Today I'm chatting with an old dear friend from Amherst College, Allie Canton who is a meditation teacher and the author of Practically on Purpose, a Substack and podcast for high achievers who collected all the gold stars and are now looking for deeper meaning, purpose and joy. She's also a healthcare technology lawyer advising high-growth startups and volunteers with causes supporting health care access and immigrants' rights across the Hudson Valley.In this conversation, we explore the themes of community, immigrant experiences, and the importance of family. We discuss our educational journeys in elite institutions, the challenges of navigating career choices, and the cultural differences in parenting. The conversation highlights the significance of building connections in new environments, the balance between work and personal life, and the role of spirituality in our lives.

Check out Allie's Substack Practically On Purpose

and keep up with me on Instagram @nneya

Chapters

00:00 Introduction and Setting the Scene

07:33 The Impact of Community and Responsibility

10:25 Navigating Education and Career Choices

13:20 Cultural Identity and Family Support

16:12 Experiences in Higher Education

19:10 Building Community in Corporate Environments

25:41 Navigating the Startup Culture

28:11 Balancing Work and Personal Life

31:39 The Impact of Environment on Well-being

35:13 Rebuilding Life with Intention

38:38 Creating Community in New Surroundings

44:34 Supporting Community and Institutions

45:21 Navigating Friendships and Career Changes

47:23 Shifting Perspectives on Work and Identity

48:45 The Importance of Family Time

51:03 Cultural Differences in Parenting

53:24 Community vs. Individual Happiness

55:54 Innovation and Tradition in Society

58:44 Embracing Chaos and Creativity

01:04:31 Defining Home and Belonging

01:05:28 Building Home outro - 2:4:25, 2.59 PM.mp3

In this episode of Building Home, I share my insight on the au pair experience, drawing from my own time aupairing in Italy and discussing a recent news story about an American au pair who fled her host family. I explore the cultural differences and challenges faced by au pairs, contrasting my positive experience with that of the young woman who struggled. The conversation also delves into the Netflix show 'The Secrets We Keep,' which examines the complexities of the au pair system and the dynamics of domestic help, highlighting issues of privilege and cultural exchange.

Thanks for listening! Like, subscribe, leave a review or comment and follow me on Instagram @Nneya

The People Mag article

This is the real life Under the Tuscan Sun... but in Abruzzo... and you don't have to be retired. You can buy that affordable home in Italy now, for you and your family. It's wildly different but Cassie and her fam is making it work! Nneya speaks with Cassie of @RootlessInItaly about her journey from the US to Italy, exploring themes of cultural integration, parenting, and small town community dynamics. Cassandra shares her experiences of giving birth in the Czech Republic, the challenges and joys of raising a multilingual child, and the process of renovating their home in Italy. They discuss the one euro house phenomenon and the implications of gentrification in small towns, emphasizing the importance of community and connection in their new life abroad.

Follow Cassie on Instagram

@rootlessinItaly

and me ⁠@nneya

In this engaging conversation, Nneya Richards and Sofía Zanotti explore the themes of community building, entrepreneurship, and cultural differences in parenting as they navigate life in Bergamo, Italy. Sofi shares her journey as a founder of the Perla community, emphasizing the importance of connection among international women. They discuss the unique aspects of parenting in a new country, the beauty of Bergamo, and Sofía's journey from Paraguay to building her home in Northern Italy. The conversation highlights the significance of patience and the joy of creating a vibrant community and is recorded live at Perla cafe in the city of Bergamo!

Follow Sofía and the Perla community on Instagram

@perla_community and @sofizanotti

and me @nneya

If Portugal has been on your destination bucketlist for a while, listen to this podcast before you book your flight! In this engaging conversation, Nneya Richards speaks with Margo Gabriel, a Haitian-American journalist and culinary expert based in Lisbon, Portugal. They explore Margo's journey from Boston to Lisbon, her experiences as a Black woman in both cities, and the vibrant culinary scene that reflects her heritage. Margo shares insights on the evolving food culture in Boston, the challenges of moving during the pandemic, and the importance of community and storytelling in her work. The discussion also touches on the complexities of race, identity, and the collaborative spirit of Lisbon's food scene, culminating in Margo's upcoming projects that celebrate Afro-diasporic culture.

Follow more of Margo's Portguese culinary pursuits on Instagram @margoscreativelife

And me @nneya

Leave a rating and let us know what you think!

In this episode of Building Home, host Nneya Richards speaks with Bettina Prentice, a renowned curator and cultural strategist, about her journey from New York to London, the art of hosting salons, and the importance of community in the contemporary art world. They discuss the role of artists in society, the significance of spirituality in art, and the cultural differences between New York and London. Bettina shares her experiences with the Artemis Council and her vision for supporting emerging artists, while also reflecting on what home means to her.

00:00 Living in Historical Splendor

01:52 Curating Conversations and Salons

04:41 Creating Immersive Experiences

07:12 Art and Cultural Shifts

12:44 The Role of Artists in Society

18:03 Life in London: A Cultural Transition

23:43 Embracing Community and Green Spaces

39:40 The Beauty of Train Travel and Slow Living

Follow Bettina's work and her salons on @Prentice_Cultural.

See more of Saaya Woolfalk's work: https://www.sayawoolfalk.com/

You can follow me living my expat life on @nneya

Pardon the sound issues we experienced towards the end of this episode.

