Women Leaders

The podcast that discusses global current affairs with women leaders! Ilana Bet-El chats with wonderfully qualified women experts from around the world in informal but in-depth conversations that explain, analyse and highlight events of the day. Women Leaders brings incredibly well-informed perspectives to world events: not the news, but what the news means! From geopolitics to security, defence and wars, and from economics to journalism, media and disinformation, we bring context and insight to the rapid changes in the world. Contribute to the conversation or share your topic wishes with a comment & a 5-⭐️ Reach us on our Instagram and follow for updates @women_leaders_podcast Proudly partnered with European Leadership Network , Twitter , LinkedIn , Facebook and website Supported by a grant from the Foundation Open Society Institute in cooperation with the Open Society Foundations Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Women Leaders is a business podcast hosted by Unknown Host, with 59 episodes on record and a Required Pod Score of 80. PitchCentric scores this show on Booking Probability, Listen Score, and live audience signals refreshed every 24 hours.

Unknown Host hosts Women Leaders, a business show with 59 episodes published.

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  Episode #16

  Life, Love and War with Katherine Saad Feghali

  Aug 13, 202647 minS3

  Women Leaders continues its summer series with women authors. Much has been written about the current horrors of Lebanon, but they really started long ago, in the civil war that raged between 1975-1990. As part of our women authors summer season, we turn to a novel written about coming of age in that period — to the brutality of war alongside the attempts at keeping normality alive, of food and family and nostalgia, of young love and loss, of the harsh destruction of commonality amongst different ethnicities in the face of brutality. Katherine Saad Feghali is the author of  Glass Cedars,  a  roman à clef  in which she recounts her love for Lebanon while observing its disintegration. A lyrical book that in many ways tells far more about the reality of Lebanon than any factual reporting. A touching and interesting conversation about destruction, PTSD and Lebanon! This episode was recorded on 11 August 2026 Chapters The origins of Glass Cedars Turning personal tragedy into a mission The universal human experience of migration and conflict The role of women in Lebanon and the US The importance of human stories over political narratives Mentions Book - Glass Cedars -  Amazon US  &  Amazon UK Poem - Epic of Gilgamesh -  Britannica Association -  Education and Opportunities for Lebanon Follow Katherine Saad Feghali  LinkedIn   Instagram Ilana Bet-El Instagram  @women_leaders_podcast Listen to this episode on our  YouTube channel Our partner European Leadership Network  Twitter   LinkedIn   Facebook   website Credits Production: Florence Ferrando Music: Let Good Times Roll, RA from #Uppbeat (free for Creators!):  https://uppbeat.io/t/ra/let-good-times-roll License code: ZXIIIJUU2ISPZIJT Contribute to the conversation with a comment & a 5-⭐️ Reach us on our Instagram and follow for updates  @women_leaders_podcast Watch now our episode on Youtube Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

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  Episode #15

  Our life in the classics with Mary Beard

  Aug 6, 202648 minS3

  Women Leaders is having a relaxing summer with women authors. The Odyssey is a big summer hit, but it has been a hit for 3000 years: it is both a classic, and part of the classics, a broad field of study that Western culture has long been obsessed with. From legalities to laughter and from battles to bread, the ancient Greeks and Romans seem to have lived our lives then, while we seek out their lives now. Mary Beard is undoubtedly the most prominent classicist of our times, and her new book,  Talking Classics: The Shock of the Old  reflects most clearly on our longstanding relationship with the classical period and its ongoing relevance. A strong woman leader, she has authored many books, including the important  Women & Power: A Manifesto. In a fun and fabulous conversation, Mary Beard discusses the significance of many issues past and present — and what she really thinks of The Odyssey, the film. Don’t miss it! This episode was recorded on 4 August 2026 Chapters: What is a classicist? Use and abuse of classical culture in politics Origins of the silencing of women's voices Nolan’s Odyssey impact on female characters Mentions The Booker Prizes Podcast - Instant Classics with Charlotte Higgins:  YouTube   Spotify   Apple Podcasts   Instagram Instant Classics - Podcast  Book Club on the Odyssey Book -  Women in Power, a Manifesto  (2017),  Audible Book -  SPQR, a history of Ancient Rome ( 2015) Book -  Talking Classics, The Shock of the Old  (2026),  Audible Book - Samuel Butler  The Authoress of the Odyssey  (1922) Book - H.R Trevor-Roper  History & imagination  (1981) The  Odyssey movie Follow Mary Beard  Cambridge University ,  Instagram Ilana Bet-El Instagram  @women_leaders_podcast Listen to this episode on our  YouTube channel Our partner European Leadership Network  Twitter   LinkedIn   Facebook   website Credits Production: Florence Ferrando Music: Let Good Times Roll, RA from #Uppbeat (free for Creators!):  https://uppbeat.io/t/ra/let-good-times-roll License code: ZXIIIJUU2ISPZIJT Contribute to the conversation with a comment & a 5-⭐️ Reach us on our Instagram and follow for updates  @women_leaders_podcast Watch now our episode on Youtube Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

