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★★★★★

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136 reviews

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We interview American diplomats, capturing the sacrifice, leadership, humor, heroism, wisdom, and lessons of modern American diplomacy. Through historical reflections and personal anecdotes, guests explain foreign policy and tradecraft, or what they were trying to accomplish and how. Episodes include conversations with America’s diplomatic legends -- including Thomas Pickering, John Negroponte, Bill Burns, Maura Harty, Beth Jones and Kristie Kenney -- as well as rising leaders and foreign policy experts from diverse backgrounds. **Some interviews will be cited in the forthcoming book Modern American Diplomacy: A Field Guide to Success in The Foreign Service. And some episodes, as marked, were brought to you as part of an Una Chapman Cox Foundation project on American Diplomacy and the Foreign Service. The Association for Diplomatic Studies and Training (ADST) manages the podcast, which was begun by FSO Jeremy Beer**

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Check latest episodes from Modern American Diplomacy podcast

Amb. Liliana Ayalde reflects on mentorship, interagency collaboration, and how to improve the U.S. position in the Western Hemisphere

2022/06/22

Liliana Ayalde reflects on a long and accomplished career in assistance, public health, and diplomacy. Beginning with her first posting with USAID in Bangladesh, Amb. Ayalde traces lessons learned and her abiding contributions to international development and diplomacy in the U.S. Foreign Service. She bounces back from serious medical leave; she gets help from allies like Amb. Roberta Jacobson; and she confronts tension relations following the Snowden disclosures. Amb. Ayalde speaks to the importance of mentorship, identifying leadership talents, and personal flexibility when it comes to seizing opportunities, as well as collaborating with other agencies. When facing challenges in her ambassadorial and State Department roles, Amb. Ayalde was able to utilize the lessons she learned in USAID to cultivate excellence in her work, inspiring younger officers along the way.

Three filmmakers talk about three outstanding African-American ambassadors – Edward Dudley, Terence Todman, and Carl Rowan

2022/05/25

Leola Calzolai-Stewart, Rachell Shapiro, Kiley Kraskouskas talk about the careers of three outstanding African-American diplomats – ambassadors Edward Dudley, Terence Todman, and Carl Rowan – as well all that was involved in bringing the story of these pioneers to life in “The American Diplomat” on PBS. The discussion covers the history of African-Americans in the Foreign Service from Reconstruction to the modern day, as well as the barriers they faced in a State Department that initially confined them to just a few posts in predominantly black countries, maintaining racial inequality from office culture to the lunchroom. Listen and hear about how America’s inequality affected Cold War rhetoric, the efforts of these trailblazing diplomats to create opportunity at home and abroad, the progress that has been made, and the work still to be done, as well as insights on resilience and breaking barriers in the present day.

Amb. Ryan Crocker looks to the future, analyzes U.S. experience in conflict zones, and shares his thoughts on diversity, mental health, and work-life balance

2022/05/18

Six-time U.S. Amb. Ryan Crocker (Career Ambassador and Presidential Medal of Freedom recipient) looks back on his experience working with the military in some of toughest assignments and most fraught conflict zones ever. He also looks to the future and analyzes the nature of expeditionary diplomacy, the current state of geopolitics and the international system, and shares his thoughts on how the Foreign Service might evolve through generational change, namely by talking about diversity, mental health, and work-life balance. **Brought to you as part of an Una Chapman Cox Foundation project on American diplomacy and the Foreign Service.

Amb. Deb Malac on Leading, Constantly Improving, Serving in Africa, Fighting for Rights, and Tackling Public Health Crises

2022/03/29

She has fought Ebola in Liberia, sexism in the State Department, and the closing of political space in Uganda. U.S. Ambassador Deborah Malac talks about problem-solving, leadership, multi-functionality and clarity. She begins with her serendipitous entry into the Foreign Service that morphed into an incredible career in Africa and global health. Speaking from a diversity of experiences, Malac discusses the qualities required of a globe-trotting FSO, the rewards and challenges associated with the job, how you know when it's time for the next challenge, and knowing oneself.

CG Lawrence Randolph Talks About Showing Up as a Diplomat – Authentically Engaged and Open

2022/02/25

U.S. Consul General to Casablanca Lawrence Randolph talks about being a sincerely interested diplomat and using diversity as our strength. In his growth as a leader, he emphasizes mentorship and sponsorship, learning local languages and cultures, being open to new opportunities, and the secret strength of American diplomacy – creating diverse teams. He underscores the need to do outreach to Americans; how emotional intelligence, preparation, humility and straightforward resilience helps overcome moments of “imposter syndrome”; and how being one’s “authentic self” on the job both models good leadership and achieves good work-life balance. **Brought to you as part of an Una Chapman Cox Foundation project on American diplomacy and the Foreign Service.

Amb. Herro Mustafa talks about resilience, rejecting limitations, and adapting as a diplomat – part of her journey from Kurdish-Iraqi refugee to a young, female U.S. ambassador.

2022/02/17

Amb. Herro Mustafa explains her love of diplomacy, underscores the need for emotional intelligence and adaptability, and cites her sources of support and resilience. She talks about rejecting limitations and developing her own “card” full of lessons. She discusses her growth as a diplomat, as she journeyed from Kurdish-Iraqi refugee in Minnesota to a young, female U.S. ambassador in Europe with young kids. **Brought to you as part of an Una Chapman Cox Foundation project on American diplomacy and the Foreign Service.

