Culturally Speaking: Recent Episodes
Culturally Speaking
We started Culturally Speaking to indulge our curiosity about the way others live and a desire to inspire conversations about how we have far more in common than we realise. Subscribe, rate and review on your favourite podcast platform. Follow us on Instagram @culturallyspeakingpodcast. Share your stories or your show ideas with us by sending an email to theculturallyspeaking@gmail.com.
We couldn’t conclude a season on Asian culture without talking about a topic near and dear to our heart - food! Food is the cornerstone of Asian social interactions, everything centers around it and there isn’t an occasion from birth to death that food is not an integral part of the celebration or customs. Tune in to hear how we eat food, how Asian meals differ and the importance of freshness and variety. In previous seasons we’ve spoken about British food culture (S5 E4) and food remedies in Asian culture (S1 E9).
Get in touch with us at theculturallyspeaking@gmail.com and follow us on Instagram @culturallyspeakingpodcast!
Reverence to elders in Asian culture has been ingrained in us since birth. We discuss the social and economic strains of an ageing population in conflict with the elderly’s expectations of their latter years. Back in Season 1 we explored death in different cultures (S1 E14) and reincarnation in the Hindu faith (S1 E15). Tune in to hear whether we think death is final and our view on the afterlife.
Get in touch with us at theculturallyspeaking@gmail.com and follow us on Instagram @culturallyspeakingpodcast!
A topic that was traditionally taboo within Asian culture, not openly discussed much less on display, this week we are discussing relationships, love and sex. Does life imitate art when it comes to the portrayal of relationships in media or are the conservative attitudes a smokescreen for what happens behind closed doors? We discuss the impact of gender roles, the role of love in marriage and societal expectations. With the explosion of mainstream AI in 2023 we couldn’t end with touching on virtual relationships.
Get in touch with us at theculturallyspeaking@gmail.com and follow us on Instagram @culturallyspeakingpodcast!
Work to live or live to work? This week we discuss how we have navigated our professional lives as Asians. Longtime listeners of the podcast will know we initially met as colleagues at work and thus the idea for Culturally Speaking was born. Following on from last week we discuss the importance of job and financial stability and the desired professions in Asian culture. Tune in to hear about the difference in working culture in Hong Kong and London from work-life balance to professional hierarchy. If we had a penny for everytime someone assumed our parents were doctors/lawyers/[insert Asian appropriate profession]...
Get in touch with us at theculturallyspeaking@gmail.com and follow us on Instagram @culturallyspeakingpodcast!
We discuss navigating the hormone-fuelled adolescent years and becoming an adult within our respective Asian cultures this week. From personal space at home to attitudes to sexuality, tune in to hear our experiences about coming of age in Hong Kong and London. It’s no secret that money and financial standing are a big part of Asian culture so how does this translate to financial literacy and awareness.
Get in touch with us at theculturallyspeaking@gmail.com and follow us on Instagram @culturallyspeakingpodcast!
We’re taking it right back to the beginning for the first episode of Season 6 - growing up Asian. Were our school days on the playground footloose and carefree or full of extracurricular achievements to make Asian Tiger mums proud? Tune in to hear us recount how our formative childhood years shaped us, how the expectations of Asian parents have many similarities despite growing up in different cultures and countries. Family hierarchies and gender favoritism aren’t unique to Asians so let us know if this episode resonates with your upbringing.
Get in touch with us at theculturallyspeaking@gmail.com and follow us on Instagram @culturallyspeakingpodcast!
To conclude this season we invite a guest and good friend to join us for Part 2 of Season 5’s finale on British culture. Jadem is Columbian man living and working in London who shares his experiences of moving and living in the UK. From Colombia's (in)famous exports to British hospitality Jadem shares the culture shock he experienced. Of course there had to an ode to the fabulous Sofia Vergara! Tune in to here Jadem’s take on what being British means to him.
Get in touch with us at theculturallyspeaking@gmail.com and follow us on Instagram @culturallyspeakingpodcast!
This week we invite a guest and good friend to join us for Part 1 of Season 5’s finale on British culture. Adewale is a Nigerian man living and working in London who shares his experiences of living in the UK over the last decade. From British showering habits, to washing machines in the kitchen this episode had us in hysterics from start to finish! Tune in to here Adewale’s take on what being British means to him and how his life today compares to his upbringing in Nigeria.
culture #race #tradition #identity #embraceyourself #humanrace #culturalheritage #culturalexperience #culturalawareness #culturalhistory #CulturalAppreciation #culturaldiversity #multicultural #Multiculturalism #travel #foodlover #travelfood #diversity #diversityisbeautiful #cultureshock #podcast #british #nigeria #nigerian #gasp #hesaidwhat #shower #kitchen #fridge #respect
This week we are picking up where we left off last week with Part 2 of British holidays and traditions. First up is Burns Night where haggis, bagpipes and bards rule and we continue the Scottish theme with Hogmany (check out Part 1 last week, Episode 8 to hear other New Year's traditions.) The British monarchy is an institution that has stood the test of time so it only seems fitting there is day dedicated to the man who tried to end it - Guy Fawkes. Did you know that Trooping the Colour celebrates the monarch's 'public' birthday? British society has evolved over time and Notting Hill Carnival is an iconic event in the London calendar celebrating the Caribbean community.
Get in touch with us at theculturallyspeaking@gmail.com and follow us on Instagram @culturallyspeakingpodcast!
This week we're recording across time zones, from Hong Kong to London we are talking about British holidays and traditions. Starting with Lent in the run-up to Easter (check out Season 1, Episode 2 to hear how they celebrate around the world, Carnival in Rio anyone?) There are some iconic British summer traditions; Wimbledon with strawberries and cream, fish and chips at the seaside and Pimms while punting.
Remembrance Day is a poignant moment in the British calendar, marked by the monarch lying a wreath at the Tomb of the Unknown soldier. To end the year some lesser known New Year's traditions in the home nations involve fire. Shockingly Neha doesn't know all the words to Auld Lang Syn!
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This week we are continuing our discussion of British entertainment. We move from the big to small screen; British soaps, iconic children's TV shows (Teletubbies anyone?) and recent British dramas that are being broadcasting around the globe. How do the British or American versions of classics like Great British Bake Off and The Office compare? London's West End theatre culture is world-renowned but we have very different opinions on our favourite musicals!
Get in touch with us at theculturallyspeaking@gmail.com and follow us on Instagram @culturallyspeakingpodcast!
This week we delve into the world of British entertainment. Our small isle has exported more than its fair share of talent, from the cinema to music we share our all time favourites. Janice threatens #girlpower by revealing she's not a Slice Girls fan?! #zigazigah. Tune in next week where we continue with Part 2 focusing on the small screen and stage.
Get in touch with us at theculturallyspeaking@gmail.com and follow us on Instagram @culturallyspeakingpodcast!
Style is a way to say who you are without having to speak - this week we are talking about the British fashion industry. London is one of the ‘big four’ Fashion Weeks of the year and British designers have a long history of setting the course of global fashion. Janice is surprised by how many of her favourite designers are British! Many British supermodels have ruled runways over the decades, from Twiggy to Naomi and Kate to name a few. We discuss British beauty standards vs beauty standards in our cultures. Listen to hear our own fashion faux pas and sartorial stand out moments.
Get in touch with us at theculturallyspeaking@gmail.com and follow us on Instagram @culturallyspeakingpodcast!
On this week’s episode we dive into British culinary history which only seems fitting given our love of food and cooking. From Regency breakfasts to more dubious Victorian meats, tune in to learn to get to know a negus from a broxy. The Ministry of Food was established during World War II to control the production and rationing of certain foods, like meat and dairy. This led to new products such as powdered milk and eggs, ‘national' bread and flour and pig and chicken clubs. As a YouGov survey of the nation's favourite foods shows: (check the episode Instagram for the results); Britain’s food history has been and continues to be influenced by other countries they conquered and cultures that have been brought to the British Isles. In an homage to one of our favourite podcasts - Table Manners - we couldn’t end the episode without sharing our death row/desert island meals!
Get in touch with us at theculturallyspeaking@gmail.com and follow us on Instagram @culturallyspeakingpodcast!
Continuing our conversation Immigration in British culture, this week’s episode picks up where we left off in Part 1 with us sharing our families’ experiences of immigration. In Part 2, Janice shares her experience of the handover in Hong Kong in 1997. The Windrush scandal made headlines a few years ago in Britain which saw hundreds of Caribbean immigrants working and living in the UK wrongly targeted by immigration enforcement. The impact post-war migration, like the Windrush generation, had on rebuilding Britain as we know it today is undeniable. However it got us thinking about our experience of racism in the UK, whether we are desensitised to it and if we feel foreign. A hilarious sidebar into mispronunciations of our names ensued….
