Meet Megan Norton-Newbanks

We caught up with the brilliant and insightful Megan Norton-Newbanks a few weeks ago and have shared our conversation below.

Megan, we’re thrilled to have you on our platform and we think there is so much folks can learn from you and your story. Something that matters deeply to us is living a life and leading a career filled with purpose and so let’s start by chatting about how you found your purpose.

I found my purpose in the same way I built my confidence, by learning to sit in uncertainty and becoming more aware of who I am and how I relate to the world.

My journey was not about suddenly discovering a clear answer. It was about developing self-awareness, especially around identity, belonging, and how I make meaning in different contexts. As I began to understand my experience as a Third Culture Kid, I started to see patterns in my life. There was a tension between rootedness and restlessness, and that became a clue to my purpose.

Purpose emerged as I reflected on my identity and experiences rather than avoiding their complexity. I learned to shift perspectives instead of rushing to judgment, and I practiced staying present and mindful in moments of discomfort or disorientation. I also paid attention to what naturally drew me in, especially helping others navigate identity, belonging, and cultural differences.

Over time, I realized that the very struggles I wrestled with, like questions of belonging and navigating different cultures, were actually pointing me toward my work. They were not obstacles but direction.

Community also played an important role. Mentorship, counseling, and allowing others to support me helped ground me and clarify what mattered most. Practicing gratitude helped me see my life through a lens of meaning rather than confusion.

I did not find my purpose all at once. I grew into it by becoming more self-aware, embracing complexity, and recognizing that the things that stretch me are often the things I am called to help others navigate.

Thanks for sharing that. So, before we get any further into our conversation, can you tell our readers a bit about yourself and what you’re working on?

I am an author, speaker, educator, and consultant focused on identity, belonging, purpose, and the Third Culture Kid experience. My work sits at the intersection of intercultural communication and personal identity development, where I help people better understand themselves and others in an increasingly interconnected world.

In my trainings, workshops, and speaking engagements, I guide participants through exploring different layers of identity, including cultural, family, system, and educational influences. From there, we move into practical strategies such as setting boundaries, managing emotional, physical, and spiritual health, and building relational wisdom. With Third Culture Kids and globally mobile individuals, I also focus on transition, grief, and the power of naming their experiences, which often leads to meaningful moments of clarity and relief.

I also bring intercultural frameworks into corporate and nonprofit spaces, helping teams understand how culture shapes concepts like leadership, teamwork, communication, and resilience. These ideas are not universal, and learning how to navigate those differences effectively is a skill that can transform both relationships and organizations.

As for what is new, I have released two new books, “Letters Now Sent, Volume 1” and “A Work of Heart, Volume 1.

“Letters Now Sent” launched in July 2025 at Ruth Van Reken’s 80th Birthday celebration. Letters Now Sent, Volume 1 is a moving collection of real, heartfelt letters written by and to individuals who have lived cross-culturally. Inspired by Ruth Van Reken’s seminal “Letters Never Sent”, this volume opens a window into the emotional landscapes of identity, belonging, and transition. These signed, purposeful letters capture the complexity of navigating multiple worlds. They carry apology, affirmation, grief, celebration, disappointment, gratitude—and above all, love.

“A Work of Heart” is a visual art book launched in December 2025. This first volume is a curated collection of artwork by and for Cross-Cultural Kids (CCKs), Third Culture Kids (TCKs), global nomads, and anyone whose identity has been shaped by crossing cultures. In this coffee-table style art book, you will find glimpses into the emotions, memories, and transitions that define a life lived across borders.

I am spearheading additional collaborative books and submission forms can be found at www.beyondborderspublishing.com.

There is so much advice out there about all the different skills and qualities folks need to develop in order to succeed in today’s highly competitive environment and often it can feel overwhelming. So, if we had to break it down to just the three that matter most, which three skills or qualities would you focus on?

Looking back, the three qualities that were most impactful in my journey were self-awareness, emotional resilience, and humility paired with social wisdom.

Self-awareness was foundational. Learning how I make meaning, what drives my reactions, and what internalized messages I carry helped me better understand my identity and my decisions. For someone early in their journey, this starts with paying attention to your thought patterns and motivations. Ask yourself why you respond the way you do, what you are seeking validation from, and how your experiences have shaped your perspective. That level of reflection builds clarity over time.

Emotional resilience was also essential. Navigating identity, belonging, and intercultural spaces can be disorienting and, at times, uncomfortable. I had to learn how to stay grounded even when things felt uncertain. My advice is to not avoid discomfort too quickly. Instead, practice sitting with it and responding thoughtfully rather than reacting impulsively. Growth often happens in those stretched moments.

Humility combined with social wisdom played a huge role as well. I learned the importance of seeking to understand rather than rushing to judgment, and recognizing that my knowledge and perspectives are always evolving. At the same time, social wisdom helped me navigate relationships with care by considering context, expectations, and how to connect meaningfully with others. For those starting out, focus on listening well, staying curious, and being willing to adjust your perspective. Go into spaces not just looking for connection, but aiming to be someone who contributes to it.

Together, these qualities shaped not only how I see myself, but how I engage with others and the world around me.

One of our goals is to help like-minded folks with similar goals connect and so before we go we want to ask if you are looking to partner or collab with others – and if so, what would make the ideal collaborator or partner?

Yes, I am always open to collaboration, especially through my work with Beyond Borders Publishing.

At this stage, I am specifically looking for writers and artists who are interested in contributing to the projects I am developing. I am drawn to creative voices that explore themes of identity, belonging, culture, and personal experience. Whether through writing, visual art, or other creative expression, I value work that reflects depth, honesty, and a willingness to engage with complexity.

These projects are centered around storytelling that builds connection across differences and gives language to experiences that are often difficult to name. I am especially interested in contributors who resonate with cross-cultural experiences, global mobility, or the Third Culture Kid perspective, though this is not a requirement.

If you are a writer or artist who feels aligned with this vision, I would love to connect. You can reach out through Beyond Borders Publishing to learn more about current and upcoming opportunities to contribute.

Contact Info:

• Website: https://www.adultthirdculturekid.com/
• Instagram: adult_third_culture_kid
• Facebook: beyondborderspublishing
• Linkedin: /megancnorton