Nomadic Diaries: Mastering Global Transitions

This episode explores the layers of identity, privilege, and adaptation in expat experiences through a conversation with author Stephanie Cook. Topics range from cultural healing, maintaining authenticity, and the paradoxes of belonging, to practical and emotional strategies for global nomads and expat families. Key Discussion Points 1. The Russian Dolls of Identity Both speakers discuss how multiple cultural experiences accumulate like Russian nesting dolls. Stephanie Cook emphasizes embracing every version of oneself: “My little 4-year-old German girl is still there, and so is the 25-year-old British girl. And it's all— they're all here” 00:00:57. 2. Pride, Privilege, and Sharing Roots Acknowledgement of privilege in being allowed to celebrate one’s heritage, and the responsibility and difference this creates compared to immigrants from other backgrounds 00:01:56. The American preference for celebrating heritage and cultural differences, demonstrated during national events 00:02:27. 3. Hidden Immigrants and Authenticity Doreen Cumberford reflects on being a “hidden immigrant” and the challenge of feeling authentic in a new country while appearing to fit in 00:04:09. 4. Transitions Across States & Cultures The soft landing in multicultural California contrasted with culture shock in Texas 00:06:28; the importance of local context in expat adaptation. Community differences between international enclaves and more locally rooted environments 00:10:38. 5. Community Spirit and “Big-Hearted” Texas Despite challenges, Stephanie Cook describes Texas and experiences there as marked by “big-heartedness” and deep community spirit that transcends differences 00:15:47. 6. The Third Culture Human Exploration of identity labels: expat, immigrant, migrant, and the concept of being a “third culture human” as a broader, more inclusive term 00:25:55. 7. Open-mindedness & Self-care for Expats Advice on adaptability: “The most important and also the simplest thing you need to be is open-minded… and make sure that you do say yes to all the things that happen. But make sure that you have time to process a move” 00:29:17. Importance of creating balance between engaging and finding solitude and restoration 00:30:12. 8. Family & Mental Health Support Discussion on the inadequacy of self-care expectations put on accompanying spouses and need for true mental health support for all family members during global moves 00:35:18. 9. Repatriation and the Future Contemplating moves back to Europe—recognizing that life stages and global family contexts make plans fluid and non-linear 00:26:39. 10. Embracing Paradox & Wholeness On the paradox of feeling more fragmented yet whole as a nomad: “You become more fragmented, and yet at the same time you become more whole” 00:20:42. Resources & Mentions Book: Transcontinental Overload Website: transcontinentaloverload.com Instagram: Overloaded Steph Memorable Quotes “Be prepared to deal with yourself.” “I am the home.” “Say yes to everything at first, but make sure that you have time to process a move.” We would love to hear from you, send us a text please! Support the show You can map the move. You cannot map the metamorphosis. Nomadic Diaries explores the interior journey of expat life — the belonging, the identity shifts, the repatriation, and everything that travels with you that can't be packed in a suitcase. This episode may be part of our Re-Entry Series (30 episodes on coming home) or The Belonging Project (29 episodes on belonging across cultures). Browse the full catalog at nomadicdiariespodcast.com and please share or leave a review if this episode resonated.

Sarah Rapp: From How to Be Global to 1 Million Humans Sarah Rapp is Director of Youth Advocacy and People at Junior Achievement Worldwide, and a nomad who has worked internationally for nearly a decade. Born in Germany, she moved abroad as an expat to Malta before building a fully nomadic life shaped by people and purpose rather than beaches. She previously hosted the podcast How to Be Global, closing it after 126 episodes once she felt she had "become global" herself, and has now launched a new movement, 1 Million Humans, drawing on her own experience of burnout and hard-won belonging. What You'll Walk Away With Doreen and Sarah trace her path from a shy, unbelonging childhood in Germany to a life spread across countries, friendships and time zones. Sarah speaks candidly about the real costs of nomadic living, from friendships and relationships to relentless jet lag, and why the trade-offs still feel worth it. The conversation turns to 1 Million Humans, born from watching high achievers run on empty, and why human skills matter more than ever in an AI-saturated world. Sarah also reflects on privilege, advocacy and a formative encounter with poverty in Accra, Ghana, that shaped how she shows up for others. Connect with Sarah Rapp Find Sarah on Instagram at @SarapGlobal or on YouTube for behind-the-scenes glimpses of her life. Join the movement at 1millionhumans.com, where the first thousand members become founding members of the Good Human Club. Share this episode with someone who's standing at one of those thresholds — a new country, a return home, or simply a life that's asking them to become someone they haven't quite met yet. We would love to hear from you, send us a text please! Support the show You can map the move. You cannot map the metamorphosis. Nomadic Diaries explores the interior journey of expat life — the belonging, the identity shifts, the repatriation, and everything that travels with you that can't be packed in a suitcase. This episode may be part of our Re-Entry Series (30 episodes on coming home) or The Belonging Project (29 episodes on belonging across cultures). Browse the full catalog at nomadicdiariespodcast.com and please share or leave a review if this episode resonated.

