Nomadic Diaries: Mastering Global Transitions

In this episode of Nomadic Diaries, Doreen interviews Kirtika............ 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 discusses how the Eastern approach to life, focusing on acceptance and adaptability, has helped her navigate different cultural environments with less conflict.Intercultural Marriage:She shares insights from her intercultural marriage with her Dutch husband, emphasizing the importance of understanding different communication rhythms and pacing.Culture and Self-Awareness:A significant part of the discussion revolves around the idea that understanding culture starts with self-awareness and knowing one's core identity.Code Switching:Kirtika explains the concept of code switching and how it can be a valuable tool for adapting between cultures without losing one's identity.Professional Cross-Cultural Misconceptions:They talk about common misunderstandings in cross-cultural communication and the importance of providing newcomers with an understanding of local cultural norms.Wisdom from Eastern Philosophies:Kirtika stresses the importance of self-awareness and the art of responding rather than reacting, which she believes is rooted in Eastern philosophies.World Citizenship:Kirtika shares her perception of being a world citizen and how it involves feeling at home anywhere and embracing a global heartedness.Lightning Round:Fun quickfire questions reveal Kirtika's desire to learn Italian and her love for the idea of feeling at home wherever her heart resides.When Cultures Meet:Kirtika introduces her book, "When Cultures Meet," which compiles years of research and anecdotes to help people navigate cultural differences in professional settings.The episode concludes with a key takeaway from Kirtika: "Know thyself and stand strong in your personal identity to effectively engage in intercultural interactions."Thanks for lending us your ears!https://www.nomadicdiariespodcast.com/https://www.amazon.com/Life-Camel-Lane-Embrace-Adventure/dp/0578607352www.doreenmcumberford.comPlease support the show:Support the showHome is Where Your Story Crosses Borders!We aim to inspire expat solutions, by helping you navigate global living with Confidence.

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 flying horses, including managing their eating and care during long flights.Insights into how different cultures handle the reception of horses and how this reflects national characteristics, were fascinating.Koen shared his travel statistics from 2024, including flights, distance traveled, and time spent in the air.He offered practical tips on using travel apps like Flighty and techniques for maintaining community connections globally while traveling.Finally, a couple of pieces of best practices for aspiring nomads on being flexible and building meaningful connections in their travels.Travel Apps Mentioned:Flighty: A detailed app for flight tracking and managing layovers.Been: Tracks countries visited and include travel inspiration.Other apps for booking and travel management: Skyscanner, booking.com, and Google Flights.Quotes and Takeaways:"Traveling is not a race. Go to places that give you a good feeling and comfort."Koen emphasizes the importance of being a "chameleon," observing and adapting to your surroundings.Where to Find Koen:Instagram: Follow Koen at @kungamass for updates on his travel adventures.Closing Quote:"Don't compare your life to others. There's no comparison between the sun and the moon. They shine when it's their time."We are a small but mighty independent podcast and we invite you to leave a review, like, or share the podcast wherever you listen. Thanks for lending us your ears!https://www.nomadicdiariespodcast.com/https://www.amazon.com/Life-Camel-Lane-Embrace-Adventure/dp/0578607352www.doreenmcumberford.comPlease support the show:Support the showHome is Where Your Story Crosses Borders!We aim to inspire expat solutions, by helping you navigate global living with Confidence.

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 between therapy and coaching. They also explore how cultural identity affects mental health and the significance of maintaining meaningful relationships.The conversation highlights the stigma around psychotherapy and how cultural norms influence mental health perceptions;This episode encourages expats to find support and maintain balance in their personal and professional lives;We remind listeners that choices are available and can have a significant impact on our relocation experiences.Key Topics:Reasons expats might seek psychotherapy and the unique challenges they faceCultural adjustment and its impact on mental healthThe importance of belonging and identity in the expat experienceCoping strategies for trailing spousesThe evolution of therapy for globally mobile individualsHow to find and choose the right therapistDifferences between therapy and coachingResources Mentioned:Wanderwell Psychology (Dr. Sally McGregor's practice)Email: wanderwellpsychology@gmail.comWebsite: www.wanderwellpsychology.comLinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/dr-sally-mcgregor-3ba96887/Truman GroupInternational Therapists DirectoryLocation Independent TherapistsAdditional Notes:The conversation highlights the stigma around psychotherapy and how cultural norms influence mental health perceptions.The episode encourages expats to find support and maintain balance in their personal and professional lives.We remind listeners of the significant impact choice has on the psychological experience of relocating.We are a small but mighty independent podcast and we invite you to leave a review, like, or share the podcast wherever you listen. Thanks for lending us your ears!https://www.nomadicdiariespodcast.com/https://www.amazon.com/Life-Camel-Lane-Embrace-Adventure/dp/0578607352www.doreenmcumberford.comSupport the showHome is Where Your Story Crosses Borders!We aim to inspire expat solutions, by helping you navigate global living with Confidence.

