Risk Factors

In this episode, Mike is joined by Stephen W. Jones, Kate Damon, and Joel Damon to take a closer look at the risk factors that shape cross-cultural transitions. Building on previous discussions of intensity factors, the team unpacks risk factors such as identity struggles, vulnerability, embarrassment, and the loss of familiar roles that arise during major moves like relocating to Berlin. The conversation blends practical examples with candid reflection: Joel and Kate share their experiences navigating daily life in Berlin and wrestle with what it really means to be at peace. They also talk about the struggles of being independent people who are forced bo be more dependent on teammates as they get started in Berlin. Stephen W. Jones and Mike Picconatto add their own insights on role deprivation, the pitfalls of perfectionism, and how assumptions from home cultures can disrupt the process of adapting abroad. Together, they offer encouragement and concrete advice—not just for those preparing to move, but for anyone seeking to support loved ones through cross-cultural transitions. 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 Disclaimer Patreon: To join our Patreon, click here. Transcripts are available for free on Patreon. Join the conversation on Discord. Chapters (00:05:16) - Discussing Risk Factors(00:06:55) - The Risk Factor of Self Awareness(00:13:02) - Revealing issues you thought were resolved(00:16:09) - The Risk Factor of Public and Private Boundaries(00:20:30) - Maintaining Private Space on Public Transportation(00:23:19) - The Risk Factor of Embarassment and Offense(00:26:08) - The Risk Factor of Failure(00:29:45) - The real trap is in trying to avoid it(00:34:05) - The Risk Factor of Role Deprivation(00:40:27) - The Risk Factor of Cultural Identity

In this episode, Mike Picconatto is joined by Joel Damon, Kate Damon, and Dr. Stephen W. Jones for an honest conversation about the early weeks of the Damon’s transition to Berlin. The group reflects on the practical and emotional challenges of cross-cultural moves—from lost pants and stressful travel with dogs, to the struggle of making a new apartment feel like home. Stories and moments of vulnerability highlight the uncertainty, excitement, and exhaustion that come with moving to a new country and navigating unfamiliar routines. Drawing from Dr. Jones’s "Cross-Cultural Transition Handbook," the episode dives into the factors that intensify the experience of transition.Through anecdotes and practical insight, the conversation encourages listeners to give themselves (and others) grace, offering connection and hope for anyone walking through the complexity of cultural change. Main topics include emotional ups and downs in transition, factors that shape intensity and risk when moving cross-culturally, and practical strategies for coping, building community, and maintaining belonging.  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 Disclaimer Patreon: To join our Patreon, click here. Transcripts are available for free on Patreon. Join the conversation on Discord. Chapters (00:01:27) - Adjustments are amazing, difficult and frustrating(00:08:18) - What are intensity factors - Dr. Stephen W. Jones(00:14:54) - Legal vs Friendly Conflict(00:17:21) - Intercultural Cmopetence Challenges(00:22:04) - Language and Intensity(00:26:51) - Just want to do it myself(00:31:47) - Proving Competency in Challenges(00:32:57) - Dinner Timing Confusion(00:41:16) - Echoes of the Past(00:44:56) - Blame and FInding Peace

Notes In this episode of traxcultures, host Mike Picconatto reconnects with returning guests Joel and Kate Damon as they prepare to move to Berlin in under three weeks. Instead of diving into their planned book discussion, the trio takes time to give listeners a heartfelt update on the whirlwind of emotions and logistical challenges that come with cross-cultural transitions. From securing an apartment in Berlin to the process of sorting and packing up their home, Joel and Kate share candid reflections on how faith, supportive community, and a bit of humor have helped them navigate unexpected changes. The conversation touches on the emotional complexity of saying goodbye to loved ones, carrying both their own grief and the grief of others, and practical tips for the daunting final weeks before an international move. Joel and Kate also highlight the importance of connection with sending communities in both familiar and unusual ways! 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. Listen to Joel and Kate's message at Crossbridge Alliance here: https://www.facebook.com/crossbridgealliance/videos/1206881114606169 Credits: Regular Theme music by Mike Picconatto traxcultures is recorded and produced by Envision Berlin Disclaimer Patreon: To join our Patreon, click here. Transcripts are available for free on Patreon. Join the conversation on Discord. Chapters (00:00:00) - Trax Cultures: Navigating Cultural Transitions(00:03:48) - Sorting through household stuff(00:06:34) - Church Mural Project Succes(00:09:49) - Signing a rental contract remotely(00:15:01) - Bittersweet Farewell Reflections(00:20:57) - Pre-Trip Advice and Tips(00:24:36) - Prayer Brings Peace(00:27:43) - Deeper Ministry Beyond Berlin

