Building Bridges: Marjorie Hope on Global Connection
Marjorie Hope, a distinguished author and advocate for global connection, joins us to discuss the importance of embracing our differences to foster deeper connections and understanding among people. With a diverse background that includes a successful gymnastics school and studies at prestigious institutions, Marjorie emphasizes a core belief: every interaction should be approached with kindness, empathy, and the intention to uplift others. She shares insights from her journey, including the inspiration behind her books, "Kari’s Gold" and "CONNECTIPLOMACY: Using Our Differences to Connect," which aim to promote cultural awareness and unity. Marjorie also introduces her innovative Global Connect Trivia game, designed to alleviate anxiety and encourage fun learning about different cultures. Ultimately, she inspires us to recognize that our world is interconnected and that the more we learn about each other, the more we can build bridges and reduce fear in our increasingly diverse society.
Marjorie Hope, a distinguished author and advocate for global connection, shares her inspiring journey and insights on fostering understanding across cultural divides. With a background that includes education at Salisbury University, the London School of Economics, and Harvard University, Marjorie has dedicated her career to promoting unity and cultural diplomacy. In a heartfelt discussion, she emphasizes the importance of kindness and empathy in every interaction, reminding us that our differences should be seen as bridges rather than barriers. Through her work, including the creation of an educational card game and her books, Marjorie highlights the power of storytelling in building connections and understanding. She passionately believes that by embracing our unique backgrounds, we can create a more harmonious world. Marjorie's personal anecdotes, such as her experiences in Dubai where she learned that cultural misunderstandings often stem from a lack of knowledge, serve as powerful reminders of the importance of dialogue and curiosity in fostering human connections. Her approach encourages listeners to engage with others with an open heart and mind, ultimately aiming for a world where respect and understanding thrive despite differences.
Takeaways:
- Marjorie Hope emphasizes the importance of uplifting others in every interaction we have.
- Her journey from Salisbury University to becoming a global connection advocate was fueled by curiosity.
- Marjorie created an educational card game to foster cultural awareness and promote diplomacy.
- She believes that understanding and valuing our differences can bridge divides in society.
- Daily practices, like deep breathing and gratitude, can help combat anxiety and fear.
- Marjorie stresses that globalization connects us more than ever, enhancing our shared experiences.
Links referenced in this episode:
Transcript
My guest today is Marjorie Hope.
Host:Marjorie is a distinguished author, entrepreneur and advocate for global connection.
Host:She's written two books, Carrie's Connect Policy, Using Our Differences to Connect.
Host:She's also created an educational card game designed to promote diplomacy and cultural awareness and fun interactive way.
Host:A graduate of Salisbury University with further studies at the London School School of Economics and Harvard University, Marjorie's career spans diverse fields.
Host:She owns a successful gymnast school, gymnastics school, where she's integrated mind, body and spirit in fitness education.
Host:Margie continues to champion understanding and unity across our borders.
Host:We welcome her to the podcast.
Host:Well, Marge, welcome to the podcast.
Host:How are you doing today?
Marjorie Hope:Fantastic.
Marjorie Hope:And thank you so much for having me.
Marjorie Hope:I'm excited.
Host:Cool.
Host:I have a sister in law named Marge, so.
Host:Or Marjorie, actually.
Host:So the both of you.
Host:It's like I said, like almost talking to my sister in law.
Host:I always like to ask my guests this question, what's the best piece of advice you've ever received?
Marjorie Hope:Great question.
Marjorie Hope:I actually, throughout my life, I have always thought that we should leave people better than then you found them.
Marjorie Hope:Oh, and it kind of reminds me of the approach that every interaction that you have with somebody, it has to be with kindness, empathy, and the intention to uplift others.
Marjorie Hope:Because you never know what someone's feeling or what they've been through.
Marjorie Hope:And why not uplift each other?
Marjorie Hope:Because the more we do that, the more we help each other and we become all better human beings.
Host:Oh, I love that.
