High Energy Planet

For the last episode of Season 4, Rose and Katie are joined by Matthew Yglesias, journalist and author of the Substack, Slow Boring. They cover everything from the value and political future of US foreign assistance, to climate politics and the new “abundance” movement, and how we navigate a rapidly changing media ecosystem.

Ken Opalo, associate professor at Georgetown University and author of An Africanist Perspective, joins the show to discuss what’s really behind chronic underinvestment in Africa’s power sector, what US policymakers are missing, and what gives him hope for the future of African development.

Rose and Katie unpack the fallout from the Trump administration’s dismantling of USAID and what it means for global energy investment and energy access. Drawing on their experience in US government, they explore the ripple effects of these cuts, the impact on local and international partners, and the broader shifts in development assistance. They also reflect on the role of public service, the evolving nature of US engagement abroad, and how to navigate this new reality.

Kanika Chawla, Chief of Staff at SEforALL, joins Rose and Katie to discuss what to expect from the 2025 SEforALL Global Forum, how SEforALL builds trust with governments, and what’s next for SDG7. Plus, why she calls London her favorite Indian city (yes, really).

Faten Aggad, the founder and executive director of the African Future Policies Hub, discusses the future of climate diplomacy, Africa’s green industrialization, and how she’s helping build Africa’s policy negotiation capacity.



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