One of the supposed perks of living in Europe is that you can just hop on a cheap flight and spend the weekend in Rome, Paris, Barcelona, or wherever else strikes your fancy.

$25 flights! Weekend getaways! See all of Europe!

Well … sort of.

In this episode of As the Dinesens Turn, Jason and Tracy talk about the reality of travel when you actually live in Europe — especially when you're traveling as a family.

Those cheap flights do exist, but they're not quite as cheap or plentiful as they once were. Add four plane tickets, baggage fees, hotels, transportation, and the logistics of traveling with kids, and that spontaneous European weekend can get expensive very quickly.

Living in northern Portugal adds another wrinkle. Portugal isn't nearly as well connected by train to the rest of Europe as countries such as France or Germany, which means getting somewhere like Barcelona isn't necessarily as simple as hopping on a train.

Then there's the other kind of travel: getting back to the United States. With Jason traveling frequently to the U.S. for work, a lot of the family's travel budget ends up going toward airfare across the Atlantic rather than European vacations.

But maybe there's another way to look at it.

When Porto is less than an hour away, Spain is within driving distance, and the birthplace of Portugal is practically in your backyard, perhaps the Dinesens actually travel more than they think they do.

Jason and Tracy talk about cheap airlines, expensive gasoline, traveling with teenagers, their almost nonexistent history of child-free vacations, and why the European jet-setting lifestyle isn't quite as simple as it looks from the outside.

Plus, with graduation trips coming up, there may finally be some more European exploration on the horizon.

Back-to-school season is here in the United States — but here in Portugal, we still have a few weeks to go!

In this episode of As the Dinesens Turn, we talk about some of the differences we've discovered between schools in Portugal and the U.S. From getting textbooks and school supplies to schedules that don't arrive until the last minute, the Portuguese school year operates very differently from what we were used to.

We also talk about Portugal's new restrictions on phones in schools, national exams, the possibility of repeating a grade, and the different paths students can take once they reach secondary school.

For our family, this school year is an especially big one. Tyler is finishing basic education and will need to decide which secondary-school track he wants to pursue. Meanwhile, Jack is entering his final year of a professional secondary program, complete with internships, certification exams, and decisions about work or university.

It's hard to believe that three and a half years ago, we were dropping two kids who barely spoke Portuguese into public school and wondering how any of this was going to work.

Now we're talking about graduations, university, internships — and even driving school.

Life changes fast.

Go to college. Get the degree. Work hard. Build a career. Save for retirement.

Do all the right things, and everything will work out.

At least, that’s what we were told.

In this episode of As the Dinesens Turn, Jason and Tracy wrestle with their growing cynicism—or maybe realism—about work, education, money, careers, and the promises their generation grew up believing.

Both came of age hearing that a college degree was the ticket to a secure future. Jason remembers a high-school guidance counselor insisting that it didn’t even matter what the degree was in: just “get that piece of paper” and you’d be set for life.

Tracy believed just as deeply in education and the idea that if you worked hard, followed the rules, cared about your students, and did what was asked of you, the system would reward that commitment.

Then reality intervened.

They talk about watching workplaces reward hard workers with more work instead of more money, seeing talented employees become too valuable to promote, and discovering that institutions don’t necessarily return the loyalty their employees give them.

And then there’s money.

Even as they’ve become more successful, Jason and Tracy find themselves asking a frustrating question: Why does it still feel like there’s never enough?

Housing costs more. Education costs more. Everyday life costs more. The old stories about working some overtime to buy a new car with cash sound like tales from another universe.

These questions have become more urgent as they talk with their own kids about what comes next.

Does university still automatically make sense? Is taking on massive debt for a degree worth it? What happens when a teenager has already earned professional training and hundreds of hours of practical experience before finishing secondary school? And how do parents advise a child about a future career when AI and technology are changing entire industries faster than anyone can predict?

Maybe the hardest realization is that hard work matters—but hard work alone doesn't guarantee the outcome.

Luck matters. Timing matters. The economic system matters. And sometimes you can do everything you were told to do and still discover that the promised destination isn't there.

It’s admittedly one of the heavier episodes of As the Dinesens Turn. But these are also conversations happening around kitchen tables everywhere: between spouses trying to understand their finances, workers questioning their careers, and parents wondering what advice they should give their children when the old advice no longer seems adequate.

Jason and Tracy don’t pretend to have the answers.

They’re just increasingly unwilling to accept the old answers at face value.

