I'm Tennessee, a Franco-American podcast host based in London.
My mother moved from the United States to France at a young age. I was always fascinated by the big step she took to move from one continent to another and build a new life there. I think a big change like this one allows for more resilience, a richer and wider life, but it comes with losing other things too.
I find it interesting that we tend to replicate our family dynamics. I moved from Paris to London and settled in an anglophone world, where I took the time to understand myself and others better, in another language.
I'm really interested in the link between language and emotions, intercultural relationships and the psychology of starting again: what makes resilience possible after hardship.
I created Second Start as one of the ways I explore these questions. My hope is that it contributes to a wider understanding of the subjects it raises, while offering listeners a space to relate. I'm interested in academic work on shame, such as Jerry Duvinsky's; recovery from trauma, such as Judith Lewis Herman's; and the relationship between mind and body. I'm also drawn to Paul Gilbert's process-focused approach in Compassion Focused Therapy.
Looking back, I see the thread that connects my time in publishing to what I want to do today. I studied psychology in Paris, then spent several years in publishing. What interests me is the way stories shape, hinder and help people make sense of who they are and what they've been through. This started in the Art Therapy elective I did, grew in the publishing projects I worked on and then shaped the podcast itself.
P.S. I'd also love to welcome a Papillon dog into my family.