I am fresh off of a month of messy travel, and today I want to do a special travel edition of everyone’s favorite episode: what’s saving my life. Because travel is a big part of our lives as global workers, whether we travel often or we travel infrequently but very long trips, and having some tricks up your sleeve can make or break your time. So, h…

Today’s episode is an intensely practical one: we are going to explore three different techniques you can use to ground yourself when you are feeling overwhelmed or panicky or even just OFF. Of course, this isn’t just something that global workers struggle with, these things apply to everyone, but it certainly does seem to come up for us, doesn’t i…

Today, I want to take some time to chat a bit about some of the books that have been released in the last few years, specifically targeting global workers. I have read all of these books and they have each blessed me in different ways, and I hope they will bless you, too. Grit to Stay, Grace to Go (Eenigenburg and Burkholder) Raising a Family Overs…

By Karli Von Herbulis

This week, I want to do something a little different than I’ve done before, and guide you through a time of reflection and processing, in hopes that the next few months can be joyful, intentional, and leave you feeling exactly as you’d like to as the year ends. We’ll go through a series of questions and prompts for you to name and think about. You …

Hey friends, welcome back to Third Culture Thriving. I’m your host, Karli Von Herbulis. I’m a wife and mom living in Kigali Rwanda, where I serve in my local congregation, run this podcast and online ministry, study spiritual direction, and recently was selected to serve as a Regional Director for my sending agency, New International, based in Ft M…

I didn’t plan to do a sabbatical over the summer, the way that some people plan years in advance when they’ll take an intentional season away from certain professional or ministerial duties. No, my idea to take a sabbatical was born out of the depths of trauma and burnout, and it felt like the only path forward. The last year has been an intense on…

Yes, I’m saying “summer off” instead of a “sabbatical” for a reason. Because when it came down to it, my sabbatical didn’t go as planned in a number of ways. Today, I’m sharing some reflections and updates from the summer, as well as some of the small rhythms I’ve developed that I’m increasingly grateful for. I hope this will inspire you to reflect…

Life feels like a lot right now, both in some overwhelming ways and some great ones, so I feel like it’s best to give you kind of a “state of the soul” today. Both for your information, and my own need for processing. And then, to give you a bit of a manifesto as I enter a summer sabbatical of sorts. Thanks for being here.…

We love WSML episodes! Here's my top 10 as we head into the end of the podcast season.

By Karli Von Herbulis

This morning, as I was again ruminating on this, coffee in hand, I heard a gentle whisper: “Why don’t you instead ask: what do I desire FOR you?” My breath caught as I let the question linger quietly in my spirit. Am I asking the wrong question? What could the Lord desire FOR me, instead of FROM me?

Today, I want to take the time to walk you through resource that we’ve provided for free on our website for over a year now, but we haven’t really devoted a lot of energy to here on the podcast. I hav e heard from a number of you that are making the difficult decision to transition from your host countries back to your home countries this year, and…

In this life overseas, we all journey through these seasons where life feels like too much, but being able to step away and bring it to God feels like just another impossible thing to add to our never-ending to do list. We might even have tools at our disposal, but often we just need something that’s already done and prepared for us. Something we c…

Today’s episode topic is deeply personal to me, because it’s been a constant battle in my home really since I got married. Today, we’re talking about practically valuing and protecting your family and prioritizing it over your mission. Let’s get into it.By Karli Von Herbulis

Today, we’re talking about something that you’re all told me is heavy on your hearts and something you don’t always know how to handle: money requests from staff or local friends.By Karli Von Herbulis

Most of us can make a list of “great things to have in our country” pretty fast by now. Seasoning mixes, seasonal teas and treats, Ziploc bags, essential oils, Western candy and snack foods, makeup and sunscreen and bug spray, passport holders, decaf coffee. We fill our suitcases and our visitors’ suitcases with these things with ease. But what abo…

Last week, we chatted about different questions you could ask a prospective or current sending agency. On Instagram, you all shared so many more, so I wanted to give you a part 2 episode. In addition, later this week we’ll have a beautiful download on our website of all these questions, organized for you to used. It’s been a great thing to crowdsou…

By Karli Von Herbulis

By Karli Von Herbulis

I’ve adapted the original 30 Days of Prayer and Learning into a Lenten guide, including journaling prompts, sabbath practices, and opportunities to write your own prayers for your host country. Each day, we’ll pray together for a facet of your host country or a relevant topic: for example, for the government, for the lonely, for single mothers. The…

Here’s the number one thing I want you to keep in mind as you go through this: more than anything else, your supporters need to feel connected to YOU. Yes, they need to understand your ministry and believe in your “why”. But in the end, they need to know your heart, your personality, and be connected and invested in you as a person, as a family. An…

Today, we're chatting about how to plan our weeks well. Between non-negotiables like school or meetings, self care time, and goals we are working towards, it can be hard to know what to prioritize. Let's figure it out! We're also talking about what to expect from TCT in 2023. Plan to join us for our FREE Lent of Prayer and Learning ommunity experie…

By Karli Von Herbulis

This year, I’ve been challenged by several wise, older people in my life to move away from a faith that relies on routine and checked boxes, and more towards a faith that is more intuitive and spirit led. Sounds easy, right? But in reality, I relied heavily on very strict rhythms in almost every area of my life to keep myself afloat, including in m…

