Quiero un Panino con Cheese - A Podcast for TCKs and Multicultural Families – Details, episodes & analysis

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!

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 solo, or whatever gets you moving!

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

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.

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 solo, or whatever gets you moving!

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

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

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 solo, or whatever gets you moving!

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

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 

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 solo, or whatever gets you moving!

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

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.

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 solo, or whatever gets you moving!

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

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.

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 solo, or whatever gets you moving!

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

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

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 solo, or whatever gets you moving!

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

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.

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 solo, or whatever gets you moving!

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

🎙️ 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==

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 solo, or whatever gets you moving!

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

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/

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 solo, or whatever gets you moving!

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