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.
Episodes
198 episodes
Dig Here: Story Archaeology and the Expat Life Well Lived
About Lisa LiangLisa 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 spe...
What If You Learned How to Stay? Pia Mailhot-Leichter on Belonging, Creativity and Extinction Moments
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 aft...
Belonging Everywhere and Nowhere: The Expat's Identity Puzzle
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 u...
One Next Best Step: Dr. Joy Wiggins on Moving Abroad Solo, Raising a Teen in Lisbon, and Building a Global Career
Dr. Joy Wiggins Meet Dr. Joy Wiggins, we chatted about Raising Kids to Boardroomsshe is a cultural agility expert, former professor, and single mum who packed up her life in Texas and moved to Lisbon, Portugal with her...
Packed Your Bags But Forgot Your Mind? The Emotional Side of Expat Life
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 sup...
Beyond Culture Shock: Kathy Ellis on What It Really Takes to Build a Life Across Cultures
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 ...
Advertising's Golden Era and the Hard Part: Coming Home
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 wo...
"Belonging Is Not Found, It's Formed": 30 Episodes, One Big Question
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 g...
Hidden Superpowers: Ruth Van Reken on What TCKs Get Right About the World
Show NotesWelcome 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 Cumbe...
The Woman Who Named the TCK Experience: Ruth Van Reken on Identity and Belonging
Episode OverviewIn 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...
What Filming Survivor Taught One Director About Belonging
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 explo...
Expat Life & the Stories We Carry Home
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 ...
Who Are You When You've Lived in Five Countries?
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—...
How Creative Kids Navigate Life Between Cultures
In this heartfelt episode, Doreen and Megan sit down with Dr. Jemina Watstein, an internationally experienced visual art educator who specializes in working with third culture kids (TCKs) and international families. Together, they explore the d...
When School Feels Foreign: Third Culture Kids in the Classroom
In this heartfelt and insightful episode, hosts Doreen Cumberford and Megan Norton-Newbanks welcome Stephen Toole for a rich conversation about the challenges and triumphs surrounding belonging and transition for Third Culture Kids (TCKs) and t...
Being Seen in the Mess: Megan Norton-Newbanks on Letters From 90 Expat Lives
In this heartfelt solo episode, Megan Norton-Newbanks pulls back the curtain on her new book, Letters Now Sent, a collection of letters from over 90 contributors who have experienced life as expats, nomads, and third culture kids (TCKs...
The Crisis of Belonging: Tayo Rockson on Identity, Inclusion and Living Across Five Countries
In this episode, Doreen and Megan dive into the theme of Belonging with Tayo Rockson, whose life as a global citizen, diplomat’s son, writer, and basketball lover has uniquely shaped his perspective on identity, inclusion, and communit...
Why Expats Are Obsessed With Food From Back Home
In this delightful “Belonging Bite” mini-episode, hosts Doreen and Megan dive into the profound connection between food and belonging. From childhood comfort foods to international culinary adventures, they explore how what we eat is never just...
The Inner Work of Belonging: Dr. Helen Fagan on Nomadic Heritage and Cultural Self-Awareness
In this insightful episode, Doreen Cumberford and Megan Norton-Newbanks chat with Dr. Helen Fagan about the nomadic spirit, the challenging journey of belonging, and the importance of self-awareness for meaningful inclusion. Dr. Fagan shares he...
What Your Body Knows About Belonging: Marcia Bonato Warren on Somatic Awareness Across Cultures
This episode explores the deep connections between movement, body awareness, identity, and belonging, especially as experienced by people who navigate multiple cultures. The conversation dives into Marcia Bonato Warren's unique approach to Embo...
From Texas to Brussels: Erin Meyer-Cherneux on Raising Multicultural Children and Finding Home
In this heartfelt and insightful episode, host Doreen Cumberford and co-host Megan Norton are joined by Erin Meyer-Cherneux —author, cultural anthropologist, and visual artist —for a rich discussion about belonging, transnational identiti...
Belonging: Life in the Camel Lane
Today's Belonging Project bite is a reading from Life in the Camel Lane: Embrace Your Adventure which relates to the topic of experiencing a clear sense of belonging.We hope you are enjoying the Belonging Project.
BelongingI Am Me: Hiroko Bell on Japanese TCKs and Finding Home Between Cultures
In this heartwarming episode of Nomadic Diaries, hosts Doreen Cumberford and Megan Norton-Newbanks welcome Hiroko Bell, a Japanese adult third culture kid (ATCK) and passionate advocate for cross-cultural families. Hiroko shares her remarkable ...
25 Years in San Miguel de Allende: Camie Fenton on What It Takes to Truly Belong Somewhere
In this episode of Nomadic Diaries, hosts Doreen Cumberford and Megan Norton-Newbanks are joined by Camie Fenton, a long-time resident of San Miguel de Allende, Mexico. Camie shares her extraordinary journey of belonging, community, and creativ...