Meet Amanda,

Who at the age of 17 started a nomadic lifestyle, bartending across 10 different countries, seizing every opportunity, before settling down with her family in Copenhagen.

Amanda shares her reverse culture shock when moving back to the US, and more about life, culture shocks and the wonderful work-life balance in Denmark.

Follow for more expat stories:

📘 Meet the Expats Blog

📹 Youtube Channel

📱 Instagram

📱TikTok

Credits:

Intro outro Ice tea, Not the king

Hosted on Ausha. See ausha.co/privacy-policy for more information.

Meet Maddalena,

an Italian relationship and dating coach now living in London, whose expat journey took her from a small town in Southern Italy to Dublin, Rome, and eventually London. In this episode, Maddalena shares how living abroad transformed not only her life, but also her approach to love, dating, and emotional connection.

Dublin became her turning point. What started as an exciting new chapter quickly turned into a deeper personal journey. Away from her support system, Maddalena began noticing repeating patterns in her relationships — idealising partners, confusing chemistry with compatibility, and unconsciously building emotional barriers to protect herself.

“When you are abroad you build a barrier unconsciously… this barrier makes you feel stronger and independent, but at the same time it blocks intimacy.”

Through self-reflection, journaling, and learning to lower those emotional walls, Maddalena began to understand how expat life can amplify existing patterns. Loneliness, independence, and uncertainty often create a push-and-pull dynamic: wanting connection while simultaneously keeping people at a distance.

She also shares powerful insights into common expat dating patterns:

• Dating casually because you know you might leave

• Choosing "safe" relationships to prove stability

• Confusing chemistry with real compatibility

• Seeking connection from a place of need rather than alignment

“Chemistry is a spark, but it's not everything… Alignment is knowing your values, your non-negotiables, and asking deeper questions.”

Today in London, Maddalena feels more grounded. Now a relationship coach, she helps expat women navigate dating abroad, gain awareness of their patterns, and create meaningful relationships built on emotional availability and alignment.

Whether you're newly abroad, navigating loneliness, or simply curious about how expat life shapes relationships, this episode offers thoughtful reflections and practical advice on dating while living internationally.

🎧 Expat Songs

• Tubthumping — Chumbawamba
  “I get knocked down, but I get up again” — Maddalena’s Dublin anthem that reflected her resilience during her transformation abroad

• Jazz music in London — Maddalena’s go-to vibe for relaxed, meaningful moments in the city

www.maddalenavario.com

Follow for more expat stories:

📘 Meet the Expats Blog

📹 Youtube Channel

📱 Instagram

📱TikTok

Credits:

Intro outro Ice tea, Not the king

Hosted on Ausha. See ausha.co/privacy-policy for more information.

Meet Yolanda, a global expat who has relocated six times across the world before eventually settling in California — what started as a one-year adventure turned into 16 years, two children, and a deep journey of rebuilding home from scratch.

In this episode, Yolanda shares how she and her husband moved to the U.S. after winning the Green Card lottery, chasing sunshine and a new adventure. But beyond the excitement of Yosemite road trips and the honeymoon phase of expat life, reality soon set in: loneliness, cultural differences, and the unexpected challenge of building a life — not just living in a new place.

Yolanda opens up about the emotional side of relocating: missing the sounds of city life, struggling with surface-level friendships, and becoming a new mother far from family support. She explains how she navigated homesickness, built meaningful rituals, and intentionally created community — from coffee shop routines to long walks with her baby, and eventually returning to university at Berkeley to reconnect with purpose and people.

This conversation explores the deeper side of expat life:

• Why speaking the same language doesn’t mean cultural ease

• The difference between friendliness and real friendship

• How to build belonging when community doesn’t come naturally

• Why rituals — even small ones — can transform your expat experience

• Learning what you truly need to thrive abroad

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Yolanda also shares how understanding cultural differences, including what she calls a “stranger-danger” mindset in the U.S., helped her stop taking things personally and instead build authentic relationships intentionally.

This episode is a thoughtful and honest conversation about identity, resilience, and the work required to truly feel at home abroad.

Whether you're considering a move, newly relocated, or years into expat life, Yolanda’s experience is full of relatable insights and practical inspiration.

Café & Bar Recommendations (California – Marin County & Napa Area)

• Blue Barn — A favorite local spot for brunch and salads (Yolanda recommends the Thai chicken salad)

• Jacuzzi Family Vineyards — Beautiful vineyard near Sonoma with unique infused olive oils and wine tasting

• Dr. Wilkinson’s Backyard Resort & Mineral Springs (Calistoga) — Relaxing spa experience perfect for a special day

• Golden Haven Hot Springs (Calistoga) — Another wellness escape in Napa Valley

🎧 Also mentioned:
Yolanda’s podcast — The Places We Call Home
Expat song: Spice Girls Wannabe a nostalgic Brit-abroad tradition during afternoon tea gatherings

Follow for more expat stories:

📘 Meet the Expats Blog

📹 Youtube Channel

📱 Instagram

📱TikTok

Credits:

Intro outro Ice tea, Not the king

Hosted on Ausha. See ausha.co/privacy-policy for more information.