Without Borders: Stories by the Inescapably Foreign.
By Nolan Yuma
Full podcast episodes come out every Tuesday.
Without Borders is a free podcast without any revenue from advertisements. If you enjoy this podcast, please consider becoming a paid subscriber at withoutborders.fyi. Your support makes the project possible
Without Borders: Stories by the Inescapably Foreign. Apr 11, 2023
Creating a better world without "woke" PC discourse
"Developing nation? Bro. Let's get to the point. We're a poor country," says Aeron. In this conversation, Aeron DEllosa from @animmigrantslifepodcast and Nolan Yuma don't hide the truth with political correctness. Instead, they get right to the point when discussing immigrating to Canada, Filipino culture and psychology, Tagalog, decolonization, and racism.
Support the show, access transcripts, read immigration stories, and learn more about cultural psychology bornwithoutborders.substack.com. 00:00 - Intro 01:46 - Montreal vs Vancouver 06:07 - Becoming Canadian and staying Filipino. Individualism vs Collectivism 11:09 - Utang na loob & Corruption 16:19 - Pakikisama & Hiya & cultural differences in confrontation styles in Canada, the Netherlands, and the Philippines 26:12 - Political correctness isn't helping marginalized people 33:54 - Acculturating to Canada & types of racism 41:38 - Is the Philippines a matriarchal society? 52:47 - Decolonisation in Filipino culture 58:41 - How dangerous social media is for understanding culture 1:02:03 - Wrap up
A Muslim & an Atheist hash out spirituality, PC culture, racism, and marriage
Two close friends from different backgrounds discuss PC language, racism, growing up in a small town, returning to the Muslim faith, spirituality, and marriage.
Support the show, access transcripts, read immigration stories, and learn more about cultural psychology bornwithoutborders.substack.com.
00:00 Intro 02:30 - Brown versus white parenting & family dynamics & hierarchies. 13:27 - Testosterone, weight lifting and martial arts. 17:49 - PC Language & Curry Hill 23:36 - Growing up Muslim around Sikh people & Ramadan 29:43 - Culture & Mental Illness 34:21 - Returning to the Muslim faith & spirituality & Lying 47:54 - Arranged vs Love Marriages
How becoming a refugee led to self-actualization
Vida shares the differences between living as an asylum-seeker and a refugee in Belgium. She also talks about becoming Bahai, the Green movement (Persian Spring), and how everything she experienced led to self-actualization. Nolan reveals that Maslow saw self-transcendence as the top of the pyramid, not self-actualization.
Support the show, access transcripts, read immigration stories, and learn more about cultural psychology bornwithoutborders.substack.com.
00:00 - Introduction
00:42 - Life as refugee vs asylum seeker
13:09 - Bahai religion & beliefs
22:03 - The Green Movement (Persian Spring) & Revolution
27:58 - Self-actualisation & self-transcendence
Working as an Iranian expat in Africa & a refugee in Belgium
Nolan Yuma and Vida Razavi talk about life in Iran, Eastern Africa, volunteering (and all the corruption involved), intersectionality, growing up in a hierarchical society, how to adjust to high-power and low-power distance cultures, and immigration.
Vida Razavi has lived in 6 different countries and three continents as a refugee, student, volunteer, freelancer, and researcher. Vida studied physics as her undergrad and has master's degrees in sociology and developmental studies. Her passion for social justice and participatory democracy led to various career moves and eventually brought Vida to her current work in an umbrella organization for gender equality.
Support the show, access transcripts, read immigration stories, and learn more about cultural psychology bornwithoutborders.substack.com.
00:00 - Introduction
03:20 - Life in Mashhad, Iran
08:40 - Albert Schweitzer influence & Moving to Africa
18:38 - White & “yellow” privilege in Africa
24:16 - Growing up in a hierarchical society * Low and high power distances
34:50 - Gender roles in Eastern Africa & Intersectionality
38:48 - High-context vs. low-context cultures & Theory-first vs. principal-first cultures.
43:18 - ICT4D, Elon Musk’s Starlink, Mark Zuckerberg Free Internet
47:36 - Charities, the development sector, and their corruption
51:32 - Vida’s experience with immigration bureaucracy
Dr. Michael Brein The Travel Psychologist and Ufologist
"You have to give them the opportunity to express themselves," says Michael Brein, and that's what I hope to have accomplished in this interview. Michael Brein is referring to his interviews with people who have experienced the paranormal. Michael discusses his books and opinions about travel as Nolan asks questions about cultural competence, how religion affects psychology, and what Michael's experience with the Peace Corps was like.
Support the show, access transcripts, read immigration stories, and learn more about cultural psychology bornwithoutborders.substack.com.
