A Cultural Psychology Conversation with Deborah Ko

In this episode, host Emma Bellamy-Dodd sits down with cultural psychologist Deborah Ko for an eye-opening conversation on identity, belonging, and adaptation across cultures. Deborah shares her personal experiences growing up at the intersection of American and Hong Kong backgrounds, and reveals how cultural psychology became a lens for understanding her multiple selves. The discussion explores the discomfort of duality and dialecticism, Western versus Eastern notions of selfhood, and the fluid meaning of authenticity for those living between cultures. They unpack leadership and workplace dynamics, examining how the “ideal leader” looks like across cultures and how multicultural teams navigate these hidden norms. Deborah offers insights on communication, self-presentation, and adapting to professional norms abroad. The conversation also tackles how AI risks ironing out our individual quirks and cultural nuances, highlighting the critical importance of intentional engagement with technology. Memorable reflections on home, third-culture kids, and embracing complexity round out this compelling exploration of life in the in-between.Chapters00:00 Cultural Psychology: An Introduction 02:30 Growing Up Between Cultures 06:17 Understanding Identity Across Cultures 11:31 The Interdependent vs. Independent Self 16:32 Self-Presentation and Cultural Expectations 22:52 Leadership and Cultural Biases 28:16 Cultural Morality: What’s Right or Wrong Across Contexts 33:33 Communication Styles and Cultural Norms 40:14 Emotional Expression Across Cultures 45:59 Honesty vs. Kindness in Communication 51:17 The Impact of AI on Authenticity 57:05 Cultural Nuances in AI Communication 01:05:40 The Role of Critical Thinking in the Age of AI 01:13:28 Cultural Identity and the Migrant Experience 01:19:50 Closing Reflections Resources mentioned:“Geography of Thought” by Richard Nisbett“The Culture Map” by Erin Meyer“On Earth We’re Briefly Gorgeous” by Ocean Vuong“Crying in H Mart” by Michelle ZaunerConnect with Deborah:LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/deborahko/ Medium: https://psykobabble.medium.com/ ---Thank you for listening to From There To Here!If our guest's story resonated with you, please like, follow and rate the podcast – that would make a massive difference to the production of the show.I was your host Emma Bellamy, and I can’t wait to bring you on another journey From There to Here!LinkedIn || Instagram || Spotify || Apple PodcastsThis podcast brought to you in partnership with Kintsugi Heroes. To find out more, head to kintsugiheroes.com.au.