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  Episode #14

  Security, Cooperation and Conflict with Rose Gottemoeller

  Jul 23, 202643 minS3

  We are living in a world of open conflicts existing alongside peaceful life: while life in many parts of Europe and the US are focused upon summer holidays, Ukrainian cities are being pounded by Russian missiles and their soldiers are fighting Russian ones in the Donbas, while missiles are flying across the Middle East and Iran. It is a contradictory and jarring reality, which the various instigators of the violence claim to be necessary, and inevitable — notably Vladimir Putin, President of Russia. In first illegally annexing Crimea in 2014, then mounting a full-scale invasion in 2022, Putin claimed not only that Ukraine was not a legitimate state but rather a part of Russia — but also that it was necessary as part of Russia’s defence against an ever-expanding and threatening NATO. This narrative is rooted in a malignant Russian reading of the end of the Cold War, US and NATO intentions, and Russian dreams of world significance. It is also the subject of a new book by Rose Gottemoeller, former NATO Deputy Secretary General, and the guest of this episode. From the current situation in Russia and Ukraine, to the intricacies that led to it, this is a great conversation on one of the most important periods of recent history. This episode was recorded on 22 July 2026 Chapters: What is the START Treaty? Nuclear forces & deterrence rationale The impact of Ukraine conflict on Russia and global security Putin's leadership, decision-making, and strategic mindset The future of Russia-US relations and cooperation The importance of international cooperation and stability Mentions Book - Security Through Cooperation: Space, Nuclear Weapons, and US-Russia Relations After the Cold War UK website  with a 20% discount code: RGOT20 US website Rose’s previous Women Leaders episodes: “A historic 2022 International Women’s Day”  8 March 2022 “Back and big – Geopolitics with Rose Gottemoeller, an IWD special”  8 March 2024 Putin’s options: an oligarch speaks outs  - The Economist Follow Rose Gottemoeller  LinkedIn Ilana Bet-El Instagram  @women_leaders_podcast Listen to this episode on our  YouTube channel Our partner European Leadership Network  Twitter   LinkedIn   Facebook   website Credits Production: Florence Ferrando Music: Let Good Times Roll, RA from #Uppbeat (free for Creators!):  https://uppbeat.io/t/ra/let-good-times-roll License code: ZXIIIJUU2ISPZIJT Contribute to the conversation with a comment & a 5-⭐️ Reach us on our Instagram and follow for updates  @women_leaders_podcast Watch now our episode on Youtube Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

