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© 2024 At the Coalface
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At the Coalface is a series of conversations hosted by Philippe Rose.
Philippe and his guests share stories about their life beyond the headlines of international affairs. They look for lessons learned about making an impact in the world as practitioners in diplomacy, international organisations, NGOs, journalism and the private sector.
Many of Philippe's guests are connected by their common experience of taking time away from work to attend Fletcher School's Global Master of Arts Programme.
69 Episodes
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In this episode, I speak with Alberto Montrond. Alberto is originally from Cape Verde and moved to the US as a child. In our conversation, we explore what it meant to grow up in an environment with bullying, racial and social challenges. Alberto shares how he turned these negative forces into a source of strength and self-discipline thanks to martial arts, leading him to use this wisdom to serve his community. He shares his journey into electoral politics to drive change to Cape Verde. And how he’s today putting all of his skills to work in science diplomacy as Senior Fellow in the Emergency Preparedness Research, Evaluation and Practice Program at the Harvard T.H. Chan School of Public Health in Boston, focusing on fascinating multidisciplinary and multi-stakeholder programmes ranging from countering violent extremism and human trafficking.Recorded on 11 April 2024.Instagram: @at.the.coalfaceConnect with Alberto on LinkedIn at linkedin.com/in/alberto-montrond-55264b25.And don’t forget to subscribe to At the Coalface for new episodes every two weeks.Help us produce more episodes by becoming a supporter. Your subscription will go towards paying our hosting and production costs. Supporters get the opportunity to join behind the scenes during recordings, updates about the podcast, and my deep gratitude!Support the show
In this episode, I speak with Journel Jospeh. Journel shares his fascinating story into the world of AI entrepreneurship. He grew up in Haiti and initially pursued a journalistic ambition. In the US, he moved into data science and saw opportunities for digital technologies to improve some of the disparities and inequalities with access to quality healthcare. We talk about the dangers and opportunities of AI, in particular for the global South, and reflect on the raw intensity of life as an entrepreneur with no safety net.Recorded on 8 March 2024.Instagram: @at.the.coalfaceConnect with Journel on LinkedIn at linkedin.com/in/journeljoseph.And don’t forget to subscribe to At the Coalface for new episodes every two weeks.Help us produce more episodes by becoming a supporter. Your subscription will go towards paying our hosting and production costs. Supporters get the opportunity to join behind the scenes during recordings, updates about the podcast, and my deep gratitude!Support the show
In this episode, I speak with Janine Di Giovanni. I first met Janine at a crisis simulation workshop as part of our degree programme at the Fletcher school and remember being struck by her energy, but also the ease with which she navigated the harrowing scenario of an ambassador needing to take immediate action as staff were caught hostage. Janine needs no introduction, she is one of the world’s most experienced and acclaimed war reporter, more than that: a human rights reporter. Janine has dedicated her life to giving a voice to those caught in the middle of many of the most gruesome conflict of the last decades. In our conversation, we talk about what inspired her to take the path she did, the meaning of failure, faith in war, and grappling with evil.Warning: this episode touches on subjects that could be traumatic to some. Recorded on 13 March 2024.Instagram: @at.the.coalfaceConnect with Janine on LinkedIn at linkedin.com/in/janine-di-giovanni, on Instagram @janinedigi, on X @janinedigi and at her website janinedigiovanni.com.And don’t forget to subscribe to At the Coalface for new episodes every two weeks.Help us produce more episodes by becoming a supporter. Your subscription will go towards paying our hosting and production costs. Supporters get the opportunity to join behind the scenes during recordings, updates about the podcast, and my deep gratitude!Support the show
In this episode, I speak with Katarina Kavec. Katarina grew up in the drab setting of former Yugoslavia, where she had a window seat on the colours and choices available right across the border in Italy. She shares with me the opportunities that came her way and those that eluded her... and the philosophy she developed to embrace whatever comes your way, to trust that everything will work out. I’m moved by the fits and starts of Katarina’s life, and how it all seems to have been for a reason: the moment everything came crashing down at 18, the failure to pass the interpreter accreditation exam the first time, but also the people who stepped into the picture to bring encouragement and new opportunities... leading her to a what is now a rich life as an interpreter, psychotherapist, yoga teacher and sommelier. Recorded on 20 January 2024.Instagram: @at.the.coalfaceConnect with Katarina on LinkedIn at linkedin.com/in/katarina-kavec-ab340083.And don’t forget to subscribe to At the Coalface for new episodes every two weeks.Help us produce more episodes by becoming a supporter. Your subscription will go towards paying our hosting and production costs. Supporters get the opportunity to join behind the scenes during recordings, updates about the podcast, and my deep gratitude!Support the show
