Shop Talk With Brandi and James

In this episode of Shop Talk with Brandi and James, Brandi and James talk with Ralph Schubert, Leadership Development Coordinator for SIL Eurasia. Ralph brings decades of cross-cultural ministry and leadership experience, including 13 years with SIL in Tanzania followed by 10 years as Director of Personnel with Wycliffe Germany. Since 2017, he has focused on leadership development for SIL Eurasia, with a particular passion for helping leaders flourish and fostering healthy relationships within teams and organizations.

The conversation begins by looking at the distinctions between leaders, leadership, and management and what it actually means to develop someone as a leader. Ralph discusses leadership development as more than acquiring management skills—it involves the ongoing growth of the person as well as the way they influence and serve others.

The conversation begins by looking at the distinctions between leaders, leadership, and management and what it actually means to develop someone as a leader. Ralph discusses leader development as more than acquiring management skills—it involves the ongoing growth of the person as well as the way they influence and serve others.

The discussion then turns to why leader development matters, both for individual leaders and for the culture of an organization. Leader development does not stop with the leader; it has a trickle-down impact on the teams and individuals they lead. The episode considers what happens when organizations intentionally invest in their leaders—and what can happen when they do not.

Ralph also addresses the challenge of getting leaders to invest in their own development, including the individual and organizational resistance that can sometimes occur. The conversation explores feedback, coaching, assessment, and the importance of creating a culture where continued learning and growth are viewed as a normal part of being a leader.

Finally, Ralph offers practical guidance for building a leader development plan. Intentional development can begin with the support and input of a supervisor, HR manager, or leadership coach (Like Ralph) to identify areas for growth and establish meaningful goals. Training, mentoring, coaching, experience, and feedback can all contribute to that process. It starts with it being an essential aspect of the leader job description. Ralph and James also challenges organizations to highly value leader development and be willing to dedicate the people, resources, and structures needed to help their leaders continue to grow.

For SIL Eurasia staff, access the Portal (Internal Website) — Leadership & Management
Leadership and management resources for continued learning and development.

A Christian-Ethical Comparison of Leadership Styles in the West and in Tanzania and Their Impact on Cross-Cultural Partnerships — Ralph Ipyana Schubert
Ralph’s dissertation examines Western and Tanzanian approaches to leadership, including character, relationships, power, conflict, and their implications for cross-cultural partnerships (Ralph Schubert’s Dissertation — University of South Africa)

Leadership and Partnership — Ralph Ipyana Schubert
Ralph’s book further explores leadership in cross-cultural contexts and its relationship to effective partnership. Leadership and Partnership

Shop Talk With Brandi and James is made with Jetpack Podcast. Full show notes and every episode at https://jamesecovey.org/

In this episode of Shop Talk with Brandi and James, Brandi and James talk with Jeannie, a U.S.-certified speech-language pathologist who specializes in supporting Third Culture Kids (TCKs) with disabilities and their families. Having lived and served in Asia for more than two decades, Jeannie brings extensive experience in assessment, intervention, parent coaching, advocacy, staff training, and coordinated care for globally mobile families.

The conversation explores speech and language development in cross-cultural settings and some of the unique challenges families face when a child has additional developmental or disability-related needs. Jeannie discusses recognizing developmental concerns, finding appropriate professional support while living internationally, and practical ways parents can support their children at home.

The episode also looks beyond therapy to the larger support system surrounding a child. Jeannie discusses the importance of collaboration among parents, educators, organizations, member-care professionals, and other providers, as well as ways organizations and communities can better support families raising children with disabilities overseas.

ASHA Developmental Milestones
The American Speech-Language-Hearing Association (ASHA) provides reliable information about typical speech, language, hearing, feeding, and swallowing development. These milestones can help parents know what to expect and when it may be helpful to consult a professional.
ASHA — Typical Speech and Language Development

Developmental information found online can vary considerably in quality. Families with concerns are encouraged to seek a qualified professional rather than relying on online checklists alone. For families living internationally, a good starting point may be the professional speech-language pathology or equivalent association in the country where they live.

