An inside look at an expat life.
David explains his experiences in England as a university student. Part Two.
David explains his experiences in England as a university student. Part One.
Kaja shares her experience living and studying in Ireland.
Aneta has done an impressive amount of living in foreign countries and shares her thoughts on various places, adjustments, and cultures.
Justin takes a look at the differences between American and Czech understanding of authority and the historical reasons for those differences. Using examples from his own experience and from his students' responses, Justin unpacks what constitutes good authority, cultural influences aside.
KATHY BARRETT Host of BEHIND THE CURTAIN Interviews ROBERT IMBEAULT about his memoir Before I leave You: A Memoir on Suicide, Addiction, and Healing. Before I leave You: A Memoir on Suicide, Addiction, and Healingis a must-read book for our times. For anyone struggling with addiction, depression, suicide ideation, childhood sexual abuse, or have lost someone you love to suicide, you will find Robert's memoir to be an anchor of hope. I hope you'll tune in to Behind The Curtainto hear my conversation with Robert Imbeault and how this successful entrepreneur and childhood sexual abuse survivor navigates his way through a five-year suicidal drug and alcohol binge to rewrite a happy ending to his life story. Every forty seconds around the globe a person commits suicide. https://www.befrienders.org/directory
Kathy Barrett, Host/Producer of "Behind The Curtain," interview Tamia Hill, a young woman on a mission to help others find their true selves with integrity and love. Tamia Hill was in her first year at Williams college studying psychology when the Corona virus smacked the world into a state of pause and bewilderment, fear and isolation. It felt like the end of the world to many of us and at the same time it became a calling for some to explore deeper within themselves. What did it all mean? Tamia Hill went on a journey of exploration through shadow work and what she learned about herself left her with a yearning to pay the knowledge she acquired through her own metamorphosis forward so that others could heal themselves. Tamia Hill became drawn to Tarot cards as a positive tool for helping others to be in touch with the "now." The cards are a tool for spiritual wisdom that gives those who are seeking, a chance to connect to their own inner wisdom. TamiaTalksTarot.com was born from Tamia's experience and her business is thriving as is she. Tune in to be inspired. Tune in to be informed. Intuitive Guidance With Intention And Love
KATHY BARRETT Host of BEHIND THE CURTAIN, Interviews award-winning Ukrainian director and multi-media producer OLHA ONYSHKO of OLIA FILM about the universal impact of Russia's invasion of Ukraine. Olha Onyshko's career began as a broadcast journalist in her hometown of Lviv, Ukraine where she was active in supporting free and fair elections in her newly independent country, and advocated through nationwide educational campaigns for democracy and human rights in Ukraine. Living in Bethesda, Maryland since 2002 Olha worked as an anchor, writer, and producer for Voice of America while attaining her MFA at American University. Olha's first firm, "Three Stories of Galicia," is a story of humanism in the midst of atrocities during and after World War II which sparked great debate over historic memory and its role in current events. Her second feature, "The Women of Maidan," is about the "The Revolution of Dignity," a spontaneous revolution that took place in 2013 when women of Ukraine courageously defended young students who were beaten by Russian backed government special police forces as they peacefully protested in the town square. Both of Olha's films are streaming for free on gobehindthecurtain.com.
Terka delivers surprising answers to Justin's questions about life as a foreigner in Norway.
Kathy Barrett Host/Producer of “Behind The Curtain,” interviews Pastor Ron Buford, Writer, Speaker, Consultant, Seminarian and Pastor for the Congregational Church of Sunnyvale, CA. about Racists Anonymous, a 12-step program inspired by the teachings of Alcoholics Anonymous that he founded in December of 2015. Eliminating racism is the goal and creating an environment where people can become more mindful of their biases without judgement gives them freedom to explore what lies beneath. Pastor Ron believes that racism is an addiction and like alcohol the first step is to surrender and admit that there is a problem. “It is built into our society to look down on certain people who are different and we mistreat those people based on those differences,” says Pastor Ron. Our individual attitudes and beliefs are what is keeping systemic forces in place. If we each can look at our biases, and take responsibility for them, then we can spend our time eliminating racism instead of deflecting from the fact that we are racists to varying degrees. Tune in to be Inspired. Tune in to be Informed. Join a meeting http://rainternational.org/ today and help obliterate racism.
Justin interviews a former Czech student studying abroad in Minnesota. What defines Americans for the outsiders in their midst?