In this episode, I speak with Anabel Bueno Santana-Dolenc. Anabel shares her unusual story growing up in a politically active family in Dominican Republic, who had to find refuge in the US for many years. Her background provided the impetus to seek a path that would lead her to serve her country. Her calling was working in the UN and multilateral agencies, managing lending and donation programmes in agriculture at a very young age, and later in development cooperation. Following an assignment as Ambassador for Dominican Republic at the Organisation of American States, she was recently appointed by her country to the UN Tourism Agency in a new role where she will continue to be making a difference. We talk about the role of chance in life, leadership lessons as a young female professional, the importance of carving out one’s space and reflect on emerging models in South South cooperation.The book Anabel refers to is From Dessalines to Duvalier: Race, Colour and National Independence in Haiti by David Nicholls, published in 1996.Recorded on 22 May 2023.Instagram: @at.the.coalfaceConnect with Anabel on LinkedIn at linkedin.com/in/anabel-bueno-santana-dolenc-94253bab.And don’t forget to subscribe to At the Coalface for new episodes every two weeks.Support the show
In this episode, I speak with Moges Gebremedhin. I’d long wanted to have a longer conversation with Moges after meeting him at an event where he was a panelist and we had a Q&A on his thoughts about the trajectory of East Africa where he grew up, between Ethiopia and Kenya, yet originally from Eritrea. Moges shares his story of multiple identities common to many people in the region, connected by similar challenges yet also divided by complex affiliations and loyalties. We talk about what factors matter most in the trajectory of development of these countries, the trade-off that can occur between peace and democratic participation, and the devastating impact war can have on any progress these countries have made.Recorded on 4 January 2024.Instagram: @at.the.coalfaceConnect with Moges on LinkedIn at linkedin.com/in/moges-gebremedhin.And don’t forget to subscribe to At the Coalface for new episodes every two weeks.Help us produce more episodes by becoming a supporter. Your subscription will go towards paying our hosting and production costs. Supporters get the opportunity to join behind the scenes during recordings, updates about the podcast, and my deep gratitude!Support the show
In this episode, I speak with Laurie Charlés. Laurie is a family therapist who has taken her expertise to regions in the throes of conflict, violence and fragility - countries where mental health concerns can be dire - yet the resources available to help are rudimentary. She’s helped coach and train the people who support vulnerable groups and victims of gender-based violence in places like DRC, Burundi, Kosovo, Lebanon for Syrian refugees, among so many others... and our conversation made me realise the staggering amount of trauma left in the wake of conflict. We talk about her journey into becoming a therapist, the biases she’s had to overcome and insights from the thousands of hours spent speaking to families.Recorded on 20 December 2023.Corrigendum: Laurie attended her first graduate degree for 4.5 years. It is her second graduate degree that took her six years. Laurie also referred to GDZ when she meant GDR (East Germany).Instagram: @at.the.coalfaceConnect with Laurie on LinkedIn at linkedin.com/in/laurielcharlesphdlmft.And don’t forget to subscribe to At the Coalface for new episodes every two weeks.Help us produce more episodes by becoming a supporter. Your subscription will go towards paying our hosting and production costs. Supporters get the opportunity to join behind the scenes during recordings, updates about the podcast, and my deep gratitude!Support the show