Speech and Language at Home
Practical ideas and resources that parents can use to encourage speech and language development at home.
Speech and Language at Home

Essentials for People Care and Development — Geoff Whiteman and Heather Pubols, eds.
A collection of research, best practices, reflections, and strategies for those involved in the care and development of cross-cultural workers.
Essentials for People Care and Development — Missio Nexus

Indispensable Conference — September 2026
An upcoming conference in Asia that includes a member-care and disability track for those supporting children and families with disabilities.
Indispensable Conference

If you work with SIL EurAsia, visit the Portal page for Jeannie’s contact information. If you would like Jeannie’s contact information, email James.

Shop Talk With Brandi and James is made with Jetpack Podcast. Full show notes and every episode at https://jamesecovey.org/

In this Episode Brandi and James talk with Lisa Green, Executive Director of Olive Tree Counseling Center. Lisa is a Licensed Professional Counselor with an MA in Clinical Psychology from Wheaton College and more than 15 years of counseling experience. She has also lived outside her passport country for more than a decade, bringing both professional and personal cross-cultural experience to the conversation.

The episode explores unexpected departures and evacuations for cross-cultural workers and the impact these experiences can have on individuals and families. Lisa discusses the different events that can lead to a sudden departure and the significant losses that often follow—including the loss of home and place, friendships and community, work and ministry roles, and a sense of stability. The conversation also addresses the frustration and tension that can develop between cross-cultural workers and their organizations during a crisis.

Using Karen Carr’s crisis framework, the conversation examines three phases: pre-crisis, crisis, and post-crisis. Lisa discusses what workers may experience during each phase and how sending organizations and member-care providers can prepare for and respond well when unexpected departures occur.

This episode provides practical insight for cross-cultural workers, missions leaders, member-care providers, and organizations seeking to care well for people through crisis, loss, and unexpected transition. Stay tuned for an episode in a few months on debriefing.

Resources

Meet Lisa!

Shop Talk With Brandi and James is made with Jetpack Podcast. Full show notes and every episode at https://jamesecovey.org/

Content Note: This episode discusses self-harm and suicide. While we hope this conversation equips families, caregivers, and organizations to better support those who are struggling, some listeners may find these topics difficult. Please listen at your own pace. If you or someone you know is experiencing thoughts of suicide or is in immediate danger, seek help from local emergency services or a crisis resource in your country.

Join Brandi and James as they talk with Dr. Elizabeth Loewer, PsyD, about the unique challenges families, schools, and organizations face when supporting children, teens, and adults who struggle with self-harm and suicidality in cross-cultural settings.

Self-harm (also called non-suicidal self-injury or NSSI) refers to the intentional act of hurting one’s own body without the intention of ending one’s life. It is often used as a way to cope with overwhelming emotional pain, distress, or feelings that seem difficult to express. While self-harm is different from a suicide attempt, it is an important warning sign that someone is struggling and deserves compassionate attention and support.

Teens, in particular, face increasing pressures related to identity, relationships, social media, academic expectations, and mental health. For Third Culture Kids (TCKs) and globally mobile families, these challenges can be compounded by frequent transitions, unresolved grief and loss, cultural adjustment, isolation, and the complexities of living between cultures. Although most TCKs are resilient, these unique stressors can increase vulnerability for some young people. You can find resources on James’ website and more below.

Drawing from both her professional expertise and her personal experience growing up and working cross-culturally, Dr. Loewer shares practical insights for recognizing warning signs, responding with empathy, creating safer conversations around mental health, and equipping families and organizations to provide meaningful support while fostering hope and resilience.

Elizabeth Loewer is a licensed psychologist in Denver, Colorado, where she works with a diverse population in community mental health before recently launching a private practice focused on serving missionaries, Third Culture Kids, and globally mobile families. Elizabeth grew up as a missionary kid in Kenya and later served for three years as a resident assistant at Black Forest Academy, giving her both professional and lived experience in the unique challenges faced by cross-cultural families.

Find Dr. Loewer on Psychology Today or the International Therapist Directory

If you or someone you know is in immediate danger or thinking about suicide, contact your local emergency services or crisis hotline immediately. If you are in the United States or Canada, call or text 988. If you are elsewhere, contact your country’s emergency services or nearest crisis center.

