"Where Are You From?": A Question That Challenges Identity in a Culturally Blended World

“Where are you from?” Have you been asked this question and did not know how to answer it?

This question, although seemingly simple, can make you feel lonely, disconnected, confused, and can often create an inner turmoil. Your answer to this question, where are you from, touches at the soul of who you are as it is woven into the perceptions of your identity.

The co-authored book “Where Are You From?” A Question that Challenges Identity in a Culturally Blended World goes beyond the concept of Third Culture Kids and embarks on a journey to search for identity as a Culturally Blended Person. It is a series of travel stories that take place during conversations in Prague. These conversations touch on key issues such as: finding home, belonging, grief, child development, parenting, and having a global mindset. The authors, from two different generations, deep dive into learning and understanding how identity is shaped and influenced by answering the question “where are you from?”

As you turn the pages of this book you are offered a window into the thoughts and struggles of both a mother and daughter dealing with the common issues that arise from the question where are you from. You will lean into their experiences of a lifetime and connect them to yours. You will deep dive with the authors as they share their struggles and challenges faced as Culturally Blended People. And then, like the authors, you too will be able to find the insights and strategies of success to move forward to write your own story on your terms.

Lorraine Taylor is a Personal Brand and Communication Coach, 2x Time Author, Educator, and International Speaker that inspires and empowers YOU to: CLARIFY your authentic identity, your brandYOUCOMMUNICATE effectively and EXECUTE efficiently. Her first authored book Be BrandYOU offers a clear guide to living your life with purpose and vision both personally and professionally. Her second book, co-authored with Ashley Taylor, FOCUSES ON IDENTITY of a growing group of people in our world who are CULTURALLY BLENDED. This book is a conversation of a mother and daughter as they each dive into the many faceted aspects of finding identity as a person connected to more than one culture. Since 2020 she has turned her focus to designing, founding and building ONLINE COMMUNITIES. She believes in the connective power of conversation that flourishes in well-designed communities supporting all members to a greater level. She is the founder and visionary director of the DO!brandYOU Membership Community and the co-founder and visionary director of the Culturally Blended People Community. She offers her signature course, CLARIFY brandYOU with Purpose and Vision, in the BE!brandYOU Learning Community. Lorraine has 30 years of CULTURAL and second language experience in FIVE different COUNTRIES showcasing her ability to understand our rich, diverse GLOBAL AUDIENCES. Lorraine received her post-graduate Diploma in BUSINESS and a post-graduate Diploma in EDUCATION E-Learning, both WITH DISTINCTION from Massey University, New Zealand. She received the Top Scholar Award twice, in BUSINESS MANAGEMENT and BUSINESS COMMUNICATION. She received her Bachelor of Arts Degree and a Diploma in Education from the University of Colorado, USA. She uses her research to develop effective courses, programs and presentations. Lorraine has presented PUBLISHED RESEARCH and has delivered WORKSHOPS at CONFERENCES in NEW ZEALAND; Moscow - RUSSIA; Muscat - OMAN; BAHRAIN; Kuala Lumpur - MALAYSIA; and Dubai - UAE.Connect with Lorraine Taylor at hello@lorrainetaylor.com and lorrainetaylor.com

Ashley Taylor is an Air Traffic Controller in New Zealand. She was raised in Dubai and at the age of nine years old she moved to New Zealand where she currently resides. She is an American New Zealander by nationality through her mother as an American and her father as a New Zealander. Her life's journey unfolds through the pages ahead and is the basis of her inspiration for writing this book. It became a passion for Ashley and her mother to talk about issues and solutions to finding their identity as Culturally Blended People from two different perspectives. Ashley is keen to reach out to people in similar situations so that they too can feel confidence and closure in who they are as a culturally blended person.