248: Culture First: Natacha Ciezki on Building Trust and Strategy in African Engagements

In this episode of the One CA Podcast, host Danny Joseph sits down with Natacha Ciezki, a foreign affairs consultant and Civil Affairs officer, to explore the critical role of cultural understanding in African engagements. Drawing from her extensive experience across Sub-Saharan Africa, Natacha shares insights on how local context, historical nuance, and relationship-building shape effective foreign policy and civil affairs operations. Whether you're a practitioner, policymaker, or curious listener, this conversation offers a compelling look at why cultural fluency isn’t just a soft skill—it’s a strategic necessity---One CA is a product of the Civil Affairs Association and brings in people who are current or former military, diplomats, development officers, and field agents to discuss their experiences on the ground with a partner nation's people and leadership.We aim to inspire anyone interested in working in the "last three feet" of U.S. foreign relations. To contact the show, email us at [email protected], or look us up on the Civil Affairs Association website at www.civilaffairsassoc.org  ---Feedspot, the podcast industry ranking system, rated One CA Podcast as one of the top 10 shows on foreign policy. Check it out at: https://podcast.feedspot.com/foreign_policy_podcasts/--- Special Thanks to Ekler for the sample of Polo and Pan from the album Canopee. Retrieved from https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=f5IruTV-LGQ&list=RDf5IruTV-LGQ&start_radio=1---#africanengagements #civilaffairs #foreignpolicy #strategiccommunication #culturalintelligence #subSaharanAfrica #OneCAPodcast #USStateDepartment #localcontextmatters #publicdiplomacy #crossculturalstrategy #natachaciezki #dannyjoseph #militarydiplomacy #softpower #foreignaffairsofficer #geopolitics #relationshipbuilding #fieldinsights #globalstrategy #ECOWAS

What does it take to break into foreign policy—and thrive in the “last three feet” of U.S. diplomacy? In this episode, we sit down with Vasu Vaitla, a Georgetown adjunct-associate professor whose career spans the U.S. Department of State, the United Nations, NGO Initiatives of Change, and the U.S. Air Force.Vasu shares practical advice for students and professionals seeking careers in foreign affairs, whether through government, NGOs, or multinational organizations. From classroom insights to field-tested strategies, this conversation is a must-listen for anyone looking to serve at the intersection of policy, people, and purpose.🔗 Learn more about Vasu Vaitla: Georgetown Faculty Profile🎶 Featuring a sample of Georgetown’s fight song—drums courtesy of the Chicago Bears.One CA is a product of the Civil Affairs Association, spotlighting voices from the frontlines of diplomacy, development, and defense. Feedspot ranks us among the top 10 foreign policy podcasts—see why at Feedspot’s Foreign Policy Rankings.📬 Contact the show: [email protected]🌐 Visit us: civilaffairsassoc.orgAspiring to serve in the “last three feet” of diplomacy? 🎙️ In this episode of #OneCAPodcast, Georgetown’s Vasu Vaitla shares actionable advice for launching a career in foreign policy—from the classroom to the field. Whether you're eyeing the #ForeignService, NGOs, or multilateral organizations, this is your roadmap to impact.#PublicDiplomacy #CivilAffairs #ForeignPolicyCareers #GeorgetownUniversity #USStateDepartment #InternationalRelations #DiplomacyMatters #MentorshipInAction #GlobalLeadership #FeedspotTop10 #CareerPathways #ForeignAffairs #NationalSecurity #DevelopmentDiplomacy #WomenInForeignPolicy #NextGenDiplomats #CFR #AFSA #WFPG #PDCA #AAD #FPAOrganization,HashtagOne CA Podcast,#OneCAPodcast,#LastThreeFeet,#CivilAffairsGeorgetown University,#GeorgetownUniversity,#ForeignPolicyCareers,#NextGenDiplomatsU.S. Department of State,#USStateDepartment,#ForeignService,#PublicDiplomacyUnited Nations,#UNCareers,#GlobalLeadership,#MultilateralEngagementInitiatives of Change,#InitiativesOfChange,#Peacebuilding,#CivicTrustU.S. Air Force,#USAirForce,#NationalSecurity,#DefenseDiplomacyCouncil on Foreign Relations (CFR),#CFR,#ForeignAffairs,#GlobalPolicyAmerican Foreign Service Association (AFSA),#AFSA,#ForeignServiceLife,#DiplomacyMattersWomen’s Foreign Policy Group (WFPG),#WFPG,#WomenInForeignPolicy,#MentorshipInActionPublic Diplomacy Council of America (PDCA),#PDCA,#PublicDiplomacy,#CareerPathwaysAssociation of American Diplomats (AAD),#AAD,#DiplomaticCareers,#ForeignPolicyVoicesForeign Policy Association (FPA),#FPA,#InternationalRelations,#GlobalEngagementFeedspot,#FeedspotTop10,#ForeignPolicyPodcast,#PodcastRankingsAcademic & NGO Networks,#CareerInForeignPolicy,#DevelopmentDiplomacy,#GlobalCareers

