Taking Route Podcast | Expat Women Making the World Their Home

At the time of recording this episode, we had not released a podcast episode or posted ANYTHING on Taking Route for a solid nine months. Denise, Melissa, and Alicia certainly didn't intend to go dark for so long, but we just so happened to all go through pretty intense seasons of life all at the same time. So, for this episode, we thought it might be a good idea to catch up with you guys and discuss something fun, something hard, and something hopeful we've each experienced over the last several months. We think you'll all be able to relate and hopefully glean some truth to apply to your own life (or save for later when the hard season comes).  _______ There are so many ways to get involved in our community. Join us on Instagram.  Interact with other expats on our private Facebook group.  Search for expat articles on our blog.

A quick Google search of “culture stress” will inform you there are phases to this phenomenon. One source summarizes it with the following four phases: fun, flight, fight, and fit. It's important for you to know that EVERYONE experiences cultural stress to some degree while living in a foreign context. Knowing this fact and being aware of the phases of culture stress will help you recognize it more quickly, which then allows you to be better prepared, which also means you do not have to self-diagnose yourself as being a complete basket case. It will look different for each of us, but in this episode of It's Tea Time Somewhere, we'll be sharing stories of what each of these phases have looked like for us over the years.  Mentioned in this Episode: How McDonald's Helped Me Recognize the 4 Phases of Culture Stress by Alicia Boyce   Is It Time to Go Home? (And How Do I Know?) by Denise James _______ There are so many ways to get involved in our community. Join us on Instagram.  Interact with other expats on our private Facebook group.  Search for expat articles on our blog.

Are you thinking about moving to another country and wondering if you're cut out for the expat life? If so, you'll want to listen to this episode ASAP! If you're a current expat, you'll still want to listen because who among us has not continued to question if we're cut out for this life?

In this episode, we're celebrating the latest release of Liturgies and Laments for the Sojourner: Volume One, co-authored by Heather Fallis, Tamika Rybinski, and our very own Alicia Boyce. This book is the perfect companion for anyone who finds themselves living the life of a foreigner. It's also a great resource for friends and family to reference when they want to pray more specifically for the sojourners they love. Denise, Melissa, and Alicia each discuss a couple of the prayers from the book that have resonated with them, and pair it with a personal story of why the prayer is so relatable. It's so evident these prayers were written from a place of personal experience—you'll feel like the authors have pulled the words straight from your own heart and mind. So, join us for another tea time chat and get yourself a copy of this Liturgies and Laments for the Sojourner if you don't have it already! Check out our show notes for links to all the things we talked about in this episode. _______ There are so many ways to get involved in our community. Join us on Instagram.  Interact with other expats on our private Facebook group.  Search for expat articles on our blog.

Most of us are probably familiar with the book, “Where There Is No Doctor.” It's a medical manual available in more than 85 languages and provides practical, easily understood information on how to diagnose, treat, and prevent common injuries and illnesses. Of course, nowadays, folks are more likely to consult Google, WebMD, or send a quick WhatsApp message to their doctor friend to gather necessary information. “Why not make an appointment and visit a doctor in town,” one might ask. Well, depending on where you live in the world, the solution may not be so simple. Having a medical emergency or getting really sick while living in a foreign context can feel very intimidating and scary. There's often a language barrier to hurdle, and sometimes quality medical care is a long drive or plane ride away. In this episode, we'll be discussing some of our crazy “how did this happen??” medical stories, along with a few stories that really made us lean into our faith in the Lord. A quick note: we want to acknowledge that some medical stories turn out much differently for people while living abroad. We want to hold space for those who've experienced loss while living in a foreign context and/or have needed to return to their passport country indefinitely because of a medical diagnosis. While we didn't dive into that category of medical stories for this episode, it is a topic we'd like to cover in the future. Check out our show notes for links to all the things we talked about in this episode. _______ There are so many ways to get involved in our community. Join us on Instagram.  Interact with other expats on our private Facebook group.  Search for expat articles on our blog. Get monthly curated resources monthly via our newsletter. Connect with Denise Connect with Melissa  Connect with Alicia 

In this episode, we're doing our second round of “ask us anything.” We didn't have time to cover all the questions, but we do discuss boundaries, hosting guests, our expat marriages, advice for our first year selves, emotional/mental health, and the most interesting gifts we received from our host culture friends. We also give some rapid-fire answers to questions about books, music, recipes and what we would buy if money and luggage weight weren't an issue. Oh, and how good is your Victorian slang? Let's find out via a pop quiz! Check out our show notes for links to all the things we talked about in this episode. _______ There are so many ways to get involved in our community. Join us on Instagram.  Interact with other expats on our private Facebook group.  Search for expat articles on our blog. Get monthly curated resources monthly via our newsletter. Connect with Denise Connect with Melissa  Connect with Alicia 

We thought it might be time to do another Christmas episode since our last one was in the Year of Our Lord 2020. This time, we're taking a look at the story of the birth of Jesus from Mary's perspective. At first glance, we might not feel like we can relate to MARY, MOTHER OF JESUS THE MESSIAH. But we know she was a sojourner—an expat, if you will. So for this episode of It's Tea Time Somewhere, Denise and Alicia will share four reflections about Mary's experience which we, as expats, can find relatable. While Mary did know some of what was to come from the baby in her womb, there were many things she likely did not know in advance.  And a Christmas episode would not be complete without listening to the angelic voice of Melissa. You won't want to miss her new song she's written and recorded just for the Taking Route community! While this song is not specific to Christmas, it pairs nicely with the experience of Mary uprooting herself and her child and moving to several locations. Your TCKs will especially enjoy this one. Also, have your tissues ready because they lyrics will tug on your heartstrings.  P.S. Be sure to check out our show notes before listening to this episode. We have some questions for you to reflect on and “ponder in your heart” (in keeping with the Mary theme of this episode). It's not necessary to answer these questions ahead of time, but it might enrich your listening experience. Check out our show notes for links to all the things we talked about in this episode. _______ There are so many ways to get involved in our community. Join us on Instagram.  Interact with other expats on our private Facebook group.  Search for expat articles on our blog. Get monthly curated resources monthly via our newsletter. Connect with Denise Connect with Melissa  Connect with Alicia 

We don't claim to be experts in this department, by any means, but we do have some experience with raising TCKs. You can treat this episode like a buffet line—take what you like, pass on the things you don't. As Melissa said in this episode, “You're smart parents. I'm sure you can figure out which ones to do and which ones to don't." Ultimately, we hope you feel encouraged after listening to this episode. God has given these children to you and you are the best person for them. No one knows them like you do. Check out our show notes for links to all the things we talked about in this episode. _______ There are so many ways to get involved in our community. Join us on Instagram.  Interact with other expats on our private Facebook group.  Search for expat articles on our blog. Get monthly curated resources monthly via our newsletter. Connect with Denise Connect with Melissa  Connect with Alicia 

It's been awhile since we've gathered for some tea time chatter, so we thought we'd spend an entire episode sharing stories from our life lately. For starters, we'll be talking about ghost fish, roach infestations, and dengue. But we'll also be talking about tattoos, hermit crabs, and what to do when life hands you a fish in a bag. Pour yourself a warm beverage because we've got a lot of catching up to do! Check out our show notes for links to all the things we talked about in this episode. _______ There are so many ways to get involved in our community. Join us on Instagram.  Interact with other expats on our private Facebook group.  Search for expat articles on our blog. Get monthly curated resources monthly via our newsletter. Connect with Denise Connect with Melissa  Connect with Alicia 

