The Adventure Calls Podcast

How can you support your kids in a country where you’ve never lived? How can you help them thrive abroad?

That’s what we talk about in today’s Adventure Calls podcast episode.

If you’re a parent considering a move abroad or planning for a future as an expat parent, this episode is essential. Moving abroad is overwhelming: visas, housing, language, work, and the safety, security, and happiness of your kids.

Everyone says kids adjust faster than adults, but the truth is, we don’t know exactly how our kids will react. We just want them to have a better life. In this conversation, we explore the factors you as a parent can control in this unpredictable experience.

Relocating abroad with your family can provide your children with better opportunities and a richer cultural and language education with lifelong benefits.

It’s crucial for parents to understand the process from their children’s perspective—how each stage of relocation affects them. This helps you support, listen, and intervene when necessary.

Today, we speak with Karlijn Jacobs, Netherlands-based entrepreneur and founder of Expat Valley. Karlijn is a trained children’s therapist and relocation expert who moved to Shanghai in 2010. After two years, she had her first daughter. After five years in China, Karlijn returned to the Netherlands to give birth to their second daughter.

Now, she works to make international relocation easier and more fun for families through Expat Valley.

Find Karlijn Jacobs online:

Company: Expat Valley
Website: www.expatvalley.com
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/jacobskarlijn

Find Rainbow Relocation Strategies across the web:

Services: Rainbow Relocation Strategies | Rainbowrelo.com
Free Community: Queer Expats Worldwide Facebook Community
Instagram: @rainbowrelo
Book: How To Move Abroad

About the Adventure Calls podcast

The Adventure Calls podcast seeks to empower queer folks, our families and allies to move, live and thrive abroad with interviews with relocation experts, queer expats who have successfully relocated and other organizations that give a lens on the LGBTQ+ experience in the world.

The host / producer, Jess Drucker, is the founder of Rainbow Relocation Strategies, a company that centers the experience of queer expats around the world.

Over the past few weeks, Google searches around How To Move Abroad have skyrocketed, up more than 1000% percent overall.

And many of those searches, especially for the LGBTQ+ community, are geared toward Portugal. Between the D-8 Digital Nomad visa and the D-7 retirement / non-lucrative visa, Portugal has made it onto every future expats radar.

But what is it actually like to live there? Just because you might be able to get a visa to move there, do you want to?

That’s where Sue and Diana come in. Sue Reddel and Diana Laskaris are a married couple who moved to Portugal in 2021 from the States. They moved with their two elderly cats and made a life for themselves. The duo are former corporate executives who jumped off the ladder and into entrepreneurship roughly a decade ago, and now they work remotely from Portugal and run Food Travelist, a food and travel publication.

The pair are avid travelers, but Sue had never lived abroad before this move. So what has it been like to move to this beautiful, coastal Southern European country?

That’s what we get into in this episode.

This conversation was recorded inside our Queer Expats Worldwide community on Facebook, and shared with you here. It is a bit longer than our usual episodes, but because of the popularity of Portugal as a possible relocation destination, we wanted to share it with you in its entirety.

To access more interviews like this and a very active community of  LGBTQ+ folks and families, join our Queer Expats Worldwide community.

Sue and Diana can be found at:

Website: Food Travelist
Instagram: @foodtravelist
Facebook community: Queer Women and Friends in Portugal 

Links mentioned in this episode:
Transport your larger animals abroad for your move with barkair.com

Sue and Diana have written two books:
101 Tips for Moving To Portugal 
What Should I Do Now? 

Rainbow Relocation Strategies:
Find out how to work with us at: Rainbow Relocation Strategies
Instagram: @rainbowrelo
Book: How To Move Abroad
Queer Expats Worldwide Facebook Community

Your host, Jessica Drucker, can be found online at jessicadrucker.com

The Adventure Calls podcast is a bi-weekly podcast that seeks to empower queer folks to move, live and thrive abroad with interviews with relocation experts, queer expats who have successfully relocated and other organizations that give a lens on the LGBTQ+ experience in the world.

Portugal has been at the top of almost every 'Best Places to Move Abroad' list for the last several years...but is it really? 

Anything that receives so much attention can't be real... can it? Well, it just might be! If you are interested in moving to Portugal, get out your pen and paper and get ready to take some serious notes, because this is everything you need to know to move to Portugal in 2025. 