Get in touch with us at theculturallyspeaking@gmail.com and follow us on Instagram @culturallyspeakingpodcast!
Continuing Season 5 on British culture, this week’s episode focuses on something that is intrinsic to making British society what it is today: immigration. In Part 1 we start off with the basics, what is immigration? We move on to discuss the difference between refugees and asylum seekers, the mosaic vs melting pot theory and some key stats from the last British census. Hilariously neither Janice nor Neha could pass the British citizenship test (check out the episode Instagram post for the answers!). The episode ends with Neha sharing how her grandparents came to move to the UK, tune in next week for Part 2.
Get in touch with us at theculturallyspeaking@gmail.com and follow us on Instagram @culturallyspeakingpodcast!
Welcome back to another season of Culturally Speaking! We’re back after a summer of travels and in Season 5 we will be focusing on British culture, something dear to our hearts as girls that love living in London.
The recording of the first episode sadly coincided with the funeral of HM Queen Elizabeth II. We start by discussing the period of national mourning in the UK and Neha’s experience attending the Lying in State to pay her respects to the queen. You might be surprised to learn why the current royal family is known as House of Windsor and what they were previously known as. We break down what a constitutional monarchy is and some of the more unusual rules that they follow. Of course we couldn’t miss out Queen Elizabeth’s impeccable fashion!
Get in touch with us at theculturallyspeaking@gmail.com and follow us on Instagram @culturallyspeakingpodcast!
Tina Fumo’s granddaughter was 10 days old when Child Protection took her away from her family, an ordeal Tina wrote about in her memoir, Fancy Prison. Tina describes how the system breeds confusion and perpetuates lies which resulted in a 7 month legal process to get her granddaughter back where she belonged, with her family, permanently. She details the undue process her and her daughter experienced at the hands of social workers and questions if the system is truly working for the protection of children.
Tina’s book Fancy Prison can be found here:
https://www.amazon.co.uk/dp/B09KFCRK4K
To get in touch with Tina:
Twitter - https://twitter.com/FancyPrison
Facebook - https://www.facebook.com/TinyFumo
LinkedIn - https://www.linkedin.com/in/tina-fumo-96b62933/
Instagram - https://www.instagram.com/fancyprison/
Get in touch with us at theculturallyspeaking@gmail.com and follow us on Instagram @culturallyspeakingpodcast!
Rebecca grew up in Oklahoma as part of a Gothardism cult, which she escaped aged 16. Rebecca shares how her family joined the cult, what life was like in the cult, homeschooling and how she planned her escape. She details the layers of control that led to physical and mental abuse of children in the cult and why she knew she needed to leave. Rebecca’s experience of purity culture led to her writing her first book, the Scarlet Virgins, a memoir about having grown up in a legalistic religious cult. Rebecca has retired from non-fiction and now spends her free hours writing her science fantasy series, Geneshifters.
Rebecca’s books Scarlet Virgins and Blood Beasts Geneshifters can be found:
https://www.amazon.com/Blood-Beasts-Geneshifters-Book-1-ebook/dp/B09K6WT2SQ/
https://www.amazon.com/Scarlet-Virgins-When-replaces-salvation-ebook/dp/B072M67WCL/
To get in touch with Rebecca:
TikTok - @authorrebeccalemke
Instagram - @newcrunchymom
Twitter - @newcrunchymom
Websties - rebeccalemke.com
scarletvirgins.com
Get in touch with us at theculturallyspeaking@gmail.com and follow us on Instagram @culturallyspeakingpodcast!
Suzi is an Australian hair and makeup artist who has worked in film and TV for 37 years. When working as a makeup artist in Australian TV she was groped by TV personality and Australian entertainer Rolf Harris. Despite being in a studio of other men who witnessed this no one called Harris out on his behavior, which Suzi would later learn was an open secret in the industry. Her experience led to her being a key bad character witness in Operation Yewtree, the case against Harris who was exposed as a serial sex offender. Harris was convicted on 12 counts of indecent assault. Suzi shared how the culture of the 80s enabled the abuse of women, why she wanted to come forward and her thoughts on #metoo movement.
To get in touch with Suzi:
Instagram - www.instagram.com/suzihmua/
Get in touch with us at theculturallyspeaking@gmail.com and follow us on Instagram @culturallyspeakingpodcast!
Hope’s life was forever changed when her 19 year old son died in 2017. She shares how she felt when the police officers knocked on her door, how she dealt with the immediate aftermath of her son’s passing and how through her own grief she found her purpose. Hope was inspired to create a Grief 2 Hope, a virtual grief support group to honor her son and to keep his memory alive. Grief 2 Hope provides a safe place of peace, hope, and support in a family atmosphere so no one is alone in their journey.
To get in touch with Hope and more information on Grief2Hope:
Instagram - https://www.instagram.com/grief2hope2020/
Facebook - https://www.facebook.com/hope.day.3975
- https://www.facebook.com/Grief2Hope2020
LinkedIn - http://linkedin.com/in/hope-reger-05362984
https://www.linkedin.com/company/grief-2-hope
Get in touch with us at theculturallyspeaking@gmail.com and follow us on Instagram @culturallyspeakingpodcast!
In his early twenties Nate was a business owner chasing success while dealing with a secret drug addiction. After constantly hitting rock bottom, hurting everyone close, stealing a car and going to jail. A chance encounter in jail and rendition of Amazing Grace started Nate on a journey of changing his mindset and decisions. He quickly found that there were other people, just like him, who were stuck believing the lie that they’d never change. Nate shares what he’s learned to help other people make their own comeback and how his book, You’ll Never Change is about inspiring others to make their comeback and prove the negative voices wrong.
More information on Nate’s book You’ll Never Change can be found here https://www.youllneverchange.com/
To get in touch with Nate:
Instagram - @whoisnatedukes
Facebook - https://www.facebook.com/nathandukes19
Get in touch with us at theculturallyspeaking@gmail.com and follow us on Instagram @culturallyspeakingpodcast!
Christopher Chambers, director and writer of A Fire Within, an award-winning human rights documentary about three courageous women and their inspiring and historic attempt to bring their torturer to justice in Atlanta, Georgia. It chronicles the incredible true story of three Ethiopian women who immigrate to the U.S. after surviving torture in their home country, only to discover that the man responsible for their torture is not only living in the US but is employed at the same midtown Atlanta hotel as one of the women. Christopher talks about the process he went through to get the documentary made, the challenges he overcame and his immersion in Ethiopian culture. Award-winning Writer-Director Christopher Chambers is known for his breakout feature debut, "Aram, Aram."
For more information on the documentary, a Fire Within:
Instagram - @afirewithindoc
Twitter - @afirewithindoc
Get in touch with us at theculturallyspeaking@gmail.com and follow us on Instagram @culturallyspeakingpodcast!
Craig Brown is a Recovery Pastor at Church of the Redeemer in Gaithersburg, Maryland. He shares how he overcame a life of pain, shame, and destruction and escaped what he refers to as the ‘Pit of Hell’ of the drug world in the 1980s. He describes how he neutered the world of drugs, what kept him there and ultimately what made him want to leave. Since 1999 he has used his experience to help others discover how to be set free from the pain and shame of their past, so that they can live a life of freedom.
More information on Craig’s book Stop Hiding, Start Healing can be found here http://www.stophidingstarthealingbook.com/
To get in touch with Craig:
Facebook - @StopHidingStartHealing
Linkedin - CraigBrown33
Website - http://www.craigdbrown.com/
Get in touch with us at theculturallyspeaking@gmail.com and follow us on Instagram @culturallyspeakingpodcast!
As a 12-year Member of the New York City Council Dan Garodnick was known as one of New York's most independent voices and effective legislators. Dan is a fierce tenant advocate and, in 2015, negotiated the largest affordable housing preservation deal in New York City’s history -- 5,000 middle class housing units in Stuyvesant Town-Peter Cooper Village. Dan shares his personal connection to Stuyvesant Town and how he ended up saving the homes of 30,000 residents over a 9 year battle against Metropolitan Life. He talks about his involvement in politics from a young age and how he went about carrying the weight burden for his community.
A lawyer with a background in civil rights, today Dan is the President and CEO of the Riverside Park Conservancy, a not-for profit organization advocating for a six mile park on Manhattan's West Side.
More information on Dan’s book Saving Stuyvesant Town can be found here https://dangarodnick.com/book
To get in touch with Dan:
Twitter @dangarodnick
Instagram @dgarodnick
Website - https://dangarodnick.com/
Get in touch with us at theculturallyspeaking@gmail.com and follow us on Instagram @culturallyspeakingpodcast!
Sylvie is a Chinese - Canadian voice coach based in London, UK. She shares her story of how she got into voice coaching via drama and acting and what she learned about her own voice along the way. Growing up in a multicultural household, Sylive didn’t think about her own race until the penny dropped that she was considered a Person of Colour (POC) when attending a voice training conference in 2016. She discusses how her voice has changed over time and how culture affects voice.
