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Quiero un Panino con Cheese
Ever tried answering the question “Where are you from?” and gave a 10-minute monologue? Ever caught yourself switching between three languages in the middle of a sentence? Ever wondered what home really means when you’ve had more than one?
If so, welcome to Quiero un Panino con Cheese, the podcast for parents, kids, and families living the beautiful chaos of multicultural life.
Hosted by Gaia Striano and Hazel Swayne, two moms who have raised children across borders, this show explores the joys and challenges of Third Culture Kids—kids who grow up between cultures, languages, and identities.
Quiero un Panino con Cheese
Building a TCK Community with Markian Benhamou
Markian Benhamou on the TCK Experience and Building Global Community
In this episode, we sit down with Markian Benhamou — creator, content entrepreneur, and founder of the Smile Squad — to explore what it means to grow up as a Third Culture Kid (TCK) and how that experience has shaped his mission to build community across cultures.
Markian shares his journey of growing up between worlds, the challenges of identity and belonging, and how his multicultural background inspired him to create spaces — both online and offline — where global citizens can connect through shared experiences. From humorous takes on cross-cultural life to the deeper reflections behind his videos, Markian opens up about the power of storytelling, empathy, and finding “home” in sensations rather than places.
Key themes include:
- The unique identity and struggles of Third Culture Kids
- Turning cultural confusion into creative expression
- How Markian is building a global TCK community through social media
- Tips for TCKs seeking belonging and purpose
- The importance of normalizing the term TCK
Whether you’re a TCK yourself, a global nomad, or simply curious about life between cultures, this episode offers an honest, uplifting look into the beauty and complexity of growing up globally.
Please hit the follow button and enter our crazy, multilingual, international world and explore these questions and so much more as we open up about our personal experiences over a cup of coffee, Americano, espresso, cafe solo, or whatever gets you moving!