Best Michael Picconatto Podcasts (2025)

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S2 E6 - What is Culture (part 2) and Disorientation! 31:48

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13d ago31:48

31:48

In today’s episode, Mike is joined again by Joel and Kate Damon, along with Dr. Stephen W. Jones, to continue unpacking the question: what is culture? Building off their previous conversation, the group explores the realities of moving between cultures and why such transitions are often deeply disorienting. Stephen walks through concepts four and f…

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What is Culture? 29:47

27d ago29:47

29:47

Notes In today’s episode, host Mike Picconatto is joined by Kate and Joel Damon and Dr. Stephen W. Jones to kick off a two-part conversation exploring the question, “What is culture?” Drawing on insights from Stephen’s book, the Cross Cultural Transitions Handbook, the team unpacks the complex and often hard-to-define nature of culture. Stephen off…

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Language Learning part 2 of 2 - with Stephen and Jennie Jones 32:18

1M ago32:18

32:18

Originally Recorded: June 15, 2022 Notes In this episode, Mike is joined again by Dr. Stephen W. Jones and Jennie Jones for part two of their insightful conversation on language learning and its role in cross-cultural transitions. Picking up where their previous discussion left off, Jennie and Stephen share candidly about shifting from individual…

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Role Deprivation with the Damons 29:47

1M ago29:47

29:47

Notes In this episode, Mike is joined by Joel and Kate Damon for a conversation about “role deprivation” during cross-cultural transitions. Role deprivation is a part of the transition zone in which a person’s former “status as a force for good has not been replaced by anything.” (Stephen W. Jones, Cross-Cultural Transition Handbook, p. 52). This r…

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The Transition Zone - with the Damons 29:42

2M ago29:42

29:42

Notes In this episode of "TraxCultures," host Mike Picconatto chats with season 3 guests Joel and Kate Damon about a tricky part of major life changes and cross-cultural transitions — the "transition zone." As they get ready to move from Omaha to Berlin, Joel and Kate share what it's like to leave one life behind while not quite settling into the n…

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Language Learning part 1 of 2 30:43

2M ago30:43

30:43

Originally Recorded: June 1, 2022 Notes In today’s episode, Mike welcomes back guests Dr. Stephen W. Jones and Jennie Jones for part one of a two-part series focusing on language learning as part of cultural transitions. One year after starting our podcast, the Jones have now been in Berlin long enough to have gotten immersed in language learning. …

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Beginning with the Endings - Damons Edition 29:49

2M ago29:49

29:49

In this episode of Trax Cultures, host Mike Picconatto is joined by Kate and Joel Damon as they explore the concept of "beginning with the endings" in the context of cultural transitions. Recorded originally on March 13, 2025, this conversation delves into the need to recognize and cope with endings as an essential part of new beginnings. Drawing i…

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Coping and New Beginnings - part 2 of 2 31:04

2M ago31:04

31:04

Originally Recorded: February 9, 2022 Notes In this episode of traxcultures, host Michael Picconatto explores how Jennie and Stephen W. Jones are handling the challenges of transitioning to a new culture after six months. The discussion focuses on various coping mechanisms, balancing creating and consuming activities, as well as aggressive and with…

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Introducing the Damons 17:03

3M ago17:03

17:03

Join host Mike Picconatto as he welcomes Joel and Kate Damon to traxcultures for the kickoff of Season 2, Episode 1 - Introducing the Damons. Joel and Kate Damon are preparing to leave Omaha, Nebraska for Berlin, Germany in September. Listen to their transformative stories and insights as they transition into cross-cultural life, setting the stage …

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Coping and New Beginnings - Part 1 of 2 30:40

10M ago30:40

30:40

Originally Recorded: February 2, 2022 Notes In this episode of Trax Cultures, Mike Picconatto is joined by Dr. Stephen W. Jones and Jennie Jones to dive into the challenging process of cultural transitions. Drawing from their own recent relocation to Berlin, they explore the transitional phases and the adjustments required when moving across cultur…

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Impacts of Cross Cultural Transitions on Kids - Part 2 of 2 31:18

10M ago31:18

31:18

Originally Recorded: January 26, 2022 Notes In today's episode, Mike is joined once again by his children, Johannah and Caleb Picconatto, as well as Dr. Stephen W. Jones, to delve deeper into the impacts of cultural transitions on kids. They explore the intricate dynamics of maintaining friendships across continents, particularly how online gaming …

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Impacts of Cross Cultural Transitions on Kids - Part 1 of 2 30:48

10M ago30:48

30:48

Originally Recorded: January 19, 2022 Notes Today, Mike is joined by two of his children, Johannah and Caleb Picconatto, along with author Dr. Stephen W. Jones, to dive into the complex impacts of cross-cultural transitions on kids. Johannah and Caleb share their personal journey of moving to Berlin at a young age and navigating the challenges of i…

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Cultural Transitions - Holiday Edition - part 2 of 2 30:40

1+ y ago30:40

30:40

Originally Recorded: December 22, 2021 Notes In this special Holiday Edition, Stephen and Jennie Jones, new staff at Envision Berlin, join Mike to revisit the themes of the Neutral Zone, Culture Stress, and Culture Shock through the lens of holidays - from Halloween to Christmas. Holidays can be times when the transitions are felt more intensely. T…

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Cultural Transitions - Holiday Edition - part 1 of 2 30:05

1+ y ago30:05

30:05

Originally Recorded: December 15, 2021 Notes In this special Holiday Edition, Stephen and Jennie Jones, new staff at Envision Berlin, join Mike to revisit the themes of the Neutral Zone, Culture Stress, and Culture Shock through the lens of holidays - from Halloween to Christmas. Holidays can be times when the transitions are felt more intensely. T…