Host:You know, I'm always curious when I have my guest on, I always know that we never get where we are in life without people walking alongside us.
Host:Who are some people in your life who were maybe an inspiration for you or a mentor for you along your journey?
Marjorie Hope:Well, I've been really fortunate to have people who have inspired me and mentored me, starting with my parents.
Marjorie Hope:They were instrumental in teaching me the values of integrity, hard work and compassion.
Marjorie Hope:My father always encouraged me and he encouraged me to embrace challenges and think critically.
Marjorie Hope:Well, and my mother, she showed me the power of resilience and kindness in every situation.
Marjorie Hope:And I don't think you get better role models than that because beyond my parents though, I've had the privilege of learning from extraordinary individuals who believed in my potential and were mentors in my professional, you know, journey along the way.
Marjorie Hope:So I, I just think everybody brings something to the table.
Host:That is so true.
Host:And everybody's been, I think God puts them in our life for a reason.
Host:And I agree at just the right time.
Host:Because those are the people we need to walk along that journey.
Host:So that's always kind of neat.
Marjorie Hope:I agree.
Marjorie Hope:Exactly.
Host:So can you share about a little bit about your journey from Salisbury University, becoming an advocate for global connection?
Host:That's an interesting journey.
Marjorie Hope:So my journey from Salisbury University kind of to become an advocate for global connection is really interesting because it's a blend of curiosity and purpose.
Marjorie Hope:So at Salisbury, I just felt really connected there with people with learning different cultures, the way when you go to college and you meet people from different aspects of different.
Marjorie Hope:Different worlds.
Marjorie Hope:And I felt that seed be being planted when I was there of my interest in diplomacy and unity.
Marjorie Hope:Now that curiosity led me to pursue further studies at the London School of Economics and Harvard, where I deepened, honestly, immensely, my understanding of global systems at that point and the importance of cultural diplomacy.
Marjorie Hope:Because we only have one planet, and this is where we all live.
Host:So.
Host:So very true.
Host:And you're right.
Host:And.
Host:And we have to learn to do that with.
Host:With grace and responsibility and.
Host:And be good stewards of what God has given us.
Marjorie Hope:And.
Marjorie Hope:And it was teaching me, too, that the world is interconnected and yet divided by so many misunderstandings and division.
Marjorie Hope:And that kind of inspired me is that's why I founded America Connected, the Nonpro.
Host:All right, Love that.
Host:So what inspired you to write your two books?
Host:Carrie's Goal and Connect.
Marjorie Hope:Diplomacy.
Host:Diplomacy.
Host:Right.
Marjorie Hope:Yep.
Marjorie Hope:Okay.
Marjorie Hope:So my passion for storytelling and my commitment to honestly building and developing the understanding of unity.
Marjorie Hope:Carrie's Gold is.
Marjorie Hope:It's a children's book, but it's a reflection for my love for weaving personal experiences.
Marjorie Hope:And, you know, gymnastics is a sport, but it also is a lot of flexibility that you have to have in life, the strength to get through your life, and the dedication and discipline that when you want to learn something, you have to keep working at it.
Marjorie Hope:So I always say that gymnastics and Carrie's Gold is just a story about a little girl in gymnastics that teaches us about life and connecting with others.
Marjorie Hope:Now, Connect Diplomacy, on the other hand, that was born from my journey of an advocate for global connection and awareness.
Marjorie Hope:And that book just took off because it's bridging us through our differences.
Marjorie Hope:And what I mean by that is we all have different ideologies, religions, different ways we, you know, see things.
Marjorie Hope:And the inspiration came from my work with America Connected, where I have seen firsthand how diplomacy can bring people together.
Marjorie Hope:Quick example, if you want.
Marjorie Hope:I had a trip.
Marjorie Hope:I'd gone to.
Marjorie Hope:To Dubai and was talking with someone about the.
Marjorie Hope:The culture and what their lifestyle was like there when I noticed a sheik was Staring at me and I worried that, oh my, maybe I did something wrong.
Marjorie Hope:And he laughed and he said, oh, no.
