

Foreign Exchanges: the Podcast
Derek Davison
Foreign Exchanges is a newsletter that helps you stay on top of important stories happening around the world. Our companion podcast aims to understand the contemporary world by looking to the past. Join host Derek Davison as he interviews writers and scholars whose work sheds light on world history. www.foreignexchanges.news
Episodes
Mentioned books

Jul 23, 2025 • 19min
World roundup: July 22 2025
Stories from Israel-Palestine, Mali, Ukraine, and elsewhere This is a public episode. If you'd like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit www.foreignexchanges.news/subscribe

Jul 21, 2025 • 26min
World roundup: July 19-20 2025
Stories from Syria, Japan, Ukraine, and elsewhere This is a public episode. If you'd like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit www.foreignexchanges.news/subscribe

Jul 9, 2025 • 19min
World roundup: July 8 2025
Stories from Israel-Palestine, the Democratic Republic of the Congo, Ukraine, and elsewhere This is a public episode. If you'd like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit www.foreignexchanges.news/subscribe

Jul 7, 2025 • 1h 25min
How to Invent a Renaissance, with Ada Palmer
Hello Foreign Exchanges fans and welcome to another entry in our podcast series! Today I’m very pleased to welcome to the show Dr. Ada Palmer, Associate Professor of Early Modern European History and the College at the University of Chicago. We’ll be discussing her latest book, Inventing the Renaissance: The Myth of a Golden Age. Join us for a wide-ranging conversation on the Renaissance and some of its more interesting character, but also about the formation of historical narrative and the challenge in overcoming it when new evidence complicates the picture, how our perceptions of time affect how understanding of history, and why people are so fascinated with the idea of a “Golden Age.” Enjoy!Many thanks to Jake Aron of American Prestige for producing the show, and as always our music is Cambodian Odyssey by Kevin Macleod (CC by 3.0).Please pick up Dr. Palmer’s book, available now in hardback, ebook, and audiobook forms, and check out her other work including her sci-fi and fantasy writing at her website! Also, if you haven’t checked out Foreign Exchanges please do that too.Thanks for listening! This is a public episode. If you'd like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit www.foreignexchanges.news/subscribe

Jul 7, 2025 • 21min
World roundup: July 4-6 2025
Stories from Israel-Palestine, China, the Democratic Republic of the Congo, and elsewhere This is a public episode. If you'd like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit www.foreignexchanges.news/subscribe

Jun 30, 2025 • 19min
World roundup: June 28-29 2025
Stories from Israel-Palestine, Burkina Faso, El Salvador, and elsewhere This is a public episode. If you'd like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit www.foreignexchanges.news/subscribe

Jun 25, 2025 • 20min
World roundup: June 24 2025
Stories from Iran, Myanmar, Romania, and elsewhere This is a public episode. If you'd like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit www.foreignexchanges.news/subscribe

Jun 23, 2025 • 18min
World roundup: June 21-22 2025
Stories from Iran, Mali, Spain, and elsewhere This is a public episode. If you'd like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit www.foreignexchanges.news/subscribe

Jun 18, 2025 • 20min
World roundup: June 17 2025
Stories from Iran, Uganda, Brazil, and elsewhere This is a public episode. If you'd like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit www.foreignexchanges.news/subscribe

Jun 16, 2025 • 20min
World roundup: June 14-15 2025
Stories from Iran, China, El Salvador, and elsewhere This is a public episode. If you'd like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit www.foreignexchanges.news/subscribe