One Drink Book Club | This Africa Idea by Witney Schneidman

In this episode of The One Drink Book Club, host Jamey Bowers sits down with author and Africa policy expert Witney Schneidman to discuss his memoir, This Africa Idea: A Memoir of Discovery, Diplomacy, and Opportunity.Schneidman shares the remarkable story of how an adventurous trip to Africa as an 18-year-old—including finding himself in Uganda during Idi Amin’s 1971 coup—sparked a lifelong fascination with the continent. That experience ultimately led to a career spanning more than five decades working to strengthen relations between Africa and the United States.Jamey and Witney discuss why Africa remains misunderstood by many Americans, the continent’s extraordinary political and economic transformation, and Witney’s experiences working with leaders including Nelson Mandela and President Bill Clinton. And, of course, there’s a drink: both host and guest independently arrive with passion fruit, inspired by Witney’s first unforgettable visit to Nairobi.It’s a conversation about adventure, diplomacy, history—and how one unexpected journey can shape the course of an entire life.