The book Sylvie mentioned during our conversation was You Say Potato: A Book About Accents by Ben Crystal, David Crystal
The LinkedIn articles Sylvie mentions are:
Our voices in an emotionally turbulent time https://www.linkedin.com/pulse/our-voices-emotionally-turbulent-time-sylvie-lui/
How I Found My Voice https://www.linkedin.com/pulse/how-i-found-my-voice-sylvie-lui/
To get in touch with Sylvie:
Facebook - @slvcvoicecoach
Instagram - @slvcvoicecoach
LinkedIn - www.linkedin.com/in/sylvie-lui
Twitter - @slvcvoicecoach
Clubhouse - @slvcvoicecoach
FB Group for people to learn more about voice, accent, communications training + leadership, confidence, interviews, career coaching, introverted communication, etc. here: www.facebook.com/groups/slvconlineacademy
Get in touch with us at theculturallyspeaking@gmail.com and follow us on Instagram @culturallyspeakingpodcast!
At the age of 22, April Sanchez lost her father and following the death of her mother 3 years later, born and raised-New Yorker April relocated to Phoenix, Arizona. Deep in grief and depression over the loss of both her parents she felt hopeless but was able to find a way forward. April’s experience of culture shock moving to a new city is another example of her resilience and ability to navigate and embrace change. She explains how coming from multicultural New York she was perceived in Arizona and the differences she encountered. April is a Mindset Coach and Reiki Master.
To get in touch with April;
Facebook - @innercompasslifecoaching
Instagram - @innercompasslifecoaching
Email - Innercompasslifecoaching@gmail.com
Phone or Text: (480) 721-3105
Get in touch with us at theculturallyspeaking@gmail.com and follow us on Instagram @culturallyspeakingpodcast!
Tune in to hear us unpack this week's episode with Dr. Erica Adkins.
Our final guest of Season 3 of Culturally Speaking is Dr. Erica Adkins, a Licensed Psychologist and owner of a group practice in Colorado. She has a Ph.D. in Counseling Psychology from the University of Oregon. She lives in Colorado with her partner, 3 children, 2 Great Danes and a Boxer Dog.
Healing from trauma is much like climbing a mountain. It’s intimidating, it’s hard, it hurts, but the satisfaction of reaching the summit is worth every second. As a licensed psychologist, Dr. Erica Adkins spent years studying how to help people heal from trauma, depression, anxiety, and grief. However, her most poignant education came from surviving a string of traumatic events including working in a prison, infidelity, domestic violence, sexual assault, divorce, and military deployment.
Erica’s memoir, Rock Bottom is Where Bad Bitches Are Built chronicles her journey from rock bottom to resilience that will inspire readers to find their own path back from trauma. It is a gripping and heart-wrenching account of the most traumatic decade of Erica’s life. You are NOT what has happened to you, and you are NOT alone on this journey. Put one foot in front of the other and take the first step toward healing.
Erica’s book, Rock Bottom Is Where Bad Bitches Are Built, is available on Amazon in ebook and paperback https://www.amazon.com/dp/1736516108.
To get in touch with Erica:
Website: www.drericaadkins.com
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/drrockbottom/
Facebook: https://m.facebook.com/Dr-Rock-Bottom-101786058702287
Get in touch with us at theculturallyspeaking@gmail.com and follow us on Instagram @culturallyspeakingpodcast!
Our final guest of Season 3 of Culturally Speaking is Dr. Erica Adkins, a Licensed Psychologist and owner of a group practice in Colorado. She has a Ph.D. in Counseling Psychology from the University of Oregon. She lives in Colorado with her partner, 3 children, 2 Great Danes and a Boxer Dog.
Healing from trauma is much like climbing a mountain. It’s intimidating, it’s hard, it hurts, but the satisfaction of reaching the summit is worth every second. As a licensed psychologist, Dr. Erica Adkins spent years studying how to help people heal from trauma, depression, anxiety, and grief. However, her most poignant education came from surviving a string of traumatic events including working in a prison, infidelity, domestic violence, sexual assault, divorce, and military deployment.
Erica’s memoir, Rock Bottom is Where Bad Bitches Are Built chronicles her journey from rock bottom to resilience that will inspire readers to find their own path back from trauma. It is a gripping and heart-wrenching account of the most traumatic decade of Erica’s life. You are NOT what has happened to you, and you are NOT alone on this journey. Put one foot in front of the other and take the first step toward healing.
Erica’s book, Rock Bottom Is Where Bad Bitches Are Built, is available on Amazon in ebook and paperback https://www.amazon.com/dp/1736516108.
To get in touch with Erica:
Website: www.drericaadkins.com
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/drrockbottom/
Facebook: https://m.facebook.com/Dr-Rock-Bottom-101786058702287
Get in touch with us at theculturallyspeaking@gmail.com and follow us on Instagram @culturallyspeakingpodcast!
Tune in to hear us unpack this week's episode with Rick Werry.
Rick Werry was born in a small town in Utah, US and grew up on a dairy farm, the youngest of four children. He loved sports and being outdoors as a teenager. In 2007 Rick married his college sweetheart Tara. One year later while building their house, Rick was in a construction accident and broke his neck. His life changed that day - he paralyzed from the chest down. Rick was scared, sad and unsure what the future would hold when a nurse came into his hospital room. The nurse was holding a red pen and a calendar. She told Rick that any time you accomplish something you couldn't do yesterday we will write it down and call it a "Red Letter Day.”
Rick has taken that nurse's advice not only in recovering from a spinal cord injury, but also in life. In Rick’s ‘wheelchair life’ he has accomplished many amazing things; he is a husband, a father, an avid hand-cyclist, a wheelchair rugby player, and a hunter. Rick is compiling his life lessons and “Red Letter Days” into a memoir and is passionate about using his journey to inspire others.
To get in touch with Rick:
Instagram @rickfromroe
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/rick.werry.92/
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/rick-werry/
Email: rwerry22us@yahoo.com
Get in touch with us at theculturallyspeaking@gmail.com and follow us on Instagram @culturallyspeakingpodcast!
Rick Werry was born in a small town in Utah, US and grew up on a dairy farm, the youngest of four children. He loved sports and being outdoors as a teenager. In 2007 Rick married his college sweetheart Tara. One year later while building their house, Rick was in a construction accident and broke his neck. His life changed that day - he paralyzed from the chest down. Rick was scared, sad and unsure what the future would hold when a nurse came into his hospital room. The nurse was holding a red pen and a calendar. She told Rick that any time you accomplish something you couldn't do yesterday we will write it down and call it a "Red Letter Day.”
Rick has taken that nurse's advice not only in recovering from a spinal cord injury, but also in life. In Rick’s ‘wheelchair life’ he has accomplished many amazing things; he is a husband, a father, an avid hand-cyclist, a wheelchair rugby player, and a hunter. Rick is compiling his life lessons and “Red Letter Days” into a memoir and is passionate about using his journey to inspire others.
To get in touch with Rick:
Instagram @rickfromroe
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/rick.werry.92/
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/rick-werry/
Email: rwerry22us@yahoo.com
Get in touch with us at theculturallyspeaking@gmail.com and follow us on Instagram @culturallyspeakingpodcast!
Tune in to hear us unpack this week's episode with Kathy Sanderson.
The past is always there, influencing every action we take and experience we have today. Kathy’s story spans everything from the joy of motherhood to multiple miscarriages and healing from childhood trauma. Through everything she has experienced and survived Kathy’s story is a reminder that there is life after tragedy, life goes on, life gets better.
Kathy Sanderson is a Spiritual Trauma, Healer and Mindset Coach. She helps mums all across the world, who are on their spiritual journey to healing after experiencing negative childhood experiences or trauma. She supports mums who worry that they are constantly being judged by others, struggle with criticizing themselves, fear criticism from others, have a deep-rooted fear of abandonment, or struggle with rejection learn how to parent their children more presently, heal their childhood trauma, and break toxic generational patterns so that they can stop being triggered by the way their children behave, raise their kids in an emotionally healthy environment with momma as her best self, and feel confident in themselves as a parent to finally shed the "mum guilt" for good.
To sign up to Kathy’s latest free training series visit www.healingfromwithin.co.uk/training.
To get in touch with Kathy;
Website - www.healingfromwithin.co.uk
Facebook - www.facebook.com/healingfromwithinuk
Instagram - www.instagram.com/healingfromwithinuk
Facebook Group - https://www.facebook.com/groups/innerchildhealingfromwithin/?ref=share
Membership Group - https://www.facebook.com/groups/130087625449655/?ref=share
The past is always there, influencing every action we take and experience we have today. Kathy’s story spans everything from the joy of motherhood to multiple miscarriages and healing from childhood trauma. Through everything she has experienced and survived Kathy’s story is a reminder that there is life after tragedy, life goes on, life gets better.
