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Are you raising bilingual or multilingual children and wondering if you’re getting it right? In this episode of Quiero un Panino con Cheese, I sit down with Alex Gonzalez, a licensed bilingual speech and language therapist specializing in language development and bilingualism, to talk about raising multilingual children in globally mobile and multicultural families.

In this important episode, we will explore:

• Debunking common myths about bilingualism, language confusion, and speech delays
• Bilingual parenting strategies, including One Parent, One Language (OPOL) and Minority Language at Home
• Encouraging children to speak their heritage language without pressure
• Understanding code-switching and language development milestones
• Recognizing when a child may benefit from a professional evaluation
• Supporting children with language or learning difficulties while maintaining family languages
• Finding practical ways to build language exposure through books, play, music, and everyday life
• Prioritizing connection, confidence, and family relationships over linguistic perfection

The biggest takeaway? There is no one-size-fits-all approach to raising multilingual children. The goal is to find what works for your family while keeping communication, connection, and confidence at the heart of the journey.

You can find Alex on Instagram at roots_and_language and email her at alexlogopeda@gmail.com 

If this conversation about Third Culture Kids, global parenting, identity, belonging, and raising multicultural children resonated with you, I'd love your support.

Please subscribe to the podcast, leave a rating or review, and share this episode with someone navigating international life, raising globally mobile children, or searching for where they truly belong.

Together, we can help more globally mobile families feel understood, connected, and at home—wherever they are in the world.

For more, please follow me also on Instagram at Quiero un Panino con Cheese

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Trigger warning: This episode touches on mental health, anxiety, depression, and eating disorders, so please take care while listening.

Moving countries can be an incredible opportunity—but for a teenager, especially a teenage girl, constant change can also come with a very real emotional cost.

In this episode of Quiero un Panino con Cheese, I talk with Andrea Schmitt Lozano, a teen girl life coach with a master’s degree in clinical psychology, longtime expat, and mother of a Third Culture Kid (TCK).

Andrea brings both professional experience and lived experience to the conversation. After more than 30 years of expat life, she understands the challenges of raising globally mobile children—and she experienced firsthand what happened when her daughter reached adolescence after years of moving between countries and changing schools.

Her daughter had changed schools eight times by the age of 14. As the moves continued, Andrea noticed changes in her daughter’s friendships, identity, self-esteem, and sense of belonging. That experience ultimately became part of what led Andrea to focus her work on teen girls, TCK girls, and globally mobile young women.

In our conversation, we explore:

• Why adolescence can make the challenges of TCK life even more complicated
• The difference between fitting in and belonging
• When healthy cultural adaptation turns into “shape-shifting”
• Why some TCK girls feel pressure to edit themselves to fit into different cultures or friendship groups
• Identity, self-esteem, social pressure, body image and beauty standards
• Why returning to a passport country can sometimes feel harder than moving to a foreign country
• The assumptions people make about TCKs based on their passport, appearance or language
• The pressure some globally mobile girls feel to be the “adaptable, grateful daughter”
• How grief from repeated moves can coexist with gratitude for an international childhood
• What the “Triple Bind” is and how it impacts adolescent girls, especially in a globally mobile context
• What parents can do when their teenager is struggling with another move
• The importance of listening, validating emotions, and making difficult feelings “speakable”
• The resilience and global perspective that can also come from growing up across cultures

One of the most important messages Andrea shares with parents is that you don't have to make your daughter's life painless. Instead, parents can create a safe space where their daughters can talk honestly about both the exciting and difficult parts of their globally mobile lives.

For TCK parents, expat families, globally mobile teenagers, and anyone trying to understand the complex relationship between identity, culture, and belonging, this conversation is a must.

You can find Andrea on Instagram at globalgirlcoach

as well as on her website, Global Girl Coach

and on LinkedIn at Andrea Schmitt Lozano

If this conversation about Third Culture Kids, global parenting, identity, belonging, and raising multicultural children resonated with you, I'd love your support.

Please subscribe to the podcast, leave a rating or review, and share this episode with someone navigating international life, raising globally mobile children, or searching for where they truly belong.

Together, we can help more globally mobile families feel understood, connected, and at home—wherever they are in the world.

For more, please follow me also on Instagram at Quiero un Panino con Cheese

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What happens when two Third Culture Kids from very different backgrounds meet, lose touch, reconnect years later, and build a multicultural family together?

In this episode of Quiero un Panino con Cheese, I talk with Madison and Rob about growing up between countries, navigating TCK identity, and what it means to feel at home when “home” isn’t a single place.

Their paths first crossed as teenagers, when Madison was living in Peru and Rob had just moved to Argentina. They became friends online, dated briefly, went their separate ways, and eventually reconnected in their twenties. Their story is a beautiful example of how relationships—and people—can remain part of our lives even when geography keeps getting in the way.

They share their experiences of moving across cultures, returning to their passport countries, finding belonging, raising multilingual children, and building a multicultural family in the Netherlands.

They also explore the unexpected strengths that can come from a globally mobile childhood—including adaptability, empathy, and open-mindedness—and offer advice to young TCKs navigating friendships, identity, and constant change.

In this episode:

• Growing up as Third Culture Kids
• TCK identity and belonging
• Reverse culture shock and returning “home”
• Multicultural relationships and parenting
• Raising multilingual children
• What home really means
• The strengths of being globally mobile
• Advice for young TCKs

Their final message to young TCKs is especially powerful: stay connected to the people who matter, embrace your adaptability, and recognize that what may feel like a weakness or insecurity today can eventually become your superpower.

If you've ever struggled to answer "Where are you from?", questioned where you belong, returned to a country that was supposed to feel like home and discovered it didn't, or wondered what happens when two globally mobile people build a life and family together, this conversation is for you.

Follow Madison Instagram at https://www.instagram.com/nomad.ison.k/ for more of her perspective on multicultural life. 

If this conversation about Third Culture Kids, global parenting, identity, belonging, and raising multicultural children resonated with you, I'd love your support.

Please subscribe to the podcast, leave a rating or review, and share this episode with someone navigating international life, raising globally mobile children, or searching for where they truly belong.

Together, we can help more globally mobile families feel understood, connected, and at home—wherever they are in the world.

For more, please follow me also on Instagram at Quiero un Panino con Cheese

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What does it really mean to move abroad?

We often focus on the exciting parts of becoming an expat or international family: discovering a new culture, learning a language, meeting new people, and creating a new life. But the emotional reality of moving abroad can be much more complicated.

In this episode of Quiero un Panino con Cheese, I sit down with Lidia Budziszewska, a clinical psychologist from the multilingual therapy center, Open Psychology, based in Madrid, who has lived in Spain for 19 years and works with expats, international families, children, teenagers, and Third Culture Kids

Drawing on both her personal experience of moving from Poland to Spain and her professional experience as a psychologist, Lidia helps us understand some of the emotional challenges that can come with living abroad—and why struggling doesn't necessarily mean you made the wrong decision.

In this episode, we discuss:

• 🏠 Home will never feel quite the same again
  Moving abroad can fundamentally change our sense of identity and belonging.
• 💔 You will inevitably miss important family moments
  Birthdays, weddings, babies, aging parents, holidays and everyday moments can all highlight what we're missing when we live far from family. 
• 🤝 Meaningful friendships take time
  Making friends as an adult in a new country isn't always easy. We talk about loneliness, the expat bubble, finding local friendships, and why social connection is essential for our wellbeing.
• 🌍 Sometimes you will feel incredibly vulnerable
  When you don't speak the language fluently, don't understand the cultural codes, or don't yet know how things work, even simple everyday tasks can suddenly feel overwhelming.
• ❓ What if I had never left?
  The “what if?” question is a common part of the international experience. u created.

Perhaps the most important message from Lidia is this:
Difficult thoughts and feelings don't necessarily mean you made the wrong decision.

Moving abroad changes your context. The things that worked for you at home may need to be rebuilt or adapted in your new country. Feeling lonely, vulnerable, homesick, or uncertain doesn't automatically mean you should leave.

Sometimes it simply means you're adjusting.

Moving abroad isn't simply about changing your address. It's about rebuilding parts of your life while carrying your old life with you.

And perhaps that's why the experience can be both incredibly rewarding and incredibly challenging.