Daniel Yalowitz Daniel Yalowitz psychologist, professor and intercultural mentor came to talk to Nomadic Diaries about his story as a cornerstone of the intercultural field for nearly four decades. Daniel brought to this episode the generosity and warmth that have made him a mentor to so many of us who have navigated life across cultures. His favorite words all start with a C. Curiosity. Creativity. Collaboration. Communication. Collectivity. When your values and your work align this completely, you stop compartmentalising. That is what living an intercultural life feels like from the inside. We explored the three-word question he carries into every training room and therapy session, Is there more? It's an invitation to go deeper rather than simply moving on as we are beckoned to do nowadays. We talked about debriefing as a daily practice for anyone moving through big transitions, and about what living across cultures teaches us about our complicated relationship with time. And then there is the rencently published book. Co-edited with Sandy Fowler, Creating the Intercultural Field: Legacies from the Pioneers gathers twelve of the founding voices of interculturalism, all scholars now in their mid-eighties to mid-nineties, and asked them to reflect on how building this field shaped their lives. It is a record told by the people who built it, while they are still here to tell it. It's not often that we get to hear the stories of how an entirely new social field is formed as told by the living authors. Resources & Links: Creating the Intercultural Field: Legacies from the Pioneers by Daniel Yalowitz and Sandy Fowler is available from Palgrave Macmillan, or on Amazon, or as a signed copy by contacting Daniel or Sandy directly. Find Daniel at danielyalowitz.com . https://www.amazon.com/Creating-Intercultural-Field-Legacies-Pioneers/dp/3032013690/ Subscribe to Nomadic Diaries wherever you get your podcasts. Share this episode with someone who's standing at one of those thresholds. It could be either a new country, a return home, or simply a life that's asking them to become someone they haven't quite met yet. We would love to hear from you, send us a text please! Support the show You can map the move. You cannot map the metamorphosis. Nomadic Diaries explores the interior journey of expat life — the belonging, the identity shifts, the repatriation, and everything that travels with you that can't be packed in a suitcase. This episode may be part of our Re-Entry Series (30 episodes on coming home) or The Belonging Project (29 episodes on belonging across cultures). Browse the full catalog at nomadicdiariespodcast.com and please share or leave a review if this episode resonated.

Nina Aziz Justin has lived in five countries, worked across forty-seven of them, and spent the better part of five decades asking the question that so many of us quietly carry: where on earth do I actually belong? She is a serial entrepreneur, cultural chameleon, and self-described "rat in the lab" of her own life experiments, Nina has channelled all of that lived complexity into her memoir, The Home Within: A Nonlinear, Soulful Memoir About Belonging Across Cultures and Change . She sits down with us from France, which feels entirely appropriate for a woman who has never stayed in one room for too long. What You'll Walk Away With Nina has a gift for the kind of metaphor that lodges itself in your chest and stays there. Her image of becoming as a weaving, each country, each reinvention, each loss threaded permanently into the fabric of who you are, is one of the most beautiful ways I have ever heard repatriation and identity explained. "Once you have moved away," she tells us, "when you reopen that door, it goes into a different room. It's no longer that same room." If you've ever stood on a doorstep wondering why home doesn't feel like home anymore, this conversation will feel like someone finally put words to it. We also talk about something Nina calls micro anchors, the small, portable rituals that calm the nervous system when everything around you is new and disorienting. For her it's rooibos tea. For a friend of hers who moved from Hong Kong to France, it was carrying her home scent in her suitcase. These are not quirks; they are wisdom. And Nina explains precisely why they work. We explore what it means to be a cultural chameleon, not as a charming party trick, but as a survival skill forged in a turbulent childhood, and how, beneath all the reinventions, there is always a through-line. The curious, zestful, truth-seeking person who was always going to find their way home to themselves. Connect with Nina https://www.linkedin.com/in/ninaazizjustin/ https://theresiliencementor.com https://instagram.com/nina.aziz.justin https://www.amazon.com/-/es/Home-Within-Soulful-Self-Belonging-Cultures/dp/9090405801/ If this conversation stirred something in you, and I'd wager it will, Nina's book is waiting for you on Amazon and at most online bookstores. Simply search T he Home Within, Nina Aziz Justin. Share this episode with someone who's standing at one of those thresholds — a new country, a return home, or simply a life that's asking them to become someone they haven't quite met yet. We would love to hear from you, send us a text please! Support the show You can map the move. You cannot map the metamorphosis. Nomadic Diaries explores the interior journey of expat life — the belonging, the identity shifts, the repatriation, and everything that travels with you that can't be packed in a suitcase. This episode may be part of our Re-Entry Series (30 episodes on coming home) or The Belonging Project (29 episodes on belonging across cultures). Browse the full catalog at nomadicdiariespodcast.com and please share or leave a review if this episode resonated.

Flor Bretón García was born in Venezuela and left her homeland at 22 — which means she's now lived outside her home country longer than she lived in it. Lawyer. Educator. Cross-cultural consultant. Mother of three adult TCKs. President of FIGT. And a woman who, after receiving her 598th job rejection, sat down on a Friday night and wrote an article that stopped LinkedIn in its tracks. In this conversation, Flor and Doreen unpack what happens when globally complex women hit systems built for linear lives — and why that's not a talent problem. It's a design problem. Flor opens with the moment she was quietly advised to take an accent-removal class, so as not to distract her students. It was the first time she felt the world asking her to become smaller — and she traces her journey from that moment of self-consciousness to her current view of her accent as an open door, an invitation for people to learn her story. That story took a sharp turn on one particular Friday evening, when she sat down and really looked at those 598 rejection emails. What she noticed changed everything. Many had arrived within 30 minutes of her hitting "apply." Others cited a search for a better "cultural fit." No human being, she realized, was reading her resume at midnight on a Saturday. The systems were doing it for them — and those systems are built to reward one thing above all else: predictability. The very quality that globally complex women are not. This is what Flor calls the great gap — the distance between what organizations say they want and how they actually hire. They talk about agility, resilience, adaptability, the ability to navigate ambiguity. But their applicant tracking systems, their recruiters, their hiring managers are all scanning for familiarity and linearity. A nonlinear resume looks like uncertainty. And uncertainty, to a system, looks like a no. What makes this conversation so compelling is Flor's refusal to let that be the final word. She invites hiring managers to ask a different question entirely — not "why doesn't this resume fit our template?" but "what capabilities is this career showing me?" Because there is intention behind every pivot a global woman makes. The move that looks like confusion from the outside is almost always a decision made in the middle of uncertainty, following a vocation, pulling a common thread. For Flor, that thread runs through everything she's done as a lawyer, educator, and consultant: redesigning systems that truly honour humans with dignity. She also gives us one of the episode's most memorable frameworks — the difference between a Forest Gump resume and a Michelangelo resume. Both are nonlinear. But one looks like things just happened to you, and the other reveals that everything was intentional, even when the path was uncertain. The difference, she says, is entirely in how you tell the story. And telling the story, it turns out, is everything. Not listing countries. Not cataloguing credentials. But pulling the thread, naming the vocation, and being clear about what you want the listener to do with what you've shared. Flor's closing message is one worth sitting with: globally complex professionals have long been treated as outliers, as anomalies in the data. But the world is growing more complex by the day. We are not outliers anymore. We are data — and we are exactly what organizations need to thrive in the future. Connect with Flor on LinkedIn as Flor Bretón García , where she posts weekly articles with practical tools for navigating global complexity. We would love to hear from you, send us a text please! Support the show You can map the move. You cannot map the metamorphosis. Nomadic Diaries explores the interior journey of expat life — the belonging, the identity shifts, the repatriation, and everything that travels with you that can't be packed in a suitcase. This episode may be part of our Re-Entry Series (30 episodes on coming home) or The Belonging Project (29 episodes on belonging across cultures). Browse the full catalog at nomadicdiariespodcast.com and please share or leave a review if this episode resonated.

