This is a quick announcement to let any new listeners know that I traditionally do not publish new episodes in August. It gives me a chance to pause a bit and it also gives you the opportunity to listen to previous episodes, especially if you can only listen to one every so often. 

You can search the episodes by topic on my website rhodabangerter.com/podcast for example mums who travel or transitions or split location. There will be more episodes in French as an opportunity arises. I record them. They are numbered F1,F2 etc

If you are with the kids on summer holidays alone then episode 50 is for you with a reminder to make memories and make the time work for you too not just for your kids.

I'm grateful this year to have been ranked #35/100 in Feedspot's 100 best expat podcasts. It's a great recognition of the impact of the podcast and also of what we are living when geographical separation or a parent travels for work 

As a family, we are on another split location. I can't give you as many details as last time when I wrote a whole book about it but rest assured I am taking notes and will share when possible. Especially now as we live it with teenagers.

If you haven't signed up for my newsletter then you can go to the link. This will keep you informed of new episodes and new resources coming out. 

Remember wherever you are, wherever your partner is you are not alone.

Buy the book: Holding the Fort Abroad

Men and emotions, a topic that often goes unspoken. This conversation offers insights and practical advice for men struggling to navigate their feelings—especially against the backdrop of expat life and being away from family for work. We discuss loneliness, anger, anxiety, guilt. Whether you’re a man living abroad, a partner supporting one, or simply interested in emotional wellness across cultures, this episode brings actionable tips, and hopeful encouragement for the journey. Chris Moyer is a leader in Third Culture Kid care. He brings years of experience in coaching, counseling, and supporting expatriates. He currently lives with his family in France. 

“I think your average man may not necessarily feel the need for a discussion like this, but the reality is that men and women are emotional beings and part of our overall health is emotional wellness. And so finding a way to bridge that gap is really important and something that I'm quite passionate about.”

KEY THEMES:

1. Men and Emotional Expression

Rhoda and Chris explore the unique challenges men face around acknowledging, understanding, and expressing emotions—particularly in the context of expat and globally mobile lifestyles. Chris highlights how men often lack “permission” to be emotional, with social norms limiting emotional discourse mainly to anger. , “Many of us have learned one way or another that as men, emotions are typically not okay. They’re a sign of weakness.

2. The Importance of Emotional Health

Emotional health is tied to overall wellbeing and healthy relationships. The conversation compares emotional self-care to physical health maintenance—a proactive, ongoing practice rather than only a reactive one.

3. Navigating Difficult Feelings Abroad

Living abroad, especially for men, can intensify feelings such as loneliness, guilt, anxiety, and resentment. Chris shares his personal experience with loneliness when his family travels, and they discuss how these emotions are often magnified by distance or the transient nature of expat life.

4. Overcoming Stigma and Building Support

Chris speaks on the stigma men face seeking support (from friends or professionals) for emotions like anxiety or guilt. Men often struggle to find spaces or relationships that allow honest emotional conversation, as “fixing” is the default response from others.

5. Family & Cultural Impact

The role of upbringing, culture, and family dynamics is discussed, including how societal expectations shape the emotional lives of men and perpetuate certain patterns (or help break them in the case of intentional parenting).

6. Actionable Tips & Resources

Permission & Awareness: The first step for men is granting themselves permission to feel and name emotions.

Relationships & Mentors: 

• Cultivating close, trusted friendships and finding mentors can create spaces for vulnerability. 
• Intentionally build a core support group, especially as a transient expat. This can sometimes take years. 
• Normalise emotional conversations among men, and don’t be afraid to seek or offer presence rather than solutions.

“it's more about a way of life. To me it's about checking in with myself regularly. And so part of that is I've got a mentor who I meet with on a regular basis, somebody who's walked a very similar way of life, who's a dear friend, but also a mentor who just listens and encourages”

Physical Activity: Movement and exercise are powerful tools for managing emotional stress and processing feelings.

“Making sure that we're taking care of our bodies is critical, it doesn't solve all of our emotional stuff, but it does get out a lot of some of the angst that we can be feeling.” 

