Searching for America with Robyn Curnow

America is built on freedom. So why are there still more than 500 places where you can’t legally buy a drink? In this episode of Searching for America, Robyn Curnow explores the strange, contradictory world of American drinking laws - from Utah’s strict alcohol rules and ID checks to dry counties that still exist nearly a century after Prohibition. Why can you drive at 16 but not buy a beer until you're 21?Why do some towns still ban alcohol?And what do puritanical drinking laws reveal about American culture, religion, and power? From the infamous Zion Curtain in Utah to Prohibition, this is a story about alcohol - but really, it’s about how America works. Subscribe to http://robyncurnow.substack.com for sharp, global insights on the United States in a weekly newsletter 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.

American presidents love dogs. The optics are perfect: loyal, friendly, impossible to fact-check. From White House photo ops to wartime morale, First Dogs have always helped sell the presidency. And then came the no-dog presidency. Which tells you… quite a lot about the Presidency of Donald Trump and why so many Americans voted for him. WANT MORE QUIRKS FROM AMERICA? SIGN UP http://robyncurnow.substack.com READ MORE ABOUT 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.

Atlanta's pollen season arrives like a political crisis: overnight, everywhere, impossible to breathe through. At Easter-time, I'm thinking about what renewal actually looks like when it's happening to you - not the soft-focus version, but the detonation. Which means thinking about China's stranglehold on rare earths, Russia's gas leash on Europe, Iran's proxy franchise. Three decades of "order" produced strategic dependency on America's principal adversaries. Something had to change. Whether what's changing now produces something better, or just produces more mess, is the question none of us can answer yet. We're still in the pollen. sign up for a free weekly newsletter http://robyncurnow.substack.com     more about robyn curnow http://robyncurnow.net http://instagram.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's causing anxiety in America right now? No, it's not Iran, Trump or Gavin Newsom's hair. It's what Andrew Yang calls "The Fuckening." As a mother of two daughters choosing their courses right now, I'm standing in the middle of it — holding a course catalogue, trying to figure out what my teenage daughters should study in an age of AI.  Anthropic's latest research says the most AI-exposed jobs are programmers, analysts, and customer service reps. The safest? Bartenders and dishwashers. For the first time in modern history, the safest place is not at a desk. So what do you tell your kids to study? In this episode, I take an AI course at Georgia Tech, revisit Aristotle, remember my father's hands — and land on an answer that surprised me: in a world of infinite answers, taste and judgment become the scarce resources. We're not educating our kids for subjects anymore. We're educating them for judgment.   Listen on Youtube http://youtube.com/@therobyncurnow Free newsletter http://robyncurnow.substack.com http://instagram.com/robyncurnow http://x.com/robyncurnow more about Robyn http://robycurnow.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.

Artificial intelligence may be the most powerful technology humans have ever built - but many Americans don’t trust it. After taking an AI course at Georgia Institute of Technology, Robyn Curnow explores why voters across the political spectrum are uneasy about AI, from job fears to electricity-hungry data centers. From a conversation with an HVAC technician who believes the “devil’s number” is hidden inside computer chips to a classroom discussion about white-collar job disruption, this episode explores the deeper anxieties shaping America’s response to artificial intelligence. And the political landmines that will determine who triumphs at the ballot box in this year's midterms. Join the Searching for America community and a free weekly newsletter. HERE http://robyncurnow.substack.com WATCH ON YOUTUBE http://www.youtube.com/@therobyncurnow More about Robyn http://www.robyncurnow.net http://www.instagram.com/robyncurnow http://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.

In the American South, an insult doesn’t always sound like an insult. Sometimes it sounds polite. "I"ll pray for you." Sometimes it sounds sympathetic. "You sweet thing." And sometimes it sounds like three very gentle words: “Bless your heart.” In this episode of Searching for America, Robyn Curnow explores one of the South’s most fascinating cultural phrases - a sentence that can express genuine kindness or deliver a devastatingly polite takedown. From small towns in Mississippi to suburban Atlanta, Southern language has evolved its own code of diplomacy. Criticism is rarely shouted. Instead, it’s softened, wrapped in manners, and delivered with a smile. Because in the South, people often say exactly what they mean. They just say it… politely. Three little words. Bless Your Heart SIGN UP FOR ROBYN'S FREE BLOG ON SUBSTACK http://robyncurnow.substack.com Watch on Youtube http://youtube.com/@therobyncurnow http://www.instagram.com/robyncurnow http://www.x.com/robyncurnow Contact Robyn Curnow 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.

