Best Hydropolitics Podcasts (2025)

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Selective Salvage: Archaeology and Hydropolitics 34:08

Play Pause

23d ago34:08

34:08

What happens to people and antiquities when giant dams are built and lands are flooded? In this week's episode, Dr. William Carruthers joins Chelsea and Melissa to talk about the construction of dams on the Nile and their impact on Nubian communities as well as ancient sites along the river. Listen in as Dr. Carruthers explores what it means to mov…

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Protecting Heritage in Times of Conflict with Isber Sabrine 29:40

2d ago29:40

29:40

In times of ongoing war, how can antiquities be protected from damage and looting? On today's episode, Dr. Isber Sabrine, the co-founder of Heritage for Peace, joins us to talk about his work preserving cultural heritage in the midst of armed conflict. Listen in as Isber discusses the importance of local communities in remembering their own pasts a…

1
How governments in Asia juggle the pros and cons of AI 45:12

3d ago45:12

45:12

Governments across Asia are confronting a new kind of policy challenge — one that’s moving faster than most have ever had to legislate for. The astonishing speed of generative AI development has prompted both excitement and alarm in Asia’s capitals, where the potential for economic growth and national prestige is being weighed against serious quest…

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Between the Tigris and the Thames: Heritage Practice with Zena Kamash 34:18

9d ago34:18

34:18

How can archaeologists connect to the communities that share the cultural heritage they work on? Dr. Zena Kamash joins Chelsea and Melissa this week to discuss her work with Iraqi communities in the UK and in Iraq itself as she uses craftwork to bring the public together with cultural heritage and to foster wellbeing. Listen in as Zena tells us how…

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Critical Futures for Ancient Studies with Mathura Umachandran 37:51

16d ago37:51

37:51

How should we confront modern inequities in ancient Mediterranean studies? Is it possible to reenvision the place of Greece and Rome in the ancient world overall? In this week's episode, Dr. Mathura Umachandran joins Chelsea and Melissa to reimagine Classics through the lens of Critical Ancient World Studies (CAWS). Join us as we discuss the work o…

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Hired Hands, Silenced Voices: Archaeology and Local Communities with Allison Mickel 29:06

30d ago29:06

29:06

Who counts as an archaeologist? Contrary to images from popular culture, excavation teams are a diverse group working to produce knowledge of the past. In this week's episode, Dr. Allison Mickel speaks with Chelsea and Melissa about the knowledge and labour that local communities contribute to archaeological digs in Jordan and Turkey. Listen in as …

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Adam Hochschild | King Leopold's Ghost (Horror In The Congo) 36:47

1M ago36:47

36:47

Curious Worldview (Spotify) Curious Worldview (Apple) Tim Butcher Episode (Blood River Congo) - King Leopold's Ghost Book - https://www.amazon.com.au/King-Leopolds-Ghost-Adam-Hochshild/dp/0618001905 From 1885, for 13 years, one man, King Leopold II, owned, as his personal property, one of the largest pieces of geography on earth. The Congo is four …

1
Axel Humlesjö | Honeytraps, Sparrows & Russian Money Laundering 42:48

1M ago42:48

42:48

Curious Worldview Podcast (Spotify) - https://open.spotify.com/episode/6vofLaGavfQEEGkkSmwlTi?si=0vc-V65-Qref_ZlZdj--tg Curious Worldview Podcast (Apple) - https://podcasts.apple.com/au/podcast/axel-humlesj%C3%B6-money-laundering-is-the-biggest/id1540424160?i=1000700665617 ---- Axel Humlesjö is a Swedish journalist against which money laundering, t…

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Philippe Gijsels | The New World Economy in 5 Trends 38:46

1M ago38:46

38:46

Curious Worldview Podcast (Spotify) - https://open.spotify.com/episode/4EQW5Ylr4lrqLUyj5V0oiA?si=xWxWWkbbTUqoDN5JeyRLtw Curious Worldview (Apple) Philippe Gijsels Book - https://www.amazon.com/World-Economy-Trends-superinflation-hyperinnovation/dp/9401409013 ----- The following is with Philippe Gijsels, the Chief Strategy Officer at BNP Paribas For…

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Classics, the Grand Tour, and Invented Legacies with Hardeep Dhindsa 34:01

