When we talk about national defense, international law, and human security, who gets to shape the story?

During my time as the Membership & Outreach Director at Women in International Security Canada (WIIS-C), I set out to answer that question not just through policy discussions, but through media. The result was Bylines & Frontlines—a podcast series produced in partnership with the Canadian Defence and Security Network (CDSN) that I had the privilege of creating, producing, and editing end-to-end.

At Castellanos Productions, we believe that audio media should do more than inform—it should drive transformational learning. Bylines & Frontlines was built on that exact ethos. It was designed to bridge the gap between high-level policy frameworks like Women, Peace, and Security (WPS) and the raw, operational realities on the ground.

Building the Bridge: From Policy to Frontlines

Creating this series from the ground up meant curating conversations that refused to stay in comfortable academic silos. Across the season, we brought together fighter pilots, military commanders, Indigenous advocates, parliamentary strategists, and human rights defenders to tackle the hard questions:

* Operationalizing Equity: Moving past slogans to examine what equity, diversity, and inclusion actually look like inside defense institutions.

* State Responsibility & Accountability: Linking global struggles against authoritarian violence—from Iran to Afghanistan—with systemic issues like Missing and Murdered Indigenous Women and Girls in North America.

* The Reality of Conflict: Facing the hard truths of Conflict-Related Sexual Violence (CRSV) and command responsibility with military and UN leaders.

The Power of End-to-End Production

Every step of this project—from initial concept design and guest selection to sound editing and narrative pacing—was executed with a single goal: to humanize complex security dynamics without sacrificing strategic depth.

By controlling the full production pipeline, we created a space where lived experience and rigorous analysis existed side by side. It proved that when you change who tells the story and how it is produced, you fundamentally change how security itself is understood.

Listen to a Feature Sample

Listen to the attached episode from the series, capturing the core of what we set out to achieve: bringing critical, intersectional, and practitioner-led insights to the forefront of global affairs. For more:

https://www.cdsn-rcds.com/wiisc

To explore our latest ongoing productions, stay tuned right here at Castellanos Productions.

This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit castellanosproductions.substack.com

Recorded in November 2024.

Join us for an exclusive deep dive into the critical intersection of Women, Peace and Security and Counterterrorism with two experts: Vanessa DuBoulay and Robert F. Clifford. 

With them we’ll explore how incorporating a gender perspective is reshaping U.S. counterterrorism strategies, from enhancing threat identification to understanding how gender-based violence (GBV) is used by terrorist groups as a tool of control. We’ll also look at how women’s participation in law enforcement can drive better CT outcomes, and dive into real-world success stories.

This is an episode you won’t want to miss if you're passionate about national security and global peace efforts.

Created and Produced by Frieda Garcia Castellanos

Please note that the views and opinions expressed by the hosts and guests are their own and do not necessarily reflect the official positions, policies, or endorsements of the institutions or organizations they represent.

Additionally, participation in this podcast is voluntary, and neither the guests or the hosts receive any compensation for their contributions. This podcast is intended solely as a public service to foster awareness, enhance dialogue, and promote understanding of key issues.

Thank you for listening, and we invite you to join the conversation as we delve into these critical matters by following, sharing and commenting on our show.

This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit castellanosproductions.substack.com

Join host Frieda Garcia, Gender Advisor at the Inter-American Defense College (IADC), as she sits down with Tiffani Phillips and Claire Sneed from USNORTHCOM to discuss their groundbreaking roles in Operation Allies Welcome (OAW). In this episode, Tiffani and Claire share their experiences spearheading the first deployment of gender advisors in a domestic operation, highlighting the challenges they faced and the impactful changes they initiated. Tune in to hear about their innovative approaches to integrating gender perspectives in crisis response and the lessons learned that are shaping the future of gender advisory roles in military operations. Don’t miss this insightful conversation on breaking barriers and advancing a gender perspective in defense.

Created and Produced by Frieda Garcia Castellanos

Please note that the views and opinions expressed by the hosts and guests are their own and do not necessarily reflect the official positions, policies, or endorsements of the institutions or organizations they represent.

Additionally, participation in this podcast is voluntary, and neither the guests or the hosts receive any compensation for their contributions. This podcast is intended solely as a public service to foster awareness, enhance dialogue, and promote understanding of key issues.

Thank you for listening, and we invite you to join the conversation as we delve into these critical matters by following, sharing and commenting on our show.

