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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 presence—encompasses bodily signals, wisdom, five senses, and cultural body norms.
  • Importance of asking: “What have my cultures told me about my body?” and recognizing how societal norms affect our sense of self.
• Belonging and the Body
  • The sensory cues that signal belonging or otherness, from environmental context to body types reflected around us.
  • Somatic experiences of cultural fit and difference, such as feeling physically at ease or vigilant in certain environments.
• Embodied Code Switching & The SIA Loop
  • SIA Loop: Sensation → Interpretation → Action. A tool for attuning to both internal body messages and cross-cultural cues, slowing down reactions, and choosing responses intentionally.
  • The cross-cultural transition is often first detected in the body, not the mind.
  • Examples include changing posture, tone, or movement in response to different cultural expectations (e.g., "shrinking" or shifting vocal inflection in Tokyo).
• The Power of Mirroring and Interpersonal Synchrony
  • Mirroring (matching movement, posture, or inflection) naturally helps connect with others and foster belonging - as long as it's authentic, not imitation.
  • Shared rhythms (like dance, group chants, celebrations) create community and signal inclusion even without shared language.
• Memory, Longing, and Grief in the Globally Mobile Life
  • Bodily memories connect us to places and cultures left behind—there’s always a sense of longing (“saudade”) for experiences that cannot fully accompany us home.
  • Creating rituals or writing can help honor these connections and process grief.
• Advice for Global Nomads and Culturally Fluid Individuals
  • You have permission to own your unique, multifaceted identity.
  • Being able to cross cultures with awareness is a superpower—it enhances empathy, flexibility, and compassion.
  • Allow yourself time to know both your hosts and yourself; notice, listen, and include your body in this ongoing conversation.
• “Home is in my body now, because this is what’s taken me to all those places. And I still have me.”
• “There’s always a part of you that can’t come with you to the next place, but your body has a memory of those places, and because of that, it stays connected.”
• “Folks that move in between cultures and with different cultures, with conscious awareness... it’s a superpower. And I don’t say that lightly.”

Resources

• Book: Movement and Identity: Multiculturalism, Somatic Awarene

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You can map the move. You cannot map the metamorphosis. Nomadic Diaries explores the interior journey of expat life — the belonging, the identity shifts, the repatriation, and everything that travels with you that can't be packed in a suitcase. 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.

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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 the unique challenges and joys of building community in internationally transient environments and distills wisdom from her own life, including her experiences as an author and her love for art and long-distance swimming.

Together, they explore the importance of belonging—not just to a place, but to oneself and to humanity as a whole. The conversation covers everything from the meaning behind painting walls blue, to modeling connection for children, grieving friendships in expat circles, and drawing life lessons from World War II history.

Key Topics Covered

• Erin’s journey: From Texas to Belgium and finding both love and a sense of home
• Raising multicultural, multilingual children and navigating family identity
• The practice and philosophy of belonging in global, transient communities
• How Erin’s book, D Day Lessons for Today: How to Create Your Future History, draws life lessons from history for facing personal challenges
• The importance of intuition, self-knowledge, and “belonging to oneself”
• Initiatives like open water swimming across continents and art as transformative practice
• The resilience, adaptability, and richness found in the expat experience
• Cultivating curiosity, empathy, and connection across cultures
• How artifacts, traditions, and physical spaces (like blue-painted rooms and rugs) can foster a sense of home

Memorable Quotes

• “Brussels is my heartbeat and Normandy is my soul sigh.” – Erin Meyer Charnu
• “Belonging means belonging to yourself first—when I feel least like I belong, that’s when I’m not paying enough attention to myself.” – Erin Meyer Charnu
• “You can pick and choose the best of the different worlds that you live in.” – Erin Meyer Charnu
• “We all belong to the human race—and that diversity of expression is what makes the world so rich and colorful and wonderful.” – Erin Meyer Charnu
• “When you connect with someone, you realize you’re both human and have similar desires, even if they’re expressed differently.” – Erin Meyer Charnu

Further Resources

• Erin’s Book: D Day Lessons for Today: How to Create Your Future History
• Education First (EF) D-Day Anniversary Commemorative Exhibit
• The Belonging Project (hosted by Megan Norton)

Connect With Erin

• Erin Meyer-Cherneux: Author, artist, coach, and cultural anthropologist based in Brussels and Normandy

Thank you for listening to Nomadic Diaries!
If this episode resonated with you, don’t forget to subscribe and share your favorite moments on social media. For more stories and resources on

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You can map the move. You cannot map the metamorphosis. Nomadic Diaries explores the interior journey of expat life — the belonging, the identity shifts, the repatriation, and everything that travels with you that can't be packed in a suitcase. 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.

