🌏 🐝 What happens when a shy German scientist dares to trade her lab coat for a one-way ticket abroad? Hanna Marks, a Berlin native who left her stable job in biological research — including working on honeybee diseases — to pursue a more meaningful life overseas.

In the latest episode of Expat Experts, I sit down with Hanna Marks, who left behind a secure job in science to chase something deeper: freedom. After years of working in a lab — including researching bee diseases 🐝 — Hanna took a solo trip to NYC that changed everything.

We talk about:
🚀 How she overcame fear as a shy, introverted woman
🔬 Why she left her scientific career to go abroad
💥 Her biggest lessons from life as an expat
🌱 The personal transformation that came with travel

📲 Follow Hanna on:
https://www.buzzsprout.com/2110137
https://www.youtube.com/@hannaworldwide_and_friends
https://www.instagram.com/hanna_worldwide_and_friends/

Send us a message!

Level8: Upgrade your travel experience with luggage designed for people constantly on the move. Durable, sleek, and built to last—Level8 makes every trip smoother. Get 10% off with code LEVEL8Expat10.

StartAbroad: Planning a move abroad doesn’t have to be overwhelming. StartAbroad helps you navigate visas, paperwork, and the entire relocation process—especially for Costa Rica, Panama, Spain, and Portugal.

Get 5% off with code ALMOSTLOCAL.

Slate and Key: Thinking about relocating to Portugal? Slate & Key offers step-by-step support to guide you through the process. Start with their free webinar to understand exactly what it takes to make the move. Check out the free webinar!

PodMatch
Like a dating app by matching hosts and guests for podcast interviews with process automations.

VidIQ
Helps you acquire the tools and knowledge needed to grow your audience faster on YouTube and beyond.

Buzzsprout
The easiest way to start a podcast. Gets your podcast online and into Apple, YouTube, and Spotify.

Riverside
is your online studio for high-quality podcast and video recording and editing. Powered by AI.

OpusClip
Create amazing and trending clips out of your own interviews with OpusClip!

Level8
Use code LEVEL8Expat10 for 10% off your next high-quality travel suitcase.

Disclaimer: This post contains affiliate links. If you make a purchase, I may receive a commission at no extra cost to you.

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Check the episodes in video in Youtube 🎥:
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🌍💼 What’s it like to be a woman leading a high-stakes sales career in West Africa’s male-dominated telecom world—while also becoming a mom abroad?

In this powerful and inspiring episode of the Expat Experts Podcast, Marc sits down with Wanda Serkowska, a fearless expat who built her career across Congo DRC, Benin, and Côte d'Ivoire, navigating business, culture, and motherhood in ways most of us can’t imagine.

🔥 Wanda shares:
- How she became a leader in B2B telecom in Africa
- The surprising things she loved about living in West Africa
- Her challenges working in male-dominated spaces
- Being a single woman and mother abroad
- Expat advice and survival hacks from the field
- And... the unexpected moments that changed her life forever

🎯 Whether you're curious about expat life, dreaming of working abroad, or wondering what it takes to thrive in non-obvious places—this episode is a must-watch.

📲 Follow Wanda on:
https://www.linkedin.com/in/wanda-serkowska/

Send us a message!

Level8: Upgrade your travel experience with luggage designed for people constantly on the move. Durable, sleek, and built to last—Level8 makes every trip smoother. Get 10% off with code LEVEL8Expat10.

StartAbroad: Planning a move abroad doesn’t have to be overwhelming. StartAbroad helps you navigate visas, paperwork, and the entire relocation process—especially for Costa Rica, Panama, Spain, and Portugal.

Get 5% off with code ALMOSTLOCAL.

Slate and Key: Thinking about relocating to Portugal? Slate & Key offers step-by-step support to guide you through the process. Start with their free webinar to understand exactly what it takes to make the move. Check out the free webinar!

PodMatch
Like a dating app by matching hosts and guests for podcast interviews with process automations.

