Sakura, Sikhi & Strength
Welcome to Sakura, Sikhi & Strength - a podcast about finding strength in the space between cultures and thriving through life's constant changes. I'm Asees Sethi Anand, your host, and as someone born in Japan, raised in Los Angeles, educated globally and now living in New York City, I understand what it means to navigate life between worlds. This podcast is for anyone building careers, starting families, caring for loved ones, and writing their own definition of success - all while honoring the beautiful complexity of multicultural identity. Whether you're a third-culture kid, second-generation immigrant, or simply someone who feels caught between cultures, this show is your space to feel seen, understood, and empowered. Join me for honest conversations about resilience, growth, and finding your strength in the spaces that make you uniquely you.
New episodes coming weekly. Subscribe now so you don't miss a single story.
Connect with me:
Instagram: @sakurasikhistrength
Email: hello@sakurasikhistrength.com
Sakura, Sikhi & Strength
Episode 3: The Neither Nor World - Exploring Third Culture Kid Identity with Ruth Van Reken
What does it mean to grow up in a "neither nor world"—belonging everywhere and nowhere at once? In this illuminating conversation, Asees sits down with Ruth Van Reken, co-author of the groundbreaking book "Third Culture Kids: Growing Up Among Worlds," to explore the complex reality of living between cultures.
Ruth shares her personal journey from Nigeria to Chicago, revealing how understanding her multicultural story transformed decades of confusion into clarity and purpose. This conversation validates the unique experiences of third culture kids while celebrating the extraordinary gifts that come from cultural fluidity.
Key insights explored:
- How the "neither nor world" creates a shared space between cultures
- Why portable traditions and sacred objects anchor identity across moves
- The importance of saying goodbye well to places, people, and possessions
- How cultural shame differs from cultural ignorance—and why it matters
- Building resilience in globally mobile children
- The paradox of living with both joy and loss simultaneously
- Learning to live with "more joy than worry" despite cultural complexity
Ruth's wisdom on parenting across cultures, navigating identity questions, and transforming cultural challenges into strengths offers invaluable guidance for third culture families, educators, and anyone living between worlds.
Whether you're a third culture kid yourself, raising children across cultures, or working with globally mobile families, this episode provides both validation and practical tools for embracing the beautiful complexity of multicultural identity.
About Ruth Van Reken: Leading authority on third culture kids and co-author of "Third Culture Kids: Growing Up Among Worlds." Born in Nigeria to American parents, Ruth has dedicated her career to helping others understand and navigate the third culture experience.
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