the Extra Half

A conversation with Pilar Czoske, lawyer. Pilar is Chilean and German, and grew up in Germany and Ecuador. We talk about how identity shifts and evolves over time, her degrees in law and Chinese studies at the University of Cologne, and how factors such as political views and socio-economic status can lead to strong interpersonal connections across cultures.

A conversation with Brandon Garbot, violinist. Brandon's heritage is European and Japanese but he grew up in the United States in a monolingual family. We talk about the enigmatic nature of identity, curiosity about cultures whose influences have been diluted over time, and finding ways of self-expression through music when language fails.

A conversation with Aliya Vodovozova, flutist. We talk about growing up in Turkey and Russia, understanding where home is, the side-by-side mosque and church of Kazan, and finding one’s place in international communities around the world.

A conversation with David and Ellen Mamedov, pianist and digital marketer/strategist. We talk about growing up in Azerbaijan and the United States, what happens when the “secret” language trick goes wrong, the challenges of raising a bicultural child, and impact of one's place of birth on identity.

A conversation with Hiwote Tadesse, violist. We talk about growing up in Croatia with an Ethiopian father, thinking about identity through the lenses of language, appearance, and tradition, and her dreams of channeling her profession to create positive change in Ethiopia.

A conversation with Benjamin Hoffman, violinist. We talk about growing up in the United States and Italy, the effects of language on personality, and navigating pop culture(s) as a young person.

Welcome to the Extra Half, a conversation-based podcast with bicultural guests from all walks of life.