Tabi Eckert shares a vivid depiction of her early years in Niger, and discusses the family, social, and spiritual dynamics that have shaped her journey. She has a profound way of looking at her own story, as in an ongoing process of interpretation. With that, her story is insightful, relatable, and moving.

Christine, the author of The Means that Make Us Strangers, shares the personal story that compels her writing process as well as content (and as a plus, she shares a sample of her book!). This is a great example of how growing up among worlds can create in a person unique gifts, abilities, and perspective, all of which Christine brings to her creative work.

Be sure to check out christinekindberg.com, or you can find Christine on Instagram (@Christine.Kindberg), Twitter (@ChristineKndbrg), or Facebook (Christine.Kindberg.Author).

Today we continue the discussion of addictive patterns of behavior with Rhys Pasimio. We will be talking about what addictions are and how to heal from addictive behavior. If you feel like you would like to talk more about addiction, whether it’s to gain a better understanding of this issue or for personal growth, feel free to reach out to Rhys on his website, www.newpatterncounseling.com.

Rhys Pasimio from New Pattern Counseling joins me to talk about the overlap between addictions and TCK’s. In this episode we focus on gaining an understanding of what addictions are and how they work, which will set us up to talk about how healing happens in the next episode. To get in touch with Rhys, check out his website at www.newpatterncounseling.com.

CEO and Founder of Kaleidoscope joins me to talk about how TCK's are naturally predisposed to act as bridge builders between people, to create points of connection over the impassable terrain of differences that can divide us. Jessi points to some of the challenges of the classic TCK experience to show how even those moments can be turned into assets.

As Jen discusses her book Keeping Place: Reflections on the Meaning of Home, she talks about the desire for home and the responsibility to create a sense of home for others. “It’s not just about the object of desire — it’s not just about whether or not the desire is good or bad — but whether or not the desire is rightly ordered.”

Harmony talks about the internal journey she experienced while adapting to life in the States, which is a journey that takes different forms for different people, and is a process that all TCK’s experience at one time or another. You may be surprised to hear what it was that brought Harmony to a place of embracing her life in the States.

Miriam talks about how relationships come and go, contributing to the best and hardest parts of growing up in a mobile, multicultural context. Empathy, a broadened worldview, and exceptional interpersonal skills are some of the assets that TCK’s acquire through relationships. And yet relational loss is one of the greatest challenges and sources of grief.

After taking four children to Nigeria and watching them grow to adulthood, Bill Kieslehorst shares about the struggles of being a TCK’s father, and some of the wisdom that he’s picked up along the way. Bill talks about the struggles, strength, and courage of his children, and how the hard times have enriched their character. Finally, Bill gives advice to families considering serving internationally as well as to families enduring the process of reentry.

Jeanne Harrison talks about her experience of returning to America after growing up overseas and shares advice for TCK care personnel and parents. Jeanne has a high awareness for issues common to TCK's and emphasizes the power of empathy in processing the TCK experience. Check out her book Hiding in the Hallway on your favorite online bookstore, or through the publisher's website at newhopepublishers.com.