1M ago34:01

34:01

What makes Classics classic? How did members of elite British society use ancient Greek and Roman culture to shape their own identities on the Grand Tour? In this episode, Hardeep Dhindsa joins Chelsea and Melissa to discuss the relationship between classical culture and imperialism in the 18th and 19th centuries. Listen in to find out more about e…

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Naturalizing Inequalities: The Colonial Museum with Dan Hicks 34:33

2M ago34:33

34:33

How did objects from around the globe and across millenia end up in major museums, far from their places of origin? What role has empire played in shaping modern museums? For this episode, Chelsea and Melissa Speak with Dan Hicks about how culture has been used to define and reinforce racial inequities through the collection and display of objects …

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Curating with Care: Transparency in Museums with Lisa Saladino Haney 34:28

2M ago34:28

34:28

The story of natural history museums and their relationship to ancient objects, but also people, is entangled with colonialism and capitalism. How should modern curators begin unravelling such a tangled web? In this episode, Dr. Lisa Saladino Haney joins Chelsea and Melissa to discuss her curatorial work with the Egyptian collection at the Carnegie…

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Communities on Display: Re-centering Egyptian Voices with Heba Abd el-Gawad 33:55

2M ago33:55

33:55

What happens when Egyptomania overshadows contemporary Egyptian people? This week Heba Abd el-Gawad joins Chelsea and Melissa to discuss the relationship between modern Egyptian communities and Egyptian antiquities in museums around the world. Listen in as we learn about the work of the Egypt's Dispersed Heritage: Views from Egypt project, how Egyp…

1
How Chinese international students navigate their experience in Australia 47:01

2M ago47:01

47:01

Despite all the talk of trade wars and other tensions, China remains the largest source of international students worldwide. In Australia alone, there are over 125,000 China nationals attending higher education, representing 22% of all international uni students. Needless to say, these large international numbers provide a massive revenue boon for …

1
Fragments and Falsehoods: The Papyrus Trade with Roberta Mazza 42:05

2M ago42:05

42:05

Forged provenance, forensic investigations, and placing ancient papyri in dish soap! In this episode, scholar Dr. Roberta Mazza shares tales from the black market papyrus trade, taking us from Egypt to Oxford to Waco, Texas. Listen in as we learn how wealthy collectors have influenced the antiquities trade and forced us to rethink our approach to a…

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Trafficking through the Metaverse: The Antiquities Trade in the Internet Age with Katie Paul 33:18

3M ago33:18

33:18

For the first episode of our season on cultural heritage and legacies of colonialism, we look at the role of messaging apps and social media in the black market antiquities trade. Katie Paul joins Chelsea and Melissa to discuss the 'digital underworld' that supports looting and trafficking and her work with ATHAR (Antiquities Trafficking and Herita…

1
Marcel Dirsus | How Tyrant's Fall 50:12

4M ago50:12

50:12

Curious Worldview Podcast - https://open.spotify.com/episode/0Zs20Bl4ftN4XPHtxnVAVB?si=hJCvtqvMR-iFq-HLdYt7Rg Youtube - https://youtu.be/MntDK3kWRek Curious Worldview Newsletter - https://curiousworldview.beehiiv.com/subscribe The following is with German political scientist, former beer brewer in the Congo, and author of How Tyrants Fall - Marcel …

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Can ethnic minority languages co-exist with Mandarin in China? 53:38

4M ago53:38

53:38

While Mandarin has long been China's official language, recent policies have accelerated its dominance — often at the expense of minority languages. Despite constitutional protections, a 2020 legislative shift has cast a shadow over the future of minority language education, raising concerns among ethnic minority groups like the Zhuang in southern …

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Robert D. Kaplan | Veteran Geopolitical Analyst On The Current Moment 33:49

4M ago33:49

33:49

Curious Worldview Podcast - https://open.spotify.com/episode/5FiugCTBQaobrZfhz3NDOR?si=c1soXluYQ4SJ6THNvxG7tw Youtube - https://youtu.be/G6EIYURdSOA Curious Worldview Newsletter - https://curiousworldview.beehiiv.com/subscribe Robert Kaplan has been sighted as one of the most influential geopolitical thinkers of the modern era. The Revenge Of Geogr…

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Kerry Brown | "The Greatest Geopolitical Question Of The 21st Century" 45:40

4M ago45:40

45:40

Curious Worlview Podcast - https://open.spotify.com/episode/26jGHMsGGMuBuBtbB2u2Gw?si=j3bKCO6jQi6ftj6jM3UwoQ Youtube - https://youtu.be/4MWFzPXQPY8 Curious Worldview Newsletter - https://curiousworldview.beehiiv.com/subscribe Taiwan is the greatest geopolitical question of the 21st century says Kerry Brown, sinologist, and former Diplomat to the Br…

