Fireside Chats: The Roosevelt Group Podcast

In this episode, Aarya speaks to David Meale, former deputy chief of mission at the US Embassy in Beijing, and now head of Eurasia Group's China practice.

In this episode, we get into the wave of purges inside China's military leadership, what it tells us about Xi Jinping's grip on power, and why it matters . We talk trade, the fragile state of US-China relations, and the indicators to watch to understand where US China relations are actually heading.

In this episode, Professor Aguilar and I sit down and have a discussion about theology, the Vatican's role in geopolitics, and China's stance on Tibetan monasteries.

In the second episode. Aarya sits down with Dr Annette Stimmer of the School of International Relations, where they talk on how norms are shaped in the current international system and the Ukraine War.

In this hallmark first episode, Aarya sits down with Professor Anthony Lang of the School of International Relations, where they talk about global constitutionalism, the current state of the US-China trade deal, and even Golf!

This introductory episode introduces the hosts and ushers in a New Age for Fireside Chats.

In her final episode as host, Brooke Ryback interviews multiple Roosevelt Group members, documenting the creative process of publishing the think tank's yearly New Annales from start to finish. She first speaks with Roosevelt Groups' Head of the New Annales, third year Stella Mortarotti, to contextualize the hard work put into a publication truly worth celebrating. Then, Brooke brings listeners along to the celebration and launch of this year's publication "Subversion" which took place at The Hide on 20 March, 2025 in St Andrews.

In our first episode of Semester 2 in the 2024/2025 academic season, host Brooke Ryback brings in a friend and fellow podcast host Julianna Tully! Co-Head of the UNA St Andrews' own podcast, Julianna relates to Brooke her flourishing love of podcasting and her work with UNA St Andrews. The two also talk about the influence the performative arts, learning new languages, and exploring a wide range of subject matters through opportunities like Roosevelt Group had on their lives. Through it all, they come to find a shared recurring insight: sometimes 'rejection therapy' is the lesson we never knew we needed.<...

It is no longer summer and, finding herself cozying up in St Andrews and settling into the first semester of the 2024/2025 academic year, Brooke chats with President Elisenne and Vice President Gokul to catch up, express each other’s goals as fourth years and leaders. With the future very much on their mind, while also recalling their semester abroad experiences, summer projects, and overall experience at St Andrews, Elisenne, Gokul, and Brooke inspire each other to 'pass it forward' and cultivate others' passions as they pursue their own.

In the final episode of Brooke's 2024 Summer Series, she takes you into her world (and literal soundscape) of San Diego. Taking you with her to interview her high school teacher and mentor Katie Turner, Brooke opens discussion from the importance of visual learning, ability of creative writing to achieve restorative justice for all ages, to finding root solutions to rehabilitate those in the US prison system. This episode makes clear more thought, creativity, imagination, and - most importantly - wisdom can be reaped out of children's literature for people of every age.

We extend our gratitude to...

In this second part, our guest Steven Ryback imparts final words of wisdom for the St Andrews community and even turns the mic on Brooke, asking her questions which lead to some unexpected insights for the father and daughter. All in all, Brooke and Steve come to realize the importance of taking advantage of opportunities, especially during the developmental time of one's twenties. We would like to extend our gratitude to our guest for speaking with us at Roosevelt, as well as to all the dads who continuously feed our passions and inspire our futures!

In this first part of our Summer Special Series, I chat with my dad, Steve Ryback. He is my role model and lifelong friend not only because of his career as a Navy SEAL, but because of the humble dedication, wisdom, and selflessness he devotes to all those around him. As such, he not only embodies Roosevelt Group principles but provides inspiring insight for the St Andrews community at large.

After almost a year of radio silence, Fireside Chats is back! In this episode, our two previous hosts, Louisa Lindsley and Ward Cammack, reflect on their four years at the University of St Andrews, the friendships and experiences they have gained through their various roles in Roosevelt Group, and offer our new host, Brooke Ryback, words of wisdom as they prepare for graduation.

In Part 3 of 3, Ward and Don discuss and define the terms of redlining and blockbusting and how these policies in the 20th century shaped the geography and culture of America's cities. Looking to the future, Don shares how fostering a culture of compassion for our neighbors may be our only hope.

In Part 2 of 3, Ward and Don continue their discussion about "all things cities". They focus on traffic and transportation in urban regions; why America is an urban nation; and what factors contribute to the overall health of a city's inhabitants. ACSM American Fitness Index statistics: https://americanfitnessindex.org/rankings/

In this episode, Ward interviews Mr. Don Kintner, a former professor from the Nashville area, on "all things cities". Together they explore the creation of America's cities, the history and spread of suburban sprawl, and what factors determine a city's growth or decline. With a specific focus on Nashville, they discuss how the city can grow effectively and set itself up for future success.

In part 2 of 2, theater teacher Hallie and I dive into the experience of being a teacher in Nashville following the tragic shooting at a local elementary school on March 27th, 2023. We discuss Hallie's and her teaching community's feelings surrounding gun control as well as what it's like to be a middle school teacher in the post-Covid age.

Following the school shooting in Nashville, Tennessee on March 27th, I was wondering what it's like to be a teacher in America today. Luckily, my former high school English teacher was willing to dive into this difficult topic with me. Together we unpack the art of holding political discussions in the classroom and how to deal with such topics with kids of different ages. She shares about her career and what happens among the teaching community in the wake of each tragic act of violence in a place of education.

Ward interviews Roosevelt Group member Catherine about writing, directing, and producing plays as a university student. Catherine is attracted to and has written plays that discuss gender, sexuality, hook-up culture, and friendship. Together, Ward and Catherine question whether universities do enough to support the arts while appreciating the creativity that can arise without such institutional structures.

Stella explains the dark truth behind your favorite chocolate treats, and how to look for sustainable and ethical chocolate on your next grocery shop - if such a thing exists...

In this episode, Ward chats with Roosevelt Group member Mauricio about his recent semester abroad in Paris. They discuss everything from Mauricio's favorite spots in the city to why Paris is a center for international relations and what that means for the city, France as a country, and the world.

In this episode, Ward talks to Roosevelt Group member, Jack, about his article in the first edition of the 2022-2023 New Annales publication titled "The Case Against Electric Vehicles". Together, they dive into the dark truths behind the production of electric vehicles and why you should do your research before buying one.

In this episode, Ward chats with Louisa about her two articles in the first edition of the New Annales publication for the 2022-2023 academic year. Louisa shares about her semester in Hong Kong and why we should be paying attention to Vogue China.

In this episode, Roosevelt Group member, Bethell, shares about her summer volunteering in Polička, Czech Republic at a daycare for Ukrainian refugee children.

Welcome to Fireside Chats: The Roosevelt Group Podcast where host Ward Cammack will interview members of the Roosevelt Group about the experiences and stories that inspire them to write about their topics of choice. Stay tuned for Episode 1 coming soon...

Louisa Lindsley sits down with University of St Andrews third-year Julius David — co-founder of Adora. Adora is a fintech company specializing in payment service solutions for small businesses. In this episode, David discusses starting a business during the pandemic, his work-life balance, and the future of Adora.

Hear more about the Roosevelt Group on Instagram and on our website.

In our inaugural episode, Louisa Lindsley sits down with third-year Madeline Silton— director, writer, producer, and founder of Mad Productions. Silton is known for her films Empty Space (2020), Ghost (2020), and Inner Demon (2021). In this episode, Silton discusses her experiences running a business as a student, her work-life balance, and future aspirations.