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This is the final episode of The Auto Ethnographer podcast. After 53 episodes exploring the human stories of expats, cross-cultural professionals, and the quiet logic behind unfamiliar behavior, I am closing this chapter. Not because the stories stopped mattering. Because the urgency has shifted. In this final episode, we take a global tour of ageism. The numbers are stark: USA: 64% of workers over 50 have experienced age discrimination (AARP). 22% report being actively pushed out of their jobs. Germany: 90% of older job seekers encounter age discrimination during interviews. The working-age population will shrink by 4.3 million by 2036. China: The "Curse of 35" means age discrimination begins at 35, not 50 or 60. The civil service hiring age limit was raised from 35 to 38 in 2025 for the first time in three decades. Japan: 30% of the population is 65 and older. In 2024, adult diapers outsold baby diapers. We hear from Dan Pontefract, author of "The Future of Work Is Grey," who was told by a Bank of Japan economist: "When you go back to Canada, make sure you tell your people not to do what Japan is doing." He calls this the Age Debt Crisis — spanning demographic disruption, ageism, longevity, and the loss of institutional wisdom when older workers are pushed out. And we return to a past conversation with HR recruiter Kelvin Nguyen, who describes how Vietnam — a culture that once venerated age and experience — has seen the threshold for being "too old" drop from 45 to 35 in just a few years. Technology and AI have reshuffled the value equation. Efficiency now overrides tradition. I started Ageism Survival Guide because I watched scores of friends and peers pushed out of work in 2025. Professionals over 50, with decades of experience, finding themselves on the outside of a system they spent their lives building. They need practical help adapting to a new life over 50 and navigating what a next career might look like. The Auto Ethnographer taught me how to listen across cultures. Ageism Survival Guide is where I apply that listening to people who need answers now. Thank you to every listener who has been part of this journey. The curiosity, the cultural humility, and the belief that human stories transcend borders — those values are not going anywhere. They are moving with me. I hope you will come along. Ageism Survival Guide: Homepage: https://www.ageismsurvivalguide.com/ YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@AgeismSurvivalGuide LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/ageism-survival-guide Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/ageismsurvivalguide Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/ageismsurvivalguide/ To learn more about Dan Pontefract: LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/danpontefract/ Homepage including book listing: https://www.danpontefract.com/the-future-of-work-is-grey/ To learn more about Nguyen Ngo The Cong (Kelvin): LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/congngoheadhunt/

Four years ago, I moved abroad. Three weeks ago, I went back for a visit. In Episode 51, I told you I was returning to the United States with a certain degree of hesitation. I had some honest apprehensions about what I would find. And I promised to bring you back a full report. This is that report. After four years of living overseas, returning to your home country is not the simple homecoming you might expect. The country changes while you are away. You change too. And those two movements do not always move in the same direction. Using the W-curve model of intercultural adjustment as our framework, this episode explores what happens when a changed self steps back into a changed place. What your fresh eyes confirm. What surprises you. And what simply stands out. I focused on three areas. The first was scale. The United States is large. But after four years calibrated to life in Bangkok, just how large? From Jazz Fest in New Orleans to the roads of Pennsylvania, the answer became clear very quickly. The second area was social interaction. Am I still the same person in an American social environment? Has four years abroad reshaped how I engage, observe, and respond? The third area was the political and cultural atmosphere. From the news and social media, you would imagine two countries. But what does the ground actually look like? I will not give away what I found in this description – you will have to watch!  But I will tell you that some of what I expected was confirmed. And some of what I expected most, was not. This episode is for anyone living abroad, planning to move abroad, or simply curious about what it means to return home after a long time away. Reverse culture shock is real. But so is the clarity that distance gives you. LEARN MORE Website: https://auto-ethnographer.com Connect with me on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/the-auto-ethnographer YOUR TICKET ABROAD Thinking about making the move overseas? My comprehensive video course, Your Ticket Abroad, was built to answer the questions I wish someone had answered for me. Filmed in Bangkok, Thailand. Available now at: https://www.auto-ethnographer.com/your-ticket-abroad-course

