394 Chatting about Navigating Life: A Memoir of Belonging with Sarah Lutterodt

In this episode of Chats from the Blog Cabin, host Melissa speaks with Sarah, a woman with a rich and diverse life story. Sarah shares her experiences growing up in England, living in Ghana, and moving to America, highlighting the challenges and triumphs of being in an interracial marriage during a time when it was not widely accepted. The conversation delves into her journey of writing a memoir, navigating a male-dominated workplace, and her efforts to give back to the community in Ghana by supporting young entrepreneurs. Through her story, Sarah emphasizes the importance of love, resilience, and understanding across cultures. In this conversation, the speaker shares her journey of giving back to the community in Ghana through a loan program, emphasizing the importance of empowering individuals rather than providing handouts. She reflects on her experiences navigating different cultures, the challenges of raising a multicultural family, and the motivation behind writing her book. The discussion also touches on the dynamics of women in male-dominated fields and the significance of building bridges in mixed-race relationships.

Key Takeaways

• Sarah's life spans three continents, reflecting her diverse experiences.
• Interracial marriage was a significant challenge in the past.
• Writing her memoir was a way to capture vivid childhood memories.
• Navigating a male-dominated workplace required resilience and strategy.
• Family support played a crucial role in her journey.
• She created a successful business after leaving a toxic work environment.
• Sarah's experiences highlight the importance of empathy and understanding.
• Her efforts to support entrepreneurs in Ghana demonstrate her commitment to giving back.
• The journey of writing a book can be both challenging and rewarding.
• Cultural differences shape our identities and experiences. I've always had a sort of bit of a social conscience.
• It's very important for business people to realize that they have to make money.
• I firmly believe that whatever money I might have to help needy people, this is a much more effective way.
• It's a great richness in my life.
• I love that because a lot of people don't know what it's like to live in another country.
• I was able to just see my own blindness.
• I think mixed couples need to recognize that we remain something of a mystery to many Americans.
• You have to be ready to adjust a lot in a relationship.
• I think it's very difficult still in some professions for women.
• Bridge building remains a work in progress.

Helpful Links

1. Grab Worlds Apart https://amzn.to/3X19nTh

2. Connect with the author on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/sarah-lutterodt-ph-d-4a848470/.