In this episode of the One CA Podcast, host Danny Joseph sits down with Navy EOD Commander Brad Penely to explore the evolving face of warfare—from mine countermeasures in the Strait of Hormuz to cruise missile defense in the Red Sea and joint ops in South America. Brad shares firsthand insights from Syria, Iran, and beyond, while unpacking the future of small-unit operations, drone warfare, and the power of disruptive thinking.But this isn’t just about tactics. Brad dives deep into the emotional and spiritual dimensions of leadership, offering hard-won advice on resilience, innovation, and the kind of mindset that thrives under pressure. From writing white papers that change doctrine to taking cold showers that build grit, this episode is a masterclass in modern warfighting and personal growth.🔗 Learn more about FP21: https://www.fp21.org🎧 Visit the show page: civilaffairsassociation.com/podcast📨 Contact us: [email protected]🏆 Ranked Top 10 Foreign Policy Podcast by Feedspot: Check it out🎵 Music by TC Dickinson Ft. Carrera – Django (Hip Hop vs Western Instrumental): https://youtu.be/O2Cz16Kk3jA?si=pDy_knvnK8NBF3vK

🎧 Welcome to the Once CA Podcast.In this episode, host Assad Raza welcomes Jim Hake, founder of Spirit of America, a nonprofit that directly supports overseas U.S. Military, Diplomatic, and Development efforts. Hake shares how his organization bridges critical gaps in foreign assistance—delivering rapid, locally tailored support that helps advance U.S. foreign policy goals in complex environments.From frontline partnerships in Ukraine and West Africa to strategic engagement in the Indo-Pacific, Hake explains how Spirit of America works alongside Civil Affairs teams and other U.S. personnel to build trust, deliver impact, and reinforce democratic values.One CA is a production of the Civil Affairs Association, featuring voices from the field—military, diplomatic, development, and intelligence professionals—who operate in the “last three feet” of U.S. foreign relations. Our goal is to inform, inspire, and elevate the role of Civil Affairs in global engagement.🔗 Learn more about Jim Hake and Spirit of America: spiritofamerica.org📩 Contact the show: [email protected]🌐 Visit: civilaffairsassoc.org🏆 Ranked Top 10 Foreign Policy Podcast by Feedspot: See the list🎵 Music credit: Relaxing Rhythms CH, Album 92 Sing Song Swing Jazz: Twist Till Your Hips Hurt YouTube link---Organization,HashtagSpirit of America,#SpiritOfAmerica,#SupportOurTroops,#CivilAffairsSupportCivil Affairs Association,#CivilAffairs,#OneCAPodcast,#LastThreeFeetUSAID,#USAID,#ForeignAssistance,#DevelopmentDiplomacyU.S. Department of State,#Diplomacy,#USForeignPolicy,#DemocracySupportU.S. Army Civil Affairs,#CivilAffairsOps,#MilitarySupport,#StrategicEngagementAtlantic Council,#FrontlineDemocracy,#UkraineSupport,#WestAfricaSecurityBrookings Institution,#ForeignAid,#GlobalEngagement,#IndoPacificStrategyCarnegie Endowment,#CivilMilitaryRelations,#HumanitarianAssistance,#ConflictPreventionFreedom House,#DemocracyPromotion,#HumanRightsSupport,#UkraineSolidarityCenter for Strategic and International Studies (CSIS),#CSISLive,#GlobalSecurity,#DevelopmentMattersHarvard Belfer Center,#BelferCenter,#NationalSecurity,#CivicActionStanford Internet Observatory,#DigitalDemocracy,#CivicTech,#InformationOpsGlobal Citizen,#HumanitarianSupport,#NGOImpact,#HashtagActivismBosch Stiftung (West Africa),#LocalNGOs,#WestAfricaPeace,#CommunityResilienceUkrainian Civil Society Groups,#StandWithUkraine,#StopRussianAggression,#UkraineNGOs

