743 episodes

Life doesn't have a script. At least, it doesn't have to. Hosts Katy Sewall and Tiffany Parks explore the challenges and joys of moving abroad and moving home. Whether you’re living overseas, or not — or not yet — join us weekly for unadulterated conversation. Get to know Rome. Laugh at our embarrassments and insights. Most of all, imagine the possibilities for your own life (and meet some famous authors along the way).

The Bittersweet Life Expat, Repat, Travel, Rome, Seattle, Books, Art, Italy, Wonder

    • Society & Culture
    • 5.0 • 1 Rating

Life doesn't have a script. At least, it doesn't have to. Hosts Katy Sewall and Tiffany Parks explore the challenges and joys of moving abroad and moving home. Whether you’re living overseas, or not — or not yet — join us weekly for unadulterated conversation. Get to know Rome. Laugh at our embarrassments and insights. Most of all, imagine the possibilities for your own life (and meet some famous authors along the way).

    Episode 529: Going Native, Part 2

    Episode 529: Going Native, Part 2

    Who knew that "going native" was a topic that would resonate so strongly with our listeners?
    We got so much feedback on this subject—both social media comments as well as voice messages—that we just had to share them with you, and of course, open the discussion back up! So many new ideas came up hearing your thoughts, so we weigh in on them as well.
    By the way, we love love love hearing from you, our loyal listeners! We invite you to share your thoughts on any of the many topics we cover on our (literally) hundreds of episodes. Email us here or better yet, you can send us a voice memo! (You can also send us a text or voice message on Instagram.) Who knows, we may just use your message on a future episode!
    -------------------------------------
    ADVERTISE WITH US: Reach expats, future expats, and travelers all over the world. Send us an email to get the conversation started.
    BECOME A PATRON: Pledge your monthly support of The Bittersweet Life and receive awesome prizes in return for your generosity! Visit our Patreon site to find out more.
    TIP YOUR PODCASTER: Say thanks with a one-time donation to the podcast hosts you know and love. Click here to send financial support via PayPal. (You can also find a Donate button on the desktop version of our website.) The show needs your support to continue.
    START PODCASTING: If you are planning to start your own podcast, consider Libsyn for your hosting service! Use this affliliate link to get two months free, or use our promo code SWEET when you sign up.
    SUBSCRIBE: Subscribe to the podcast to make sure you never miss an episode. Click here to find us on a variety of podcast apps.
    WRITE A REVIEW: Leave us a rating and a written review on iTunes so more listeners can find us.
    FOLLOW US: On Instagram and Facebook
    JOIN THE CONVERSATION: If you have a question or a topic you want us to address, send us an email here. You can also connect to us through Twitter, Facebook, and Instagram. Tag #thebittersweetlife with your expat story for a chance to be featured!
    NEW TO THE SHOW? Don't be afraid to start with Episode 1: OUTSET
    BOOK: Want to read Tiffany's book, Midnight in the Piazza? Learn more here or order on Amazon.
    TOUR ROME: If you're traveling to Rome, don't miss the chance to tour the city with Tiffany as your guide!
     

    • 1 hr 8 min
    Episode 528: Going Native

    Episode 528: Going Native

    What happens when an expat "goes native"? How long does it take, and is it inevitable? Is it a conscious choice or does it just happen?
    Today we chat about this idea, and Tiffany lays out the ways she has gone native—eschewing American culture and habits entirely in favor of Italian ones—as well as the aspects of Italian life that she staunchly resists and rejects, even after two decades in the country.
    -------------------------------------
    ADVERTISE WITH US: Reach expats, future expats, and travelers all over the world. Send us an email to get the conversation started.
    BECOME A PATRON: Pledge your monthly support of The Bittersweet Life and receive awesome prizes in return for your generosity! Visit our Patreon site to find out more.
    TIP YOUR PODCASTER: Say thanks with a one-time donation to the podcast hosts you know and love. Click here to send financial support via PayPal. (You can also find a Donate button on the desktop version of our website.) The show needs your support to continue.
    START PODCASTING: If you are planning to start your own podcast, consider Libsyn for your hosting service! Use this affliliate link to get two months free, or use our promo code SWEET when you sign up.
    SUBSCRIBE: Subscribe to the podcast to make sure you never miss an episode. Click here to find us on a variety of podcast apps.
    WRITE A REVIEW: Leave us a rating and a written review on iTunes so more listeners can find us.
    JOIN THE CONVERSATION: If you have a question or a topic you want us to address, send us an email here. You can also connect to us through Twitter, Facebook, and Instagram. Tag #thebittersweetlife with your expat story for a chance to be featured!
    NEW TO THE SHOW? Don't be afraid to start with Episode 1: OUTSET
    BOOK: Want to read Tiffany's book, Midnight in the Piazza? Learn more here or order on Amazon.
    TOUR ROME: If you're traveling to Rome, don't miss the chance to tour the city with Tiffany as your guide!
     

