Expecting Expats

Hosts Amanda and CJ

Welcome to Expecting Expats- a space where we’re expecting more than just babies—join Amanda, a childbirth educator and doula, and CJ, a therapist-in-training, as they explore parenting, partnerships, emotional growth, and the journey of building a life in a new country.

  1. 12/31/2025

    Expat Experts: The Pelvic Floor 101. Interview with Annie Ueyama

    In our first Expat Experts episode, we interview Annie Ueyama, cofounder of FitnessWerkstatt and extensive expertise in pre- and postnatal fitness. We discuss the often-overlooked topic of pelvic floor health. We explore the importance of pelvic floor training for women at all stages of life, the impact of pregnancy and aging on pelvic floor health, and the benefits of postpartum rehabilitation programs. Annie shares her personal journey as an expat and how sports have helped her build community across different countries. The conversation emphasizes the need for awareness and proactive care for pelvic floor health, as well as the importance of developing a good relationship with one's body. Takeaways * Pelvic floor health is crucial for women of all ages. * Over one in three women over 55 experience urinary incontinence. * Pelvic floor training is standard care in some countries. * Annie's journey highlights the importance of sports in building community. * Pregnancy and aging significantly impact pelvic floor health. * A healthy pelvic floor supports core stability and overall well-being. * C-sections still require pelvic floor training and care. * It's never too late to start training your pelvic floor. * Understanding your body is key to maintaining pelvic health. Podcast recommendations: ​Pink pill RX: episode 40, Midwives, witches and Nazis ​Mel Robbins’ podcast ​Pelvic floor connection

    51 min
  2. 12/03/2025

    Building your community abroad

    CJ and Amanda shares their personal experiences and best tips for building your community abroad. Here’s the main takeaways: 1. Put yourself out there — community starts with brave first steps Both hosts emphasize that building a village doesn’t happen passively. You need to take initiative: * Say yes to “blind-date” coffees * Join meetups (e.g., InterNations, “new to Frankfurt” events) * Attend language classes or pregnancy/parent groups * Accept invitations even when it feels awkward Almost every friendship they formed began with taking a small social risk. 2. Shared experiences create the strongest connections The transcript shows that community abroad often forms fastest around common life phases or needs, such as: * Being new to the country * Learning the language * Having pets * Pregnancy classes or young-kids groups * Being an international living far from home These “we’re all in the same boat” situations naturally bring people together and make it easier to bond deeply. 3. Build both international support and local integration A balanced community abroad includes: * International friends who offer emotional familiarity, understand holidays, and “adopt” you like family * Local connections that help you integrate, navigate bureaucracy, learn the language, and support your kids in school Even though connecting with locals can be harder (language barriers, established circles), both hosts agree that learning the local language and making some local ties helps you feel truly rooted. Podcast links: Mel Robbins Podcast Episode 283- It's Not You: The Real Reason Adult Friendship is So Hard & 3 Ways to make it easier: https://open.spotify.com/episode/55RjbE6ffgz4hcsLnOkNW5?si=bc14dc28aab744aa

    31 min

Ratings & Reviews

5
out of 5
3 Ratings

About

Welcome to Expecting Expats- a space where we’re expecting more than just babies—join Amanda, a childbirth educator and doula, and CJ, a therapist-in-training, as they explore parenting, partnerships, emotional growth, and the journey of building a life in a new country.