VidIQ
Helps you acquire the tools and knowledge needed to grow your audience faster on YouTube and beyond.

Buzzsprout
The easiest way to start a podcast. Gets your podcast online and into Apple, YouTube, and Spotify.

Riverside
is your online studio for high-quality podcast and video recording and editing. Powered by AI.

OpusClip
Create amazing and trending clips out of your own interviews with OpusClip!

Disclaimer: This post contains affiliate links. If you make a purchase, I may receive a commission at no extra cost to you.

Support the show

Check the episodes in video in Youtube 🎥:
https://www.youtube.com/@almostlocalstories

Follow us on social media 📲:
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🌎✈️ Join our Almost Local Network now and connect with a global community of like-minded adventurers!

📰🤰 What happens when a successful Wall Street Journal journalist gives up her fast-paced NYC life to move to Italy and Germany—becomes a mother abroad, and suddenly finds herself lost, isolated… and hilariously overwhelmed?

Meet Rosamaria Mancini—introvert, perfectionist, hypochondriac, and now author of the witty new memoir “SOS Podcasts.” In this raw, funny, and deeply relatable expat story, she shares how life at the Vatican, German culture shocks, and motherhood abroad pushed her to the edge—and how podcasts became her lifeline in a disconnected world.

💥 In this episode of Expat Experts, you’ll discover: ✔️ How she transitioned from journalism in NYC to life inside the Vatican walls ✔️ Why German and Italian culture clashes drove her (lovingly) crazy ✔️ The real struggle of being a new mom while adapting to a foreign culture ✔️ How over-parenting, perfectionism, and podcasting all collide in her story ✔️ Her #1 life-saving tip for expats (especially moms!)

📲 Follow Rosamaria on:
https://www.instagram.com/rosamariamancini78/
https://www.linkedin.com/in/rosamaria-mancini-phd-5189194/
https://rosamariamancini.com/

📚 Rosamaria's books:
SOS Podcasts 
Next book coming SOON

Send us a message!

Level8: Upgrade your travel experience with luggage designed for people constantly on the move. Durable, sleek, and built to last—Level8 makes every trip smoother. Get 10% off with code LEVEL8Expat10.

PodMatch
Like a dating app by matching hosts and guests for podcast interviews with process automations.

VidIQ
Helps you acquire the tools and knowledge needed to grow your audience faster on YouTube and beyond.

Buzzsprout
The easiest way to start a podcast. Gets your podcast online and into Apple, YouTube, and Spotify.

Riverside
is your online studio for high-quality podcast and video recording and editing. Powered by AI.

OpusClip
Create amazing and trending clips out of your own interviews with OpusClip!

Disclaimer: This post contains affiliate links. If you make a purchase, I may receive a commission at no extra cost to you.

Support the show

Check the episodes in video in Youtube 🎥:
https://www.youtube.com/@almostlocalstories

Follow us on social media 📲:
https://www.instagram.com/almostlocalstories
⁠https://www.tiktok.com/@almostlocalstories
⁠https://www.facebook.com/almostlocalstories

🌎✈️ Join our Almost Local Network now and connect with a global community of like-minded adventurers!

🗺️🛖 With over a decade of experience working in international development, Kelly shares what it’s like to build a life abroad while making an impact through NGO work. From studying in Latin America to navigating life in East Africa, and now searching for peace and security in Greece — this is one of those journeys that truly shows the diverse paths expats can take.

Meet Kelly Hauser, a 45-year-old American expat who’s lived in five countries across three continents while working in international development. In the latest episode of the Expat Experts Podcast, we chat about: 
✨ Life in East Africa 
📚 Studying abroad in Brazil & Spain 
🌱 Working with NGOs on food security 
🏡 Why she chose Greece as her new home

Send us a message!

Level8: Upgrade your travel experience with luggage designed for people constantly on the move. Durable, sleek, and built to last—Level8 makes every trip smoother. Get 10% off with code LEVEL8Expat10.