    • 42 min
    Episode 527: Moving to Rome—Sight Unseen (with Brie Ripley)

    Episode 527: Moving to Rome—Sight Unseen (with Brie Ripley)

    Would you move across the world to a country without ever having been there?
    That's what this week's guest did. We sit down with Brie Ripley to talk about her decision to take a 4-year contract with the World Food Program, which meant a relocation to Rome—a city she had never even visited. 
    She talks about the challenges of adjusting to life abroad as a brand-new expat, struggling to speak the language, searching for an apartment, missing her new husband who will be joining her soon, and quickly acquiring an unquenchable dependence on espresso.
    She also talks about what it was like to move her cats here, and how that came with its own set of challenges.
    -------------------------------------
    ADVERTISE WITH US: Reach expats, future expats, and travelers all over the world. Send us an email to get the conversation started.
    BECOME A PATRON: Pledge your monthly support of The Bittersweet Life and receive awesome prizes in return for your generosity! Visit our Patreon site to find out more.
    TIP YOUR PODCASTER: Say thanks with a one-time donation to the podcast hosts you know and love. Click here to send financial support via PayPal. (You can also find a Donate button on the desktop version of our website.) The show needs your support to continue.
    START PODCASTING: If you are planning to start your own podcast, consider Libsyn for your hosting service! Use this affliliate link to get two months free, or use our promo code SWEET when you sign up.
    SUBSCRIBE: Subscribe to the podcast to make sure you never miss an episode. Click here to find us on a variety of podcast apps.
    WRITE A REVIEW: Leave us a rating and a written review on iTunes so more listeners can find us.
    JOIN THE CONVERSATION: If you have a question or a topic you want us to address, send us an email here. You can also connect to us through Twitter, Facebook, and Instagram. Tag #thebittersweetlife with your expat story for a chance to be featured!
    NEW TO THE SHOW? Don't be afraid to start with Episode 1: OUTSET
    BOOK: Want to read Tiffany's book, Midnight in the Piazza? Learn more here or order on Amazon.
    TOUR ROME: If you're traveling to Rome, don't miss the chance to tour the city with Tiffany as your guide!
     

    • 41 min
    Episode 526: An Unbelievable Discovery in Rome!

    Episode 526: An Unbelievable Discovery in Rome!

    An exciting discovery out of Rome has recently rocked the archeological community! We have the details on this week's episode.
    -------------------------------------
    ADVERTISE WITH US: Reach expats, future expats, and travelers all over the world. Send us an email to get the conversation started.
    BECOME A PATRON: Pledge your monthly support of The Bittersweet Life and receive awesome prizes in return for your generosity! Visit our Patreon site to find out more.
    TIP YOUR PODCASTER: Say thanks with a one-time donation to the podcast hosts you know and love. Click here to send financial support via PayPal. (You can also find a Donate button on the desktop version of our website.) The show needs your support to continue.
    START PODCASTING: If you are planning to start your own podcast, consider Libsyn for your hosting service! Use this affliliate link to get two months free, or use our promo code SWEET when you sign up.
    SUBSCRIBE: Subscribe to the podcast to make sure you never miss an episode. Click here to find us on a variety of podcast apps.
    WRITE A REVIEW: Leave us a rating and a written review on iTunes so more listeners can find us.
    JOIN THE CONVERSATION: If you have a question or a topic you want us to address, send us an email here. You can also connect to us through Twitter, Facebook, and Instagram. Tag #thebittersweetlife with your expat story for a chance to be featured!
    NEW TO THE SHOW? Don't be afraid to start with Episode 1: OUTSET
    BOOK: Want to read Tiffany's book, Midnight in the Piazza? Learn more here or order on Amazon.
    TOUR ROME: If you're traveling to Rome, don't miss the chance to tour the city with Tiffany as your guide!
     