Adrienne Belaire grew up on Aramco compounds in Saudi Arabia from first grade through high school, a world full of sunshine, small communities, and the particular freedom of a life lived between cultures. She is a wife, mother, potter, and artist who, after navigating her own sometimes turbulent repatriation to the United States, made a quietly remarkable decision: to go back again. She returned to Saudi Arabia as an adult gave birth to and has raised her three children there, giving them the same roots she had always missed. She is one of those rare people who has lived the TCK experience from both sides, as a child, a daughter, a sibling and now as the parent holding the map. What You'll Walk Away With This conversation is for anyone who has ever felt like a marble thrown across a floor, feeling scattered, disconnected, not quite sure where they landed. Adrienne talks with extraordinary candor about the sudden closure of her compound in 1986, the grief of losing a community with no internet to hold it together, and what it felt like to fly into Denver knowing she was landing somewhere that was supposed to be home but felt nothing like it. What makes this episode particularly powerful is her hard-won perspective on what she wishes someone had told her then, that your kids need to know you are their safe place, especially when the world outside doesn't understand them yet. There is also a genuinely moving moment when she describes reading the Pollock TCK book for the first time as an adult and simply thinking: that is me. That is my sister. That is my brother. Recognition, it turns out, is its own special way a kind of homecoming. A Gentle Nudge Whether you are raising children overseas, or if you were once a child raised overseas this episode could be for you. Please share it with an expat parent who is navigating a transition right now, they will thank you for it. Please share this podcast with someone, we work hard to produce content that makes a real difference. In the catalog there are 30 episodes on coming home (the Re-Entry Series) and also on the topic of belonging, (the Belonging Project). Or browse the full catalog at nomadicdiariespodcast.com and please share or leave a review if this episode resonated. We would love to get to know you and what you might like to hear. Here is a simple form, only three very short questions. https://form.typeform.com/to/xV0rKTBD We would love to hear from you, send us a text please! Support the show You can map the move. You cannot map the metamorphosis. Nomadic Diaries explores the interior journey of expat life — the belonging, the identity shifts, the repatriation, and everything that travels with you that can't be packed in a suitcase. This episode may be part of our Re-Entry Series (30 episodes on coming home) or The Belonging Project (29 episodes on belonging across cultures). Browse the full catalog at nomadicdiariespodcast.com and please share or leave a review if this episode resonated.

About Lisa Liang Lisa Liang, known formally as Elizabeth, with a Z - is an intercultural storytelling coach, solo performer, and TCK who grew up across Central America, Southeast Asia, and the United States. She has spent decades helping globally mobile people do one of the hardest things there is: turn a life lived between worlds into a story that actually lands. She works with memoir writers, keynote speakers, and anyone who has ever felt that the people back home simply couldn't understand what their life abroad had been. Her warmth and precision in equal measure make her one of those rare guests you want to listen to twice. What You'll Walk Away With Lisa introduced me to a concept she calls story archaeology and I have been mulling this over since we recorded. The idea is that the emotional threads running through our expat lives are often traceable to a single moment in early childhood, sometimes as far back as age five. That moment of needing to feel seen, safe, or guided doesn't disappear, it simply resurfaces every time life gets big again. Like, say, when you move to a country where you don't speak the language and can't find a pharmacy. We also got into the storytelling mistake that almost every returning expat makes, and it's one I am guilty of myself. Lisa's reframe is so simple it's almost embarrassing, but it works. And if you've ever had someone's eyes glaze over mid-story, you'll want this one in your back pocket. There's a beautiful moment too where we talk about telling your story not just backward but forward, using hindsight to project foresight, and arriving, somehow, at present-moment insight. It's a idea that sits close to my heart, because it's one I've wrestled with in my own writing. In Unsettled , my book on repatriation, I explore how the stories we carry from our global lives can actually become a compass for what comes next, not just a record of where we've been. Lisa brings that same thinking to her storytelling workshops, and hearing her articulate it so clearly reminded me why this matters. For those of us cooking up the next chapter of our nomadic lives, this conversation hits differently. Call to Action If this episode stirred something in you, I'd love to know — share it with someone whose story deserves to be heard. We would love to hear from you, send us a text please! Support the show You can map the move. You cannot map the metamorphosis. Nomadic Diaries explores the interior journey of expat life — the belonging, the identity shifts, the repatriation, and everything that travels with you that can't be packed in a suitcase. This episode may be part of our Re-Entry Series (30 episodes on coming home) or The Belonging Project (29 episodes on belonging across cultures). Browse the full catalog at nomadicdiariespodcast.com and please share or leave a review if this episode resonated.