What is rest? What does it look like—especially for those of us whose personal lives blend right into our work/ministry lives? How can we tell if we're just exhausted or if we've tipped over into burnout or depression? These are a few of the questions we discuss in this second segment of “do's and don'ts.” Don't forget to check out our show notes for this episode for additional resources when it comes to rest. Check out our show notes for links to all the things we talked about in this episode. _______ There are so many ways to get involved in our community. Join us on Instagram.  Interact with other expats on our private Facebook group.  Search for expat articles on our blog. Get monthly curated resources monthly via our newsletter. Connect with Denise Connect with Melissa  Connect with Alicia 

We're doing a little series of “dos and don'ts” for the next few episodes. And we're starting off with home assignments (aka: furlough, home leave, going back for a visit, etc.) Returning to your passport country holds wonderful opportunities to connect with family, friends, and our home culture. It also has a lot of stressful elements. On this episode, Alicia, Melissa, and Denise talk about going back on home assignment and they share a few do's and don'ts based off personal experiences. So go ahead and make yourself some tea or coffee and get comfy. Get ready to take some notes so you'll be prepared for your next trip back to your homeland. Check out our show notes for links to all the things we talked about in this episode. _______ There are so many ways to get involved in our community. Join us on Instagram.  Interact with other expats on our private Facebook group.  Search for expat articles on our blog. Get monthly curated resources monthly via our newsletter. Connect with Denise Connect with Melissa  Connect with Alicia 

We're usually quick to notice where we fall short and often forget to celebrate the progress. In this episode, we'll be sharing stories about milestones we've reached in our own expat life—and we invite you to do the same! It's a great habit to acknowledge and celebrate the progress we've made. And speaking of celebrating, we recently reached a milestone for our podcast that you all played a huge part in! Check out our show notes for links to all the things we talked about in this episode. _______ There are so many ways to get involved in our community. Join us on Instagram.  Interact with other expats on our private Facebook group.  Search for expat articles on our blog. Get monthly curated resources monthly via our newsletter. Connect with Denise Connect with Melissa  Connect with Alicia 

Conflict will arise from time to time in any friendship—even the best of them— and how we manage these inevitable disagreements with our friends can play a big part in the health of the relationship. In expat life, friendships are really important to invest in so we can find community with others who understand our life. During this tea time chat, Alicia, Denise, and Melissa discuss a recent conflict they had, how they worked through it, and how they learned more about one another in the process. Communication and empathy are important skills for resolving any level of conflict. We hope this episode will leave you feeling better equipped to work through conflict in friendships whenever it arises. Check out our show notes for links to all the things we talked about in this episode. _______ There are so many ways to get involved in our community. Join us on Instagram.  Interact with other expats on our private Facebook group.  Search for expat articles on our blog. Get monthly curated resources monthly via our newsletter. Connect with Denise Connect with Melissa  Connect with Alicia 

You've already done the BIG-sell-all-your-things move. But now it's time to move again—maybe it's across town or across the country. You don't have to sell all.the.things again, but you do have to get it all from Point A to Point B.  In this episode of "It's Tea Time Somewhere," we'll be sharing how many times we've each moved, stories from previous moving experiences, our typical process for packing/moving, and what we do first when we arrive at our new place.  We also made up a new word (if Gen Z can do it all the time, we can too). We think it will make a great addition to your vocabulary. Check out our show notes for links to all the things we talked about in this episode. _______ There are so many ways to get involved in our community. Join us on Instagram.  Interact with other expats on our private Facebook group.  Search for expat articles on our blog. Get monthly curated resources monthly via our newsletter. Connect with Denise Connect with Melissa  Connect with Alicia 

This episode is all about vacations! We talk about our vacation rhythms (back when, you know, we could actually go somewhere…), how we make them happen, or why they don't happen.  We also discuss the guilt that many cross-cultural workers feel about taking a vacation. Rest is so necessary, in any kind of work, and we want you to feel the freedom to go create beautiful memories with your family. So, pack everyone up in the car/bus/train/plane, grab your travel mug, put your earbuds in and get outta town, cause it's tea time somewhere! Check out our show notes for links to all the things we talked about in this episode. _______ There are so many ways to get involved in our community. Join us on Instagram.  Interact with other expats on our private Facebook group.  Search for expat articles on our blog. Get monthly curated resources monthly via our newsletter. Connect with Denise Connect with Melissa  Connect with Alicia 

In this episode, we're talking about “summer break” and whether or not we're actually having a break from school. We discussed how the 2020-2021 school year went for each of our families, how the school year ended (or has it?) and what we've learned from the Lord about ourselves and about our children in this last year. We also chat about a new word that the youths are saying (well, it was new back when we recorded this episode) and we have a pop quiz about its meaning. Join us! Check out our show notes for links to all the things we talked about in this episode. _______ There are so many ways to get involved in our community. Join us on Instagram.  Interact with other expats on our private Facebook group.  Search for expat articles on our blog. Get monthly curated resources monthly via our newsletter. Connect with Denise Connect with Melissa  Connect with Alicia 

This is the Beauty Episode! In this episode we talked about the evolution of our style and beauty throughout the years; from all the way back in the awkward days when we first started trying to look pretty, till now. We discussed how to stay true to your style and "feel like you" when moving to a new country and how sweat drains our motivation to put on makeup. And since you asked (or even if you didn't), we put our Influencer hats on and wrapped it all up by sharing which products and beauty tips are working for us right now.   So, wash your face and plop up your hair because it's tea time somewhere!   Check out our show notes for links to all the things we talked about in this episode. _______ There are so many ways to get involved in our community. Join us on Instagram.  Interact with other expats on our private Facebook group.  Search for expat articles on our blog. Get monthly curated resources monthly via our newsletter. Connect with Denise Connect with Melissa  Connect with Alicia 

This is the Beauty Episode! In this episode we talked about the evolution of our style and beauty throughout the years; from all the way back in the awkward days when we first started trying to look pretty, till now. We discussed how to stay true to your style and "feel like you" when moving to a new country and how sweat drains our motivation to put on makeup. And since you asked (or even if you didn't), we put our Influencer hats on and wrapped it all up by sharing which products and beauty tips are working for us right now.    So, wash your face and plop up your hair because it's tea time somewhere!   Check out our show notes for links to all the things we talked about in this episode. _______ Questions discussed in this episode:   What was your style back when you first started trying to be "pretty"?   What are you doing now to take care of yourself?   Which beauty products or tips are working for you now?  ________ There are so many ways to get involved in our community. Join us on Instagram.  Interact with other expats on our private Facebook group.  Search for expat articles on our blog. Get monthly curated resources monthly via our newsletter. Connect with Denise Connect with Melissa  Connect with Alicia 

Today we’re chatting Rachel Pieh Jones (who has previously joined us here on the podcast). For those of you who don’t already know Rachel, she writes about life at the crossroads of faith and culture. Rachel just released her latest book, Pillars: How Muslim Friends Led Me Closer to Jesus. She shares stories that recount the personal encounters and growing friendships which gradually dismantled her unspoken fears and prejudices and deepened her respect for Islam. Along the way she also gains a far richer understanding of her own Christian faith. She divided her stories around the five pillars of Islam — creed, prayer, fasting, giving, and pilgrimage — and shows how her Muslim friends’ devotion to these pillars led her to rediscover ancient Christian practices her own religious tradition has lost or neglected. We hope this interview encourages you to extend a holy welcome to your friends, neighbors, and coworkers, and to reach your hand across the chasm with empathy and respect toward fellow Image Bearers of God. Check out our show notes for links to all the things we talked about in this episode. _______ There are so many ways to get involved in our community. Join us on Instagram.  Interact with other expats on our private Facebook group.  Search for expat articles on our blog. Get monthly curated resources monthly via our newsletter. Connect with Denise Connect with Melissa  Connect with Alicia 