Marjorie Hope:I said, well, you know, I just felt like maybe I wasn't as accepted in the town.
Marjorie Hope:And he said, no, that's because they don't know your culture and they haven't been involved in the Internet that much.
Marjorie Hope:And that friendly attitude and that smile that he gave me made me talk some more to him.
Marjorie Hope:And I don't know what made me think of it, but I said, hey, can I have my picture?
Marjorie Hope:And without even thinking, I said that.
Marjorie Hope:And he said, yes.
Marjorie Hope:And the ultimate was when we did the picture.
Marjorie Hope:He gave me a thumbs up.
Marjorie Hope:Now that told me right there we were as different as night and day.
Marjorie Hope:We were different men, women, you know, different religions, different ideologies, different ways.
Marjorie Hope:We.
Marjorie Hope:But yet he respected me and I respected him.
Marjorie Hope:And that was when I knew us onto something.
Marjorie Hope:Because this is what our world is about.
Marjorie Hope:We are, you know, our world's getting smaller because of all of the connections we have through the Internet.
Marjorie Hope:And, you know, we're in a, I think an amazing, amazing time period where we could be ordering something from, let's say, India on Amazon, talking to someone in China and having a zoom meeting with somebody from Japan.
Marjorie Hope:It's just an incredible world.
Marjorie Hope:And you can do all this while you're in your pajamas.
Marjorie Hope:So, yeah, with some.
Marjorie Hope:That's what took me to that next level.
Host:So, Margie, tell me about this.
Host:I found this on your website.
Host:Global Connect Trivia game.
Host:What influenced you to write that?
Host:And what advocacy work do you hope to accomplish through this game?
Marjorie Hope:So Global Connect Trivia is a fun card game where you can play with as many players as you want and you take the card and you ask the question, A, B and C.
Marjorie Hope:For example, where were fortune cookies first started?
Marjorie Hope:You know, I might say A, China, B, Italy, C, South Africa.
Marjorie Hope:And you have to pick the answer.
Marjorie Hope:Of course, the answer, you know is on the bottom.
Marjorie Hope:The person in charge of the asking the questions can see the answer.
Marjorie Hope:It also has 52 positive affirmations for every week about connecting with each other.
Marjorie Hope:Now, it's a game, but it's also an educational game because it's teaching us all about the world and how to get along.
Marjorie Hope:And I think a lot of times we tend to be anxiety ridden, which brings us to fear over the unknown.
Marjorie Hope:And this is kind of a fun way to bring it together to show we're not that different after all.
Marjorie Hope:And it's just all about connecting.
Host:So where were fortune cookies Discovered you.
Marjorie Hope:Have to play the game to find it.
Host:Oh, see, I thought you were going to tell me.
Marjorie Hope:But it is a fun game and it's got a lot of fun questions and also fun facts.
Marjorie Hope:At the end of the question.
Marjorie Hope:I'm sorry, at the end of the card, which is really different from any other game I've seen because we kind of went above and beyond trying to make this so interesting that you want to go out and be a part of the world.
Marjorie Hope:And again, we have one place we all live and that really is the Earth, and that's one planet.
Marjorie Hope:We have nowhere else to go.
Marjorie Hope:So we need to make friends, we need to connect.
Marjorie Hope:And it's okay to think differently, act differently, because we can respect each other and that's what it's all about.
Host:So as I listen to you talk about this, it kind of makes me think that the basic premise that you approach this with is the more we know about each other, our uniqueness, our backgrounds, our history, our stories, the more we feel connected to people at a common level.
Host:Am I on track with that?
Marjorie Hope:That's right.
Marjorie Hope:We as human beings, like I said, we.
Marjorie Hope:And it's natural to have anxiety of something that's unusual.
Marjorie Hope:When you wake up, let's say a Monday morning, there's a lot of people that have a lot of anxiety on a Monday morning.
Marjorie Hope:They've just come off of a weekend of relaxation or doing something fun.
Marjorie Hope:Now it's back to work.
