Armchair Expat - a Bargain Homes Abroad Production
What really happens when you leave everything familiar behind and start over in a new country? Armchair Expat is a podcast about moving abroad, living overseas, and building a life you love on your own terms. Hosted by Shannon Acton of Bargain Homes Abroad, each episode features real stories from people who have relocated internationally—whether for work, retirement, lifestyle, or love. Guests include everyday expats, digital nomads, and entrepreneurs who share honest insights, practical advice, and personal reflections on what it really takes to move abroad and thrive. But this show isn’t just about logistics—it’s about the inner journey, too. From identity shifts and culture shock to healing, intuition, and transformation, Armchair Expat explores how living abroad can change you in ways you never expected. If you’re dreaming of moving to another country or curious about expat life, this podcast will inspire, inform, and guide your journey—no passport required. Website: https://www.bargainhomesabroad.co/armchair-expat Contact Us: Info@Bargain-Homes.com
Episodes
What does it mean to build a life abroad — not just once, but again and again, through different seasons of life?
In this episode of Armchair Expat, Shannon sits down with Laura Baringer to explore a deeply thoughtful, non-linear international journey that spans Italy, Guatemala, Nigeria, Rwanda, the UK, and now the Netherlands. Laura shares how growing up between cultures shaped her identity, why moving...
Thinking about moving abroad — or already living overseas and feeling overwhelmed by taxes, visas, or financial planning? In this episode, Shannon sits down with Arielle Tucker, CFP®, EA, Founding Partner of Connected Financial Planning and host of the Passport to Wealth™ podcast, for a deeply insightful and surprisingly relatable conversation about what it really takes to build a financially sound life abroad.
In this episode of The Armchair Expat Podcast, Shannon sits down with Jennifer Sontag — serial entrepreneur, expat, and founder of ViaMonde, a bespoke agency that simplifies relocations to Spain and Italy. Jennifer’s story is one of bold reinvention, deep resilience, and the transformative power of starting over in a new country.
Jennifer shares her journey from growing up in St. Louis to living in China...
Ever thought about packing up your life and moving to another country you’ve never even been to?
That’s exactly what my guest today, Mary Alice Duff, did. She’s a fractional COO and business strategist living in Montpellier, France. After launching her own clothing brand and later shifting into business consulting, she now helps small businesses streamline operations and scale sustainably. She also runs ...
In this episode of Armchair Expat, host Shannon Acton sits down with Kelly Cutchin, U.S. Country Manager for MoneyCorp, to demystify the world of currency exchange and international money transfers.
They explore why using your bank for overseas transactions could cost you thousands, how forward contracts can protect your home-buying budget, and why personalized service still matters in a ...
Moving abroad sounds glamorous, but behind the Instagram reels and dream-home photos, there’s a very real side that often goes untold.
In this episode, I’m joined by Stacy Ennis, bestselling author, book coach, and host of the Beyond Better podcast, who has lived in four countries outside the U.S.—the Dominican Republic, Vietnam, Thailand, and now Portugal.
Stacy gets brutally honest about ...
“Expat taxes made simple” — it might sound too good to be true, but that’s exactly what my guest today has set out to do.
I’m joined by Nathalie Goldstein, founder and CEO of MyExpatTaxes, the leading tax software built specifically for Americans living abroad. Originally from California, Nathalie moved to Austria a decade ago, where her own frustrations with filing U.S. taxes as an expat inspired her to...
What happens when you trade Miami traffic for Madrid tapas—and still have to keep the IRS happy?
In this episode of Armchair Expat, Shannon Acton interviews Nicolas Castillo, founder of Rook International CPAs and Advisors, about the realities of building a life and business abroad. Nicolas shares his personal journey from Miami to Madrid, opening up about the challenges of adjusting to a new culture, th...
“Can I really afford to move abroad?” It’s the question at the heart of so many expat dreams — and today we’re digging into it with someone who knows the answer firsthand.
