Best Middlebury Podcasts (2026)

1
History from Below: Harvard’s Michael Szonyi on Fieldwork, History, and U.S.-China Relations 53:40

Play Pause

14d ago53:40

53:40

In this episode of China Field Notes, Scott Kennedy speaks with historian Michael Szonyi about why fieldwork matters to social historians and trends in U.S.-China relations. Szonyi unpacks the concept of “history from below” and how doing fieldwork in localities helps social historians understand history from the perspective of everyday people, the…

1
China’s Economic Progress and Challenges: A Conversation with Leading Chinese Economist Yao Yang 49:42

1M ago49:42

49:42

On this episode of China Field Notes, host Scott Kennedy talks with Yao Yang, one of China’s most thoughtful and influential economists. Dr. Yao, who spent most of his career at Peking University and recently moved to the Dishuihu Advanced Finance Institute at the Shanghai University of Finance and Economics, discusses his entry into the economics …

1
Kuiken and Hodges: The China Commissioners 53:06

1M ago53:06

53:06

Mike Kuiken and Josh Hodges, two commissioners on the congressionally appointed US-China Economic and Security Review Commission, join us to discuss the recommendations of the Commission’s 2025 annual report and the state of US-China relations more broadly. Listen and subscribe on Apple Podcasts or Spotify to stay updated with the latest episodes! …

1
Are Madagascar’s Marine Biodiversity Programs Working? 29:19

1M ago29:19

29:19

Are Madagascar’s marine biodiversity programs protecting the ocean—or leaving coastal communities behind? Mez Baker-Médard explores the promise and pitfalls of “feminist conservation.” With 90% of its plants and 85% of its non-flying animals found nowhere else in the world, Madagascar—with its extensive coral reefs—is home to incredible biodiversit…

1
The Enduring Value of Studying in China: A Conversation with the HNC’s Adam Webb. 32:47

1M ago32:47

32:47

In this episode of China Field Notes, Scott Kennedy talks with Adam Webb, Co-Director of the Hopkins-Nanjing Center. Drawing on Kennedy’s own experience as an HNC student and Webb’s long tenure on the faculty, they discuss what makes the Center unique in the landscape of international higher education institutions and how this dual-language, dual-u…

1
Glenn Diesen: Will Europe Survive? 1:01:16

2M ago1:01:16

1:01:16

Glenn Diesen, professor at the University of South-Eastern Norway and host of the Greater Eurasia Podcast, joins us to discuss the current state of affairs in Europe, including the West’s approach to the war in Ukraine, the future of integration on the continent, and the militarization of Scandinavia. Listen and subscribe on Apple Podcasts or Spoti…

1
Mathew Burrows: A Life in the CIA 55:45

2M ago55:45

55:45

Mathew Burrows, program lead of the Stimson Center’s Strategic Foresight Hub, joins us to discuss his career in the CIA and the National Intelligence Council, where he was the lead author of Global Trends, a non-classified report released every four years as an aid to incoming administrations. We also discuss transformative global events of recent …

1
Crossing Worlds: Han Shen Lin on Leadership, Finance, and U.S.-China Relations 33:54

2M ago33:54

33:54

On this episode of China Field Notes, host Scott Kennedy speaks with Han Shen Lin, China Managing Director for the Asia Group and Associate Professor of Practice in Finance at NYU Shanghai. Lin details his journey from serving in the U.S. Marines to working at Wells Fargo in China to teaching at NYU Shanghai. He explains why the original hopes of f…

1
John Mearsheimer: A World Tour 1:14:52

3M ago1:14:52

1:14:52

John Mearsheimer, world-renowned scholar of international relations, joins us to discuss the state of play in the Middle East, East Asia, and Eastern Europe. We also examine the relationship between realism and morality, the nature of the China threat, and the origins of “offshore balancing.” Listen and subscribe on Apple Podcasts or Spotify to sta…

1
Field Research and Governance in Xi’s China: Reflections from Middlebury’s Jessica Teets 1:00:30

3M ago1:00:30

1:00:30

By Center for Strategic and International Studies

1
Leonard Benardo: Reexamining the “Open Society” 1:00:08

3M ago1:00:08

1:00:08

Leonard Benardo, Senior Vice President at the Open Society Foundations, joins us to discuss OSF’s emergence and evolution, defining values of open societies, and heterodox thinking for turbulent times. Listen and subscribe on Apple Podcasts or Spotify to stay updated with the latest episodes! *The Trialogue Podcast is hosted by the Stimson Center a…

