The Bittersweet Life
WARNING: This show might change your life. What began as a podcast about what it means to live abroad has become a dynamic examination of what it means to live. Public Radio’s Katy Sewall and Italy expert, Tiffany Parks, guide you on a vulnerable, entertaining journey to discover a more wondrous and adventurous life. Their famous guests, topic-based conversations, and visits to Rome will tweak how you see the world, keep you company, and expand your life view.
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Bittersweet Moment #237: Celebrating Carnival in Rome
01/28/2026
Bittersweet Moment #237: Celebrating Carnival in Rome
It's Carnival time here in Rome, and before you say—why don't you go celebrate in Venice?—you should know that Carnevale originated in Rome. In this week's mini-episode, Tiffany recounts the ancient origins of this raucous pre-Lenten festival, what it was like to take part in Carnival in Renaissance times, and how it's celebrated today. (Warning: this episode may make you drool.) Places mentioned in this episode: Pasticerria Regoli – Via dello Statuto, 60 (Esquilino) Forno La Renella – Via del Moro, 13 (Trastevere) By the way, don't miss your chance to visit Rome with us, on our , coming up in fall of 2026. Find out all about it , or for more information! ------------------------------------- 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 . ADVERTISE WITH US: Reach expats, future expats, and travelers all over the world. Send us an 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 to find out more. TIP YOUR PODCASTER: Say thanks with a one-time donation to the podcast hosts you know and love. Click to send financial support via PayPal. (You can also find a Donate button on the desktop version of our .) The show needs your support to continue. START PODCASTING: If you are planning to start your own podcast, consider for your hosting service! Use this to get two months free, or use our promo code SWEET when you sign up. SUBSCRIBE: to the podcast to make sure you never miss an episode. Click to find us on a variety of podcast apps. WRITE A REVIEW: Leave us a rating and a written review on 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 . You can also connect to us through , , and . Tag with your expat story for a chance to be featured! NEW TO THE SHOW? Don't be afraid to start with BOOK: Want to read Tiffany's book, Midnight in the Piazza? Learn more or order on . TOUR ROME: If you're traveling to Rome, don't miss the chance to with Tiffany as your guide!
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Episode 613: How to Live to Be 107
01/26/2026
Episode 613: How to Live to Be 107
On today's poignant episode, Katy says goodbye to her Grammy Jean, who lived to be a staggering 107 years old. Not only that, she was active, healthy, happy, and mentally sharp until the very end. Katy shares what she thinks might have been her grandmother's secrets of longevity—and a couple of them might surprise you. ***Katy's sister Dana has recently been diagnosed with stage 4 agressive brain cancer. To help with the staggering medical costs—her specialist is outside her insurance network—as well of the costs of temporarily relocating to San Francsico for her treatments, please consider donating to her . Anything you can contribute will be extremely helpful. Thank you.*** ------------------------------------- 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 . ADVERTISE WITH US: Reach expats, future expats, and travelers all over the world. Send us an 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 to find out more. TIP YOUR PODCASTER: Say thanks with a one-time donation to the podcast hosts you know and love. Click to send financial support via PayPal. (You can also find a Donate button on the desktop version of our .) The show needs your support to continue. START PODCASTING: If you are planning to start your own podcast, consider for your hosting service! Use this to get two months free, or use our promo code SWEET when you sign up. SUBSCRIBE: to the podcast to make sure you never miss an episode. Click to find us on a variety of podcast apps. WRITE A REVIEW: Leave us a rating and a written review on 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 . You can also connect to us through , , and . Tag with your expat story for a chance to be featured! NEW TO THE SHOW? Don't be afraid to start with BOOK: Want to read Tiffany's book, Midnight in the Piazza? Learn more or order on . TOUR ROME: If you're traveling to Rome, don't miss the chance to with Tiffany as your guide!
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The Bittersweet Past: The Life of an International War Correspondent (with Michael Maren)
01/23/2026
The Bittersweet Past: The Life of an International War Correspondent (with Michael Maren)
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 the delusions many war correspondents have that they are special enough to survive. *** 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!*** ------------------------------------- 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 . ADVERTISE WITH US: Reach expats, future expats, and travelers all over the world. Send us an 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 to find out more. TIP YOUR PODCASTER: Say thanks with a one-time donation to the podcast hosts you know and love. Click to send financial support via PayPal. (You can also find a Donate button on the desktop version of our .) The show needs your support to continue. START PODCASTING: If you are planning to start your own podcast, consider for your hosting service! Use this to get two months free, or use our promo code SWEET when you sign up. SUBSCRIBE: to the podcast to make sure you never miss an episode. Click to find us on a variety of podcast apps. WRITE A REVIEW: Leave us a rating and a written review on 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 . You can also connect to us through , , and . Tag with your expat story for a chance to be featured! NEW TO THE SHOW? Don't be afraid to start with BOOK: Want to read Tiffany's book, Midnight in the Piazza? Learn more or order on . TOUR ROME: If you're traveling to Rome, don't miss the chance to with Tiffany as your guide!
