Whereabouts Tales | Stories of Belonging and Immigrant Experiences

Buckle up, because this episode with Greg was a wild ride, and I mean that literally! We kicked things off talking about my latest thrill on the Autobahn, hitting speeds most people only dream of (0:37). But beyond the adrenaline, this led us down a fascinating road trip through the impact of technology on society, exploring how everything feels so slow once you step off that fast lane (2:07). I w...

In this episode, I had the immense pleasure of sitting down with Arjun Chhabra, whose journey I've come to call 'From Heartbreak in India to Healing in Spain.' I first connected with Arjun after seeing one of his Reddit posts, drawn in by the raw honesty of his story, and quickly realized he was a perfect fit for Whereabouts Tales, embodying the very spirit of transformation. Arjun shares the prof...

In this episode, I had the immense pleasure of diving deep into the extraordinary journey of Wells Jones, a man who, as I playfully suggested, seems to have lived several lives already. From the moment he started sharing his story, I was captivated, and I know you will be too. Imagine jumping out of a plane over the South Pole, surviving the extreme conditions of Antarctica, and then walking into...

Join me on a truly special episode of Wereabout Tales as he chats with Anthony and Sam, an inspiring American couple who made the unconventional leap to move to Romania. Anthony, who was adopted from Romania as an infant, and his wife Sam, to explore their incredible journey. From the outset, their story challenges perceptions. They delve into the stark cultural differences between the US and Roma...

Embark on a captivating intellectual journey with author Brian Cranley as he unveils his groundbreaking book, "The Call of Wonder." In this profound episode, Brian shares the fascinating story behind his work, which brilliantly bridges the perceived chasm between science and faith. Brian, with a unique background spanning biomedical engineering and five years in seminary studying philosophy and th...

In this conversation, Joe shares his migration journey from the UK to a small village in Switzerland, discussing the challenges and triumphs of adapting to a new life. He reflects on the impact of COVID-19 on his family, the cultural integration process, and the language barriers he faces. Joe also highlights the beauty of the Swiss countryside and the importance of balancing work and family life...

Dive into this inspiring conversation with Richie Billing, who left behind a legal career to embrace his passion for fantasy writing. Discover the bold decisions, struggles, and creative breakthroughs behind his journey from courtrooms to crafting gritty, character-driven worlds. Richie and Paul explore how personal backgrounds shape storytelling, the power of hope, and why representation and auth...

Join us for a heartfelt conversation with Paul Hughes as he opens up about the challenges and transformations of expat life. Discover what it means to be a “permanent stranger” navigating identity, belonging, and the search for home in foreign lands. This episode explores culture shock, personal growth, and the realities behind the romanticized notion of moving abroad. Connect with Paul Hughes: ht...

Discover how software engineer Tim O'Hearn made $500K using Instagram growth hacks and bots in this eye-opening episode. Tim ( https://timohearn.beehiiv.com/subscribe) reveals the secret world of social media automation, fake followers, and Instagram algorithm manipulation. If you're curious about how some accounts grow overnight and want a behind-the-scenes look at growth hacking's da...

What happens when a spontaneous job offer on Facebook sends an American from D.C. to Berlin’s booming startup scene? In this episode, Hank Smith shares the unfiltered story of his decade-long adventure in Germany, a journey that started with the shock of a rundown airport and the miracle of finding an apartment in three days. Dive into the highs and lows of expat life as Hank recounts his battles...

Join me, as I sit down with Christian and Damien, the hilarious duo behind the "Remain Rome Return" podcast, for an episode that's equal parts laughter and life lessons. We dive into their journey from our shared Midwest roots in Nebraska to Damien's big-city adventures in LA, sharing stories of friendship forged in Omaha, culture shocks that hit hard, and why some of us roam while others return h...

After 15 years as a practical engineer following his parents’ plan, Jeremie André shares how a devastating pregnancy loss in France ignited a radical shift: learning English in Australia, building an online yoga and consulting business, and embracing the nomad lifestyle across Serbia, Mexico, Thailand and beyond. Discover how grief became the catalyst for freedom, why a simple fear-setting exercis...

Join host Paul Puscas for a thought-provoking conversation with  Emily Pabst , founder of Remake The Rules. Emily shares her journey from government data analyst to coach and consultant, exploring how modern technology and an overload of choices shape the way we live, make decisions, and find meaning. The discussion dives into tech’s role in our daily lives, the challenge of choice inflation, and...

