Season 4 Episode 12: Season Wrap up And Christmas Special

Join Brandi and James as they review the highlights of the podcasts from last year. With 12 episodes, they had many wonderful guests covering a broad range of topics impacting cross-cultural workers. This episode ends with three guest spots sharing stories of their holiday memories living cross-culturally. Meet our Guests below or in the podcast!

Eve Austin lived for 20 years living in Tajikistan and Turkey with my family from 1996-2016. During that time, she was a mom, missionary, educator, and entrepreneur. She transitioned into counseling in 2013 and worked abroad with culturally diverse populations, including refugees and survivors of human trafficking. Her life and work overseas provides her with understanding and empathy to journey with clients from diverse backgrounds through the challenges of transition, relocation, and cultural adjustment. https://eveaustin.com

Lisette Gabre is an extroverted Swede who moved to Asia almost thirty years ago with her husband and at that three very little children. She raised her three TCKs in Asia from baby to 18. The kids are now grown and she is a grandmother of six. Lisette has been involved in member care since she prepared to move to the field. Presently her pillow and husband are in Chiang Mai Thailand, but she serves the world as the TCK and Family Care Specialist for OM International.

Anna Danforth is an author, TCK advocate, and traveling speaker/trainer with TCK Training. Growing up in Cameroon as a third culture kid, she developed a deep passion for helping global families thrive in cross-cultural environments. Anna holds a degree in Secondary French Education and an MAEd in Instruction and Curriculum. Married to her high school sweetheart from DR Congo, Anna and her husband raised their two children in Lesotho and South Africa, where they continue to work in education and job skills training.

Season 3 Episode 10: Short-Term Teams with Andrea Kroeze

Join Brandi and James as they talk about Short-Term teams with Andrea Kroeze. Andrea serves with Touch The World, offering training and development for short-term projects, teams, or individuals doing short-term cross-cultural ministry. https://touchtheworld.org

Through The Missions Academy, you will be equipped with:

  1. A Biblical understanding of missions
  2. Methods for culturally sensitive ministry
  3. An understanding of the complexities of poverty
  4. A heart focused on service

https://learn.themissionsacademy.com/

Contact Andrea andreak@touchtheworld.org

Season 3 Episode 7: Trauma-Informed Staff Care

What is Trauma? 

“Trauma is a deep wound of the heart and mind that takes a long time to heal. It hurts every part of our lives: how we relate to others, how our body feels, what we think about, and how much we can trust God. It can make us feel separated from God and others” – Trauma Healing Institute 

Further Reading and Learning:

  • The Body Keeps The Score by  Bessel van der Kolk
  • The Trauma Healing Institute

Trauma-Informed Staff Care

  1. Increased Trauma Awareness 
    1. Realize the widespread impact of trauma and understand paths for recovery
    1. Recognize the signs and symptoms of trauma
    1. Actively avoid re-traumatization
  2. Provide Safety 
    1. Provide avenues for psychological safety
    1. Mitigate power differentials
    1. Integrate knowledge about trauma into policies, procedures, and practices
  3. Empower People to Make Choices 
    1. Look
    1. Listen
    1. Link
  4. Focus on Strengths 
    1. Coach don’t counsel
    1. Be vulnerable, because it lowers our amour and that of those around us. 
    1. Normalize and Affirm 
  5. Understand Roles and Make Referrals 
    1. Who is my client and What is my role?
    1. Acknowledge and reframe (emotions are ok, behavior may not be)
    1. Coach towards help and make referrals

Further Reading and Learning: 

New Book!

Essentials for People Care and Development: A Collection of Best Practices, Research, Reflections, and Strategies (Missio Nexus Improve Series):
by  Geoff Whiteman  (Author), Heather Pubols  (Editor) Buy it now on Amazon