Summary

In this conversation, Pai and Christina Mushayamunda discuss the intricacies of intercultural relationships, sharing their personal journey and the lessons they've learned along the way. They emphasize the importance of cultural empathy, understanding, and communication in navigating the challenges that arise from differing cultural backgrounds. The conversation highlights the significance of finding common ground and the need for intentionality in building a strong relationship. Through their experiences, they offer valuable insights for couples in intercultural relationships, encouraging them to embrace their differences and foster a supportive community. The speakers discuss how merging different cultural identities can create a unique family culture, the significance of code switching in navigating diverse contexts, and the role of shared values in fostering stability. They also highlight the importance of food as a means of cultural integration and the necessity of building a supportive community to enhance relationship dynamics.

Takeaways

• Learn Your Partner's Cultural Lens

• You're Not Choosing Between Two Cultures — You're Creating Something New

• Embrace the Code Switching

• Be Rooted in Your Values

• Be Grounded in Community

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As we create the community that you never had, we need your help to build it. We are on a mission to gather insights from 100 people in intercultural relationships from around the world to better understand the real challenges you face. Become part of the 100 by completing this short survey.

Chapters

00:00 Introduction and Purpose of the Conversation

03:16 The Journey of an Intercultural Relationship

07:14 Cultural Awareness in Relationships

12:23 The Importance of Common Ground

20:34 Understanding Cultural Differences

22:22 Key Takeaways for Intercultural Relationships

29:53 Cultural Empathy in Relationships

32:08 Creating a New Cultural Identity

40:15 Embracing Code Switching

50:52 The Importance of Values

58:59 Building a Supportive Community

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In this episode of the Culture Talk Collective, hosts Christina and Pai reflect on their journey of relaunching the podcast after a five-year hiatus. They discuss the evolution of their perspectives on intercultural relationships, the importance of community, and the personal stories that shape their identities. The conversation highlights the challenges and joys of navigating life as an intercultural couple, the role of family acceptance, and the impact of education and reading in fostering empathy. They also share their experiences in dating, marriage, and parenting, emphasizing the need for a supportive community that celebrates cultural differences. The episode concludes with a preview of the future direction of the Culture Talk Collective, focusing on building a tapestry of intercultural families and creating a space for authentic conversations. SurveyAs we create the community that you never had, we need your help to build it. We are on a mission to gather insights from 100 people in intercultural relationships from around the world to better understand the real challenges you face. Become part of the 100 by completing this short survey.

Takeaways

• The podcast serves as a platform for sharing intercultural stories.
• Community building is essential for intercultural families.
• Personal growth and maturity are vital in navigating cultural differences.
• Cultural identity shapes our perspectives and experiences.
• Navigating relationships requires understanding and curiosity.
• Family acceptance plays a crucial role in intercultural relationships.
• Cultural adaptation can lead to a loss of personal identity.
• Celebrating cultural differences enriches our lives.
• The future of the Culture Talk Collective aims to create a supportive community.

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In this episode, we invite some familiar faces to the mic! Pai's parents share their story of how they met and got engaged. Pai's mother, a Zambian, and Pai's father, a Zimbabwean, tell us about the journey of intercultural dating and engagement.

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HIGHLIGHTS

• Donald was born in Matsai but had a hybridized upbringing because his parents were missionaries in Zimbabwe.
• Maud's dad was Zambian and her mother was Zimbabwean. She was born in Zambia and moved to Zimbabwe at 18 years old. She did not know the language, culture, or values of Zimbabwe.
• They met at church and were set up for a blind date by their pastors.
• Creating a value system before meeting your spouse is important because your values will be the compass that dictates the kind of spouse you will marry.
• A support system is the bedrock of African culture.
• Their engagement process was infused with Zimbabwean, American, and Christian elements.
• Make sure to study, learn, be an observer and understand the culture of your partner.
• You cannot be in a thriving intercultural relationship without being in a community.

