Searching for America with Robyn Curnow

Robyn Curnow was driving through Atlanta when she stopped at a red light behind a car with a bumper sticker that read: “I miss Ronald Reagan.” And it made her wonder — do Americans really miss Ronald Reagan… or do they miss the simpler idea of America his presidency has come to represent? Because nostalgia has become one of the most powerful political drugs in the United States. It doesn’t ask for accuracy. It offers comfort. It smooths over complexity and turns anxiety about the present into longing for the past. In this episode of Searching for America, Robyn explore how nostalgia is shaping American politics — from Reagan’s mythologized 1980s and the fantasy of the 1950s, to Donald Trump’s mastery of “Make America Great Again.” She looks at how both the left and the right reach backward when the present feels unstable, and why curated memory is often more persuasive than facts. This isn’t really about Reagan.Or even about Trump. It’s about how Americans cope when the country no longer feels familiar — and why nostalgia, when weaponized, can be comforting, seductive… and dangerous. Takeaways Nostalgia in politics is often about the present, not the past. Trump's slogan is a memory trigger, allowing personal projection. Political nostalgia can sanitize and simplify complex histories. Both left and right use nostalgia to connect with voters. Nostalgia can anesthetize critical engagement with history. Chapters 00:00 The Power of Nostalgia in Politics 05:42 Nostalgia's Role in Political Identity 10:09 Trumpism: Nostalgia and Future Projections 15:49 Reimagining the Future Through Nostalgia SIGN UP FOR A WEEKLY NEWSLETTER HERE http://www.substack.com/robynrobycurnow WATCH ON YOUTUBE http://www.youtube.com/therobyncurnow Got a great idea for an episode? Drop Robyn a message here with the subject line PODCAST IDEASubscribe to Robyn's Substack.Visit her website here.To book Robyn to speak at your event, get in touch here.More about Robyn's public speakingRobyn Curnow is a sought-after public speaker on what it takes to create positive leadership in complicated times. As a South African now living in the American South, Robyn is determined to bring a hopeful and light-hearted tone to all conversations. She reflects on her interviews with U.S. Presidents Bush, Clinton and Carter and First Lady Michelle Obama. She has impactful stories of working alongside Nobel Peace Prize Lauretes Nelson Mandela and Archbishop Desmond TutuShe has delivered talks and hosted events around the Blue Economy in the Principality of Monaco where she introduced Prince Albert of Monaco and Prince William, Prince of Wales and French President Emmanuel Macron, the Lincoln Centre in New York, the Science Museum in London, the Swedish Royal Palace in Stockholm, the YPO annual conference in Cape Town, the United Nations, a Haaretz newspaper panel in Jerusalem, the Nantucket Yacht club and many more. She has recently worked with Prince Albert II Foundation in Monaco and Philadelphia, the Swedish royal family in Stockholm, Made by Dyslexia in London, the Red Cross of Georgia in Atlanta alongside Delta Airlines. Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

Is Greenland the next frontline of great-power competition? In this episode of Searching for America, Robyn Curnow examines why the Arctic — and Greenland in particular — has moved from geopolitical afterthought to strategic imperative for the United States. As Washington revives a Trump-era, Monroe-Doctrine-style focus on hemispheric control, allies in Denmark and Greenland are left shocked by the tone — and alarmed by what it reveals about American power and insecurity. We separate Arctic myth from verified reality: Russia’s expanded military posture in the High North, China’s long-term economic and scientific positioning, and the uncomfortable truth about how NATO and the U.S. allowed leverage to build through neglect rather than invasion. This is not a story about invasion or hysteria. It’s about trade routes, maritime corridors, missile warning systems, melting sea ice, critical minerals, undersea cables, and why the U.S. doesn’t fully trust alliance capabilities to hold Greenland in a crisis. The Arctic isn’t frozen anymore — politically or strategically. And Greenland sits at the center of a new Cold War that’s unfolding quietly, far from the headlines. http://www.youtube.com/therobyncurnow http://www.instagram.com/robyncurnow More on Robyn http://www.robyncurnow.net Got a great idea for an episode? Drop Robyn a message here with the subject line PODCAST IDEASubscribe to Robyn's Substack.Visit her website here.To book Robyn to speak at your event, get in touch here.More about Robyn's public speakingRobyn Curnow is a sought-after public speaker on what it takes to create positive leadership in complicated times. As a South African now living in the American South, Robyn is determined to bring a hopeful and light-hearted tone to all conversations. She reflects on her interviews with U.S. Presidents Bush, Clinton and Carter and First Lady Michelle Obama. She has impactful stories of working alongside Nobel Peace Prize Lauretes Nelson Mandela and Archbishop Desmond TutuShe has delivered talks and hosted events around the Blue Economy in the Principality of Monaco where she introduced Prince Albert of Monaco and Prince William, Prince of Wales and French President Emmanuel Macron, the Lincoln Centre in New York, the Science Museum in London, the Swedish Royal Palace in Stockholm, the YPO annual conference in Cape Town, the United Nations, a Haaretz newspaper panel in Jerusalem, the Nantucket Yacht club and many more. She has recently worked with Prince Albert II Foundation in Monaco and Philadelphia, the Swedish royal family in Stockholm, Made by Dyslexia in London, the Red Cross of Georgia in Atlanta alongside Delta Airlines. Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

