
Nomadic Diaries: Mastering Global Transitions
Where Global Living Transforms Lives
Imagine a life where every border crossed becomes a doorway to personal transformation!
Welcome to Nomadic Diaries, the podcast that turns international adventures into extraordinary personal journeys. We're not just telling travel stories. We're uncovering the raw, unfiltered experiences of expats and global nomads who have transformed uncertainty into opportunity.
Each episode dives deep into the hearts and minds of extraordinary individuals who've turned geographical transitions into powerful paths of self-discovery. Are you an expat feeling lost between worlds? A digital nomad seeking more than just scenic backdrops? This podcast is your compass.
We explore the real-life challenges and insights of international living, sharing genuine stories, practical strategies, and life-changing wisdom from those who've navigated the complex terrain of global mobility.
Nomadic Diaries is more than just a podcast – it's a platform for connection, understanding, and personal growth. We believe that living abroad isn't about collecting stamps in a passport, but about expanding the boundaries of who you can become. Join us as we explore how stepping outside your comfort zone can be the most profound journey of personal growth you'll ever undertake.
Your global adventure starts here – where every mile traveled is a mile of transformation.
Nomadic Diaries: Mastering Global Transitions
Acceptance, Mindfulness, and Mental Health for Expat Families
Doreen Cumberford welcomes Patrick Kadian - an expat, hypnotherapist, and expert on mental health for global nomads. With over 30 years of expat experience spanning 16 countries, Patrick offers a unique perspective on raising third culture kids (TCKs), navigating transitions, and caring for the mental wellbeing of globally mobile families. The focus is on understanding the TCK experience, the challenges these children face, and practical strategies parents can use to help their kids thrive during international moves.
Topics We Covered
Defining Third Culture Kids (TCKs)
- TCKs are children who spend significant formative years living outside their parents' passport country, existing in a “liminal space” between cultures.
- Discussion on differences between “traditional” TCKs (longer stays per country) versus highly mobile digital nomad families.
Core Challenges for TCKs
- Issues with identity, rootlessness, and restlessness.
- Stacked “miniature griefs” from repeated goodbyes and transitions.
- The importance of parental awareness and intentional support for emotional resilience.
Adverse Childhood Experiences (ACEs)
- Explanation of ACEs and their long-term health implications.
- Frequent moves and cultural transitions can increase ACE scores for expat children.
Emotional Regulation & Resilience
- Practical techniques for both parents and children, drawing from Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT).
- Tools like the “acceptance tool”—learning to sit with uncomfortable feelings and emotions and build psychological flexibility.
- Emphasis on consistency, presence, and the importance of parents being a “safe home base.”
Hypnotherapy & Mindfulness Practices
- Clarification: Hypnosis is not mind control, but a form of deep relaxation similar to guided meditation.
- Discussion of how both hypnosis and meditation can calm the nervous system, helping individuals (children and adults) stay within their “window of tolerance” during stressful transitions.
- Suggested resources, including Patrick’s guided exercises and recommended books like Good Inside and The Whole Brain Child.
Actionable Takeaways
- For Parents: Start regulation work early—be present, emotionally available, and focus on being a consistent source of safety amid change.
- For Families on the Move: Acknowledge and talk about grief and loss; use regular mindfulness or meditation practices to build resilience.
- Understanding When to Seek Help: Trust your instincts if you or your child seems stuck, highly reactive, or overwhelmed, reach out to a professional like Patrick for supportive techniques.
Resources & Links
- Patrick Kadian's Website: www.theexpathypnotherapist.com
- Listen to guided recordings and practical exercises
- Book a free introductory chat or send a message directly
- Books Mentioned:
- Good Inside by Dr. Becky Kennedy
- The Whole Brain Child by Dr. Dan Siegel
- Other Areas to Explore:
- Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT) resources
- TCK Training by Tanya Crossman
Final Thoughts
This episode underscores that while global mobility presents unique emotional hurdles, it also cultivates strengths and “superpowers” in kids and families. Mindful, connected parenting and self-awareness are key to creating not just well-traveled, but well-balanced human beings.
Home is Where Your Story Crosses Borders!
We aim to inspire expat solutions, by helping you navigate global living with Confidence.