90. The dark side of life as a Third Culture Kid - with Jessi Bullis

Send us Fan MailTrigger warning: We are talking about very sensitive topics in this episodes, including assault, trauma and suicide. For immediate help or to discuss struggles, you can connect with people who can support you by calling or texting 988 anytime in the US and Canada. In the UK, you can call 111. These services are free, confidential, and available 24/7.My guest today is an adult TCK*: Jessi, the former Director of Marketing and Adult TCK Services with TCK Training (she's still actively involved in their Suicide Intervention Training and select retreats. Jessi is especially passionate about creating mental health resources for TCKs and walking alongside teens and young adults as they navigate the challenges of a global life.We talk about her own bumpy story, and conclude with actionable tips for mental health - while this is all in a global context, this episode is incredibly important and valuable for anybody raising or working with young people.Jessi's tips (time stamped)(01:01:57) Have healthy support systems for yourself in place & communicate those to the kids = modelling it(01:03:03) Receiving all their hardships (even the tiny ones) they communicate = validation of feelings; TCK training has a course on “safe space responses”(01:05:10) Be mindful how you talk about mental health publicly; it’s not something to joke about, and it is something that needs to be talked about (in an age appropriate way) = take away stigma and shame(1:08:33) Be prepared to share resources, talk about resourcesUse the resources to educate yourself!Jessi’s website isn’t live yet (at the time of June 2026), but bookmark it for future use. You can find her on LinkedIn.In the meantime, head to TCK Wellness, or TCK Training, for further resources, counseling directories (in progress) and courses.Directory of vetted, TCK-informed mental health professionalsA Practical Guide to Supporting Suicidal TCKs (from someone who’s been there) - blog about Jessi's storyTCK Suicide Intervention TrainingSafe Space Responses - Free seriesBooks: For parents: The Grief Tower (Lauren Wells)For adult TCKS: Unstacking Your Grief Tower (Lauren Wells)*Definition of TCK: TCK stands for Third Culture Kid, which is an individual who spends a significant part of their developmental years outside their parents' passport countries or cultures. They blend aspects of their home culture with host cultures, creating a unique "third culture" identity, and often feel "from everywhere and nowhere". Often children of diplomats, missionaries or military personnel.