EP 50 - Culture, Identity, and Belonging: How Our Roots Shape Our Sense of Home (with Karen Sims)

Ever thought about whether our ancestry and culture influence the way we view ourselves, other people, and the country we live in — or the way we interact with the world? They do!  And when someone has lived in more than one country—especially if they grew up in one culture and are "adulting" in another—navigating cultural differences can be especially challenging. In this week’s episode of "From Lemons to Limoncello," we talk with Karen Sims, a Doctoral candidate at Georgia State University. Born in Taiwan to parents from two different cultures and later moving to the United States, Karen shares her unique experiences as a “third culture kid,” a fresh take on what culture really means, and her personal journey to find a sense of belonging. In this episode, we talk about: The definition of “third culture kid” The feeling of being an outsider, despite belonging to two or more cultures The differences between individual- and community-oriented societies The varying flavors of sexism from country to country How ancestry and culture can influence individual definitions of the American dream How being from two different cultures can mean feeling homesick for whichever culture you're not currently in Karen's most surprising culture shock after moving to the U.S. How culture evolves The distinction between national pride and nationalism The impact of cross-cultural influences on personal identity We also chat about geographical borders (Are they just human inventions that try [unsuccessfully] to contain culture?) and Karen’s thoughts about making limoncello as a metaphor for life (She’s a food writer, so it’s a good one!) , Don't miss this fascinating discussion with Karen Sims. Whether you're a third culture kid yourself, love hearing about human experiences, or are curious about global culture, this episode is sure to resonate and inspire.   More About Karen: Visit her new website, at: https://www.suqikaren.com/ Follow her on Instagram, at: https://www.instagram.com/suqikaren/ More About Lisa Marie: To learn more about Lisa Marie, get more content, or schedule a one-on-one coaching session, visit her website at: www.lisamarieconnections.com or her contact page, at: www.lisamarieconnections.com/connect Follow her on Instagram: @lisamarieconnections AFTER THE EPISODE: Love the podcast? Please rate the show and leave a review! Know someone who would benefit from hearing this episode? Please consider sharing it with them! PLEASE NOTE: The "From Lemons to Limoncello" podcast and content posted by Lisa Marie DeSanto is presented solely for general informational, educational, and entertainment purposes. The use of information on this website, the podcast, linked to content, or from coaching sessions is at the user’s own risk. It is not intended as a substitute for the advice of a physician, professional coach, psychotherapist, or other qualified professional, diagnosis, or treatment. Users should not disregard or delay in obtaining medical advice for any medical or mental health condition they may have and should seek the assistance of their healthcare professionals for any such conditions.