Notes In this episode of traxcultures, recorded just before Mike and Elissa Picconatto's latest home assignment, the conversation dives deep into the raw realities of returning to your passport country after years abroad. Joined by Dr. Stephen W. Jones and Jennie Jones, the team draws from firsthand experience and the Cross-Cultural Transition Handbook to explore the emotional, relational, and logistical challenges faced in reentry—whether it’s leaving behind the dailiness of life overseas, coping with ambiguous losses, or grappling with the sense of being a visitor in what was once home. Listeners will hear candid reflections on grief, celebration, and the often-missed practicalities of transition, including the difficulty of saying proper goodbyes, navigating changed cultural norms, and the cumulative stress of reintegration. The group unpacks what they wish churches, friends, and family understood about the sensitivity and complexity of returning workers, and they share tips on self-care, grace, and setting healthy expectations. Whether you’re preparing for your own transition or walking alongside someone who is, this episode offers both empathy and practical wisdom for anyone facing the profound changes of coming home. Links: Resources from this episode: Information on Stephen Jones. Videos and other traXcultures resources. Follow Stephen and Jennie on Instagram: @thejonesesinberlin Visit liminal edges on Instagram: @liminal_edges Contact Envision Berlin about customizing the Cross-Cultural Transitions Handbook for your cross-cultural ministry organization. Purchase a copy of our Envision skinned Cross-Cultural Transitions Handbook here! Credits: Regular Theme music by Mike Picconatto traxcultures is recorded and produced by Envision Berlin Disclaimer Patreon: To join our Patreon, click here. Transcripts are available for free on Patreon. Join the conversation on Discord Chapters (00:00:00) - Navigating Life's Transitions(00:03:15) - Reflecting On Chapter Endings(00:06:19) - Sensitivity in Daily Transitions(00:11:56) - What Do International Workers Want?(00:14:27) - Overlooked Everyday Joys(00:21:00) - Curated Stories for Meaningful Engagement(00:23:04) - Navigating Culture Shock Emotions(00:27:50) - Gently Addressing Emotional Pain(00:30:36) - Primary Calling Beyond U.S. Tours(00:33:17) - Processing Team Workflow Challenges(00:37:01) - Join our Community

