Parenting kids in their twenties is wonderful, daunting, fabulous, worrying, easy, really, really hard, joyful, exhausting, confusing, a privilege, expensive, ageing and a joy.

We have been travelling the world as a family for a year. Next month, our kids will go their separate ways. Sonny will go to America, and Tess will live in London.

Last night, we had a task. To go out for the night and talk to our kids separately. To find out what's going on and ask how they feel.

Our results were poles apart.

Here's what happened.

We love you. Thank you for your gorgeous support.

If you would like to show us some love, you can do so by leaving us a review wherever you listen to this podcast. It would also be wonderful if you shared this episode with a friend who craves real-life, never-edited-or-filtered conversations.

Kia Kaha, Liz and Brian xx

Links mentioned in the show:

🇳🇿 LOVE NEW ZEALAND and want to know what life is like there? SIGN UP for our FREE 5-DAY VIDEO GUIDE to Life in New Zealand. We will share 5 short videos revealing secrets that only a local could know. (PS: They're free).

❤️Join Liz's inner circle. Liz's free newsletter is here

Liz's new book: You Won't Just Cry When They Die: Love, Loss and the Heartbreaking Reality of Grief

If you are struggling and hurting right now, please know you are not alone.

I wrote this little book to be a gentle companion for those who are grieving, to feel less alone. survive, cope, and begin to heal. The book is available for purchase on Amazon. To support my work directly as an independent author, you can purchase all formats (hardback, e-book, audiobook) via my website: www.elizabethdeacle.com

📕Liz's first book: The Travel Bog Diaries - one woman's hilarious confessions of surviving family travel is here

🏡 We are HOUSESITTING in CANADA for 3 months! As a family, we have saved $$$ and made lifelong friends by using this incredible website and service. If you want to join us in using TrustedHousesitters to travel the world, use our exclusive discount code to get a 15% Discounton a HOUSESITTING yearly membership.

🚗 Looking for the best deals on car hire? We only ever use, love and trust Discovery Cars. They got us a great deal on our 3 month car rental here in Canada. Brian refuses to use anyone else.

⛑️ Safety Wing Nomad Travel Insurance. Because we are travelling for more than two weeks, we use Safety Wing. You can't beat them. Their coverage/service is brilliant (no extra for skiing). Safety Wing offers a monthly subscription (that you can cancel at any time). You can't beat their price or service

💰 ✈️ Moving overseas and need to transfer currency? For ease, availability and the best rates, we recommend TorFX. Get your FREE instant currency quote now.

❤️Join Liz's inner circle. Liz's free newsletter is here

• Subscribe to this PODCAST on Apple
• Subscribe to this PODCAST on Android
• Subscribe to this PODCAST on Spotify

We're bringing you this podcast episode from a frozen lake in the Canadian Rockies. British Columbia, Canada.

Something happened last week that floored us. Literally. Something that we've waited 30 years to see.

We love you. Thank you for your gorgeous support.

If you would like to show us some love, you can do so by leaving us a review wherever you listen to this podcast. It would also be wonderful if you shared this episode with a friend.

Kia Kaha, Liz and Brian x

Links mentioned in the show:

🇳🇿 LOVE NEW ZEALAND and want to know what life is like there? SIGN UP for our FREE 5-DAY VIDEO GUIDE to Life in New Zealand. We will share 5 short videos revealing secrets that only a local could know. (PS: They're free).

❤️Join Liz's inner circle. Liz's free newsletter is here

Liz's new book: You Won't Just Cry When They Die: Love, Loss and the Heartbreaking Reality of Grief

If you are struggling and hurting right now, please know you are not alone.

I wrote this little book to be a gentle companion for those who are grieving, to feel less alone. survive, cope, and begin to heal. The book is available for purchase on Amazon. To support my work directly as an independent author, you can purchase all formats (hardback, e-book, audiobook) via my website: www.elizabethdeacle.com

📕Liz's first book: The Travel Bog Diaries - one woman's hilarious confessions of surviving family travel is here

🏡 We are HOUSESITTING in CANADA for 3 months! As a family, we have saved $$$ and made lifelong friends by using this incredible website and service. If you want to join us in using TrustedHousesitters to travel the world, use our exclusive discount code to get a 15% Discounton a HOUSESITTING yearly membership.

🚗 Looking for the best deals on car hire? We only ever use, love and trust Discovery Cars. They got us a great deal on our 3 month car rental here in Canada. Brian refuses to use anyone else.