Enjoyed Emily in Paris? Then trust me, you're going to love the whimsical, colorful, authentic mosaic that is Sutanya in Paris! In this engaging conversation, Nneya Richards and Sutanya Dacres explore the multifaceted experiences of Americans living in Paris. Cultural diversity in Paris enriches the expat experience. They discuss the challenges of finding suitable hair care, the cultural diversity of the city, and the journey of self-discovery through cooking. Sutanya shares her transition from a marketing career to becoming a writer and cook, while also reflecting on the complexities of Black identity in Europe. The conversation touches on the importance of community, the impact of media representation, and the nuances of dating in a new culture. Ultimately, they celebrate resilience and the joy of living authentically as Black women abroad. Finding a sense of home abroad can take time and reflection and Sutanya is navigating that with beauty and grace.

Follow Sutanya on Instagram@dinnerfor.one and her websiteSutanya Dacres.

You can find me living my expat life here on Instagram @nneya

00:00 Navigating Black Hair Culture Abroad

05:25 The Complexity of Black Identity in France

08:20 The Experience of Being a Black American in Europe

11:11 Culinary Journey: From Writer to Chef

13:47 Life in Montmartre: A Personal Connection

16:33 Entrepreneurship in France: Challenges and Opportunities

19:15 Cultural Differences in Business and Lifestyle

22:08 Finding Community and Belonging in Paris

24:48 The Impact of Personal Experiences on Identity

27:24 Reinventing Life After Divorce

30:19 The Journey of Self-Discovery in a Foreign Land

32:58 The Power of Female Friendships

36:01 Cultural Differences in Friendships

39:09 The American Spirit Abroad

40:27 Critique of 'Emily in Paris'

43:48 Navigating Dating in a New Culture

47:04 Fashion Evolution in Paris

52:41 Celebrating Black Womanhood and Resilience

In this conversation, Nneya anddear friend Caterina Monda explore the cultural nuances of being an American in Italy including Thanksgiving, the experience of living in Milan, and the challenges of navigating a multicultural identity. They discuss the design scene in Milan, the pride Italians have in their heritage, and the complexities of tourism and preservation in Italy. The dialogue highlights the contrasts between American and Italian cultures, particularly in terms of diversity and community. In this engaging conversation, Caterina Monda and Nneya Richards explore the cultural differences in entrepreneurship between the US and Italy, the unique experience of hosting a Jamaican dinner in Milan, and the challenges of philanthropy in a different cultural context. They discuss the importance of creating safe spaces for women, navigating their identities as foreign women in Italy, and their aspirations for future business growth. The conversation culminates in a reflection on the distinctions between being an expat and an immigrant, emphasizing the contributions immigrants make to their new homes.

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00:00 Thanksgiving in Italy: A Cultural Blend

02:58 Life in Milan: A New Home

05:55 The Design Scene in Milan

09:00 Cultural Identity and Growing Up Multicultural

11:55 Navigating Diversity in Italy

15:01 Challenges of Living in Milan

17:59 Tourism and Preservation in Italy

30:43 Cultural Perspectives on Entrepreneurship

32:06 The Jamaican Dinner Experience

35:24 Philanthropy and Community Engagement

39:30 Creating Safe Spaces for Women

45:23 Navigating Identity as Foreign Women

50:34 Future Aspirations and Business Growth

52:20 Expat vs. Immigrant: A Personal Reflection

You can find me living my expat life here on Instagram @nneya

And Caterina @caterina_monda1

and Metis PR

This episode is all about celebrating the magic of belonging to two places and building community in a new home. 

Join Nneya and her friend Stacey Chia as they dive into the joys and challenges of making friends in their thirties, cultural connections, their passion for food, and the spontaneous creation of the 'Breakfast Club. This episode is a love letter to both New York and Singapore. It’s a celebration of friendship, identity, and the beautiful blend of two worlds that will leave you feeling inspired to create your own sense of belonging wherever you are.

Listen, subscribe and give us five stars!

You can find me living my expat life here on Instagram @nneya

And Stacey  @staceypamelachia

And for more travel inspiration to head to Singapore...

Nneya Singapore Articles 

The Most Powerful Woman in the Room Is You: Command an Audience and Sell Your Way to Success By Lydia Fennet 

Breakfast Club Friends

00:00 Introduction and Love for Singapore

01:49 Memorable Trip to Singapore

02:48 Making Friends in Bergamo

04:07 Meeting Stacy Chia

07:34 Stacy's Background and Expat Life

17:22 The Breakfast Club Initiative

29:04 Balancing Life Between Two Homes

29:54 Singapore's Global Recognition

31:19 Safety and Cleanliness in Singapore

34:13 Cultural and Culinary Connections

38:50 Future Aspirations and Global Experiences

42:04 The Spice of Life

49:47 Language and Cultural Identity

52:39 Final Thoughts and Friendship

Neither myself or today's guests are the first Black creatives that saw Paris as a sort of North Star. But what does that say about New York. Are New York prices hindering a thriving creative class? Families? Now, that's a bleak thought. Ryan Norville had a quarter life crisis that lead her on a path to learning French and eventually she, her husband and two kids moved to Paris! Ryan's determination is evident in her rising career and artistry. She's just as adept at bringing visions to life for her floral art clients as she is for herself. From learning the language to visa, even enrolling her kids in school. Ryan's telling us about her path to expatdom in Paris. And we even get into those viral TikToks.

Listen, subscribe and give us five stars!

You can find me living my expat life here on Instagram @nneya

And Ryan in Paris @cinnamonryan

Check out Ryan's beautiful artistry on Instagram @oatcinnamon

and Tiktok @ryannorville_

And check out my essay on being Black American in Paris on 'N A Perfect World