Notes
In this episode, Mike is joined by Kate and Joel Damon for a conversation around the provocative episode title: “Don’t Just Be Yourself.” Drawing inspiration from Dr. Stephen W. Jones’s Cross-Cultural Transition Handbook, the group delves into why the advice to "just be yourself" can be misguided—especially when moving between cultures. Together, they explore the tensions between authenticity and the need to flex or adjust in new cultural situations.
The discussion looks into what it means to hold onto a core identity while remaining open to change, highlighting moments when “being yourself” might not serve you or those around you in a cross-cultural context. Learning to be solid at the core and soft at the edges is an important part of living interculturally, and this episode dives into what that means!
Links:
Resources from this episode:
Videos and other traXcultures resources.
Follow Joel and Kate on Instagram: @joelandkateinberlin
Use this link to purchase the Cross-Cultural Transitions Handbook
Contact Envision Berlin about customizing the Cross-Cultural Transitions Handbook for your cross-cultural ministry organization.
Credits:
Regular Theme music by Mike Picconatto
traxcultures is recorded and produced by Envision Berlin
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Chapters
(00:00:00) - Fashion Choices: Be Yourself or Adapt?(00:05:52) - Church Expectations vs. Authenticity(00:08:28) - Volume Levels in Germany(00:13:09) - "Seeking Daily Spiritual Renewal"(00:16:29) - Maturity and Finding Balance(00:17:31) - Navigating Cross-Cultural Identity(00:22:05) - Adapting to Volunteer Commitment Challenges(00:25:35) - Things we won’t change(00:27:19) - Cultural Adaptation Challenges

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