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The risks and rewards of engaging with Afghanistan's Taliban government 55:28

6M ago55:28

55:28

Afghanistan’s Taliban government has been busy appointing ambassadors, courting foreign investment, and participating in global forums, all with the aim of winning international recognition and standing. And it's paid off to a degree: last year China and the UAE both established formal diplomatic ties with the Taliban government, putting stability …

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Bradley Hope | The Story Of MBS & Saudi Arabia 49:58

6M ago49:58

49:58

Curious Worldview - https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/bradley-hope-blood-oil-the-story-of-mohammed-bin-salman/id1540424160?i=1000681834477 Youtube - https://youtu.be/EF-yONBmGa8 Curious Worldview Newsletter - https://curiousworldview.beehiiv.com/subscribe Bradley Hope returns to the podcast. Some of the things that stand out from this episode t…

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Season 4 Promo Episode! 17:37

6M ago17:37

17:37

Peopling the Past Podcast is BACK for a fourth season on a very exciting topic: Cultural Heritage and Legacies of Colonialism. Join your hosts Dr. Chelsea Gardner and Dr. Melissa Funke with special guest Dr. Christine Johnston for an introduction to SEASON FOUR of the Peopling the Past podcast! This season is slightly different from our previous th…

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Why Central Asia is key to unlocking China's global ambitions 38:27

7M ago38:27

38:27

China's growing influence in Central Asia marks a strategic pivot in its bid to challenge a global order still largely led by the US. Through the Belt and Road Initiative (BRI) and the Shanghai Cooperation Organization (SCO), Beijing is positioning itself as a dominant player in a region long under Russia’s sway. With Moscow’s focus diverted by its…

1
The Chinese Civil War's lingering shadow over modern China 57:25

8M ago57:25

57:25

China-Taiwan relations remain tense as Beijing maintains its stance on potential military action to "retake" the island—a position rooted in the unresolved Chinese Civil War (1927-1949). This ideological conflict pitted the Nationalist Party (KMT), which advocated national self-strengthening, against the Communist Party (CCP), which promised social…

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The Korean language abroad: Who's learning it and why? 48:30

9M ago48:30

48:30

The Korean language, once limited to the Korean Peninsula, has experienced a dramatic surge in global popularity due to the rise of K-pop, Korean dramas, and films. Even though this has led to increased enrollment in Korean language courses by both ethnic Koreans and non-Korean learners, achieving fluency remains a significant challenge. For the Ko…

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Troubled Waters: The Philippines' Maritime Standoff with China 44:50

9M ago44:50

44:50

China's maritime aggression towards the Philippines has been escalating, with the China Coast Guard now ramming Philippine naval vessels in disputed waters. This has put intense pressure on President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. to defend the archipelagic nation's maritime territory against a superior force. Despite efforts by the current and past administ…

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Special Episode - Let's Talk About Podcasts, Baby! with Liv Albert 39:53

9M ago39:53

39:53

On this special episode of the Peopling the Past Podcast, we are joined by Liv Albert, creator and host of Let's Talk About Myths, Baby!, the long running podcast about Greek mythology and the ancient Mediterranean. She's also the author of a couple of myth-centric books and soon to be the author of more. Learn more at mythsbaby.com. Listen in, as …

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Bruce Ladebu | Rescuing Children From Slavery 42:43

10M ago42:43

42:43

The Curious Worldview Podcast Spotify The Curious Worldview Podcast Apple Relating Interview's To Slavery On The Curious Worldview Matthew Freidman -Human Trafficking Lisa Kristine - Photographing Modern Slavery Lisa Kristine Ted Talk Follow me on Instagram – @ryanfhogg Out Of The Slave Fields - Bruce Ladebu (Book) The Children's Rescue Initiative …

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Demography and deathcare in a changing East Asia 58:12

10M ago58:12

58:12

As East Asian countries like Japan, China and South Korea experience rapid population ageing due to declining fertility rates and increasing life expectancy, the demographic shift in the land of the living is having a parallel impact on what happens after life. Deathcare -- which encompasses post-death services, products, policy, and governance -- …

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Trickle-down tensions: The hydropolitics of transboundary river systems in Asia 48:51