What a start to the year! Robyn Curnow looks at the big picture behind Trump’s Venezuela operation.  She says it's not about American adventurism, or regime change, or a greedy neo-colonial oil grab. It’s bigger and more consquential. It was a balance sheet operation. The trigger points of this century’s conflicts are going to be centered around chokepoints; access to trade routes and control over critical energy. The White House is arguing that Venezuela was America’s belated response to deeply entrenched Chinese economic threats across the world. Like Trump’s methods or not - there’s a lot not to like, for sure - but the reality is that Beijing is a tinsy-tiny bit more vulnerable with out Venezuela’s energy security, and Xi Jing Ping has a little less wriggle room on Taiwan. But still, be warned, the battle for strategic assets in critical geo-economic nodes is about to go to eleven. WATCH ON YOUTUBE https://youtu.be/7OAyn9EjPp4 FOLLOW ON X http://www.x.com/robyncurnow ROBYN CURNOW'S BIO http://www.robyncurnow.net Got a great idea for an episode? Drop Robyn a message here with the subject line PODCAST IDEASubscribe to Robyn's Substack.Visit her website here.To book Robyn to speak at your event, get in touch here.More about Robyn's public speakingRobyn Curnow is a sought-after public speaker on what it takes to create positive leadership in complicated times. As a South African now living in the American South, Robyn is determined to bring a hopeful and light-hearted tone to all conversations. She reflects on her interviews with U.S. Presidents Bush, Clinton and Carter and First Lady Michelle Obama. She has impactful stories of working alongside Nobel Peace Prize Lauretes Nelson Mandela and Archbishop Desmond TutuShe has delivered talks and hosted events around the Blue Economy in the Principality of Monaco where she introduced Prince Albert of Monaco and Prince William, Prince of Wales and French President Emmanuel Macron, the Lincoln Centre in New York, the Science Museum in London, the Swedish Royal Palace in Stockholm, the YPO annual conference in Cape Town, the United Nations, a Haaretz newspaper panel in Jerusalem, the Nantucket Yacht club and many more. She has recently worked with Prince Albert II Foundation in Monaco and Philadelphia, the Swedish royal family in Stockholm, Made by Dyslexia in London, the Red Cross of Georgia in Atlanta alongside Delta Airlines. Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

When I first moved to the US, I didn’t fully understand Thanksgiving. Now, after years of living here, this holiday reveals more about America than almost anything else. In this episode, I unpack the history, the travel madness, the affordability of the classic Thanksgiving meal, and the national instinct toward connection that defines this time of year. I also share my own Thanksgiving list—why I’m grateful for America’s opportunity culture, its democratic protections, and its deep spirit of generosity. Listen and subscribe to Searching for America, and explore more of my work on Substack, YouTube, and beyond. Got a great idea for an episode? Drop Robyn a message here with the subject line PODCAST IDEASubscribe to Robyn's Substack.Visit her website here.To book Robyn to speak at your event, get in touch here.More about Robyn's public speakingRobyn Curnow is a sought-after public speaker on what it takes to create positive leadership in complicated times. As a South African now living in the American South, Robyn is determined to bring a hopeful and light-hearted tone to all conversations. She reflects on her interviews with U.S. Presidents Bush, Clinton and Carter and First Lady Michelle Obama. She has impactful stories of working alongside Nobel Peace Prize Lauretes Nelson Mandela and Archbishop Desmond TutuShe has delivered talks and hosted events around the Blue Economy in the Principality of Monaco where she introduced Prince Albert of Monaco and Prince William, Prince of Wales and French President Emmanuel Macron, the Lincoln Centre in New York, the Science Museum in London, the Swedish Royal Palace in Stockholm, the YPO annual conference in Cape Town, the United Nations, a Haaretz newspaper panel in Jerusalem, the Nantucket Yacht club and many more. She has recently worked with Prince Albert II Foundation in Monaco and Philadelphia, the Swedish royal family in Stockholm, Made by Dyslexia in London, the Red Cross of Georgia in Atlanta alongside Delta Airlines. Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

Journalists have survived every major technological shift, but AI presents a new kind of challenge. Robyn Curnow walks through the excitement, disruption, and uncertainty surrounding artificial intelligence in today’s newsrooms. She reflects on her early days as a reporter, the rapid advance of generative systems, and why the fundamentals still hold. What we cover How AI is transforming newsrooms and accelerating job losses Why images, audio, and video can no longer be taken at face value The deeper philosophical question: what happens to truth Lessons from the printing press and historic disruptions Why the core questions of journalism still matter The Mandela interview that AI could never replicate The irreplaceable value of presence, empathy, and lived experience Why the future belongs to reporters who double down on connection, verification, and authenticity Got a great idea for an episode? Drop Robyn a message here with the subject line PODCAST IDEASubscribe to Robyn's Substack.Visit her website here.To book Robyn to speak at your event, get in touch here.More about Robyn's public speakingRobyn Curnow is a sought-after public speaker on what it takes to create positive leadership in complicated times. As a South African now living in the American South, Robyn is determined to bring a hopeful and light-hearted tone to all conversations. She reflects on her interviews with U.S. Presidents Bush, Clinton and Carter and First Lady Michelle Obama. She has impactful stories of working alongside Nobel Peace Prize Lauretes Nelson Mandela and Archbishop Desmond TutuShe has delivered talks and hosted events around the Blue Economy in the Principality of Monaco where she introduced Prince Albert of Monaco and Prince William, Prince of Wales and French President Emmanuel Macron, the Lincoln Centre in New York, the Science Museum in London, the Swedish Royal Palace in Stockholm, the YPO annual conference in Cape Town, the United Nations, a Haaretz newspaper panel in Jerusalem, the Nantucket Yacht club and many more. She has recently worked with Prince Albert II Foundation in Monaco and Philadelphia, the Swedish royal family in Stockholm, Made by Dyslexia in London, the Red Cross of Georgia in Atlanta alongside Delta Airlines. Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

