CEO. Author. Speaker.
Homeschool Mama
Welcome!
Family Resilience Expert.
Grief and Trauma Care Expert.
TCK Care Expert.
These are the titles I’m often given when someone else is introducing me. But they’re not the whole story.
I’m Lauren Wells and my first title was Missionary Kid - raised between California and East Africa (and a short bit in the Philippines).
That upbringing sparked my passion for helping families thrive in the midst of trauma and adversity. After studying Child Development and spending a decade in TCK (Third Culture Kid) care, I launched TCK Training to resource expat families—becoming an Entrepreneur in the process.
Around that time I added my favorite title: Mama to two girls.
Along the way, blogging grew into books and I became an Author.
TCK Training expanded into a thriving company with a team of 20+ and a sub-brand, Unstacking Co, serving not just expat families but anyone navigating the hard parts of life. I went from solo entrepreneur to CEO.
As opportunities grew, I became an international Keynote Speaker —something I deeply love.
Meanwhile, life at home shifted as we began homeschooling our girls, adding Homeschool Mama to my list of roles.
My life is full and I love all of the hats that I wear.
This webpage is where all of those hats come together.
Whether you’re looking to book a training, read an interesting article, or browse research projects that I’ve been a part of, you’re in the right place!
Work Life
Founder and CEO of…
TCK Training
Research, Resources, and Services for families living overseas (www.tcktraining.com)
Unstacking Company
Training and Services for resilience and wellbeing (www.unstackingco.com)
I work with most closely with:
Local and International Schools
Child Advocacy Centers
The Child Safety and Protection Network
Missions and Humanitarian Organizations
Globally Mobile Families
Speaking, educating, and creating resources in the areas of:
Preventive Care for Globally Mobile Families
Preventive Care for Culturally Diverse Populations
Strengthening Resilience in Children and Teens
Fostering Healthy Cross-Cultural Relocations
Crisis Care for Third Culture Kids (TCKs)
Using Traditional Cultural Practices for Trauma Healing
Healing in the Midst of Reoccurring Trauma
Promoting Protective Factors in the Home (and/or classroom)
I am honored to be a part of the groundbreaking research on ACEs and Protective Factors in the globally mobile population through TCK Training’s research department.
Specializing in Resilience-building strategies and trauma-healing through a preventive care lens.
Crossman, T., & Wells, L. (2022, June 7). Caution and Hope: The Prevalence of Adverse Childhood Experiences in Globally Mobile Third Culture Kids. Retrieved from https://www.tcktraining.com/research/caution-and-hope-white-paper
Crossman, T., Vahey Smith, E., & Wells, L. (2022, December 8). TCKs at Risk: Risk Factors and Risk Mitigation for Globally Mobile Families. Retrieved from https://www.tcktraining.com/research/tcks-at-risk-white-paper
Crossman, T., Wells, L., Vahey Smith, E., Amero, H. & Doerwald, C. (2025, September). Protective Factors that Improve Long Term Wellness in TCKs: Research into ACEs, PCEs, and Childhood Mobility. Retrieved from https://www.tcktraining.com/research/protective-factors-that-improve-long-term-wellness-in-tcks
Author Life
Raising Up a Generation of Healthy Third Culture Kids
2020
A practical guide to preventive care for Third Culture Kids.
The Grief Tower
2021
A how-to guide for processing grief and loss with Third Culture Kids
Unstacking Your Grief Tower
2021
A guide for Adult Third Culture Kids (adults who grew up as expats) to process their own grief and loss
What Made That Feel So Hard?
2024
Discovering how your past and has influenced your present and how you can move forward in healthier, more resilient ways.
What Made That Feel So Hard?:
Bible Study Companion
2024
This study focuses on emotional health and processing past hardships from a Biblical perspective. Created for both group and individual study.
My Tower is Tumbling
(contributing author)
2024
A children’s book written by Marci Renee based on the Grief Tower Model. Parent section written by me.
The Global Nomad’s Guide to University Transition
(contributing author)
2022
A guide for students who have been living outside their "passport" countries but are either returning "home" or transitioning on to another host country for college/university.
Setting the Standard: Standards of Accreditation for TCK Care
(contributing author)
2025
A benchmarking guide for the quality of care sending organizations should provide to TCK families. Written by the members of the TCK Care Accreditation Board.
A Few Podcast Episodes…
TCK Training Podcast
Caring for Third Culture Kids - Global Missions Podcast
Unstacking The Grief of Transitions - Dream Brave Podcast
Adverse Childhood Experiences - Sundae Bean
The Grief Tower - The Clarity Podcast
Homeschool Life
I never planned to be a homeschool mama, but as the girls grew it became clear that public school was no longer the best fit. We are loving the adventure, learning, travel and time together that homeschooling gives us!
Speaker
Life
I’ve had the opportunity to speak all over the world on topics such as:
Resilience through Trauma
Unstacking the Grief Tower
Preventive TCK Care
Thriving Families Abroad
Building Resilience in the Home
Understanding and Caring for Your Child’s Anxiety
Inspiring Your Team as a Business Owner
Emotionally Healthy Families
What Missionaries Need from the Church
While my speaking schedule is very limited, if you’d like to submit your event for consideration, I’m happy to consider!
Please include proposed event dates, location, and expected attendance.
If you got all the way down here to the bottom, you’ve reached the end! I’m honored that you took the time to read this far and get to know me (and all of the hats I wear!) a bit. Feel free to reach out to connect at lauren.wells@tcktraining.com
Or on LinkedIn