Best Princeton SPIA Podcasts (2025)

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Dean’s Dialogue: SPIA in D.C. 21:52

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2y ago21:52

21:52

SPIA enters a new era with the establishment of a physical presence in the nation’s capital. Dean Amaney Jamal chats with Washington veteran Alan Blinder about the initiative.By Princeton School of Public & International Affairs

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Dean's Dialogue: SPIA in NJ Launch 49:53

2+ y ago49:53

49:53

With SPIA in NJ launching April 28, Dean Amaney Jamal took some time to chat about the initiative with Stacy Mann, its director.By Princeton School of Public & International Affairs

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Dean's Dialogue: COP27 - Students and Faculty Discuss Climate Policy 41:54

2+ y ago41:54

41:54

Recently, a group of our Princeton students and faculty traveled to Sharm El Sheik, Egypt for the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change – or COP27. While there, the students had a first-hand opportunity to observe the proceedings of the largest global gathering on climate change. In this episode we talk with some of the students who…

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Dean's Dialogue: Influencing Public Policy Firsthand 41:11

2+ y ago41:11

41:11

Public policy influences all aspects of our lives, yet few people give much thought to how policy is made, let alone experience the policymaking process firsthand. A new one-year program — and the first of its kind in the nation — the Policy Advocacy Clinic at the School of Public and International Affairs (SPIA) educates students on the policymaki…

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Low-carbon Buildings From Plastic Waste (Kidus Asfaw MPA ’14) 32:39

2+ y ago32:39

32:39

Within 30 years, Africa will be home to nearly 25% of the global population. As such, it’s poised to become a global power and is the focus of current global development finance. Kubik, co-founded by Kidus Asfaw MPA ’14, is an environmental tech company turning plastic waste into low-carbon buildings. Kubik’s focus on building environmental and eco…

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Dean's Dialogue: Hope for Afghanistan (Amb. Adela Raz) 46:51

3y ago46:51

46:51

It’s been a year since the U.S. withdrawal from Afghanistan, and the Taliban’s takeover of the country. Since then, the lives of many Afghans, especially women and girls, have been destroyed. Under Taliban rule, human rights violations continue to mount, while the country reaches economic collapse. In this episode, Dean Amaney Jamal discusses the c…

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Dean’s Dialogue: Globalization — Good Politics, Bad Policy? (Layna Mosley, B. Peter Rosendorff) 42:10

3y ago42:10

42:10

Governments around the world are limiting their countries' engagement with the global economy. These anti-globalization attitudes are troubling, especially as the world faces multiple global crises requiring international collaboration from climate change to supply chain production. Layna Mosley and B. Peter Rosendorff join Dean Amaney Jamal in thi…

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Endnotes: Writing on the Job (Martha Coven) 20:54

3y ago20:54

20:54

In today’s workplace, writing is an essential skill. Whether drafting a policy memo, an email, or even a tweet, succinct writing is the key to effective communication. Best practices for clear writing are explored in a new book by Martha Coven: "Writing on the Job: Best Practices for Communicating in the Digital Age,” published by Princeton Univers…

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Endnotes: Getting China Wrong (Aaron Friedberg) 28:24

3y ago28:24

28:24

China’s intentions to become the world’s next superpower are clear. After decades of trade and investments with advanced democracies, the country is far richer and stronger today than ever before. At the same time, China remains regressive toward its citizens and aggressive toward countries abroad. How did we get to this point? The West and its all…

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Dean’s Dialogue: The Principle of Humanity (Eric Schwartz MPA ’85) 37:10

3y ago37:10

37:10

Millions of people around the world are forcibly displaced each year due to rising conflict, environmental threats, and socioeconomic turmoil. Many of these refugees, including people from Syria, Afghanistan, and Ukraine, remain displaced, prompting action from U.S. and international governments. To recognize #WorldRefugeeDay, Amaney Jamal, SPIA de…

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#Changemakers: If You Pursue a Ph.D. — Know Yourself First (Hélène Benveniste Ph.D. ’21) 23:40