In this episode, I speak with Dr Peter Stanbury. Peter has developed a unique expertise over decades of guiding companies, international agencies, governments and civil society organisations on the politics of economic development in emerging markets. He’s helped these organisations design economic activities that take account of local dynamics, such as what happens to social structures when income levels change, how do communities respond and what spillover effects happen. Peter’s work is about effecting change in the real world, based on understanding how it really is, rather than how we wish it to be. His perspective is invaluable in navigating the ethical dilemmas of operating in places with weak governance, where dogma and rules rarely work as a compass.Recorded on 20 December 2023.Instagram: @at.the.coalfaceConnect with Peter on LinkedIn at linkedin.com/in/dr-peter-stanbury-0911bb18b/.And don’t forget to subscribe to At the Coalface for new episodes every two weeks.Help us produce more episodes by becoming a supporter. Your subscription will go towards paying our hosting and production costs. Supporters get the opportunity to join behind the scenes during recordings, updates about the podcast, and my deep gratitude!Support the show
In this episode, I speak with Ernesto Gonzalez. Ernesto shares with me his incredible life trajectory, from modest beginnings in Chile to the inner workings of the UN’s Security Council. Ernesto grew up in poverty, where one pair of shoes had to last for an entire year. His story is one that combines focus and grit with openness to chance encounters - such as the offer to help pay for his stay in the US to learn English, a step that changed his life. I was fascinated by how Ernesto found his way from there into a diplomatic career, then making himself useful to a series of countries in their engagements with the Security Council. Ernesto’s outlook on leadership and life is refreshingly optimistic, and I hope you’ll enjoy his inspiring words as much as I did.Recorded on 18 December 2023.Instagram: @at.the.coalfaceConnect with Ernesto on LinkedIn at linkedin.com/in/ernesto-gonzalez-77a53833.And don’t forget to subscribe to At the Coalface for new episodes every two weeks.Help us produce more episodes by becoming a supporter. Your subscription will go towards paying our hosting and production costs. Supporters get the opportunity to join behind the scenes during recordings, updates about the podcast, and my deep gratitude!Support the show
In this episode, I speak with Monica Smith. Monica shares how her upbringing in a family that moved frequently across the US and her experience of travelling and living abroad early on shaped her outlook on the world and softened her philosophical principles. She talks about her career in the corporate world, her approach to succeeding in hierarchies and lessons in global leadership as she helped her organisations tap into talent in India and China. She reflects on the importance of lifelong learning, service and setting boundaries. We talk about her transition into coaching an how she guides her clients in restoring alignment with themselves.Recorded on 15 December 2023.Instagram: @at.the.coalfaceConnect with Monica on LinkedIn at linkedin.com/in/monica-smith-07219932. And don’t forget to subscribe to At the Coalface for new episodes every two weeks.Help us produce more episodes by becoming a supporter. Your subscription will go towards paying our hosting and production costs. Supporters get the opportunity to join behind the scenes during recordings, early access to episodes and my deep gratitude!Support the show
In this episode, I speak with Josy Joseph. Josy is proudly Indian, an acclaimed investigative journalist who uncovered a series of major corruption stories that have exposed systemic issues plaguing the very fabric of India’s democracy. In this conversation, we talk about the origin of the West’s romantic narrative of India, and how this vision is blinding many of us to dangerous faultlines that are appearing. We talk about Josy’s concern with the direction India is taking. We reflect on the challenges facing storytellers in India in reaching a domestic audience. I’m amazed by how Josy’s optimism still shines through despite all the censorship, threats and pressures: a powerful lesson in resilience and perseverance.Recorded on 17 November 2023.Instagram: @at.the.coalfaceConnect with Josy on LinkedIn at linkedin.com/in/josy-joseph-73359b8/ and through his website josyjoseph.in.And don’t forget to subscribe to At the Coalface for new episodes every two weeks.Help us produce more episodes by becoming a supporter. Your subscription will go towards paying our hosting and production costs. Supporters get the opportunity to join behind the scenes during recordings, early access to episodes and my deep gratitude!Support the show
In this episode, I speak with Jeffrey Fang. This is a bit of a different conversation today. Jeff is an accomplished corporate professional from Singapore, who decided to break away from the logical professional path of corporate promotions and step out to follow a path much more aligned to who he wanted to be and what his intuition was telling him. In this rather personal exchange, we explore how our upbringing and culture shaped our vision of what matters in life - chasing validation and achievements that are not always healthy, and then what it took to wake up to get in touch with ourselves.The monastery Jeff mentions is the San Francesco Convent in Fiesole (Wiki). Recorded on 10 November 2023.Instagram: @at.the.coalfaceConnect with Jeff on LinkedIn at linkedin.com/in/jfangjj and on Instagram @jfstop.And don’t forget to subscribe to At the Coalface for new episodes every two weeks.Help us produce more episodes by becoming a supporter. Your subscription will go towards paying our hosting and production costs. Supporters get the opportunity to join behind the scenes during recordings, early access to episodes and my deep gratitude!Support the show
