The Big Purple Blob PODCAST

Starting a New Career:  The Time Is Now!   Are you an EFM looking for meaningful and profitable work that has longevity?  World-renowned Marketing Coach Amel Derragui joins  Katie Fowle and Sharoya to discuss how EFMs can turn their passions into portable businesses.  Katie and Sharoya share their personal stories of creating businesses that are rewarding, impactful, and sustainable from post to p...

We are glad to welcome international tax expert for this episode.  Alex has a great deal of expertise to share with us in the diplo community.     https://podcasts.apple.com/us/ podcast/talking-expat-taxes/ id1753694329   Find Alex here: https://mcgowintax.com/   Learn how to fill out international forms here: https://www.youtube.com/@ McGowinTax

Does living in different places shape or shift your perspective on political leanings?  Join us to talk about what we've noticed.   In this talk, Jenni and Angi are considerate of varied opinions across the board.  This discussion aims to be inclusive for all, while we all decide our politics as individuals.  Especially how this works within families and third culture kids.   To work with Jenni di...

Budgeting genius, Heather Emerick is here to share her knowledge with us!  If you're ready for accountability and upleveling your budget- check out this episode and her website here. Check out: www.diplobudgets.com Take some of the stress out of life by planning ahead for your own spending habits. Angi Solley is a Life Coach for Teens: www.teenlines.com    

Jennie, Katie and Susie share a very personal story of diplo life, facing a medical challenge.   Talk to Jennie at www.theexpatmom.com Talk to Katie at www.learningtoflourish.org Talk to Susie at www.healthyexpatparent.com   Find us all and give us your ideas for the next show topic at: www.thebigpurpleblob.com  

Find out more about working with Sharoya and Jennie at   www.thebigpurpleblob.com   Book discussed: Anxious generation by Jonathan Haidt   https://www.amazon.com/ Anxious-Generation-Rewiring- Childhood-Epidemic/   Resources mentioned:   Raising an adult,  by Julie Lythcott-Haims https://www.amazon.com/How-to- Raise-an-Adult-audiobook/   Free Range Kids by Lenore Skenazy https://www.amazon.com/Free...

A challenging topic for our overseas community to experience at a distance and when we are living in the US.  See important resources below or visit us at The Big Purple Blob to share your ideas.   www.thebigpurpleblob.com     https://www. healthyexpatparent.com/post/ again-use-your-words   American Tragedy Documentary:  https://www.imdb.com/title/ tt10914182/   How to talk to your kids about scar...

Bidding can be pretty overwhelming.  Talk it through with experienced adults who understand.  Join Sharoya Ham and Susie Czor-Brown. Work with us at www.thebigpurpleblob.com   Resources mentioned in this episode: Below link to online version of the FSI Post Info to Go boxes that can be super useful for bidding considerations.   https://online.fsi.state.gov / PITG  (PITG-External), the online versi...

Sometimes healthcare isn't simple and easy overseas.  Join us for a discussion on Mammograms.  Visit us at TheBigPurpleBlob.com Jennie:  www.theexpatmom.com Susie: www.healthyexpatparent.com  

Lucca joins us to share his first-hand experience and ideas for going to University as he returns for a second year.  Susie leads a through parent-student talk to share insider tips for other TCKs and parents in our audience.   Thanks for being part of our Purple Blob community.  Find out more at: www.thebigpurpleblob.com    

Angi & Jennie share their stories of learning how to navigate the UNPREDICTABILITY of pet ownership as a nomad. Have an interesting experience you want to share with our wider community?  Join us for a chat. Please join us and share your ideas at www.thebigpurpleblob.com Connect with Jennie: www.theexpatmom.com Connect with Angi: www.teenlines.com    

Living overseas sometimes means that we miss out on important life events for family members because we are at a distance. What do you do when your child marries someone you don't know really well because you live so far away? In this episode, Sharoya chats with another veteran EFM.  They share their emotional journey to accept what is and embrace the beauty of what will be.   How will living at a...