Marjorie Hope:What if I don't do it right?
Marjorie Hope:What if I have to go to school and I don't make it in time?
Marjorie Hope:What if I'm late?
Marjorie Hope:What if I don't do good?
Marjorie Hope:On exam, there's all these things that go through our mind, and I always say, take a deep breath and think through that.
Marjorie Hope:You're going to be okay.
Marjorie Hope:It's going to be all right.
Marjorie Hope:But what happens with that anxiety is it brings us to the next level where you don't want it to go, which is fear.
Marjorie Hope:And when you get to the fear, that's what we see in our world right now because there are so many changes happening in such a rapid, you know.
Marjorie Hope:Well, the past few years has been so rapid and changing and fast moving and all the different things that are connecting us, it can be a little scary, but we'll be okay.
Marjorie Hope:And this is so exciting because we get to be a part of the whole world.
Marjorie Hope:It's not just that little corner that you live on and you can find out about people, what they think, what they, what they eat, what they, you Know, maybe you go to a different country and share in what they are able to do every day and then they come to see you and share on what you're doing.
Marjorie Hope:So I'm just trying to teach people that global awareness is being aware of all of us.
Marjorie Hope:And yes, we are different, but you don't have to be fearful of it because all fear does is bring us to the next level and escalation of not a good thing.
Marjorie Hope:And that's where you have to sit back, take a deep breath and say, let's have fun with this.
Marjorie Hope:Let's meet somebody.
Marjorie Hope:Think back to when you were a little kid and you met new people.
Marjorie Hope:It's just fun, right?
Host:So in your book Connect Diplomacy, you discuss our differences to connect.
Host:Can you elaborate on this concept and it's important in today's world?
Marjorie Hope:Sure.
Marjorie Hope:Whether it's cultural, ideological or personal, it should not divide us, but rather serve as bridges for deeper connection and understanding.
Marjorie Hope:Now in today's polarized world, it is easy to focus on what separates us.
Marjorie Hope:But I do believe that when we embrace our differences, we really unlock the potential to learn from one another and develop unity.
Marjorie Hope:Now that doesn't mean we have to be the same.
Marjorie Hope:What I'm not saying that at all.
Marjorie Hope:What I'm saying is we need to recognize each other and what we all bring to the table.
Marjorie Hope:And the core of this concept, it's rooted in cultural diplomacy.
Marjorie Hope:The idea that by appreciating the diverse perspectives that we can create a stronger, more meaningful connection across borders.
Marjorie Hope:And whether it's personal or on a global scale, the ability to see the value.
Marjorie Hope:And that's the big thing, the value, contrasting viewpoints, that's what's essential for peace and progress and our day to day life.
Host:You mentioned that one thing that separates us or maybe creates division is in many cultures is the idea we wake up with this anxiety and this fear.
Host:What practical steps do you suggest as someone who's kind of doing this work to help us tone down the anxiety, to move beyond the fear?
Host:Because if we, if we can't get beyond those two strong emotions, we're not going to make those connections.
Marjorie Hope:That's a great question because I actually have developed something and it sounds funny, but it works every morning, whether you drink coffee or tea.
Marjorie Hope:But it's the, it's a hot beverage, could be hot chocolate and you breathe in the steam and you, what happens when you breathe in the steam is you have to slow down your thoughts, the anxiety that is coming into your body at that point saying what do I have to do today.
Marjorie Hope:What if I make a mistake?
Marjorie Hope:What if I don't like the person?
Marjorie Hope:What if they don't like me?
Marjorie Hope:What?
Marjorie Hope:You know, the what if, what if, what if?
Marjorie Hope:And it slows you down.
Marjorie Hope:And then I suggest to people, take a second and say something to yourself.
Marjorie Hope:You know, you have to make yourself breathe deep three times.
Marjorie Hope:You know, thank you, God, for the flowers, trees, birds and bees.
Marjorie Hope:Thank you for the clouds I see.