In this episode, I speak with Alexandra Vitard. Alexandra talks about the influence her multicultural, globetrotting background had on her life, and what happened when she came face to face with the realisation of what living with privilege meant. She shares how she brought the insights and skills honed in her early career in government to women who needed them. She was inspired by Nasim Taleb’s ideas on the power of being anti-fragile (as opposed to being just resilient). Her encounter with stoicism helped cement the rules she aspired to follow in life: helping others, being truthful and speaking up. She reflects on how the little things we do can have a huge impact on the lives of others around us, providing the inspiration to break beyond imaginary mental barriers and to just dare. Recorded on 6 October 2023.Instagram: @at.the.coalfaceConnect with Alexandra on LinkedIn at linkedin.com/in/alexandravitard and on Instagram @alexandravitard.And don’t forget to subscribe to At the Coalface for new episodes every two weeks.Help us produce more episodes by becoming a supporter. Your subscription will go towards paying our hosting and production costs. Supporters get the opportunity to join behind the scenes during recordings, early access to episodes and my deep gratitude!Support the show
In this episode, I speak with Alicia Pérez-Porro. Alicia is a a scientist working in the space of climate diplomacy. She trained as a marine biologist researching sponges, but her heart wasn’t really in research. A life-changing journey to Antarctica helped her discover her passion in science activism. We speak about her childhood connection with nature and the importance of role models in opening perspectives and helping with self acceptance. We both express our conviction that our connection with nature - and deeply grasping how we humans are part of nature, is central in solving today’s climate and biodiversity crises. I hope this conversation inspires you to become an activist too!Recorded on 18 September 2023.Instagram: @at.the.coalfaceConnect with Alicia on LinkedIn at linkedin.com/in/aliciaperezporro and on X (Twitter) @aliciaprzporro.And don’t forget to subscribe to At the Coalface for new episodes every two weeks.Help us produce more episodes by becoming a supporter. Your subscription will go towards paying our hosting and production costs. Supporters get the opportunity to join behind the scenes during recordings, early access to episodes and my deep gratitude!Support the show
In this episode I speak with Aicha Pere. Aicha shares her story of growing up in Togo as a bookish, introverted girl, but inspired by her grandfather whose passion for agriculture and food set the foundations for her professional direction. Aicha talks about how she overcame her reserved nature to achieve elected leadership positions and become a trusted partner in agricultural projects, both in the field and more recently in policy as part of the Togo President’s Delivery Unit. Aicha gives me a glimpse of a young, dynamic country where everything is to be built but talented people such as her dedicate their energies to creating a brighter future. Recorded on 25 August 2023.Instagram: @at.the.coalfaceConnect with Aicha on LinkedIn at linkedin.com/in/aicha-pere/ and on X (Twitter) @aicha_pere.And don’t forget to subscribe to At the Coalface for new episodes every two weeks.Help us produce more episodes by becoming a supporter. Your subscription will go towards paying our hosting and production costs. Supporters get the opportunity to join behind the scenes during recordings, early access to episodes and my deep gratitude!Support the show
In this episode, I speak with Hital Muraj. Hital grew up in Kenya as a 4th generation Indian in a well-to-do setting. But hers is a story of riches to rags, as her family suddenly ended up on the street. As a teenager, she had to drop out of school to earn a living. Hital shares how she eventually found her way into an IT career in Cisco, a position she used to bring access to technology to disadvantaged communities.... people like the girl she was when she lost everything. We talk about how technology can make an impact on education, health, but most importantly, on people’s mindsets, helping them dream new dreams. Hital shares her struggle with identity as a Kenyan who is often labeled an outsider because of her appearance, and her coming full circle now she’s pursuing a master’s degree, after a life spent with an unfinished a high school diploma. Recorded on 8 September 2023.Instagram: @at.the.coalfaceConnect with Hital on LinkedIn at linkedin.com/in/hital-muraj and on X (Twitter) @HitalMuraj.And don’t forget to subscribe to At the Coalface for new episodes every two weeks.Help us produce more episodes by becoming a supporter. Your subscription will go towards paying our hosting and production costs. Supporters get the opportunity to join behind the scenes during recordings, early access to episodes and my deep gratitude!Support the show