Early in January, the White House released a video from the movie Gladiator. Russell Crowe’s character, Maximus, turning to his men before battle:“At my signal, unleash hell.” It felt theatrical at the time. Symbolic. A meme. But in the months since, American and Israeli strikes on Iran have made that line feel less like metaphor or meme and more like policy. This isn’t Iraq. There’s no talk of occupation or reconstruction. The stated objective is narrower: degrade Iran’s nuclear capacity, weaken its proxy networks, restore deterrence. But the stakes are anything but narrow. This is a high-risk wager — regionally, politically, and globally. If it works, the rewards are significant: a weaker hostile regime, stronger regional alignment, reinforced deterrence. If it fails, escalation spreads — oil shocks, proxy retaliation, hardliner consolidation, and a presidency defined by unintended consequences. And hovering over all of it is a larger question: is this just about Iran — or part of a broader strategic contest reshaping the 21st century order? I’m Robyn Curnow, and this is Searching for America — where we step back from the headlines to ask what the United States is really doing, and what it might cost. Let’s begin. WATCH ON YOUTUBE http://www.youtube.com/@therobyncurnow SIGN UP FOR A FREE NEWSLETTER AND BLOG AT http://robyncurnow.substack.com MORE ON ROBYN http://robyncurnow.net http://www.x.com/robyncurnow http://www.instagram.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.

In this episode, Robyn Curnow reflects on her years writing obituaries for global giants — from Fidel Castro and Nelson Mandela to Pope John Paul II and Muhammad Ali — and why she always found them strangely uplifting. Because an obituary isn’t really about death. It’s about shape. It’s about distilling a messy, complicated life into its through-line: courage, ambition, service, love. From historic state funerals to the handwritten obituary of a Southern raconteur who framed his own ending, this episode explores why America loves obituaries — and what they reveal about reinvention, meritocracy, and the stories we tell about ourselves. In an age of constant self-broadcasting, the obituary may be the most honest genre left. And whether we like it or not — we’re all writing our own. Sign up for a weekly free newsletter  http://robyncurnow.substack.com More about Robyn http://www.robyncurnow.net http://www.x.com/robyncurnow http://www.instagram.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.

Donald Trump isn’t playing chess. He’s playing poker. And once you see that, American politics start to feel less like a grandmaster tournament - and more like a high-stakes table in Vegas. This week on Searching for America, I ask what happens when a country that increasingly thinks in bets elects a president who governs like a gambler. From tariffs and brinkmanship to Super Bowl wagers and prediction markets pricing everything from elections to the end of the world - belief in America isn’t just argued anymore. It’s priced. We’re living in an odds era. So the question is: when everyone’s at the table, who’s bluffing - and who’s about to call? READ MORE ON ROBYN'S BLOG http://robyncurnow.substack.com WATCH ON YOUTUBE http://youtube.com/@therobyncurnow MORE ON ROBYN http://www.robyncurnow.net http://www.x.com/robyncurnow http://instagram.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.

Where will the next war start? Not on a border. Not at sea. But a few hundred miles above our heads. The most important battlefield of the future isn’t on Earth. Power is shifting - not across borders, but above them. Space is the next frontier because it's the backend of our modern life. In this episode of Searching for America, I explore how space has become the next battlefield, and why lower Earth orbit, the Moon, and Mars are now central to U.S. vs China strategic competition. From my surreal interview with Buzz Aldrin to the rise of military satellites, AI infrastructure in space, and missile defense systems, this episode breaks down how geopolitics, national security, and space technology are converging. This isn’t science fiction. It’s modern warfare - fought through satellite interference, space-based AI, orbital dominance, and deterrence strategy. Because in every conflict, the side that holds the high ground wins - and this time, it’s literal. Thanks for listening, Robyn Curnow Blog and free newsletter from Robyn each week  http://robyncurnow.substack.com Watch on Youtube http://www.youtube.com/@therobyncurnow More about Robyn Curnow 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.

I used to think sororities were just a girl gang cult — then I saw what they really are when my daughter joined one this past month. Greek sorority life in America is more than a mean girl clique or a perky authoritarian cheer squad in pastel and glitter. For millions of America's young women, sororities are built on loyalty, connection, and mutual support. In this episode of Searching for America, I look past the pink Instagram gloss to understand sororities as institutions: why they exist, what they provide, and why they may matter more than ever for a generation shaped by Covid, social media, and isolation. It’s a story about group identity, immigrant instincts, and the very American art of building a life sideways — through loyalty, networks, and showing up. If you’ve ever wondered what sororities really are — or why America builds community the way it does — this one’s for you. Youtube http://www.youtube.com/@therobyncurnow Sign up for a free newsletter http://robyncurnow.substack.com 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.