Kathy Sanderson is a Spiritual Trauma, Healer and Mindset Coach. She helps mums all across the world, who are on their spiritual journey to healing after experiencing negative childhood experiences or trauma. She supports mums who worry that they are constantly being judged by others, struggle with criticizing themselves, fear criticism from others, have a deep-rooted fear of abandonment, or struggle with rejection learn how to parent their children more presently, heal their childhood trauma, and break toxic generational patterns so that they can stop being triggered by the way their children behave, raise their kids in an emotionally healthy environment with momma as her best self, and feel confident in themselves as a parent to finally shed the "mum guilt" for good.
To sign up to Kathy’s latest free training series visit www.healingfromwithin.co.uk/training.
To get in touch with Kathy;
Website - www.healingfromwithin.co.uk
Facebook - www.facebook.com/healingfromwithinuk
Instagram - www.instagram.com/healingfromwithinuk
Facebook Group - https://www.facebook.com/groups/innerchildhealingfromwithin/?ref=share
Membership Group - https://www.facebook.com/groups/130087625449655/?ref=share
Tune in to hear us unpack this week's episode with Terri Koslowski.
Terri Kozlowski is a proud Native American (Athabascan; Gwich’in Tribe – Raven Clan) currently living in Woodstock, Georgia, US. Though Terri had loving people in her life, her mother was abusive and enabled others to traumatize her. To get drugs, her mother allowed strangers to assault her 11-year-old body sexually. She then left her and her sister alone on the streets of Albuquerque, New Mexico. Terri’s childhood left her filled with fear until she embarked on a spiritual journey and learned the skills of empowerment, which have allowed her to transcend the fear
Terri’s book, Raven Transcending Fear, is part memoir, part self-help guide. It is her' raw and personal story of childhood abuse, and diving deep into her terror before ultimately getting comfortable with fear and transcending it. Everyone is born fearless and knowing who they are and what their purpose is. However, life experience or abuse may instill fear and break the connection with our authentic selves. Through this memoir, readers will go on the journey with her as Terri moves from a life ruled by fear to fearlessness.
Terri’s book, Raven Transcending Fear, can be purchased through Amazon https://www.amazon.com/dp/1949798801/ref=tmm_pap_swatch_0?_encoding=UTF8&qid=&sr= .
To get in touch with Terri:
Website: https://terrikozlowski.com
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/KozmicSoulSolutions/
Twitter: https://twitter.com/tmkozlowski
Pinterest: https://www.pinterest.com/terrikozlowski/
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/terrikozlowski/
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/terrikozlowski/
YouTuber: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCbT3ygWLAxEcPqOOgCflL_A
Get in touch with us at theculturallyspeaking@gmail.com and follow us on Instagram @culturallyspeakingpodcast!
Terri Kozlowski is a proud Native American (Athabascan; Gwich’in Tribe – Raven Clan) currently living in Woodstock, Georgia, US. Though Terri had loving people in her life, her mother was abusive and enabled others to traumatize her. To get drugs, her mother allowed strangers to assault her 11-year-old body sexually. She then left her and her sister alone on the streets of Albuquerque, New Mexico. Terri’s childhood left her filled with fear until she embarked on a spiritual journey and learned the skills of empowerment, which have allowed her to transcend the fear
Terri’s book, Raven Transcending Fear, is part memoir, part self-help guide. It is her' raw and personal story of childhood abuse, and diving deep into her terror before ultimately getting comfortable with fear and transcending it. Everyone is born fearless and knowing who they are and what their purpose is. However, life experience or abuse may instill fear and break the connection with our authentic selves. Through this memoir, readers will go on the journey with her as Terri moves from a life ruled by fear to fearlessness.
Terri’s book, Raven Transcending Fear, can be purchased through Amazon https://www.amazon.com/dp/1949798801/ref=tmm_pap_swatch_0?_encoding=UTF8&qid=&sr= .
To get in touch with Terri:
Website: https://terrikozlowski.com
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/KozmicSoulSolutions/
Twitter: https://twitter.com/tmkozlowski
Pinterest: https://www.pinterest.com/terrikozlowski/
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/terrikozlowski/
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/terrikozlowski/
YouTuber: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCbT3ygWLAxEcPqOOgCflL_A
Get in touch with us at theculturallyspeaking@gmail.com and follow us on Instagram @culturallyspeakingpodcast!
Tune in to hear us unpack this week's episode with Mirinda Kossoff.
Mirinda Kossoff was born in Greensboro, North Carolina and grew up not that far away in the small textile and tobacco town of Danville, Virginia, which she couldn't wait to escape. Her book, The Rope of Life wrestles with suicide, family, and growing up divided between the cultured Jewish side of her family and the fundamentalist Southern Baptist side. Her memoir is set against the backdrop of her small Southern town upbringing, of town and family secrets, of her relationship with her troubled father, and of not belonging—in her town or in her own family. Growing up in the Jim Crow South, Miranda shares her recollections of racism in Danville and how it impacted her closest relationships.
Mirinda’s book, The Rope of Life, can be purchased through Amazon or ordered from https://bookshop.org/books/the-rope-of-life/9781733681674. The audio book can be found at audible.com
To get in touch with Mirinda;
Website - www.mirindakossoff.com
Facebook- @MirindaWrites
Instagram- @mirindakossoff
Get in touch with us at theculturallyspeaking@gmail.com and follow us on Instagram @culturallyspeakingpodcast!
Mirinda Kossoff was born in Greensboro, North Carolina and grew up not that far away in the small textile and tobacco town of Danville, Virginia, which she couldn't wait to escape. Her book, The Rope of Life wrestles with suicide, family, and growing up divided between the cultured Jewish side of her family and the fundamentalist Southern Baptist side. Her memoir is set against the backdrop of her small Southern town upbringing, of town and family secrets, of her relationship with her troubled father, and of not belonging—in her town or in her own family. Growing up in the Jim Crow South, Miranda shares her recollections of racism in Danville and how it impacted her closest relationships.
Mirinda’s book, The Rope of Life, can be purchased through Amazon or ordered from https://bookshop.org/books/the-rope-of-life/9781733681674. The audio book can be found at audible.com
To get in touch with Mirinda;
Website - www.mirindakossoff.com
Facebook- @MirindaWrites
Instagram- @mirindakossoff
Get in touch with us at theculturallyspeaking@gmail.com and follow us on Instagram @culturallyspeakingpodcast!
Tune in to hear us unpack this week's episode with Bianca Riemer.
Bianca Riemer saved the life of the man who tried to kill her - her own father. She grew up in a family with violence and was 15 when her father chased her out of the house with a rifle. Bianca survived and escaped the abuse she grew up with to encounter further challenges in her corporate career from failing her final professional accounting exams to sexual harassment by colleagues who offered her money to strip. She went on to be a top-ranked, multi-award-winning stock market analyst and has gone to build her own successful Women's Leadership Coaching business.
Bianca has shared the following free resources with our listeners
- Download Self-promotion without bragging template: www.bianca-template.com
- Imposter syndrome workshop including hypnosis: www.bianca-workshop.com
To get in touch with Bianca;
Website - https://www.biancariemer.com
LinkedIn - https://www.linkedin.com/in/biancariemer
Instagram - https://www.instagram.com/bianca.riemer
Facebook Page - https://www.facebook.com/biancariemercoaching
Facebook Group - https://www.facebook.com/groups/untamedwoman
Twitter - https://twitter.com/biancariemer
Get in touch with us at theculturallyspeaking@gmail.com and follow us on Instagram @culturallyspeakingpodcast!
Bianca Riemer saved the life of the man who tried to kill her - her own father. She grew up in a family with violence and was 15 when her father chased her out of the house with a rifle. Bianca survived and escaped the abuse she grew up with to encounter further challenges in her corporate career from failing her final professional accounting exams to sexual harassment by colleagues who offered her money to strip. She went on to be a top-ranked, multi-award-winning stock market analyst and has gone to build her own successful Women's Leadership Coaching business.
Bianca has shared the following free resources with our listeners
- Download Self-promotion without bragging template: www.bianca-template.com
- Imposter syndrome workshop including hypnosis: www.bianca-workshop.com
To get in touch with Bianca;
Website - https://www.biancariemer.com
LinkedIn - https://www.linkedin.com/in/biancariemer
Instagram - https://www.instagram.com/bianca.riemer
Facebook Page - https://www.facebook.com/biancariemercoaching
Facebook Group - https://www.facebook.com/groups/untamedwoman
Twitter - https://twitter.com/biancariemer
Get in touch with us at theculturallyspeaking@gmail.com and follow us on Instagram @culturallyspeakingpodcast!
