Away We Go We Go

In this episode, we share what life has been like for us living in France. From dealing with the hot summer without air conditioning to finding great coffee spots, we talk about the ups and downs of everyday life. We also tell fun behind-the-scenes stories from our recent trips to Paris and London—like tasty food, funny rental check-ins, and enjoying the flowers at the Chelsea Flower Show.

We talk about what it’s like raising twin toddlers during the long French school breaks, a recent health scare that reminded us how thankful we are for good healthcare, and we answer your questions about things like family activities, safety in southern France, and if it’s better to rent or buy a home here. You’ll hear honest thoughts, some laughs, and tips for living (and thriving) as expats.

If you enjoyed our real take on living abroad, make sure to subscribe, rate, and review the podcast! Follow us on Instagram for daily updates and behind-the-scenes fun. Have questions for our next episode? Send us a message, we love hearing from you!

Contact info:

Website: 

https://sophieepton.com/

Instagram: 

@thesophiepton

@jordanepton

Links:

Airbnb Paris: https://www.booking.com/hotel/fr/appartement-des-archives.html
Liza: https://www.restaurant-liza.com/
Le Petit Marche: https://www.lepetitmarche.eu/
Petersham Nurseries: https://petershamnurseries.com/
Bubala: https://www.bubala.co.uk/
Sketch: https://sketch.london/
Florattica: https://floratticalondon.co.uk/
Cafe Yoyo: https://www.instagram.com/cafeyoyo_aix/
Fondation Vasarely: https://www.fondationvasarely.org/
Gorges du Verdon: https://lesgorgesduverdon.fr/

-Intro and outro music produced by Jeremy Silver-

In this episode of the Away We Go We Go podcast, we sit down with Scott Barker for an inspiring conversation about making bold life transitions. Scott opens up about his recent decision to step away from building a successful venture capital fund, sell almost all his possessions, and embark on an open-ended journey of travel and self-discovery across the world. From his beginnings in Vancouver, adventures playing rugby in Australia, and the realization that life’s “someday” thinking can be a trap, Scott shares the mindset shifts and hurdles he's facing in real time, with genuine humor and vulnerability.

Together, we explore themes like letting go of material identity, battling burnout, and the powerful stories behind life-changing decisions. Scott also introduces his upcoming project, ‘The Wake Up Call’, aimed at helping people reevaluate success and meaning before life forces them to. The conversation is filled with practical advice for anyone feeling stuck, from decluttering your life to moving past analysis paralysis when contemplating big moves.

Feeling inspired or curious about making a change of your own? Tune in, and if Scott’s story resonated, reach out or share your own journey. We’d love to hear from you!

Contact info:

Website: 

https://sophieepton.com/ 

Instagram: 

@thesophiepton

@jordanepton

Find Scott on LinkedIn here: https://www.linkedin.com/in/ssbarker/
Find Scott's newsletter, The Wake Up Call, here: https://thewakeupcallnewsletter.substack.com/

-Intro and outro music produced by Jeremy Silver-

In this episode of the Away We Go We Go podcast, we open up about the mindset shifts and daily practices that helped us take the leap and move abroad to France. From battling unexpected challenges—like relentless allergies and adjusting to a new culture with our young twins—to learning how to embrace change, adaptability, and let go of control, we share honest stories and practical tips that can help make any big move more manageable. 

We break down the essential frameworks and daily habits that kept us on track during our journey, touching on the importance of setting small, consistent goals, staying growth-minded, and building a support system of like-minded friends. Whether it was celebrating little wins or developing new problem-solving skills when plans went sideways, these lessons made our transition not just possible, but transformational.

If you’re dreaming about making a big move or just want to shake up your life, we hope our insights inspire you to take the first step. Don’t forget to subscribe and leave a review if you enjoyed the show.

Contact info:

Website: 

https://sophieepton.com/ 

Instagram: 

@thesophiepton

@jordanepton

-Intro and outro music produced by Jeremy Silver-

In this episode of the Away We Go We Go podcast, we dive into the mindset shifts that made our move abroad possible. We reflect on the whirlwind of the past few weeks, share our excitement for upcoming travels (especially a kid-free trip to London!), and open up about how adjusting our thinking transformed dreams into reality. Through personal stories, including how we faced big challenges like our son’s health journey, we illustrate how intention, visualization, and positive self-talk can help anyone take on life-changing adventures.

We chat about overcoming limiting beliefs, refusing to be held back by fear or circumstance, and how to reframe setbacks as growth opportunities. By swapping “I wish” for “I am,” we show just how powerful it is to claim your goals and start living as if your dreams are already in motion. We also talk about letting go of worst-case scenarios, the importance of community, and why it’s never too late to reshape your future.

If you’ve ever felt the urge to move abroad or make a big change but didn’t know where to start, this episode is for you! We hope our journey inspires you to believe in yourself and take those first steps. Don’t forget to tune in next week for part two!

Contact info:

Website: 

https://sophieepton.com/ 

Instagram: 

@thesophiepton

@jordanepton

-Intro and outro music produced by Jeremy Silver-

In this episode of the Away We Go We Go podcast, we chat with a special guest - Sam Ritter, Sophie’s cousin - who shares his amazing journey from Colorado to a small town in Sweden, where he now works as a blacksmith and musician. Sam talks about his creative childhood, the big moments that led him to move overseas, and how following his heart brought him a life full of adventure and meaning.

We also discussed with Sam what it’s really like to move to Sweden. He shares helpful tips about getting a work permit, dealing with Swedish paperwork, learning the language, and adjusting to a new culture. He also explains why slowing down and enjoying life the Swedish way has made a big difference for him.

