Shop Talk With Brandi and James

Join Brandi and James as they sit down with Dr. Tasha Mitchell to discuss her research on missionary burnout, exploring how leadership, emotional intelligence, and resilience play a role in preventing and predicting burnout among missionaries. Dr. Tasha Mitchell currently serves as the Clinical Director at Willow Creek Counseling Center. She received an M.A. in […]

Join Brandi and James as they meet with Ulrika Ernvik to discuss helping people navigate traumatic experiences using Safety Stories. With extensive experience working with children and adults in Sweden and Thailand, Ulrika has dedicated her career to helping people process trauma and rebuild safety. Her curiosity about how ordinary people can support healing led […]

Join Brandi and James as they sit down with Kimberly Drage to explore the complexities of organizational change. Kimberly highlights the crucial distinction between change and transition, noting that every transition inevitably involves some form of loss. She emphasizes that, while organizations often devote substantial energy and resources to managing change, the process of navigating […]

Join Brandi and James as they sit down with Kristen Cagwin to discuss both the external and internal preparations necessary for a smooth transition back to home cultures.

Join Brandi and James as they talk to Alex Galloway about the different types of care that are needed and available for cross-cultural workers. This includes ways sending organizations can be resourced and equipped and how to find outside or external help when needed. This type of help can be cousneling, spiritual direction, coaching and […]

Join Brandi and James as they talk with Bethany Hiser about the socially acceptable addiction to work. There can be an unhealthy attachment or co-dependency on work that shapes our identity and sense of acceptance. Work often becomes the socially acceptable addiction, particularly for those in full-time ministry and cross-cultural work. A significant part of […]

Join Brandi and James as they interview John Fawcett and discuss resilience and stress for cross-cultural workers. John defines resilience as the capacity or ability to manage, cope, and thrive amid change. Change is a constant in life, and the stress it brings can lead to distress. The ability to navigate these changes and distress […]

Join Brandi and James as they talk with Dr. Frauke and Dr. Charlie Shaefer about the theology of suffering. We all have one, as it frames the way we believe about the nature of God and the suffering we encounter. Frauke talks about what often causes spiritual struggle is the discrepancy between prior assumptions and […]

Join Brandi and James as they talk with MaDonna Mauer about the challenges of raising a TCK with disabilities. There may be more limitations, challenges, and minimum care necessary to live cross-culturally with a family member with a disability. However, there are also beautiful opportunities to see God at work in your family and in […]

Join Brandi and James as they have Dr. Keith Webb back on. This time, they discuss the importance of financial planning for cross-cultural workers. So often, this is an afterthought, a point of contention, or even a theological block. Keith talks about financial planning as having Faith in Advance. Keith has developed a training called […]