1
Unlikely Leaders: Lessons from “Today I Saw a Revolution” 34:39

3M ago34:39

34:39

For twenty years, Cathy Burke—author, leadership expert, changemaker—served as CEO of The Hunger Project Australia and later, Global Vice President. In this capacity, she worked to help end hunger by developing leadership at scale in communities across Africa, Latin America, and South Asia. Through her work with The Hunger Project, she met Dr. Badi…

1
Innovation and Involution: A Conversation with CSIS’s Scott Kennedy 41:17

3M ago41:17

41:17

On this special episode of China Field Notes, guest host Ilaria Mazzocco interviews the program’s usual host, CSIS Trustee Chair Scott Kennedy, about his latest trip to China. Scott shares insights on the split-screen picture of China’s booming tech sector, including his visit to BYD, and signs of a slowing economy. The conversation concludes with …

1
Zhao Long: Beijing’s Balancing Act 43:26

3M ago43:26

43:26

Zhao Long, Deputy Director of the Institute for Global Strategic and Security Studies in Shanghai, returns to the Trialogue to discuss Beijing’s perspective on a slew of recent high-profile summits, in the context of China’s complex relations with Russia, the United States, India, and North Korea. Listen and subscribe on Apple Podcasts or Spotify t…

1
Reporting on China’s Age of Uncertainty: A Conversation with CNBC’s Evelyn Cheng 50:54

4M ago50:54

50:54

On this episode of China Field Notes, host Scott Kennedy speaks with CNBC's Evelyn Cheng, who has been reporting on China’s economy in Beijing since 2018. She discusses the challenges of being a Western reporter in China, the take-off of China’s EV sector and other tech industries, changing consumer behavior, and the implications of worsening U.S.-…

1
Samuel Moyn: Can Multipolarity Save Liberalism? 47:39

4M ago47:39

47:39

Samuel Moyn, the Chancellor Kent Professor of Law and History at Yale University, joins us to discuss the philosophical underpinnings of liberalism, its role in international relations, and the possibility of a multipolar liberal order emerging in a period of U.S. decline. Listen and subscribe on Apple Podcasts or Spotify to stay updated with the l…

1
Jana Kobzova: Europe’s Take on the Alaska Talks 1:00:43

4M ago1:00:43

1:00:43

Jana Kobzova, Director of the European Security Program at the European Council on Foreign Relations and former foreign policy adviser to the president of Slovakia, joins us to discuss the European perspective on the Trump-Putin summit in Alaska, the Washington meeting between Trump, Zelensky, and top European leaders, and the future of the war in …

1
Dmitry Suslov: Russia’s Take on Alaska Talks 52:49

4M ago52:49

52:49

Dmitry Suslov, Deputy Director of the Center for Comprehensive European and International Studies at the Higher School of Economics in Moscow, joins us to discuss the Trump-Putin summit in Alaska and Russia’s expectations for a settlement in Ukraine. Listen and subscribe on Apple Podcasts or Spotify to stay updated with the latest episodes! *The Tr…

1
Victoria Panova: Russia and BRICS 52:07

4M ago52:07

52:07

Victoria Panova, Vice Rector of HSE and Head of Russia’s BRICS Expert Council, joins us to discuss the history of BRICS, Russia’s attitude toward the association, and the differences between BRICS and other international formats, such as the G7 and the G20. Listen and subscribe on Apple Podcasts or Spotify to stay updated with the latest episodes! …

1
Curtis Yarvin (Part 2): The Empire of Love 39:08

5M ago39:08

39:08

Curtis Yarvin returns to discuss the logic of the “empire of love” and the possibilities of an American “perestroika.” He calls on Washington to shutter its foreign embassies, withdraw from the UN, and dissolve the transatlantic relationship. Listen and subscribe on Apple Podcasts or Spotify to stay updated with the latest episodes! *The Trialogue …