About Pia Pia Mailhot-Leichter is a self-described "recovering nomad" who has lived in more places than most people visit, from Manhattan to Sri Lanka, London to France, and eventually dropping anchor in Copenhagen after decades of following the nomadic pull. Born to a French-Canadian mother and a New York City father, she grew up crossing cultures before she had words for it, and spent years searching for belonging before discovering it lived inside her all along. Today she's an author, creative coach, and founder of Kollective Studio (yes, the Danish spelling), where she helps visionary rebels and unconventional dreamers birth their boldest projects into the world. Find her at kollective-studio.com What You'll Walk Away With This conversation is a love letter to everyone who has ever felt like a stranger in their own life and a gentle nudge to remember that you are the creative director of every scene. Pia shares the moment a therapist stopped her mid-"I'm moving to Paris" and offered her a genuinely radical idea: what if you learned how to stay? That one reframe changed everything. We talk about what she calls "extinction moments", those are the uncomfortable in-between spaces where an old version of you has to dissolve before something new can emerge, and why that void is actually the most fertile creative territory you'll ever stand in. We also explore why expats are already more creative than they give themselves credit for, and what to do when the honeymoon wears off and bureaucracy swallows the adventure whole. Pia's answer? Ask yourself how you'd creatively direct your next scene, as if you were a play or a movie director. Costume, soundtrack, mood, energy - all of it. Your Next Scene Starts Now If this episode lit something up in you, please share it with a fellow nomad, a recovering expat, or anyone in the middle of their own extinction moment — they need to hear this one. We would love to hear from you, send us a text please! Support the show You can map the move. You cannot map the metamorphosis. Nomadic Diaries explores the interior journey of expat life — the belonging, the identity shifts, the repatriation, and everything that travels with you that can't be packed in a suitcase. This episode may be part of our Re-Entry Series (30 episodes on coming home) or The Belonging Project (29 episodes on belonging across cultures). Browse the full catalog at nomadicdiariespodcast.com and please share or leave a review if this episode resonated.

About Daniela Daniela Draugelis didn't just study cultural intelligence, she lived it before she even had a name for it. Born in Argentina to a Lithuanian immigrant family (her father fled Europe as a war refugee), she grew up speaking Lithuanian at home, celebrating cultural traditions on weekends, and navigating between worlds long before anyone called it "code-switching." Twenty-plus years of globally mobile life across China, Indonesia, the US, and now Pakistan, she's a certified Cultural Intelligence facilitator who helps executives, diplomats, and globally mobile individuals not just survive the crossing — but genuinely thrive. Find her at culturalpathways.com What You'll Walk Away With This is one of those conversations that gives you language for things you've always felt but couldn't quite name. Daniela walks us through the four pillars of Cultural Intelligence, including Drive, Knowledge, Strategy, and Action - and explains why having just one or two isn't enough. You can read every guidebook about your new country and still find yourself eating lunch alone in your car, wondering why nothing is clicking. We also get into the fascinating difference between tight and loose cultures, and what it costs us, both emotionally and practically, when we find ourselves leaping between them. And in true nomadic spirit, Daniela shares the moment she asked her Pakistani hostess for the "restroom" and was shown to a bedroom. Even after 20 years, culture has a way of keeping us beautifully humble! Be Curious, Not Judgmental Daniela's parting wisdom comes straight from Ted Lasso , and it might be the most portable cultural intelligence tool you'll ever carry. Do you know someone navigating a new culture right now? This episode is for them. Share it, and let's keep the conversation going. We would love to hear from you, send us a text please! Support the show You can map the move. You cannot map the metamorphosis. Nomadic Diaries explores the interior journey of expat life — the belonging, the identity shifts, the repatriation, and everything that travels with you that can't be packed in a suitcase. This episode may be part of our Re-Entry Series (30 episodes on coming home) or The Belonging Project (29 episodes on belonging across cultures). Browse the full catalog at nomadicdiariespodcast.com and please share or leave a review if this episode resonated.

Dr. Joy Wiggins Meet Dr. Joy Wiggins, we chatted about Raising Kids to Boardrooms she is a cultural agility expert, former professor, and single mum who packed up her life in Texas and moved to Lisbon, Portugal with her teenage daughter Ruby. She's spent decades living and working across cultures, from Germany to China to Jordan, she also now helps globally mobile women build careers and lives that don't fit neatly inside one country's borders. What You'll Take Away: There's a world of difference between being culturally competent and culturally agile, one is going along to get along, the other is knowing yourself well enough to walk into any room, anywhere in the world, and read what's really happening beneath the surface Moving abroad as a single mum with a teenager is not for the faint-hearted, Joy shows us that when you take it one "next best step" at a time, and you keep the conversation honest with your kid, the adventure is absolutely worth the wobble The biggest blind spot Western women carry into cross-cultural spaces is mistaking their own confidence for competence. Sometimes the most powerful thing you can do in a new culture is to stop talking, watch who speaks, and learn the unwritten rules before you try to rewrite them The women who thrive globally aren't the ones who hustle hardest — they're the ones who get strategic, build real solidarity with other women, and understand that sometimes opening a door just a crack is how you eventually walk through it fully Connect with Dr. Joy Wiggins: 🌐 joywiggins.com 💼 LinkedIn: @DrJoyWiggins If this episode stirred something in you, whether you're mid-move, mid-career, or mid-life or wondering what's coming next, please share it with a woman who needs to hear it today. And if you haven't already, subscribe to Nomadic Diaries wherever you listen. Your story belongs here. We would love to hear from you, send us a text please! Support the show You can map the move. You cannot map the metamorphosis. Nomadic Diaries explores the interior journey of expat life — the belonging, the identity shifts, the repatriation, and everything that travels with you that can't be packed in a suitcase. This episode may be part of our Re-Entry Series (30 episodes on coming home) or The Belonging Project (29 episodes on belonging across cultures). Browse the full catalog at nomadicdiariespodcast.com and please share or leave a review if this episode resonated.

