Oleksandra Matviichuk on Justice, Dignity, and the Power of Ordinary People
23/02/2026 | 39 min
What does justice look like in the midst of war? On the eve of the fourth anniversary of Russia's full-scale invasion of Ukraine, Nobel Peace Prize laureate Oleksandra Matviichuk joins Amanda and Nathalie to discuss the realities facing Ukraine today - from a cold winter and fragile ceasefire talks to the systematic documentation of war crimes. She explores why dignity - not victimhood - must shape the future of her country's democracy and the power of ordinary people in extraordinary times.
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.
Hiba Husseini on Staying the Course in the Pursuit of Peace
09/02/2026 | 33 min
Peace is rarely linear and often pursued under the most difficult conditions. Drawing on decades of legal and negotiating experience, Palestinian lawyer Hiba Husseini sits down with Amanda and Nathalie to discuss the current realities in the Middle East, the limits of diplomatic processes, and the importance of legal frameworks in moments of crisis. She highlights the importance of hope and explains why walking away has never been an option.
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.
Laura Chinchilla on Leading with Passion, Empathy, and Integrity
29/01/2026 | 41 min
As democratic norms feel increasingly fragile, Laura Chinchilla argues that political leadership can still be a force for good. The former president of Costa Rica speaks to Amanda and Nathalie about recent events in Venezuela while offering a hopeful lens on the broader multilateral system. She reflects on the pride and challenges of being Costa Rica’s first woman president, the importance of holding the line against disinformation, and why public service can still be a source of purpose and integrity.
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.
Naomi Chazan on Democracy, Division, and the Work That Never Ends
12/01/2026 | 33 min
What does it take to sustain democracy in times of crisis? Naomi Chazan joins Amanda and Nathalie to remind us that democratic systems, like gardens, must be constantly tended. From Israel’s internal divisions to the global erosion of democratic norms, she explores the role of civil society, women’s leadership, and the never-ending work of keeping democracy alive.
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.
Rory Stewart on Curiosity, Courage, and Conviction
15/12/2025 | 48 min
What happens when political ideals collide with reality? Rory Stewart speaks to Amanda and Nathalie about the challenges confronting democracies on both sides of the Atlantic, and how social, technological, and political pressures are reshaping our world. He shares his personal reflections on finding your purpose, seeking new experiences, and maintaining integrity and perspective amid the demands of public life.
Rory Stewart is the author of Politics on the Edge and co-host of The Rest is Politics podcast.
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 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.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.
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