The Global Goer Podcast

Easter is one of the most important celebrations in the Christian faith — but do you know how to explain it to someone from a different faith background? In this episode, I walk you through how I explain Easter to my Muslim friends, my Hindu friends, and even culturally Christian people who have grown up with Easter eggs and bunnies but aren’t quite sure what it all means.

And even if Easter has already passed when you’re listening to this, these frameworks work any time of year — because we always need to be able to explain why Jesus had to die and why it matters that he is alive right now.

🎧 Listen to Episode 8 now:

🍎 Apple Podcasts
🎤 Spotify
🌍 Global Goer Podcast Page

Connect with Jeannie

Some news stories you can scroll past. This isn't one of them.

My father and I were in India when the war in Iran broke out — my tickets routed through Qatar, checking flight apps every hour, eventually driving five hours to a different airport and routing home through Thailand and Japan just to get back to the US. Qatar is still closed. That experience sent me deep into every news source she could find. And what I learned from my international network, my Persian friends, and workers on the ground is a story most Americans aren't hearing.

In this episode, I’ll share my raw, personal take on why this war matters to every Global Goer — and why the Persian people need our voice right now.

In This Episode

🎧 Listen to Episode 9 now:

🍎 Apple Podcasts
🎤 Spotify
🌍 Global Goer Podcast Page

Resources Mentioned

Connect with Jeannie

Website: jeanniemarieacademy.com

Instagram: @jeanniemmarie

Eid is coming up this weekend, and millions of Muslims around the world are preparing to celebrate the end of Ramadan with family, food, generosity, and community.

And that raises an important question many Christians ask when building friendships with Muslims:

Is it appropriate for Christians to celebrate Eid with their Muslim friends?

Should we go to their homes?
Eat their food?
Say Eid Mubarak?

Or does that somehow compromise our faith?

In this episode of The Global Goer Podcast, I discuss why moments like Eid celebrations can be powerful opportunities for relationships, hospitality, and meaningful connections with Muslims.

Because celebration matters. God loves celebration. Throughout Scripture, God established festivals and gatherings for His people. Sharing meals, honoring God, and celebrating together are deeply rooted kingdom values.

And when we see those values reflected in other cultures — family gatherings, hospitality, gratitude toward God — we can recognize something beautiful happening there.

In this episode I share:

I also share a story about celebrating Eid with Afghan friends here in the United States — and how one simple invitation opened the door to deeper conversations about faith, culture, and belonging.

For those of you preparing to live among Muslim peoples, this episode is especially important.

Because learning to honor culture while remaining faithful to Jesus is one of the most important skills you'll develop in cross-cultural ministry.

And Eid is one of the most beautiful opportunities you'll have to practice it.

🎧 Listen to Episode 8 now:

🍎 Apple Podcasts
🎤 Spotify
🌍 Global Goer Podcast Page

Or wherever you listen to Podcasts.

A few resources I mentioned in this episode if you'd like to go deeper:

✅ If you want to grow in how to naturally and respectfully share Jesus with Muslims, you can get the quick, step-by-step Inviting Muslims to Follow Jesus Course for a special deal through the end of the month.

✅ If you want a deeper framework for understanding God’s heart for the nations, I highly recommend Perspectives on the World Christian Movement. Many Global Goers have been deeply shaped by it.

✅ If you want to understand Ramadan and how to engage meaningfully with Muslims during that season, I recorded a podcast episode explaining it. You can listen to it here.

✅ I also created Eid graphics with Bible verses that you can text to your Muslim friends or post on social media. You can download them here.

I'm recording this episode from my hotel room in India, looking out over a sea of coconut trees and blue sky and just beyond it, the Arabian Sea. And I have so much to tell you.

Twelve years ago our family of six landed in this city - kids ages 5 to 15 - in a tropical, chaotic, beautiful unreached city of one million Muslims. We came expectant and hopeful and we had to leave much sooner than we wanted to. That story is coming in a future episode.

But this week I want to give you a behind-the-scenes field report. Because I am here right now, and so much has changed, and some things haven't changed at all, and I want you to feel like you are right here with me.

In this episode I talk about: what it felt like to land this time versus 12 years ago, how relationship and years of investment change everything, the staggering growth and globalization of this city, what God has been quietly doing in this people group for 12 years, a funeral that none of us expected, and the Muslim friend who encountered Jesus in the middle of it, the Ephesians 6 moment that put my armor back on, and why one team covering 37 million people is simply not enough.

