Repatriation Episodes

Send us Fan Mail 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 the...

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...

I sat down with Linda Mueller, who was a previous Co-Host for the Re-Entry Series. Linda is an experienced ExpatPartnerCoach and we dived into the benefits of coaching for people who live in the international and global communities. Together, we explored what it really means to thrive as a global nomad, especially as an accompanying partner. We cover everything from wrestling with issues of purpose and identity to maintaining relationships and overcoming guilt. Linda shares her hard-earned wisd...

We hope that these 30 podcasts have been both useful and informative! In this final episode of Nomadic Diaries' Reentry Series, hosts Doreen Cumberford and Linda Mueller reflect on 30 days of podcasts that included stories, themes, and challenges faced during the journey of returning to one's passport country. The series centered on personal experiences, expert tips, and actionable advice aimed at transforming repatriation into a positive and generative phase of life. The question at ...

Have you ever wondered what it’s like to return home after years of globetrotting? In this compelling episode of Nomadic Diaries, Linda Mueller sits down with Margaret Ghielmetti, author of "Bravish: A Memoir of a Recovering Perfectionist". They explore the emotional rollercoaster of expatriate life, overcoming perfectionism, and the challenging yet rewarding process of repatriation. From the subtleties of cultural adaptation to the importance of building international connections, th...

Have you ever felt the rush of joy upon returning home from a long journey, only to be blindsided by the emotional and logistical challenges that follow? In this short episode of Nomadic Diaries' ReEntry Series, host Doreen Cumberford sits down with Helen Ellis, an expert in long-distance grandparenting relationships, to uncover the practical and emotional intricacies of repatriation. Helen shares heartwarming and pragmatic strategies to help expats navigate their return with grace, blending t...

Ever felt the pull of the world that lies beyond your doorstep? In this episode of Nomadic Diaries, the Re-Entry Series host Doreen Cumberford reads the heartwarming and insightful story of Deirdre K. Razzaque, exploring her journey of identity and belonging after living abroad. Through her experiences in diverse cultures, from Costa Rica to Vermont, Deirdre shares the continuous and often challenging process of finding home within oneself. Arriving Well is a compilation of five raw, compelli...

Imagine transitioning from the vibrant expat life in California to the complex and challenging reality of returning to London? That’s the journey Polly Collingridge from the Cultural Intelligence Centre shared with Doreen Cumberford and Linda Mueller on this episode of Nomadic Diaries. Polly discusses the cultural shifts, reverse culture shock, and the intricate emotional landscape faced during repatriation, alongside insights from academic research on cultural identity and expat adaptations. ...

Feeling unsteady as you transition back to your home country? In this episode of Nomadic Diaries, host Doreen Cumberford and co-host Linda Mueller delve into the complexities of repatriation, exploring the emotional and logistical challenges through the metaphor of lily pads. Repatriation isn't just about physically returning home. It's a multifaceted process that involves emotional, psychological, and logistical shifts. The lily pad analogy perfectly captures how these small steps ca...

Have you ever used nature, the outdoors, or your environment to inspire or ground yourself during repatriation? In this episode of Nomadic Diaries, the Re-Entry Series, host Doreen Cumberford and co-host Linda Mueller seek to provide encouragement to go outdoors, to breathe in nature and to ground oneself during the repatriation journey. Here at Nomadic Diaries we love to interview expat and cross-cultural authors, so continue to tune in to discover wisdom and lessons that create a more inspir...

Feeling adrift or untethered after moving back home? In this episode of Nomadic Diaries, our host Doreen Cumberford speaks with guest Camilla Quintana about the emotional and practical challenges of repatriation while sharing her personal stories of transition and adaptation. Camilla offers insights on maintaining connections and shifting your focus to commonalities, and offers valuable advice for making your return a smoother, more fulfilling experience. Join us to learn how to leverage thes...

Have you ever experienced what you suspected might be symptoms of repatriaion? In this episode, hosts Doreen Cumberford and Linda Mueller discuss some of the more light-hearted ways and situations where returnees can sometimes feel caught between multiple cultural identities, struggling to reconcile their international experiences with their home environment. The psychological impact of repatriation can often include unexpected grief, a sense of loss, and difficulty communicating the depth o...

What do digital nomads have to consider when returning back home after enjoying thrilling adventures, exciting work projects and all that freedom? In this episode of Nomadic Diaries, host Doreen Cumberford welcomes Amy Suto, a seasoned traveler and writer, to share insights from her eight-month journey across South Korea, Japan, Taiwan, and Singapore, and discuss how her travels inspired her latest book "Nomad Detective." Amy provides tips on avoiding digital nomad burnout, planning ahead for ...

