Quiero un Panino con Cheese - A Podcast for TCKs and Multicultural Families

Gaia Striano - Parenting Across Borders, Cultures, and Languages
  • 5.0 (1)
  • PERSONAL JOURNALS

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. Season 2 will be hosted by Gaia Striano, a TCK mom who has raised 3 TCKs across borders, cultures, and languages.   This show explores the joys and challenges of Third Culture Kids—kids who grow up between cultures, languages, and identities.

  1. 12/31/2025

    HAPPY NEW YEAR!!

    As the year comes to a close, we’re also wrapping up Season 1 of Quiero un Panino con Cheese — and what a year it’s been.  This episode serves as a year-end recap, where we share our honest thoughts on what 2025 has meant for us personally and creatively, the lessons we’ve learned along the way, and how this podcast has grown since its very first episode. From meaningful conversations to unexpected laughs, Season 1 has been full of moments we’ll never forget. We would also like to give special thanks to all the amazing guests who have taken the time to share their wisdom with us during some wonderful conversations. You’ll also get a behind-the-scenes glimpse into our dynamic as hosts — because as you can tell from the very first moments of this episode,  we clearly never have any fun while recording 😉. Our chemistry, humor, and candid conversations have been at the heart of this show, and this episode is no different. As we close out the season, we also share what we’re hoping for in 2026 — both for ourselves and for the future of the podcast. New topics, deeper conversations, and a lineup of exciting guests are already in the works. After this episode, we’ll be taking a short break in January to regroup, gather our thoughts, and creatively reset. This pause will allow us to come back refreshed, inspired, and ready to bring you even more meaningful episodes in the next season. Most importantly, we want to hear from you, our listeners. Your support, feedback, and engagement have meant everything to us this season. What topics would you like us to explore next? Are there conversations you feel don’t get talked about enough? Guests you’d like us to bring on? Join us for this special season finale, celebrate the end of the year with us, and help shape what’s next for Quiero un Panino con Cheese. 🎙️✨ Happy New Year — and we’ll see you in the next season! 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!

    38 min

  2. 12/17/2025

    Planes, Trains, amd Automobiles

    Traveling—especially during the holiday season—can be exciting, chaotic, and downright stressful all at once. In this episode of Quiero un Panino con Cheese, Hazel and Gaia dive headfirst into the highs and lows of travel, sharing their personal tips, quirks, and very real anxieties when it comes to getting from point A to point B. In a lighthearted and funny conversation, they break down how each of them approaches travel, from the planning and preparation beforehand to the emotional rollercoaster that comes with taking off. Hazel and Gaia also explore how differently they feel about traveling, touching on what excites them, what overwhelms them, and how their personalities show up once a trip is on the calendar. The episode doesn’t shy away from the stressors either—they open up about their biggest fears, travel mishaps, and the little things that can spiral into full-blown anxiety while on the move. Along the way, they share practical travel tips they’ve picked up through experience, as well as relatable moments that will have you laughing and nodding along. So, if you’re gearing up for a holiday trip—or traveling anytime soon—and could use some laughs, reassurance, and honest travel talk, this episode is a must-listen. Tune in for helpful insights, shared experiences, and a good giggle before your next adventure. 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!

    38 min

  3. 12/03/2025

    Happy Holidays???

    In this light-hearted episode, Hazel and Gaia dive into the joys and challenges of navigating the holiday season as part of a multicultural, globally-scattered family. With relatives spread across countries and time zones—and traditions coming from multiple cultures—the holidays can quickly become complicated. They explore:  Traditions vs. Flexibility: How much should you hold onto long-standing customs, and when is it okay to let them go?Creating Your Own Holidays: The moment when carving out new rituals becomes healthier than trying to meet family expectations.Evolving Customs: Which traditions they’ve embraced over the years, and which ones naturally faded as they moved from place to place.Handling Pressure and Surprises: Through humor and personal stories, they share how they’ve managed cultural misunderstandings, family demands, and the emotional load of the season.The episode keeps things warm and fun, offering relatable insights for anyone juggling different backgrounds or trying to craft meaningful holidays in a globalized world. Grab a hot chocolate—or some mulled wine—and enjoy the laughs. 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!