What if the hardest part of moving abroad isn't finding a house, but finding yourself? In this episode, Doreen Cumberford sits down with Vivian Chiona, founder of Expat Nest, an online counselling platform offering psychological support in nine languages to expats, repats, and global nomads worldwide. Vivian brings warmth, wisdom, and 12 years of experience helping internationally mobile people navigate the emotional terrain that logistics can't fix. Together they explore the invisible side of expat life including the culture shock, identity shifts, and loneliness that can ambush even the most seasoned global citizen. In this episode you'll discover: Why saying goodbye well is a skill — and why it matters for how you arrive The most common blind spots expats have when they think moving is "just logistics" Warning signs your mind and body are telling you to seek support How transgenerational patterns shape your expat experience (and why your grandparents' journey might be living in your bones) Why loneliness is really about disconnection — and practical ways to rebuild belonging The secret to a happy repatriation: building your global village back home Vivian's mantra for every expat: "This too shall pass" About Vivian Chiona: Vivian is a psychologist, intercultural expert, and founder of Expat Nest offering e-counselling in nine languages including English, Greek, Spanish, Portuguese, Italian, Chinese, and Arabic. Services cover individuals, teenagers, couples, and families. A free 15-minute consultation is available, and direct billing with many insurances is offered. Connect with Vivian at: 📧 info@expatnest.com | 🌐 www.expatnest.com Connect with Doreen at: https://www.nomadicdiariespodcast.com/ https://www.linkedin.com/feed/ https://doreencumberford.substack.com/publish/home Book mentioned: It Didn't Start With You by Mark Wolynn We would love to hear from you, send us a text please! Support the show You can map the move. You cannot map the metamorphosis. Nomadic Diaries explores the interior journey of expat life — the belonging, the identity shifts, the repatriation, and everything that travels with you that can't be packed in a suitcase. This episode may be part of our Re-Entry Series (30 episodes on coming home) or The Belonging Project (29 episodes on belonging across cultures). Browse the full catalog at nomadicdiariespodcast.com and please share or leave a review if this episode resonated.

What does it really take to build a life across cultures? In this episode, intercultural trainer Kathy Ellis joins Doreen for an honest conversation about the messy, beautiful reality of cross-cultural living. From her small-town Midwest roots to seven countries, multiple languages, and decades helping others navigate global transitions, Kathy brings both personal experience and professional expertise to the table. In this conversation: The Cultural Iceberg: Beyond Tourist-Level Understanding Kathy explains why cultural awareness is just the tip of the iceberg—the real work happens when you dive beneath the surface into ambiguity, unspoken rules, and deep cultural integration. We discuss what it takes to move from observer to participant in a new culture. The Friendship Challenge: Building Real Connections Abroad Making friends as an adult is hard. Making friends as a newcomer in a foreign country? Even harder. We explore the complexities and unexpected joys of building genuine friendships across cultures, the role of shared experiences, and why humor and emotional adaptability matter more than you think. Repatriation: The Hardest Move You Never Saw Coming Coming "home" after years abroad can be more disorienting than any international move. Kathy and Doreen dig into identity shifts, reverse culture shock, and practical strategies for reintegrating into a place that no longer feels quite like home—or maybe never did. Your Survival Toolkit: What Actually Helps You Thrive Forget generic advice. We share real-world strategies that work: leading with humor, staying genuinely curious, finding cultural "bridges" for connection, and maintaining positivity without toxic optimism. Doreen shares examples from her relocation coaching work that bring these concepts to life. The Executive Friendship Gap: Success Doesn't Equal Connection Even high-achieving professionals struggle to build meaningful relationships outside of work when they move internationally. We explore the subtle cultural and generational factors that make this harder than it should be, and what you can do about it. Change vs. Transformation: Understanding the Deeper Shift Living overseas isn't just about managing change—it's about transformation. We reflect on the difference between adapting to new circumstances and fundamentally evolving as a person through cross-cultural experience. About Kathy Ellis: Kathy holds a Master’s in Education, various Intercultural Communication and Language certifications, and serves on the board for the International Language Coaching Association (ILCA). Kathy is a Qualified Administrator in Intercultural Development Inventory (IDI). In addition to her educational endeavors, Kathy has published three poetry collections, available on Amazon and Barnes & Noble. Connect with Kathy: https://www.linkedin.com/in/kathy-ellis-9b79191/ https://www.instagram.com/kat.ellis/ Connect with Doreen: Nomadic Diaries podcast https://www.nomadicdiariespodcast.com/ https://www.linkedin.com/feed/ https://doreencumberford.substack.com/publish/home We would love to hear from you, send us a text please! Support the show You can map the move. You cannot map the metamorphosis. Nomadic Diaries explores the interior journey of expat life — the belonging, the identity shifts, the repatriation, and everything that travels with you that can't be packed in a suitcase. This episode may be part of our Re-Entry Series (30 episodes on coming home) or The Belonging Project (29 episodes on belonging across cultures). Browse the full catalog at nomadicdiariespodcast.com and please share or leave a review if this episode resonated.

