The Bittersweet Life

Robert Horton is a film critic and temporary expat living in Scotland for six months. What movies inspired him to move abroad? How do movies influence our view of the world? Why are blockbusters aimed exclusively at teenagers?   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 Li...

Jennifer Rumbach works with refugees all over the world. Lately her focus has been on the special needs of LGBTI refugees. She joins host Katy Sewall before a live studio audience for a funny and fascinating conversation that goes from Ghana, to Iraq, to the earthquake in Nepal.   NEVER HEARD THE SHOW? Don't be afraid to start with Episode 1:OUTSET SPONSOR:  Reach thousands of expats and travelers...

One cheap way to travel is to housesit along the way. Find out how to go to your desired destination while saving money. Dalene Heck of Hecktic Travels joins us with tips.   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...

Tiffany's baby is due. We say goodbye to her (temporarily) and hear her final thoughts on becoming a parent. We also find out if she's picked a name for her baby boy yet.   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...

Armchair travel! Reading can take you anywhere. Today we recommend books that transport you. NPR's Nancy Pearl is famous for giving the best book recommendations. She gives us her selections for the best armchair travel books.   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 Li...

Part of traveling is being a guest in other people's homes. Can you relax or are you always trying to be the perfect guest? Tiffany's been living with her in-laws to escape Rome's incredible summer heat. How is staying with family different from friends?   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 sp...

Trying new things is a big part of traveling or living in a foreign country. It's also a way to get to know yourself. Tiffany and Katy muse about newness.   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 goi...

Some expats are invisible. They look like they are native in their adopted country. That can be positive and negative. We explore how with writer and expat Surekha A. Yadav who wrote the article " What's It Like to Be an Invisible Expat " for the Wall Street Journal's Expat Blog.    NEVER HEARD THE SHOW? Don't be afraid to start with Episode 1:OUTSET SPONSOR:  Reach thousands of expats and travele...

What makes the expat lifestyle so addictive ? Rashmi Dalai , an American writer in Asia, explores that question with host Katy Sewall.    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 CONVER...

It is so hot in Rome and Seattle, it is all people can talk about. How much does weather dictate where you live in the world? Expats on assignment don't get to choose what climate to live in sometimes. What does that mean for their lives?    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...

Tiffany updates us on Rome, her baby and the inappropriate things people are saying to her lately. Katy talks about her upcoming live performance in Seattle and the mysterious illness of her co-worker, Gil.    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 ...

Planning a multi-generational trip isn't easy. Taking that trip is also stressful if you do it wrong. Madeline Jhawar from Italy Beyond the Obvious  gives us advice. We'll also explore the difference between people who love trip planning and those who don't.    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...

Every country has bureaucracy. Part of living in a new country is learning the hoops to jump through. Host Tiffany Parks has been dealing with a lot of process. What has she learned?    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...

Crows regularly bring gifts to 8-year-old, Gabi Mann. What is she doing right? Listen to a magical tale centered on a hilarious girl and her winged friends.   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 g...

We further explore the difficulties of repatriating with Maria Foley, the blogger behind I was an Expat Wife . She conducted a survey of former expats to discover what struggles they faced coming home. We discuss what she found.    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...

Planning a trip to Rome ? We offer practical tips and hidden gems to make your vacation great.    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 , Face...

Repatriating is hard. Going home can lead to depression, isolation and wistfulness. Debra Bruno, freelance journalist for the Wall Street Journal, joins us to talk about her article Repatriation Blues: Expats Struggle with the Dark Side of Coming Home . Host Katy Sewall shares her own depression and struggles.    NEVER HEARD THE SHOW? Don't be afraid to start with Episode 1:OUTSET SPONSOR:  Reach...

How did you learn a foreign language? Our guest JJ Michael learned Thai from math text books. We explore how language is best learned and the expat life in Thailand.    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 conv...

Is "expat" a term reserved for white westerners? Are all other races immigrants? That's the argument put forth by writer and activist Mawuna Remarque Koutonin . Today we debate that notion with special guest Keith Cooke.    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. ...

Tiffany is expecting a son. What does that mean for her career? How common are stay-at-home dads in Italy? How does Italian maternity leave compare to what she would have received in the United States? Does a Catholic country revere mothers in a way others countries don't?    NEVER HEARD THE SHOW? Don't be afraid to start with Episode 1:OUTSET SPONSOR:  Reach thousands of expats and travelers all...

Social media. Do you need it to be successful in the modern world? Is Twitter like a bar or a billboard? Guests Jessica Spiegel of Italy Explained and Pam Mandel of Nerd's Eye View join us.    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...

Big news on the show today. Things are about to change - for one of us, at least.    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...

Freelance writers Jessica Spiegel ( Italy Explained ) and Pam Mandel ( Nerd's Eye View ) join us to discuss travel-writing, working from home, and not loving overseas living.    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...

Katy visits "Pompeii: The Exhibition" with her husband Derek. This leads to a discussion on why we are so attracted to the tragic story of Pompeii, and how many years must pass before tragedy turns into gift shop kitsch.    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. ...

What mistakes do museum visitors make? Tiffany Parks gives tips to make your museum visit more enjoyable. We also debate which is better, taking pictures of everything or putting the camera away and living in the moment?    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. ...