Marjorie Hope:Thank you for the ability to be me, and thank you for the opportunity to be the best I can be.
Marjorie Hope:And what that does.
Marjorie Hope:If you say that three times after you've done your deep breaths, it does calm you down and it makes you ready to go out in a positive mind with.
Marjorie Hope:Without the anxiety.
Marjorie Hope:And I'm not saying you won't have anxiety during the day at some point, but when you start out that way, as soon as you meet somebody new with a new idea or they're, you know, not thinking the same as you, you can say, hey, I can do this.
Marjorie Hope:And that's why when, when I put the clouds in there, what.
Marjorie Hope:That's exactly what I'm talking about is clouds.
Marjorie Hope:You know, we have to deal with it.
Marjorie Hope:So, hey, deal with all the things that happen during the day with a smile, with a big, you know, I can do this.
Marjorie Hope:I am thanking God for the opportunity, the opportunity to be the best I can be for that day.
Marjorie Hope:And you have to do that every day.
Marjorie Hope:And it works.
Host:I love that.
Host:You know, I always think we in America believe that us going somewhere else, we are, we the ones who are.
Host:Other cultures are so much more difficult to adapt to than ours.
Host:But as I think about it, because America is such a melting pot, if you're coming to America, you could run into three or four, 300 or so different cultures just going within the city.
Host:So how do you, if you think about that, it's not easy living in America.
Host:We think it is because we're here and we're used to it and we have our course.
Host:But I thought about the fact that as you talk, there's a lot of diversity here.
Host:So how do you, as people are dealing with the challenges of, you know, understanding culture in our everyday lives?
Host:How do we help people to really kind of embrace the, the uniqueness of other people?
Marjorie Hope:Well, first of all, it doesn't have to be hard to live in America, right, anywhere in the world.
Marjorie Hope:Because here's the thing, we are going to meet all sorts of people from many different ways of.
Marjorie Hope:In fact, if you look at all the different countries in the world.
Marjorie Hope:We're also different in what we eat and our.
Marjorie Hope:You know, I talked about this a few minutes ago in the ideologies, and that makes it exciting and fun.
Marjorie Hope:So I'm going to tell you two things.
Marjorie Hope:There was actually.
Marjorie Hope:This is a true story.
Marjorie Hope:There were two little boys.
Marjorie Hope:They were six years old.
Marjorie Hope:One had white skin, one had black skin.
Marjorie Hope:And they were going around telling everyone they were twins.
Marjorie Hope:So one day somebody said to them, why do you guys think you're twins?
Marjorie Hope:And the little boy said, because we're born on the same day.
Marjorie Hope:And what a great statement.
Marjorie Hope:Because they didn't recognize their difference.
Marjorie Hope:They recognized what they had in common.
Marjorie Hope:And it was an adorable story.
Marjorie Hope:But the other thing that you mentioned about what is dividing us, and there is a lot of division, that is social media.
Marjorie Hope:Now, division's always been around.
Marjorie Hope:We've always had anxiety over something different or somebody different.
Marjorie Hope:But what social media does is it brings together people of a liked commonality.
Marjorie Hope:So, for example, let's say you're on Facebook and you're sifting through and you see something that, hey, I believe in what they're saying.
Marjorie Hope:Well, fantastic.
Marjorie Hope:You now have become part of the group.
Marjorie Hope:They welcome you, and after a couple weeks, you may notice a red flag.
Marjorie Hope:Wait a minute.
Marjorie Hope:I don't think I believe that.
Marjorie Hope:But at that point, psychologically and tests have proven this, you will not leave because you joined the group.
Marjorie Hope:So if you joined the group, well, it must be me, not them, must be me that thinks this is wrong.
Marjorie Hope:Maybe.
Marjorie Hope:Maybe I am wrong.
Marjorie Hope:Maybe what they're saying is, okay, so what we see, and we've seen this throughout history, this happens all the time.
Marjorie Hope:Give you another example real quick.
Marjorie Hope:In Germany, during the reign of Hitler, you would have people that have gone to barbecues and picnics and were friends.