Dolly Parton is one of the few figures in American life who transcends politics, culture, and class. In this episode, I ask why. How does a woman with big wigs, big hair, and an even bigger heart manage to be loved by everyone from evangelical Republicans to progressive feminists? We travel to Tennessee to find out. Along the way, we explore Dolly’s genius for what her team calls “Dollitics”—a refusal to play partisan games while living out universal values of compassion, humor, and hard work. F rom her philanthropy to her music to Dollywood itself, she reflects the best of America: faith, grit, generosity, and joy. Got a great idea for an episode? Drop Robyn a message here with the subject line PODCAST IDEASubscribe to Robyn's Substack.Visit her website here.To book Robyn to speak at your event, get in touch here.More about Robyn's public speakingRobyn Curnow is a sought-after public speaker on what it takes to create positive leadership in complicated times. As a South African now living in the American South, Robyn is determined to bring a hopeful and light-hearted tone to all conversations. She reflects on her interviews with U.S. Presidents Bush, Clinton and Carter and First Lady Michelle Obama. She has impactful stories of working alongside Nobel Peace Prize Lauretes Nelson Mandela and Archbishop Desmond TutuShe has delivered talks and hosted events around the Blue Economy in the Principality of Monaco where she introduced Prince Albert of Monaco and Prince William, Prince of Wales and French President Emmanuel Macron, the Lincoln Centre in New York, the Science Museum in London, the Swedish Royal Palace in Stockholm, the YPO annual conference in Cape Town, the United Nations, a Haaretz newspaper panel in Jerusalem, the Nantucket Yacht club and many more. She has recently worked with Prince Albert II Foundation in Monaco and Philadelphia, the Swedish royal family in Stockholm, Made by Dyslexia in London, the Red Cross of Georgia in Atlanta alongside Delta Airlines. Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

Why does it feel like the news wants us angry? In this week’s Searching for America, I dig into what I call “angertainment” — the weaponization of news into a cycle of outrage and division. I spent more than twenty years inside the global media machine, from CNN to the BBC, and I’ve watched how fear and fury turned into a profitable formula. In this episode, I talk about how I reached my breaking point, why I turned off cable news for good, and how I’ve started to rethink what it means to stay informed without being consumed. Searching for America is my outsider’s field guide to the United States — one story at a time. Searching for America is produced by Jonathan Warncke, and recorded in Atlanta, USA. Got a great idea for an episode? Drop Robyn a message here with the subject line PODCAST IDEASubscribe to Robyn's Substack.Visit her website here.To book Robyn to speak at your event, get in touch here.More about Robyn's public speakingRobyn Curnow is a sought-after public speaker on what it takes to create positive leadership in complicated times. As a South African now living in the American South, Robyn is determined to bring a hopeful and light-hearted tone to all conversations. She reflects on her interviews with U.S. Presidents Bush, Clinton and Carter and First Lady Michelle Obama. She has impactful stories of working alongside Nobel Peace Prize Lauretes Nelson Mandela and Archbishop Desmond TutuShe has delivered talks and hosted events around the Blue Economy in the Principality of Monaco where she introduced Prince Albert of Monaco and Prince William, Prince of Wales and French President Emmanuel Macron, the Lincoln Centre in New York, the Science Museum in London, the Swedish Royal Palace in Stockholm, the YPO annual conference in Cape Town, the United Nations, a Haaretz newspaper panel in Jerusalem, the Nantucket Yacht club and many more. She has recently worked with Prince Albert II Foundation in Monaco and Philadelphia, the Swedish royal family in Stockholm, Made by Dyslexia in London, the Red Cross of Georgia in Atlanta alongside Delta Airlines. Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

Why do Americans spend more on Halloween than some countries do on their national defense? Robyn Curnow explores the cultural, economic, and emotional significance of Halloween in the United States. From inflatable unicorns to spooky dog costumes, this episode reflects on what America’s love for Halloween reveals about its people, priorities, and longing for community. Timestamps: 00:00 – Opening question: Why is Halloween spending so huge in the U.S.? 00:30 – Personal observations of Halloween in the Deep South 01:20 – Seasonal context: Fall as a lead-in to a trio of holidays 01:50 – Shocking stats: $13 billion Halloween spend vs Nordic defense budgets 02:00 – Costume culture and kids’ (and pets’) fashion obsessions 03:30 – Competitive house decorations and posh pumpkins 04:20 – Candy inflation and the politics of mass consumption 05:00 – Halloween as an inelastic good: people buy it no matter what 06:00 – Escapism and communal joy in an often isolated America 07:00 – A nostalgic nod to community and simpler times Got a great idea for an episode? Drop Robyn a message here with the subject line PODCAST IDEASubscribe to Robyn's Substack.Visit her website here.To book Robyn to speak at your event, get in touch here.More about Robyn's public speakingRobyn Curnow is a sought-after public speaker on what it takes to create positive leadership in complicated times. As a South African now living in the American South, Robyn is determined to bring a hopeful and light-hearted tone to all conversations. She reflects on her interviews with U.S. Presidents Bush, Clinton and Carter and First Lady Michelle Obama. She has impactful stories of working alongside Nobel Peace Prize Lauretes Nelson Mandela and Archbishop Desmond TutuShe has delivered talks and hosted events around the Blue Economy in the Principality of Monaco where she introduced Prince Albert of Monaco and Prince William, Prince of Wales and French President Emmanuel Macron, the Lincoln Centre in New York, the Science Museum in London, the Swedish Royal Palace in Stockholm, the YPO annual conference in Cape Town, the United Nations, a Haaretz newspaper panel in Jerusalem, the Nantucket Yacht club and many more. She has recently worked with Prince Albert II Foundation in Monaco and Philadelphia, the Swedish royal family in Stockholm, Made by Dyslexia in London, the Red Cross of Georgia in Atlanta alongside Delta Airlines. Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

