Society & Culture Episodes

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...

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 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...

Some time ago I recorded this episode of Nomadic Diaries with Todd Nims, an Aramco Brat whose parents we had known in Saudi Arabia. Episode Highlights In this captivating conversation, we explore the fascinating journey of filmmaker and cultural bridge-builder Todd Nimms, whose unique upbringing between Saudi Arabia and America shaped his perspective on identity, belonging, and cross-cultural understanding. Todd's Intercultural Roots Todd Nimms was born in Saudi Arabia to an American family, a...

Key Topics Discussed Tracy’s Expat Journey: Tracy shares her path from Aberdeen, Scotland to Mexico, with stops in Houston and Cancun, and explains how her kids have thrived in a multilingual, multicultural environment.San Miguel de Allende for Families: It is definitely shifting from a retiree-focused town to an increasingly family-friendly destination, with multi-generational families taking root.Safety and Community: Both guests address common concerns about safety in Mexico, providing per...

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...

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...

In this episode, Doreen Cumberford welcomes welcomes Mathieu Gagnon, an Adult Third Culture Kid (ATCK) and Professor of Psychology at the Royal Military College in Kingston, Ontario specializing in the emotional experiences of third culture kids (TCKs), expats, and people in global transitions. Mathieu's international upbringing as the son of a Canadian diplomat took him from Paris to Morocco, the Ivory Coast, Haiti, Switzerland, and back to Canada. Together, they dive deep into the emotional l...

In this engaging episode of "Nomadic Diaries," host Doreen Cumberford sits down with Marilyn Gardner—a seasoned author and expat who has spent her life living across multiple countries. They dive into the essence of rituals and faith and how these elements intertwine with the nomadic lifestyle. Marilyn shares vivid memories from her childhood in Pakistan and discusses how these early experiences shaped her spiritual journey and everyday rituals. Key Topics Covered Introduction to Marily...

In this episode of Nomadic Diaries, Doreen interviews Kirtika van Hunen-Malla who shares her experiences of living across cultures and how Eastern philosophies have shaped her understanding of international living. Here are some key highlights from their conversation: Background & Cross-Cultural Upbringing:Kirtika grew up with a unique blend of Indian and Nepali cultures, which provided her with a rich cultural perspective even before moving to the West. Eastern Philosophical Influence:Kirtika...

In this episode, host Doreen Cumberford chats with Dr. Sally McGregor, a licensed clinical psychologist and adult third culture kid, about the mental health challenges faced by expatriates and globally mobile individuals. Dr. McGregor is the founder of Wanderwell Psychology, focusing on the well-being of expatriates, third culture kids, global nomads, and more. They discuss the unique psychological pressures of expat life, the importance of finding the right psychotherapist, and the difference ...

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...

In this episode, we sit down with cultural anthropologist James Richardson to explore how his experiences living in diverse cultures - especially India - have profoundly shaped his perspectives on relationships and commitment in America. James shares thought-provoking insights gleaned from his anthropological work and personal journey, painting a vivid contrast between the supportive, interconnected community dynamics he observed in India versus the more isolated, "non-committal" culture preval...

Meet Amy Suto an Author, Writer and Digital Nomad. Creativity and Flow....... As a writer, author and nomad Amy has learned a lot about well-being, balance and pace of life. She has been on the road for four years now and feels like the digital nomadic lifestyle contributes momentum to her success. Amy has used the elements of geography to create her first novel called The Nomad Detective which was inspired by her travels and true crime stories. For Amy, helping others by tell...

Meet Chris Cerra, the genius and founder of Remote Base and Digital Nomad Trip Reports! I was introduced to Chris by a friend, who operates one of the most functional and powerful expat/nomad insurance companies and we discovered a common love for the far-ranging subjects of nomadism. Chris shared his wide-ranging but very sensible and down to earth approach to nomading, here are a few takeaways. Understanding Your 'Why' Knowing your motivation for embracing a nomadic lifestyle will help fuel...