Marjorie Hope:But yet when the Nazis came in power, they turned each other in.
Marjorie Hope:So you're like, why did they do that?
Marjorie Hope:So we have a similar thing going on now with social media.
Marjorie Hope:Media, where if.
Marjorie Hope:If you don't like a group, a political group, let's say.
Marjorie Hope:Now that same thing.
Marjorie Hope:Let's go back for a second.
Marjorie Hope:You're walking down the street and you skin your knee and you fall down and you're like, oh.
Marjorie Hope:And somebody sees you and you don't know each other, 99.9.
Marjorie Hope:That person will say, are you okay?
Marjorie Hope:Do you need help?
Marjorie Hope:What can I do for you?
Marjorie Hope:But yet, if you are, and it doesn't matter who you are or what you believe in, but once they do find that out, let's say in a different situation, they're not your friend.
Marjorie Hope:So I mean, it makes no sense when you think about it, because they were willing to be your friend and help you and, and that's the way it should be.
Marjorie Hope:But what social media does is it exasperates it.
Marjorie Hope:It makes it, you know, magnified into a them versus me, you know, them versus us.
Marjorie Hope:And, and what I always say to people is, look, social media is great because it's a great way.
Marjorie Hope:Like if you want to say, look where I was this week or look what I did, and here's my, you know, children at a Halloween party, things like that are great.
Marjorie Hope:If you want to join it because of political things and that's okay.
Marjorie Hope:But you have to remember that the nastiness, the division, that's what we don't want.
Marjorie Hope:And who wants that?
Marjorie Hope:The media, because they make money doing that.
Marjorie Hope:And, and also when you're watching the different media outlets, they don't make money if everybody's friends.
Marjorie Hope:They make money because of the advertising and the people watching to see what else is going to happen.
Marjorie Hope:And that's just money driven.
Marjorie Hope:It's the dollar driven.
Marjorie Hope:But it's not about connecting with each other.
Host:I love that.
Host:So I'm going to ask my favorite question to ask authors because it's the most difficult question.
Host:And that is what is your favorite chapter of your book and why?
Marjorie Hope:Gosh, the challenges that in my, in my book that I talk about that we all face every day when, and, and I'll give you an example.
Marjorie Hope:I've traveled a lot all over the world and I have found one statement that I, and I talk about this in the book.
Marjorie Hope:People are people.
Marjorie Hope:I have found them to be nice, inclusive.
Marjorie Hope:I've never had a problem.
Marjorie Hope:And I have had friends that have been with me.
Marjorie Hope:Like, let's say you go in a different store, you're, you know, you kind of separate for a little bit.
Marjorie Hope:Who will say, oh, they were so rude to me.
Marjorie Hope:Oh, they, they didn't like, you know me because of this, that I'm like, really?
Marjorie Hope:I didn't have any of those problems because you have to respect each other.
Marjorie Hope:If you go in with an attitude, they're going to have an attitude too.
Marjorie Hope:It reflects each other.
Marjorie Hope:So my book, I talk about this.
Marjorie Hope:People are people.
Marjorie Hope:We are all, no matter where you're from, we, we all have to eat.
Marjorie Hope:I said this a few minutes ago.
Marjorie Hope:We sleep, we have to go to the bathroom.
Marjorie Hope:You know, we're just people.
Marjorie Hope:We're human beings that are fallible that have to remember the good in each other.
Marjorie Hope:And I believe God made us with differences so that we can connect.
Marjorie Hope:Because if we were all the same, it would be boring.
Host:Right?
Marjorie Hope:If we all just ate the same thing, we wouldn't have enough of it.
Marjorie Hope:This way we can encourage each other through our differences and look how much more we get out of that.
Host:I love it.
Host:So I got to tell you, favorite chapter of your book.
Host:Mine is building bridges, because my podcast is called Becoming Bridge Builders.
Host:That was one of my favorite chapters.
Host:I do want to dig a little bit into this because, you know, I hear this all the time, especially as we.