The American Dream is about working hard and being rewarded. In Denmark, the dream is more about contentment and consistency than bigger and better. Robyn Curnow has been visiting Denmark the past few weeks and she reflects on what makes Danes, and her Danish husband, 'happier' than most. New! Substack! http://robycurnow.substack.com http://www.instagram.com/robyncurnow http://www.x.com/robyncurnow http://www.searchingforamericapod.com   Got a great idea for an episode? Drop Robyn a message here with the subject line PODCAST IDEASubscribe to Robyn's Substack.Visit her website here.To book Robyn to speak at your event, get in touch here.More about Robyn's public speakingRobyn Curnow is a sought-after public speaker on what it takes to create positive leadership in complicated times. As a South African now living in the American South, Robyn is determined to bring a hopeful and light-hearted tone to all conversations. She reflects on her interviews with U.S. Presidents Bush, Clinton and Carter and First Lady Michelle Obama. She has impactful stories of working alongside Nobel Peace Prize Lauretes Nelson Mandela and Archbishop Desmond TutuShe has delivered talks and hosted events around the Blue Economy in the Principality of Monaco where she introduced Prince Albert of Monaco and Prince William, Prince of Wales and French President Emmanuel Macron, the Lincoln Centre in New York, the Science Museum in London, the Swedish Royal Palace in Stockholm, the YPO annual conference in Cape Town, the United Nations, a Haaretz newspaper panel in Jerusalem, the Nantucket Yacht club and many more. She has recently worked with Prince Albert II Foundation in Monaco and Philadelphia, the Swedish royal family in Stockholm, Made by Dyslexia in London, the Red Cross of Georgia in Atlanta alongside Delta Airlines. Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

Many Americans are politically homeless, says Robyn Curnow. The loudness and anger of the extremes leaves many decent Americans left out of the national conversation. The political and media machine reinforce left and right position, staking a claim to one view. So what does being politically homeless look like in America right now? Robyn Curnow thinks it's a bit like being one of those wandering souls of unbaptized babies in medieval Europe trapped in a centrist purgatory. Can you be an independent or centrist in Trumpian Times? Can this podcast be a success if a position is not staked? http://www.instagram.com/robyncurnow http://www.youtube.com/searchingforamericapodcast.com http://www.x.com/robyncurnow http://www.searchingforamericapod.com Got a great idea for an episode? Drop Robyn a message here with the subject line PODCAST IDEASubscribe to Robyn's Substack.Visit her website here.To book Robyn to speak at your event, get in touch here.More about Robyn's public speakingRobyn Curnow is a sought-after public speaker on what it takes to create positive leadership in complicated times. As a South African now living in the American South, Robyn is determined to bring a hopeful and light-hearted tone to all conversations. She reflects on her interviews with U.S. Presidents Bush, Clinton and Carter and First Lady Michelle Obama. She has impactful stories of working alongside Nobel Peace Prize Lauretes Nelson Mandela and Archbishop Desmond TutuShe has delivered talks and hosted events around the Blue Economy in the Principality of Monaco where she introduced Prince Albert of Monaco and Prince William, Prince of Wales and French President Emmanuel Macron, the Lincoln Centre in New York, the Science Museum in London, the Swedish Royal Palace in Stockholm, the YPO annual conference in Cape Town, the United Nations, a Haaretz newspaper panel in Jerusalem, the Nantucket Yacht club and many more. She has recently worked with Prince Albert II Foundation in Monaco and Philadelphia, the Swedish royal family in Stockholm, Made by Dyslexia in London, the Red Cross of Georgia in Atlanta alongside Delta Airlines. Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

