Global Trellis: The Podcast

Planning a trip to your passport countries, whether for a few weeks or a full-on furlough,  involved endless logistics. The Passport Country Trip Planner was created to bring clarity and calm to the process. Amy and Bernie welcome returning guest, Karli VonHerbulis, to introduce the Passport Country Trip Planner , a highly customizable, printable resource designed by Karli for your next trip....

Cross-cultural ministry isn’t just something that happens “over there”—it can happen right in your passport country. Amy and Bernie have a fascinating discussion with Megan and Foster about the challenges they face doing cross-cultural ministry in their passport country. Whether you’ve lived the complexity of being from Country A, living in Country B serving people from Country C, or you’re discov...

What if the words we use are part of the problem? In this episode, the Global Trellis co-authors Of Let's Talk About It: Sexual Harassment, Abuse, and Assault unpack the often-blurred lines between sexual harassment, abuse, and assault—and why those distinctions matter more than we think. Tracing how these terms developed and how they function across cultures, they reveal how confusion can silence...

In this episode, Sarah Labriel shares her powerful journey as a cross-cultural worker through joy, sudden loss, widowhood with two young children, and eventually a second marriage marked by hidden emotional and spiritual abuse. She describes how she came to recognize covert narcissism, set healthy boundaries, and pursue truth and healing. Along the way, we explore how global workers can discern un...

In this episode, Amy and Bernie welcome Chandler Gilow and Christine Rollings to explore why birth stories are vital—they are identity-shaping, deeply spiritual, and often complex experiences, especially for cross-cultural workers. Today we unpack the difference between telling and processing a birth story, the often-overlooked needs of fathers, and how intentional debriefing can prevent unprocess...

In this episode, Stacey Covell joins Amy and Bernie to unpack Global Trellis’ new research paper, Let’s Talk About It: Sexual Harassment, Abuse, and Assault on the Field . They share what it was like to sit with months of heavy data, the surprising patterns that emerged, and why policies alone are not enough—especially in cross-cultural contexts. Workers, leaders, and organizations are invited int...

Today, Amy and Bernie sit down with spiritual directors Beth Forshee and David Wu to explore how vices and virtues shape the “garden of the soul,” especially for cross-cultural workers. You’ll discover a fresh, grace-filled way to understand your struggles—not as failures to fix, but as invitations from Jesus to deeper trust—along with practical tools like prayers of detachment, meditation, and ev...

Cross-cultural workers often spend most of their energy working in ministry, but what about working on it? Africa Regional Director and Director of Wellness for her organization, Karli Von Herbulis shares how Global Trellis Insiders has helped her develop both personally and professionally through curated growth tracks, trauma-informed workshops, and practical resources accessible from anywhere in...

Cross-cultural workers are trained to work in their ministry—rarely on it. Like any vehicle, you use it to go somewhere, not to maintain it. But if 100% of the time is spent driving or riding and 0% maintaining, breakdown is inevitable. In this episode, Amy and Bernie unpack what it means to work "in" your ministry and "on" it and why investing in the “maintenance” side of ministry is essential fo...

In a brand new feature, Amy and Bernie tackle a listener’s question about the balance of accountability for workers on the field. Drawing on Amy’s years as a member care director, they discuss criteria for intervention, the role of counseling and documentation, and how to build a culture of honest, loving accountability in cross-cultural teams.  Podcast Episode ( listen here ) Struggles, Sins...

Today Jenny Smith shares her journey as a quadriplegic cross-cultural worker and member-care provider, exploring the unique challenges and gifts that people with disabilities bring to global ministry. Amy, Bernie, and Jenny unpack stigma, theology, practical accommodations, and how sending agencies can more intentionally empower disabled workers to thrive on the field. Website : https://JennySmith...

What happens when churches and global workers really work together in partnership? Turns out, some pretty amazing things! This week Amy and Bernie have a fascinating (and fun!) conversation with Bryan and Stefanie Nicholson, founders of Here2There, an organization that exists to close the gap between local churches and global workers.  Website: https://here2there.org/ Here2There Network: http...

Gen Z is beginning to step into cross-cultural work, and their formation is markedly different from generations before them. In this episode, Amy and Bernie talk with Katy White about who Gen Z is, how a post-Christian, digital-native upbringing shapes them, and the unique strengths and challenges they bring to the field. Together, they explore what current leaders and organizations need to unders...

