Send us a text Season 2 of the Rooted and Routed Podcast is officially wrapped, and this is your recap. From authentic voices to deep-dive conversations, this season has been about growth, identity, and navigating change. Thank you to every subscriber, listener, and guest who joined the journey. As we reflect, we’re also reimagining what’s next. The conversations are evolving in direction, in depth, and in reach. We’re not just telling stories. We’re exploring what it takes to begin,...

Send us a text In part 2 of our conversation, Carlos Ruano unpacks the quiet decisions and systemic gaps many never hear about — from pensions to policy reform, reinvention, and the emotional costs of service. What We Cover in This Segment: Why some diplomats transition into real estate, coaching, or other services tailored to diplomatic familiesHow working inside institutions contrasts with entrepreneurship: balancing structure, autonomy, and adaptationThe emotional decisions behind le...

Send us a text As always, Rooted and Routed isn’t here to deliver headlines. We’re here to hold space for the stories that shape people, quietly and powerfully. In this part 1 episode, Sabiya sits down with Carlos Ruano — a diplomat, academic, and cultural observer who has lived in 10 countries, worked in international diplomacy, global education, and policy design, and held roles from UN specialist to radio host, academic mentor to diplomatic spouse. He offers layered insights into identity,...

Send us a text When you build a team across continents, how do you turn multiple worldviews into business results, not chaos? In this episode, Bindi Basan shares how she created multicultural teams that didn’t just show up, but stood out. We also dive into how she uses her fitness and dance practices as leadership tools; consistency, resilience, focus and how those bleed into work when it matters most. Keypoints Explored in Part 2: Hiring people who don’t think like you — deliberately c...

Send us a text What happens when your cultural heritage comes from one country, but your upbringing and worldview are shaped by another, and then you return to that ancestral culture as an expat? In this episode, Sabiya welcomes Bindi Basan, a British-born transformation leader with Punjabi roots, whose global career has taken her from Yorkshire to Mumbai, Dubai, Singapore, and beyond. Together, they explore the subtle and surprising layers of of identity, leadership, cultural nuance, and unc...

Send us a text #rootedandroutedpodcast #studententrepreneur ====== CHAPTERS: SEASON 2 - EPISODE 8 - SARAH OLIVIER - PART 2 ====== 00:00 Coming Up 00:43 Sarah Strides (www.sarah-strides.com) and Sarah's support system 02:42 Living Independently 03:29 Belgian Government's Student Entrepreneur Initiatives 05:41 Ghent University 07:20 Role of personal stories amongst young entrepreneurs 08:58 Which Terrain does Sarah prefer to ride on - Asia or Europe? 10:13 Japalouppe Equestrian Centre in...

Send us a text What’s it really like growing up as an expat kid—and how does that shape your future? In this powerful episode, host Sabiya Pathan Withoeck sits down with Sarah Oliviers, a Belgian veterinary student, international show jumper, and tech founder, to share her incredible journey—from discovering horse riding in Pune, India, to launching a veterinary admin app called VACS. In Part 1, we cover: Sarah’s early days riding and competing in India—and how community shaped her pass...

Send us a text In this heartfelt Part 2 episode, media founder, writer, and PhD researcher Joanna Dukkipati joins Sabiya Pathan Withoeck for a rich, reflective conversation that flows from food and migration to parenting and decolonising language, to claiming space and redefining inclusion. What you’ll hear in this episode: - Food as a thread of identity: Joanna shares her new documentary project exploring ethnic food stores as cultural lifelines for migrant communities in Ireland. What...

Send us a text What does it take to create a platform that amplifies voices often left unheard—and keeps growing with intention? In this deeply personal and reflective episode, Joanna Dukkipati — writer, media founder, and PhD researcher — shares her journey of evolving identity, inclusive leadership, and the quiet power of gathering voices from the margins—not marginalized, but ready to be centered. Key Takeaways: How Good Day Cork was born in Joanna’s kitchen — and why it became...

Send us a text #jwmarriott #marriottsuitespune In Part 2 of this immersive conversation with Chef Christian Huber of Sorriso, Pune, we explore the unfiltered realitybehind the world of international kitchens and authentic cuisine. From peeling potatoes to leading a brigade, Christian shares what it really takes to thrive as a chef abroad—and why fame isn't the same as mastery. 👨‍🍳 Key Takeaways: Why being a chef is more about grind than glamour Common myths young chefs hold a...

