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, or just curious about what's going on, this concept might explain why.

📕 The Revenge of the Tipping Point by Malcolm Gladwell

📝 The online Holistic Conference for Global Workers (includes the Overstories worksheet and the bonus resource of Toxic Leadership Assessment). The conference is 50% off through May 15, 2026.

🎧 Three podcast episodes:

• Global Online Conference: Holistic Care for Cross-Cultural Workers [Listen here]
• Holistic Care for Cross-Cultural Workers: Insights from the Global Trellis Team [Listen here]
• How to use The Toxic Leadership Assessment [Listen here]

🍇 The membership Insiders includes monthly Live prayer activities, all workshops, and 50% courses and conferences (the sale stacks!)

Global Trellis: The Podcast

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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 how God might be inviting you into a new season of meaningful work.

Read this article by Bernie: When Your Global Calling Doesn’t Translate Back Home

Amy’s Book: Looming Transitions (audio book and workbook on Global Trellis, available here on Amazon)

Connect with Bernie about the Career Sweet Spot Assessment

Global Trellis: The Podcast

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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. Are you planning a trip back to your passport country? This episode (and tool!) is for you!

Purchase your Trip Planner (included in Insiders!)

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Global Trellis: The Podcast

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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 discovering that same kind of cross-cultural dynamic in your own country, this conversation will resonate. Everyone doing the hard work of cross-cultural ministry needs validation and resources. This episode is a step in the right direction!

📖 Global Trellis Article about taking down the ministry pedestal

🏞️ Ministry Pedestal infographic

🎧 Podcast about Dismantling the Ministry Pedestal

Global Trellis: The Podcast

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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 stories, mislabel harm, and limit meaningful response. If words can contribute to the problem, the good news is that they can also be part of the solution. Listen in and become better equipped for the realities you’re facing.

Download Sexual Harassment, Abuse, and Assault research paper

In the download hub, on this page you’ll find:

✅ Graphics: Easy-to-use visuals from the paper for social media, newsletters, or presentations.

✅ Infographics: Clear, shareable summaries of key findings (two specifically for organizations! One geared for you to use in newsletters)

✅Discussion guide: A tool to help teams and groups process the paper together

In this podcast episode hear directly from the authors as we unpack key themes and what surprised us most: E078 Let’s Talk About it” Sexual Harassment, Abuse, and Asault with Stacey Covell

Global Trellis: The Podcast

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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 unhealthy patterns, bring hidden pain into the light, and honor the image-bearers in their homes and communities.

Azmera Ministries: Retreats for Women on the Field

Sarah’s Book: My Once Upon a Time

Global Trellis: Narcissism Week

Episode 054: When your marriage is struggling on the field with Jenilee Goodwin

Global Trellis: The Podcast

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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 unprocessed grief from becoming another “stone” in the cross-cultural grief tower.

✨ Sign up for the Webinar for Member Care and Birth Story Listening on April 9th

✨ Take the birth stress on the field survey or read about why this survey.

—Website for Chandler Gilow: The Global Birth Coach

—Connect with Christine Rollings on Instagram

—Insiders have access to the Birth Story Processing Packet by Chandler Gilow join Global Trellis Insiders.

—Read Global Trellis articles related to giving birth on the field here.

Global Trellis: The Podcast

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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 into honest conversations that foster dignity and safety, and reflects the Kingdom of God on earth.

—Download Let’s Talk About It: Sexual Harassment, Abuse, and Assault on the Field here

—You can download infographics, graphics for you to use in newsletter & presentations, and a discussion guide to help you discuss the paper: https://globaltrellis.com/lets-talk-about-sexual-harassment

—Have you read the Let’s Talk About It: Eleven Areas of Concern for Cross-Cultural Workers? Read it here.

Global Trellis: The Podcast

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