The Global Signal

Joshua Charles

The Global Signal is a monthly podcast that explores how emerging technologies, international policy, and financial markets are shaping the future of global power. Co-hosted by strategist and market intelligence advisor Joshua Charles and intelligence analyst Benjamin Fields, the show offers objective, data-driven conversations tailored for investors, policymakers, defense professionals, and commercial operators.

Episodes

  1. 3d ago

    Zambia's Energy-Debt Nexus: A Model for Emerging Markets?

    Today we’re diving into a critical experiment in sovereign restructuring. In an era of global financial volatility, Zambia’s debt-for-energy model raises a defining question: can infrastructure become the foundation of long-term fiscal recovery? We analyze the structural innovation behind this deal and its potential implications for the rest of the African continent. Timestamps: @0:00 - Episode Introduction @0:19 - Episode Overview @0:52 - Guest Introduction: Luipa Mondoka @2:22 - The Sovereign Paradigm: Shifting Debt Management @4:32 - Regional Scalability: Blueprint for African Economies? @9:15 - Risk-Adjusted Allocation: Benchmarking Market Access @12:09 - Load Shedding: A Bottleneck of Economic Growth @14:46 - Political Risk Pricing: Capital Allocation Reframing and Insulation @17:18 - Zambia's Historical Institutional Continuity and Broader African Dictatorial Rulings @21:00 - Industrial Constraints: Energy as a Growth Driver @26:17 - Guest's Last Words @28:27 - Episode Conclusion  Follow us on the following platforms: Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/7cWDY6S... Apple Podcast: https://podcasts.apple.com/au/podcast... Instagram: Instagram Threads: https://www.threads.com/@theglobalsignal Learn more about today's guest: Luipa Mondoka is an operator-turned-investor whose career bridges entrepreneurship, multilateral policy, and global finance. With extensive experience at the World Bank, UNCTAD, and Greylock Capital Management, Luipa brings deep, firsthand insight into the practical realities of building businesses in emerging markets. Luipa's LinkedIn: Luipa Mondoka | LinkedIn Learn more about our co-hosts: Joshua Charles: CEO & Founder, Frontier Dominion Company Website: frontierdominion.com LinkedIn: Joshua Charles | LinkedIn Purchase Joshua's book on investing in Africa: Strategies for Success in Africa: A Practical Guide for Entrepreneurs and Investors About Benjamin Njila Fields: CEO & Founder, Maison Jila Company Website: https://maisonjila.com/ LinkedIn: Benjamin Fields, M.A. | LinkedIn Recorded on July 17th, 2026 The views expressed by the co-hosts and their guests are personal opinions and do not constitute financial, medical, or legal advice.

    Zambia's Energy-Debt Nexus: A Model for Emerging Markets?

  2. Jul 3

    The Strait of Hormuz and the Versailles Signal: Power, Energy, and the New Geography of Risk

    In this 20‑minute episode of The Global Signal, co-hosts Joshua Charles and Benjamin Njila Fields dissect the oscillation of the Strait of Hormuz and the geopolitical shockwaves reshaping global energy and diplomacy. We examine the repricing of energy assets, and the symbolism of the US-Iran MOU signed in Italy on June 17th, 2026 — the same stage where Germany faced the 1919 settlement. The episode closes by mapping the next generation of global chokepoints and the actors already positioning around them. Timestamps @0:00 - Episode Introduction @0:19 - Episode Introduction @0:50 - Energy assets and the architecture of repricing @3:36 - Versailles as a geopolitical signal @7:36 - The next generation of global chokepoints @12:35 - Episode Conclusion Follow us on the following platforms: Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/7cWDY6SByTJoOeUfKCNWCC?si=cc067a6bdc6e4158 Apple Podcast: https://podcasts.apple.com/au/podcast/the-global-signal/id1853134070 Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/theglobalsignal/ Threads: https://www.threads.com/@theglobalsignal Learn more about our co-hosts: Joshua Charles: CEO & Founder, Frontier Dominion  Company Website: frontierdominion.com LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/joshuacharles123/ Purchase Joshua's book on investing in Africa: https://www.amazon.com/Strategies-Success-Africa-Practical-Entrepreneurs/dp/B0FXGL62RM/ref=tmm_pap_swatch_0 About Benjamin Njila Fields: CEO & Founder, Maison Jila Company Website: https://maisonjila.com/ LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/benjamin-njila-fields/ Recorded on June 21st, 2026 The views expressed by the co-hosts are personal opinions and do not constitute financial, medical, or legal advice.

