Third Culture Kingdom

The final installment of the The Path Less Traveled series ends with a conversation with Darius Brown on the power of mentorship and what it looks like for him as a Black man in law enforcement.

Babies. Moms. Families. This week we're talking with Tonja Carpenter about becoming a Certified Postpartum Doula and empowering women to do the same through her organization Postpartum Doula & Lactation Services of Waco.

To kick off 2021, we chat with aspiring law student and founder of The Black Enneagram Dayo Ajanaku. We dive into the enneagram as a development tool, cultural contextualization, and participate in a short typing exercise of one of the best movies in recent years.

Our hearts can feel rushed to make up for lost time in our desire for intimacy when we feel isolated. We pursue unhealthy coping mechanisms or hastily search for anyone or anything that will fill our emotional and relational deficiencies. Over the next three weeks we dive into dating and marriage specifically from a man's perspective and what these men wished they had done to build a stronger foundation before stepping into relationship. You may be asking yourself where does basketball come in? You see basketball and love really aren't too different. You pursue a purpose as a team, fouls are committed, chemistry is formed, bonds are tested. Does pressure expose your fundamentals? If you didn't know much about bball, you are gonna learn a little

This week we sit down with community leader and mentor Jamarcus Ransom and chop it up on keeping your peace, navigating COVID and racial trauma, the NBA bubble, life lessons from this season, and much more. Keep calm and chill.

While chaos and confusion can be breeding grounds for anxiety and fear, they can also be the proper environment for courage and creativity. It is from the mess that form and order take shape. This week we journey to the island of Bali to chat with artist and entrepreneur Gracella Chea to hear about the necessity and beauty of creativity. You don't want to miss it!

In the midst of chaos, it is easy to have fear and anxiety overtake our ability to function, to create, and share. It's true, we may never be able to completely rid ourselves of these feelings, but rather we must learn to overcome them in the moment. That is what courage is. This week we are joined by Kodi Agbasi, engineer and founder of Kegonii, a new unique fashion brand. He shares what's he's learned as a young adult, finding courage to grow, to create, and to share what he's created with others. Tune in!

Life was never meant to be lived alone. In the midst of these chaotic times, it is absolutely necessary for us to be connected with one another. Today we explore the concept of community with Devin Li, entrepreneur, mentor, and CEO of Waco Cha, a local boba shop.

Mental health and self-care have traditionally been long overlooked within American society, but especially in immigrant and third culture homes. Jaja Chen, a Licensed Clinical Social Worker, shares her insights and knowledge about how COVID-19 and racial injustice are affecting mental health and how we as individuals and communities can protect our own headspace, so we can provide and care for others.

The road to unity is not for the faint of heart. There are going to be mistakes. There is going to be discomfort. There are going to be failures. The question that we have to ask ourselves is whether we are willing to admit that to the people around us and if we are willing to forgive and ask for forgiveness when necessary. We dive a bit into a national story regarding a situation in which honest attempts to heal and inform end up causing harm and outrage. My hope is that you walk away with a little more understanding; feeling a little more seen, and experiencing a little healing.

In light of recent events, it is important to push the conversation forward not just among individuals, but communities. If we hope to move forward together towards a new future, we must examine our history, our society, and our own hearts.

Aaron and I continue our conversation about growing up Asian American; this time engaging on our time as teenagers, perhaps the most formative time for many.  As a heads up, we do touch on some important but weighty topics like mental health. This is Blessings, Burdens, and Laughs: Adolescence. Tune in.

Being misunderstood is never a welcome feeling. It makes us feel isolated and alone. Being Asian-American amplified those feelings growing up, but when looking back at our memories, parents, and family, it leaves me with three things: Blessings, Burdens, and Laughs.

An exploration of faith, culture, society, and the individual. The road is long and treacherous, but the experience- precious and exhilarating. If you felt like you needed an invite to come along, here it is. Our journey together starts now.