In today’s episode, host Mike Picconatto is joined by Kate and Joel Damon and Dr. Stephen W. Jones to kick off a two-part conversation exploring the question, “What is culture?” Drawing on insights from Stephen’s book, the Cross Cultural Transitions Handbook, the team unpacks the complex and often hard-to-define nature of culture. Stephen offers both simple and nuanced definitions of culture and helps us understand why cultural transitions are more difficult than we imagine they might be.
Together, Mike, Kate, Joel, and Stephen dig into real-life examples from their own communities—ranging from the concept of "Nebraska nice" to the subtle meanings behind everyday behaviors and cultural artifacts. The group discusses why cultures can be so different and why it is so important for us to not only be explorers of other cultures, but also spend time getting to know our own culture well.
Resources from this episode:
Videos and other traXcultures resources.
Follow Joel and Kate on Instagram: @joelandkateinberlin
Information on Dr. Stephen W. Jones
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.
Regular Theme music by Mike Picconatto
traxcultures is recorded and produced by Envision Berlin
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