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Bittersweet Peek: Sisters and Aging (with the Sewall Sisters)
01/21/2026
Bittersweet Peek: Sisters and Aging (with the Sewall Sisters)
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 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, you'll have access to Patreon-only content in addition to bonus episodes, and you'll be invited to join us for regular live meet-ups. But most importantly, you'll be doing your part to help keep this show alive—an independent podcast with no corporate support. (You'll also help keep it virtually ad-free!) Check our our for all the details, and consider joining us at the $5 level or above. We are eternally grateful! ***Katy's sister Dana has recently been diagnosed with stage 4 agressive brain cancer. To help with the staggering medical costs—her specialist is outside her insurance network—as well of the costs of temporarily relocating to San Francsico for her treatments, please consider donating to her . Anything you can contribute will be extremely helpful. Thank you.*** ------------------------------------- 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 . ADVERTISE WITH US: Reach expats, future expats, and travelers all over the world. Send us an 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 to find out more. TIP YOUR PODCASTER: Say thanks with a one-time donation to the podcast hosts you know and love. Click to send financial support via PayPal. (You can also find a Donate button on the desktop version of our .) The show needs your support to continue. START PODCASTING: If you are planning to start your own podcast, consider for your hosting service! Use this to get two months free, or use our promo code SWEET when you sign up. SUBSCRIBE: to the podcast to make sure you never miss an episode. Click to find us on a variety of podcast apps. WRITE A REVIEW: Leave us a rating and a written review on 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 . You can also connect to us through , , and . Tag with your expat story for a chance to be featured! NEW TO THE SHOW? Don't be afraid to start with BOOK: Want to read Tiffany's book, Midnight in the Piazza? Learn more or order on . TOUR ROME: If you're traveling to Rome, don't miss the chance to with Tiffany as your guide!
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Episode 612: Sisterfest on the High Seas (with Katy's sisters Sara and Dana)
01/19/2026
Episode 612: Sisterfest on the High Seas (with Katy's sisters Sara and Dana)
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. And with that in mind, Katy asks her sister Dana, who is currently fighting brain cancer: what do you now think is a total waste of time? Listen in on past Sisterfest episodes: Episode 569 Epispde 411 Hear more from Katy's sisters here: Episode 243 Episode 242 ***Katy's sister Dana has recently been diagnosed with stage 4 agressive brain cancer. To help with the staggering medical costs—her specialist is outside her insurance network—as well of the costs of temporarily relocating to San Francsico for her treatments, please consider donating to her . Anything you can contribute will be extremely helpful. Thank you.*** ------------------------------------- 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 . ADVERTISE WITH US: Reach expats, future expats, and travelers all over the world. Send us an 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 to find out more. TIP YOUR PODCASTER: Say thanks with a one-time donation to the podcast hosts you know and love. Click to send financial support via PayPal. (You can also find a Donate button on the desktop version of our .) The show needs your support to continue. START PODCASTING: If you are planning to start your own podcast, consider for your hosting service! Use this to get two months free, or use our promo code SWEET when you sign up. SUBSCRIBE: to the podcast to make sure you never miss an episode. Click to find us on a variety of podcast apps. WRITE A REVIEW: Leave us a rating and a written review on 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 . You can also connect to us through , , and . Tag with your expat story for a chance to be featured! NEW TO THE SHOW? Don't be afraid to start with BOOK: Want to read Tiffany's book, Midnight in the Piazza? Learn more or order on . TOUR ROME: If you're traveling to Rome, don't miss the chance to with Tiffany as your guide!
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The Bittersweet Past: Around the World in Twelve Months (with Cyndie Burkhardt)
01/16/2026
The Bittersweet Past: Around the World in Twelve Months (with Cyndie Burkhardt)
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 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. *** 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!*** ------------------------------------- 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 . ADVERTISE WITH US: Reach expats, future expats, and travelers all over the world. Send us an 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 to find out more. TIP YOUR PODCASTER: Say thanks with a one-time donation to the podcast hosts you know and love. Click to send financial support via PayPal. (You can also find a Donate button on the desktop version of our .) The show needs your support to continue. START PODCASTING: If you are planning to start your own podcast, consider for your hosting service! Use this to get two months free, or use our promo code SWEET when you sign up. SUBSCRIBE: to the podcast to make sure you never miss an episode. Click to find us on a variety of podcast apps. WRITE A REVIEW: Leave us a rating and a written review on 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 . You can also connect to us through , , and . Tag with your expat story for a chance to be featured! NEW TO THE SHOW? Don't be afraid to start with BOOK: Want to read Tiffany's book, Midnight in the Piazza? Learn more or order on . TOUR ROME: If you're traveling to Rome, don't miss the chance to with Tiffany as your guide!
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Bittersweet Moment #236: Snow in Rome
01/14/2026
Bittersweet Moment #236: Snow in Rome
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 October 2026. Find out all about it , or for more information! ------------------------------------- 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 . ADVERTISE WITH US: Reach expats, future expats, and travelers all over the world. Send us an 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 to find out more. TIP YOUR PODCASTER: Say thanks with a one-time donation to the podcast hosts you know and love. Click to send financial support via PayPal. (You can also find a Donate button on the desktop version of our .) The show needs your support to continue. START PODCASTING: If you are planning to start your own podcast, consider for your hosting service! Use this to get two months free, or use our promo code SWEET when you sign up. SUBSCRIBE: to the podcast to make sure you never miss an episode. Click to find us on a variety of podcast apps. WRITE A REVIEW: Leave us a rating and a written review on 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 . You can also connect to us through , , and . Tag with your expat story for a chance to be featured! NEW TO THE SHOW? Don't be afraid to start with BOOK: Want to read Tiffany's book, Midnight in the Piazza? Learn more or order on . TOUR ROME: If you're traveling to Rome, don't miss the chance to with Tiffany as your guide!