Host:Our world is getting smaller and smaller.
Host:You mentioned it.
Host:This idea of globalism.
Host:You have a chapter, chapter seven.
Host:Globalism is a cause for concern.
Host:Why do you say that?
Marjorie Hope:Globalization is a concern?
Host:Yeah, a cause for concern.
Marjorie Hope:No, I.
Marjorie Hope:I don't think that.
Marjorie Hope:I think a lot of people think.
Host:That, so I usually.
Host:Yeah, okay.
Marjorie Hope:I believe that globalization is the best thing that has ever happened to us.
Marjorie Hope:We are not.
Marjorie Hope:And, and you hear this.
Marjorie Hope:Sometimes people will say this.
Marjorie Hope:There are certain groups that will say, for example, America first.
Marjorie Hope:Well, you can't be first.
Marjorie Hope:To be only because, yes, we are connected.
Marjorie Hope:Well, we're disconnected by a big ocean right in.
Marjorie Hope:In between us.
Marjorie Hope:But that doesn't disconnect us anymore.
Marjorie Hope:We're connected through everything all day long.
Marjorie Hope:The clothes we wear, the.
Marjorie Hope:The phones we have, they're all from different countries.
Marjorie Hope:Everything we have.
Marjorie Hope:Our glasses are from someplace else.
Marjorie Hope:Our, you know, our, Our phones, the chips are from someplace else.
Marjorie Hope:But that just connects us.
Marjorie Hope:And the things that we have in our life now are so much greater.
Marjorie Hope:And the globalization is a good thing.
Marjorie Hope:Speaking different languages, for example.
Marjorie Hope:There are so many things now where you can translate in two minutes what somebody is saying if you don't understand.
Marjorie Hope:There's.
Marjorie Hope:Actually, I just got them and I haven't tried them yet, but they' there's headphones that you can put on in.
Marjorie Hope:If somebody's talking in a different language and it translates to something you.
Marjorie Hope:Let's say it's English that you can understand.
Marjorie Hope:Now.
Marjorie Hope:I actually like learning other languages and trying to assimilate when I'm in a different country.
Marjorie Hope:But sometimes, you know, you need to do something very quick and fast.
Marjorie Hope:I'll give you an example.
Marjorie Hope:I was in Japan and we were looking for a building that we were going to, and I said, oh, well, that must be the building.
Marjorie Hope:And we walked across the street and those people can help us.
Marjorie Hope:And that was not the case.
Marjorie Hope:They were Like a military institution.
Marjorie Hope:They were, you need to leave.
Marjorie Hope:I apologized and I said, of course, no problem.
Marjorie Hope:But.
Marjorie Hope:But at the same token, when I was in Japan, to show you how nice people are, we had toured the government center and decided to get something to eat.
Marjorie Hope:And in America, we have a cafeteria usually located in our government buildings.
Marjorie Hope:So I figured there had to be something.
Marjorie Hope:And sure enough, there was.
Marjorie Hope:And as I entered, I saw a group of people on the corner of this building, like, inside the building.
Marjorie Hope:And I thought, wow, I wonder what's going on?
Marjorie Hope:So the person, I guess you'd say, like, he was the maitre d.
Marjorie Hope:I said, what is going on over there?
Marjorie Hope:Looks exciting.
Marjorie Hope:And he said, yeah, that's the Prime Minister of Japan.
Marjorie Hope:Can I meet him now?
Marjorie Hope:I didn't think I would get a yes, but he said, well, I.
Marjorie Hope:I can't go over there, but you could try.
Marjorie Hope:So I was like, okay.
Marjorie Hope:Now the rest of the people I was with said, we're gonna go sit down.
Marjorie Hope:Fine with me.
Marjorie Hope:Because I.
Marjorie Hope:I embrace the situation.
Marjorie Hope:So I walked up.
Marjorie Hope:Sure enough, Prime Minister turns to me, can I help you?
Marjorie Hope:I said, hi, I'm Marjorie.
