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The TCK Training Podcast
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The TCK Training Podcast

Author: TCK Training

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Dive into personal stories and research-based insights that bring hope to families raising expat kids (aka Third Culture Kids or TCKs), Adult TCKs finding their way, and professionals who care for these globally mobile children and their families.

Find more resources at tcktraining.com or email us at info@tcktraining.com!
19 Episodes
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In this episode, Elizabeth and Tanya have a chat about a struggle many of us globetrotters face: airport days. They share tips and stories on keeping everyone calm, managing sensory overload, and talking travel plans with kids in a way that actually works. Join us as we explore why familiar routines make all the difference—and how you can create moments of connection and calm during the hustle of airport days!Links to related resources:Raising Up a Generation of Healthy TCKsRaising Thriving Kids Abroad
Trauma doesn’t always look the way we expect. In this episode of the TCK Training Podcast, Lauren and Elizabeth unpack the subtle ways trauma shows up in families. They shift the narrative from one where trauma is this one huge event to one that centers what truly matters: how each person experiences it. With thoughtful insights, they highlight the power of safe spaces where kids can share their feelings and why caregivers play a key role in naming and validating those emotions. Tune in for practical tips and a fresh perspective on supporting kids through emotional challenges and fostering healing!Unstacking Method CertificationDebriefing for Expat FamiliesFree workshop:  Developmental Trauma in TCKsFor Adult TCKs:  How to talk to your parents about Childhood Trauma
Today, Elizabeth and Tanya unpack the role of debriefing for TCKs of all ages. They share how debriefing can help kids, teens and adults understand their stories better and challenge narratives that might be doing more harm than good. Tune in to hear our experience with these conversations and how they not only reap emotional benefits, but also enhance our ability to connect the dots. Laughs and insights as always are guaranteed, so we hope you enjoy this episode!Links to Related Resources:Adult TCK ServicesUnstacking SessionsFamily DebriefsDebrief CertificationBooks:What made that feel so Hard?Unstacking your Grief TowerThe Practice of ProcessingMisunderstood
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!Links to Related Resources:Raising Healthy TCKs Unstacking Your Grief Tower for Adult TCKsUnderstanding Your Anxiety as an Adult TCK
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. Links to related resources:Free Research about TCKsTCKs and Anxiety (Workshop)Understanding Anxiety as an Adult TCK (Workshop)Schedule a free consult call with our team of experts at info@tcktraining.com!
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.Links to related resources:Free Research about TCKsBlog: 5 Easy Ways You Can Start Learning a New Language with Your KidsSchedule a free consult call with our team of experts at info@tcktraining.com!
To kick off season 2, Lauren and Jessi come together for a 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, boarding, international, homeschooling).  Links to related resources:Free Research about TCKsBlog: 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!Links to related resources:Free Research about TCKsBlog: Seven Reasons for Hope: A foundation of TCK CareFree course: Implementing Positive Childhood Experiences (PCEs)Schedule a free consult call with our team of experts at info@tcktraining.com!
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!Links to related resources:Free course: Safe Space ResponsesLaying 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!Links to related resources:Our ServicesTCK Informed CoachingTCK Informed Counseling Schedule a free consult call with our team of experts at info@tcktraining.com!
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!Links to related resources:Our ServicesRaising Thriving Kids Abroad (Workshop)Raising Healthy TCKs (Workshop)Red Zone/Green Zone:  Understanding School Transition Stress (blog)
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.Links to related resources:Misunderstood by Tanya CrossmanOur ServicesCoping with Change (Workshop)Care for Less Mobile TCKs (Workshops)Supporting Student Transitions (Workshop)Transitions CourseSchedule a free consult call with our team of experts at info@tcktraining.com!
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!Links to related resources:Free Course: How to Implement PCEs (Positive Childhood Experiences) TCKs and PCEs (Blog)Workshop: Peers and Belonging Workshop: Supporting TCKs in Your Community
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.Links to Related Resources:Free Course: How to Implement PCEs (Positive Childhood Experiences)Blog: TCKs and PCEsFree Course: Safe Space Response Schedule a free consult call with our team of experts at info@tcktraining.com!
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 grief head-on. Tune in for insights, practical tools, and a reminder of how processing loss can lead to new strengths!Links to related resources:Unstacking SessionsWhat made that feel so hard?  by Lauren WellsDebrief Certification for TCK Caregivers Workshop: Grief Tower 101 & 201Schedule a free consult call with our team of experts at info@tcktraining.com!
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!Links to related resources:Unstacking SessionsThe Practice of Processing by Elizabeth Vahey SmithWorkshop: Grief Tower 101 & 201Debriefing for Expat FamiliesSchedule a free consult call with our team of experts at info@tcktraining.com!
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!Links to related resources:TCK Training BlogInternational School ServicesFree Research: Protective Factors that improve long-term wellness in TCKs
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.Links to related resources:About usRaising Up a Generation of Healthy Third Culture Kids Our ResearchDebriefing for Expat FamiliesSchedule a free consult call with our team of experts at info@tcktraining.com!
Ep 1: What is a TCK?

Ep 1: What is a TCK?

2025-01-0317:51

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!Links to related resources:Find our research here.Raising Thriving Kids AbroadFree Course: Implementing Positive Childhood ExperiencesSchedule a free consult call with our team of experts at info@tcktraining.com
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