Amy and Bernie are joined today by author and public theologian, Joash Thomas to discuss his most recent book The Justice of Jesus . This is a life-giving conversation about the relationship between justice and our jobs as cross-cultural workers in a gentle, Jesus-focussed, and hope-filled way.  Joash Thomas on Substack: https://joashpthomas.substack.com/ and his website https://www.joashptho...

In today’s episode, play therapist David Floge of Valeo Counseling joins Amy and Bernie to share what play therapy entails and why it's transformative for Third Culture Kids (TCKs). Our conversation explores practical approaches, parental involvement, and the importance of patience, creativity, and attunement when supporting cross-cultural children. Valeo Counseling Help your TCKs express themselv...

In this episode, we are back with Amy Farley. She shares her journey to becoming the lead pastor of an international church and discusses the unique challenges and rewards women face in leadership, both in Western and cross-cultural contexts. In this candid conversation, Amy offers encouragement and practical insights for women pursuing leadership roles in ministry, highlighting the importance of...

Amy and Bernie chat with author Karen Swallow Prior about the complexities of calling in cross-cultural and ministry contexts. They explore how calling evolves, break down false divides between sacred and secular work, and present a liberating framework centered on truth, goodness, and beauty – all drawn from Karen's book, You Have a Calling . Karen’s Substack: The Priory Order the book You Have a...

In a replay of the conversation from last year, Amy and Bernie discuss the importance of reflection and preparation for cross-cultural workers with guest Michele Zintz. Michele is a long-time user of the annual Reflect and Prepare Packet, and she shares her experiences using the Global Trellis this resource and the help it provides for honoring the past year and setting goals for the year ahead. G...

From December 17–23, Global Trellis: The Podcast offers seven short, five-minute episodes shaped by the O Antiphons and the song O Come, O Come, Emmanuel . Through Scripture, song, and reflection, each day lingers on an attribute of Christ, building quiet anticipation as we walk toward Christmas. We conclude this O Antiphon journey with O With Us Is God, rejoicing in the promise of God’s nearness...

From December 17–23, Global Trellis: The Podcast offers seven short, five-minute episodes shaped by the O Antiphons and the song O Come, O Come, Emmanuel . Through Scripture, song, and reflection, each day lingers on an attribute of Christ, building quiet anticipation as we walk toward Christmas. In this episode, we focus on O King of the Nations, proclaiming Christ as the cornerstone who unites w...

From December 17–23, Global Trellis: The Podcast offers seven short, five-minute episodes shaped by the O Antiphons and the song O Come, O Come, Emmanuel . Through Scripture, song, and reflection, each day lingers on an attribute of Christ, building quiet anticipation as we walk toward Christmas. Today’s reflection highlights O Dayspring, celebrating Christ as the light that dawns in darkness and...

From December 17–23, Global Trellis: The Podcast offers seven short, five-minute episodes shaped by the O Antiphons and the song O Come, O Come, Emmanuel . Through Scripture, song, and reflection, each day lingers on an attribute of Christ, building quiet anticipation as we walk toward Christmas. This episode centers on O Key of David, acknowledging Christ as the one who opens what no one can shut...

From December 17–23, Global Trellis: The Podcast offers seven short, five-minute episodes shaped by the O Antiphons and the song O Come, O Come, Emmanuel . Through Scripture, song, and reflection, each day lingers on an attribute of Christ, building quiet anticipation as we walk toward Christmas. Today we reflect on O Root of Jesse, naming Christ as the promised shoot from an ancient root, bringin...

From December 17–23, Global Trellis: The Podcast offers seven short, five-minute episodes shaped by the O Antiphons and the song O Come, O Come, Emmanuel . Through Scripture, song, and reflection, each day lingers on an attribute of Christ, building quiet anticipation as we walk toward Christmas. In this episode, we turn our attention to O Lord, remembering God’s powerful presence with Moses and H...

From December 17–23, Global Trellis: The Podcast offers seven short, five-minute episodes shaped by the O Antiphons and the song O Come, O Come, Emmanuel . Through Scripture, song, and reflection, each day lingers on an attribute of Christ, building quiet anticipation as we walk toward Christmas. Today’s episode focuses on O Wisdom, inviting us to reflect on Christ as the wisdom through whom all t...