The Culture Talk Collective: Intercultural Relationships, Family & Identity

We're excited to have our first guest on the Culture Talk Collective! Our friend, Tina McDaniel has spent the majority of her career working in the field of human resources for a major corporation. Since leaving her corporate role, Tina has spent the last few years pursuing her passion for race reconciliation and justice. She is a facilitator with Be the Bridge, a race reconciliation group. In this episode, we talk about grief and trauma, the importance of taking care of yourself, and how to become a bridge builder.

SUBSCRIBE

Apple | Google | Spotify | Stitcher |

HIGHLIGHTS

• We need to hold space for lament and grief. There is no timeline to grief and it's important that we create places for people to share their pain, anger, and despair.
• As a black person, you don't have to respond to every white person that asks you questions. It's important to refer them to resources so they can do the work of reading and learning alongside being in relationship.
• Self Care is so important during this season. It's a marathon, not a sprint. Lean into counseling, friends in other mental health resources during this emotionally exhausting time.
• Many people are looking for next steps in their work towards anti-racism. We're big advocates for Be the Bridge!
• Be the Bridge is a nonprofit that empowers people and culture toward racial healing, equity, and reconciliation.
• You can be part of a Be the Bridge chapter in your community or you can join a Facebook community. There a units and guides that you get to work through.
• Tina's Book Recommendations:
• • Be the Bridge
  • Stamped from the Beginning
  • Why Are All the Black Kids Sitting Together in the Cafeteria: And Other Conversations About Race
• We will be launching a private Facebook group, soon! To join the CTC, please add your email to the Google Form here.
• Anti-Racism Resources

CONNECT WITH US

Instagram – @theculturetalkcollective

Facebook – @theculturetalkcollective

Lament: A passionate expression of grief or sorrow. Many of us around the world witnessed George Floyd get murdered by a police officer. It grieved all of us to the core. The sad reality is that his brutal death is only a symptom of an underlying problem that we face in the United States. Join Pai and Christina in a vulnerable conversation as they lament. For further learning on Anti-Racism, we have compiled a list of resources in our show notes.

SUBSCRIBE

Apple | Google | Spotify | Stitcher |

• We will be launching a private Facebook group, soon! To join the CTC, please add your email to the Google Form here.
• Anti-Racism Resources

CONNECT WITH US

Instagram – @theculturetalkcollective

Facebook – @theculturetalkcollective

Pai and Christina share their unfiltered thoughts and process the murder of Ahmaud Arbery. He was a 25 year old black man who was shot by a white father and son while jogging in his neighborhood. It's not until the video surfaced months later that the two would get arrested. For further learning on Anti-Racism, we have compiled a list of resources in our show notes.

SUBSCRIBE

Apple | Google | Spotify | Stitcher |

HIGHLIGHTS

• Pai shares about his experiences with race the past few years.
• Christina reads her response piece on the shooting.
• Pai and Christina discuss the topic of racial injustice and how they each are processing the death of Ahmaud Arbery
• • Key Terms:
  • White Privilege: inherent advantages possessed by a white person on the basis of their race in a society characterized by racial inequality and injustice.
  • White Guilt: the individual or collective guilt felt by some white people for harm resulting from racist treatment of ethnic minorities such as African Americans and indigenous peoples by other white people, most specifically in the context of the Atlantic slave trade, European colonialism and the legacy of these eras.
• We will be launching a private Facebook group, soon! To join the CTC, please add your email to the Google Form here.
• Anti-Racism Resources

CONNECT WITH US

Instagram – @theculturetalkcollective

Facebook – @theculturetalkcollective

We are in the midst of a global crisis with COVID-19 and it's turned the world upside down. We all cope differently during times of crisis and as intercultural couples, it takes intentionality on how to navigate through it together. Tune in to hear stories of how Pai and Christina have coped and also some tips on how you can better communicate with your significant other!

SUBSCRIBE

Apple | Google | Spotify | Stitcher |

HIGHLIGHTS

• As we all go through this season of social distancing and self-isolation, it's important to continue to be intentional with the time that we have with our families and each other.
• Here are 3 ways you and your partner can cope through this crisis

1. Acknowledge the crisis
2. Actively listen
3. Plan and engage in a strategy together

• We have a FREE resource for you intercultural couples! Check out our "9 Date Night Ideas for the Intercultural Couple"

• Sign up for our mailing list at theculturetalkcolllective.com and we will drop it right into your inbox!

CONNECT WITH US

Instagram – @theculturetalkcollective

Facebook – @theculturetalkcollective

In this episode, Pai and Christina get to share with you on a life update! Becoming a homeowner in the United States might be a commonality for the average American, but for immigrant kids or a first-generation American, it means more than that. For immigrants, a house isn't just a place you live in, its establishment.

SUBSCRIBE

Apple | Google | Spotify | Stitcher |

We have a FREE resource for you intercultural couples! Check out our "9 Date Night Ideas for the Intercultural Couple"

• Sign up for our mailing list at theculturetalkcolllective.com and we will drop it right into your inbox!

