Learn how global diaspora connections & nomadic traditions can unlock new ways of building community across cultures. Priyanka Surio reflects on growing up in Florida navigating a mixed Indian and Hungarian identity, and how early experiences of not fully belonging shaped her relationship to culture, travel, and self-expression. She shares stories from reconnecting with her heritage, including time spent in Hungary, studying abroad in India, and how these experiences informed her evolving sense of identity. Priyanka reflects on studying the Year of Return in Ghana as a model for reconnecting diasporas and considers how similar frameworks could strengthen ties within Indian communities around the world. She also discusses her travels in Ethiopia and her encounters with historically nomadic cultures in Mongolia and Morocco, examining how these experiences reshaped her thinking about movement, cross-cultural travel, and building community. She closes by reflecting on minimalism, intentional living, and how a life of travel can transform the way we understand identity, belonging, and connection across cultures.
382: Indian Diaspora Stories & Lessons from Ghana, Ethiopia and Nomadic Cultures with Priyanka Surio
Episode Summary
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About the Guest

Priyanka Surio
Priyanka Surio is a sustainable and regenerative travel expert, 2 time published author, and full time nomad with no base. She holds a masters degree in Public Health and has built a 16 year career focused on health, social care, climate action, and economic empowerment. Born in Florida to immigrant parents from India and Hungary, her childhood experiences with racism and poverty turned her into a lifelong activist, and she views travel as a mechanism for activism to safeguard and advocate for a better world. In her books, she breaks down a sustainable travel formula and scorecard to help any traveler begin to intentionally design and assess how they can be more sustainable and regenerative on their travels. She has now traveled to all 50 U.S. States and almost 90 countries on all 7 continents.
What You'll Learn
- How growing up as a third culture kid can shape identity, belonging, and self-expression
- What studying Ghana’s Year of Return reveals about reconnecting diasporas and building stronger global communities
- How lessons from nomadic cultures and global travel can inform minimalism, intentional living, and building community across cultures
Links From the Episode
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- Sustainable Nomad: Field Guide
- Third Culture Kids of the World: Exploring Sustainable Travel Mindsets
CONTACT AND FOLLOW PRIYANKA
LOCATIONS WHERE THE INTERVIEW TOOK PLACE
- Matt: Asheville, North Carolina
- Priyanka: Los Angeles, California
WINES CONSUMED DURING THE INTERVIEW
OTHER BEVERAGE MENTIONED IN THIS EPISODE
PEOPLE MENTIONED IN THIS EPISODE
EVENTS MENTIONED IN THIS EPISODE
PLACES IN ETHIOPIA MENTIONED IN THIS EPISODE
PLACES IN FLORIDA MENTIONED IN THIS EPISODE
PLACES IN HUNGARY MENTIONED IN THIS EPISODE
PLACES IN INDIA MENTIONED IN THIS EPISODE
PLACES IN MONGOLIA MENTIONED IN THIS EPISODE
PRIYANKA’S SORORITY
OTHER PLACES MENTIONED IN THIS EPISODE
Time Stamped Show Notes
**Click the time stamp to jump directly to that point in the episode.
[1:04] Introducing Priyanka Surio
[3:04] Los Angeles, California
[4:19] Wine tasting in Hungary
[6:01] Priyanka’s Parent’s Immigration Stories from India and Hungary
[9:25] Growing up in Mulberry, Florida and navigating racism and poverty
[12:05] Dreaming and Writing about World Travel as a Kid
[13:58] Traveling to Atlanta in High School
[16:40] Navigating Racial Dynamics and Immigrant Identities in Mulberry, Florida
[22:18] Connecting with Her Indian Heritage at the University of Miami
[25:26] Studying Abroad in India
[31:19] Moving to Washington, DC
[34:49] Traveling to Ethiopia
[39:06] Visiting Ghana 5 Times and Seeing Burna Boy Perform During Detty December
[44:23] Lessons from Ghana on Diaspora Reconnection
[47:09] Connecting with the Indian Diaspora Around the World
[57:11] Reconnecting with her Hungarian Heritage
[1:01:54] Lessons from Meeting Mongolian and Berber nomads
[1:05:32] The Benefits of Minimalism
[1:10:47] Follow and Connect with Priyanka