Home Is Something You Carry: Third Culture Kids, Identity & Belonging with Sam Frearson-Tubito

Home Is Something You Carry: Third Culture Kids, Identity & Belonging with Sam Frearson-Tubito

Send us Fan Mail [https://www.buzzsprout.com/2468013/fan_mail/new] What does home really mean when you've spent your life moving between countries, cultures, and continents? In this episode, I sit down with Sam Frearson-Tubito—author, speaker, and third-generation global nomad—to explore the realities of growing up as a Third Culture Kid (TCK), raising globally mobile children, and navigating identity, belonging, and home across cultures. Having lived in 15 countries and raised four fourth-generation global nomads, Sam shares her deeply personal journey of international relocation, expat parenting, and motherhood. Together, we discuss the emotional realities of global mobility, the gifts and challenges of raising multicultural children, and why belonging isn't tied to one place—it is something we build throughout our lives. Our conversation is inspired by Sam's beautiful memoir, Beneath a Borrowed Sky: A Woman's Search for the True Meaning of Home, a powerful reflection on family, resilience, identity, forgiveness, and finding home wherever life takes you. Whether you're a Third Culture Kid, an expat, an accompanying partner, raising an international family, or simply trying to understand your own sense of identity and belonging, this episode offers encouragement, practical wisdom, and plenty of moments that will make you feel seen. In this episode, we explore: * What it means to grow up as a Third Culture Kid (TCK) * Living in 15 countries and embracing life as a global nomad * How international moves shape identity and belonging * The emotional impact of boarding school and childhood separation * Why even experienced expats experience culture shock * The unexpected challenges of relocating to the United States * Raising resilient, multicultural children through international transitions * Expat parenting and preparing children for life abroad * Why grief and excitement can coexist during every move * Helping children navigate change with honesty and emotional resilience * Building community while living overseas * The importance of learning the local language to create belonging * Supporting accompanying partners and globally mobile families * How writing a memoir became a journey of healing and forgiveness * Why mothers need more self-compassion * Discovering that home is a feeling—not simply a location Sam Frearson-Tubito is a third-generation global nomad, writer, and mother of four fourth-generation global nomads. Having lived across 15 countries on four continents, she writes about Third Culture Kids, identity, belonging, motherhood, international relocation, and global mobility. Her memoir, Beneath a Borrowed Sky: A Woman's Search for the True Meaning of Home, beautifully intertwines her experiences growing up internationally with her journey raising globally mobile children, offering an honest and moving perspective on what it means to create home across cultures. Connect with Sam: * 🌍 Blog: Wandering Identity [https://wanderingidentity.com/] * 📷 Instagram: _wanderingidentity_ [https://www.instagram.com/_wanderingidentity_/#] * ✍️ Substack: Sam Frearson-Tubito [https://substack.com/@samfrearsontubito?utm_source=global-search] * 📖 Beneath a Borrowed Sky: A Woman's Search for the True Meaning of Home is available on Amazon [https://www.amazon.es/-/en/Beneath-Borrowed-Sky-Womans-Meaning/dp/191554825X/ref=sr_1_1?crid=U0G6NZRTUMJB&dib=eyJ2IjoiMSJ9.a8gMLgCy08Ho-Obo-Cas5MsUT-fKUpdT_dbVGxAfxPAobFVFS8US9bk6mViyyOWv2NS0FUzpGeC2oWJ9byIaHp_EFzPx8DesdxujeuePBwE.5d3d_8cUNMS_VneSmc3ZgBfX5k89yhS89mVZYAusev8&dib_tag=se&keywords=beneath+a+borrowed+sky&qid=1783176640&sprefix=beneath+a+bo%2Caps%2C99&sr=8-1]worldwide. If this conversation about Third Culture Kids, global parenting, identity, belonging, and raising multicultural children resonated with you, I'd love your support. Please subscribe to the podcast, leave a rating or review, and share this episode with someone navigating international life, raising globally mobile children, or searching for where they truly belong. Together, we can help more globally mobile families feel understood, connected, and at home—wherever they are in the world. For more, please follow me also on Instagram at Quiero un Panino con Cheese [https://www.instagram.com/quierounpaninoconcheese/]