About Lidia Budziszewska

Lidia Budziszewska is a clinical psychologist who has lived in Spain for 19 years. Originally from Poland, she moved to Spain as an Erasmus student and went on to complete her Master's and PhD studies there.
She is one of the founders of Open Psychology, a Madrid-based psychological center offering support in multiple languages to adults, children, teenagers, couples and families, as well as support in schools and at home.
Lidia works in Polish, Spanish, and English, and Open Psychology's multidisciplinary team also provides psychological support in additional languages.

Find Lidia & Open Psychology here:

🌐 Open Psychology Website

📱 Open Psychology Instagram 

💼 Open Psychology LinkedIn

If this episode resonated with you, share it with someone who is preparing to move abroad—or someone who has already made the move and is discovering that the emotional side of international life is more complicated than they expected.

If this conversation about Third Culture Kids, global parenting, identity, belonging, and raising multicultural children resonated with you, I'd love your support.

Please subscribe to the podcast, leave a rating or review, and share this episode with someone navigating international life, raising globally mobile children, or searching for where they truly belong.

Together, we can help more globally mobile families feel understood, connected, and at home—wherever they are in the world.

For more, please follow me also on Instagram at Quiero un Panino con Cheese

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What does it really mean to feel at home?

For Third Culture Kids, expats, immigrants, global nomads, and anyone who has lived between cultures, “Where are you from?” can be a surprisingly complicated question.

In this episode of Quiero un Panino con Cheese, I’m joined by Nina Aziz Justin, keynote speaker, strategic advisor, resilience mentor, and author of The Home Within: A Soulful Memoir of Self-Belonging Across Cultures and Change.

Nina was born in Malaysia and has spent decades living and working across cultures and more than 40 countries. Her experiences have led her to explore one of the most fundamental questions of multicultural life: Where do we belong when we no longer fit neatly into one place, culture, language, or identity?

Her book The Home Within explores migration not simply as a physical journey, but as a journey of identity, becoming, and ultimately returning to ourselves.

In this episode, we talk about:

• Why the simple question “Where are you from?” can trigger such a complicated emotional response for TCKs and global citizens.
• The difference between fitting in and truly belonging.
• Why Nina describes belonging as a muscle that we strengthen through practice.
• The hidden grief of migration—and why gratitude does not cancel grief.
• How we can love our new lives while still grieving the people, places, languages, traditions, and versions of ourselves we left behind.
• The unexpected gift of non-belonging and what happens when we stop seeing it as a wound.
• How living between cultures can make us more curious, empathetic, inclusive, and aware of other outsiders.
• The connection between belonging, neuroscience, emotional safety, and the nervous system.
• Why spirituality can become a kind of “portable home” when everything around us changes.
• Multilingualism and why Nina describes having different languages as having different rooms inside her home.
• How language carries memory, emotion, personality, humor, and identity.
• The realities—and unexpected gifts—of multicultural marriage.
• Why repatriation can sometimes be harder than moving abroad.
• What running can teach us about resilience, discomfort, patience, and self-trust.
• Nina’s resilience equation and why resilience isn't about becoming unbreakable.
• And perhaps the most important question of all: How do we come home to ourselves?

A conversation about the multicultural experience

One of the things I loved most about this conversation was Nina’s reminder that we don't have to choose between gratitude and grief.

We can be grateful for the life we've built and still miss home.

We can love our new country and still long for the language, food, humor, people, and childhood references of somewhere else.

We can be successful and still feel lonely.

And we can discover that belonging doesn't necessarily mean finding the one place where we finally fit. Sometimes, belonging means becoming comfortable enough with ourselves that we no longer need to shrink in order to fit anywhere.

Nina's beautiful concept of “the home within” feels especially relevant for those of us who have spent our lives crossing borders—physical, cultural, linguistic, and emotional.

About Nina Aziz Justin

Nina Aziz Justin is a keynote speaker, strategic advisor, business resilience mentor, and author of The Home Within. Her work draws on decades of international experience, weaving together resilience, identity, migration, reinvention, neuroscience, and belonging. Her book explores what it means to build a sense of home within ourselves while navigating cultures, change, and different versions of who we are.

Connect with Nina

Website: The Resilience Mentor

Instagram: @nina.aziz.justin

LinkedIn: Nina Aziz Justin on LinkedIn

The Home Within: Buy or learn more about The Home Within

A question for you

Where is home for you—and has that answer changed over the course of your life?

If you've ever struggled with the question “Where are you from?”, I'd love to hear your story.

If this conversation about Third Culture Kids, global parenting, identity, belonging, and raising multicultural children resonated with you, I'd love your support.

Please subscribe to the podcast, leave a rating or review, and share this episode with someone navigating international life, raising globally mobile children, or searching for where they truly belong.

Together, we can help more globally mobile families feel understood, connected, and at home—wherever they are in the world.

For more, please follow me also on Instagram at Quiero un Panino con Cheese

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What if learning a language wasn't really about vocabulary and grammar?

In this fascinating conversation, I sit down with Michelle from WeCultivate Training and Media to explore the deeper layers of language—how history, identity, culture, bias, and belonging shape the way we communicate.

Michelle shares her multicultural upbringing, her journey from UX designer to language educator, and why she believes language learning is just as much about psychology and sociology as it is about memorizing words.

Together we unpack why speaking the same language doesn't always mean understanding each other, how stereotypes influence the way we judge accents and language ability, and why curiosity is one of the most powerful communication tools we have.

Whether you're raising multilingual children, living abroad, learning a new language, or simply interested in understanding people more deeply, this episode will challenge the way you think about communication.

In this episode, we discuss:

• Why language is so much more than vocabulary and grammar
• Michelle's multicultural background and how it shaped her perspective
• The connection between language, culture, identity and history
• Why there is no single "correct" version of a language
• How colonial history continues to influence the languages we speak today
• The cultural differences hidden within the same language (Spanish, English and beyond)
• Judging accents and the myths surrounding "proper" English
• Why multilingual speakers are often unfairly corrected or underestimated
• The importance of creating safe spaces for language learners
• How curiosity can replace stereotypes and assumptions
• Practical advice for anyone learning a new language or moving abroad

Michelle is the founder of WeCultivate and host of WeCultivate:The Pod, where she explores the intersections of language, communication, culture, and identity in real-world contexts.

With a multidisciplinary background across science, policy, and tech, her work focuses on the often-overlooked realities of multilingual communication—especially for professionals navigating complex, global environments.
She’s known for challenging traditional ideas of “language learning,” shifting the conversation beyond the textbook and toward how people are actually understood, evaluated, and experienced in everyday interactions. Drawing from her experience living across multiple countries and cultures, she brings a perspective that pushes beyond conventional narratives and into the realities most conversations miss.

You can find Michelle here:

Substack: https://wecultivate.substack.com/

Main podcast page: https://wecultivate.world/podcast

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/wecultivate.world/

If this conversation about Third Culture Kids, global parenting, identity, belonging, and raising multicultural children resonated with you, I'd love your support.

Please subscribe to the podcast, leave a rating or review, and share this episode with someone navigating international life, raising globally mobile children, or searching for where they truly belong.

Together, we can help more globally mobile families feel understood, connected, and at home—wherever they are in the world.

For more, please follow me also on Instagram at Quiero un Panino con Cheese

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Can a single meal transport you back to childhood? Can trying a new dish change the way you see another culture?

In this episode of Quiero un Panino con Cheese, we're exploring the extraordinary role that food plays in shaping identity, preserving culture, and creating connections across borders.

For Third Culture Kids (TCKs), expats, immigrants, and multicultural families, food is often much more than nourishment. It carries memories, traditions, family stories, and a sense of belonging. At the same time, being willing to embrace unfamiliar foods can open the door to understanding new cultures and building meaningful relationships.

Joining me is Gloria Senescall, who shares her family's multicultural story and reflects on how food has become both an anchor to home and a bridge to the many places they've lived. Together, we discuss how every shared meal offers an opportunity to connect, learn, and celebrate the diversity that makes our lives richer.

Whether you're raising children across cultures, living abroad, or simply passionate about exploring the world through food, this conversation is a reminder that sometimes our greatest cultural lessons happen around the dinner table.