Proactive Self-Care: 

• Routinely checking in with yourself and your support network is key—don’t wait until emotional “warning lights” flash.
• Proactively prepare emotionally before relocating or traveling for extended periods.

“how are you building into your emotional health in a proactive way? If you're doing that, I think you're going to have what you need around you to help you when the crisis comes. Because crises come, that's just part of life”

• Professional Help: Sometimes professional support is essential, and there’s no shame in seeking it.

“Part of the human journey is learning how to relate to myself, and then how I relate to others, whether it’s my emotions or theirs.”

• Top Tip Sheet: How To Manage Intense Emotions
• Book The Winding Road to Portugal: 20 Men from 11 Countries Share Their Stories: Ross, Louise: 9781905597994: Amazon.com: Books
• Holding the Fort Podcast Episodes on Emotions
• Episode #49:   Tapping and managing emotions
• Episode #43:   Related emotional wellness topics

Contact Chris Moyer on his LinkedIn Page https://www.linkedin.com/in/chris-j-moyer/

Receive news regularly on new episodes of HTFA Podcast and on new events and resources. Subscribe to my newsletter.

Buy the book: Holding the Fort Abroad

Your partner's job opportunity in another country seemed like an exciting idea, but lengthy work assignments mean you're holding down the family fort - alone.

OR Your partner is working and living in another country, and you feel like you are shouldering all the home responsibilities alone.

You may be wondering:

• How can we be a family when we're miles apart?
• Can I cope, alone, when troubles arise?

I believe there are answers to the above questions, and the answers start with you. In this context, it's more important than ever to invest in yourself, to care for yourself, to set your own goals and to watch yourself grow. Equally important is to nurture your relationship with your partner and learn to parent together.

As the spouse of a World bank executive for over 30 years, Daniela Draugelis has experienced firsthand the unique challenges and growth that come with raising a family while navigating extended work travel, often more than 100 days a year. Daniela is an intercultural trainer, a certified professional coach and cultural intelligence facilitator with over 20 years of experience living and working across cultures. Today, she helps expats, diplomats and internationally mobile families thrive through coaching and training that blends cultural intelligence, energy, leadership, and deep personal insight.

• In the children’s early years, Daniela’s husband was absent for periods of travel lasting 4-5 weeks, repeated absences from when children were newborns to age six or seven. Later years: transition to more local/domestic weekly travel; changes in family rhythm 
• Emotional and Practical Impact of Early Years Absences 
• Daniela’s experience of isolation: living outside her home country, lack of support system, balancing professional life, childcare, and household responsibilities during husband’s absences.
• Impact of child’s health condition (breath holding spells) on couple’s decision that Daniela would pause her career to focus on her child’s health. 
• Importance of local friendships and informal support networks Examples of reaching out to neighbors for help (especially during illness) 
• Using calendars and stickers to help young children understand the duration of absences Rituals for departure and return: airport drop-offs/pick-ups as a family routine. Managing children’s expectations and emotions around time and connection
• Brief conversations with young children. Mainly Daniela’s husband consistently made the effort to be involved with children’s lives and to never miss major milestones
• Navigating Reentry and Shifting Dynamics 
• Jet lag and fatigue upon return
• Challenges for Daniela switching between solo-parenting and co-parenting 
• Maintaining authority and involvement for both parents
• Establishing and Preserving Father-Child Bonds 
• Deliberate decision to let “fishing” be a special dad-and-children activity 
• Creating unique touchpoints for father-child connection that persist into adulthood
• Children’s current relationships with their father
• strong bonds
• no lasting resentment 
• In children’s older years, the rhythm of travel changed. Availability of household help, school routines, and after-school activities easing stress for Daniela
• Focus on family time during reunions, sometimes at the expense of couple time 
• Reflection on the need for intentional couple routines and conversation 
• Challenges in maintaining both professional and marital identities for Daniela 
• Daniela’s return to Personal and Professional Fulfillment
• Volunteering, skill-building, and staying engaged while not formally employed 
• Transition into new career as a coach and intercultural facilitator 
• Hindsight and Lessons Learned 
• Wish for more guidance and support in earlier years 
• The value of not feeling alone, and building routines for smoother transitions 
• Importance of discussing changes and keeping the traveling partner updated on family life 

The ICAN Model, developed by Dr Ken Canfield stands for Intentional Involvement, Consistency, Awareness, Nurturing, This model works well for parenting at a distance and can be supported by both parents. 