10M ago48:51

48:51

The rivers of the Eastern Tibetan Plateau, a lifeline for hundreds of millions of people across Asia, are a hotbed of geopolitical tension. A history of colonialism, border disputes, and competing interests has made present-day transboundary governance exceptionally challenging, as national governments, non-state actors, international organisations…

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Is Indonesia's labor movement stuck in neutral? 49:47

11M ago49:47

49:47

More than a quarter century since landmark democratic reforms, Indonesia's labor movement remains surprisingly subdued. Workers continue to face low wages, poor working conditions, and laws that put employers first, as efforts to organize labor remain encumbered by a mix of nationalist and religious rhetoric, government policy, and the rise of the …

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Searching for work-life balance in South Korea 51:25

11M ago51:25

51:25

South Korea has a reputation for very long work hours. Despite laws limiting the working week to 40 hours, overtime is rampant, fueled by a culture of "more is better." This relentless pace has resulted in overwork-related deaths and has played a part in South Korea having the world's lowest fertility rate. At the same time, the tradition of lifeti…

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Ash Bhardwaj | Great Explorers, Cultural Differences & 'Why We Travel' 2:04:06

12M ago2:04:06

2:04:06

✍︎: The Curious Worldview Newsletter - the ultimate compliment to the podcast...Jon Lee AndersonCharlie WalkerFollow me on Instagram - @ryanfhoggWhy We Travel - Ash BhardwajAsh Bhardwaj is an author, journalist, film-maker and former british army who amongst his many expeditions has ventured the likes of journeying 8500km along the Russian European…

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What to watch for in India during Narendra Modi's third term as prime minister 47:19

1y ago47:19

47:19

While Narendra Modi was able to secure a historic third term as India's Prime Minister in recent elections, he no longer enjoys presiding over an outright parliamentary majority by his party, the BJP. Instead, Modi is now forced to rely on alliance partners, who will likely bristle at his autocratic leadership style and his party's Hindu-nationalis…

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How China safeguards its interests amid conflict in Myanmar 52:21

1y ago52:21

52:21

With escalating military conflict between Myanmar's ruling junta and various ethnic armed organisations (or EAOs) in recent months, China is pursuing a delicate balancing act along their shared 2200 km border, juggling its economic interests, security concerns, and regional reputation. While Beijing has traditionally supported the junta, recent eve…

1
The geopolitics of undersea cables in the Indo-Pacific 48:46

1y ago48:46

48:46

Undersea cables underpin global communication and the digital economy, with between 95-99% of data for international banking, e-commerce, video calls, and intelligence sharing travelling via these largely hidden transoceanic routes. However, this critical multi-billion-dollar infrastructure faces increasing risks from shipping accidents, natural di…

1
As Vietnam scales the global value chain, what does it mean for its workers? 55:48

1y ago55:48

55:48

Almost four decades since Vietnam abandoned Marxist central planning in favour of market socialism, Vietnam is now well integrated in the global supply chain and is an important manufacturing hub for labour-intensive industries like textiles, electronics, and even automobiles. The economic expansion -- powered by foreign investment and exports -- h…

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Samo Burja | Why Organisations Thrive & Fall - Wallenberg Family Of Sweden & Sulzberger Family Of NYT 58:14

1y ago58:14

58:14

🎙️: https://curiousworldview.buzzsprout.com/shareCurious Worldview Podcast - #175 w/Samo Burja On AppleCurious Worldview Podcast - #175 w/Samo Burja On SpotifyFollow me on Instagram - @ryanfhogg✍︎: The Curious Worldview Newsletter - the ultimate compliment to the podcast...Russ Roberts – Taleb & HitchensScott Patterson – Taleb & Chaos KingsMagnus R…

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The outsized influence of the military in Pakistan’s politics 52:41

1y ago52:41

52:41

For the nearly eight decades since its founding, Pakistan has struggled to find a balance between civilian democratic governance and the power wielded by its armed forces. The military has directly ruled the country for almost half of its existence through coups d’etat and martial law. Even during periods of civilian rule, its influence has loomed …

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Iran’s strategy of outsourcing warfare in the Middle East 55:19

1y ago55:19

55:19

For decades, Iran has skillfully employed a network of proxy militant groups across the broader Middle East to project power and advance its interests, while maintaining an impression of plausible deniability on the global stage. At its core lies a "forward defence" strategy: pushing away or pre-empting threats from Iranian soil. Yet while this app…