In this episode, we discuss:

• Why food is deeply connected to identity and belonging
• How family recipes preserve memories across generations
• The role food plays in multicultural families and global lives
• Why trying unfamiliar foods helps us better understand other cultures
• How shared meals create meaningful cultural connections
• Finding "home" through the flavors we carry with us

I'd love to hear from you!

🍝 What food instantly makes you feel at home?

🌍 What's the most unusual dish you've ever tried that completely changed your perspective?

Join the conversation on Instagram at Quiero un Panino con Cheese and share your story!

If you want to know more about Gloria, you can find her on LinkedIn

Sometimes all it takes is one bite to feel at home… or to discover a whole new one.

If this conversation about Third Culture Kids, global parenting, identity, belonging, and raising multicultural children resonated with you, I'd love your support.

Please subscribe to the podcast, leave a rating or review, and share this episode with someone navigating international life, raising globally mobile children, or searching for where they truly belong.

Together, we can help more globally mobile families feel understood, connected, and at home—wherever they are in the world.

For more, please follow me also on Instagram at Quiero un Panino con Cheese

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What does home really mean when you've spent your life moving between countries, cultures, and continents?

In this episode, I sit down with Sam Frearson-Tubito—author, speaker, and third-generation global nomad—to explore the realities of growing up as a Third Culture Kid (TCK), raising globally mobile children, and navigating identity, belonging, and home across cultures.

Having lived in 15 countries and raised four fourth-generation global nomads, Sam shares her deeply personal journey of international relocation, expat parenting, and motherhood. Together, we discuss the emotional realities of global mobility, the gifts and challenges of raising multicultural children, and why belonging isn't tied to one place—it is something we build throughout our lives.

Our conversation is inspired by Sam's beautiful memoir, Beneath a Borrowed Sky: A Woman's Search for the True Meaning of Home, a powerful reflection on family, resilience, identity, forgiveness, and finding home wherever life takes you.

Whether you're a Third Culture Kid, an expat, an accompanying partner, raising an international family, or simply trying to understand your own sense of identity and belonging, this episode offers encouragement, practical wisdom, and plenty of moments that will make you feel seen.

In this episode, we explore:

• What it means to grow up as a Third Culture Kid (TCK)
• Living in 15 countries and embracing life as a global nomad
• How international moves shape identity and belonging
• The emotional impact of boarding school and childhood separation
• Why even experienced expats experience culture shock
• The unexpected challenges of relocating to the United States
• Raising resilient, multicultural children through international transitions
• Expat parenting and preparing children for life abroad
• Why grief and excitement can coexist during every move
• Helping children navigate change with honesty and emotional resilience
• Building community while living overseas
• The importance of learning the local language to create belonging
• Supporting accompanying partners and globally mobile families
• How writing a memoir became a journey of healing and forgiveness
• Why mothers need more self-compassion
• Discovering that home is a feeling—not simply a location

Sam Frearson-Tubito is a third-generation global nomad, writer, and mother of four fourth-generation global nomads. Having lived across 15 countries on four continents, she writes about Third Culture Kids, identity, belonging, motherhood, international relocation, and global mobility.

Her memoir, Beneath a Borrowed Sky: A Woman's Search for the True Meaning of Home, beautifully intertwines her experiences growing up internationally with her journey raising globally mobile children, offering an honest and moving perspective on what it means to create home across cultures.

Connect with Sam:

• 🌍 Blog: Wandering Identity
• 📷 Instagram: _wanderingidentity_
• ✍️ Substack: Sam Frearson-Tubito
• 📖 Beneath a Borrowed Sky: A Woman's Search for the True Meaning of Home is available on Amazon worldwide.

If this conversation about Third Culture Kids, global parenting, identity, belonging, and raising multicultural children resonated with you, I'd love your support.

Please subscribe to the podcast, leave a rating or review, and share this episode with someone navigating international life, raising globally mobile children, or searching for where they truly belong.

Together, we can help more globally mobile families feel understood, connected, and at home—wherever they are in the world.

For more, please follow me also on Instagram at Quiero un Panino con Cheese

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In this episode, I’m joined once again by Annegret Bertsch, a Certified Professional Coach, for a thoughtful conversation about the realities of accompanying a partner abroad and the complex emotions, challenges, and opportunities that can come with it. 

Together, we explore why the term “trailing spouse” often feels limiting and discuss how accompanying partners can reclaim their identity, purpose, and sense of belonging while navigating life overseas.

Annegret shares both personal and professional insights, offering practical advice, encouragement, and a fresh perspective for anyone living an international life.

In This Episode We Discuss:

• Why many people dislike the term trailing spouse
• The identity shifts that often accompany international moves
• Navigating career interruptions and personal reinvention
• Building community and finding purpose abroad
• Common emotional challenges accompanying partners face
• Practical strategies for adapting to life in a new country
• The importance of self-compassion during transitions
• How international experiences can lead to unexpected growth

Connect with Annegret here:

• On Instagram
• On her website: Coaching Because
• LinkedIn: Annegret Bertsch

Enjoying the Podcast?

If this episode resonated with you, taught you something new, or made you feel a little less alone in your journey, I'd love to hear from you.

Please:
 ⭐ Rate and review the podcast
 💬 Leave a comment
 📤 Share this episode with someone who might benefit from it
 🎧 Follow the podcast so you never miss an episode

For more, you can also follow me on my Instagram page: Quiero un Panino con Cheese

Thank you for listening and for allowing me to be a small part of your day.

Until next time, on Quiero un Panino con Cheese. ❤️

If this conversation about Third Culture Kids, global parenting, identity, belonging, and raising multicultural children resonated with you, I'd love your support.

Please subscribe to the podcast, leave a rating or review, and share this episode with someone navigating international life, raising globally mobile children, or searching for where they truly belong.

Together, we can help more globally mobile families feel understood, connected, and at home—wherever they are in the world.

For more, please follow me also on Instagram at Quiero un Panino con Cheese

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What happens when the answer to the question “Where are you from?” is both everywhere and nowhere?

In this episode of Quiero un Panino con Cheese, I sit down with author Kathleen Gamble to discuss her remarkable memoir, Echoes of a Global Life. Born in Burma (now Myanmar), Kathleen spent her childhood and young adulthood moving between continents, cultures, languages, and identities. From surviving a plane crash as a child to living through political upheaval, attending boarding school in Switzerland, and later building a life in Russia, Kathleen’s story is a fascinating exploration of what it means to grow up globally mobile.

Together, Kathleen and I explore the joys and challenges of the Third Culture Kid (TCK) experience, including identity, belonging, adaptability, unresolved grief, and the lifelong search for home.

In this episode, we discuss:

• Why the simple question “Where are you from?” can be so complicated for TCKs
• Kathleen’s extraordinary childhood across Burma, Mexico, Colombia, Nigeria, Switzerland, and beyond
• Surviving a traumatic plane crash and how it shaped her relationship with travel
• Growing up before the internet and maintaining friendships across continents
• The difference between fitting in and truly belonging
• How constant relocation can lead to reinvention—and questions of identity
• TCK grief and the losses that often go unrecognized
• Discovering the concept of Third Culture Kids and the relief of finally feeling understood
• The challenges of returning to a country that is technically “home” but feels unfamiliar
• The role of family as an anchor amidst constant change
• Raising globally minded children and passing on the gifts of international living
• What “home” means after a lifetime of movement

Kathleen’s story reminds us that while a globally mobile life can bring challenges, uncertainty, and repeated goodbyes, it also offers extraordinary opportunities for growth, perspective, and connection. In a world that often asks us to choose a single identity, her journey demonstrates that belonging can span cultures, countries, and communities.

You can learn more about Kathleen by following her blog, Expat Alien - Foreign in My Own Country

She is also on Instagram at Expat Alien

If this conversation about Third Culture Kids, global parenting, identity, belonging, and raising multicultural children resonated with you, I'd love your support.

Please subscribe to the podcast, leave a rating or review, and share this episode with someone navigating international life, raising globally mobile children, or searching for where they truly belong.

Together, we can help more globally mobile families feel understood, connected, and at home—wherever they are in the world.

For more, please follow me also on Instagram at Quiero un Panino con Cheese

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In this deeply moving episode of Quiero un Panino con Cheese, I sit down with therapist, researcher, and author Dr. Rachel Cason to explore the complex emotional landscape of Third Culture Kids (TCKs).

