In this episode, Amy, Bernie, and Jenilee introduce the Red, Yellow, Green (RYG) model for organizations. This is a practical tool for evaluating organizational health and personal fit for cross-cultural workers. The tool helps you celebrate when your organization is a good fit. On the flip side, it also provides a way to process and name what parts may not be a good fit. They discuss its origins, practical applications, and announce availability on the Global Trellis website to support better decision-making for individuals and teams.
Connect with Jenilee (coaching/support): https://jenileerachel.com
Is This a Good Fit? Article by Jenilee
Red, Yellow, Green: A Fit Check for Your Organization (get fit check here)
This week, Amy and Bernie have a fun and fascinating conversation with Amy Farley, lead pastor of River Church in Ho Chi Minh City, Vietnam. Amy shares her unexpected journey from serving Africa to pastoring a vibrant international church, overcoming trauma and embracing her calling.
River Church Vietnam Website: https://riverchurchvietnam.com/
River Church on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/riverchurch_vietnam/
In this episode, Amy and Bernie are joined by Chandler Gilow, the Global Birth Coach, to discuss the complexities of pregnancy, birth, and postpartum care for workers living cross-culturally. They discuss the importance of holistic preparation, understanding local medical realities, and the need for both families and organizations to support and advocate for individualized care during this significant life transition. This episode is not just for families of child-birthing age! Leadership and member care who care for or work with cross-cultural worker families, this is a must-listen!
Chandler’s Website: https://www.theglobalbirthcoach.com/
Chandler’s Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/theglobalbirthcoach/
Chandler’s articles on Global Trellis
Articles related to birth on Global Trellis
Amy and Bernie talk with Beth Forshee about how life on the field can inform, shape, and shift our belief systems. Together, they explore how to normalize these changes rather than fear them, and why it matters for personal and spiritual growth. The episode offers practical encouragement for what to do when your experiences begin to inform or reshape what you believe.
Show Notes:
The Global Trellis Holistic Online Conference
Let’s Talk About It (The Global Trellis Survey Results)
In this incredibly important and vulnerable episode, friend of the podcast, Anna Danforth, joins Amy and Bernie to talk about ways grief gets marginalized. They also talk about how to better embrace one another in the things we grieve. You do not want to miss this episode.
That’s Margot in the image! It was the night before she left after 19 wonderful years with Amy.
Anna’s Book (Her new book will be here in Spring 2026!)
Grief Resources on Global Trellis
In a particularly powerful episode, Jenilee Goodwin joins Amy and Bernie for a conversation about the unique stresses cross cultural work puts on marriages. Jenilee shares from her own experience the potential for heartache and healing, along with ways to find needed help.
Four Types of Intimacy in Marriage (Global Trellis Workshop)
Did you know that understanding what you’re naturally good at can actually bring more joy and energy to your work than focusing on your weaknesses? In this episode, Amy and Bernie swap stories about how leaning into their strengths has shaped their calling—and how it can do the same for you and your team. Bernie has great ideas for how you can work with your strengths and still get done what you need to accomplish in your (real!) daily life.
Clifton Strengths Finder Assessment
Are you serving under toxic leadership? In today’s episode, Amy and Bernie discuss how to use the CONTROL framework for assessing leadership, along with tips on what to do if you discover yourself to be serving under leadership that is toxic. The Toxic Leadership Assessment is included with the Holistic Online Conference.
Global Trellis Holistic Online Conference
Unmasking Toxic Leadership Podcast Episode
Bernie Anderson/Growability Consulting
Sometimes we think “capacity building” is just code for “get more stuff done.” At Global Trellis, we say that is not the point at all! Jenilee joins Amy and Bernie to talk about the Capacity Series Discussion and Activity Guide. The guide is good for person and team use with a four week option and a 12 week option. If you’ve been looking for a way to take your team meetings up a level—with meaningful conversations and activities designed specifically for cross-cultural workers—you found it!
Capacity Series + Discussion and Activity Guide
Capacity Series (Index to all articles)
In this episode, Amy and Bernie welcome back Anna Danforth, exploring the latest research on fostering resilience in Third Culture Kids (TCKs). Anna shares practical strategies, and hope-filled insights for parents, caregivers, and team members, revealing how eight positive childhood experiences can transform TCK resilience. Whether you’re raising kids overseas or supporting global families, this episode offers encouragement and actionable steps to help children thrive.
What are ACEs and PCEs (from TCK Training)
Anna’s Article in the Capacity Building Series
Anna’s Book (Her new book will be here in Spring 2026!)
