This special episode of the She Hit Refresh podcast dives into the world of home swapping. Host Cepee is an avid HomeExchange user with over 60 home swaps, from Madrid to Mexico!

Cepee is joined by Clémence Craig, Head of Growth for North America at HomeExchange, who provides an insider's look at how the platform works, its community-driven model, and answers to frequently asked questions. You'll also hear from two experienced Home Exchange members: Maria Nicholas, an American living in Malaga, and Shannon Acton, founder of Bargain Homes Abroad and the Armchair Expat podcast. They share their real-life experiences, favorite swap experiences, and essential tips for first-time home exchangers.

We hope you enjoy this episode!  if you're ready to give home swapping a try, head to SheHitRefresh.com/homeexchange, and you'll get some free GuestPoints. See y'all back here next season!

IN THIS VIDEO:

• The benefits of HomeExchange compared to platforms like Airbnb 

• Debunking common misconceptions and misgivings about home swapping

• The different types of exchanges, including simultaneous, non-simultaneous, and guest points

• Real-life stories and memorable swaps from experienced HomeExchange members

Watch episode 75 on YouTube

ABOUT OUR GUESTS

Clémence Cragan leads North American growth at HomeExchange, making home exchange more accessible and better known across the U.S. and Canada. Originally from France, Clémence has spent the past 10 years in the United States. She’s also a mom of two young children, plus a dog and a horse! Her family uses HomeExchange for their travels, which has completely transformed the way they vacation. Clémence is a strong believer in the magic of home exchange, both personally and professionally.

Maria is an American living in Spain for 14 years, blending her love for travel with remote work. She coaches purpose-driven women seeking deeper fulfillment in life and relationships, drawing from her background as a teacher, voiceover artist, and former Hollywood actress. As a speaker, she shares insights from her unconventional path, empowering audiences to embrace their differences as a compass for life's direction. Maria's mission is to inspire others—entrepreneurs, educators, and women in transition—to trust themselves, claim their space, and pursue life with courage and intention.

Shannon is the creator of Bargain Homes Abroad, a multimedia platform that sits at the intersection of affordable European real estate and the dream of moving overseas. Through her website, podcast, newsletter, membership community, and popular Instagram account, she helps North Americans see that international living is more accessible than they think. Focused on homes with character, slow travel, and creative paths to life abroad, Shannon is planning her own move to Europe. For now, she lives in Southern California with her husband and rescue pup, Nellie.

Where to find Shannon:

• Website:bargainhomesabroad.co

• Instagram: @bargainhomesabroad

THANKS TO OUR EPISODE SPONSOR, HomeExchange!

HomeExchange is the global leader in home exchange vacations, offering authentic, sustainable, and affordable vacation opportunities for everyone. With over 220,000 members across more than 155 countries, HomeExchange makes vacations on a budget possible with a nominal annual membership fee, no hidden costs or cancellation fees, and 24/7 assistance. In 2021, HomeExchange Collection was created, an exclusive community for like-minded travelers to meet, share, and exchange their luxury homes.

HomeExchange is a Certified B Corporation, part of a global community of businesses that meet and commit to high standards of social and environmental impact. With teams in France, Croatia, Spain, and the United States, travelers can browse their entire collection of homes and schedule their home exchange at homeexchange.com

Thea Duncan is the founder of Doing Italy, a company that helps people purchase property in Italy. She helps people gain the knowledge they need to move to Italy with ease, while avoiding the pitfalls that can affect expats when moving abroad.

Thea shares her personal story of navigating Italy's evolving landscape for foreigners. She discusses everything from securing visas and building a career in Italy's unique job market, and the things that she loves most about Italy.

Born in Trinidad and Tobago and raised in Miami, Thea traveled the globe until Italy captured her heart in 2002. She earned her master’s degree at Bocconi University in Milan, and later worked with some of Italy’s storied fashion and design houses, including Gucci and Luxottica. Some 20 years after her first trip to Italy, Thea lives in Milan with her husband, Diego, and their adorable son, Lorenzo.

In this episode:

• How Thea's initial trip in 2002 sparked her two-decade journey to living in Italy

• Visa options for moving to Italy, including the student, elective residency, and digital nomad visas

• Recent changes to Italian citizenship by ancestry

• The realities of the Italian job market and why many expats choose entrepreneurship

• What to expect when buying a one-euro home in Italy

Watch episode 74 on YouTube

Thank you to our season sponsor, ⁠International Living⁠!

For the past three and a half years, Marla (53) has called Valencia, Spain, her home. In this episode, Marla gives us an in-depth look at how a rare cancer diagnosis a few months after moving to Spain changed the direction that she thought her “refresh” would take.