⛑️ Safety Wing Nomad Travel Insurance. Because we are travelling for more than two weeks, we use Safety Wing. You can't beat them. Their coverage/service is brilliant (no extra for skiing). Safety Wing offers a monthly subscription (that you can cancel at any time). You can't beat their price or service

💰 ✈️ Moving overseas and need to transfer currency? For ease, availability and the best rates, we recommend TorFX. Get your FREE instant currency quote now.

❤️Join Liz's inner circle. Liz's free newsletter is here

• Subscribe to this PODCAST on Apple
• Subscribe to this PODCAST on Android
• Subscribe to this PODCAST on Spotify

Brian, Liz and their two adult kids are house-sitting in British Columbia, Canada, for three months.

Last week, they received a comment on their YouTube channel asking, "Where do you call home? "

Today, they take you for a walk around their temporary Canadian neighbourhood and share their unscripted, vulnerable thoughts and feelings about Canada, New Zealand, leaving their kids, healing, and... a few other things I won't write here.

Thank you. We love you, and we appreciate you more than you can imagine. Please don't forget to subscribe and say hi in the comments ❤️

Kia Kaha, Liz and Brian x

Links mentioned in the show:

🇳🇿 LOVE NEW ZEALAND and want to know what life is like there? SIGN UP for our FREE 5-DAY VIDEO GUIDE to Life in New Zealand. We will share 5 short videos revealing secrets that only a local could know. (PS: They're free).

❤️Join Liz's inner circle. Liz's free newsletter is here

Liz's new book: You Won't Just Cry When They Die: Love, Loss and the Heartbreaking Reality of Grief

If you are struggling and hurting right now, please know you are not alone.

I wrote this little book to be a gentle companion for those who are grieving, to feel less alone. survive, cope, and begin to heal. The book is available for purchase on Amazon. To support my work directly as an independent author, you can purchase all formats (hardback, e-book, audiobook) via my website: www.elizabethdeacle.com

📕Liz's first book: The Travel Bog Diaries - one woman's hilarious confessions of surviving family travel is here

🏡 We are HOUSESITTING in CANADA for 3 months! As a family, we have saved $$$ and made lifelong friends by using this incredible website and service. If you want to join us in using TrustedHousesitters to travel the world, use our exclusive discount code to get a 15% Discounton a HOUSESITTING yearly membership.

🚗 Looking for the best deals on car hire? We only ever use, love and trust Discovery Cars. They got us a great deal on our 3 month car rental here in Canada. Brian refuses to use anyone else.

⛑️ Safety Wing Nomad Travel Insurance. Because we are travelling for more than two weeks, we use Safety Wing. You can't beat them. Their coverage/service is brilliant (no extra for skiing). Safety Wing offers a monthly subscription (that you can cancel at any time). You can't beat their price or service

💰 ✈️ Moving overseas and need to transfer currency? For ease, availability and the best rates, we recommend TorFX. Get your FREE instant currency quote now.

❤️Join Liz's inner circle. Liz's free newsletter is here

• Subscribe to this PODCAST on Apple
• Subscribe to this PODCAST on Android
• Subscribe to this PODCAST on Spotify

Join Brian and Liz as they walk around their Canadian neighbourhood and share the insights they have gained during their first month housesitting as a family in British Columbia, Canada. Including Brian being the first on scene at a local fire emergency, to why Liz suddenly feels grounded. Thank you, we love you. Enjoy x

Please note, this podcast was recorded the day before the terrible, horrific disaster that occurred in BC on Tuesday. Our hearts, love and immense sympathy go out to the families and friends of this unimaginable tragedy. Our love to you, Canada. Always. Liz and Brian

Links mentioned in the show:

🇳🇿 LOVE NEW ZEALAND and want to know what life is like there? SIGN UP for our FREE 5-DAY VIDEO GUIDE to Life in New Zealand. We will share 5 short videos revealing secrets that only a local could know. (PS: They're free).

❤️Join Liz's inner circle. Liz's free newsletter is here

Liz's new book: You Won't Just Cry When They Die: Love, Loss and the Heartbreaking Reality of Grief

If you are struggling and hurting right now, please know you are not alone.

I wrote this little book to be a gentle companion for those who are grieving, to feel less alone. survive, cope, and begin to heal. The book is available for purchase on Amazon. To support my work directly as an independent author, you can purchase all formats (hardback, e-book, audiobook) via my website: www.elizabethdeacle.com

📕Liz's first book: The Travel Bog Diaries - one woman's hilarious confessions of surviving family travel is here

🏡 We are HOUSESITTING in CANADA for 3 months! As a family, we have saved $$$ and made lifelong friends by using this incredible website and service. If you want to join us in using TrustedHousesitters to travel the world, use our exclusive discount code to get a 15% Discounton a HOUSESITTING yearly membership.