What does it feel like to return home for a visit after years of living abroad? In this episode of The Auto Ethnographer, John Jörn Stech prepares to board a plane back to the United States — his home country — and discovers something unexpected: he is approaching the trip the way he would approach a country he has never visited before. With research, anticipation, and a degree of hesitation he did not expect to feel. "Returning home is not that simple, comfortable event that everyone around you expects it to be. It's one of the more quietly demanding experiences in the life of a global professional. And almost nobody talks about it." Drawing on the W-curve model of intercultural adjustment (Gullahorn & Gullahorn, 1963), this episode explores reverse culture shock — why coming home can be as disorienting as moving abroad, and why almost nobody prepares for it. When your mental image of home freezes at the moment you leave, and you spend years absorbing a different cultural logic, you return not as the person who left — but as someone genuinely changed. "You're not bringing your old self back to an unchanged place. You're bringing a changed self back to a changed place. And the collision of those two changes is what creates reverse culture shock." Three anticipations shape this episode: the physical scale of the United States after years in Bangkok, the warmth and openness of American social interaction seen through recalibrated eyes, and the challenge of stepping back into a country in the middle of a deeply public conversation about its own values — without falling into nostalgia or reflexive rejection. "The stereotypes that are the most difficult to resist are not the ones about unfamiliar cultures. They are the ones about the culture that formed you — the ones you carry without even knowing that you are carrying them." John Jörn Stech also shares the deeply personal dimensions of this homecoming: attending the New Orleans Jazz Festival for the first time, celebrating his daughter's graduation from medical school, and visiting his son and future daughter-in-law in their first home together. The Auto Ethnographer will pause for 2 to 3 weeks. New episodes return in the second half of May. 🎓 Ready to make the move abroad? Your Ticket Abroad — the complete guide for global professionals: https://www.auto-ethnographer.com/your-ticket-abroad-course 🌐 The Auto Ethnographer: https://www.auto-ethnographer.com/ 🔗 Connect with the Auto Ethnographer on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/the-auto-ethnographer 🔗 Connect with John Jörn Stech on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/john-stech-drive-electric/

Fifty episodes in, and the conversation that matters most is still the simplest one: people are not their governments. Nations are not monoliths. Thank you to every guest who shared their story, every listener who kept showing up, and to my wife, Bernie, whose support made this channel possible from the very beginning. Episode 50 of The Auto Ethnographer returns to the idea that drives everything here. In a media environment that routinely collapses entire cultures into headlines and soundbites, it is worth slowing down to ask what we lose when we do that. We lose individual human beings. We lose nuance. And we lose the kind of truth that genuine cross-cultural understanding depends on. Through two personal stories, including a candid exchange with a Russian friend named Oleg and a sidewalk dinner with a Vietnamese family in Hanoi, this episode examines the psychology behind cultural stereotyping, the role media and physical distance play in flattening human complexity, and the universal human values that connect people across borders, regardless of the governments that claim to represent them. Most expats and global professionals already sense this. When you sit at someone's kitchen table in a foreign country, politics fades quickly. What remains is shared humanity: parents who want their children to thrive, elders who want peace, young people who want opportunity. These are not Western values. They are not tied to any religion, ideology, or passport. They are human values. This episode is for expats living and working abroad, third culture kids, global professionals, and anyone who believes that lived cross-cultural experience reveals truths that headlines simply cannot. If intercultural communication, cultural intelligence, and understanding the world beyond your own borders matter to you, this conversation belongs on your list. Governments act. People live. The more we hold onto that distinction, the harder it becomes to hate, and the easier it becomes to hope. 🌐 The Auto Ethnographer homepage: https://www.auto-ethnographer.com/ ✈️ Your Ticket Abroad — Moving Overseas Course: https://www.auto-ethnographer.com/your-ticket-abroad-course 💼 The Auto Ethnographer on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/the-auto-ethnographer