Also, Stan the dog makes an appearance, Jason attempts to argue that being held back in kindergarten makes him basically a Millennial, and Tracy informs him that being born in 1978 does, in fact, make him Gen X.

So it’s not all doom and gloom.

In this episode:

Were Millennials and Gen Xers sold an outdated formula for success?
Does a college degree still deliver what previous generations were promised?
Why hard work can lead to more work instead of advancement
The financial squeeze facing families even as their incomes rise
Helping teenagers decide whether university is actually the right next step
Preparing kids for careers in a world being rapidly reshaped by AI
Tracy’s disillusionment with higher education
Jason’s growing economic cynicism
Why success involves more than simply working hard
And the important question: Is Jason actually Gen X?

Bottom line: Maybe this isn’t cynicism. Maybe it’s what happens when experience forces you to reconsider the rules you were taught—and decide which ones are still worth passing on to the next generation.

Two years ago, we packed up our lives in Iowa and moved to Portugal. We expected plenty of changes—but one of the biggest surprises was how much the move transformed our marriage and our family life.

In this episode, we talk honestly about the burnout we experienced in the United States, how slowing down changed the way we communicate, and why having time and space for each other has made such a difference. We also discuss rediscovering hobbies, prioritizing mental and physical health, and why simply running errands together now feels completely different than it once did.

Was it Portugal itself? Midlife? Or simply creating a life with more intention? We explore all of it in this candid conversation.

In this episode:

•  Why burnout affected every relationship in our lives 
•  How moving abroad strengthened our teamwork 
•  The importance of making time for hobbies and creativity 
•  Rediscovering work that feeds your soul 
•  Prioritizing health without guilt 
•  Why slowing down made us better spouses—and better parents 

If you've ever wondered how a major life change affects a marriage, or if you're dreaming about moving abroad yourself, we hope you'll join us for the conversation. 

For years, we told ourselves—and everyone else—that our move to Portugal might only be temporary. First it was six months. Then maybe two years. But here we are, more than three years later, and we're still here.

In this episode of As the Dinesens Turn, we reflect on why we chose to stay. It's not just about Portugal itself. It's about the unexpected ways our priorities changed, how our family life evolved, and why we discovered that the life we wanted looked very different from the one we had planned.

We talk about raising kids in Portugal, finding a healthier work-life balance, navigating healthcare, feeling safe, building businesses in a new country, and how our definition of success has changed along the way. We also discuss the difficult first year, why the "honeymoon phase" eventually ends for most expats, and what finally convinced us that Portugal had become home.

Whether you're dreaming of moving abroad, already living overseas, or simply wondering how major life decisions reshape your priorities, this episode offers an honest look at what happens after the adventure begins.

In this episode:

• Why our original plan changed
• The challenges of the first year abroad
• Raising children in Portugal
• Healthcare, safety, and quality of life
• How our careers and priorities evolved
• Why we no longer see ourselves moving back

If you've ever wondered whether a big life change was worth it, this conversation is for you.

After more than three months away, we're back!

Life got busy—but for good reasons. In this episode of As the Dinesens Turn, Jason and Tracy return with a practical discussion about one of the biggest questions they get from people considering a move abroad:

"If you could do it all over again, what would you do differently?"

Looking back after more than three years living in Portugal, we share nine lessons we wish we'd known before making the move. Some are practical, some are financial, and some are simply about mindset—but all of them come from real experience.

In this episode, we discuss:

• Learning the local language before you arrive
• Why driving a manual transmission can matter
• Choosing the right location—not just the right country
• Planning realistically for finances
• Finding the right schools and family support
• Starting the decluttering process much earlier
• When hiring local experts is worth every euro
• Adjusting to a different culture and bureaucracy
• Why, despite everything, we'd still encourage people to take the leap

This isn't a "Portugal is perfect" episode, nor is it a list of complaints. It's an honest conversation about what surprised us, what challenged us, and what we'd tell anyone thinking about moving overseas.

Whether you're dreaming of Portugal, another European country, or simply wondering what life as an expat is really like, we hope these lessons help you make a more informed—and less stressful—transition.

Next episode: Why, after all the challenges, we decided to stay. 

