Crossing The Pond

In this weeks American Summer episode Gary chats with Sal Eppolito, a New Jersey native, whose passion for soccer has allowed him to broaden his horizons and come closer in touch with his European heritage. They explore similarities between the places he has visited and his home state of NJ and also how his travel and interactions have influenced his decisions and perspectives. #crossingthepond #a...

David Prager joins Gary this week to talk about his time in the US since moving to New Jersey. in 2004. He made a career shift in 2011 after coming here initially to work in the youth soccer industry. They talk about various experiences he’s encountered over the past 20 years and the challenges that present themselves when making a big career move. They also reflect on the relationships he’s maint...

Gary was joined for this weeks ‘American Summer’ episode by a good friend Steve Mazzaro. Steve currently works in product development for a renowned home decor company in New York City They talk about influences on his lifestyle from people outside of the US. Reflecting on times that have helped him understand his own personal challenges, along with the importance of keeping a close circle of frie...

This week Gary welcomed Steve Broomhead to the show, who currently holds the record for the longest tenure of any of his guests so far, having moved to America in 1979. They talk about the early days finding his way in New Jersey, the relationships he developed that have made him feel welcome And how his family has evolved over what is now 45 years in the US.

Gary's guest for this weeks 'American Summer' episode has travelled to over 200 professional soccer games in the UK and Europe. Perhaps more significantly, he has visited all 92 football league stadiums in England and Wales. Given Paul Gerald's background as a professional writer and coupled with his passion for travel and soccer, he set out to develop Groundhopper Soccer Guides, offering consulti...

Genny Dunnington is the guest this week to talk about her move to the US from England in 2016. After the 2020 pandemic put the brakes on her career in the Spa industry, and spurred on by her own weight loss journey, she set out to start her adventure as 'The Tipsy Trainer'. Drawing on her own personal experiences to help people navigate through their own unique fitness campaigns. A self-confessed...

Maggie Devine-Inman joins Gary this week to talk about her alternate 'Crossing the Pond' experience. Maggie moved to the UK in 2012 and in 2016 co-founded Lifestyled Club, a member-only website offering support services for wives and partners of professional footballers. She talks about her early years in the UK and how she has brought her own experiences of living away from home to drive her to b...

Gary’s guest this week is Alan McClintock, who has maintained his role at USA Sports Group since he first moved to the US in 2004. He has navigated through other additional roles in his time and holds positions with Drew University Men’s Soccer and FC Motown, the 2022 NPSL National Champions. Alan speaks to his practices that allow him to give 100% to each of these roles, along with the challenges...

In the first of our 'American Summer' episodes, which will be interspersed with our regular episodes, Gary talks to Liz Lord-Gibson. Liz worked in the fashion industry in her 20s before pivoting into a career in teaching and administration. We talk about all the various skills and principles that guide us through our lives but also the new appreciation she has picked up having met and later marrie...

In part 2 of our episode with Richard Smith, we talk further about his foray into the hip-hop industry and reflect on his time as he moves into his self-proclaimed '2nd phase' of his life. This episode concludes with what could be the longest 'quick fire' round to date.

Richard Smith joins Gary this week to talk about his initial move from London to the Midwestern US, before his migration to NYC in 2006. They talk about Richard's love for sport, celebrity encounters and the projects that have driven him into various roles ranging from youth sports all the way to the music industry.

Jay Jefferies moved to the US in July 2004 after his dream of a career in football was stunted by a series of knee injuries. Early on he was coaching in the youth soccer industry, before taking it upon himself to apply to study at university here in the states. After graduating, he worked in multiple roles and fields until 2022, when he finally began his journey as the founder of Brit Force Traini...

Gary’s guest this week is Toby Stupples, who came to the US in ‘03 to work in Youth Soccer and has made the move that many expats may have contemplated during their time in the US, that being the move home. Since his return home in 2013, he has found himself in a the role of Client Delivery Director for the marketing company, Gekko. He talks about ‘starting again’ on the employment ladder, the tra...