Rachel’s book, Incredible Lives and the Courage to Live Them: Thoughts of a Third Culture Kid Therapist, offers a compassionate and powerful reflection on identity, belonging, grief, adaptability, and what it means to grow up between cultures.

Together, Rachel and I dive into:

• What it was like for Rachel to grow up in Niger, West Africa, as the daughter of white missionary parents
• The emotional impact of repatriating to England as a teenager
• Losing her first language (Hausa) and the grief tied to cultural disconnection
• Why so many TCKs struggle with the question: “Where are you from?”
• The hidden emotional cost of adaptability and people-pleasing
• The difference between “fitting in” and truly belonging
• Identity props: the objects, languages, memories, and symbols that help us hold onto our stories
• Cultural appropriation, privilege, and navigating multicultural identity thoughtfully
• Why storytelling can be profoundly healing for TCKs
• What “home” really means for globally mobile people

This conversation is gentle, honest, emotional, and validating for anyone who has ever felt caught between worlds.

Rachel Cason is a therapist, researcher, and Third Culture Kid whose work focuses on identity, belonging, life stories, and the emotional experiences of globally mobile people. Her PhD research explored TCKs’ relationship to place, identity, and belonging.

Her book, Incredible Lives and the Courage to Live Them, combines professional insight with lived experience to create a compassionate guide for TCKs and anyone navigating questions of identity and belonging.

You can find out more about Rachel by checking out her website, Life Story Therapies

Her book (paperback and Kindle) is available here on Amazon UK and Amazon US 

and on Audible.

You can also find Rachel on Instagram as well as on LinkedIn

If this conversation about Third Culture Kids, global parenting, identity, belonging, and raising multicultural children resonated with you, I'd love your support.

Please subscribe to the podcast, leave a rating or review, and share this episode with someone navigating international life, raising globally mobile children, or searching for where they truly belong.

Together, we can help more globally mobile families feel understood, connected, and at home—wherever they are in the world.

For more, please follow me also on Instagram at Quiero un Panino con Cheese

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What happens when Serbian, Cuban, and German cultures collide under one roof—and four languages are spoken daily?

In this episode, I sit down with Jovana, a speech processing engineer, mom of three, multilingual parenting advocate, and host of Real Moms Talking podcast. 

Together, we explore the realities of raising children across cultures, the beauty (and chaos) of managing multiple languages at home, and why emotional connection matters more than perfection and consistency.

From “multilingual dogs” to navigating cultural traditions like Christmas and the Three Kings, this conversation is full of humor, honesty, and practical insight for any family raising kids between worlds.

🌍 What you’ll learn:

•  The difference between growing up multicultural vs. becoming one as an adult 
•  How to raise kids with 4 languages without confusion 
•  Why “one parent, one language” isn’t the only approach 
•  How to blend traditions from multiple cultures into one unique family identity 
•  Why emotional safety is more important than language consistency 
•  How to handle criticism or misconceptions about multilingual parenting 
•  Practical strategies to encourage kids to use multiple languages naturally 

Jovana shares how living in a “neutral country” like Germany allowed her family to build their own hybrid culture, combining the best of Serbian, Cuban, and German traditions. 

Raising multilingual kids isn’t about perfection—it’s about connection, identity, and creating a space where all parts of your family’s story belong.

You can follow Jovana at Real Moms Talking on Instagram here

Also follow her podcast, Real Moms Talking on Spotify, Apple Podcast, or wherever you listen to your favorite podcasts.

If this conversation about Third Culture Kids, global parenting, identity, belonging, and raising multicultural children resonated with you, I'd love your support.

Please subscribe to the podcast, leave a rating or review, and share this episode with someone navigating international life, raising globally mobile children, or searching for where they truly belong.

Together, we can help more globally mobile families feel understood, connected, and at home—wherever they are in the world.

For more, please follow me also on Instagram at Quiero un Panino con Cheese

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Ready to be inspired by a journey that goes far beyond physical limits? In this episode, entrepreneur and endurance athlete, David Green, shares the extraordinary story of running across 12 European countries in just 99 days—an experience that became as much about human connection as it was about endurance.

From navigating borders on foot to forming unexpected bonds with strangers, David’s journey reveals powerful lessons about curiosity, humility, and what it truly means to connect across cultures.

🌍 What You’ll Learn in This Episode

•  What it takes—physically and mentally—to run across Europe 
•  How endurance challenges can deepen cultural understanding 
•  Why curiosity, humility, and respect are essential when crossing borders 
•  The surprising kindness of strangers and moments that restore faith in humanity 
•  How travel and extreme challenges reshape identity and worldview 
•  The realities of logistics, visas, and navigating different national systems 
•  How multicultural family experiences influence openness and perspective 
•  The heartwarming story of Lucky, a rescue dog who inspired a movement 
•  Practical advice for expanding your worldview through travel

This episode is a powerful reminder that the longest journeys aren’t just measured in miles—they’re measured in growth, connection, and perspective.
Whether you're a runner, traveler, or simply curious about the world, David’s story will challenge you to step outside your comfort zone and embrace the unknown.

David Green is a retired entrepreneur, endurance athlete, and writer who has completed numerous ultra events, including solo runs across the United States, Brazil, and Spain, and most recently set an FKT for running across Europe. His love of movement, adventure, and open roads is matched only by his bond with dogs. In 2022, he and his wife, Mônica, founded Friends of Lucky Caminho, a nonprofit that helps stray dogs along Brazil’s Caminho da Fé trail, where he first met Lucky. David lives in Florida and Portugal with Mônica and their three rescue dogs. A portion of this book’s proceeds supports the charity. You can find the book on Amazon here.

For more about David, check out his website here and read about all his amazing adventures.

If this conversation about Third Culture Kids, global parenting, identity, belonging, and raising multicultural children resonated with you, I'd love your support.

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What does it really take to leave everything behind and start a new life abroad—with kids?

In this episode, I sit down with Rebecca Cretella, an American mom who made the bold and intentional decision to move her family from the U.S. to Spain in search of a slower, more connected lifestyle. From navigating visas and selling everything they owned to raising “third culture kids” in a new country, Rebecca shares the real, unfiltered journey behind their move.

This conversation dives into the emotional, logistical, and cultural layers of building a life abroad—and what “home” truly means when you redefine it from scratch.

✨ What You’ll Learn in This Episode

•  What sparked Rebecca’s decision to leave the U.S. 
•  How to move abroad as a family (without a job relocation) 
•  The biggest logistical challenges (and how to handle them) 
•  Different visa options for moving to Spain 
•  The emotional reality of starting over in a new country 
•  What it’s like raising third culture kids (TCKs) 
•  How children adapt to new languages and cultures 
•  Balancing your home culture with a new one 
•  Why “home” becomes a feeling—not a place 

🌍 Key Topics Discussed

•  Work-life balance differences between the U.S. and Spain 
•  Letting go of possessions and starting fresh 
•  Navigating uncertainty and fear 
•  Building community abroad 
•  Supporting children through major life transitions 

Rebecca Cretella is the creator behind the Instagram page, Heart and Home Abroad, where she shares with her over 11K followers her family’s unfiltered journey of relocating to Spain. She also offers tools and coaching to help those families actually make the move. You can also find Rebecca on LinkedIn here

If this conversation about Third Culture Kids, global parenting, identity, belonging, and raising multicultural children resonated with you, I'd love your support.

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In this engaging conversation, Angela and I explore the joys and complexities of multicultural partnerships, particularly focusing on parenting and cultural identity. We discuss the importance of communication, setting boundaries, and the unique experiences of raising children in a neutral territory. The dialogue emphasizes the need for intentionality in relationships and the beauty of creating a family culture that blends different traditions.

A highlight of the topics discussed includes:

• Multicultural partnerships require grace, compassion, and patience.
• Parenting styles can differ significantly based on cultural backgrounds.
• Establishing a strong foundation of values and boundaries is crucial.
• Living in a neutral territory can offer couples a unique opportunity.
• Children in multicultural families may identify differently based on their experiences.
• Communication is key to navigating challenges in multicultural relationships.
• Trailing partners often face identity and career challenges.
• Finding joy in shared activities can strengthen family bonds.
• Intentionality in family traditions helps children feel connected to their cultures.
• Regular check-ins between partners can prevent resentment and foster support.

