At The Coalface podcast

54:51

In this episode, I speak with Sang Yeob Kim. Sang shares his experience growing up across cultures, being exposed to Latin America as a child. This planted the seed for him to return as an adult to work as a diplomat, initially working for Chile. In our conversation, Sang shares his secrets about navigating high stakes diplomacy at the UN and, at the other end of the spectrum, about delivering results in the field for the UNDP. This episode is full of pearls of wisdom and lessons learned in the real world, explained in beautiful stories and metaphors. Recorded on 19 February 2025. Connect with Sang on LinkedIn at linkedin.com/in/sangyeobkim . Instagram: @at.the.coalface And don’t forget to subscribe to At the Coalface for new episodes every two weeks. Help us produce more episodes by becoming a supporter. Your subscription will go towards paying our hosting and production costs. Supporters get the opportunity to join behind the scenes during recordings, updates about the podcast, and my deep gratitude! Support the show…

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David Kovar - Managing the existential threat of UAV cybersecurity 1:14:40

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1:14:40

In this episode, I speak with David Kovar. David shares his thought leadership in the field of cybersecurity and Unmanned Aerial Vehicles forensics. David’s work addresses cyber crime and informs domestic and international policies on these important yet often poorly understood topics. David shares his philosophy about bringing the temperature down, finding a common language and translating complexity into frameworks that enable constructive action and effective collaboration. We also explore how to manage life reinventions and how to engage with people whose perspectives are antithetical to our own. Recorded on 20 December 2024. Connect with David on LinkedIn at linkedin.com/in/davidkovar . Instagram: @at.the.coalface And don’t forget to subscribe to At the Coalface for new episodes every two weeks. Help us produce more episodes by becoming a supporter. Your subscription will go towards paying our hosting and production costs. Supporters get the opportunity to join behind the scenes during recordings, updates about the podcast, and my deep gratitude! Support the show…

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Kelly Sims Gallagher - The art of climate diplomacy and navigating the U.S.-China relationship 51:04

acum 6 weeks51:04

51:04

In this episode, I speak with Professor Kelly Sims Gallagher, Dean of the Fletcher School. In our conversation, we explore how Kelly’s early life and exposure to air pollution shaped her desire to dedicate her life to environmental issues. Kelly shares the insights of her research on China in the late 1990s and her realisation that China would become a world leader in climate issues, both as emitter and as clean technology superpower. We talk about how the Global South can compete in the clean tech space and how the new US administration’s withdrawal from the Paris Agreement could impact momentum on climate negotiations. We wrap up with Kelly’s vision for the role of the Fletcher School in a changed world. Recorded on 28 January 2025. Connect with Dean Gallagher on LinkedIn at linkedin.com/in/kelly-sims-gallagher . Instagram: @at.the.coalface And don’t forget to subscribe to At the Coalface for new episodes every two weeks. Help us produce more episodes by becoming a supporter. Your subscription will go towards paying our hosting and production costs. Supporters get the opportunity to join behind the scenes during recordings, updates about the podcast, and my deep gratitude! Support the show…

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Olena Tregub - The power of civil society to reform Ukraine's governance in the midst of war 59:19

acum 8 weeks59:19

59:19

In this episode, I speak with Olena Tregub. Olena shares her fascinating trajectory, growing up in Soviet times and witnessing her country’s independence. The relative immaturity of the political landscape at the time prompted her to get involved politically at a young age. Olena shares the unique role that civil society plays in Ukraine and its power to affect deep change. Her organization, NAKO, is focusing on improving transparency and governance in military procurement, with great success. Join me for this rare behind-the-scenes perspective on the inner workings of Ukraine’s government administration. Recorded on 17 December 2024. Connect with Olena on LinkedIn at linkedin.com/in/olenatregub . Find out more about Olena's organisation, The Independent Anti-Corruption Commission (NAKO) at nako.org.ua/en . Instagram: @at.the.coalface And don’t forget to subscribe to At the Coalface for new episodes every two weeks. Help us produce more episodes by becoming a supporter. Your subscription will go towards paying our hosting and production costs. Supporters get the opportunity to join behind the scenes during recordings, updates about the podcast, and my deep gratitude! Support the show…