Notes In this episode, recorded almost a year ago on August 24, 2024, Mike is joined by his wife Elissa Picconatto, Dr. Stephen W. Jones, and Jennie Jones to explore the complexities of returning home after living abroad. Drawing on insights from the Cross-Cultural Transition Handbook, the team unpacks what it means to re-enter your passport or home country, whether for a brief home assignment or a permanent move. Stephen breaks down key concepts like reentry, reverse culture shock, and reintegration, noting the unique challenges and disorientation that arise when "home" no longer feels familiar. The conversation takes a personal turn as Stephen and Jennie reflect on their recent short visits back to the U.S. after years away. They share observations about environmental shifts—everything feeling louder, bigger, and faster—as well as cultural and relational adjustments, such as reconnecting with family members whose lives have moved forward in their absence.  Elissa and Mike also express anticipation and anxiety about reconnecting with loved ones after years abroad, highlighting the emotional complexities of changed relationships and shifting family dynamics. Throughout, the episode offers honest discussion about the joys and difficulties of maintaining a sense of belonging while navigating the inevitable changes that come with cross-cultural transitions. This is episode 1 of a 2 part series. Links: Resources from this episode: Information on Stephen Jones. Videos and other traXcultures resources. Follow Stephen and Jennie on Instagram: @thejonesesinberlin Visit liminal edges on Instagram: @liminal_edges Contact Envision Berlin about customizing the Cross-Cultural Transitions Handbook for your cross-cultural ministry organization. Purchase a copy of our Envision skinned Cross-Cultural Transitions Handbook here! Credits: Regular Theme music by Mike Picconatto traxcultures is recorded and produced by Envision Berlin Disclaimer Patreon: To join our Patreon, click here. Chapters (00:00:00) - Navigating Cross-Cultural Homecomings(00:04:32) - Reverse Culture Shock(00:07:19) - Reentry Challenges for Returning Expats(00:10:03) - Reflections on a short Visit(00:14:45) - Expansive Grocery Stores(00:18:45) - Family Reconnection and Changes(00:19:50) - Family Dynamics and Life Changes(00:24:29) - Quick U.S. Visit Reflections(00:26:49) - Overwhelmed by too many choices

Notes In this special, never-before-released episode from December 2022, host Mike Picconatto is joined by Stephen W. Jones and Jennie Jones for an honest, heartfelt conversation about navigating holiday traditions and the deeper meaning of “martyrdom”  while living abroad. In December of 2022, Stephen and Jennie were 18 months into their lives in Berlin, and in this episode they reflect on adjusting to new cultural rhythms, missing family back home, and the challenge process of forging new traditions amidst ongoing personnel transition on site. Drawing from both ancient Celtic spirituality and their own lived experiences as expats and ministry workers, the trio discusses the three colors of martyrdom—red, green, and white—and how these ancient concepts resonate (even when the word martyrdom doesn’t!) in the everyday sacrifices and joys of cross-cultural life.  Links: Resources from this episode: Information on Stephen Jones. Videos and other traXcultures resources. Follow Stephen and Jennie on Instagram: @thejonesesinberlin Visit liminal edges on Instagram: @liminal_edges 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 Unterwegs is recorded and produced by Envision Berlin Disclaimer Patreon: To join our Patreon, click here. Transcripts are available for free on Patreon. Join the conversation on Discord Chapters (00:05:36) - Celtic Christianity: White Martyrdom Reflections(00:08:31) - The Cruciform Lifeytle Dilemma(00:12:26) - Missing Holidays and Uncertain Traditions(00:16:11) - Thanksgiving Abroad: Missing Holiday Feelings(00:18:56) - Navigating Holiday Transition Uncertainty(00:22:50) - Disrupted Holiday Traditions(00:26:04) - Balancing Giving and Relationships(00:28:27) - Exploring Familiar Themes(00:30:26) - East vs West German Christmas Traditions(00:37:10) - Redefining Family and Community(00:41:20) - Pastoring CHallenges During Christmas(00:43:22) - Balancing Disappointments and Joy(00:47:19) - Sharing Perspective(00:49:10) - White Martyrdom and Spiritual Sacrifice(00:49:11) - Join our Community!

Notes Mike is joined by guests Joel and Kate Damon for a candid update on their journey preparing to move to Berlin as international workers with the Christian and Missionary Alliance. The episode centers around their experiences at the Alliance Council gathering and the support and sense of belonging they found within the Alliance community. Joel and Kate discuss how their appearance, including visible tattoos, helps them connect with people who might not feel represented in traditional church spaces, and how this has opened up meaningful conversations and opportunities for ministry. The conversation also delves into the practical realities and emotions of preparing for a major cross-cultural transition. Joel and Kate share about building new partnerships with churches, navigating the fundraising process, the logistics of packing up their home, and the bittersweet nature of saying goodbye to friends and family. They offer honest reflections on managing stress, maintaining patience with each other, and finding peace in the midst of uncertainty. The episode wraps up with advice for others embarking on similar journeys, emphasizing the importance of community, open communication, and embracing paradox — the "yay ducks" and "yuck ducks" (pair of ducks!) — of cross-cultural transition. 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 Disclaimer Patreon: To join our Patreon, click here. Transcripts are available for free on Patreon. Join the conversation on Discord. Chapters (00:00:00) - You're Now an International Worker!(00:04:49) - Unexpected Connection Through Faith(00:08:33) - Art Partnership with a Wyoming Church(00:11:31) - Hanging Out!(00:16:32) - Empracing Change and New Beginnings(00:19:17) - Fundraising Anxiety(00:22:39) - Podcast as Pre-Trip Resource(00:26:36) - "Future Joel"(00:27:46) - Embracing Life's Paradox