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Episode 611: Creating a Literary Life in Florence (with Lauren Mouat)
01/12/2026
Episode 611: Creating a Literary Life in Florence (with Lauren Mouat)
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 own city! Find out more about the and their annual initiative. Find the latest issue of the . Order Lauren's book of short stories if you're in the US or if you're in Italy. to book a tour of Florence with Lauren. ------------------------------------- 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 . ADVERTISE WITH US: Reach expats, future expats, and travelers all over the world. Send us an 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 to find out more. TIP YOUR PODCASTER: Say thanks with a one-time donation to the podcast hosts you know and love. Click to send financial support via PayPal. (You can also find a Donate button on the desktop version of our .) The show needs your support to continue. START PODCASTING: If you are planning to start your own podcast, consider for your hosting service! Use this to get two months free, or use our promo code SWEET when you sign up. SUBSCRIBE: to the podcast to make sure you never miss an episode. Click to find us on a variety of podcast apps. WRITE A REVIEW: Leave us a rating and a written review on 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 . You can also connect to us through , , and . Tag with your expat story for a chance to be featured! NEW TO THE SHOW? Don't be afraid to start with BOOK: Want to read Tiffany's book, Midnight in the Piazza? Learn more or order on . TOUR ROME: If you're traveling to Rome, don't miss the chance to with Tiffany as your guide!
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The Bittersweet Past: The Wild Ride of the Mongolian Rally (with Scott Gurian)
01/09/2026
The Bittersweet Past: The Wild Ride of the Mongolian Rally (with Scott Gurian)
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 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. *** 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!*** ------------------------------------- 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 . ADVERTISE WITH US: Reach expats, future expats, and travelers all over the world. Send us an 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 to find out more. TIP YOUR PODCASTER: Say thanks with a one-time donation to the podcast hosts you know and love. Click to send financial support via PayPal. (You can also find a Donate button on the desktop version of our .) The show needs your support to continue. START PODCASTING: If you are planning to start your own podcast, consider for your hosting service! Use this to get two months free, or use our promo code SWEET when you sign up. SUBSCRIBE: to the podcast to make sure you never miss an episode. Click to find us on a variety of podcast apps. WRITE A REVIEW: Leave us a rating and a written review on 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 . You can also connect to us through , , and . Tag with your expat story for a chance to be featured! NEW TO THE SHOW? Don't be afraid to start with BOOK: Want to read Tiffany's book, Midnight in the Piazza? Learn more or order on . TOUR ROME: If you're traveling to Rome, don't miss the chance to with Tiffany as your guide!
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Bittersweet Peek: A ChatGPT Party
01/07/2026
Bittersweet Peek: A ChatGPT Party
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 main show, you'll be part of our new chat community, you'll have access to Patreon-only content in addition to bonus episodes, and you'll be invited to join us for regular live meet-ups. But most importantly, you'll be doing your part to help keep this show alive—an independent podcast with no corporate support. (You'll also help keep it virtually ad-free!) Check our our for all the details, and consider joining us at the $5 level or above. We are eternally grateful! ------------------------------------- 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 . ADVERTISE WITH US: Reach expats, future expats, and travelers all over the world. Send us an 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 to find out more. TIP YOUR PODCASTER: Say thanks with a one-time donation to the podcast hosts you know and love. Click to send financial support via PayPal. (You can also find a Donate button on the desktop version of our .) The show needs your support to continue. START PODCASTING: If you are planning to start your own podcast, consider for your hosting service! Use this to get two months free, or use our promo code SWEET when you sign up. SUBSCRIBE: to the podcast to make sure you never miss an episode. Click to find us on a variety of podcast apps. WRITE A REVIEW: Leave us a rating and a written review on 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 . You can also connect to us through , , and . Tag with your expat story for a chance to be featured! NEW TO THE SHOW? Don't be afraid to start with BOOK: Want to read Tiffany's book, Midnight in the Piazza? Learn more or order on . TOUR ROME: If you're traveling to Rome, don't miss the chance to with Tiffany as your guide!
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Episode 610: Fountains Aren't Free Anymore
01/05/2026
Episode 610: Fountains Aren't Free Anymore
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 thoughts—do you think Rome is right to charge an extra fee for getting close to the Trevi Fountain? Or should outdoor attractions be free no matter what? Read about the city's decision to impose this new fee . ------------------------------------- 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 . ADVERTISE WITH US: Reach expats, future expats, and travelers all over the world. Send us an 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 to find out more. TIP YOUR PODCASTER: Say thanks with a one-time donation to the podcast hosts you know and love. Click to send financial support via PayPal. (You can also find a Donate button on the desktop version of our .) The show needs your support to continue. START PODCASTING: If you are planning to start your own podcast, consider for your hosting service! Use this to get two months free, or use our promo code SWEET when you sign up. SUBSCRIBE: to the podcast to make sure you never miss an episode. Click to find us on a variety of podcast apps. WRITE A REVIEW: Leave us a rating and a written review on 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 . You can also connect to us through , , and . Tag with your expat story for a chance to be featured! NEW TO THE SHOW? Don't be afraid to start with BOOK: Want to read Tiffany's book, Midnight in the Piazza? Learn more or order on . TOUR ROME: If you're traveling to Rome, don't miss the chance to with Tiffany as your guide!
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The Bittersweet Past: Walking the Camino de Santiago (with Aarin Wright)
01/02/2026
The Bittersweet Past: Walking the Camino de Santiago (with Aarin Wright)
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 listeners discover some of our earlier episodes, every Friday we are now airing an episode from ! Enjoy!*** ------------------------------------- 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 . ADVERTISE WITH US: Reach expats, future expats, and travelers all over the world. Send us an 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 to find out more. TIP YOUR PODCASTER: Say thanks with a one-time donation to the podcast hosts you know and love. Click to send financial support via PayPal. (You can also find a Donate button on the desktop version of our .) The show needs your support to continue. START PODCASTING: If you are planning to start your own podcast, consider for your hosting service! Use this to get two months free, or use our promo code SWEET when you sign up. SUBSCRIBE: to the podcast to make sure you never miss an episode. Click to find us on a variety of podcast apps. WRITE A REVIEW: Leave us a rating and a written review on 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 . You can also connect to us through , , and . Tag with your expat story for a chance to be featured! NEW TO THE SHOW? Don't be afraid to start with BOOK: Want to read Tiffany's book, Midnight in the Piazza? Learn more or order on . TOUR ROME: If you're traveling to Rome, don't miss the chance to with Tiffany as your guide!