00:00 Intro
02:20 What is travel psychology?
05:18 - Experience with the Peace Corps & learning languages
10:19 - Culture shock
16:11 - Intercultural Communication and the Adjustment of a Sojourner.
31:13 - Culture and psychology of religion.
34:41 - Intercultural competence.
40:30 - Idiots Abroad
46:46 - Road to the strange, UFOs & paradigm shifts
An Interintellect Series for Borderless Thinkers
This is not an episode from the WithoutBorders podcast. I was interviewed by Linus Lu at Interintellect to talk about The Without Borders Salon Series. I would love for you to join the monthly discussion.
After living in Chile, Belgium, Canada, and now Spain, Nolan spends his days studying cultural psychology, interviewing people from around the world, traveling, and writing stories to break down borders. His project, Without Borders, is a collective of new articles, stories, videos, and podcasts each week, bringing insight and perspective to these experiences.
This series is for nomads, expats, third-culture kids, immigrants, or anyone who feels inescapably foreign. In this space hosted by Nolan Yuma Janssens every Sunday at 18:00 CET, we will discuss ways to break down borders through cultural psychology research, immigration advice, and travel stories. After hosting the Without Borders miniseries in February, Nolan realized the discussions can’t be contained in one series and needed to be ongoing. He is constantly updating the material to build upon each previous salon.
The themes of the monthly discussion revolve around:
- Abating polarization
- Advancing the bureaucratic system and immigration process
- Exploring universal truths about morality
- Improving cultural competence
- Increasing productivity for international organizations
- Limiting xenophobia
- Storytelling techniques for “The Inescapably Foreign.”
Every Sunday at 18:00 CET
Note: You can purchase each salon ticket for $15 or a series ticket for $90 (save 50%), valid throughout 2023.
Fixing Misconceptions about Africa with Marmalade
Nolan Yuma and Tola Alade, the CEO of Marmalade venture, talk about the misconceptions people have about Africa and how Marmalade fixes them through branding and raising awareness about African entrepreneurs and artists.
Nolan and Tola share their opinions about critical theory, Jordan Peterson, the rhetoric around slavery, and how to unify instead of divide.
Subscribe and support Marmalade: https://www.marmaladecollective.com/
Support the show, access transcripts, read immigration stories, and learn more about cultural psychology bornwithoutborders.substack.com.
00:00 - Introduction
03:33 - Fixing misconceptions about Lagos, Nigeria & Africa
08:39 - Marmalade Collective & Africa's most valuable asset — Culture
16:49 - LGBTQ rights in Africa concerning branding
21:10 - Using Jordan Peterson, Nathan Nunn, and Magatte Wade to talk about African Economy.
25:04 - Slavery, Individualism, entrepreneurialism, and moving forward.
31:11 - Critical theory and intersectionality does not unify.
39:10 - Racism in North America vs. Africa
49:40 - Breaking African Stereotypes & Discussing Stereotype threats.
56:29 - Wrapping it all up.
Dr. Forcina's Immigration Story: Italy - Argentina - America
As a child born in Italy during World War I, Dr. Salvatore Forcina's early years were spent poverty-stricken and without proper shelter. Like many Italians at the time, his parents followed a migration to Argentina. Shortly after arriving in Argentina, he was indoctrinated and abused in a Catholic boarding school for seven years, as they offered the only available avenue for "educating" the boy.
His indefatigable determination eventually compelled him to enter and graduate from medical school, emigrate to America and become the chief of surgery at two major hospitals.
Preorder Dr. Forcina's book: https://www.barnesandnoble.com/w/the-american-doctor-salvatore-j-forcina/1141643151
Follow Dr. Forcina on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/drsalvatoreforcinamd/
Support the show, access transcripts, read immigration stories, and learn more about cultural psychology bornwithoutborders.substack.com.
00:00 - Intro with The American Doctor
01:48 - Life in Italy during
WW2 03:54 - Immigrating to Argentina
10:35 - Catholic boarding school in Argentina
21:35 - Role models, importance of family, and studying medicine
29:24 - Acculturating to Argentina and the United States as an Italian
33:40 - How to overcome adversity & Victor Frankl’s Man’s Pursuit of Meaning.
49:30 - Opinions about American healthcare.
01:00:07 - The importance of immigrants.
How ChatGPT influences language learning and its ethical implications
Chat GPT researcher, Monica Albina, shares her insight on how Chat GPT impacts the educational industry and its ethical implication. Monica also shares her experiences as an Italian and Czech person living in Switzerland and Spain.
Support the show, access transcripts, read immigration stories, and learn more about cultural psychology bornwithoutborders.substack.com.
