The Bittersweet Life

The stereotype is that when a child moves to another country, parents are depressed. But is that true? We explore the notion with Singapore-based writer Rashmi J. Dalai.    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...

Expats often feel guilt. What happens when you should go home, but don't? Guest Jessica Scott-Reid (Wall Street Journal Expat Blog) joins hosts Katy Sewall and Tiffany Parks to talk about it.    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...

Circus performers often become travelers and expats because of their work. Host Katy Sewall visits Teatro Zinzanni (Seattle's circus/dinner theater) to meet Andrea Conway and Wayne Doba, a married couple who specialize in comedy, tap dance and acrobatics.   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 s...

Expats often live in spaces decorated by other people. Interior designer, Rebecca West, shares some ideas on how to make anywhere feel like home. 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 TH...

When Tiffany's husband Claudio takes a photo with the Karate coach of his youth, Tiffany realizes that by being an expat, her life has no continuity. She can't revisit old teachers and places. How important is a sense of continuity when it comes to life? Hosts Katy Sewall and Tiffany Parks explore the idea.    NEVER HEARD THE SHOW? Don't be afraid to start with Episode 1:OUTSET SPONSOR:  Reach tho...

Hosts Katy Sewall and Tiffany Parks mark the 100th episode by talking about milestones.   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 , Facebook or...

Host Katy Sewall is greeted by sad news when she returns to Seattle from Rome. Host Tiffany Parks is also facing new restrictions on her life. Does it pay to return home?    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...

It's time for Katy to leave Rome... again. Tiffany and Katy say goodbye and marvel at how unpredictable life and time can be.    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 Co...

What is it like to feel like a foreigner in your native country? Italian citizen Marta Nathansohn has lived abroad much of her life. Now in Rome, she's having trouble fitting in. She joins Katy and Tiffany to tell her story.   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...

Feminist activist and new expat to Rome, Kate McElwee, visits Katy and Tiffany to talk about her fight for women's ordination in the Catholic church and the heartache of being robbed your first week overseas.    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...

Hear the harrowing story of Rakeen, a refugee to Rome, Italy from Kabul, Afghanistan. Unbelievable! It might just change how you view asylum seekers. We also encourage you to explore the links below. Refuges to Rome need support and their stories heard. Joel Nafuma Refugee Center in Rome Paul's Place Project in Rome (Facebook page)   NEVER HEARD THE SHOW? Don't be afraid to start with Episode 1:OU...

Hosts Katy Sewall and Tiffany Parks get ready for the holidays.    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 , Facebook or write us @ bittersweetl...

Hosts Tiffany Parks and Katy Sewall take you on a walking tour of Trastevere, their favorite neighborhood in Rome.    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...

Hosts Katy Sewall and Tiffany Parks meet Katy's expat friend, Cassi Griesbach, at an outdoor cafe in Rome. Cassi is a mother of three, currently expecting a 4th. She gives new mom, Tiffany, some much needed advice.    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...

Journalist Ugo Barbara joins host Katy Sewall to talk about Italian mobsters, the Roma (aka gypsies), sexual slavery in Italy, and immigration issues. They also explore why Berlusconi came to power and why Ugo was Katy's only Italian friend while living abroad.    NEVER HEARD THE SHOW? Don't be afraid to start with Episode 1:OUTSET SPONSOR:  Reach thousands of expats and travelers all over the wor...

Movies and books can have a big influence on personal actions. Some even inspire a move to a foreign country. What art influenced you? Hosts Tiffany Parks and Katy Sewall share their personal picks.   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  bitterswe...

Missing important events and people is part of living abroad or traveling a lot. Host Katy Sewall missed her 20 year high school reunion to visit Rome. Now she is feeling regretful. Together, Tiffany and Katy reflect on the difficult life choices expats make.    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...

Comedian Marsha De Salvatore brings humor to a discussion on living abroad with a serious blood disease. We also touch on socialized health care systems, modern day dating, comedy and the differences between American and Italian women.    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 Bitt...

A conversation about sharing (something expats often have to do) takes a darker turn. Host Tiffany explains what's like to live with a stalker. Katy and Tiffany also explore the difficultly of revealing who you are to the world.    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...

Host Tiffany Parks takes you inside the realities of giving birth in Italy... or really... giving birth anywhere.  Additional Resources:  Touring Rome with Kids? Let Tiffany help. Web Baby Shower -- easy virtual baby showers Listen to more: How to have a home birth in Rome. NEVER HEARD THE SHOW? Don't be afraid to start with Episode 1:OUTSET SPONSOR:  Reach thousands of expats and travelers all ov...

Host Katy Sewall and her husband Derek kick back in the Villa Borghese park to reflect on being back in Rome. While there, they are visited by Abdul, a immigrant from Bangladesh with roses to sell.    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  bitterswe...

Hosts Tiffany Parks and Katy Sewall are together again in Rome, Italy on a very special day. Listen as Tiffany finally gets her Italian citizenship.    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. J...

Native American author Sherman Alexie joins Katy Sewall live on stage with veteran NPR host Steve Scher to talk about urban animal encounters. A longer episode that will delight those who love great storytelling and the creatures in our midst. Contains explicit language. NEVER HEARD THE SHOW? Don't be afraid to start with Episode 1:OUTSET SPONSOR:  Reach thousands of expats and travelers all over...

Do expat couples divorce more than other couples? They certainly face different challenges. Writer and former expat, Debra Bruno joins us to talk about her article " Divorce Global Style: For Expat Marriages, Breaking Up is Harder to Do " which appeared on the Wall Street Journal Expat Blog.   NEVER HEARD THE SHOW? Don't be afraid to start with Episode 1:OUTSET SPONSOR:  Reach thousands of expats...

Celebrity chef, Thierry Rautureau (aka The Chef in the Hat), grew up small town France grilling bread over an open flame. Now he's a big shot chef in Seattle. He joins us with advice for home cooks and insight into our changing attitudes towards eating out. Taped before a live studio audience at Cafe Nordo in Seattle. Warning: This show contains explicit language.   NEVER HEARD THE SHOW? Don't be...