CONNECT WITH US

Instagram – @theculturetalkcollective

Facebook – @theculturetalkcollective

In this episode, Pai and Christina talk about the challenges and joys of being in an interracial relationship. They share some personal experiences and how they have grown individually and as a couple.

SUBSCRIBE

Apple | Google | Spotify | Stitcher |

HIGHLIGHTS

• Black History is American History. Don't relegate the beautiful history of black Americans into a single month. Instead, make it a part of your every day. It's also common to associate the Black History narrative with only stories of slavery and that's not the full story. There are countless Black men and women who portray strength, power, and dignity. It's vital that we include stories that inspire us!
• Race adds another layer to the cultural complexity of our relationship. We have had to be intentional in making sure that we both understood that our relationship would take lots of work.
• While on a walk while they were dating, Christina realized that their relationship would not be approved by everyone.
• The joys and hardships of being in an interracial relationship
• Resources for further education
• • Be the Bridge
  • Osheta Moore

• We have a FREE resource for you intercultural couples! Check out our "9 Date Night Ideas for the Intercultural Couple"

CONNECT WITH US

Instagram – @theculturetalkcollective

Facebook – @theculturetalkcollective

Imagine telling your employer you can't work and being unable to drive for almost 3 months...Like many other intercultural couples living in the United States, Pai and Christina have had their fair share of difficulties with immigration. In this episode, Pai and Christina share their story and their immigration journey.

SUBSCRIBE

Apple | Google | Spotify | Stitcher |

HIGHLIGHTS

• Pai and Christina talk about the permanent residency process for married couples.
• In this episode, there are many terms Pai and Christina use to talk about different statuses and documents. They are listed below:
• • F2 - the status dependents have when they immigrate to the US
  • F1 - the status for students
  • I-20 - the document people who already live in the United States use to obtain their student paperwork
  • Conditional green card - a 2 year green card given to an immigrant. This green card is contingent upon the couple's marriage legitimacy
  • Unconditional green card - the green card the immigrant is granted after the conditions have been removed

• We have a FREE resource for you intercultural couples! Check out our "9 Date Night Ideas for the Intercultural Couple"

• Sign up for our mailing list at theculturetalkcolllective.com and we will drop it right into your inbox!

CONNECT WITH US

Instagram – @theculturetalkcollective

Facebook – @theculturetalkcollective

In this episode, Pai and Christina share on why it's important to value your partner's culture. It is so much easier said than done! For Pai, it's easier to value Christina's culture since he lives in the majority culture. For Christina, she has to make sure that she is intentional in appreciating aspects of Zimbabwean culture since it's not common in America. The couple share practical tips on how you can be intentional with your partner's culture!

SUBSCRIBE

Apple | Google | Spotify | Stitcher |

HIGHLIGHTS

• Pai and Christina share a conversation they had about race.
• The struggle of being a minority culture in a majority setting.
• Pai's fear of losing his Zimbabwean culture.
• Valuing each other's cultures.
• Practical tips on how you can value your partner's culture.
• We have a FREE resource for you intercultural couples! Check out our "9 Date Night Ideas for the Intercultural Couple"

CONNECT WITH US

Instagram – @theculturetalkcollective

Facebook – @theculturetalkcollective

In this episode, the Mushayamunda's share about their Zim-American wedding day. Pai and Christina talk about how they incorporated American traditions and important Zimbabwean traditions such as the Roora, Ma Steps, and others during their wedding.

SUBSCRIBE

Apple | Google | Spotify | Stitcher |

HIGHLIGHTS

• How we incorporated our values did from both cultures
• A Zimbabwean Rehearsal Dinner and the Roora
• The Wedding Day
• • 13 countries represented!
  • Our American friend learned Shona just to speak at our wedding.
  • Shona and English songs
  • Lots of dancing!
• Check out some of our wedding highlights on Instagram with the hashtag #mybigfatzimwedding
• We had the best videographer in the world! Check out Axel Marshall for your big day. You can also find him on Facebook.

• We have a FREE resource for you intercultural couples! Check out our "9 Date Night Ideas for the Intercultural Couple"

• Sign up for our mailing list at theculturetalkcolllective.com and we will drop it right into your inbox!

CONNECT WITH US

Instagram – @theculturetalkcollective

Facebook – @theculturetalkcollective

In this episode, Pai and Christina share their challenges and triumphs in planning their intercultural wedding.

SUBSCRIBE

Apple | Google | Spotify | Stitcher |

HIGHLIGHTS

• As an American, Christina has grown up being taught that the wedding is about the bride. She has to reconcile with Pai's Zimbabwean culture in which the wedding is a communal event.
• Every relationship has moments of GIVE and TAKE. Pai and Christina share about those moments during wedding planning.

Our Culture Talk Tips

1. Find 1 or 2 meaningful ways to incorporate your culture in your wedding.
2. Communicate with your family your expectations!

• We have a FREE resource for you intercultural couples! Check out our "9 Date Night Ideas for the Intercultural Couple"

CONNECT WITH US

Instagram – @theculturetalkcollective

Facebook – @theculturetalkcollective