Angela always shares such great advice and tips for couples and families as they embark on what can be the most complex yet rewarding journey of their lives.

With 20 years of experience, Angela Vitiello is a senior international consultant and social entrepreneur with a multicultural perspective (has lived in 4 countries on 3 different continents). Her areas of focus are coaching (individuals, teams, and groups), facilitating, and consulting on Leadership, Group Dynamics, Transitions, Intercultural Communication, and Expatriate Life. Since 2014, she has worked with public and private clients (from SMEs to universities) in a variety of sectors (Banking, Luxury Goods, Public Service, Law, Education/Academia, Consulting, and more).  

You can find Angela on Instagram and LinkedIn 

You can also reach out to her through the Expat Parenting Collective Website

Please hit the follow button and enter this crazy, multilingual, international world and explore these questions and so much more as I open up about my personal experiences over a cup of coffee, Americano, espresso, cafe con leche, or whatever gets you moving!

For more, please follow me also on Instagram at Quiero un Panino con Cheese

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In this episode, I sit down with my brother Riccardo for a conversation that feels both deeply personal and surprisingly universal. As siblings, we share the same family, the same roots, and many of the same experiences—but the way we’ve each processed our multicultural upbringing is very different.

Growing up across continents meant that identity was never a simple question for us. We talk about what it was like navigating multiple languages, cultures, and expectations—and how moving between places like Asia, Europe, and the United States shaped who we are today.

Riccardo and I reflect on the advantages and challenges of being raised between cultures: the adaptability it fosters, the moments of confusion around belonging, and the subtle ways language, nationality, and even our names influenced how others perceived us—and how we perceived ourselves.

We also explore the concept of being a Third Culture Kid, the ability to become cultural “chameleons,” and the unexpected independence that often develops when home is constantly shifting. From Riccardo’s experience building a life abroad to my reflections on identity across different environments, this episode is an honest look at what it means to grow up global while still trying to understand where you belong.

Above all, we talk about the incredible value of embracing multicultural perspectives—especially for the next generation growing up in an increasingly connected world.

In this episode, we explore:

• How growing up in multiple countries shapes identity, adaptability, and worldview
• The role language, accents, and names play in shaping self-perception
• Cultural differences between Italian, American, and broader European experiences
• How passports and nationality can influence opportunities and belonging
• The realities of being a Third Culture Kid (TCK)
• Why multicultural childhoods often build resilience and independence
• The contrasts between life in Europe and the United States
• Why embracing diversity and global citizenship matters more than ever

I loved this touching conversation with my big brother. It was a long time in the making. I hope you enjoy listening to it as much as I enjoyed recording it.

Rick’s background covers a 40 year career that has ranged from banking and finance to sports management and entrepreneurial ventures. He is a published author with two patents to his name and professional postings in New York, Washington DC, Milan, Los Angeles, Frankfurt, and London.

Born in Philadelphia, Rick has lived in Thailand, Hong Kong, Italy, Canada, England, Germany, and the US. Currently residing in Frankfurt with his wife Patricia, Rick and Trish have three children, one in Chicago, one in Madrid, and one in Seoul. Rick’s mother lives in Rome, and his sister lives in Madrid….His is truly an international and third culture family.

Follow Rick on LinkedIn here

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In this episode, Riia shares her journey of living in a multicultural relationship, raising a child in "neutral territory" (neither hers nor her partner's), and navigating the complexities of identity and emotional challenges that come with being a "trailing partner," a term neither of us likes. She discusses the importance of cultural traditions, language dynamics, and the guilt often felt by expats. Through her experiences, Riia highlights the resilience and personal growth that can emerge from these challenges, ultimately defining home as the people we choose to surround ourselves with.

During our discussion, Riia shares:

• how living in a multicultural relationship has impacted how she sees the world and has required compromises;
• how living in a neutral territory allows both partners to learn and struggle together, creating a strong partnership;
• how the pressure of being a "trailing partner" often goes unrecognized, despite the emotional labor involved;
• the guilt she feels about not being close to her family and the impact on her child;
• how expat life is not always glamorous; it comes with its own set of challenges and emotional struggles;
• the complexities of language dynamics in a multicultural family;
• her definition of home.

An extremely open and honest conversation about the many aspects, positive and negative, of living a global life, many of which often go unseen.

You can find more about Riia and her experiences on her Instagram page.

If this conversation about Third Culture Kids, global parenting, identity, belonging, and raising multicultural children resonated with you, I'd love your support.

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In this episode, I sit down with Bernard Asnong, author of Be Awesome Be Global, for a thought-provoking conversation about identity, belonging, and what it really means to live beyond borders.

As always, I begin with the question: “Where are you from?” — and quickly unpack how complex that simple question becomes when you’ve lived across multiple countries and cultures. Bernard reflects on what “home” means to him today and how mobility shapes identity.

We dive into the origin of the book — the series of life moments that made him realize this story needed to be told — and explore the bold title itself. What does “awesome” truly mean? 

A powerful thread throughout our conversation is friendship — and the surprising realization that we often underestimate the work and intentionality required to sustain meaningful relationships across borders and life transitions.

We also discuss:

• The concept of a Global Mindset, including Intellectual, Psychological, and Social Capital
• Why Third Culture Kids (TCKs) can make exceptional leaders and managers
• How Bernard’s global upbringing influenced his academic and professional path — from hospitality to Human Resources
• Whether travel is necessary to become globally minded
• The role of sustainability, responsibility, and empathy in shaping a truly global outlook
• Why programs like Erasmus Programme matter so much (with a bit of laughter along the way).

We also touch on practical advice for anyone who wants a more global life but feels geographically or professionally “stuck,” and what “thinking globally” really means when making career choices today.

Bernard shares how he hopes readers feel after finishing Be Awesome Be Global: more open, more curious, more connected — and perhaps a little braver about embracing a world bigger than borders.

This episode is a reflective, honest, and timely conversation about identity, empathy, leadership, and the kind of mindset the future demands.

Bernard can be found on LinkedIn and Instagram

His book, Be Awesome Be Global, can be found on Amazon

If this conversation about Third Culture Kids, global parenting, identity, belonging, and raising multicultural children resonated with you, I'd love your support.

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Season 2 of Quiero un Panino con Cheese is almost here.

After a heartfelt and meaningful first season, I want to express my deep gratitude to my co-host, Hazel, whose energy and care helped shape this podcast. Due to professional commitments, she won’t be continuing into season two, and I wish her nothing but the very best.

This new season marks a fresh chapter. I’ll be hosting solo, with a stronger focus on guest conversations featuring TCKs, parents, educators, creatives, and multicultural voices from around the world. Together, we’ll explore identity, belonging, home, language, family, and the beautifully complex realities of living between cultures.

Season 2 is about expanding the table and continuing the conversation—and I’d love for you to be part of it. New episodes are coming soon. Stay curious.

If this conversation about Third Culture Kids, global parenting, identity, belonging, and raising multicultural children resonated with you, I'd love your support.

Please subscribe to the podcast, leave a rating or review, and share this episode with someone navigating international life, raising globally mobile children, or searching for where they truly belong.

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As the year comes to a close, we’re also wrapping up Season 1 of Quiero un Panino con Cheese — and what a year it’s been. 

This episode serves as a year-end recap, where we share our honest thoughts on what 2025 has meant for us personally and creatively, the lessons we’ve learned along the way, and how this podcast has grown since its very first episode. From meaningful conversations to unexpected laughs, Season 1 has been full of moments we’ll never forget. We would also like to give special thanks to all the amazing guests who have taken the time to share their wisdom with us during some wonderful conversations.

You’ll also get a behind-the-scenes glimpse into our dynamic as hosts — because as you can tell from the very first moments of this episode,  we clearly never have any fun while recording 😉. Our chemistry, humor, and candid conversations have been at the heart of this show, and this episode is no different.

As we close out the season, we also share what we’re hoping for in 2026 — both for ourselves and for the future of the podcast. New topics, deeper conversations, and a lineup of exciting guests are already in the works.

After this episode, we’ll be taking a short break in January to regroup, gather our thoughts, and creatively reset. This pause will allow us to come back refreshed, inspired, and ready to bring you even more meaningful episodes in the next season.

