Why Learning About Other Cultures Matters: A Conversation with Ana Tagliati

Last year, I joined an exciting community of creators, and it was there that I had the pleasure of meeting Ana Dutra Tagliati . She's the host of The Brazilian Point of View podcast, where she conducts interviews with people from different countries. We connected and that led to an engaging interview where I had the honor of representing Rwanda as her guest. The experience was truly fantastic, and it prompted me to become a dedicated follower of her podcast. I couldn't help but be curious about how she consistently brought together guests from all around the world and how this practice positively impacted her life.

And that's why I invited her for a chat and we talked about all of that. She shared about her journey, how and why she started, lessons learned, how she was able to test if her podcast works, and more. And in this article, I am going to share with you what we talked about.

Get to know Ana...

Ana Dutra Tagliati, a 27-year-old Brazilian with a master's degree in Journalism, has been hosting "The Brazilian Point of View Podcast" for nearly 3 years now. Her story is a testament to the power of determination and a passion for sharing untold stories despite the challenges and consistency required in podcasting. She currently lives in Scotland, Edinburgh.

Starting the podcast...

Ana started her podcasting journey in December 2020, inspired by a growing frustration with the portrayal of Brazil in international media. The COVID-19 pandemic had hit Brazil hard, yet the Brazilian story remained untold in international media. Ana, driven by a desire to shed light on her country's experience, started her podcast. What began as a platform to discuss Brazil's reality quickly evolved into something much greater.

I can personally relate to this, as my own podcast, "My Lovely Africa," was born from a similar motivation. I wanted to educate people about Africa's rich history. It underscores the importance of taking action when we're dissatisfied with how things are portrayed. I greatly admire Ana's dedication and love for her country, as it highlights the significance of having a profound reason that goes beyond mere actions for the sake of it.

In her own words, "...I think that the media is very selective in terms of Brazilian representation. And there was something important that was happening and no one was talking about it, so I had been thinking about doing a podcast for a little while already and I thought about starting my own podcast to speak about the Brazil experience."

International nationalities...

One might wonder why Ana chose to expand beyond focusing solely on Brazil and started inviting guests from all over the world. In her own words, she explained, "I started doing this about Brazil and then I learned that there was this need to do about other countries as well, and I thought about inviting people to come as guests on my podcast and talking about their countries and cultures, and it did turn out to be a good idea."

When I asked Ana about the key takeaway she hopes her listeners gather from her episodes, her answer was beautifully simple yet profound: she aims to inspire her audience to open their hearts and minds to new countries, cultures, and perspectives. It's a mission that transcends borders, and it's one that I deeply admire. Over the course of more than 140 episodes, Ana has interviewed individuals from every corner of the globe. She actively engages with creator communities and matchmaking platforms to connect with people eager to share their stories and experiences.

Why should we understand other cultures...

In our chat, Ana stressed how vital it is to learn about different cultures. She made it clear that in our increasingly connected world, knowing about other cultures isn't just something nice to have; it's something we need. Cultural understanding isn't just a curiosity; it's a necessity. When we engage with different cultures, our minds open up to new ways of thinking and living. It's like breaking down walls of misunderstanding and realizing there's a whole world of wisdom beyond what we're used to.

Ana also mentioned how traditional media often falls short of giving us a real understanding of other cultures. News tends to show only a small part of what's happening in foreign countries, and it can sometimes be biased. She explained that there are things you can only learn from talking to people who live in those places, the locals. She also talked about how passionate people are about their cultures and countries, and they're eager to share their knowledge with others.

"Culture makes people understand each other better. And if they understand each other better in their soul, it is easier to overcome the economic and political barriers. But first, they have to understand that their neighbor is, in the end, just like them, with the same problems, the same questions.", Paulo Coelho - Brazilian Author.

And of course, it works...

When I tune in to Ana's episodes, I often dream of traveling the world to the amazing destinations she talks about. So, I asked her if she ever listened to her own episode about Scotland before she visited. She told me that she did revisit the episode she recorded on Scotland before her trip, and it turned out to be incredibly helpful when she actually got there.

Now, if you've read my previous articles, you know I'm a big fan of movies. Movies have this unique power to teach us about different cultures. When you enjoy films from certain cultures, you might start adopting their behaviors and even pick up their languages. Just like my experience with "Dolce Amore," a Filipino show. I started learning Tagalog and, before I knew it, I was speaking and behaving like the characters. Learning about other people's cultures adds a new layer to you, transforming you in exciting ways.

Her favorite destination...

My curiosity got the best of me, and I just had to ask Ana if there was a particular country she was itching to visit. Her face lit up as she eagerly mentioned Albania. This hidden gem of a country had completely captured her imagination with its diverse landscapes, rich history, and warm-hearted people. Honestly, I had never even heard of Albania until then. Although she hasn't had the chance to feature someone from Albania on her podcast, it's something she's genuinely excited about. She couldn't recommend visiting Albania enough, saying, "It's very beautiful. If you google the pictures, you are gonna see, it's very breathtaking."

I googled the image, and I loved what I saw. Take a look yourself.

It's not work...

As our conversation came to a close, Ana shared a profound insight - her podcast isn't just work; it's a passion project that has opened doors to unexpected experiences and connections. She's discovered immense joy in sharing stories and learning from others, and her boundless enthusiasm shines through in every episode. She expressed, "I really think that I just got a passion for doing this. Like I said, it's not my job job; it's more of a hobby. And I am really happy about it, it takes a lot of work, but I am happy how it's going."

Furthermore, Ana emphasized how her podcast has been a significant asset to her journalism career, offering valuable experience and opportunities for personal growth. It's a testament to the idea that pursuing something as a hobby can set the stage for the long game. This concept resonates deeply with me and many other creators, as endeavors like these don't often yield immediate rewards; they require dedication and persistence. It's about finding joy in what you do and being able to sustain it for the long haul, even when it might not bring immediate success. Ana's journey is an inspiring example of the infinite game, where passion and dedication fuel a lasting pursuit of excellence.

Ana Dutra Tagliati's podcast, "The Brazilian Point of View," is more than just a series of audio recordings. It's a bridge between cultures, a tool for understanding, and a source of inspiration for those who believe in the power of storytelling and cross-cultural exchange. Ana's journey and her dedication to her craft have left an indelible mark on me, prompting me to reflect on how we can all become better global citizens by embracing the world's rich tapestry of cultures and experiences. I look forward to continuing my journey as a dedicated follower of Ana's podcast and drawing inspiration from her remarkable work.

Cheers!