In a world where globalization has transformed the way we live, work, and raise families, the host of the Nomadic Diaries podcast dive into the complex, yet rewarding, experiences of modern-day global nomads. Join us as we unpack the realities and strategies for thriving in the face of constant change and cultural duality. Shownotes: In this episode, we sit down with Mariam Ottimifiore, author of "This Messy Mobile Life," to delve into the intricate experiences of expats, international families...

"A Season for Adventure: Steve Hoffman Show Notes: Join us for an inspiring and fun conversation with Steve Hoffman, a James Beard award winner for food writing whose life story spans continents and careers. In this episode, we explore Steve's fascinating background as an author, tax preparer, and distinguished food writer. We delve into the Hoffman family's serendipitous move to Languedoc, France, which evolved from a planned semester-long stay into an extended adventure. Steve ...

Leadership Lessons from the Road: with Zoe Routh This episode is full of nuggets that can support you in unlocking new possibilities for you and your organization! Looking for a globally minded leader and consultant with a multicultural upbringing and cross-cultured perspective on what it takes to thrive in today's borderless business landscape? Zoe Routh fits the bill! Outward Bound Philosophy Zoe takes us back to her transformative experiences with Outward Bound, revealing how fa...

In this episode of "Nomadic Diaries," host Doreen Cumberford welcomes Marie DeCosse, the founder and CEO of Nomad Travel Groups. Together, they delve into the creation and philosophy behind the Nomad Home Exchange platform. Takeaways: Marie shares her upbringing as a third culture kid, moving between the US and developing countries, shaping her passion for global travel and cultural exchange. Nomad Travel Groups is the result of her global heartedness!Introduction to Nomad Travel Groups Provi...

🎙️ Dive into the Latest Episode of Nomadic Diaries with Sylvia Thiesen! 🌎 In our latest podcast episode we were honored to host the incredible Sylvia Thiesen. Sylvia, is a seasoned coach, therapist, and multi-cultured traveler. 🔑 Key Takeaways Embracing the Small Steps Prepares us for Big Leaps Be bold. Start with manageable challenges like dining alone without distractions. It’s all about building confidence one step at a time. Infinite Opportunities Inside Travel Harnessing the power ...

In this episode host, Doreen Cumberford interviewed Kerstin Cable on the subject of languages and how to learn them effectively. 🚀 The surprising truth about Duolingo and how technology is revolutionizing language learning Discover why Duolingo is just the tip of the iceberg in the world of digital language learning tools. 🧠 The bilingual brain: How polyglots process the world differently Uncover the fascinating cognitive benefits of speaking multiple languages and how it shapes your worldview...

Maximizing Energy and Finding Joy in Everyday Life In this inspiring episode of "Nomadic Diaries," host Doreen Cumberford sits down with Judy Matejczyk, a certified Life Mastery Coach and visionary mentor. Together, they explore the realms of personal growth, overcoming life's hurdles, and the transformative power of visioning. Unlocking Your Inner Potential Judy introduces a novel approach to maintaining positive energy: keeping reminders of your greatest achievements alongside your d...

When the Unexpected Strikes: Sarah's Resilient Journey as an Expat Mom In this deeply moving episode, host Doreen Cumberford sits down with Sarah Deschamps, a remarkable woman who faced one of the most daunting challenges an expat parent can encounter – navigating a critical medical situation for her child in a foreign country. Prepare to be inspired by Sarah's resilience, vulnerability, and the profound lessons she learned along the way. A Mother's Commitment Sarah shares the gripping sto...

In this episode of "Nomadic Diaries," Doreen Cumberford welcomes humorist and motivational speaker Conor Cunneen. Originally from Ireland and currently based in Chicago, Conor, also known as "Irishman Speaks," shares his unique insights and experiences on the use of humor in cross-cultural communication, navigating life as a migrant, and the dynamics of humor in business and presentations. Filled with laughter, thought-provoking discussions, and personal anecdotes, this episode ...