My guest is Alex Ingrim, financial advisor, expat, and CEO of Liberty Atlantic Advisors, a US-registered investment firm specializing in helping Americans navigate life and wealth planning in Europe. Originally from Alaska, Alex has li...
MOVING ABROAD FOR A CHANGE OF PACE: From New York City to Small-Town Italy with Caroline Chirichella
What happens when you leave behind the nonstop energy of New York City for life in a 5,000-person town tucked into the Italian mountains? In this episode of Armchair Expat, Shannon sits down with Caroline Chirichella, founder of Chirichella Associates, to hear her story of trading chaos for community.
Caroline shares her unlikely path—from training as an opera singer, to running a private dining business...
In this episode of Armchair Expat, Shannon sits down with Erin Charlotte, an international real estate agent and Golden Visa advisor who’s helping Americans find their dream homes — and their freedom — in Portugal.
Originally from Minnesota, Erin shares the story of how a birthday trip to Porto sparked a full-on relocation journey and led to the creation of her thriving real estate business. From navigat...
In this episode of Armchair Expat, host Shannon Acton sits down with Christine Job, J.D.—an award-winning storyteller, strategist, and creator of the acclaimed podcast Flourish in the Foreign. Christine shares her deeply personal and transformative journey from Atlanta to Spain, detailing the burnout that led her to take a sabbatical, the unexpected magic of walking the Camino de Santiago, and how Spain became the pla...
In this episode of Armchair Expat, Shannon sits down with Jeannette Ceja, an award-winning bilingual travel journalist, international speaker, and fierce advocate for women and Latinos in travel.
From her earliest passport stamp at 9 months old to speaking on stages around the world, Jeannette has built a career fueled by curiosity, courage, and connection. Now living in the south of France, she shares h...
In this episode of Armchair Expat, I sit down with freelance writer and editor Nicole “Ziza” Bauer, who shares her journey of moving to Italy and building a new life abroad.
Ziza talks about the lifelong dream that led her to Italy, her experience navigating the dual citizenship process, and how she used manifestation, intuition, and practical planning to make her move happen. We dig into the logistics o...
Today’s guest brings both heartfelt wisdom and hard-won experience to one of life’s biggest transitions: moving abroad.
Dr. Colleen Crowley is a psychologist, expat, and global traveler who has spent the last 30 years living around the world—while also raising a family and supporting others through major life changes. Drawing on over two decades of clinical experience, she now helps individuals and famil...
Lauren McDonnell of She Thrives Abroad shares her journey from Alabama to the Netherlands, detailing the motivations behind her family's move abroad, the extensive research and planning involved, and the challenges of transitioning to a new culture. She discusses the importance of safety, quality of life, and education for her children, as well as the unique aspects of living in the Netherlands, including the housing ...
In this episode of the Armchair Expat podcast, Dan shares his journey from a corporate career in the U.S. to pursuing his dream of living in Italy. He discusses his love for travel, the challenges of finding a home, navigating the visa process, and the cultural immersion he experienced in his new community.
Dan also highlights the bureaucratic hurdles he faced while purchasing a property and the ongoing ...
In this episode of the Armchair Expat podcast, Shannon interviews Allison, an American expat living in Portugal. They discuss Allison's journey from New York to Portugal, the challenges of moving abroad with children, the process of finding a suitable school, and building a community in a new country. Allison shares her experiences with language learning, the pursuit of citizenship, and the cultural differences she ha...
In this episode of the Armchair Expat podcast, Shawna shares her journey from growing up in Los Angeles to living in Spain and helping others move abroad. She discusses her experiences in the corporate world, her love for the European lifestyle, and the creation of her business, Move Overseas Now, which assists Americans in relocating to Europe. Shawna provides valuable insights into visa options, healthcare in Europe...
In this episode, guest Andrew Guck shares his remarkable journey from upstate New York to building a life in southern France, where he’s lived for over a decade. What began with a casual interest in French class—and a long-lost crush—eventually led to a love story, a spontaneous elopement, and a bold move abroad.
Andrew opens up about the cultural differences he encountered, especially the French approac...
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