Cathy really embodies all the experiences of life abroad.  She was a brave spouse, mother, accompanying partner. Here is heSupport the showHome is Where Your Story Crosses Borders!We aim to inspire expat solutions, by helping you navigate global living with Confidence.

How a Nat Geo Producer Became a Storyteller Fiction of ImaginationWelcome 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 with dreams of the big screen, Neil took the leap into documentary filmmaking. Throughout his 25-year career, he experienced the world with networks like National Geographic, PBS, Discovery, and BBC, producing and producing documentaries marked by history, archaeology, and adventure.A World of the Written Word:In recent years, Neil has transitioned to novel writing, taking the deep well of experiences from his travels and directing them into narratives that fuse history with imagination. His first novel, "Primetime Travelers," is a comedic, whimsical adventure about a TV crew using time travel for their episodes, channelling both his TV background and penchant for historical curiosity, all wrapped in a fantastical narrative.Writing Without Borders:Neil’s current endeavor as a novelist is a testament to his lifelong commitment to storytelling and traveling into thrilling extra dimensions. Whether it’s spending time by the Egyptian pyramids or a villa near Pompeii, his process involves immersive research and local inspiration, proving how travel continues to fuel his creative passions.Final Takeaway:Neil Laird offers insights and encouragement for those with a passion for exploration and storytelling. Embrace the unpredictability of the journey, and let every adventure inspire you—because you never know where that next step might lead.https://www.amazon.com/Neil-Laird-ebook/dp/B0CYHJZP5L?ref_=ast_author_dphttps://www.linkedin.com/in/neillaird/Living abroad should be more than just collecting passport stamps–it's about becoming the best version of yourself.We are a small independent podcast. Your views, reviews and comments are greatly appreciated. Please like, review, follow and subscribe wherever you get your podcasts. https://www.nomadicdiariespodcast.com/reviews/new/Support the showHome is Where Your Story Crosses Borders!We aim to inspire expat solutions, by helping you navigate global living with Confidence.

Nomadic Diaries Episode: International Women's Day SpecialHost: Doreen CumberfordIn 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.nomadicdiariespodcast.com/moving-abroad-with-200-ilianas-brave-leap/Melissa Hahn:  Is a professor in intercultural training and the author of "Forging Bonds Abroad."  She shares an example of positive relationship building and the case of a Japanese team in the US.https://www.nomadicdiariespodcast.com/forging-bonds-across-borders-and-cultures-saucemelissa-hahn/Mariam Ottimifiore: Author of "This Messy Mobile Life," and "Guilty Lives in  Portugal," discusses the value of living, communicating and acknowledging how messy our mobile lives can be.  https://www.nomadicdiariespodcast.com/write-your-own-international-story-mariam-ottimiofiore/Helen Ellis: Is an author and researcher from New Zealand, writes on the possibilities available to distant families living separate from their loved ones and gives recommendations for moving from coping to thriving.https://www.nomadicdiariespodcast.com/grandparents-distance-doesnt-mean-disconnect/Elizabeth Pritchard:  Is the author of "Pray, Don't Panic," and emphasizes living consciously and the personal transformations associated with a mobile lifestyle.https://www.nomadicdiariespodcast.com/growing-grit-abroad-how-global-living-builds-unshakeable-resilience/Marie Suazo: Represents a new generation's fluid understanding of home, emphasizing connections over locations and the evolving concept of home as defined by connections rather than fixed locations. (To Be Published)Polly Collingridge: Specializes in Cultural Intelligence, and offers insights on the emotional complexities of repatriation and adjusting back to one's native country.https://www.nomadicdiariespodcast.com/a-look-at-cultural-intelligence-polly-collingridge/https://www.nomadicdiariespodcast.com/re-entry-series-26-repatriation-realities/The shows these women have appeared in focussed on the following:Resilience/Courage/Personal Growth/Complexity of International Transitions/Acknowledgement of the messy potential/One major theme that runs through these women's lives is that they have traveled widely on journeys that have redefined who they are at depth. Living abroad should be more than just collecting passport stamps–it's about becoming the best version of yourself.We are a small independent podcast. Your views, reviews and comments arSupport the showHome is Where Your Story Crosses Borders!We aim to inspire expat solutions, by helping you navigate global living with Confidence.

