Flourish In The Foreign | Black Women Living & Thriving Abroad

* Support for today's episode comes from author Reno Smith , whose books "Listen to Your Children" and "Smart Money Skills for Parents of Teens" offer practical tools for parents raising kids abroad. Find them by searching Amazon for author Reno Smith. * What are the conditions under which Black women flourish? In this Season 7 finale of Flourish in the Foreign , Christine refl...

In this episode of Flourish in the Foreign , Tania Beasley-Jolly, a Black American woman living in Düsseldorf, Germany. She has spent about 11 years living abroad across Belgium, Singapore, and Germany. Tania shares how art history and opera shaped her international path, how expat moves affected her career, identity, marriage, and motherhood, and how she built community through “cultural ambassad...

In this episode of Flourish in the Foreign , Jordynn McKnight, a creative director living in Amsterdam, shares her path from growing up in Northern Virginia in a creative, curiosity-driven family to studying abroad in Milan and completing a master’s in interactive media that included work in the Dominican Republic. After working in New York design agencies and being laid off, she applied widely an...

In this episode of Flourish in the Foreign , Zamzam Khalfani, a Bahamian educator now in Maputo, Mozambique, shares how leaving Nassau at 20 shaped her identity, faith, and wellbeing. Raised in one of the Bahamas’ first Muslim families, she sought a larger Muslim community and connection to African roots, moving to Senegal to study French and later earning a master’s degree. For professional devel...

In this episode of Flourish in the Foreign , historian and writer Dr. Richelle Clark describes living abroad for over 20 years and now residing in Oahu, Hawaii. She pursued journalism, landed a Stars and Stripes job in Germany, and deployed to Bosnia and Kosovo. She lived in Brazil, and later, Portugal became her “happy place” and home. This Episode Covers: First Overseas Reporting in Germany Land...

In this episode of Flourish in the Foreign , Courtney Bowden shares her transformative journey from burnout and grief in the U.S. to finding peace and purpose in Mexico. After the tragic loss of a close friend and feeling disillusioned with the American Dream, Courtney takes a leap of faith to move abroad. She discusses her childhood in a sundown town in Michigan, and the various factors that led...

In this episode of Flourish in the Foreign , Meka Walters shares her extraordinary journey of living and working across various countries, from Japan to Burkina Faso to Bhutan. She discusses significant challenges such as losing her job and contracting malaria. She delves into her teaching experiences, spiritual growth through yoga, and her current work with the Bhutan Wine Company. This Episode C...

In this episode of Flourish in the Foreign , Itiah Thomas returns to the show to share what she’s been up to since our  last conversation . Itiah delves into her life abroad in Brisbane, from obtaining Australian citizenship to navigating professional evolution. She also shares her thoughts on aging abroad, retirement, and the wellness practices that keep her healthy and happy abroad. This Episode...

In this episode of Flourish in the Foreign , Niana returns to share her thoughts on "Aging Abroad". Niana's first episode of the show was the very first episode of Flourish in the Foreign . This episode is being released on the 6th anniversary of the show. Celebrate and show your support through Buy Me A Coffee or by becoming a paid Substack subscriber. Niana has been living in the Net...

In this episode of Flourish in the Foreign , Dr. Tiffany Lashelle Smith returns to share what she has been up to since our  last conversation . She discusses the impact of pursuing her PhD and the evolution of her identity as a Black American woman living internationally. Tiffany reflects on aging, family relationships, and the concept of migration as a form of liberation. She delves into her pers...

In this episode of Flourish in the Foreign , Roxana Bangura shares her extensive experiences navigating Black identity through her life and travels. Growing up in the Bronx to West African immigrants, Roxana reflects on her family’s immigrant journey, her education in journalism and international relations, and her travels across Europe, West Africa, and Mexico. She explores the complexities of Bl...

In this episode of Flourish in the Foreign , Keturah Kendrick shares her experiences of living abroad in Rwanda, China, and now Portugal. She discusses her upbringing in New Orleans, her education, and how those experiences foreshadowed her life of international living. Keturah details her thoughts on community building, the importance of having a support system, and offers advice for Black women...

