Spain To Go

These days, with a bit of summer heat here in Europe, a lot of Americans are talking about air conditioning. Is it true that Europeans don't use aircon? Is it because we're all tree-hugging environmentalists, or could it possibly be for some other reason? I take these questions seriously, and try to answer them. Donate to the podcast here, I'll give you a shoutout in my next episode: h...

Today I'm revisiting the old "expat" vs "immigrant" debate. What do these labels mean, and does it really matter? Also, a big life update from Daniel and Morena. Sign up to my Substack here for more about life in Spain: https://spaintogo.substack.com/ Donate to the podcast over here: https://expatmadrid.com/donate/ And if you'd like to read my classic "Expats vs Im...

I recently went to Paris, and wrote some reflections about the relationship between Spain and France... plus other important topics. Today nobody's talking about this, but France actually invaded and conquered Spain in the early 1800s. Also in today's episode: Napoleon, Joan of Arc, the great (wo)men of history, Parisian cuisine, and much more. Donate to the podcast right here: https://exp...

A few travel tips from a Barcelona local here: if you want to get "off the beaten path" and have a more "authentic" experience, I've got some advice. Check out these hidden gem neighborhoods, learn about the real story behind Mount Tibidabo, and much more. Check out my new Substack here: https://spaintogo.substack.com Donate to the cause at https://expatmadrid.com/donate (Or you could just become...

Should you move to Spain in 2026? Well, it depends. A blog called Expat Money recently published a list of the "top 7 reasons you should never move to Spain" and I don't think the author was wrong about them... I just think that Spain has some intangibles that make it a great place to live, and that for most of us, moving abroad is more than a mathematical calculation. Support this p...

On this episode of the Spain to Go podcast I go into the new corruption cases involving Pedro Sánchez, ex-president Zapatero, and the socialist government. Also, some of the old corruption scandals, which are ongoing. Plus, Isak Andic (the fashion mogul who fell down a mountain) and thoughts about the 2026 World Cup. Donate to the podcast here: https://expatmadrid.com/donate/ Get your Spanish visa...

It's been more than three years since I quit drinking, and people have asked me for an update. So here goes: some practical thoughts about being sober in Spain, and some deep thoughts about sobriety generally. In today's episode, we've got my top tips for sobriety, creating a new "sober identity", finding a higher power, and much more. Support the podcast here: https://expatm...

In today's episode, I talk about GDP and GDP per capita in Spain and the USA, and I try to answer the question: Is Spain a poor country? Turns out, it's a bit complicated. We've also got some thoughts on Ireland, on India, on wealth and well-being, and much more. Donate to the podcast here: https://expatmadrid.com/donate/ Shoutout and a big thanks this week to our two donors, Keely in Scottsdale,...

An interview with expat therapist (and therapist for expats) Melissa Parks. Melissa is the author of "A Compassionate Mess: a Therapist, Her Monsters, and a Journey to Self-Acceptance" which comes out in June 2026. She lived in Madrid, Spain, for several years – that's where we met. In this episode we talk about navigating life abroad: moving for love, rebuilding after breakups, find...

I recently went to a Worker's Day protest here in Barcelona... here are some thoughts about May 1, the working class struggle, class consciousness, Marx, and rebellion for sale. Support the podcast right here: https://expatmadrid.com/donate/ More about Workers' Day and links to further articles on the blog: https://expatmadrid.com/workers-day-barcelona/ Sign up for a walking tour with Walks Tours...

Spain is planning to regularize 500,000 illegal immigrants, maybe more. Here's my report on who's eligible, where to go for help, and the controversy surrounding Pedro Sánchez's Royal Decree. (As it turns out, most Spaniards are against it, and the rollout is causing massive chaos.) If you're in need of Spanish immigration services – for the mass regularization or any other type of...

A lot of people move to Spain thinking they'll find happiness abroad. In reality, though, expat life is complicated, and happiness is far from guaranteed. Here are my thoughts on a "feeling of home", on getting away from it all, on Americans' love for moving, and much more. Support the podcast at https://expatmadrid.com/donate/ I appreciate it! And I'll give you a shoutout on...

Sant Jordi is a typical Catalan celebration. Also known as the day of books and roses, it celebrates the very international Saint George. In this episode we talk about Saint George's legend in Spain and abroad, as well as the Catalan celebration and some of the important myths associated with Catalan culture. Donate to the podcast here: https://expatmadrid.com/donate/ Today we deal with a numb...