This one is personal. I have tears recording parts of it. I hope it moves you.

Resources mentioned in this episode:

Episode 4: Ramadan

Breakthrough Prayer Course

Connect with Jeannie Marie on Instagram and DM her which moment from this episode hit you hardest.

New episodes drop every Tuesday. Subscribe so you don't miss one:

LISTEN NOW:

Or wherever you listen to podcasts

🎙️ Travel “Rules” So You Don’t Lose Your Passport — or Your Mind

In this episode of the Global Goer Podcast, Jeannie shares her personal travel rules for international trips — the kind learned the hard way after decades of traveling across cultures and continents.

Recorded just before boarding a flight to India, these tips were fresh on her checklist — and they might save you serious stress on your next overseas trip.

If you're planning to:

Move overseas

Take a vision trip

Travel internationally for ministry

Navigate cross-cultural travel

Or simply want smarter international travel habits

This episode is for you.

✈️ Why Most Travel Stress Happens

International travel problems are rarely dramatic.

They’re usually small oversights:

Booking the cheapest flight without understanding the connection

Arriving in a new country without local currency and internet data

Leaving the airport without communication set up

Packing far more than you actually need

Jeannie shares real experiences — including a World Cup connection in Paris where hotels were unexpectedly full — and how those situations shaped her travel mindset.

🧳 Inside This Episode:

You’ll learn practical international travel rules including:

Why booking directly with the airline matters

What “transit” really means when booking international flights

Why lighter packing is smarter — even for long-term moves

Why you should set up local currency and communication before leaving the airport

These aren’t trendy travel hacks.

They’re stability rules for global travelers.

🌍 For Global Goers

If you’re traveling cross-culturally, these travel rules can help you:

Reduce stress

Prevent avoidable problems

Stay focused on your purpose

Travel with confidence

International travel doesn’t have to be chaotic.

It just requires intentional preparation.

Available on:

Apple Podcasts

Spotify

Wherever you listen

🔗 Mentioned in This Episode

Seven Starters: Questions That Open the Door to Spiritual Conversations
Start meaningful spiritual conversations naturally across cultures.
👉 https://www.jeanniemarieacademy.com/sevenstarters 

Travel Multiplier (Flight Strategy Partner Mentioned in Episode)
Learn how to travel internationally more strategically.
👉 https://www.travelmultiplier.com/a/2148200807/4c6JYKg9 

If this episode helped you, share it with a fellow traveler or future global goer.

And remember:

The world is bigger than your zip code. Let’s go.

EPISODE DESCRIPTION:

I’m posting this episode from India — the city where our family once stepped into a dream that felt far bigger than us.

Years ago, God placed something on our hearts. It required risk. Obedience. Movement.

And a willingness to take the first step before we saw the whole staircase. Not every dream becomes reality. But some do. So what makes the difference?

In this episode, I reflect on:

And we wrestle with a practical question:

If you had to eat an elephant — how would you do it?

If God has stirred something global in your heart — whether that’s publishing, moving overseas, launching something new, or reaching a people group — this episode will help you think differently about your next step.

The world is bigger than your zip code. Let’s go.

RESOURCES MENTIONED:

If part of that dream includes sharing Jesus more confidently across cultures, I created a free video training for you:

✅ Three Paradigm Shifts to Offer Jesus Naturally to Your Neighbors & the Nations

👉 www.jeanniemarieacademy.com/freevideotraining

Inside, you’ll discover:

New episodes drop every Tuesday. Subscribe so you don't miss one:

LISTEN NOW:

🍎 Apple Podcasts

🎤 Spotify

🌍 My Global Goer Podcast Page

Or wherever you listen to podcasts

Remember: The world is bigger than your zip code. Let's go.

EPISODE DESCRIPTION:

Let's talk about what many of you are experiencing in your church: What do you do when your lead pastor doesn't share your passion for the nations, for global missions?

Maybe you're fighting for 3 minutes of stage time on Sunday morning. Maybe you came back from the field and nobody remembers who you are—not even the pastor. Maybe your church treats global work like one of many programs instead of the heartbeat of the Great Commission.

