Untold Secrets of Living Overseas

Is 74 too late to pack up your life and start over in Italy? For Jan Weber, the answer was simple: “If not now, when?” In this episode of Untold Secrets of Living Overseas , Shawna sits down with Jan, a retired mortgage broker who left Bainbridge Island, Washington, and moved across the world to start a new chapter in Florence, Italy . At 74 years old. On her own. 🇮🇹 Jan had built a good life in t...

In this episode of Untold Secrets of Living Overseas, Shawna sits down with Ashley and Jeff, Move Overseas Now Academy members who left Portland, Oregon and made their dream of living abroad a reality in Puerto Vallarta, Mexico. For years, living overseas had been on their minds. But after experiencing major life changes, gaining more flexibility through remote work, and realizing that tomorrow is...

Want to move abroad but keep getting stuck on one BIG question: “How am I actually going to find a job? In this episode, we sit down with Vanessa Wachtmeister , a travel tech professional, angel investor, and the founder of NearFar and Wander Onwards. Originally from Los Angeles, Vanessa is a proud Chicana who has spent the last 13 years living abroad across countries including China, the UK, Turk...

Thinking about moving to Spain but don't qualify for the Digital Nomad Visa or Non-Lucrative Visa? This episode might completely change how you think about your move abroad. In this episode of Untold Secrets of Living Overseas, Shawna sits down with Marc Pairó, immigration attorney, partner at ILEI Immigration, and a Barcelona native who has helped thousands of international clients successful...

What if moving abroad didn’t cost $15,000… and you could actually enjoy the process? Today I sit down with Tim Rowe — a 63-year-old entrepreneur from Virginia who made the move to Málaga, Spain on a Digital Nomad Visa in under 6 months after joining the Move Overseas Now Academy. But here’s the twist: Tim didn’t rely on expensive “white glove” relocation services. Instead, he followed a DIY (but g...

In this episode, I’m joined by Christian Assal from Currencies Direct , my recommended international money transfer company, to talk about what you need to know when moving money overseas. We discuss how exchange rates and transfer fees can impact the amount you ultimately receive, why using a currency specialist may be different from transferring money through a traditional bank, and how Currenci...

One missing document can delay your visa application, derail your timeline, and create unnecessary stress during your move abroad. In this episode we sit down with Bernice Williams, founder of BWilliams Notary and the trusted apostille expert helping Move Overseas Now clients prepare their documents for Spain, Portugal, Italy, France, and beyond. Bernice has over 20 years of experience as a notary...

What does it really look like to move your entire family to Europe? In this episode, I sit down with David & Lisa — members of the Move Overseas Now Academy — who are preparing to relocate from Georgia, USA to the Netherlands with their 3-year-old son. They just returned from a scouting trip, and what they learned might save you months of trial and error. We dive into: - Why they chose the Net...

In this inspiring episode of Untold Secrets of Living Overseas , I sit down with Kelsey Bueno — a Canadian entrepreneur who left behind the stress, burnout, and high costs of life in Canada to build an entirely new life in Thailand. Two years later, she’s living in Koh Samui, married, running her own business, and helping others align their work and life through Human Design. We dive into: - Why s...

Danielle Fisser, a Breathwork facilitator, Transformation Coach, and multidisciplinary artist who made the bold move from California to Berlin using Germany’s Self-Employment (Freelance) Visa shares how she turned her creative path into a sustainable life abroad—while staying deeply aligned with her purpose, freedom, and self-expression. Danielle breaks down everything from financial requirements...

In this episode, we sit down with Parrie Hartley , who made a bold move from Austin, Texas to Barcelona, Spain on a student visa— in under six months . Parrie opens up about feeling unfulfilled, bored, and stuck in a repetitive routine, and how one trip to France completely shifted how she saw herself and her life. Being abroad showed her a version of herself she genuinely liked—and she knew she c...

What happens when you decide not just to move abroad… but to bring your whole family with you? In this inspiring episode of Untold Secrets of Living Overseas , I sit down with Young Kim, who made the bold leap from Los Angeles to Italy on a Digital Nomad Visa — alongside his wife and their 16-month-old daughter. We talk about what it really takes to relocate as a young family, including: Why they...

