Unraveling Cultural Threads™

Self-Paced Course

Practical tools for understanding culture, reducing bias, and building trust.

3 HOURS ● 7 CHAPTERS ● CERTIFICATE INCLUDED

In this training, you will learn five core cultural threads (plus disability as a cultural thread) and how cultural humility supports better outcomes. You will also explore why traditional cultural competency can backfire, and how Cultural Competency 2.0 helps you apply cultural knowledge without stereotyping. You will leave with practical strategies for curiosity, assumption-testing, and real-world adjustments you can use right away.

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Bring This Training to My Team

Instant access • Interactive learning game • Reflection prompts • Real-world scenarios • Certificate of Participation Included

$69.95 | 12-month Access

Unraveling Cultural Threads is a 3-hour course that helps you understand what culture is, how it shapes norms and values, and how bias can hide in good intentions. Learn five cultural threads, explore cultural humility, and practice in an interactive game. Built with realistic scenarios and reflection prompts to help the learning stick. A certificate of completion is included.

Identify key cultural threads and how they shape norms, values, and communication
Use cultural humility to stay curious, avoid assumptions, and build trust
Spot where “helpful” cultural knowledge can turn into stereotyping or bias
Make practical adjustments in how you ask, listen, and respond in real conversations

Cultural understanding. BETTER CONNECTIONS.

For service coordinators, social workers, therapists, case managers, support staff, and training managers who want clearer client communication, fewer repeat explanations, and stronger follow-through, especially when supporting individuals with disabilities.

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Cultural Threads

Culture is more than demographics. You will learn five core cultural threads, plus disability as a cultural thread, and how they shape norms, values, and “what feels respectful” in everyday interactions.

Culture and Bias

You will explore traditional cultural competency, what it gets right, and where it breaks down. Learn how good intentions can still cause harm when cultural knowledge turns into assumptions or stereotyping.

Practical Adjustments

You will practice Cultural Competency 2.0 strategies that keep interactions respectful and effective, including curiosity before judgment, testing assumptions, and making small shifts in how you ask, listen, and respond.

Take A Sneak Peak Inside Unraveling Cultural Threads™

Unraveling Cultural Threads helps you make sense of the cultural factors that quietly shape trust, communication, and follow-through. Instead of treating culture like a checklist, you will learn what cultural “threads” look like in real life, including how disability can intersect with cultural identity. You will practice spotting where misunderstandings come from, and what to do differently in the moment without being awkward or making assumptions. The course includes an interactive game, realistic scenarios, and short reflections that turn awareness into practical next steps. Complete the 3-hour self-paced training on your schedule and earn a certificate of completion.

Course Chapters

In this opening chapter, you will get oriented to CircleUp Education and how to move through the course smoothly and confidently. You will learn how lessons are structured, how the videos and activities work, and what to do to get the most value from the interactive parts. You will set a simple personal goal so the training stays focused on what you want to improve right away. By the end, you will be ready to participate actively, not just watch and move on.

This chapter introduces the Cultural Competency Uncovered series and shows where Unraveling Cultural Threads fits in the larger pathway. You will get a quick snapshot of the four core trainings so you can see what comes next without feeling locked into anything. You will also complete a starting-point reflection to name what you already understand about culture, and where you want more clarity. You will leave with a clear focus for what you want to notice and change first.

This is where culture becomes concrete. You will learn five cultural threads that help explain how identity, norms, and values show up in everyday interactions, plus disability as a cultural thread. You will play an interactive game that surfaces cultural patterns in a way that is engaging and memorable. You will also be introduced to cultural humility so you have a clear framework for learning about people without making assumptions. The goal is simple: better understanding with less bias.

In this chapter, you will learn how cultural knowledge can support relationships when it is used carefully and responsibly. You will explore cultural patterns that exist in many communities and what they can help you notice in your work. You will also learn how to hold cultural information lightly, so it guides curiosity instead of turning into a shortcut. This chapter builds the foundation for applying cultural awareness in a way that protects dignity and trust.

