Anyone who knows me knows I love a good podcast. One of my favourites is an expat podcast aptly called The Bittersweet Life hosted by Katy Sewell and Tiffany Parks. Katy is a radio producer who has worked for the likes of NPR and RadioLab (another one of my favourite podcasts). Tiffany is an editor at Where Rome, an English magazine based in, you guessed it, Rome. The podcast happens in both Rome and Seattle and covers a variety of expat and travel topics like homesickness, visas, politics, food, art (specifically Caravaggio), work, and spouses to name a few. They also interview other expats from all over the world and even a few authors. So let's get to it. In no particular order:
Relinquish: Going abroad usually means gaining something - new experiences, friends, memories, but in this episode Tiffany and Katy talk about what they needed to give up (or let go of) to fulfill their respective dreams of living abroad.
Repat Part 1 and Part 2: what happens when an expat goes home and is 'repatriated'. It's not as easy as it sounds.
Rome: an insider's guide to Rome. Even if you don't have a trip planned it is still to listen.
Reboot: moving to a new place is an opportunity to start over, with a new job, new hobbies, new look and ...and even a new personality?
Dating: Tales of expat dating. Some make it sound more appealing...some not so much.
Trast: One of my favourite escape episodes on a walking tour of Trastevere, the neighbourhood in Rome where Katy and Tiffany live. Katy is an expert at capturing the sounds of Rome and it really feels like you are walking the city with them.
Goals Part 1, Part 2 and Part 3: bucket lists, to-dos, and dreams that will never happen.
Botswana: An interview with Sara Sullivan where she talks about living in Pakistan and Botswana. Sara describes the expat experience that I am more accustomed to.
Homesick: Not the happiest topic, but it is always good to hear the tips and tricks other people use to fight off dreaded homesickness.
The Senses Episodes: Katy and Tiffany capture the sounds, smells, sights, tastes and feels of Rome.
These are suggestions and if one episode gets you hooked you should go back to Episode 1 "Outset" and start there. You can listen online at www.thebittersweetlife.net or subscribe on iTunes.
*I am not affiliated with this podcast in any way and do not get anything if you subscribe, I just like the show.
Enjoy!