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Global Development Interrupted creates space for voices, perspectives, and critical reflection on global development. By amplifying the experiences of people who have built their careers in public service and global work, it invites learning, dialogue, and reimagining of what global development is, was, and could be. globaldevinterrupted.substack.com

PublishesTwice monthlyEpisodes27Foundeda year ago
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PoliticsDocumentaryGovernmentNewsSociety & Culture

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Latest Episodes

Democracy is never finished. No country has gotten it perfect—not even here at home.

In this episode of Global Development Interrupted, Leah talks with Amy Hamelin, a former USAID Democracy Officer who spent her career working across South Asia and ... more

For 16 years, Sara Sullivan helped USAID tell its story around the world. She never imagined she’d have to explain it to Americans.

When the agency was dismantled in early 2025, she watched misinformation spread through the Republican and evangelica... more

When Jen Erie published her memoir, she expected her global development colleagues to connect with it. She didn’t expect older white men to message her saying they saw their own lives in hers.

Jen Erie grew up the daughter of Haitian immigrants in Q... more

A scholarship program training the next generation of democratic leaders was named “Diversity and Inclusion” specifically to hide it from a military dictatorship. On day nine of the Trump presidency, that name got it canceled.

Matt Pietz spent a dec... more

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Recent Guests

Amy Hamelin
Former USAID Foreign Service Officer with field experience in South Asia and sub-Saharan Africa
USAID; Carter Center; Peace Corps
Episode: Democracy Is Never Finished
Sara Sullivan
Former USAID communications professional; founder of Average American
Average American / USAID experience
Episode: She Spent 16 Years Communicating for USAID. Then She Started Talking to Americans.
Jen Erie
Foreign Service Officer, author of The World Is My Bones, The Thistle Hat Queen May
U.S. Foreign Service / USAID
Episode: A Kid from Queens
Matt Pietz
Former chief of party on USAID-funded democracy and governance projects
USAID-funded programs / Academy for Educational Development (AED) partner
Episode: The Name That Got It Killed
Keisha Effiom
USAID mission director for Rwanda and Burundi (former)
USAID
Episode: We Are the Work
Allison Eriksen
Former USAID officer running for Montgomery County Council, District 3
USAID (former) and Maryland political race
Episode: From USAID to the Ballot Box
Tracy Starr
Former USAID officer running for U.S. House of Representatives, Maryland District 5
USAID (former) and federal legislative race
Episode: From USAID to the Ballot Box
Alicia Contreras-Donello
Former USAID officer running for Maryland House of Delegates, District 14
USAID (former) and Maryland political race
Episode: From USAID to the Ballot Box
Siena Fleischer
Former Foreign Service Officer and USAID Education Specialist
USAID
Episode: From Learning to Leadership: What USAID Made Possible

Host

Leah Petit
Host of Global Development Interrupted; featured across episodes discussing dismantling USAID, global development, and related policy impacts.

Reviews

5.0 out of 5 stars from 28 ratings
  • Sensational

    I could listen to Leah Petit talk forever. Insightful discussions on an unprecedented and ultimately nonsensical moment in US foreign policy.

    Apple Podcasts
    5
    Ripplesonablankshore
    United States5 months ago
  • Great stories/insights of why foreign aid helps America and other countries

    One of my favorite episodes is with Jeremy Williammee. I wasn’t aware of how USAID was helping El Salvador workers get temporary work visas, which effectively prevents illegal migration to the US. US industries that can’t find US-based workers could have El Salvador citizens come for temporary work for jobs like harvesting crops and fishing. No perilous journey through Mexico, and the US Govt could manage their stays in the US. It’s too bad that the current administration closed these legal pat... more

    Apple Podcasts
    5
    Bnkjfz
    United States10 months ago
  • So informative!

    It’s so cool to hear from people who actually worked for USAID! Great conversations that demystify what USAID was.

    Apple Podcasts
    5
    RadicalLun@tic
    United Statesa year ago
  • Great intro to the global development community

    Leah is a warm, welcoming guide through the lives and stories of people from the international development space. Worth a listen if you have any interest or -preconceived ideas - of who made USAID work!