Welcome to the Preggisode! But don't run away! This conversation is packed full of laughs that you'll enjoy even if pregnancy is far from your mind. In this episode we talked about allll the pregnancy things. We've had a lot of kids overseas, a combination of 10 pregnancies. So, there are many paths to walk down our memory lanes.   Being pregnant and having babies far away from our passport country can be an intimidating experience. There is also something really special about experiencing pregnancy and childbirth in a different culture. So grab your cup of tea (or coffee) and enjoy this chat. Check out our show notes for links to all the things we talked about in this episode. _______ There are so many ways to get involved in our community. Join us on Instagram.  Interact with other expats on our private Facebook group.  Search for expat articles on our blog. Get monthly curated resources monthly via our newsletter. Connect with Denise Connect with Melissa  Connect with Alicia 

In this episode, we’re doing our first round of “ask us anything.” We had so many questions from listeners there was no way to answer all, but we do discuss our friendship, how to maintain long-distance friendships and family relationships, meeting neighbors with limited language, and embarrassing moments (well, we only had time to share ONE moment this time because Melissa’s story took us by surprise). We also give some rapid-fire answers to questions about books, pets, and what goodies we shove in our suitcases. Check out our show notes for links to all the things we talked about in this episode. _______ There are so many ways to get involved in our community. Join us on Instagram.  Interact with other expats on our private Facebook group.  Search for expat articles on our blog. Get monthly curated resources monthly via our newsletter. Connect with Denise Connect with Melissa  Connect with Alicia 

At long last, Alicia is back! She's recovered from her whirlwind trip back to Indonesia, and her return inspired today's episode about moving overseas for the first time. In this episode, we discussed how we prepared when we first moved overseas, how we handled (and still handle) those wretched goodbyes, and what helped us when we landed in a new culture.   This discussion will hopefully be a practical help to all the newbies out there who are preparing for the big move, but also an encouragement to the long-timers. There are ways we can be welcoming and helpful to people landing overseas for the first time, and that kindness can make all the difference in the world.   Check out our show notes for links to all the things we talked about in this episode. _______ There are so many ways to get involved in our community. Join us on Instagram.  Interact with other expats on our private Facebook group.  Search for expat articles on our blog. Get monthly curated resources monthly via our newsletter. Connect with Denise Connect with Melissa  Connect with Alicia 

Where are all our housekeeping fans? {crickets, crickets}   Okay, so house cleaning and home management might not top our list of fun pastimes, but they are a necessary part of this overseas life. Whether you keep a sparkling clean house, or you fall into the “God bless this mess” camp, this episode is for you. Our friend, Sharon, joined us to talk all about our home management personalities, household help, and fun tips for keeping up with the demands of life in a busy home.  And what house management discussion wouldn't be complete without talking about finger crinkles and floor drains? Take a break from those dishes. Put your ear buds in and your feet up, ‘cause it’s tea time somewhere!  Check out our show notes for links to all the things we talked about in this episode. _______ There are so many ways to get involved in our community. Join us on Instagram.  Interact with other expats on our private Facebook group.  Search for expat articles on our blog. Get monthly curated resources monthly via our newsletter. Connect with Denise Connect with Melissa  Connect with Sharon Connect with Alicia 

When you moved overseas did you have a plan for how long you would stay? Did you imagine you'd be there for a long time, or are you considering staying longer than you originally planned? In this episode we had a conversation with Kim, our friend in Ukraine, about living overseas for the long haul. We talked about our initial plans when we moved overseas, persevering through times of doubt and hardship, and what we do, proactively, to remain and thrive in our life overseas.  Whether you plan to stay overseas for 2 years or 20 years, we hope this episode will be a blessing to you, and also a practical help. You are not alone! So grab your tea and your earbuds and let your heart be encouraged in this episode of "It's Tea Time Somewhere." Check out our show notes for links to all the things we talked about in this episode. _______ There are so many ways to get involved in our community. Join us on Instagram.  Interact with other expats on our private Facebook group.  Search for expat articles on our blog. Get monthly curated resources monthly via our newsletter. Connect with Denise Connect with Melissa  Connect with Kim Connect with Alicia 

Our discussion this week is all about TCK friendships. This topic can be a tough one, but it's oh so important for the health and happiness of our kiddos in their life overseas. In this episode we break down the discussion into the Early Years, the Middle Years (aka "The Hay Day of School Age Kids"), and then on into the Tween and Teen Years. We talk about things we have done to help our kids develop friendships, our successes and failures, how our perspectives have shifted over the years, and what it looks like to be proactive in creating opportunities for our kids to find friendship. We don't claim to be experts on this topic, but we hope you come away with an encouraged heart, and more than anything, we hope you see that you are not alone. If your mama heart is struggling as you navigate friendships alongside your TCK's, know that you are definitely not the only one. So, grab a cuppa and settle in for some encouragement, because it's tea time somewhere!  Check out our show notes for links to all the things we talked about in this episode. _______ There are so many ways to get involved in our community. Join us on Instagram.  Interact with other expats on our private Facebook group.  Search for expat articles on our blog. Get monthly curated resources monthly via our newsletter. Connect with Denise Connect with Melissa  Connect with Alicia 

We're chatting about new beginnings (NOT new goals). As expats, we don’t have to wait for a new year to roll around to experience new beginnings. Whether it’s a new location, new language, new schooling choice, or new housing situation every time you return to your passport country — it can bring a roller coaster of feelings. We'll be chatting about our most recent ‘new beginnings’, what we learned through it, and the unexpected blessings each experience brought us. Check out our show notes for links to all the things we talked about in this episode. _______ There are so many ways to get involved in our community. Join us on Instagram.  Interact with other expats on our private Facebook group.  Search for expat articles on our blog. Get monthly curated resources monthly via our newsletter. Connect with Denise Connect with Melissa  Connect with Alicia 

The Taking Route Community is growing and we are so happy to see more and more women from around the world connecting and encouraging each other as we all learn to thrive right where we are planted. With that growth comes the need to reevaluate what brings life as we juggle connection online and feeding our multitudes of children. So.Many.Children. Doing this podcast is a lot of fun, and brings life, but arranging interviews with differing time zones and sketchy internet is a little less fun. In the hopes of 2021 being the year of less stress, we have decided to change the podcast format to less interviews and more tea time conversations. Each episode we’ll pick a topic and dissect it, share our perspectives and what we’ve learned through our experiences as expats. We really value different voices so we aren’t doing away with interviews altogether, but the meat of the podcast will be just the three of us: Denise, Melissa, and Alicia.  In this episode we reintroduce ourselves for the benefit of any new listeners and share more about what you can expect in the episodes to come. We’re excited about this new format and hope you enjoy!    Check out our show notes for links to all the things we talked about in this episode. _______ There are so many ways to get involved in our community. Join us on Instagram.  Interact with other expats on our private Facebook group.  Search for expat articles on our blog. Get monthly curated resources monthly via our newsletter. Connect with Denise Connect with Melissa  Connect with Alicia 

