The Poetic President - Life & Times of Leopold Sedar Senghor

In this episode, The Poetic President, we explore the remarkable life of Léopold Sédar Senghor, Senegal’s first president, whose leadership brought together the worlds of poetry and politics. Senghor’s vision of governance, rooted in deep intellectual reflection and artistic expression, mirrors Plato’s ideal of the "philosopher king"—a ruler guided by wisdom, justice, and a love for humanity. Much like the Roman Emperor Marcus Aurelius, whose Stoic philosophy shaped his rule, Senghor approached his presidency as a philosopher and poet, viewing leadership as an art that could elevate society. Tune in as we uncover how Senghor’s devotion to both African identity and universal human values echoes the ancient notion that the wisest rulers must also be the most reflective.