3y ago23:40

23:40

Climate-driven migration is having global impacts, something Hélène Benveniste Ph.D. ’21 is acutely aware of thanks to her research. There are an increasing number of people who need to move and don’t have the resources to do so. Helping these hidden communities should be top of mind for policymakers. In this episode of #Changemakers, she discusses…

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Dean's Dialogue: Why Local Government is Sexy (Christina Henderson MPA ’12) 41:23

3y ago41:23

41:23

Equitable policies for families and children is a focus for Christina Henderson MPA ’12, at-large member of the DC City Council. In this episode of the Dean’s Dialogue, she discusses how to advocate for those who “aren’t often in the room” with Dean Amaney Jamal. Together, they cover policy issues like maternal and infant health, reproductive righ…

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Dean’s Dialogue: Come Here if You’re Serious about Service (Baher Iskander MPA ’22) 28:48

3y ago28:48

28:48

Thanks for tuning into the first episode of the Dean’s Dialogue podcast! April is Arab American Heritage Month, and to reflect on this diverse community, Dean Amaney Jamal sits down in conversation with Baher Iskander MPA ’22, a naturalized immigrant from Cairo, Egypt, with an interest in U.S. Middle East policy. Together, they discuss what it mean…

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Endnotes: Fixing Social Security (R. Douglas Arnold) 26:13

3y ago26:13

26:13

Social Security remains beloved and holds bipartisan support among American citizens. Yet the program faces an insolvency crisis. By 2034, when the fund is projected to run dry, it’s estimated that 81 million Americans will face automatic benefit cuts of 20%. There is nothing complicated about fixing Social Security, according to R. Douglas Arnold …

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Endnotes: The Racial Muslim: When Racism Quashes Religious Freedom (Sahar Aziz) 30:47

3+ y ago30:47

30:47

Freedom of religion is a constitutionally protected right in the religion clause of the First Amendment of the U.S. Constitution. By definition, this should reflect America’s diversity and cover all people equally — whether Christian, Jewish, Muslim, agnostic, or atheist. In practice, however, Americans sometimes support policies that seemingly vio…

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#Changemakers: Comfort in the Unknown (Kiersten Todt '94) 25:41

3+ y ago25:41

25:41

Kiersten Todt '94 is chief of staff at the Cybersecurity and Infrastructure Security Agency (CISA), which serves as the "quarterback" for the federal cybersecurity team, protecting and defending the home front. She graduated from Princeton in 1994 with her undergraduate degree. You can find her full bio here: https://www.cisa.gov/kiersten-e-todt In…

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#Changemakers: Following Your Convictions (Asha Rangappa ’96) 20:36

3+ y ago20:36

20:36

President Joe Biden’s recent speech on voting rights signaled a commitment to helping preserve democracy, and today, Jan. 19, the Senate will debate and vote on legislation centered on voting rights protections. This issue is very much on the mind of Asha Rangappa ’96, a lawyer and CNN commentator. In this podcast, she discusses the necessary steps…

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#Changemakers: Be the Best Version of Yourself (Pierina Sanchez MPA ’14) 27:11

3+ y ago27:11

27:11

Pierina Sanchez MPA ’14 is the daughter of immigrants and a lifelong resident of the Bronx. She was recently elected to the New York City Council to represent District 14. In this episode, she discusses issues of economic and housing inequality in her community, along with her hopes to bring more opportunity to District 14. * At the time of this re…

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Endnotes: Indebted Societies (Andreas Wiedemann) 25:04

3+ y ago25:04

25:04

Whether it be earning a college degree, buying a house, or addressing income shortfalls, access to credit is essential for many people’s well-being and social opportunities in today’s richest countries. Yet, with credit also comes the burden of debt, which many are shouldering in an unsteady economic climate. But why are some people in some countri…

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#Changemakers: Develop a Thick Skin & Get in the Game (Dennis McBride MPA ’80) 24:11

3+ y ago24:11

24:11

Dennis McBride MPA '80 is the 17th mayor of Wauwatosa, Wisconsin — his hometown. He's had a long career in government, law, and even public relations. In this episode, he discusses being a mayor during the tumultuous year of 2020. He advises those going into government to develop a "thick skin" and always play on your home field.…

