Welcome to Global Student Voices, hosted by Scott R. Martin!

In this powerful episode, we are joined by Michéle Phoenix—renowned TCK advocate, author, and expert on the Third Culture Kid (TCK) and Missionary Kid (MK) experience.

This conversation serves as a vital companion to Michele’s acclaimed book, Pieces of Purple: The Greatness, Grit, and Grace of Growing Up MK. Host Scott R. Martin, also known as Coach Martin, calls the book a “spectacular resource,” one he has personally shared with international parents—including during a recent trip to Kenya.

Endorsed by TCK thought leader Ruth Van Reken (a previous guest on GSV), Pieces of Purple is available globally via Amazon (including international sites like amazon.fr and amazon.nl) and as an ebook.

Michéle shares her own background as a TCK and MK—born in France, holding three passports, and having spent two decades teaching at Black Forest Academy in Germany. She brings to life the complexity of the TCK identity through her famous “purple Play-Doh” analogy: unlike monocultural children (red or blue), TCKs blend diverse cultural influences into a rich, complex, and often confusing shade of purple.

Key insights from this episode include:

• The often hidden grief and trauma carried by TCKs—and how it manifests emotionally

• The intense, fast-forming relationships typical of globally mobile youth.

• A breakdown of the six types of belonging that TCKs seek throughout their lives.

• The unique “superpowers” of TCKs—including emotional intelligence, adaptability, and their innate ability to build bridges across cultures.

• Michéle calls on international schools to recognize and nurture these strengths, especially as they are increasingly valued in fields like diplomacy and global business.

As someone who has worked extensively with international students, Scott R. Martin underscores the depth and relevance of Michéle’s insights. This episode is part of a broader effort to elevate global student voices and to provide meaningful resources for students, parents, and educators navigating cross-cultural lives.

Connect with Michéle Phoenix:

• Website:⁠ michelephoenix.com⁠

• Facebook:⁠ facebook.com/shellphoenix⁠

• Podcast: A Pondering Purple (audio versions of her articles) ⁠https://open.spotify.com/show/0zqqxnBUbuTif04j8Z1lHu?si=da2d6b40fc6b45a6⁠

• Book: Pieces of Purple – available on Amazon and global Amazon platforms ⁠https://a.co/d/2GRLJY3⁠

Connect with Global Student Voices and the ⁠Global Student Solutions⁠ family:

Are you part of an international school community? Whether you’re a student with a story to tell, a parent seeking guidance, or a school leader looking to strengthen your support systems—Global Student Voices is here for you. Subscribe, share, and connect with us to become part of a growing global network committed to elevating student voices worldwide.

School leaders are invited to explore ⁠GSS Consulting Services⁠ and join the ⁠Global Education Network⁠, a powerful community designed to support international schools through resources, collaboration, and leadership development. For students and parents, our ⁠My College Coach⁠ services offer personalized guidance to help you navigate global university admissions with clarity and confidence.

Let’s build something remarkable—together.

Welcome to Global Student Voices, hosted by Scott R. Martin!

In this powerful episode, we are joined by Michéle Phoenix—renowned TCK advocate, author, and expert on the Third Culture Kid (TCK) and Missionary Kid (MK) experience.

This conversation serves as a vital companion to Michele’s acclaimed book, Pieces of Purple: The Greatness, Grit, and Grace of Growing Up MK. Host Scott R. Martin, also known as Coach Martin, calls the book a “spectacular resource,” one he has personally shared with international parents—including during a recent trip to Kenya.

Endorsed by TCK thought leader Ruth Van Reken (a previous guest on GSV), Pieces of Purple is available globally via Amazon (including international sites like amazon.fr and amazon.nl) and as an ebook.

Michéle shares her own background as a TCK and MK—born in France, holding three passports, and having spent two decades teaching at Black Forest Academy in Germany. She brings to life the complexity of the TCK identity through her famous “purple Play-Doh” analogy: unlike monocultural children (red or blue), TCKs blend diverse cultural influences into a rich, complex, and often confusing shade of purple.

Key insights from this episode include:

• • The often hidden grief and trauma carried by TCKs—and how it manifests emotionally
  • The intense, fast-forming relationships typical of globally mobile youth.
• • A breakdown of the six types of belonging that TCKs seek throughout their lives.
• • The unique “superpowers” of TCKs—including emotional intelligence, adaptability, and their innate ability to build bridges across cultures.
    

  Michéle calls on international schools to recognize and nurture these strengths, especially as they are increasingly valued in fields like diplomacy and global business.

As someone who has worked extensively with international students, Scott R. Martin underscores the depth and relevance of Michéle’s insights. This episode is part of a broader effort to elevate global student voices and to provide meaningful resources for students, parents, and educators navigating cross-cultural lives.