Most importantly, we want to hear from you, our listeners. Your support, feedback, and engagement have meant everything to us this season. What topics would you like us to explore next? Are there conversations you feel don’t get talked about enough? Guests you’d like us to bring on?

Join us for this special season finale, celebrate the end of the year with us, and help shape what’s next for Quiero un Panino con Cheese.

🎙️✨ Happy New Year — and we’ll see you in the next season!

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Traveling—especially during the holiday season—can be exciting, chaotic, and downright stressful all at once. In this episode of Quiero un Panino con Cheese, Hazel and Gaia dive headfirst into the highs and lows of travel, sharing their personal tips, quirks, and very real anxieties when it comes to getting from point A to point B.

In a lighthearted and funny conversation, they break down how each of them approaches travel, from the planning and preparation beforehand to the emotional rollercoaster that comes with taking off. Hazel and Gaia also explore how differently they feel about traveling, touching on what excites them, what overwhelms them, and how their personalities show up once a trip is on the calendar.

The episode doesn’t shy away from the stressors either—they open up about their biggest fears, travel mishaps, and the little things that can spiral into full-blown anxiety while on the move. Along the way, they share practical travel tips they’ve picked up through experience, as well as relatable moments that will have you laughing and nodding along.

So, if you’re gearing up for a holiday trip—or traveling anytime soon—and could use some laughs, reassurance, and honest travel talk, this episode is a must-listen. Tune in for helpful insights, shared experiences, and a good giggle before your next adventure.

If this conversation about Third Culture Kids, global parenting, identity, belonging, and raising multicultural children resonated with you, I'd love your support.

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In this light-hearted episode, Hazel and Gaia dive into the joys and challenges of navigating the holiday season as part of a multicultural, globally-scattered family. With relatives spread across countries and time zones—and traditions coming from multiple cultures—the holidays can quickly become complicated. They explore: 

• Traditions vs. Flexibility: How much should you hold onto long-standing customs, and when is it okay to let them go?
• Creating Your Own Holidays: The moment when carving out new rituals becomes healthier than trying to meet family expectations.
• Evolving Customs: Which traditions they’ve embraced over the years, and which ones naturally faded as they moved from place to place.
• Handling Pressure and Surprises: Through humor and personal stories, they share how they’ve managed cultural misunderstandings, family demands, and the emotional load of the season.

The episode keeps things warm and fun, offering relatable insights for anyone juggling different backgrounds or trying to craft meaningful holidays in a globalized world. Grab a hot chocolate—or some mulled wine—and enjoy the laughs.

If this conversation about Third Culture Kids, global parenting, identity, belonging, and raising multicultural children resonated with you, I'd love your support.

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In this episode, we sit down with Elisabeth Hutman, a multilingual psychologist based in Madrid, to explore a topic many expats quietly struggle with: expat guilt.

Together, we unpack questions such as:

• Do people even realize when they’re experiencing expat guilt?
• What are the signs, and how can we recognize it in ourselves?
• How is expat guilt tied to our sense of identity?
• Are certain cultures more susceptible to it?
• What role does empathy play in shaping these feelings?
• Are there different forms of expat guilt?
• And most importantly: What tools or techniques can help us cope with being far from family and home?

Elisabeth offers deep insights and practical advice as we shed light on an emotional experience many expats and immigrants don’t even realize they’re carrying. If you're living abroad and struggling with hard-to-name feelings, this is an episode you won’t want to miss.

You can find Elisabeth on Instagram at https://www.instagram.com/homeforemotions/?hl=en

You can also reach out to her directly at hutman.elisabeth@gmail.com

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Today we sit down with J.K. Amerson López, author of Embassy Kid: An American Foreign Service Family Memoir — the first book to tell the story of Foreign Service life from the perspective of a child.

Kelly, as she likes to be called, shares vivid memories of growing up as the eldest daughter of a U.S. Foreign Service officer during a turbulent era beginning in the late 1950s. From moving between countries to adapting to new cultures, she reflects on what it meant for her and her family to be known as “Embassy People” and how those experiences shaped her identity.

In this heartfelt and eye-opening conversation, Kelly opens up about:

• What it was really like to be an “Embassy Kid”
• The challenges and adventures of living abroad
• The reverse culture shock of returning to the U.S.
• How growing up across cultures influenced her and shaped the person she is today

This episode offers a rare, behind-the-scenes look at the Foreign Service experience — through the eyes of someone who lived it from childhood.

You can follow Kelly on Instagram at realembassykid and you can read more about her life and adventures on her blog at www.embassykid.com 

Her book Embassy Kid: An American Foreign Service Memoir, is available on AMAZON

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In this inspiring episode, we chat with the wonderful Kat Simison from Brewster Madrid. Kat wears many hats — she’s Brewster’s Director of Enrollment and External Affairs, an educator, and a mom raising a daughter between two homes: Spain and the USA.

Our conversation dives deep into what it means to raise and educate children across cultures. Kat shares insightful stories that weave together her personal journey as a parent of a bi-cultural, bilingual child and her professional role supporting internationally minded students at Brewster — many of whom are Third Culture Kids (TCKs) navigating complex cultural identities.

Some highlights from our discussion include:

• 🌍 Kat’s strategies for raising a bilingual and bi-cultural child
• 💬 The importance of understanding the personal stories behind each student, especially TCKs
• 🤝 The challenges and culture clashes that can arise in a diverse school community — and how schools like Brewster help families navigate them
• ✈️ Kat’s own experiences with Reverse Culture Shock
• 💪 The “TCK superpowers” she sees in multicultural students and how they thrive in global environments

This episode is full of warmth, humor, and wisdom. Whether you’re a parent, educator, or simply curious about cross-cultural life, Kat’s reflections will resonate deeply.

Tune in to learn, laugh, and be inspired by the stories of raising and educating across borders!

More information on Brewster Madrid can be found on their website: https://www.brewstermadrid.com/

Kat Simison can be reached directly at kat.simison@brewstermadrid.com

Additional information can be requested at admissions@brewstermadrid.com

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Markian Benhamou on the TCK Experience and Building Global Community

In this episode, we sit down with Markian Benhamou — creator, content entrepreneur, and founder of the Smile Squad — to explore what it means to grow up as a Third Culture Kid (TCK) and how that experience has shaped his mission to build community across cultures.

Markian shares his journey of growing up between worlds, the challenges of identity and belonging, and how his multicultural background inspired him to create spaces — both online and offline — where global citizens can connect through shared experiences. From humorous takes on cross-cultural life to the deeper reflections behind his videos, Markian opens up about the power of storytelling, empathy, and finding “home” in sensations rather than places.

Key themes include:

• The unique identity and struggles of Third Culture Kids
• Turning cultural confusion into creative expression
• How Markian is building a global TCK community through social media
• Tips for TCKs seeking belonging and purpose
• The importance of normalizing the term TCK

Whether you’re a TCK yourself, a global nomad, or simply curious about life between cultures, this episode offers an honest, uplifting look into the beauty and complexity of growing up globally.

If this conversation about Third Culture Kids, global parenting, identity, belonging, and raising multicultural children resonated with you, I'd love your support.

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Have you ever traveled somewhere and found yourself in a situation that felt completely foreign—even uncomfortable—because it was normal for the locals but so unusual for you? That’s culture shock. And that’s exactly what Hazel and Gaia dive into in today’s episode.

Having lived in various countries around the world, they’ve both had their fair share of moments where local customs clashed with their own expectations—sometimes leading to hilarious, sometimes eye-opening situations. Tune in as they each share their top three culture shocks from living abroad and reflect on how those experiences shaped them.

Exploring new cultures is always a chance to learn. Sometimes we adopt what resonates with us, and other times we recognize what we can’t accept and leave it behind. Either way, every encounter helps us grow, expand our horizons, and cultivate tolerance and acceptance.

If this conversation about Third Culture Kids, global parenting, identity, belonging, and raising multicultural children resonated with you, I'd love your support.

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Naming a baby should be one of the most joyful parts of expecting. But when families cross borders, cultures, and languages, this “fun” task can quickly turn into a puzzle. In this episode of Quiero un Panino con Cheese, we explore the complexities of choosing a name that works across multiple worlds.