What if the cultural frameworks your organization relies on are actually reinforcing the very stereotypes they were designed to eliminate? In Part 2 of our conversation with Dr. Jerome Dumetz, cross-cultural management expert and author of 199 Cross Cultural Case Studies, we explore why real-life case studies offer something no theoretical model can: the full, messy, human context of intercultural work. Dr. Dumetz makes a bold argument. Widely used models such as Hofstede, Trompenaars, and the Lewis Triangle, while historically significant, risk generating stereotypes when applied without context. His answer is a carefully curated collection of 199 one-page, real-world case studies documenting cultural misunderstandings, adaptation moments, and professional breakthroughs from around the globe. Developed in collaboration with Fons Trompenaars and Craig Storti, the book bridges academic intercultural theory with the lived experience of expats and global professionals. One of the most thought-provoking ideas in this episode is the concept of multiple cultural identities. Your nationality, what Dumetz calls your "passport culture," is just one layer of who you are professionally. Where you studied, which industry you entered, and the department where your career began can shape your professional worldview far more deeply than the country on your ID. For expats, international managers, and cross-cultural trainers, this reframing changes how intercultural work gets done. We also explore the growing role of AI in cross-cultural management. Dumetz acknowledges AI's usefulness in translation and language support, but raises critical questions about the cultural bias embedded in AI models and their inability to replicate the nuanced, questioning mindset that genuine intercultural competence requires. His most memorable advice for anyone stepping into a new cultural environment? Slow down. Pause before reacting. And instead of asking "What should I do?", turn to the people around you and ask: "What would you do?" This small shift in framing opens the door to genuine cultural learning and more authentic integration abroad. Whether you are an expat navigating life in a new country, a manager leading a cross-cultural team, or an HR specialist building intercultural training programs, this conversation offers both intellectual depth and practical, grounded insight. 🔗 Connect with Dr. Jerome Dumetz: 🌐 Website: JEROME DUMETZ WEBSITE 📚 Get the Book, 199 Cross Cultural Case Studies: LINK TO AMAZON US BOOKSTORE  (Also available on other Amazon international sites) ▶️ YouTube:  JEROME DUMETZ YOUTUBE CHANNEL 💼 LinkedIn:  JEROME DUMETZ LINKEDIN PROFILE 📩 Free Case Study Excerpt (comment on his LinkedIn post): LINK TO LINKEDIN POST Learn more about the Auto Ethnographer:  https://www.auto-ethnographer.com Want to move abroad but the process seems to imposing? Visit the Auto Ethnographer's Your Ticket Abroad on-line course. The course offers 28 videos and a 54-page checklist guide for tacking the challenge of moving abroad, whether alone, with a partner, or with an entire family. Visit the course page here: Course: "Your Ticket Abroad" — The Auto Ethnographer

Have you ever moved to a new country, convinced you'd adapted perfectly — only to discover the cultural gap was hiding in plain sight? In Part 1 of this two-part conversation, The Auto Ethnographer sits down with Dr. Jerome Dumetz, one of the world's most respected voices in intercultural management and cross-cultural communication. A self-described "consulting professor," Jerome Dumetz has spent decades bridging the gap between academic theory and the real-world management challenges faced by international professionals. As Vice Rector for International Affairs at a leading Czech university, and having lectured at approximately 25 universities across Europe, Russia, North America, and Asia, he brings rare front-line insight into what it truly means to work, lead, and live across cultures. 🔑 IN THIS EPISODE (Part 1): What it means to be a "consulting professor" — blending academic rigor with hands-on corporate consulting Why cultural adaptation comes down to two factors: individual cultural competence and the cultural gap between your home and host country The dangerous "Illusion of Blending In" — why moving to a similar culture can produce greater culture shock than relocating somewhere radically different The "elephant in the room full of mice" — how senior expat executives are often shielded from authentic cultural friction by their position and status Why many cross-cultural trainers are still using models from the 1980s — and why that's a problem for today's global professionals False cognates and cross-cultural miscommunication: real-world examples from French, Spanish, German, and Russian contexts Dr. Dumetz's own expat journey: France → Netherlands → USA → Canada → Russia📚 CONNECT WITH DR. JEROME DUMETZ: Post a comment on Jerome’s LinkedIn post and receive a FREE copy of sample cases: https://www.linkedin.com/feed/update/urn:li:activity:7442114253852921856/ 🌐 Website: www.crossculturalstudies.org 📖 His book on Amazon US (also available in other Amazon country sites): https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0GPDJCKXJ 🌐 LinkedIn page: https://www.linkedin.com/in/jerome-dumetz/ 🌐 Youtube channel: https://www.youtube.com/@jdumetz-consultingprofessor 🎙️ ABOUT THE AUTO ETHNOGRAPHER: The Auto Ethnographer explores the human stories of expats and global professionals navigating life and work across cultures. From boardrooms to back alleys, these conversations uncover universally applicable lessons that span borders, oceans, and cultures. Whether you're planning your first move abroad or you're a seasoned global citizen, there's something here for you. Learn more about how to move overseas by taking the Your Ticket Abroad class by the Auto Ethnographer. More information can be found here:  Course: "Your Ticket Abroad" — The Auto Ethnographer 🔔 Subscribe and don't miss Part 2 of this conversation with Dr. Jerome Dumetz — coming soon!

