • 08:38 ROI • 10:55 Shifting feelings…

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Ep 222: Peter Mansoor on MacArthur’s Return to the Philippines 50:41

2M ago50:41

50:41

Colonel Peter Mansoor, U.S. Army (retired), General Raymond E. Mason Jr. Chair in Military History at The Ohio State University and authors of Redemption: MacArthur and the Campaign for the Philippines, joins the show to discuss the largest campaign of the Pacific War, the liberation of the Philippines. ▪️ Times • 01:08 Introduction • 01:30 Why Wes…

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

2M 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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Ep 221: Joel Wuthnow and Phillip Saunders on China’s PLA 54:38

2M ago54:38

54:38

Joel Wuthnow and Phillip Saunders, both of the U.S. National Defense University and authors of China's Quest for Military Supremacy, join the show to discuss the origins, organization, and strategic outlook of China’s military. ▪️ Times • 01:22 Introduction • 01:57 Origins • 06:58 Crisis control • 08:48 PLA structure • 13:05 1960 • 20:17 Horizontal…

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

2M 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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Ep 220: Marc LiVecche on Hiroshima and Morality 42:18

2M ago42:18

42:18

Marc LiVecche, McDonald Distinguished Scholar of Ethics, War, and Public Life at Providence and author of The Good Kill: Just War and Moral Injury, joins the show to discuss Just War Theory and whether the atomic bombings of Hiroshima and Nagasaki fit in that framework. ▪️ Times • 01:23 Introduction • 01:30 Misspent youth • 07:51 Moral injury • 13:…

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

2M 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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Ep 219: Stephen Platt on Mao's China and the Original Marine Raider 56:23

2M ago56:23

56:23

Stephen Platt, professor of Chinese history at UMass Amherst and author of The Raider: The Untold Story of a Renegade Marine and the Birth of U.S. Special Forces in World War II, joins the show to discuss the incredible life of Evans Carlson. ▪️ Times • 01:48 Introduction • 02:50 American quirk • 08:14 China • 10:18 Soviet policy • 14:01 Nicaragua …

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

2M 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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Ep 218: Lawerence Freedman on Endless Wars 41:23

2M ago41:23

41:23

Lawerence Freedman, Emeritus Professor of War Studies at King’s College London and author of ‘The Age of Forever Wars’ in Foreign Affairs Magazine, joins the show to discuss why protracted warfare seems to be a mark of the era. ▪️ Times • 01:32 Introduction • 02:01 Aligning strategy • 04:37 Mass • 07:14 Iraq and Afghanistan • 11:14 Al Qaeda • 14:25…

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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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Ep 217: Steven Rabalais on Ike’s Mentor 1:06:20

3M ago1:06:20

1:06:20

Steven Rabalais, litigator and author of General Fox Conner: Pershing's Chief of Operations and Eisenhower's Mentor, joins the show to discuss the extraordinary influence of now-forgotten General Fox Connor on the outcome of WWI and Eisenhower’s career. ▪️ Times • 01:51 Introduction • 03:10 Growing up with history • 05:47 A southern story • 07:44 W…

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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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Ep 216: Will Somerindyke on Making Munitions in America 41:40

3M ago41:40

41:40

Will Somerindyke, Chairman of Regulus Global and CEO of UNION, joins the show to discuss rebuilding the U.S. defense industrial base. ▪️ Times • 01:36 Introduction • 02:35 A navy family • 05:51 Regulus • 08:05 American made • 10:45 155 • 14:44 Integration • 16:53 Supply chains • 23:20 Demand • 28:27 Flexibility • 31:40 Forging vs casting • 33:45 UN…

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Ep 215: Ryan McDermott on Invading Iraq in 2003 38:26

3M ago38:26

38:26

Ryan McDermott, Army veteran of the 2003 invasion of Iraq and author of Downriver: Memoir of a Warrior Poet, joins the show to talk about his combat experiences. ▪️ Times • 01:13 Introduction • 01:55 Seeking purpose • 04:11 West Point • 06:48 9/11 • 08:41 3rd Infantry Division • 10:12 Platoon tactics • 14:51 “Crossing tonight” • 18:08 Preparing for…

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Ep 214: Bryan Clark on the Coming Sensor War with China 57:43

3M ago57:43

57:43

Bryan Clark, senior fellow and director of the Center for Defense Concepts and Technology at Hudson Institute, joins the show to talk about how a war with China could play out. ▪️ Times • 01:51 Introduction • 02:00 Submariner • 10:10 Environmental conditions • 12:40 State of play • 20:04 Complacency • 23:36 Hellscape • 32:14 Cultural differences • …

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

3M 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

3M 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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