    • 35 min
    Episode 525: A Question of Season

    Episode 525: A Question of Season

    Last week we talked—among other things—about what it would be like if the year started in March, as it used to do in ancient Rome.
    This got us thinking about seasons and how they effect our lives.
    On this week's episode we talk about what we love about certain seasons, how where you live can vastly affect how you experience the seasons (and therefore which ones you prefer), and the drawbacks of living in a place without distinct seasons.
    -------------------------------------
    ADVERTISE WITH US: Reach expats, future expats, and travelers all over the world. Send us an email to get the conversation started.
    BECOME A PATRON: Pledge your monthly support of The Bittersweet Life and receive awesome prizes in return for your generosity! Visit our Patreon site to find out more.
    TIP YOUR PODCASTER: Say thanks with a one-time donation to the podcast hosts you know and love. Click here to send financial support via PayPal. (You can also find a Donate button on the desktop version of our website.) The show needs your support to continue.
    START PODCASTING: If you are planning to start your own podcast, consider Libsyn for your hosting service! Use this affliliate link to get two months free, or use our promo code SWEET when you sign up.
    SUBSCRIBE: Subscribe to the podcast to make sure you never miss an episode. Click here to find us on a variety of podcast apps.
    WRITE A REVIEW: Leave us a rating and a written review on iTunes so more listeners can find us.
    JOIN THE CONVERSATION: If you have a question or a topic you want us to address, send us an email here. You can also connect to us through Twitter, Facebook, and Instagram. Tag #thebittersweetlife with your expat story for a chance to be featured!
    NEW TO THE SHOW? Don't be afraid to start with Episode 1: OUTSET
    BOOK: Want to read Tiffany's book, Midnight in the Piazza? Learn more here or order on Amazon.
    TOUR ROME: If you're traveling to Rome, don't miss the chance to tour the city with Tiffany as your guide!
     

    • 32 min
    Episode 524: What if New Year's Were in March?

    Episode 524: What if New Year's Were in March?

    Is early January—the deepest, bleakest, darkest moment of winter—really the best time to make New Year's Resolutions? Isn't early spring a more fortuitous time for new beginnings? (And did you know that March used to be the first month of the year?)
    We mull this and other season-related questions on this episode (including a check-in to see how Tiffany and Katy are getting on with their resolutions for this year).
    We also talk about what we love about certain seasons, how where you live can vastly affect how you experience the seasons (and therefore which ones you prefer), and the drawbacks of living in a place without distinct seasons.
    -------------------------------------
    ADVERTISE WITH US: Reach expats, future expats, and travelers all over the world. Send us an email to get the conversation started.
    BECOME A PATRON: Pledge your monthly support of The Bittersweet Life and receive awesome prizes in return for your generosity! Visit our Patreon site to find out more.
    TIP YOUR PODCASTER: Say thanks with a one-time donation to the podcast hosts you know and love. Click here to send financial support via PayPal. (You can also find a Donate button on the desktop version of our website.) The show needs your support to continue.
    START PODCASTING: If you are planning to start your own podcast, consider Libsyn for your hosting service! Use this affliliate link to get two months free, or use our promo code SWEET when you sign up.
    SUBSCRIBE: Subscribe to the podcast to make sure you never miss an episode. Click here to find us on a variety of podcast apps.
    WRITE A REVIEW: Leave us a rating and a written review on iTunes so more listeners can find us.
    JOIN THE CONVERSATION: If you have a question or a topic you want us to address, send us an email here. You can also connect to us through Twitter, Facebook, and Instagram. Tag #thebittersweetlife with your expat story for a chance to be featured!
    NEW TO THE SHOW? Don't be afraid to start with Episode 1: OUTSET
    BOOK: Want to read Tiffany's book, Midnight in the Piazza? Learn more here or order on Amazon.
    TOUR ROME: If you're traveling to Rome, don't miss the chance to tour the city with Tiffany as your guide!
     

    • 33 min

Customer Reviews

5.0 out of 5
1 Rating

1 Rating

AndrewWatts81 ,

My favorite podcast

Great podcast, thanks for making my daily work commute bearable and transporting me to Italy.

Top Podcasts In Society & Culture

What Now? with Trevor Noah
Spotify Studios
Modern Wisdom
Chris Williamson
The Gareth Cliff Show
The Real Network
To My Sisters
Courtney Daniella Boateng & Renée Kapuku
Stuff You Should Know
iHeartPodcasts
Woman Evolve with Sarah Jakes Roberts
The Black Effect and iHeartPodcasts

You Might Also Like

Travel with Rick Steves
Rick Steves
Women Who Travel | Condé Nast Traveler
Condé Nast Traveler
Untold Italy travel podcast
Katy Clarke
Mobituaries with Mo Rocca
CBS News & iHeartPodcasts
Zero To Travel Podcast
Jason Moore
Travel Talks (Video)
Rick Steves