
At the Coalface
At the Coalface is a series of conversations hosted by Phil Rose.
Phil’s 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 Phil’s guests are connected by their common experience of taking time away from work to attend Fletcher School's Global Master of Arts Programme.
Podcasting since 2021 • 98 episodes
At the Coalface
Latest Episodes
Curtis A. Smith - The Doctrine of No: Power, Identity & the Politics of Refusal
In this episode, I sit down with Curtis A. Smith, a political thinker, author, and practitioner whose journey spans the worlds of media, finance, and direct community service. From a childhood steeped in conversations that challenged liberal or...
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Episode 99
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54:27

Eileen Barber - Impact and Impermanence and What It Takes to Keep Aid Working
In this episode, I speak with Eileen Barber about her career in international development and the transformative years she spent in Colombia helping farmers improve their livelihoods. We explore the power of foreign aid programmes rooted in str...
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Episode 98
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45:13

Athanasia Shinas - Where Service Meets Self: A Senior Military Logistician on Purpose and Leadership
In this episode, I sit down with Athanasia Shinas just hours after her graduation from The Fletcher School to reflect on her remarkable 28-year career as a senior military logistics officer. What begins as a conversation about career choices, f...
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Episode 97
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1:02:51

Jorge Tuddón - The Diplomat’s Detour: on Stories, Spirit, and Starting Over
In this episode, former Mexican diplomat Jorge Tuddón shares his journey into the foreign service and reflects on the unexpected influences, what he calls “angels”, that shaped his career path. He recounts the emotional weight and richness of s...
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Episode 96
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1:02:20

Theo R. - Trauma and Power in Africa’s Great Lakes
In this episode, Theo offers a deeply informed perspective on the conflict unfolding in the Great Lakes region of Africa. He unpacks the forces shaping the crisis in the Democratic Republic of Congo and Rwanda’s role in it, drawing connections ...
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Episode 95
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1:17:32