For our last episode of Taking Route Podcast, we’re doing something a little different — a Christmas Special, if you will. This episode is only about ten minutes — but it’s packed full of Christmas goodness. First, we’ll read an expat-friendly rendition of ‘Twas the Night Before Christmas. Then, Melissa will perform a new song she wrote (it’s record label good, no exaggeration).  We love you guys and we’re so thankful each and every one of you are a part of the Taking Route Community.We pray you feel God’s nearness this Christmas as we celebrate the birth of Jesus Immanuel — God with us. Merry Christmas to you all, and to all a goodnight. Taking Route on Instagram. Join our private group on Facebook. (Be sure to answer the questions so we can let you in!):  Join our monthly newsletter. Connect with Denise. Connect with Alicia. Connect with Melissa.  We also have show notes to find links to things we talked about during this episode (including Melissa's anthem, Yogurt, by Ylvis). Light reading for your pleasure. Don't forget to check out the website (www.TakingRoute.net) for 100's of relevant expat articles. HELP THE TAKING ROUTE PODCAST REACH MORE EXPATS Subscribe | Just do it! Leave a review | When you leave a five-star review, it helps other expats find us when they’re seeking out podcasts on iTunes.  Share with a friend | We hope to see the Taking Route podcast grow and grow and grow, but we rely on expats like you to spread the word. We appreciate when you share our episodes—whether that’s via Facebook, email, Twitter or Instagram. Thank you for the love! 

The final stop in our series, “This Global Pandemic,” is in South Korea to visit Oklahoma native, Kara. She, her husband, and their four kids stayed put in South Korea this year, even though they had long-awaited travel plans to go to the States (it’s been four years since their last visit!) In this episode, Kara shares what a pandemic looks like in a culture that is very communal and how South Korea is the place to be stuck if you have to be stuck anywhere while a virus spreads around the globe. She talks about some of the humorous moments of 2020, as well as how she gave herself permission to grieve the things that are hard about expat life. Connect with us:Instagram   or  Facebook Private Group Join us on our website with articles written by expats for expats: www.takingroute.net Connect with our guest, Melissa Connect with Alicia Connect with Denise Connect with our Melissa

We’re coming up on that time of year: the time of turkey, traditions, and gathering around the table with the ones we love. It’s almost Thanksgiving! Will there be green bean casserole and sweet potatoes on your table? Can you even get turkey wherever you are in the world? In this episode, Denise, Alicia, and Melissa talk about all things Thanksgiving. They compare their childhood memories of Thanksgiving with their current expat reality, share what they are most thankful for in this moment, and play a fun ice breaker game that you can use around your table. So, grab a cup of tea and settle in, because it’s tea time somewhere!  Taking Route on Instagram. Join our private group on Facebook. (Be sure to answer the questions so we can let you in!):  Join our monthly newsletter. Connect with Denise. Connect with Alicia. Connect with Melissa.  We also have show notes to find links to things we talked about during this episode (including Melissa's anthem, Yogurt, by Ylvis). Light reading for your pleasure. Don't forget to check out the website (www.TakingRoute.net) for 100's of relevant expat articles. HELP THE TAKING ROUTE PODCAST REACH MORE EXPATS Subscribe | Just do it! Leave a review | When you leave a five-star review, it helps other expats find us when they’re seeking out podcasts on iTunes.  Share with a friend | We hope to see the Taking Route podcast grow and grow and grow, but we rely on expats like you to spread the word. We appreciate when you share our episodes—whether that’s via Facebook, email, Twitter or Instagram. Thank you for the love! 

Next in our “This Global Pandemic” series we are travel to São Paulo, Brazil to visit Tennessee native, Melissa. Melissa along with her husband and three kids are determined to thrive and not just survive this pandemic. Melissa tells how they dealt with a visiting team of co-workers from America when the world began to shut down and she shares how regular tea times for heart checks with our children is instrumental. She has learned to laugh at the unexpected that comes moving to a new apartment during this crazy time. Connect with us:Instagram   or  Facebook Private Group Join us on our website with articles written by expats for expats: www.takingroute.net Connect with our guest, Melissa Connect with Alicia Connect with Denise Connect with our Melissa

One of the hardest parts about expat life is being so far away when tragedy strikes your home country. You want to hug your loved ones, process things out loud with your closest friends, and be near the ones you hold closest to your heart. In today’s episode, we talk with Tamika about what it’s been like to be a Black American woman, married to an Austrian, and living far away from the States as racial tension builds during a global pandemic.  Tamika shares what it’s been like to emotionally process events from afar, and how she and her children have become the go-to American source for their local friends and peers to ask questions about the current events in the U.S. We also discuss the delicate balance of talking with our TCKs about the hard things so they won’t be naive to what is happening in the world — and most importantly, in their own home country. In closing, Tamika shares a word of encouragement to expat women of color and gives beautiful words of wisdom to white expats on how to be a safe place for your friends of color who are processing troubling events from far away. “If you’re in a situation where you see any kind of injustice,” Tamika adds, “regardless of who you are, you can step in front of it. Put yourself out there so they know they’re seen and that they matter.” We also have show notes. Light reading for your pleasure. Connect with us: Instagram   or  Facebook Private Group Join us on our website with articles written by expats for expats: Connect with Alicia Connect with Denise Connect with Melissa  

As the Covid 19 pandemic spread to each of our corners of the world earlier this year, many of us had to consider access to medical care (or lack of it) as we made decisions about staying or evacuating. When Rachel and her husband found out they were pregnant with their fourth child right as lockdowns began, they had to make the hard choice to leave their home in India and evacuate to America. In this episode, Rachel recounts her experience of leaving on short notice, while sick and pregnant, with three young children. She shares how she and her family have dealt with unmet expectations and loss upon their return to their passport country, and how their experience with cross-culture transitions has equipped them to be an encouragement and support to others in this challenging season. We also have show notes. Light reading for your pleasure. Connect with us: Instagram   or  Facebook Private Group Join us on our website with articles written by expats for expats: Connect with Alicia Connect with Denise Connect with Melissa QUESTIONS ASKED THIS EPISODE: “Everything began to change that first week of March. We found out we were pregnant, we started hearing all this information on lockdown and mask wearing, and the seriousness of it was escalating.” “We had about 12-18 hours to pack up our house, pack up our things, get everything arranged, and leave.” “It felt like it had already been a journey by the time we even got to the gate.” “As you can imagine, having three young children who are starving and tired and had just been through a lot of travel, it was crazy. “ “All of these expectations that my children had for coming back to the U.S. were stripped away from them. They couldn’t see family like they thought they would be able to, and all of these places that they looked forward to coming back to were not available.” “A lot of our homeschooling looked the same, and because of that I felt like it was just a comfort zone for them that gave them freedom to open up to us.” “Leaving our home in India was probably one of the hardest decisions my husband and I have ever had to make.” “One of the things I’ve had that’s been a challenge and I’ve had to grow and learn about in this season is how to give myself grace and how to allow myself to receive help when I’ve needed it.” “I can trust that whatever happens, we’ll be taken care of.” “How can we help each other in this time; how can we unite in this time to really support each other?” “Something I’ve continued to remind myself of in this season is that I’m not the only one going through this.” “Because of our life of transition, we can then come alongside those who aren’t as used to so much transition and just be a support for them, be a source of encouragement.” “I think an accurate way to describe much of what many people are going through is loss.” “So walking through that loss, one, is recognizing that it’s not just something I have to get through but it’s actually ok to mourn it.” “Our plans were taken away but we weren’t given new plans as a replacement.” “This time has allowed me to see the need for educating myself on others’ perspectives.” “I do not understand everyone’s circumstances and I have to learn to stretch myself to be able to love others well.” HELP THE TAKING ROUTE PODCAST REACH MORE EXPATS Subscribe | To subscribe on iOS, go to our iTunes page and subscribe to the Taking Route Podcast.  Leave a review | When you leave a five-star iTunes review, it helps other expats find us when they’re seeking out podcasts on iTunes. Need directions? Just check out the “Reviews” highlight on our Instagram account. Share with a friend | We hope to see the Taking Route podcast grow and grow and grow, but we rely on expats like you to spread the word. We appreciate when you share our episodes—whether that’s via Facebook, email, Twitter or Instagram. Thank you for the love! _________ Need a way to organize all your language learning notes? Check out our very first product "One Word at a Time: Language Learning Notebook."