In this episode, I'm sharing four honest insights into why many lead pastors don't "get it"—and more importantly, what YOU can do about it. This isn't about criticizing pastors (they have a tough job!), it's about learning how to work within the reality of Western church culture while still advancing the mission.

Whether you're mobilizing from within your church, supporting global workers, as aspiring goer yourself, or feeling frustrated by the lack of vision—this episode will give you perspective, practical strategies, and permission to create your own path forward.

IN THIS EPISODE:

FOUR INSIGHTS INTO THE LEAD PASTOR WHO ISN'T PASSIONATE ABOUT THE NATIONS

KEY MOMENTS:

The Freeing Reality:

RESOURCES MENTIONED:

✅ Sermon Series Outlines (Free): Help your pastor preach about global work with ready-made outlines based on Across the Street and Around the World

www.jeannie-marie.com/sermon-leads 

✅ Ten Ways to Find Ten Friends From Unreached People Groups Guide (Free): Practical ways to find people from unreached people groups in your community—show your pastor it's possible right where you are

👉🏼 www.jeanniemarieacademy.com/tenfriends 

✅ Neighbors & Nations Course: The comprehensive 6-module, 60+ lesson course to help you make disciples cross-culturally with confidence—whether your church supports you or not

👉🏼 www.jeanniemarieacademy.com/nncourse 

✅ Perspectives on the World Christian Movement:

Bring this 15-week course to your church to educate at the grassroots level

👉🏼 www.perspectives.org 

✅ Book: Across the Street and Around the World: Following Jesus to the Nations in Your Neighborhood and Beyond

👉🏼 www.jeanniemarieacademy.com/book 

CONNECT WITH JEANNIE MARIE:

 🌐 Website: www.jeanniemarieacademy.com 

📱 Instagram: @jeanniemmarie (DM me which of the 15 resonated most!) 

I WANT TO HEAR FROM YOU:

Which of the four insights resonated most with you? Are you in a church where the lead pastor "gets it" or are you navigating this tension right now?

DM me on Instagram **@jeanniemmarie** and tell me your story. I read every message.

And if you've found creative ways to mobilize for the nations DESPITE your church leadership's lack of vision—I want to hear about that too! Your strategy might become a future episode.

WHAT'S NEXT:

✅ Next week: Episode 4 - Ramadan 2026: Three Ways to Be Intentional With Your Muslim Friends During Ramadan (Fast, Pray, Party)

Ramadan starts February 19, 2026 (probably!), and I'm sharing behind-the-scenes all things Ramadan from my Muslim friend perspectives, plus a Ramadan-for-dummies explanation, and practical ways you can pray, fast, and build friendships with Muslims during this sacred month. You don't want to miss it!

LEAVE A REVIEW & SUBSCRIBE: 

If this episode gave you permission to move forward even when your church leadership doesn't share your passion, would you leave a review on Apple Podcasts? It helps other frustrated mobilizers find this show.

New episodes drop every Tuesday. Subscribe so you don't miss one:

LISTEN NOW:

🍎 Apple Podcasts

🎤 Spotify

🌍 My Global Goer Podcast Page

Or wherever you listen to podcasts

Remember: The world is bigger than your zip code. Let's go!

EPISODE DESCRIPTION:

Ramadan starts February 17, 2026—and this is one of the most strategic times of the year to engage with your Muslim friends.

For 30 days, Muslims fast from sunup to sundown. No food. No water. No smoking. No swearing. And MORE praying, MORE reading, MORE giving, MORE openness to spiritual things.

So why not join them in their spiritual quest, in our own way?

In this episode, I'm starting with "Ramadan for Dummies"—a simple explanation of what Ramadan is and how your Muslim friends actually experience it. Then I'm sharing three practical ways YOU can be intentional during this sacred month: pray, fast, and party.

Whether you have one Muslim friend or you're surrounded by them in your neighborhood, this episode will give you specific, actionable ideas for how to deepen your friendships and open doors for spiritual conversations during Ramadan.

This isn't theoretical. These are things I've done myself—from fasting with my Afghan refugee friends to hosting an Iftar picnic by the pond in my neighborhood. And I'm inviting you to do them too.