Two parents share their experience in connecting (and sometimes convincing) their kids to talk to someone.  What to consider when finding the right person to work with your teen or kid.   To work with Angi check out: www.teenlines.com   To work with Jennie check out: www.theexpatmom.com  

Join Susie and Jennie to discuss some of the unexpected adjustments to having your kid (adult?) return to stay with you for the summer.   Jennie Linton: www.theexpatmom.com Susie Czorz-Brown:  www.healthyexpatparent.com

Susie and Sharoya share some helpful insights for parents of Teens.   Find out more at  www.thebigpurpleblob.com   To work with Sharoya: www.embracebehaviorchange.com To work with Susie: www.healthyexpatparent.com  

Dr Teneshia Taylor's study of the experince of kids' of color, comparing US schools with international schools.  In this Blob episode we are talking about mitigating the problem, helping kids of all colors have the educational experience they deserve.  Dr. Taylor is researching the current events around anti-black racism.  She has conducted a direct study of WHAT black kids experience in Internati...

Eligible Family Members, Direct Hires, MoHs and TCKS....we have to factor in ALL the things when scoping out our next possible Post.  How do you choose?  Jennie and Angi share their process and ideas. To work with Jennie directly check out:    http://www.expatmom.com Angi works with teens who could use support in goal setting and emotional processing: www.teenlines.com  

Thoughts from a 16year old young man who has grown up around the world(Turkey, Bulgaria, Costa Rica, Azerbaijan, Ukraine and Laos).  This is his positive outlook on the advantages and disadvantages of growing up third culture style.   To support your own Teen in discovering their own strengths and advantages check out: www.teenlines.com and www.thebigpurpleblob.com        

Susie shares some wisdom and helpful guidance on more mindfulness in our often-chaotic lifestyle. Find out how to access MORE of Susies wisdom and personal support here:   www.healthyexpatparent.com and www.thebigpurpleblob.com  

Life can really throw a major WRENCH at you from time to time.  How do we manage just keeping up with the basics in holding balance together when hard things happen? Let's talk about how we handle tough times in Diplo living. Susie, Katie and Angi are all available to work directly with you and your family if you're seeking an accountability, check-in, or safe space to talk about your emotional he...

When your child is standing up against you and REFUSING to go to school, you can find yourself in a cycle of arguments, exhaustion, confusion and sometimes everyone starts feeling like a failure.  Help is HERE for you.   Even if this hasn't happened in your home...chances are you know someone who has mentioned this recently or may be struggling with this in their family.  Please share this episode...

Let's talk about Co-parenting.  When two people (or more, when step-parents are involved) are working at raising children....we won't always agree on how to parent.   Sharoya and Susie have some insight and ideas for you.   Sharoya-- www.embracebehaviorchange.com   Susie-- www.healthyexpatparent.com   Find out more at: www.thebigpurpleblob.com  

A teen perspective on the college application process.  Living OVERSEAS while applying to US schools.  Sports, Volunteerwork, and more.  Do grades really matter? SATs: are they essential? Do I need to tour and interview?  Should I apply Early Decision?   If you have a high school student who might be looking at the application process soon: grab some popcorn and listen together. One teen shares he...

Drugs when living in the US and Abroad    Navigating drugs in overseas schools and when coming back to the US - join Katie and Susie as they share their perspectives on raising teens both at home and abroad.   Teens Overseas: Rules for tuk-tuks, drinking and more Talking to Your Teens About Drugs Opiods in Fairfax County  

Great information from expert, Dr Geoffrey Jones, Deputy Chief Medical Officer for Clinical Programs   In this episode we are talking about Health Unit services, local services, briefly about the new Medical Clearance process coming out, Medcare Mangement as well as the Med Connect option for appointments stateside and Askmed@state.gov .     Find out how to work with us directly at www. TheBigPurp...