Read more about it here How the ICAN Model Helps Families Stay Connected When One Parent Travels - Rhoda Bangerter

Connect with her on LinkedIn

Visit her website: Cultural Pathways

Receive news regularly on new episodes of HTFA Podcast and on new events and resources. Subscribe to my newsletter.

Buy the book: Holding the Fort Abroad

Your partner's job opportunity in another country seemed like an exciting idea, but lengthy work assignments mean you're holding down the family fort - alone.

OR Your partner is working and living in another country, and you feel like you are shouldering all the home responsibilities alone.

You may be wondering:

• How can we be a family when we're miles apart?
• Can I cope, alone, when troubles arise?

I believe there are answers to the above questions, and the answers start with you. In this context, it's more important than ever to invest in yourself, to care for yourself, to set your own goals and to watch yourself grow. Equally important is to nurture your relationship with your partner and learn to parent together.

Today my guest is Pascale. She and her husband are living in different countries and working in different countries and she's going to share a little bit what it's been like for her, what they've put in place and just how it works for them to encourage listeners, anyone who's living and working in different countries. 

We always decide together which assignment is best for the family. We don't have any children so it's easier but we need to mind our dual careers. 00:26:17 - 00:26:30

Highlights from today’s episode: 

1. **Mutuality Over Martyrdom**  

Pascale and her husband operate as a “winning team.” Each time one scales back for the other, it’s for the health of the bigger “us,” not as an IOU to lord over each other later. “Dual career needs dual involvement,” she says. “You can't do things on your own…it needs to be a winning team.”

2. **Your Network Is Your Lifeline**  

In each new country, Pascale sought out expat associations, not just for information about “where to shop” but, crucially, to ease the transition. Locally embedded friends and colleagues who “lift you up” are an emotional and practical anchor, especially when time zones and travel get in the way.

3. **Relentless Communication - Even on Call**  

With modern technology, they don’t let days go by without checking in—even if it’s just a quick chat to share their day. The only time they miss If she’s on call” Pascale says.

4. **Redefining Milestones and Celebrations**  

When you inevitably miss a birthday or family gathering, you don’t wallow: you reschedule, adapt, and invent new rituals. “Sometimes you can move things around—so you have to adapt.”

5. **Reframing Criticism**  

When faced with skepticism (“Why be together at all?”), Pascale notes that having supportive friends—often fellow expats who “know the problematics”—makes a world of difference. Find your tribe.

Not Just Survival, But Fulfillment 

Pascale isn’t sugarcoating reality: sometimes, compromise means slower career progression. Sometimes, you truly do miss out. But, critically, solidarity, mutual support, the skill of adaptability and a willingness to see the adventure in the arrangement replaces doom with possibility.

“Look at the positive things first,” Pascale urges. “Work as a winning team within your couple and your family…and get a good network of support.”

This isn’t about pretending the split-location lifestyle is easy—or right for everyone. But for some the arrangement can flip the script: transforming anticipated loss into new connections, growth, and even fulfillment. 

Sometimes, having your heart (and, yes, your luggage) in two places really can work.

Receive news regularly on new episodes of HTFA Podcast and on new events and resources.

Subscribe to my newsletter.

Your partner's job opportunity in another country seemed like an exciting idea, but lengthy work assignments mean you're holding down the family fort - alone.

OR Your partner is working and living in another country, and you feel like you are shouldering all the home responsibilities alone.

You may be wondering:

• How can we be a family when we're miles apart?
• Can I cope, alone, when troubles arise?

I believe there are answers to the above questions, and the answers start with you. In this context, it's more important than ever to invest in yourself, to care for yourself, to set your own goals and to watch yourself grow. Equally important is to nurture your relationship with your partner and learn to parent together.

