On this episode, Nicholas is joined joined once again by Stephen and Matthew in our first episode since the 2024 election. In fact, this is our first regular recording in about two and a half years! On this episode, we’ll engage in wild speculation about what American foreign policy might look like for the incoming administration and why it matters to the average American.

Are you looking for a career with global travel opportunities and mission to help improve lives all around the world? On November 18, Global Minnesota will be hosting a free webinar on navigating international career opportunities in the U.S. Government. In this event, you’ll hear insights and advice from an expert panel featuring representatives from the U.S. State Department, the U.S. Department of Agriculture, the U.S. Commercial Service, and the U.S. Agency for International Development. They will share exciting new opportunities and hiring tracks, including what skills might benefit you and how to get started. This free webinar is open to everyone and you can register right now at this link:

Register Here

On this episode of The Global Minnesota Podcast, hear from one of the panelists for this event, Penelope Thomas. She serves as the Development Diplomat in Residence for USAID. Her overseas assignments include Bangladesh, Barbados, Colombia, The Dominican Republic, Egypt, Guyana, Jamaica, Mali, Nigeria, and Pakistan. She is also a graduate of St. Olaf College in French and Spanish. And if that wasn’t interesting enough, she is an accomplished singer and was a member of the renowned Gospel group called The Sounds of Blackness, and was once a backup singer for Prince when he recorded the soundtrack for the 1989 film Batman. She provides a sneak peak of the upcoming webinar and provides more insight into her fascinating life and work.

Hear untold stories of international connections with new monthly episodes by subscribing to The Global Minnesota Podcast. Now available on all podcast streaming apps!

International Careers Webinar

Past Podcast Episode Featuring State Department Webinar Panelist

Presidential Management Fellows Program

Payne Fellowship Program

USAID Careers

USA Jobs Website

Prince - Batdance Music Video

Global Minnesota’s Great Decisions program features grassroots discussion groups where people from all over the state get together in their communities to talk about the big foreign policy issues of our time. Groups are made up of all different backgrounds including community organizations, church groups, universities, and even groups of friends who want to learn more about complex international issues.

On this episode of The Global Minnesota Podcast, hear from a Great Decisions expert speaker, Christi Siver, and a local Great Decisions group leader Renee Brown-Goodell. They have joined to talk about their roles in the Great Decisions program, the process for joining or starting a group, and how these groups foster international learning across the state.

Great Decisions Discussion Groups

As a major player in global affairs, Germany has a critical role in steering the transatlantic relationship. Earlier this summer, Global Minnesota partnered on an event with the Germanic-American Institute and the Bertelsmann Foundation to discuss the U.S.-German relationship. The event featured remarks from Irene Braam, Executive Director of the Bertelsmann Foundation, and Rainer Breul, who serves as the Head of Political Affairs at the German Embassy in Washington, D.C.

On the latest episode of The Global Minnesota Podcast, hear from Rainer Breul as he shares more about his background, the connections between Germany and Minnesota, and the essential importance of the U.S.-German relationship.

Germany Embassy in Washington, D.C.

Department of State Office of Sub-National Diplomacy

Global Minnesota’s Classroom Connection program inspires our littlest learners with fun and interactive lessons about a country’s culture, language, and daily life. International volunteers from all over the world go to elementary and middle school classrooms to spark global curiosity about people from other countries. Global Minnesota recently expanded this program to Mankato, Minnesota, further increasing our reach across the state.

On this episode of The Global Minnesota Podcast, we are joined by Angie Davis, a kindergarten teacher with Washington Elementary School in Mankato, Nowrin Koly, a Classroom Connection volunteer from Bangladesh, and Madeline Wildeson, Assistant Director for Retention at the Kearney International Center at MSU Mankato. They participated in our pilot program to expand Classroom Connection to Mankato and have joined to talk about their background and experiences with the program.

Classroom Connection Program

This interview was recorded on June 17, 2024.

As part of Global Minnesota’s K-12 Education Programs, Academic WorldQuest engages the next generation of global leaders, preparing them to thrive in and actively shape their globally connected future. Students are challenged to think about the global and local implications of international events by answering a series of multiple choice questions on a variety of foreign affairs topics. They are inspired to continue applying this knowledge and passion as they go forward in the world. Global Minnesota held the statewide Academic WorldQuest competition this past March at the Mall of America, where the team from Mounds View High School won the championship.

On this episode of The Global Minnesota Podcast, hear from John, Alicia, Jaiesh, and Josiah, of the winning Mounds View team. They recently returned from the national competition in Washington, D.C. and talked about Academic WorldQuest, their trip to D.C., and how this competition helps prepare them to live in an increasingly global world.

Academic WorldQuest

2024 Competition Press Release

Global Minnesota offers a wide-range of programs in our mission to advance international understanding and engagement in Minnesota. Their efforts include major public events with international dignitaries, grassroots foreign policy discussion groups, K-12 education programs, international student outreach, and international Professional Exchanges. Overseeing all of these programs is Global Minnesota’s Program Director.

On this episode of The Global Minnesota Podcast, hear from Erin Hart as she discusses her first four months in this role. Her career spans several tours as a Foreign Service Officer, as well as leadership positions at several nonprofit organizations in Minnesota. She joined to talk about her experiences, program highlights, and what to expect from Global Minnesota throughout this year.

Erin Hart in Oman (Beginning at 1:17)

Kabul City Initiative

Global Minnesota Events

Professional Exchanges

Discussion Groups

K-12 Education Programs

The State Department has a growing number of career tracks and entry points for a variety of professionals. Diplomats in Residence are available to answer questions and share insight with those interested in joining the State Department.

On the latest episode of The Global Minnesota Podcast, hear from the Diplomat in Residence for the Midwest region, Susan Falatko. She joins to talk about her time in the foreign service, the Diplomat in Residence program, and how to get a job in the Foreign or Civil Service.

State Department Careers

Talent Network Sign Up

On January 31, Global Minnesota hosted the popular annual event, the U.S. Foreign Policy Update. In this event, Diplomat in Residence and retired career Foreign Service Officer Tom Hanson discussed the latest foreign policy developments, trends, and challenges facing the U.S. this year. His insightful and wide-ranging discussion included topics like the repercussions from the ongoing war in Ukraine, concerns facing China’s economy, renewed conflicts in the Middle East, and ongoing global struggles for peace and security.

This episode of The Global Minnesota Podcast is a follow-up conversation with Tom Hanson featuring questions that were submitted during the event.

Event Recording: 2024 U.S. Foreign Policy Update

Global Minnesota Membership

In 2022, Global Minnesota was delighted to host Fellows from the Young Leaders of the Americas Initiative (YLAI) in Minnesota as part of our Professional Exchanges Program. One such visitor was Luis Villaherrera, who is fighting for democracy and human rights in El Salvador.

He joined The Global Minnesota Podcast to talk about his Minnesota experience with the YLAI program, his recent Obama Scholars award, and the important work he is doing to advance government accountability in Central America.

YLAI Program

Obama Scholars Program

Global Minnesota Professional Exchanges

Upcoming Event: Global Social with YLAI Fellows

TRACODA

The Daily: El Salvador

The Little Prince

Global Minnesota Gala