The Devex Book Club

Apr 24 2024 4

The Devex Book Club Podcast artwork

It seems like every day there’s an important new book being written on global challenges like poverty and climate change. This podcast is for anyone fascinated by books like these, especially the ones that challenge preconceived notions and present innovative ideas.

Each month, Devex President and Editor-in-Chief Raj Kumar will sit down with a different author, academic, or development practitioner to discuss a new dimension of these constantly evolving sectors.

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Juan M. Lavista Ferres on "AI for Good"

Apr 24 2024 43 mins

In this episode of the Devex Book Club podcast, President and Editor-in-Chief Raj Kumar sits down with Microsoft's Juan M. Lavista Ferres to talk about how he got his start with computer science, what AI can do (and what it can’t), and how Beluga whales can help detect war crimes in Syria.

Alex Amouyel on "The Answer is You"

Mar 25 2024 40 mins

Doing meaningful work doesn't have to come at the expense of your whole life. In fact, Alex Amouyel argues that anyone can create a life full of impact. In this episode of the Devex Book Club, Alex takes us through her own winding career trajectory, from her time as a scientist to her current role as President and CEO of Newman's Own Foundation, and shares that with enough will and

Howard French on "Born in Blackness"

Feb 26 2024 53 mins

Reframing six centuries of world history in a single book is no easy feat. Doing it in lively, engaging prose that keeps you hooked the whole way through is even harder. But such is the talent of Howard French, longtime foreign correspondent and author of Born in Blackness, our Devex Book Club selection for this month. For more information on upcoming episodes and to sign up for ou

Homi Kharas on "The Rise of the Global Middle Class"

Dec 19 2023 34 mins

The middle class is the most successful group in world history, but today, it’s facing a bit of an identity crisis. The realities of automation, climate change and other factors are straining the once ubiquitous middle class dream, and younger generations are questioning whether it’s really all it’s cracked up to be. In his new book, "The Rise of the Global Middle Class: How

Rajiv Shah on "Big Bets: How Large-Scale Change Really Happens"

Oct 25 2023 42 mins

Like many of us, Rajiv Shah knew early on that he wanted to make an impact on the world, but he wasn’t quite sure how to do it. His book, "Big Bets: How Large-Scale Change Really Happens," opens with some of that early uncertainty, like the summer he spent treating leprosy patients in India, and his time working on Al Gore’s ultimately doomed campaign. But as Raj writes in his

Sally Hayden on "My Fourth Time We Drowned"

Aug 25 2023 41 mins

In 2018, Sally Hayden received a Facebook message from an unknown sender, a man claiming to be writing from inside a Libyan detention camp. The conditions faced by him and his fellow detainees were horrendous, and his desperate message came from a phone shared in secret among hundreds being held. “If you have time, I will tell you all the story,” he wrote. The message kicked o

David Sengeh on "Radical Inclusion: Seven Steps to Help You Create a More Just Workplace, Home, and World"

Jul 25 2023 32 mins

Can you imagine a world where everyone belongs? For David Sengeh, Sierra Leone's Minister of Education and Chief Innovation Officer, the answer is "yes." And by the time you finish his book, "Radical Inclusion: Seven Steps to Help You Create a More Just Workplace, Home, and World,” you'll likely agree. For more information on upcoming episodes and to sign up for our mailing list,

Stefan Dercon on "Gambling on Development"

Jun 28 2023 44 mins

The developing world has undergone tremendous change in the last 30 years, mostly for the better. But some countries have missed the boat. Why? In "Gambling on Development: Why Some Countries Win and Other Lose," economist Stefan Dercon explores the answer to that question.For more information on upcoming episodes and to sign up for our mailing list, visit the Devex Book Club here:

Dan Runde on "The American Imperative"

May 31 2023 48 mins

How can America regain its position as a global leader? According to Dan Runde, author of "The American Imperative" and a a senior vice president at the Center for Strategic International Studies, the answer lies in the strategic use of soft power. For more information on upcoming episodes and to sign up for our mailing list, visit the Devex Book Club here: https://pages.devex.com/

Fatema Sumar on "The Development Diplomat"

Apr 21 2023 48 mins

In this week's episode, Raj talks with Fatema Sumar, executive director at Harvard University's Center for International Development, to discuss her book, "The Development Diplomat: Working Across Borders, Boardrooms, and Bureaucracies to End Poverty." For more information on upcoming episodes and to sign up for our mailing list, visit the Devex Book Club here: https://pages.devex.