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 Disclaimer Patreon: To join our Patreon, click here. Transcripts are available for free on Patreon. Join the conversation on Discord. 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

Notes In this episode, Mike is joined once again by Joel and Kate Damon as they dig into a key theme from Dr. Stephen W. Jones’ Cross-Cultural Transition Handbook: expectations. As Joel and Kate prepare for their upcoming move to Berlin, the conversation centers on the often unspoken hopes, assumptions, and uncertainties that come with any significant transition. Identifying and naming these expectations can help navigate the inevitable frustrations and surprises of adapting to a new culture. Together, they explore practical examples of expectations—ranging from spiritual growth and professional identity to relationships with friends and family back home. Mike shares candid insights from years of working with teams and individuals in transition, highlighting how unmet expectations can lead to moments of self-discovery and growth. Kate and Joel open up about their personal hopes and fears, from homesickness to redefining community, and the trio offers valuable advice on communicating openly, managing disappointments, and finding new rhythms in unfamiliar territory. This episode is an honest, relatable look at embracing both the excitement and challenges of cross-cultural change. 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 Disclaimer Patreon: To join our Patreon, click here. Transcripts are available for free on Patreon. Join the conversation on Discord. Chapters (00:00:00) - Acknowledging Unseen Expectations(00:03:15) - Navigating Loneliness in Marriage(00:07:57) - Unmet Expectations' Painful Twang(00:11:15) - Adjusting Spiritual Rhythms in New Spaces(00:15:13) - Navigating Long-Distance Friendship Challenges(00:19:24) - Overcoming Fear of Feedback(00:26:51) - Unexpected Happiness Beyond Expectations(00:30:00) - Unfulfilled Job Expectations(00:31:39) - Embracing Growth Through "Nos"

In today’s episode, Mike is joined again by Joel and Kate Damon, along with Dr. Stephen W. Jones, to continue unpacking the question: what is culture? Building off their previous conversation, the group explores the realities of moving between cultures and why such transitions are often deeply disorienting. Stephen walks through concepts four and five from his book, The Cross-Cultural Transition Handbook, highlighting how culture shock creeps in through countless small moments and why disorientation is both inevitable and, to some degree, predictable. The conversation dives into personal stories of cross-cultural confusion, from picking the wrong cookies at a Berlin grocery store to adjusting to surprising wedding customs in Minnesota. The panel discusses the difference between traveling and truly living cross-culturally, the temptation to impose your own “normal” on new environments, and the comfort of accepting that mistakes and misunderstandings are a natural part of adapting. They also touch on the ways self-worth and feedback are handled differently in American and German cultures, and how anticipating culture shock—rather than denying it—can ease the process of growing into a new home. 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 Disclaimer Patreon: To join our Patreon, click here. Transcripts are available for free on Patreon. Join the conversation on Discord. Chapters (00:00:00) - Cumulative Disorientation and Uncertainty(00:03:56) - When the Honeymoon feeling fades(00:10:40) - Diverse Cultures and Social Awareness(00:14:04) - Church Cultural Differences in Worship(00:18:32) - Dignity and Worth in Germany(00:22:35) - Decoupling Worth From Work(00:28:03) - Navigating Culture Shock Experiences(00:29:35) - Gradual Onset of Culture Shock