IN THIS EPISODE:

RAMADAN FOR DUMMIES: What It Is and How Muslims Experience It

✔️ Ramadan 2026 dates: February 19 - March 19 (30 days determined by moon sightings)

✔️ What fasting looks like: No food, water, sex, smoking, or swearing from sunup to sundown

✔️ What increases: Prayer (5 times daily), reading the Quran, giving to the poor, spiritual openness

✔️ Why this matters: Muslims are more spiritually sensitive during Ramadan than any other time

✔️ How your friends experience it: Community, celebration, spiritual devotion, and exhaustion

THREE WAYS TO BE INTENTIONAL DURING RAMADAN:

What to do:

Why this matters:

What to do:

Why this matters:

The response:

What to do:

Why this matters:

Personal stories shared:

- Two years ago: Afghan international students/refugees invited me to their home for Iftar

- They prayed in front of me with deep reverence to God

- After dinner, I prayed for them and we opened the Injil (Today's Persian Version Bible)

- Last year: I hosted an Iftar picnic by the pond in my neighborhood

- Laid out dates, nuts, fruit, juice, sweets on a red blanket under twinkly lights

- They brought Persian food, I made a traditional Afghan stew from an internet recipe

- Told them I fasted all day praying for them—they couldn't believe it!

- This year: They invited me back again

KEY TAKEAWAY:

May God show himself personally to Muslims all around the world as they fervently seek his presence. May God reveal Jesus as the way to God and give them his Spirit as a deposit for a future eternal inheritance.

You have 30 days. Three simple ways to be intentional. Let's do this together.

RESOURCES MENTIONED:

✅ Inviting Muslims to Follow Jesus Course:

A quick, practical 5-lesson course with 30+ videos to help you build bridges and have spiritual conversations with Muslims—without getting into arguments, feeling frozen, or needing to become an Islam expert ($147, or watch free 10-minute video and get $50 off)

👉🏼 www.jeanniemarieacademy.com/invitemuslims 

✅ 30 Days of Prayer for the Muslim World: Order the booklet (adult or kids version—personally, I use the kids version!)

👉🏼 www.pray30days.org 

✅ Frontiers USA Prayer Series (Free Daily Emails): "Searching for a Father" - Follow a fictional (but realistic) family experiencing Ramadan

👉🏼 www.frontiersusa.org/searching-for-a-father 

✅ "Hidden Treasures" - Discover ancient traditions and cultural objects central to Muslim life

👉🏼 www.frontiersusa.org/hidden-treasures 

✅ "All Things" - Themed prayer series

👉🏼 www.frontiersusa.org/allthings 

✅ Ten Ways to Find Ten Friends Guide (Free): Practical ways to find and befriend people from unreached people groups in your community

👉🏼 www.jeanniemarieacademy.com/tenfriends 

Today's Persian Version Bible:

A contextual Bible version to give Afghan Shia Muslims to read the creation story in Genesis

Available on Amazon

CONNECT WITH JEANNIE MARIE:

Website: www.jeanniemarieacademy.com 

Instagram: @jeanniemmarie

Blog Post: Read the full blog version of this episode at www.jeannie-marie.com/blog/41 

I WANT TO HEAR FROM YOU:

Are you going to do any of these three things during Ramadan? Pray for 30 days? Fast for one day? Get invited to an Iftar meal?

DM me on Instagram @jeanniemmarie and let me know! I want to hear your stories and cheer you on.

And if you try one of these ideas and something amazing happens—definitely tell me. Your story might encourage someone else to take the step.

WHAT'S NEXT:

Next week: Episode 5 - How to Eat An Elephant: Doing Big Dreams One Bite At A Time

LEAVE A REVIEW & SUBSCRIBE: 

If this episode gave you permission to move forward even when your church leadership doesn't share your passion, would you leave a review on Apple Podcasts? It helps other frustrated mobilizers find this show.

New episodes drop every Tuesday. Subscribe so you don't miss one:

LISTEN NOW:

🍎 Apple Podcasts

🎤 Spotify

🌍 My Global Goer Podcast Page

Or wherever you listen to podcasts

Remember: The world is bigger than your zip code. Let's go.

Thinking about moving overseas someday? Or maybe you're supporting friends who are considering it? In this episode, I'm sharing 15 real expectations vs. reality insights from a decade of living overseas and watching dozens of people make the move. From the importance of choosing the right team to why it gets harder before it gets easier, these are the things I wish someone had told me before I moved to India with my family. Whether you're going next year or just dreaming about it, this episode will help you prepare for the realities of cross-cultural life—the good, the hard, and the transformative.

