Episodes
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In this episode, Marcelo reflects on his time at Belgrano Day School in Buenos Aires, where he experienced his first encounter with a uniquely British tradition: sorting students into houses. What started as a fascination with Hogwarts' sorting system turned into a nostalgic trip back to 1986, when Marcelo and his classmates were assigned to houses named after cardinal directions—North, East, South, and West.
Marcelo recounts his anticipation, the friendships that shaped his early school years, and the heartbreak of not receiving his house t-shirt on sorting day. Join him as he explores how this tradition shaped his experience in a bilingual school as the child of a diplomat, weaving together personal stories, cultural insights, and the whimsical connection between real-world traditions and the Wizarding World. -
Did you catch the title reference to Edie Brickell & New Bohemians’ song The Wheel? Moving constantly, as I did growing up, made that song almost prophetic. Every move meant everything changed—friends, schools, the shows on TV. My parents tried to make each new place feel like home, even though it was a constant challenge. The familiarity of little things—my toys, our VHS tapes, even cereal boxes—became my grounding elements in the whirlwind.
We clung to routines, like Saturday night movie marathons featuring our favorite recorded classics, complete with the commercials my dad sometimes missed while editing. These were our moments of ‘normalcy’ before the inevitable uprooting would start again. Disney World pit stops before each move became one of my parents’ traditions for us—a sweet pause before each new chapter. Looking back, each trip marked my journey from kid to young adult, finding threads of constancy in the most transient of lives.
Thanks to social media, I’ve reconnected with old friends, though many friendships faded naturally, as they do when your entire life is spent on the move. Reunions and conversations have shown me how time distills memories into shared nostalgia. Friendships come and go, leaving their marks before life pulls us in different directions again, as a line from Casablanca aptly puts it: “We will always have Paris.” -
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In this episode, I dives into the personal and political twists that led his family to Switzerland in the early '90s. Join him as he shares stories from Brazil’s turbulent 1989 election, his father’s complicated role in the political arena, and the familial ties that helped orchestrate their escape to Geneva. From the first taste of Swiss snow to navigating the world of Brazilian politics, this episode blends family anecdotes with an insider's perspective on diplomatic life. For a unique blend of humor, nostalgia, and a glimpse into the surreal world of diplomatic assignments, don’t miss "The Big Cheese."
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In this heartfelt episode of Diplobrat, Marcelo Hosannah takes listeners on an emotional journey into his family’s storied past. This narrative intertwines personal childhood memories with a rich historical background, focusing on the legacy of Marcelo’s maternal grandfather, Dr. João Jacques Dornelles.Key Highlights:Childhood Memories: Marcelo opens with a vivid scene of arriving at his grandmother’s house in Rio, filled with the excitement of family reunions. He shares how, as a child, the unique chime of the doorbell signaled the start of vacations.Family Legacy and Roots: The episode provides an engaging account of the Dornelles family's origins, tracing back to Portuguese settlers in the 1700s who became prominent rice farmers in Rio Grande do Sul. Marcelo’s grandfather, born on November 11, 1910, in Alegrete, was the 10th of 11 children in a tight-knit, complex family dynamic.A Life of Resilience and Achievement: After facing early hardships, including the death of his father when he was five, João Jacques pursued higher education in Medicine and specialized in oncology at Johns Hopkins University. His career flourished as he brought innovative medical practices back to Brazil and served as the director of Miguel Couto Hospital.A Personal Connection: Marcelo reflects on his grandfather’s luxurious lifestyle and love for travel, watches, and photography, while acknowledging his struggles with smoking, which ultimately led to his passing from lung cancer in 1984.A Moment of Truth: The episode closes with a poignant memory from Marcelo’s early childhood, capturing the moment his grandmother shared the news of his grandfather’s death with a simple, yet profound, “Honey, grandpa died.”This episode of Diplobrat blends the personal and historical seamlessly, shedding light on how Marcelo’s heritage has shaped his identity and storytelling.Listen to this episode for a touching exploration of family, legacy, and the bittersweet truths of life.
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Episode 2: The Hosannah Legacy – A Diplomatic Family's Story
Description: In this episode of Diplobrat, Marcelo Hosannah delves into the rich legacy of his family, tracing the roots of his diplomatic lineage. He shares the story of his grandfather, Eduardo Moreira Hosannah, a distinguished Brazilian diplomat whose career spanned some of the most pivotal moments in Brazil’s history. From navigating the political corridors of Brasília to prestigious assignments across the world, Ambassador Hosannah left an indelible mark on the Ministry of Foreign Affairs.
Marcelo takes listeners on a journey through time, highlighting the challenges, achievements, and personal anecdotes that shaped his family’s path in the diplomatic world. From the early days in Rio to postings in Rome, Montevideo, Paris, and beyond, this episode offers a glimpse into the intricate dynamics of a career in diplomacy.Episode Highlights:
How Marcelo's grandfather’s career began in the post-WWII era, and his journey from law school to the Rio Branco InstituteThe competitive nature of diplomatic postings, especially coveted ones like Washington, London, and Paris, and the behind-the-scenes politics that secured themThe family’s connection to Brazilian history, including links to former Governor Jesus Burlamaqui Hosannah and the legacy left behindMemories of Ambassador Hosannah's storied career, spanning postings during Brazil’s military regime and through the transition back to democracyTouching moments from Marcelo's own memories, including seeing his grandfather’s enduring respect at the Itamaraty Palace, decades after his retirementTune in to discover how one family's story of resilience, ambition, and diplomatic service continues to inspire across generations. -
Episode 1: The Never-ending Habit of Starting Over – Navigating New Beginnings
Description: In this inaugural episode of Diplobrat, Marcelo Hosannah takes us back to one of his earliest memories as a young, wide-eyed Brazilian diplomat’s son. From the moment he moved to Argentina at the age of five, thrust into a classroom where Spanish was a strange new language, to the sense of confusion and embarrassment he felt as he navigated this unfamiliar world, Marcelo shares the poignant experience of adapting to new cultures and environments.
This episode dives deep into the challenge of starting over, again and again, in a life where change is the only constant. Marcelo reflects on the unique experiences of growing up in a diplomatic family, where academic calendars never quite aligned, and every relocation was a step into the unknown.
Episode Highlights:
Marcelo’s first experience with a foreign language in an Argentinian kindergartenThe complexities of educational systems around the world and how they impacted his upbringingInsightful memories of life in Brasília, the planned capital city of Brazil, with its distinctive layout and vibrant diplomatic communityA glimpse into his family's history, including his father’s journey as a diplomat and his mother’s life-changing decision to embrace a global lifestyleThe sense of constant adaptation and resilience required of a ‘diplobrat’Listen now to join Marcelo on a journey through the joys, challenges, and unforgettable memories of life as a global nomad.
