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 cultures.

As the Jones family celebrates 6 months of being in Berlin, Mike talks with Stephen and Jennie about two very important concepts in the Cultural Transition model: coping and new beginnings.

In today’s episode, we talk about the real length of transition as opposed to the perceived length of transition. Even though the Jones have been here for 6 months, they have been in transition for much longer. What are the impacts of that? What are the impacts of such a long transition on how we handle stress?

How do we cope when many of our old ways of coping are no longer available to us?

Is it still too early to talk about new beginnings? When is it reasonable to expect that people are settling into their new life?

Links:

Resources from this episode:

Information on Stephen Jones.

Videos and other traXcultures resources.

Follow Stephen and Jennie on Instagram: @thejonesesinberlin

Visit liminal edges on Instagram: @liminal_edges

Contact Envision Berlin about customizing the Cross-Cultural Transitions Handbook for your cross-cultural ministry organization.

Credits:

Regular Theme music by Mike Picconatto

Unterwegs is recorded and produced by Envision Berlin

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Timestamped Overview:

00:00 Podcast exploring transitions across diverse cultures.
05:25 Started planning in 2019, made significant changes.
08:44 Coping mechanisms change during periods of transition.
12:33 Uncomfortable transition leads to important new beginnings.
16:19 Be cautious with rushing into new beginnings.
17:28 Navigating identity and new experiences in unfamiliar cultures.
20:35 Language teacher asked about politics, cultural disconnect.
25:40 Authentic beginnings require curiosity, patience, determination.
27:49 Rushing new beginnings can lead to instability.