This chapter takes an honest look at why traditional cultural competency can backfire. You will explore the benefits and the built-in risks, including how bias can show up through “good intention” actions. You will learn the difference between cultural awareness and cultural assumption, and how stereotyping can happen even when someone is trying to be respectful. You will also be introduced to cultural individualism so you can stay grounded in the person in front of you.

This chapter focuses on what to do differently in real conversations. You will learn practical strategies for making culture-aware adjustments without being cringe-worthy, judgmental, or overly cautious. You will practice testing assumptions, using curiosity before judgment, and choosing language that invites the person to define what matters to them. You will also be introduced to Cultural Competency Conversations, a protocol designed to support respectful discovery without discrimination.

In the closing chapter, you will review the key learning and connect it back to your day-to-day work and relationships. You will identify where you want to apply cultural threads first, and what changes you want to make in how you listen, ask questions, and respond. The final reflection helps you pull the course together into a simple plan you can actually use. You will finish with clarity, not just concepts.

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Sneak Peak From Course

Chapter 1 - Getting Acquainted

Chapter 2 - Training Series Review

Chapter 3 - Cultural Threads

Chapter 4 - Cultural Competency 2.0

Chapter 5 - Challenges with Cultural Competency

Chapter 6 - Cultural Competency Adjustments

Chapter 7 - Closing

MEET YOUR TRAINER

Tiffany Hoang

Tiffany Hoang is a restorative justice and DEI practitioner, mediator, and cultural competency expert who has designed and facilitated hundreds of trainings for thousands of professionals across the United States and abroad, including service coordinators, educators, corporate staff, and nonprofit teams. As co-founder of CircleUp Education, she brings 12+ years of experience helping organizations strengthen communication, navigate conflict, and apply equity and restorative practice in day-to-day work. Her approach is grounded in Peace and Conflict Studies from UC Berkeley, formal mediation training, and years of building practical tools that teams can use immediately.

Tiffany is known for teaching in a way that feels clear, human, and usable, even when the topic is complex or sensitive. She uses realistic scenarios, do’s and don’ts, and interactive practice to help you hear what is working, spot what is not, and choose better language in the moment. Instead of abstract concepts, you will learn frameworks, examples, and small shifts that create real change with clients, colleagues, and teams. You will leave the course with stronger confidence, clearer communication habits, and tools you can apply the same day.

She is excited to guide you through the training and help you build skills you can rely on in real situations. Join the course and experience a teaching style that is practical, supportive, and designed to help you get results fast.

What you will walk away with - LEARNING OUTCOMES

Define “culture” and identify at least five cultural thread categories (e.g., values/norms, food, language, external expressions, locations/items)
Apply traditional cultural competency by matching common cultural examples (e.g., hijab, kimchi, Diwali, mariachi, hanbok, Juneteenth, quinceañera) to the cultural communities they are commonly associated with.
Identify risks of relying only on cultural competency (e.g., generalization or stereotyping) and describe how these risks may negatively impact clients and families.
Distinguish between internal and external diversity and choose actions that check assumptions before making service recommendations.
Identify stereotypes or assumptions in sample scenarios and select reframes that foster trust, respect, and inclusion.

Don't just take our word for it

See what our students have to say about our courses:

Trusted by over +5,000 students

I expected this to be dry, but it was genuinely engaging. The matching activity made me realize how many assumptions I carry, and it was eye-opening without feeling shaming. I left with a clearer understanding that cultural competency is not just memorizing norms, it is staying curious with the person in front of you.

Rachelle O.

People Operations Manager

This was more entertaining than I thought it would be, and I actually stayed focused the whole way through. The matching game across multiple cultures was humbling in a good way, it quickly showed where my confidence was too high. The examples shared made the learning stick without needing a heavy lecture.

Stephen G.