This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit castellanosproductions.substack.com

Welcome to this special bonus episode from the IADC podcast. A week ago, as I had the privilege of moderating a discussion among operators and tribal community leaders in Anchorage Alaska for a groundbreaking event hosted by #AlaskanCommand in support of #USNORTHCOM. In this Arctic-Centered Gender Analysis workshop, we delved into various analysis models like Canada’s Gender Based Analysis Plus and put them to the test alongside experts from other Professional Military Education Institutions or PMEs. But what truly made this experience exceptional was our open dialogue with tribal liaisons and leaders of Alaska Native and American Indian communities throughout the process.It was an eye-opening journey, filled with fascinating discussions, thought-provoking moments, and an incredible honor to engage with such inspiring individuals. The perspectives shared during this workshop were not only generative but also energizing for our mission.Now, I'm thrilled to share this special podcast episode recorded right from The Arctic Warrior Events Center in Anchorage, featuring joint opening remarks from RADM Robertson and BGEN Hawthorne and conversations with our gracious hosts, and inspiring participants. Listen in as we discuss how uncovering and challenging our internal biases can lead to more informed and inclusive operations. We also explore the significance of understanding the unique lifestyles and history of diverse communities like Alaska Natives in our mission planning.This podcast episode is just a stepping stone in our mission to promote positive change. Join us in this crucial conversation by tuning in and sharing this episode with your thoughts. Let's keep pushing the boundaries and working towards a more inclusive and equitable future in the defense sector by way of WomenPeaceandSecurity.Produced & Edited by Frieda Garcia Castellanos, IADC GENAD

This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit castellanosproductions.substack.com

We are pleased to introduce you to our highly respected guest, Rear Admiral Luis del Carpio, Director of the Peruvian Naval War College and a career naval submarine officer. A native of Lima, Perú, he graduated from the Peruvian Naval Academy in 1992. He earned his submarine qualification in 1995 and attended the Submarine Engineering Course in Germany in 2000. He graduated from the Naval Command College at the U.S. Naval War College in 2015, and he also holds a Master of Arts in International Relations from Salve Regina University, located in Newport RI. He was Commanding Officer of the Type 209 Submarine “Angamos” in 2010, Chief of Staff for the Peruvian Submarine Force in 2017 and Cyber Commander in 2021. An accomplished naval officer, Admiral del Carpio recognized the importance of women, peace, and security for the defense community early on. Edited 09.10.23 FGC

This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit castellanosproductions.substack.com

This is Part 2 of our bonus Episode in Spanish & Portuguese featuring leaders from Colombia, Ecuador, Brazil and UN Women. Produced & Edited by Frieda Garcia Castellanos

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In May of 2023, SOUTHCOM’s Command Senior Enlisted Leader, Command Sergeant Major Jones, Co-hosted the Senior Enlisted Leader - Women Peace and Security seminar entitled “Military Women United with a Common Purpose Leading Changes into the 21st Century. In this iteration, with the Colombian Joint Command Senior Enlisted Advisor to the Chief of Defense of the Colombian Military Forces, CSM Consuelo Diaz in Santa Marta, Colombia.Stay tuned for Part 2 - in Spanish and Portuguese.Produced & Edited by Frieda Garcia Castellanos

This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit castellanosproductions.substack.com

Available in English and Spanish - This is Part II of our interview with Dr. Laura Masson. Here, our hosts ask some burning questions that put Laura in the hot seat for a few minutes. Listen to her keep her cool as we find even more reasons to stay the course together.Produced & Edited by Frieda Garcia Castellanos

This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit castellanosproductions.substack.com

Dr. Masson is the Director of Gender Policies within the National Directorate of Human Rights and International Humanitarian Law for the Ministry of Defense of the Argentine Republic. Dr. Masson is a social anthropologist who has specialized in gender perspectives, feminism with a focus on women’s social and political participation in Argentina as well as the integration of women in the Argentine armed forces. Dr. Masson has authored many books and articles, and has a special piece in and is a good friend of the Inter-American Defense College, participating as a guest speaker in our recent Women, Peace and Security Workshop and the Gender Integration and Perspectives in the Armed Forces course. SPANISH/ESPAÑOL-> 37:34The IADC Podcast is Produced & Edited by Frieda Garcia CastellanosResources:Laura Masson POLICY BRIEF 11-2021 Perspectiva de género en las fuerzas armadas y de seguridad Gender Perspectives in the Armed and Security Forces https://www.instituto-capaz.org/wp-content/uploads/2022/01/Policy-Brief-11.web_Laura-Masson.pdfMasson Laura (Ed.) Libro Militares Argentinas. Military Women - Book:https://www.argentina.gob.ar/noticias/militares-argentinasMasson, Laura y Dominzain, Julia. “Mujeres militares, la batalla por la igualdad”. Anfibia. Revista digital de la UNSAM. Mayo, 2016. http://www.revistaanfibia.com/cronica/la-batalla-por-la-igualdad/Masson, Laura. “Romper el pacto de silencio”. En: Anfibia. Revista digital de la UNSAM. ISSN: 2344-9365. http://revistaanfibia.com/ensayo/romper-el-silencio/Masson, Laura. “Los hechos no alcanzan”. En: Anfibia. Revista digital de la UNSAM. Junio, 2016. http://www.revistaanfibia.com/ensayo/los-hechos-no-alcanzan.

This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit castellanosproductions.substack.com

This is Part II of our interview with Ana Velasco Ugalde. Here, our hosts ask some burning questions that put Ana in the hot seat for a few minutes. Listen to her keep her cool as we find even more reasons to stay the course together. We can’t wait to have her back on our upcoming WPS Workshop, supported by SOUTHCOM at the IADC on March 8-10. Stay tuned!

This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit castellanosproductions.substack.com