Who's blame for Donald Trump being President again? One simple answer. Joe Biden. Robyn Curnow has interviewed a US Presidents, a First Lady and been in the Rose Garden at the White House during press conferences. The recent exposes on the coverups over Joe Biden's health tell her one thing .. the Biden administration handed Donald Trump a big beautiful second term when they lied about the President's capacity. Many Americans and people around the world are lamenting Trump's world (dis)order but based on the information coming out she suggests that Joe Biden should be held responsible for Trump 2.0. http://www.youtube.com/@searchingforamericapodcast http://www.searchingforamericapod.com http://www.instagram.com/robyncurnow http://www.instagram.com/searchingforamericapod http://www.x.com/robyncurnow http://www.tiktok.com/searchingforamericapod http://www.youtube.com/@searchingforamericapod   Got a great idea for an episode? Drop Robyn a message here with the subject line PODCAST IDEASubscribe to Robyn's Substack.Visit her website here.To book Robyn to speak at your event, get in touch here.More about Robyn's public speakingRobyn Curnow is a sought-after public speaker on what it takes to create positive leadership in complicated times. As a South African now living in the American South, Robyn is determined to bring a hopeful and light-hearted tone to all conversations. She reflects on her interviews with U.S. Presidents Bush, Clinton and Carter and First Lady Michelle Obama. She has impactful stories of working alongside Nobel Peace Prize Lauretes Nelson Mandela and Archbishop Desmond TutuShe has delivered talks and hosted events around the Blue Economy in the Principality of Monaco where she introduced Prince Albert of Monaco and Prince William, Prince of Wales and French President Emmanuel Macron, the Lincoln Centre in New York, the Science Museum in London, the Swedish Royal Palace in Stockholm, the YPO annual conference in Cape Town, the United Nations, a Haaretz newspaper panel in Jerusalem, the Nantucket Yacht club and many more. She has recently worked with Prince Albert II Foundation in Monaco and Philadelphia, the Swedish royal family in Stockholm, Made by Dyslexia in London, the Red Cross of Georgia in Atlanta alongside Delta Airlines. Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

The firebombing of Jews in Colorado is not just about rising anti-semitism but a worrying broader trend, says Robyn Curnow. Identity politics - couched in the Free Palestine rhetoric - threatens to unleash more violence against Jews and anyone who is viewed as an 'oppressor' or 'colonizer.' Robyn Curnow reflects on the language of 'resistance' and why it's so dangerous. http://www.instagram.com/searchingforamericapod.com http://www.instagram.com/robyncurnow http://www.youtube.com/@searchingforamericapodcast Got a great idea for an episode? Drop Robyn a message here with the subject line PODCAST IDEASubscribe to Robyn's Substack.Visit her website here.To book Robyn to speak at your event, get in touch here.More about Robyn's public speakingRobyn Curnow is a sought-after public speaker on what it takes to create positive leadership in complicated times. As a South African now living in the American South, Robyn is determined to bring a hopeful and light-hearted tone to all conversations. She reflects on her interviews with U.S. Presidents Bush, Clinton and Carter and First Lady Michelle Obama. She has impactful stories of working alongside Nobel Peace Prize Lauretes Nelson Mandela and Archbishop Desmond TutuShe has delivered talks and hosted events around the Blue Economy in the Principality of Monaco where she introduced Prince Albert of Monaco and Prince William, Prince of Wales and French President Emmanuel Macron, the Lincoln Centre in New York, the Science Museum in London, the Swedish Royal Palace in Stockholm, the YPO annual conference in Cape Town, the United Nations, a Haaretz newspaper panel in Jerusalem, the Nantucket Yacht club and many more. She has recently worked with Prince Albert II Foundation in Monaco and Philadelphia, the Swedish royal family in Stockholm, Made by Dyslexia in London, the Red Cross of Georgia in Atlanta alongside Delta Airlines. Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

What can spycraft teach business leaders? Marc Polymeropoulos is one of the CIA's most decorated operatives. He spills secrets to Robyn Curnow about the leadership lessons he learnt in the shadows. Memorial Day honors America's fallen warriors. The CIA men and women killed in action are remembered by stars at CIA Headquarters in Langley, Virginia. Marc lost colleagues and agents because of mistakes made in the field during post-9/11 years in hostile environments. Marc Polymeropoulos talks to Robyn Curnow about the nine principles that leaders in any organisation can use to strength and clarity in times of stress; even if they're not in badlands of Afghanistan or Iraq. This is a bonus episode of a conversation between Marc Polymeropoulos and Robyn Curnow. In Part 1 he talks about dive bars, Damascus and the death of colleagues. In Part 2 Marc recounts when he was attacked by an energy weapon while in Moscow, which left him with traumatic brain injury called Havana Syndrome that has incapacitated numerous American intelligence operatives around the world. SIGN UP FOR ROBYN'S WEEKLY NEWSLETTER HERE: http://www.searchingforamericapod.com http://www.instagram.com/searchingforamericapod.com http://www.instagram.com/robyncurnow http://www.x.com/robyncurnow FIND MARC HERE: http://www.x.com/marcpoly1 ORDER MARC'S BOOK Clarity in Crisis: Lessons from the CIA https://www.amazon.com/Clarity-Crisis-Leadership-Lessons-CIA/dp/1400223865 Got a great idea for an episode? Drop Robyn a message here with the subject line PODCAST IDEASubscribe to Robyn's Substack.Visit her website here.To book Robyn to speak at your event, get in touch here.More about Robyn's public speakingRobyn Curnow is a sought-after public speaker on what it takes to create positive leadership in complicated times. As a South African now living in the American South, Robyn is determined to bring a hopeful and light-hearted tone to all conversations. She reflects on her interviews with U.S. Presidents Bush, Clinton and Carter and First Lady Michelle Obama. She has impactful stories of working alongside Nobel Peace Prize Lauretes Nelson Mandela and Archbishop Desmond TutuShe has delivered talks and hosted events around the Blue Economy in the Principality of Monaco where she introduced Prince Albert of Monaco and Prince William, Prince of Wales and French President Emmanuel Macron, the Lincoln Centre in New York, the Science Museum in London, the Swedish Royal Palace in Stockholm, the YPO annual conference in Cape Town, the United Nations, a Haaretz newspaper panel in Jerusalem, the Nantucket Yacht club and many more. She has recently worked with Prince Albert II Foundation in Monaco and Philadelphia, the Swedish royal family in Stockholm, Made by Dyslexia in London, the Red Cross of Georgia in Atlanta alongside Delta Airlines. Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

