Almost Local: Living Abroad Stories

👩🏼‍🎓🇮🇹 In this episode, we sit down with Sofia Vrettou, a Greek researcher and expat currently living in Italy, to explore what it really takes to build a life abroad — emotionally, culturally, and personally. Sofia shares her journey from Greece to Bologna as a PhD researcher, the cultural differences she experienced between Greek and Italian life, how identity shifts when you move countries,...

🏯 👧🏽 What happens when you sell most of what you own, leave behind stable 9–5 jobs, and decide to slow travel through Southeast Asia? Meet Zanesta & Nabeel, the creators behind Tiny Detour. Originally from Australia, they traded routine for freedom, leaning into lifestyle arbitrage and building a life on their own terms. In this episode of the Expat Experts Podcast, we dive into their expat...

Unlock the untold story of Aleksandar Svetski, an entrepreneur who overcame $250K in debt by age 20, lived as a digital nomad, and eventually launched the app Satlantis.io—a radical new vision for social mapping. In this episode, we dive deep into: Aleks’s expat & digital nomad journey: How hopping across cultures shaped his mindset and career. From $250K debt to startup hustle: What resilienc...

🤰✈️ In this episode, Angela Vitiello, founder of the Expat Parenting Collective, discusses the unique aspects of raising kids abroad. She shares insights on navigating culture shock as an expat family and offers valuable parenting tips for those considering moving abroad. Whether you're already an expat parent or contemplating the move, this episode provides essential guidance. Ever wonder a...

🇮🇹 🐎 What’s it really like to live in Italy as an American? We talk with Mike Manchester — an American expat who moved from Denver to Siena over 20 years ago and built his life in Italy. Mike co-founded an intercultural study abroad program, raised a bilingual family in Bologna, and even teaches English through improv! Mike touches on the teaching of English in Italian classrooms, pointing out th...

🌍 🥼 What’s it like to live in Baghdad, Beirut, Phnom Penh, Lagos, and Curaçao — all while battling Lyme disease and Hashimoto’s? In this powerful episode of the Expat Experts Podcast, we sit down with Vashti Kanahele, functional medicine practitioner, author, and founder of Passports & Parasites. What happens when chronic illness meets global adventure? 🌍 In this episode of Expat Experts, I...

🌍✈️ Ever dreamed of leaving a high-flying job to travel the world full-time? In this episode of the Expat Experts Podcast, I sit down with Jordi Llonch Esteve, a former airline pilot turned global digital nomad and tech founder. Jordi traded cockpits for co-working spaces, and since then, he’s lived in over 50 cities, from Chiang Mai to Tarifa and Uvita to Lisbon. This video dives into the guest&...

🏈🚓 What happens when your dream of living abroad turns into a nightmare? Former American football player Chancellor Jackson found himself arrested and thrown into a Chinese jail for 14 days. In this jaw-dropping episode of Expat Experts, Chancellor shares the full story—how he ended up behind bars, what jail life in China is really like, and how that experience changed the course of his life for...

🌏 🐝 What happens when a shy German scientist dares to trade her lab coat for a one-way ticket abroad? Hanna Marks, a Berlin native who left her stable job in biological research — including working on honeybee diseases — to pursue a more meaningful life overseas. In the latest episode of Expat Experts, I sit down with Hanna Marks, who left behind a secure job in science to chase something deeper...

🌍💼 What’s it like to be a woman leading a high-stakes sales career in West Africa’s male-dominated telecom world—while also becoming a mom abroad? In this powerful and inspiring episode of the Expat Experts Podcast, Marc sits down with Wanda Serkowska, a fearless expat who built her career across Congo DRC, Benin, and Côte d'Ivoire, navigating business, culture, and motherhood in ways most...

📰🤰 What happens when a successful Wall Street Journal journalist gives up her fast-paced NYC life to move to Italy and Germany—becomes a mother abroad, and suddenly finds herself lost, isolated… and hilariously overwhelmed? Meet Rosamaria Mancini—introvert, perfectionist, hypochondriac, and now author of the witty new memoir “SOS Podcasts.” In this raw, funny, and deeply relatable expat story, s...

🗺️🛖 With over a decade of experience working in international development, Kelly shares what it’s like to build a life abroad while making an impact through NGO work. From studying in Latin America to navigating life in East Africa, and now searching for peace and security in Greece — this is one of those journeys that truly shows the diverse paths expats can take. Meet Kelly Hauser, a 45-year-ol...

⛪️ 🌍 At 60, Douglas Brouwer left the U.S. to lead churches in Switzerland and the Netherlands. In this episode, he shares his expat journey, the challenges of moving abroad later in life, and the cultural surprises he faced as a pastor in Europe. What happens when a seasoned pastor decides to move abroad at 60? 🌍  Douglas Brouwer took a bold leap, leaving the U.S. to lead congregations in Switz...