Shop Talk With Brandi and James is made with Jetpack Podcast. Full show notes and every episode at https://jamesecovey.org/

Join Brandi as she interviews James on this edition of Shop Talk. His recent PhD dissertation explores how individual trauma experiences over time begin to impact—and sometimes infect—how an organization develops and functions. Viewing trauma as contagious within a system can help organizations prevent harm and find healing in the aftermath of trauma. His dissertation suggests Emotional Intelligence Training as a way organizations can develop shared language and practices for being safe and grounded with one another, even while living in unsafe environments.

The idea is that how we work matters just as much as what we do. Too often, organizations dissolve, churches split, and further trauma is spread when the mission becomes more important than the people.

You can find his presentation from Mental Health in Missions on this page, along with a link to his dissertation.

Shop Talk With Brandi and James is made with Jetpack Podcast. Full show notes and every episode at https://jamesecovey.org/

Join Brandi and James as they interview Andrew Brown, the program director at Alongside. They discuss the ministry of Alongside and explore short-term, intensive, or immersive care models for cross-cultural workers.

Around the world, many centers offer a variety of care options, including counseling, debriefing, spiritual direction, coaching, inner-healing prayer, and training. Most of these offer programs that last from a few days to a few weeks, providing intentional time away from work and daily life, and often from difficult environments. During this time, the focus shifts to navigating the challenges that prompt people to seek care.

James, Andrew, and Brandi share some of their experiences working with and connecting to these centers. They are not attempting to be comprehensive or to intentionally promote or unintentionally overlook any particular center; rather, they simply share what they have seen and heard. Please visit the referral page for a list of centers, and email James if you have additional resources to add.

Andrew is a pastor’s kid from Pennsylvania who started his ministry journey at Moody Bible Institute in Chicago, before moving to Turkey with his wife, Alanna. Along the way, they had two kids, many moves, and lots of adventures. Andrew has an MA in clinical psychology from Wheaton Graduate School and was one of the first counselors at Olive Tree Counseling Center. Presently, he serves as the program director at Alongside, providing retreat-based counseling and care to individuals, couples, and families serving in vocational ministry. Andrew is one of those unusual individuals who is just as comfortable with emotions and with spreadsheets. Presently, his best days are the ones when he’s exploring somewhere new with his wife, or having random conversations with their teenagers.

To learn more about Alongside or to find out if a retreat is a good fit for you, visit http://www.alongsidecares.net or email them at [email protected].

Shop Talk With Brandi and James is made with Jetpack Podcast. Full show notes and every episode at https://jamesecovey.org/

Join Brandi and James as they talk with Ben Porter about perfectionism and its impact on cross-cultural workers. He notices in his practice that perfectionism is a recurring theme and a contributing factor to burnout, fatigue, and even moral injury. Roz Shafran defines clinical perfectionism as “the setting of personally demanding, self-imposed standards that are relentlessly pursued despite the occurrence of adverse consequences.” Cloud and Townsend add that the problem arises when perfectionism becomes a demand rather than a goal. This issue is also deeply connected to cross-cultural workers’ identity and attachment to their work.

Ben has an MA in psychotherapy from Denver Seminary and a Masters certificate from the Harvard Program in Refugee Trauma.

Ben has lived and worked in conflict and post-conflict areas as a psychosocial practitioner and advisor with war-affected communities, as well as a staff care expert to international humanitarian and governmental organisations for the past 20 years. He founded and directed The Recreation Project, an adventure-based therapy program for former child soldiers in northern Uganda from 2009-2016.

He has provided staff care advice and support services to a wide range of INGOS in: East Africa, West Africa, Central Asia, Middle East, the Balkans, Western Europe, and the USA. Ben’s clinical specialism is in trauma therapy (including EMDR), and he is also a certified Life Coach (accredited by BCC) Ben is passionate about supporting aid and mission workers in phases of transition and “re-entry”.

Before joining Thrive Worldwide, Ben worked as a Senior Trainer and Psychotherapist at InterHealth Worldwide. Ben lives in Cambridge with his wife and two children. He enjoys distance running along the River Cam while listening to a good podcast.

Ben is based in the UK

Shop Talk With Brandi and James is made with Jetpack Podcast. Full show notes and every episode at https://jamesecovey.org/

Join Brandi and James as they learn more about caring for workers from the global South and especially Latinos.

Diogo Militão is a clinical therapist originally from Brazil, with over two decades of experience in cross-cultural mission work and member care. He has served in West Africa, Central Asia, and Southeast Asia, and currently lives in Spain with his wife, Débora.

