Episode #2
Gastrodiplomacy, Politics, Public Relations. How It All Connects | Payne on Politics
From Grassroots Politics to Political Communication What happens when a childhood surrounded by teachers' union meetings grows into a passion for politics, civic engagement, and creating change in the communities around you? In this episode of Payne on Politics , Dr. Gregory Payne sits down with Chloe Stone , a graduate student in Political Communication at Emerson College, for a conversation about her journey into politics, her experiences working on campaigns across the country, and the experiences that shaped her commitment to civic engagement. Finding a Path to Political Communication Chloe shares how her interest in politics began at a young age through her mother's involvement in education and union organizing. From attending meetings as a child to participating in grassroots campaigns, her early experiences introduced her to the importance of community involvement and political participation. After initially considering public relations, Chloe discovered Emerson's Political Communication program and was drawn to the combination of politics, communication, polling, and the opportunity to learn from professors with extensive professional experience. From California Campaigns to Massachusetts Politics Chloe reflects on her experiences working on political campaigns in California, Oklahoma, New York, and Massachusetts. She discusses her involvement in voter turnout efforts, local and congressional campaigns, and her current work with the Massachusetts Women's Political Caucus . The conversation also explores the differences she has observed between the political environments she experienced growing up in California and those she has encountered in Massachusetts. Politics, Culture, and Personal Experience Chloe's interest in politics is deeply connected to the communities and experiences that shaped her. Growing up in a bilingual and culturally diverse environment in Southern California, she witnessed firsthand how immigration and access to education affected people in her community. She discusses how these experiences influenced her interest in eventually becoming an immigration lawyer and how they continue to shape her approach to civic engagement and public service. Advocacy Through Action Beyond political campaigns, Chloe has consistently looked for ways to address problems in her community. From creating tutoring programs for immigrant students to advocating for greater equity as a collegiate softball player, she describes how speaking up and finding practical solutions have become central to her approach. At Emerson, that same approach has continued as she becomes involved with the softball program and works to build community among students and create opportunities for engagement. The Power of Speaking Up This conversation is ultimately about more than politics. It's about recognizing challenges, becoming involved, and looking for constructive ways to move forward. Chloe reflects on the importance of simply speaking up — whether through political campaigns, education, athletics, or community organizations — and how small acts of advocacy can contribute to meaningful change. Watch the full episode of Payne on Politics and hear Chloe Stone's story of political engagement, education, advocacy, and her journey toward a career in political communication and immigration law. Like the video, share your thoughts in the comments, and subscribe for more conversations on politics, education, culture, leadership, communication, and the journeys that shape us. #PayneOnPolitics #Podcast #PoliticalCommunication #EmersonCollege #Politics #CivicEngagement #PoliticalCampaigns #GrassrootsPolitics #PublicRelations #Leadership #Advocacy #Education #Immigration #StudentLeadership #PoliticalScience #Boston #Massachusetts