Amb. Ron Neumann on Afghanistan, Diplomacy, and the Big Picture

2022/01/26

Amb. Ron Neumann, President of the American Academy of Diplomacy and a three-time former ambassador, discusses everything from his time in Vietnam as a soldier to current events in Afghanistan. He gets into details of refugee policy and women's education, as well as reflects on leadership, working in high-threat environments, serving in Iran, finding satisfaction in tough work, and how DC thinkers and diplomats in the field can work together better.

Amb. Ted Osius discusses his love of Southeast Asia, experiences as U.S. Ambassador to Vietnam, leadership, moral courage, and the nexus with diplomacy and private sector

2021/12/03

Amb. Ted Osius discusses his love of Southeast Asia, experiences as U.S. Ambassador to Vietnam, moral courage, and public diplomacy (on a bicycle). He talks reconciliation between U.S. and Vietnam, leaving the State Department in protest, working in and with the private sector, and having a husband and kids in the Foreign Service. Brought to you as part of an Una Chapman Cox Foundation project on American diplomacy and the Foreign Service. Be sure to check out his new book: Nothing Impossible: America's Reconciliation with Vietnam

Amb. Bill Taylor discusses Ukraine, impeachment, Afghanistan and Foreign Assistance

2021/09/15

Amb. Bill Taylor -- our first political appointee as a guest -- discusses Ukraine, impeachment, "irregular channels," public diplomacy, the nature of conflict, Afghanistan, foreign assistance and being an interagency team player. *Brought to you as part of an Una Chapman Cox Foundation project on American diplomacy and the Foreign Service.

Amb. Roberta Jacobson talks about reestablishing U.S. ties with Cuba, forging a path as America’s first female and civil servant ambassador to Mexico, enjoying Latin America, and dealing with populism throughout the Western Hemisphere.

2021/08/31

Amb. Roberta Jacobson talks about reestablishing U.S. ties with Cuba, becoming America’s first female and civil servant ambassador to Mexico, and dealing with populist leaders. Ambassador Jacobson also discusses reestablishing diplomatic ties with Cuba, lost opportunities in Havana, populism in the Western Hemisphere, and what she loved about Latin America.

Amb. Lino Gutierrez discusses his path from Cuban immigrant to two-time U.S. ambassador. He shares lessons on leadership, managing up, negotiating with Cubans in Grenada, navigating Washington politics, Hurricane Mitch, and political change in Argentina

2021/08/13

Amb. Lino Gutierrez served as Ambassador to Argentina as well as to Nicaragua, and as Acting Assistant Secretary of the Western Hemisphere Affairs Bureau. In this episode, Amb. Gutierrez discusses his experience from Cuban immigrant to diplomat. He shares lessons on leadership, managing up, negotiating with Cubans in Grenada, navigating Washington politics, increasing diversity at State, dealing with the crisis of Hurricane Mitch in Nicaragua and stark political change in Argentina.

Senior Foreign Service Officer Tim Davis shares lessons learned on leadership, diversity, managing State Department principals, closing the U.S. Consulate in Basra, and navigating Secretary Clinton’s email controversy

2021/07/22

Tim "Timmy" Davis is a career member of the Senior Foreign Service. In this episode, Tim shares lessons learned on leadership, building strong teams, encouraging diversity, and increasing recruitment. Mr. Davis also shares lessons learned closing of the U.S. Consulate in Basra, managing State Department principals, and navigating Secretary Clinton's e-mail controversy. Special thanks to the Una Chapman Cox Foundation, the American Academy of Diplomacy, and Harvard's Sama Kubba and Syed Ahmed.

Podcast reviews

Read Modern American Diplomacy podcast reviews

5 out of 5

136 reviews

★★★★★

Havvkins_ 2022/02/28

An excellent, informative, well made show!

As someone who aspires to a life as a diplomat, this show is both an invaluable resource and a fun listen!

★★★★★

JS-trip 2021/08/29

What a great inspirational resource!

As an officer currently in the field, this podcast is an amazing resource for those of us who do not have ready access to the Department’s thinkers an...

★★★★★

gooja010 2021/07/30

Great show

Super informative and thoughtful interviews.

★★★★★

-ICC- 2021/06/11

Fascinating!!

Great show. Diplomatic inside baseball in the good way.

★★★★★

Jenny Siregar 2021/06/08

Amb. Chris Hill interview

Inspiring and thoughtful episode that transcends wonky FSO talk and gets to the heart of being a leader - take care of your people, take intentional r...

★★★★★

ptkcso 2021/06/05

Ben Reames interview of Chris Hill

Brilliant conversation!

★★★★★

fabo11223344 2021/03/17

Outstanding

Oral histories from those who have lived the Foreign Service. Priceless insights and guidance from lived experience and practice. Listen and learn f...

★★★★★

G Thurlow 2021/01/26

Great!

I’ve so far loved the information and insight gained through this podcast. If I can make one comment I would suggest instead of asking 2-3 questions t...

★★★★★

rafeldma 2020/12/01

Excellent

This is a fantastic podcast for anyone in or considering joining the Foreign Service. As a Foreign Service Officer, Jeremy Beer does a great job aski...

★★★★★

Gotcha12323 2020/10/20

Well Done.

This is a well done, highly professional and very informative podcast. The insights from high level diplomats provided by this show are the extremely ...

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