My guest today is Chase, an American currently based in Spain and Germany. Chase works as Head of Remote at Doist, a pioneer of distributed work that specializes in productivity software. He is responsible for developing and executing the company's remote work strategy. Having worked remotely for over 12 years, as one of Doist’s 100 employees in 35 countries, he has a whole array of accolades!Knowing the huge range of possible subjects, we just started chatting and our topics cover the nomadic lifestyle, working remotely and what a typical day looks like for him, national stereotypes, the pros and cons of calling several places home and what it does to one's identity, and what it's like to do all this with a pet! Chase also has a podcast, which we didn't get a chance to talk about. If you're interested in finding out more about that, check out his website, About Abroad. He can also be found on Instagram, Twitter, and LinkedIn.  Other apps/websites/organizations we mention: Internations, a global organization that helps newcomers connect with like minded people (not just expats)Pettravel.com, a great resource for anything related to traveling with your petBringfido, a global resource for anything dog-related (hotels, destinations, activities, restaurants, etc, plus entry and vaccination requirements)When I looked for other pet travel related resources, I found this one, compiled by blogger Abroad Purpose.Don't forget to subscribe to my podcast and blog, and if you're feeling generous, consider making a donation on Ko-Fi (who am I kidding - it's January lol).

In our second conversation, Lea and I jump right back in and pick up a few subjects we mentioned in Episode 48.This time we dig even further into our expat minds, and Lea takes me deep into Jewish cultural history and how it's shaped the collective psyche.  We also talk about how our own experiences have not only shaped us, but also keep influencing our immediate families, and we go back to topics such as identity, belonging, homesickness,  and how we can maintain a bearable tension between missing a place and living in the present. For more information about Lea, or how to contact her, take a look at her therapy and coaching website, or contact her by Email: [email protected]'s Charity: Act for Change , Email: [email protected], also on Instagram and Facebook.Lea can also be found on LinkedIn.

Today's episode is the first of two parts - I'm talking to Lea Misan, London-based author, psychotherapist and coach, as well as trauma counsellor. She's the executive director of UK charity Act for Change, and has worked extensively with expats.We talk about everything from what it's like to grow up with multiple languages, moving countries at a young age and in adolescence, what such a multi-faceted life does to your psyche and sense of self, and so much more.  For more information about Lea, or how to contact her, take a look at her website, or contact her by Email: [email protected]'s Charity: Act for Change , Email: [email protected], also on Instagram and Facebook. Lea can also be found on LinkedIn.

We're venturing east today, to Japan! My guest is Taro, a Kyoto based photographer, who grew up in California, but decided to explore his heritage and moved to Japan in his twenties.We talk about what it's like to be a foreigner in a country that's strange and familiar at the same time, the intricacies of Japanese rules of behaviour, drinking culture, and why there is only one way to eat potato chips.  And of course we talk about photography, and how a hobby can become a lot more than just a hobby.  Taro's book, In Kyoto, a collection of over 80 photographs, will be published later this year.  You can find out more about Taro on Instagram, Twitter, or visit his website.If you're interested in Trope Publishing and the projects and artists they feature, you can find out more here. Prints of Taro's photography are also available! Book recommendation: Erin Meyer, The Culture Map.Don't forget to subscribe to Transcontinental Overload, and check out my website if you'd like to find out more about me.And of course, you can always sponsor the podcast on Ko-fi. 

My guest today is another Texas girl! I do love my Texans, and Kaci is no exception. Originally from Houston, and in need of a new direction in life, she decided to try her luck at a job posting in Rome. Fast forward a few years, and her home is now a small town in Tuscany. Honestly, Kaci's story reads like a film script, and I truly hope someone can take it to the silver screen. Kaci paints such a vivid picture of her journey, describing her struggles and internal battles so well that you feel like you're right there alongside her. Our conversation covers so many expat topics, from loneliness, to messy bureaucracy, language struggles, false promises, childbirth during the early days of COVID, and what it's like to run a business with your non-expat partner in a foreign country.Enjoy the ride with Kaci - you won't be disappointed. Please share this story with whoever needs to hear the truth about expat life with all its ups and downs!  Find out more about Kaci on Instagram, or go straight to the website. Don't forget to follow me on Instagram, check out my website, Transcontinental Overload, and leave me a 5* review on whatever platform you're listening to the podcast. It might seem preposterous to ask for 5 Stars, but it's the best way for others to find it, and benefit from this community of expats!!You can also support me by buying me a coffee on Ko-fi.  Any donations are welcome!!!