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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

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You can map the move. You cannot map the metamorphosis. Nomadic Diaries explores the interior journey of expat life — the belonging, the identity shifts, the repatriation, and everything that travels with you that can't be packed in a suitcase. 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.

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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, but among family and community—a concept captured in her song “I Am Me.”
• Japanese TCKs and 'Kikokushijo'
• Unique Japanese term ‘Kikokushijo’ and its evolution: from describing children struggling to reintegrate after living abroad, to being viewed as global assets.
• Educational and emotional challenges for returnees, especially regarding language tracks and stereotypes.
• Importance of translating TCK resources and raising awareness in Japan.
• The Role of Language and Identity
• The complex relationship between language proficiency and cultural belonging, illustrated by personal anecdotes and the nuances of bilingual/mixed families.
• Empowerment & Mission
• Hiroko’s commitment to affirming TCK strengths, advocating for visibility and belonging, and empowering future generations through language and awareness.
• Song Highlight:
• Hiroko shares the story behind “I Am Me,” written to express the TCK experience and the emotional journey of finding home and identity. The episode closes with a moving excerpt from the song.

Songwriter: YUSHIO

Lyrics: Hiroko Nagata Bell

Singers: Minori Therrien Imai, Yaji Tomo, YUSHIO

Produced by Okannooto

Find Hiroko at:

https://www.instagram.com/uptck.jp

https://youtu.be/bXv6Kt1t8gM?si=fYzpoVSEkCOZCqOH

https://www.linkedin.com/in/hiroko-nagata-bell-6457811/

Here is a short excerpt from the song.Where are you from?

 It’s an easy question
 But not for me
 Here, there or nowhere, I don’t know
 
 I come from different places 
 Mix of words
 Mix of norms
 I wonder if I’m all mixed up
 
 Am I more like my dad
 Or more like my mom
 Or maybe neither 
 Where do I belong?
 Who am I?
 
 Made up my mind
 Won’t worry no more
 I don’t have to be like anyone else 
 Don’t define me
 Don’t confine me
 I am ME
 
 Where’s your home?
 It’s an easy question
 But not for me
 Here, there or nowhere, I don’t know
 

 
 

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You can map the move. You cannot map the metamorphosis. Nomadic Diaries explores the interior journey of expat life — the belonging, the identity shifts, the repatriation, and everything that travels with you that can't be packed in a suitcase. 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.

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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 her own pursuit of art. She describes the enchanting street culture, architecture, and spontaneous warmth that drew her permanently to San Miguel.
• Changing Community:
  Camie talks about the rise of the Mexican middle class, infrastructural growth, and increased sophistication, but notes that the authentic soul of the city endures, especially in its markets, traditions, and welcoming spirit.
• Building Connections:
  Doreen shares how Camie’s openness and hospitality influenced her own decision to settle in San Miguel, sparking a conversation about the city’s strong sense of inclusion and non-transactional, spontaneous kindness.
• Cross-Cultural Blending:
  The episode delves into the integration between long-standing Mexican families and North American expats, with Camie describing a collaborative environment, especially in local NGOs and charities. Language may present some barriers, but shared experiences and compassion prevail.
• Advice for New Expats:
  Camie encourages newcomers to “smile, compliment people’s babies, and practice kindness.” She emphasizes the power of humility, humor, and a willingness to connect as keys to moving beyond observer status and becoming part of the fabric of San Miguel.
• Personal Growth:
  Camie shares how living in San Miguel has allowed her to reinvent herself, pursue latent interests, and contribute to community storytelling—all in a way that transcends societal expectations and allows her to experience true belonging.

Memorable Quotes

• “Belonging comes from our connectivity to what we do… crossing the street to the bodega, joining charities, saying hello.”
• “There’s a lack of the transactional aspect - you’re just invited to be part of something for no other reason than connection.”
• “If you can’t laugh at yourself, you probably shouldn’t come… it really takes some humility to ask for help.”

Resources Mentioned

• Atención Newspaper – An English-language publication for San Miguel’s expat community https://www.atencionnews.net
• San Miguel Walking and Shopping Guide – Cami’s guide for exploring the city’s best neighborhoods and spots
• Local NGOs & Charities – Such as Save the Rio Laja, Feed the Hungry, Pro Niños, Amigos de Animales

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You can map the move. You cannot map the metamorphosis. Nomadic Diaries explores the interior journey of expat life — the belonging, the identity shifts, the repatriation, and everything that travels with you that can't be packed in a suitcase. 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.

