In today’s episode, we delve into the high-stakes world of business crisis management. From financial instability to reputation risks, a corporate crisis can bring operations to a standstill, making swift and strategic communication essential. Guiding us through this topic is Christina Twomey, VP and Head of Communications at S&P Global Ratings and S&P Global Sustainable1. Christina shares her expertise on managing messaging in challenging moments, protecting a company’s public image, and the importance of transparency with stakeholders. With decades of experience in corporate strategy and crisis control, she offers a behind-the-scenes look at what it takes to safeguard a company’s reputation under pressure.

This interview was conducted by Alan Herrera, AFPC-USA's Editorial Supervisor.

In this episode, we uncover the vital role of editorial standards in shaping credible journalism today. Editorial guidelines are more than just rules—they’re the cornerstone of trust that helps readers rely on accurate, ethical reporting. Joining us is Eileen Drage O'Reilly, managing editor of standards and training at Axios and former president of the National Press Club. Eileen shares her insights on fostering journalistic integrity through high standards and Axios’ unique “Smart Brevity” style. With experience spanning Bloomberg, the LA Times Syndicate, and USA Today, she offers a look into how standards teams work behind the scenes to ensure truth remains at the forefront.

This interview was conducted by Alan Herrera, who is AFPC-USA's Editorial Supervisor.

In this episode, journalist Patricia Vasconcellos, AFPC DC Bureau Member and White House Correspondent for SBT talks with Lew Lukens, Senior Partner at Signum Global Advisors and former US Diplomat. 

Lew Lukens served as US Ambassador to Senegal and Guinea-Bissau, Deputy Executive Secretary for Secretary Hillary Clinton, Senior Director at the National Security Council working for Dr. Condoleezza Rice and President Bush, and US Consul General in Vancouver. Most recently, Lew Lukens was the Deputy Chief of Mission at the US Embassy in London.  

Mr Lukens also worked in Baghdad, Dublin, Sydney, Abidjan, and Guangzhou, as well as multiple tours in Washington. At the National Security Council, he helped to coordinate the US government response to the 9/11 terror attacks.  

He has an AB from Princeton University and In 2002 he was selected by the State Department and Princeton for a John Weinberg Fellowship and received his MPP from the Princeton School of Public and International Affairs.

This podcast is an Educational Program by the AFPC-USA.

The United States is currently ranked 55th in the World Press Freedom Index, according to Reporters Without Borders. While the organization reports that "violations of press freedom have dropped significantly after a sharp rise in 2020," it also highlights that "significant structural barriers to press freedom remain." What exactly are these obstacles? Who is responsible for them, and how can we safeguard freedom of speech? In a conversation with AFPC host Elizaveta Kirpanova, Jim Brady, Vice President of Journalism at the Knight Foundation, discusses his views on the threats to freedom of speech and the First Amendment, and how local news outlets can play a crucial role in protecting this freedom.

Foreign correspondents have an opportunity to hear from a trailblazing journalist turned strategic leader.

In this episode, we’re joined by Eileen O’Connor, Senior Vice President for Communications, Policy, and Advocacy at The Rockefeller Foundation. With a rich background in journalism, Eileen brings her global experience as a former national and White House correspondent for ABC News and CNN, where she covered major political events and conflicts across the world, from the fall of communism to Russian organized crime. Eileen's award-winning career in journalism laid the foundation for her strategic advisory roles in communications, including crisis management and public diplomacy. We’ll discuss her transition from the front lines of reporting to shaping impactful global initiatives at The Rockefeller Foundation.

This interview was conducted by Bob Rowley, who is AFPC-USA's Vice President.

In this episode, we delve into the growing influence of far-right parties across Europe and how this political shift could disrupt global trade and economic policies.

Our guest, Keith M. Rockwell, Senior Research Fellow at the Hinrich Foundation, shares insights from his latest report, Europe’s Rightward Drift Opens a Riptide for Trade, which examines the potential consequences for the European Union’s principles of free movement, trade, and cooperation. With right-wing parties gaining traction in key countries, what lies ahead for trade policy, immigration, and climate action?

This episode is produced in partnership with the Hinrich Foundation. AFPC-USA is solely responsible for the content of this episode.

In July 2024, the James Foley Foundation published its annual report, Bringing Americans Home, which focuses on the effectiveness of the U.S. hostage enterprise. The report highlights the numerous challenges American families face daily and seeks to inform ongoing policy discussions aimed at improving U.S. government support for hostages and wrongful detainees.

Currently, 43 U.S. nationals are held in captivity abroad across 16 countries—and these are just the publicly disclosed cases. According to the report, nearly 80% of them are wrongful detainees, with Russia, China, Iran, and Venezuela responsible for the majority.

In a conversation with AFPC host Elizaveta Kirpanova, Benjamin Gray, vice president of the Foley Foundation, shares key findings from the report, emphasizing the extreme difficulties the U.S. faces in deterring hostile nations from detaining innocent Americans. He also stresses the need to improve communication between the government and families, who often feel sidelined due to the complexity of the rescue process.

Electric vehicles (EVs) are quickly becoming the future of transportation, with major automakers transitioning from gas-powered cars to EVs. These vehicles offer benefits like reduced energy costs, lower emissions, convenient at-home charging, and fewer maintenance needs.

In this episode, we’ll dive into Toyota's role in this electrifying shift. International correspondents will hear about Toyota’s strategy for achieving carbon neutrality and its innovative efforts, such as the creation of a Hydrogen Headquarters for advancing fuel cell technology. Tom Stricker, Toyota Motor North America's group vice president of Sustainability and Regulatory Affairs, will also share insights on the company's vision for a cleaner, greener future.

This interview was conducted by Alan Herrera, who is AFPC-USA's Editorial Supervisor and Podcast Manager.

On today's episode, we dive into the critical role of crisis communication in public relations.

In a world where information travels at lightning speed, every organization needs a robust emergency communications plan to protect its reputation and mitigate potential damage. We're joined by Brett Bruen, former Director of Global Engagement at the White House, who shares his expertise on navigating crises. Brett's innovative counter-crisis strategies have been applied in global situations, from Russian propaganda to corporate challenges. Now leading the Global Situation Room, Brett helps leaders prepare for and thrive amid constant risks. Tune in to gain valuable insights from a true authority on crisis management.

This interview was conducted by Alan Herrera, AFPC-USA's Editorial Supervisor.

On today's episode of the Foreign Press Podcast, we explore the growing crisis of homelessness in America, where recent analysis reveals that 0.19% of the national population is experiencing homelessness—the highest rate since 2012. Despite frequent media coverage, many stories miss the human element, leaving the public without a full understanding of the issue.

Our guest, Vera Kolpakova, co-founder of IMANATION, Inc., shares her journey from corporate America to full-time social justice advocacy. Vera discusses how her organization amplifies the voices of the underserved through the performing arts, working to break down stereotypes and bridge the gap between communities. We’ll also discuss how journalists can better capture the personal stories behind the statistics to drive meaningful change.

This interview was conducted by Alan Herrera, AFPC-USA's Editorial Supervisor. Alan shared his own experiences with homelessness, sharing insights that helped him and Vera engage more intimately with this topic while offering advice and resources to journalists.