The Bittersweet Life

Hurricane Nate missed New Orleans in October, but being in it's path brought about both fear and cultural revelation for new resident - our host Katy Sewall. It also brought about an unexpected interview with BBC radio. BBC Radio 5 Live Katy's most famous BBC News article: The girl who gets gifts from birds NEVER HEARD THE SHOW? Don't be afraid to start with Episode 1:OUTSET SPONSOR:  Reach thousa...

Mortician Caitlin Doughty joins us to talk about death practices around the world. Discover where you'd like to die and what countries deal with mortality best.  Caitlin Doughty Homepage The Order of the Good Death   NEVER HEARD THE SHOW? Don't be afraid to start with Episode 1:OUTSET SPONSOR:  Reach thousands of expats and travelers all over the world by sponsoring  The Bittersweet Life.  Write t...

Sad days after Tiffany's father dies. She struggles with the guilt many expats feel about being far away and not seeing him as much as she might have if she lived closer.   NEVER HEARD THE SHOW? Don't be afraid to start with Episode 1:OUTSET SPONSOR:  Reach thousands of expats and travelers all over the world by sponsoring  The Bittersweet Life.  Write the at  bittersweetlife@mail.com  to get the...

Visit New Orleans with us! Host Katy moves into her new (temporary) home and discovers crime, a muggy heat and a great dance partner.   NEVER HEARD THE SHOW? Don't be afraid to start with Episode 1:OUTSET SPONSOR:  Reach thousands of expats and travelers all over the world by sponsoring  The Bittersweet Life.  Write the at  bittersweetlife@mail.com  to get the conversation going. JOIN THE CONVERSA...

Jorge Moreno, beloved bartender from the reality show Bachelor in Paradise, gives us a behind-the-scenes look at the show and explains how expats can accidentally ruin a town they love.  Book a Tour with Jorge!  Nayarit Uncovered Follow him on Facebook , YouTube , Instagram , Twitter and Trip Advisor NEVER HEARD THE SHOW? Don't be afraid to start with Episode 1:OUTSET SPONSOR:  Reach thousands of...

When expat Sara Sullivan's baby got sick in Botswana, a medical transfer by private jet was required. What was that like? And what is it like to be able to afford a level of medical care that local residents can't?  Outland-ish : Honest Tales from Overseas by Sara Sullivan NEVER HEARD THE SHOW? Don't be afraid to start with Episode 1:OUTSET SPONSOR:  Reach thousands of expats and travelers all ove...

Mongol Rally participants drive from London to Mongolia at their own pace and their own peril. Radio Producer Scott Gurian survived the 11,000 mile journey in his tiny, 1 liter car and joins us to talk about it.  Far from Home podcast  homepage Sign up for the Mongol Rally NEVER HEARD THE SHOW? Don't be afraid to start with Episode 1:OUTSET SPONSOR:  Reach thousands of expats and travelers all ove...

A short memoir by Beth Ann Fennelly inspires a discussion on what makes something glamorous rather than trashy.  Heating & Cooling by Beth Ann Fennelly (Released:Oct 10, 2017)  NEVER HEARD THE SHOW? Don't be afraid to start with Episode 1:OUTSET SPONSOR:  Reach thousands of expats and travelers all over the world by sponsoring  The Bittersweet Life.  Write the at  bittersweetlife@mail.com  to get...

What is the best and worst place to live according to expats the world over? Host Tiffany Parks tries to guess as Katy goes over the results of a recent survey conducted by InterNations . Spoiler alert: Italy did not do so great.  The Full Expat Insider Survey Article: Not such a dolce vita: Italy ranked among worst countries for expat life   by Catherine Edwards NEVER HEARD THE SHOW? Don't be afr...

Does weather dictate where people live or do people follow opportunities? We reflect on the power of weather after Hurricane Harvey floods the US city of Houston. NEVER HEARD THE SHOW? Don't be afraid to start with Episode 1:OUTSET SPONSOR:  Reach thousands of expats and travelers all over the world by sponsoring  The Bittersweet Life.  Write the at  bittersweetlife@mail.com  to get the conversati...

Sometimes a big adventure comes along and you say no. How do you know you're saying no for the right reason? Hosts Katy and Tiffany use the US total eclipse of the sun to fuel the discussion.  NEVER HEARD THE SHOW? Don't be afraid to start with Episode 1:OUTSET SPONSOR:  Reach thousands of expats and travelers all over the world by sponsoring  The Bittersweet Life.  Write the at  bittersweetlife@m...

Jennifer Rumbach works with refugees all over the world, specializing in communicating with the LGBTI community. After a hectic year zig-zagging the world by plane, she is finally staying put in New York. How does living in one place affect her sense of self - and her fight against a particularly resilient parasite? Jenn was a fan favorite when she originally appeared on Episode 79.    NEVER HEARD...

What do a baby eel and a favorite cafe have in common? Next to nothing, unless you're traveling and looking for a sense of place and belonging. We explore how the tiniest things can give you peace of mind. Be sure to visit Twitter or Facebook to see the baby eel!   Katy's article about the closing of The People's Pub where she used to work.  Il Margutta , the vegetarian restaurant where Tiffany ce...