🌍 Your first impression of a new country isn't just incomplete — it might be completely wrong. In this episode of The Auto Ethnographer, host John Jörn Stech breaks down the 6 powerful psychological dynamics that distort your early perceptions when you move abroad — and why most expats don't realize it's happening until they've already made costly misinterpretations. Moving overseas is one of the most transformative decisions you'll ever make. But those first few weeks? Your brain is misleading you. The thrill of a new city, the warmth of strangers, the beauty of everything unfamiliar — all of it is filtered through a cultural lens you didn't even know you were wearing. What feels like clarity is often bias in disguise. Whether you're planning a move abroad, already living the expat life, or fascinated by cross-cultural psychology and intercultural communication, this episode will change how you read your early experiences in any foreign country. 🔍 6 DYNAMICS THAT DISTORT YOUR FIRST IMPRESSIONS ABROAD ✔️ The Honeymoon Phase — Why everything feels like paradise at first, and why that's the danger ✔️ Cultural Filters — How your home country's values color everything you observe in a new culture ✔️ Surface vs. Deep Culture — Why expat life only exposes the tip of the cultural iceberg ✔️ The Outlier Problem — Why one encounter does not represent an entire nation or its people ✔️ The Hidden "Why" — The cultural values behind behaviors that seem offensive or strange ✔️ Self-Fulfilling Prophecies — How a first impression hardens into a belief that blocks real connection 🌐 REAL EXAMPLES FROM 5 COUNTRIES 🇷🇺 Russia: Why serious faces don't mean unfriendly people 🇹🇭 Thailand: The hidden social pressure beneath the famous Thai smile 🇺🇸 United States: Why American friendliness confuses the world 🇩🇪 Germany: How blunt feedback is actually a sign of deep respect 🇪🇬 Egypt: Why "chaotic" streets are rooted in hospitality and human connection 📚 RESOURCES 🎓 Your Ticket Abroad Course — Visas, logistics, housing, AND how to decode cultural behavior so you can build a meaningful, sustainable life overseas from day one: 👉 https://www.auto-ethnographer.com/your-ticket-abroad-course 🌐 The Auto Ethnographer — Homepage: 👉 https://www.auto-ethnographer.com/ 🤝 JOIN THE COMMUNITY 📸 Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/auto.ethnographer/ 💼 LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/the-auto-ethnographer 📘 Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=61567929329364 📌 New episodes every week on expat psychology, cultural intelligence, and the reality of building a life abroad. Subscribe so you never miss one. #ExpatLife #MovingAbroad #CultureShock #LivingOverseas #CrossCulturalPsychology #FirstImpressions #ExpatTips #MoveOverseas #CulturalDifferences #AutoEthnographer #InterculturalCommunication #ExpatCommunity #RelocationTips #CulturalIntelligence #CultureShockRecovery

Melissa Rodway left Toronto at 35 for a months-long backpacking trip across Southeast Asia — and came home a different person. Fifteen years later, those raw, unfiltered emails she sent from the road became her travel memoir, The People You Meet. In this episode of The Auto Ethnographer, host John Jörn Stech sits down with Melissa to unpack the life-changing friendships, cultural shocks, and hard-won lessons from her journey through Thailand, Laos, Cambodia, Vietnam, and China. Melissa didn't plan to write a book. For over a decade, those emails sat untouched — a time capsule from her younger self. It took a series of personal losses, including the passing of her mother, to push her to finally turn those vivid travel memories into something lasting. The result is a deeply personal memoir that captures the beauty of temporary friendships formed on the road, the kind of connections that burn bright and then disappear, yet somehow stay with you forever. In this conversation, Melissa opens up about the tension between being a travel observer and a true participant. She explores the ethical dilemmas of animal tourism in Thailand, the discomfort of photographing strangers, and what it felt like to become "the human zoo" as a foreigner in rural China — where entire villages had never seen a Western face. She shares a moving story about a family in Battambang, Cambodia, who invited her into their home for a meal despite having almost nothing, and how that moment of radical generosity reshaped her understanding of privilege back in Canada. We also dive into the lasting emotional impact of visiting Cambodia's Killing Fields, and how confronting