Out of all the foreign policy tit-for-tats to have - why has President Trump picked South Africa? Why is he concerned about minority white farmers who speak Afrikaans in the rural areas of a continent that's not a strategic priority for the USA? Robyn Curnow is South African, lives in Atlanta, Georgia and she was CNN's Africa correspondent for many years. She has known the South African president Cyril Ramaphosa since the 1990's when he was part of Nelson Mandela's team. She has also interviewed many American Presidents. She offers a unique perspective - understanding the instincts on both sides - after a fractious Oval Office meeting between the South Africans and the Americans. There is good reason, Robyn says, why Trump has honed in on the death of white farmers in South Africa. And the South Africans need to tread carefully as they try to manage a transactional US President - without falling back into familiar ideological defiance rather than much-needed realism. http://www.x.com/robyncurnow http://www.instagram.com/searchingforamericapod http://www.searchingforamericpod.com http://www.youtube.com/@searchingforamericapodcast Got a great idea for an episode? Drop Robyn a message here with the subject line PODCAST IDEASubscribe to Robyn's Substack.Visit her website here.To book Robyn to speak at your event, get in touch here.More about Robyn's public speakingRobyn Curnow is a sought-after public speaker on what it takes to create positive leadership in complicated times. As a South African now living in the American South, Robyn is determined to bring a hopeful and light-hearted tone to all conversations. She reflects on her interviews with U.S. Presidents Bush, Clinton and Carter and First Lady Michelle Obama. She has impactful stories of working alongside Nobel Peace Prize Lauretes Nelson Mandela and Archbishop Desmond TutuShe has delivered talks and hosted events around the Blue Economy in the Principality of Monaco where she introduced Prince Albert of Monaco and Prince William, Prince of Wales and French President Emmanuel Macron, the Lincoln Centre in New York, the Science Museum in London, the Swedish Royal Palace in Stockholm, the YPO annual conference in Cape Town, the United Nations, a Haaretz newspaper panel in Jerusalem, the Nantucket Yacht club and many more. She has recently worked with Prince Albert II Foundation in Monaco and Philadelphia, the Swedish royal family in Stockholm, Made by Dyslexia in London, the Red Cross of Georgia in Atlanta alongside Delta Airlines. Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

Business schools across America should run an MBA course on corporate succession and the Catholic Church says Robyn Curnow who's covered the Vatican. The ease of transition from one leader to another is smooth and seamless. And it's a key part of the enduring nature of the Vatican's well-oiled machine. Pope Francis to Pope Leo, and the others that came before them for hundreds of years, are chosen by their peers (or the Holy Spirit, if you so wish) to lead the church (corporation) and to keep it profitable and with a steady supply of customers (parishioners and the faithful.) As the new Pope shook hands with world leaders this past weekend, I thought; why do Popes matter in an increasingly secular world? In times of change... what stays the same? The Catholic Church. In time of change... what offers leadership continuity? The Catholic Church That stability is is both the church's strength, and weakness. The tension is always there. A push for innovation and modernity ... with the pull to preserve the thousands of years of ritual and dogma. One part of the leadership continuity is the choosing of a new papal name... a name that harkens back to the past while supposedly giving us a clue as to the future. Listen to this week's episode about Leo the new papal lion, the meaning of his name and the time I named a cheetah after a pope (we like big cats on the show.)   http://www.instagram.com/robyncurnow http://www.x.com/robyncurnow http://www.instagram.com/searchingforamerica http://www.searchingforamericapod.com http://youtube.com/@searchingforamericapodcast Got a great idea for an episode? Drop Robyn a message here with the subject line PODCAST IDEASubscribe to Robyn's Substack.Visit her website here.To book Robyn to speak at your event, get in touch here.More about Robyn's public speakingRobyn Curnow is a sought-after public speaker on what it takes to create positive leadership in complicated times. As a South African now living in the American South, Robyn is determined to bring a hopeful and light-hearted tone to all conversations. She reflects on her interviews with U.S. Presidents Bush, Clinton and Carter and First Lady Michelle Obama. She has impactful stories of working alongside Nobel Peace Prize Lauretes Nelson Mandela and Archbishop Desmond TutuShe has delivered talks and hosted events around the Blue Economy in the Principality of Monaco where she introduced Prince Albert of Monaco and Prince William, Prince of Wales and French President Emmanuel Macron, the Lincoln Centre in New York, the Science Museum in London, the Swedish Royal Palace in Stockholm, the YPO annual conference in Cape Town, the United Nations, a Haaretz newspaper panel in Jerusalem, the Nantucket Yacht club and many more. She has recently worked with Prince Albert II Foundation in Monaco and Philadelphia, the Swedish royal family in Stockholm, Made by Dyslexia in London, the Red Cross of Georgia in Atlanta alongside Delta Airlines. Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