As we get to know how the church operates in another culture, it’s to be expected that we find new ways that the Gospel manifests itself, often that are very different from how we have seen the gospel presented in our own cultures. Some things that are only tangentially important to our culture’s interpretation of the gospel are much more important…

The last time I put out a call for episode topics, I got a number of responses about having realistic expectations for ourselves, how to grieve the loss of our capacity and ability to whip through a to-do list, and reframing success. Friends, today I’d like to introduce you to a little something I call the “minimum successful day.”…

Much of this life is just not absolute. There are lots of uncertainties, lots of grey areas, lots of things changing all the time. We find one rhythm that feels like it works for us, and then something changes and throws that off. We think we’ve found the right house staff, but our needs change. Flight prices go up, roads close, your favorite cerea…

Today, I want to do something a little different. I want to give you three metaphors that I’ve found useful as I’ve traveled through similar phases of acedia myself, that you can use for personal meditation, prayer, or journaling. My hope is that these metaphors will help you see your host country as the gift that it is for your journey, and that y…

Today’s episode is part book review, part hearty book endorsement. I first read the book The Wisdom of Stability by Jonathan Wilson-Hartgrove fairly soon after it’s release. You may know his name from his association with Shane Claiborne and the New Monastics movement, and as such, he is a truly perfect person to write a book about staying put.…

Today is a big one, friends. If you’ll permit me, I want to gently and graciously tackle one of the biggest questions I get in my work with Third Culture Thriving: should I stay, should I go? How do I know when it’s time to leave my host country? I want start by saying that I do not intend to give your any kind of answers or even framework for find…

Finding time to quiet ourselves and process our lives can be a challenge. Our lives overseas can be chaotic, unpredictable, and demand so much from us. And when we do find that space, often we find ourselves so overwhelmed with all of our thoughts and feelings, it can be difficult to figure out where to begin. Our lives feel like one big jumble in …

The status quo, the way it’s always been done is only helpful if it’s truly helping everyone. If it’s not? Remember your agency. The health of your family and ministry are the most important, and from that will flow the goodness of the Lord’s calling for you in your host country. Remember your agency, and make the shifts you need.…

In keeping with our September Intentions Project theme of Patience, a replay of a popular early TCT episode.By Karli Von Herbulis

To set the tone here, what constitutes a dirty home and what clean will mean to any of us is entirely subjective. So rather than outlining a cleaning schedule for you in this episode, instead I’m going to talk through some principles that you can think about or questions that you can ask yourself, that will help you create your own plan off action.…

We talk often about the tension between wanting to be as generous as possible and also needing to maintain healthy boundaries. While this is a worthwhile conversation to have, it’s one that is centered solely around our comfort and ability to be healthy and continue to give. It’s necessary to also look at the other side of this situation- how our g…

Is stayng or going constantly on the table for you, because you don't have any specific term commitment? Consider instituting your own terms of commitment and times of reevaluation!By Karli Von Herbulis

Today’s episode is a quick and practical one- 5 quick health tips for you, wherever you find yourself in the world, no supplements or equipment or crazy things needed. Let’s go!By Karli Von Herbulis

In keeping with our monthy Intentions Project theme of Rest, a replay of one of TCT's popular early episodes.By Karli Von Herbulis

Many of us have just slogged through the emotional minefield that is leaving season. Hard goodbyes and identity crises abounded for us, but we’ve made it. But for some of us, this season brings new adventures. It’s arrival season! Families transitioning to new countries are settling in and finding their footing. So, hey! Today’s episode is for all …

A quick episode about what leaving and loving well can look like- from the stayer's perspective. A collection of thoughts on what I've seen people do well over the years, and how a "leaver" can be kind and thoughtful to their inner circle as they go.By Karli Von Herbulis

In keeping with this months Intentions theme of REST, we're replaying a favorite episode from very early on in the podcast.By Karli Von Herbulis

Over the years, I’ve shared my story of struggling living abroad and coming out the other side (as much as one can, I guess) in bits and pieces. Most notably, the pilot episode talks about this in a lot of detail. It was a lot of really strategic intentional work that got us to this place, and a number of intentional choices were made that increase…

Maybe you’re finding yourself in a trying season this year. Maybe it’s like mine, where you’re grieving the departure of friends or colleagues. Maybe you’re grieving the death of a dream of some kind, or an unwanted shift in focus, or something you’ve been praying for that isn’t coming to fruition. Maybe you’re leaving the field, but it’s the last …

I feel like nobody really talks about how difficult the re-entry back to your host country can be. Yes, jet lag can be brutal, but theres also an emotional wall we can hit when we return, and it can be incredibly challenging and discouraging- and it can hit even if we are incredibly happy and ready to be back in our host country. Today, I want to s…

After a brief hiatus for summer travel, TCT is back with a fun episode about the 10 things saving my life right now. I'd love to hear yours!By Karli Von Herbulis

As we wade through the many places where we can be generous and have profound effects on the people around us, may we be lead by the Spirit and walk in obedience to his calls. May we be wise and discerning, seeking to build up the people around us rather than solve an inconvenient problem. May we be creative and insightful, understanding the implic…

On today's episode, we are discussing the idea of "borrowing prayers", plus I'm sharing my favorite prayer books.By Karli Von Herbulis

What if strength of faith isn’t shown in having all the answers or blindly moving forward, but in the ability to doubt and question and wrestle and beat our chests, in communion with Christ and acceptance of his goodness and love for us? What if the growth of our faith depends on this honestly and vulnerability, instead of running away from it?…

By Karli Von Herbulis