The Big Purple Blob PODCAST

Moving from a larger living space to a smaller one? One of your family members living seperately for your next tour? Join us to hear from three experienced FSlifers who have faced this challenge. Find out how to work with us directly at  www.thebigpurpleblob.com/ Meet Sharoya at  www.embracebehaviorchange.com/ Meet Angi at www.teenlines.com/ Meet Susie at www.healthyexpatparent.com/  

Spiritual health is often the most overlooked part of our well-being. But what does it really take to care for our mind, body, and spirit? In this episode, we’re joined by Rev. Heather Taylor, J.D., Managing Director of Bread for the World, who shares how humanitarian work is not just service — it's a spiritual experience. Together, we explore how nurturing the spirit is deeply connected to our emotional and mental health, and how integrating all aspects of our well-being leads to a more purposeful life. Join Sharoya Ham and Lisa Tilstra for this important discussion with Expert Heather Taylor

Have you ever wondered what details are involved in a thoughtful divorce while living the Diplomatic life? Our guest expert is here with some wise insights. Find out more at: www.thebigpurpleblob.com Lisa Hope Tilstra Sharoya Ham, Behavior Therapist

Meet Lisa Tilstra and learn from her valuable inisghts into Diplo-life.   Find out more at: www.thebigpurpleblob.com  

When the rug may very possibly be pulled out from under you...how do you manage?  When things that you thought were solid are taking a different direction...what can you do for yourself?   Join Lisa Tilstra and Angi Solley for this personal discussion.   If you could use some extra support, you can work with any of the Blob experts by connecting with us at www.thebigpurpleblob.com  

Susie talks with Lelania Vanderberg about her unexpected path to employment as an EFM.  Found out more by connecting with Susie at: www.healthyexpatparent.com   Send us your feedback or set up a time to talk with us directly at  www.thebigpurpleblob.com  

Susie Czorz Brown, an experienced EFM shares her personal story and ideas for how to prevent a home invasion burglary.   To work with Susie directly connect at: www.healthyexpatparent.com Find all the experts at www.thebigpurpleblob.com

Connect with us at:  www.thebigpurpleblob.com Tell us your story, share your ideas for episode topics, set up a time to talk with one of us for personal coaching and find more purpose in your overseas life.   Lisa Tilstra, Angi Solley, Sharoya Ham, Susie Czorz-Brown are all HERE for it!

A deep dive into what it means to be a Third Culture Kid “Letters Now Sent” Book Invitation: You are invited to submit a written piece for the book, “Letters Now Sent.” Inspired by Ruth Van Reken's book "Letters Never Sent", "Letters Now Sent" will be a collection of letters from TCKs, parents of TCKs, and system leaders to share personal stories about their experiences with TCKs/being a TCK themself/raising TCKs. This book is a fusion of both memoir and anthology written in a specific "Dear ___[name]___" format. Here is the Google Form link to submit a letter with additional details about length and content prompts: https://forms.gle/jQyzq3TtFqfyznvCA.  Please contact Megan Norton (megancnorton@gmail.com) if you have any questions about this book project. “A Work of Heart”, a project led by Simona Wiig and Megan Norton, invites any individual who has had a Third Culture experience to submit their artwork expressions depicting their cross-cultural story for the first volume of art collections (including any visual rendering, song lyrics, poetry, videography, etc.) for and by CCKs/TCKs/migrants/global nomads/whatever ‘label’ that encompasses the Third Culture experience. Both Simona Wiig and Megan Norton are creators, artists, dreamers, and Adult TCKs who desire to showcase the Third Culture experience through visual artwork created by fellow friends who have grown up crossing-cultures. Submissions are due by May 1, 2025 for Volume 1. Please contact Megan Norton (megancnorton@gmail.com) if you have any questions about this book project.    

  Does your child have special educational needs?  If so, this is the episode for you!  Education Consultant Aisha Smith and Janelle Meyers, Founder of Global Village Tutors, explain what parents should do before leaving post and what they need to do once they arrive in the States to ensure their child has the smoothest transition possible into a US-based school.   Aisha Smith:  aisha@sageeducationconsulting.com Parent Pathway to IEP Success ToolKit Janelle Meyer:  https://www.globalvillagetutors.org/   Sharoya Ham: www.embracebehaviorchange.com   Send us your ideas at www.thebigpurpleblob.com The Big Purple Blob is here to support YOU with the expert insights on HOW to live your best Diplo-life.  