Today's guest has made me miss not only one, but two places! Alex Katte, originally from Houston, TX, lives near Munich with her German husband and new baby son. We discuss the weird similarities between Bavarian and Texan cultures, the joys of driving without a speed limit, and the special charm of traditional clothing.Of course we also delve into the cultural differences, and how tricky it might be to incorporate two cultures within one family, the difficulties of the German language and what it's like to get married during the pandemic.If you're thinking about studying in Germany, the DAAD (German Academic Exchange Service) is a great resource! I hope you enjoy today's episode as much as I did! You can find Alex on Instagram, or follow her soon-to-be-revived blog. To read up on why I haven't been around, check my blog, and find me on Instagram, Facebook, or right here on my website.

A little glimpse into my new surroundings! I've not had time or energy to set up new interviews with other expats, so today it's just yours truly, sharing some thoughts and updates from my new home in New Jersey. I'm reading out my latest blog post, which of course you can also read right here. In the meantime, find me on Facebook, Instagram, or check out my website. I'm always interested in hearing from you, welcome feedback and comments and would love to find new guests! Get in touch. I love my expat community.

Here's my belated last episode of 2021 to kick off 2022! My guest is another expat in Germany, Lawin from the Philippines.We chat about Lawin's unexpected journey to becoming a European resident, his somewhat frosty welcome in Germany and what to expect when you move into a new place, as well as the main differences in working culture, how to make friends, and the beauty of German work-life-balance. Our conversation then veers off to cover the wonderful world of karaoke, and we discuss German music, including the weird phenomenon that is German Schlager. Lawin is a fellow podcaster; he started "Pop Your Cultural Cherry" during the pandemic, and we compare some notes and chat about his upcoming plans for the show.  Find him on Instagram, and make sure you give his podcast a listen - just click the link and find your preferred podcast platform.  

Here it is, my last episode of the year! I'm talking to Aspen, an American who grew up in Hawaii and has been based in Munich, Germany, for the last nine years. Our conversation ranges from discussing cultural differences including the vastly different social systems in the US and Germany, her journey through German bureaucracy, bluntness, and loneliness, and the reasons why she loves German culture with all its weird and wonderful quirks.     As Aspen would put it, she's achieved the American dream by moving to Germany - but I think it's down to her amazing tenacity and positive outlook on life.  We also chat about the brutal world of social media, why she's taken a step back from her original channels, and is working on new projects. One of those is a very tongue-in-cheek-but-honest new podcast about intercultural dating, which she started with her friend Nicole, host of The Expatcast podcast and previous guest on this show. The very brilliant title of this collaboration:  "The Abroadcast - two broads abroad dating Germen so you don't have to".  If you want to find out more about Aspen, find her on Instagram, and make sure you check out her and Nicole's new podcast! 

This is a Thanksgiving special! Just kidding, but we recorded it on Thanksgiving day, and so there's a fair amount of festive talk in this conversation. My guest is Jenn, an American who's been living in Rome for the last four years. We talk about the beauty of Italy, and la dolce vita, but also how vulnerable you can feel as an expat, and how moving to a new country can pull the rug out from under your feet. Jenn opens up about her own personal journey and how she's appreciating the fact that this experience can totally transform your life in a good way and coax personality traits out of you that you never knew you had, and how all her and her husband James' "messy" experiences have led to them founding their own fitness business, Overstreet Wellness.   You can discover more about Jenn and James on Instagram: Jenn can be found here, and James is here.  Both have direct links to their fitness program. And - since Christmas is fast approaching, and I haven't had any Glühwein yet - if you feel the need to make a donation, you can do that here. Happy Holidays!