Today on Nomadic Diaries, I sat down with Peter Levitan, former Saatchi & Saatchi executive and serial entrepreneur, to talk about navigating international assignments, adapting to new cultures, and the challenges of returning home after working abroad. Peter shared invaluable insights on building trust, learning cultural nuances, and the importance of empathy in global business.

Peter was one of the few Americans hand-picked to transfer to Saatchi's London office during its heyday. At that time HR was not involved, there was no orientation, no cultural training, no HR support. He figured it out through pub conversations, workplace friendships, and learning to read the room in a very different business culture. He built trust, adapted fast, and thrived.

Then he came home. And that's when things got complicated.

Despite gaining invaluable intercultural experience, Peter returned to find nobody particularly interested in what he'd learned. There was no debriefing, no attempt to leverage his insights, and certainly no acknowledgment of reverse culture shock. The skills he'd developed, cultural intelligence, adaptability, the ability to bridge offices and cultures became invisible.

In this conversation, Peter shares the realities of corporate international moves in the 1980s, the resilience required when you're navigating a new country with young children, and why returning expats often feel like their experience doesn't count. He also offers hard-won advice: be proactive about seeking support, manage your "brand" carefully when sharing your overseas stories, and don't assume your company will automatically value what you've gained.

This episode is essential listening for anyone who's lived abroad and struggled with reentry, or for companies wondering why their international assignments aren't delivering the ROI they expected.

If this episode resonates with you, please leave us a review. It helps other expats and returnees find these conversations.

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Home is Where Your Story Crosses Borders!

In this heartfelt farewell to the Nomadic Diaries podcast, Doreen Cumberford and Megan Norton-Newbanks co-host reflect on a remarkable 10-month journey exploring the expansive topic of belonging. Together, they look back over 30 episodes, key guest moments, personal transformations, and the evolution of the conversations. The hosts revisit why belonging matters, share moving stories from the series, and discuss how the podcast impacted their own sense of community and connection. They also express gratitude to their team and listeners, offering wisdom and inspiration for anyone navigating questions of belonging in their own life.

Key Themes

• The universal human desire for belonging and its many expressions
• Notable guest moments: Stephen Toole’s international classroom, Marcia’s insights on somatics, and Cass Stewart’s perspective on belonging within a high-pressure team
• The distinction between “connection to” versus “connection with” people and places
• Intergenerational perspectives and generational shifts in discussing and experiencing belonging, especially regarding technology
• Paradoxes and challenges: belonging as both internal and external, and the necessity to continually reinvest in building community
• Personal takeaways and the courage it takes to both belong and create spaces for others to belong
• The podcast as a bridge builder and companion for listeners navigating changes, transitions, and questions of home

Notable Quotes

• “Belonging is not found, it’s formed.” Megan Norton-Newbanks
• “True belonging never asks us to change who we are.” Brene Brown
• “May you be at home wherever you find yourself today.” – Maya Angelou

Special Thanks

Gratitude is given to the podcast’s guests, angel producer John Palmer, and sound engineer Pradeep for their invaluable contributions.

Final Thoughts

Listeners are encouraged to revisit the podcast library, connect with the stories that resonate, and continue the conversation about belonging. The hosts hint that while this is the final episode of the season, more may come in the future.

Farewell

The episode closes with a multilingual goodbye, expressing love, gratitude, and the hope that all will find belonging wherever their journeys take them.

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Home is Where Your Story Crosses Borders!

We aim to inspire expat solutions, by helping you navigate global living with ease and grace.

Show Notes

Welcome back to Nomadic Diaries for part two of our conversation with Ruth Van Reken, the influential voice behind "Third Culture Kids: Growing Up Among Worlds." Joined by Megan Norton-Newbanks and your host Doreen Cumberford, Ruth dives deep into cross-cultural identity, belonging, and generational perspectives.

Key Topics Discussed

• Navigating the "Where Are You From?" Question
  • Ruth shares practical ways globally mobile people can gracefully answer this challenging question.
• The Social Dynamics of Identity
  • Examining why traditional questions about origin can feel alienating, and how curiosity and cultural sensitivity can create bridges instead.
  • The importance of focusing on connection and stories rather than details.
• Generational Differences in Storytelling and Belonging
  • The panel reflects on how different age groups approach storytelling, sharing, and forming connections.
• Unique Strengths of Third Culture Kids (TCKs)
  • Ruth outlines new research highlighting cultural competency and linguistic skills as hidden superpowers of TCKs.
  • Adaptability, bridge-building, curiosity, and global enthusiasm as signature traits in careers and communities.
• Creating a Sense of Home and Belonging
  • Ruth reflects on cultivating belonging wherever she’s lived, emphasizing human connection and the joys of multicultural friendships.
• Advice for Parents Raising TCKs
  • Ruth offers actionable guidance: nurture family traditions, recognize each child's unique gifts, and always foster a sense of agency and choice.
  • The importance of honoring both shared humanity and individual uniqueness.
• Final Thoughts on Belonging
  • The episode closes with a focus on collective belonging, inspired by a quote from Mother Teresa.

Notable Quotes

• “You can make it a fun question.” Ruth Van Reken
• “I am more interested in the connection than the details.”
• “Our biggest challenge is not only belonging—but belonging to ourselves.” –Ruth Van Reken

Support the show

Home is Where Your Story Crosses Borders!

We aim to inspire expat solutions, by helping you navigate global living with ease and grace.