Thank you to our editor, Carmel Kundai, for editing this episode.

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In this episode, we talk about the dangers of Cultural Appropriation and how we need to learn to be people that focus on Cultural Celebration. Join us as we share stories of how we have practiced cultural celebration in our marriage, and more importantly, give you the tools to celebrate your partner's culture.

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HIGHLIGHTS

• What is cultural misappropriation?
• • Cultural appropriation is the adoption of an element or elements of one culture or identity by members of another culture or identity. This can be controversial when members of a dominant culture appropriate from minority cultures. (Wikimedia)
• Why is Cultural Appropriation dangerous?
• • It objectifies the values and symbols of one's culture and history.
  • It's counterfeit for diversity.
  • It erases the identity of the curator.
• Cultural Celebration
• • We have coined this term because we believe that cultural preservation and intentionality come through the celebration of one's culture. For example, When we got married, we had a Zimbabwean rehearsal dinner in which we brought Pai's culture in the process and Christina's family had the opportunity to participate.
• How to practice Cultural Celebration
• • Be aware of the cultural context.
  • Learn, understand and value the story.
  • Give credit where credit is due.

Resources mentioned:

• Join our free Facebook community! - The Culture Talk Community.
• Sign up for our mailing list at theculturetalkcolllective.com for free resources and episode drops!

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Instagram – @theculturetalkcollective

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Website - theculturetalkcollective.com

In this episode, We tell a story about an experience we had when we registered our son's name for a birth certificate when he was born. This experience spurred us to talk about the importance of appreciating names that may be foreign to the majority culture. We also have three special guests that share with us some of their experiences of having a foreign name in the United States.

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HIGHLIGHTS

• Pai and Christian share their story about trying to register their son's birth certificate.
• Our friend, Kriselle, founder of Empowered in Color, shares with us the importance of taking pride in your name. Empowered in Color "strives to be a place to find people you can support or purchase products/services from marginalized groups. It strives to be a place where you can connect or collaborate with someone who looks like you. It strives to be a place where you can come into a community and not be "othered" for being who you are. It strives to celebrate the diversity and creativity of the people around us."
• Pai's brother, Teve explains to us his journey in being confident in his identity, which included people pronouncing his name correctly.
• Our friend, Wale from Nigeria teaches us that the simple act of remembering and pronouncing one's name correctly is one of the biggest acts you can do in making someone feel valued.

Resources mentioned:

• Join our free facebook community - The Culture Talk Community.

CONNECT WITH US

Instagram – @theculturetalkcollective

Facebook – @theculturetalkcollective

Website - theculturetalkcollective.com

Whether you're dating or married, there is an added layer of nuances and protocols that most intercultural couples have to navigate through. In this episode, Pai and Christina share tips on navigating intercultural relationships. By no means is this a comprehensive list, but here are ten pointers that will help you thrive in your relationship!

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HIGHLIGHTS

Dos

1. Try new foods.
2. Ask questions.
3. Be patient in your communication.
4. Learn your partner's language.
5. Celebrate your differences.

Don'ts

1. Address your in-laws by their first name. (Unless they initiate it or their culture permits!)
2. Don't make assumptions.
3. Let your partner be the museum guide for their culture.
4. Be a Culture SteamRoller.
5. Don't say that something in someone's culture is wrong.

Resources mentioned:

• The Culture Talk Community

CONNECT WITH US

Instagram – @theculturetalkcollective

Facebook – @theculturetalkcollective

Website - theculturetalkcollective.com

In this episode, Pai and Christina share their new journey as parents. Like many new parents, they are learning so much about themselves and their little one. However, as an intercultural and interracial family, they have an added layer of learning and understanding they have to navigate through. Join them as they talk about what they are learning!