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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 nourishing power of community, rituals, and meaningful questions.

Key Themes & Highlights:

• Introduction to Melki Siddiq:
  Melki shares his professional background and experiences living in India and five years in Colombia. 
• The Paradox of Belonging:
  Melki describes belonging as a push and pull between seeking connection with others and preserving individuality, a sentiment familiar to third-culture and cross-cultural individuals.
  He shares, "Belonging everywhere and nowhere at once” - the tension and freedom of a nomadic identity.
• Skill of Adaptability:
  Through moving across cultures and languages, Melki developed adaptability and flexibility. He notes, however, that this flexibility may feel like fragmentation, prompting questions about identity and wholeness.
• Productive Tension & Self-Discovery:
  Melki views the inner tension of belonging as "a beautiful dance between being of the world and being in it." He regards self-inquiry as essential, asking: Can I belong somewhere without losing myself?.
• Grounding Rituals:
  Melki grounds himself through meditation and running—activities representing both stillness and movement, mirroring the oscillation within his own sense of belonging.
• Community and Safe Spaces:
  Melki values connections where masks are set aside and psychological safety is prioritized. He discusses his global network, including friendships formed at conferences and maintained through virtual meetups.
• Coaching & Reflection:
  As a coach, Melki prefers to guide rather than advise, encouraging self-discovery through reflective questions. Key prompts he uses:
  • Why am I seeking a sense of belonging?
  • Am I being authentic, or just trying to fit in?
  • Can I belong somewhere without losing myself?
  • How can I create spaces that welcome others’ individuality?
• Memorable Quotations:
• “We are the thread in the fabric, but also the fabric as well.”
• “Home is where your heart is.”
• “How do I create spaces that welcome individuality in others?”

Where to Find Melki:

• LinkedIn: Melki Siddiq
• Podcast: “Meaningful Conversations with Talk Cause” (Spotify)
• Website: talkcause.com

For Listeners:
This episode is a rich exploration of rootlessness, community, and the evolving nature of identity. Whether you’re a frequent traveler, an expat, or simply pondering your place in the world, Melki’s insights offer comfort and inspiration.

Thank yo

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You can map the move. You cannot map the metamorphosis. Nomadic Diaries explores the interior journey of expat life — the belonging, the identity shifts, the repatriation, and everything that travels with you that can't be packed in a suitcase. 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.

Send us Fan Mail

Support the show

You can map the move. You cannot map the metamorphosis. Nomadic Diaries explores the interior journey of expat life — the belonging, the identity shifts, the repatriation, and everything that travels with you that can't be packed in a suitcase. 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.

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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 vs. Change:
  Carolyn provides a powerful framework distinguishing external changes (like moving countries) from internal transitions (the psychological adaptation). She likens transition to a bridge with several emotional "markers"—from feeling settled, through phases of chaos and exhaustion, to finally feeling a sense of belonging in a new place.
• Personal Stories & Analogies:
  Carolyn shares her own experience as an "accidental immigrant," highlighting the hidden losses only noticed years later. She uses evocative metaphors like "the ear of the hippo" to express the way deep emotions and losses are often beneath the surface.
• Normalizing Transition:
  Through discovering the work of William Bridges and David Pollock, Carolyn and Megan emphasize how helpful it is to realize these feelings are normal -not a sign of personal failure or lack, but a universal part of the expat and nomadic experience.
• In-Person vs. Online Belonging:
  The group discusses the richness of face-to-face empathy and connection versus the limitations (but still the value) of online communities, particularly during the COVID pandemic.
• Inclusive Framework for TCKs/CCKs & Hidden Immigrants:
  The podcast explores identity beyond nationality and ethnicity, including stories from adoption and cross-cultural upbringing—how difference is not always visible or acknowledged.
• Tools and Strategies for Rebuilding Belonging:
  • Grieve the Losses: Name and process what you’re leaving behind.
  • Initiate Connections: Seek out groups, mentors, faith communities, and activities.
  • Embrace Fitting In vs. Belonging: Understand that true belonging takes time and is deeper than superficial assimilation.
  • Faith & Personal Resilience: Both faith and resilience are described as anchors during times of transition and disruption.