From avoiding awkward translations to navigating legal requirements in different countries, to finding names that kids won’t get teased for, we dive into the challenges (and comedy) of the naming process. Along the way, we share our own personal stories about names—how our experiences shaped the way we approached naming our children, and why we may have been a little “extra careful.”

This episode is funny, relatable, and packed with practical advice for anyone currently playing The Name Game.

If this conversation about Third Culture Kids, global parenting, identity, belonging, and raising multicultural children resonated with you, I'd love your support.

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What would it be like to leave everything you’ve ever known — your family, your hometown, your traditions — at just 23 years old and start a life abroad? Now imagine doing it 65 years ago, without the internet, Google Maps, cell phones, Duolingo, or even reliable landlines.

That’s the incredible journey of our guest, Nicoletta Loewenherz, who “expated” long before the word was even common. Now 87 years old, Nicoletta shares wonderful stories and timeless wisdom from a life lived across countries, continents, and cultures.

In our conversation, we talk about:
 ✨ The mix of fear and excitement she felt when moving abroad for the very first time
 ✨ Her early experiences with culture shock in new countries
 ✨ The unexpected reverse culture shock she faced when returning home
✨ What it was like to raise three children while constantly moving around the world

Nicoletta’s closing advice to anyone considering this lifestyle is absolutely golden — inspiring, practical, and heartfelt.

🎙️ This is an episode you won’t want to miss!

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In today’s episode of our series, TCK STORIES , we sit down with Chiara — Gaia’s middle child and a true Third Culture Kid. Born in Paris to Italian parents, Chiara's journey spans multiple countries: from Rome to Madrid, then across the ocean to the U.S. for college and work, and now back to Spain.

Chiara opens up in a raw and heartfelt conversation about what it’s like to grow up feeling like an outsider, navigating identity, and the challenges of reverse culture shock after returning to Europe.

We talk about:
 ✨ Growing up with a sense of not fully belonging
 ✨ How being a TCK has shaped her identity and worldview
 ✨ The complicated question: "Where are you from?"
 ✨ Navigating friendships and explaining her multicultural background
 ✨ Long-distance guilt and adjusting to life back home
 ✨ Her best advice for parents raising TCKs

Whether you're a TCK yourself or know someone who is, this episode is a must-listen. Chiara’s story is honest, reflective, and deeply relatable for anyone navigating cultural complexity and change.

Mentioned in the episode: Find and follow TCK Global on Instagram

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After years of living abroad, returning home might seem like the easy part—but for many, it’s the hardest transition of all. In this episode, we dive deep into the often overlooked phenomenon of reverse culture shock—what it is, why it hits harder than expected, and how to navigate it with more awareness and compassion.

We’re thrilled to welcome Annegret Bertsch, a solution-focused coach certified through Erickson International, with a background in Mathematics and English. Annegret has lived in across Europe, America, and Asia, and recently repatriated to Germany after years abroad.

Together, we explore powerful questions, including:

• What exactly is reverse culture shock, and what commonly triggers it?
• How long does it take to truly feel “at home” again?
• Why are the expectations of those around us so different once we’re back?
• How do identity, language, and even pronouns shape our re-entry experience?
• What are some practical tools we can implement to ease the adjustment of going back home?

Whether you’re preparing to return home or supporting someone who is, this conversation is packed with valuable insights to help you better understand and navigate the emotional complexities of coming home.

You can find Annegret on Instagram, on LinkedIn and  at Coaching Because 

If this conversation about Third Culture Kids, global parenting, identity, belonging, and raising multicultural children resonated with you, I'd love your support.

Please subscribe to the podcast, leave a rating or review, and share this episode with someone navigating international life, raising globally mobile children, or searching for where they truly belong.

Together, we can help more globally mobile families feel understood, connected, and at home—wherever they are in the world.

For more, please follow me also on Instagram at Quiero un Panino con Cheese

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In this heartfelt and candid episode, Hazel and Gaia tackle a tough but important topic: what happens when life takes a scary turn and you're thousands of miles away from your loved ones? Whether it's a personal emergency or a crisis back home, being far from family adds a layer of fear and helplessness that’s hard to shake. While we can't always prevent difficult moments, we can prepare ourselves emotionally and practically.

In this episode, we discuss:

• The emotional impact of dealing with emergencies while living far from home and loved ones
• Real-life scenarios that highlight the challenges of distance during crises
• The importance of building a support network wherever you are
• Practical steps for preparing for the unexpected
• How to communicate effectively with family during tough times
• Finding strength, resilience, and connection—even when you feel far away

Tune in for this honest discussion,  filled with reflection and helpful advice on how to be best prepared for when you need to be the strongest. You won't want to miss this one.

If this conversation about Third Culture Kids, global parenting, identity, belonging, and raising multicultural children resonated with you, I'd love your support.

Please subscribe to the podcast, leave a rating or review, and share this episode with someone navigating international life, raising globally mobile children, or searching for where they truly belong.

Together, we can help more globally mobile families feel understood, connected, and at home—wherever they are in the world.

For more, please follow me also on Instagram at Quiero un Panino con Cheese

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Today, we sit down with Giulia, Gaia’s daughter, the talented graphic artist behind Quiero un Panino con Cheese, and a quintessential Third-Culture Kid. Born in France to Italian parents and having lived in France, Italy, and Spain, Giulia shares her unique perspective on what it means to grow up between cultures and across borders.

In this episode, we explore:

• What it really means to be a Third Culture Kid (TCK)
• The complexities of navigating cultural identity
• The constant challenge of adapting to new environments
• How families maintain cultural traditions while moving around the world
• What made transitions to new countries easier
• The emotional toll of friends coming and going

Giulia opens up about the highs and lows of her multicultural upbringing, sharing honest, heartfelt stories and reflections. From feeling like an outsider to finding strength in her diverse background, she gives us an authentic look at the TCK experience. Don’t miss this insightful and inspiring conversation—raw, real, and full of warmth.

Follow Giulia on Instagram at redbeaniebondi

Mentioned in this episode:

Third Culture Kids: Growing Up Among Worlds by David C. Pollock and Ruth E. Van Reken (3rd Edition, 2017) – a classic resource on the TCK experience.

If this conversation about Third Culture Kids, global parenting, identity, belonging, and raising multicultural children resonated with you, I'd love your support.

Please subscribe to the podcast, leave a rating or review, and share this episode with someone navigating international life, raising globally mobile children, or searching for where they truly belong.

Together, we can help more globally mobile families feel understood, connected, and at home—wherever they are in the world.

For more, please follow me also on Instagram at Quiero un Panino con Cheese

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In this episode, we dive into the emotionally complex and often delicate topic of telling our families, "We're moving." Joining us is Angela Vitiello, founder of The Expat Parenting Collective. Angela brings a wealth of experience as an expat parent, having lived in four countries across three continents, traveled to nearly 40, and worked with globally mobile families since founding The Expat Parenting Collective based out of Brussels, Belgium. She is an INSEAD Business School alumna, is an affiliate with the Institute of Coaching: McLean-Harvard School of Medicine, and is a member of the European Mentoring & Coaching Council.

Angela shares valuable insights on:

• The inspiration behind The Expat Parenting Collective
• Common missteps when breaking the news to a partner or children
• Strategies for navigating a move when one partner is hesitant
• The best timing for involving children and extended family in the conversation
• Practical tools and techniques to ease the transition for the whole family
  
  

Whether you're preparing for a relocation or still adjusting after a recent move, this episode offers compassionate advice and actionable steps to support your family through change. Don’t miss it! 

Angela can be reached through the following links:

On Instagram Expatparentingcollective

The Expat Parenting Collective Website

On LinkedIn

The Conversation Cards can be purchased through the link to Wings & Wonder's webshop via Etsy. 

You can follow Wings & Wonder on Instagram

If this conversation about Third Culture Kids, global parenting, identity, belonging, and raising multicultural children resonated with you, I'd love your support.

Please subscribe to the podcast, leave a rating or review, and share this episode with someone navigating international life, raising globally mobile children, or searching for where they truly belong.

Together, we can help more globally mobile families feel understood, connected, and at home—wherever they are in the world.

For more, please follow me also on Instagram at Quiero un Panino con Cheese

Send us Fan Mail

In today's episode of Quiero un Panino con Cheese, we're excited to welcome our very first guest, Julia Marcos, a close friend of Hazel’s who has navigated the challenges of raising children in a foreign country, far from her family and support system.