In this episode of Untold Secrets of Living Overseas , I sit down with David and his wife Jana, who made the bold move to Portugal using the D7 Visa — one of Europe’s most powerful pathways for remote workers, retirees, and passive income earners. We dive into: Why they chose Portugal (and why it felt like the right fit) The step-by-step D7 Visa process and what surprised them Financial requiremen...

In this essential episode, we sit down with Jane Barahona , Manager of the EU–UK Relocation Team at Pet-Express Animal Transportation ( https://pet-express.com/ ). Jane shares expert insight into what it really takes to move your dog or cat from the United States to Europe smoothly, safely, and without unnecessary stress. If your pet is part of your family (and we know they are), this episode is a...

In this episode, we sit down with Jennifer Cody Kemp , who successfully moved to Spain using the Digital Nomad Visa . Jennifer shares her personal experience navigating the process, from deciding Spain was the right fit to understanding the legal and lifestyle realities of living and working abroad. Her story offers a grounded, honest look at what it actually takes to make a move like this happen....

In this episode, we sit down with Walter Di Lello , an Italy-born travel professional whose life took an unexpected turn during the pandemic. After growing up in northern Italy with a passion for culture and travel, Walter nearly completed his move to the U.S. on a Green Card—until time spent in southern Italy revealed a slower, richer way of living that changed everything. That moment led him to...

In this episode, we sit down with Traci Schneider , a therapist originally from Vail, Colorado, who turned a seven-month trip abroad into a permanent move to France. What began as extended travel quickly became a life-changing realization: she wanted more freedom, balance, and intention in how she lived and worked. Today, Traci runs an online therapy practice, works just two days a week, and enjoy...

In this inspiring episode we sit down with Luna Cortez — a bold soul who traded the cloudy skies of Seattle for the sunny coastlines of Spain. Luna shares exactly how she made the leap using Spain’s Non-Lucrative Visa, the steps she took to prepare financially and emotionally, and what life is really like once you land in your new country. We talk about: Why Luna chose Spain over other destination...

In this powerful and deeply human conversation, we sit down with Azariel Zaeda — a former U.S. military service member from Florida who now calls Europe home. Azariel shares how stepping away from a structured military life opened the door to a more intentional, expansive way of living rooted in travel, spirituality, and authentic connection. His journey challenges conventional ideas of success, i...

In this fascinating episode, we explore the world of astrocartography — also known as relocation astrology — with Helena Woods, a gifted astrocartographer and storyteller. Helena helps people discover the most supportive places in the world for love, career, spiritual growth, and a true sense of home, all through the lens of their natal chart. Beyond astrology, Helena shares her journey of living...

In this inspiring episode, we sit down with Kevin Hawkins — a dynamic product executive in the tech world, founder of the global supper club The Common Thread, and a proud Liberian-American who has lived in four countries. Kevin opens up about his journey as a world traveler, public speaker, and member of the LGBTQ+ community, sharing how his diverse experiences shape his work, his table, and his...

In this inspiring episode, we sit down with my student who went through the Move Overseas Now Academy, Jessica Metcalf, a former Director of Communications from Ohio, who decided she wanted more —more joy, more adventure, and more fulfillment. Fast forward to today, and Jessica is living her dream life in Florence, Italy on a student visa after going through the Move Overseas Now Academy . Jessica...

In this heartwarming and inspiring episode, I sit down with a student who went through my Move Overseas Now Academy, Arlene McCullough—an NYC native and senior executive in the hospitality industry—who made her long-time dream of living abroad a reality. Alongside her husband Charlie (and their beloved Yellow Lab, Olive 🐾), Arlene moved from Tennessee to France in February 2025 after going throug...

In this episode, we dive into Kaila’s inspiring journey of getting approved for Spain’s Digital Nomad Visa! From gathering documents to navigating consulate appointments, Kaila shares the real behind-the-scenes of what it took to make the dream of working remotely from Spain a reality. Whether you're dreaming of tapas in Valencia or beach days in Málaga, this episode gives you the clarity, mot...

In this exciting episode, I sit down with Max Powell, an American-Canadian who has lived in Spain for nearly 4 years and is currently part of the NALCAP program and he is autistic who helps children in the special needs education system in Spain. He gets paid to teach in Spain for the government. Max shares his incredible journey of living abroad, and we dive deep into the ins and outs of his expe...