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 means ...
Jul 08, 2025•47 min
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 la...
Jun 10, 2025•41 min
Episode Summary: In this insightful episode of Nomadic Diaries, Doreen sits down with Autumn Carolyn—world traveler, writer, and author of Traveling in Wonder —to talk about the realities of moving abroad, the impact of travel on our senses, the power of reflection, and the process of returning home after years overseas. Autumn shares heartfelt stories from her time living in England and traveling to 30 countries before turning 30, as well as her experience with reverse culture shock and redisco...
Jun 05, 2025•36 min
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 wisdo...
May 20, 2025•35 min•Season 7Ep. 7
In this episode, we sat down again with Tanya Crossman, a leading expert on Third Culture Kids (TCKs) to catch up on recent research findings. Understanding Third Culture Kids Defining the TCK Journey: Tanya clarifies what makes a Third Culture Kid—children growing up outside their passport country without plans to settle permanently—and why their experience differs from immigrant children. Hidden Struggles, Global Strengths: How TCKs develop unique perspectives while navigating complex identity...
May 13, 2025•33 min•Season 7Ep. 5
In this episode of Nomadic Diaries, we sat down with Tanya Crossman, a leading expert on Third Culture Kids (TCKs) whose personal experiences and professional work have made her a trusted voice in the global mobility community. Tanya's Third Culture Journey Tanya Crossman's journey as a TCK began with moves between Australia and the United States during her childhood, following her father's career path. Her cross-cultural experiences deepened significantly when she later spent 13 years living an...
May 11, 2025•26 min•Season 7Ep. 5
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 Marilyn Gardner...
Apr 29, 2025•44 min•Season 7Ep. 4
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: Ki...
Apr 23, 2025•37 min•Season 7Ep. 3
In this episode of Nomadic Diaries, we welcome our returning guest, Koen Gomes, a global nomad and horse groom recorded live from San Miguel de Allende. Koen dives into his experiences as a nomadic traveler, flying horses across the globe, and the intricacies involved in this unique lifestyle. We explore Koen's travels over the past six months. Key Highlights: Koen shares details about attending the Olympic Games in Paris and experiencing Tokyo during autumn. We discussed the challenges of flyin...
Apr 15, 2025•31 min•Season 7Ep. 2
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 b...
Apr 08, 2025•1 hr•Season 7Ep. 1
Cathy really embodies all the experiences of life abroad. She was a brave spouse, mother, accompanying partner. Here is he Support the show Home is Where Your Story Crosses Borders! We aim to inspire expat solutions, by helping you navigate global living with Confidence.
Mar 18, 2025•35 min•Season 6Ep. 15
How a Nat Geo Producer Became a Storyteller Fiction of Imagination Welcome to the current episode of Nomadic Diaries, where journeys are more than just miles on a map—they're transformations of life and spirit. This week, we're diving into the adventurous life of Neil Laird, a former TV producer and now a novelist, whose career path has migrated from filming National Geographic documentaries to authoring comedic, fantastical novels about time travel. A Journey Begins: Beginning as a young man wi...
Mar 11, 2025•36 min•Season 6Ep. 14
Nomadic Diaries Episode: International Women's Day Special Host: Doreen Cumberford In this episode, we have combined the voices of six women who I interviewed over the last year. Each one is unique, works in international and intercultural situations, and has at least one golden nugget of wisdom to contribute to our lifestyles. Meet: Iliana Jankova : Moved from Hungary to the US with $200. Iliana's story embodies courage as she has navigated several countries and continents solo. https://www.nom...
Mar 08, 2025•25 min•Season 6Ep. 13
In this episode of Nomadic Diaries, host Doreen Cumberford sits down with cross-cultural communication expert Kathy Ellis to explore the intricate world of cultural adaptation and repatriation. From her humble beginnings in small-town Midwest America to living in six different countries and visiting over 40, Kathy shares her fascinating journey of becoming a global citizen and helping others bridge cultural divides. Throughout the conversation, Kathy delves into the complexities of developing a ...
Feb 11, 2025•37 min•Season 6Ep. 12
Join Doreen Cumberford, the host for a delightful conversation with Margaret Ghielmetti, author of "Brave(ish)," who reveals how living abroad transformed her life from the inside out. Margaret shares her refreshingly honest take on finding courage in unexpected places and building what she playfully calls "superpowers" through facing fears head-on. In this episode, you'll discover: Why being "brave-ish" (rather than perfectly brave) leads to authentic growth How living in different cultures spa...
Feb 11, 2025•33 min•Season 6Ep. 11
What happens when a 13-year-old in Malawi needs emergency medical evacuation, but their insurance has just expired? Andrew Jernigan shares the dramatic story and reveals how proper international insurance can be the difference between life and death. In this episode of Nomadic Diaries, Doreen sits down with Andrew Jernigan, CEO of Insured Nomads, to unravel the complexities of international insurance for global citizens. Andrew shares compelling narratives that shaped his mission, including the ...
