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In this powerful episode of Local. Global. Nevada., we explore the strength, adaptability, and quiet leadership of immigrant women in our community.

Behind every resettled family is a woman navigating language barriers, cultural transitions, employment challenges, and the emotional weight of rebuilding life in a new country. Despite experiencing displacement, instability, and trauma, immigrant women often serve as the backbone of their families — fostering resilience, stability, and hope for the next generation.

This episode highlights how the Northern Nevada International Center (NNIC) is intentionally investing in women through its Women’s Empowerment Initiative, including the “She Thrives” program. We discuss how access to English language education, peer support groups, leadership development, and culturally responsive programming creates pathways not just for survival — but for confidence, independence, and long-term success.

If you care about integration, equity, and building a stronger Northern Nevada, this is an episode you won’t want to miss.

🎧 Subscribe to L.G.N. on YouTube, Spotify, Apple Podcasts, or Pandora to stay connected to stories that matter — locally and globally.

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In this episode of L.G.N — Local. Global. Northern Nevada., we continue our conversation with immigrant families who call Reno home, diving deeper into the stories that shape our shared community.

From first impressions of life in Northern Nevada to the everyday moments that define belonging, families share how they are building roots, navigating new systems, and passing cultural traditions on to the next generation. These personal reflections reveal not only the challenges of starting over, but also the strength, resilience, and contributions that enrich our city.

Episode 4 offers another opportunity to connect with the people next door—reminding us that understanding begins with listening, and community is built through shared stories.

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In this episode of L.G.N — Local. Global. Northern Nevada., we turn our focus close to home and meet the people who make Reno the vibrant, diverse community it is today.

Behind every immigrant family is a story of courage, adaptation, and hope. In Meet Your Neighbor, you listen to personal journeys of families who now call Reno home—sharing what it means to build a life in a new place, navigate cultural transitions, and create a sense of belonging while honoring their roots.

Through honest conversations and lived experiences, this episode highlights the everyday realities of immigrant families, the challenges they face, the contributions they bring, and the role community plays in helping newcomers thrive.

This is an invitation to see your neighbors through a deeper lens—one story at a time.

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In this episode of L.G.N — Local.Global.Nevada., we explore how recent shifts in federal refugee policy are reshaping the resettlement landscape in our region.

From changes in funding and admission priorities to evolving executive decisions, national policies have a direct and lasting impact on local communities. We break down what these changes mean for resettlement agencies, service providers, and—most importantly—the individuals and families rebuilding their lives in Northern Nevada.

Joining us NNIC Resettlement Program Case Manager, Seraphine Onyango, helps unpack how federal decisions translate into local realities, the challenges organizations face in responding to rapid policy shifts, and the ways Northern Nevada International Center continues to adapt to it.

This episode offers clarity, context, and local insight into a complex policy environment—highlighting why understanding these changes matters and how they shape the future of refugee resettlement in our region.

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Welcome to L.G.N, the next chapter of DiploChatz. In this debut episode, we introduce the rebrand and set the tone for the season with our first Ask an Expert conversation featuring Dr. Carina Black, Executive Director of the Northern Nevada International Center (NNIC).

We break down what refugee resettlement really means, who it serves, and how it works on the ground, spotlighting the vital role of the Northern Nevada International Center (NNIC). From arrival and integration to community partnerships and local impact, this episode offers a clear, human-centered overview of how global displacement connects to our region.

Whether you’re new to the topic or looking to understand how Northern Nevada shows up for newcomers, this episode is your starting point.

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The NNIC marketing team has been working on rebranding our existing podcast, DiploChatz. We are finally ready to announce the launch date of our fresh start with L.G.N. (stands for Local.Global.Nevada).

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DiploChatz welcomes you to our Second Season - Episode 3!

Episode 3 Description:
We will begin every DiploChatz show with a warm welcome to you!

On Episode 3 of DiploChatz, we are joined by Cheryl Erwin is a Certified Positive Discipline Lead Trainer and the co-author of several books and resources in the bestselling Positive Discipline series, including Positive Discipline for Single Parents, Positive Discipline for Preschoolers, Positive Discipline: the First Three Years, and the “Positive Discipline for Early Childhood Educators” training manual, which are available in several languages. She was a marriage and family therapist in private practice for 25 years, and was the Mental Health Consultant for Early Head Start at the University of Nevada, Reno. She is a popular international speaker and trainer, both in person and online, and has taught in China, Egypt, Spain, the UK, Canada, Taiwan, and all across Latin America. Cheryl is married and has one adult son and two remarkable grandchildren.

What is Positive Discipline?

