In this episode of the Wisdom & Wanderlust Podcast, Michael and Robyn talk with Lena Papadopoulos, an award-winning intercultural educator, facilitator, speaker, life transformation coach and aspiring astrologist. Lena’s approach is a unique alchemy of her educational and professional background in sociology, psychology, cultural anthropology, international education, experiential learning and leadership development. Using intercultural learning as a catalyst for self-discovery, she works with her clients to help them break free from cultural conditioning so they can reconnect with themselves, embody their unique potential and make a positive impact in the world. Lena discusses the intersection of intercultural education and life coaching and how the two complement one another. She talks about Hofstede's Cultural Dimensions and whether people can change from introverted and individualistic tendencies to extroverted and collective tendencies over the course of a lifetime and places lived. She also talks about the differences between our life, soul and right now purposes and how to find these for ourselves.   "All the change that we want to see in the world and in bringing people together and in bridging cultural divides and differences and whatever, it all starts with the self." - Lena Papadopoulos [10:03]   "So many people use difference as this way to reinforce division or some kind of divide, but it’s such an amazing learning opportunity, right? The most innovative things are created when very different types of people come together because they bring different perspectives." - Lena Papadopoulos [16:43]   "I think that our core life purpose, our true truest purpose, is to return to the truth of who we are." - Lena Papadopoulos [40:49]   "Why does that matter to me? Because I was always the weird Greek girl. I was always sort of like I don’t belong here in this place. I don’t make sense here. This place doesn’t make sense to me, and also stuff with my family and things that I experienced at school. Like all these things made me feel othered, made me feel not wanted somehow or too much in some way or not enough in some way, right? So of course, yeah, I want other people to not feel that." - Lena Papadopoulos [43:58]   What You Will Learn: [00:01] Intro [02:33] Lena’s life in Oaxaca, Mexico [05:33] Her favorite and least favorite place to live [08:17] Where she got her start as an intercultural educator [11:58] Her definition of culture [13:56] How culture influences how we see the world [17:10] If she focuses on similarities and differences while she travels [19:09] How she prepares for the destination [22:05] Where she got her spontaneity trait [24:43] Things she does that helps her connect with people and culture [28:15] How adaptable are people to certain elements of culture [33:14] What is Hofstede's Cultural Dimensions [35:08] How people can learn more about cultural assessment with Lena [37:49] Shifting to other realms [41:57] Difference between life and soul purpose [44:45] What gets in the way [47:59] Where to contact Lena Papadopoulos [49:01] Rapid fire questions [51:48] Outro   Resources: Lena Papadopoulos’ website Lena Papadopoulos on Instagram Lena Papadopoulos on LinkedIn Lena Papadopoulos on Explorer X Intercultural Intensive with Lena World Travel: An Irreverent Guide by Anthony Bourdain and Laurie Woolever Cultural Awareness as a Critical Component of Travel with Lena Hofstede's Cultural Dimensions