We’re all familiar with the thrill of an adrenaline rush. This upbeat sensation that accompanies our travels can be wonderful, and sometimes even necessary. But when do we know when we’ve entered unhealthy territory, and how can we help TCKs manage adrenaline addiction? Join Lauren and Jessi as they answer these questions and weave in some great stories along the way!
In this episode, Jessi and Tanya talk about some of the reasons TCKs can be prone to anxiety. They discuss the research surrounding TCKs and anxiety and stigma around mental health. Both share personally and offer a hopeful vision for caring for TCKs dealing with anxiety. As always, stick to the end for the wrap up, and how the topics we cover apply to Adult TCKs, Parents and Caregivers!
Show Notes:
Our Research
TCKs and Anxiety (Workshop)
Understanding Anxiety as an Adult TCK (Workshop)
In this second episode, Lauren and Tanya chat about the realities of learning languages as TCKs. They debunk myths about children picking up languages effortlessly, and swap stories about the emotional weight that is actually at play! Enjoy their fun, honest conversation about how language shapes the TCK experience and why it’s about so much more than just learning the words.
Show notes:
Our Research
5 Surprising Factors to Consider When Weighing Overseas Schooling Options
The TCK Training Podcast is back! We hope you’re as excited as we are about 12 new episodes of fun, educational and - most of all - hopeful conversations about all things TCKs.
To kick off season 2, Lauren and Jessi come together for a fireside chat about the best schooling option for TCKs. Join their trip down memory lane on their schooling experience, and find out their current thoughts on choosing between the myriad of schooling options out there (local, international, home - you name it).
As always, stick around to the end for the wrap up, and hear how the topics we cover apply to Adult TCKs, Parents and Caregivers!
Our Research
5 Surprising Factors to Consider When Weighing Overseas Schooling Options
After 11 episodes on the hardships of mobile childhoods, Elizabeth and Tanya address what some of us might be thinking: is the TCK lifestyle even worth it? Don’t miss out on their thoughts about this question, and most importantly – how Adult TCKs have answered it in our most recent survey!
Show Notes:
Another Lauren and Elizabeth episode, and today they dive into big emotions and how we can help TCKs navigate them. They share stories from their lives as parents of multiple kids - so trust us, they have seen big emotions. Tune in to hear about why it’s so important not to shut down these feelings but to see them as a way kids communicate their needs. A great listen if like Lauren, you value grit, and you want to create a safe space for emotions while also teaching kids to handle life’s tougher moments. Enjoy!
Show notes:
Safe Space Responses Miniseries
Laying an Emotional Foundation (workshop)
In this episode, Lauren and Elizabeth tackle a big question for families: when is it time to seek extra support for your kids, especially through tough transitions or trauma? They talk about spotting signs of distress, recognizing which emotional responses are normal, and why being tuned in as a parent really matters. With tips on knowing the right timing, making small adjustments, and when caregivers can step in to help, this conversation encourages parents to seek support without hesitation. Join us for a reassuring look at how proactive steps can make all the difference in supporting our TCKs’ well-being!
Show Notes:
In this episode, Elizabeth and Jessi break down the ‘red zone’ and ‘green zone’ of emotional regulation for TCKs. They talk about how to spot when kids are in the red zone, why connection and laughter can be powerful tools for moving into the green zone, and practical ways parents can support kids through stressful times. With insights on personalized approaches to emotional well-being, they also touch on when it might be time to seek extra help. Tune in for relatable advice and tools to help TCKs find their calm!
Show Notes:
Our Services
Raising Thriving Kids Abroad (Workshop)
Raising Healthy TCKs (Workshop)
Red Zone/Green Zone: Understanding School Transition Stress
In this episode of the TCK Training Podcast, Lauren and Tanya have a heartfelt conversation about the things that make TCK transitions hard. They share what they’ve learned talking to hundreds of TCKs, and from their own experience growing up in high mobility.
Tune in to learn more about how transitions affect us, and how we can leverage the tools in our arsenal to care well for those who move, and those who stay behind.
Show notes:
Misunderstood - Tanya Crossman
Our Services
Coping with Change (Workshop)
Care for Less Mobile TCKs (Workshops)
Supporting Student Transitions (Workshop)
In the previous episode, Lauren and Elizabeth talked about what TCKs need within their home. This week, Elizabeth is back and has a chat with Tanya about what TCKs need from their community! They dive into research on Positive Childhood Experiences (PCEs) and how to implement them as counterweights to Adverse Childhood Experiences (ACEs).
Join them for practical strategies and insightful data to shed more light on setting TCKs up for thriving!
Show Notes:
PCEs (Positive Childhood Experiences) Miniseries
PCEs and ACEs Research
TCKs and PCEs
Peers and Belonging (Workshop)
Lauren and Elizabeth are back, and today they explore what it takes to create a thriving home for TCKs. They explain why emotional safety and tuning into kids’ needs are key—especially when life’s full of big moves and transitions. With plenty of practical tips, they share how parents can build a home that feels like a true anchor, helping TCKs build resilience and navigate the emotional layers of the TCK experience.
Show notes:
PCEs (Positive Childhood Experiences) Miniseries
Safe Space Response Miniseries
In this episode, Lauren and Jessi dive into “grief stacking” and how TCKs’ losses can pile up until it feels like a tower of unprocessed grief. They chat about the impact this can have on mental and physical health and why it’s so important to tackle these griefs head-on. Tune in for insights, practical tools, and a reminder of how processing loss can lead to new strengths!
Show notes:
Unstacking Sessions
What made that feel so hard? by Lauren Wells
In this episode, Elizabeth is joined by Jessi - our Director of ATCK Services and Marketing. Together, they answer a question that we often get asked: why don’t we stop talking about TCK grief? They share honest insights on why it matters to have those conversations going—even when it feels easier to focus on the positives. Enjoy their takeaways from years of unstacking grief while making sure to find the heart and humor throughout the process!
Show notes:
The Practice of Processing by Elizabeth Vahey Smith
We switch things up a little bit this week, with a guest appearance from our Director of Research and International Education: Tanya! In this episode, she and Lauren dive into the reasons why as parents, caregivers, and ATCKs, we can’t just focus on the TCK benefits. They highlight the need for a balanced perspective, recognizing that both positive and negative experiences shape the TCK journey. Tune in to explore actionable steps you can take to foster long-term thriving!
Show Notes:
Who says you need a PhD to do research-based work? This week on the podcast, Lauren and Elizabeth dismantle that myth by walking us through TCK Training’s history. They reflect on the journey from blogging to publishing books and developing resources for excellent preventive care. Stay tuned to hear their favorite things about TCK Training, and how they have carefully crafted a work environment where we walk the talk on what we teach.Show notes:
Raising Up a Generation of Healthy Third Culture Kids
After years of simmering in the back of our thoughts, the TCK Training Podcast is finally here! In this pilot episode, our executive officers, Lauren and Elizabeth, start by answering the burning question: What even is a TCK? Join them as they discuss TCKs’ unique traits, share how you can use our research for creating quality care plans, and swap stories about their lives as TCK caregivers (including a hilarious tale about what Lauren’s daughter thought her mom did for a living). Enjoy!SHOWNOTES:
