“Home is not a geographical place but rather a relational connection in which you don’t have to explain the complexity of what home means to you”

On this final episode of 2020, we change it up a little. My good friend from college, Abby (A Non-TCK), takes you through my Third Culture Kid Story.

We unpack a couple things: Establishing my Identity in an unfamiliar place (Germany Study Abroad), Intentionality in seeking out cross cultural connections, the human need to be fully known, setting healthy relational boundaries, and forging relationships with TCKs & Non-TCKs.

Recorded on November 7 2020, the day that Joe Biden becomes President Elect. We process our responses to Biden winning the election, what the past 4 years meant to us, and how to best move forward in a divided America.

“Wherever I’m at, I’m going to immerse myself in that culture. Always. Because otherwise, why are you there?”

Otto walks us through his experience in Thailand, Switzerland, Oregon, and Los Angeles, where he currently resides. We discuss the process of planting roots in Los Angeles (17:50), the pushback he received when he called LA home (33:03), and how representation shapes beauty standards and perceptions of people groups across world  (44:57)

"We go so much further together, than we do apart."

On this fourth episode, we speak with Jemma Tan, a grad student based in Los Angeles studying Education. As this episode was recorded back In July, we chat about Trump’s recent executive order on international students (10:38), the connotation of expat and immigrant labels (23:42), practicing neighborly care (31:26), and finding peace amidst rootlessness (45:03).

“How we live our days is indeed how we live our lives.”

On this Third episode, we speak with Natalyn Pow, who is now based in Hong Kong following time in San Diego and. New York. We chat about Natalyn’s experiences in Beijing, Shanghai, Hong Kong, San Diego, and New York (3:37), Making the most out of the unexpected turns of life (8:40), Moving back to Hong Kong to spend time with family (16:01), Practicing presence and understanding locus of control (23:15), and finish off with a Final takeaway on life in COVID (35:31) 

On this first edition of the Dialogue Series, the first two guests of The Third Space reappear for a candid dialogue on The Asian American Identity. Through their South Asian and East Asian lenses, Saagar and Shaun unpack their (Pseudo) Asian American identities, expectations of Asian American communities, and the Asian Model Minority Myth. This podcast is a recording of a video discussion -- watch the video discussion on Facebook @third.culturespace 

"There's much value in keeping these languages in our society, in our homes and abroad, it's just a shame I had to realize this in hindsight"

Part II of Episode 2: Shaun and I delve into his post on Subtle Asian Traits, a Facebook community for Asian people across the world. We explore the dynamic of economic expansion vs. language/ cultural expansion primarily in a Singaporean context.

"I'm smart enough to know I'm not that smart."

On this second episode, we feature Shaun Tai, a Chinese Singaporean TCK now based in Michigan. 

We go through his experience with the American homeschool program in China (7:06), Negotiating his cultural hybrid identity (12:12), Picking up Singaporean Culture: from learning Singlish to serving as a Singaporean Policeman (20:50), Debunking "The Fake Chinese" name he was given(26:16), and finish off with the cultural narratives apart of the Chinese majority (36:14). 

Stay tuned for Part 2 of this episode next week, where we break down Shaun's post on the infamous "Subtle Asian Traits" FB Page.

"Know if you're a sinker or a swimmer." 

On this pilot episode, we speak with Saagar Chandiramani, my long time friend from Shanghai. 

We go through the nature of the TCK Identity (9:29), his re-integration into Singapore for military service (15:34), codeswitching (18:52), and his take on music in a post covid world (26:46).

Feeling like life’s treadmill has come to a screeching halt and hungry for a refreshing travel experience? This is for you.

Curious about cultural narratives and struggles apart from your own? This is for you.

Nothing else to do and wondering what the heck Kyle Pang is up to these days? This is for you.

Here’s the The Third Space.

A podcast uncovering diverse stories.

An opportunity to travel right from the edge of your seat.