Marjorie Hope:I'm from America.
Marjorie Hope:Because he kind of figured that, right?
Marjorie Hope:But he was so nice and so open and are you having a good time?
Marjorie Hope:Are you enjoying yourself?
Marjorie Hope:Are you learning a lot?
Marjorie Hope:I said, yes, I am.
Marjorie Hope:And I did learn a little Japanese, because I do believe that wherever you go, you don't have to speak fluently, but be respectful, learn how to say, hello, goodbye, thank you, and where's the bathroom?
Marjorie Hope:But you do need to know a few words.
Marjorie Hope:And so I did.
Marjorie Hope:Arigato.
Marjorie Hope:And I was able to say a few things.
Marjorie Hope:And that's just an example of how, I mean, people are people.
Marjorie Hope:It was wonderful, and it was such a great experience.
Marjorie Hope:And I've had things like that happen everywhere I've ever been because people really are genuinely nice and interested and happy that you've come to visit them.
Host:That's such a neat story.
Host:So I gotta ask you my second favorite question now, and that is, what do you want your legacy to be?
Marjorie Hope:I would say that I've been able to show people that we get more from connecting with each other than we ever will from division.
Marjorie Hope:That we need to focus on common goals.
Marjorie Hope:Peace, justice, human dignity.
Marjorie Hope:I realize that it's not all perfect.
Marjorie Hope:I am not trying to sugarcoat the world.
Marjorie Hope:But I want the legacy to be that let's find out what we have in common through what we have different.
Marjorie Hope:In order to make the world go round, which is why our world really does turn around.
Marjorie Hope:Our earth rotates all the time.
Host:I love that.
Host:Is there anything I haven't asked you that I should have asked you?
Marjorie Hope:Well, gosh, I mean, I just think this is exciting and I love being on your show and just address the challenges of cultural misunderstandings because when you have a misunderstanding, it's not a bad thing.
Marjorie Hope:It just means you have to go back and connect with that person the best way you can.
Marjorie Hope:And you always will find a way.
Marjorie Hope:You can't assume that they don't like you can't assume that something is the way it is.
Marjorie Hope:Again, take a minute, take a step back and find out what you do need to do to connect with that person.
Marjorie Hope:And promoting dialogue and the.
Marjorie Hope:And the space for dialogue, allowing the communication and encouraging active listening.
Marjorie Hope:Listen to what they're saying and be respectful.
Marjorie Hope:And that's the best you can do.
Host:That's great.
Host:Where can listeners find your two books and connect with you on social media?
Marjorie Hope:Yeah, I mean, I.
Marjorie Hope:Well, first of all, Connect Diplomacy and Carries Gold are both on Amazon and on Barnes and Noble.
Marjorie Hope:You can always go to americaconnected.org to find out all about America Connected, which is the nonprofit where we teach all of these programs.
Marjorie Hope:And we have international events and community events and our global Connect trivia and all sorts of different programs going on and we'd love for everybody to be a part of it.
Marjorie Hope:Also, you can contact me at its marjorie hope@marjorie hope.com anytime and I will answer everybody.
Host:So you have any projects you're working on you want to tell us about and sh.
Host:Shock the audience ahead of time.
Marjorie Hope:We, we have international trips and we have our international events and we love having people come and join us on all of these things and we have a bunch of different things in the works and the best thing to do is sign up on americaconnected.org or, you know, you can always email me too, like I said, and I'd be happy to contact you.
Marjorie Hope:And of course Facebook, LinkedIn, Instagram, Twitter, Threads, TikTok and YouTube.
Marjorie Hope:We're on all the platforms and you can see everything that's going on there too.
Host:Well, Marjorie, thanks so much for being on the podcast and providing such great content.
Host:Keep connecting with the world.
Host:We need those people like yourself who can help us to understand that we're closer together than we are apart and embracing the university and diversity that is out there for us.
Marjorie Hope:The world's an exciting place.
Marjorie Hope:Thank you so much for having me.
Host:Thank you.