Along with immersing herself in Spanish culture, Marla is working on her memoir about overcoming adversity with grace and humor. She’s traveled to 40 countries and lived in various parts of Asia, the Middle East, and Europe. She has been a professional fundraiser, event planner, freelance writer, and teacher of English as a Second Language. 

Marla has been a part of the She Hit Refresh community since 2018. She first appeared on the podcast in 2022 and shared how she's navigated some of the many curveballs thrown her way. 

In this episode:

• Marla's experience receiving a rare cancer diagnosis just months after moving to Spain
• Navigating the Spanish public healthcare system with a chronic illness
• Parallels between facing a health crisis and moving abroad
• How living in Spain has impacted her health
• Advice for women considering moving abroad, especially those with a chronic illness

Listen to our previous episode with Marla: Finding Opportunity in Adversity with Marla Stein | Ep 41

⁠Watch episode 73 on YouTube⁠

Thank you to our season sponsor, ⁠International Living⁠!

Kathleen O’Donnell is a freelance writer and former digital nomad who has lived in Greece full-time since 2022. Athens, with all its chaotic charm, has become Kathleen’s home, and her love for the country keeps getting stronger. 

Kathleen started her writing business, secured a residency visa in Greece, and has grown her business into a sustainable and successful company. 

In this episode:

• How Kathleen transitioned from a corporate job in Boston to freelancing in Greece
• Requirements for the Greek digital nomad visa and residency permit
• Why Athens is an amazing city — but not for everyone
• How Kathleen built a successful freelance writing business
• Greek bureaucracy and living with uncertainty
• Advice for women over 30 who dream of moving abroad but feel scared

Where to find Kathleen:

• Substack: American Girl in Greece
• Travel blog: mylonesomeroads.com
• Greek nomad visa/permit process
• LinkedIn

Watch episode 72 on YouTube

Thank you to our season sponsor, ⁠International Living⁠!

Jacinda Fuller is an international educator and aspiring freelancer who’s passionate about living life abroad. After spending three lovely years in Spain, she knew that living abroad was meant for her. Now based in Guatemala, Jacinda is enjoying the warm hospitality and Latin American culture. 

Cepee catches up with Jacinda, who speaks about why she left Spain, her temporary return to the US, and the teaching opportunity that led her to Central America.

This conversation isn't just about changing countries; it's about Jacinda's journey of resilience, adapting to bureaucracy and cultural differences, and her plans to keep evolving her career as a long-term expat.

In this episode:

• Why Jacinda returned to the US after three years as a language assistant in Spain

• How Jacinda found a teaching job at an international school in Guatemala

• Her favorite things about Spain and her new home of Guatemala

• Advice on overcoming challenges and fears when moving abroad

About Jacinda:

In her free time, she enjoys baking, exploring nature, and spending time with friends. Still figuring things out, always open to new experiences, and excited for whatever comes next.

Connect with Jacinda on Facebook:

https://www.facebook.com/jacinda.fuller.9

Mentioned in this episode:

• Creating the Change You Want to See in Your Life with Jacinda Fuller | Ep 46 

• Amisa (American International Schools in the Americas)

Watch episode 71 on YouTube

Thank you to our sponsor, INTERNATIONAL LIVING!

In 2021, at 36 years old, Mary Alice took a bold leap… leaving behind her life in Philadelphia to start fresh in France, sight unseen!

With her husband and young daughter, she moved to Montpellier on France’s profession libérale visa—the country’s self-employment visa—and has been building a new, more intentional life ever since.

Tune in to hear how she made it happen and what life looks like now on the other side of her dream.

In this episode:

• Why Mary Alice and her husband decided to move to Montpellier

• The steps she took to secure France’s profession libérale visa

• Advice on how to get letters of intent from potential French clients

• Mary Alice's experience adapting her business to her new lifestyle in France

• French taxes / social charges and benefits for self-employed individuals

• Detaching from American productivity culture and embracing a slower life

Mentioned in this episode:

• Profession libérale visa

• Foolproof French Visas
• Connect with Mary Alice

• Taking the Leap: How Patricia Built a Business in France After 50 | Ep 65

Watch episode 70 on YouTube

Thank you to our sponsor, International Living!

A favorite guest, Lori L. Tharps, returns for her third appearance on the podcast. Lori is an award-winning author, journalist, and founder of the Reed, Write and Create Sanctuary.

She updates us four years after her move from the U.S. to Spain. She talks about her life as an expat in Malaga, how her children have adjusted to life and school in Spain, and how her career has evolved.

Lori shares the joys and challenges of building a life abroad, including manifesting her dream creative career, and needing to support her aging parents from afar. Lori initially joined us nine days before her move (Ep39, re-released this season) and again six months later (Ep40). 