the history of the Khmer Rouge gave Melissa a deeper appreciation for the resilience of the Cambodian people. From a spontaneous dinner with strangers in Hanoi to navigating a Chinese queueing cultre with nothing but hand gestures, this episode is packed with the kind of unscripted human moments that no guidebook can prepare you for. Melissa's advice for travelers of any age: slow down, say hello, and let go of the itinerary. The best experiences abroad don't come from ticking off landmarks — they come from the people you meet along the way. Whether you're an expat navigating life in a foreign country, a backpacker planning your first solo trip, or simply someone who craves stories about cross-cultural connection and living abroad — this episode will inspire you to travel with more purpose, more curiosity, and more kindness. 📖 Get Melissa's Book — The People You Meet: https://www.amazon.ca/People-You-Meet-Interesting-Characters/dp/106904430X/ref=sr_1_1?crid=1S1BKT0SGLCI8&dib=eyJ2IjoiMSJ9.TlZrHy0V02MWPGcybuwtIZ36r168mkudXDX-0BnO-PY.RMq3iGOHHwk_fUKjKAbvOpOHqcoGuXa_ytyCwKSY9wE&dib_tag=se&keywords=the+people+you+meet+melissa+rodway&qid=1751586775&sprefix=the+people+you+meet%2Caps%2C99&sr=8-1 🌐 Learn More About Melissa Rodway: https://flyrodway.com/2025/07/03/travel-memoir-the-people-you-meet/ 🎓 Ready to Move Abroad? Take the Course: Your Ticket Abroad — The Complete Expat Video Course https://www.auto-ethnographer.com/your-ticket-abroad-course 🎙️ More from The Auto Ethnographer: https://www.auto-ethnographer.com Subscribe now!

Are you dreaming of living abroad but feel completely overwhelmed by where to start? Whether you are trying to figure out exactly how to move abroad or you are desperately searching for the ultimate  moving abroad checklist , we have some incredibly exciting news for you! Welcome to the official launch of "Your Ticket Abroad" – the ultimate, comprehensive online course designed to turn your dream of an expat life into reality! ✈️🌍 👉 ENROLL IN "YOUR TICKET ABROAD" HERE: https://www.auto-ethnographer.com/your-ticket-abroad-course For over a year on The Auto Ethnographer, we have shared the fascinating, human stories of people who have decided to work abroad as an expat in a foreign land. But the number one question we consistently get from our viewers is: "How do I actually do it?" That is exactly why John Jörn Stech has poured his extensive international experience into creating this extensive course. Relocating overseas is a massive challenge, but John has structured his universal lessons learned into a simple, actionable blueprint. 📚 WHAT IS INCLUDED IN THE COURSE?  "Your Ticket Abroad" is a complete A-Z guide for anyone ready to make the leap. It includes:  ✅ 28 In-Depth Video Modules: Step-by-step guidance covering everything from your initial decision-making process to the complex logistics of international relocation.  ✅The Ultimate 54-Page Checklist Guide: You will never have to guess what comes next. This massive guide covers all the vital moving abroad tips you need so nothing falls through the cracks! 🎯 WHO IS THIS COURSE FOR? • Anyone moving abroad for the first time who wants to avoid costly beginner mistakes. • Professionals wondering how to move abroad from the us or moving abroad from america to advance their careers. • Adventurers looking to move to europe or anywhere else across the globe! • Individuals asking themselves, "Is moving abroad worth it?" and needing help making that final decision. • Future expats figuring out how to move abroad with family, or those bravely  moving abroad alone . • Young explorers moving abroad in your 20s, or those looking to comfortably retire abroad . 🌟 COURSE HIGHLIGHTS: 1️⃣ Decision Making: How to mentally prepare for the transition and ensure a life abroad is truly the right path for you. 2️⃣ Logistics & Planning: From visa requirements to packing up your life, we provide the ultimate living abroad tips to streamline your journey. 3️⃣ Cultural Adaptation: Learn how to overcome culture shock, navigate the intersection of culture and business, and thrive outside of your home culture. If you enjoy a good moving abroad vlog but are ready to stop watching and start doing, this course is your first step. Don't let the fear of the unknown hold you back from the greatest adventure of your life. Click the link above to grab "Your Ticket Abroad" today and let John Jörn Stech guide you across borders and oceans! 🔔 Enjoying The Auto Ethnographer? If you love learning about global cultures and the realities of living overseas, make sure to SUBSCRIBE to the channel for more interviews, stories, and essential living abroad tips! Learn more about the Auto Ethnographer channel at https://www.auto-ethnographer.com/

