Round Trip Stories

Tracy Vilanova and Melissa Ens
  • 5.0 (9)
  • PLACES & TRAVEL
  • UPDATED WEEKLY

Through weekly guest interviews, hosts Melissa Ens and Tracy Vilanova offer gifts of understanding for those who have recently returned from living abroad, reflection for those who have been back for years, and insight for those who have never left their home country. These stories help us all understand the world and ourselves just a little better. www.roundtripstories.com

  1. 81 | Upskilled and Adaptive: Pafoua's Return to the U.S. from China

    APR 1

    81 | Upskilled and Adaptive: Pafoua's Return to the U.S. from China

    Welcome back to Part 2 of our interview with Pafoua Her Pistoresi, a Hmong American travel blogger, mom of one, and ministry leader. She spent four years of teaching ESL at an international Christian school in Wuhan, China, where she took advantage of all that it had to offer, including paying off college debt, saving, and traveling to 20 countries. But a relationship was calling, and she decided to return to the U.S. where she eventually married and now applies many skills which she acquired overseas to her Californian life. Listen to Pafoua’s stories about the layers of adjustments and reinventions upon her return to the U.S. https://www.herwanderfulworld.com/ https://planitaway.com/https://youtube.com/@paftalks https://lifeplusworldwide.com/ See photos of our guests and sign up for our email list at ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠roundtripstories.com⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠. Follow @roundtripstoriespodcast on ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠facebook⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ and ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠instagram⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠!

    33 min
  2. 80 | A Brave, New International Teacher: Pafoua's Stories from China

    MAR 24

    80 | A Brave, New International Teacher: Pafoua's Stories from China

    Our guest today is Pafoua Her Pistoresi, a Hmong American travel blogger, mom of one, and ministry leader. She studied to be an ESL teacher and got her first job teaching in a Christian international school in Wuhan, China. These are her stories of her adjustment to Chinese culture, love of the international and local people, and beginning of her growing worldview and exploration. Hear how she became brave in the midst of double adjustments: the stress of being a first year teacher and settling into a new culture and place. https://lifeplusworldwide.com/

    31 min
  3. 79 | Landing on Humility: Dave's Return Stories to the United States

    MAR 11

    79 | Landing on Humility: Dave's Return Stories to the United States

    Welcome back to Part 2 of our interview with Dave Darval, bush pilot turned commercial pilot and husband to Ginger Darval of episodes 76 and 77. Dave’s work for Mission Aviation Fellowship (MAF) in Colombia was cut short after safety issues, so he and Ginger packed up their family of five and returned to southern California. He continued flying into Mexico during their first years of transition, and then he decided to fly commercially after that. Listen to Dave reflect on his time back in the U.S. and his partnership with Ginger as they get ready to celebrate their 50 years of marriage. Mission Aviation Fellowship Jungle Pilot book by Russell T. Hitt See photos of our guests and sign up for our email list at ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠roundtripstories.com⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠. Follow @roundtripstoriespodcast on ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠facebook⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ and ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠instagram⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠!

    30 min
  4. 78 | A Pilot Goes Global in the 1980's: Dave Darval's Stories Flying in Colombia with MAF

    MAR 4

    78 | A Pilot Goes Global in the 1980's: Dave Darval's Stories Flying in Colombia with MAF

    Our guest today is Dave Darval, bush pilot turned commercial pilot and husband to Ginger Darval of episodes 76 and 77. Dave picks up where Ginger left off in the story of their forming a family in the mid 1970’s and going abroad for Dave’s work in aeronautics. First they were off to train pilots in Saudi Arabia, and then to fly Cessna bush planes for Mission Aviation Fellowship (MAF) in the mountains of Colombia. Listen as Dave shares his stories of starting his young family (each of his children were born in different countries) and honing his precision landings in the grass landing strips surrounded by rain forest. Mission Aviation Fellowship See photos of our guests and sign up for our email list at ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠roundtripstories.com⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠. Follow @roundtripstoriespodcast on ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠facebook⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ and ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠instagram⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠!

    31 min
  5. 77 | When the Support is Strong: Ginger's Return Stories to the U.S.