🧭 Episode DescriptionIn this episode of the One CA Podcast, we welcome Chris Brewer, author of Old Scroll Ranger and In the Shadows Between Wars. Brewer led special forces operations in over 130 countries, forging U.S. relationships with partner nations through every phase of engagement.We explore:🟢 First Contact: How to approach populations and leaders with little to no U.S. presence🔵 Follow-On Engagements: Building trust and long-term relationships🔴 Complex Operations: Supporting deep U.S. involvement with local leadership and communitiesChris shares hard-won insights from the field, blending tactical experience with strategic diplomacy.🔗 Learn More📚 Chris Brewer’s books and background🌐 Civil Affairs Association Podcast Hub📩 Contact: [email protected]🏆 Top 10 Foreign Policy Podcast – Feedspot🎵 Music by New Jazz Underground – “22”📣 Hashtags for Promo#OneCAPodcast #ChrisBrewer #CivilAffairs #SpecialForces #ForeignRelations #FirstContact #StrategicEngagement #OldScrollRanger #MilitaryDiplomacy #PartnerNationOps #ForeignPolicyPodcast #FeedspotTop10 #NewJazzUnderground#OneCAPodcast#ChrisBrewer#OldScrollRanger#InTheShadowsBetweenWars#CivilAffairs#SpecialForces#MilitaryDiplomacy#StrategicEngagement#FirstContact#PartnerNationOps#ForeignRelations#ForeignPolicyPodcast#FeedspotTop10#NewJazzUnderground#SOFCommunity#IrregularWarfare#MilitaryLeadership#GlobalEngagement#DefenseDiplomacy#LastThreeFeet#CivilMilitaryOperations#SecurityCooperation#MilitaryAdvisory#StabilityOperations#MilitaryHistory#VeteranVoices

Today, we welcome retired Lieutenant Colonel Seth Middleton, who served as a Civil Affairs officer in Iraq, Afghanistan, and Mali.He later went on to work for USAID, teaching the JHOC, or JointHumanitarian Operations Course, and serving as a military advisor before the agency was disbanded. We talk with Seth about his experiences at AID and his new article,"Non-Military Foreign Assistance is Now DOD’s Problem," published in the Small Wars Journal. To check out the article, I have links available in the show notesSWJ Profile:https://smallwarsjournal.com/author/seth-middleton/Article:https://smallwarsjournal.com/2025/03/21/non-military-foreign-assistance-is-now-dods-problem/ ---One CA is a product of the Civil Affairs Association andbrings in people who are current or former military, diplomats, development officers, and field agents to discuss their experiences on the ground with a partner nation's people and leadership.We aim to inspire anyone interested in working in the "lastthree feet" of U.S. foreign relations.  To contact the show, email us at [email protected], or look us up on the Civil Affairs Association website at www.civilaffairsassoc.orgCAA Call for papers:https://www.civilaffairsassoc.org/_files/ugd/85da1e_74d6e5f2cd7f4e13a73d68ee76e5b192.pdfCAA 2025 Symposium:Civil Affairs Association's 2025 annual symposium will be heldin Los Angeles, California from November 13-16https://www.linkedin.com/posts/civil-affairs-association_save-the-date-the-2025-caa-annual-activity-7315538329746264065-KkDR/ ---Feedspot, the podcast industry ranking system, rated One CAPodcast as one of the top 10 shows on foreign policy. Check it out at:https://podcast.feedspot.com/foreign_policy_podcasts/--- Special Thanks to Cozy Jazz Music for the sample ofSeptember Jazz. Retrieved from https://youtu.be/N1GJvZfdDGI?feature=shared---🎯 Hashtags:#CivilAffairs #ForeignAssistance #USAID #MilitaryDiplomacy #HumanitarianOperations #JHOC #DevelopmentLeadership #ConflictZones #IraqWar #AfghanistanOps #MaliSecurity #SmallWarsJournal #StrategicEngagement #PartnerNation #LastThreeFeet #ForeignPolicyVoices #VeteranInsights #GlobalDevelopment #MilitaryAdvisor #FeedspotTop10

