Almost Local: Living Abroad Stories

What happens when you move abroad with absolutely zero plan? In this episode of Almost Local, I sit down with James Hammond (host of the Winginit Travel Podcast) to talk about his 10-year journey of long term travel, surviving on working holiday visas, and the unfiltered reality of expat life.

From running out of money and finding work via payphones before smartphones existed, to getting "stuck" in Canada during ...

In this episode, Franz Sidney shares her fascinating journey through multiple countries and cultures, revealing insights about adaptation, mindset, and the emotional nuances of living abroad. Whether you're considering a move or just curious about how to blend seamlessly into new environments, Franz's experience offers valuable lessons on resilience, cultural understanding, and personal growth.

Main Topics Covere...

Thinking about moving to Latin America? In this episode, we sit down with Mike, who has spent 14 years living in Nicaragua and over 30 years building communities across the region. We dig into the truth about safety, the real cost of living, and why the media narrative gets it wrong.

If you are looking to retire abroad or invest in overseas real estate, this conversation covers essential topics like cultural adjustment, bu...

Is raising kids abroad harder than you thought? In this episode of Almost Local, British English teacher Amy Smith breaks down the brutal reality of culture shock in Poland vs. Spain and exposes the biggest myths about language learning.
If you are an expat mother or struggling to feel 'at home' in your new country, this conversation is for you.

Topics Discussed:
Poland vs. Spain: Which country is actuall...

What does it really take to start over abroad — especially later in life? In this episode of Almost Local, Tina Coleman shares how living abroad reshaped her identity, courage, and view of time. 

Living abroad isn’t just about changing countries — sometimes, it’s about changing your relationship with yourself. In this episode of Almost Local, we dive into the powerful story of Tina Coleman — coach, author, and solo travele...

Are language skills really the key to confidence when living abroad? In this episode of Expat Experts, we go deep into what expats get wrong about learning a language, expat confidence, and actually feeling at home in a new country.

We talk about why obsessing over “perfect grammar” can backfire, the hidden mindset mistakes that keep expats stuck on the sidelines, and what you should focus on instead if you want real conne...

Thinking of moving to the South of France? It’s not just baguettes, beaches, and sunshine. In this episode of Almost Local, we dive into the real, unfiltered truth about expat life in France.

Josh Kennedy, a Dutch forigneir who has lived on the French Riviera for 8 years, sits down to share his incredible journey. We cover everything from the brutal "vicious circle" of French bureaucracy and housing (and how tool...

What really changes when you move abroad? In this episode of Expat Experts, Caline Malek shares her journey from high-pressure journalism to aligned living in Portugal — and how Human Design can help expats avoid burnout and find clarity.

Moving abroad isn’t just about visas, housing, or cost of living — it’s also an internal journey. In this episode of the Expat Experts Podcast, I’m joined by Caline Malek — former nuclear...

Expat life isn’t always an adventure. In this episode of Expat Experts, clinical psychologist Dr. Elefant-Yanni reveals the hidden emotional cost of living abroad, identity shifts, and the pressure expat couples face.

Living abroad can be exciting — but it can also be emotionally exhausting. In this episode of Expat Experts, I sit down with Dr. Veronique Elefant-Yanni, a Clinical Psychologist (PhD) who works with expatriat...

Thinking of moving to Costa Rica? It’s not just beaches and sloths. In this episode of Almost Local, Zach Gerth from Start Abroad breaks down the honest reality of relocating to Central America.

From his time in the Peace Corps to building a life in Kenya and now Costa Rica, Zach shares the "Expat Curve" that everyone goes through—from the honeymoon phase to the "what have I done" panic. We discuss the ...

What is it really like to live in Paris as an American expat? 🇫🇷 In this episode of the Expat Experts Podcast, Marc sits down with Paul Island, originally from New York City and now living in Paris, France. After traveling to 54 countries, Paul decided to turn his traveler’s mindset into a full expat life — and he shares the real story behind that transition.

In this episode, we talk about:
🏥💶🏠 Healthcare, cost of...

Thinking about moving to Portugal? In this episode, American expat Kalie reveals the honest reality of living in Porto as a family, breaking down the exact cost of living, the SEF bureaucracy nightmare, and why you should come with "no expectations."

After 15 years living abroad in Spain, South Korea, Saudi Arabia, and Singapore, Kalie and her family settled in Porto. But is the "Portugal Dream" all it&...

🎧 In this episode of Expat Experts, I’m joined by Australian-born filmmaker, storyteller and podcast host Chris Baron. Now based in Indonesia, Chris takes us behind the scenes of his extraordinary journey—from filmmaking in extreme environments to launching his podcast “No Ordinary Monday”, relocating abroad and re-imagining life on his own terms.

We talk about:
🌍 Why moving abroad can be the ultimate life hack for g...

What happens when your life abroad looks perfect on paper — but inside, you feel completely empty? ✈️ 🤔

In this episode of the Expat Experts Podcast, host Marc Alcobé talks with Lara Ferreira — a Brazilian-born former corporate high-flyer turned mindful career & life coach, now based in the Netherlands. After a serious burnout, Lara discovered a deeper purpose and founded Mindful Experiences to help expats who feel “s...

Thinking about moving abroad? Wondering why some places feel right and others feel off? Today’s episode will change how you see the world 🌍✨

We’re joined by Isabel Guerreira, founder of Your Stellar Truth — a New York City expat who moved to Spain after discovering the power of astrocartography, the branch of astrology that reveals where in the world your energy flows best.

In this conversation, we explore:
✨...

👩🏼‍🎓🇮🇹 In this episode, we sit down with Sofia Vrettou, a Greek researcher and expat currently living in Italy, to explore what it really takes to build a life abroad — emotionally, culturally, and personally. Sofia shares her journey from Greece to Bologna as a PhD researcher, the cultural differences she experienced between Greek and Italian life, how identity shifts when you move countries, and the challenges of adapting to...

🏯 👧🏽 What happens when you sell most of what you own, leave behind stable 9–5 jobs, and decide to slow travel through Southeast Asia? Meet Zanesta & Nabeel, the creators behind Tiny Detour. Originally from Australia, they traded routine for freedom, leaning into lifestyle arbitrage and building a life on their own terms.

In this episode of the Expat Experts Podcast, we dive into their expat journey as a couple:

• Why they le...

Unlock the untold story of Aleksandar Svetski, an entrepreneur who overcame $250K in debt by age 20, lived as a digital nomad, and eventually launched the app Satlantis.io—a radical new vision for social mapping.

In this episode, we dive deep into:

• Aleks’s expat & digital nomad journey: How hopping across cultures shaped his mindset and career.
• From $250K debt to startup hustle: What resilience, discipline, and Bitcoin taught ...

🤰✈️ In this episode, Angela Vitiello, founder of the Expat Parenting Collective, discusses the unique aspects of raising kids abroad. She shares insights on navigating culture shock as an expat family and offers valuable parenting tips for those considering moving abroad. Whether you're already an expat parent or contemplating the move, this episode provides essential guidance.

Ever wonder about the intricacies of being an  ex...