Meltdown Abroad

meltdownabroad
  • 5.0 (2)
  • EDUCATION
  • UPDATED BIWEEKLY

A podcast that makes dysregulation, expat parenting, and mental health accessible and engaging. Hosted by a pediatric occupational therapist and an educational psychologist, this show is designed for expat parents navigating life far from home while managing the emotional ups and downs that come with parenting abroad. We’re two professionals who live the chaos we coach others through, sharing real stories, expert insights, and honest conversations about overwhelm, burnout, big emotions, and everything in between. Each episode blends expert knowledge with real-life experiences, giving you practical, compassionate tools to support your own wellbeing and your child’s regulation. Whether you’re feeling isolated, overstimulated, or just craving connection, this podcast is your Bi-weekly reminder that: You’re not alone. Calmer, more connected parenting is possible - wherever you are in the world.

Episodes

  1. FEB 18

    Feeling In-Between

    Do you ever feel like you belong everywhere… and nowhere at the same time? In this week’s episode, we unpack the emotional tug-of-war that can happen after a move abroad. The nostalgia. The overstimulation. The strange realization that life back home has moved on, while your new life still feels unfamiliar. We explore why this “in-between” season can feel noisy and unsettling, especially for parents who are holding both their own transition and their family’s. We talk about identity shifts, cultural integration, and the quiet ways belonging builds over time, often in small, unexpected moments. This episode is about understanding that feeling unsettled doesn’t mean you don’t belong. It means you’re expanding. In this episode, you’ll learn: Why feeling “in-between” is a normal part of identity reintegration How nostalgia and growth can coexist at the same time Why everyday routines act as anchors in a new country Why sharing your day-to-day experience matters—even if no one asks  🔔 Don’t forget to like, comment, and subscribe!

    31 min

  2. FEB 4

    HELP! Where Are All My Friends With Kids?

    In this week's episode, we talk about the isolating part of moving abroad that no one really warns you about: not just missing your people, but missing the ease that comes from having a village. We unpack the difference between having “resources” and actually feeling connected, why everything feels harder when every answer requires research (and translation), and how parenting can feel heavier when you don’t have other families around to share the load.

    29 min

  3. JAN 21

    Finding Safety in Newness

    In this week's episode, we explore what it really takes to feel safe when everything is unfamiliar. We talk about why new environments can trigger big emotions, how our brains are wired to stay on high alert during change, and why parents often carry both their own stress and their child’s at the same time. Through real-life expat moments, we break down how structure, predictability, connection, and play help both kids and adults settle into new routines.

    29 min

  4. JAN 7

    Anti New Year's Resolution

    In this week's episode, we question the pressure to “start fresh” on January 1st and explore why traditional resolutions often leave parents feeling more overwhelmed, not more motivated. We talk about the emotional crash after the holidays, why the new year isn’t actually a clean slate, and how adding more goals to an already full life, can miss the mark.

    25 min

  5. 12/24/2025

    Dear Grandma...

    In this week's episode, we talk about what it’s like to miss familiar traditions, feel caught off guard by holiday sadness, and trying to recreate something that no longer fits the same way. We unpack why traditions, routines, and activities don’t have to look the same to still feel meaningful and grounding. This episode is about holding onto what matters most, staying curious about what’s new, and giving yourself permission to create holidays that feel good now.

    23 min

  6. 12/10/2025

    Managing Holiday Overstimulation

    Holiday magic is real but so is the “why did we agree to this?” In this week's episode, we talk about why the holiday season often pushes families past their limits, especially when you're navigating traditions, expectations, and sensory-sensitive kids in a new country. We unpack how overstimulation builds, why parents end up carrying more than they realize, and how simple, honest conversations can transform the way your family moves through the holidays.

    23 min

  7. 11/26/2025

    Sensory Overload

    You’ve seen the term all over the internet but what exactly is sensory, and why does it matter for you and your kids? In this week's episode, we break down the term behind so many parenting conversations and show you what’s actually happening in your brain when everything feels like “too much.” By the end, you’ll start to understand the science behind the overwhelm and how to spot it long before you hit your limit.

    31 min

  8. 11/12/2025

    Relationship Role Recalibration

    In this week's episode, we dive into how roles within a partnership naturally shift when you relocate to a new country. The familiar routines that once ran smoothly, suddenly need renegotiation. We unpack how relocating can blur long-standing roles and create silent stress if those shifts aren’t talked about. We explore why it’s normal for one partner to feel overloaded and how small, intentional check-ins can prevent resentment and restore balance.

    28 min

  9. 10/29/2025

    Transitions and Anxiety

    Back-to-school (and every new season abroad) can crank up the anxiety. In this episode, we break down what anxiety looks like during transitions, why your nervous system feels “turned up,” and how to calm it in real time. You’ll get quick sensory resets, simple schedule tweaks, and community hacks, so you can move from survival mode into steady-ness.

    26 min

  10. 10/14/2025

    Transition Much?

    Transitions are hard anywhere and they are more amplified abroad. In this episode, we unpack why major transitions such as back to school season, whether in a new language or not, can push parents toward overload. We share real stories, simple scripts, and community-based supports that make logistics clearer and emotions lighter, plus how to spot an adult meltdown and regulate before it spills over to the kids.

    36 min

  11. 10/14/2025

    The Half Cup Baseline

    Living abroad, while beautiful and rewarding, can also feel like starting each day with a higher level of stress and uncertainty. In this episode, we unpack what it means to live with a “half-cup baseline”. We talk about how simple daily tasks are more challenging when nothing feels automatic. We explore how unfamiliar routines and constant adaptation contribute to expat burnout, and how small moments of self-compassion and new routines can reduce overwhelm.

    24 min
  • 11 Episodes

Ratings & Reviews

5
out of 5
2 Ratings

About

A podcast that makes dysregulation, expat parenting, and mental health accessible and engaging. Hosted by a pediatric occupational therapist and an educational psychologist, this show is designed for expat parents navigating life far from home while managing the emotional ups and downs that come with parenting abroad. We’re two professionals who live the chaos we coach others through, sharing real stories, expert insights, and honest conversations about overwhelm, burnout, big emotions, and everything in between. Each episode blends expert knowledge with real-life experiences, giving you practical, compassionate tools to support your own wellbeing and your child’s regulation. Whether you’re feeling isolated, overstimulated, or just craving connection, this podcast is your Bi-weekly reminder that: You’re not alone. Calmer, more connected parenting is possible - wherever you are in the world.

Information

  • Creator
    meltdownabroad
  • Years Active
    2025 - 2026
  • Episodes
    11
  • Rating
    Clean
  • Copyright
    © Copyright 2025 All rights reserved.
  • Show Website
    Meltdown Abroad