Training Specialist

I liked that the course did not pretend cultural norms are a cheat code for working with people. It made the point clearly that knowing “typical norms” can be helpful, but it is not enough because people do not always follow what you expect from a culture. The matching activity was the strongest part for me because it tested my awareness in a real way.

Yirana S.

Program Manager

I went in thinking it would be basic, but it challenged me more than expected. The matching activity was surprisingly fun and it made me notice how quickly I categorize people without realizing it, which was important for me to see. I also appreciated how the course kept bringing it back to curiosity instead of certainty.

Rashad T.

Customer Support Lead

This training felt practical because it pushed reflection, not just information. The game that matches cultural attributes across multiple cultures was memorable, and it helped me see the difference between learning about norms and actually practicing awareness. The examples shared throughout helped me connect the ideas to real life without overcomplicating it.

Susanne N.

Instructional Coach

I was prepared to get through it and move on, but I ended up enjoying it. The matching activity was the moment where I realized I had blind spots, and it did that in a straightforward way. I walked away thinking less about “what a culture is like” and more about how to check myself before I assume.

José L.

Operations Supervisor

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Unraveling Cultural Threads™ is designed for professionals and teams who want stronger cultural awareness and communication that stays effective across differences. This includes:

Define “culture” and identify at least five cultural thread categories (e.g., values/norms, food, language, external expressions, locations/items)
Apply traditional cultural competency by matching common cultural examples (e.g., hijab, kimchi, Diwali, mariachi, hanbok, Juneteenth, quinceañera) to the cultural communities they are commonly associated with.
Identify risks of relying only on cultural competency (e.g., generalization or stereotyping) and describe how these risks may negatively impact clients and families.
Distinguish between internal and external diversity and choose actions that check assumptions before making service recommendations.
Identify stereotypes or assumptions in sample scenarios and select reframes that foster trust, respect, and inclusion.

STILL HAVE QUESTIONS?

General Questions

How long is Unraveling Cultural Threads™?

About 2 hours total.
Is my course refundable?

Yes, but there are some very important limitations. You have 30 days to refund your course, however, we only offer refunds for courses that you have taken less than 10% of.

This is typically about 1-2 chapter of the training. If you need to request a return please email us at [email protected] and tell us what the course name is and the reason for the refund and we will confirm your progress and then issue the refund. It's as simple as that!
Is it self-paced? In-person?

Yes. Start immediately and complete it on your schedule.

Contact us if you want to bring this course to your workplace. We offer live-online trainings and live in-person trainings at your site.
Who is this course designed for?

This course is designed for professionals seeking certificated courses on cultural competency to enhance their professional development

It is also great for teams, managers, service coordinators, and cross-functional groups.
Is there a SCORM package available?

Yes! We developed a beautiful interactive SCORM package that seamlessly integrates into your organization's LMS, perfect for New Hire Orientation and onboarding.

Contact us today to learn more - [email protected]
Does this course include a Certificate?

Absolutely! You will receive a certificate of Participation for the course that will be automatically available once the course is completed! You can download it as well.

For live online and in-person trainings, you will be auto-enrolled in a certificate course once you complete the session and will be able to access your certificate.

CULTURAL COMPETENCY AWARENESS FOR TEAMS

Schedule an Unraveling Cultural Threads™ Assessment Call

Use this 30-minute call to explore bringing Unraveling Cultural Threads™ to your workplace (Zoom or phone). We’ll review your goals, identify common cultural competency awareness gaps, and recommend the best format and next steps.

✓ Clear recommendation on format (self-paced vs live)
✓ Practical focus areas for your staff’s day-to-day conversations
✓ Timeline + quote if it’s a fit

Please avoid names or sensitive details in the form, general context is perfect.

Pick a time that works

Free 30-minute assessment · Zoom or phone

Free

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Unraveling Cultural Threads™

Self-Paced Course

$69.95 | 12-month Access