Tune in to hear us unpack this week's episode with Alison Tedford.
Alison Tedford is an Indigenous woman (Kwakiutl First Nation) based in British Columbia, Canada with over a decade of experience working on Indigenous issues within the Canadian federal government. She was diagnosed with Ehlers-Danlos syndrome (EDS), a chronic health condition that affects the connective tissues in the body. Alison went on to write a book for entrepreneurs struggling with chronic pain and has come full circle in offering diversity and inclusion work in the private sector. Alison describes how her diagnosis changed her life and how she accommodates her own health needs without asking for permission.
To get in touch with Alison;
Website - http://www.alisontedford.com
Instagram - @alisontedford
Twitter - @alliespins
Get in touch with us at theculturallyspeaking@gmail.com and follow us on Instagram @culturallyspeakingpodcast!
Alison Tedford is an Indigenous woman (Kwakiutl First Nation) based in British Columbia, Canada with over a decade of experience working on Indigenous issues within the Canadian federal government. She was diagnosed with Ehlers-Danlos syndrome (EDS), a chronic health condition that affects the connective tissues in the body. Alison went on to write a book for entrepreneurs struggling with chronic pain and has come full circle in offering diversity and inclusion work in the private sector. Alison describes how her diagnosis changed her life and how she accommodates her own health needs without asking for permission.
To get in touch with Alison;
Website - http://www.alisontedford.com
Instagram - @alisontedford
Twitter - @alliespins
Get in touch with us at theculturallyspeaking@gmail.com and follow us on Instagram @culturallyspeakingpodcast!
Tune in to hear us unpack this week's episode with Nelson Tressler.
Murder, rape, extreme poverty, abuse, and being the center of the biggest trial ever to hit his small town were waiting for Nelson Tressler upon his birth. Rather than falling victim to his hardships, he used them to fuel his life purpose and turn despair into a life complete with a loving family and a multimillion-dollar business empire.
Nelson has used goals and personal development to design a life that he couldn’t have imagined as a child born to a 15-year-old mother. Nelson became the first person in his family to graduate from college, served in the US Air Force, became the top worldwide producer for a top commercial real estate company.
Nelson is a Motivational Speaker and the Author of The Unlucky Sperm Club, available at https://amzn.to/38BhVHO.
He is the Founder and CEO of IGotSmarter|Goals Elevated, for more information visit https://igotsmarter.com/.
To get in touch with Nelson;
Website - https://nelsontressler.com/
LinkedIn - https://www.linkedin.com/in/nelson-tressler-75876590/
Facebook Page https://www.facebook.com/nelsontressler1
Get in touch with us at theculturallyspeaking@gmail.com and follow us on Instagram @culturallyspeakingpodcast!
Murder, rape, extreme poverty, abuse, and being the center of the biggest trial ever to hit his small town were waiting for Nelson Tressler upon his birth. Rather than falling victim to his hardships, he used them to fuel his life purpose and turn despair into a life complete with a loving family and a multimillion-dollar business empire.
Nelson has used goals and personal development to design a life that he couldn’t have imagined as a child born to a 15-year-old mother. Nelson became the first person in his family to graduate from college, served in the US Air Force, became the top worldwide producer for a top commercial real estate company.
Nelson is a Motivational Speaker and the Author of The Unlucky Sperm Club, available at https://amzn.to/38BhVHO.
He is the Founder and CEO of IGotSmarter|Goals Elevated, for more information visit https://igotsmarter.com/.
To get in touch with Nelson;
Website - https://nelsontressler.com/
LinkedIn - https://www.linkedin.com/in/nelson-tressler-75876590/
Facebook Page https://www.facebook.com/nelsontressler1
Get in touch with us at theculturallyspeaking@gmail.com and follow us on Instagram @culturallyspeakingpodcast!
Tune in to hear us unpack this week's episode with Amy Sinha
Born in South Wales, UK, Amy Sinha was submerged in music from an early age. She entered her first talent contest aged six, singing “Somewhere over the Rainbow”, this also marked the beginning of her love of music and performance. Amy experienced some rare medical conditions in her early years, being declared as being one out of only 5 children like her in the UK at the time. She had developed cataracts in both her eyes leaving her almost blind, and then diagnosed with a rare nerve condition which meant she was unable to feel hot, cold or superficial pain. Due to this nerve condition, she also developed Osteoarthritis leaving her almost wheelchair bound and caused her growth to stop completely.
The ongoing traumas of her early childhood inevitably played a major role in suppressing Amy’s confidence throughout her life, especially being so short during an age when all a child wants to do is “fit in”, and certainly not stand out because they looked so different. In what Amy describes as a ‘lightbulb’ moment she studied Music at college and university, went on to pursue a career as Jazz singer and is now as a voice over artist.
Amy’s continuous challenges in her daily life will always remain ‘real’, but with a ‘work in progress’ attitude she is an inspiration for us all to remember that the impossible is always possible. All it takes is a little imagination, belief in yourself, patience and determination
To get in touch with Amy;
Website - www.amysinha.com
LinkedIn - www.linkedin.com/in/amysinha
Instagram - www.instagram.com/amysinhavoice
Facebook Page - www.facebook.com/AmySinhaVoiceOverArtist
Twitter - www.twitter.com/amysinhavoice
YouTube - www.youtube.com/MissASinha
Clubhouse; @amysinha
Get in touch with us at theculturallyspeaking@gmail.com and follow us on Instagram @culturallyspeakingpodcast!
Born in South Wales, UK, Amy Sinha was submerged in music from an early age. She entered her first talent contest aged six, singing “Somewhere over the Rainbow”, this also marked the beginning of her love of music and performance. Amy experienced some rare medical conditions in her early years, being declared as being one out of only 5 children like her in the UK at the time. She had developed cataracts in both her eyes leaving her almost blind, and then diagnosed with a rare nerve condition which meant she was unable to feel hot, cold or superficial pain. Due to this nerve condition, she also developed Osteoarthritis leaving her almost wheelchair bound and caused her growth to stop completely.
The ongoing traumas of her early childhood inevitably played a major role in suppressing Amy’s confidence throughout her life, especially being so short during an age when all a child wants to do is “fit in”, and certainly not stand out because they looked so different. In what Amy describes as a ‘lightbulb’ moment she studied Music at college and university, went on to pursue a career as Jazz singer and is now as a voice over artist.
Amy’s continuous challenges in her daily life will always remain ‘real’, but with a ‘work in progress’ attitude she is an inspiration for us all to remember that the impossible is always possible. All it takes is a little imagination, belief in yourself, patience and determination
To get in touch with Amy;
Website - www.amysinha.com
LinkedIn - www.linkedin.com/in/amysinha
Instagram - www.instagram.com/amysinhavoice
Facebook Page - www.facebook.com/AmySinhaVoiceOverArtist
Twitter - www.twitter.com/amysinhavoice
YouTube - www.youtube.com/MissASinha
Clubhouse; @amysinha
Get in touch with us at theculturallyspeaking@gmail.com and follow us on Instagram @culturallyspeakingpodcast!
Tune in to hear us unpack this week's episode with Scott Spears.
To paraphrase Benjamin Franklin, there are only 2 certainties in life, death and taxes.
But what if you came back from the dead? Our first guest of Season 3, Scott Spears clinically ‘died’ 4 years ago and shares how he quite literally came back from the dead. Beginning with his military career Scott’s story travels the world from Panama to Egypt before that fateful day.
Listen to his recollections of the day he died from exhaustion under the strain of a corporate job. As someone who prided himself on being in good physical health he questioned how this could happen to him which led to Scott’s realisation that his mental health had a significant part to play.
To get in touch with Scott:
Website: www.scottjspears.com
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/time_life_self/
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/TIMELIFESELF
Get in touch with us at theculturallyspeaking@gmail.com and follow us on Instagram @culturallyspeakingpodcast!
To paraphrase Benjamin Franklin, there are only 2 certainties in life, death and taxes.
But what if you came back from the dead?
Our first guest of Season 3, Scott Spears clinically ‘died’ 4 years ago and shares how he quite literally came back from the dead. Beginning with his military career Scott’s story travels the world from Panama to Egypt before that fateful day.
Listen to his recollections of the day he died from exhaustion under the strain of a corporate job. As someone who prided himself on being in good physical health he questioned how this could happen to him which led to Scott’s realisation that his mental health had a significant part to play.
To get in touch with Scott:
Website: www.scottjspears.com
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/time_life_self/
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/TIMELIFESELF
Get in touch with us at theculturallyspeaking@gmail.com and follow us on Instagram @culturallyspeakingpodcast!
Hey everyone! We will be back with Season 3 of Culturally Speaking very soon. But in the meantime we wanted to let you know what we’ve been upto since Season 2 wrapped and what you can look forward to in the new season.