    FEB 18

    77 | When the Support is Strong: Ginger's Return Stories to the U.S.

    Welcome back to Part 2 of our interview with Ginger Darval, a retired nurse and boomerang third culture kid who spent her growing-up years in Ecuador, returned to the U.S., and then went abroad again after she was married (hence, the boomerang). In this episode, Ginger tells us stories from when she returned to Chicago for college and how, even though she was beginning a new life, her previous life sent connections and built-in support in those college years. And now, more than fifty years later, she shares how she remains connected to the place where she grew up. Third Culture Kid Book

    31 min
  6. 76 | Quito was Home: Ginger's Stories from Ecuador in the 1960's

    FEB 10

    76 | Quito was Home: Ginger's Stories from Ecuador in the 1960's

    Our guest today is Ginger Darval, a retired nurse and boomerang third culture kid who spent her growing up years in Ecuador, returned to the U.S., and then went abroad again after she was married (hence, the boomerang). She finally moved back to the U.S. in the 1980’s where she continued to work as a nurse and raise her three children. In this episode, Ginger tells us stories of what it was like growing up in the 1960’s as part of a missionary community in Quito, Ecuador. Her father worked in the hospital connected to HCJB (now Reach Beyond), and Ginger and her siblings were part of a close knit group which saw each other through trauma and at the same time, possibility. Recovering from Traumatic Stress book Mental Health Support for TCKs, ATCKs, and Expat Families Reach Beyond Radio Ministries

    32 min
  7. 75 | Finding and Making New Communities: Embassy Kid J. K. Amerson López’ Return Stories to the U.S

    JAN 28

    75 | Finding and Making New Communities: Embassy Kid J. K. Amerson López’ Return Stories to the U.S

    Welcome back to Part 2 of our interview with J. K. Amerson López, author of the book Embassy Kid. Kelly grew up in a U.S. diplomat family in the 1950’s and 1960’s in Latin America, Italy, and Spain. In this episode, Kelly tells stories that take place after the ones in her book. In the early 70’s, she “aged out” of her diplomat family and returned to the U.S. for university. Now a young adult, she explored college, dance, and living in several different states from Colorado to New York for ten years until she found solid ground. Her dance teaching and Spanish language connected her to her communities and eventually her Puerto Rican-American husband. Embassykid.com See photos of our guests and sign up for our email list at ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠roundtripstories.com⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠. Follow @roundtripstoriespodcast on ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠facebook⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ and ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠instagram⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠!

    32 min
  8. 74 | The Family Unit was Home: J. K. Amerson Lopez’ Stories of Growing up as a U.S. Embassy Kid

    JAN 21

    74 | The Family Unit was Home: J. K. Amerson Lopez’ Stories of Growing up as a U.S. Embassy Kid

    Our guest today is J. K. Amerson López, author of the book Embassy Kid. Kelly grew up in a U.S. diplomat family in the 1950’s and 1960’s in Latin America, Italy, and Spain. In this episode, Kelly shares stories from her book and her childhood growing up in the warmth of Caracas and Bogota immersed in Spanish and the adventure of exploring Italy with her family unit. She learned to be a professional American overseas, but when she returned to the U.S. for middle and high school, the same skill set was underappreciated. EmbassyKid.com See photos of our guests and sign up for our email list at ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠roundtripstories.com⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠. Follow @roundtripstoriespodcast on ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠facebook⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ and ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠instagram⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠!

    33 min
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Trailer

5
out of 5
9 Ratings

About

Through weekly guest interviews, hosts Melissa Ens and Tracy Vilanova offer gifts of understanding for those who have recently returned from living abroad, reflection for those who have been back for years, and insight for those who have never left their home country. These stories help us all understand the world and ourselves just a little better. www.roundtripstories.com

Information

  • Creator
    Tracy Vilanova and Melissa Ens
  • Years Active
    2023 - 2026
  • Episodes
    82
  • Rating
    Clean
  • Copyright
    © Tracy Vilanova and Melissa Ens
  • Show Website
    Round Trip Stories

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