In Part 2 of this two-part conversation on The Rest is Just Geography, a podcast from Liberty University, Chesed continues her discussion with Janelle, a graduate student studying counseling, to explore how we can respond well to culture shock and transition. Building on the foundation from Part 1, this episode focuses on practical strategies for navigating the emotional and spiritual challenges that often come with cross-cultural movement.
Together, Chesed and Janelle share helpful tips for managing transition in healthy ways, offering insights from both personal experience and professional perspective. The episode concludes with Chesed sharing her favorite Scripture passage for seasons of transition— Exodus 6:1-8.
This episode was produced by Chesed Anne Dent Fitzsimons.Podcast editing: Cohen Kern, Peyton Rice, & Chesed Anne Dent Fitzsimons.Podcast music: Endless Bliss — written by Sander Kalmeijer, performed and produced by Sounds Like Sander.Podcast cover image created by Chesed Anne Dent Fitzsimons using AI-generated artwork.
In this episode of The Rest is Just Geography, a podcast from Liberty University, Chesed sits down with Janelle, a graduate student studying counseling, to explore the emotional and psychological journey of transition and culture shock. Together, they unpack the general pattern of how culture shock unfolds, common responses people experience, and the internal shifts that often accompany cross-cultural movement.
This is the first of a two-part conversation. In this episode, the focus is on understanding the process—what it tends to look like and why it matters. In the next episode, Chesed and Janelle will dive deeper into healthy ways to respond to culture shock and transition.
At the end of this episode, Janelle shares how Galatians 5:25 encouraged her during her own cross-cultural experiences, offering a meaningful reflection on how faith can anchor us in seasons of change.
This episode was produced by Chesed Anne Dent Fitzsimons.
Podcast editing: Cohen Kern, Peyton Rice, & Chesed Anne Dent Fitzsimons.
Podcast music: Endless Bliss — written by Sander Kalmeijer, performed and produced by Sounds Like Sander.
Podcast cover image created by Chesed Anne Dent Fitzsimons using AI-generated artwork.
Fisher's Transition Curve: https://www.scribd.com/document/768106536/fisher-transition-curve-2012-1
In this episode of The Rest is Just Geography, a podcast from Liberty University, Chesed sits down with Maggie, an adult Third Culture Kid (TCK) who, after graduating college, moved to a country she had never lived in before. Now five months into her new life abroad, Maggie shares what it was like to walk through the in-between season—between graduation and settling into a new place of investment.
Through thoughtful reflection on her own journey and the story of the Israelites in their 40-year wilderness, Maggie shares how God revealed the beauty and purpose of transitional seasons. She speaks candidly about learning to be faithful in the waiting and how Scripture reminded her that the wilderness is purposeful when it’s part of God’s plan.
This episode was produced by Chesed Anne Dent Fitzsimons. Podcast editing: Cohen Kern & Chesed Anne Dent Fitzsimons. Podcast music: Endless Bliss — written by Sander Kalmeijer, performed and produced by Sounds Like Sander. Podcast cover image created by Chesed Anne Dent Fitzsimons using AI-generated artwork.
In this episode of The Rest is Just Geography, a podcast from Liberty University, Chesed sits down with Michael—who’s back—to talk about reentry (returning to your passport country after spending time overseas) and how to process it.
They share personal stories, some lighthearted and some reflective, exploring how reentry is its own kind of cross-cultural adjustment. Together, they discuss how to engage this often-overlooked transition in a way that honors the Lord, offering insight into how faith shapes the journey back.
This episode was produced by Chesed Anne Dent Fitzsimons. Podcast editing: Cohen Kern & Chesed Anne Dent Fitzsimons. Podcast music: Endless Bliss — written by Sander Kalmeijer, performed and produced by Sounds Like Sander. Podcast cover image created by Chesed Anne Dent Fitzsimons using AI-generated artwork.