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Episode 609: New Year, New Resolutions
12/29/2025
Episode 609: New Year, New Resolutions
It's that time of year—New Year's Resolution time! If you're a longtime listener you know that at every turn of the year, Katy and Tiffany revisit the New Year's Resolutions they made for the previous year, and assess (with brutal honesty) how they did. They end the episode with the announcement of their resolutions for the year to come. This year, Tiffany share the ingenious yet simple hack that makes crushing your resolutions much more doable. And Katy discovers that sometimes, keeping your resolutions is just not worth the effort. Find out if they did what they said they were going to do, and what they resolve to do in 2026! Listen to the end to hear a special performance by Tiffany! Curious about our previous editions? You can listen back to them all: (2024–>2025) (2023–>2024) & (2022—>2023) (2021—>2022) (2020—>2021) (2019—>2020) (2018—>2019) Other fun resolution episodes: ------------------------------------- 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 . ADVERTISE WITH US: Reach expats, future expats, and travelers all over the world. Send us an 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 to find out more. TIP YOUR PODCASTER: Say thanks with a one-time donation to the podcast hosts you know and love. Click to send financial support via PayPal. (You can also find a Donate button on the desktop version of our .) The show needs your support to continue. START PODCASTING: If you are planning to start your own podcast, consider for your hosting service! Use this to get two months free, or use our promo code SWEET when you sign up. SUBSCRIBE: to the podcast to make sure you never miss an episode. Click to find us on a variety of podcast apps. WRITE A REVIEW: Leave us a rating and a written review on 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 . You can also connect to us through , , and . Tag with your expat story for a chance to be featured! NEW TO THE SHOW? Don't be afraid to start with BOOK: Want to read Tiffany's book, Midnight in the Piazza? Learn more or order on . TOUR ROME: If you're traveling to Rome, don't miss the chance to with Tiffany as your guide!
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The Bittersweet Past: Holiday Magic
12/26/2025
The Bittersweet Past: Holiday Magic
Has Christmas lost its magic now that you're all grown up? In this episode from our archives, Katy and Tiffany brainstorm ways to bring that holiday magic back even if you don't believe in Santa anymore. Katy tells the story of the time she played Santa's secret helper to someone she barely knew and they muse on those magical moments when heaven and earth seem closer than usual. If you're already feeling the post-Christmas blues, snuggle up with a cup of cocoa and this nostalgic episode from the past. *** 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!*** ------------------------------------- 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 . ADVERTISE WITH US: Reach expats, future expats, and travelers all over the world. Send us an 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 to find out more. TIP YOUR PODCASTER: Say thanks with a one-time donation to the podcast hosts you know and love. Click to send financial support via PayPal. (You can also find a Donate button on the desktop version of our .) The show needs your support to continue. START PODCASTING: If you are planning to start your own podcast, consider for your hosting service! Use this to get two months free, or use our promo code SWEET when you sign up. SUBSCRIBE: to the podcast to make sure you never miss an episode. Click to find us on a variety of podcast apps. WRITE A REVIEW: Leave us a rating and a written review on 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 . You can also connect to us through , , and . Tag with your expat story for a chance to be featured! NEW TO THE SHOW? Don't be afraid to start with BOOK: Want to read Tiffany's book, Midnight in the Piazza? Learn more or order on . TOUR ROME: If you're traveling to Rome, don't miss the chance to with Tiffany as your guide!
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Bittersweet Moment #235: White Christmas: The History of a Classic
12/24/2025
Bittersweet Moment #235: White Christmas: The History of a Classic
You know it. You love it. You hear it every Christmas, and if you're like us, you never get sick of the classic holiday song, White Christmas. But did you know that the song has a very special, and very poignant, history? On this mini-episode, Katy tells you all about it. ------------------------------------- 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 . ADVERTISE WITH US: Reach expats, future expats, and travelers all over the world. Send us an 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 to find out more. TIP YOUR PODCASTER: Say thanks with a one-time donation to the podcast hosts you know and love. Click to send financial support via PayPal. (You can also find a Donate button on the desktop version of our .) The show needs your support to continue. START PODCASTING: If you are planning to start your own podcast, consider for your hosting service! Use this to get two months free, or use our promo code SWEET when you sign up. SUBSCRIBE: to the podcast to make sure you never miss an episode. Click to find us on a variety of podcast apps. WRITE A REVIEW: Leave us a rating and a written review on 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 . You can also connect to us through , , and . Tag with your expat story for a chance to be featured! NEW TO THE SHOW? Don't be afraid to start with BOOK: Want to read Tiffany's book, Midnight in the Piazza? Learn more or order on . TOUR ROME: If you're traveling to Rome, don't miss the chance to with Tiffany as your guide!
