Tasnim Hasan, marketing strategist, storyteller, and founder of Bangladeshi Trailblazers Podcast & Influsio, shares her journey across continents and cultures in this episode of Stories Beyond Borders. Born in Bangladesh, raised in Dubai, and having pursued her studies in the USA, Tasnim reflects on how the cities she’s lived in shaped her perspective, career, and creativity.

From witnessing Dubai’s transformation firsthand to launching her own podcast during the isolating times of COVID-19, Tasnim navigated cultural transitions, visa challenges, and the intricacies of returning to Bangladesh as an adult third-culture individual. She opens up about the culture shocks she faced—including the art of punctuality—and how she found her community of understanding friends.

Tune in as Tasnim shares her message for fellow global citizens: keep traveling, savor good food, create content, and explore opportunities—because every experience adds to the story you are building.

📩 Connect with Tasnim Hasan:
Producer, Bangladeshi Trailblazers Podcast
E: [email protected]

In this episode of Stories Beyond Borders, I sit down with Desta — a Bangkok-born, British-Eritrean educator, writer, and vocalist whose life has unfolded across continents, cultures, and languages.

Having traveled to more than 90 countries through her work in international education, Desta shares the deep gratitude she feels for a life shaped by movement — and the quiet tension that comes with it: the longing to sometimes be rooted in one place and call it home.

We explore her powerful relationship with languages — she speaks eight and is still learning more — and how music became her most meaningful gateway into language learning and cultural connection. She also shares practical and inspiring tips on how anyone can learn a new language through rhythm, sound, and emotion.

From her love for colourful and creative Thai cuisine to her vision of expanding her platform, Language Through Music, and writing two upcoming books, this conversation is a beautiful reflection on global identity, curiosity, and human connection.

Her message is a reminder we all need:

No matter how different we are, there is always something that connects us.

🎧 Tune in to hear a story about movement, belonging, and finding home in people, in languages, and in music.

🔗 www.languagesthroughmusic.com

In this episode of Stories Beyond Borders, I sit down with Simone Johnson, a former U.S. diplomat, author, and cultural bridge-builder, to unpack the deeply human journey of identity, culture, and self-discovery.

Originally from Jamaica, Simone shares her immigrant story—moving to the United States on a scholarship, navigating college, and adapting to a new culture. But beyond the “typical” immigrant narrative lies a powerful inner awakening. Raised in a collectivist culture where family comes first and meeting others’ needs is expected, Simone found herself confronting the individualistic values of American society—and questioning where she fit within it all.

Through reflection and lived experience, Simone realized a simple yet profound truth: you can’t pour from an empty cup. She opens up about learning who Simone truly is, unlearning guilt around self-prioritization, and understanding that fulfillment must come before service to others.

We also explore the different expectations placed on men and women, the importance of setting boundaries, and why boundaries are not acts of selfishness—but acts of self-respect. Simone shares insights from her book and her podcast, The Immigrant Experience in America, and leaves us with a powerful reminder: coming home to yourself is the most important journey of all.

This conversation is for anyone navigating multiple cultures, carrying family expectations, or learning how to choose themselves—without guilt.

🌐 Website: https://thebridgeconcepts.org
💼 LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/simonewjohnson/
📺 YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@theimmigrantexperience
🎵 TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@theimmigrantexperience

🔗 Connect with Simone

In this episode, I speak with Saleha Mirza, author of Confessions of a Brown Girl, about identity, belonging, and the quiet struggles many brown women grow up carrying.

Saleha is the youngest of four siblings and grew up as the only brown child at her school, without South Asian friends or people who looked like her. Wanting to fit in, she often tried to be more Western and, at times, felt embarrassed being around other brown people—feelings she now reflects on with honesty and self-awareness. Her parents, unlike many traditional South Asian households, encouraged integration and openness, shaping her perspective in unique ways.

We talk about how these early experiences influenced her sense of identity and later inspired her book, Confessions of a Brown Girl, which is a collection of her own stories alongside experiences shared by friends and acquaintances. Saleha also opens up about marriage, the challenges of adjustment, and the realities many women face but rarely speak about openly.

At the heart of this conversation is a powerful message: don’t settle for less—in relationships, in life, or in how you choose yourself.

This episode is an honest, reflective conversation for anyone who has ever felt caught between cultures, expectations, and the desire to belong.

🔗 Follow Saleha’s refinishing & DIY projects on Instagram:
https://www.instagram.com/gemofapiece

📚 Find her book Confessions of a Brown Girl on Amazon:
https://a.co/d/43Vd1is

In this episode, I sit down with Bảo-Vy Nguyễn, a community organizer, artist, and founder of Missing Blue, a grassroots initiative dedicated to creating space and visibility for cross-cultural individuals. Born in Montreal and raised across multiple cities—including Ottawa, Vancouver, and even Finland—Vy’s life has been deeply shaped by constant mobility and the layered identity of being a third-culture kid.

Vy opens up about one of her biggest lifelong challenges: the question “Where are you from?” A question that seems simple, yet for many TCKs, carries complexity, assumptions, and the pressure of being placed into a box. She shares the experience of returning to Montreal and being placed in a welcome class despite being from the city, and how cultural expectations and linguistic assumptions have shaped her sense of belonging.

We also dive into the creation of Missing Blue, the community Vy built to support individuals navigating multicultural identities. She speaks about the importance of representation, safe spaces, and connection for people who don’t fit neatly into one cultural category.