Today on Nomadic Diaries, I sat down with Peter Levitan, former Saatchi & Saatchi executive and serial entrepreneur, to talk about navigating international assignments, adapting to new cultures, and the challenges of returning home after working abroad. Peter shared invaluable insights on building trust, learning cultural nuances, and the importance of empathy in global business. Peter was one of the few Americans hand-picked to transfer to Saatchi's London office during its heyday. At that time HR was not involved, there was no orientation, no cultural training, no HR support. He figured it out through pub conversations, workplace friendships, and learning to read the room in a very different business culture. He built trust, adapted fast, and thrived. Then he came home. And that's when things got complicated. Despite gaining invaluable intercultural experience, Peter returned to find nobody particularly interested in what he'd learned. There was no debriefing, no attempt to leverage his insights, and certainly no acknowledgment of reverse culture shock. The skills he'd developed, cultural intelligence, adaptability, the ability to bridge offices and cultures became invisible. In this conversation, Peter shares the realities of corporate international moves in the 1980s, the resilience required when you're navigating a new country with young children, and why returning expats often feel like their experience doesn't count. He also offers hard-won advice: be proactive about seeking support, manage your "brand" carefully when sharing your overseas stories, and don't assume your company will automatically value what you've gained. This episode is essential listening for anyone who's lived abroad and struggled with reentry, or for companies wondering why their international assignments aren't delivering the ROI they expected. If this episode resonates with you, please leave us a review. It helps other expats and returnees find these conversations. We would love to hear from you, send us a text please! Support the show You can map the move. You cannot map the metamorphosis. Nomadic Diaries explores the interior journey of expat life — the belonging, the identity shifts, the repatriation, and everything that travels with you that can't be packed in a suitcase. This episode may be part of our Re-Entry Series (30 episodes on coming home) or The Belonging Project (29 episodes on belonging across cultures). Browse the full catalog at nomadicdiariespodcast.com and please share or leave a review if this episode resonated.

In this heartfelt farewell to the Nomadic Diaries podcast, Doreen Cumberford and Megan Norton-Newbanks co-host reflect on a remarkable 10-month journey exploring the expansive topic of belonging. Together, they look back over 30 episodes, key guest moments, personal transformations, and the evolution of the conversations. The hosts revisit why belonging matters, share moving stories from the series, and discuss how the podcast impacted their own sense of community and connection. They also express gratitude to their team and listeners, offering wisdom and inspiration for anyone navigating questions of belonging in their own life. Key Themes The universal human desire for belonging and its many expressions Notable guest moments: Stephen Toole’s international classroom, Marcia’s insights on somatics, and Cass Stewart’s perspective on belonging within a high-pressure team The distinction between “connection to” versus “connection with” people and places Intergenerational perspectives and generational shifts in discussing and experiencing belonging, especially regarding technology Paradoxes and challenges: belonging as both internal and external, and the necessity to continually reinvest in building community Personal takeaways and the courage it takes to both belong and create spaces for others to belong The podcast as a bridge builder and companion for listeners navigating changes, transitions, and questions of home Notable Quotes “Belonging is not found, it’s formed.” Megan Norton-Newbanks “True belonging never asks us to change who we are.” Brene Brown “May you be at home wherever you find yourself today.” – Maya Angelou Special Thanks Gratitude is given to the podcast’s guests, angel producer John Palmer, and sound engineer Pradeep for their invaluable contributions. Final Thoughts Listeners are encouraged to revisit the podcast library, connect with the stories that resonate, and continue the conversation about belonging. The hosts hint that while this is the final episode of the season, more may come in the future. Farewell The episode closes with a multilingual goodbye, expressing love, gratitude, and the hope that all will find belonging wherever their journeys take them. We would love to hear from you, send us a text please! Support the show You can map the move. You cannot map the metamorphosis. Nomadic Diaries explores the interior journey of expat life — the belonging, the identity shifts, the repatriation, and everything that travels with you that can't be packed in a suitcase. This episode may be part of our Re-Entry Series (30 episodes on coming home) or The Belonging Project (29 episodes on belonging across cultures). Browse the full catalog at nomadicdiariespodcast.com and please share or leave a review if this episode resonated.

Show Notes Welcome back to Nomadic Diaries for part two of our conversation with Ruth Van Reken, the influential voice behind "Third Culture Kids: Growing Up Among Worlds." Joined by Megan Norton-Newbanks and your host Doreen Cumberford, Ruth dives deep into cross-cultural identity, belonging, and generational perspectives. Key Topics Discussed Navigating the "Where Are You From?" Question Ruth shares practical ways globally mobile people can gracefully answer this challenging question. The Social Dynamics of Identity Examining why traditional questions about origin can feel alienating, and how curiosity and cultural sensitivity can create bridges instead. The importance of focusing on connection and stories rather than details. Generational Differences in Storytelling and Belonging The panel reflects on how different age groups approach storytelling, sharing, and forming connections. Unique Strengths of Third Culture Kids (TCKs) Ruth outlines new research highlighting cultural competency and linguistic skills as hidden superpowers of TCKs. Adaptability, bridge-building, curiosity, and global enthusiasm as signature traits in careers and communities. Creating a Sense of Home and Belonging Ruth reflects on cultivating belonging wherever she’s lived, emphasizing human connection and the joys of multicultural friendships. Advice for Parents Raising TCKs Ruth offers actionable guidance: nurture family traditions, recognize each child's unique gifts, and always foster a sense of agency and choice. The importance of honoring both shared humanity and individual uniqueness. Final Thoughts on Belonging The episode closes with a focus on collective belonging, inspired by a quote from Mother Teresa. Notable Quotes “You can make it a fun question.” Ruth Van Reken “I am more interested in the connection than the details.” “Our biggest challenge is not only belonging—but belonging to ourselves.” –Ruth Van Reken We would love to hear from you, send us a text please! Support the show You can map the move. You cannot map the metamorphosis. Nomadic Diaries explores the interior journey of expat life — the belonging, the identity shifts, the repatriation, and everything that travels with you that can't be packed in a suitcase. This episode may be part of our Re-Entry Series (30 episodes on coming home) or The Belonging Project (29 episodes on belonging across cultures). Browse the full catalog at nomadicdiariespodcast.com and please share or leave a review if this episode resonated.

