Nomadic Diaries: Mastering Global Transitions

Nomadic Diaries: Mastering Global Transitions

Where Global Living Transforms Lives Imagine a life where every border crossed becomes a doorway to personal transformation! Welcome to Nomadic Diaries, the podcast that turns international adventures into extraordinary personal journeys. We're not just telling travel stories. We're uncovering the raw, unfiltered experiences of expats and global nomads who have transformed uncertainty into opportunity. Each episode dives deep into the hearts and minds of extraordinary individuals who've turned geographical transitions into powerful paths of self-discovery. Are you an expat feeling lost between worlds? A digital nomad seeking more than just scenic backdrops? This podcast is your compass. We explore the real-life challenges and insights of international living, sharing genuine stories, practical strategies, and life-changing wisdom from those who've navigated the complex terrain of global mobility. Nomadic Diaries is more than just a podcast – it's a platform for connection, understanding, and personal growth. We believe that living abroad isn't about collecting stamps in a passport, but about expanding the boundaries of who you can become. Join us as we explore how stepping outside your comfort zone can be the most profound journey of personal growth you'll ever undertake. Your global adventure starts here – where every mile traveled is a mile of transformation.

Episodes

September 17, 2025 51 mins

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 ...

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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:<...
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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 S...

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Doreen Cumberford welcomes Patrick Kadian - an expat, hypnotherapist, and expert on mental health for global nomads. With over 30 years of expat experience spanning 16 countries, Patrick offers a unique perspective on raising third culture kids (TCKs), navigating transitions, and caring for the mental wellbeing of globally mobile families. The focus is on understanding the TCK experience, the challenges these children face, and pra...

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August 21, 2025 41 mins

In this insightful episode of Nomadic Diaries, host Doreen Cumberford sits down with Lucyna Bolin, a seasoned expat coach, marathon runner, and mother of two, to discuss the realities behind the polished exterior of expatriate life. Lucy discusses how success abroad doesn't always equal happiness. This is the paradox of the high-achieving expat. 

Key Topics & Highlights:

  • Lucy’s Expat Journey:
    Lucy recounts how a one-...
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August 13, 2025 37 mins

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, M...

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August 5, 2025 26 mins

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....

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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...

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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, Switz...

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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, a...

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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 relat...

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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...
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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-cul...

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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 journ...

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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:

  1. Background & Cross-Cultural Upbringing:
    • Kirtika grew up with a unique blend of Indian and Nepali cultures, which provided her with a rich cultural perspect...
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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 an...
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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 impo...

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March 18, 2025 35 mins

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.

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March 11, 2025 35 mins


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, fant...

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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 a...
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