Today I speak with Paula Fynboh. Paula shares her journey helping people with some of the most intractable social issues of our time, homelessness, gun violence and access to education. She shares how she’s observed our society has systems in place that tend to lock people in negative dynamics where even the most determined face unsurmountable odds to get their lives back on track. A lack of empathy and fear of the other makes it difficult to dismantle these systems and find lasting solutions. This is a real eye opening conversation for me and I hope that those of us who live life from a position of privilege can drop our guard and learn something new. Recorded on 11 August 2023.Instagram: @at.the.coalfaceConnect with Paula on LinkedIn at linkedin.com/in/paulafynboh/ and on Instagram @pjfynboh.And don’t forget to subscribe to At the Coalface for new episodes every two weeks.Help us produce more episodes by becoming a supporter. Your subscription will go towards paying our hosting and production costs. Supporters get the opportunity to join behind the scenes during recordings, early access to episodes and my deep gratitude!Support the show
In this episode, I speak with Irene Mbari-Kirika. Irene shares her story of coming face to face with the challenges of young people with disabilities, and her journey to do something about it. Irene founded InAble over 16 years ago with the mission of helping the visually impaired in schools in Kenya with assistive technology. inAble has reached over 15,000 students, enabling them to learn and to gain the skills today’s world demands. Irene talks about the arduous journey of setting up her organisation from scratch, and incrementally growing it with persistence, consistence, creativity and resilience. And we reflect on why helping with disabilities in Africa was a concept that took years to resonate until inclusion became more ‘mainstream’ over the past 2 years. Irene mentions the book Creative Leadership: Born from Design by Rama Gheerawo.Recorded on 24 July 2023.Instagram: @at.the.coalfaceConnect with Irene on LinkedIn at linkedin.com/in/irene-mbari-kirika/ and at inable.org.And don’t forget to subscribe to At the Coalface for new episodes every two weeks.Help us produce more episodes by becoming a supporter. Your subscription will go towards paying our hosting and production costs. Supporters get the opportunity to join behind the scenes during recordings, early access to episodes and my deep gratitude!Support the show
Today, Siri and I speak with Kjell Bergh. Kjell’s life could really be a movie - about the American Dream, the power of seizing opportunities, of following one’s instinct and moral impulse, of being open to random encounters and willing to be helpful without expecting something in return. The story of the humble car salesman turned diplomat, peace broker and confidant of Kings and Presidents is unbelievable and we're excited to uncover some of Kjell’s secrets and lessons learned in the art of selfless networking.(Corrigendum: Kjell clarified that he was given the Mustang for a month, not a year)Recorded on 29 June 2023.Instagram: @at.the.coalfaceConnect with Kjell on LinkedIn at linkedin.com/in/kjell-bergh-2780347/.And don’t forget to subscribe to At the Coalface for new episodes every two weeks.Help us produce more episodes by becoming a supporter. Your subscription will go towards paying our hosting and production costs. Supporters get the opportunity to join behind the scenes during recordings, early access to episodes and my deep gratitude!Support the show
In this episode, I speak with Ellen Yount. From a young age, Ellen was drawn to exploring the world beyond the rural Pennsylvania she grew up in. She shares her early start in politics and the inspiration for public service from working with Tom Ridge on his gubernatorial campaign and later as his Communications Director. Ellen made a bold jump moving to Former Yugoslavia where she worked on political capacity building in fledgling democracies. This was the foundation of a global career in governance and international development. We talk about the evolution of political communications in autocratic and democratic systems, its importance in the Russia/Ukraine conflict, and about her passion for giving back.Recorded on 19 June 2023.Instagram: @at.the.coalfaceConnect with Ellen on LinkedIn at linkedin.com/in/ellenyount/ and on Twitter @EYount.And don’t forget to subscribe to At the Coalface for new episodes every two weeks.Help us produce more episodes by becoming a supporter. Your subscription will go towards paying our hosting and production costs. Supporters get the opportunity to join behind the scenes during recordings, early access to episodes and my deep gratitude!Support the show
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