00:00 Intro
01:08 - Chat GPT (With a focus on morality and language learning)
20:51 - How writers and artists can use Chat GPT and Dall-E
27:23 - AI & The 4 Hour Work Week & Universal Base Pay
00:32:35 - How does Chat GPT affect language diversity and Western propaganda?
00:41:46 - Monica’s multicultural personality & immigration story (Comparing Spain, Italy, and Czech Republic)
01:03:33 - Comparing humour around the world
01:08: 49 - Language and Personality
01:11: 34 - Wrapping it all up
Acculturating to Canada & Slovakia Travel Tips
Nolan talks to his friend and former colleague Eva Briatkova about her acculturation and immigration experiences in Canada. They discuss what it was like for her to find work as a nurse and paramedic, cultural comparisons in drug use and open-mindedness, why nurses love to party, the experiential marketing world, acculturation techniques, and more. You'll also get some tips about travelling in Slovakia.
Support the show, access transcripts, read immigration stories, and learn more about cultural psychology https://bornwithoutborders.substack.com/
00:00 - Introduction
01:51 - Immigration to Canada from Slovakia as a Nurse
05:28 - Quality of life as nurse in Canada vs Slovakia
08:07 - Comparing work culture and social safety nets in Canada, Slovakia, and Spain
16:35 - What is experiential marketing? And how to advertise tobacco in Canada
27:37 - Drinking culture in Canada vs Slovakia + How nurses party
32:52 - Becoming more Canadian. Discussing open-mindedness, mental health, recreational drug use, and acceptance
44:58 - Identity & language
59:58 - Why to visit Slovakia and Slovak etiquette
Discussing self-esteem, culture and morality with Dr. Steven Heine
Nolan Yuma meets one of his intellectual heroes, Dr. Steven Heine. They discuss culture, how crops affect political views and culture, self-esteem variations around the world, morality, and Steve's latest book, DNA is Not Destiny.
00:00 - Intro
01:26 - Defining Culture
04:30 - What is universally true for humans, and what is culturally bound?
12:33 - The WEIRD (Wester, educated, rich, and democratic) problem.
20:37 - Reasons for individualistic and collectivistic countries
24:06 - How crops effect political and egalitarian views.
27:37 - How self esteem and motivation varies around the world
40:11 - Can we morally accuse a cultural tradition?
48:34 - DNA is Not Destiny
55:14 - Conclusion
Support the show, access transcripts, read immigration stories, and learn more about cultural psychology https://bornwithoutborders.substack.com/
Belgians vs. the Dutch + Becoming Irish
Don't confuse Belgians and the Dutch. Rosie Van Den Broek (Principal Customer Success Manager at HubSpot) and Nolan Yuma discuss cultural and psychological differences and how they affect business and travel. Rosie also talks about her experience moving to Ireland and why she had to change her name. Nolan and Yuma also touch on identity, politics, the king of Belgium, blackface, and why beer keeps people from becoming separatists.
Support the show, access transcripts, read immigration stories, and learn more about cultural psychology https://bornwithoutborders.substack.com/
Why We Travel with Dr. Matthew Niblett and Dr. Kris Beuret
Dr. Matthew Niblett and Dr. Kris Beuret talk about their book Why Travel. Matthew and Kris share some personal stories about their gap years and travel experiences only available in this episode. Together with the host, Nolan Yuma, they explore new insights and questions that will lead to future research in the fields of travel and transportation.
Join the conversation and support the show at https://bornwithoutborders.substack.com/. You can also learn more about the Why Travel project at whytravel.org.
Why travel? What motivations underpin the journeys we make? And how can we make decisions that improve our travel experiences?
Arguing that the desire to move is a purpose in itself, this book brings together leading experts to provide insights from multiple viewpoints across the sciences, arts and humanities. Together, they examine key travel motivations, including the importance of travel for human wellbeing, and how these can be reconciled with challenges such as reducing our carbon footprint, adapting new mobility technologies, and improving the quality of our journeys.
The book shows how our travel choices are shaped by a wide range of social, physical, psychological and cultural factors, which have profound implications for the design of future transport policies.
Offering thought-provoking and practical new perspectives, this fascinating book will be essential for all those who have ever wondered why we travel and how it relates to our fundamental needs.
More about the authors
Matthew is the director of the Independent Transport Commission, which is Britain’s foremost independent transport and land use think tank. Matthew holds a doctorate from the University of Oxford and was a Senior Research Associate at the University's Transport Studies Unit.
Kristine Beuret is the Director of Social Research Associates and a social scientist specialised in transport and urban policy. Kris has advised the House of Commons Transport Committee, TfL, the DfT and overseas governments on disability and diversity issues.