For those of you that listened to last season you’ll know we focused on stories of people bucking gender norms in their chosen industry and professions, the historical gender balance, the advantages and disadvantages our guests experienced and misconceptions they encountered.
We started this podcast as a way to share our cultural curiosity and promote awareness of different traditions and practices from around the world. Culture isn’t only about traditions, customs and celebrations, it dictates our perception of social norms. Recording some of our favourite episodes of last season reaffirmed we want this podcast to spark conversation around topics that are often uncomfortable.
To that end Season 3 is going to be a little different, we will be focusing on sharing stories from people who have been through life-changing events and epiphanies that have shaped the way they live, what they’ve learnt and what gives them hope for the future. We will be welcoming guests to share their stories with us each week on Tuesday’s episodes and then we will share our thoughts on Thursday’s episodes.
Look out for the first episode of the new season next week, we hope you enjoy this new direction of Culturally Speaking. You can find all previous episodes on whatever platform you are listening on now and follow on Instagram @culturallyspeakingpodcast.
Until then, stay cultured! xoxo
Our final guest of the season is Dr Anne Whitehouse (@feminine_power_alchemist), an author, a PhD scientist turned life alchemist, Fellow of Royal Society of Arts and subconscious transformation expert. After 20 years of research, applying her scientific approach to the subconscious world, Anne developed a six-key, ground-breaking code for aspirational women to unlock profound confidence by breaking free of old limitations set by the patriarchal systems encoded into our psyche. This life-changing process is described in her impactful bestselling book “Pull Back Your Power”, which offers techniques to release women from the hidden subconscious restraints that continue to sabotage their wellbeing and block success, despite the freedoms of the 21st century. We learnt so much from our chat with Anne and if you’d like to find out more about visit thesecretsorceress.com. You can buy Anne’s book “Pull Back Your Power” here: https://feminineconfidence.com/buy-pull-back-your-power. Stay Cultured, J & N xoxo. Please take a moment to subscribe, review and comment. We’d love to hear from you @culturallyspeakingpodcast.
We welcome Kathyrn, superintendent and founder of Space To Build (@spacetobuild) to the podcast. Kathyrn shares her journey into construction and how her career has evolved to date as well as her passion behind building an online community for women in construction. Janice and I had no idea what a superintendent does - so tune in to hear exactly what the role entails! Stay Cultured, J & N xoxo. Please take a moment to subscribe, review and comment. We’d love to hear from you @culturallyspeakingpodcast.
For the first time this season, we welcome two guests to Culturally Speaking to talk about how gender has influenced their careers. Firstly we spoke with Malida, a former medic in the military who is now a trucker. We also continue the conversation with last week’s guest, Mary, about her career as a military surgeon. Listen in to hear Malinda bust trucking myths and shed light about life on the road. Of course, as an orthopedic surgeon Mary had us drawing on the only source of medical knowledge we know - a Callie Torres Grey’s Anatomy reference! Stay Cultured, J & N xoxo. Please take a moment to subscribe, review and comment. We’d love to hear from you @culturallyspeakingpodcast.
We welcomed Mary, a firefighter turned-orthopedic surgeon in the military to Culturally Speaking this week to discuss the role gender has played in her career. We discuss being mansplained to at medical conferences, physical standards for female firefighters and the importance of representation for future generations. On physical appearance, Mary shares how women aim for the 60th percentile of pretty and how the lessons she learned at the firestation on the power of persuasion in the firestation helped her later in her career. Stay Cultured, J & N xoxo. Please take a moment to subscribe, review and comment. We’d love to hear from you @culturallyspeakingpodcast.
We welcome Sahar, a surgeon, to Culturally Speaking this week to talk about how gender has influenced her career in medicine. The ratio of male to female consultant surgeons in the UK is approximately 8:1. We discuss how Sahar’s patients react to her and the misconceptions they have of her as a surgeon. Speaking about female surgeons it didn’t take us long to bring up TV doctors and the stereotypes, all the Scrubs fans, JD and Turk have a podcast of their own! Stay Cultured, J & N xoxo. Please take a moment to subscribe, review and comment. We’d love to hear from you @culturallyspeakingpodcast.
We’re excited to welcome Ben, a primary school teacher, to Culturally Speaking this week. Over 80% of primary school teachers are female, a proportion that is steadily increasing according to the Department of Education. We discuss how Ben found transferable skills and parallels between bartending and early year education, the benefits of a male presence in the classroom and the stereotypes of male teachers. Stay Cultured, J & N xoxo. Please take a moment to subscribe, review and comment. We’d love to hear from you @culturallyspeakingpodcast.
We’re excited to welcome Hannah, a police constable, to Culturally Speaking this week. There were no women police officers in the United Kingdom until the First World War and until 1999, women in the police force had their rank title prefixed with "Woman". We discuss Hannah’s route into policing and experiences, the benefits of female police officers and historical gender practices in the police force. (Janice and I are still reeling from the stamping revelation!) Stay Cultured, J & N xoxo. Please take a moment to subscribe, review and comment. We’d love to hear from you @culturallyspeakingpodcast.
Our love of food is no secret around here so Janice and I might have fangirled just a little bit when we welcomed Henrietta (@a_good_fork), a chef to Culturally Speaking! We ask H about her experiences in the kitchen, home cooking vs professional kitchens, what behaviors are celebrated in the kitchen and what it’s like to work for a female head chef. We discuss how women have been cooking since the beginning of time, but why the majority of professional chefs are men, ‘male’ and ‘female’ food and roles in the kitchen. Stay Cultured, J & N xoxo. Please take a moment to subscribe, review and comment. We’d love to hear from you @culturallyspeakingpodcast.
In the year ending March 2019, an estimated 2.4 million adults aged 16 to 74 years experienced domestic abuse in the last year, of those 1.6 million were women and 786,000 men. This week we talk to Lori, a domestic abuse support worker, about her experience working with the survivors and victims of both genders and the gender balance amongst support workers. We recognise that this is a sensitive topic, for more information on domestic violence in the UK, you can visit www.nationaldahelpline.org.uk. If you, or someone you know is suffering from domestic abuse, you can get help from the National Domestic Abuse Helpline which is available 24hrs on 0808 2000 247, search Gov.uk for your local Domestic Abuse service. Stay Cultured, J & N xoxo. Please take a moment to subscribe, review and comment. We’d love to hear from you @culturallyspeakingpodcast.
We’re excited to welcome Anthony (@anthony_thebodyengineer) to kick off Season 2 of Culturally Speaking. Anthony’s career to date is nothing short of extraordinary, we were blown away by everything he has accomplished so far, tune in this week to hear his perceptions of gender norms in gymnastics, dance, yoga and massage. We get his take on the most common stereotypes about men in yoga, nature vs nurture on children’s aptitude and there might even be an Arnie reference in there haha (we’ll be back!) Stay Cultured, J & N xoxo. Please take a moment to subscribe, review and comment. We’d love to hear from you @culturallyspeakingpodcast.
Hello and welcome back to Culturally Speaking! We wanted to let you know what we’ve been upto since Season 1 wrapped and what you can look forward to in the new season. Season 2 is going to be a little different, we will be focusing on stories of people bucking gender norms in their chosen industry and professions. We will focus on the historical gender balance asking our guests about their experiences, the advantages and disadvantages they’ve experienced and misconceptions they’ve encountered.
Look out for the first episode of the new season next week, we hope you enjoy this new direction of Culturally Speaking, until then stay cultured! You can find all previous episodes on whatever platform you are listening on now and follow on Instagram @culturallyspeakingpodcast.
This week we continue our conversation with Hudson on the American college culture. Janice and I ask our burning questions about the Greek Life, the sorority recruitment process and new joiner initiation. Who knew ‘Big-Little’ week meant being showered by presents from your big sister! Just a reminder that this is the last episode of Season 1. THANK YOU for listening along, we will be back soon with Season 2! Stay Cultured, J & N xoxo. Please take a moment to subscribe, review and comment. We’d love to hear from you @culturallyspeakingpodcast.
This week we welcome Hudson to Culturally Speaking to lift the lid on American high school culture. Janice and I were almost giddy to find out if what we’ve been watching on-screen really lives up to the reality. We cover everything from school spirit, sports rivalries, Friday Night lights and senior pranks. What actually is a Pep Rally and do people really get promposals? Of course in true Culturally Speaking fashion, we ask Hudson about cafeteria food and her view on Olive Garden breadsticks! Tune in next week for part 2 where Hudson shares her American college experiences. Stay Cultured, J & N xoxo. Please take a moment to subscribe, review and comment. We’d love to hear from you @culturallyspeakingpodcast.