1
Xiang Lanxin: Is Trump Good for China? 50:13

5M ago50:13

50:13

Xiang Lanxin, Distinguished Fellow at the Stimson Center, joins us to discuss Trumpian “kayfabe,” the possibility of a grand bargain over Taiwan, and the US-Russia-China “grand strategic triangle,” among other subjects. Listen and subscribe on Apple Podcasts or Spotify to stay updated with the latest episodes! *The Trialogue Podcast is hosted by th…

1
Sunjoy Joshi: The View from India 57:05

5M ago57:05

57:05

Sunjoy Joshi, Chairman of India’s Observer Research Foundation, joins us to discuss Indian philosophy, subtleties of the subcontinent, and India’s relations with the US, China, and Russia. Listen and subscribe on Apple Podcasts or Spotify to stay updated with the latest episodes! *The Trialogue Podcast is hosted by the Stimson Center and produced b…

1
Curtis Yarvin: The Empire of Love (Part 1) 45:14

6M ago45:14

45:14

Curtis Yarvin joins us to discuss the Anglo-American “empire of love,” the bohemian libertines of the ancien regime, Putin’s relative weakness, Xi’s advantages over Mamdani, and populism’s last chance. Listen and subscribe on Apple Podcasts or Spotify to stay updated with the latest episodes! *The Trialogue Podcast is hosted by the Stimson Center a…

1
Samuel Charap: Russia Policy in Retrospect 47:24

6M ago47:24

47:24

Samuel Charap, Distinguished Chair in Russia and Eurasia Policy at RAND, joins us to discuss US policy toward Russia since 2008, the war in Ukraine, and the prospects of a settlement. *The Trialogue Podcast is hosted by the Stimson Center and produced by University FM. Time Stamps: 00:40 How did you get interested in Russia? 01:59 US-Russia relatio…

1
Mediator and Teacher: Julian Portilla 47:49

7M ago47:49

47:49

In this episode, we feature a conversation with international mediator Julian Portilla. For the past three years, Julian has been one of the instructors of our successful Winter Term class at the college, "Conflict Transformation Skills." A graduate of Vassar College and George Mason University, Julian works with international organizations and loc…

1
PART II - Nukes, Landmines, and Disarmament: A Conversation with Matthew Breay Bolton 25:21

7M ago25:21

25:21

This is the second part in our two-part series on global demining and disarmament efforts, and the Trump administration’s decision to suspend all US assistance and funding for these international campaigns. In this episode, Mark Williams speaks with political scientist and Nobel Laureate Matthew Breay Bolton regarding the US role in helping to addr…

1
Maksim Suchkov: What Does Russia Want? 55:44

7M ago55:44

55:44

Maksim Suchkov, Director of the Institute of International Studies at MGIMO University in Moscow, joins us to discuss direct Russia-Ukraine talks, US-Russia relations, and Russia’s own “revolution of common sense”. *The Trialogue Podcast is hosted by the Stimson Center and produced by University FM. Time Stamps: 01:08 Evaluate the Russia-Ukraine ta…

1
From Post-Conflict Reconstruction to Democratic Dialogues 31:55

7M ago31:55

31:55

In this episode, we talk international post-conflict reconstruction, foreign aid, and domestic public policy dialogue with Dr. Naazneen Barma, a member of the External Advisory Board of the CT Collaborative. Barma is the founding Director of the Doug and Mary Scrivner Institute of Public Policy at the University of Denver (DU) and is a professor in…

1
Emma Ashford: Where do American interests end? 1:09:18

7M ago1:09:18

1:09:18

What is a foreign policy of restraint? Are the Anglosphere and Western Hemisphere key to American interests? Will the transatlantic alliance endure? Do Russia or China pose substantial threats to the United States? Time Stamps: 01:38 What is the restraint movement in US foreign policy? 06:28 Is military overextension a product of liberal internatio…

1
PART I Nukes, Landmines and Disarmament: A Conversation with Matthew Breay Bolton 35:46

8M ago35:46

35:46

How could activists, academics, NGOs and others lead the world to a Nuclear Weapons Ban treaty in 2017, despite resistance from the world’s major nuclear powers? Why do states, militaries, and militias still use landmines in war zones, despite their proven inability to deter an opposing military—or even delay its assault for an extended time? How e…

