Notes from Somewhere

In this episode of Notes from Somewhere, Eri sits down with her friend and former colleague Kelsea Woods to explore what it really takes to make somewhere new feel like home. The two met while living in New York, and since then Kelsea’s path has taken her from Brooklyn to Cambridge and London.

Together, they talk about what Kelsea missed after leaving New York (including, naturally, Trader Joe’s), the emotional reality of starting over in another country, culture shock at Cambridge, and how to build community when familiar routines and support systems are suddenly thousands of miles away.

The conversation also covers reinventing a career in a new country, British vs. American communication and workplace culture, making friends as an adult, and why adaptability may be one of the most valuable skills you can develop. Kelsea also shares practical advice for anyone considering a move abroad.

This one runs longer than the usual episode. There was too much thoughtful, funny and genuinely useful insight to cut it down – hope you enjoy.

Takeaways

• Home is a feeling
• Community fosters belonging
• Emotional transitions in moving
• Cultural adaptation in new cities
• Adapting to new cultures
• Importance of storytelling
• Embrace adaptability in new environments
• Planning is crucial for relocation success

Chapters

• 00:00 Defining Home: A Personal Journey
• 04:57 The Impact of Change and Resilience
• 11:24 Building Community in New Places
• 16:03 Brooklyn vs. London: A Tale of Two Cities
• 19:56 Nostalgia and the Trader Joe's Experience
• 29:28 Reflecting on New York's Changes
• 30:32 The Decision to Move to London
• 35:22 Neighborhood Evolution and Personal Growth
• 38:04 Choosing Cambridge: A Transformative Experience
• 41:42 Navigating Work Culture Differences
• 43:08 Coping with Grief and Academic Challenges
• 46:48 Navigating Career Transitions
• 50:23 Cultural Nuances in Communication
• 56:44 Building Social Connections in London
• 01:01 Adapting to New Environments
• 01:09 Planning Your Move
• 01:14 Exploring New Destinations
• 01:25 The Joy of Starting Fresh

In this episode of Notes from Somewhere, Eri reflects on what she discovered after spending six weeks working remotely from France. From Nice, Aix-en-Provence, Lyon, Bordeaux and Paris, while balancing everyday work with the desire to be fully present somewhere new.

This isn’t a conversation about productivity hacks or idealized remote work routines. It’s about the rhythm of temporarily building a life in another country and the tension between structure and spontaneity. Eri shares what it meant to navigate the quiet emotional challenge of trying to balance work, travel, and presence all at once.

She also reflects on the role that food, flexibility, and cultural immersion played in shaping the experience – from long lunches to leaving parts of the trip unplanned and discovering new places along the way. The episode touches on why this season of travel mattered personally, especially while balancing wedding planning and the decision to prioritize adventure anyway.

Ultimately, this is a story about what can happen when you step outside your usual routine long enough to see your life differently, and what Eri realized about the need to create novelty even when she's home in New York City.

Chapters

00:00 Introduction to the episode
03:12 Why I chose to work remotely from France
08:24 The fantasy vs. reality of remote work abroad
14:37 Time zones and routine, or the lack thereof
20:11 Food, culture, and feeling grounded in France
25:06 Flexibility, spontaneity, and what I’ll take with me
29:10 Final reflections

In this episode of Notes from Somewhere, Eri sits down with Kristina Rodulfo, a Filipina American beauty writer, editor, consultant, and creator based in New York. Formerly the Beauty Director at Women’s Health and Senior Beauty Editor at ELLE, Kristina has built a career at the intersection of beauty, culture, and storytelling – advocating for more inclusive beauty standards and championing women of color in the industry.

Together, they explore Kristina’s journey growing up Filipina American in New York City and how her cultural identity shaped the way she navigated both media and beauty spaces. Kristina reflects on discovering and embracing her heritage over time, the influence of culture on beauty perception, and her transition from magazine editor to independent content creator in a rapidly evolving digital landscape.

The conversation also touches on Kristina’s perspective on innovative and Filipina-led beauty brands, as well as the nuances of navigating culture in both professional and personal spaces – including her intercultural relationship with her Australian husband.

As an avid traveler, Kristina shares how exploring the world has shaped her perspective, from carving out solo days during trips to fully immerse herself in local culture, to the importance of traveling thoughtfully and respectfully. The episode wraps with a fun lightning round where Kristina shares quick insights on beauty, travel, and identity.

Chapters

00:00 Introduction to Notes from Somewhere and Kristina Rodulfo
06:17 Kristina's Filipina cultural heritage and career in media
13:18 Starting a career in beauty media
20:18 Beauty, culture, and identity
26:28 Pivoting to content creation
31:59 Innovative and Filipina beauty brands
38:01 Navigating cultural differences in relationships
44:11 Solo days while traveling

In this first episode of Notes from Somewhere, Eri shares a travel story about growing up in Hawaii, Singapore, and Hong Kong – and how moving between cultures shaped her identity, resilience, and comfort with the uncomfortable.

From childhood in Hawaii to navigating life in Singapore and Hong Kong, Eri reflects on the culture shock, quiet adaptations, and in-between moments that come with growing up between countries. The episode explores how those early experiences influenced her sense of belonging, her perspective in college, and eventually her decision to build a life in New York.

This is a conversation about cultural identity, adaptability, and what it means to grow up without a single definition of “home” – and how learning to live between worlds can become a quiet strength.

Takeaways

• Cultural identity
• Adaptability
• Growing up between cultures
• Learning to embrace discomfort

Chapters

00:00 Childhood in Hawaii
08:56 Transition to Hong Kong
16:17 College experience
22:28 Life in New York

The podcast "Notes from Somewhere" by Eri Mizobe explores the transformative nature of travel and its impact on personal identity. Each episode delves into the essence of travel as a journey of self-discovery and the power of storytelling in marketing, offering insights into the ways in which travel shapes our perspectives and understanding of ourselves. Subscribe and follow for new episodes full of meaningful conversation!