PodMatch
Like a dating app by matching hosts and guests for podcast interviews with process automations.

VidIQ
Helps you acquire the tools and knowledge needed to grow your audience faster on YouTube and beyond.

Buzzsprout
The easiest way to start a podcast. Gets your podcast online and into Apple, YouTube, and Spotify.

Riverside
is your online studio for high-quality podcast and video recording and editing. Powered by AI.

OpusClip
Create amazing and trending clips out of your own interviews with OpusClip!

Disclaimer: This post contains affiliate links. If you make a purchase, I may receive a commission at no extra cost to you.

Support the show

Check the episodes in video in Youtube 🎥:
https://www.youtube.com/@almostlocalstories

Follow us on social media 📲:
https://www.instagram.com/almostlocalstories
⁠https://www.tiktok.com/@almostlocalstories
⁠https://www.facebook.com/almostlocalstories

🌎✈️ Join our Almost Local Network now and connect with a global community of like-minded adventurers!

⛪️ 🌍 At 60, Douglas Brouwer left the U.S. to lead churches in Switzerland and the Netherlands. In this episode, he shares his expat journey, the challenges of moving abroad later in life, and the cultural surprises he faced as a pastor in Europe.

What happens when a seasoned pastor decides to move abroad at 60? 🌍 
Douglas Brouwer took a bold leap, leaving the U.S. to lead congregations in Switzerland and the Netherlands—and the experience changed his life forever. 

In this episode of Expat Experts Podcast, Douglas shares:
✅ The challenges of starting fresh in a new country later in life ✈️ 
✅ What it’s like to be an American pastor in European churches 🇪🇺 
✅ The biggest cultural surprises (and missteps!) he encountered 😲 
✅ His lessons from a lifetime of mission trips, pilgrimages, and travel 🛤️

📚 Dougla's books:
The Traveler's Path: Finding Spiritual Growth and Inspiration Through Travel
Chasing after Wind: A Pastor's Life
Remembering the Faith: What Christians Believe
How to Become a Multicultural Church

📲 Follow Douglas on:
https://dougsblog.substack.com
https://www.instagram.com/douglasbrouwer/
https://www.linkedin.com/in/douglasbrouwer/

Send us a message!

Level8: Upgrade your travel experience with luggage designed for people constantly on the move. Durable, sleek, and built to last—Level8 makes every trip smoother. Get 10% off with code LEVEL8Expat10.

PodMatch
Like a dating app by matching hosts and guests for podcast interviews with process automations.

VidIQ
Helps you acquire the tools and knowledge needed to grow your audience faster on YouTube and beyond.

Buzzsprout
The easiest way to start a podcast. Gets your podcast online and into Apple, YouTube, and Spotify.

Riverside
is your online studio for high-quality podcast and video recording and editing. Powered by AI.

OpusClip
Create amazing and trending clips out of your own interviews with OpusClip!

Disclaimer: This post contains affiliate links. If you make a purchase, I may receive a commission at no extra cost to you.

Support the show

Check the episodes in video in Youtube 🎥:
https://www.youtube.com/@almostlocalstories

Follow us on social media 📲:
https://www.instagram.com/almostlocalstories
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🌎✈️ Join our Almost Local Network now and connect with a global community of like-minded adventurers!

🇹🇭🤔 Ever wondered what life in Thailand is really like beyond the tourist traps and retirement visas? In this episode, we sit down with Mike Oppenheim, an author, podcaster, and world traveler who lived in Bangkok and Hua Hin—not as a tourist, but as someone deeply connected to the culture through marriage and daily life.

I sit down with Mike Oppenheim—author, podcaster, and world traveler—who shares his experience living in Bangkok and Hua Hin. But he wasn’t just passing through; he was fully immersed in Thai culture through marriage, local life, and everyday challenges.

