12 Degrees: A Wellness Podcast
From the Oregon Trail to Red Hands: The Cultural Degree
Cultural wellness is the ability to appreciate, respect, and actively engage with diverse cultures, including one’s own. It fosters self-awareness, open-mindedness, and belonging by embracing cultural identity while recognizing the lived experiences of others.
This dimension involves continuous learning, reflection, cultural humility, actively exploring one’s own cultural background, challenging biases, fostering equity and inclusion, acknowledging culture’s impact on health, communication, and relationships.
We all carry culture with us—sometimes in the language we speak, other times in the candy we crave. In this episode of 12 Degrees, Lindsey, Christina, and Deshna explore the Cultural Degree of Wellness, from emoji etiquette and generational slang to disability pride, holiday obsessions, and spicy family recipes. You’ll hear personal stories, laugh-out-loud moments, and practical strategies for deepening self-awareness, nurturing inclusion, and fostering connection—wherever you are on your cultural journey.
Real life strategies for cultural wellness:
- Expand You Concept of Culture – Consider generational identity, disability pride, workplace norms, fandoms, regional quirks—even Halloween lovers and Penn State chants—as valid cultural expressions.
- Explore Culture Through Food – Food fosters connection and keeps traditions alive. Cook dishes that connect you to your heritage—or explore someone else’s—and ask friends about the most memorable meals from their travels.
- Follow Creators from Within Cultures – Engage with books, media, and social accounts by people who are of a culture, not just talking about it. This honors lived experience and supports authentic representation.
- Play Language Games – Label household items in a new language, learn to say “hello” and “thank you” in different tongues, or watch foreign films with subtitles to stretch your linguistic muscles.
- Ask Deeper Travel Questions – Instead of “How was your trip?” ask what surprised someone about daily life, work routines, or social customs. It’s a simple way to access cultural insights secondhand. Here’s some ideas.
- Celebrate Cultural Rituals (Wherever You Are) – Keep your cultural traditions going, whether it’s through music, holidays, clothing, or candy. These small acts offer grounding and continuity, especially in unfamiliar places.
- Use Media to Broaden Perspective – Watch documentaries, listen to culturally diverse music, or read global stories (even children’s books!) to cultivate empathy, imagination, and cross-cultural understanding.
- Support Community Events That Uplift Diversity – Attend multicultural festivals, powwows, or refugee health fairs. Volunteering or just showing up can help build inclusive, welcoming spaces.
- Be Intentional About Creating Professional Cultures – Shift small language cues (e.g., from “take a break” to “take a wellness break”), support diverse student groups, and incorporate global perspectives in academic or professional settings.
- Stay Curious, Not Performative – Appreciation means engaging with care—asking questions, listening deeply, and giving credit. Avoid tokenism or turning culture into costume.
- Pass Culture Forward – Share your traditions with others—whether it’s a family recipe, a regional game, or a piece of music. Cultural wellness grows through storytelling and shared experience.