    The Strait of Hormuz and the Versailles Signal: Power, Energy, and the New Geography of Risk

  3. May 25

    Bridging Continents: Investment and Infrastructure in Africa

    In this episode, "Bridging Continents: Investment and Infrastructure in Africa," we are joined by Darnley Howard, President and Principal Consultant at Advansa International and Partner at Pan Diaspora Capital Management. Drawing on over four decades of expertise in corporate finance and strategy consulting across North America, Latin America, and Africa, Darnley provides critical insights into driving sustainable growth in emerging markets. We delve into the crucial factors determining the bankability of infrastructure projects in Africa and discuss strategies for de-risking these investments. The conversation also covers the unique opportunities and challenges strategic infrastructure projects present from the perspective of Western investors, and best practices for raising private capital for projects in emerging markets.

    Bridging Continents: Investment and Infrastructure in Africa

  4. Apr 10

    From Defense to Venture: Dr. Reginald Turner on Tech, Investment, and Inclusion

    In this episode of The Global Signal Podcast, we sit down with Dr. Reginald Turner, a PhD-powered strategist, venture investor, and former defense technologist, to explore the intersection of national security, frontier technology, and venture capital. With over 30 years of experience spanning the Air Force Research Laboratory, the National Security Agency, and beyond, Dr. Turner brings a rare perspective shaped by translating cutting-edge research into real-world impact. Today, as a Venture Partner at Venture University and through QoCo Ventures, he evaluates emerging technologies, dual-use systems, and the next generation of disruptive startups. We dive into:  How defense experience shapes strategic thinking in venture capital  What investors look for in frontier tech and dual-use startups  The future of autonomous systems, optical research, and war-gaming  Key opportunities for founders building in deep tech  Expanding access and increasing HBCU participation in venture capital This conversation bridges engineering, investing, and leadership, offering insights for founders, investors, and anyone navigating the future of innovation. Tune in to hear how Dr. Turner is helping shape the next wave of technology and economic empowerment.

    From Defense to Venture: Dr. Reginald Turner on Tech, Investment, and Inclusion

  5. Mar 25

    Building Bridges: Finance, Policy, and People in African PPPs

    In this episode of The Global Signal, we sit down with Advocate Jack Fungayi Matiza to explore the critical intersection of finance, policy, and people in shaping successful public-private partnerships (PPPs) across Africa. From structuring bankable infrastructure projects to navigating the competing incentives of governments, DFIs, and private capital, this conversation dives into what actually determines whether PPPs succeed—or fail—over the long term. We discuss: 1. How incentives differ across financing partners—and why that matters 2. Translating local development priorities into investable projects 3. The most underestimated risks in PPP execution 4. Accountability and performance after financial close 5. The role of natural resources in structuring deals 6. What truly sustainable, win-win PPPs look like in practice Guest Bio:  Jack Matiza is an award-winning public-private partnerships (PPP) expert, serving as Regional Manager at the P3 World Council and Country Director for Orion Infrastructure Africa, where he advises on the structuring, financing, and delivery of sustainable infrastructure projects across Africa. He is Chairman of the UNECE Africa Public-Private Partnerships Network (AP3N) and Founding Director of AA1 Academy, an accredited APMG CP3P training organization. Jack holds an MBA in International Business and a Master’s Certificate in Sustainable Infrastructure Development and Finance, and is an APMG Certified PPP Professional (CP3P) and PRINCE2 Practitioner. He also serves as an ImPPPact Global SDG Alliance Ambassador for Zimbabwe, advancing effective public-private collaboration for sustainable development. Subscribe for more conversations at the frontier of global finance, policy, and strategy.

    Building Bridges: Finance, Policy, and People in African PPPs

  6. Feb 3

    Diplomacy, Dadhood, and Digital Africa

    In this episode of The Global Signal, we’re joined by Dr. Corey Holmes, a former U.S. Foreign Affairs Officer, Africa policy expert, and author. Dr. Holmes shares insights from his decade-long career navigating diplomacy, international relations, and government service, including his time as Acting Director for the Africa Subcommittee at the U.S. House Committee on Foreign Affairs. We explore the personal and professional lessons that inspired his book "Golf, Cigars, & Scotch: Balancing Fatherhood, Friendship, and Fine-Living," diving into practical strategies for integrating personal passions with parenting and mentorship. Dr. Holmes also discusses his work with AfroCom, a groundbreaking digital ecosystem connecting Africa and its diaspora, and how platforms like these are reshaping economic, cultural, and social collaboration across the continent.

    Diplomacy, Dadhood, and Digital Africa

  7. Jan 30

    The Role of the U.S. in Advancing Stability: China, Africa, and the Long Game

    In this episode of The Global Signal, we’re joined by Joseph Schneider, a national security entrepreneur, former U.S. Army Green Beret officer, and strategic advisor with over four decades of experience across the defense, aerospace, and security sectors, to examine how the United States can advance global stability over the long term. The conversation challenges Cold War-style thinking on U.S.–China relations, exploring why collaborative, forward-looking engagement may better serve American interests and what a realistic “win-win” strategy could look like in practice. We then turn to Africa’s rising strategic importance, focusing on the continent’s emerging middle class and its role in shaping America’s future power and influence, before concluding with a discussion of what a credible 30- to 50-year U.S. national strategy would require—and why long-term clarity, rather than reactive policymaking, will define U.S. leadership in the decades ahead.

