Global Trellis: The Podcast

Do you avoid conflict, or actually resolve it? Dr. Janeen Davis used to run from hard conversations on the field, until she found "Peace Pursuit," a biblically-grounded model for working through long-standing conflict with teammates. In this episode, she, Amy, and Bernie dig into what it means to address conflict one relationship at a time, starting with God, and how to walk into a peacemaking con...

Amy and Bernie walk through the stages of singleness on the field—from flexible 20s to calling questions in the 30s, the “in-between” 40s, and the realities of aging parents and retirement later in life. You’ll get a clear, practical look at what singles carry in each decade and how teams can genuinely honor, include, and support them. 💰 Ending Well Costs Money ( Read here ) 💧 How to Picture All...

Why do some third culture kids come through a cross-cultural childhood resilient and rooted, while others quietly struggle to feel like they belong anywhere? Author and coach Anna Danforth has spent years studying exactly that question, and in this episode she joins Amy and Bernie to talk about the answer she landed on: support — specifically, seven kinds of it. Drawing from her new book, Nourishe...

Is it possible for Mom and Dad to sabbatical at the same time? If you’ve ever tried, you know it’s tough. In this “Mailbag Episode,” Amy and Bernie are joined by Jenilee Goodwin to explore how parents with kids at home can realistically experience a sabbatical. They unpack how to redefine sabbatical in a full season of life by slowing the pace, lowering expectations, simplifying meals and schedule...

Women's security on the field isn't solved by a checklist or a one-off self-defence session, it's built through listening, learning, and making changes that actually fit the context. Shannon Mureithi of Crisis Consulting International joins Amy and Bernie to share practical, accessible steps that organisations and individuals can take right now to meaningfully increase women's safety and dignity i...

Before you ever landed on the field, you were already shaped by distorted ideas about authority, power, calling, and the body of Christ—and chances are, you're still carrying them. In this episode, Cori Crawford Van Oss joins Amy and Bernie to name five heresies that cross-cultural workers bring with them or encounter on the field. They also explore the tools you need to recognise, resist, and rep...

What is something you’ve always wanted to do? Discover why your God-given dreams and creative pursuits matter—even when they’re not “ministry related”—and how they can actually protect you from burnout and add richness to your life and work. In this episode, Bernie, Amy, and Stacey offer practical, grace-filled ideas for naming your dreams, taking small consistent steps, and investing time and res...

In this episode, Amy and Bernie talk with Emily Maljanian (who also happens to be Amy's niece!) from Wordsmith Services about why donor communication is essential for staying funded, connected, and emotionally supported in cross-cultural work. Emily shares practical tips for writing brief, consistent newsletters, even if you don't see yourself as a writer. Whether you're just starting out or feeli...

Every culture, organization, and person operates under an "overstory"—a dominant narrative so pervasive it's nearly invisible. In this episode, Amy and Bernie unpack Malcolm Gladwell's concept of overstories and explore what it means for cross-cultural workers who are constantly navigating between competing narratives. If you've ever felt disoriented, misunderstood, or stuck in a cultural context,...

After living and serving on the field, do you ever wonder if you’re ruined for finding work that will feel as meaningful again? You’re not alone. In this episode, Amy and Bernie step into the disorienting space of re-entry and finding a job.  because what you did on the field doesn’t seem to translate to a job. We unpack the messy middle of transition, wondering what skills still matter and h...

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...