1
Da Wei: Will the US and China Decouple or Rebalance? 56:10

8M ago56:10

56:10

Da Wei, Director of the Center for International Security and Strategy at Tsinghua University in Beijing, joins us to discuss tariffs, the prospects of a trade deal, Russia’s global role, and the coming multipolar order. Time Stamps: 00:53 Was China prepared for Trump’s tariffs? 02:55 Does Washington want to decouple from China or rebalance trade? …

1
Practicing Negotiation: Tools for Skill-Building 32:05

8M ago32:05

32:05

In this episode, we bring you a panel discussion with two practiced negotiators. In January, the CT Collaborative and MiddCORE each planned to bring an expert in to help build student skills - and so we decided to put our two visitors in conversation with one another. Morgan Gaskin Thomas is Managing Director and Americas Lead for Accenture's Resol…

1
Robert Agee: An American Businessman in Moscow 45:32

8M ago45:32

45:32

Robert Agee, President of AmCham Russia, joins us to discuss American business in Russia since the 90s, who left and how after the start of the war in Ukraine, who suffered and benefited from Western sanctions, and the outlook for American (and Chinese) business in Russia going forward. Time Stamps: 00:45 What is AmCham? 02:29 How did you end up at…

1
Dynkin and Voitolovsky: Welcome to Washington 47:02

8M ago47:02

47:02

Alexander Dynkin and Feodor Voitolovsky, President and Director of the Institute of World Economy and International Relations at the Russian Academy of Sciences, join us to discuss their return to Washington, the war in Ukraine, and Sino-Russian relations, among other subjects. Time Stamps: 00:59 Returning to Washington for the first time since 201…

1
The Trialogue Live: April 8, 2025 1:19:06

8M ago1:19:06

1:19:06

This episode is a recording of a live event held online on April 8. Lanxin Xiang, Andrey Kortunov, and Emma Ashford joined me to discuss the state of theUS-Russia-China trilateral relationship. *The Trialogue Podcast is hosted by the Stimson Center and produced by University FM. Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for info…

1
Conflict Past and Present: History, Memory, and the U.S. Civil War 36:21

9M ago36:21

36:21

Today's podcast features historian Connor Williams, Middlebury Class of 2008.5. We explore the role of history and memory around the US Civil War and the way in which historical narratives inform our ability to tackle contemporary conflicts. Connor shares his experiences in community dialogues across the United States and lessons for engaging in di…

1
Reinhard Krumm: How Boxed In is Berlin? 58:50

9M ago58:50

58:50

Reinhard Krumm of the Friedrich Ebert Stiftung joins us to discuss Germany’s reversal on Russia and a new American Ostpolitik. Time Stamps: 00:54 What is the Friedrich Ebert Stiftung? 02:00 How was Vance’s Munich speech received in Germany? 06:49 What is the future of the trans-Atlantic relationship? 16:45 Is Germany sovereign? 21:40 Nord Stream 26…

1
Christopher Caldwell: The Right since Reagan 45:28

9M ago45:28

45:28

Writer Christopher Caldwell joins us to discuss the legacy of Ronald Reagan, the rise of a “New Right,” and the fate of the West. Time Stamps: 00:56 What is the New Right? 12:53 Revisiting Reagan’s legacy 17:24 Trump’s revolution 20:43 US foreign policy since Reagan 25:55 Whither the West 33:43 Immigration in Europe and the US 38:10 Russia and Chin…

1
Communication Amid Competition: A Conversation with Chen Dongxiao 43:16

9M ago43:16

43:16

On this episode of China Field Notes, Scott Kennedy speaks with Chen Dongxiao, the President of the Shanghai Institutes for International Studies (SIIS). He discusses how China's shifting role to the center of global politics and economics has shaped his career, and he offers a frank assessment of the U.S.-China bilateral relationship during the la…

1
Fiction as a Pathway to explore History and Conflict 56:45

9M ago56:45

56:45

In this episode, we bring you a talk from Ava Homa, the first Kurdish woman writer to publish a novel in English. In September 2024, Homa spoke at the Middlebury Institute for International Studies at Monterey. Professor Sharad Joshi provides an introduction. Homa is an acclaimed author, speaker, activist, and faculty member at California State Uni…

1
Zhao Long: Is Beijing Worried about US-Russia Rapprochement? 44:00

9M ago44:00

44:00

This week, our guest is Zhao Long, Deputy Director of the Institute for Global Strategic and Security Studies at the Shanghai Institute for International Studies. We discuss the prospects of the US splitting Russia from China and China peeling Europe away from the US, among other subjects. Time Stamps: 00:55 Is Beijing worried about a US-Russia rap…