🎙️ We discuss:
✅ The reality of expat life in Thailand 🌏
✅ Cultural surprises & daily life beyond the tourist lens 🏡
✅ Navigating relationships & language barriers 💬
✅ The truth about visas, work, and community 🛂

📲 Follow Mike on:
https://mikeyopp.substack.com/
https://www.facebook.com/mikeyopp38/
https://www.instagram.com/mikeyopp38/
https://twitter.com/mikeyopp
https://www.linkedin.com/in/mikeoppenheim/

Send us a message!

Level8: Upgrade your travel experience with luggage designed for people constantly on the move. Durable, sleek, and built to last—Level8 makes every trip smoother. Get 10% off with code LEVEL8Expat10.

PodMatch
Like a dating app by matching hosts and guests for podcast interviews with process automations.

VidIQ
Helps you acquire the tools and knowledge needed to grow your audience faster on YouTube and beyond.

Buzzsprout
The easiest way to start a podcast. Gets your podcast online and into Apple, YouTube, and Spotify.

Riverside
is your online studio for high-quality podcast and video recording and editing. Powered by AI.

OpusClip
Create amazing and trending clips out of your own interviews with OpusClip!

Disclaimer: This post contains affiliate links. If you make a purchase, I may receive a commission at no extra cost to you.

Support the show

Check the episodes in video in Youtube 🎥:
https://www.youtube.com/@almostlocalstories

Follow us on social media 📲:
https://www.instagram.com/almostlocalstories
⁠https://www.tiktok.com/@almostlocalstories
⁠https://www.facebook.com/almostlocalstories

🌎✈️ Join our Almost Local Network now and connect with a global community of like-minded adventurers!

🇮🇹🇬🇷 In this episode, we dive into Chiara's incredible journey, the challenges of adapting to a new country, and how she found her place in Greek culture. Whether you’re an expat, a travel lover, or just curious about life in Greece, you won’t want to miss this one!

🚀 Season 2 of Expat Experts Podcast is here! 🎙️ And we’re kicking things off with a very special guest—my good friend Chiara Tonello! Originally from Genova, Italy, Chiara followed her passion for Greek mythology and her love for new cultures all the way to Greece. 🇮🇹➡️🇬🇷

In this episode, we dive into her incredible journey as an expat, the challenges of adapting to a new country, and how she found her place in Greek culture. Whether you’re an expat, a travel lover, or just curious about life in Greece, you won’t want to miss this one! 🎧✨

📲 Follow Chiara on:
https://www.instagram.com/whereischiara
https://www.tiktok.com/@where.is.chiara

Send us a message!

Level8: Upgrade your travel experience with luggage designed for people constantly on the move. Durable, sleek, and built to last—Level8 makes every trip smoother. Get 10% off with code LEVEL8Expat10.

StartAbroad: Planning a move abroad doesn’t have to be overwhelming. StartAbroad helps you navigate visas, paperwork, and the entire relocation process—especially for Costa Rica, Panama, Spain, and Portugal.

Get 5% off with code ALMOSTLOCAL.

Slate and Key: Thinking about relocating to Portugal? Slate & Key offers step-by-step support to guide you through the process. Start with their free webinar to understand exactly what it takes to make the move. Check out the free webinar!

PodMatch
Like a dating app by matching hosts and guests for podcast interviews with process automations.

VidIQ
Helps you acquire the tools and knowledge needed to grow your audience faster on YouTube and beyond.

Buzzsprout
The easiest way to start a podcast. Gets your podcast online and into Apple, YouTube, and Spotify.

Riverside
is your online studio for high-quality podcast and video recording and editing. Powered by AI.

OpusClip
Create amazing and trending clips out of your own interviews with OpusClip!

Disclaimer: This post contains affiliate links. If you make a purchase, I may receive a commission at no extra cost to you.