After an lengthy journey to visit her family, Tiffany returns to her home in Rome. We get her impressions and hear a big announcement from Katy. NEVER HEARD THE SHOW? Don't be afraid to start with Episode 1:OUTSET SPONSOR:  Reach thousands of expats and travelers all over the world by sponsoring  The Bittersweet Life.  Write the at  bittersweetlife@mail.com  to get the conversation going. JOIN THE...

Today, tips on what NOT to do from an expat who is on her 17th expat assignment, Lori-Lee Emshey . Listen to avoid the mistakes people often make when moving to a new place.  NEVER HEARD THE SHOW? Don't be afraid to start with Episode 1:OUTSET SPONSOR:  Reach thousands of expats and travelers all over the world by sponsoring  The Bittersweet Life.  Write the at  bittersweetlife@mail.com  to get th...

Artist Cat Seto  completely remade her stationery business after being bullied into a trip to France.  Ferme a Papier (Cat's reborn business)    NEVER HEARD THE SHOW? Don't be afraid to start with Episode 1:OUTSET SPONSOR:  Reach thousands of expats and travelers all over the world by sponsoring  The Bittersweet Life.  Write the at  bittersweetlife@mail.com  to get the conversation going. JOIN THE...

Travel changes you, but how much? We trace how hosts Tiffany and Katy have changed through the eyes of their childhood friend, Suzanne Morrison .    NEVER HEARD THE SHOW? Don't be afraid to start with Episode 1:OUTSET SPONSOR:  Reach thousands of expats and travelers all over the world by sponsoring  The Bittersweet Life.  Write the at  bittersweetlife@mail.com  to get the conversation going. JOIN...

We explore what makes yoga appealing to some? And what youthful notions of travel are unrealistic?  NEVER HEARD THE SHOW? Don't be afraid to start with Episode 1:OUTSET SPONSOR:  Reach thousands of expats and travelers all over the world by sponsoring  The Bittersweet Life.  Write the at  bittersweetlife@mail.com  to get the conversation going. JOIN THE CONVERSATION Connect with us on Twitter , Fa...

Expat Tiffany Parks returns to her hometown of Seattle after years away (in Rome). This episode is a continuation of last week's episode with special guest, author and old-time friend, Suzanne Morrison .    NEVER HEARD THE SHOW? Don't be afraid to start with Episode 1:OUTSET SPONSOR:  Reach thousands of expats and travelers all over the world by sponsoring  The Bittersweet Life.  Write the at  bit...

Host Tiffany Parks arrives in Seattle from Rome, reuniting with co-host Katy and long-time best friend, Suzanne Morrison . The conversation turns into a bit of a praise-fest. Maybe that's what happens when an expat is gone from home for so many years. REMEMBER to send us your voice memos about LONELINESS for an upcoming show. Send them to bittersweetlife@mail.com NEVER HEARD THE SHOW? Don't be afr...

Tiffany is heading to the U.S.A after 4 years without visiting her home country. Is her Italian-born toddler ready with enough English to meet his American family?  REMEMBER to send us your voice memos about LONELINESS for an upcoming show. Send them to bittersweetlife@mail.com NEVER HEARD THE SHOW? Don't be afraid to start with Episode 1:OUTSET SPONSOR:  Reach thousands of expats and travelers al...

Hala Alyan is a Palestinian American a poet, novelist ( Salt Houses )  and clinical psychologist. After her family fled Kuwait when Saddam invaded, they moved a lot! Together we explore storytelling, straddling cultures, loneliness, therapy and what value belongings have when you move constantly. Well, that - and so much more. Hala Alyan Homepage Hala Alyan Poem about Place REMEMBER to send us you...

Katy cries over a sudden, devastating loss in her life, and the conversation turns to how to decide what you want out of life. REMEMBER to send us your voice memos about LONELINESS for an upcoming show. Send them to bittersweetlife@mail.com NEVER HEARD THE SHOW? Don't be afraid to start with Episode 1:OUTSET SPONSOR:  Reach thousands of expats and travelers all over the world by sponsoring  The Bi...

Fan favorite Clare Brown joins us from Split, Croatia to talk about Tinder dating in a foreign country, making it as a freelancer, and the hazards of being happy anywhere.  REMEMBER to send us your voice memos about LONELINESS for an upcoming show. Send them to bittersweetlife@mail.com NEVER HEARD THE SHOW? Don't be afraid to start with Episode 1:OUTSET SPONSOR:  Reach thousands of expats and trav...

Have you ever received a sign to do something? Do signs even really exist? Katy and Tiffany share their experiences and yours.  REMEMBER to send us your voice memos about LONELINESS for an upcoming show. Send them to bittersweetlife@mail.com NEVER HEARD THE SHOW? Don't be afraid to start with Episode 1:OUTSET SPONSOR:  Reach thousands of expats and travelers all over the world by sponsoring  The B...