Wherever you currently find yourself in the world, it’s no secret that all our lives have been affected by the Covid 19 pandemic. Our circumstances and situations might be different, but in an effort to create some solidarity between us we are starting a new mini-series titled “This Global Pandemic.”  Each episode will have an interview with a new expat woman who will share her perspective on what life in the time of a global pandemic has been like for her.  In today’s episode you’ll hear from Kim, who lives in Ukraine with her husband and their six kids. They also have guardianship of three men with special needs and they work to deinstitutionalize people with disabilities. Kim shares with us what is was like for her family to unexpectedly welcome several new people into their home to quarantine with them, help a family get their adopted son to America in the middle of the pandemic, and what the Lord has been teaching her about releasing her love of control. Grab your favorite beverage and a comfy seat and prepare to be blessed by Kim’s story. We also have show notes at www.takingroute.net/podcast Light reading for your pleasure. Connect with us: Instagram   or  Facebook Private Group Join us on our website with articles written by expats for expats: Connect with Kim Connect with Alicia Connect with Denise Connect with Melissa QUESTIONS ASKED THIS EPISODE: What was your initial reaction to the news of COVID-19? Did you stay in your host country or evacuate back to your home country? If you stayed, tell us a little about how your host country has responded to the crisis. If you evacuated, tell us what that experience was like. What does a pandemic looks in Ukraine? What was a moment you realized COVID-19 was serious?  Have there been times when you broke down (maybe with tears, maybe in frustration)? What caused that to happen? How did you move forward? What has community looked like for you while sheltering in place? With an already full house, what has it been like adding two extra people? What are your kids’ thoughts about the coronavirus? How have you talked about this with them and how have they responded? While staying home, what are some of your favorite activities? Have you started doing something you didn’t normally do prior to the global pandemic? What are some plans/trips/celebrations you had that have changed or been cancelled? How have you worked through that loss? What are some of the worries/concerns you have? What are you listening to these days? HELP THE TAKING ROUTE PODCAST REACH MORE EXPATS Subscribe | To subscribe on iOS, go to our iTunes page and subscribe to the Taking Route Podcast.  Leave a review | When you leave a five-star iTunes review, it helps other expats find us when they’re seeking out podcasts on iTunes. Need directions? Just check out the “Reviews” highlight on our Instagram account. Share with a friend | We hope to see the Taking Route podcast grow and grow and grow, but we rely on expats like you to spread the word. We appreciate when you share our episodes—whether that’s via Facebook, email, Twitter or Instagram. Thank you for the love! _________ Need a way to organize all your language learning notes? Check out our very first product "One Word at a Time: Language Learning Notebook."

Here at Taking Route, we desire to make you feel like you are welcomed and belong in this expat community. We want you to be able to see your story and your expat experience reflected in this space. However, we know we can do so much better at having more perspectives and voices in order to more accurately represent expat life. In this episode, we are speaking specifically about the work of racial reconciliation. In this conversation, we discuss what we’ve been learning, what racial reconciliation looks like while living abroad, and how we’re teaching our children about race and racism. We can’t “out-write” our experience, so to speak, but it’s our hope and prayer that Taking Route will see growth in the area of better representation as we look inwardly and examine where we can do better and how we can do better. This conversation was important for us to have on the podcast so the Taking Route community can hear where we’re at on this journey and hold us accountable. Thank you for the grace you’ve extended to us thus far. We are confident the Lord — who gathers people from every race, tribe, and tongue to His throne — will continue to lead and make a way for this to be a community that represents a truer picture of His Kingdom here on earth. We also have show notes!  Light reading for your pleasure. CONNECT WITH US: Instagram Facebook Private Group Join us on our website with articles written by expats for expats: Connect with Alicia Connect with Denise Connect with Melissa QUESTIONS ASKED THIS EPISODE: What’s your week been like through all of this? How do I show up if I live in a very monochromatic culture? What are some things you are hearing and learning? How are we talking to our families and our kids about this? HELP THE TAKING ROUTE PODCAST REACH MORE EXPATS Subscribe | To subscribe on iOS, go to our iTunes page and subscribe to the Taking Route Podcast.  Leave a review | When you leave a five-star iTunes review, it helps other expats find us when they’re seeking out podcasts on iTunes. Need directions? Just check out the “Reviews” highlight on our Instagram account. Share with a friend | We hope to see the Taking Route podcast grow and grow and grow, but we rely on expats like you to spread the word. We appreciate when you share our episodes—whether that’s via Facebook, email, Twitter or Instagram. Thank you for the love! _________ Need a way to organize all your language learning notes? Check out our very first product "One Word at a Time: Language Learning Notebook."

During this pandemic, we expats have fallen into one of two categories: those who stayed and those who left. Expats who made the decision to evacuate their host country have undoubtedly faced some very unique challenges in leaving and finding a new normal in their passport country. In this episode Denise interviews Alicia about her family’s decision to leave Indonesia and evacuate to the States, how they came to that decision, and the lessons she’s learning through it. Alicia’s story will help those who stayed abroad to better understand the realities of our friends who left, and will encourage fellow evacuees that you’re not alone in the ups and downs of repatriating during a pandemic. We also have show notes!  Light reading for your pleasure. Connect with us:Instagram Facebook Private Group Join us on our website with articles written by expats for expats: Connect with Alicia Connect with Denise Connect with Melissa QUESTIONS ASKED THIS EPISODE: What was coronavirus like in your area? What were your initial thoughts about the virus when it began to be on a global scale? When you and your husband made these decisions about social distancing and going back to the United States, were you on the same page? How did you process that? What was your reasoning behind thinking your family needed to leave? What were the challenges in leaving? What was the travel like? How has it been now that you’ve made the trip back? How has it been emotionally and spiritually for you through all this? If you could encourage an expat who evacuated, what would you encourage her with? HELP THE TAKING ROUTE PODCAST REACH MORE EXPATS Subscribe | To subscribe on iOS, go to our iTunes page and subscribe to the Taking Route Podcast.  Leave a review | When you leave a five-star iTunes review, it helps other expats find us when they’re seeking out podcasts on iTunes. Need directions? Just check out the “Reviews” highlight on our Instagram account. Share with a friend | We hope to see the Taking Route podcast grow and grow and grow, but we rely on expats like you to spread the word. We appreciate when you share our episodes—whether that’s via Facebook, email, Twitter or Instagram. Thank you for the love! _________ Need a way to organize all your language learning notes? Check out our very first product "One Word at a Time: Language Learning Notebook."