Let's find out what the options are for meeting with a therapist in the Diplomatic community these days. Have you been wondering if therapy could help you? Are you struggling to find the right therapist for your needs? Frustrated with therapists who don’t understand the challenges of expatlife?  Connect with us at: https://thebigpurpleblob.com   Therapists Shanon Miller and Brittney Foose from Apricity Expat Therapy offer practical guidance to help you live your best life in 2025 through therapy.  https://apricityexpattherapy.com/   To work with Sharoya directly check out:  www.embracebehaviorchange.com  

This episode comes at an important time when so many USAID families are seeking new work after sudden termination without cause.   Find out more at: www.TheBigPurpleBlob.com Work with Ben Fowle FormerFed on Substack https://formerfed.substack.com/p/navigating-the-federal-layoffs    

David Wessel - author of Choosing Sides, the tale of an ordinary family torn apart by Hitler’s Germany  https://www.amazon.com/CHOOSING-SIDES-David-K-Wessel/dp/1952439779    Sharoya Ham and Katie Fowle - Help my child won't go to school https://www.amazon.com/Help-My-Child-Wont-School-ebook/dp   "If there is a book you want to read but it hasn't yet been written, you must be the one to write it." ~ Toni Morrison   AFSA November issue has a listing of all identified books published by Foreign Service members.     Find a supportive community who can contribute to the end product.  Reviewers, illustrators, proof-readers.   It pays to find an experienced, non-biased, expert to give feedback. www.shutupandwrite.com

Should I accept an overseas post with my current medical condition? What are my options? This is the episode on Med Services you ALL want to hear.  Let's talk about specifics on general medical clearances and mental health.  Join us to consider your own choice in how to connect your medical needs to the work/location you are considering. Expert insights from: Director Jen Monna--Health Unit experienced current director Kip Quenin- Psychaitrist, Mental Health professional MED Sharepoint homepage: https://usdos.sharepoint.com/sites/MED/SitePages/Public/Main Med survey www.bit.ly/MEDFeedbackSurvey MED Internet Site: https://www.state.gov/bureaus-offices/under-secretary-for-management/bureau-of-medical-services/ Child and Family Programs, for SNEA inquiries: MEDCFP@state.gov   To connect with Susie directly check out: www.healthyexpatparent.com  

"If you think you aren't doing it well, that thought means your heart is turned to your kid, and you are already 70% there," says Dr. Jean Kawiecki. As a psychologist, educator, and adult TCK Dr. Kawiecki is deeply passionate about helping TCKs and their parents through the various transitions of TCK life.      Talk with Sharoya directly to get more support in your parenting: www.embracebehaviorchange.com       Resources mentioned: The Place We Find Ourselves Podcast by Adam Young   Six Core Needs of Kids by Adam Young   Misunderstood by Tanya Crossman Raising Up a Generation of Healthy Third Culture Kids: A Practical Guide to Preventive Care by Lauren Wells The Grief Tower: A Practical Guide to Processing Grief with Third Culture Kids by Lauren Wells The RAFT

Starting a New Career:  The Time Is Now!   Are you an EFM looking for meaningful and profitable work that has longevity?  World-renowned Marketing Coach Amel Derragui joins  Katie Fowle and Sharoya to discuss how EFMs can turn their passions into portable businesses.  Katie and Sharoya share their personal stories of creating businesses that are rewarding, impactful, and sustainable from post to post.  Connect using these links: amelderragui.com Podcast:  The Time is Now   To create more connected communicaation in your family you can work with Sharoya:   www.embracebehaviorchange.com

We are glad to welcome international tax expert for this episode.  Alex has a great deal of expertise to share with us in the diplo community.     https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/talking-expat-taxes/id1753694329   Find Alex here: https://mcgowintax.com/   Learn how to fill out international forms here: https://www.youtube.com/@McGowinTax

Does living in different places shape or shift your perspective on political leanings?  Join us to talk about what we've noticed.   In this talk, Jenni and Angi are considerate of varied opinions across the board.  This discussion aims to be inclusive for all, while we all decide our politics as individuals.  Especially how this works within families and third culture kids.   To work with Jenni directly check out: www.theexpatmom.com To work with Angi directly (parents and teens) connect at: www.teenlines.com    

Budgeting genius, Heather Emerick is here to share her knowledge with us!  If you're ready for accountability and upleveling your budget- check out this episode and her website here. Check out: www.diplobudgets.com Take some of the stress out of life by planning ahead for your own spending habits. Angi Solley is a Life Coach for Teens: www.teenlines.com