Almost Local: Living Abroad Stories

Marc Alcobé Talló
  • 4.6 (7)
  • PLACES & TRAVEL
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Almost Local: Living Abroad Stories is a podcast about people building lives and finding home abroad. Formerly Expat Experts and hosted by Marc Alcobé, the show features thoughtful, long-form conversations with people living abroad around the world. Each episode explores what it really means to start over somewhere new — from culture shock and identity shifts to belonging, community, and the slow process of becoming almost local. Rather than checklists or relocation advice, Almost Local focuses on the human side of life abroad: the emotional transitions, the in-between moments, and the personal stories behind international moves. Whether you’re already living abroad, considering a move, or simply curious about life elsewhere, this podcast offers honest stories and nuanced perspectives on making a home far from where you started.

  1. Almost Local #52 | Poland vs. Spain: My Brutal Culture Shock Reality

    2D AGO

    Almost Local #52 | Poland vs. Spain: My Brutal Culture Shock Reality

    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 expats? Raising Bilingual Kids: The hidden challenges mothers face. The Fluency Myth: Why moving abroad doesn't guarantee you'll learn the language. Pink Flamingo English: Amy's unique approach to teaching online. Key Questions Answered: How does culture shock differ across Europe? Can you learn English without living in the UK or US? How do you handle the isolation of a language barrier? 🎙️ Guest: Amy Smith Founder of Pink Flamingo English Online — a community helping international mothers gain confidence in English and feel at home in the UK. 🔗 Guest Links Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/pinkflamingoenglishonline/ YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@pinkflamingoenglishonline Website: https://www.pinkflamingoenglish.com Send us a message! Level8: Upgrade your travel experience with luggage designed for people constantly on the move. Durable, sleek, and built to last—Level8 makes every trip smoother. Get 10% off with code LEVEL8Expat10. PodMatchLike a dating app by matching hosts and guests for podcast interviews with process automations.Slate and KeyThe Key To Your New Life. A experience to curate the life of your dreams in the Portugal.Level8Use code LEVEL8Expat10 for 10% off your next high-quality travel suitcase.StartAbroadPersonalised relocation services for Costa Rica, Panama, Portugal and Spain. Code 5%: ALMOSTLOCADisclaimer: This post contains affiliate links. If you make a purchase, I may receive a commission at no extra cost to you.Support the show Check the episodes in video in Youtube 🎥: https://www.youtube.com/@almostlocalstories Follow us on social media 📲: https://www.instagram.com/almostlocalstories ⁠https://www.tiktok.com/@almostlocalstories ⁠https://www.facebook.com/almostlocalstories 🌎✈️ Join our Almost Local Network now and connect with a global community of like-minded adventurers!

    33 min
  2. Almost Local #51 | Starting Over Abroad at Midlife: Reinvention, Courage & Life Abroad

    APR 6

    Almost Local #51 | Starting Over Abroad at Midlife: Reinvention, Courage & Life Abroad