🇹🇭🤔 Ever wondered what life in Thailand is really like beyond the tourist traps and retirement visas? In this episode, we sit down with Mike Oppenheim, an author, podcaster, and world traveler who lived in Bangkok and Hua Hin—not as a tourist, but as someone deeply connected to the culture through marriage and daily life. I sit down with Mike Oppenheim—author, podcaster, and world traveler—who sh...

🇮🇹🇬🇷 In this episode, we dive into Chiara's incredible journey, the challenges of adapting to a new country, and how she found her place in Greek culture. Whether you’re an expat, a travel lover, or just curious about life in Greece, you won’t want to miss this one! 🚀 Season 2 of Expat Experts Podcast is here! 🎙️ And we’re kicking things off with a very special guest—my good friend Chiara To...

🌍✨ What happens when you turn the whole world into your home? Meet Kerry Damiano, a fearless solo traveler who has explored 130+ countries, competed in international pageants, and built a brand around travel vlogging and sustainable shopping. From luxury fashion finds to backpacking through hidden gems, Kerry shares the highs, the challenges, and the life-changing lessons of being a perpetual tr...

👠👑 From the fashion capitals of Asia to the world of entrepreneurship and pageantry, Jennifer Lloyd has done it all! 🎙️📹 Check all the interviews: https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLUHBYh0ornEGBu9L5Hgxbmh5hzZcX2SjC *📢 SUBSCRIBE and LISTEN in our audio channels:* https://www.expatexpertspodcast.com/spotify https://www.expatexpertspodcast.com/applepodcast https://www.expatexpertspodcast.com...

🎥📖 What’s it like to backpack across 70+ countries, live in Egypt and Turkey, and turn your adventures into gripping documentaries and novels? In this episode, we sit down with Neil Laird, a seasoned traveler, expat, and filmmaker who has worked with Nat Geo, Discovery, and PBS. He shares stories of life in Egypt, the culture shocks, and the unexpected moments that shaped his expat journey. We a...

🧿📸 In this captivating episode of the Expat Experts Podcast, we sit down with Jean Witt, a German entrepreneur who has made Athens his home. Jean shares his inspiring journey of relocating to Greece, the cultural adjustments he faced, and how these experiences shaped his entrepreneurial spirit. As the founder of Picturo.eu, Jean discusses the innovative services his company offers and how it con...

🌍🏡 In this dynamic episode of the Expat Experts Podcast, we’re joined by Marie DeCosse—a Senegalese-American who grew up as a global citizen, living in Madagascar and Bangladesh. Her unique upbringing shaped her perspective on cultural exchange and inspired her entrepreneurial journey. Today, she’s the founder of NOMAD Travel Groups, a revolutionary home-swapping platform for travelers seeking a...

💪🏼 💤 In this inspiring episode of the Expat Experts Podcast, we talk with Jen Katsev—an American expat thriving in Bulgaria and the creator of the transformational D.R.E.A.M. coaching method. Jen’s unique approach to life and coaching empowers individuals to master their mindset, embrace change, and build the life they’ve always envisioned. 🎙️📹 Check all the interviews: https://www.youtube.com...

🌎 🧠 In this episode of the Expat Experts Podcast, we sit down with Julie Pham—thought leader in leadership development, founder of CuriosityBased, and passionate advocate for fostering innovation through curiosity. 📢 SUBSCRIBE and LISTEN in our audio channels: https://www.expatexpertspodcast.com/spotify https://www.expatexpertspodcast.com/applepodcast https://www.expatexpertspodcast.com/share...

🧠💉 Explore the critical intersection of mental health and addiction within the U.S. detention systems. We share insights on trauma-informed care, public health implications, and the challenges of providing adequate healthcare to incarcerated populations. Discover how these issues affect our communities. 🎙️📹 Check the full interview: https://youtu.be/LEQyWM4iZ8w 💫 1-1 consultations: https://exp...

🇵🇰🇬🇷 In this powerful episode of Expat Experts Podcast, we dive deep through this expat interview into the life journey of Nasir Javed, a gifted photographer from Pakistan whose inspiring story transcends borders. At just 22, Nasir crossed into Greece as an illegal immigrant, later seeking asylum as a refugee. Through resilience and creativity, he built a new life from the ground up, transforming...

🇬🇧🇫🇷 In this episode of Expat Experts Podcast, Marc sits down with Anna Roberts, a dynamic Mindset Coach dedicated to helping digital nomads thrive no matter where they call “home.” Anna shares her inspiring journey as an expat in France and reveals how the right mindset can transform life abroad. From cultural surprises to navigating life without a fixed address, Anna discusses the real challenge...