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Power & Purpose

Power & Purpose

Written by: IE Insights - Hosted by Amanda Sloat and Nathalie Tocci
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 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.
IE Insights Careers Economics Personal Success Political Science Politics & Government
Episodes
  • Naomi Chazan on Democracy, Division, and the Work That Never Ends

    Naomi Chazan on Democracy, Division, and the Work That Never Ends
    Jan 12 2026
    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.
    Show More Show Less
    33 mins
  • Rory Stewart on Curiosity, Courage, and Conviction

    Rory Stewart on Curiosity, Courage, and Conviction
    Dec 15 2025
    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 is an IE Insights podcast.
    Show More Show Less
    48 mins
  • Sylvie Goulard on Success, Failure, and Resilience

    Sylvie Goulard on Success, Failure, and Resilience
    Dec 1 2025
    What does resilience look like in public life? Sylvie Goulard joins Amanda and Nathalie to explore the political pressures, personal trials, and unexpected turns that have defined her career. From countering the rise of the far right to managing her own public setback, she reflects on the determination required to stay true to one’s values.

    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.
    Show More Show Less
    36 mins
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