In this conversation, Christian shares his journey from Costa Rica to Germany and eventually to Japan. He discusses the cultural shocks he faced, the challenges of adapting to new environments, and his experiences with education and career changes. Christian reflects on the food culture in Japan, the kindness of its people, and the difficulties of navigating language barriers. He also talks about...

Pastor, professor, and sci-fi lover Robert Wallace joins Paul for a deeply human conversation about faith, doubt, and the beauty of imperfection. From the raw honesty of Psalm 88 to what Star Trek teaches us about hope, Robert shares how spirituality can remain real, relevant, and compassionate. They explore religion beyond dogma, prayer without perfection, and how it's okay to show up angry,...

Sergiu left Romania with no plan — just a hunger for adventure. He landed in South Africa expecting excitement and found a life full of contrasts: danger, kindness, loss, and love. From visa chaos to raising kids under constant vigilance, Sergiu shares the raw reality behind the romantic idea of moving abroad. A story about courage, adaptation, and what it really means to call a place home.

Pamela Topjian left an abusive marriage, a stable career, and nearly everything she owned—at 50 years old. In this raw and powerful episode, she shares how she boarded a bus to California with nothing but a suitcase and a last shred of hope. We talk about childhood trauma, surviving emotional abuse, rebuilding identity, the power of therapy, and what it means to find peace later in life. Pamela's...

In this heartfelt conclusion, Perrine opens up about how Germany became her most transformational chapter. From struggling through lockdown and language barriers to finding love and meaning, this story is a powerful reminder of how life abroad can change us—completely. Chapters 00:00 Highlights & Intro 00:42 Moving to Canada 02:39 Cultural Differences: Language and Weather 05:47 Work Experienc...

What if the pyramids are older than we think? Or quantum chips are syncing across parallel universes? Paul speaks with  Greg Dizzia  and  D.R. Foresi , co-founders of  Cosmos University , about rewriting human history, the Book of Enoch, ancient floods, quantum computing, and AI's role in shaping the future. A wild ride from lost civilizations to cutting-edge tech. Perfect for fans of Graham Hanco...

Rachel Lloyd grew up in rural Florida, never dreaming she'd one day study international law—in Russian—in the middle of a global crisis. In this episode, she shares her bold leap from small-town life to the heart of Moscow, how she adapted to a new culture and language, and what it was like living abroad during the war in Ukraine. We talk about language barriers, protests, Russian friendships,...

Author Jaye Pool joins us to share how writing became her way out of religious control, grief, and silence. From losing her faith to reconnecting with her birth mother, and finally reclaiming her voice through fiction — this is a story of emotional healing, identity, and courage. 🎙 Topics we explore: Growing up in Detroit & faith tensions Losing control, finding clarity Writing as a tool for e...

Perrine Webber shares how growing up in multicultural Provence sparked her creativity and led her to leap into life abroad. From sewing in fashion school to studying in Singapore, Perrine reflects on identity, bold choices, and building a global life. This episode is a story of courage, culture, and how small steps create magical change. 📍 France → Singapore → The world. Chapters 00:00 Cultural B...

When Kiana Burton unexpectedly lost her father, it reshaped her identity, her sense of meaning, and her understanding of solitude. In this raw and honest conversation, Kiana shares how grief impacted her life, why she embraces solitude, and what she’s learned through personal loss and working in criminal law. We talk about human nature, emotional intelligence, and why society avoids stillness. Fro...

What does it really take to start over in a new country? In this raw and unfiltered conversation, Rafa shares his deeply personal story of leaving Brazil behind — not for money, but for safety, growth, and something more meaningful. From nearly backing out at the airport to rebuilding his career and identity in Europe, Rafa opens up about fear, friendship, grief, culture shock, and what it means t...

What was it like growing up in communist Romania vs capitalist America? In this nostalgic and eye-opening episode, Paul and Milo revisit their childhoods from the 1980s and 1990s—one shaped by rationing, gray cities, and propaganda; the other by neon toys, McDonald’s, and TV overload. They compare life on both sides of the Iron Curtain: 🧊 Queuing at 4AM for milk vs Happy Meals at Chuck E. Cheese...