I'm avoiding politics this week, so here are some contemplations on worshipping the Golden Calf, on staying human, on God-shaped holes, and on Holy Thursday. Also, deadlifting, immigrant-owned businesses, loving your wife, and how everything is right-wing these days... even hake. Support the podcast at: https://expatmadrid.com/donate/ Book a walking tour in Spain or elsewhere in Europe with Wa...

The other day I heard someone talking about American Refugees, and the exodus of people fleeing from the US. Is it real? What is a refugee, anyway? And how does Richard Gere fit into all this? In today's episode of the Spain to Go podcast, we're talking about Americans' many reasons for moving abroad. We'll hear about the LGBTQ Americans in Dutch refugee camps, about "making y...

Spanish President / Prime Minister Pedro Sánchez recently made the news by standing up to Donald Trump on the issue of US military bases and the war in Iran. In doing so, he's gained some fans in the US. But is Sánchez popular in Spain? In a word, no. Here's a rundown of the last several years of Spanish politics, and the several reasons why many Spaniards hate Pedro Sánchez. Donate to the...

A couple of weeks ago I heard that Sagrada Familia is finally finished. Well, that's partially true – but not really. Either way, today we're talking about the world's tallest church, Antoni Gaudí's strange life and afterlife, Barcelona's must-see attractions and more. Sagrada Familia is just one of the famous Gaudí buildings here in Barcelona. If you're visiting any time s...

Today's episode is about a famously spiritual Spaniard, Saint Ignatius of Loyola. Mark Kurlansky calls him the most famous Basque in history, and I guess he would know. Anyway, this one talks about the life of Saint Ignatius, as well as his friend Francis Xavier, and about our modern lives of temptation and materialism. Is it time for some spiritual warfare? Probably. More on the blog: https:/...

The Guardian up in the UK has recently published an article about the "dark history" of Spanish ham. So today's episode is about jamón (and pork more generally) as a piece of the culture wars. Is the Spanish inquisition affecting your dietary choices? Is jamón a tool of social exclusion? All valid questions we'll be answering. Donate to this podcast right here: https://expatmadri...

The Spanish government announced this week that it was going to have a "mass regularization" that might help half a million immigrants to get work permits. As a former illegal immigrant (or undocumented migrant) myself I have some opinions about all this. Donate to the cause here, I appreciate it: https://expatmadrid.com/donate/ If you need an FBI background check for some Spanish visa p...

Julio Iglesias is cancelled, the future of Greenland is up for grabs, and the EU doesn't want to do anything about it. In this "Random Thoughts" episode of the Spain to Go podcast, we talk about one of the most famous Spanish singers being accused of sexual assault, about geopolitics, and much more. Take a look at the article on the blog for links: https://expatmadrid.com/julio-igles...

It's a strange time to be an American in Spain, with the Spanish media pushing an anti-American narrative almost constantly. In this episode I talk about Donald Trump, Nicolás Maduro, Jean-Jacques Rousseau, and what it's like waking up to the hatred of a large part of your adopted country. Interesting times! Don't forget to donate to support the cause at https://expatmadrid.com/donate/...

It's been quite a year here in Spain, here's a bit of a recap of some of the top stories and things I've been thinking about. More on the blog: https://expatmadrid.com/spain-2025-review/ As usual, you can donate to the cause over at https://expatmadrid.com/donate/ I really appreciate it! And if you're coming to Spain (for tourism or to live here) check out some of my sponsors and s...

The population of wild boars in Catalonia has suddenly become newsworthy as a few cases of African swine fever outside Barcelona threaten the entire pork industry. Pork is big business in Spain, and if the virus isn't contained, we could have problems. Here's my report on the swine fever, more as usual on the web: https://expatmadrid.com/swine-fever/ Support for this podcast comes from Wal...

A bit about 8 surprising holiday traditions here in Spain. Christmas is a bit different in Spain, so here's a bit about what to expect. You might also enjoy the article I did on Spanish Christmas vocabulary: https://expatmadrid.com/spanish-christmas-vocabulary/ Support for this podcast comes from Walks Tours, with amazing walking tours of incredible locations, right here: https://expatmadrid.com/w...