Carmel-based author, small business owner and intercultural consultant Toyi Rodriguez, MBA, shares ideas that blend culture, storytelling and everyday life in her new book: Global Citizen: A Cultural and Transformative Journey to Thrive Abroad.
"It’s a perspective that shows up in everyday moments, from how we interpret a smile to how we navigate relationships," she states. "Through personal stories and real-life insights, my book explores how subtle cultural differences shape the way we connect, communicate and experience the world."
Born in Mexico, this 51-year-old says she's lived abroad for half her life and moved 10 times in the past 25 years, making her a self-proclaimed "expert packer." She's resided in Indiana for the last 16 years, with the last four of those years in Carmel.
Toyi recently presented the book locally at Carmel Clay Public Library to share the community-centered angle of her concepts. She says the book also recently was named a 2025 Foreword INDIES Book of the Year Awards Finalist. It is the 28th annual awards program for recognizing the best books published by independent presses. At press time, Foreword winners were to be announced during June.
"Blending real-life stories with practical insights and wisdom drawn from diverse perspectives, Global Citizen explores the unspoken cultural codes that shape how people connect, communicate and lead across cultures. The book offers a practical guide to navigating cultural differences, building cross-cultural relationships and leading effectively in a global world," she explains.
Based from Carmel, Toyi works with international professionals and families navigating
cultural transitions, bringing global perspectives to local communities. She says her book reflects the growing need for deeper cultural understanding, not only in how Americans live and connect, but in how everyone leads across cultures in today’s global world.
She says many of her personal relocations stemmed from her and her husband's jobs for Cummins, an American multinational corporation that designs, manufactures and distributes diesel engines, electric vehicle components and power generation products. For example, they lived in Tennesse for a couple of years before residing in Belgium for three years.
"As an intercultural consultant, I've had extensive experience collaborating with Fortune 500 companies, guiding families from over 32 nationalities through cultural transitions," she states.
Additionally, she owns rental properties in both Carmel and Columbus, so also assists renters with packing tips, especially with what to have for the first two days of moving into a new abode.
As someone who loves to travel and has visited 52 countries, Toyi adds that she hopes the book empowers readers to bridge cultural divides, embrace diversity and grow into their most authentic selves.