Without Borders is a free podcast. If you enjoy this podcast, please consider becoming a paid subscriber at withoutborders.fyi. Your support makes the project possible. You can also find my travel series on Youtube.
Partying with ISIS & Rave Culture
Nick Synnott shares his experience partying in an ISIS recruitment centre. Nolan and Nick then discuss rave culture and how it varies around the world.
Follow Nick Synnott on Instagram.
Support the show https://bornwithoutborders.substack.com/
Exploring European Identities & Separatists
Silvio Ivicic, a cameraman for the VRT (vlaamse radio en televisie or the national public-service broadcaster), talks about immigrating to Belgium from Croatia. Nolan and Silvio discuss various regional and national identities and how it has affected their lives.
Support the show at https://bornwithoutborders.substack.com/
Adjusting to France & How to Better Immigration
Dexter Docherty, an oxford graduate now working in public policy, shares his insight on creating a fairer, borderless world and why every great city smells like piss. Keaton Jackson shares his experiences in France and Canada as Nolan guides the conversation from nudist spas, freezing your SS Johnson off, immigration, protests, and how to create a more just world.
There were a few sound issues with this episode. You can the transcript at withoutborders.fyi or you can listen to the episode with captions on youtube.
Without Borders is a free podcast. If you enjoy this podcast, please consider becoming a paid subscriber at withoutborders.fyi. Your support makes the project possible. You can also find my travel series on Youtube.
Misconceptions about French Socialism & Work Culture
Keaton Jackson shares his experience as a landscaper in Vancouver, Canada and Paris, France. He shares his insight on what it's like to be a union worker vs. a private employee and the difference between working in Canada vs. France. Nolan and Keaton also discuss certain misconceptions some people have about France's safety nets and working culture. They finish the conversation by discussing shit sandwiches, prejudice against Europeans in small North American towns, and why cities embrace people from diverse backgrounds.
Support the show https://bornwithoutborders.substack.com/ t
Empowering Women through Borderless with Tima Deryan
Nolan and Tima expand on last week's episode and dive into the different ways people can become part of the Borderless NGO. They discuss feminism, gender essentialism, and how Tima empowers Arabic women around the world. Tima Deryan became the 1st Lebanese woman and youngest Arab to summit Mount Everest at 26 years old, but you can learn about that on CNN, BBC, Aljazeera, and every major news channel.
You can access the transcript, discuss language, and join the community at https://bornwithoutborders.substack.com/. You can also find highlights of the conversation and comedic videos on the Without Borders Youtube channel.
Youngest Arab to Summit Mount Everest Joins Borderless
Tima Deryan became the 1st Lebanese woman and youngest Arab to summit Mount Everest, but you can learn about that on CNN, BBC, Aljazeera, and every major news channel. In today's episode, we focus on the Borderless NGO. Borderless is an independent Lebanese non-profit organization with a mission to create a life-changing impact on the lives of vulnerable families. Tima and Nolan discuss how to volunteer, intern, and work for Borderless while focusing on the mental health aspect of the organization.
Make sure to tune in next week as Nolan and Tima hone in on cultural superstitions and ways to empower women in the middle east and around the world. You can stay updated and join the community at https://bornwithoutborders.substack.com/. English language learners can access transcripts and ask questions about what they heard on the podcast. You can also find highlights of the conversation and comedic videos on the Without Borders Youtube channel.
You can also find a link to Tima's book, Curly Adventures.
Breaking American Stereotypes
"Opinions shouldn't define who you are; if they do, you'll never change them."
Walden Hudson describes people's stereotypes about him as an American and how he works to break them. Nolan and Walden differ in their views about gun control but discover they have more in common than they think.
Join our borderless community (https://bornwithoutborders.substack.com/.) for more travel stories and insight into cultural psychology. You can also access the transcripts and language notes.
Check out "The Men Who Swallow" if you're interested in learning more about culture and why opinions shouldn't define us. The Without Borders community is always open for discussion.
More videos and content are available on the Without Border's Youtube channel.
Follow IG @waldon.hudson
A Tearing Decision During COVID
Nolan Yuma and Walden Hudson expand on their previous conversation about work culture in the United States versus New Zealand. Waldon Hudson (IG @Walden.Hudson) opens up about his family and friends that passed away during the COVID Pandemic and one of the hardest choices he ever had to make–go back to the United States to assist his family or stay in New Zealand to keep his job and everything he has worked for over the past several years.
Without Borders is a free podcast. If you enjoy this podcast, please consider becoming a paid subscriber at https://bornwithoutborders.substack.com/. Your support makes the project possible.