Buy the book: Holding the Fort Abroad

Karlijn Jacobs supports organisations to enhance the success of international relocations through a family centered approach. She is the world's first ombudsperson for international children and families.Today we're going to be speaking about what she does at Expat Valley, and we're also going to hear a bit of her story of a time when her husband was away for work. 

Highlights from today’s episode: 

• Moving to Shanghai with the whole family - navigating change and maintaining both careers. Taking the decision together. 
• The importance of supporting families for a successful expatriation 
• Karlijn’s and her husband’s experience of commuting. 
• What led to the decision for Karlijn’s husband to commute to another country. ‘this was a good way to move forward…in the beginning, we thought we were getting the best of both worlds. My husband could progress his career and I would be home with the kids, close to our extended family and friends in the place that we wanted them to grow up. But, oh boy. 22:58 - 23:14
• Underestimating repatriation
• Adapting to the new setup: leaving on Tuesdays and returning on Thursdays evenings
• The context matters as well: how many transitions are you going through at the same time: Birth, move, new job, repatriation? “I think it was really only after a year or so that it was fully dawning on us that we signed up for something that was a lot more complicated than we anticipated.” (23:55)
• Open ended commuting assignments are harder “We realized that we signed up for something that we weren't going to make disappear. Like that was there, that was part of our normal routine. It wasn't a matter of investing time and energy and then you can finish that part 26:47 - 27:00
• The difficulty of setting up a business at the same time (the first attempt at establishing a business with two children under 3, her husband commuting and Karlijn blaming herself and feeling she was failing as a parent)
• The shifting between being 3 to being 4 people at the week-ends “the family dynamics, that would just change twice a week. Like it would drive all four of us nuts…for me to make that shift every so many days, that was exhausting.” 33:07 - 33:32
• Understanding that ‘split location’ comes with common challenges
• If you have people who can help ‘and they're only a phone call away, then pick up the phone, ask for help, protect your own sanity. Embrace that you don't have to do it all by yourself and take all the help you can get up there. 38:53 - 39:12

What stopped Karlijn from asking for help: 

• used to being independent 
• feeling she should be able to do it yourself
• not wanting to be a burden

“if you really want to hold on to these beliefs, then don't sign up for it (commuting or split family assignment), because you can't do this all by yourself.” 38:01- 38:09

“I could have been so much more relaxed with myself as opposed to setting the bar really high, pretending that we were a normal family and then not, not succeeding because of all sorts of self imposed goals and objectives.” 40:15 - 40:30

• Commuting with little children: transition times and colour coded calendars

Ask Karlijn anything about Successful Family Relocation Experiences in a 15-min call: https://calendly.com/expatvalley/ask-me-anything

email: [email protected]

web: www.expatvalley.com 

Receive news regularly on new episodes of HTFA Podcast and on new events and resources.

Subscribe to my newsletter.

Your partner's job opportunity in another country seemed like an exciting idea, but lengthy work assignments mean you're holding down the family fort - alone.

OR Your partner is working and living in another country, and you feel like you are shouldering all the home responsibilities alone.

You may be wondering:

• How can we be a family when we're miles apart?
• Can I cope, alone, when troubles arise?

I believe there are answers to the above questions, and the answers start with you. In this context, it's more important than ever to invest in yourself, to care for yourself, to set your own goals and to watch yourself grow. Equally important is to nurture your relationship with your partner and learn to parent together.

Buy the book: Holding the Fort Abroad

Synopsis:

This episode dives into the complexities of intimacy, fidelity, and connection for couples navigating life in different locations. In this candid conversation with Couples Therapist, High Sensitivity Specialist and Sex Therapist Karina Lagarrigue we bring to the forefront the tough and often unspoken realities faced by partners separated by distance.

We unpack why issues like pornography and dating app use can arise. We discuss the loneliness and vulnerability that can lead couples to seek comfort online, and how seemingly simple actions can have deeper meanings and impacts on relationships.

