JP, a third-generation Joseph Paul from “the other Dallas” (Pennsylvania), spent over a decade working on USAID projects across Africa and beyond—from Nigeria to Bangladesh, South Africa to Tanzania. From combating childhood malnutrition to strengthening civil society, he witnessed firsthand how American development work builds lasting partnerships worldwide.

Then came the midnight news alert that changed everything.

In this raw and insightful conversation, JP explains why he got into international development not just to help people, but as an exercise in American soft power—and why the sudden dismantling of USAID represents what he calls “a stupid self-own” for U.S. interests. He walks us through the real-world consequences: how Chinese ambassadors are knocking on doors where USAID just walked away, why the “From the American People” branding mattered so much, and what it means when an administration’s goal is to “traumatize” its own workforce.

This episode tackles the intersection of patriotism and service, the difference between venial and mortal sins in policy-making, and why staying resilient matters more than ever. Whether you’re familiar with international development or just learning why it matters, JP’s perspective offers a compelling look at what’s at stake when America abandons its soft power.

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