In this episode, Elizabeth and Jessi break down the ‘red zone’ and ‘green zone’ of emotional regulation for TCKs. They talk about how to spot when kids are in the red zone, why connection and laughter can be powerful tools for moving into the green zone, and practical ways parents can support kids through stressful times. With insights on personalized approaches to emotional well-being, they also touch on when it might be time to seek extra help. Tune in for relatable advice and tools to help TCKs find their calm!

Links to related resources:

Our Services
Raising Thriving Kids Abroad (Workshop)
Raising Healthy TCKs (Workshop)
Red Zone/Green Zone:  Understanding School Transition Stress (blog)

In this episode of the TCK Training Podcast, Lauren and Tanya have a heartfelt conversation about the things that make TCK transitions hard. They share what they’ve learned talking to hundreds of TCKs, and from their own experience growing up in high mobility. 

Tune in to learn more about how transitions affect us, and how we can leverage the tools in our arsenal to care well for those who move, and those who stay behind.

Links to related resources:

Misunderstood by Tanya Crossman
Our Services
Coping with Change (Workshop)
Care for Less Mobile TCKs (Workshops)
Supporting Student Transitions (Workshop)

Transitions Course

Schedule a free consult call with our team of experts at [email protected]!

In the previous episode, Lauren and Elizabeth talked about what TCKs need within their home. This week, Elizabeth is back and has a chat with Tanya about what TCKs need from their community! They dive into research on Positive Childhood Experiences (PCEs) and how to implement them as counterweights to Adverse Childhood Experiences (ACEs).

Join them for practical strategies and insightful data to shed more light on setting TCKs up for thriving!

Links to related resources:

Free Course: How to Implement PCEs (Positive Childhood Experiences)

TCKs and PCEs (Blog)
Workshop: Peers and Belonging 

Workshop: Supporting TCKs in Your Community

Lauren and Elizabeth are back, and today they explore what it takes to create a thriving home for TCKs. They explain why emotional safety and tuning into kids’ needs are key—especially when life’s full of big moves and transitions. With plenty of practical tips, they share how parents can build a home that feels like a true anchor, helping TCKs build resilience and navigate the emotional layers of the TCK experience.

Links to Related Resources:

Free Course: How to Implement PCEs (Positive Childhood Experiences)

Blog: TCKs and PCEs
Free Course: Safe Space Response

Schedule a free consult call with our team of experts at [email protected]!

In this episode, Lauren and Jessi dive into “grief stacking” and how TCKs’ losses can pile up until it feels like a tower of unprocessed grief. They chat about the impact this can have on mental and physical health and why it’s so important to tackle grief head-on. Tune in for insights, practical tools, and a reminder of how processing loss can lead to new strengths!

Links to related resources:

Unstacking Sessions
What made that feel so hard?  by Lauren Wells

Debrief Certification for TCK Caregivers

Workshop: Grief Tower 101 & 201

Schedule a free consult call with our team of experts at [email protected]!

In this episode, Elizabeth is joined by Jessi, our Director of ATCK Services and Marketing. Together, they answer a question that we often get asked: why don’t we stop talking about TCK grief? They share honest insights on why it matters to have those conversations going—even when it feels easier to focus on the positives. Enjoy their takeaways from years of unstacking grief while making sure to find the heart and humor throughout the process!

Links to related resources:

Unstacking Sessions

The Practice of Processing by Elizabeth Vahey Smith

Workshop: Grief Tower 101 & 201

Debriefing for Expat Families

Schedule a free consult call with our team of experts at [email protected]!

We switch things up a little bit this week, with a guest appearance from our Director of Research and International Education, Tanya! In this episode, she and Lauren dive into the reasons why as parents, caregivers, and ATCKs, we can’t just focus on the TCK benefits. They highlight the need for a balanced perspective, recognizing that both positive and negative experiences shape the TCK journey. Tune in to explore actionable steps you can take to foster long-term thriving!

Links to related resources:

TCK Training Blog
International School Services

Free Research: Protective Factors that improve long-term wellness in TCKs

Who says you need a PhD to do research-based work? This week on the podcast, Lauren and Elizabeth dismantle that myth by walking us through TCK Training’s history. They reflect on the journey from blogging to publishing books and developing resources for excellent preventive care. Stay tuned to hear their favorite things about TCK Training, and how they have carefully crafted a work environment where we walk the talk on what we teach.

Links to related resources:

About us

Raising Up a Generation of Healthy Third Culture Kids 

Our Research
Debriefing for Expat Families

Schedule a free consult call with our team of experts at [email protected]!

After years of simmering in the back of our thoughts, the TCK Training Podcast is finally here! In this pilot episode, our executive officers, Lauren and Elizabeth, start by answering the burning question: What even is a TCK?

Join them as they discuss TCKs’ unique traits, share how you can use our research for creating quality care plans, and swap stories about their lives as TCK caregivers (including a hilarious tale about what Lauren’s daughter thought her mom did for a living). Enjoy!

Links to related resources:

Find our research here.

Raising Thriving Kids Abroad

Free Course: Implementing Positive Childhood Experiences

Schedule a free consult call with our team of experts at [email protected]