The Ben Franklin Fellowship: The JUNTO Project Podcast

Ambassador J. Peter Pham on Africa, China, Critical Minerals, the Sahel & America First Diplomacy

In Episode 14 of The Ben Franklin Fellowship's JUNTO Podcast, BFF Co-Founder and Chairman Phillip Linderman sits down with Ambassador J. Peter Pham for an in-depth discussion on Africa, China, critical minerals, the Sahel, great power competition, and the future of America First foreign policy. As global competition intensifies, Africa has become a strategic battleground for influence, resources, security partnerships, and economic development. Ambassador Pham shares his unique perspective on China's growing presence across the continent, the collapse of Western influence in parts of the Sahel, and how previous U.S. policies contributed to instability and the effective "loss" of key Sahel states. The conversation also examines the impact of ideological foreign policy priorities on America's relationships with African governments, including efforts by previous administrations to pressure African leaders to adopt policy positions that remain highly contested even within the United States itself. Ambassador Pham argues that these approaches often distracted from core strategic interests and weakened America's standing with key regional partners. Topics discussed include: • The growing geopolitical importance of Africa • China's expanding influence across the continent • Critical minerals, supply chains, and economic security • Strategic competition between the United States and China • The collapse of Western influence in the Sahel • How previous U.S. policies contributed to instability and the loss of key Sahel states • The impact of ideological and "woke" foreign policy priorities on U.S.-Africa relations • Governance, security, terrorism, and regional conflict • America First diplomacy and strategic realism • The future of U.S.-Africa relations in a changing world order The JUNTO Podcast is produced by The Ben Franklin Fellowship — Diplomacy Rooted in the Republic. In Service to America. The JUNTO Podcast is produced by The Ben Franklin Fellowship. Learn more: https://www.benfranklinfellowship.org [https://www.benfranklinfellowship.org]

Historian Jane Hampton Cook on Benjamin Franklin & America’s First Diplomats

In this episode of The Ben Franklin Fellowship’s JUNTO Podcast, guest host BFF Vice President John McCally sits down with acclaimed historian, author, and screenwriter Jane Hampton Cook for a wide-ranging discussion on the origins of American diplomacy and the enduring principles that shaped the early Republic. Drawing on decades of historical research and storytelling, Jane explores Benjamin Franklin’s diplomatic mission to France during the American Revolution, George Washington’s foreign policy vision rooted in realism and national sovereignty, and John Quincy Adams’s leadership during the War of 1812 and Treaty of Ghent negotiations. Topics discussed include: • Franklin’s strategic diplomacy at the French court • Public image and influence during the American Revolution • Washington’s warnings regarding entangling alliances • John Quincy Adams and the defense of American sovereignty • Lessons modern diplomats can learn from the Founding generation • Patriotism and the meaning of America’s 250th anniversary Jane Hampton Cook is the author of 20 books and has appeared on Fox News, C-SPAN, the BBC, and major historical documentaries including The American Miracle and The First American. The JUNTO Podcast is produced by The Ben Franklin Fellowship — Diplomacy Rooted in the Republic. In Service to America.

Ambassador Alberto Fernandez on Iran, American Diplomacy, and the Future of the West

In Episode 12 of the JUNTO Podcast, Ben Franklin Fellowship Chairman Phil Linderman sits down with Ambassador Alberto Fernandez for a wide-ranging discussion on American diplomacy, the Middle East, counterterrorism, and the future of Western civilization. Ambassador Fernandez draws on decades of experience in the U.S. Foreign Service, including service as U.S. Ambassador to Equatorial Guinea, Chargé d’Affaires in Sudan, and leadership roles in strategic communications and counterterrorism. A Cuban refugee who grew up in Miami, Fernandez reflects on his path into diplomacy, the importance of America-first realism, and the civilizational foundations of the West. The conversation explores: • Iran and the long-term U.S. struggle with the Iranian regime • The future of American foreign policy under the Trump administration • Why the Western Hemisphere should become a greater U.S. strategic priority • Reforming the State Department and reducing bureaucratic overreach • Lessons from the war on terror and ideological conflict • Cuba, communism, and the prospects for political change A thoughtful discussion on realism, diplomacy, national security, and the values shaping America’s role in the world.

Marcus Thornton Speaks Out on State Department Retaliation

BFF Fellow Marcus Thornton joins the Ben Franklin Fellowship Junto Podcast to discuss his experience challenging federal COVID vaccine mandates, the creation of Feds for Freedom, whistleblower protections, and the culture of institutional accountability inside the U.S. State Department. Marcus Thornton is a career Foreign Service Officer, former Senior Advisor on the Secretary of State’s Policy Planning Staff, and former Chief of Staff at USAID. Thornton shares firsthand details about litigation that reached the Supreme Court, allegations of retaliation within the Foreign Service, and proposals for reforming the diplomatic corps and federal hiring systems. Topics include: • COVID mandate litigation for federal employees • Whistleblower protections and retaliation • Foreign Service culture and institutional reform • State Department accountability • Meritocracy and diplomatic recruitment • Feds for Freedom and civil service reform Featuring: Phil Linderman and Marcus Thornton The views expressed are those of the participants and do not reflect the official position of the U.S. government.

BFF Fellow Jose Cardenas on Cuba, Venezuela & the Future of U.S. Policy

In this episode, BFF Chairman Phil Linderman sits down with BFF Fellow Jose Cardenas, a Washington, D.C.–based consultant with more than four decades of experience in the U.S. political process and inter-American relations. Cardenas has held senior roles at the U.S. Department of State, the National Security Council, and the U.S. Agency for International Development (USAID), where he served as Acting Assistant Administrator for Latin America and the Caribbean. He has also testified before both the Senate Foreign Relations Committee and the House Foreign Affairs Committee. This conversation explores: U.S. policy toward Cuba and Venezuela Strategic challenges in the Western Hemisphere The future of American diplomacy in Latin America Key lessons from decades of foreign policy experience Subscribe to The Ben Franklin Fellowship YouTube Channel for more JUNTO Podcast episodes, speeches, and expert analysis: https://www.youtube.com/@BenFranklinFellowship [https://www.youtube.com/@BenFranklinFellowship] Learn more about The Ben Franklin Fellowship: https://www.benfranklinfellowship.org [https://www.benfranklinfellowship.org]