Redefining the "Trailing Spouse" Experience with Annegret Bertsch, CPC

Send us Fan Mail [https://www.buzzsprout.com/2468013/fan_mail/new] In this episode, I’m joined once again by Annegret Bertsch, a Certified Professional Coach, for a thoughtful conversation about the realities of accompanying a partner abroad and the complex emotions, challenges, and opportunities that can come with it.  Together, we explore why the term “trailing spouse” often feels limiting and discuss how accompanying partners can reclaim their identity, purpose, and sense of belonging while navigating life overseas. Annegret shares both personal and professional insights, offering practical advice, encouragement, and a fresh perspective for anyone living an international life. In This Episode We Discuss: * Why many people dislike the term trailing spouse * The identity shifts that often accompany international moves * Navigating career interruptions and personal reinvention * Building community and finding purpose abroad * Common emotional challenges accompanying partners face * Practical strategies for adapting to life in a new country * The importance of self-compassion during transitions * How international experiences can lead to unexpected growth Connect with Annegret here: * On Instagram [https://www.instagram.com/coaching_because/] * On her website: Coaching Because [https://www.coaching-because.com/] * LinkedIn: Annegret Bertsch [https://www.linkedin.com/in/annegret-bertsch/] Enjoying the Podcast? If this episode resonated with you, taught you something new, or made you feel a little less alone in your journey, I'd love to hear from you. Please:  ⭐ Rate and review the podcast  💬 Leave a comment  📤 Share this episode with someone who might benefit from it  🎧 Follow the podcast so you never miss an episode For more, you can also follow me on my Instagram page: Quiero un Panino con Cheese [https://www.instagram.com/quierounpaninoconcheese/] Thank you for listening and for allowing me to be a small part of your day. Until next time, on Quiero un Panino con Cheese. ❤️ If this conversation about Third Culture Kids, global parenting, identity, belonging, and raising multicultural children resonated with you, I'd love your support. Please subscribe to the podcast, leave a rating or review, and share this episode with someone navigating international life, raising globally mobile children, or searching for where they truly belong. Together, we can help more globally mobile families feel understood, connected, and at home—wherever they are in the world. For more, please follow me also on Instagram at Quiero un Panino con Cheese [https://www.instagram.com/quierounpaninoconcheese/]

Echoes of a Global Life: Finding Identity Between Everywhere and Nowhere with Kathleen Gamble

Send us Fan Mail [https://www.buzzsprout.com/2468013/fan_mail/new] What happens when the answer to the question “Where are you from?” is both everywhere and nowhere? In this episode of Quiero un Panino con Cheese, I sit down with author Kathleen Gamble to discuss her remarkable memoir, Echoes of a Global Life. Born in Burma (now Myanmar), Kathleen spent her childhood and young adulthood moving between continents, cultures, languages, and identities. From surviving a plane crash as a child to living through political upheaval, attending boarding school in Switzerland, and later building a life in Russia, Kathleen’s story is a fascinating exploration of what it means to grow up globally mobile. Together, Kathleen and I explore the joys and challenges of the Third Culture Kid (TCK) experience, including identity, belonging, adaptability, unresolved grief, and the lifelong search for home. In this episode, we discuss: * Why the simple question “Where are you from?” can be so complicated for TCKs * Kathleen’s extraordinary childhood across Burma, Mexico, Colombia, Nigeria, Switzerland, and beyond * Surviving a traumatic plane crash and how it shaped her relationship with travel * Growing up before the internet and maintaining friendships across continents * The difference between fitting in and truly belonging * How constant relocation can lead to reinvention—and questions of identity * TCK grief and the losses that often go unrecognized * Discovering the concept of Third Culture Kids and the relief of finally feeling understood * The challenges of returning to a country that is technically “home” but feels unfamiliar * The role of family as an anchor amidst constant change * Raising globally minded children and passing on the gifts of international living * What “home” means after a lifetime of movement Kathleen’s story reminds us that while a globally mobile life can bring challenges, uncertainty, and repeated goodbyes, it also offers extraordinary opportunities for growth, perspective, and connection. In a world that often asks us to choose a single identity, her journey demonstrates that belonging can span cultures, countries, and communities. You can learn more about Kathleen by following her blog, Expat Alien - Foreign in My Own Country [https://expatalien.blog/] She is also on Instagram at Expat Alien [https://www.instagram.com/expatalien/] If this conversation about Third Culture Kids, global parenting, identity, belonging, and raising multicultural children resonated with you, I'd love your support. Please subscribe to the podcast, leave a rating or review, and share this episode with someone navigating international life, raising globally mobile children, or searching for where they truly belong. Together, we can help more globally mobile families feel understood, connected, and at home—wherever they are in the world. For more, please follow me also on Instagram at Quiero un Panino con Cheese [https://www.instagram.com/quierounpaninoconcheese/]