In this episode of As the Dinesens Turn, we talk about what we actually miss after moving from the U.S. to Portugal in 2023.Some of it is small and even sort of humorous:--Gigantic drinks from QT--Casey’s breakfast pizza--Being able to find jalapeños and green onions whenever you wantSome of it is more practical:--The ease of running everyday errands--Driving that… makes sense--The ability to quickly travel back and see familyAnd some of it runs deeper:--Community--Colleagues--The intellectual energy of teaching and working alongside othersBut the surprising part is, we don’t miss nearly as much as we thought we would. We’ve built a new life, a new routine, and a new perspective. And while there are tradeoffs, this experience has reinforced something important: there’s no perfect place, only the place that fits the life you want to build.If you’ve ever thought about moving abroad—or just making a big life change—this episode is an honest look at what that really means.🎧 Listen now and join the conversation.

Moving abroad can seem like the perfect solution to burnout, politics, or simply wanting a fresh start. But does relocating actually fix your problems?In this episode of As the Dinesens Turn, Jason and Tracy talk honestly about what life is really like after moving from Iowa to Portugal. They discuss the “honeymoon phase” of living abroad, the reality of navigating unfamiliar systems, and the identity shifts that come with leaving your career and home country behind.While Portugal has brought major benefits—greater safety, better healthcare access, and more work-life balance—the move also created new challenges: bureaucracy, cultural differences, and the emotional work of rebuilding a life from scratch.If you’re thinking about moving abroad, this episode offers a candid look at the trade-offs and what it actually takes to make the transition work.

Nearly three years ago, we packed up our lives and moved from Iowa to Portugal. We expected some changes. We planned for others. But a lot of what actually shifted happened slowly — quietly — and in ways we didn’t fully notice until recently.In this episode of As the Dinesens Turn, we reflect on who we were when we arrived and who we are now. We talk about how living in Portugal has changed our relationship with time, work, guilt, identity, parenting, and even ourselves — and what hasn’t changed at all.This isn’t a “pros and cons of moving abroad” episode. It’s a conversation about identity, control, and what happens when you step into a different system with different values and let it reshape you.In this episode, we talk about:How moving abroad slowly changes you in ways you didn’t planLetting go of control — and why that was harder than we expectedWhy we feel calmer, more present, and less defined by our jobsWhat Portugal has taught us about time, illness, and permission to stopHow our kids have changed by learning to be “the other”And why we’re no longer apologizing for who we areIf you’ve ever thought about moving abroad — or if you’ve felt the pull to change your life but weren’t sure what that would cost or give back — this episode is for you.🎧 As the Dinesens Turn chronicles the ongoing adventures of an ordinary family who decided to do something a little extraordinary.👉 Subscribe for new episodes and short clips👉 Share this episode with someone who’s feeling stuck or curious about what’s next

In this episode of As the Dinesens Turn, Jason and Tracy talk about what Christmas season is really like in Portugal — from festive lights and roasted chestnuts to Christmas markets, baking traditions, and big travel dreams for the future.

They share what makes the holidays feel special abroad, how Portuguese Christmas culture compares to back home, and why this season has sparked a renewed commitment to saying “yes” to the things they’ve always wanted to do.

Along the way, the conversation takes a fun turn into Christmas baking for Portuguese students, bread-and-cheese obsessions, Spanish Christmas markets, whiskey discoveries, and the early seeds of a possible new podcast idea: Jason on the Rocks 🥃

• Christmas lights, markets, and the smell of roasted chestnuts in Portugal

• Visiting Vigo, Spain for one of Europe’s biggest Christmas light displays

• Portuguese vs. American holiday traditions

• Christmas baking (and stress baking) abroad

• Sharing American treats with Portuguese students

• Bread, cheese, mulled wine, and holiday food favorites

• A new idea: mixing whiskey tastings with tax talk

• Dream travel plans for 2026 (London, Barcelona, Denmark & more)

• Why this season is all about finally doing the things you keep talking about

00:00 – Welcome to As the Dinesens Turn
00:20 – Christmas time in Portugal
01:30 – Christmas markets & holiday vibes
01:49 – Trip to Vigo, Spain
03:36 – Mulled wine, bread & cheese
04:28 – Christmas baking traditions
06:01 – Whiskey discoveries in Portugal
06:25 – “Jason on the Rocks” podcast idea
08:55 – Making 2026 a year of experiences
10:07 – Travel dreams & future plans
12:28 – Wrap-up

As the Dinesens Turn chronicles the adventures of a family from Iowa who decided to pack up their lives and move to Portugal — sharing the joys, challenges, culture shock, and everyday moments along the way

🎙️ What You’ll Hear in This Episode:⏱️ Chapters / Timestamps:📌 About the Podcast: