Bittersweet Moment #228: Back to School, Italian Style
The Bittersweet Life
After a seeminly endless summer (nearly 3 and a half months!), Aurelio is finally back to school this week! In this informative mini-episode, Tiffany lays out all the ways Italian school—and elementary school in particular—is different from American school, from the early introduction of cursive to summer homework, to the ubiquitous grembuile (school smock). If you've ever wondered what school is like across the pond, listen in and find out! ------------------------------------- COME TO ROME WITH US: Our third annual Bittersweet Life Roman Adventure is all sold out for 2025! If you'd like...
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Episode 595: Would You Move Abroad for Political Reasons? (with Jennie Spohr)
The Bittersweet Life
There are many reasons a family might choose to move abroad. In the case of Americans, that reason is generally motivated by a desire for adventure, change, new scenery, unfamiliar culture, a slower pace of living, or just plain fun. But not always. Today we sit down with friend of the show and past guest Jennie Spohr, a Seattleite historical fiction writer who chose to pack up her life, leave her home country, and move to Ireland with her family for political reasons. And there's a plot twist... What could be harder than convincing your teen and pre-teen kids to leave their friends,...
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The Bittersweet Past: Why Change is Hard (with John Wynn)
The Bittersweet Life
Life is full of major transitions. When Katy moved to Rome in 2013, then back to Seattle less than a year later, the transition was hard to say the least. In this episode from our archives, Katy sits down with psychiatrist and former expat John Wynn to explore why change is so hard. He also shares his insight on how to handle transitions in a healthy and productive way. *** podcast has been on the air for an impressive 10+ years! In order to help newer listeners discover some of our earlier episodes, every Friday we are now airing an episode from ! Enjoy!***...
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Bittersweet Peek: The After Report: Drama at the High School Reunion
The Bittersweet Life
Katy recently attended her high school reunion. In this bonus episode—available only to our Patreon supporters—she breaks down all the unexpected drama from the night. This just a sneak peak at one of our hundreds of bonus episodes. Want to hear more? Become part of the Bittersweet Life community by supporting just on ! For as little as $5 per month—less than the price of a coffee in some places—you will have access to two bonus episodes every single month. You'll hear conversations that would never take place on the main show, you'll be part of our new chat community,...
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Episode 594: When in Rome
The Bittersweet Life
We've all heard it. We've all said it. But what does "when in Rome" really mean? Katy reveals the somewhat surprising origin of this ubiquitous catch-phrase, which has become the title of more Rome-based rom-coms and expat memoirs than we could count. Tiffany and Katy have different opinions of the meaning of this cliché expression, and we end up down a rabbit hole discussing the correct way to use it. (And if Tiffany lives by it, since she does, in fact, live in Rome.) She also reveals some of the other most common sayings about the Eternal City. By the way, this episode kicks off...
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Bittersweet Moment #228: The Storm Remade: Hurricane Katrina 20 Years Later
The Bittersweet Life
Twenty years ago, on August 29th 2005, Hurricane Katrina hit New Orleans. The Category 5 storm and its aftermath devastated the city, and the consequences still last today. Listen in as Katy takes you on a journey of remembrance to mark the occasion. You’ll hear some of the New Orleans voices she has never forgotten in the intervening decades. ------------------------------------- COME TO ROME WITH US: For the third year in a row, we are hosting an intimate group of listeners for a magical and unforgettable week in Rome, this October 2025! Discover the city with us as your guides, seeing a...
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The Bittersweet Past: In Search of Continuity
The Bittersweet Life
When Tiffany's husband Claudio takes a photo with the karate instructor of his youth, Tiffany realizes that by being an expat, it can sometimes feel like her life has no continuity. She can't revisit old teachers and places. She never unexpectedly stumbles upon people and objects from her childhood, and maintaining relationships longterm takes extra effort. Is this just one of the side effects of moving abroad indefinitely? How important is a sense of continuity when it comes to life? Hosts Katy Sewall and Tiffany Parks explore the idea on this episode from our archives. *** podcast has been...
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The Bittersweet Past: I Saw the Sign
The Bittersweet Life
Have you ever received a sign to do something? Did you listen to it? Do signs even exist? What about bad and good omens? Are they real or a product of our imagination? Katy and Tiffany share their experiences and those of our listeners on this episode from our archives. podcast has been on the air for an impressive 10+ years! This August, we are taking a well-deserved rest, and in lieu of new episodes, we are airing episodes from every Monday! Season 13 (!!!) starts with all-new episodes Monday September 8th. See you then! ***Katy's sister Dana has recently...
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The Bittersweet Past: Back to Reality
The Bittersweet Life
On last week’s archive episode, we talked about fantasy, and the benefits and pitfalls of focusing on and working toward your personal fantasies. But somehow, no matter how hard we try, reality always seems to intrude upon fantasy. Is that always a bad thing? Our thoughts might surprise you. Listen in to this week’s episode from our archives where we discuss hard reality. podcast has been on the air for an impressive 11+ years! This August, we are taking a well-deserved rest, and in lieu of new episodes, we are airing episodes from every monday! Season 13 (!!!) starts with all-new...
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The Bittersweet Past: Sometimes a Fantasy
The Bittersweet Life
How much of life is us trying to fulfill the fantasies of our youth? And is there anything inherently wrong with weaving fantasies and attempting to fulfill them? Is reality overrated? We explore this idea on this episode from our archives. podcast has been on the air for an impressive 10+ years! This August, we are taking a well-deserved rest, and in lieu of new episodes, we are airing episodes from every monday! Season 13 (!!!) starts with all-new episodes Monday September 8th. See you then! ***Katy's sister Dana has recently been diagnosed with stage 4 agressive brain cancer....
info_outlineTravel changes you, but how much? We trace how hosts Tiffany and Katy have changed through the eyes of their childhood friend, Suzanne Morrison.
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