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Episode 608: How Christmas Looked in 2017
12/22/2025
Episode 608: How Christmas Looked in 2017
Christmas traditions can be grounding when you're living in a brand-new place. Tiffany and Katy talk about the joys and challenges of being untethered during the holidays. They also discuss which of their traditions come from childhood and which were added after living in a foreign culture. Bonus: Check out two of our favorite Christmas books: • (The Scratch & Sniff book Tiffany used to read when she was little and ordered for Aurelio) • (One of Katy's favorite Christmas books) ------------------------------------- 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 . ADVERTISE WITH US: Reach expats, future expats, and travelers all over the world. Send us an 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 to find out more. TIP YOUR PODCASTER: Say thanks with a one-time donation to the podcast hosts you know and love. Click to send financial support via PayPal. (You can also find a Donate button on the desktop version of our .) The show needs your support to continue. START PODCASTING: If you are planning to start your own podcast, consider for your hosting service! Use this to get two months free, or use our promo code SWEET when you sign up. SUBSCRIBE: to the podcast to make sure you never miss an episode. Click to find us on a variety of podcast apps. WRITE A REVIEW: Leave us a rating and a written review on 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 . You can also connect to us through , , and . Tag with your expat story for a chance to be featured! NEW TO THE SHOW? Don't be afraid to start with BOOK: Want to read Tiffany's book, Midnight in the Piazza? Learn more or order on . TOUR ROME: If you're traveling to Rome, don't miss the chance to with Tiffany as your guide!
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The Bittersweet Past: Finding Your Joyous Life (with/Sarah McColl)
12/19/2025
The Bittersweet Past: Finding Your Joyous Life (with/Sarah McColl)
Do I deserve to live a bigger life? Sarah McColl, author of the memoir Joy Enough, joins us to talk about the beautiful life she discovered while living alongside her dying mother. In this probing coversation from our archives, we also explore how fear, loss, and the expectations of others can limit our potentially terrific lives. Find McColl's memoir Joy Enough . Find Sarah on or at . *** 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!*** ------------------------------------- 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 . ADVERTISE WITH US: Reach expats, future expats, and travelers all over the world. Send us an 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 to find out more. TIP YOUR PODCASTER: Say thanks with a one-time donation to the podcast hosts you know and love. Click to send financial support via PayPal. (You can also find a Donate button on the desktop version of our .) The show needs your support to continue. START PODCASTING: If you are planning to start your own podcast, consider for your hosting service! Use this to get two months free, or use our promo code SWEET when you sign up. SUBSCRIBE: to the podcast to make sure you never miss an episode. Click to find us on a variety of podcast apps. WRITE A REVIEW: Leave us a rating and a written review on 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 . You can also connect to us through , , and . Tag with your expat story for a chance to be featured! NEW TO THE SHOW? Don't be afraid to start with BOOK: Want to read Tiffany's book, Midnight in the Piazza? Learn more or order on . TOUR ROME: If you're traveling to Rome, don't miss the chance to with Tiffany as your guide!
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Bittersweet Peek: There's No Place like Work for the Holidays
12/17/2025
Bittersweet Peek: There's No Place like Work for the Holidays
The holidays aren't all fun and games. Sometimes you have to go to work. But is there any sort of magic to work this time of year? We discuss this topic on our latest bonus episode, and share some of the memories of times we had to work over Christmas. 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 main show, you'll be part of our new chat community, you'll have access to Patreon-only content in addition to bonus episodes, and you'll be invited to join us for regular live meet-ups. But most importantly, you'll be doing your part to help keep this show alive—an independent podcast with no corporate support. (You'll also help keep it virtually ad-free!) Check our our for all the details, and consider joining us at the $5 level or above. We are eternally grateful! ------------------------------------- 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 . ADVERTISE WITH US: Reach expats, future expats, and travelers all over the world. Send us an 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 to find out more. TIP YOUR PODCASTER: Say thanks with a one-time donation to the podcast hosts you know and love. Click to send financial support via PayPal. (You can also find a Donate button on the desktop version of our .) The show needs your support to continue. START PODCASTING: If you are planning to start your own podcast, consider for your hosting service! Use this to get two months free, or use our promo code SWEET when you sign up. SUBSCRIBE: to the podcast to make sure you never miss an episode. Click to find us on a variety of podcast apps. WRITE A REVIEW: Leave us a rating and a written review on 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 . You can also connect to us through , , and . Tag with your expat story for a chance to be featured! NEW TO THE SHOW? Don't be afraid to start with BOOK: Want to read Tiffany's book, Midnight in the Piazza? Learn more or order on . TOUR ROME: If you're traveling to Rome, don't miss the chance to with Tiffany as your guide!
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Episode 607: Pageantry and Anticipation
12/15/2025
Episode 607: Pageantry and Anticipation
The Christmas season starts earlier and earlier every year. Pretty soon we'll be setting up our tree before Halloween! What do you think about this? Are you shamelessly here for it, or do you cringe when you hear Bing Crosby crooning White Christmas in early November? Is the joy that the Christmas season brings enough of an excuse to indulge in it two months before the actual event? Or is there something to be said for the delightful anticpation of Christmas? What do we lose when we no longer allow space to look forward to something? We discuss this and more holiday-related topics on this new episode! ------------------------------------- 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 . ADVERTISE WITH US: Reach expats, future expats, and travelers all over the world. Send us an 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 to find out more. TIP YOUR PODCASTER: Say thanks with a one-time donation to the podcast hosts you know and love. Click to send financial support via PayPal. (You can also find a Donate button on the desktop version of our .) The show needs your support to continue. START PODCASTING: If you are planning to start your own podcast, consider for your hosting service! Use this to get two months free, or use our promo code SWEET when you sign up. SUBSCRIBE: to the podcast to make sure you never miss an episode. Click to find us on a variety of podcast apps. WRITE A REVIEW: Leave us a rating and a written review on 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 . You can also connect to us through , , and . Tag with your expat story for a chance to be featured! NEW TO THE SHOW? Don't be afraid to start with BOOK: Want to read Tiffany's book, Midnight in the Piazza? Learn more or order on . TOUR ROME: If you're traveling to Rome, don't miss the chance to with Tiffany as your guide!