Kathy Barrett Host of Behind The Curtain interviews Attica Woodson Scott. When I came across a video of Attica Woodson Scott., State Representative for district 41 of Kentucky, talking about the obstacles she faced growing up, I was in awe of how she channeled personal adversities and the lessons learned into becoming a dynamic CHANGEMAKER unwilling to settle for the status quo. Attica Woodson Scott.is the kind of woman who sees injustice and takes action to right the wrong. Now running for Congress to represent district 3 a seat currently held by U.S. Rep. John Yarmuth who is retiring, Ms. Scott is ready to take her "fight for the people" to Washington. Attica Woodson Scott. has raised awareness about Kentucky's environmental issues, racial and economic justice, healthcare, and protecting a woman's right to choose. If Scott wins, she will be the first Black woman to represent Kentucky on Capitol Hill. Attica Woodson Scott. is a breath of fresh air in a state with a history of being controlled by both Democrats and Republicans. When the Covid epidemic hit Kentucky, Ms. Scott was instrumental in fighting against the lack of access people of color had to testing and to the vaccine. Ms. Scott continues to fight for environmental justice, the Green Deal and demanding accountability for environmental polluters who have made living conditions and health safety an issue for all Kentuckians.
Justin interviews a former student who now studies in Canada. Her stories and deep reflections prove that living overseas is an experience that changes you for life.
Justin interviews a former Czech student who lives and studies in Great Britain. Ben's insightful, funny, and thought-provoking answers will not disappoint.
The holidays are almost upon us, but what does that mean for everybody? Justin takes a look at some different holiday traditions and unpacks the underlying causes and messages beneath some very interesting holiday customs.
Kathy Barrett HOST of BEHIND THE CURTAIN interviews James Maldonado, of DOG TRAINING WITH JAMES MALDONADO about the importance of obedience training for all dogs. Although training can take place at any time in a dog's life (you can teach an old dog new tricks) it is essential to put puppies into obedience training as well as to teach them how to socialize with other dogs. Training provides critical mental stimulation for your dog which is vital for their health. Training teaches your dog manners, and the discipline has a calming effect on the canine because it removes any guesswork for the animal. Obedience training becomes the link to communication between you and your dog as humans don't speak dog and dogs don't speak English. Teaching a dog basic skills creates an environment of safety for both handler and canine and it sustains the unbreakable bond between you and your animal. Approximately thirty percent of the six million animals that are dropped off to animal shelters each year are returned by their owners for a variety of issues, but behavioral issues are one. You can help lower the strain being placed on animal shelters and rescues as the overpopulation of homeless animals in America continues to soar by taking the simple step of getting your dog training. If you can't afford to hire a dog trainer there are videos you can access online for free. Help your dog live its best life it may give you a new "leash" on life! TUNE IN TO BE INSPIRED TUNE IN TO BE INFORMED
Help Save Dogmanity! - Featuring The Nothing But Love Canine Foundation Kathy Barrett HOST of BEHIND THE CURTAIN speaks with Val Ellsworth who in 2020 CO-FOUNDED the NOTHING BUT LOVE CANINE FOUNDATION with her husband Bruce. NOTHING BUT LOVE CANINE FOUNDATION is combatting the animal overpopulation crisis by providing financial assistance for spaying, neutering, and heartworm treatment for rescue dogs in need. Providing these essential services ensures that healthy dogs get placed in loving permanent homes. Only 10% of the animals received by shelters have been spayed or neutered. Shelters and rescues are pushed to their limit and we must act now before the situation escalates further. NOTHING BUT LOVE CANINE FOUNDATION hopes that the financial assistance they provide will put an end to the need for "kill shelters." Please be sure to go to gobehindthecurtain.com, click the icon on my home page to vote for NOTHING BUT LOVE CANINE FOUNDATION, now in the running to win a $25,000 contribution! The Murphy Realty Group in Kingston, NY is donating $100,000 to 40 charities. Your vote can help NOTHING BUT LOVE CANINE FOUNDATION win and winning means that they can save more dogs from being euthanized.