How to Communicate Change to Supporters (Podcast episode with Anna)
In this episode, hosts Amy Young and Bernie Anderson welcome special guest Lizabet Nix from Thrive Today to explore the "feel, share, quiet" practice—a simple, science-backed approach to handling emotions and building relational skills. Lizabet shares practical insights and real-life stories, offering listeners accessible tools to tend their souls and foster meaningful connections, especially for those living and working cross-culturally.
Thrive Today – Free resources and online groups for building relational skills: https://thrivetoday.org
Free resource for listeners related to the "feel, share, quiet" practice: https://thrivetoday.org/emotions-resources/
In this episode we are joined by Anna Danforth to discuss the challenges of navigating and communicating change with supporters as cross-cultural workers. Anna shares personal experiences and practical advice on handling ambiguity, maintaining threads of continuity, and extending grace to ourselves and others during times of transition. This episode offers encouragement and actionable insights for those facing ministry pivots and changes in the field.
Anna’s Article on A Life Overseas
This episode explores the challenges international cross-cultural workers face when caring for aging parents from across the world. Four participants from the Global Trellis Aging Parents Cohort share their personal experiences, highlighting the emotional complexity, practical difficulties, and unique support found in a community of like-minded workers dealing with an inevitable life issue. by Katie Brown
Show Notes:
Article on Global Trellis: When Roles Reverse” by Katie Brown
In this episode of Global Trellis: The Podcast, Tim Austin, the Global Trellis transition specialist, discusses the critical aspects of managing transitions for cross-cultural workers. The crucial aspects of transitions are (1) focusing on the importance of naming one's experiences, (2) normalizing the challenges, and (3) embracing the fears and resistance that come with change. The conversation explores how transitions impact identity, particularly in ministry settings, and provides practical insights and resources for individuals navigating significant life shifts.
Show Notes:
Tim Austin’s Coaching Practice
Global Trellis articles by Tim
Looming Transitions by Amy Young
In this episode of Global Trellis, Virgil Tanner discusses his book "Soul Tending" and shares insights on helping cross-cultural workers build resilience and agency in challenging environments. The conversation explores strategies for thriving, working effectively, and developing personal and professional skills, emphasizing the importance of holistic soul care and strategic leadership in cross-cultural work.
Show Notes:
Soul Tending – by Virgil Tanner
Becoming More Fruitful – by Amy Young
This is truly an eye-opening episode! Rachel Pieh Jones, Amy Young, and Bernie Anderson dive deep into the often-overlooked experience of "gendered culture shock" - exploring how men and women physically and emotionally navigate cultural differences across borders. This is a nuanced and compelling conversation about how cultural adaptation goes far beyond language and customs.
Rachel on Instagram: @rachelpiehjones
Podcast episode “Sexual Harassment While on the Field with Rachel”
In this episode, Heather Fallis discusses her new book about creating liturgies as a powerful spiritual practice for international workers. Through personal stories and practical guidance, Heather shows how writing liturgies can help cross-cultural workers process their emotions, connect with God, and find meaningful ways to pray, even when words are difficult to find.
Blog interview with Heather (and a giveaway)
Heather’s Book: Crafting Liturgies for Life Abroad
Instagram: @liturgiesforalifeabroad and @heatherfallis
Description: This episode explores the importance of design and visual branding in creating effective newsletters and communications for cross-cultural workers. Guest expert, Karen Huber, joins Amy and Bernie to share practical advice on leveraging design elements to engage supporters and convey the heart of your ministry.
Karen created a PDF that covers three helpful areas when it comes to newsletter design:
—What are three newsletter best practices?
—What are three ways newsletters go wrong?
—Now, let’s talk design specifics: color, font, and images/photos
Show Notes and Links:
Resources mentioned in the episode:
Additionally, the episode provided the contact information for the guest expert, Karen Huber:
This episode of the Global Trellis podcast explores the art of writing effective newsletters for cross-cultural workers. Hosts Amy Young and Bernie Anderson provide practical tips and mindset shifts to help listeners improve their newsletter communication and build stronger relationships with their supporters. Next week we continue the conversation with Karen Huber and the visual aspects of newsletters.
Show Notes:
Enjoying Newsletters book by Amy Young
Write Interesting Newsletters course on Global Trellis Insiders (50% off for Insiders)
Global Trellis website globaltrellis.com for more resources and information
There’s no such thing as an “ordinary day” for most cross-cultural workers. In this week’s episode, Amy and Bernie share practical tips for navigating the complexities of unpredictable schedules and demanding routines.
Show Notes:
Global Trellis Article on Productivity (Leave your comments here!)