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The Bittersweet Past: The Illusion of Choice (with Tom Vanderbilt)
12/12/2025
The Bittersweet Past: The Illusion of Choice (with Tom Vanderbilt)
Why do you like what you like? Journalist Tom Vanderbilt joins us to explore how our likes and dislikes are formed. His new book is . Find Tom Vanderbilt at or on . His other books include and . *** 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!*** ------------------------------------- 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 . ADVERTISE WITH US: Reach expats, future expats, and travelers all over the world. Send us an 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 to find out more. TIP YOUR PODCASTER: Say thanks with a one-time donation to the podcast hosts you know and love. Click to send financial support via PayPal. (You can also find a Donate button on the desktop version of our .) The show needs your support to continue. START PODCASTING: If you are planning to start your own podcast, consider for your hosting service! Use this to get two months free, or use our promo code SWEET when you sign up. SUBSCRIBE: to the podcast to make sure you never miss an episode. Click to find us on a variety of podcast apps. WRITE A REVIEW: Leave us a rating and a written review on 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 . You can also connect to us through , , and . Tag with your expat story for a chance to be featured! NEW TO THE SHOW? Don't be afraid to start with BOOK: Want to read Tiffany's book, Midnight in the Piazza? Learn more or order on . TOUR ROME: If you're traveling to Rome, don't miss the chance to with Tiffany as your guide!
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Bittersweet Moment #234: A Surprisingly Perfect Time to Visit Rome
12/10/2025
Bittersweet Moment #234: A Surprisingly Perfect Time to Visit Rome
What'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 , coming up in October 2026. Find out all about it , or for more information! ------------------------------------- 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 . ADVERTISE WITH US: Reach expats, future expats, and travelers all over the world. Send us an 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 to find out more. TIP YOUR PODCASTER: Say thanks with a one-time donation to the podcast hosts you know and love. Click to send financial support via PayPal. (You can also find a Donate button on the desktop version of our .) The show needs your support to continue. START PODCASTING: If you are planning to start your own podcast, consider for your hosting service! Use this to get two months free, or use our promo code SWEET when you sign up. SUBSCRIBE: to the podcast to make sure you never miss an episode. Click to find us on a variety of podcast apps. WRITE A REVIEW: Leave us a rating and a written review on 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 . You can also connect to us through , , and . Tag with your expat story for a chance to be featured! NEW TO THE SHOW? Don't be afraid to start with BOOK: Want to read Tiffany's book, Midnight in the Piazza? Learn more or order on . TOUR ROME: If you're traveling to Rome, don't miss the chance to with Tiffany as your guide!
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Episode 606: The Anxiety of the Unexpected
12/08/2025
Episode 606: The Anxiety of the Unexpected
A sudden change of plans, an unexpected surgery—these are the kinds of things that can throw your world into temporary disarray, and often cause no little anxiety in the process. On this personal and vulnerable episode, Tiffany and Katy discuss their recent experiences with the anxiety of the unexpected, and how best to deal with those inevitable times that life throws you a curve ball. ------------------------------------- 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 . ADVERTISE WITH US: Reach expats, future expats, and travelers all over the world. Send us an 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 to find out more. TIP YOUR PODCASTER: Say thanks with a one-time donation to the podcast hosts you know and love. Click to send financial support via PayPal. (You can also find a Donate button on the desktop version of our .) The show needs your support to continue. START PODCASTING: If you are planning to start your own podcast, consider for your hosting service! Use this to get two months free, or use our promo code SWEET when you sign up. SUBSCRIBE: to the podcast to make sure you never miss an episode. Click to find us on a variety of podcast apps. WRITE A REVIEW: Leave us a rating and a written review on 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 . You can also connect to us through , , and . Tag with your expat story for a chance to be featured! NEW TO THE SHOW? Don't be afraid to start with BOOK: Want to read Tiffany's book, Midnight in the Piazza? Learn more or order on . TOUR ROME: If you're traveling to Rome, don't miss the chance to with Tiffany as your guide!
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The Bittersweet Past: Honing Your Visual Intelligence (with Amy Herman)
12/05/2025
The Bittersweet Past: Honing Your Visual Intelligence (with Amy Herman)
Can studying fine art keep you safe? According to today's guest Amy Herman it can. Lawyer and art historian, Herman uses works of art to "sharpen observation, analysis, and communication skills. By showing people how to look closely at painting, sculpture, and photography, she helps them hone their to recognize the most pertinent and useful information as well as recognize biases that impede decision making." Amy has trained police officers, doctors, military members, and special operatives to see the world in a richer way through observing art—and in turn, use that skill to improve their effectiveness on the job. On this episode from our archives, Amy shares her secrets. Find Amy Herman on or at . *** 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!*** ------------------------------------- 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 . ADVERTISE WITH US: Reach expats, future expats, and travelers all over the world. Send us an 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 to find out more. TIP YOUR PODCASTER: Say thanks with a one-time donation to the podcast hosts you know and love. Click to send financial support via PayPal. (You can also find a Donate button on the desktop version of our .) The show needs your support to continue. START PODCASTING: If you are planning to start your own podcast, consider for your hosting service! Use this to get two months free, or use our promo code SWEET when you sign up. SUBSCRIBE: to the podcast to make sure you never miss an episode. Click to find us on a variety of podcast apps. WRITE A REVIEW: Leave us a rating and a written review on 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 . You can also connect to us through , , and . Tag with your expat story for a chance to be featured! NEW TO THE SHOW? Don't be afraid to start with BOOK: Want to read Tiffany's book, Midnight in the Piazza? Learn more or order on . TOUR ROME: If you're traveling to Rome, don't miss the chance to with Tiffany as your guide!