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Endnotes: Pushing Cool: Big Tobacco, Racial Marketing, and the Untold Story of the Menthol Cigarette (Keith Wailoo) 16:32

3+ y ago16:32

16:32

“I can’t breathe.” Those were George Floyd’s final words before he was murdered by police in Minneapolis — just outside a store known as the best place to buy menthol cigarettes. Today’s rise in Black deaths, cries of “I can’t breathe,” and the menthol cigarette can all be linked to a long history of race and exploitation. This is revealed in a new…

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Endnotes: 9/11 and the Rise of Global Anti-Terrorism Law (Kim Lane Scheppele) 27:59

4y ago27:59

27:59

President Joe Biden confirmed the final withdrawal of U.S. troops from Afghanistan just 11 days shy of the 20th anniversary of 9/11. Now, Afghanistan remains in turmoil following a takeover by Taliban forces.The melancholy moment has thrust into focus the past 20 years, as experts comment on how the U.S. could’ve done better. Yet, much of what tran…

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#Changemakers: Learning From Opportunity (Maribel Hernández Rivera MPA ’10) 25:45

4y ago25:45

25:45

Maribel Hernández Rivera MPA ’10 came to the United States, undocumented from Mexico, when she was 13 years old. Since then, she’s dedicated her life to immigration law and policy. Today, she is district director for Rep. Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez (D-NY). She previously served as executive director of legal initiatives for the New York City Mayor’s …

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#Changemakers: Good Leadership is Humble Leadership (Rich Harwood MPA ’84) 27:47

4y ago27:47

27:47

As the president and founder of the Harwood Institute of Public Innovation, Rich Harwood MPA '84, is passionate about seeing communities do their best. The Harwood Institute’s mission is to empower communities with the tools to bridge divides, build capacity, and tackle shared challenges. His newest book, "Unleashed: A Proven Way Communities Can Sp…

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#Changemakers: Stepping Up to the Plate (Evan Draim '16) 25:20

4y ago25:20

25:20

Evan Draim '16 is a current student at George Mason University's Antonin Scalia Law School. After graduating from Princeton University in 2016, Evan moved to northern Virginia and accepted a job at Service Source, a nonprofit that provides job employment opportunities to people with disabilities. In this episode, he discusses his journey to law sch…

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#Changemakers: Invest Not Just in Knowledge — But Skills, Too (Martín E. De Simone MPA ’18) 26:50

4y ago26:50

26:50

For Martín E. De Simone MPA ’18, growing up during the Argentinian economic crisis of 2001 shaped his desire to work in public policy. Today, he’s an education specialist for the World Bank in the Western and Central Africa region and credits the Princeton SPIA for preparing him for the role. He discusses his journey from Argentina to the United St…

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#Changemakers: Big Risks, Big Opportunities (Yasmin Elhady MPP ‘15) 33:12

4y ago33:12

33:12

Yasmin Elhady MPP ’15 is an attorney, public policy specialist, and stand-up comedian. She’s performed all over Washington, D.C., including at The Kennedy Center and The DC Improv, and she’s toured nationally and internationally in the United Kingdom. Her alter ego is “Yasguru,” a hyperactive relationship advisor with silly videos on YouTube and In…

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Immigration & White Xenophobia in the United States (Doug Massey) 27:08

4y ago27:08

27:08

While on the campaign trail in 2015, President Donald Trump referred to Mexicans as “criminals” and “rapists,” inciting disdain from Hispanics, Latinos, and other racial groups. The rhetoric wove itself not only into the campaign but Trump’s entire tenure as president, marking a sharp turn from racially coded dog-whistle politics to more explicit w…

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Living Fearlessly (Annamie Paul MPA '01) 20:39

4+ y ago20:39

20:39

Tackling today's biggest challenges — from the COVID-19 pandemic to climate change — will require innovative solutions from energized leaders. And among them is Annamie Paul MPA '01, leader of the Green Party of Canada. In this episode, Annamie lays out her policy priorities for Canada and reflects on how Princeton SPIA influenced her varied career…

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Toxique: The Aftermath of French Nuclear Testing in the South Pacific (Sebastien Philippe) 21:32