Host Rhoda Bangerter and Karina Lagarrigue don’t shy away from the difficult questions: Is fidelity truly possible when you’re physically apart for months at a time? How do you build trust and intimacy when life keeps pulling you in different directions? And, most importantly, how do you create a safe space to talk about your needs and desires—no matter where you are in the world?

If you’ve ever struggled with maintaining closeness across the miles or wondered how to keep the connection alive, you’re not alone. This episode is full of empathy, practical advice, and encouragement for couples everywhere, and especially those living geographically separate across countries and continents. Tune in for an honest, nuanced look at modern intimacy and the power of communication, knowing yourself, creativity, and trust.

Key takeaways for anyone navigating these waters—whether you’re an expat, frequent traveler, or simply in a long-distance relationship:

🔹 Understanding the "Why" Matters

Before reacting to a partner’s use of technology—whether it’s pornography or dating apps—stop to ask why. Often, these behaviors stem from unmet needs, loneliness, or gaps in connection, not just disinterest or infidelity.

🔹 Communication & Boundaries Are Non-Negotiable

Meaningful conversations about needs, fears, and boundaries can transform how couples experience distance and sexual intimacy. Don’t wait for a crisis to talk; proactively clarify what fidelity and trust look like in your unique context.

🔹 Intimacy Is Broader Than We Think

Physical reconnection after time apart isn’t just about sex. Find creative, pressure-free ways to connect—emotionally, intellectually, and physically. Rebuilding intimacy requires patience, generosity, and sometimes professional support.

Remember: we aren’t raised to have these conversations, so it’s normal to feel awkward or uncertain. But cultivating trust and self-awareness is possible - and worth it.

If you want to hear more on this subject, listen to my conversation with Phillips Hwang in Episode #37 ‘Love Knows No Borders, Connection and Intimacy in Long Distance’ 

Are you a couple who moves?

Join Wiebke and I in Autumn 2025 for a virtual summit designed to inspire, educate, and empower you as an expat couple. www.expatcouplessummit.com

Receive news regularly on new episodes of HTFA Podcast and on new events and resources.

Subscribe to my newsletter.

Your partner's job opportunity in another country seemed like an exciting idea, but lengthy work assignments mean you're holding down the family fort - alone.

OR Your partner is working and living in another country, and you feel like you are shouldering all the home responsibilities alone.

You may be wondering:

• How can we be a family when we're miles apart?
• Can I cope, alone, when troubles arise?

I believe there are answers to the above questions, and the answers start with you. In this context, it's more important than ever to invest in yourself, to care for yourself, to set your own goals and to watch yourself grow. Equally important is to nurture your relationship with your partner and learn to parent together.

Buy the book: Holding the Fort Abroad

Colleen Higgs shares her insights from many moves and times when her husband worked far from home.  We discuss the hidden costs of change, the importance of recognising and naming transitions, and Coleen shares hard-won wisdom about making space for recuperation and letting go of impossible expectations. She offers practical strategies drawn from her upcoming book and her own journey - reminding us that it’s okay to prioritise, slow down, and ask, “What matters now?”

If you are in the middle of a transition and feel you don’t have time to listen to more podcasts, this episode is worth the listen! It will help you give yourself grace, it is packed with insights that you need for your transition, you’ll recognise yourself in what we talk about as we meander through the huge impact of change and transition in our life.

“Expecting to go through a big transition without stress is like going to the gym and expecting not to sweat. You have extra demand, but you need to recuperate more often.” 

Here are four standout takeaways for anyone tackling transitions—at home, at work, or across continents:

Transitions Demand More Than You Think

• Transitions are supposed to be hard! Expecting zero stress is unrealistic; be ready for extra emotional, mental, and practical load when life shifts.

Transitions Will Change Your Day to Day Life 

• What will be more difficult? What will require more planning? How will my responsibility change?

Intentional Recuperation Is Non-negotiable

• You can’t just power through. Colleen recommends building in time to truly recuperate (not just rest), intentionally choosing what to drop, and giving yourself permission to ease up during intense periods of change.

Prioritize What Matters Now

• When routines and roles are in flux, ask yourself: what matters most in this moment? Don’t worry about ideal standards or “best practices” from another season or culture—focus on what your family, team, or self needs right now.