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Bittersweet Peek: A Promise—Kept or Broken? (You Decide)
12/03/2025
Bittersweet Peek: A Promise—Kept or Broken? (You Decide)
Tiffany made a big promise last month about her video watching habit. Here's an update on what's happened since that episode aired. 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 main show, you'll be part of our new chat community, you'll have access to Patreon-only content in addition to bonus episodes, and you'll be invited to join us for regular live meet-ups. But most importantly, you'll be doing your part to help keep this show alive—an independent podcast with no corporate support. (You'll also help keep it virtually ad-free!) Check our our for all the details, and consider joining us at the $5 level or above. We are eternally grateful! ------------------------------------- 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 . ADVERTISE WITH US: Reach expats, future expats, and travelers all over the world. Send us an 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 to find out more. TIP YOUR PODCASTER: Say thanks with a one-time donation to the podcast hosts you know and love. Click to send financial support via PayPal. (You can also find a Donate button on the desktop version of our .) The show needs your support to continue. START PODCASTING: If you are planning to start your own podcast, consider for your hosting service! Use this to get two months free, or use our promo code SWEET when you sign up. SUBSCRIBE: to the podcast to make sure you never miss an episode. Click to find us on a variety of podcast apps. WRITE A REVIEW: Leave us a rating and a written review on 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 . You can also connect to us through , , and . Tag with your expat story for a chance to be featured! NEW TO THE SHOW? Don't be afraid to start with BOOK: Want to read Tiffany's book, Midnight in the Piazza? Learn more or order on . TOUR ROME: If you're traveling to Rome, don't miss the chance to with Tiffany as your guide!
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Episode 605: An Update on Katy's Sister Dana
12/01/2025
Episode 605: An Update on Katy's Sister Dana
Today we catch up with Katy's sister Dana to hear the latest on her battle with aggressive brain cancer. If you want to hear more of Dana's story and her fight with brain cancer, check out these recent episodes: Episode 575: Episode 577: Episode 591: ***Katy's sister Dana has recently been diagnosed with stage 4 agressive brain cancer. To help with the staggering medical costs—her specialist is outside her insurance network—as well of the costs of temporarily relocating to San Francsico for her treatments, please consider donating to her . Anything you can contribute will be extremely helpful. Thank you.*** ------------------------------------- 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 . ADVERTISE WITH US: Reach expats, future expats, and travelers all over the world. Send us an 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 to find out more. TIP YOUR PODCASTER: Say thanks with a one-time donation to the podcast hosts you know and love. Click to send financial support via PayPal. (You can also find a Donate button on the desktop version of our .) The show needs your support to continue. START PODCASTING: If you are planning to start your own podcast, consider for your hosting service! Use this to get two months free, or use our promo code SWEET when you sign up. SUBSCRIBE: to the podcast to make sure you never miss an episode. Click to find us on a variety of podcast apps. WRITE A REVIEW: Leave us a rating and a written review on 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 . You can also connect to us through , , and . Tag with your expat story for a chance to be featured! NEW TO THE SHOW? Don't be afraid to start with BOOK: Want to read Tiffany's book, Midnight in the Piazza? Learn more or order on . TOUR ROME: If you're traveling to Rome, don't miss the chance to with Tiffany as your guide!
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The Bittersweet Past: The Inevitability of Expat Guilt (with Jessica Scott-Reid)
11/28/2025
The Bittersweet Past: The Inevitability of Expat Guilt (with Jessica Scott-Reid)
Among the plethora of emotions that plague expats, one of them is guilt. What happens when you know you should go home, but don't? Guest Jessica Scott-Reid tackled just this subject for . On this episode from our archives, Jessica joins Katy and Tiffany to discuss this often unpleasant subject. *** 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!*** ------------------------------------- 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 . ADVERTISE WITH US: Reach expats, future expats, and travelers all over the world. Send us an 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 to find out more. TIP YOUR PODCASTER: Say thanks with a one-time donation to the podcast hosts you know and love. Click to send financial support via PayPal. (You can also find a Donate button on the desktop version of our .) The show needs your support to continue. START PODCASTING: If you are planning to start your own podcast, consider for your hosting service! Use this to get two months free, or use our promo code SWEET when you sign up. SUBSCRIBE: to the podcast to make sure you never miss an episode. Click to find us on a variety of podcast apps. WRITE A REVIEW: Leave us a rating and a written review on 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 . You can also connect to us through , , and . Tag with your expat story for a chance to be featured! NEW TO THE SHOW? Don't be afraid to start with BOOK: Want to read Tiffany's book, Midnight in the Piazza? Learn more or order on . TOUR ROME: If you're traveling to Rome, don't miss the chance to with Tiffany as your guide!
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Episode 604: How to Go Deeper when Traveling
11/24/2025
Episode 604: How to Go Deeper when Traveling
For some travelers, visiting the sites just isn't enough. One of our listeners wrote to express her longing to go deeper when traveling, far beyond the monuments, art, cuisine, and local culture. Into the very life and people of the place she's visiting. But how do you go about that? Today we offer our practical tips. Got a question? Send us an email (or better yet, record a voice message asking the question yourself) and if the questions resonates with us, we might just do a whole episode around it! ------------------------------------- COME TO ROME WITH US: Our third annual Bittersweet Life Roman Adventure 2025 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 . ADVERTISE WITH US: Reach expats, future expats, and travelers all over the world. Send us an 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 to find out more. TIP YOUR PODCASTER: Say thanks with a one-time donation to the podcast hosts you know and love. Click to send financial support via PayPal. (You can also find a Donate button on the desktop version of our .) The show needs your support to continue. START PODCASTING: If you are planning to start your own podcast, consider for your hosting service! Use this to get two months free, or use our promo code SWEET when you sign up. SUBSCRIBE: to the podcast to make sure you never miss an episode. Click to find us on a variety of podcast apps. WRITE A REVIEW: Leave us a rating and a written review on 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 . You can also connect to us through , , and . Tag with your expat story for a chance to be featured! NEW TO THE SHOW? Don't be afraid to start with BOOK: Want to read Tiffany's book, Midnight in the Piazza? Learn more or order on . TOUR ROME: If you're traveling to Rome, don't miss the chance to with Tiffany as your guide!
