Almost Local: Living Abroad Stories

In this episode, we explore the emotional and practical realities of living abroad and returning home. Annegret Bertsch, a coach specializing in expats and repatriation, shares her insights on navigating identity shifts, cultural differences, and the unexpected challenges of reintegration.

Key topics:
- The emotional side of returning home after years abroad, including grief and identity shifts
- How living in differen...

This episode offers a deep dive into the unseen forces shaping expatriates' experiences, with Lisa La Valle sharing her journey across countries, cultures, and careers. Discover how cultural awareness influences not just adaptation but personal growth, and learn practical strategies to thrive abroad.

Key Topics:

• The invisible forces of culture and their influence on behavior
• The evolution of Lisa’s expatriate identit...

In this episode, Bobby Casey shares his journey of living in multiple countries, building online businesses, and managing a remote team — all while traveling the world. His experience offers valuable lessons for entrepreneurs and digital nomads aiming to incorporate location independence into their lives.

Key topics:
- Bobby’s early influences and shift from a traditional upbringing to a travel-oriented lifest...

In this episode, we explore the inspiring story of Chanoa Inez, a fearless American who transitioned from New York to the Balkans, lived in Montenegro, and built a life rich with cultural exploration and personal growth. She shares the emotional journey behind her relocations, the challenges of language learning, and her work bridging personal development with professional branding. If you're curious about embracing change or movin...

In this episode, Marcelo Mercuri shares his journey from a professional football goalkeeper spanning four continents to becoming an investor and real estate expert in Dubai. His story provides a unique perspective on adapting to new cultures, planning for life after sports, and thriving in a dynamic city like Dubai.

Key Topics:

• The cultural and logistical differences of football in Greece, Spain, Australia, and the US
• How ...

In this episode, Nina Aziz Justin shares her inspiring story of moving across borders, building resilience, and redefining belonging amidst cultural shifts. Her journey from Malaysia to Europe, her professional evolution, and her experiences with family challenges offer powerful insights into adapting and thriving in change.

We discuss:

• Her decision to study abroad at 17 and the courage required for such a leap
• How her dau...

In this episode, Belinda shares her inspiring journey from corporate life and extensive travel to embracing the outdoor life in Scotland. Discover how hiking and slow travel have transformed her perspective and enriched her life, offering practical insights for anyone looking to explore beyond conventional tourism.

Belinda’s story exemplifies how embracing outdoor adventures and thoughtful travel can invigorate retirem...

Unlock the secrets of embracing life abroad and learn how mastering language and culture can transform your experience — all from someone who did it firsthand. Cathy shares her incredible journey moving from France to Canada, launching a French bakery in Vancouver, and shifting to a successful language coaching career — showing that with the right mindset and approach, you can turn challenges into opportunities.

...

Peter Kolat, known as Polish Peter, left communist Poland at 14 and landed in Detroit — expecting palm trees and sports cars from the movies, but finding identical brick houses and a language he couldn't speak.

What followed was a decades-long journey from confused immigrant teenager to "human architect" — a coach who now helps others rebuild their identity and find their authentic selves.

In this episode ...

People think living abroad is about places—but it isn’t. It’s about what you leave behind: a routine, a language, even a version of yourself. 

Almost Local: Living Abroad Stories explores the real life abroad—not the highlights, but the everyday moments in between: the excitement, the frustration, and that strange feeling of belonging… while not quite belonging. 

Through honest conversations, ...

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 COVID and na...

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 Covered:
- Fran...

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, buyi...

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 actually harder for e...

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 &mdash...

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 ...

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 tools like...

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 C...

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...