  America braced again. Another winter storm. Another week of breathless warnings. Another round of stockpiling flashlights, firewood — and nerves. In this episode of Searching for America, I reflect on how weather in the United States isn’t just something that happens — it’s something that comes for you. Storms don’t pass, they threaten. They don’t dissipate, they devastate. And over time, that language of catastrophe has bled from meteorology into politics. From red alert weather graphics to cable-news outrage cycles, from snow-mageddons to democratic doomsdays, this episode explores how fear has become a performance — and how a nation perpetually bracing for disaster risks losing its sense of proportion. Recorded from Atlanta, as another storm approached, this is a meditation on weather, media, politics, and America’s addiction to catastrophe.   WATCH ON YOUTUBE (subscribe and like) http://www.youtube.com/@therobyncurnow MORE ON ROBYN http://www.robyncurnow.net SIGN UP FOR A FREE NEWSLETTER http://robyncurnow.substack.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.

I 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 me 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, I 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.

Why has Greenland suddenly become central to American power — and what does the Arctic reveal about the limits of U.S. strategy? In this episode of Searching for America, I explore how the High North has moved from geopolitical afterthought to strategic test case. As the United States revives a hemispheric, Monroe-Doctrine-style focus under Trump, I look at why allies in Denmark and Greenland have been shocked by the tone — even as Russia rebuilds its Arctic military posture and China quietly shapes the region through trade, science, and infrastructure. I separate fact from hype, examining what is verified — and what is not — about Russian and Chinese activity in the Arctic, why NATO is poorly equipped to operate in Greenland, and how years of Western neglect allowed leverage to accumulate in the north. This isn’t a story of invasion or panic.It’s about geography, trust, and why Greenland now sits at the center of a new Cold War unfolding quietly at the top of the world. 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.

I want to look at Venezuela not as a failed state or a morality tale, but as a map. When I zoom out, what I see isn’t just Caracas or Maduro — I see oil, ports, shipping lanes, and a quiet power struggle playing out very close to home. Venezuela sits only about 1,300 miles from the United States, right on the edge of the Caribbean basin, and over the past two decades China, Russia, and Iran have all embedded themselves there in different ways. In this episode, Robyn Curnow explores why geography matters again, why control of chokepoints now shapes security more than armies do, and how the Trump corollary to the Monroe Doctrine signals a return to enforcing old hemispheric lines — just in a much more direct way. This isn’t about ideology or personalities. It’s about infrastructure, leverage, and how power actually moves in the world we’re living in now. 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.

Will artificial intelligence kill journalism? In this episode of Searching for America, I explore what happens to truth, trust, and storytelling in a world where AI can now write articles, summarize reports, fact-check, and even present the news. Drawing on my years inside newsrooms, I look at how AI is already reshaping journalism — accelerating job losses, blurring the line between what’s real and what’s synthetic, and forcing us to rethink what the profession is actually for. I’m not anti-AI. I think it’s an extraordinary tool. But journalism won’t survive by competing with machines on speed or volume. We’ll never win that race. Instead, I argue that the future lies in what AI can’t replicate: human presence, lived experience, empathy, judgment, and the simple act of asking who, what, when, where, and why. From ancient scribes to modern war correspondents, this episode is about why real, human reporting still matters — and may be more essential than ever. 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.

Why is Dolly Parton one of the few Americans almost everyone seems to agree on? In this episode of Searching for America, I explore how a brassy country superstar with big hair, big humor, and even bigger generosity became an unlikely bridge across America’s political divide. From “Dolly for President” T-shirts to write-in ballots, I look at why Dolly inspires affection on both the left and the right — and what her careful refusal to play partisan politics reveals about a country exhausted by extremes. I reflect on my own encounters with Dolly’s America, from a family road trip through rural Tennessee to a day wandering Dollywood, and what I learned talking to people far outside my own bubble. Dolly’s genius, I argue, lies in her ability to honor roots without resentment, values without judgment, and difference without division. At a moment when the country feels fractured, Dolly Parton may be one of the last shared symbols reminding Americans that common ground — and a sense of humor — still exist. Newsletter http://robyncurnow.substack.com http://www.robyncurnow.net http://youtube.com/@robyncurnow http://www.instagram.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.

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 spend on national defense? In this episode of Searching for America, I take a curious look at America’s favorite pagan holiday and the astonishing amount of money spent on plastic spiders, fake cemeteries, inflatable unicorns, and candy by the truckload. As an outsider living in the Deep South Bible Belt, I’m endlessly amused by how Halloween has become a national obsession — even in a year filled with anxiety about inflation, tariffs, and the economy. From neighborhood decoration arms races and designer pumpkins to pet costumes and Amazon-delivered outfits, I explore why Americans keep opening their wallets every October. It turns out Halloween isn’t just about ghosts and goblins. It’s about escapism, community, and a rare chance to have a little fun in a serious, lonely world. And when kids get to roam the streets like it’s 1982 — dressed as superheroes and unicorns — I’m more than happy to pay up. Happy Halloween. 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 newsletter http://robyncurnow.substack.com http://www.robyncurnow.net http://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.

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.