In This Episode:

**The 15 Field Realities:**

Key Concepts Discussed:

Resources Mentioned:

✅ Book: Across the Street and Around the World: Following Jesus to the Nations in Your Neighborhood and Beyond

Get the full story and practical steps for reaching the nations—whether you're going or staying

👉 www.jeanniemarieacademy.com/book 

👉 Available on Amazon

✅ Neighbors & Nations Course:

The comprehensive 6-module, 60+ lesson course to help you make disciples cross-culturally with ease, empathy, and confidence—perfect for preparing to go OR reaching the nations where you live

👉 www.jeanniemarieacademy.com/nncourse 

I Want to Hear From You!

Which of the 15 field realities resonated with you most?

Maybe it's #7 about time with Jesus getting sucked dry, or #15 about being forever changed, or #4 about going slow to go fast, or #13 about getting grit. 

DM me on Instagram **@jeanniemmarie** and tell me which one hit home for you and why. I read every message and would love to hear your story!

Connect with Jeannie Marie:

🌐 Website: www.jeanniemarieacademy.com 

📱 Instagram: @jeanniemmarie (DM me which of the 15 resonated most!) 

📖 Take the Global Goer Quiz: www.jeanniemarieacademy.com/quiz 

What's Next:

Next week: Episode 3 - When Your Lead Pastor Doesn't Really Get It

Leave a Review:

If this episode helped you see what cross-cultural life really looks like, would you leave a review on Apple Podcasts? It helps others who are considering the journey find this show!

Subscribe:

New episodes drop every Tuesday. Don't miss one!

LISTEN NOW:

🍎 Apple Podcasts

🎤 Spotify

🌍 My Global Goer Podcast Page

**Remember: The world is bigger than your zip code. Let's go!**

Welcome to The Global Goer Podcast! I'm sitting at a Thai restaurant in Arizona with my daughter, and for a moment, I'm transported. The smells, the sounds, the elderly Asian woman shuffling over to fill my tea—I feel alive, like I'm accessing a part of who God made me to be.

If you've ever felt that same pull toward other cultures, that apostolic yearning to reach the edges of the Kingdom where the most lost people live—this podcast is for you. This isn't for everyone. It's a niche show for Global Goers: people who want to move overseas, wish they had done it years ago, or are creating experiences for others to reach the three billion with least access to the Kingdom of God.

In this first episode, I'm sharing why I created this show, who it's for, and what you can expect in the weeks ahead. Whether you're a parent who took a mission trip in college and wonders if you missed your window, or a young professional who doesn't fit the traditional mold—welcome. You're in the right place.

In This Episode:

Coming Up in Future Episodes

Resources Mentioned:

✅ Take the Global Goer Quiz:**

Discover your unique path to making a global impact. Are you a Bleeding Heart, Strategic Thinker, Meaning and Purpose Person, Adventure Seeker, or Obedient Disciple?

👉 www.jeanniemarieacademy.com/quiz 

✅ Book:

Across the Street and Around the World: Following Jesus to the Nations in Your Neighborhood and Beyond (20,000+ copies sold)

👉 www.jeanniemarieacademy.com/book 

👉 Available on Amazon 

✅ Courses:

Neighbors & Nations Course:

Comprehensive 6-module, 60+ lesson course to help you make disciples cross-culturally with confidence, courage, and authenticity

👉 www.jeanniemarieacademy.com/nncourse 

Inviting Muslims to Follow Jesus Course:

Learn how to build bridges and have spiritual conversations with Muslims without feeling frozen or getting into arguments

👉 www.jeanniemarieacademy.com/invitemuslims   

Connect with Jeannie Marie:

🌐 Website: www.jeanniemarieacademy.com 

📱 Instagram: www.instagram.com/jeanniemmarie 

📧 DM me your thoughts or questions!

What's Next:

Next week: Episode 2 - Field Realities: 15 Things You Should Know About Living Overseas (Before You Go)

Leave a Review:

If this episode resonated with you, would you leave a review on Apple Podcasts? It helps other Global Goers find the show!

Subscribe:

New episodes drop every Tuesday! Subscribe so you don't miss one:

LISTEN NOW:

🍎 Apple Podcasts

🎤 Spotify

🌍 My Global Goer Podcast Page

Or wherever you listen to podcasts

**Remember: The world is bigger than your zip code. Let's go!**