    Apple Podcasts
    5
    Cheatingdoctor
    United Statesa year ago
  • Wonderful Podcast!

    A great listen as to why we need USAID. Very informative!

    Apple Podcasts
    5
    K8P!
    United Statesa year ago

Listeners Say

Key themes from listener reviews, highlighting what works and what could be improved about the show.

Listeners value the host's thoughtful, accessible storytelling and practical insights into development work.
Guest diversity and willingness to share grassroots perspectives are frequently praised.
Episodes demystify foreign aid by centering on frontline workers and local communities.

Chart Rankings

How this podcast ranks in the Apple Podcasts, Spotify and YouTube charts.

Apple Podcasts
#25
Philippines/Government
Apple Podcasts
#73
Ireland/Government
Apple Podcasts
#118
South Africa/Government

Talking Points

Recent interactions between the hosts and their guests.

She Spent 16 Years Communicating for USAID. Then She Started Talking to Americans.
Q: What shocked you about the misinformation surge in 2025, and how did you respond?
She describes witnessing a propaganda cascade, the emotional impact of friends sharing false claims, and her decision to use personal videos to tell the truth based on 16 years of on-the-ground experience.
She Spent 16 Years Communicating for USAID. Then She Started Talking to Americans.
Q: Tell us how your work with USAID began and what you were focused on domestically versus abroad.
Sara explains she spent years communicating the agency's work to people in-country, focusing on hearts-and-minds messaging and the tangible benefits of aid, while recognizing Americans often lacked awareness of USAID's role.
The Name That Got It Killed
Q: What was your specific area of focus as the project director across different countries?
Matt explains that the projects aimed to build peace, prevent conflicts, and promote democratic participation, with community-level work designed to lay foundations for longer-term stability and US strategic interests.
The Name That Got It Killed
Q: So, but let's start with where you grew up.
The host asks about his upbringing in Ohio and how it shaped his path into international development, leading into a discussion about his early career decisions and motivations.
Inside USAID’s Dismantling: A Deputy Director’s Account of the Lifesaving Memo That Changed Everything
Q: Ramona, have you ever had a moment when you thought, yes, this is why I'm here?
Yes, during the memo-writing period around the dismantling, when she realized her role was to bear witness and ensure accountability as systems were failing and life-saving work faced barriers.

Audience Metrics

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Frequently Asked Questions About Global Development Interrupted Podcast

What is Global Development Interrupted Podcast about and what kind of topics does it cover?

This series centers on public service, global development, and the evolving role of aid in international affairs. Episodes frequently unpack the real-world effects of policy shifts on development programs, health systems, governance, and local partnerships, often through first-hand accounts from USAID veterans, diplomats, and development practitioners. Why it stands out: it foregrounds personal narratives and frontline experiences to illuminate complex policy changes, while weaving in topics from global health security to malaria elimination and humanitarian aid—offering listeners practical context for understanding how aid, diplomacy, and development intersect on the ground.

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Which podcasts are similar to Global Development Interrupted Podcast?

These podcasts share a similar audience with Global Development Interrupted Podcast:

1. It Was Never a Job
2. SoftPower/FulStories
3. This Week in Global Development
4. Pod Save the World
5. The Daily

How many episodes of Global Development Interrupted Podcast are there?

Global Development Interrupted Podcast launched a year ago and published 27 episodes to date. You can find more information about this podcast including rankings, audience demographics and engagement in our podcast database.

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What guests have appeared on Global Development Interrupted Podcast?

Recent guests on Global Development Interrupted Podcast include:

1. Amy Hamelin
2. Sara Sullivan
3. Jen Erie
4. Matt Pietz
5. Keisha Effiom
6. Allison Eriksen
7. Tracy Starr
8. Alicia Contreras-Donello

To view more recent guests and their details, simply upgrade your Rephonic account. You'll also get access to a typical guest profile to help you decide if the show is worth pitching.

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