In this episode, Amy and Bernie welcome Chandler Gilow and Christine Rollings to explore why birth stories are vital—they are identity-shaping, deeply spiritual, and often complex experiences, especially for cross-cultural workers. Today we unpack the difference between telling and processing a birth story, the often-overlooked needs of fathers, and how intentional debriefing can prevent unprocessed grief from becoming another “stone” in the cross-cultural grief tower.

✨ Sign up for the Webinar for Member Care and Birth Story Listening on April 9th

✨ Take the birth stress on the field survey or read about why this survey.

—Website for Chandler Gilow: The Global Birth Coach

—Connect with Christine Rollings on Instagram

—Insiders have access to the Birth Story Processing Packet by Chandler Gilow join Global Trellis Insiders.

—Read Global Trellis articles related to giving birth on the field here.

Global Trellis: The Podcast

Join Insiders

In this episode, Stacey Covell joins Amy and Bernie to unpack Global Trellis’ new research paper, Let’s Talk About It: Sexual Harassment, Abuse, and Assault on the Field. They share what it was like to sit with months of heavy data, the surprising patterns that emerged, and why policies alone are not enough—especially in cross-cultural contexts. Workers, leaders, and organizations are invited into honest conversations that foster dignity and safety, and reflects the Kingdom of God on earth.

—Download Let’s Talk About It: Sexual Harassment, Abuse, and Assault on the Field here

—You can download infographics, graphics for you to use in newsletter & presentations, and a discussion guide to help you discuss the paper: https://globaltrellis.com/lets-talk-about-sexual-harassment

—Have you read the Let’s Talk About It: Eleven Areas of Concern for Cross-Cultural Workers? Read it here.

Global Trellis: The Podcast

Join Insiders

Today, Amy and Bernie sit down with spiritual directors Beth Forshee and David Wu to explore how vices and virtues shape the “garden of the soul,” especially for cross-cultural workers. You’ll discover a fresh, grace-filled way to understand your struggles—not as failures to fix, but as invitations from Jesus to deeper trust—along with practical tools like prayers of detachment, meditation, and everyday practices to cultivate Christlike character in the midst of the real pressures of life and ministry.

How to build a rule of life for cross-cultural worker course with Beth Forshee

The (many 😀) resource at globaltrellis.com from Beth Forshee.

David and Cindy Wu’s Mosaic Formation

Spiritual Direction with Beth Forshee

Global Trellis Insiders (Rule of Life is included)

Global Trellis: The Podcast

Join Insiders

Cross-cultural workers often spend most of their energy working in ministry, but what about working on it? Africa Regional Director and Director of Wellness for her organization, Karli Von Herbulis shares how Global Trellis Insiders has helped her develop both personally and professionally through curated growth tracks, trauma-informed workshops, and practical resources accessible from anywhere in the world. Amy, Bernie, and Karli discuss why spaces like Insiders are so important for sustaining healthy, skillful ministry over time.

Karli’s podcast episode on How to Handle All You are Carrying on the Field

Her article How to Picture All You’re Carrying on the Field

Working In vs. Working On Your Ministry podcast episode. (Listen here)

Global Trellis: The Podcast

Join Insiders

Cross-cultural workers are trained to work in their ministry—rarely on it. Like any vehicle, you use it to go somewhere, not to maintain it. But if 100% of the time is spent driving or riding and 0% maintaining, breakdown is inevitable. In this episode, Amy and Bernie unpack what it means to work "in" your ministry and "on" it and why investing in the “maintenance” side of ministry is essential for long-term sustainability.

Global Trellis: The Podcast

Join Insiders

In a brand new feature, Amy and Bernie tackle a listener’s question about the balance of accountability for workers on the field. Drawing on Amy’s years as a member care director, they discuss criteria for intervention, the role of counseling and documentation, and how to build a culture of honest, loving accountability in cross-cultural teams.

Podcast Episode (listen here) Struggles, Sins, and Stances: Another Look at “What is your ‘this’?” Survey Results with Janeen Davis

Radical Candor by Kim Scott

Global Trellis Workshop: Sin and Resilience in Your First Term

Global Trellis Workshop: Sin and Resilience in It for the Long Haul

Or get the Sin and Resilience Bundle here!

Global Trellis: Narcissism Week (Especially Member Care / Leaders Day)

Do you have a question you’d like answered on the show? Email amy@globaltrellis.com

Global Trellis: The Podcast

Join Insiders

Today Jenny Smith shares her journey as a quadriplegic cross-cultural worker and member-care provider, exploring the unique challenges and gifts that people with disabilities bring to global ministry. Amy, Bernie, and Jenny unpack stigma, theology, practical accommodations, and how sending agencies can more intentionally empower disabled workers to thrive on the field.

Website: https://JennySmithRollsOn.com/

The Journey 8-week online course info

Disability in Mission: The Church's Hidden Treasure

David Deuel and Nathan John

Articles by Jenny:

The Church’s Role in Supporting the Disability Community, Christian Standard

Room at the Table: Welcoming People with Disabilities in the Church and

Missions (chapter Global Member Care Volume 3: Stories and Strategies for Staying the Course)

Global Trellis: The Podcast

Join Insiders

What happens when churches and global workers really work together in partnership? Turns out, some pretty amazing things! This week Amy and Bernie have a fascinating (and fun!) conversation with Bryan and Stefanie Nicholson, founders of Here2There, an organization that exists to close the gap between local churches and global workers.

Website: https://here2there.org/

Here2There Network: https://www.h2tnetwork.org/

Global Trellis: The Podcast

Join Insiders