Nomadic Diaries

What does it really take to build a life across cultures? In this episode, intercultural trainer Kathy Ellis joins Doreen for an honest conversation about the messy, beautiful reality of cross-cultural living. From her small-town Midwest roots to seven countries, multiple languages, and decades helping others navigate global transitions, Kathy brings both personal experience and professional expertise to the table. In this conversation: The Cultural Iceberg: Beyond Tourist-Level Understanding Kathy explains why cultural awareness is just the tip of the iceberg—the real work happens when you dive beneath the surface into ambiguity, unspoken rules, and deep cultural integration. We discuss what it takes to move from observer to participant in a new culture. The Friendship Challenge: Building Real Connections Abroad Making friends as an adult is hard. Making friends as a newcomer in a foreign country? Even harder. We explore the complexities and unexpected joys of building genuine friendships across cultures, the role of shared experiences, and why humor and emotional adaptability matter more than you think. Repatriation: The Hardest Move You Never Saw Coming Coming "home" after years abroad can be more disorienting than any international move. Kathy and Doreen dig into identity shifts, reverse culture shock, and practical strategies for reintegrating into a place that no longer feels quite like home—or maybe never did. Your Survival Toolkit: What Actually Helps You Thrive Forget generic advice. We share real-world strategies that work: leading with humor, staying genuinely curious, finding cultural "bridges" for connection, and maintaining positivity without toxic optimism. Doreen shares examples from her relocation coaching work that bring these concepts to life. The Executive Friendship Gap: Success Doesn't Equal Connection Even high-achieving professionals struggle to build meaningful relationships outside of work when they move internationally. We explore the subtle cultural and generational factors that make this harder than it should be, and what you can do about it. Change vs. Transformation: Understanding the Deeper Shift Living overseas isn't just about managing change—it's about transformation. We reflect on the difference between adapting to new circumstances and fundamentally evolving as a person through cross-cultural experience. About Kathy Ellis:   Kathy holds a Master’s in Education, various Intercultural Communication and Language certifications, and serves on the board for the International Language Coaching Association (ILCA). Kathy is a Qualified Administrator in Intercultural Development Inventory (IDI). In addition to her educational endeavors, Kathy has published three poetry collections, available on Amazon and Barnes & Noble. Connect with Kathy: https://www.linkedin.com/in/kathy-ellis-9b79191/ https://www.instagram.com/kat.ellis/ Connect with Doreen: Nomadic Diaries podcast https://www.nomadicdiariespodcast.com/ https://www.linkedin.com/feed/ https://doreencumberford.substack.com/publish/home Support the show Home is Where Your Story Crosses Borders!