For those in split locations, Colleen recounts a conversation she had with someone recently: ‘she and her husband did a split location situation for a period of a few years, and they were both very high functioning career people, so they just did it. In retrospect, she told me, by the time I knew it was too much for me, we were in it. We were committed. I felt like I couldn't tell him. It took us years to recover, to get on the same page as parents and as a family again. And just if I had any idea of what a big transition it would be, would have been for our family, I would have done things differently. I would have dropped some commitments, some committees, maybe stepped off the corporate ladder for a period. I would have made some intentional decisions, but I didn't realize how hard it would be until I was in the middle of it.’

It is also important to think about how that transition affects your life on a more daily level. Moves will be more obvious, but think how a split location will affect your day to day life: what is going to be more difficult, what it going to take more planning, etc.

Colleen's Book

Colleen’s book on transitions is nearly ready for beta readers! If you’d like to share your perspective or get a sneak peek, sign up for her newsletter or express your interest at: [email protected]

Receive news regularly on new episodes of HTFA Podcast and on new events and resources.

• Subscribe to my newsletter.
• Buy the book - Holding the Fort Abroad.

Your partner's job opportunity in another country seemed like an exciting idea, but lengthy work assignments mean you're holding down the family fort - alone.

OR

Your partner is working and living in another country, and you feel like you are shouldering all the home responsibilities alone.

You may be wondering:

• How can we be a family when we're miles apart?
• Can I cope, alone, when troubles arise?

I believe there are answers to the above questions, and the answers start with you. In this context, it's more important than ever to invest in yourself, to care for yourself, to set your own goals and to watch yourself grow. Equally important is to nurture your relationship with your partner and learn to parent together.

"It seems to me that globally mobile people and people who live these geographical separations, we tend to have these ongoing non stop transitions and not only one at a time, we tend to have multiple transitions going on at the same time."

Whether it’s a big move, a new role, the bittersweet send-off when a loved one leaves, or adjustments that come with globally mobile living, transitions are everywhere. Using William Bridges’ renowned model, this episode explores the three phases of transition-endings, the neutral zone, and new beginnings - and discusses how these play out in our lives as expatriates or families separated by work commitments. I also reflect on my own ongoing transitions, share insights from expert guests from previous episodes, and talk about crucial skills that can make every transition just a little bit easier.

1. What transitions are you in at the moment?
2. Biggest takeaways from ‘Transitions’ from William Bridges
3. Ongoing transitions and multiple transitions at a time including strategies to navigate them
4. How transitions show up in Frequent Work Travel and longer geographical separations

• Transitions; Making Sense of Life’s Changes by William Bridges
• Holding the Fort Abroad Episode #17 with Arlette Chatlain (Family rituals during split-location)
• Episode #28 with Kirsten Pontius (Maintaining your minimum amid chaos)
• Episode #23 with Kate Gondouin (Coping with frequent transitions in corporate and personal life)

Action Steps:

• Make a list of all the transitions you’re in (or have recently experienced) - even the small ones!
• Identify your “minimum” self-care routine to preserve your wellbeing during busy times.
• Collaborate with your partner/family to create your own set of reconnecting questions and rituals.

Wherever you are in the world, know that you’re not alone.

In this anniversary episode, we celebrate the third anniversary of the Holding the Fort Abroad podcast! With 66+ episodes, the podcast carves a unique space in the global podcast landscape. The podcast explores the realities and nuances of split location family life and life when one of you is a frequent business traveller.

The podcast episodes include deeply personal stories, honest conversations, and connect with experts to bring you real talk and impactful narratives. My mission is to provide not just insight, but also practical strategies and emotional support for families who live apart, ensuring that they never feel alone in their journey. Today, Wiebke Anton turns the tables on me to interview me diving into my experiences, insights, and the cherished moments that have defined this incredible journey. Join us as we reflect on the past, celebrate the present, and look forward to where Holding the Fort Abroad is headed next with plenty of useful strategies included!

Keep your ear out too for surprise appearances from Amel Derragui, Olivier (Rhoda's husband!) and Navine Eldesouki.

