Stories Between Sips

In this episode of Stories Between Sips, I sit down with LaToya Gabriel, a teacher, traveler, and expat who has lived and worked in China, Qatar, and beyond. We discuss the challenges of building a life away from home, navigating racism, and the constant search for belonging. LaToya shares her journey of teaching abroad, the complexities of adapting to different cultures, and how she has grown in the process. If you’ve ever felt like you’re not fully from anywhere, this conversation will speak to you.

Follow LaToya and her journey on social media:Instagram: Latoyagabriel_

TikTok: latoya_gabriel

Don’t forget to follow Stories Between Sips for more reflections and upcoming guest episodes:Instagram: @StoriesBetweenSipsPodcast

TikTok: @storiesbetweensipspod

This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit storiesbetweensips.substack.com

Leaving your home country sounds like a dream—new opportunities, a better lifestyle, growth. But what about the moments no one talks about? The loneliness. The milestones you miss. The quiet grief of being far away from everything and everyone that once defined “home.”

In this solo episode of Stories Between Sips, your host, René van Niekerk, opens up about the emotional cost of living and working abroad. From strained friendships to culture shock, from the guilt of privilege to the sting of racism and othering—she shares what it really feels like to exist in the in-between.

If you've ever lived abroad, thought about it, or loved someone who has—this episode is for you.

🎧 Topics Covered:

* Being far from friends and family

* Missing life’s important milestones

* Evolving friendships across distance

* Culture shock moving from a third world to a first world country

* Navigating racism, othering, and identity shifts

* What it means to grow through dislocation

💬 Let me know if something in this episode resonated with you in the comments or DMs.

📲 Follow for more:Instagram: @StoriesBetweenSipsPodcast

TikTok: @Storiesbetweensipspod

🔔 Don’t forget to subscribe, rate, and review on your favorite podcast platform!

This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit storiesbetweensips.substack.com

In this pilot episode of Stories between Sips, I share who I am, why I started this podcast, and what you can expect from this space.

Born and raised in Cape Town, I’m a teacher, poet, and storyteller who’s taught in South Africa, South Korea, and now Qatar. After losing both of my parents in recent years, I created this platform to reflect, heal, and connect—because I believe our stories matter.

Expect honest, thoughtful, and sometimes funny conversations over tea, every second Monday (solo episode) and Friday (guest episode).

Follow and sip with me.Instagram: @storiesbetweensipspodcastTikTok: @storiesbetweensipspod

This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit storiesbetweensips.substack.com

I'm launching my podcast this week. Please tune in!

This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit storiesbetweensips.substack.com