    43 min

  4. 11/19/2025

    Expat Guilt - with Elisabeth Hutman, multilingual psychotherapist

    In this episode, we sit down with Elisabeth Hutman, a multilingual psychologist based in Madrid, to explore a topic many expats quietly struggle with: expat guilt. Together, we unpack questions such as: Do people even realize when they’re experiencing expat guilt?What are the signs, and how can we recognize it in ourselves?How is expat guilt tied to our sense of identity?Are certain cultures more susceptible to it?What role does empathy play in shaping these feelings?Are there different forms of expat guilt?And most importantly: What tools or techniques can help us cope with being far from family and home?Elisabeth offers deep insights and practical advice as we shed light on an emotional experience many expats and immigrants don’t even realize they’re carrying. If you're living abroad and struggling with hard-to-name feelings, this is an episode you won’t want to miss. You can find Elisabeth on Instagram at https://www.instagram.com/homeforemotions/?hl=en You can also reach out to her directly at hutman.elisabeth@gmail.com 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!

    33 min

  5. 11/05/2025

    The Life of an "Embassy Kid" - with author J.K. Amerson López

    Today we sit down with J.K. Amerson López, author of Embassy Kid: An American Foreign Service Family Memoir — the first book to tell the story of Foreign Service life from the perspective of a child. Kelly, as she likes to be called, shares vivid memories of growing up as the eldest daughter of a U.S. Foreign Service officer during a turbulent era beginning in the late 1950s. From moving between countries to adapting to new cultures, she reflects on what it meant for her and her family to be known as “Embassy People” and how those experiences shaped her identity. In this heartfelt and eye-opening conversation, Kelly opens up about: What it was really like to be an “Embassy Kid”The challenges and adventures of living abroadThe reverse culture shock of returning to the U.S.How growing up across cultures influenced her and shaped the person she is todayThis episode offers a rare, behind-the-scenes look at the Foreign Service experience — through the eyes of someone who lived it from childhood. You can follow Kelly on Instagram at realembassykid and you can read more about her life and adventures on her blog at www.embassykid.com  Her book Embassy Kid: An American Foreign Service Memoir, is available on AMAZON 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!

    42 min

  6. 10/22/2025

    Parenting and Educating Across Borders with Kat Simison – Brewster Madrid

    In this inspiring episode, we chat with the wonderful Kat Simison from Brewster Madrid. Kat wears many hats — she’s Brewster’s Director of Enrollment and External Affairs, an educator, and a mom raising a daughter between two homes: Spain and the USA. Our conversation dives deep into what it means to raise and educate children across cultures. Kat shares insightful stories that weave together her personal journey as a parent of a bi-cultural, bilingual child and her professional role supporting internationally minded students at Brewster — many of whom are Third Culture Kids (TCKs) navigating complex cultural identities. Some highlights from our discussion include: 🌍 Kat’s strategies for raising a bilingual and bi-cultural child💬 The importance of understanding the personal stories behind each student, especially TCKs🤝 The challenges and culture clashes that can arise in a diverse school community — and how schools like Brewster help families navigate them✈️ Kat’s own experiences with Reverse Culture Shock💪 The “TCK superpowers” she sees in multicultural students and how they thrive in global environmentsThis episode is full of warmth, humor, and wisdom. Whether you’re a parent, educator, or simply curious about cross-cultural life, Kat’s reflections will resonate deeply. Tune in to learn, laugh, and be inspired by the stories of raising and educating across borders! More information on Brewster Madrid can be found on their website: https://www.brewstermadrid.com/ Kat Simison can be reached directly at kat.simison@brewstermadrid.com Additional information can be requested at admissions@brewstermadrid.com 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!

    36 min

  7. 10/08/2025

    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 KidsTurning cultural confusion into creative expressionHow Markian is building a global TCK community through social mediaTips for TCKs seeking belonging and purposeThe importance of normalizing the term TCKWhether 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!

    34 min

  8. 09/24/2025

    Our Top Culture Shocks

    Have you ever traveled somewhere and found yourself in a situation that felt completely foreign—even uncomfortable—because it was normal for the locals but so unusual for you? That’s culture shock. And that’s exactly what Hazel and Gaia dive into in today’s episode. Having lived in various countries around the world, they’ve both had their fair share of moments where local customs clashed with their own expectations—sometimes leading to hilarious, sometimes eye-opening situations. Tune in as they each share their top three culture shocks from living abroad and reflect on how those experiences shaped them. Exploring new cultures is always a chance to learn. Sometimes we adopt what resonates with us, and other times we recognize what we can’t accept and leave it behind. Either way, every encounter helps us grow, expand our horizons, and cultivate tolerance and acceptance. 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!

    39 min
See All (20)

Ratings & Reviews

About

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. Season 2 will be hosted by Gaia Striano, a TCK mom who has raised 3 TCKs across borders, cultures, and languages.   This show explores the joys and challenges of Third Culture Kids—kids who grow up between cultures, languages, and identities.

Information