PART 1: Looking back at Rhoda’s journey as a podcaster

1. Three years in — how has hosting this podcast influenced you personally and professionally?
2. If you could go back to the first episode and give yourself one piece of advice, what would it be?
3. What was the most unexpected or surprising insight you gained from a guest?

PART 2: Memorable Moments and big lessons (lessons still applicable to new listeners)

1. Out of all the episodes, is there one conversation that deeply moved you or shifted your perspective on split-location families? Was there a story that stuck with you—something that made you pause and rethink how families navigate distance?
2. Looking back at all the conversations you’ve had, what are some of the biggest misconceptions people have about making long-distance/split-location family life work?
3. Have you seen a gap between the way people imagine it versus the reality?
4. What is a recurring topic or concept in your podcast conversations that many seem to overlook?
5. You’ve spoken to so many couples and families who make it work in different ways—what do they have in common?
6. Are there specific habits, mindsets, or approaches that seem to set the most "successful" ones apart? And, can you please explain, how families should define "successful" in this context?
7. And on the flip side, what are the early warning signs that a setup might not be sustainable?

PART 3: Connecting to Rhoda’s upcoming journey

1. You’ve spent years speaking to families navigating split-location life - and now you’re about to embark on it again yourself. Has anything you've learned from the podcast changed the way you're approaching this transition?
2. Is there an episode or a piece of advice from a guest that you’re personally holding onto as you prepare for this next chapter?

PART 4: Impact and Outlook

1. Has a listener ever reached out with a story about how your podcast impacted them?
2. If you had to distill three years of conversations into one key message for international couples (who live it or consider living it), what would it be?
3. What’s next for the podcast? Any exciting plans or dreams for the future?
4. If you could interview anyone on this topic and invite to your podcast-past or present, dead or alive, who would it be and why?

CLOSING:

1. What’s one question you still don’t have an answer to but would love to explore in the coming years?

Wiebke Anton is a relationship Coach for Expat Couples and the co-Founder of the Expat Couples Summit. She supports expats, intercultural couples and singles in Rwanda and Beyond. Curious about the state of your relationship? Get instant feedback with Wiebke’s Couples Health Check-up Questionnaire! Takes just minutes to find out where you stand and what can make it better… Help4Love Relationship Coaching

Join Wiebke and I in 2025 for an immersive virtual summit experience designed to inspire, educate, and empower you as an expat couple.

www.expatcouplessummit.com 

Mylene Jalladeau specializes in fitness for busy people. Join us as Mylene shares her holistic approach to fitness, emphasizing the importance of integrating physical activity into daily life as seamlessly as eating and drinking. Mylene candidly discusses her personal journey from exercising for aesthetics to finding a balanced, health-oriented approach. Together, Rhoda and Mylene explore how fitness can serve as an anchor in the demanding lifestyles of expatriates and those living with work travel, fostering both mental and physical well-being. Tune in to discover effective strategies and insights on commencing and maintaining a fitness journey, tailored to support the unique challenges faced by those frequently on the move.

• Holistic Approach to Fitness: Mylene believes that exercise should be integrated into our lifestyles as naturally as brushing our teeth. It’s not just about aesthetics but creating a balance that supports mental, physical, and emotional well-being.
• Starting Point: Everyone has a unique starting point. Mylene stresses the importance of beginning your fitness journey with the body and capabilities you have now and gradually improving from there.
• Consistent Effort: Mylene highlights that consistency outweighs perfection. Even short, regular sessions can lead to significant improvements over time. She encourages beginning with just 20 minutes if that's what you can manage.
• Balancing Life and Fitness: For busy parents and individuals frequently traveling for work, fitness should be adaptable. Mylene provides insights on how to make it a natural part of your life without overwhelming your schedule.
• Mindset Transformation: Beyond physical workouts, changing your mindset and finding your personal 'why' is crucial for long-term health and motivation.

Mylene coaches online and in person in Bishkek.

To discuss the best plan for you find her on:

• Instagram
• Linkedin where she also writes about the interaction of fitness and work.