HELP SAVE DOGMANITY This four-part series aims to raise awareness about the plight of homeless dogs in America. We can help save thousands of these homeless dogs from being euthanized each day around the country so stay tuned to the series and may it inspire you to become involved and take action to help these animals. Our first show will highlight Volunteer KELLY AMBROSE of MOUNTAIN ROTTIE RESCUE a nonprofit organization run by volunteer fosters located in The Capital District of New York, Central New York, and Catskill Mountain areas dedicated to re-homing homeless dogs of all breeds. Some dogs are owner surrendered, but most come from kill shelters. KELLY AMBROSE and her staff of compassionate, knowledgeable, and dedicated volunteers open their hearts and their homes to nurture these abused, frightened, abandoned dogs so that they may find a forever home. Mountain Rottie Rescue is known for its due diligence in reviewing applications of potential adopters and they work tirelessly to match each canine client with the right person/family environment. MOUNTAIN ROTTIE RESCUE INSTAGRAM TWITTER: @MountainRottie MOUNTAIN ROTTIE RESCUE NEXT WEEK SHOW #2 TUNE IN TO MEET Valerie Ellsworth - Founder of the NOTHING BUT LOVE CANINE FOUNDATION which provides financial support for spay & neuter services and heart-worm treatment for rescue dogs in need all over the United States.
HELP SAVE DOGMANITY This four-part series aims to raise awareness about the plight of homeless dogs in America. We can help save thousands of these homeless dogs from being euthanized each day around the country so stay tuned to the series and may it inspire you to become involved and take action to help these animals. Our first show will highlight Volunteer KELLY AMBROSE of MOUNTAIN ROTTIE RESCUE a nonprofit organization run by volunteer fosters located in The Capital District of New York, Central New York, and Catskill Mountain areas dedicated to re-homing homeless dogs of all breeds. Some dogs are owner surrendered, but most come from kill shelters. KELLY AMBROSE and her staff of compassionate, knowledgeable, and dedicated volunteers open their hearts and their homes to nurture these abused, frightened, abandoned dogs so that they may find a forever home. Mountain Rottie Rescue is known for its due diligence in reviewing applications of potential adopters and they work tirelessly to match each canine client with the right person/family environment. MOUNTAIN ROTTIE RESCUE INSTAGRAM TWITTER: @MountainRottie MOUNTAIN ROTTIE RESCUE NEXT WEEK SHOW #2 TUNE IN TO MEET Valerie Ellsworth - Founder of the NOTHING BUT LOVE CANINE FOUNDATION which provides financial support for spay & neuter services and heart-worm treatment for rescue dogs in need all over the United States.
Justin concludes this series of episodes outlining the final five tools he's developed to step out of his own cultural posture and relate well to Czechs.
Justin continues this short series of episodes outlining tools he's developed to step out of his own cultural posture and relate well to Czechs.
Justin begins a short series of episodes outlining tools he's developed to step out of his own cultural posture and relate well to Czechs.
Justin unpacks the intricacies of Czech meetings, detailing his own failures and successes in navigating another cultural arena.
Justin describes his humorous and painful experiences in learning what a Czech really means when they extend an invitation to take a walk.
Does a country's geographical location affect its culture? Justin unpacks Czech's position in the European context and how this helps us understand the Czech mindset.
Justin takes us through the culturally and psychologically complex phenomenon of Czech high school graduation tests.
Justin unpacks why hockey is more than just a sport in the Czech Republic.
Justin begins Season Three diving into the relationship between a host culture and a foreigner --one of sponges and mirrors.
HOST KATHY BARRETT interviews DR. KITTY OLIVER about how we can survive and thrive during one of America's most divisive times in our history. Dr. Kitty Oliver is a journalist, an author, oral historian, and media producer with a Ph.D. that focuses on race and ethnic communications. Dr. Oliver is the founder of the Race and Change Oral Histories Archive, the largest in size and scope of its kind. Her Race & Change television documentaries are utilized in schools and libraries around the country. “Voices of Race and Change: The Younger Generation: is also now a popular Apple podcast. Dr. Oliver was chosen as one of this year’s Encore Public Voices Fellows. Go to gobehindthecurtain.com for more information about Dr. Oliver, links to her website, books and music. You can also go to kittyoliveronline.com
In this final episode of season two, Justin uses his experience at a Czech ball to highlight a foreigner's inevitable otherness.Credit and sources:Engine (2x):https://www.zapsplat.com/music/car-start-idle-then-engine-off-external-recording-vauxhall-corsa-1-2/Door open (2x):https://www.zapsplat.com/music/car-door-open-internal-recording-peugeot-307/Door shut (2x):https://www.zapsplat.com/music/car-door-close-internal-recording-peugeot-307/People (2x):https://www.zapsplat.com/music/busy-large-bar-or-pub-ambience-lots-of-people-talking-2/Jazz at the beginning:https://freesound.org/people/anechoix/sounds/456797/Melody at the end:https://freesound.org/people/sofialomba/sounds/467936/
Justin discusses the experience of culture shock and its counterpart--reverse culture shock in one's home country.
