The Bittersweet Life - podcast cover

The Bittersweet Life

Expat, Repat, Travel, Rome, Seattle, Books, Art, Italy, Wonderwww.thebittersweetlife.net
Life doesn't have a script. At least, it doesn't have to. Hosts Katy Sewall and Tiffany Parks explore the challenges and joys of moving abroad and moving home. Whether you’re living overseas, or not — or not yet — join us weekly for unadulterated conversation. Get to know Rome. Laugh at our embarrassments and insights. Most of all, imagine the possibilities for your own life (and meet some famous authors along the way).
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Episodes

Episode 85: PARK

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 bittersweetlife@mail.com to get the conversation going. JOIN THE CONVERSATION Connect with us on Twitter , Facebook ...

Oct 18, 201530 minSeason 2Ep. 85

Episode 84: CITIZEN

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. JOIN THE CONVERSATION Connect with us on Twitter , Facebook or write us @ bittersweetlife@mail.com . ©Web and...

Oct 11, 201520 minSeason 2Ep. 84

Episode 83: SHERMAN (with Sherman Alexie)

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 the world by sponsoring The Bittersweet Life. Write the at bittersweetlife@mail.com to get the conver...

Oct 04, 20151 hr 42 minSeason 2Ep. 83

Episode 82: DIVORCE (with Debra Bruno)

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 and travelers all over the world by sponsoring The Bittersweet Life. Write the at bittersweetlife@mail....

Sep 27, 201521 minSeason 2Ep. 82

Episode 81: CHEF (with Thierry Rautureau)

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 afraid to start with Episode 1:OUTSET SPONSOR: Reach thousands of expats and travelers all over the wo...

Sep 20, 20151 hr 3 minSeason 2Ep. 81

Episode 80: MOVIES (with Robert Horton)

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 Life. Write the at bittersweetlife@mail.com to get the conversation going. JOIN THE CONVERSATION Connect w...

Sep 13, 201527 minSeason 2Ep. 80

Episode 79: REFUGEE, Part 1 (with Jennifer Rumbach)

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 all over the world by sponsoring The Bittersweet Life. Write the at bittersweetlife@mail.com to get th...

Sep 06, 20151 hr 7 minSeason 2Ep. 79

Episode 78: HOUSE-SIT (with Dalene Heck)

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 conversation going. JOIN THE CONVERSATION Connect with us on Twitter , Facebook or write us @ bittersweetl...

Aug 30, 201525 minSeason 2Ep. 78

Episode 77: CIAO

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 conversation going. JOIN THE CONVERSATION Connect with us on Twitter , Facebook or write us @ bittersweetli...

Aug 23, 201531 minSeason 2Ep. 77

Episode 76: BOOKS (with Nancy Pearl)

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 Life. Write the at bittersweetlife@mail.com to get the conversation going. JOIN THE CONVERSATION Connect w...

Aug 16, 201527 minSeason 2Ep. 76

Episode 75: GUEST

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 sponsoring The Bittersweet Life. Write the at bittersweetlife@mail.com to get the conversation going. JOI...

Aug 09, 201518 minSeason 2Ep. 75

Episode 74: NEW

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 going. JOIN THE CONVERSATION Connect with us on Twitter , Facebook or write us @ bittersweetlife@mail.com . ©W...

Aug 02, 201521 minSeason 2Ep. 74

Episode 73: INVISIBLE (with Surekha A. Yadav)

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 travelers all over the world by sponsoring The Bittersweet Life. Write the at bittersweetlife@mail.com to get t...

Jul 26, 201526 minSeason 2Ep. 73

Episode 72: ADDICT (with Rashmi Dalai)

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 CONVERSATION Connect with us on Twitter , Facebook or write us @ bittersweetlife@mail.com . ©Web and show content ...

Jul 19, 201528 minSeason 2Ep. 72

Episode 71: WEATHER

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 Bittersweet Life. Write the at bittersweetlife@mail.com to get the conversation going. JOIN THE CONVERSATI...

Jul 12, 201528 minSeason 2Ep. 71

Episode 70: UPDATE

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 bittersweetlife@mail.com to get the conversation going. JOIN THE CONVERSATION Connect with us on Twitter , ...

Jul 05, 201531 minSeason 2Ep. 70

Episode 69: GROUP TRIP (with Madeline Jhawar)

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 by sponsoring The Bittersweet Life. Write the at bittersweetlife@mail.com to get the conversation going. ...

Jun 28, 201526 minSeason 2Ep. 69

Episode 68: RED TAPE

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 to get the conversation going. JOIN THE CONVERSATION Connect with us on Twitter , Facebook or write us @ b...

Jun 21, 201522 minSeason 2Ep. 68

Episode 67: CROW GIFTS (with Gabi Mann)

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 going. JOIN THE CONVERSATION Connect with us on Twitter , Facebook or write us @ bittersweetlife@mail.com . ...

Jun 14, 20158 minSeason 2Ep. 67

Episode 66: REPAT Part 2 (with Maria Foley)

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 Life. Write the at bittersweetlife@mail.com to get the conversation going. JOIN THE CONVERSATION Connect...

Jun 07, 201536 minSeason 2Ep. 66

Episode 65: ROME

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 , Facebook or write us @ bittersweetlife@mail.com . ©Web and show content can only be used with written permission...

Jun 01, 201523 minSeason 2Ep. 65

Episode 64: REPAT (with Debra Bruno)

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 thousands of expats and travelers all over the world by sponsoring The Bittersweet Life. Write the at bi...

May 24, 201531 minSeason 2Ep. 64

Episode 63: LANGUAGE Part 3 (with J J Michael)

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 conversation going. JOIN THE CONVERSATION Connect with us on Twitter , Facebook or write us @ bittersweetlife@ma...

May 17, 201533 minSeason 2Ep. 63

Episode 62: LABELS (with Keith Cooke)

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. Write the at bittersweetlife@mail.com to get the conversation going. JOIN THE CONVERSATION Connect with us...

May 10, 201534 minSeason 2Ep. 62

Episode 61: BABIES

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 over the world by sponsoring The Bittersweet Life. Write the at bittersweetlife@mail.com to get the conv...

May 03, 201524 minSeason 2Ep. 61

Episode 60: SOCIAL (with Jessica Spiegel and Pam Mandel)

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@mail.com to get the conversation going. JOIN THE CONVERSATION Connect with us on Twitter , Facebook or write...

Apr 27, 201529 minSeason 2Ep. 60

Episode 59: BIG NEWS

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 us @ bittersweetlife@mail.com . ©Web and show content can only be used with written permission....

Apr 19, 201520 minSeason 2Ep. 59

Episode 58: HOME BASE (with Jessica Spiegel and Pam Mandel)

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 the conversation going. JOIN THE CONVERSATION Connect with us on Twitter , Facebook or write us @ bitterswe...

Apr 12, 201529 minSeason 2Ep. 58

Episode 57: POMPEII

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. Write the at bittersweetlife@mail.com to get the conversation going. JOIN THE CONVERSATION Connect with us...

Apr 05, 201530 minSeason 2Ep. 57

Episode 56: MUSEUM

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. Write the at bittersweetlife@mail.com to get the conversation going. JOIN THE CONVERSATION Connect with us...

Mar 29, 201525 minSeason 2Ep. 56
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