Episode Overview In this enlightening episode of Nomadic Diaries , Doreen Cumberford and Megan Norton-Newbanks welcome renowned author and expert Ruth Van Reken, whose work on third culture kids (TCKs) has impacted countless lives globally. The conversation centers on belonging, identity, and the often-complex emotional terrain of those who grow up between cultures. What You'll Hear 1. Ruth’s Origin Story and Journey Ruth’s personal experience of being a third culture kid raised in Nigeria, drawing parallels with her father’s similar upbringing in Iran and her own children’s formative years in Liberia. The internal challenges faced despite a privileged, adventurous life—silent grief and lack of belonging—and how journaling led Ruth to uncover deeper truths about cross-cultural identity. 2. The Birth of the “Third Culture Kid” Concept Ruth’s first encounter with the term TCK and her collaboration with Dave Pollock, which resulted in the foundational book Third Culture Kids: Growing Up Among Worlds . Insights into the writing process, the evolution of the TCK concept, and the ongoing development of the term "cross cultural kid" for inclusivity. 3. Normalizing the Experience of Displacement and Grief Why naming the experience is powerful, how sharing stories cultivates belonging and healing, and Ruth’s hope to normalize feelings of isolation and loneliness. The importance of making these concepts accessible to educators, counselors, and community leaders. 4. Belonging – Local and Global Discussion about belonging in various circles—family, local communities, and global networks. The difference between experiential and geographical belonging, and how third culture kids can feel at home in many places (and sometimes nowhere in particular). 5. Sowing Narratives Together The power and therapeutic effect of sharing our hidden stories—the secret shames and quiet pains that many TCKs carry. Transformative moments from Ruth’s own life, including her 80th birthday celebration, where her two worlds—local and global—beautifully converged. 6. Navigating Difficult Questions Tips and reflections on answering the classic expat question, "Where are you from?" with grace, and using it as a gateway to deeper connection instead of retreating behind simple answers. Key Quotes "When we share the things that are secret in those places that we think nobody feels like this, that's when people put their hand up or come on the side and say, 'But I do.' I had no idea anybody else felt like this." Ruth Van Reken "Belonging is more than just the place. But you can find that contentment in where you are if you live it fully." Ruth Van Reken We would love to hear from you, send us a text please! Support the show You can map the move. You cannot map the metamorphosis. Nomadic Diaries explores the interior journey of expat life — the belonging, the identity shifts, the repatriation, and everything that travels with you that can't be packed in a suitcase. This episode may be part of our Re-Entry Series (30 episodes on coming home) or The Belonging Project (29 episodes on belonging across cultures). Browse the full catalog at nomadicdiariespodcast.com and please share or leave a review if this episode resonated.

We would love to hear from you, send us a text please! Support the show You can map the move. You cannot map the metamorphosis. Nomadic Diaries explores the interior journey of expat life — the belonging, the identity shifts, the repatriation, and everything that travels with you that can't be packed in a suitcase. This episode may be part of our Re-Entry Series (30 episodes on coming home) or The Belonging Project (29 episodes on belonging across cultures). Browse the full catalog at nomadicdiariespodcast.com and please share or leave a review if this episode resonated.

In this engaging episode of Nomadic Diaries, Doreen Cumberford and Megan Norton-Newbanks welcome Caz Stuart, an accomplished documentary filmmaker, to discuss the art of storytelling, belonging, and community - both on and off camera. Caz explores her nomadic journey from Europe to San Miguel, Mexico, weaving in her extensive career experiences, particularly in making hard-hitting documentaries on social issues for UK television. The conversation spans topics from the dynamics of competitive pickleball in San Miguel to the emotional landscape of filmmaking - how empathy, resilience, and a sense of belonging take center stage in both telling and living remarkable stories. The trio also tackles how expat communities form, the challenges of integration, and the healing power of storytelling for both audiences and contributors. Key Takeaways Filmmaking as a Path to Belonging: Caz shares that her love for languages and travel opened up an understanding that people everywhere share similar hopes and dreams, inspiring her to make documentaries that foster empathy and connection. Belonging in Challenging Contexts: Through stories from shows like Survivor, Caz describes how extreme circumstances and teamwork cultivate intense, sometimes fleeting, bonds—a microcosm for belonging. Resilience and Isolation: The conversation delves into how belonging is deeply tied to resilience, and how isolation and lack of community can deepen hardship, especially for nomads and expats. Duty of Care in Storytelling: Caz emphasizes the responsibility filmmakers hold toward their subjects, ensuring stories are told ethically and contributors are supported during and after filming. Expat Integration & Community in San Miguel: The group reflect on San Miguel’s unique blend of cultural vibrancy and welcoming atmosphere, while also discussing the importance of language, integration, and the mutual duty to foster genuine connection with local communities. Behind-the-Scenes Insights: From stressful production schedules to navigating heavy topics, Caz shares candid examples from her work, highlighting the importance of curiosity, compassion, and finding compelling characters. Advice to Listeners: Curiosity is key—embrace new cultures, ask questions, seek out stories, and don’t shut yourself off from learning opportunities. Belonging is built through exploration. Memorable Quotes “Filmmaking for me was not something I thought about growing up…I just knew that I loved languages and I’m good at them, and so that took me traveling.” “People in general are good people…and so that made me think, I want to make films that help people understand that.” “If you have no belonging, you have to have a lot of resilience. Because belonging is the thing we crave.” “As filmmakers, we have a duty of care to make sure the experience is a good one, and follow up with the care afterwards as well.” “To be curious, not to shut down and go within your own little world, but to always look outwards and see what you can learn from other people.” Further Discussion Points The evolution of San Miguel as a cultural hub and refuge for expats. The challenges for older expats and those who struggle with integration, especially due to language barriers. Ethical considerations in documentary filmmaking—balancing powerful storytelling and contributor well-being. How compressed, stressful environments can accelerate a sense of community or reveal character. The importance of storytelling as a healing practice for both tellers and listeners. Resources Mentioned The British “Survivor” TV show (behind-the-scenes account) We would love to hear from you, send us a text please! Support the show You can map the move. You cannot map the metamorphosis. Nomadic Diaries explores the interior journey of expat life — the belonging, the identity shifts, the repatriation, and everything that travels with you that can't be packed in a suitcase. This episode may be part of our Re-Entry Series (30 episodes on coming home) or The Belonging Project (29 episodes on belonging across cultures). Browse the full catalog at nomadicdiariespodcast.com and please share or leave a review if this episode resonated.