In this episode of the One CA Podcast, host Danny Joseph sits down with Matt Moran, a wildlife biologist from Alaska and newly minted 38G Natural Resources Specialist in the Army Reserve Civil Affairs community. From tracking polar bear hunting in the Aleutian Islands to advising on wildlife management in deployed regions, Matt shares how his civilian expertise translates into strategic value for U.S. foreign engagement.They dive into the role of natural resources in stability operations, the challenges of conservation in conflict zones, and how Civil Affairs professionals operate in the “last three feet” of diplomacy. Matt’s story highlights the growing importance of specialized knowledge in shaping mission success and building trust with partner nations.Whether you're a soldier, scientist, strategist, or simply curious about the intersection of ecology and foreign policy, this episode offers a fresh perspective on the evolving mission of Civil Affairs.---One CA is a product of the Civil Affairs Association andbrings in people who are current or former military, diplomats, development officers, and field agents to discuss their experiences on the ground with a partner nation's people and leadership.We aim to inspire anyone interested in working in the "lastthree feet" of U.S. foreign relations.  To contact the show, email us at [email protected], or look us up on the Civil Affairs Association website atwww.civilaffairsassoc.org  ---Feedspot, the podcast industry ranking system, rated One CAPodcast as one of the top 10 shows on foreign policy. Check it out at:https://podcast.feedspot.com/foreign_policy_podcasts/--- I want to give Special Thanks to my niece Kim, a fantastic R&B vocalist, for sharing a sample of her song "No Blues" from the Album Nzuri Soul. Check it out at: https://youtu.be/02Im-C7b1q8?si=n2LdtnAtcZATkhPU---🎙️ Podcast & Civil Affairs Focus#OneCAPodcast #CivilAffairs #MilitaryDiplomacy #LastThreeFeet #FeedspotTop10🌍 Foreign Policy & Stability Operations#ForeignPolicy #StabilityOperations #ForeignEngagement #ConflictZones🦅 Natural Resources & Wildlife Expertise#38GSpecialist #NaturalResources #WildlifeBiology #AlaskaWildlife #PolarBearConservation #EcologyAndSecurity

🎙️ Welcome to the One CA PodcastIn this episode, host Brian Hancock sits down with JohnPaul LeCedre to explore the realities of military command and share actionable insights for emerging leaders.📌 This is Part 1 of a special two-part series.🌍 About One CAProduced by the Civil Affairs Association, One CA features professionals in diplomacy, defense, development, and field operations. We highlight real-world experiences from “the last three feet” of U.S. foreign engagement—where relationship-building becomes mission-critical.📬 Contact: [email protected]🔗 Visit: civilaffairsassoc.org🏅 Top 10 Foreign Policy Podcast — as ranked by Feedspot🙏 Special Thanks To Resputin e Boney M for a sample of Shuffle Dance. Retrieved from ⁠https://youtube.com/shorts/mLZerKOcsbM?feature=shared⁠---🎧 #OneCAPodcast #LeadershipAtTheEdge #MilitaryLeadership #CommandInsights #CivilAffairs #ForeignPolicy #DefenseDiplomacy #PublicAffairs #LastThreeFeet #VeteranVoices #GlobalEngagement #StrategicInfluence #NationalSecurity #TacticalLeadership #PartnerNation #MilitaryPodcast #LeadershipDevelopment #FieldExperience #ForeignService #MissionReady

🎙️ Welcome to the One CA PodcastIn this episode, host Brian Hancock sits down with JohnPaul LeCedre to explore the realities of military command and share actionable insights for emerging leaders.📌 This is Part 1 of a special two-part series.🌍 About One CAProduced by the Civil Affairs Association, One CA features professionals in diplomacy, defense, development, and field operations. We highlight real-world experiences from “the last three feet” of U.S. foreign engagement—where relationship-building becomes mission-critical.📬 Contact: [email protected]🔗 Visit: civilaffairsassoc.org🏅 Top 10 Foreign Policy Podcast — as ranked by Feedspot🙏 Special Thanks To Resputin e Boney M for a sample of Shuffle Dance. Retrieved from https://youtube.com/shorts/mLZerKOcsbM?feature=shared---🎧 #OneCAPodcast #LeadershipAtTheEdge #MilitaryLeadership #CommandInsights #CivilAffairs #ForeignPolicy #DefenseDiplomacy #PublicAffairs #LastThreeFeet #VeteranVoices #GlobalEngagement #StrategicInfluence #NationalSecurity #TacticalLeadership #PartnerNation #MilitaryPodcast #LeadershipDevelopment #FieldExperience #ForeignService #MissionReady

Join us on the One CA Podcast as we welcome Mr. Samuel Wong, a leading China and foreign policy expert based in Washington, D.C. In this episode, we unpack Xi Jinping’s recent political maneuvers, the implications of military purges, and what these shifts mean for U.S.–China relations.One CA is a product of the Civil Affairs Association, featuring voices from the frontlines of diplomacy—military professionals, diplomats, development officers, and field agents—sharing insights from the “last three feet” of foreign engagement.📩 Contact: [email protected]🌐 Learn more: civilaffairsassoc.org🏆 Ranked Top 10 Foreign Policy Podcast by Feedspot: See the list🎵 Music by Infraction: Upbeat Happy Fun Ukulele🔗 Hashtags for Spotify & Social Promotion#OneCAPodcast#XiJinping#ChinaPolitics#USChinaRelations#ForeignPolicy#CivilAffairs#Geopolitics#Top10Podcasts#DiplomacyMatters#StrategicCommunication#PodcastDrop#ListenAndLearn