Posts in Podcast
Fostering TCK (Third Culture Kid) Friendships | Episode 02
Fostering TCK (Third Culture Kid) Friendships | Episode 02

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.

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Podcast, New ExpatTaking Route EditorsTCK friendships, TCK life, TCK, TCKsComment
It's Tea Time Somewhere Episode 01 : New Beginnings
It's Tea Time Somewhere Episode 01 : New Beginnings

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.

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Podcast, New ExpatTaking Route EditorsNew Beginnings, Starting Over, Podcast, It's Tea Time SomewhereComment
It's Tea Time Somewhere | Episode 00
It's Tea Time Somewhere | Episode 00

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…

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PodcastTaking Route EditorsIt's Tea Time Somewhere, Podcast, IntroductionsComment
'Twas the Night Before Christmas (Expat Edition) + a Christmas song | Ep. 37
'Twas the Night Before Christmas (Expat Edition) + a Christmas song | Ep. 37

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).

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Podcast, Holidays AbroadAlicia BoycePodcast, Taking Route Podcast, this global pandemic, Christmas, Christmas overseas, twas the night before christmasComment
This Global Pandemic with Kara in South Korea | Ep. 36
This Global Pandemic with Kara in South Korea | Ep. 36

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 experienced the world of coronavirus, quarantines, and face masks before many of us in other parts of the world knew what was coming. In this episode, she shares the benefits of living in a very communal culture during a pandemic and how she and her husband made the decision to stay put for 2020, even though they had long-awaited travel plans to go to the States. Kara shares about some of the humorous moments of 2020, as well as how she finally gave herself permission to grieve the things that are hard about expat life.

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PodcastTaking Route EditorsPodcast, This Global Pandemic, Asia, South KoreaComment
It's Tea Time Somewhere: All Around the Table
It's Tea Time Somewhere: All Around the Table

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 own table this year. So, grab a warm beverage and settle in, because it’s tea time somewhere!

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Podcast, Holidays AbroadTaking Route Editorspodcast, Taking Route Podcast, ITTS, It's Tea Time Somewhere, ThanksgivingComment
This Global Pandemic with Melissa in Brazil | TRP 35
This Global Pandemic with Melissa in Brazil | TRP 35

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.

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PodcastDenise JamesTaking Route Podcast, Podcast, This Global Pandemic, Brazil, South AmericaComment
Processing Hard Things From Far Away with Tamika | Taking Route Podcast Ep. 34

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.

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PodcastTaking Route EditorsTaking Route Podcast, Podcast, grief, global pandemic, pandemic, multiracial family, injusticeComment
This Global Pandemic with Kim in Ukraine
This Global Pandemic with Kim in Ukraine

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.

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PodcastHeather FallisUkraine, Podcast, Taking Route Podcast, COVID-19, CoronavirusComment
It's Tea Time Somewhere: All About Listening and Learning
It's Tea Time Somewhere: All About Listening and Learning

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.

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PodcastHeather Fallisracism, Black Lives Matter, learning lessons, anti-racisim, USA, reflection, representationComment
Leaving Your Host Country During a Pandemic with Alicia Boyce | Taking Route Podcast EP. 31
Leaving Your Host Country During a Pandemic with Alicia Boyce | Taking Route Podcast EP. 31

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 of It’s Tea Time Somewhere, 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.

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PodcastHeather Fallishome assignment, COVID-19, leaving, Coronavirus, podcast, Taking Route PodcastComment
Persevering Through Intense Times While Overseas with Jenilee Goodwin | Taking Route Podcast Ep. 30
Persevering Through Intense Times While Overseas with Jenilee Goodwin | Taking Route Podcast Ep. 30

Jenilee Goodwin opens up with us about the 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!

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PodcastDenise Jamesstruggling expat, struggles, stress, boardi, cancer, medical checkups in underdeveloped countries, medical diagnosisComment
It's Tea Time Somewhere: All About Staying During a Pandemic
It's Tea Time Somewhere: All About Staying During a Pandemic

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.

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PodcastHeather Fallisstaying, COVID-19, CoronavirusComment
It's Tea Time Somewhere: All About the Twenty-Tens

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.

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Episode 29: Finding Your Place as a Trailing Spouse with Tawni Sattler

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.

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Family & TCKs, PodcastTaking Route Editorstrailing spouse, transition, parenting abroad, Europe, podcast, Taking Route PodcastComment
Episode 28: Using Your Creativity While Living Abroad with Lauren Hooper

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.

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PodcastTaking Route Editorscreativity, inspiration abroadComment
Episode 27: Speaking Honestly About Living Overseas Long-Term with Rachel Pieh Jones
Episode 27: Speaking Honestly About Living Overseas Long-Term with Rachel Pieh Jones

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, author of the book Stronger When we first move overseas, we don’t often think about the long-term implications.

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PodcastTaking Route Editorslongevity, TCK, griefComment
Episode 26: Going "Home" with Lauren Pinkston
Episode 26: Going "Home" with Lauren Pinkston

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."

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Podcast, TransitionTaking Route EditorsLauren Pinkston, repatriationComment