Positive Discipline is a model based on Adlerian Psychology. It can be used by parents, teachers, couples, businesses, and community leaders to learn to create responsible, respectful, and resourceful relationships in their communities. Based on the bestselling Positive Discipline books by Jane Nelsen, Lynn Lott, and their co-authors (including Cheryl Erwin), this model can be applied to both children and adults to become contributing members of their communities.

The premise of this model is to help people find a sense of belonging and significance following FIVE CRITERIA:

1. Helps children feel a sense of connection. (Belonging and significance)
   
   
2. Is mutually respectful and encouraging. (Kind and firm at the same time.)
   
   
3. Is effective long - term. (Considers what the child is thinking, feeling, learning, and deciding about himself and his world – and what to do in the future to survive or to thrive.)
   
   
4. Teaches important social and life skills. (Respect, concern for others, problem solving, communication, and cooperation as well as the skills to contribute to the home, school, or larger community.)
   
   
5. Invites children to discover how capable they are. (Encourages the constructive use of personal power and autonomy.)
   
   Positive Discipline is currently taught and practiced in more than 90 countries and has been translated into many languages.

DiploChatz featured an ongoing Segment:
MINDFULNESS MOMENT WITH DR. YVONNE STEDHAM

Every month DiploChatz proudly features a segment called Mindfulness Moment with Dr. Yvonne Stedham. This segment provides practical advice on how mindfulness can support you in your daily life.

This episode's Mindfulness Moment Segment is titled: Mindfulness of Thoughts

Who is Dr. Yvonne?

In addition to a three-decade-long career in academia as a professor in the College of Business at the University of Nevada, Reno, Dr. Yvonne Stedham is a Center for Mindfulness-trained mindfulness instructor. She has taught Mindful Leadership courses to MBA students, judges, and business executives and has a variety provided mindfulness programs to many organizations, including Microsoft, Hometown Health, and the Nevada Department of Transportation. Dr. Yvonne has been continuously affiliated with the Northern Nevada International Center for decades.

Credits:

Manuel Mederos, DiploChatz Host, Producer, Audio Editor, Content Director, Soun

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DiploChatz welcomes you to our Second Season - Episode 2!
Guest Co-Host: We are joined as a guest co-host on this second episode by Yulia Rajeh who is a Legal Case Assistant for NNIC's Refugee Resettlement Program.

Episode 2 Description:
We will begin every DiploChatz show with a warm welcome to you! We will take this opportunity to introduce you to our episode's guest co-host.

On Episode 2 of DiploChatz, we are joined by Dr. Todd Felts, Associate Professor at the Reynolds School of Journalism at the University of Nevada, Reno (UNR).
Dr. Felts teaches media & society, crisis communications, and graduate classes in leadership, innovation, and engagement. Before joining the faculty more than a decade ago, Dr. Felts directed public relations for international companies and causes, providing media relations counsel during crises and litigation. The University awarded him Outreach Faculty of the Year and he was the Human Services Network Board Member of the Year for his work for Northern Nevada HOPES, a federally qualified health facility in Northern Nevada. This year, the Association of Fundraising Professionals named him Volunteer Fundraiser of the Year.

Segment 1 & 2: During the first and second segments of Episode 2, The rules of crisis communications are often used to mitigate and manage public perceptions of issues that affect us all. A key ingredient in this process is trust. The way we communicate plus how we act equals the reputation of individuals, organizations, and multinational corporations. By understanding the cycle of a crisis from detection to listening, we are better equipped to make the right decisions at the right time, reducing the likelihood of the crisis getting out of hand.

Players in international markets are often faced with additional challenges. From language to culture differences, before we speak and act, there is a lot to learn.

This discussion will focus on proven leadership approaches to communicating during a difficult time. It will feature stories of success and how we can all, regardless of our responsibilities, create more positive situations for ourselves and the people impacted by a crisis.

DiploChatz featured an ongoing Segment:

Every month DiploChatz proudly features a segment called Mindfulness Moment with Dr. Yvonne Stedham. This segment provides practical advice on how mindfulness can support you in your daily life.

Who is Dr. Yvonne?

In addition to a three-decade-long career in academia as a professor in the College of Business at the University of Nevada, Reno, Dr. Yvonne Stedham is a Center for Mindfulness-trained mindfulness instructor. She has taught Mindful Leadership courses to MBA students, judges, and business executives and has a variety provided mindfulness programs to many organizations, including Microsoft, Hometown Health, and the Nevada Department of Transportation. Dr. Yvonne has been continuously affiliated with the Northern Nevada International Center for decades.

Credits:

Manuel Mederos, DiploChatz Host, Producer, Audio Editor, Content Director, Sound Engineer, FX/Music Coordinator, and Guest Coordinator

Send any chatz ideas we should take into consideration on future shows:

Email us: diplochatz@nnic.org

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