    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 traveler — who chose reinvention, courage, and intentional living by starting over abroad at midlife. We talk honestly about what it means to take risks, pivot when life doesn’t go as planned, and let go of rigid expectations — especially when moving abroad later in life. Tina shares her experience living in Mexico, adapting to a different sense of time, navigating cultural differences, and redefining what freedom really looks like. 🎙️ Guest: Tina Coleman Tina Coleman is a coach, author, and traveler who reinvented her life by starting over abroad and now helps others live with more courage and intention. 🔗 Guest Links Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/transform.be.courageous TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@transform.be.courageous Website: https://tinabcoleman.com/ 📚 Guest Book: Fifty Fabulous & F*ckable: https://a.co/d/2vMrDg4 Send us a message! Level8: Upgrade your travel experience with luggage designed for people constantly on the move. Durable, sleek, and built to last—Level8 makes every trip smoother. Get 10% off with code LEVEL8Expat10. StartAbroad: Planning a move abroad doesn’t have to be overwhelming. StartAbroad helps you navigate visas, paperwork, and the entire relocation process—especially for Costa Rica, Panama, Spain, and Portugal. Get 5% off with code ALMOSTLOCAL. PodMatchLike a dating app by matching hosts and guests for podcast interviews with process automations.Slate and KeyThe Key To Your New Life. A experience to curate the life of your dreams in the Portugal.Level8Use code LEVEL8Expat10 for 10% off your next high-quality travel suitcase.StartAbroadPersonalised relocation services for Costa Rica, Panama, Portugal and Spain. Code 5%: ALMOSTLOCADisclaimer: This post contains affiliate links. If you make a purchase, I may receive a commission at no extra cost to you.Support the show Check the episodes in video in Youtube 🎥: https://www.youtube.com/@almostlocalstories Follow us on social media 📲: https://www.instagram.com/almostlocalstories ⁠https://www.tiktok.com/@almostlocalstories ⁠https://www.facebook.com/almostlocalstories 🌎✈️ Join our Almost Local Network now and connect with a global community of like-minded adventurers!

    43 min
  3. Almost Local #50 | Language, Confidence & Living Abroad: The Biggest Mistakes Expats Make

    MAR 30

    Almost Local #50 | Language, Confidence & Living Abroad: The Biggest Mistakes Expats Make

    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 connection, friends, and a life that feels normal again overseas. You’ll learn: – Why language is only one part of confidence abroad – The most common expat mistakes around speaking with locals – How to build confidence even when your language level is “bad” – Practical ways to practice, meet people, and stop feeling like an outsider If you’re planning to move abroad soon, already living overseas, or stuck in the “I understand, but I’m scared to speak” phase, this conversation will help you shift your approach and finally feel more confident in your new life. 🎙️ Guest: Megan Megan Nicholls is a British language coach and expat who helps professionals and expats build confidence in English and communicate clearly in international environments. Drawing from her own experience living abroad, she focuses on real communication, mindset, and confidence rather than perfection. 🔗 Guest Links Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/megalanguagecoach YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@megalanguagecoach LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/megan-nicholls-59a47077/ Website: https://megalanguagecoach.com/ Newsletter: https: Send us a message! Level8: Upgrade your travel experience with luggage designed for people constantly on the move. Durable, sleek, and built to last—Level8 makes every trip smoother. Get 10% off with code LEVEL8Expat10. PodMatchLike a dating app by matching hosts and guests for podcast interviews with process automations.Level8Use code LEVEL8Expat10 for 10% off your next high-quality travel suitcase.Slate and KeyThe Key To Your New Life. A experience to curate the life of your dreams in the Portugal.StartAbroadPersonalised relocation services for Costa Rica, Panama, Portugal and Spain. Code 5%: ALMOSTLOCADisclaimer: This post contains affiliate links. If you make a purchase, I may receive a commission at no extra cost to you.Support the show Check the episodes in video in Youtube 🎥: https://www.youtube.com/@almostlocalstories Follow us on social media 📲: https://www.instagram.com/almostlocalstories ⁠https://www.tiktok.com/@almostlocalstories ⁠https://www.facebook.com/almostlocalstories 🌎✈️ Join our Almost Local Network now and connect with a global community of like-minded adventurers!

    36 min
  4. Almost Local #49 | The Lonely Reality of Moving to the South of France (And How to Fix It)

    MAR 23

    Almost Local #49 | The Lonely Reality of Moving to the South of France (And How to Fix It)

