Bittersweet Moment #234: A Surprisingly Perfect Time to Visit Rome
Release Date: 12/10/2025
The Bittersweet Past: The Life of an International War Correspondent (with Michael Maren)
The Bittersweet Life
To continue our January archival series on ADVENTURE, today we revisit an interview with author Michael Maren. As a war correspondent, he covered fierce conflicts around the globe, from the overthrow of Idi Amin in Uganda in 1979 to the height of the Somali Civil War in the early '90s. Maren has lived and worked in some of the dangerous places and situations on the planet. Katy sits down with Maren to talk about his experiences covering conflict across the African continent. They discuss the trap of expat privilege, the negative effects of foreign aid on developing countries, and...
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Bittersweet Peek: Sisters and Aging (with the Sewall Sisters)
The Bittersweet Life
The Sewall Sisters (Sara, Dana, and host Katy) sit down to discuss aging: what they're worried about, what has already happened, and how a terminal illness changes the perspective. This is a raw, and often surprising, conversation. Please share your thoughts! This is just a sneak peek of a much longer bonus episode, available exclusively to our generous Patreon supporters. 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 multiple bonus...
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Episode 612: Sisterfest on the High Seas (with Katy's sisters Sara and Dana)
The Bittersweet Life
It's January and that means Katy and her sisters are off on Sisterfest! Katy and her two older sisters Sara and Dana have been taking an annual trip together every year in January—which begs the question, would you even WANT to spend that much time with your adult siblings? Would you get sick of each other? Katy asks her sisters if they are sick of her! They dispute the pros and cons of cruising, the uselessness of trying to get the perfect photo, and how experiencing a terminal cancer diagnosis (whether for yourself or your sister) can put your entire life and priorities into perspective....
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The Bittersweet Past: Around the World in Twelve Months (with Cyndie Burkhardt)
The Bittersweet Life
Photographer and visual storyteller Cyndie Burkhardt was living in New York City feeling unsatisfied with her life. Rather than continue to struggle, she decided to leave. Her goal: to visit 12 countries in 12 months and rediscover herself along the way. Nine months in, the coronavirus stopped her in her tracks. On this episode from our archives, we sit down with Cyndie to explore the journey she took, what she found, and where she is now. Follow Cyndie on , at her photo project, or on Instagram at or . This January, our archive episodes—presented every Friday—will cover the theme...
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Bittersweet Moment #236: Snow in Rome
The Bittersweet Life
The temps are dropping in Rome and all Roman children (and several adults as well!) are praying nightly for that Roman rarity: snow! Will it happen this year? It's anyone's guess but it's certainly not a common occurance. Since Tiffany moved to Rome over two decades ago, it has only snowed a measely three times. But when it snows in Rome it is truly magical! On this mini-episode, Tiffany talks about the major Roman snowstorms of the past half-century, and what it was like to see the Eternal City under a blanket of snow. Don’t miss your chance to visit Rome with us, on our , coming up in...
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Episode 611: Creating a Literary Life in Florence (with Lauren Mouat)
The Bittersweet Life
When a writer moves abroad, how do they find a literary community in their new country, especially when that country speaks (and reads) in a different language? They create it themselves of course! This week we sit down with writer, editor, and tour guide Lauren Mouat, who has created a literary life for herself in Florence and Livorno, from co-founding a literary society to starting a literary magazine, from creating a direct channel from aspiring writers to literary agents to publishing a volume of her own short stories. Listen in and get inspired to create a rich literary community in your...
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The Bittersweet Past: The Wild Ride of the Mongolian Rally (with Scott Gurian)
The Bittersweet Life
The Mongol Rally is a one-of-kind intercontinental car race, the "greatest motoring adventure on the planet" according to the organizers. Participants must drive from London to eastern Russia, across Mongolia, in a small engine car (1000-1200cc) at their own pace and their own peril. Radio producer and friend-of-the-show Scott Gurian survived the 11,000 mile journey in his tiny, 1 liter car and joins us to talk about it. Sign up for the Mongolian Rally . Check out Scott's podcast here. This January, our archive episodes—presented every Friday—will cover the theme of ADVENTURE! Because we...
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Bittersweet Peek: A ChatGPT Party
The Bittersweet Life
To celebrate the New Year, we ask ChatGPT to create a party for us! Is A.I. a good party planner? Or do the humans do it better? Listen in and send us your vote! This is just a sneak peek of a much longer bonus episode, available exclusively to our generous Patreon supporters. 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 multiple bonus episodes every single month. You'll hear conversations that would never take place on the...
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Episode 610: Fountains Aren't Free Anymore
The Bittersweet Life
Have you heard the news? The City of Rome will now be charging a 2 Euro fee to tourists who want to access the Trevi Fountain. Want to throw your coin in? You're going to have to pony up a few more coins that you'd counted on. This week, we talk about the ways a city can change, thanks to rampant over-tourism as well as other factors, and why seeing our city change before our eyes—for better or for worse—often makes us nostalgic for the past. What else used to be free in Rome that now costs money? (Turns out, a lot.) Tune in to our latest episode, and don't forget to share your...
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The Bittersweet Past: Walking the Camino de Santiago (with Aarin Wright)
The Bittersweet Life
This January, our archive episodes—presented every Friday—will cover the theme of ADVENTURE! Because we could all use a little more adventure in our lives, and January is the perfect time to start thinking about the adventures we want to take during the new year. The Camino de Santiago is a popular pilgrimage route across Spain. On this episode from our archives, our guest Aarin Wright set off on the Camino with her father after finishing university. Was all the walking as rewarding as she had hoped? *** podcast has been on the air for an impressive 10+ years! In order to help newer...
info_outlineWhat's the best time of year to visit Rome?
That's a truly impossible question to answer, but Tiffany has an ideal time that might surprise you. Listen to this mini-episode to discover the unlikely perfection of a season you've probably never considered.
Don’t miss your chance to visit Rome with us, on our intimate Rome listener trip, coming up in October 2026. Find out all about it here, or email us for more information!
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COME TO ROME WITH US: Our third annual Bittersweet Life Roman Adventure is in the books! If you'd like to join us in 2026, and be part of an intimate group of listeners on a magical and unforgettable journey to Rome, discovering the city with us as your guides, find out more here.
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NEW TO THE SHOW? Don't be afraid to start with Episode 1: OUTSET
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