Jenilee Goodwin opens up with us about the stressful intense time in her life that included a tough medical diagnosis, family issues, cancer and the quick death of her mother-in-law, putting her girls in boarding school for the first time-- all of that on top of regular expat stresses, expectations, and responsibilities. These combined circumstances led to a very intense time in her life. In this episode of Taking Route Podcast, Jenilee shares tools and lessons she and her family learned persevering through these difficult times. She shares some truths about communication, sleep, and giving yourself and your loved space and compassion. Grab your cup of coffee and enjoy our chat with Jenilee! Stay tuned to the end of the episode to hear about an exciting new podcast series that will be coming soon! We also have show notes!  Light reading for your pleasure. Connect with Jenilee: Website | Instagram Connect with Denise Connect with Melissa Connect with Alicia QUESTIONS ASKED THIS EPISODE: How is it with three teenage girls? Explain about your last few years and what has made it so intense? How have you come to the decision to stay work through those things on the field? What does good communication look like for you and (your husband)? Are there any special resources you have used to get you through these difficult times (with the Enneagram)? What does staying healthy spiritually look like for you when going through an intense time? As your are sliding down the bellcurve of intensity if getting over the challenges, what has helped you get over that time? What were some of things to move forward through from sadness? How did your family come to the decision of boarding school? Can you share about the writing and “Behind the Prayer Card?” What would you say to the expat woman who may be going through the most intense time of their life? HELP THE TAKING ROUTE PODCAST REACH MORE EXPATS Subscribe | To subscribe on iOS, go to our iTunes page and subscribe to the Taking Route Podcast.  Leave a review | When you leave a five-star iTunes review, it helps other expats find us when they’re seeking out podcasts on iTunes. Need directions? Just check out the “Reviews” highlight on our Instagram account. Share with a friend | We hope to see the Taking Route podcast grow and grow and grow, but we rely on expats like you to spread the word. We appreciate when you share our episodes—whether that’s via Facebook, email, Twitter or Instagram. Thank you for the love! ____________ Need a way to organize all your language learning notes? Check out our very first product One Word at a Time: Language Learning  Notebook. Do you need to keep up with your Netflix shows while living abroad? Try Express VPN to allow you to view all American channels you are subscribed to. Like what you heard? Go to www.takingroute.net for more expat conversations and resources.  Don't forget to join our Expat Community on Instagram or Facebook Private Group. We also have show notes!  Light reading for your pleasure.

Should I stay or should I go? This is a question that most of us have had to wrestle with recently as country borders closed and flights were grounded. In this episode, Denise and Melissa talk about staying in their host countries during this pandemic, how they made the decision, and how they are coping with their choice. From schooling changes for the kids to cancelled trips and loss of control, this conversation deals with the very real fears, challenges, and blessings of choosing to stay abroad during this pandemic.  Questions discussed during this episode: What’s it like where you are during this pandemic? Why are you still in your host country? How are you making it work being at home 24/7? Are your kids missing school? What’s something that the Lord is teaching you in all this? Come connect with our community on Instagram.  Also, find Denise and Melissa there, too. Please check out our show notes for all the resources listed in this episode and for resources for your home assignment at www.takingroute.net/podcast. Like what you heard? Go to www.takingroute.net for more expat conversations and resources.  If you would like to connect deeper with our community on Facebook check out our private group Taking Route Together. Don't forget to join our Instagram community @takingrouteblog. Please hit SUBSCRIBE and leave us a REVIEW!! It helps others like you find us.

A lot can change in ten years, especially when you throw being an expat in the mix. From reflections on moving abroad for the first time to a hilarious quiz on today’s lingo, Denise, Melissa, and Alicia explore a decade’s worth of fun and wisdom in this episode. Join them for a discussion about how their surroundings, families, and hearts have changed through their prospective journeys. Grab a cup of tea (or coffee) and listen in because when these three get together, you will want to be a part of the conversation! After all, it's tea time somewhere. Come connect with our community on Instagram.  Also, find Denise, Alicia, and Melissa there, too. Please check out our show notes for all the resources listed in this episode and for resources for your home assignment at www.takingroute.net/podcast. Like what you heard? Go to www.takingroute.net for more expat conversations and resources.  Don't forget to join our Instagram community @takingrouteblog. Please hit SUBSCRIBE and leave us a REVIEW!! It helps others like you find us.

Married or single, it’s likely you have struggled at some point with finding joy and purpose in the tasks expected of you in your life abroad. In Tawnie’s experience of becoming a “trailing spouse”-the spouse who isn’t working full-time- those expectations can be challenging and isolating. In this episode, she shares vulnerably about leaving her career in the states behind, and her journey to find her own passion and purpose while living overseas. Tawnie reminds us that finding outlets outside of ministry and work that align with our talents and passions can help prevent burnout and lead to a more fulfilling life. We also have show notes!  Light reading for your pleasure. Connect with Denise Connect with Alicia Connect with Melissa Connect with Tawnie: Website | Instagram QUESTIONS ASKED THIS EPISODE: How would you explain a “trailing spouse?” "When you moved to Vienna, your career stopped. Was that because you weren’t allowed to find another job or it just didn’t work out? Were you told that you would be expected to put your time into the school where your husband worked, or was it an expectation once you got there? Did you find yourself in a place where you needed to create balance between what you were asked to do and what you wanted to do? When did things start turning around where you found your footing?   What’s your vocational background? Did you feel pressure of expectations from people around you that it was selfish to do things for yourself, or did you feel freedom to just be who you are? How do you handle the things that you don’t necessarily enjoy but need to be done anyway? How would you encourage women who are in the same place you have been? What’s a God-moment you’ve had since you’ve moved overseas? HELP THE TAKING ROUTE PODCAST REACH MORE EXPATS Subscribe | To subscribe on iOS, go to our iTunes page and subscribe to the Taking Route Podcast.  Leave a review | When you leave a five-star iTunes review, it helps other expats find us when they’re seeking out podcasts on iTunes. Need directions? Just check out the “Reviews” highlight on our Instagram account. Share with a friend | We hope to see the Taking Route podcast grow and grow and grow, but we rely on expats like you to spread the word. We appreciate when you share our episodes—whether that’s via Facebook, email, Twitter or Instagram. Thank you for the love! ____________ Need a way to organize all your language learning notes? Check out our very first product One Word at a Time: Language Learning  Notebook. Do you need to keep up with your Netflix shows while living abroad? Try Express VPN to allow you to view all American channels you are subscribed to. Like what you heard? Go to www.takingroute.net for more expat conversations and resources.  Don't forget to join our Expat Community on Instagram or Facebook Private Group. We also have show notes!  Light reading for your pleasure.