    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 Garant.me can save you), to the absolute excellence of the French healthcare system when starting a family. But most importantly, Josh opens up about the isolation and loneliness that often hits after the "honeymoon phase" of moving abroad fades. Discover how he overcame loneliness by founding "Next Locals," a thriving community designed to help foreigners integrate and build genuine social connections. If you are researching the cost of living in France, wondering how to make friends abroad, or just dreaming of life in Nice or Vence, this episode is packed with essential advice. 🎙️ Guest: Josh Kennedy Josh Kennedy is an Dutch living in the French Riviera. He took the leap into the unknown and built a life abroad by stepping far outside his comfort zone. He created Next Locals to help others overcome loneliness and meet people. 🔗 Guest Links Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/nextlocals/ YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@UCJ6URCR1C9DXcxCuL4iDTcw Facebook: Send us a message! Level8: Upgrade your travel experience with luggage designed for people constantly on the move. Durable, sleek, and built to last—Level8 makes every trip smoother. Get 10% off with code LEVEL8Expat10. StartAbroad: Planning a move abroad doesn’t have to be overwhelming. StartAbroad helps you navigate visas, paperwork, and the entire relocation process—especially for Costa Rica, Panama, Spain, and Portugal. Get 5% off with code ALMOSTLOCAL. PodMatchLike a dating app by matching hosts and guests for podcast interviews with process automations.Level8Use code LEVEL8Expat10 for 10% off your next high-quality travel suitcase.Slate and KeyThe Key To Your New Life. A experience to curate the life of your dreams in the Portugal.StartAbroadPersonalised relocation services for Costa Rica, Panama, Portugal and Spain. Code 5%: ALMOSTLOCADisclaimer: This post contains affiliate links. If you make a purchase, I may receive a commission at no extra cost to you.Support the show Check the episodes in video in Youtube 🎥: https://www.youtube.com/@almostlocalstories Follow us on social media 📲: https://www.instagram.com/almostlocalstories ⁠https://www.tiktok.com/@almostlocalstories ⁠https://www.facebook.com/almostlocalstories 🌎✈️ Join our Almost Local Network now and connect with a global community of like-minded adventurers!

    50 min
  5. Almost Local #48 | Quitting a Career to Start Over Abroad: Finding Peace in Portugal

    MAR 16

    Almost Local #48 | Quitting a Career to Start Over Abroad: Finding Peace in Portugal

    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-energy journalist turned Human Design reader and energy practitioner — currently living in Portugal. Caline shares her powerful expat journey across Monaco, Dubai, and Portugal, and how relocation triggered deep questions around identity, burnout, alignment, and belonging. Together, we explore: • What expat burnout really looks like (and why it’s so common) • How moving abroad can activate identity shifts • The emotional and energetic challenges of starting over • What Human Design is — and how it helps expats make better decisions • Why some countries feel aligned and others draining • How to thrive abroad instead of just surviving 🎧 Listen if you want a deeper, more honest conversation about expat life beyond logistics. 🎙️ Guest: Caline Based between Lisbon and Dubai, she has spent over 15 years in journalism, highlighting regional issues and advocating for positive change. Transformative work with an energy healer led her on a decade-long spiritual journey, exploring meditation, yoga, energy healing, hypnosis, and crystal healing. 🔗 Guest Links Instagram: Send us a message! Level8: Upgrade your travel experience with luggage designed for people constantly on the move. Durable, sleek, and built to last—Level8 makes every trip smoother. Get 10% off with code LEVEL8Expat10. StartAbroad: Planning a move abroad doesn’t have to be overwhelming. StartAbroad helps you navigate visas, paperwork, and the entire relocation process—especially for Costa Rica, Panama, Spain, and Portugal. Get 5% off with code ALMOSTLOCAL. PodMatchLike a dating app by matching hosts and guests for podcast interviews with process automations.Level8Use code LEVEL8Expat10 for 10% off your next high-quality travel suitcase.Slate and KeyThe Key To Your New Life. A experience to curate the life of your dreams in the Portugal.StartAbroadPersonalised relocation services for Costa Rica, Panama, Portugal and Spain. Code 5%: ALMOSTLOCADisclaimer: This post contains affiliate links. If you make a purchase, I may receive a commission at no extra cost to you.Support the show Check the episodes in video in Youtube 🎥: https://www.youtube.com/@almostlocalstories Follow us on social media 📲: https://www.instagram.com/almostlocalstories ⁠https://www.tiktok.com/@almostlocalstories ⁠https://www.facebook.com/almostlocalstories 🌎✈️ Join our Almost Local Network now and connect with a global community of like-minded adventurers!