4+ y ago21:32

21:32

Between 1966 and 1996, the French government conducted 193 nuclear weapon tests in the islands of the South Pacific. These explosions profoundly altered the health, wellbeing, and environment of the people living in this region, who spent decades amid radioactive polluted air, water, and soil. A new book, "Toxique," by Sebastian Philippe of the Pro…

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A Leadership Crisis (James Ladi Williams MPA ’18) 27:15

4+ y ago27:15

27:15

A zip code can define one’s destiny and, for many, this means a lifetime of poverty. To move people out of poverty, governments will need to make policy choices that tackle barriers to economic opportunity, while emboldening people to be agents of change in their own communities. Today, we’re in a political moment ripe for change, which makes it cr…

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Showing Up, Ego Free (Jeremy Barnicle MPA ’04) 22:19

4+ y ago22:19

22:19

For more than two decades, Jeremy Barnicle MPA ’04 has been working at the intersection of policy, philanthropy, and social change. At Mercy Corps, he helped guide the organization’s global strategy, positioning the nonprofit as one of the most respected humanitarian organizations in the world. Today, he serves as executive director of Ecotrust, wh…

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No Such Thing as a Perfect Job (Larry Handerhan MPA ‘12) 19:50

4+ y ago19:50

19:50

No day is the same for Larry Handerhan MPA ‘12 who serves as chief of staff for the D.C. Department of Human Services. In his current role, he manages external affairs and supports day-to-day operations for the Department’s $600 million budget and 1,100-person workforce.In this episode, Larry discusses how he learned to see across silos and connect…

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When in Charge, Take Charge (Robert L. Gordon III MPA '89) 24:03

4+ y ago24:03

24:03

Using new technologies like AI to improve humanity is at the core of Robert L. Gordon’s work. As chief growth officer of SBG Technology Solutions, Rob is using a multi-sector approach to bring technology to the masses.Throughout his career, he’s also learned how to be a thoughtful and strategic leader. He boils it down to three main tenets: know wh…

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Grist for the Mill (Nathan Eckstein '16 MPA '20) 19:39

4+ y ago19:39

19:39

Nathan Eckstein '16 MPA '20 most recently was the political and outreach director for a U.S. Congresswoman in Western Illinois who sought re-election to a fifth term. He fought with a small team to build support, turn out voters and ultimately secure a win in the most competitive environment the Congresswoman had ever faced.In this episode, he disc…

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Becoming a Problem Finder (Dalia Katan '15) 21:22

4+ y ago21:22

21:22

Dalia Katan '15 is the CEO and founder of Presently (www.getpresently.com), a social commerce startup that's helping people celebrate special occasions more meaningfully while also empowering conscious consumerism.In this episode, she gets into what motivated her to create Presently and how she uses her Princeton SPIA training to be an effective le…

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A World Safe for Democracy (G. John Ikenberry) 26:56

4+ y ago26:56

26:56

For 200 years, the grand project of liberal internationalism has been to build a world order that is oriented toward progressive ideas. Today, this project is in crisis, threatened by illiberal challengers and nationalist-populist movements. A new book by G. John Ikenberry offers the first full account of liberal internationalism’s long journey fro…

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How to Lasso Climate Change (Michael Oppenheimer) 24:00

5y ago24:00

24:00

While climate change has been with us far longer than Covid-19, the response to the pandemic could present an opportunity to begin building a greener, more equitable economy. Yet significant roadblocks exist, from some people’s distrust of science to opposing political views on how to tackle the issue. Michael Oppenheimer joins Before the Ballot to…

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Reckoning with Race (Keith A. Wailoo) 24:52

5y ago24:52

24:52

Several killings of unarmed Black citizens at the hands of police this year, most notably George Floyd, sparked nationwide protests, against the backdrop of a pandemic that is emphasizing racial and economic inequalities.Keith Wailoo joins Before the Ballot to discuss the events of 2020 — placing them within historical context and discussing what m…

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Education for All (Jennifer L. Jennings) 21:38