What happens to our stuff when we die? The estate of Robyn Curnow's late neighbor has been up for sale next door. Antique bargain hunters and second-hand vultures have been 'shopping' the contents of the couple's house. Strangers streamed through the neighborhood carting off everything the elderly couple owned, loved and collected for decades. Tupperware, silver, mattresses were all carried out of their front door for a few dollars. Everything was sold off to the lowest bidder. The odd-couple relationship between America and China is founded on American consumerism and Chinese productivity. There are deals, or not, on the table over realigning Washington and Beijing's trade. Watching the garage sale next door made Robyn Curnow think about tariffs and the stuff we buy. Quality versus Quantity and the things we leave behind http://www.instagram.com/searchingforamericapod http://www.x.com/robyncurnow http://www.searchingforamericapod.com YOUTUBE https://www.youtube.com/@SearchingforAmericaPodcast Got a great idea for an episode? Drop Robyn a message here with the subject line PODCAST IDEASubscribe to Robyn's Substack.Visit her website here.To book Robyn to speak at your event, get in touch here.More about Robyn's public speakingRobyn Curnow is a sought-after public speaker on what it takes to create positive leadership in complicated times. As a South African now living in the American South, Robyn is determined to bring a hopeful and light-hearted tone to all conversations. She reflects on her interviews with U.S. Presidents Bush, Clinton and Carter and First Lady Michelle Obama. She has impactful stories of working alongside Nobel Peace Prize Lauretes Nelson Mandela and Archbishop Desmond TutuShe has delivered talks and hosted events around the Blue Economy in the Principality of Monaco where she introduced Prince Albert of Monaco and Prince William, Prince of Wales and French President Emmanuel Macron, the Lincoln Centre in New York, the Science Museum in London, the Swedish Royal Palace in Stockholm, the YPO annual conference in Cape Town, the United Nations, a Haaretz newspaper panel in Jerusalem, the Nantucket Yacht club and many more. She has recently worked with Prince Albert II Foundation in Monaco and Philadelphia, the Swedish royal family in Stockholm, Made by Dyslexia in London, the Red Cross of Georgia in Atlanta alongside Delta Airlines. Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

We're in the middle of graduation season. Americans love a party, a theme and an excuse to put signs in their front yards announcing the celebration of the moment. Sometimes it's an election, other times it's July 4th and for these few weeks of spring.... it's graduation. There is a constant rotation of goodbye parties. Graduation is not just a ceremony, it's a never-ending marathon of emotional and expensive moments. Nowhere else in the world goes so BIG when school is finished. I'm embracing it because my eldest daughter deserves to be celebrated with trumpets, bagpipes and an endless supply of monogramed college cakes. She started school in the USA in Obama's America and is now ending it in Trump's America. She has navigated a revolving set of strange cultural oddities and constant change. Americans might not agree on everything but they do agree on these things: Supersized graduation celebrations Yard signs The long goodbye for your 18 year old Hope you enjoy, and congratulations to the Class of 2025! SIGN UP FOR A FUN FREE NEWSLETTER EACH WEEK HERE: http://www.searchingforamericapod.com http://www.instagram.com/searchingforamericapod.com   http://www.instagram.com/robyncurnow http://www.x.com/robyncurnow Got a great idea for an episode? Drop Robyn a message here with the subject line PODCAST IDEASubscribe to Robyn's Substack.Visit her website here.To book Robyn to speak at your event, get in touch here.More about Robyn's public speakingRobyn Curnow is a sought-after public speaker on what it takes to create positive leadership in complicated times. As a South African now living in the American South, Robyn is determined to bring a hopeful and light-hearted tone to all conversations. She reflects on her interviews with U.S. Presidents Bush, Clinton and Carter and First Lady Michelle Obama. She has impactful stories of working alongside Nobel Peace Prize Lauretes Nelson Mandela and Archbishop Desmond TutuShe has delivered talks and hosted events around the Blue Economy in the Principality of Monaco where she introduced Prince Albert of Monaco and Prince William, Prince of Wales and French President Emmanuel Macron, the Lincoln Centre in New York, the Science Museum in London, the Swedish Royal Palace in Stockholm, the YPO annual conference in Cape Town, the United Nations, a Haaretz newspaper panel in Jerusalem, the Nantucket Yacht club and many more. She has recently worked with Prince Albert II Foundation in Monaco and Philadelphia, the Swedish royal family in Stockholm, Made by Dyslexia in London, the Red Cross of Georgia in Atlanta alongside Delta Airlines. Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

Being in the Vatican during a Pope's funeral and conclave is fascinating. Robyn Curnow was in Rome when John Paul II died. She remembers those days in St Peters. So, what to expect from the next conclave? Robyn has covered many papal deaths and reported on the politics of the Catholic church. Pope Francis was a different kind of pope to John Paul, and Ratzinger who succeeded him. Both John Paul and Francis were epoch defining popes. John Paul was one of the 20th century's great leaders against communism. Hewn from stone behind the iron curtain he was unbending and formidable. Dogma and traditionalism held fast. Francis was from Argentina... a priest who came of age within the legacy of liberation theology. A woke pope, perhaps, but man of his times. She wonders, if like the American presidency, the papal shifts will swing like a pendulum between left and right in the upcoming conclave. SIGN UP FOR A FREE WEEKLY NEWSLETTER http://www.searchingforamericapod.com http://www.instagram.com/robyncurnow http://www.instagram.com/searchingforamericapod http://www.x.com/robyncurnow Got a great idea for an episode? Drop Robyn a message here with the subject line PODCAST IDEASubscribe to Robyn's Substack.Visit her website here.To book Robyn to speak at your event, get in touch here.More about Robyn's public speakingRobyn Curnow is a sought-after public speaker on what it takes to create positive leadership in complicated times. As a South African now living in the American South, Robyn is determined to bring a hopeful and light-hearted tone to all conversations. She reflects on her interviews with U.S. Presidents Bush, Clinton and Carter and First Lady Michelle Obama. She has impactful stories of working alongside Nobel Peace Prize Lauretes Nelson Mandela and Archbishop Desmond TutuShe has delivered talks and hosted events around the Blue Economy in the Principality of Monaco where she introduced Prince Albert of Monaco and Prince William, Prince of Wales and French President Emmanuel Macron, the Lincoln Centre in New York, the Science Museum in London, the Swedish Royal Palace in Stockholm, the YPO annual conference in Cape Town, the United Nations, a Haaretz newspaper panel in Jerusalem, the Nantucket Yacht club and many more. She has recently worked with Prince Albert II Foundation in Monaco and Philadelphia, the Swedish royal family in Stockholm, Made by Dyslexia in London, the Red Cross of Georgia in Atlanta alongside Delta Airlines. Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