Some of you might think this episode is not for you. “I’m not a creative person,” you might be saying to yourself. On the contrary, my friend. As Lauren reminds us in this episode, “there are so many ways you can be creative without owning paintbrushes.” In this episode, we talk with Lauren Hooper (podcast host of How She Creates) about how to make time for creativity while you’re living abroad. The world and all of its richness is at our fingertips and Lauren encourages us to experience something new and turn it into art. Every day is brand new. Carpe diem! Connect with Alicia Connect with Melissa Connect with Lauren: Podcast | Blog | Instagram | Retreat QUESTIONS ASKED THIS EPISODE: How did you end up overseas? Can you tell us a little more about the business you started overseas? Have you always being a creative soul? What were some of the challenges to wanting to create more? What were some steps you took to help you start creating? Have you found that creating and being an artist has connected you to the outside culture? Tell us more about your linking your passion for art and your passion for social endeavors into one. How have your experiences overseas has led you down this path? What are some tips you can give us on how to view our expat experience   HELP THE TAKING ROUTE PODCAST REACH MORE EXPATS Subscribe | To subscribe on iOS, go to our iTunes page and subscribe to the Taking Route Podcast.  Leave a review | When you leave a five-star iTunes review, it helps other expats find us when they’re seeking out podcasts on iTunes. Need directions? Just check out the “Reviews” highlight on our Instagram account. Share with a friend | We hope to see the Taking Route podcast grow and grow and grow, but we rely on expats like you to spread the word. We appreciate when you share our episodes—whether that’s via Facebook, email, Twitter or Instagram. Thank you for the love! ____________ Do you need to keep up with your Netflix shows while living abroad? Try Express VPN to allow you to view all American channels you are subscribed to. Like what you heard? Go to www.takingroute.net for more expat conversations and resources.  Don't forget to join our Expat Community on Instagram or Facebook Private Group. We also have show notes!  Light reading for your pleasure.

When we first move overseas, we don’t often think about the long-term implications. It’s hard to wrap our minds around what nearly 20 years of life abroad will look like, or if we’ll even make it to that point. Quite honestly, not many people do stay for that long. Rachel Pieh Jones, the author of the book Stronger Than Death, speaks honestly within this episode about the unexpected grief and loneliness she has felt while staying overseas for the long-haul. She also shares about the things her family has done well over the last 17 years, the benefits of staying long-term, and why we need to start being more honest about the joys and the hardships of life abroad. Connect with Denise Connect with Alicia Connect with Rachel: Blog | Books | Newsletter | Instagram Do you need to keep up with your Netflix shows while living abroad? Try Express VPN to allow you to view all American channels you are subscribed to. Like what you heard? Go to www.takingroute.net for more expat conversations and resources.  Don't forget to join our Expat Community on Instagram or Facebook Private Group. We also have show notes!  Light reading for your pleasure. Questions discussed during this episode: What has it been like raising your kids in Africa and now sending them back to the States? What have been the challenges and joys in that? Looking back, is there anything you did really well or wish you would have done to help prepare for this time when they’re being launched to extended family and friends? Was there any awkwardness with the relationships of extended family members or do you feel like your kids fit right in and it was a smooth transition? Do you feel like this stage in life is something that’s talked about enough in the expat community or something that’s not addressed? What are some of the amazing things you’ve seen because you’ve been overseas for 17 years? Have there ever been any close calls where you’ve thought, “maybe we should go home.” If so, how did you decide to stay? Share with us the story behind your new book and what it’s about. If you could encourage an expat woman right now, what would you say to her to help her fight the good fight one more day?  

On the difficult days of expat life, we might be guilty of daydreaming about "going home." But then, we snap ourselves out of it and declare, "what doesn't kill me only makes me stronger!" We pick ourselves up by the bootstraps and march forward, determined to stay the course and not let anything threaten to send us packing. Over time, pride takes over and suddenly we think "going home" is equal to "quitting." But what if it's EXACTLY what the Lord is calling us to do? What if going home is the next RIGHT step to take? Join us as we chat with returning guest, Lauren Pinkston, on the topic of going "home." Connect with Lauren | and her fair-trade business: Wearthy | and her new job Connect with the Taking Route Community on Instagram or Facebook. Check out more relevant expat articles on Taking Route Blog. Connect with Denise Connect with Alicia Like what you heard? Go to www.takingroute.net for more expat conversations and resources.  Don't forget to join our Expat Community on Instagram @takingrouteblog or Facebook. We also have show notes!  Light reading for your pleasure.   Questions discussed during this episode: When you moved overseas, did you think it was going to be forever? When you started thinking about coming back to your passport country, walk me through what that looked like. Was it just because your 5-year contract was coming to an end? What were the confirmations to move back? How did you work through the bitterness and resentment and get to a place where you were ok going back to the U.S.? Did you have any fears about how you would be viewed once you got back to the United States? How did you finish well? What were some of the things you did before you got on that plane that has allowed you to live in more freedom being back in North America? Now that you’re on the other side, what was it like landing and still having the hardships you carried with you from Southeast Asia? Now that you’ve been through the whole process, how has it been confirmed that this was the right thing for your family? What’s on the horizon for you?  

It's that time of year again: school uniforms are being purchased, homeschool rooms are being organized, and kids are holding signs and cheesing for mom to mark the first day of school. In this tea-time episode, we're discussing the experiences we've had in our host countries with local school and homeschooling, along with some things we've learned. We also talk about what kind of students we were growing up, how you better not miss too many days of public school in the States "OR ELSE," and how one PTA president let power get to her head. Come connect with our community on Instagram.  Also, find Denise, Alicia, and Melissa there, too. Please check out our show notes for all the resources listed in this episode and for resources for your home assignment at www.takingroute.net/podcast. Like what you heard? Go to www.takingroute.net for more expat conversations and resources.  Don't forget to join our Instagram community @takingrouteblog. Please hit SUBSCRIBE and leave us a REVIEW!! It helps others like you find us.

We’re so excited to be recording this episode of Taking Route Podcast, mainly because it’s been SO LONG since we’ve released a new one. Thanks to all the transition in each of our expat lives, finding the perfect time to record a podcast was simply not going to happen. One could even say we didn’t set realistic expectations – hey, what a great segue into today’s topic! For this segment of “It’s Tea Time Somewhere”, we’re talking “All About Expectations.” Life overseas brings a whole load of expectations – what we put on ourselves, what others put on us, unspoken expectations, and spoken expectations. How do you deal with it all without going crazy? That’s what we’re going to chat about. (We’re also talking about Honda. If you’re listening to Honda, we’ll send you an invoice for the ad space we gave you.) Come connect with our community on Instagram.  Also, find Denise, Alicia, and Melissa there, too. Please check out our show notes for all the resources listed in this episode and for resources for your home assignment at www.takingroute.net/podcast. Like what you heard? Go to www.takingroute.net for more expat conversations and resources.  Don't forget to join our Instagram community @takingrouteblog. Please hit SUBSCRIBE and leave us a REVIEW!! It helps others like you find us.

On today’s podcast, we have a guest who might be familiar to many: Ruth Van Reken, author of Letters Never Sent, and Third Culture Kids: Growing Up Among Worlds.Growing up overseas before there was a concrete explanation of Third Culture Kids, Ruth had to navigate through the emotions, gifts, and baggage of a cross-cultural lifestyle on her own. Now she does her best to raise awareness of these joys and struggles so that families can be well equipped for these experiences. Listen as she shares her life story and answers some questions suggested by listeners about the tools and methods she has learned to help develop the capacity of these TCKS to be a positive influence on the world. _______ Connect with Ruth on her website or  Facebook. Find her books on Amazon.   Connect with the Taking Route Community on Instagram or Facebook. Check out more relevant expat articles on Taking Route Blog.   Like what you heard? Go to www.takingroute.net for more expat conversations and resources.  Don't forget to join our Expat Community on Instagram @takingrouteblog or Facebook. We also have show notes!  Light reading for your pleasure.