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Michael Hilliard | Ghostwriting Geopolitics In Kazakhstan To Creating 'The Red Line Podcast' 59:48

1y ago59:48

59:48

🎙️: https://curiousworldview.buzzsprout.com/shareCurious Worldview Podcast - #172 w/ Michael Hilliard On AppleCurious Worldview Podcast - #172 w/ Michael Hilliard On SpotifyFollow me on Instagram - @ryanfhoggWatch on Youtube - https://youtu.be/ZzsFPOUzlHgMicheal Hilliard is a geopolitical analyst host and creator of 'The Red Line Podcast'… and! a f…

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What China's ambitions in Pakistan mean for Baloch aspirations and identity 47:10

1+ y ago47:10

47:10

Straddling the boundaries of Pakistan, Iran, and Afghanistan, the Baloch people have long endured as a distinct ethnic group whose aspirations have been overshadowed by the ambitions of larger state actors. In Balochistan, in Pakistan's west, Baloch ethno-nationalist assertions of identity have long driven protests and petitioning directed at Islam…

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How will Indonesia fare under new president Prabowo Subianto? 45:58

1+ y ago45:58

45:58

Indonesia, the world's third largest democracy, has elected Prabowo Subianto to be its next president in a sweeping victory. Yet, Prabowo, who enjoyed substantial support from Indonesia's young voters, is a controversial figure with a reputation marred by human rights violations, a history of anti-democratic rhetoric, and ties to the authoritarian …

1
How do you Solve a Problem like Cleopatra? : Shelley Haley and the last Egyptian Pharoah 46:10

1+ y ago46:10

46:10

For the final episode of our season on women in the ancient Mediterranean, we feature the most famous woman in antiquity: Cleopatra! Dr. Shelley Haley joins Chelsea and Melissa to untangle the image of Cleopatra as a seductive manipulator and to challenge assumptions, misconceptions, and preconceived notions about her persona and reign. Listen in a…

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Ernest Scheyder | Mining The Cobalt, Lithium, Copper & Rare Earths To Electrify The Economy 53:51

1+ y ago53:51

53:51

🎙️: https://curiousworldview.buzzsprout.com/shareCurious Worldview Podcast - #170 w/ Ernest Scheyder On AppleCurious Worldview Podcast - #170 w/ Ernest Scheyder On Spotifyhttps://atlasgeographica.com/ernest-scheyder/Ernest Scheyder runs directly towards the impossible trade-offs of mining in the ‘War Below’...The electrification of the economy is o…

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As ethnic tensions rise, is there any real prospect of an inclusive Malaysia? 52:23

1+ y ago52:23

52:23

Malaysian society stands at a crossroads as ethnic tensions simmer, fueled by fiery rhetoric and a rise in Malay nationalism. Recent elections exposed a divided democracy, with populists pushing an agenda that strains the nation's multicultural fabric. Despite the absence of actual violence, social media is amplifying hate speech that paints minori…

1
Patrick Watts | The End Of The American Empire 22:49

1+ y ago22:49

22:49

🎙️: https://curiousworldview.buzzsprout.com/shareCurious Worldview Podcast - #168 w/ Patrick Watts On AppleCurious Worldview Podcast - #168 w/ Patrick Watts On Spotify✍︎: https://curiousworldview.beehiiv.com/subscribehttps://atlasgeographica.com/patrick-watts/The following is with Patrick Watts who is one hell of an interesting fella, this was a re…

1
China wants to remake global governance – is the world ready for it? 45:17

1+ y ago45:17

45:17

China's Global Civilization Initiative (GCI), proposed by President Xi Jinping in 2023, aims to reshape global governance by emphasising mutual respect between civilizations and common human values. While it ostensibly appears to embrace diversity, some analysts argue that it primarily serves China's own interests by reshaping international norms i…

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Anna Sundberg | Wife Of A Jihadist... Radicalisation To Atheism In Extremist Islam 1:13:24

1+ y ago1:13:24

1:13:24

🎙️: https://curiousworldview.buzzsprout.com/shareCurious Worldview Podcast - #135 w/ Anna Sundberg On AppleCurious Worldview Podcast - #135 w/ Anna Sundberg On Spotify✍︎: https://curiousworldview.beehiiv.com/subscribeAnna Sundberg co-authored a book of memoirs titled ‘My Beloved Terrorist’.This book is an incredible and rare story of how a young wo…