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  Episode #13

  The US at 250, the exceptional experiment with Laurel Rapp

  Jul 2, 202650 minS3

  The United States is celebrating the 250th anniversary of its founding on July 4th. Whilst the country is living through deep changes in its global perception, it is well to remember that as an entity it has always been different: the first declared republic, rejecting monarchy or any form of inherited rule in favour of government by the people and for the people. A nation created by a Declaration of Independence, governed by a balance of power between the legislative, executive and judicial branches. These have now become the obvious markings of democratic rule, but at the time they were a startling innovation. Or, as the US likes to think of itself, an exception. The past two years have definitely seen many global examples of US exceptionalism, be it in Greenland, Venezuela or Iran, as well as internal radical changes related to immigrants, the structure of government and the role of religion. But it may be that many of these were foretold, not least in the last lines of the US national anthem: “Then conquer we must, when our cause it is just, And this be our motto - “In God is our trust” And the star-spangled banner in triumph shall wave O’er the land of the free and the home of the brave.” Laurel Rapp, Director of the US and North America Programme at Chatham House, is an excellent guide to the US experiment and exceptionalism. In a conversation that takes her back to her work in the State Department and her school days, the foundations and meaning of US identity and uniqueness are beautifully revealed - and explain a lot of today’s realities! This episode was recorded on 1 July 2026 Chapters The US 250th Anniversary significance Understanding American exceptionalism The legacy of Manifest Destiny Contradictions and cultural wars over US history Is the American dream dead? What is it to be a US diplomat? Mentions US Declaration of Independence US Constitution Chatman House US and North America programme Event (17 September 2026) US at 250: Separation vs. concentration of power – America’s enduring constitutional debate Follow Laurel Rapp  LinkedIn ,  Chatman House page Ilana Bet-El Instagram  @women_leaders_podcast Listen to this episode on our  YouTube channel Our partner European Leadership Network  Twitter   LinkedIn   Facebook   website Credits Production:  Florence Ferrando Music: Let Good Times Roll, RA from #Uppbeat (free for Creators!):  https://uppbeat.io/t/ra/let-good-times-roll License code: ZXIIIJUU2ISPZIJT Contribute to the conversation with a comment & a 5-⭐️ Reach us on our Instagram and follow for updates  @women_leaders_podcast Watch now our episode on Youtube Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

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  Episode #12

  Lebanon’s pivotal place in the Middle East with Suzan Haidamous

  Jun 18, 202645 minS3

  The war in Iran, and the broader Middle East, is apparently over — at least according to US President Trump. A  14-point agreement  between the US and Iran has been signed - in Versailles Palace, where the ill-fated agreement ending World War I was signed - largely giving Iran all it asked for. The world economy may eventually return to some semblance of normality as the Strait of Hormuz reopens, assuming it really does, but the region as a whole is far from at peace, and somewhat far from comprehending a deal that stablizes remarkably little. This is especially true to Lebanon: torn apart by its own sectarian violence and economic deterioration, it has become the core issue of dispute. For Iran, Hezbollah must remain intact and in control, with Iranian oversight of the whole country; for Israel, Hezbollah must be disarmed and removed from Lebanon’s southern border. Neither Israel nor Lebanon are parties to the newly signed 14-point agreement, though both have now embarked upon some kind of talks sponsored by the US. That may not matter, as in the complex web of Lebanese politics, Hezbollah is more powerful than the government. However, it has been weakened dramatically by Israel, that is also pushing back on it while licking its wounds from what seems like a humiliating defeat. Suzan Haidamous, Beirut-based correspondent for the Washington Post, is the perfect person to make some sense of Lebanon’s predicaments. In a great and wise conversation, she brings lived experience of Lebanon coupled with great insight and compassion. Chapters: Understanding Lebanon and Syria today Reporting from the ground: experiences in Syria Hezbollah's role and influence in Lebanon The future of Lebanon and regional dynamics with Iran Is there still hope for peace in the Middle East? Mentions 2024 beeper attack on Hezbollah 2024 walkie talkie attack on Hezbollah Susannah George -  Washington post page Liz Sly -  Washington post page UN Security Council resolution 1701 UN News - Explainer: What is Security Council resolution 1701? Women Leaders - As missiles fly Suzan Haidamous article  “An airstrike trapped a journalist” Follow Suzan Haidamous  Washington Post page   LinkedIn Ilana Bet-El Instagram  @women_leaders_podcast Listen to this episode on our  YouTube channel Our partner European Leadership Network  Twitter   LinkedIn   Facebook   website Credits Production: Florence Ferrando Music: Let Good Times Roll, RA from #Uppbeat (free for Creators!):  https://uppbeat.io/t/ra/let-good-times-roll License code: ZXIIIJUU2ISPZIJT Contribute to the conversation with a comment & a 5-⭐️ Reach us on our Instagram and follow for updates  @women_leaders_podcast Watch now our episode on Youtube Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

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