Have you ever taken a career survey and convinced yourself that living the life of a foreign diplomat was the ideal career to fulfill your wanderlust? (full disclosure; we totally did). This week we welcome Alexandra Paucescu to the podcast to lift the lid on her experiences as a Romanian diplomatic spouse and writer currently living in Berlin who has previously lived in Austria and the US. We discuss the culture shocks she experienced on her travels, cultural diplomacy and how she manages to retain her Romanian culture wherever she is. Alexandra’s book, ‘Just a Diplomatic Spouse', a unique collection of memories, feelings and experiences in the diplomatic world, a diary, travel blog and guide of diplomatic protocol and ranking is available on Amazon as a paperback and e-book. Stay Cultured, J & N xoxo. Please take a moment to subscribe, review and comment. We’d love to hear from you @culturallyspeakingpodcast.
The face that launched a Thousand Ships … or 1,186 ships to be more accurate. The face in question was Helen’s and the ships sailed to Troy as described in Homer’s Iliad to begin a 10 year siege of the city. The legend of Troy has endured over 3,000 years and inspired countless retellings (including THAT 2004 Orlanda Bloom/Brad Pitt film!) This week we welcome Madhav to the podcast to clarify where Troy actually is, our thoughts on the relationship between Helen and Paris, the influence of the gods and just about everything in between. Stay Cultured, J & N xoxo. Please take a moment to subscribe, review and comment. We’d love to hear from you @culturallyspeakingpodcast.
Prathet Thai, translates to ‘Land of the Free’ in the Thai language and it seems pretty apt given that Thailand is the only country in South-East Asia to never have been colonised by any European nation. This week we welcome Robbie to Culturally Speaking to share his take on two of the best known Thai festivals, Songkran and Loi Krathong. We cover the origins of the celebrations, similarities with other cultures and what you can expect to see today from the infamous and epic water fights that rage through the streets of Bangkok to lanterns lighting up Chiang Mai night time skies. Of course in true Culturally Speaking fashion we couldn’t let Robbie go without talking about Thai food and bonding over a shared love of khao soi! Stay Cultured, J & N xoxo. Please take a moment to subscribe, review and comment. We’d love to hear from you @culturallyspeakingpodcast.
The 2005 film Memoirs of a Geisha, based on the novel of the same name, piqued audiences interest in the ancient Japanese entertainers skilled in the arts such as singing and dancing. This week Janice enlightens me on the long and involved process trainee geishas undergo and how the first entertainers were in fact men. We cover how the role of the geisha in Japanese society has evolved over time, their distinctive makeup and why they used to paint their teeth black! Tune in to find out how geishas manage not to wash their hair for a week and still maintain their elaborate hairstyles. Stay Cultured, J & N xoxo. Please take a moment to subscribe, review and comment. We’d love to hear from you @culturallyspeakingpodcast.
We are honoured to welcome the wonderfully funny and talented Flora (@florasowerby) to the podcast this week to talk about her thespian experiences. We pull back the curtain on things the audience doesn’t get to see from what happens when an actor forgets their lines, killing off characters prematurely and performing drunk. Tune in to hear Flora recant her most memorable audition, a clue it involves Olivia Newton-John’s Physical (need we say anymore!) Stay Cultured, J & N xoxo. Please take a moment to subscribe, review and comment. We’d love to hear from you @culturallyspeakingpodcast.
Marilyn Monroe famously said “Give a girl the right shoes, and she can conquer the world” and the mochis, or shoemakers, of Lahore would certainly agree. This week we welcome Mashal (@mashalkadri) to the podcast to talk about the ‘sole’ of Pakistan, from how shoemaking skills are passed down from one generation to the next, to how what you wear on your feet is much more than a fashion statement. Tune to hear how Louis Vuttion’s cultural appropriation of the Peshwari chappal went down and Janice learns that a khussa can be worn on either foot! Stay Cultured, J & N xoxo. Please take a moment to subscribe, review and comment. We’d love to hear from you @culturallyspeakingpodcast.
This week we welcome Nefe to Culturally Speaking to continue the conversation on race. From myth busting and microaggressions to cultural appropriation, tune to hear her experiences as an American-Nigerian women who grew up in the UK and is now living in France. As Nefe rightly reminds us in this episode, Black Lives Matter is more than a moment in time, it is a movement - therefore we feel very strongly that we need to keep having these conversations, keep educating ourselves and challenging the status quo regarding racism. P.S. any of the materials referenced in the recording are linked on our Instagram stories. Stay Cultured, J & N xoxo. Please take a moment to subscribe, review and comment. We’d love to hear from you @culturallyspeakingpodcast.
From giving a tiger and a bear 20 cloves of garlic and a bundle of mugwort (we had to Google that one too!) and being told to avoid sunlight for 100 days comes the mythology that is believed to be the foundations of ancient Korea. This week Janice shares the story of Dangun Wanggeom, the founder of the first kingdom of Korea and traditions practiced in Korean culture today. When we think of modern day Korea, K-Pop, futuristic skincare, kimchi come to mind, but who knew that 10 pin bowling brought over by American GIs in the 50s remains just as popular. Tune in to hear some surprising discoveries ranging from underfloor heating to. blood groups. Stay Cultured, J & N xoxo. Please take a moment to subscribe, review and comment. We’d love to hear from you @culturallyspeakingpodcast.
We started Culturally Speaking out of our own curiosity and interest in multiculturalism, but also with a mission in mind to help promote acceptance and tolerance of all cultures. On 25 May, George Floyd, a 46-year-old Black American man, died in Minneapolis, Minnesota, after being restrained by four police officers. The subsequent protests against excessive use of police force against Black citizens and institutional racism more widely have spread across the world. We recognise that we were not the most qualified to talk about this, so this week we invited Larry and Joe to have an open and wide-ranging discussion about race. P.S. any of the materials referenced in the recording are linked on our Instragram stories. Stay Cultured, J & N xoxo. Please take a moment to subscribe, review and comment. We’d love to hear from you @culturallyspeakingpodcast.
St Andrew is the patron saint of Scotland but on this week’s episode we welcome Julia to Culturally Speaking to tell us all about how St Andrew’s Day or Andrzejki is celebrated in Poland. The festivities are centred around matrimonial fortune telling by unmarried women and marks the beginning of advent in the run up to Christmas. Tune in to hear how the traditions include dreaming up what characteristics your future husband will have by casting hot wax shadows, moving shoes to determine who will get married first and perhaps the oddest of all – throwing apple peels over your left shoulder! Stay Cultured, J & N xoxo. Please take a moment to subscribe, review and comment. We’d love to hear from you @culturallyspeakingpodcast.
Following on from last week’s episode on how different cultures deal with death, we go one step further and contemplate what comes after death.We welcome Ankur (@ankurdotb) to Culturally Speaking to discuss reincarnation beliefs across South Asia and find out if there is an endless cycle of birth, death and rebirth. Tune in to find out how different cultures and religions rooted in the shared belief of karma have different takes on how our actions impact what awaits us in the next life. Stay Cultured, J & N xoxo. Please take a moment to subscribe, review and comment. We’d love to hear from you @culturallyspeakingpodcast.
“In this world nothing can be said to be certain, except death and taxes”, Benjamin Franklin’s infamous quote has often been used as a humorous reminder that very few things in life are certain except… the end. This week things take a macabre (Janice’s new favourite word) turn when we talk about how different cultures deal with the end of a loved one’s life, including funerals advertised on billboards and coffins shaped like Coke bottles. Tune in to find out who’s getting servants in heaven and in true #culturallyspeaking fashion we even #throwback to a certain episode of The Simple Life (you know which one we mean!) Stay Cultured, J & N xoxo. Please take a moment to subscribe, review and comment. We’d love to hear from you @culturallyspeakingpodcast.
We’re excited to welcomeNafisa Rahimi, co-founder of online community group Muslim Mamas (@MuslimMamas), to Culturally Speaking this week for an episode on the Muslim holy month of Ramadan and Eid celebrations. Ramadan is observed by ~1.9 billion Muslims around the world and this week Nafisa tells us how she prepares for a month of fasting from dawn to dusk, who is exempt from fasting and how they make up for it. Tune in to find out how Ramadan is observed in other countries and why charity is an important part of it. From Eid in the Park prayers, present opening and house hopping, Eid marks the end of the holy month with a day of feasting and celebrations with friends and family. So naturally we couldn’t let Nafisa go without talking about our favourite topic - food! Stay Cultured, J & N xoxo. Please take a moment to subscribe, review and comment. We’d love to hear from you @culturallyspeakingpodcast.
Name the national animal of… the common pub quiz question where your Nandos habit might just help you out (a clue the logo is the Barcelos Rooster and Portugal’s national animal!) Bonus points if you can name the national animals of all the home nations! This week we explore the mythical creatures, from unicorns to dragons, that transcended historical tales to be national sport mascots in recent times. Tune in to find about the spectacle of Chinese fire lion dancing - something to behold if you’ve not seen it before! Stay Cultured, J & N xoxo. Please take a moment to subscribe, review and comment. We’d love to hear from you @culturallyspeakingpodcast.