What do you think of when you read the words... STRIP MALL? Firstly, there's no stripping. No pole dancing. No one dollar bills. Secondly, they're everywhere and form the backbone of Main Street - the small mom-and-pop businesses that underpin American capitalism. The rows of grubby one-story shops occupy a slice of real estate along side main roads and intersections. We have a bunch littered around us. Odd places, but filled with fascinating slices of Americana. In just about every strip mall, even if they're near each other, there is nail salon run by a phalanx of Vietnamese, an eyelash extension shop run by an African-American woman in sequins and a Chinese dry cleaner. Fast food chains are hard to avoid but but if you trust the locals you'll find some of the best places for Ho Chin Minh City pho, Mexican burritos or Korean hotpot. Stores and restaurants in strip malls are not fancy. Mostly rundown. Often near a Dollar Store or charity shop. You have got to know where the gems are. Hiding in plain sight, in a nondescript plaza near us, is a legendary drinking hole. It's modeled after Cheers, the bar in the TV series, where everybody knows your name   http://www.searchingforamericapod.com http://www.instagram.com/searchingforamericapod http://www.instagram.com/robyncurnow http://www.x.com/robyncurnow http://www.youtube.com/@searchingforameriapodcast   Got a great idea for an episode? Drop Robyn a message here with the subject line PODCAST IDEASubscribe to Robyn's Substack.Visit her website here.To book Robyn to speak at your event, get in touch here.More about Robyn's public speakingRobyn Curnow is a sought-after public speaker on what it takes to create positive leadership in complicated times. As a South African now living in the American South, Robyn is determined to bring a hopeful and light-hearted tone to all conversations. She reflects on her interviews with U.S. Presidents Bush, Clinton and Carter and First Lady Michelle Obama. She has impactful stories of working alongside Nobel Peace Prize Lauretes Nelson Mandela and Archbishop Desmond TutuShe has delivered talks and hosted events around the Blue Economy in the Principality of Monaco where she introduced Prince Albert of Monaco and Prince William, Prince of Wales and French President Emmanuel Macron, the Lincoln Centre in New York, the Science Museum in London, the Swedish Royal Palace in Stockholm, the YPO annual conference in Cape Town, the United Nations, a Haaretz newspaper panel in Jerusalem, the Nantucket Yacht club and many more. She has recently worked with Prince Albert II Foundation in Monaco and Philadelphia, the Swedish royal family in Stockholm, Made by Dyslexia in London, the Red Cross of Georgia in Atlanta alongside Delta Airlines. Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

When politics get crazy who do you listen to? Your financial advisor who’s watching the stock market? A friend in government? Robyn Curnow turns to her favorite analyst when times get complicated.... her 101 year old grandmother. She's has lived through world wars that redrew the map, economic depressions that shattered lives, technological revolutions that have fundamentally altered how we connect and communicate. She’s seen empires rise and fall, social norms transform, and scientific breakthroughs once relegated to science fiction become everyday realities. What does to she remind us when the only certainty is uncertainty? Not every fleeting headline demands our constant attention. Some storms will pass. History is littered with bad leaders, and stupid people. Our time is no different. Listen to Robyn Curnow dissect the lessons of the view long. (Plus... hear what her grandmother's secret is to a long life.) http://www.searchingforamericapod.com http://www.instagram.com/robyncurnow http://www.instagram.com/searchingforamericapod.com http://www.x.com/robyncurnow Got a great idea for an episode? Drop Robyn a message here with the subject line PODCAST IDEASubscribe to Robyn's Substack.Visit her website here.To book Robyn to speak at your event, get in touch here.More about Robyn's public speakingRobyn Curnow is a sought-after public speaker on what it takes to create positive leadership in complicated times. As a South African now living in the American South, Robyn is determined to bring a hopeful and light-hearted tone to all conversations. She reflects on her interviews with U.S. Presidents Bush, Clinton and Carter and First Lady Michelle Obama. She has impactful stories of working alongside Nobel Peace Prize Lauretes Nelson Mandela and Archbishop Desmond TutuShe has delivered talks and hosted events around the Blue Economy in the Principality of Monaco where she introduced Prince Albert of Monaco and Prince William, Prince of Wales and French President Emmanuel Macron, the Lincoln Centre in New York, the Science Museum in London, the Swedish Royal Palace in Stockholm, the YPO annual conference in Cape Town, the United Nations, a Haaretz newspaper panel in Jerusalem, the Nantucket Yacht club and many more. She has recently worked with Prince Albert II Foundation in Monaco and Philadelphia, the Swedish royal family in Stockholm, Made by Dyslexia in London, the Red Cross of Georgia in Atlanta alongside Delta Airlines. Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.