Feb 08, 2025•38 min•Season 6Ep. 10
Imagine unlocking the power of your subconscious to achieve your dreams. In this episode of Nomadic Diaries, host Doreen Cumberford introduces us to the life-changing tool of vision boards, detailing how they can help expats and nomads achieve their goals through visualization and intentionality. Whether you are departing or arriving, an expat, nomad or repat vision boards can be a worthy tool. Enhanced Focus through Visual Tools : Vision boards aren't just pretty collages. They tap into our bra...
Jan 30, 2025•14 min•Season 6Ep. 9
In this episode host Doreen Cumberford interviews Iliana Genkova, who shares her remarkable journey from Bulgaria to building a life across multiple continents. Starting with just $200 in her pocket, Iliana moved to the United States in 1999, marking the beginning of her global adventures. Her story demonstrates how sometimes the best plans are a mix of preparation and embracing the unknown. After securing U.S. citizenship, Iliana's journey took her to the UK, where she learned valuable lessons ...
Jan 21, 2025•29 min•Season 6Ep. 8
In this week's soul-stirring episode of Nomadic Diaries, I sat down with the remarkable Elizabeth Pritchard to explore how living overseas builds unshakeable grit and resilience. Elizabeth shares how each international challenge she faced – from cultural misunderstandings to complete life rebuilds – became a building block for developing true mental toughness. Her insights on turning adversity into advantage had me completely rethinking what it means to grow through discomfort! We dove deep into...
Jan 14, 2025•37 min•Season 6Ep. 7
Join me on a fascinating journey through the life and insights of John McEntire, a global citizen whose experiences span over five decades and traverse the cultural landscapes of Japan, Taiwan, Qatar, and beyond. John holds a certification with Jack Canfield to teach the success principles and has visits to 40 countries under his belt. He has also developed a unique perspective on how cultural understanding and synchronization can transform organizations and communities. Through his time in Qata...
Jan 10, 2025•54 min•Season 6Ep. 6
Step into the world of global mobility as we explore the intricate tapestry of expatriate life and the art of navigating transitions in 2025. In this compelling episode, we delve into the multifaceted challenges and rich opportunities that come with living abroad, from embracing seasonal traditions in new cultures to managing the complex dynamics of international careers. Drawing inspiration from James Clear's wisdom that "habits are the compound interest of self-improvement," we explore how int...
Jan 07, 2025•22 min•Season 6Ep. 5
Today we are on vacation. But we wanted to share this most excellent story from Vishti Kanahele. Here are a few of the most importants points from this episode: 🧠 Mental Health Awareness : The importance of acknowledging and seeking help for mental health issues can't be overstated, especially for expats and digital nomads facing stress and uncertainty during frequent moves. Platforms like telehealth are game changers. 👨👩👧👦 Raising Global Citizens : Exposure to diverse cultures and exper...
Dec 24, 2024•35 min•Season 6Ep. 4
Welcome to our first scheduled and deliberate replay episode. The reason we choose this episode is because it was one of our favorite episodes from 2024. Join us for a touch of inspiration and a fun conversation with Steve Hoffman, a James Beard award winner for food writing whose life story spans continents and careers. We explored Steve's fascinating background as an author, tax preparer, and distinguished food writer and dove into his family's move to Languedoc, France. A Season for That: Los...
Dec 17, 2024•40 min•Season 6Ep. 3
Ever wondered how globe-trotting lifestyles are transforming in our post-pandemic world? In this captivating episode of "Nomadic Diaries," guest Sylvia Thiesen interviews host Doreen Cumberford, to find out why Nomadic Diaries exists. The Importance of Belonging and Connection One of the central themes of the podcast is the importance of connection and belonging. In today's digital age, this issue is even more pressing, especially for older generations who may face loneliness after returning fro...
Dec 10, 2024•49 min•Season 6Ep. 2
Hosts: Doreen and Sharon Fields Special Guest: Rebecca Eichler Episode Summary: Welcome to another compelling episode of Nomadic Diaries ! In this episode, hosts Doreen and Sharon Fields are joined by the remarkable Rebecca Eichler, an international human rights advocate and the star of the acclaimed documentary Las Abogadas: Attorneys on the Front Lines of the Migrant Crisis . Key Takeaways: Rebecca’s Journey to Mexico: Rebecca shares her and her family’s transformative journey from the United ...
Dec 03, 2024•22 min•Season 6Ep. 1
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 the heart o...
Nov 30, 2024•24 min•Season 5Ep. 30
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, their convers...
Nov 29, 2024•34 min•Season 5Ep. 29
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 the...
Nov 28, 2024•12 min•Season 5Ep. 28
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, compelling,...
Nov 27, 2024•20 min•Season 5Ep. 27
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. Jo...
Nov 26, 2024•49 min•Season 6Ep. 26