Incredible TCK Lives, Identity, and the Courage to Belong with Dr. Rachel Cason

Send us Fan Mail [https://www.buzzsprout.com/2468013/fan_mail/new] In this deeply moving episode of Quiero un Panino con Cheese, I sit down with therapist, researcher, and author Dr. Rachel Cason to explore the complex emotional landscape of Third Culture Kids (TCKs). Rachel’s book, Incredible Lives and the Courage to Live Them: Thoughts of a Third Culture Kid Therapist, offers a compassionate and powerful reflection on identity, belonging, grief, adaptability, and what it means to grow up between cultures. Together, Rachel and I dive into: * What it was like for Rachel to grow up in Niger, West Africa, as the daughter of white missionary parents * The emotional impact of repatriating to England as a teenager * Losing her first language (Hausa) and the grief tied to cultural disconnection * Why so many TCKs struggle with the question: “Where are you from?” * The hidden emotional cost of adaptability and people-pleasing * The difference between “fitting in” and truly belonging * Identity props: the objects, languages, memories, and symbols that help us hold onto our stories * Cultural appropriation, privilege, and navigating multicultural identity thoughtfully * Why storytelling can be profoundly healing for TCKs * What “home” really means for globally mobile people This conversation is gentle, honest, emotional, and validating for anyone who has ever felt caught between worlds. Rachel Cason is a therapist, researcher, and Third Culture Kid whose work focuses on identity, belonging, life stories, and the emotional experiences of globally mobile people. Her PhD research explored TCKs’ relationship to place, identity, and belonging. Her book, Incredible Lives and the Courage to Live Them, combines professional insight with lived experience to create a compassionate guide for TCKs and anyone navigating questions of identity and belonging. You can find out more about Rachel by checking out her website, Life Story Therapies [https://explorelifestory.com/] Her book (paperback and Kindle) is available here on Amazon UK [https://www.amazon.co.uk/Incredible-Lives-Courage-Live-Them-ebook/dp/B0C2XTWKQX?ref_=ast_author_dp] and Amazon US [https://www.amazon.com/Incredible-Lives-Courage-Live-Them-ebook/dp/B0C2XTWKQX?ref_=ast_author_dp]  and on Audible [https://www.audible.es/pd/Incredible-Lives-and-the-Courage-to-Live-Them-Audiolibro/B0D5FPXTBF?eac_link=JenKmeeGZGF3&ref=web_search_eac_asin_1&eac_selected_type=asin&eac_selected=B0D5FPXTBF&qid=TbVgE7T9Oy&eac_id=259-2243459-3713504_TbVgE7T9Oy&sr=1-1]. You can also find Rachel on Instagram [https://www.instagram.com/rachel.cason.lifestory/]as well as on LinkedIn [https://www.linkedin.com/in/rachel-cason-ph-d-787a2727/] If this conversation about Third Culture Kids, global parenting, identity, belonging, and raising multicultural children resonated with you, I'd love your support. Please subscribe to the podcast, leave a rating or review, and share this episode with someone navigating international life, raising globally mobile children, or searching for where they truly belong. Together, we can help more globally mobile families feel understood, connected, and at home—wherever they are in the world. For more, please follow me also on Instagram at Quiero un Panino con Cheese [https://www.instagram.com/quierounpaninoconcheese/]

Building a Family Identity Beyond Borders - with Jovana from Real Moms Talking podcast

Send us Fan Mail [https://www.buzzsprout.com/2468013/fan_mail/new] What happens when Serbian, Cuban, and German cultures collide under one roof—and four languages are spoken daily? In this episode, I sit down with Jovana, a speech processing engineer, mom of three, multilingual parenting advocate, and host of Real Moms Talking podcast.  Together, we explore the realities of raising children across cultures, the beauty (and chaos) of managing multiple languages at home, and why emotional connection matters more than perfection and consistency. From “multilingual dogs” to navigating cultural traditions like Christmas and the Three Kings, this conversation is full of humor, honesty, and practical insight for any family raising kids between worlds. 🌍 What you’ll learn: *  The difference between growing up multicultural vs. becoming one as an adult  *  How to raise kids with 4 languages without confusion  *  Why “one parent, one language” isn’t the only approach  *  How to blend traditions from multiple cultures into one unique family identity  *  Why emotional safety is more important than language consistency  *  How to handle criticism or misconceptions about multilingual parenting  *  Practical strategies to encourage kids to use multiple languages naturally  Jovana shares how living in a “neutral country” like Germany allowed her family to build their own hybrid culture, combining the best of Serbian, Cuban, and German traditions.  Raising multilingual kids isn’t about perfection—it’s about connection, identity, and creating a space where all parts of your family’s story belong. You can follow Jovana at Real Moms Talking on Instagram here [https://www.instagram.com/realmomstalking/] Also follow her podcast, Real Moms Talking on Spotify [https://open.spotify.com/show/5DOChXqZIvHmK4QZwBfFol?si=98622a9025134f1c], Apple Podcast [https://podcasts.apple.com/es/podcast/real-moms-talking/id1799506159?l=en-GB], or wherever you listen to your favorite podcasts. If this conversation about Third Culture Kids, global parenting, identity, belonging, and raising multicultural children resonated with you, I'd love your support. Please subscribe to the podcast, leave a rating or review, and share this episode with someone navigating international life, raising globally mobile children, or searching for where they truly belong. Together, we can help more globally mobile families feel understood, connected, and at home—wherever they are in the world. For more, please follow me also on Instagram at Quiero un Panino con Cheese [https://www.instagram.com/quierounpaninoconcheese/]