Cross-Cultural Skills Episodes

In this inspirational and deeply personal conversation, Doreen Cumberford sits down with Melissa Parks, therapist, coach and author of A Compassionate Mess: A Therapist, Her Monsters, and a Journey to Self-Acceptance - to explore the challenges and rewards of self-compassion, the realities of cross-cultural transitions, and the myths that hold us back from thriving as global nomads and returnees. Key Topics Covered Facing Our "Monsters" Melissa Parks discusses reframing personal struggles as "m...

In this insightful episode, Doreen Cumberford is joined by Saehee Chang, an intercultural trainer, engagement specialist, and founder of Korea Connect. Together, they explore the journey of navigating life across cultures as a Third Culture Kid (TCK), the challenges of repatriation, balancing success and happiness abroad, and the quest for belonging. Key Topics Covered Growing Up Global: Saehee shares her nomadic background across Korea, Vietnam, Kenya, the US, and Germany, and reflects on h...

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 complete...

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...

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 Cu...

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 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 differen...

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...

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 tim...

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 expre...

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?" QuestionRuth shares practical ways globally mobile people can gracefully answer this challenging question.The Soc...

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 pi...

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 bet...

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 deep connection between art, identity, healing, and belonging - especially for people who’ve lived globally mobile lives. What You’ll Hear: Jemina’s Background: Jamina shares her journey as a visual art educator over two decades, teaching in the US, Germa...

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 community. Together, they explore how moving across cultures influences our understanding of self, the growing crisis of belonging in a polarized, fast-paced world, and practical tools for cultivating more inclusive communities. Key Topics & Takeaways: Tayo’s Global Journ...

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 her childhood experiences in Iran, her identity as a descendant of Persian Bakhtiari nomads, and how moving across countries and cultures shaped her worldview. The group discusses the internal and external facets of belonging - from the hard “homework” of s...

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 Embodied Code-Switching® and the role of somatic awareness in feeling at home within our bodies across shifting cultural contexts. Key Topics Discussed: What is Somatic Awareness?Originates from the Greek word for “body” (soma). Goes beyond physical presenc...

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 identities, and the beauty of multicultural living. Erin shares her journey from a small town in Texas to making a home in vibrant Brussels, raising four bilingual and multicultural children, and finding inspiration and connection in places like Normandy. She discusses...

Episode Overview: In this episode of Nomadic Diaries, co-hosts Megan Norton-Newbanks and Doreen Cumberford dive into the nuanced relationship between language and belonging. Drawing from their own global upbringings and experiences living in multiple countries, the hosts unpack how language—including dialects, family language mashups, and community-specific lingo—shapes our sense of home and connection. Key Topics Discussed: Mother Tongues & Dialects: Doreen Cumberford reflects on the comfortin...

The Plot Twist Nobody Warns You About! In this insightful conversation, Angie Weinberger returns to Nomadic Diaries to explore the complex emotions and practical challenges faced by expats and global citizens, especially around repatriation and defining "home." Angie, based in Zurich, shares her expertise on supporting expats and expat partners with global mobility. Key Topics Covered Maintaining International Connections: Angie and the host discuss the challenges of keeping deep global frien...

In this heartfelt episode of Nomadic Diaries, host Doreen Cumberford chats with Brigitte Muller, a South African marketing strategist and long-term expat living in Tampa, Florida. They delve into the complexities of expat life, from the economic realities that drive difficult moves, to the richness and challenges of adapting to life in a new culture, grappling with grief from afar, and the deep sense of purpose that keeps expats motivated. Key Topics Covered 1. Brigitte’s Expat Journey: Brigit...

In this episode of Nomadic Diaries, host Doreen Cumberford welcomes friend and real estate expert Tracy Moss to discuss the ins and outs of buying property in San Miguel de Allende, Mexico. Tracy draws on her 20+ years in Mexico, sharing practical steps, insider tips, and cultural insights to help expatriates, digital nomads, and dreamers navigate the real estate market with confidence. Key Topics & Highlights 1. Real Estate in San Miguel de Allende Tracy explains her holistic approach with B...

Welcome to Nomadic Diaries, where we delve deep into the journey and insights of global explorers. This episode, hosted by Doreen Cumberford, shines a spotlight on Melissa Hahn, an intercultural specialist and author of the book *Forging Bonds in the Global Workforce*. Here are a few shownotes: Forging Global Bonds: Melissa Hahn's Insights on Thriving Across Cultures Through thought-provoking discussions and personal anecdotes, Melissa offers invaluable wisdom for navigating the complexities o...

On this episode of Nomadic Diaries, host Doreen Cumberford sat down with Chris O’Shaughnessy to explore the latest trends, challenges, and insights from the expat and globally nomadic community. From the impact of geopolitics on relocation patterns to the nuances of repatriation and the ever-present topic of belonging, the conversation is packed with truth bombs and practical wisdom for anyone navigating international lifestyles. 1. Trends Among Expats & International Moves Geopolitical instabi...

Hopefully you will find this episode with Marilyn Gardner soul-nourishing! Host Doreen Cumberford welcomes Marilyn Gardner for a deep dive into the rhythms, challenges, and beauty of leading a global, nomadic life. Marilyn shares her experiences of moving through 36 homes across continents, the lessons found in both anticipation and nostalgia, and the journey of finding "places that light you up", even when you never fully feel that you belong. Together, Doreen and Marilyn explore what it mea...