Time for a new segment of “It’s Tea Time Somewhere.” This is when our podcast team chats all about a particular topic of interest and this episode is all about expat friendships. We discuss how you can’t be too picky and how being that way can actually cause you to miss out on some amazing friendships. We chat about handling disagreements and what to do when you have to regularly interact with someone who isn’t the easiest to love. Are expat friendships worth all of the work? Do expat friendships hinder your ability to acclimate to the host culture? Did Alicia, Melissa, and Denise even like each other when they first met? You’ll have to go download the episode and find out what we have to say about all of this. Come connect with our community on Instagram.  Also, find Denise, Alicia, and Melissa there, too. Please check out our show notes for all the resources listed in this episode and for resources for your home assignment at www.takingroute.net/podcast. Like what you heard? Go to www.takingroute.net for more expat conversations and resources.  Don't forget to join our Instagram community @takingrouteblog. Please hit SUBSCRIBE and leave us a REVIEW!! It helps others like you find us.

How do you balance cross-cultural living, motherhood, the responsibilities of being a pastors wife, and still find the time to write books? To many of us that may seem like an overwhelming amount of pressure and expectations, and today’s guest, Gloria Furman agrees that sometimes it does feel a little out of control. How are you supposed to plan when you get thrown curveballs like your little ones getting batteries stuck in their ears? Gloria shares the honest struggles and tips on how to prayerfully keep from overcommitting. Connect with Gloria on her website or  Instagram. Find her books on Amazon.   Connect with the Taking Route Community on Instagram or Facebook. Check out more relevant expat articles on Taking Route Blog. Questions Denise asked Gloria: You have all these people who have different cultures that might have different expectations – how do you balance those expectations on you and your family and Redeemer Church, just in your small church family? I know that you have written several books about being a mother and about the gospel, and I know you are doing other things too, so how do you pick, or what is the process that you go through of picking what to get involved with and what to put your time into? So when you have these 99 different things coming your way, what is your litmus test for deciding whether it is a yes or a no? Is it something that you and your husband have discussed? You said you have learned a lot by trial and error, but now, 10 years in, do you know? Is [going on sabbatical] something that you normally do? Is that a discipline that you have in your life? Do you think that sabbatical, maybe not for months on end, will become a discipline for you guys moving forward? So what are some practical things that you do to reset your family and yourself on what matters when you have speaking engagements and people to love and kids that have batteries in their ears? So on top of that going on, how do you reset and focus on what is important? What would you say to someone who is struggling with getting started, as the demands seem so great and they do not know where the start line is? How would you encourage them?  I have a request – could you share a story from your book? Finish this sentence: When traveling internationally, you will not be found without this item: ___________ Like what you heard? Go to www.takingroute.net for more expat conversations and resources.  Don't forget to join our Expat Community on Instagram @takingrouteblog or Facebook. Please check out our show notes for all the resources listed in this episode including links to "Our Favorite Things" www.takingroute.net/podcast. Please hit SUBSCRIBE and leave us a REVIEW!! It helps others like you find us.

We all know life overseas can be tough for adults, but think about how much more difficult it must be for the kids! They are going through a lot of transition, too, but aren't always able to process all the change on their own. We may wonder what they are experiencing and how we can help them through it. On this episode, we chat with Jessi Vance, who grew up as a TCK (third culture kid). She now runs a non-profit which works with TCKs to create spaces so they can build relationships with their peers. Join us as we discuss the challenges TCKs face and ways to support them as they grow up in a mixture of cultures. Connect with Jessi on Instagram. Find Kaleidoscope on Instagram, Facebook, and Twitter. Connect with the Taking Route Community on Instagram or Facebook. Check out more relevant expat articles on Taking Route Blog. Questions we asked Jessi in this episode: Introduce yourself and tell us a bit about your work. Is everyone who comes out to your events TCKs also? As you reflect on your life as a TCK, and now as a TCK adult and working with so many TCKs overseas, what would you say are some of the issues that TCKs face and how can parents help through those issues? When you were younger, - 10,11,12 - did you think, "This culture is different?” or where you just mixed up? Did you not even come to self-realization about all that was going on? How did you process being young and raised overseas? When you look back at those picture moments in your life that were really foundational in you realizing you were different, was anyone talking to you about it? Was there anything your parents were doing or not doing that would have helped? What would you say the 2ndand 3rdchallenges are? What would you recommend as a way to process that grief with your children? How do we handle it healthily and what are some things that we do unhealthily? Is there anything else to worry about? What do you think was the best thing about being a TCK? ___________ Like what you heard? Go to www.takingroute.net for more expat conversations and resources.  Don't forget to join our Expat Community on Instagram @takingrouteblog or Facebook. Please check out our shownotes for all the resources listed in this episode including links to "Our Favorite Things" www.takingroute.net/podcast. Please hit SUBSCRIBE and leave us a REVIEW!! It helps others like you find us.  

As a mother of three small children living overseas, the last thing you need is more on your plate. In the midst of transitioning between continents, Ashley McCartney received more complications than just lost baggage and a tight schedule – she received a brain tumor diagnosis. However, our God does not say he gives help if suffering comes; he says when suffering comes. In today’s podcast, Ashley shares the story of her ongoing illness and her family’s eventual transition back overseas, along with how God has sustained her in the midst of suffering -- showing her(and us)how an undeniably bad thing can still be used for His glory. Connect with Ashley on Instagram. Connect with the Taking Route Community on Instagram or Facebook. Check out more relevant expat articles on Taking Route Blog. Questions we asked Ashley: Share with us about your health and some of the challenges that you guys have been through over the past couple of years in your diagnosis of cancer.  What were you thinking? Oh, we’ll get through this? We’ll get this tumor removed? He’ll take care of this and life will go on? Is that what you were thinking in the beginning?  So they could not remove the tumor and you today are living in Turkey and still have a cancerous tumor in your brain – is that correct? That’s the reality of your every day?  How did this decision to move back overseas [happen] and how did the people around you, if they are reacting to your radiation decision, how did they react to your decision to move back overseas?  So you have this in the back of you mind -- you’re not sidelined, this is the best for you --you go to your husband and say “I think we need to go back overseas even though I have a brain tumor, you have MS”, and he was like, “Let’s do this. Ashley let’s pack tonight?”   [How did your husband respond?]  Did your family agree with this [decision]?   How do you talk with your children about what’s going on in your life with your illness and your husband’s illness?  Does fear rise up? How do you deal with that?  How has your view on suffering changed? How has suffering changed you?  For a woman who may be in the middle of something, or coming out of something, or dealing with a friend who is suffering, how would you encourage them in the middle of their trial?  Like what you heard? Go to www.takingroute.net for more expat conversations and resources.  Don't forget to join our Expat Community on Instagram @takingrouteblog or Facebook. Please check out our shownotes for all the resources listed in this episode including links to "Our Favorite Things" www.takingroute.net/podcast. Please hit SUBSCRIBE and leave us a REVIEW!! It helps others like you find us.    

Learning the culture of your host country is just as important as learning the language. Without ever intending it, we can cause hurt feelings to abound when our culture collides with another — especially when we try to project our social rules into the relationship. This is why we’re so thankful Sarah Lanier took the time to write about these differences in her book, "Foreign to Familiar." In this episode we talk with her about hot climate and cold climate cultures and how knowing the difference between the two can completely change how you approach friendships in your host country. Like what you heard? Go to www.takingroute.net for more expat conversations and resources.  Don't forget to join our Expat Community on Instagram @takingrouteblog or Facebook. Please check out our shownotes for all the resources listed in this episode including links to "Our Favorite Things" www.takingroute.net/podcast. Please hit SUBSCRIBE and leave us a REVIEW!! It helps others like you find us.