Diogo previously served on the clinical team at The Well International in Thailand and is passionate about equipping Latin American missionaries and emerging sending churches with the tools and language needed for effective member care. He is currently helping establish CIMA in Málaga, Spain—a member care center dedicated to supporting Latin American workers.

He holds formal training in clinical therapy and pastoral counseling from Brazil, and a Master’s degree in Member Care from All Nations University in the UK.

Find out more about Diogo and CIMA at cimalaga.org. CIMA (Cuidado Integral Málaga) Somos una asociación sin fines de lucro que nos dedicamos al cuidado emocional, psíquico y espiritual de trabajadores transculturales

Creemos que es importante cuidar de la salud física, emocional, espiritual y relacional de los obreros para que puedan seguir sirviendo de manera efectiva en el ministerio. Ofrecemos apoyo emocional, consejería, formación y recursos para ayudar a los obreros a mantener un equilibrio saludable en sus vidas. Creemos que al cuidar del mensajero, también estamos cuidando del mensaje y permitiendo que las buenas nuevas de Jesús lleguen a más personas de manera efectiva.

Shop Talk With Brandi and James is made with Jetpack Podcast. Full show notes and every episode at https://jamesecovey.org/

Join Brandi and James as they interview Dr. Johnstone Ndunde, the global director for SIL. They talk about the concept and principles of localization, and Dr. Ndunde’s perspective on working cross-culturally in a predominately Western organization as a Kenyan. The shift in the global mission movement from “the West to the Rest” doesn’t mean a disengagement from Western or old world sending countries, but rather an opportunity for collaboration.

He quotes Samuel Escobar’s book The New Global Mission: The Gospel from Everywhere to Everyone. The central theme is a shift from a Western-led movement to a global, polycentric mission force. The work is now from everyone to everywhere. There has been a rise in the majority church and a shift of the center of the Christian church toward the Global South. Escobar critiques older mission paradigms that tied Christianity to Western culture and encourages models rooted in justice, compassion, and local ownership.

Dr Nunde says the key focus in this modern movement is mutuality and partnership. For SIL, localization is about opening up space to fully utilize all the giftings within the body of Christ in order to fulfill God’s mission. God is calling everyone to everywhere for His mission. If that is the case, then our systems, structures, governance, and everything we do—including staffing for a successful mission—must be aligned with what God is doing so that we can have a greater impact in Christian ministry.

Dr. Johnstone Ndunde is the SIL Global Director, a role he stepped into in May 2025. He brings 20 years of experience in leadership, Bible translation, literacy, and language development across Africa, having served with SIL Global and previously with Bible Translation and Literacy (BTL) in Kenya. His work has been rooted in advancing educational and spiritual opportunities within African language communities so individuals and communities can flourish.

In previous roles, Dr. Ndunde has guided programs developing initiatives and instructional materials in schools and adult education in a number of countries in Africa. As Director of Strategy and then Area Director for SIL Anglo-Lusophone Africa, he fostered collaboration with key partners and church communities, expanded regional and global funding capabilities, and implemented initiatives to develop emerging leaders. 

Dr. Ndunde holds a Ph.D. in Leadership and Governance from Jomo Kenyatta University of Agriculture and Technology, an MA in Educational Studies from Africa International University, and a B.Ed. in Commerce and Economics from the University of Nairobi.

Johnstone lives in Nairobi, Kenya, with his wife, Esther.

Shop Talk With Brandi and James is made with Jetpack Podcast. Full show notes and every episode at https://jamesecovey.org/

Join Brandi and James as they highlight some of their favorite episodes from this year and explore the themes that connect them. In the second half, they’re joined by colleagues who share what their cross-cultural Christmases have been like in Northern Asia, North Macedonia, and all the way to Papua New Guinea.

Thank you so much for listening to Shop Talk. We invite you to rate or review this podcast on the player of your choice and to let us know any topics you’d like us to cover in the future.

So far in 2026, we’re looking forward to conversations on localization with Dr. Johnstone Ndunde; the impact of individual traumatic stress on organizational health and well-being with Dr. James Covey; caring for workers from the Global South with Diogo Militao; and much more.

Have a Very Merry Christmas!

Shop Talk With Brandi and James is made with Jetpack Podcast. Full show notes and every episode at https://jamesecovey.org/