Bogans, Rednecks and Nudity in New York
Nolan Yuma and Walden Husdon relive their first encounter and reveal how Nolan ended up naked in Times Square and in Walden's manager's basement. Walden then tells the story of how he went from being a model and actor in New York to a Leadership Development Coach in New Zealand. They also explore the differences between New Zealand bogans and Georgian rednecks. Their discussion comparing various work cultures around the world continues on in the second part of the episode.
New episodes come out every Tuesday.
Walden's LinkedIn. Walden's Instagram.
If you want to access transcripts or join the community, please visit https://bornwithoutborders.substack.com/.
You can also find Nolan's book, Living with the In-Laws, for more about his experience with Walden in New York.
Part 2 - Exploring Mental Health and other Cultural Difference between Japan and North America
Ikue Ueno and Nolan Yuma continue talking about mental health. They also dive into Ikue's personal acculturation story and the struggles of adapting to an "imperfect" Canada from a "perfect" Japan.
Ikue explains what she does at Human Garage Project. You can contact her via Link Tree or Instagram.
Without Borders is a free podcast. If you enjoy this podcast, please consider becoming a paid subscriber at https://bornwithoutborders.substack.com/. Your support makes the project possible.
Exploring Mental Health and other Cultural Differences Between Japan and North America
Nolan Yuma and Ikue Ueno discuss the different ways Japan and Canada address mental health issues. They also discuss how culture shapes work ethic and self-esteem. Ikue draws from her immigration and acculturation experience to explain what it feels like to be Japanese and Canadian.
Visit Ikue's LinkTree to learn more about Ikue's professional dance life and the Human Garage Project.
Most of the information Nolan Yuma used was from the textbook Cultural Psychology by Steven J. Heine.
Without Borders is a free podcast. If you enjoy this podcast, please consider becoming a paid subscriber at https://bornwithoutborders.substack.com/. Your support makes the project possible.
Sailing Across the Atlantic & Brotherly Love
Two brothers, Nolan Yuma Janssens and Yano Peter Janssens, compare and contrast their childhood experiences. They discuss their identity crisis as third-culture children trying to find a sense of home. Yano also talks about what it's like to sail across the Atlantic on a tall ship, and Nolan opens up about his depression.
For transcripts, language notes, written stories, and cultural psychology visit withoutborders.fyi
Without Borders is a free podcast. If you enjoy this podcast, please consider becoming a paid subscriber at withoutborders.fyi. Your support makes the project possible.
A Vegetarian in Spain
Ruben de Libano is a Spanish content creator who fell in love with the UK. He talks about what it's like to be a vegetarian and reducitarian in Spain. We also go over some of the cultural differences between the UK and Spain.
To learn more about minimalistic photography and content creation, check out IG @captura.tu.negocio
To access language notes, transcripts and more, visit withoutborders.fyi
Without Borders is a free podcast. If you enjoy this podcast, please consider becoming a paid subscriber at https://bornwithoutborders.substack.com/ Your support makes the project possible.
A Nomadic Life With a Child During COVID.
Nick Synnott has written for Lonely Planet and worked in various businesses around the world. He's lived a nomadic lifestyle throughout his adult life, and now he's doing it with his newborn child. Check out the episode to learn how Nick pulls it off. He also has some incredible travel stories from during the COVID pandemic.
Follow him at IG @Nicksynnotttravel
For transcripts, language notes, written stories, and cultural psychology information visit https://bornwithoutborders.substack.com/
An Easier Life in Sri Lanka than the UK
Renuke Samarsignhe went from telling servants to pour him a cup of tea to being told to return to the jungle. Instead of returning home to Sri Lanka, he learned to fend for himself and deal with racism in the UK. Now he's a consultant successfully travelling the world. Check out the episode to learn more about his immigration process and how he pulls off his nomadic lifestyle.
Subscribe to https://bornwithoutborders.substack.com/ for transcripts, language notes, essays, stories, and much more.
Without Borders is a free podcast. If you enjoy this podcast, please consider becoming a paid subscriber. Your support makes the project possible.
IG @Renukes
Trailer – Without Borders: Stories by the Inescapably foreign.
Without Borders: Stories by the inescapably foreign. A podcast for nomads, expats, immigrants, refugees, third-culture children and anyone else that feels foreign as f***. The host, Nolan Yuma, provides transcripts and language notes for English learners. You can also access essays about cultural psychology, sociopolitical musings, and travel stories. Nolan Yuma's unmistakable voice and brutal self-honesty leave you laughing and wanting more.
Subscribe to https://bornwithoutborders.substack.com/ to join the community.