If you’ve ever thought about moving abroad, starting fresh, or just love hearing inspiring stories, this episode is for you. Tune in, get inspired, and don’t forget to subscribe, leave a review, and share the podcast with a friend who loves adventure!

Links
Sam Ritter Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/ritterforge/

Contact info:

Website: 

https://sophieepton.com/ 

Instagram: 

@thesophiepton

@jordanepton

-Intro and outro music produced by Jeremy Silver-

In this heartfelt episode of the Away We Go We Go podcast, I sit down with my inspiring mom, Camy, to share her incredible story of retiring in France. My mom grew up in a large family in Nebraska and later made the life-changing decision to move to Provence. In this episode, she shares her lifelong love of travel, the challenges of relocating abroad, and what it truly takes to feel at home in a new country.

We chat about the realities of obtaining a French long-stay visa, navigating French bureaucracy, and the lessons learned about moving overseas. My mom also shares practical tips for anyone considering retirement abroad, the importance of learning the language, finding community, and embracing French culture. Her honest insights about the ups and downs of expat life, from the thrill of lavender fields to the patience needed for paperwork, are both moving and encouraging.

If you’ve ever dreamed of retiring in France, or simply want to hear a story about reinvention and bravery at any age, this episode is for you! Tune in for practical advice, a few laughs (and tears), and inspiration to make your own dreams a reality. 

Links:

https://france-visas.gouv.fr/en/your-arrival-in-france

https://adrianleeds.com/

https://www.instagram.com/camy_en_provence

Contact info:

Website: 

https://sophieepton.com/

Instagram: 

@thesophiepton

@jordanepton

-Intro and outro music produced by Jeremy Silver-

In this episode, we dive into the adventures and challenges of raising expat kids in Provence, sharing the highs, lows, and all the little surprises that come with parenting abroad. From our twins’ adorable Easter egg hunt to finding the perfect crèche and navigating the ins and outs of French school options, we offer an honest look at how our family has adapted to a new culture. We also chat about how we manage travel, cherish the food rituals of France, and the unique experience of integrating our children into a bilingual environment.

Throughout the episode, we discuss what we’ve learned about French daycare (crèche), public vs. private vs. international schools, and the practical realities of health care, visas, and travel with little ones in Europe. 

If you’re curious about family life in France, dreaming of an international move, or just enjoying stories of everyday adventure, this episode is for you. Don’t forget to subscribe so you never miss an update, and reach out if you have questions or want to share your own experiences—we love connecting with our growing community!

Links:
https://www.choisir-ma-creche.com/ 
https://www.service-public.fr/particuliers/vosdroits/F2718

Contact info:

Website: 

https://sophieepton.com/ 

Instagram: 

@thesophiepton

@jordanepton

-Intro and outro music produced by Jeremy Silver-

In this episode of the Away We Go We Go podcast, we talk about the chaos and fun of our life in France, and celebrating Easter in a new country with our kids. We share stories from exploring local markets and enjoying some much-needed time together as a couple.

We also get into the nitty-gritty of what it really costs to live in France. From visa fees and moving expenses to daily costs like rent, food, transportation, and healthcare, we compare our expenses here to what we used to pay in the US. We break down the real numbers, surprising savings, and challenges, so you can get a true picture of how affordable (and enjoyable!) life abroad can be.

Thinking about making a big move or just curious about life overseas? Tune in to hear our honest experiences and practical advice. Don’t forget to subscribe, rate us, and leave a review if you love what you hear—we love sharing our journey with you!

Contact info:

Website: 

https://sophieepton.com/ 

Instagram: 

@thesophiepton

@jordanepton

-Intro and outro music produced by Jeremy Silver-

In this heartfelt episode of The Away We Go We Go Podcast, we share the ups and downs of caring for our twins while dealing with a delayed surgery for our son, Luca. We talk openly about the emotional stress and the day-to-day challenges we faced, and how leaning on each other—and the amazing support from our family and friends—got us through it.

We also open up about what it’s really like to move abroad. From how it changed our relationships back home to the hard parts of starting fresh and building a new community. We share what helped us push through the doubts, trust our own path, and stay connected to the people who matter.

Join us as we talk about the real-life moments of our expat journey. You’ll hear honest stories, practical tips for handling big changes, and thoughts on keeping relationships strong—no matter where you are in the world. We hope it inspires you on your own path!

 
Contact info:

Website: 

https://sophieepton.com/ 

Instagram: 

@thesophiepton

@jordanepton

-Intro and outro music produced by Jeremy Silver-

In this episode of Away We Go We Go, I sit down with the amazing Jamie Beck! We talk about her incredible journey—how she went from being a busy commercial photographer in New York City to starting a whole new chapter of life in the peaceful countryside of France. Jamie opens up about how she found a slower, more meaningful way to live, one that focuses on simplicity, real beauty, and the little moments that truly matter.

She shares how moving to France changed her path and helped her become an art photographer in a way she never expected. You’ll hear fun stories about French culture, as well as deep thoughts about what it means to live a full and happy life.

This episode is full of warmth and inspiration. Don’t miss this beautiful conversation about following your heart, finding your purpose, and seeing the magic in everyday life through Jamie’s artistic lens.

 
Jamie's links:

• https://jamiebeck.co/
• https://club.jamiebeck.co/
• https://www.instagram.com/jamiebeck.co/
• https://www.simonandschuster.com/books/An-American-in-Provence/Jamie-Beck/9781982186951
• https://www.simonandschuster.com/books/The-Flowers-of-Provence/Jamie-Beck/9781668020692?utm_source=author_post&utm_medium=author_social&utm_campaign=jamie_beck&utm_content=

Contact info:

Website: 

https://sophieepton.com/ 

Instagram: 

@thesophiepton

@jordanepton

-Intro and outro music produced by Jeremy Silver-