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William Moomaw - Our climate emergency: why net zero won’t be enough, we need to maintain natural systems 1:35:16

acum 10 weeks1:35:16

1:35:16

In this episode, I speak with Professor William Moomaw. Prof. Moomaw is a world renowned expert in sustainable development. He has been a long-time contributor and lead author for the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change, including in 2007 when the IPCC was awarded the Nobel Peace Prize. Prof. Moomaw has changed the worldview of many of his students as part of his teaching at the Fletcher School. He’s inspired a number of us to make profound changes to our relationship with nature and to refocus our professional direction accordingly. I’m honoured to be hosting Bill on this podcast and delighted to be sharing this conversation with you. Recorded on 16 December 2024. Connect with Bill Moomaw on LinkedIn at linkedin.com/in/william-moomaw-09a8525 . Instagram: @at.the.coalface And don’t forget to subscribe to At the Coalface for new episodes every two weeks. Help us produce more episodes by becoming a supporter. Your subscription will go towards paying our hosting and production costs. Supporters get the opportunity to join behind the scenes during recordings, updates about the podcast, and my deep gratitude! Support the show…

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Jeff Dodson - Leadership lessons from a life in finance, executive search and teaching 1:39:35

acum 12 weeks1:39:35

1:39:35

In this episode, I speak with Jeff Dodson. Jeff shares his life and leadership lessons from his multiple careers, first as an investment banker working on Wall Street, then in the beverage industry, then pivoting to the executive search business, and most recently as a high school teacher. In our conversation, we reflect on what characterises the best leaders, what they think about in the shower, why leaders struggle to let go, how to manage a pivot, and what it’s like being a teacher. Recorded on 19 November 2024. Connect with Jeff on LinkedIn at linkedin.com/in/jeff-dodson-13839114/ . Jeff's recent book, "Sculpting the Mists", is available on Amazon and can be ordered from bookstores in the U.S. Instagram: @at.the.coalface And don’t forget to subscribe to At the Coalface for new episodes every two weeks. Help us produce more episodes by becoming a supporter. Your subscription will go towards paying our hosting and production costs. Supporters get the opportunity to join behind the scenes during recordings, updates about the podcast, and my deep gratitude! Support the show…

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Jivan Ljupčo Gjorginski - Calming things down: the high stakes of bioweapons diplomacy 53:52

acum 14 weeks53:52

53:52

In this episode, I speak with Jivan Gjorginski. Together we dive into the complexities of diplomatic efforts to regulate biological and toxins weapons that Jivan has been spearheading. We also touch on his earlier work on lethal autonomous weapons. Jivan reflects on his personal journey, straddling Macedonia and Canada, and how his drive for calming things down guided his decisions and career. Recorded on 2 October 2024. Connect with Jivan on LinkedIn at linkedin.com/in/gjorgjinski . Jivan's podcast, "Diplomacy, Light", is available on Spotify . Instagram: @at.the.coalface And don’t forget to subscribe to At the Coalface for new episodes every two weeks. Help us produce more episodes by becoming a supporter. Your subscription will go towards paying our hosting and production costs. Supporters get the opportunity to join behind the scenes during recordings, updates about the podcast, and my deep gratitude! Support the show…

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Ifeoma Okali - A lifelong pursuit of equality and justice in Nigeria and beyond 59:36

acum 16 weeks59:36

59:36

In this episode, I speak with Ifeoma Okali. Ifeoma shares her journey growing up in Nigeria, finding her way into the legal profession, animated by a strong sense of the importance of equality and protecting civil rights in a society that was still very male dominated. We talk about her experience of 12 years working for the UN International Criminal Tribunal for Rwanda and the role of international law in bringing closure for victims of horrific conflicts. We conclude our conversation on what she found out about the state of Nigeria, in particular its judicial system, on her return, and how she is seeking to bring change today as an educator. Recorded on 26 September 2024. Connect with Ifeoma on LinkedIn at linkedin.com/in/ifeoma-okali-53293942 . Instagram: @at.the.coalface And don’t forget to subscribe to At the Coalface for new episodes every two weeks. Help us produce more episodes by becoming a supporter. Your subscription will go towards paying our hosting and production costs. Supporters get the opportunity to join behind the scenes during recordings, updates about the podcast, and my deep gratitude! Support the show…