5y ago21:38

21:38

Whether to bring children back into the classroom — and how to do so safely — recently became the country’s biggest education issue. Yet, the pandemic is illuminating many longstanding issues in education policy, from budget shortfalls to disagreements over the goals of the U.S. public school system.In this episode, Jennifer L. Jennings discusses t…

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‘America First,’ Misinformation, and Propaganda (Jacob N. Shapiro) 24:49

5y ago24:49

24:49

Countries such as Russia and Iran are influencing U.S. politics by spreading disinformation and propaganda through social media. At the same time, the Trump administration’s rejection of long-negotiated agreements such as the Trans-Pacific Partnership and the Paris Agreement has arguably altered perceptions of the U.S. among its allies.Jacob N. Sha…

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Is Health Care a Human Right? (Heather H. Howard) 23:43

5y ago23:43

23:43

With the coronavirus revealing the cracks in the U.S. health care system, and the Affordable Care Act (ACA) being challenged before the Supreme Court, how will health care access and affordability impact voters’ decisions in November?Heather Howard joins Before the Ballot to discuss how the pandemic is intertwined with the economic crisis, its effe…

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Checks and Balances? (Sarah Staszak) 25:17

5y ago25:17

25:17

The executive branch’s power has grown in ways beneficial to both Republican and Democratic presidencies — from the expansion of federal agencies to an increased reliance on executive orders. How have the Constitutional checks and balances fared over the past four years, and what effects might the Trump presidency have on the future of the office?S…

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Keeping America in Business (Cecilia Rouse) 25:21

5y ago25:21

25:21

Since the onset of the pandemic and subsequent slowing down of the economy, lawmakers have debated how best to provide ongoing economic relief to individuals, businesses, and state and local governments.Cecilia Rouse joins Before the Ballot to discuss the politics and efficacy of government aid options; inequalities laid bare by the pandemic in inc…

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Inequality and Violence in Our Communities (Patrick T. Sharkey) 24:26

5y ago24:26

24:26

Amid a growing chorus calling to “defund the police,” some worry about the potential for rising violence on the one hand and a question about what replaces the police on the other. Patrick Sharkey joins Before the Ballot to discuss the public health consequences of violence on children’s outcomes, the role of police and other community-building org…

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The Future of Immigration (Marta Tienda) 19:51

5y ago19:51

19:51

In 2013, the Senate passed — but the House failed to consider — a bipartisan immigration reform bill that would have provided a path to citizenship for many undocumented immigrants. This year, voters will consider President Trump’s and Joe Biden’s vastly different approaches on border security, refugee admissions, the separation of families at the …

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What’s Next in the Middle East (Amb. Daniel C. Kurtzer) 20:26

5y ago20:26

20:26

The Trump administration has departed from longstanding U.S. policies in the Middle East, relocating the U.S. embassy to Jerusalem and cutting aid to the Palestine Liberation Organization. While Israel has normalized relations with some other countries in the region, it is unclear what the future is for a two-state solution between Israelis and Pal…

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The Power of the Supreme Court (Charles M. Cameron and John Kastellec) 21:51

5y ago21:51

21:51

Editor’s note: This episode was recorded before the passing of Supreme Court Justice Ruth Bader Ginsburg.In recent years, the Supreme Court has ruled on cases involving polarizing issues in U.S. politics, including campaign finance, the Affordable Care Act, and same-sex marriage. The nomination and confirmation processes for new Justices have also …

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The Woman Suffrage Movement in America (Corrine McConnaughy) 24:29

5y ago24:29

24:29

August marked the 100th anniversary of the ratification of the 19th amendment, which legally ended the use of sex a qualification for the right to vote. In this episode, Corrine McConnaughy takes listeners back in time to what gave the movement legs, explaining how "coalition politics" were the lynchpin women securing the right to vote. She also di…

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DemocracyWorks Stay Woke 35:03

5y ago35:03

35:03

This week’s show is special: We’re running an episode of Democracy Works, a podcast produced by Penn State University’s McCourtney Institute for Democracy. (You may remember we swapped episodes with them last summer.)This episode features Tehama Lopez Bunyasi, assistant professor at the School for Conflict Analysis and Resolution at George Mason Un…