Expecting Expats

Summer has officially arrived, and for many international families, that means a season filled with sunshine, travel plans, school holidays, and a healthy dose of chaos. In this special catch-up episode of Expecting Expats, Amanda and CJ sit down for an honest conversation about what life looks like right now as moms raising children abroad. From summer bucket lists and family traditions to the re...

Have you ever found yourself standing in a crowded hallway, desperately searching for a missing shoe while one child refuses to get dressed, another is asking a thousand questions, and you're already late? If so, you're not alone. In this episode of Expecting Expats, Amanda and CJ dive into what they're calling "hallway claustrophobia"—that overwhelming feeling that seems to strike during family t...

In today’s episode of our Expat Experts Series, Amanda and CJ sit down with Seli Jacome —a birth and postpartum doula, lactation consultant, and former Frankfurt resident who flipped the script on expat family life four years ago by relocating her trilingual family to Valencia, Spain. If you’ve ever wondered what it’s like to move out of Germany, or how to navigate the vulnerable phases of expat m...

What happens when you’re raising children in a country completely different from your passport culture? In this episode, Amanda and CJ explore the beautifully complicated reality of expat parenting and raising Third Culture Kids (TCKs). From blending holiday traditions (think Danish elves, St. Nicholas, and Santa Claus all competing for airtime) to navigating identity, belonging, and the ever-chan...

In this episode of Expecting Expat, we dive into the wonderful world of expat parenting and explore the joys and challenges of raising multilingual children across cultures. Whether you're navigating expat family life or seeking expat parenting tips, this episode offers practical insights and heartfelt stories about fostering language skills and cultural identity abroad. We discuss various languag...

✨ Episode Summary Moving abroad is exciting—but it can also feel isolating. In this episode of Expecting Expats, we sit down with Amy Fletcher, founder of Speak Easy Sprachschule in Frankfurt, to explore how language learning can become a powerful tool for building community, confidence, and connection. Amy shares her journey from the U.S. to Germany, how she built a community-centered language s...

📝 Episode Description In this special 6-month anniversary episode of Expecting Expats, Amanda shares the birth story of her first child—an unexpected and unplanned C-section that changed everything. Recorded during C-section Awareness Month, this honest conversation explores the realities of expat motherhood, navigating pregnancy and birth in a foreign healthcare system, and what happens when bir...

Choosing a school is one of the biggest—and often most emotional—decisions in expat parenting. In this episode, Amanda and CJ dive into the realities of navigating school choices while raising kids abroad, especially within the context of expat motherhood and expat family life. With millions of families living outside their home countries, the question of local vs. international school is more rel...

Starting daycare abroad can feel overwhelming — especially when you’re navigating a new system, a new language, and a new culture at the same time. In this episode of Expecting Expats, Amanda and CJ talk about one of the biggest milestones in expat family life: starting Kita (daycare) in Germany. From confusing application portals to the emotional rollercoaster of the settling-in period, this conv...

In this episode, Amanda and CJ explore the significance of attachment styles in early childhood and adult relationships, particularly for expat families. They discuss how early attachment shapes emotional stability and learning, the implications of the still face study, and common misconceptions about attachment. The conversation delves into the four adult attachment styles, the impact of moving a...

In this episode of Expecting Expats, Amanda and CJ delve into the often misunderstood topic of perimenopause, a phase that affects millions of women globally. They are joined by Dr. Colette White, a clinician specializing in women's health, who shares her insights on the challenges women face during this transition. Dr. White emphasizes the importance of awareness and education regarding perimenop...

In this episode, Amanda and CJ explores the significant decline in sex among couples after having children, highlighting the various factors contributing to this change, including fatigue, caregiving demands, and shifts in couple dynamics. Takeaways * A lot of studies show that couples' sex life tends to decline after having kids. * Fatigue, sleep disruption, and caregiving demands contribute to t...

In this episode of Expecting Expats, Amanda and CJ explore the profound identity shifts that accompany motherhood, particularly for those parenting abroad. They discuss personal experiences, the evolution of relationships, the importance of community support, and strategies for reclaiming one's identity amidst the challenges of motherhood. The conversation emphasizes that while the journey can be...

Amanda and CJ discusses how their New Years ritual unfolded and how they feel about the wish they are responsible for (listen to the holiday special episode for context). CJ also shares her considerations regarding having another child. Podcast recommendations: Dr. Death (from Wondery) A Little Bit Culty The Daily (from New York Times)

In this episode of Expecting Expats, Amanda and CJ delve into the complexities of maternity leave, discussing the pressures of productivity, cultural differences, and the often invisible labor involved in new parenthood. They share personal experiences and insights, emphasizing the importance of self-care, community support, and reframing expectations around maternity leave as a time of transforma...

In our first Expat Experts episode, we interview Annie Ueyama, cofounder of FitnessWerkstatt and extensive expertise in pre- and postnatal fitness. We discuss the often-overlooked topic of pelvic floor health. We explore the importance of pelvic floor training for women at all stages of life, the impact of pregnancy and aging on pelvic floor health, and the benefits of postpartum rehabilitation pr...

In this episode, Amanda and CJ reflect on their personal journeys over the past year, discussing the challenges and triumphs they faced. They share a special ritual for setting intentions for the new year, emphasizing the importance of reflection and gratitude. The conversation delves into the power of manifestation and the significance of rituals in marking time and creating a sense of grounding,...

CJ and Amanda shares their personal experiences and best tips for building your community abroad. Here’s the main takeaways: 1. Put yourself out there — community starts with brave first steps Both hosts emphasize that building a village doesn’t happen passively. You need to take initiative: * Say yes to “blind-date” coffees * Join meetups (e.g., InterNations, “new to Frankfurt” events) * Attend l...

Amanda and CJ checks in, with a surprise recording from thanksgiving morning, where they talk about the different holiday traditions and why they find it important to keep them going, while living abroad. They also share what they are grateful for, and invite all their listeners to do the same. Happy Thanksgiving everyone!

In this episode of Expecting Expats, CJ and Amanda share their weekend experiences, discuss the complexities of family life, and delve into their breastfeeding journeys. They explore the emotional and physical challenges of breastfeeding, the societal pressures surrounding it, and the importance of support systems for new mothers. The conversation also touches on cultural differences in breastfeed...

In this episode of Expecting Expats, Amanda and CJ welcomes back Kari to share her recent birth story of baby number 3! Kari discusses her experience giving birth to her third child, Solveig, where she barely made it to the hospital, and didn’t have time to get any pain medication. The conversation touches on the logistics of managing multiple children, answering work emails while having contracti...

CJ and Amanda share the funny, shocking and emotional cultural surprises during their pregnancies in Germany. Podcast recommendations: The Positive Birth Story Podcast

In this episode, CJ and Amanda get personal—sharing the winding paths that brought them to Germany and the unexpected turns that shaped their lives as expat parents.

In this special episode, CJ and Amanda sit down with Kari, the original co-host of Expecting Expats, to reflect on her journey and share the reasons behind her decision to step away from the podcast.

After a long pause, we’re thrilled to relaunch the podcast with fresh energy, deeper conversations, and a brand-new co-host. In this heartfelt episode, CJ returns to the mic to reflect on life’s big transitions—from growing families to shifting careers—and introduces Amanda, a doula and fellow expat parent, who brings her own rich perspective to the show.