1
Support and Challenge: Higher Ed's role in fostering constructive conflict skills 41:36

10M ago41:36

41:36

In this episode, Teyonce Allison '25 talks with Professor Jonathan Miller-Lane. Professor Miller-Lane, known affectionately as "JML," teaches education studies at Middlebury and is a facilitator in the Engaged Listening Project, a professional development program for faculty and staff. Prof. Miller-Lane discusses his upbringing in various countries…

1
Anastasia Likhacheva: Surviving “sanctions from hell” 45:14

10M ago45:14

45:14

This week, our guest is Anastasia Likhacheva, Dean of the Faculty of World Economy and International Affairs at the Higher School of Economics in Moscow. Time Stamps: 01:48 Studying sanctions since 2016 03:27 Nord Stream and the abrupt change in European attitudes after February 2022 6:22 Western companies leaving (and returning) to Russia after Fe…

1
The Terms of Trade: A Somber Prognosis from WTO Expert Tu Xinquan 37:52

10M ago37:52

37:52

On this episode of China Field Notes, Scott Kennedy speaks with Tu Xinquan, a leading Chinese expert on the World Trade Organization (WTO) and global economic governance. They review the initial enthusiasm accompanying China’s accession to the WTO two decades ago, the debates on whether China’s behavior conforms with its WTO commitments, and the ne…

1
Fyodor Lukyanov: What in the world is the “world majority”? 36:28

10M ago36:28

36:28

This week, our guest is Fyodor Lukyanov, Editor-in-Chief of Russia in Global Affairs, Professor at the Higher School of Economics, and Research Director of the Valdai Discussion Club. What is it like to sit on stage with Putin? When did relations with the West go wrong? And what in the world is the “world majority”? Time Stamps: 00:53 Moderating Pu…

1
Reasonable Paranoia: A Conversation with Kent Kedl 39:06

10M ago39:06

39:06

On this episode of China Field Notes, Scott Kennedy speaks with Kent Kedl on his 40-year journey in China from teaching English to consulting for multinational companies. They explore the past and present challenges foreign companies face in China, including understanding its regulations and adapting business strategies to local markets, how scenar…

1
Andrew Roth: A decade of reporting from Russia 1:05:56

10M ago1:05:56

1:05:56

This week, our guest is Andrew Roth, Global Affairs Correspondent at The Guardian. We discuss the twists and turns of Andrew’s ten-year career as a reporter in Moscow. Time Stamps: 03:12 Arrival in Russia in 2011 08:04 The 2012 protests 12:39 Foreign journalists in Moscow 23:02 Reporting in East Ukraine in 2014-16 35:25 Covering Zelensky 45:30 Edwa…

1
ZHOU Bo: How many military bases does Beijing need? 46:44

10M ago46:44

46:44

This week, our guest is Zhou Bo, a retired senior colonel in the PLA and a senior fellow in the Center for International Security and Strategy at Tsinghua University. We discuss China’s military presence in Africa, the Houthis, Ukraine, Taiwan, and the South China Sea. Time Stamps: 00:44 Zhou Bo’s studies in England and Australia 03:23 Chinese mili…

1
Philani Mthembu: South Africa’s attitudes toward Russia, China, and BRICS 55:38

10M ago55:38

55:38

This week, our guest is Philani Mthembu, Executive Director at the Institute for Global Dialogue in Pretoria. We discuss the South African perspective on the war in Ukraine, China, and BRICS. Time Stamps: 01:19 How many languages do you speak? 01:58 What is the purpose of the Institute for Global Dialogue? 03:29 What has changed since the ANC lost …

1
Dmitry Stefanovich: Nuclear deterrence during the war in Ukraine 49:19

11M ago49:19

49:19

This week, our guest is Dmitry Stefanovich, a research fellow at the Center for International Security at the Russian Academy of Sciences. We discuss recent revisions to Russia’s nuclear doctrine, deterrence during the war in Ukraine, Russian red lines, and the evolution of Chinese nuclear policy. Time Stamps: 00:01:39 Dmitry’s Odesa origins and in…