Julia shares her remarkable journey, detailing how a planned three-month stay in the U.S. unexpectedly evolved into a 22-year adventure. She opens up about the difficulties she and her partner faced in those early days and how finding their "tribe" transformed their experience.

In this episode, we delve into a variety of thought-provoking topics, including:

• The gap between our intentions to fully integrate into a new culture and the reality of those efforts.
• The motivations behind seeking out a tribe: Is it the desire for familiarity, language, or shared experiences?
• The perceptions local residents might have towards newcomers in their community.
• The challenges of reconnecting with your home country after years abroad.
• The impact of parenthood on building a social network.
• Striking a balance between embracing a new culture and connecting with your roots.
• Scientific insights into the benefits of finding your community.
• Potential downsides of cultural integration.
• Effective strategies for making meaningful connections.

Join us as we explore the heartfelt story of how Hazel and Julia met, and engage in an open, insightful discussion about the universal quest for belonging and support in a new land. This episode serves as a poignant reminder of the shared experiences that unite us all.

If this conversation about Third Culture Kids, global parenting, identity, belonging, and raising multicultural children resonated with you, I'd love your support.

Please subscribe to the podcast, leave a rating or review, and share this episode with someone navigating international life, raising globally mobile children, or searching for where they truly belong.

Together, we can help more globally mobile families feel understood, connected, and at home—wherever they are in the world.

For more, please follow me also on Instagram at Quiero un Panino con Cheese

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🎙️ Today on “Quiero un Panino con Cheese” — we dive deep into the future of education through the inspiring journey of Hazel and her husband Iñaki. After growing disillusioned with traditional schooling, they made a bold decision: to leave everything behind and embark on a three-year nomadic adventure in search of the most effective and meaningful ways to educate their children.

In this heartfelt and thought-provoking conversation, Gaia sits down with Hazel to explore:

• What sparked Hazel and Iñaki’s radical decision to rethink their children’s education
• How they prepared—emotionally, logistically, and practically—for life on the road
• The reactions (and resistance) they faced from friends and family
• What “homeschooling around the world” really looked like in practice
• The transformative evolution of their children throughout this unique experience
• And ultimately, what they discovered education is truly about

✨ This is more than a story of travel and homeschooling—it’s a powerful reflection on learning, parenting, and the courage to question the status quo.

Join us for this special episode full of insights, surprises, and inspiration—you won’t want to miss it.

Documentary Learning Gypsies: https://vimeo.com/360241372?share=copy

World Schoolers: https://www.facebook.com/share/g/1AK8y5b7PQ/?mibextid=wwXIfr

Escuela Del Siglo XXI ( referred to as La Escuela del Futuro by Hazel during the interview):

https://www.escuela21.org 

https://www.fundaciontelefonica.com/noticias/record-descargas-viaje-escuela-siglo-21-alfredo-hernando/

The Parenting Camp:

https://www.instagram.com/the_parenting_camp?igsh=MXJtMjR1cXVkajh3ag==

If this conversation about Third Culture Kids, global parenting, identity, belonging, and raising multicultural children resonated with you, I'd love your support.

Please subscribe to the podcast, leave a rating or review, and share this episode with someone navigating international life, raising globally mobile children, or searching for where they truly belong.

Together, we can help more globally mobile families feel understood, connected, and at home—wherever they are in the world.

For more, please follow me also on Instagram at Quiero un Panino con Cheese

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Navigating the journey of raising bilingual children comes with its own unique set of challenges — and joys!

In this episode of "Quiero un Panino con Cheese," we dive into our personal experiences of living across borders and growing up in multilingual households. We share the triumphs, the frustrations, and the surprising moments that come with communicating with our kids in more than one language.

Join us as we explore a range of lively topics, including:

• Balancing language goals with real-life communication.
  
  
• Strategies for nurturing bilingualism at home.
  
  
• The surprising cognitive advantages of multilingualism: Are bilinguals better at certain tasks?
  
  
• How the brain processes and stores new languages.
  
  
• Why motivation matters in language acquisition.
  
  
• The impact of environment and circumstances on our kids’ communication skills.
  
  
• Practical tips and tricks to make language learning a natural part of everyday life.

As parents navigating multilingual worlds, it's easy to worry about making mistakes or "doing it wrong." But in this conversation, we reflect on how a relaxed, flexible approach might be the secret to helping our children fall in love with languages and with learning itself.

Tune in for a heartfelt and inspiring discussion filled with real talk, relatable stories, and actionable advice!

Madres en Cuarantena https://www.instagram.com/p/DGbI-mbPyFR/

If this conversation about Third Culture Kids, global parenting, identity, belonging, and raising multicultural children resonated with you, I'd love your support.

Please subscribe to the podcast, leave a rating or review, and share this episode with someone navigating international life, raising globally mobile children, or searching for where they truly belong.

Together, we can help more globally mobile families feel understood, connected, and at home—wherever they are in the world.

For more, please follow me also on Instagram at Quiero un Panino con Cheese

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In this episode, Hazel and I explore the dynamics of being in relationships with partners from diverse cultural backgrounds and the unique challenges that arise. While my husband and I share Italian roots, we were raised in different countries, each with its own customs and traditions. Similarly, Hazel and her husband communicate in Spanish but hail from entirely distinct cultures.

Join us as we delve into a variety of intriguing topics:

• Does sharing a language equate to having a shared cultural connection?
• What challenges arise when marrying someone from a different cultural background?
• What are the common clashes and complexities in multicultural marriages?
• How does raising children influence relationships between couples from vastly different backgrounds?
• What lessons can we learn from these experiences, and how do we foster growth and empathy?
• Is the root of conflict always cultural, or do familial customs play a significant role?
• Do bilingual couples switch languages based on the topic of conversation?
• How does living far from family impact a relationship?

We enjoyed a lively conversation filled with humor and anecdotes about the ups and downs of intercultural relationships. We discovered that every family, regardless of origin, has its own cultural norms. Many challenges faced by intercultural couples mirror those experienced by partners from the same hometown. Ultimately, the foundation of a successful relationship lies in communication, empathy, and a willingness to learn and grow together, no matter the language spoken. Tune in for an engaging discussion that celebrates love across cultures!

Jen Brister and her Spanish mum https://www.instagram.com/p/DAQPHc9sOFF/ 

“How to Avoid Getting 'Hit by Air' in Italy” by Dany  Mitzman - BBC  https://www.bbc.com/news/magazine-15987082

“Building a Successful Intercultural Marriage and Family” - Grant Hilary Brenner MD, DFAPA  https://www.psychologytoday.com/us/blog/experimentations/202401/building-a-successful-intercultural-marriage-and-family

If this conversation about Third Culture Kids, global parenting, identity, belonging, and raising multicultural children resonated with you, I'd love your support.

Please subscribe to the podcast, leave a rating or review, and share this episode with someone navigating international life, raising globally mobile children, or searching for where they truly belong.

Together, we can help more globally mobile families feel understood, connected, and at home—wherever they are in the world.

For more, please follow me also on Instagram at Quiero un Panino con Cheese

Send us Fan Mail

In this episode, we tell the story of how our podcast got its very particular name and how our multicultural backgrounds have brought us to interrogate ourselves regarding issues like nationality, identity, and sense of belonging.

After sharing our own crazy mixed-up stories of how we grew up and got to where we are today, Hazel and I discuss the various doubts and concerns that naturally arise when discussing our backgrounds. It all begins with that harrowing question… “So, where are you from?”.

Some of the topics we touch on  are:

• Nationality versus identity
• What do you feel versus how you are perceived?
• What are the pros and cons of living across borders?
• Where is home? A place? A feeling?
• How has mobility changed over the years?
• What are the superpowers of people who grow up multiculturally?

If this conversation about Third Culture Kids, global parenting, identity, belonging, and raising multicultural children resonated with you, I'd love your support.

Please subscribe to the podcast, leave a rating or review, and share this episode with someone navigating international life, raising globally mobile children, or searching for where they truly belong.

Together, we can help more globally mobile families feel understood, connected, and at home—wherever they are in the world.

For more, please follow me also on Instagram at Quiero un Panino con Cheese