🚗 Looking for the best deals on car hire? We only ever use, love and trust Discovery Cars. They got us a great deal on our 3 month car rental here in Canada. Brian refuses to use anyone else.

⛑️ Safety Wing Nomad Travel Insurance. Because we are travelling for more than two weeks, we use Safety Wing. You can't beat them. Their coverage/service is brilliant (no extra for skiing). Safety Wing offers a monthly subscription (that you can cancel at any time). You can't beat their price or service

💰 ✈️ Moving overseas and need to transfer currency? For ease, availability and the best rates, we recommend TorFX. Get your FREE instant currency quote now.

❤️Join Liz's inner circle. Liz's free newsletter is here

• Subscribe to this PODCAST on Apple
• Subscribe to this PODCAST on Android
• Subscribe to this PODCAST on Spotify

Last week, we received a comment on the podcast that said, "We would love to do what you are doing, but it seems too risky".

In today's episode, we would like to address that comment and share a few life lessons grief has taught us. We would like to pass on the reason we travel the world, (even though we still have a big mortgage).

This is why we do what we do. This is how we do it. We hope our words bring you clarity and inspiration.

We love you. Thank you for your support and your wonderful comments.

If you enjoyed this episode, please share it with a friend who needs it, and don't forget to subscribe and leave us a review on whichever platform you listen to. It only takes a minute but it helps us enormously.

Links mentioned in the show:

Liz's new book: You Won't Just Cry When They Die: Love, Loss and the Heartbreaking Reality of Grief

If you are struggling and hurting right now, please know you are not alone.

I wrote this little book to be a gentle companion, to help you survive, cope, and begin to heal when your whole world falls apart. The book is available to purchase at all major online bookstores. To support my work directly as an independent author, you can purchase all formats (hardback, e-book, audiobook) via my website: www.elizabethdeacle.com

❤️Join Liz's inner circle. Liz's free newsletter is here: https://itsadrama.com/frontrow/

🇳🇿 Remember! If you LOVE NEW ZEALAND and want to know more about the country, SIGN UP for our FREE 5-DAY VIDEO GUIDE to Life in New Zealand.

If you would like to see where we are, you can watch the video version of this podcast HERE on YouTube

If you want to join us in using TrustedHousesitters to travel the world, use our exclusive discount code to get a WHOPPING 25% off HOUSESITTING yearly membership. It's cheaper than one night's stay in an Airbnb.

⛑️Safety wing Nomad Travel insurance. If, like us, you are travelling for more than a couple of weeks, then we recommend getting a "rolling pay-as-you-go insurance". We use Safety Wing. They have been brilliant and offer us everything we need at a great price.

💰 ✈️ Travelling overseas and don't want to pay hefty credit card charges? Check out WISE here for ease, availability and the best rates!

• Subscribe to this PODCAST on Apple
• Subscribe to this PODCAST on Android
• Subscribe to this PODCAST on Spotify

Brian and Liz, husband and wife, are in British Columbia, CANADA.

They have packed their bags and, along with their two young adult kids, have embarked on a huge adventure: Housesitting for 3 months in British Columbia, CANADA.

Join them today as they share their first impressions of returning to Canada with their kids and take you on a stroll through their very beautiful BC neighbourhood to spill the beans on:

The surprise of Calgary

Their kids spending the night with a homeless person

Being locked out in the cold

Driving in Canada and feeling out of control

The importance of TRUST

Fearing death constantly.

Why two Canadians are letting us stay in their million-dollar house for free

Tess feeling homesick for a home we don't have

Thank you so very much for joining us. We appreciate you more than you can imagine.

Please don't forget to subscribe and leave us a review on whichever platform you listen on. It helps us enormously, and we will love you forever. ❤️

With all love and gentleness always,

Kia Kaha

Liz and Brian xx

Links mentioned in the show:

Liz's new book: You Won't Just Cry When They Die: Love, Loss and the Heartbreaking Reality of Grief

If you are struggling and hurting right now, please know you are not alone.

I wrote this little book to be a gentle companion, to help you survive, cope, and begin to heal when your whole world falls apart. The book is available to purchase at all major online bookstores. To support my work directly as an independent author, you can purchase all formats (hardback, e-book, audiobook) via my website: www.elizabethdeacle.com

❤️Join Liz's inner circle. Liz's free newsletter is here: https://itsadrama.com/frontrow/

🇳🇿 Remember! If you LOVE NEW ZEALAND and want to know more about the country, SIGN UP for our FREE 5-DAY VIDEO GUIDE to Life in New Zealand.