Justin explores the art of missing beloved items and people while living overseas and why craving can be a beautiful thing.
Justin compares two versions of cultural questions and what they reveal about the two cultures.Listen to Justin's guest interview on The Moving Roadmap here: https://www.avvinue.com/podcast/justin-loy-meeting-love-abroad-returning-to-czech-republic-together
Justin describes the Hunt--a constant search for hard-to-find, home-culture products in stores.
Justin tries to wrap his head around language and his tongue around a few impossible Czech tongue twisters while also sharing some of his top language gaffes.
Justin contrasts cultural norms from his childhood with the Czech experience and manages to find a connection in an unexpected way.
Justin discusses common foreigner coping mechanisms and when, how, and why to abandon them.
Justin unpacks two contrasting ways a foreigner handles cultural differences: assimilation and separation. He details his failed attempts at both, bringing him to a third way.
Justin wraps up Season One with a quick behind-the-scenes from the first ten episodes and a teaser for Season Two, starting in September.
Justin answers listener questions about life as a foreigner.
Using announcements and articles from the local community magazine, Justin discusses several cultural peculiarities that he's learned to love and follow...almost.
What is Spiritual Intelligence? Do we have to be religious to achieve it or is it something innate that we can tap into at any time? Betty Steinhauer, the author of "My Way," and "In Search of Spiritual Intelligence," speaks with Kathy Barrett Host of Behind The Curtainabout how one pivotal moment during the summer of 2013 led her to live as a Nomadic Intern on a global journey to clarify her spiritual beliefs. Betty Steinhauer was born in England and raised in Toronto, Canada where she became a wife and mother before founding Betty Steinhauer & Associates, her consulting firm in 1993. For twenty-five years, Betty used her unique talents to act as a catalyst, facilitator, and advisor to both the private and public sectors, by forging relationships between organizations and/or individuals for mutually advantageous outcomes. Betty also founded "The People Bridge," a charity that was based in Canada that raised hundreds of thousands of dollars for other charities in need around the world. Betty Steinhauer continues to lead an extraordinary life as a Nomadic Intern. After selling and giving away her personal belongings she set out to travel the world in search of her own spiritual identity. "In Search of Spiritual Intelligence," published by Fisher King will inspire you to search for your own answers. If we don't have peace within, there can be no peace in the world. TUNE IN TO BE INSPIRED - http://gobehindthecurtain.com
In the fourth and final relationship series, Justin discusses the differences in cultural responses when chaos breaks down male-female relationships and finds the anecdote hidden within the culture.
In the third part of the Relationship Series, Justin unpacks the tradition of gift giving, especially in neighborly relationships. And makes us hungry for apple pie.
In the second part of the Relationship Series, Justin tells about his first days in Europe and how the influence of one person changed his story.
Relationship Series #1Some languages create a conundrum for Americans who are unused to defining relationships with complicated uses of pronouns. Justin tells stories of how he has navigated through the cultural rules of language to build stronger relationships.
What do storks and expats have in common? In this episode, Justin takes a look at a stork's life and three ways it's similar to an expat's experience.Here's a link to a live cam on a stork next in the Czech Republic:https://www.ipcamlive.com/5ca7589bb4c42?fbclid=IwAR3R7rWfSrbbwfubWlzI4leUuoNn1Il9EWgiHsAlXSBqKGUZuaVeDava-XA
In this episode, Justin finds several advantages to wearing face masks and discusses other benefits we can find in today's unusual circumstances.Resources mentioned:Uses of Adversity by Timothy Garton Ashhttps://amzn.to/2xNRZclUSA Today article:https://eu.usatoday.com/story/opinion/2020/04/04/czech-government-implemented-face-mask-requirement-help-combat-coronavirus-column/2940393001/
In this episode, Justin breaks down the drama of a grocery store check-out line from the perspective of a foreigner. His issues with such a simple task bring him to a helpful conclusion about interacting with others.
In this initial episode to the Behind the Curtain Podcast, host Justin Loy introduces himself and outlines the setup of the podcast.