Bollywood films of yesteryear would culminate in the prerequisite wedding scene featuring the hero and heroine reuniting in a kaleidoscope of colourful outfits, music and dancing. Times have moved on, cinematically at least, but traditions endure and many aspects of Indian weddings today can be traced back through centuries, passed down from one generation to the next. This week I attempt to explain the ins and outs of an Indian wedding to Janice with a reference to #Nickyanka (seriously go check out their Sangeet!) Newsflash: India is a BIG country, with over 1 billion people practicing multiple religions and a vast global diaspora there are countless different rituals. Full disclosure this episode focuses only on North Indian Hindu traditions. Tune in to find out why it’s a 5 day affair, who’s stealing the groom's shoes and why there’s no wedding ring. Stay Cultured, J & N xoxo. Please take a moment to subscribe, review and comment. We’d love to hear from you @culturallyspeakingpodcast.
If you are lucky (or unlucky) enough to have ever watched the MTV series My Super Sweet Sixteeen complete with the ubiquitous Hillary Duff theme song then you will remember that getting a luxury car was the ultimate coming of age symbol on the show. Milestone birthdays to mark the start of adulthood are celebrated across the world from bar mitzvahs to quinceaneras, ranging from the extravagant to the simple. This week we focus on the Aboriginal coming of age ritual, ‘Walkabout’ or temporary mobility as it’s also known. The practice featured in the Baz Luhrman’s 2008 epic Australia and led to a marketing campaign by Tourism Australia encouraging visitors to ‘Come Walkabout’. Tune in to find out how boys as young as 10 had fend for themselves in the Outback using songlines and skills learnt from Aborginal elders. Stay Cultured, J & N xoxo. Please take a moment to subscribe, review and comment. We’d love to hear from you @culturallyspeakingpodcast.
Chances are when you’re feeling under the weather you have a go-to home remedy, something from your childhood that has been passed down whether it’s chicken noodle soup, khichdi or saltine crackers. The World Health Organization (WHO) defines traditional medicine as "the sum total of the knowledge, skills, and practices based on the theories, beliefs, and experiences indigenous to different cultures...used in the maintenance of health as well as in the prevention, diagnosis, improvement or treatment of physical and mental illness". For thousands of years cultures all around the world used homemade remedies from the extracts of flowers,bark and herbs to treat aliaments before this gave way to modern medicine. Today upto 80% of the population in some Asian and African countries rely on traditional medicine for their primary health care needs. Tune in to find out some of the more unusual remedies (think rice mixed with ice water and salted kumquats). Stay Cultured (and Healthy), J & N xoxo. Please take a moment to subscribe, review and comment. We’d love to hear from you @culturallyspeakingpodcast.
Roses are red, violets are blue… We’re all familiar with the playground love poem, it’s estimated approximately 224 million roses are grown for Valentine’s Day every year. Did you know that Valentine’s Day isn’t just an annual celebration in South Korea, it’s celebrated on the 14th of every month! This week we’re talking about all things love ❤; from the history of St Valentine in Roman times to couples participating in mass weddings today. Janice shares the myth behind the Qixi Festival so tune in to find out why a cowherd is flying across the Milky Way in leather angel wings! Stay Cultured, J & N xoxo Please take a moment to subscribe, review and comment. We’d love to hear from you @culturallyspeakingpodcast.
We’re excited to welcome Daria to Culturally Speaking this week for an episode on Russian superstitions. As the largest country in the world by area, spanning more than one-eighth of the Earth's inhabited land area, stretching across 11 time zones and bordering 16 sovereign nations it’s safe to say Russian culture is in no way homogeneous. Life behind the Iron Curtain was shrouded in mystery for many decades but tune in to find out more about the stories behind some of the traditions - why Russian Christmas isn’t celebrated on 25th December, the house elf keeping evil spirits at bay (domovoy) and finding your future by throwing shoes. We couldn’t let Daria go without talking about the food, turns out there’s more to it than borsht, caviar and potatoes. Our mouths are watering just thinking about the shashlik… Stay Cultured, J & N xoxo. Please take a moment to subscribe, review and comment. We’d love to hear from you @culturallyspeakingpodcast.
This week we’re changing things up on Culturally Speaking and welcoming a guest to the podcast for the very first time - welcome Nick! If you’ve ever been to Belfast on the 12th July you might have seen towering bonfires lit across the city and this week’s guest is here to tell us all about Eleventh Night. The tradition has significant historical relevance as it marks the victory of Protestant King William of Orange over Catholic King James II at the Battle of the Boyne, north of Dublin, in 1690 – a triumph that secured a Protestant line of succession to the British Crown. Tune in to find out how many types of bread you can expect with your breakfast in Belfast and what a bap chap is (a clue, it’s nothing to do with food!). Stay Cultured, J & N xoxo. Please take a moment to subscribe, review and comment. We’d love to hear from you @culturallyspeakingpodcast.
Culture - the ideas, customs, and social behaviour of a particular people or society.
Hello. Ciao. Hola. Nǐn hǎo. Bonjour. Konnichiwa. Privet. Namaste. Shalom.
Welcome to Culturally Speaking, the podcast where we talk #allthingscultural. Join us each week as we share the meaning behind some of the most famous traditions and celebrations from around the world and discover some less well known ones along the way. We are two 20-something year old girls living in London who met through work but became friends after bonding over a mutual love of good food (priorities!) and an appreciation of fabulous outfits (Gossip Girl is a guilty pleasure!). We realised all our conversations inevitably led back to #allthingscultural and wanted to share our ramblings with anyone else who's curious about the way others live. It's not perfect and we're far from professionals but wherever you're listening in the world, get cosy, grab a cup of tea (or wine we're not judging, it's 5 o'clock somewhere right?!) and join us.
Stay Cultured, J & N xoxo
We’re interrupting normal scheduling on Culturally Speaking this week in the wake of the global coronavirus pandemic to bring you a special episode. As the world around us is changing to adapt to the circumstances we find ourselves in, it feels topical to talk about greetings that don’t involve physical contact (a clue it involves a reference to a Brad Pitt film and tongues). Many of us will be practising social isolation but did you know that some cultures have been practising postpartum confinement traditions for centuries? In all seriousness we recognise that this podcast isn’t going to save lives (washing your hands might just though) but we hope it brings you a little light in a difficult situation and more importantly you stay safe in the coming weeks and months.
Stay Cultured (and Safe), J & N xoxo
Please take a moment to subscribe, review and comment. We’d love to hear from you @culturallyspeakingpodcast.
”What's in a name? That which we call a rose by any other name would smell as sweet”; the Bard’s famous line from Romeo & Juliet suggests that names themselves do not hold any intrinsic meaning. Are they simply labels to distinguish family from another or are names are intrinsic part of our identity? The National Statistics Office in many countries will report on the most popular names and some countries even have laws for the names children can be given. This week we explore how names are chosen, what they mean and who chooses them in different cultures. Shakespeare’s star-crossed lovers might have thought names were inconsequential but what does your name say about you?
Stay Cultured, J & N xoxo
Please take a moment to subscribe, review and comment. We’d love to hear from you @culturallyspeakingpodcast.
Rio de Janiero conjures up images of sun-drenched Copacabana Beach, Sugarloaf Mountain in the distance and the imposing Christ the Redeemer overlooking it all; but the heart and soul is in the most famous dance party in the world – Carnival. This week we talk about how Carnival came to be, how Brazilians celebrate today and just how many feathers does it take to make the Samba Queen’s costume (a clue it’s a LOT!) Janice learns what pancake day is, I reminisce about pão de queijo and we even #throwback to a Gossip Girl episode.
Stay Cultured, J & N xoxo
Please take a moment to subscribe, review and comment. We’d love to hear from you @culturallyspeakingpodcast.
We kick off the inaugural episode of Culturally Speaking by discussing a celebration near and dear to Janice’s heart, Chinese New Year. We cover the history and traditions of Chinese New Year and this is the Year of the Rat 🐭. We discuss how history has shaped some of the most famous traditions today (the couplet and red packets) and why there are some very specific rules about what is allowed during the festive period (no haircuts or throwing away rubbish). As is to be expected any time we get together food is the central topic of discussion and this festival is one for the foodies. Ever wondered if families really do sit round and make dumplings a la Crazy Rich Asians? Turns out you have to eat ALL the dumplings until someone finds the coin hidden in one of them #dumplingdreams! But I’m not so sure about the bird's nest…
Stay Cultured, J & N xoxo
P.S. this was our very first episode, so please forgive all the talking over each other and banshee laughs, we promise it gets better as the weeks go on!