Kelly Adair almost made a U-turn on her way to the airport before she came to New Jersey in 2007. A self-confessed introvert, she talks about the close support network that got her through her first few months. More recently, she points to ways of improving her mental health, a newfound love of working out and her time spent volunteering to foster rescue dogs for Joyrides Rescue in Jersey City, NJ...

When Feargal Gleeson landed in the US in 2009, he knew this was where he wanted to be. He began working as a bartender in Manhattan until 2016, when he started his journey on the NYC realtor ladder. He currently holds a role as a residential broker at Brown Harris Stevens. Feargal talks about his love for NYC, the importance of the day to day relationships he’s developed and his relentless drive t...

This week’s bonus episode sees Gary talking to the cofounders of OVO Vodka, Jon Dunnington and Anthony Packwood. They discuss the origins of the brand, the working as expats through the ups and downs of the US beverage market and navigating the fine line between business and friendship, while all the striving to achieve OVOs message of vodka without compromise and oceans without plastic.

Since the day Gary’s guests, Jon Dunnington & Anthony Packwood, met at University their friendship has navigated the ups and downs of entrepreneurship. It brought them both to the US in 2016 working in various roles until a recent foray into the US beverage market has seen them embark on their latest venture as co-founders of OVO Vodka. They discuss managing the line between business and frien...

CTP visited Mulligans Pub in Hoboken, NJ this week for a chat with owner Paul Dawson about his time in the US since arriving in 1990. He gives a great insight into his humble beginnings, love for football and his daily mindset to provide a ‘taste of home’ for anyone who enters the pub. One of the many reasons it has become one of the most popular ‘soccer bars’ in the NY/NJ Metro area Since he bega...

This week Gary is joined by Joe Melvin, who came to the US in 2007 to continue his work with the Wall St Journal. He documents the challenges of adapting to new surroundings, the joys of being a father and the steps he is now taking to improve his outlook on day-to-day moments moving forward. He talks specifically about his personal struggle with his mental health and the affects it has had on him...

BONUS SHORT In the first effort at a mini spin-off, Gary was able to record an extra bonus segment from my recent episode with Dave Simpson, talking about his endeavors, along with Co-Founder Bob Gibson, to form the Leeds United LA supporters club (LULA). He talks about the initial ideas, the search for a bar to host them and how far they have come since its inception in 2017. Dave talks about its...

Dave Simpson joined Gary on his final leg of the recent west coast trip to talk about his career in the fire service that has led him to his new role as an Investigator for the LA Coroners office. They talk about how his new role came about and how the intensity of his job offers a great deal of perspective when he returns to his regular family life. Dave shares stories of his initial thoughts aft...

The Podcast goes on the road to sunny California this week for the first episode recorded in Los Angeles. Pat McCarthy joins Gary to talk about his journey in the world of acting and modelling. which ultimately brought him to the US in 2010. From early auditions to being the face of a German aftershave, Pat's stories provide an excellent insight into navigating the cutthroat industries and the tol...

Gary hosts Matt Walker this week, who has made significant strides since his early foray to the US in 2004 and is now the Head of Performance Services for the Academy at Manchester United Football Club. Regardless of if you have a football/soccer affiliation or not, this episode talks a lot about creating the right environments to foster success for others. Matt's insight into his processes, the '...

Andy Ralphs joins Gary in the studio this week as they recount all of the experiences that they’ve had and how it’s shaped them during their time in the US, since they arrived here on the same plane back in 2003. Andy reflects on the people he’s met, the places he’s been and everything else from food, sports and culture in between. The discussion moves to how the search for different experiences h...

Gary is joined this week by an old friend from his early days in the US, Ray Gallagher. Ray first came to the US from Co. Cork, Ireland after completing his English/Sociology degree in 2004. After 3 1/2 years working in the service industry in Manhattan, he returned home in early ‘08. He is currently working at a high school in the Southeast of England, holding the roles of Assistant Headmaster an...