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Adam Barbina - Where love is absent, power fills the vacuum: on geostrategy, bridging divides and living after cancer 1:02:44

acum 18 weeks1:02:44

1:02:44

In this episode, I speak with Adam Barbina. Adam shares his memories of growing up in rural Ohio in a hard working, religious and conservative family. After studying at a liberal grad school and living in New York City, Adam still remains connected to his roots and understands conservative viewpoints, wishing more people could see both sides. We talk about his career break into geostrategy consultancy and how the private sector grapples with geopolitical issues. Adam reflects on his difficult journey with health, his sense of gratitude, and how it’s shaped who he is today. Recorded on 31 October 2024. Connect with Adam on LinkedIn at linkedin.com/in/adam-barbina-2b076b3/ . Instagram: @at.the.coalface And don’t forget to subscribe to At the Coalface for new episodes every two weeks. Help us produce more episodes by becoming a supporter. Your subscription will go towards paying our hosting and production costs. Supporters get the opportunity to join behind the scenes during recordings, updates about the podcast, and my deep gratitude! Support the show…

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Zack Peterson - Tackling childhood stunting door to door: a grassroots mission to change the world 46:45

acum 20 weeks46:45

46:45

In this episode, I speak with Zack Peterson. Zack founded 1000 Days Fund, an NGO addressing childhood stunting in Indonesia at a grassroots level with specially trained community health workers. Zack was working at the World Bank when he was confronted with the pernicious creep of stunting that was about to affect his daughter - and he decided to jump out and start his NGO. 1000 Days Fund has had incredible results, even with the painstaking work of tackling malnutrition household by household, challenging the conventional model of dumping food aid on people. Being in Zack’s presence to record this conversation moved me deeply, Zack is incredibly authentic and purpose-driven with a raw energy that I’m sure you’ll find infectious too. Recorded on 26 September 2024. Connect with Zack on LinkedIn at linkedin.com/in/zackpetersen1/ . Watch the recently released documentary, Indonesia’s Silent Emergency: Stunting in Rural Populations . Instagram: @at.the.coalface And don’t forget to subscribe to At the Coalface for new episodes every two weeks. Help us produce more episodes by becoming a supporter. Your subscription will go towards paying our hosting and production costs. Supporters get the opportunity to join behind the scenes during recordings, updates about the podcast, and my deep gratitude! Support the show…

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Carolina Neal - From Costa Rica to Missouri: a story of building roots by restoring buildings 59:42

acum 22 weeks59:42

59:42

In this episode, I speak with Carolina Neal. Carolina is originally from Costa Rica, a country with a deep connection to the wisdom of nature. Her grandmother, the powerful head of her family, had picked Carolina out among her many siblings for her smarts and sent her for higher education. Carolina’s life was destined for high political office, but love got in the way and she ended up in Joplin, Missouri. Carolina shares her fascinating reinvention, the way she connected the many dots in her life, and started restoring historical buildings with her husband, with an incredible impact on her new community. In our conversation, we reflect on what it takes to build roots and to nourish our inner purpose. Recorded on 25 September 2024. Connect with Carolina on LinkedIn at linkedin.com/in/carolina-neal-1275b19b . Instagram: @at.the.coalface And don’t forget to subscribe to At the Coalface for new episodes every two weeks. Help us produce more episodes by becoming a supporter. Your subscription will go towards paying our hosting and production costs. Supporters get the opportunity to join behind the scenes during recordings, updates about the podcast, and my deep gratitude! Support the show…

