Sometimes, it doesn’t matter how you sound or where you are born. Curiosity about one’s race and ethnicity breaks all sorts of diplomatic niceties and sometimes offends. The question of “Where are you REALLY from?” is a question that gets asked often particularly to non-Caucasian members of multicultural societies. In this podcast, Sandra Francius and Talyn Rahman-Figueroa share the results of their ethnic DNA test in this exclusive reveal that will finally answer the question of where they are really from.

Not all leaders are the same and it is especially true for the diplomatic community who are largely seen as ‘silent’ parties of society. Every year, Grassroot Diplomat opens up the souls of politicians and diplomats to discover who within the realm of international relations truly serve the people’s interest. In this podcast, Sandra Francius and Talyn Rahman-Figueroa discuss behind-the-scenes innovation that test politicians and diplomats at a competitive level.

The assumption that people in leadership positions are male is a big problem in the diplomatic field. Women have to try a lot harder to be successful for half the reward and that is the reality of patriarchy. As a traditionally male domain, existing power structures within the diplomatic infrastructure actually reinforced gender inequalities. Openly discriminatory practices made it difficult for women to enter diplomacy at the highest position. Grassroot Diplomat CEO Talyn Rahman-Figueroa highlights key points of gender inequality to her new book “Women in Diplomacy” and sheds some light on the challenges of women face in the diplomatic field. Grassroot Diplomat Talks is the monthly podcast produced by Grassroot Diplomat, discussing the practices of diplomacy and international relations in today's modern world. Further information can be found on: www.grassrootdiplomat.org

Imagine if diplomats had an influence on how their countries are depicted in video games and broke stereotypes on a grand scale.

How is it that a simple meal can be an act of diplomacy? Can food really be a catalyst for connection and change at an international level? Are acts of culinary diplomacy at the grassroot level truly that important? In this podcast, Jeannette Viens discusses culinary diplomacy and how the stomach is one of the easiest paths to people’s hearts and minds. Sharing examples from across the globe, this episode presents models that can be utilized by individuals, governments, and civil society alike. This podcast showcases the significance of bringing people to the table and how diplomacy can be delicious.

How are you meant to represent your country when you already feel like an outsider? Is nationality skin deep or just a matter of what you look like on the surface? Are you treated differently because on the surface, you don’t look like you typically comes from your represented country based on historical stereotypes and misconceptions? In this podcast, Sandra Francius and Talyn Rahman-Figueroa dive deep into the dicey issue of nationality versus ethnic loyalty, discussing how one can effectively represent one’s country against a myriad of issues of ‘belonging’.

Diplomacy is one of the most misunderstood professions. Today’s international landscape is far more crowded and having purpose in the choice you make for yourself will better ground you in tough situations. We cannot afford to forget where we come from, whom we serve, and whom we represent. You can be a diplomat without officially joining the Foreign Service, a route that some governments have started to embrace. This podcast is hosted by Talyn Rahman-Figueroa.

An interview with Sandra Francius, Managing Director of Grassroot Diplomat, discussing the freedom to innovate more fluidly as a diplomat working outside of the government in the private sector.

Discussing the lack of opportunities for growth and self-development in the diplomatic and international relations field until now.

A life changing story about how a diplomatic mission at a United Nations conference changed the course for a diplomatic entrepreneur to not fully join the diplomatic Foreign Service