Dr Nora Amath - Expert Community Developer, Academic, Connector & Community Leader
- S2E22
- 46:44
- September 1st 2026
This week on The Travel Date, host Angelica-Hazel Toutounji sits down with the remarkable Dr Nora Amath for a conversation about travel, identity, survival, belonging and healing.
Dr Nora Amath is an academic, sociologist, community leader, researcher, author and advocate whose work has spanned community development, multiculturalism, social inclusion, domestic and family violence, human rights and Islam-West relations.
Born in Vietnam and belonging to the Indigenous Cham community, Nora came to the United States as a refugee after her family fled conflict in Southeast Asia. She later studied at the International Islamic University Malaysia before building her life in Australia.
Nora's relationship with travel began under extraordinary circumstances. As a young Cham Indigenous girl born in Vietnam, she lived in five countries before the age of five as her family searched for safety.
Years later, an intended six-month university experience in Malaysia would change everything. 🇲🇾
She stayed for years.
She discovered independence.
She found purpose.
And she met the Australian man who would become her husband.
Their journey eventually brought Nora to Australia, where she built a family, an academic career and decades of community leadership.
In this episode, Nora also shares another important part of her story: being a mother, grandmother and breast cancer survivor who is entering a new chapter centred increasingly on wellness, nature, connection and supporting other women.
This conversation is a beautiful reminder that some journeys take us across countries, while others take us back to ourselves.
Destinations Mentioned:
- Vietnam
- Cambodia
- Thailand
- Philippines
- California
- Malaysia (Kuala Lumpur, Cameron Highlands & Kuching)
- Singapore
- Queensland (Brisbane, Gold Coast, Coolangatta, Sunshine Coast & Hinterland)
- Melbourne
- Sydney
- Darwin
- Rome, Italy
- Tasmania
- New Zealand
- Iceland
- Esperance
- South Australia
You can find out more about Dr Nora here:
Social Media : @nora.wild.wandeer
LinkedIn - https://au.linkedin.com/in/dr-nora-amath-71308317
Sisters in Colour
Nora discusses her emerging wellness work in the episode. Sisters in Colour currently promotes RESTORE, a three-day wellness retreat for women navigating early-stage breast cancer and beyond, taking place 9–11 October 2026 at Kondalilla Eco Resort in the Sunshine Coast Hinterland. (LinkedIn)
Explore Sisters in Colour and RESTORE
Host: Angelica-Hazel Toutounji
📸 Instagram: @angelica_hazel_nutrition · @the_travel_date_
🌐 Website: angelicahazel.com.au
📧 Email: [email protected]
If you enjoyed this episode, subscribe to The Travel Date, leave a review, and share it with someone who loves meaningful travel and powerful storytelling.
Follow @the_travel_date_ on Instagram for more journeys, conversations, and inspiration.
The Travel Date
The Travel Date is an inspiring and entertaining travel podcast hosted by Adelaide-based clinical nutritionist, writer, devoted foodie and passionate traveller Angelica-Hazel Toutounji.
Every journey begins with a story, and each episode of The Travel Date invites listeners to discover the people, places, cultures and unforgettable experiences that make travelling so special. Through warm, relaxed and engaging conversations, Angelica-Hazel speaks with travellers, travel writers, content creators, tourism professionals, business owners and fascinating guests whose lives have been influenced by their adventures around Australia and across the world.
The Travel Date explores much more than simply where someone has travelled. It discovers why people travel, what they learn along the way and how a destination can change their outlook on life. Guests share their favourite locations, memorable meals, unexpected challenges, hidden gems, cultural experiences and practical travel advice, along with the personal moments and meaningful connections that stay with them long after they return home.
From spontaneous overseas adventures and immersive cultural journeys to luxury escapes, regional road trips, family holidays, wellness retreats and budget-friendly experiences, The Travel Date celebrates the many different ways people explore the world. Whether it is a major international destination or a remarkable place closer to home, every location has a story waiting to be discovered.
Food, culture and human connection are at the heart of the podcast. Angelica-Hazel’s natural curiosity and love of storytelling encourage her guests to go beyond the usual travel recommendations and share the honest, funny, emotional and sometimes life-changing experiences behind their journeys.
Listeners can expect fascinating destination ideas, authentic travel stories, helpful recommendations and plenty of inspiration for their next adventure. The podcast also provides an opportunity to discover local communities, independent tourism operators, accommodation providers, regional businesses and extraordinary destinations throughout South Australia, across Australia and around the world.
The Travel Date is not simply about collecting destinations—it is about collecting moments, creating memories and developing a deeper understanding of ourselves and the world around us. The podcast celebrates travel’s ability to inspire curiosity, build confidence and resilience, strengthen relationships and remind us to make the most of the time we have with the people we love.
Whether you are actively planning your next holiday, dreaming about a faraway destination, searching for practical travel ideas or simply enjoy hearing wonderful stories from interesting people, The Travel Date will leave you informed, entertained and ready to explore.
Take the trip. Taste the food. Meet the people. Collect the moments.
Subscribe to The Travel Date and join Angelica-Hazel for a new guest, a new destination and a new story.Host and contact details
Angelica-Hazel Toutounji
Adelaide, South Australia
Telephone: 0438 716 606
Email: [email protected]
Website: www.angelicahazel.com.au
The Travel Date Instagram: @the_travel_date
Angelica-Hazel Instagram: @angelica_hazel_nutrition