In this heartfelt episode of Nomadic Diaries, Doreen Cumberford opens up about the challenges and transformations of expat life, drawing from her own 15 years as an accompanying spouse in Saudi Arabia. She reads an excerpt from her book, "Life in the Camel Lane," diving into the core themes of home, identity, and the elusive sense of belonging for global nomads. Listeners are invited to reflect on adaptation, cultural transitions, grief, and the growth that comes from living liminally—caught between cultures and worlds. Key Topics Covered Personal Expat Journey: Doreen Cumberford shares highlights from her memoir, detailing the realities of moving, adapting, and thriving in a completely different cultural environment. Anatomy of Adventure: Each expat experience is unique, demanding presence, adaptation, and a willingness to let go of familiar ways. Liminal Living: The challenge and beauty of living life on the threshold—balancing cultures, mindsets, and identities. Growth & Adaptation: How expatriates, especially Western women in Saudi Arabia, redefined themselves and built new support systems. The Role of Grief: Exploring the emotional cost of saying goodbye to friends, places, and former selves, and how these losses fuel future adventures. Re-entry and Repatriation: The struggle and skills involved in returning ‘home’ after deep immersion in another culture. Transformation through Mobility: Embracing the changes and expanded perspectives that come from global living. Memorable Quotes “Arrivals, the adaptation process and acclimatization are critical.” Liminal living is the practice of living constantly in between two cultures and juggling them both.” “As expats, ultimately we pack up our memories, our belongings, our new experiences, and we move on. Nevertheless, we grieve. Those losses have a role to play in defining our new identities and our sense of belonging.” We would love to hear from you, send us a text please! Support the show You can map the move. You cannot map the metamorphosis. Nomadic Diaries explores the interior journey of expat life — the belonging, the identity shifts, the repatriation, and everything that travels with you that can't be packed in a suitcase. This episode may be part of our Re-Entry Series (30 episodes on coming home) or The Belonging Project (29 episodes on belonging across cultures). Browse the full catalog at nomadicdiariespodcast.com and please share or leave a review if this episode resonated.

In this episode, Doreen Cumberford and Megan Norton-Newbanks sit down with Sa-Eun Park, also known as San Shine, a belonging coach and spiritual entrepreneur based in Incheon, Korea. San shares her powerful story of growing up cross-culturally—moving from Korea to Saudi Arabia, then Austria, and later, the U.S.—and how these experiences shaped her journey with belonging, identity, and self-acceptance. Key Topics & Takeaways The Wound of Uprootedness: San discusses the impact of being separated from her family at a young age and growing up across multiple cultures, and how this led to a lifelong search for belonging. Inner Boardroom Method: San introduces her unique approach to self-acceptance by creating an "inner boardroom," inviting listeners to listen compassionately to the many voices within themselves shaped by cross-cultural experiences. Belonging as a Superpower: The conversation explores the idea that the ability to hold multiple cultural identities is not just a challenge, but a superpower for empathy and connection. Authenticity and Wholeness: How embracing all parts of ourselves, even the conflicted or fragmented ones, leads to a fuller sense of authenticity and belonging. The Human Kintsugi: San is developing a new framework—“The Human Kintsugi”—inspired by the Japanese art of repairing broken pottery with gold. It’s about turning life’s fractures into sources of beauty and strength. Senses and Belonging: The importance of using our senses, especially intuition, to recognize belonging and polarization in spaces we inhabit. Community in a Changing World: A discussion on how the meaning of community is shifting with technology, and why self-belonging is foundational for creating connections with others. Memorable Quotes “Those voices are there to guide you to the wholeness in you.” – San Shine “Belonging is about returning to yourself and remembering who you already are.” Practical Tips Practice the Inner Boardroom: Sit with your different identities and listen to each one with compassion, as you would to children with different needs. Create Your Own Healing Rituals: Physical objects—like a heart with country flags—can help visually acknowledge and integrate all the cultures and experiences in your life. Explore Playlists: Curate music that resonates with your sense of belonging, or helps you connect with different versions of yourself. Connect with Today’s Guest: Founder and CEO of Octopus and Stitch Consulting IG - @octopusandstitch https://www.linkedin.com/in/sanshine/ Resources Mentioned The concept of “Human Kintsugi” Megan Norton-Newbanks’ book: Belonging Across Borders Repatriation Playlist (referenced in the episode; available in show notes) Thank you for joining us on Nomadic Diaries! If this episode resonated with you, share your thoughts or leave us a review. Stay tuned for more conversations on belonging, identity, and the global nomad experience. We would love to hear from you, send us a text please! Support the show You can map the move. You cannot map the metamorphosis. Nomadic Diaries explores the interior journey of expat life — the belonging, the identity shifts, the repatriation, and everything that travels with you that can't be packed in a suitcase. This episode may be part of our Re-Entry Series (30 episodes on coming home) or The Belonging Project (29 episodes on belonging across cultures). Browse the full catalog at nomadicdiariespodcast.com and please share or leave a review if this episode resonated.