Learning a new language is one of the most humbling, hilarious, and deeply human experiences we can have. In this light‑hearted episode, I explore the universal journey from sounding like a broken GPS to finally communicating like an actual human being. I start with my own early bilingual beginnings, from growing up speaking German before moving to the United States and absorbing English on playgrounds and in classrooms. From there, we jump to Moscow, where I spent years learning Russian the only way my budget allowed: a 99‑lesson CD course played on repeat while stuck in legendary two‑hour traffic jams. If you’ve ever practiced foreign phrases alone in your car while other drivers stare, this one’s for you. Fast‑forward to today, where I’m living in Thailand and wrestling with the five tones of the Thai language. One wrong tone and you can accidentally insult someone, order the wrong dish, or simply confuse everyone within earshot. It’s a full return to the “robot phase,” and I’m embracing it. Along the way, we talk about why learning one language makes the next easier, how accents are actually beautiful, and why mistakes are not just inevitable — they’re essential. Every mispronunciation, every awkward pause, every accidental insult is a step toward connection. This episode is a reminder that everyone who speaks YOUR language with an accent is exactly how YOU sound in theirs. And that’s not something to be embarrassed about — it’s something to celebrate. Be sure to visit the Auto Ethnographer's homepage at https://www.auto-ethnographer.com And follow on social media... FB page: https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=61567929329364 IG page: https://www.instagram.com/auto.ethnographer/ LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/the-auto-ethnographer

In this episode, host John Jörn Stech explores how contracts reveal the deeper cultural logic behind global business. Drawing on real experiences from the United States, Germany, Russia, China, Brazil, and Egypt, it uncovers how written agreements reflect national attitudes toward trust, risk, negotiation, and long‑term partnership. Whether you work in international business, cross‑cultural management, global mobility, or multinational leadership, this conversation offers a vivid look at why contracts are never as universal as they appear. You’ll hear stories from automotive industry negotiations, dealer agreements, joint ventures, and high‑stakes cross‑border partnerships. These examples highlight how contract interpretation shifts dramatically across cultures: from system‑trust environments like the U.S. and Germany to relationship‑trust cultures such as China, Brazil, and Russia, and finally to hybrid bureaucratic‑relational systems like Egypt. The episode breaks down how legal frameworks, institutional reliability, and interpersonal networks shape everything from timelines to renegotiations. Listeners will gain insight into why American contracts emphasize legal protection, why German agreements prioritize precision, why Russian and Chinese negotiations rely heavily on relationships, and why Brazilian and Egyptian business cultures blend formal documentation with human connection. These contrasts illuminate the hidden cultural DNA behind global contracting, compliance, and business communication. If you’re navigating international deals, leading multicultural teams, or preparing for global expansion, this episode offers practical context for understanding how different societies view obligations, flexibility, and the written word. It’s a guide to avoiding misunderstandings, strengthening partnerships, and reading the cultural signals embedded in every clause and signature. By the end, you’ll see contracts not just as legal documents but as cultural artifacts that reveal how people build trust, manage uncertainty, and define professional integrity across borders. This is essential listening for anyone working in global strategy, international negotiations, or cross‑cultural leadership. To learn more about the Auto Ethnographer, be sure to visit the homepage at https://www.auto-ethnographer.com

