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 7: Growing Up Global - A Third Culture Kid's Perspective with Gia Kiteishvili
What does it look like to grow up as a third culture kid in today's world? In this refreshing conversation, Asees sits down with 11-year-old Gia Kiteishvili, a half-Korean, half-Georgian young student growing up in New York City, to explore identity, belonging, and resilience from a Gen Z perspective.
Gia brings a unique viewpoint to our understanding of multicultural identity – from attending Korean school as an international student to describing how her multicultural background helps her "read the room better" and understand how the world works. Her insights reveal how today's third culture kids are navigating identity with confidence and wisdom beyond their years.
Key themes explored:
- Why "home is a feeling rather than a place" for multicultural kids
- How growing up with multiple cultures enhances your ability to "read the room"
- The instant connection third culture kids feel with each other
- Why understanding different perspectives creates "one unfiltered view of the world"
- How cultural resilience gets passed down through generations
- The importance of blocking out hurtful opinions while embracing what makes you unique
- Why schools need more interactive cultural education
Gia's perspective on everything from Korean jump rope dancing to Georgian cheese bread, from standing her ground in friendship conflicts to coaching herself through ski races, offers both validation for other young third culture kids and invaluable insights for parents raising globally mobile children.
This episode proves that the next generation of third culture kids are not just surviving between worlds – they're thriving, leading with empathy, and using their multicultural superpowers to build bridges in an interconnected world.
About Gia Kiteishvili: An 11-year-old student living in New York City with Korean and Georgian heritage. She has attended school in Korea, is an avid skier on a race team, and brings fresh perspective to the third culture kid experience.
New episodes drop every Tuesday at 6AM EST.
🎧 Available everywhere you listen to podcasts: https://linktr.ee/sakurasikhistrength
Connect with Sakura, Sikhi & Strength:
Instagram: @sakurasikhistrength
Tiktok: @sakurasikhistrength
Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/@sakurasikhistrength
Email: hello@sakurasikhistrength.com