Send us a text In this episode of Rooted and Routed, host Sabiya Pathan Withoeck dives into the emotional and cultural layers of expat life with Christian Huber—Executive Chef at Sorriso, Marriott Suites Pune. From growing up in Italy to building a life and legacy in India, Christian reflects on what it means to belong in a place far from home. With over 15 years in India, he shares how food can bridge cultures, offer comfort, and quietly express identity. Key Takeaways: The emotional s...

Send us a text In this powerful part 2 conversation, Summie Yeung, a Life & Transition Coach, and former Hong Kong immigrant breaks down her coaching philosophy and insights on cultural integration, burnout, and parenting Third Culture Kids (TCKs). Listen as she shares real stories, research, and strategies that inspire resilience, clarity, and authenticity. What You’ll Learn: Co-Created Coaching Summie emphasizes that coaching isn’t about her solutions—it’s about empowering each c...

Send us a text Part 1: Summie Yeung on Rooted and Routed What does it really mean to grow up between cultures—and how do those experiences shape the way we live, work, and find our place in the world? In this powerful episode, we sit down with Summie Yeung, a Life and Transition Coach, immigrant, and self-identified Third Culture Kid (TCK), to explore her journey from Hong Kong to the UK. At just 15, Summie moved across continents, a decision that would redefine her sense of identity, b...

Send us a text From a notebook of handwritten questions to a platform that shares global voices, Rooted and Routed turns ONE! What began as quiet conversations has grown into a space for honest stories on identity, belonging, and the layered realities of global life. In just one year, we’ve explored: Identity & belonging Parenting across cultures Repatriation, integration & career breaks Interfaith relationships & trailing spouses Language, food, and the emotional truths of ...

Send us a text 🎙️ Part 2 of our conversation with Anna Skorobogatowa What are the unspoken rules and emotional costs of life behind the diplomatic title? In this episode, Anna shares the lesser-heard realities of being a diplomatic spouse, from relocation stress and identity loss to navigating unstable regions while parenting. We dive into: The emotional toll of raising children in regions facing political unrest or conflict How introvert vs. extrovert personalities respond differently t...

Send us a text What does it truly mean to build a life in constant motion, while raising children, adapting to new cultures, and supporting a partner who represents a country abroad? In this deeply personal conversation, Anna Skorobogatowa, a diplomatic spouse of 23 years across 9 countries and 4 continents, shares the emotional, invisible, and often overlooked layers of life behind the scenes. From navigating motherhood in transition to redefining identity and partnership under constant chan...

Send us a text What does it take to lead in tech, raise culturally grounded children, and embrace change across continents? In this episode, Arnaud Luc—tech leader at Cambridge Mobile Telematics—shares his journey from the French countryside to winning global recognition at Apple’s WWDC and the Webby Awards. He unpacks the realities of working with GenAI, explains the difference between AI, machine learning, and LLMs in everyday language, and highlights how curiosity and flexibility became co...

Send us a text #rootedandroutedpodcast #technology In this heartfelt and insightful episode of Rooted and Routed, host Sabiya Pathan-Withoeck sits down with Arnaud Luc, a French-born tech leader who has built an inspiring life and career across continents. From growing up in the French countryside to navigating startup life in Texas and raising a bicultural family in Boston, Arnaud shares how his journey has shaped his identity as a parent, professional, and person. Together, they exp...

Send us a text In this episode, I sit down with Jan Thomas, Head of Emerging Technologies Banking and Payments at DNB, and an expat living in India on his first international assignment. From leading tech innovation to quietly transforming lives through charity, Jan’s journey is one of cultural curiosity, inclusive leadership, and heartfelt giving. We talk about chai breaks, culture shocks, diverse teams, NGO work, and what it really means to stay true to yourself in a world of constant chang...

Send us a text In this deeply thoughtful follow-up episode, Mimi Nicklin, global empathy advocate and bestselling author, returns to share what she’s learned from working across cultures, leading diverse teams, and connecting with people through presence, empathy, and listening. From her keynote in Bangalore to navigating the complexity of wearing a sari, Mimi brings powerful stories of adaptation, cultural respect, and leadership through empathy. We explore: 🧭 The power of adapting your m...