Episodes

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 about taste, but deeply tied to our sense of home, community, and personal story. Key Topics Covered: Personal Food Memories: Megan shares her love for afternoon tea—a ritual that grounds her and transcends borders. Doreen reminisces about the comfort of...

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...

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. https://www.nomadicdiariespodcast.com/ https://www.amazon.com/Life-Camel-Lane-Embrace-Adventure/dp/0578607352 Support the show Nomadic Diaries explores expat life, repatriation, belonging and global living. This episode may be part of our Re-Entry Series (30 episodes on comi...

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 geographical journey, from Japan to the US, England, and back again, before settling in New York City and embracing her multi-layered identity. Key Topics & Highlights Belonging to New York City Hiroko reflects on finding home not in a physical location,...

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 creativity after making San Miguel her home for the past 25 years. Key Discussion Highlights: Camie’s San Miguel Story: Camie reflects on her ties to the city, first forged through her uncle’s post-war art studies and deepened through familial connections and h...

In this heartfelt conversation on Nomadic Diaries: The Belonging Project, host Doreen Cumberford and co-host Megan Norton-Newbanks, interview Melki Siddiq, a communication coach, English teacher, counselor, and avid traveler. Melki reflects on his cross-cultural journey spanning India and Colombia, delving into the paradoxes of belonging, identity, and self. The conversation explores how constant movement can fragment - and also enrich - our sense of self, what it means to find home, and the no...

Support the show Nomadic Diaries explores expat life, repatriation, belonging and global living. This episode may be part of our Re-Entry Series (30 episodes on coming home) or The Belonging Project (29 episodes on belonging across cultures). Browse the full catalog at nomadicdiariespodcast.com and please share or leave a review if this episode resonated.

This special installment of the Nomadic Diaries podcast dives deep into the subject of belonging as it relates to nomads, expatriates, third culture kids (TCKs), and cross-cultural kids (CCKs). Host Doreen Cumberford and co-host Megan Norton-Newbanks are joined by Author and Coach, Carolyn Grant to discuss the emotional geography of transitions, the process of resettling, and the personal and community-wide strategies for fostering a true sense of belonging. Key Topics Discussed: Transitions v...

In this insightful episode of Nomadic Diaries, hosts Doreen Cumberford and Megan Norton-Newbanks delve into the mental health challenges and evolution of belonging on the expat journey with special guest Patrick Kadian, The Expat Hypnotherapis. Drawing from decades of global living, as well as expertise in multiple mental health modalities, Patrick Kadian explores how moving across continents continuously reshapes our understanding of identity, belonging, and well-being. Key Topics Covered Patr...

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...

In this thought-provoking episode of Nomadic Diaries, Doreen Cumberford and Megan Norton-Newbanks interview Beatriz Nour and dive deep into the complex and evolving concept of belonging—especially through the lens of those who live and move between cultures and places. From childhood roots to adult introspection, the conversation explores how connection and identity can be built, lost, found, and continuously redefined. Key Topics & Insights Redefining Belonging: Beatrice discusses how her sen...

In this insightful episode of the Nomadic Diaries' Belonging Project miniseries, Doreen and Megan welcome Andrea Schmidt, a trilingual global teen life coach specializing in supporting third culture kids (TCKs), especially teenage girls. The conversation delves into the complex processes of identity formation and belonging for TCKs, challenges of boarding school experiences, and the importance of supportive frameworks for globally mobile families. Key Topics Discussed Andrea’s Background: Cer...

In this insightful second episode with Lois Bushong, the hosts dive deep into the concept of belonging for Third Culture Kids (TCKs), adult TCKs, and globally mobile families. Lois Bushong shares her expertise as a licensed marriage and family therapist, unpacking generational differences and the pivotal role of shared cultural memory of family and community. Key Topics & Insights Shared Cultural Memory & Belonging: Lois Bushong discusses how family rituals and cultural touchstones - such as h...

In this episode, Lois Bushong joins Megan Norton-Newbanks and Doreen Cumberford - Host of Nomadic Diaries for a thoughtful discussion on belonging among Third Culture Kids (TCKs), globally mobile families, and expats. The conversation covers generational differences, the power of cultural memory and rituals, strategies for fostering belonging across generations, and personal reflections on identity. Main Topics Covered Shared Cultural Memory & Rituals: Lois Bushong explains how rituals—like ce...

In this episode of Nomadic Diaries, hosts Doreen Cumberford, Megan Norton-Newbanks welcome Lois Bushong, Author, Retired Counselor and Coaching expert on Third Culture Kids (TCKs). This conversation dives deep into the ever-evolving concepts of home and belonging, exploring generational differences, digital community building, and the psychological needs that underpin our sense of “place.” Key Discussion Points 1. Home vs. Belonging Lois distinguishes between "home" (a physical space) and "bel...

In the inaugural episode of Nomadic Diaries, hosts Doreen Cumberford and Megan Norton-Newbanks dive deep into the concept of “belonging” within the context of global mobility, international relocations, and the personal effects of constantly moving across borders. They explore: The connection between cycles of relocation, relational loss, and a sense of belonging. The ways globally mobile people, such as Third Culture Kids (TCKs) and expats, interpret, navigate, and sometimes “gatekeep” their...

Welcome to the introductory episode of Nomadic Diaries, The Belonging Project hosted by Doreen Cumberford. Doreen reflects on two years of conversations with guests e.g. cross-cultural trainers, writers, therapists, and ordinary people who have lived abroad and returned or moved elsewhere. No matter the topic, discussions lead back to one fundamental question: Where do I belong? Key Topics & Themes The Belonging Project: Doreen launches a series exploring belonging, inspired by recurring 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...

Episode Overview In this insightful episode of Nomadic Diaries, host Doreen Cumberford re-interviews Angie Weinberger, a renowned expert in global mobility and repatriation. Angie shares her deep knowledge about the complex journey of returning “home” after years abroad, unraveling common myths and real-life challenges that expats and global nomads often face. Key Topics Discussed Reverse Culture Shock: Angie explains why returning to your home country can sometimes be more challenging than m...

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...

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...