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Nino Kalandadze - The new Iron Curtain and the Russian state capture in Georgia 57:26

acum 24 weeks57:26

57:26

Nino Kalandadze was one of our first guests on this podcast. Then, she spoke about her experience forged as a young politician while her country, Georgia, was fighting a war with Russia. In this conversation, Nino sheds light on the direction Georgian politics have taken, as a capture of state institutions is under way by interests aligned with Russia. The upcoming Parliamentary elections and the question of whether a peaceful transfer of power can occur will mark a turning point in the country’s history. Nino argues her country may fall behind a new Iron Curtain, reshaping Europe’s future. Recorded on 9 September 2024. Connect with Nino on LinkedIn at linkedin.com/in/ninokalandadze . Nino recommended the book A Little History of the World by E. H. Gombrich, Yale Books . Instagram: @at.the.coalface And don’t forget to subscribe to At the Coalface for new episodes every two weeks. Help us produce more episodes by becoming a supporter. Your subscription will go towards paying our hosting and production costs. Supporters get the opportunity to join behind the scenes during recordings, updates about the podcast, and my deep gratitude! Support the show…

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Dana Dumitrascu - How to (re)discover our vocation and fill our inner void 44:18

acum 26 weeks44:18

44:18

In this episode, I speak with Dana Dumitrascu. Dana just published a book, How To Discover Your Vocation. In our conversation, we explore Dana’s backstory and how she grew into becoming a vocational coach. Her book helps people, young and experienced in life, shed the conditioning we’ve all inherited about work and jobs, and look at vocation in a new way. Dana’s framework is practical and involves building on our natural inclinations to regain agency over what we choose to do. Her toolkit helps fill a void in meaning that individual pursuits never fully satisfy. Her advice takes on a spiritual dimension as she links vocation and fulfilment with serving others. Recorded on 3 September 2024. Connect with Dana on LinkedIn at linkedin.com/in/danatudosetianu . Dana's book is How to Discover Your Vocation [ Amazon.com ]. Instagram: @at.the.coalface And don’t forget to subscribe to At the Coalface for new episodes every two weeks. Help us produce more episodes by becoming a supporter. Your subscription will go towards paying our hosting and production costs. Supporters get the opportunity to join behind the scenes during recordings, updates about the podcast, and my deep gratitude! Support the show…

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Bernard Zongo - Shaping Burkina Faso with music and words, an unlikely journey from nothing to mining 1:18:45

acum 28 weeks1:18:45

1:18:45

In this episode, I speak with Bernard Zongo. Bernard’s story inspires me in so many ways. He grew up in a poor environment where the odds were stacked against him doing much with his life. His relentless determination to pursue education, with a sprinkle of help along the way, led him to blaze a path in local development, urbanism, humanitarian interventions in conflict zones and more recently, in stakeholder management for the mining sector. And this is far from the whole story: Bernard is accomplished in sports, theatre, music and writing, and has used his talents to shape political reform in Burkina Faso. I feel there is so much more to come for him, but let's learn from his already incredibly rich journey. Recorded on 16 August 2024. Corrigendum: Bernard's scholarship when at the University of Montréal was 450 Canadian dollars, not Euros (450 CAD was equiv. to 300 EUR). Bernard also refers to Botswana as an example of a country that wasn't colonised, when it was a British Protectorate. He intended to use the example of Ethiopia. In the conversation, Bernard mentions Professor Ian Kershaw's book, Hitler: A Biography. Connect with Bernard on LinkedIn at linkedin.com/in/bernard-zongo-316a1929 . Instagram: @at.the.coalface And don’t forget to subscribe to At the Coalface for new episodes every two weeks. Help us produce more episodes by becoming a supporter. Your subscription will go towards paying our hosting and production costs. Supporters get the opportunity to join behind the scenes during recordings, updates about the podcast, and my deep gratitude! Support the show…

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Michael Brasseur - Robotics and AI for a digital ocean: lessons in leadership and innovation from a life at sea 57:23

acum 30 weeks57:23