Connect with Michéle Phoenix:

• Website: michelephoenix.com

• Facebook: facebook.com/shellphoenix

• Podcast: A Pondering Purple (audio versions of her articles) https://open.spotify.com/show/0zqqxnBUbuTif04j8Z1lHu?si=da2d6b40fc6b45a6

• Book: Pieces of Purple – available on Amazon and global Amazon platforms https://a.co/d/2GRLJY3
  

Connect with Global Student Voices and the Global Student Solutions family:

Are you part of an international school community? Whether you’re a student with a story to tell, a parent seeking guidance, or a school leader looking to strengthen your support systems—Global Student Voices is here for you. Subscribe, share, and connect with us to become part of a growing global network committed to elevating student voices worldwide.

School leaders are invited to explore GSS Consulting Services and join the Global Education Network, a powerful community designed to support international schools through resources, collaboration, and leadership development. For students and parents, our My College Coach services offer personalized guidance to help you navigate global university admissions with clarity and confidence.

Let’s build something remarkable—together.

Join Global Student Voices host Scott R. Martin in conversation with Suahil Housholder, VP for Finance and CFO at Anderson University.

Suahil shares her inspiring journey from international student in the Cayman Islands to a leadership role in U.S. higher education. This episode dives into the major challenges facing small private universities today—enrollment pressures, financial sustainability, and the evolving value of a degree.

Hear how Anderson University is adapting through initiatives like dual credit programs, micro-credentials, online learning, and expanded graduate offerings. Suahil also emphasizes the unique benefits of the on-campus experience, especially for students seeking close-knit community and mentorship.

We also discuss her powerful contribution to the book Community College is College, which challenges misconceptions about community colleges and highlights them as valuable options for both high-achieving and international students.

🎓 Learn more about Anderson University: www.anderson.edu
📘 Check out Suahil’s work on Amazon: https://www.amazon.com/stores/Suahil-R.-Housholder/author/B0DJZP7GB2
🔗 Connect with Suahil Housholder on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/suahilhousholder/

🎤 About the Host:
Scott R. Martin is an international education leader, author, and founder of Global Student Solutions.

📚 Explore Scott’s books on Amazon: https://www.amazon.com/stores/Scott-R.-Martin/author/B0CLVLCRXV
🔗 Connect with Scott on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/scott-r-martin-coachmartin/

🌍 Are you a student, parent, international school, or university looking for expert guidance on global education pathways?
Explore how Global Student Solutions (GSS) can support your journey—from personalized advising and school partnerships to international recruitment strategy and student success resources.

🔗 Visit us at: www.theglobalstudentsolutions.com
📧 Contact us: info@theglobalstudentsolutions.com

Let’s build global futures, together.

Join Global Student Voices host Scott R. Martin in conversation with Suahil Housholder, VP for Finance and CFO at Anderson University.

Suahil shares her inspiring journey from international student in the Cayman Islands to a leadership role in U.S. higher education. This episode dives into the major challenges facing small private universities today—enrollment pressures, financial sustainability, and the evolving value of a degree.

Hear how Anderson University is adapting through initiatives like dual credit programs, micro-credentials, online learning, and expanded graduate offerings. Suahil also emphasizes the unique benefits of the on-campus experience, especially for students seeking close-knit community and mentorship.

We also discuss her powerful contribution to the book Community College is College, which challenges misconceptions about community colleges and highlights them as valuable options for both high-achieving and international students.

🎓 Learn more about Anderson University: www.anderson.edu
📘 Check out Suahil’s work on Amazon: https://www.amazon.com/stores/Suahil-R.-Housholder/author/B0DJZP7GB2
🔗 Connect with Suahil Housholder on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/suahilhousholder/

🌍 Are you a student, parent, international school, or university looking for expert guidance on global education pathways?
Explore how Global Student Solutions (GSS) can support your journey—from personalized advising and school partnerships to international recruitment strategy and student success resources.

🔗 Visit us at: www.theglobalstudentsolutions.com
📧 Contact us: info@theglobalstudentsolutions.com

Let’s build global futures, together.

🎤 About the Host:Scott R. Martin is an international education leader, author, and founder of Global Student Solutions.

