259. Slower Meals, Stronger Families, and a New View of the World: Takeaways From Croatia and Turkey

Hey, Family Brand community! We are so glad to be back in the studio. It probably doesn't feel like we've been gone since we recorded a few episodes ahead of time, but after spending the last few weeks traveling through Croatia and Turkey, we're excited to sit down and share some of the biggest lessons we brought home with us. Every trip has a way of changing us, and this one was no exception.

Our first stop was Croatia, where we hosted another Family Brand cruise with our good friend Antony and the Solomori team. If Croatia has been sitting on your travel bucket list, consider this your sign to move it to the top. It's absolutely beautiful, but what impacted us most wasn't just the scenery—it was the culture. Everywhere we went, we saw families making time for one another, preserving traditions, sharing stories, and simply slowing down. Meals weren't rushed. Conversations stretched for hours. We even learned a Croatian word that quickly became the theme of our trip: pomalo—which simply means take it easy, slow down, don't rush. It became a reminder that maybe we're not meant to race through life quite as fast as we often do.

Then we landed in Turkey, and talk about a complete shift. Everything felt unfamiliar—in the best possible way. From hearing the call to prayer echo across Istanbul to visiting beautiful mosques, trying a traditional Turkish bath, navigating a language barrier, and experiencing a culture completely different from our own, we found ourselves having conversations as a family that we never would have had otherwise. It challenged some assumptions, expanded our understanding of another faith and culture, and reminded us how valuable it is to step outside what's comfortable. We left with an even greater appreciation for the kindness we experienced everywhere we went and for how much there is to learn simply by being curious.

By the time we made it home, each of us had something different we were bringing back. For some of us, it was a renewed commitment to slow down and prioritize family. For others, it was a deeper appreciation for home, or even a desire to start reading physical books again instead of always listening to audiobooks. More than anything, this trip reminded us that growth doesn't just happen through travel—it happens anytime we're willing to be open to new people, different perspectives, and meaningful conversations. Whether your next adventure is across the world or simply across town, we hope it stretches you in all the best ways.

Hit play to hear the full conversation! We dive much deeper into the stories, the laughs, the culture, and the lessons that simply can't all fit into a blog post.

P.S. We're here to help you build your own Family Brand, one episode at a time. So go ahead, hit play, and let's grow together! Or, if you're ready to dive even deeper into our community, follow the links below.

LINKS:

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• stan.store/familybrand
• familybrand.com/quiz
• familybrand.com/retreats.

Episode Minute By Minute:

• 00:00 Back in the Studio After Three Weeks Away
• 00:41 Our Family Trip Through Croatia and Turkey
• 01:03 The Family Brand Cruise Through Croatia
• 02:18 Why Croatia Should Move Up Your Travel List
• 03:05 From Croatia's Coast to Istanbul, Turkey
• 04:13 A Croatian Village Where Everyone Knows Your Family
• 06:06 Preserving Family Stories and Traditions
• 07:15 What Strong Families and Croatian Culture Have in Common
• 09:28 Pomalo: Slow Down, Relax, and Don't Rush
• 10:33 Experiencing Istanbul and Turkish Culture
• 11:26 What Turkey Taught Us About Faith and Perspective
• 12:30 Stepping Outside Our Comfort Zone as a Family
• 13:12 Helping Our Kids Experience a Different Way of Life
• 15:00 What Each of Us Brought Home From the Trip
• 15:27 Travel, Curiosity, and Learning From Other People
• 16:21 Slowing Down and Prioritizing Family
• 17:05 Rediscovering the Joy of Reading
• 18:13 Here's to the Rest of Summer