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HIGHLIGHTS

• Before having a baby, lay a strong foundation as husband and wife. What are your values for your family? What do you want your children to grow up knowing about their parents' cultures?
• When raising an intercultural family, you can't be a control freak. Part of raising a child in your intercultural family means you are raising your child intentionally in a community, so that means other people are going to do things differently, and that's OK. It's good for your child.
• Introduce baby to intercultural foods! For instance - we gave baby porridge with peanut butter the other day.
• Creating an atmosphere that is inclusive of both cultures starts with the person who is from the "dominant" culture. Because we live in the US, Christina has to be intentional about doing things that point to Pai's culture.
• Surround your kid with people who look like him and who are from your "home" culture and all cultures.
• There is no such thing as one size fits all.

Resources mentioned:

• The Culture Talk Community

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Instagram – @theculturetalkcollective

Facebook – @theculturetalkcollective

Website - theculturetalkcollective.com

We're back and excited for Season 2! 2020 was tough for all of us. The entire world experienced the same fear, hopelessness, and uncertainty. Join us as we process our triumphs, losses, and teachable moments from 2020. We're also excited to announce the launch of The Culture Talk Community, a private Facebook group for intercultural/interracial couples! Our desire is to create a vibrant and safe place in which you can ask questions, meet other couples and grow together.

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HIGHLIGHTS

• 2020 Highlights for the Mushayamundas
• 2020 Challenges for the Mushayamundas

The Lessons That We Learned From 2020:

1. Champion Empathy
   • "For me, Christina, I realized I needed to champion empathy with people who I felt like did NOT have empathy towards what we were experiencing. I realized I was harsh in my attitude and some of the words I said towards people I disagreed with."
2. Love extravagantly
   • In 2020, we were reminded of how unpredictable life can be. We learned that tomorrow is not given as we witnessed millions of people be affected by the epidemic. We are choosing to love with abandon. To pursue our dreams and to focus on what truly matters in life.
3. Seek community
   • We can't do life alone. We need people that we trust to walk alongside us as we navigate the trials of the journey of life. We learned that we need to continue to seek community. Because of this lesson learned, we decided to create a community for intercultural couples! You're invited!

Resources mentioned:

• The Culture Talk Community
• Shalom Sisters
• Anti-Racism Resources

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Johnson moved to the United States from Nigeria. While in University, he met Rasheka, a Memphis native, and they quickly fell in love. Rasheka would soon realize that Johnson had no idea of the racial complexities of being black in America. Tune in to hear their journey of love and discovery of what it means to be an intercultural black couple.

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HIGHLIGHTS

• Johnson and Rasheka Osazee are happily married and have two beautiful kids. Johnson works as a Registered Nurse and Rasheka is a Human Resource specialist and U.S military veteran. They are passionate about debt freedom, and wealth acquisition as millennials of African descent. They are a generous family who also leads a nonprofit that serves youth in North Memphis.
• A love and matchmaking worth listening to! We'll give you a hint. Tinder and Instagram!
• When Johnson moved to the U.S, Rasheka had to teach him how to act as a black man so he will not be perceived as a threat.
• How they are processing being black in America as an intercultural, black couple.
• 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

Johnson moved to the United States from Nigeria. While in University, he met Rasheka, a Memphis native, and they quickly fell in love. Rasheka would soon realize that Johnson had no idea of the racial complexities of being black in America. Tune in to hear their journey of love and discovery of what it means to be an intercultural black couple.

SUBSCRIBE

Apple | Google | Spotify | Stitcher |

HIGHLIGHTS

• Johnson and Rasheka Osazee are happily married and have two beautiful kids. Johnson works as a Registered Nurse and Rasheka is a Human Resource specialist and U.S military veteran. They are passionate about debt freedom, and wealth acquisition as millennials of African descent. They are a generous family who also leads a nonprofit that serves youth in North Memphis.
• A love and matchmaking worth listening to! We'll give you a hint. Tinder and Instagram!
• When Johnson moved to the U.S, Rasheka had to teach him how to act as a black man so he will not be perceived as a threat.
• How they are processing being black in America as an intercultural, black couple.
• 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