    The Role of the U.S. in Advancing Stability: China, Africa, and the Long Game

  8. Jan 28

    Alliances Under Strain: World Order, NATO, and Insights from Wheat at War

    In this episode of The Global Signal, we sit down with Dr. Paul Poast, Associate Professor of Political Science and International Relations at the University of Chicago, to explore the evolving dynamics of global order, alliance politics, and the lessons history offers for contemporary international cooperation. Dr. Poast, a Senior Nonresident Fellow at the Chicago Council on Global Affairs and a Foreign Affairs Columnist for World Politics Review, brings his expertise on international security, military alliances, and the economic dimensions of war to our conversation. We discuss how shifting U.S. foreign policy priorities are reshaping global alliances and security landscapes and examine NATO’s role in supporting Ukraine and sustaining long-term regional stability. Drawing on his recent book Wheat at War, Dr. Poast also unpacks how the Allies coordinated economic resources during the First World War, the emergence of innovative supranational institutions under extreme pressure, and the lessons this history holds for managing critical supply chains and global crises today.

    Alliances Under Strain: World Order, NATO, and Insights from Wheat at War

  9. Jan 18

    Power Without a Plan? Defense Spending and America’s Strategic Direction

    In this episode of The Global Signal, just over one month following the release of the U.S. National Security Strategy, Dr. Jordan Despanie, Technology and Security Policy Fellow at RAND Corporation, explores the intersection of innovation, biosecurity, and U.S. strategic planning. Drawing on his experience founding life sciences ventures and contributing to national-level research, Dr. Despanie offers insight into how scientific capability, government systems, and strategic priorities interact. The discussion examines how budgetary constraints shape innovation in defense procurement, strategies for optimizing collaboration between government, contractors, and think tanks, and approaches to building sustainable, long-term U.S. strategic engagements in regions like Somalia, Nigeria, and Venezuela. Listeners gain a rare perspective on aligning innovation, institutional capacity, and national security in an era of rising global competition.

    Power Without a Plan? Defense Spending and America’s Strategic Direction

  10. Jan 16

    Venezuela’s Oil Sector in Transition: History, Sanctions, and Global Markets

    Venezuela’s oil sector has long punched above its weight in global energy politics. In this episode of The Global Signal, Rachel Ziemba, founder of Ziemba Insights, examines Venezuela’s historical influence in oil markets, the strategic rationale behind recent U.S. actions, and the structural constraints shaping any recovery in production. The conversation looks at how investors and markets are interpreting Venezuela’s oil potential today, and how political transition could recalibrate global energy flows. A sober, market-driven assessment of a pivotal but often misunderstood oil producer.

    Venezuela’s Oil Sector in Transition: History, Sanctions, and Global Markets

  11. 12/03/2025

    Competing Without Conflict: The New Era of American Power

    In this episode of the Global Signal, we sit down with Christopher Riley, CEO of the Emagro Group and 20-year veteran national security strategist, to unpack how capital, infrastructure, and influence are reshaping global power. We explore Washington’s evolving approach to economic statecraft, the rise of Middle Eastern sovereign wealth funds as geopolitical actors, and the emerging flashpoints in Nigeria and the Sahel. A sharp, timely look at how finance is becoming the frontline of modern geopolitics.

    Competing Without Conflict: The New Era of American Power

  12. 11/14/2025

    The Evolution of Warfighting, Deterrence, and Global Security Systems

    As global power shifts and emerging technologies erode the boundaries between civilian and military domains, the United States faces a historic inflection point. Traditional models of deterrence, once defined by nuclear posture and military might, are being challenged by autonomous systems, contested orbital space, cyber warfare, and the weaponization of critical infrastructure. In this episode of The Global Signal, Joshua Charles sits down with Benjamin Njila Fields, a leading thinker at the intersection of defense innovation and strategic policy, to map the future of American deterrence. Together, they explore the rise of dual-use technologies, the evolving role of the private sector in national security, and how the United States must adapt to maintain stability in an increasingly multipolar world. This conversation is not about predicting conflict. It is about understanding the systems that prevent it. If you care about the future of American power, technology, and the global order, this is an episode you cannot miss.

    The Evolution of Warfighting, Deterrence, and Global Security Systems
  • 12 Episodes

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About

The Global Signal is a monthly podcast that explores how emerging technologies, international policy, and financial markets are shaping the future of global power. Co-hosted by strategist and market intelligence advisor Joshua Charles and intelligence analyst Benjamin Fields, the show offers objective, data-driven conversations tailored for investors, policymakers, defense professionals, and commercial operators.

Information

  • Creator
    Joshua Charles
  • Years Active
    2025 - 2026
  • Episodes
    12
  • Rating
    Clean
  • Copyright
    © 2026 The Global Signal
  • Show Website
    The Global Signal