Through its ongoing “Global Irish Nation Conversation” Irish Stew is all about connecting the worldwide Irish family, so sitting down with Dr. Martin Russell, one of the world's foremost diaspora engagement strategists, felt like a meeting of kindred missions. The proud Corkonian has spent nearly two decades turning diaspora theory into practice, working with governments and communities across Africa, Latin America, the Caribbean, and the Balkans, all while championing Ireland's potential to be a global leader in the field.

Hosts John Lee and Martin Nutty open with a thought-starter on the "diaspora World Cup" unfolding across North America, then trace Russell's journey from a would-be mathematician at UCC to a scholar of the Irish diaspora's role in the Northern Ireland peace process. Along the way, Russell unpacks the famous 70 million Irish worldwide figure, his four pillars of diaspora engagement, and the crucial distinction between migration and diaspora.

"Other partners come and go and that's fine. That's the nature of life. But your diaspora are a community of consistency if you do it well," Russell says, making the case to governments worldwide.

The conversation turns to Ireland's new Diaspora Strategy 2026–2030, which Russell's research helped inform, the duty of care owed to the vulnerable Irish abroad, and the threat of "diaspora fade" in Irish America. His answer? "The quick answer is don't let it happen, be active."

A masterclass in belonging from a thought leader who's incredibly bullish on the diaspora's future.

MARTIN RUSSELL LINKS

• LinkedIn (https://www.linkedin.com/in/dr-martin-russell-0530131a5)
• The Diaspora Institute (https://thediasporainstitute.com)
• The Networking Institute (https://thenetworkinginstitute.com)

EPISODE REFERENCE LINKS

•  Ireland’s Diaspora Strategy, 2026-2030 (https://www.ireland.ie/en/irish-diaspora/diaspora-strategy-2026-2030)
• NY Times: Is this the diaspora World Cup? (https://www.nytimes.com/athletic/7361399/2026/06/15/world-cup-goals-stadium-day-four-recap/)
•  EU Global Diaspora Facility (https://diasporafordevelopment.eu/)
•  Institute for Integrated Transitions (https://ifit-transitions.org)

BOOKS

• Fragile Neighborhoods (https://www.hachettebookgroup.com/titles/seth-d-kaplan/fragile-neighborhoods/9780316521390) by Seth Kaplan
• Belonging: The Science of Creating Connection and Bridging Divides (https://www.geoffreylcohen.com/book) by Jeffrey Cohen
• On Belonging: Finding Connection in an Age of Isolation (https://www.abramsbooks.com/product/on-belonging_9781647002312)   by Kim Samuel

IRISH STEW LINKS

• Website Home Page (https://www.irishstewpodcast.com/)
• Facebook (https://www.facebook.com/IrishStewPodcast)
• Instagram (https://www.instagram.com/irishstewpodcast)
• LinkedIn (https://www.linkedin.com/company/irish-stew-podcast)
• Media Partner: IrishCentral (https://www.irishcentral.com)

Episode Details: Season 8, Episode 21; Total Episode Count: 162

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