In this episode of The Rest is Just Geography, a podcast from Liberty University, Chesed sits down with Katie, who moved to Thailand twice—first for a semester abroad during college, and later for four years after graduation.
Katie shares stories of transition, loneliness, and unexpected joy, reflecting on how God provided not just practical needs, but mostly His presence. Anchored in Philippians 4:19, she explores how divine provision strengthens perseverance, especially in seasons that stretch our faith and obedience.
This episode was produced by Chesed Anne Dent Fitzsimons.
Podcast editing: Cohen Kern & Chesed Anne Dent Fitzsimons.
Podcast music: Endless Bliss — written by Sander Kalmeijer, performed and produced by Sounds Like Sander.
Podcast cover image created by Chesed Anne Dent Fitzsimons using AI-generated artwork.
In this episode of The Rest is Just Geography, a podcast from Liberty University, Rees—an emerging adult who loves Jesus, exploration, and understanding people—joins Chesed to share how research plays a vital role in taking the Gospel to the nations. Rees reflects on his time overseas, where he traveled into unengaged areas to learn about the people, culture, and context. His research helped pave the way for others to engage these communities with the Gospel. Together, they explore the intersection of curiosity, calling, and courage—what it means to assess risk wisely and walk boldly into the unknown for the sake of Christ. Rees’s story invites listeners to consider how an adventurous spirit, thoughtful preparation, and Spirit-led obedience can work hand-in-hand in cross-cultural Gospel work.
Important links and contact information:
Contact Rees Morgan at rmorganintl@hotmail.com
Project 3000 - https://www.imb.org/project-3000/
This episode was produced by Chesed Anne Dent Fitzsimons.
Podcast editing: Cohen Kern & Chesed Anne Dent Fitzsimons.
Podcast music: Endless Bliss — written by Sander Kalmeijer, performed and produced by Sounds Like Sander.
Podcast cover image created by Chesed Anne Dent Fitzsimons using AI-generated artwork.
Please note that guests of this podcast may use pseudonyms.
In this episode of The Rest is Just Geography, a podcast from Liberty University, Chesed sits down with KP, an international adoptee who grew up in the United States and now lives in Asia, near the country of her birth. KP shares her intercultural journey and the ways God has led her through seasons of transition, calling, and identity.
Together they reflect on what it means to choose “the better obedience” — the moments when two paths are before you, and you choose the one that draws you deeper into following Jesus. In times of uncertainty, KP turns to Psalm 37 as a grounding reminder to wait on the Lord and trust His timing when considering which way to go. Her story highlights both the beauty and the weight of obedience, showing how surrender leads to joy and closeness with Christ.
This episode was produced by Chesed Anne Dent Fitzsimons. Podcast editing: Cohen Kern & Chesed Anne Dent Fitzsimons. Podcast music: Endless Bliss — written by Sander Kalmeijer, performed and produced by Sounds Like Sander. Podcast cover image created by Chesed Anne Dent Fitzsimons using AI-generated artwork.
In this episode of The Rest is Just Geography, a podcast from Liberty University, Chesed sits down with Mary, a fellow adult third culture kid, to reflect on a season of transition, faithfulness, and being seen by God. Mary shares her story of coming to college in the United States and then moving back overseas for two years in her early 20s — a time marked by quiet obedience and deep questions.
Through their friendship and the story of Bezalel in Exodus 31, God reminded both Mary and Chesed that He sees, He knows, and He calls by name. In a season where both felt unseen in their daily faithfulness, this truth became a lifeline. This conversation is a gentle but powerful reminder that God honors faithfulness, even when no one else sees it.
This episode was produced by Chesed Anne Dent Fitzsimons. Podcast editing: Cohen Kern & Chesed Anne Dent Fitzsimons. Podcast music: Endless Bliss — written by Sander Kalmeijer, performed and produced by Sounds Like Sander. Podcast cover image created by Chesed Anne Dent Fitzsimons using AI-generated artwork.
Please note that guests of this podcast may use pseudonyms.