In this episode:

• Lori’s life and academic career in the US before moving to Spain

• Lori's biggest surprises about living in Spain

• Practical reasons behind Lori's decision to move to Spain with her family

• How Lori's two children have adjusted to life and schooling in Spain and Europe

• Ongoing challenges of supporting aging parents from abroad

• How Lori manifested her dream creative life

About Lori:

A prolific author, journalist, and award-winning podcast host, Lori L. Tharps is the founder of Reed, Write, & Create, which supports and celebrates BIPoC stories and storytellers. Lori works with clients as a writing coach, literary activist, and consultant on book-related projects, book tours, and literary events.

Before moving to Europe in 2021, Lori spent nearly 15 years as a tenured professor at Temple University teaching journalism, creative writing, magazine writing, and editing, as well as classes on race and the media.

Where to find Lori:

• ReedWriteandCreate.com
• YouTube: youtube.com/@LiteraryLori
• Instagram: @reedwriteandcre8/
• Reed, Write and Create podcast

Listen to previous episodes with Lori:

• From Philly To Malaga: One Woman's Pre-Move Adventure of Relocating a Family of 4 to Spain (REPOST of Part 1)
• From Philly To Malaga: One Woman's Pre-Move Adventure of Relocating a Family of 4 to Spain (Part 2)

Watch episode 69 on YouTube

Thank you to our season sponsor, INTERNATIONAL LIVING.

Are you an artist dreaming of a creative life abroad? Well, consider moving to Berlin, which offers artists the opportunity to live in Germany on a freelance artist visa! Carly, a holistic health coach, DJ, and storyteller, shares her path to getting a freelance visa in Germany as an artist juggling multiple creative pursuits.

If you’re a creative who doesn’t qualify for a traditional work visa or a digital nomad visa, then this visa might be for you!

Carly breaks down the process and requirements for obtaining a freelance visa in Berlin, including language requirements, resources to support you, and steps to German citizenship. She also talks about her unexpected loneliness, culture shock, and living costs in this vibrant city. 

If you’re considering moving to Berlin to continue your artistic career, Carly’s honest advice will give you essential information to get you started on the path to residency.

In this episode:

• The process for obtaining a freelance artist visa

• Unexpected challenges of culture shock as an American living in Germany

• How Carly pursues multiple creative careers

• Language learning visa as an alternative to the freelancer visa

About Carly

Carly is a multi-disciplined artist, coach, and creator devoted to inspiring greater freedom, connection, and vitality in every area of life. Through her work as a holistic health coach, DJ, and storyteller, she empowers others to nourish their bodies, express their creativity, and live with authenticity and joy. Guided by the belief that true well-being arises from the harmony of mind, body, and spirit, Carly weaves together wellness, music, and community-building as pathways to deeper connection—with ourselves and with each other.

Find Carly on Instagram

@‌CarlyPFeldman

@‌karli.musik

Watch episode 68 on YouTube

Find more resources at shehitrefresh.com/ep68/

Season 5 of the She Hit Refresh podcast is sponsored by International Living.

Cheryl is a seasoned entrepreneur who built a multi-million dollar business over 32 years. Meanwhile, she traveled to seven continents and over 40 countries. In 2023, she made her dream of living abroad a reality, relocating to Tirana, Albania, after selling and donating most of her belongings. Currently on sabbatical, Cheryl is embracing this next chapter with curiosity and joy.

Learn what surprised her most about Albanian culture, and how she’s building community in her new home city. If you feel that moving abroad is too expensive, too complicated, or that you've waited too long, Cheryl's story will give you hope!

In this episode:

• Cheryl’s “good enough” life before making the move abroad

• Her method of downsizing and the emotional challenges of moving abroad

• Some of the pros and cons of living in Albania

• What Cheryl loves most about living in Tirana

• Why taking a scouting trip to Albania is an essential step

Watch episode 67 on YouTube

Thank you to our sponsor, International Living

Are you a nurse in the US dreaming of living and working abroad, but don’t know how? Meet Sophie Blake, a NICU travel nurse who went from travel nursing in the US to working as a nurse in the UK.

Sophie shares her experience obtaining a UK skilled worker visa, the licensing process, and the unexpected differences in her daily nursing duties while working in a private hospital in London.

If you're a nurse who wants to move abroad, this episode outlines a pathway and the practical steps to working as a nurse in the United Kingdom.

In this episode:

• How Sophie got a visa to work as a nurse in the UK
• Recruiting agencies that place US nurses in the UK
• Differences in nursing duties in the UK vs the US
• Overall experience of working as a nurse and living in London

Where to find Sophie:

• The Traveling Sopha
• Instagram: @‌TheTravelingSopha

Mentioned in this episode:

• Continental Nurses
• Reachout Medical
• Anywayward

Watch episode 66 on YouTube

Thank you to our season sponsor, International Living!