In this episode of Flourish in the Foreign , Candace Smith returns to the show to share what she’s been up to since our  last conversation . Seeking a calmer environment, Candace strategically relocated from Istanbul to Málaga, where the favorable weather, peaceful atmosphere, and accessibility to resources for her daughter provided the stability they needed. Candace reflects on the importance of...

In this episode of Flourish in the Foreign , Sienna J. Brown shares her 12-year journey of living abroad, recounting her transition from New York to Murcia and Jávea, Spain. She discusses her struggle with cultural identity, experiences of personal growth, founding a business, and overcoming the challenges of life abroad, including losing her hair to alopecia. She reflects on significant moments,...

In this episode of Flourish in the Foreign , Reva Watson shares her experiences of living abroad, from studying in China to settling in Trinidad. Reva discusses the unexpected obstacles she faced as a new mother in a new country, her academic journey, and how her professional and personal life evolved over 10 years. This Episode Covers: Living and Studying in China Transition to Life in Trinidad F...

In this episode of Flourish in the Foreign , Tiandra Burns returns to the show to share what she’s been up to since our  last conversation . She reflects on residing in Montevideo for seven years, recounts her transformative experiences of living abroad, being laid off, and finding her identity after a significant relationship ended. She highlights her journey through mental health struggles, ther...

In this episode of  Flourish in the Foreign , Candace Stephens, a 35-year-old Black American who has lived in Denmark for over eight years, shares her journey from growing up in Rancho Cucamonga, California, to studying abroad in Newcastle, Australia, for six months and au pairing outside Paris for over a year. Candace discusses navigating early adjustment in Denmark, learning Danish amid widespre...

In this episode of Flourish in the Foreign , Khephra White shares what she has been up to in Madrid since our last conversation . She reflects on her career in theater, the transition from teaching to copywriting, and overcoming significant personal losses. Khephra speaks on finding a supportive community in Madrid, engaging in local activism, and her ongoing journey towards health and wellness. T...

Support for today’s episode comes from the  Center for US Voters Abroad Foundation , a nonprofit, nonpartisan civic engagement organization that helps Americans living outside the U.S. vote via absentee ballot.  Request your absentee ballot today using their tool here:  https://usvotersabroad.org/podcast In this episode of Flourish in the Foreign , Ayoka B. delves into her experiences of moving to...

In this episode, Dr. Rachel V. Brown returns to the show to share her experiences living and working abroad since our  last conversation . She reflects on her transition through different countries like Jamaica, the US, Kenya, and Spain before settling in Ghana. Rachel reveals struggles with cultural integration and belonging in Ghana, despite an ancestral connection. She delves into her personal...

Support for today’s episode comes from the Center for US Voters Abroad Foundation , a nonprofit, nonpartisan civic engagement organization that helps Americans living outside the U.S. vote via absentee ballot. Request your absentee ballot today using their tool here: https://usvotersabroad.org/podcast In this episode of Flourish in the Foreign , Dione Peart reflects on her journey to living in Moz...

In this episode of Flourish in the Foreign , Dr. Tayler Ava Friar returns to the show to share what she’s been up to since our last conversation (S5 Ep 11) . She also shares her reflections on living between France and Mexico, the importance of community and sisterhood, and how she plans to age well abroad. This Episode Covers : Living Abroad: A Journey Through Continents Reflections on Home and I...

In this episode, Keki Mwaba, based in Amsterdam, shares her inspiring journey from South Africa to the Netherlands. She discusses her academic background, career in HR and recruitment, and the challenges and successes she faced while transitioning between cultures and countries. Keki dives into her experiences working for major companies like Disney and Uber, and her own entrepreneurial venture, E...

In the debut episode of season seven of Flourish in the Foreign , host Christine Job reflects on the show's evolution and lays the groundwork for this season, discussing significant themes like Black Girl Soft Life, the sumptuous life, and migration as a pathway to wellness and liberation. Christine explores the nuances between living abroad and migration, the impact of migration on personal a...

Season 7 of Flourish in the Foreign launches in 2026. Subscribe to Substack to listen early and ad-free.   Flourish in the Foreign Resources Podcast Website  ( https://www.flourishintheforeign.com ) Buy Me a Coffee  ( https://www.buymeacoffee.com/flourishforeign ) Join the Substack  ( https://christinejob.substack.com/ )   Episode Credits: Christine Job-Creator, Host, Producer & Editor Zachary...