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Culture Shock - Part 3 of 3 29:21

1+ y ago29:21

29:21

Originally Recorded: October 27, 2021 Notes In this episode, we continue our deep dive into the experiences of cross-cultural transitions with our special guests Stephen and Jennie Jones. The episode delves into the fluctuating feelings of capability, the impact of the Jones family's experiences on their emotional well-being, and the anticipation o…

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Culture Shock - Part 2 of 3 29:46

1+ y ago29:46

29:46

Originally Recorded: October 20, 2021 Notes In this episode, our host Mike Picconatto and guests Stephen and Jennie Jones take a closer look at the impact of cultural stress and culture shock on individuals. They share real-life examples of culturally stressful incidents, from grappling with language barriers at the grocery store to navigating publ…

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Culture Shock - Part 1 of 3 27:20

1+ y ago27:20

27:20

Originally Recorded: October 13, 2021 Notes In this episode, host Mike Picconatto is joined by guests Jennie Jones and Stephen W. Jones as they discuss culture shock and transition. Together, they talk about the emotional highs, disenchantment, discouragement, and depression that mark the stages of culture shock. With a focus on the book "Transitio…

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Looking Back - Part 2 of 2 31:08

1+ y ago31:08

31:08

Originally Recorded: September 1, 2021 Notes This week’s episode concludes a 2 part-series recorded in Berlin, Germany. The Jones family moved to Berlin at the end of July 2021, and Stephen and Jennie sat down with host Mike Picconatto to discuss some of their early experiences in their massive family transition. In this series, Stephen and Jennie …

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Looking Back - Part 1 of 2 30:26

1+ y ago30:26

30:26

After arriving in Berlin, Germany, at the end of July 2021 - Stephen and Jennie Jones sit down with host Mike Picconatto to discuss their experiences as they go through the life-changing transition to Berlin. In this 2-part series, Stephen and Jennie look back at the themes covered in earlier episodes: Beginning with the Endings (Episodes 1-3), The…

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What is Culture - Part 3 of 3 26:12

1+ y ago26:12

26:12

Originally Recorded: 08/04/2021 Notes Welcome to another episode of Trax Cultures, where we delve deep into the intricacies of cultural transitions. In today's episode, the final episode of a three part series on “What is Culture,” we continue our exploration of culture we are joined again by Stephen W. Jones and Jennie Jones, as we dive into the t…

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What is Culture - Part 2 of 3 27:53

1+ y ago27:53

27:53

Originally Recorded: July 28, 2021 Notes In this episode, part two of a three part series on “What is Culture?” we continue our exploration of the concept of culture and its nuances. Join host Mike Picconatto as he engages in enlightening conversations with author and cross-cultural expert Dr. Stephen W. Jones, and his wife, Jennie Jones. In this i…

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What is Culture - Part 1 of 3 26:08

1+ y ago26:08

26:08

Originally recorded: 07/22/2021 In today's episode, we dive into the fascinating topic of culture. What exactly is culture, and how does it shape our interactions with others? Join host Mike Picconatto and his guests, Stephen W. Jones and Jennie Jones, as begin a three part series exploring the complexities of culture and its impact on our lives. I…

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The Neutral Zone - Part 3 of 3 23:10

1+ y ago23:10

23:10

Originally Recorded:07/07/2021 Notes In today's episode, titled "The Neutral Zone - Part 3 of 3," we conclude our conversation with Stephen and Jennie Jones about the unique challenges and experiences of navigating the transition zone. As we delve into the discussion, we'll explore how this time in the neutral zone impacts their faith journey. They…

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The Neutral Zone - Part 2 of 3 25:02

1+ y ago25:02

25:02

Originally Recorded:06/30/2021 Brief Description: Welcome back to traxcultures, the podcast where we explore the experiences and challenges of transitioning across cultures. In today's episode, "The Neutral Zone - Part 2 of 3", we delve deeper into the tumultuous period of transition known as the neutral zone. Joining us once again are our guests, …

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The Neutral Zone - Part 1 of 3 26:51

1+ y ago26:51

26:51

Originally Recorded: 06/23/2021 Brief Description On this episode of traxcultures, we start a 3-part series about the neutral zone. The neutral zone, or the transition zone, is that unique and sometimes uncomfortable place between the endings of something old and the beginnings of something new. Our guests are Jennie Jones and Stephen W. Jones, who…

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Beginning with the Endings part 3 of 3 26:30

1+ y ago26:30

26:30

Originally Recorded: 06/16/2021 Welcome back to another episode of traxcultures, the podcast that explores the challenges and experiences of transitioning across cultures. In this episode we continue our discussion with Stephen W. Jones and Jennie Jones as they delve into the anticipated endings they face as they prepare to move to Berlin. Stephen …

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Beginning with the Endings part 2 of 3 29:46

2y ago29:46

29:46

Originally Recorded: 06/09/2021 Brief Description Welcome back to traxcultures,"the podcast where we explore the intersection of faith, art, and culture in the context of transitioning from one culture to another. I'm your host, Mike Picconatto, and today we continue our three-part series on "Beginning with the Endings." In our last episode, we del…

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Episode 001 - Beginning with the Endings - part 1 of 3 21:09

2y ago21:09

21:09

In today's episode, we dive into a compelling conversation about the importance of "Beginning with the Endings." This episode is part one of a three-part series featuring guests Stephen and Jenny Jones, founders of Excegent Communication. Originally recorded on May 31st, 2021, this episode is a legacy from our previous podcast, "Unterwegs, the En R…