Power & Purpose

Johns Hopkins SAIS Europe is proud to announce the launch of Power & Purpose, a new podcast that explores the human side of global leadership. Hosted by Dr. Amanda Sloat and Dr. Nathalie Tocci—both former senior advisors to U.S. and European leaders and now professors—the series offers candid conversations with policymakers and officials who have shaped international affairs.

Each episode goes beyond the headlines to provide a rare, personal perspective on leadership at the highest levels. Guests reflect on pivotal decisions, lessons learned under pressure, and the balance between power, values, and purpose in public life.

Drawing on their own transatlantic experience in government and academia, Sloat and Tocci bring insider perspectives to discussions that are as personal as they are political. The podcast highlights stories and reflections that do not appear in official briefings, offering listeners a deeper understanding of how leaders navigate complexity and uncertainty.

At a time of growing political cynicism, Power & Purpose underscores the continued importance of public service and purpose-driven leadership.

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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.

Subscribe to Power & Purpose here: Spotify, Apple, and Amazon.

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