    42 min
  6. Almost Local #47 | The Emotional Cost of Expat Life: Loneliness, Identity & Burnout

    MAR 9

    Almost Local #47 | The Emotional Cost of Expat Life: Loneliness, Identity & Burnout

    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 expatriates, international couples, and globally mobile families, to explore the less visible emotional realities of expat life. Together, we talk about: ✔️ The hidden emotional and psychological cost of living abroad ✔️ Why expats often experience identity loss and emotional disorientation ✔️ The extra pressure expat life puts on couples and relationships ✔️ Why “starting over” can be mentally draining ✔️ How to build emotional safety while living far from home ✔️ The biggest myths about expat mental health ✔️ How 3D Human Therapy® helps expats reconnect with clarity and self-trust 🎙️ Guest: Dr. Elefant-Yanni Dr. Elefant-Yanni is the founder of Psychology Experts, an international online therapy practice supporting expats across Europe and Asia. She is also the creator of 3D Human Therapy®, a holistic framework that helps people understand their internal functioning through tension, activation, and emotional states — without labels. 🔗 Guest Links Website: https://psychologyexperts.online Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/psychologyexperts LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/i Send us a message! Level8: Upgrade your travel experience with luggage designed for people constantly on the move. Durable, sleek, and built to last—Level8 makes every trip smoother. Get 10% off with code LEVEL8Expat10. StartAbroad: Planning a move abroad doesn’t have to be overwhelming. StartAbroad helps you navigate visas, paperwork, and the entire relocation process—especially for Costa Rica, Panama, Spain, and Portugal. Get 5% off with code ALMOSTLOCAL. PodMatchLike a dating app by matching hosts and guests for podcast interviews with process automations.Level8Use code LEVEL8Expat10 for 10% off your next high-quality travel suitcase.Slate and KeyThe Key To Your New Life. A experience to curate the life of your dreams in the Portugal.StartAbroadPersonalised relocation services for Costa Rica, Panama, Portugal and Spain. Code 5%: ALMOSTLOCADisclaimer: This post contains affiliate links. If you make a purchase, I may receive a commission at no extra cost to you.Support the show Check the episodes in video in Youtube 🎥: https://www.youtube.com/@almostlocalstories Follow us on social media 📲: https://www.instagram.com/almostlocalstories ⁠https://www.tiktok.com/@almostlocalstories ⁠https://www.facebook.com/almostlocalstories 🌎✈️ Join our Almost Local Network now and connect with a global community of like-minded adventurers!

    45 min
  7. Almost Local #46 | Moving to Costa Rica: The Real Cost, Visas & "Pura Vida" Reality

    MAR 3

    Almost Local #46 | Moving to Costa Rica: The Real Cost, Visas & "Pura Vida" Reality

    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 real cost of living (it's not as cheap as you think!), the frustrations of bureaucracy, and the specific residency hacks—including how having a child in Costa Rica can fast-track your citizenship. If you are considering moving to Costa Rica, Panama, or Portugal, this conversation is your reality check on what it really takes to build a home abroad. 🎙️ Guest: Zach Gerth Co-founder of Start Abroad, an international relocation service that helps individuals and families navigate the complexities of moving to Costa Rica, Panama, and Portugal. Drawing from his own experiences living in the Dominican Republic, Kenya, and now Costa Rica, he specializes in guiding expats through the emotional and logistical realities of building a new life overseas. 🔗 Guest Links Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/start_abroad/ Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/StartAbroad/ YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@startabroad4592 LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/startabroad/ Website: https://startabroad.com/aff/almostlocal/ 🔗 StartAbroad 5% coupon Website: https://startabroad.com/aff/almostlocal/ Code: ALMOSTLOCA Send us a message! StartAbroadPersonalised relocation services for Costa Rica, Panama, Portugal and Spain. Code 5%: ALMOSTLOCASlate and KeyThe Key To Your New Life. A experience to curate the life of your dreams in the Portugal.Level8Use code LEVEL8Expat10 for 10% off your next high-quality travel suitcase.PodMatchLike a dating app by matching hosts and guests for podcast interviews with process automations.Disclaimer: This post contains affiliate links. If you make a purchase, I may receive a commission at no extra cost to you.Support the show Check the episodes in video in Youtube 🎥: https://www.youtube.com/@almostlocalstories Follow us on social media 📲: https://www.instagram.com/almostlocalstories ⁠https://www.tiktok.com/@almostlocalstories ⁠https://www.facebook.com/almostlocalstories 🌎✈️ Join our Almost Local Network now and connect with a global community of like-minded adventurers!

