The Mediator’s Studio – All hands on deck: mediation in a changing world – Season 7 now available

What does it take to uphold peace in a turbulent world?

In Season 7 of The Mediator’s Studio, host Adam Cooper takes listeners beyond the headlines and into the minds of those who make mediation and diplomacy their life’s work. This season spotlights the resilience, emotional depth, and political nuance required to mediate some of the world’s most complex conflicts.

Recorded largely at the Oslo Forum in June 2025, these five intimate conversations offer a rare behind-the-scenes look at peace processes in motion — from backchannel negotiations to official talks. Whether you’re a seasoned mediator, policy enthusiast, or simply curious about what it takes to make peace stick, Season 7 is a compelling listen.

The voices behind the peace

This season brings together an extraordinary cast of diplomats, envoys, and peacemakers:

• Hans Grundberg, the UN’s Special Envoy to Yemen, speaks candidly about the mental toll of mediation and the unshakable need for honesty in the negotiation room.

• Kyung-wha Kang, South Korea’s first female Foreign Minister, reflects on quiet diplomacy, long-term engagement with North Korea, and the power of persistence.

• Nazih Elnaggary, Egypt’s Ambassador to Russia, shares how trust is built — slowly, carefully — in places where it’s in shortest supply.
• Claire Hajaj, a novelist-turned-mediator, who navigates gang violence and war zones with a storyteller’s sensibility.
• Uhuru Muigai Kenyatta, former President of Kenya, offers surprising insights on the value of informal spaces — like coffee breaks — in unlocking peace.

In a world that feels increasingly divided, these conversations are a timely reminder: peace doesn’t happen by accident — it’s built, one hard conversation at a time.

From emotional vulnerability to geopolitical strategy, Season 7 captures the human side of high-stakes diplomacy like never before.

Catch up on all five episodes of The Mediator’s Studio: Season 7 on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, or your favourite streaming platform and explore captivating stories from previous seasons that continue to resonate today.

We hope you enjoy Season 7 and the previous episodes. Tell us what you think by tweeting at our host Adam Cooper @adamtalkspeace or filling in this quick survey https://0lotay3liy7.typeform.com/to/BszSNdLf.