If you would like to see where we are, you can watch the video version of this podcast HERE on YouTube

If you want to join us in using TrustedHousesitters to travel the world, use our exclusive discount code to get a WHOPPING 25% off HOUSESITTING yearly membership. It's cheaper than one night's stay in an Airbnb.

⛑️Safety wing Nomad Travel insurance. If, like us, you are travelling for more than a couple of weeks, then we recommend getting a "rolling pay-as-you-go insurance". We use Safety Wing. They have been brilliant and offer us everything we need at a great price.

💰 ✈️ Travelling overseas and don't want to pay hefty credit card charges? Check out WISE here for ease, availability and the best rates!

• Subscribe to this PODCAST on Apple
• Subscribe to this PODCAST on Android
• Subscribe to this PODCAST on Spotify

There are a few myths and misconceptions about America that we have found to be not true, and this week, we wanted to share our experiences with you.

Brian and Liz, husband and wife, are in Colorado, USA.

Join them today as they take you on a stroll through their (very American) neighbourhood to spill the beans on:

Being stuck out in the middle of nowhere with a stranger.

A USA myth that turns out to be true, (and one we wish we had)

Liz's shock reaction after the release of her new book

The biggest American myth of all, and one that rocked these two (quite adventurous and brave) British New Zealanders.

This will be the last podcast episode of 2025.

May we take this chance to say how much we love and appreciate you, how your support means so very much to us and how we hope you will continue to join us in 2026.

Happy New Year, lovely people,

with all love and gentleness always,

Kia Kaha

Liz and Brian xx

Links mentioned in the show:

Liz's new book: You Won't Just Cry When They Die: Love, Loss and the Heartbreaking Reality of Grief

If you are struggling and hurting right now, please know you are not alone.

I wrote this little book to be a gentle companion, to help you survive, cope, and begin to heal when your whole world falls apart. The book is available to purchase at all major online bookstores. To support my work directly as an independent author, you can purchase all formats (hardback, e-book, audiobook) via my website: www.elizabethdeacle.com

❤️Join Liz's inner circle. Liz's free newsletter is here: https://itsadrama.com/frontrow/

🇳🇿 Remember! If you LOVE NEW ZEALAND and want to know more about the country, SIGN UP for our FREE 5-DAY VIDEO GUIDE to Life in New Zealand.

If you would like to see where we are, you can watch the video version of this podcast HERE on YouTube

If you want to join us in using TrustedHousesitters to travel the world, use our exclusive discount code to get a WHOPPING 25% off HOUSESITTING yearly membership. It's cheaper than one night's stay in an Airbnb.

⛑️Safety wing Nomad Travel insurance. If, like us, you are travelling for more than a couple of weeks, then we recommend getting a "rolling pay-as-you-go insurance". We use Safety Wing. They have been brilliant and offer us everything we need at a great price.

💰 ✈️ Travelling overseas and don't want to pay hefty credit card charges? Check out WISE here for ease, availability and the best rates!

• Subscribe to this PODCAST on Apple
• Subscribe to this PODCAST on Android
• Subscribe to this PODCAST on Spotify

Suffering from loss? We see you. Liz's new book is here: https://elizabethdeacle.com/

Brian and Liz, husband and wife, are in Colorado, USA. Join them today as they share their first impressions of the USA and take you on a stroll through their (very American) neighbourhood to chat to you about :

Their young adult kids experiencing their first-ever "night out on the town" in America

Why Brian was pulled over and questioned at the airport by American customs

Liz's big mistake with the release of her new book

Scoring a big break with a hire car

First impressions that Americans find normal (but are blowing Liz's mind...)

This will be the last podcast episode until the New Year. May we take this chance to say how much we love and appreciate you, how your support means so very much to us and how we hope you will continue to join us in 2026.

Merry Christmas, Happy Holidays,

with all love and gentleness always,

Kia Kaha

Liz and Brian xx

Links mentioned in the show:

Liz's new book: You Won't Just Cry When They Die: Love, Loss and the Heartbreaking Reality of Grief

If you are struggling and hurting right now, please know you are not alone.

I wrote this little book to be a gentle companion, to help you survive, cope, and begin to heal when your whole world falls apart. The book is available to purchase at all major online bookstores. To support my work directly as an independent author, you can purchase all formats (hardback, e-book, audiobook) via my website: www.elizabethdeacle.com

❤️Join Liz's inner circle. Liz's free newsletter is here: https://itsadrama.com/frontrow/

🇳🇿 Remember! If you LOVE NEW ZEALAND and want to know more about the country, SIGN UP for our FREE 5-DAY VIDEO GUIDE to Life in New Zealand.

