Anthropologist Dr. Maya Patel shares her journey of conducting long-term research in five countries over two decades, from studying indigenous communities in Peru to documenting social movements in Indonesia. We explore how deep immersion in multiple societies as both researcher and resident transformed her academic perspective and personal identity. The episode examines the unique position of being simultaneously observer and participant in various cultures, and how her research focus evolved as she gained deeper cross-cultural understanding. Special attention is given to how living through political transitions in different countries shaped her view of social change and human adaptation.

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Meet Amir Nazari, who fled Iran as a teenager, rebuilt life in Turkey, established a tech career in Germany, and ultimately founded startups in both Silicon Valley and Singapore. This episode examines how the forced migration experience differs from voluntary relocation, exploring the psychological resilience required to repeatedly rebuild life from scratch. We analyze how his initial refugee experience influenced later voluntary migrations, business decisions, and leadership style. The conversation reveals how navigating various business cultures - from German corporate structure to Silicon Valley innovation culture to Asian networking dynamics - required different aspects of cultural intelligence.

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Our series begins with Sarah Chen, whose childhood spanned diplomatic postings in Beijing, Cairo, Paris, and Santiago. Through intimate conversation, we map her journey from age 8 to 18, exploring how constant relocation during formative years shaped her understanding of home and belonging. The episode delves into specific cultural transitions - from navigating the formal French education system to adapting to Chilean social dynamics - while examining how early exposure to diplomatic circles influenced her understanding of global politics and cross-cultural communication. We explore the unique challenges of maintaining friendships across continents pre-social media, and how her multicultural upbringing created both remarkable adaptability and moments of profound isolation.

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.