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cultureXchange

cultureXchange

By: Frauke Bender & Marie-Christine Dobro
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Podcast on Living and Working Abroad, Expat Life, Culture, Identity and Belonging. Co-Hosts: Frauke Bender, Professor for International Management, Facilitator for Intercultural Learning, Book Author and Marie-Christine Dobro, fellow expat, lived & worked internationally, Brand Builder and Marketer, team up for an intercultural exchange on topics targeted around living internationally. They share their own experiences, provide latest research insights and talk with special guests about their unique pathways and life stories. With their cultureXchange Podcast, the duo takes you on a journey around the globe and leaves you with new perspectives, ideas, and learnings on what it takes to successfully navigate across borders and cultures. Social Sciences
Episodes
  • #42 Cognitive Surrender? When AI Starts Thinking for You with Stephan Ruppert

    #42 Cognitive Surrender? When AI Starts Thinking for You with Stephan Ruppert
    Jun 26 2026
    55 mins
  • #41 Intercultural Learning - Developing the Human Superpower We All Need with Tara Harvey

    #41 Intercultural Learning - Developing the Human Superpower We All Need with Tara Harvey
    Apr 24 2026
    Intercultural learning can be seen as the development of a kind of human superpower: the ability to navigate differences in perspective, culture, and experience with awareness, empathy, and skill. In an increasingly interconnected world, this “superpower” is no longer optional; it is essential for meaningful communication, collaboration, and leadership across diverse contexts. *Culture Chat* In this episode, Frauke and Marie-Christine speak with Tara Harvey, founder of True North Intercultural, about why intercultural learning matters more than ever today. Key Topics Covered: - What intercultural learning really means - Intercultural competence as a life and leadership skill - Why schools should teach these skills early - Diversity vs. intentional intercultural development - Emotional intelligence and reflection in learning - Balancing comfort and challenge for growth - Reasons for optimism in intercultural education Key Takeaway: Exposure to diversity is not enough. Meaningful intercultural learning requires intentional design, reflection, and support. About Tara Harvey: Tara Harvey is the founder of True North Intercultural and a recognized leader in intercultural teaching and learning. Her work focuses on helping educators and institutions intentionally develop intercultural competence in students, staff, and leaders. Connect with Tara: Email: tara@truenorthintercultural.com LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/taraaharvey/ https://www.truenorthintercultural.com/ Connect with cultureXchange: Instagram: @culture_x_change Website: https://www.culturexchangepodcast.com/ YouTube: @culturexchange.podcast LinkedIn: The cultureXchange Podcast Email: connectculturexchange@gmail.com Listen & Subscribe Tune in to this episode of the cultureXchange Podcast for practical insights and inspiration on preparing learners to thrive across differences.
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    35 mins
  • #40 Deep Culture - From Comfort Zones to Culture Bumps with Joseph Shaules

    #40 Deep Culture - From Comfort Zones to Culture Bumps with Joseph Shaules
    Mar 20 2026
    What happens when a small everyday moment suddenly feels uncomfortable, confusing, or just slightly “off”? Maybe it’s being asked to take off your shoes before entering someone’s home. Maybe it’s silence in a meeting that feels longer than it should. Maybe it’s navigating a train system that seems perfectly logical to everyone - except you. These moments are easy to dismiss. Easy to judge. Easy to label as “strange.” But what if these so-called culture bumps are not obstacles to overcome, rather, invitations to pause, reflect, and uncover the deeper patterns shaping how we see the world? *Culture Chat* In this episode, Frauke and Marie-Christine are joined by Joseph Shaules to explore how cultural understanding grows through everyday observations, embodied experience, and psychological awareness. Joseph introduces the concept of culture bumps: moments that interrupt our automatic cultural thinking. Drawing from his experiences in Japan, he explains how something as simple as taking off shoes before entering a house reflects a deeper cultural pattern - the distinction between inside and outside. These small disruptions reveal something profound, culture operates largely beneath our awareness. It is not just visible customs or traditions, it is embodied knowledge. What You’ll Learn in This Episode: • What “culture bumps” are and why they matter • The difference between abstract cultural theory and embodied cultural knowledge • How deep culture shapes behavior unconsciously • Why technology can create cultural comfort zones • The psychological process behind adapting to foreign environments • Why asking “why” unlocks deeper cultural insight • How to slow down your thinking and avoid quick cultural judgments • What it really takes to develop an intercultural mind Key Takeaway: Culture is not something “out there.” It lives within us - in our bodies, perceptions, and automatic reactions. Intercultural growth begins when we notice disruption, reflect on it, and stay curious instead of defensive. Call to Action: This week, pay attention to one small “culture bump” in your life—at work, at home, or abroad. Pause. Ask why. Observe your own reaction. And share your reflections with us because intercultural learning starts with awareness. About Joseph Shaules: Joseph Shaules (PhD) has worked in intercultural education in Japan, Mexico and Europe for more than 25 years. He is a Specially Appointed Professor at Keio University’s GIC Center, in Tokyo. He is the director of the Japan Intercultural Institute. Books include: Transformation, Embodiment and Wellbeing in Foreign Language Education (Bloomsbury); Language, Culture and The Embodied Mind (Springer); The Intercultural Mind (Intercultural Press); and Deep Culture (Multilingual Matters). He is the creator and host of The Deep Culture Experience Podcast. Connect with Joseph: Email: jshaules@japanintercultural.org LinkedIn: linkedin.com/in/josephshaules Japan Intercultural Institute: https://japanintercultural.org/ Deep Culture Experience podcast:https://japanintercultural.org/podcast-2/ Japan Intercultural Institute Masterclass: https://japanintercultural.org/masterclass/ Connect with cultureXchange: Instagram: @culture_x_change Website: https://www.culturexchangepodcast.com/ YouTube: @culturexchange.podcast LinkedIn: The cultureXchange Podcast Email: connectculturexchange@gmail.com Tune in and join Frauke and Marie-Christine for another thoughtful exchange across cultures.
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    52 mins
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