Vy also reflects on how different languages bring out different versions of herself, and how—despite speaking English, Vietnamese, and French—she sometimes feels insecure when others question her French. Yet through it all, she embraces an empowering message:
Feeling alienated doesn’t make you less—her alienation is her strength, making her authentic, grounded, and uniquely herself.

If you’ve ever struggled with identity, belonging, or cultural complexity, this episode will feel like a conversation you’ve been waiting for.

Connect with Vy:
Instagram: @missingblue.co
Facebook: @missingblue

In this deeply heartfelt episode of Stories Beyond Borders, I sit down with Angela — a biracial woman who grew up navigating two cultures: a white mother and a Black father. She shares how, in her home, race wasn’t openly discussed, leaving her to make sense of her identity on her own.

Angela reflects on the complexity of looking white in a Black family, acknowledging both the privilege she carried and the disconnect she sometimes felt. She opens up about the emotional weight of this journey, including a period of depression, and how embracing her story became an act of healing.

As the first in her family to earn a college degree, Angela speaks candidly about what growth really means — that it isn’t always tied to achievements or tangible milestones, but to the quiet, internal work we do within ourselves. She also touches on how her siblings experienced identity differently, showing how one family can hold multiple truths.

Toward the end, Angela shares beautiful wisdom on self-compassion, reminding us to be gentle with ourselves and that we’re not behind. Her words feel like a warm exhale — a reminder that every journey unfolds at its own pace.

If you’re interested in identity, healing, and the courage to celebrate your own story, this conversation will speak to you.

👉 Connect with Angela:
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/celebrateyourselfpodcast
TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@celebrateyourselfpodcast

In this episode, I’m joined by Simone Pols, a language enthusiast, coach, and founder of the Simple Italian Podcast — one of the most popular podcasts for Italian learners. 🌍

Simone’s story is rooted in curiosity — a deep desire to learn, explore, and connect with people across cultures. Having lived in several countries and speaking nearly a dozen languages (with Spanish as his favorite!), Simone shares how language has been his bridge to understanding the world.

We talk about his travels, including his memorable trip to Bangladesh, where a few words of Bengali made all the difference in connecting with locals and navigating a new culture. He also reflects on what learning languages has taught him about being present, open, and mindful in life.

✨ His message? Stay curious, be present, and keep learning — because every language opens a new way to see the world.

🌐 Website → simonepols.com
🎙️ Podcast → Simple Italian Podcast on Spotify
📸 Instagram → @simonepols

In this episode, I’m joined by Angela Vitiello, MBA, MSEd — founder of the Expat Parenting Collective, alumna of INSEAD, member of the European Mentoring & Coaching Council, and affiliate of the Institute of Coaching at McLean/Harvard Medical School.

Angela has lived in 4 countries across 3 continents, traveled to nearly 40, and has been navigating life as an expat parent since 2018. Her work centers on experiential learning, leadership development, transitions, and intercultural communication.

We dive into Angela’s journey moving from New York to South Korea to Amsterdam, and how these transitions shaped her identity as both a professional and a mother. She opens up about raising her two third-culture kids (TCKs), who are growing up with exposure to three rich cultural backgrounds: hers, her husband’s, and the local culture of where they live.

Angela shares the importance of giving children the space to ask questions, to honor and celebrate multiple cultures through rituals, holidays, and daily practices, and to embrace the richness of belonging everywhere and nowhere at once. Her message is simple yet profound: approach life with curiosity.

✨ A must-listen for expats, TCK parents, and anyone curious about identity, belonging, and raising children across cultures.

Connect with Angela Vitiello

🌍 Website: www.expatparentingcollective.com
📸 Instagram (Work): @expatparentingcollective
👩‍💼 LinkedIn: Angela Vitiello, MBA, MSEd
📸 Instagram (Personal): @itsangelavitiello

In this episode of Stories Beyond Borders, we sit down with Alexandra Paucescu, a Romanian writer, journalist, and intercultural communication expert. As the spouse of a diplomat for nearly two decades, Alexandra has lived in various countries, raising her children as Third Culture Kids (TCKs). She shares her experiences of adapting to new cultures, the challenges and joys of frequent relocations, and offers practical advice for those navigating similar lifestyles.

Alexandra emphasizes the importance of learning local languages, embracing social opportunities, and maintaining an open mindset to ease integration. She concludes with a heartfelt message: "Traveling is an investment in yourself that you'll never regret."

Connect with Alexandra:

• Instagram: @alexandra.paucescu

• Linktree: Alexandra Paucescu

What does “home” really mean when you grow up between cultures?

In this episode, I sit down with Michelle Foltinger Garcia, a Spanish-Danish actress, writer, and podcast host of Unrooted. Born and raised in Marbella and educated in the UK, Michelle moved to New York to pursue her acting career. But soon, she realized New York wasn’t what she imagined it would be—and found herself drawn back home to Spain.

We talk about:
🌍 Growing up in an international environment
🎭 Chasing a dream in New York
🏡 Redefining what “home” means
💬 The power of owning your story

Michelle’s journey is a reminder that belonging isn’t about geography—it’s about people, connection, and embracing who you are.

🔗 Connect with Michelle:
IG: @unrootedpodcastofficial | @shelly_fg
Linktree: Unrooted Podcast