Support the show

Check the episodes in video in Youtube 🎥:
https://www.youtube.com/@almostlocalstories

Follow us on social media 📲:
https://www.instagram.com/almostlocalstories
⁠https://www.tiktok.com/@almostlocalstories
⁠https://www.facebook.com/almostlocalstories

🌎✈️ Join our Almost Local Network now and connect with a global community of like-minded adventurers!

🌍✨ What happens when you turn the whole world into your home?
Meet Kerry Damiano, a fearless solo traveler who has explored 130+ countries, competed in international pageants, and built a brand around travel vlogging and sustainable shopping. From luxury fashion finds to backpacking through hidden gems, Kerry shares the highs, the challenges, and the life-changing lessons of being a perpetual traveler.
🎙️📹 Check all the interviews: https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLUHBYh0ornEGBu9L5Hgxbmh5hzZcX2SjC

*📢 SUBSCRIBE and LISTEN in our audio channels:*
https://www.expatexpertspodcast.com/spotify
https://www.expatexpertspodcast.com/applepodcast
https://www.expatexpertspodcast.com/share

*📲 Follow Kerry on:*
https://msworldtraveler.com/
https://www.youtube.com/@ms.worldtraveler5897
https://www.instagram.com/kerrymsworldtraveler
https://www.facebook.com/kerrymsworldtraveler

Send us a message!

Level8: Upgrade your travel experience with luggage designed for people constantly on the move. Durable, sleek, and built to last—Level8 makes every trip smoother. Get 10% off with code LEVEL8Expat10.

StartAbroad: Planning a move abroad doesn’t have to be overwhelming. StartAbroad helps you navigate visas, paperwork, and the entire relocation process—especially for Costa Rica, Panama, Spain, and Portugal.

Get 5% off with code ALMOSTLOCAL.

Slate and Key: Thinking about relocating to Portugal? Slate & Key offers step-by-step support to guide you through the process. Start with their free webinar to understand exactly what it takes to make the move. Check out the free webinar!

PodMatch
Like a dating app by matching hosts and guests for podcast interviews with process automations.

VidIQ
Helps you acquire the tools and knowledge needed to grow your audience faster on YouTube and beyond.

Buzzsprout
The easiest way to start a podcast. Gets your podcast online and into Apple, YouTube, and Spotify.

Riverside
is your online studio for high-quality podcast and video recording and editing. Powered by AI.

OpusClip
Create amazing and trending clips out of your own interviews with OpusClip!

Disclaimer: This post contains affiliate links. If you make a purchase, I may receive a commission at no extra cost to you.

Support the show

Check the episodes in video in Youtube 🎥:
https://www.youtube.com/@almostlocalstories

Follow us on social media 📲:
https://www.instagram.com/almostlocalstories
⁠https://www.tiktok.com/@almostlocalstories
⁠https://www.facebook.com/almostlocalstories

🌎✈️ Join our Almost Local Network now and connect with a global community of like-minded adventurers!

👠👑 From the fashion capitals of Asia to the world of entrepreneurship and pageantry, Jennifer Lloyd has done it all!
🎙️📹 Check all the interviews: https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLUHBYh0ornEGBu9L5Hgxbmh5hzZcX2SjC

*📢 SUBSCRIBE and LISTEN in our audio channels:*
https://www.expatexpertspodcast.com/spotify
https://www.expatexpertspodcast.com/applepodcast
https://www.expatexpertspodcast.com/share

*📲 Follow Jennifer on:*
https://www.mrsjenniferlloyd.com/
https://www.instagram.com/jenniferelloyd
https://www.facebook.com/queenly.queen.100

Send us a message!

Level8: Upgrade your travel experience with luggage designed for people constantly on the move. Durable, sleek, and built to last—Level8 makes every trip smoother. Get 10% off with code LEVEL8Expat10.

StartAbroad: Planning a move abroad doesn’t have to be overwhelming. StartAbroad helps you navigate visas, paperwork, and the entire relocation process—especially for Costa Rica, Panama, Spain, and Portugal.