Find Carolyn at:

https://facebook.com/carolyngrant

www.navigatetransition.com

https://instagram.com/navigatetransition

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You can map the move. You cannot map the metamorphosis. Nomadic Diaries explores the interior journey of expat life — the belonging, the identity shifts, the repatriation, and everything that travels with you that can't be packed in a suitcase. 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.

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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

• Patrick’s Personal Journey:
  Patrick Kadian shares how his sense of belonging shifted from comfort in being “apart” to craving deeper connection, particularly after starting a family. He describes the “unrecognized baggage” expats bring with them and how this affects both themselves and their loved ones.
• Expat Identity & Family Dynamics:
  The episode examines the unique struggles of the primary parent or “trailing spouse” in expat life and the ripple effects on children’s emotional well-being. Patrick Kadian stresses the importance of creating a sense of purpose and community, both for parents and their children.
• Mental Health Strategies:
  Patrick Kadian unpacks how different modalities especially hypnotherapy, cognitive-behavioral therapy, mindfulness, and stress management - can support expats through periods of transition. He demystifies hypnotherapy, explaining how it works and how it relates to fundamental needs like sleep, nutrition, and emotional self-regulation.
• Trust and Self-Belonging:
  Trust—both in oneself and between therapist and client - is highlighted as central to healing and building belonging. Patrick Kadian offers practical advice on cultivating self-efficacy and inward belonging, suggesting daily practices to help navigate expat life’s ups and downs.
• The Power of Connection:
  The hosts and guest discuss the meaningfulness of the inner journey: how nourishing self-understanding and acceptance enables authentic connection with others, regardless of location.

Memorable Quotes

• “That sense of belonging apart was really very good for me for a very long time. But as I grew older… I wasn’t feeding this important part of me that needed to feel a closer sense of intimacy and belonging.” – Patrick Kadian
• “The more that we’re able to give parents a sense of belonging…that will have this kind of knock-on effect to be able to help build a greater sense of belonging for the children at home and even at school.” – Patrick Kadian
• “You can belong anywhere because you belong to yourself.” – Megan Norton-Newbanks

Resources Mentioned

• Hypnotherapy and mindfulness practices
• Parenting resources for expat families

Find Patrick at:  

www.theexpathypnotherapist.com

[email protected]

Thanks for tuning in to The Belonging Project series! Don’t miss the next episode for more genuine conversations about navigating global life and forging authentic belonging.

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You can map the move. You cannot map the metamorphosis. Nomadic Diaries explores the interior journey of expat life — the belonging, the identity shifts, the repatriation, and everything that travels with you that can't be packed in a suitcase. 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.

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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 comforting remnants of the Scots dialect from her childhood in Scotland, while Megan Norton-Newbanks shares how her family’s unique blend of host languages creates a personal sense of home.
• Code-Switching, Acronyms & Systems:
  Megan Norton-Newbanks talks about adapting to the language systems of international schools and the Foreign Service, while Doreen Cumberford reminisces about mixing English and Arabic terms from her time in the Middle East.
• Language as Bridge & Barrier:
  The hosts discuss how English fluency both enables connection and, at times, hinders deeper integration with host cultures.
• Cultural Norms of Communication:
  Nuances in tone, pacing, and direct vs. indirect speech are highlighted as important for belonging—plus, the role of non-verbal language.
• Untranslatable Words:
  Doreen Cumberford and Megan Norton-Newbanks muse on favorite words from other languages (like the Japanese "Kamaribi") that capture feelings or phenomena English can’t.
• The Emotional Impact of Language:
  Both hosts share stories of nostalgia, joy, and the complexity of reconnecting with community languages from their past.

Listener Invitation: The episode closes with a warm call for listeners to share untranslatable words, stories, or reflections about how language shapes their sense of belonging.

Languages Mentioned:

• Scots dialect
• English (multiple versions!)
• Arabic
• Japanese
• Spanish
• French
• Hungarian

Quotable Moments:

• “It’s almost like we’re carrying the place and the people with us, isn’t it?” 
• “…language shapes belonging and not through just national or local tongues, but also through idioms and community specific ways of speaking.” –

How to Connect: Do you have a story or an untranslatable word to share? The hosts would love to hear from you!

Thank you for tuning in to Nomadic Diaries: Belonging-Bites3-Languages! If you enjoyed today’s conversation, don’t forget to subscribe and join the journey of exploring belonging across borders and languages.

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You can map the move. You cannot map the metamorphosis. Nomadic Diaries explores the interior journey of expat life — the belonging, the identity shifts, the repatriation, and everything that travels with you that can't be packed in a suitcase. 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.