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The Bittersweet Past: When Life Is Inspired by Art
11/21/2025
The Bittersweet Past: When Life Is Inspired by Art
Could watching a movie inspire you to move abroad? Could reading a book launch a lifetime of travel? Movies and books can have a big influence on personal actions. On this episode from our archives, Tiffany and Katy share the cultural works that have shaped their lives. Listen to the end to find out which film was the impetus for Tiffany's move to Italy. Be a part of the conversation: What art has influenced you? We love hearing from our listeners. Send us an or better yet, record a voice memo telling us about it and it to us. If we get enough responses we may record a follow-up episode—and you could be on it! *** 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!*** ------------------------------------- COME TO ROME WITH US: Our third annual Bittersweet Life Roman Adventure is all sold out for 2025! 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 . ADVERTISE WITH US: Reach expats, future expats, and travelers all over the world. Send us an 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 to find out more. TIP YOUR PODCASTER: Say thanks with a one-time donation to the podcast hosts you know and love. Click to send financial support via PayPal. (You can also find a Donate button on the desktop version of our .) The show needs your support to continue. START PODCASTING: If you are planning to start your own podcast, consider for your hosting service! Use this to get two months free, or use our promo code SWEET when you sign up. SUBSCRIBE: to the podcast to make sure you never miss an episode. Click to find us on a variety of podcast apps. WRITE A REVIEW: Leave us a rating and a written review on 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 . You can also connect to us through , , and . Tag with your expat story for a chance to be featured! NEW TO THE SHOW? Don't be afraid to start with BOOK: Want to read Tiffany's book, Midnight in the Piazza? Learn more or order on . TOUR ROME: If you're traveling to Rome, don't miss the chance to with Tiffany as your guide!
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Bittersweet Peek: An Armoire for your Smartphone
11/19/2025
Bittersweet Peek: An Armoire for your Smartphone
Tiffany's son Aurelio will soon be in middle school, and the exact age that Katy and Tiffany were when they first met. And, wow, how things have changed. Tiffany reports on her visit to his potential new school. 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 main show, you'll be part of our new chat community, you'll have access to Patreon-only content in addition to bonus episodes, and you'll be invited to join us for regular live meet-ups. But most importantly, you'll be doing your part to help keep this show alive—an independent podcast with no corporate support. (You'll also help keep it virtually ad-free!) Check our our for all the details, and consider joining us at the $5 level or above. We are eternally grateful! ------------------------------------- COME TO ROME WITH US: Our third annual Bittersweet Life Roman Adventure is all sold out for 2025! 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 . ADVERTISE WITH US: Reach expats, future expats, and travelers all over the world. Send us an 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 to find out more. TIP YOUR PODCASTER: Say thanks with a one-time donation to the podcast hosts you know and love. Click to send financial support via PayPal. (You can also find a Donate button on the desktop version of our .) The show needs your support to continue. START PODCASTING: If you are planning to start your own podcast, consider for your hosting service! Use this to get two months free, or use our promo code SWEET when you sign up. SUBSCRIBE: to the podcast to make sure you never miss an episode. Click to find us on a variety of podcast apps. WRITE A REVIEW: Leave us a rating and a written review on 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 . You can also connect to us through , , and . Tag with your expat story for a chance to be featured! NEW TO THE SHOW? Don't be afraid to start with BOOK: Want to read Tiffany's book, Midnight in the Piazza? Learn more or order on . TOUR ROME: If you're traveling to Rome, don't miss the chance to with Tiffany as your guide!
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Episode 603: The Benefits of Missing the Nuance
11/17/2025
Episode 603: The Benefits of Missing the Nuance
When you're visiting a foreign country, you miss a lot. From conversations around you on the street to advertisements on billboards or your favorite podcast that is suddenly playing you ads in the local language. You also miss a lot of cultural context, and while that can sometimes be problematic, it can also lead to overlooking prejudices that might be common with locals. Can missing the nuance be a good thing? We all know the downsides of being on the outside when in a foreign country, but are there also positives? We discuss this topic on today's brand-new episode. ------------------------------------- COME TO ROME WITH US: Our third annual Bittersweet Life Roman Adventure is all sold out for 2025! 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 . ADVERTISE WITH US: Reach expats, future expats, and travelers all over the world. Send us an 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 to find out more. TIP YOUR PODCASTER: Say thanks with a one-time donation to the podcast hosts you know and love. Click to send financial support via PayPal. (You can also find a Donate button on the desktop version of our .) The show needs your support to continue. START PODCASTING: If you are planning to start your own podcast, consider for your hosting service! Use this to get two months free, or use our promo code SWEET when you sign up. SUBSCRIBE: to the podcast to make sure you never miss an episode. Click to find us on a variety of podcast apps. WRITE A REVIEW: Leave us a rating and a written review on 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 . You can also connect to us through , , and . Tag with your expat story for a chance to be featured! NEW TO THE SHOW? Don't be afraid to start with BOOK: Want to read Tiffany's book, Midnight in the Piazza? Learn more or order on . TOUR ROME: If you're traveling to Rome, don't miss the chance to with Tiffany as your guide!
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