In this episode of The Rest is Just Geography, a podcast from Liberty University, Chesed sits down with Luke to hear how discovering the Gospel as a present reality—not just a future hope—reshaped his life and his heart for the nations. As Luke shares stories from his time overseas, he reflects on how Jesus’ message that “the Kingdom is at hand” (Matt 3:2, Matt 4:17) began to transform everything: his perspective, his pursuit of holiness, his purpose, and his everyday decisions. This conversation is a powerful reminder that the Kingdom of Heaven is good news for today—not just for eternity.
This episode was produced by Chesed Anne Dent Fitzsimons. Podcast editting: Cohen Kern & Chesed Anne Dent Fitzsimons. Podcast music: Endless Bliss — written by Sander Kalmeijer, performed and produced by Sounds Like Sander. Podcast cover image created by Chesed Anne Dent Fitzsimons using AI-generated artwork.
Please note that guests of this podcast may use pseudonyms.
In this episode of The Rest is Just Geography, a podcast from Liberty University, Chesed and Michael explore Abraham’s faith to follow God without knowing all the details of where He was leading (Genesis 12:1–3). They share personal stories of step-by-step obedience—how God has led them sometimes across oceans, sometimes just across town—and how His surprises have shaped their journeys both abroad and at home. Together, they reflect on how you can trust God enough to follow Him anywhere, even when the path ahead is unclear, because He is completely trustworthy.
This episode was produced by Chesed Anne Dent Fitzsimons. Podcast editting: Cohen Kern & Chesed Anne Dent Fitzsimons. Podcast music: Endless Bliss — written by Sander Kalmeijer, performed and produced by Sounds Like Sander. Podcast cover image created by Chesed Anne Dent Fitzsimons using AI-generated artwork.
*please note that guests of this podcast may use pseudonyms.
In this episode of The Rest is Just Geography, a podcast from Liberty University, Chesed sits down with her dad, Don Dent, a retired missionary, to reflect on 2 Corinthians 2:14–17. Together, they explore what it means to walk in triumphal procession with Jesus and to live as the aroma of Christ in the world, drawing from both Scripture and Don’s decades of cross-cultural ministry experience.
This episode was produced by Chesed Anne Dent Fitzsimons. Podcast editting: Cohen Kern & Chesed Anne Dent Fitzsimons. Podcast music: Endless Bliss — written by Sander Kalmeijer, performed and produced by Sounds Like Sander. Podcast cover image created by Chesed Anne Dent Fitzsimons using AI-generated artwork.
*please note that guests of this podcast may use pseudonyms.
In this episode of The Rest is Just Geography, a podcast from Liberty University, Chesed sits down with Wes, who first moved overseas for the military, to explore what it means to be a sojourner. Together, they reflect on their own journeys of embracing the beauty of life as temporary residents on earth, while remembering their true citizenship is in heaven (Philippians 3:20).
This episode was produced by Chesed Anne Dent Fitzsimons. Podcast editting: Cohen Kern, Peyton Rice, & Chesed Anne Dent Fitzsimons. Podcast music: Endless Bliss — written by Sander Kalmeijer, performed and produced by Sounds Like Sander. Podcast cover image created by Chesed Anne Dent Fitzsimons using AI-generated artwork.
*please note that guests of this podcast may use pseudonyms.
Welcome to the first episode of The Rest is Just Geography, a podcast out of Liberty University. Join your host, Chesed, and special guest Dr. Melody Harper as they share their personal stories and reflect on an anonymous quote that has shaped both of their journeys: "God calls us to Himself—the rest is just geography."
This episode was edited and produced by Chesed Anne Dent Fitzsimons. Podcast music: Endless Bliss — written by Sander Kalmeijer, performed and produced by Sounds Like Sander. Podcast cover image created by Chesed Anne Dent Fitzsimons using AI-generated artwork.
*please note that guests of this podcast may use pseudonyms.