Welcome to the first episode of the new year — and the beginning of a major new chapter for The Auto Ethnographer. In this episode, host John Stech shares the story behind his five international relocations, the overwhelm that nearly stopped him, and the lessons that shaped his new mission: helping you turn your dream of living overseas into a real, actionable plan. For years, listeners have written in with the same struggle: “I want to move abroad… but I’m completely overwhelmed.” Today, John lifts the curtain on the solution he’s been building behind the scenes, and which will be available in the coming weeks. In This Episode - John’s first international move to Cairo: the excitement, the fear, and the avalanche of logistics that nearly derailed everything - The universal mental roadblocks that stop people from pursuing life abroad - Why the channel is expanding beyond automotive culture into deeper, broader conversations about global living - A preview of upcoming guests, including a renowned culture trainer and author - The reveal of John’s biggest project yet: a comprehensive 29‑video relocation course designed to guide you from “someday” to “I’m ready” - A breakdown of the course modules, covering mindset, country selection, visas, finances, logistics, settling in, community‑building, and more - How this new direction will bring more depth, more variety, and more practical value to every episode Why This Episode Matters If you’ve ever dreamed of living overseas but felt paralyzed by the complexity (visas, money, logistics, culture shock, loneliness), this episode is your turning point. John shares the systems he built over five relocations and explains how they’ve evolved into a complete roadmap for anyone ready to make a bold change. What’s Coming Next The channel’s expanded focus begins now, with richer cultural insights, more diverse guests, and content tailored to a wider range of careers and global paths. The relocation course launches soon, just in time for those ready to turn a New Year’s resolution into a real plan. Join the Conversation Comment with the one country you’re dreaming of — let’s build a community of people ready to take action, support each other, and make global living a shared reality. Thanks for being part of this journey. This year, we stop saying “someday.” Let’s get started. Homepage:  https://www.auto-ethnographer.com FB page: https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=61567929329364 IG page: https://www.instagram.com/auto.ethnographer/ LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/the-auto-ethnographer YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCtrD6CPH0KXdKrIRBnTHpuQ

Living as an #expat outside of your home culture is the ultimate challenge. In this 2025 year-end special, I’ve distilled the most powerful insights from 41 episodes of The Auto Ethnographer into one essential guide. Join me as I revisit the most impactful moments from every featured guest this year—professionals who have navigated the complexities of the automotive industry and beyond in foreign lands. Whether you are facing early culture shock , looking to improve your cross cultural management skills, or simply curious about the reality of working abroad, these stories prove that the lessons learned are universally applicable. From the excitement of the "honeymoon phase" to the hard realities of cultural adaptation, this video compiles the real human stories behind the job titles. In this video, we cover: • Real-world advice: Practical tips for surviving the transition to a new country. • Professional growth: How to handle cross-cultural communication in the workplace. • The Human Side: Honest reflections from unique guests on what it truly means to live as an expat, work with expats, and to be a global citizen. Resources & Links: • Subscribe for more expat stories: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCtrD6CPH0KXdKrIRBnTHpuQ Connect with The Auto Ethnographer:  https://www.auto-ethnographer.com FB page: https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=61567929329364 IG page: https://www.instagram.com/auto.ethnographer/ LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/the-auto-ethnographer YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCtrD6CPH0KXdKrIRBnTHpuQ #ExpatLife #CulturalAdaptation #WorkingAbroad #CrossCulturalManagement #2025Recap #AutomotiveIndustry #CultureShock