Can you imagine uprooting your life multiple times, weaving through diverse cultural landscapes, and then finding your way back to a semblance of "home"?. In this episode of Nomadic Diaries, host Doreen Cumberford read from Michael Pollock's poignant narrative, "Bridges and Anchors," which is a chapter from the book Arriving Well. As Michael recounts his dynamic journey from New York to Kenya, China, and back to the United States, he shares the intricate challenges and enriching experiences of ...

Can you magine stepping back into your homeland only to feel like a stranger in a once-familiar place? In this episode of Nomadic Diaries, hosts Doreen Cumberford & Linda Mueller together with author and repatriation expert Craig Storti, examine the intricate world of repatriation, unpacking the emotional, social, and cultural challenges that come with a returning home after long stints abroad. From the unexpected struggles of returning home to the emotional impact of farewells, Craig's insigh...

Have you ever wondered how to truly find closure when saying goodbye to a place you've called home? In this episode of Nomadic Diaries, the Re-Entry Series, titled Farewells, hosts Doreen Cumberford and Linda Mueller delve into the emotional intricacies of farewells and the impact they have on our repatriation journey. From personal anecdotes to expert tips on creating meaningful rituals, they explore how farewells can be empowering rather than distressing. Tune in to discover h...

Have you ever felt like you needed some choices and sources of inspiration amidst a repatriation journey? In this episode of Nomadic Diaries, the Re-Entry Series, host Doreen Cumberford and co-host Linda Mueller seek to provide ideas of where to find that lightbulb of inspiration that will propel you to take the very next ideal step. Linda shares her insights into the topic of music, including how your favorite pieces of music can inspire your journey of repatriation, together with reminders t...

What sort of hidden grief and identity struggles can plague Third Culture Kids and expats when 'going home' again?" In this episode of Nomadic Diaries, the Re-Entry Series, host Doreen Cumberford a looks into the emotional and psychological challenges faced by Third Culture Kids (TCKs) when returning to their passport countries. They interviewed the brilliant Dr. Rachel Cason, a leading TCK therapist and author of "Incredible Lives and the Courage to Live Them". Together, they explore...

What does it take to prepare oneself for repatriation? In this episode of Nomadic Diaries, the Re-Entry Series, Doreen Cumberford reads from the book she authored, Life in the Camel Lane: Embrace the Adventure. This story highlights the preparation for a repatriation that seemed imminent but happened many months later. Each person's re-entry experience is unique and unrepeatable. Life in the Camel Lane is a comprehensive book written about living in Saudi Arabia and the lessons ...

Can you imagine navigating the complexities of international healthcare while simultaneously repatriating? In this compelling episode of Nomadic Diaries, Linda Mueller interviews author Sarah Deschamps on the topic of a family's journey through medical challenges in Tokyo and an eventual repatriation to the U.S. Sarah describes the demanding journey of living in Japan, contending with her daughter's critical medical needs, and how her family found resilience amid profound medical obstacles. Sa...

In this episode of Nomadic Diaries, the Re-Entry Series, Linda Mueller reads from Arriving Well: Stories About Identity, Belonging, and Rediscovering Home After Living Abroad. Arriving Well is a compilation of five raw, compelling, autobiographical stories about re-entry. Each of the authors experienced the roller-coaster ride of re-entry to their passport country in totally different and yet totally valid ways after a differing number of years abroad. Linda is reading from the chapter called ...

Can you imagine repatriating in an emergency? Welcome to Nomadic Diaries, the Re-Entry Series where we explore the journey of repatriation back home. In our latest episode, Doreen Cumberford and Linda Mueller chat with Joel David Bond, a true explorer who's spent 20 years living on multiple continents. We plunged into the story of his abrupt return to the U.S. after 20 years abroad, Joel offered insights into managing anxiety, using technology for smooth transitions, and fostering a mindset of...

Have you ever felt overwhelmed by the planning and logistics of moving back home? In today's episode of the Re-Entry Series, Doreen Cumberford and Linda Mueller dive deep into the logistics of repatriation on Nomadic Diaries. They share invaluable tips on everything from efficient packing to handling crucial documentation and pet transport. One key to a satisfying repatriation lies in managing the logistics effectively. When the practical details are well-managed, you can focus on the ...

Do you ever feel like the invisible side of you needs some sources of inspiration during the potential chaos of repatriating back home? In this episode of Nomadic Diaries, host Doreen Cumberford and co-host Linda Mueller dive into the invisible aspects of repatriation. Linda shares her insights into a book called The Pivot Year, 365 Days to Become the Person You Truly Want to Be by Brianna Weist. Here at Nomadic Diaries we love to interview expat and cross-cultural authors, so continue to tune...