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 cross-cultural mindset, emphasizing that true cultural understanding goes far deeper than simply recognizing surface-level differences. She discusses the emotional challenges of cultural adaptation, particularly focusing on the often-overlooked struggles of repatriation, which she describes as "painful" based on her own experience returning to the US after seven years in Brazil. The discussion touches on important topics like building friendships across cultures, managing professional relationships in new environments, and the transformation that occurs when living abroad.Want to learn more about navigating cultural transitions or working with Kathy Ellis? Connect with her on LinkedIn or visit her website at InterculturalEnglishServices.com. For more insightful conversations about global living and cross-cultural experiences, don't forget to subscribe to Nomadic Diaries wherever you get your podcasts.We are a small independent podcast! If you have benefitted from Nomadic Diaries we would love to hear from you. We appreciate your support through any reviews, comments or by sharing the contents.Thanks for lending us your ears!https://www.nomadicdiariespodcast.com/https://www.amazon.com/Life-Camel-Lane-Embrace-Adventure/dp/0578607352www.doreenmcumberford.comhttps://www.nomadicdiariespodcast.com/contact/Support the showHome is Where Your Story Crosses Borders!We aim to inspire expat solutions, by helping you navigate global living with Confidence.

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 growthHow living in different cultures sparked Margaret's deepest personal changesPractical, courage-building techniques anyone can use, regardless of geographyThe surprising connection between vulnerability and strengthMargaret's storytelling weaves humor with profound insights, making big life principles feel accessible and actionable. Whether you're contemplating a major life change or simply looking to build more everyday courage, this conversation offers both inspiration and practical wisdom.We hope that this episode encourages you to lean into your own intuition and courage in the face of the challenges we face overseas.Find Margaret at the following links:https://margaretghielmetti.comhttps://www.linkedin.com/in/margaretghielmetti/https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=100010048260985Related episode:We interviewed Margaret for our Re-Entry Series on her perspecive on moving home from abroad.https://www.nomadicdiariespodcast.com/re-series-29-understanding-repatriation-margaret-ghielmetti/Please rate and review Nomadic Diaries here:https://www.nomadicdiariespodcast.com/reviews/new/https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/nomadic-diaries/id1706683966To follow, subscribe and stay updated on new episodes, please follow us here:https://www.nomadicdiariespodcast.com/contact/Support the showHome is Where Your Story Crosses Borders!We aim to inspire expat solutions, by helping you navigate global living with Confidence.

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 tragic story of a family in Malawi who lost their father to malaria due to lack of insurance, and a young digital nomad whose routine headache check-up in Thailand led to the discovery of a life-threatening brain tumor. These experiences highlight the critical importance of comprehensive international coverage and the often-overlooked benefits, such as having family members flown to your bedside during medical emergencies.This discussion delves into the evolution of insurance products tailored for various types of international travelers and residents. From catastrophic coverage with high deductibles to regional plans that exclude expensive countries, Andrew explains how Insured Nomads has created flexible solutions that include unexpected perks like airport lounge access, cybersecurity protection, and mental health support. He emphasizes the importance of being prepared with proper documentation and maintaining patience during claims processes. This is the nuts and bolts of life lived abroad. Pay attention to insurance, visas and bureaucracy - all of it is important!Contact Andrew at:  https://insurednomads.com https://www.nomadicdiariespodcast.com/https://www.amazon.com/Life-Camel-Lane-Embrace-Adventure/dp/0578607352www.doreenmcumberford.comhttps://www.nomadicdiariespodcast.com/contact/Support the showHome is Where Your Story Crosses Borders!We aim to inspire expat solutions, by helping you navigate global living with Confidence.

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 brain's natural wiring, acting as a GPS for our dreams by leveraging the Reticulating Activating System (RAS). The more we see our goals, the more our brain spots opportunities to achieve them.Emotional and Logical Goal Setting: Combining emotional connection with logical goal-setting transforms vision boarding from a simple task into a sophisticated self-programming technique. When we see and feel our goals, it strengthens our commitment and engagement, accelerating success.Intentional Practice for Transformation: Creating a vision board isn't just about setting goals; it's an intentional act that tells our subconscious mind what to focus on. This practice fosters transformation, turning our dreams into reality by making them a daily, visual part of our environment.Dive into the episode to explore the full discussion and see how vision boards can supercharge your life abroad and then upon returning home again.#NomadicDiaries #VisionBoarding #ExpatLife #GoalSetting #Transformation #PodcastHighlightsWe are a small independent podcast, if you have benefitted from Nomadic Diaries we would love to hear from you. We appreciate your support through any reviews, comments or by sharing the contents of Nomadic Diaries.Thanks for lending us your ears!https://www.nomadicdiariespodcast.com/https://www.amazon.com/Life-Camel-Lane-Embrace-Adventure/dp/0578607352www.doreenmcumberford.comhttps://www.nomadicdiariespodcast.com/contact/Support the showHome is Where Your Story Crosses Borders!We aim to inspire expat solutions, by helping you navigate global living with Confidence.