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Power & Purpose
Power & Purpose episodes
- Chrystia Freeland on Dealing with an Unreliable PartnerHow should America’s allies respond when Washington becomes an unreliable partner? Chrystia Freeland draws on her experience negotiating Canada’s trade deal with Donald Trump to explain why engagement should not translate in being cowed. She reflects on her Ukrainian Canadian upbringing, her path from journalism into politics, and how embracing change and learning from failures have been critical in her journey.
Chrystia Freeland is the Former Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Finance of Canada, and is the author of Unreliable Boyfriend: An Insider's View of Dealing with a Chaotic Superpower, Plutocrats, and Other Complicated People.
Dr Amanda Sloat is Professor of Practice in the School of Politics, Economics, and Global Affairs at IE University in Madrid, Spain.
Dr Nathalie Tocci is Professor of the Practice at SAIS Europe in Bologna, Italy.
Power & Purpose is an IE Insights podcast.51 min - Yuriko Backes on European Defense and the Voice of Small StatesWhat does European defense look like from a small state’s perspective? Yuriko Backes discusses Luxembourg’s growing capabilities, its commitment to NATO, and why all member states need a voice in decisions about European security. She reflects on growing up between Japan and Luxembourg, her commitment to diplomacy, and her contributions to European security and women’s rights, including establishing Luxembourg’s first National Center for Victims of Violence.
Yuriko Backes is Luxembourg's Minister of Defence, Minister for Mobility and Public Works, and Minister for Gender Equality and Diversity.
Dr Amanda Sloat is Professor of Practice in the School of Politics, Economics, and Global Affairs at IE University in Madrid, Spain.
Dr Nathalie Tocci is Professor of the Practice at SAIS Europe in Bologna, Italy.
Power & Purpose is an IE Insights podcast.51 min - Noeleen Heyzer on Harnessing the Power of MultilateralismCan the United Nations remain relevant in a fractured world? As the UN gears up to appoint its next secretary general, which for the first time may be a woman, Noeleen Heyzer, Former Director of UNIFEM, joins Amanda and Nathalie to discuss the future of multilateralism, the importance of women’s leadership, and her efforts to transform international institutions from the ground up.
She also describes the difficult childhood experiences that shaped her commitment to solidarity, social justice, and the creation of a global sisterhood.
Dr Amanda Sloat is Professor of Practice in the School of Politics, Economics, and Global Affairs at IE University in Madrid, Spain.
Dr Nathalie Tocci is Professor of the Practice at SAIS Europe in Bologna, Italy.
Power & Purpose is an IE Insights podcast.36 min - Anne Marie Engtoft Meldgaard on Taking Technology SeriouslyTech companies wield more power than many states in the world today. Anne Marie Engtoft Meldgaard explains why Denmark pioneered tech diplomacy and what governments can achieve by engaging directly with the industry. She also shares lessons from becoming Denmark’s youngest-ever ambassador, her move into the private sector, and the importance of following passion rather than a fixed career plan.
Anne Marie Engtoft Meldgaard is the Former Tech Ambassador of Denmark and is now the Chief Commercial Officer of Sparrow Quantum.
Dr Amanda Sloat is Professor of Practice in the School of Politics, Economics, and Global Affairs at IE University in Madrid, Spain.
Dr Nathalie Tocci is Professor of the Practice at SAIS Europe in Bologna, Italy.
Power & Purpose is an IE Insights podcast.44 min - Franziska Brantner on Building a Greener, Stronger EuropeHow can Europe strengthen its security and defend its democratic values while sustaining the green transition?
Franziska Brantner, co-leader of Germany’s Alliance 90/The Greens, joins Amanda and Nathalie to discuss Germany’s changing political landscape, Europe’s ruptured security order, and the challenges facing green politics.
She also reflects on the experiences that shaped her commitment to public service and shares lessons from her career, from helping to stop Nord Stream 2 to balancing politics and parenthood.
Dr Amanda Sloat is Professor of Practice in the School of Politics, Economics, and Global Affairs at IE University in Madrid, Spain.
Dr Nathalie Tocci is Professor of the Practice at SAIS Europe in Bologna, Italy.
Power & Purpose is an IE Insights podcast.40 min - Season One Wrap-Up: What Have We Learned?As Power and Purpose wraps up its first season, hosts Amanda and Nathalie reflect on their most memorable conversations. From war and democracy to failure and resilience, they revisit the lessons shared by their guests, and the personal moments that revealed the people behind the politics. They also discuss what they've learned as hosts, what surprised them most, and why purpose remains the thread connecting every conversation.
Dr Amanda Sloat is Professor of Practice in the School of Politics, Economics, and Global Affairs at IE University in Madrid, Spain.
Dr Nathalie Tocci is Professor of the Practice at SAIS Europe in Bologna, Italy.
Power & Purpose is an IE Insights podcast.38 min - Frans Timmermans on Europe's Climate Leadership and Energy FutureHow can Europe pursue ambitious climate action while remaining competitive and secure? Frans Timmermans reflects on the origins of the EU's Green Deal and its quest to manage energy transition and security amid wars in Ukraine and the Middle East, a transatlantic rupture, and the China challenge. Drawing on decades in diplomacy and politics, he shares lessons on the continued importance of negotiation, resilience, and principled leadership despite the pressures of public life.