    45 min
  8. Almost Local #45 | New York vs Paris: Lifestyle, Career & Quality of Life Compared

    FEB 23

    Almost Local #45 | New York vs Paris: Lifestyle, Career & Quality of Life Compared

    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 living, finding an apartment & French bureaucracy 🧑‍🤝‍🧑🇫🇷 The reality of making friends in Paris as an expat 🌍✈️ How traveling 54 countries prepared Paul for expat life ✊🏾🌍 Being a Black American expat living in Europe 🗽☕ The differences between New York City and Parisian lifestyle Paul is also the co-host of the Rhythm & Roam Podcast, where he and his co-hosts explore travel, culture, and identity from a global perspective. If you love real, unfiltered stories about living abroad, this episode is for you. 🎙️ Guest: Paul Island New York City–born traveler, expat, and co-host of the Rhythm & Roam podcast who has explored over 54 countries and now lives in Paris, France. He shares honest stories about culture, identity, and what it really means to turn a life of travel into a grounded expat lifestyle. 🔗 Guest Links Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/rhythmroambpt YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@RhythmRoamBPT Facebook: https://ww Send us a message! Level8: Upgrade your travel experience with luggage designed for people constantly on the move. Durable, sleek, and built to last—Level8 makes every trip smoother. Get 10% off with code LEVEL8Expat10. StartAbroad: Planning a move abroad doesn’t have to be overwhelming. StartAbroad helps you navigate visas, paperwork, and the entire relocation process—especially for Costa Rica, Panama, Spain, and Portugal. Get 5% off with code ALMOSTLOCAL. PodMatchLike a dating app by matching hosts and guests for podcast interviews with process automations.Level8Use code LEVEL8Expat10 for 10% off your next high-quality travel suitcase.Slate and KeyThe Key To Your New Life. A experience to curate the life of your dreams in the Portugal.StartAbroadPersonalised relocation services for Costa Rica, Panama, Portugal and Spain. Code 5%: ALMOSTLOCADisclaimer: This post contains affiliate links. If you make a purchase, I may receive a commission at no extra cost to you.Support the show Check the episodes in video in Youtube 🎥: https://www.youtube.com/@almostlocalstories Follow us on social media 📲: https://www.instagram.com/almostlocalstories ⁠https://www.tiktok.com/@almostlocalstories ⁠https://www.facebook.com/almostlocalstories 🌎✈️ Join our Almost Local Network now and connect with a global community of like-minded adventurers!

    51 min
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About

Almost Local: Living Abroad Stories is a podcast about people building lives and finding home abroad. Formerly Expat Experts and hosted by Marc Alcobé, the show features thoughtful, long-form conversations with people living abroad around the world. Each episode explores what it really means to start over somewhere new — from culture shock and identity shifts to belonging, community, and the slow process of becoming almost local. Rather than checklists or relocation advice, Almost Local focuses on the human side of life abroad: the emotional transitions, the in-between moments, and the personal stories behind international moves. Whether you’re already living abroad, considering a move, or simply curious about life elsewhere, this podcast offers honest stories and nuanced perspectives on making a home far from where you started.

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