Get 5% off with code ALMOSTLOCAL.

Slate and Key: Thinking about relocating to Portugal? Slate & Key offers step-by-step support to guide you through the process. Start with their free webinar to understand exactly what it takes to make the move. Check out the free webinar!

PodMatch
Like a dating app by matching hosts and guests for podcast interviews with process automations.

VidIQ
Helps you acquire the tools and knowledge needed to grow your audience faster on YouTube and beyond.

Buzzsprout
The easiest way to start a podcast. Gets your podcast online and into Apple, YouTube, and Spotify.

Riverside
is your online studio for high-quality podcast and video recording and editing. Powered by AI.

OpusClip
Create amazing and trending clips out of your own interviews with OpusClip!

Disclaimer: This post contains affiliate links. If you make a purchase, I may receive a commission at no extra cost to you.

Support the show

Check the episodes in video in Youtube 🎥:
https://www.youtube.com/@almostlocalstories

Follow us on social media 📲:
https://www.instagram.com/almostlocalstories
⁠https://www.tiktok.com/@almostlocalstories
⁠https://www.facebook.com/almostlocalstories

🌎✈️ Join our Almost Local Network now and connect with a global community of like-minded adventurers!

🎥📖 What’s it like to backpack across 70+ countries, live in Egypt and Turkey, and turn your adventures into gripping documentaries and novels?

In this episode, we sit down with Neil Laird, a seasoned traveler, expat, and filmmaker who has worked with Nat Geo, Discovery, and PBS. He shares stories of life in Egypt, the culture shocks, and the unexpected moments that shaped his expat journey. We also dive into his career as a documentary maker, from filming in extreme locations to crafting time-travel adventure novels inspired by history.

Join us as we uncover the highs, lows, and wild experiences of a man who’s made the world his home. 🌍

🎙️📹 Check all the interviews: https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLUHBYh0ornEGBu9L5Hgxbmh5hzZcX2SjC

*📢 SUBSCRIBE and LISTEN in our audio channels:*
https://www.expatexpertspodcast.com/spotify
https://www.expatexpertspodcast.com/applepodcast
https://www.expatexpertspodcast.com/share

*📲 Follow Niel on:*
https://www.neillaird.com/
https://a.co/d/i4Lljd8
https://a.co/d/fFkEANr

Send us a message!

Level8: Upgrade your travel experience with luggage designed for people constantly on the move. Durable, sleek, and built to last—Level8 makes every trip smoother. Get 10% off with code LEVEL8Expat10.

StartAbroad: Planning a move abroad doesn’t have to be overwhelming. StartAbroad helps you navigate visas, paperwork, and the entire relocation process—especially for Costa Rica, Panama, Spain, and Portugal.

Get 5% off with code ALMOSTLOCAL.

Slate and Key: Thinking about relocating to Portugal? Slate & Key offers step-by-step support to guide you through the process. Start with their free webinar to understand exactly what it takes to make the move. Check out the free webinar!

PodMatch
Like a dating app by matching hosts and guests for podcast interviews with process automations.

VidIQ
Helps you acquire the tools and knowledge needed to grow your audience faster on YouTube and beyond.

Buzzsprout
The easiest way to start a podcast. Gets your podcast online and into Apple, YouTube, and Spotify.

Riverside
is your online studio for high-quality podcast and video recording and editing. Powered by AI.

OpusClip
Create amazing and trending clips out of your own interviews with OpusClip!

Disclaimer: This post contains affiliate links. If you make a purchase, I may receive a commission at no extra cost to you.

Support the show

Check the episodes in video in Youtube 🎥:
https://www.youtube.com/@almostlocalstories

Follow us on social media 📲:
https://www.instagram.com/almostlocalstories
⁠https://www.tiktok.com/@almostlocalstories
⁠https://www.facebook.com/almostlocalstories

🌎✈️ Join our Almost Local Network now and connect with a global community of like-minded adventurers!