📚 Explore Scott’s books on Amazon: ⁠https://www.amazon.com/stores/Scott-R.-Martin/author/B0CLVLCRXV⁠🔗 Connect with Scott on LinkedIn: ⁠https://www.linkedin.com/in/scott-r-martin-coachmartin/⁠

This Global Student Voices podcast features an interview with Scott R. Martin, also known as "Coach Martin," discussing a partnership between Global Student Solutions and Woodland Star International School in Kenya. The partnership aims to provide career and college counseling services to students, which Coach Martin believes is a valuable extension of a school's existing support. He highlights the benefits of an external provider, including reinforcing the school's mission and offering objective guidance, particularly for international school students who often face unique application processes and diverse destinations. Coach Martin also emphasizes the importance of in-person connections and advocating for these students by showcasing their unique stories and experiences. www.theglobalstudentsolutions.com

🎧 Transform Climate Anxiety into Action – with Rachel ArborIn this episode of Global Student Voices, we talk with Rachel Arbor, CEO & Founder of Gaia Scholastic and New York State Lead for SubjectToClimate, about turning climate anxiety into meaningful student-led action.

🌱 What You’ll Learn

• How to integrate climate education across all subjects (ELA, Math, Science, Social Studies)

• Ways to align lessons with existing standards to avoid extra work for teachers

• How to empower students to lead real change through conservation and civic action

• The power of nature journaling and its impact on student well-being

• Where to find free K–12 climate resources vetted by experts

💡 Real Student Projects Featured:

• Petitioning for a school biodigester

• Fundraising for bird collision prevention

• Building community partnerships to reduce food waste

🧭 Tools & Resources

• Gaia Scholastic

• Nature Journaling Research

• SubjectToClimate

• NY Climate Education Hub

📬 Connect with Rachel:

• Rachel Arbor on LinkedIn

• Gaia Scholastic LinkedIn

• Join Gaia’s Newsletter

🌍 Connect with Global Student Solutions
Learn more about the Global Education Network, My College Coach, and more:
🔗 www.theglobalstudentsolutions.com

🎧 Transform Climate Anxiety into Action – with Rachel Arbor
In this episode of Global Student Voices, we talk with Rachel Arbor, CEO & Founder of Gaia Scholastic and New York State Lead for SubjectToClimate, about turning climate anxiety into meaningful student-led action.

🌱 What You’ll Learn

• How to integrate climate education across all subjects (ELA, Math, Science, Social Studies)

• Ways to align lessons with existing standards to avoid extra work for teachers

• How to empower students to lead real change through conservation and civic action

• The power of nature journaling and its impact on student well-being

• Where to find free K–12 climate resources vetted by experts

💡 Real Student Projects Featured:

• Petitioning for a school biodigester

• Fundraising for bird collision prevention

• Building community partnerships to reduce food waste

🧭 Tools & Resources

• Gaia Scholastic

• Nature Journaling Research

• SubjectToClimate

• NY Climate Education Hub

📬 Connect with Rachel:

• Rachel Arbor on LinkedIn

• Gaia Scholastic LinkedIn

• Join Gaia’s Newsletter

🌍 Connect with Global Student Solutions
Learn more about the Global Education Network, My College Coach, and more:
🔗 www.theglobalstudentsolutions.com

Join us for an inspiring conversation about the water crisis in South Sudan and the incredible work of Water for South Sudan (WFSS) in bringing access to clean water, hygiene, and sanitation to communities in need.

This episode highlights the profound impact of the water crisis, particularly on women and girls who often spend countless hours walking miles to collect water, preventing them from attending school and limiting their opportunities. We delve into the powerful story of WFSS's founder, Salva Dut, a former "Lost Boy" of Sudan whose remarkable journey of survival and determination is chronicled in the New York Times bestseller A Long Walk to Water by Linda Sue Park.

Salva's experience, from fleeing the Sudanese Civil War at a young age8 to eventually returning to help his community, is a testament to hope and resilience, a message so vital in today's world. Lynn Malooly, Executive Director of Water for South Sudan, shares insights into the challenges of their work in South Sudan, where they drill and maintain water wells, implement hygiene education, and build sanitation facilities.

Discover how access to clean water is the foundation for human development, enabling communities to thrive with improved health, better agricultural practices, and increased opportunities for education.

Learn how international schools, global students, and families can get involved and make a tangible difference in addressing this critical global issue. The story of A Long Walk to Water serves as a powerful tool for international educators to teach about resilience, global challenges, and the importance of global citizenship.

Get Involved:•

Learn more about Water for South Sudan and support their life-changing work: https://www.waterforsouthsudan.org/

Watch the inspiring video "I Kept Walking | Salva Dut | TEDxYouth@BeaconStreet": https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mWlNdnFicLE

Explore more videos and updates on the Water for South Sudan YouTube Channel: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCtdnzJeJBmME37rV_2FMmog

Read the book A Long Walk to Water by Linda Sue Park to learn Salva Dut's incredible story. You can find it at major book retailers.

International Schools that want to work with Global Student Solutions learn more here: https://coachmartin.my.canva.site/empowering-your-international-students-for-university-success

Join the movement to bring clean water and hope to South Sudan and empower the next generation of global citizens! Water is not just a resource; it's the building block of life.