brunch.

Our 'In Conversation...' episodes are chats with experts in areas that are related to the trailing spouse experience. Whether you are an expat, you've moved to a new town or community or you are a Defence or Military spouse, many of the themes, challenges and opportunities are the same. In this episode, we speak with Bobbi Mahlab - Founder & Chair Mahlab Media, Co-founder of Mentor Walks, a bo...

Our 'In Conversation...' episodes are chats with experts in areas that are related to the trailing spouse experience. Whether you are an expat, you've moved to a new town or community or you are a Defence or Military spouse, many of the themes, challenges and opportunities are the same. In this episode, I speak with Charlotte Teo Charlotte aka Charlie is the founder of Wassup Charlie,...

In this episode, I speak with Ruth, a seasoned trailing spouse who has been globe trotting for the last 15 years. Ruth shares her experience living in some fascinating locations but delves into the challenges around identity when you are moving regularly and you don’t have a career of your own. Ruth gives some really beautiful advice in regards to embracing a mobile lifestyle and shares some amazi...

In this episode, I speak with Alicia, an American Kindergarten teacher who is now retired in Florida. Alicia talks about her incredible trailing spouse experience with her husband who worked in security for the State Department in 6 different international postings. From Thailand to Columbia to Niger, to Singapore, to Greece and then finally India, Alicia made each place her home. She gives some a...

In this episode, I speak with Lily, an Australian lawyer based in her home town of Brisbane. Lily’s story is a little different to others I’ve spoken to on the podcast as she is yet to start her trailing spouse journey. Lily is married to a doctor who is looking to specialise in orthopaedic surgery. With specialisation in medicine in Australia, this often means a relocation, so it was incredibly i...

In this episode, I speak with Annegret, a German teacher living in a small town in Alabama in the United States. Annegret talks about her time making new friends in the US, her 5 years as an expat in Beijing and then their move back to Alabama. She talks about her career reinvention that she undertook while not being able to work in China and give some amazing advice that she gives trailing spouse...

In this episode, we speak with Leanne, an Australian who has been based in Singapore since 2022. Leanne is Exhibit A of someone who is living best expat life! It was an absolute delight to hear from someone who has embraced her exit from the workforce and is focusing on doing the things she wants to do. -----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------...

In this episode, I speak with Ben, a Canadian who has relocated to Singapore with his wife's job. Ben speaks honestly about the highs and lows of relocating to the other side of the world as a self confessed introvert. He gives some really sound advice on how to navigate not working in a foreign country and also about the transition back into work life now he has found a job. The Trailing Spou...

Our 'In Conversation...' episodes are chats with experts in areas that are related to the trailing spouse experience. Whether you are an expat, you've moved to a new town or community or you are a Defence or Military spouse, many of the themes, challenges and opportunities are the same. In this episode, Jo is in conversation with Robyn Henderson, founder of Networking to Win, Networking Strategist...

In this episode, I speak with Claire, an English barrister based in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia. Claire has global mobility in her blood, as the daughter of an extremely adventurous mother (also a potential spy!) and a father in the British Army, she lived all over Europe as a child. Claire talks about the itch her and her husband felt that triggered their move from London to KL at the height of COVID...

In this episode, we speak with Sam, an Australian who moved from Sydney to Hong Kong in 2012 and then on to Singapore in 2015. Sam has started a number of businesses and taken over the management of an Australian business in the role of CEO. Sam has some amazing advice for trailing spouses who are finding themselves without a purpose and shares this advice in a really practical way.   You can find...

In this episode, I speak with Marisca, a South African based in Singapore who has had two very interesting trailing spouse experiences. Marisca talks really candidly about the challenges she has faced after being isolated from her career in science after she has been a trailing spouse. She has some really good advice on engaging with the locals, volunteering and really embracing the life and cultu...

In this episode, I speak with Stephanie an Australian who lives on a farm in rural Tasmania. Steph is a seasoned television journalist who has reported and produced for some of Australia’s biggest news and current affairs programs. In 2019, soon after having her first child, Steph swapped the city for the country and launched headfirst into farm life with her husband Sam.  The transition to life o...

In this episode, we speak with Juanita, an American living in Singapore who has been a trailing spouse for over 12 years. Juanita is an attorney, author and actor who has lived in London, Tawain and now Singapore. She tells her trailing spouse story with energy that is contagious and incredibly inspiring. She gives some amazing advice, particularly around identity (or loss of it) and really taking...

In this episode, we speak with Séverine, a French expat who has been a trailing spouse since 2007. Séverine talks about her time in New York, London and now Singapore and her experience with very early stage remote work. Post recording, Séverine mentioned that further advice she would give is to join an association that is different to the country that you are from - this way you don't just end up...

Our 'In Conversation...' episodes are chats with experts in areas that are related to the trailing spouse experience. Whether you are an expat, you've moved to a new town or community or you are a Defence or Military spouse, many of the themes, challenges and opportunities are the same. In this episode, Jo is 'In Conversation' with Dr Tash Mirando. Dr Tash is a GP practising at Osler Health Intern...

In this episode, we speak with Henda, a South African living in Singapore who has been a trailing spouse for over 15 years. Henda talks about her relocation to Mauritius and the challenges she faced as an unmarried trailing spouse. She also talks about closing her company after the birth of her second daughter and the feeling of identity loss that came with it.  Henda also shares some amazing...

In this episode, we speak with Kathy, an expat originally from the UK who has had a really interesting journey becoming a trailing spouse AFTER she moved herself to Asia! After time in Singapore, Bangkok and then back to Singapore, Kathy talks about the highs and the lows of moving from career woman to trailing spouse, then to business owner.  You can find and connect with Kathy via www.empow...

In this episode, we speak with Luke, an Australian living in Singapore after their family had done a three year stint in Japan. Luke gives a really honest opinion on the trailing spouse experience and gives some really amazing advice, especially for males in a trailing spouse relationship. He is brutally honest and very funny and I had to cut huge amounts of the chat out as it went well over time!...

In this episode, we speak with Selina who is Swiss and currently based in South Africa. Selina talks about how her trailing spouse journey started in her early 30's (her husband's role was confirmed while travelling abroad!!) and how she had to pack up their life in Switzerland in 7 weeks to relocate to Singapore.   Selina also speaks about how she used her time as a trailing spouse to r...

In this episode, we speak with Dana, an Austrian Taiwanese who has been a trailing spouse since 2012. Now based in Singapore, Dana talks about her journey, struggles with losing her identity and starting her business Anjia Living when it was 'her time'.   You can find and connect with Dana via www.anjialiving.com   Note: this episode covers topics such as postnatal depression, depression a...

In this episode, we speak with Stephanie, an Austrian who has spent more time living abroad than in her home country. Now based in Singapore, Stephanie talks about her mother encouraging her to see the world, her experience living in Japan and life for more than 16 years in Singapore.   You can find and connect with Stephanie via www.stateofreiki.com    The Trailing Spouse Co is a n...