What happens when a single career stretches across continents, cultures, and some of the most storied automotive brands on earth? In this episode of Auto Ethnographer, we dive into the remarkable global journey of Toscan Bennett, a man whose life has been shaped by movement, adaptation, and an uncanny ability to bridge worlds that rarely understand one another. Host John Stech welcomes Toscan for a wide‑ranging conversation that begins with his unusual upbringing as a third‑culture kid born in Vietnam, raised across Asia and Latin America, and eventually thrust into a career that would take him deep inside the automotive industry’s most complex cultural intersections. Toscan’s story is not just about cars, it’s about identity, belonging, and the unique fluency that comes from never fully fitting into one place. Across the episode, Toscan walks us through his extraordinary professional arc, spanning 11 automotive brands and multiple continents. In this conversation alone, he reflects on his time with Alfa Romeo, Ferrari, Chrysler, Mitsubishi, Volkswagen, Volvo, Ceer, and VinFast—each one offering a different lens into how global companies think, operate, and sometimes collide. From Italian passion to Japanese humility, from German precision to Vietnamese speed, Toscan reveals how culture shapes products, decisions, and the very rhythm of corporate life. Listeners will hear vivid stories of American engineers experiencing European roads for the first time, the chaos and brilliance of cross‑cultural product development teams, and the surprising realities of working inside Swedish consensus culture. Toscan also shares candid insights into the limits of centralized thinking—especially when headquarters assumes the world looks just like home—and the moments when only firsthand experience can break through corporate assumptions. As promised during the episode, John and Toscan also acknowledge the three brands they didn’t get to—Lotus Motorcars, Opel, and Vauxhall—a reminder of just how expansive Toscan’s career has been. Even with an hour of conversation, there simply wasn’t enough time to cover all eleven. Whether you’re fascinated by global business, automotive history, or the human side of cross‑cultural leadership, this episode offers a rare inside look at what it truly means to build a career across borders. Toscan Bennett’s journey is a lesson in adaptability, curiosity, and the power of seeing the world through more than one lens. You can learn more about The Auto Ethnographer at https://www.auto-ethnographer.com You can also follow on social media: FB page: https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=61567929329364 IG page: https://www.instagram.com/auto.ethnographer/ LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/the-auto-ethnographer

Do Thai citizens love cars? And what attracts them to different brands? Those are the questions that John Jörn Stech, host of The Auto Ethnographer, set out to answer at a large motorshow in Bangkok, Thailand. This week the 42nd Thailand International Motor Expo is bringing car fans and curious consumers from around the country to the IMPACT Challenger show hall. A wide range of brands hail from Europe, Japan, South Korea, the United States, and increasingly, from China. John speaks with representatives from eight different brands – European, Japanese, American, and Chinese – to understand what attracts their customers to their brands. These are Volvo, Toyota, Audi, BMW, Chery, Ford, Great Wall Motors, and Zeekr. Listeners may be surprised what the brands think the consumers find attractive. John speaks with Auteneo founder, Krzysztof Tokarz, about his company’s foray into social listening. This involves using AI-driven tools that “listen” to thousands of social media conversations about the automotive industry and specific brands. Using this social listening technology, automakers can learn what consumers are saying about their products and address the concerns, either tactically or with strategic product changes. To learn more about Autoneo’s capabilities, visit their website at https://www.auteneo.comand be sure to follow them on LinkedIn at https://www.linkedin.com/company/auteneo. John also speaks about the increasing number of Chinese competitors in the market, with special focus on Changan’s luxury Avatr brand, whose show stand is directly adjacent to Mercedes-Benz. Is this a threat to the vaunted German luxury brand? Auto shows are exciting, full of energy, and able to answer questions for inquisitive consumers. There is no doubt that Thailand’s show is in its prime and set to grow each year with new brands entering the market. To learn more about The Auto Ethnographer, visit our website at https://www.auto-ethnographer.com. You can also follow on social media: FB page: https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=61567929329364 IG page: https://www.instagram.com/auto.ethnographer/ LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/the-auto-ethnographer