FULL SHOW NOTES with links on Balancingstories.com

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Episode 32 Part 1: Not Your Average Post-War Baby - From London Rations to French Wineries

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A Post War Baby - Sue was born in 1945.

With the same rations and rubble as the families around her, she saw her London upbringing as average. Her father wore a bowler hat to work and her mother stayed home to keep house. But even the smallest differences in attitudes and approach can change a child’s path. Encouraged to follow her love of languages, and gifted with multiple math failures, Sue discovered new worlds.

Until this interview, she had never stopped to reflect on the impact of it all. She knew she was different but what made her go one way when most of her classmates went the other way.

FULL SHOW NOTES with links on Balancingstories.com

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Episode 31: The Habits We Have – From Childhood, Into Relationships, With In-Laws, & The Impact of Current Events.

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The Habits We Have…⁠ Imbedded in childhood,⁠ taken in to relationships,⁠ balanced with in-laws,⁠ and impacted by current events.⁠ My Mom is back for an impromptu, unscripted conversation. ⁠Listen to us talk through the impact of current events on our habits and how we pass those habits on from generation to generation.⁠

FULL SHOW NOTES with links on Balancingstories.com

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Episode 30: One Woman One Garden – Empowerment Through Sustainable Agriculture in West Africa

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Community Service. It’s the rare student who takes a project beyond the requirements - One who is passionate about making a difference. My guest today is an ex-student who went from fundraising to volunteering to initiative developer. Anna grew up in a family that took action together and as a teenager, she went in person to Burkina Faso, West Africa where her project went from statistics on a screen to personal stories and personal engagement. She is here to share her story, from international student to empowering women.

FULL SHOW NOTES with links on Balancingstories.com

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Ep. 29: Learning with Parents – Narrowing the Gap of Educational Disadvantage

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Each culture wants it’s children to achieve, to be successful. Yet in most if not all cultures, there is an achievement gap. In the UK, Tom Harbour was challenged by the

achievement gap between rich and poor. After jumping into the research about educational disadvantage, Tom went fromteacher to initiative leader – starting Maths with Parents, now Learning with Parents.

With an online program, Tom hopes to help families engage with education to give ALL children the opportunity to achieve. Today we hear about the man behind the maths, and the vision to narrow the gap.

FULL SHOW NOTES with links on Balancingstories.com

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Ep. 28: Balancing Into a New Year – Let’s Not Rush Into Anything

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Ready for a New Year but Let’s not rush into anything. I’m here to end 2020 with: some thoughts on the culture of resolutions, an alternative to goal setting, reflections on what success was in the year many referred to as a dumpster fire, and where can we look for inspiration on what to do next. Today, the conversation is between me and you. 

FULL SHOW NOTES with links on Balancingstories.com

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#27: Balancing Christmas – Trees, Presents, Food, & Negotiating Traditions

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My Brother is here! American siblings talk about childhood, marrying Europeans, balancing traditions, and celebrating as parents.

*Tangents Include: Real versus Fake Trees, Hallmark Ornaments, When should we open presents, Food, food and more food, Where does Santa live, and How much pressure should parents put on themselves? (Spoiler: A lot less pressure)

***Real Spoiler Alert*** Do not listen to this episode with children. We do not want to be responsible for the crushing of their dreams.

FULL SHOW NOTES with links on Balancingstories.com

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Episode 26 Part 2: Publishing Culture – The Balance Between Commercialism & Social Responsibility

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Publishing. An industry about sharing stories and sharing culture, but how well are they balancing those cultures. For two episodes I talk with Lisa Davis, a children's publishing professional, about the culture of and the cultures represented by the publishing industry.

In Part 2: Pet peeves of publishing with children’s books, How do they balance freedom of speech and social responsibility, Books about current events, “Books in Translation”, and a moment of joy about foil and sparkles too.

FULL SHOW NOTES with links on Balancingstories.com

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Episode 26 Part 1: Publishing Culture – Diversity in Books Starts From Within

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Publishing. An industry about sharing stories, sharing culture, but how well are they balancing cultures. For two episodes I talk with Lisa Davis, a children's publishing professional, about the culture of and the cultures represented by the publishing industry.

In Part 1: What is publishing culture? How does the publishing process work? Where can we consider diversifying? How can we approach the breaking down of gender norms? And More.

FULL SHOW NOTES with links on Balancingstories.com

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Episode 25: Canadian in Cambodia & Cross-Cultural Marriage

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Is it Serendipity?

How does a Canadian end up in Cambodia when the plan was a Gap Year in Germany? Kristin Schuster never expected to live around the world, let alone, settle down in a country so different from her homeland. Today we hear her story, from granddaughter of German immigrants in Canada, to tour guide in Cambodia, to the adventure of a cross-cultural marriage. Kristin is here to reflect on her balancing from dirndls to karaoke bars.

FULL SHOW NOTES with links on Balancingstories.com

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Episode 24: Cultural Confrontation – Gaining Perspective in an African Mud Hut

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Confrontation is Good. Confrontation is Necessary. Confrontation is Growth.

Before I could even say, Welcome to Balancing Cultures, we dove into how cultural balancing is a thread that runs through all of Amie Mignatti’s stories. And away we went, digging deep into the elements that contribute to our growth when confronted by cultures outside of our bubble. In Amie’s case, it took her from Austin, Texas to a mud hut in South Africa and around the world.