Frans Timmermans was Executive Vice President of the European Commission for the European Green Deal and European Commissioner for Climate Action.
Dr Amanda Sloat is Professor of Practice in the School of Politics, Economics, and Global Affairs at IE University in Madrid, Spain.
Dr Nathalie Tocci is Professor of the Practice at SAIS Europe in Bologna, Italy.
Power & Purpose is an IE Insights podcast.52 min - Kersti Kaljulaid on Estonia's Lessons on Hybrid Threats and Democratic ResilienceAs Europe adapts to a new security landscape, what can other countries learn from Estonia’s experiences on the Eastern flank. The country’s former President Kersti Kaljulaid discusses cyber resilience, European defense, and the importance of standing firm in the face of Russian aggression. She also shares her unconventional path to the presidency, the challenges of leading as a woman, and why credibility is a leader's most valuable asset.
Dr Amanda Sloat is Professor of Practice in the School of Politics, Economics, and Global Affairs at IE University in Madrid, Spain.
Dr Nathalie Tocci is Professor of the Practice at SAIS Europe in Bologna, Italy.
Power & Purpose is an IE Insights podcast.45 min - Utaara Mootu on Land, Next Gen Leadership, and Finding Her VoiceUtaara Mootu joins Amanda and Nathalie to discuss Namibia's struggle for historical justice, the lasting impact of colonialism, and what is means to represent a new generation in politics. She reflects on her journey to becoming one of Namibia's youngest parliamentarians, sharing lessons on what it means to lead in the social media age.
Utaara Mootu is a Member of Namibian Parliament for the Landless People's Movement.
Dr Amanda Sloat is Professor of Practice in the School of Politics, Economics, and Global Affairs at IE University in Madrid, Spain.
Dr Nathalie Tocci is Professor of the Practice at SAIS Europe in Bologna, Italy.
Power & Purpose is an IE Insights podcast.51 min - Cecilia Malmström on Trade Wars and Global TurbulenceHow should Europe navigate a world of trade wars and growing geopolitical uncertainty? Cecilia Malmström reflects on trade, migration and the transatlantic rift. She also shares the lessons she learned on her journey to becoming EU Trade Commissioner and Home Affairs Commissioner.
Dr Amanda Sloat is Professor of Practice in the School of Politics, Economics, and Global Affairs at IE University in Madrid, Spain.
Dr Nathalie Tocci is Professor of the Practice at SAIS Europe in Bologna, Italy.
Power & Purpose is an IE Insights podcast.41 min
About Power & Purpose
From the publisher's feed
Power & Purpose explores the human side of global leadership. Hosted by Amanda Sloat and Nathalie Tocci – former advisors to the US President and EU High Representative turned professors – this…
podcast features candid conversations with senior government officials, offering an inside look at how power, values, and purpose intersect in public life.
These conversations go beyond the headlines to offer a personal window into leadership at the highest levels. Guests reflect on pivotal moments, difficult decisions, and lessons learned when the stakes were high. They speak openly about their proudest achievements and missed opportunities, how they managed pressure, and what it takes to lead through complexity and uncertainty.
Drawing on their own experience in government and academia on both sides of the Atlantic, Amanda and Nathalie bring insider perspectives to conversations that are as personal as they are political. You'll hear the stories that don't make it into official briefings.
Whether you're deeply engaged in foreign policy or simply curious about how leaders navigate impossible choices, these conversations reveal what leadership actually looks and feels like. In an era of political cynicism, Power & Purpose offers something rare: honest reflections from people who have chosen to serve and proof that purpose-driven leadership is still possible.
These conversations go beyond the headlines to offer a personal window into leadership at the highest levels. Guests reflect on pivotal moments, difficult decisions, and lessons learned when the stakes were high. They speak openly about their proudest achievements and missed opportunities, how they managed pressure, and what it takes to lead through complexity and uncertainty.
Drawing on their own experience in government and academia on both sides of the Atlantic, Amanda and Nathalie bring insider perspectives to conversations that are as personal as they are political. You'll hear the stories that don't make it into official briefings.
Whether you're deeply engaged in foreign policy or simply curious about how leaders navigate impossible choices, these conversations reveal what leadership actually looks and feels like. In an era of political cynicism, Power & Purpose offers something rare: honest reflections from people who have chosen to serve and proof that purpose-driven leadership is still possible.
- Dr Amanda Sloat is Professor of Practice in International Relations in the School of Politics, Economics, and Global Affairs at IE University in Madrid, Spain. Most recently, she served as Special Assistant to President Biden and Senior Director for Europe in the National Security Council. She also worked in the State Department and House of Representatives’ Foreign Affairs Committee. She has a PhD in Politics from the University of Edinburgh and a BA in Political Theory from James Madison College at Michigan State University.
- Dr Nathalie Tocci is Professor of the Practice at SAIS Europe in Bologna, Italy. She is also Director of the Instituto Affari Internazionali. She previously served as Special Advisor to EU High Representatives Federica Mogherini and Josep Borrell. She has a PhD in International Relations from the London School of Economics and a BA in Politics, Philosophy, and Economics from the University of Oxford.