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 6: Living Fearlessly - Middle School Identity & Resilience with Antoinette Aku Quarshie
What does it mean to navigate identity when your childhood spans continents and cultures? In this profound conversation, Asees sits down with Antoinette Aku Quarshie, Dean of Students at a New York Independent School, who brings over 30 years of experience working with young adolescents during their crucial identity-forming years.
Born to a Grenadian mother and Ghanian father, Antoinette was raised between the UK, Grenada, Ghana, and the United States. Her unique third culture background, combined with her extensive work developing curriculum in Afghanistan, Kenya, Botswana, and South Africa, offers invaluable insights into helping young people not just survive, but truly thrive during their formative years.
Key themes explored:
- How moving between countries teaches you to quickly learn cultural codes and adapt
- Why the "in-betweenness" of middle school mirrors the third culture kid experience
- The difference between being vulnerable and hiding parts of yourself
- How deep listening becomes a superpower for connection across cultures
- Why resilience means teaching kids they're "so much more than any mistake they'll ever make"
- The importance of finding your "signposts" when navigating multiple identities
- How temporary experiences can hold profound value and meaning
- Why living fearlessly means not being afraid to take up space
Antoinette shares deeply personal stories, including a transformative near-death experience and her decade-long journey with Buddhist meditation, that shaped her understanding of impermanence and connection. Her wisdom on helping parents listen to their multicultural children and creating emotional safety nets offers practical guidance for families navigating complex identities.
Whether you're a third culture kid, raising globally mobile children, or working with young people from diverse backgrounds, this episode provides both validation and actionable strategies for embracing the beautiful complexity of multicultural identity.
About Antoinette Aku Quarshie: Dean of Students at a New York Independent School with over 30 years of experience in education. Born to a Grenadian mother and Ghanian father, she has collaborated with educators to develop curriculum in Afghanistan, Kenya, Botswana, and South Africa, bringing a truly global perspective to youth development.
New episodes drop every Tuesday at 6AM EST.
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Connect with Sakura, Sikhi & Strength:
Instagram: @sakurasikhistrength
Tiktok: @sakurasikhistrength
Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/@sakurasikhistrength
Email: hello@sakurasikhistrength.com