If you would like to see where we are, you can watch the video version of this podcast HERE on YouTube

If you want to join us in using TrustedHousesitters to travel the world, use our exclusive discount code to get a WHOPPING 25% off HOUSESITTING yearly membership. It's cheaper than one night's stay in an Airbnb.

⛑️Safety wing Nomad Travel insurance. If, like us, you are travelling for more than a couple of weeks, then we recommend getting a "rolling pay-as-you-go insurance". We use Safety Wing. They have been brilliant and offer us everything we need at a great price.

💰 ✈️ Travelling overseas and don't want to pay hefty credit card charges? Check out WISE here for ease, availability and the best rates!

• Subscribe to this PODCAST on Apple
• Subscribe to this PODCAST on Android
• Subscribe to this PODCAST on Spotify

Find out more about Liz's new book: You Won't Just Cry When They Die: Love, loss and the heartbreaking reality of grief

This is one of those rare conversations between a husband and wife that feels too private and vulnerable to share publicly.

But share we will

because I know that there is someone out there who needs to hear these words. And so I dedicate this podcast episode to you.

Today, Brian interviews Liz about her newly released book: You Won't Just. Cry When They Die: Love, loss and the heartbreaking reality of grief.

If you are struggling and hurting right now, please know you are not alone. I wrote this little book to be a gentle companion, to help you survive, cope, and begin to heal when your whole world falls apart.

Just as mine did.

My heart beats with yours.

Always Kia Kaha

Liz and Brian xxxx

Links:

Liz's book: You Won't Just Cry When They Die is available to purchase at all major online bookstores.

To support my work directly as an independent author, you can purchase all formats (hardback, e-book, audiobook) by going to my website Elizabeth Deacle

Thank you.

• Subscribe to this PODCAST on Apple
• Subscribe to this PODCAST on Android
• Subscribe to this PODCAST on Spotify

After 16 years of living abroad in New Zealand, husband and wife Liz and Brian returned to their home country, England, UK, for a four-month stay.

This week, the couple share a few more truths - the little things they'd forgotten about England. The things they know and love, and one thing in particular that took them by surprise in a huge way.

Liz and Brian also reveal where they are heading next on their year-long world trip, including how they are affording to pay for this mammoth trip...

If you are a regular watcher of the show, thank you so very much for being here with us. You are the best, you are who we do it for. Thank you. ❤️

If you are new to the podcast, welcome! If you enjoy the content and would like to support the show, please feel free to say hello in the comments (we love hearing from you!) and consider sharing this podcast with a friend, as well as subscribing to our channel.

Until then, thank you, as always, for being here with us.

Kia Kaha, Liz and Brian x

PS: If you haven't yet joined my inner circle of friends, my life-letter readers, thousands of trusted confidants, please do. You will be the first person I share everything with. Including details of my upcoming book. You can sign up for my FREE Front Row Newsletter HERE.

❤️Join my inner circle. Liz's free newsletter is here: https://itsadrama.com/frontrow/

❤️ Like what you heard? Please rate and review the It's a Drama Podcast here, or if you are on Spotify, please review us over there. Your short review helps us massively and encourages us to continue!

🇳🇿 Remember! If you are thinking of COMING TO NEW ZEALAND and want to know more about the country, SIGN UP below for our FREE 5-DAY VIDEO GUIDE to Life in New Zealand. https://itsadrama.com/ilovenz/

You can watch the video version of this podcast HERE on YouTube! https://www.youtube.com/@ItsaDrama

Brian and I are able to travel the world (not because we are billionaires with famous footballers as parents) but because we HOUSE-SIT.

Housesitting has saved us approximately $30k in accommodation around the world.

Read this post: How we save $$$ in Europe by housesitting to find out more. And then, if you want to join us in using TrustedHousesitters to travel the world, use our exclusive discount code to get a WHOPPING 25% off HOUSESITTING yearly membership. It's cheaper than one night's stay in an Airbnb!

⛑️Safety wing Nomad Travel insurance. If, like us, you are travelling for more than a couple of weeks, then we recommend getting a "rolling pay-as-you-go insurance". We use Safety Wing. They have been brilliant and offer us everything we need at a great price.

💰 ✈️ Travelling overseas and don't want to pay hefty credit card charges? We love the brilliant all-in-one Wise Card. Using WISE means you SAVE money and can relax. Check out WISE here for the best rates!

🚗 Looking for the best deals on car hire? We use love and trust Discover cars. Brian refuses to use anyone else. Check out the best CAR HIRE here: https://itsadrama.com/carhire

• Subscribe to this PODCAST on Apple
• Subscribe to this PODCAST on Android
• Subscribe to this PODCAST on Spotify