In this episode of Adventure Calls, host Jess Drucker chats with expert relocation consultant Rossana Veglia, who shares invaluable insights on successfully moving to Portugal. From visa navigation to housing and community integration, you will get to the bottom of advice from an actual expert on how to actual move to Portugal. 

Rossana Veglia is the Chief Mobility Officer at Global International Relocation, offering extensive relocation services in Portugal from offices in Porto, Lisbon, and the Algarve. Originally from Venezuela, Rossana has lived in the US, Spain, and Portugal, bringing vast personal and professional expertise in immigration and relocation. Her company supports various visa categories and helps individuals transition smoothly to life in Portugal. With a deep understanding of the visa systems and housing market, Rossana is an invaluable resource for anyone looking to move abroad.

Below are the key takeaways from this episode:

• Visa Processes: Applications take approximately 90 days, requiring thorough documentation, such as proof of financial means and accommodation.
• Housing and Moving: Post-approval, moving takes 5-8 months. Lisbon is pricier, while coastal and smaller town options like the Algarve and Silver Coast offer more affordable real estate.
• LGBTQ Inclusivity: Portugal is welcoming to LGBTQ expats, especially in Lisbon’s Príncipe Real and Bairro Alto, with active communities and inclusivity programs.
• Relocation Support: Companies like Global International Relocation offer comprehensive support, from visas to finding accommodations, with significant presence in key Portuguese cities.
• Affordability: Despite rising city costs, Portugal remains affordable for expats, with smaller towns providing a balance of cost, quality of life, and investment opportunities.

Find Rossana Veglia:

Website: https://global.pt/en/homepage-en/
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/rossanaveglia/?originalSubdomain=pt

Rainbow Relocation Strategies: 

Queer Expats Worldwide Facebook Community

Rainbow Relocation Strategies

@rainbowrelo on Instagram

Book: How To Move Abroad

Your host, Jessica Drucker, can be found online at jessicadrucker.com

The Adventure Calls podcast is a bi-weekly podcast that seeks to empower queer folks to move, live and thrive abroad with interviews with relocation experts, queer expats who have successfully relocated and other organizations that give a lens on the LGBTQ+ experience in the world.

Should we stay or should we go now? That’s the question that LGBTQ+ folks and their families have been asking over the last several months of this 2024 election cycle. If Trump wins, are we safe? And just how bad will Project 2025 be for the LGBTQ+ community if he does win?

Make no mistake about it. There is a tangible, intentional ecosystem created to scapegoat and marginalize queer folks in a quest for power from the right, says Spencer Macnaughton, our guest. Spencer is a Gracie Award-winning and Emmy-nominated journalist. He has written and produced for 60 Minutes+, The Wall Street Journal, The New York Times, Vice, Vox, Time, NBC News, The Guardian, and Rolling Stone. He is also an Adjunct Professor at New York University where he teaches a course about LGBTQ journalism. Macnaughton is now the Founder and Editor-in-Chief of Uncloseted Media, an investigative LGBTQ news publication that will launch September 3rd.

Contribute to the growth of Uncloseted Media here: https://www.paypal.com/donate/?cmd=_s-xclick&hosted_button_id=PFPHZ5CHP35TG&ssrt=1715262419710 

Below are the key takeaways from this episode:

• Project 2025: The episode highlights the Heritage Foundation's Project 2025, a document with anti-LGBTQ policies that could affect the community under a Trump administration.
• Anti-LGBTQ Legislation: There is concern over new anti-LGBTQ laws in states like Texas and Florida, which may serve as models for federal policies.
• Activism and Relocation: Jess and Spencer stress the importance of voting and activism, along with discussing the choice between staying to fight for LGBTQ rights or relocating to more progressive countries.
• Uncloseted Media Launch: Spencer announces the September 3 launch of Uncloseted Media, an LGBTQ news publication aimed at providing rigorous journalism on LGBTQ issues.

Find Spencer Macnaughton + Uncloseted Media

Instagram @unclosetedmedia 

TikTok @unclosetedmedia

X.com

Facebook

LinkedIn: Uncloseted Media

UnclosetedMedia.com

Links from the episode:
Project 2025: https://static.project2025.org/2025_MandateForLeadership_FULL.pdf

Heritage Foundation https://www.heritage.org/
Outspoken (an LGBTQ right-wing publication) https://getoutspoken.com/ 

Rainbow Relocation Strategies
90-Day Exit Strategy Cohort ( join the waitlist for our next cohort - more information coming mid September)

Queer Expats Worldwide Facebook Community
Rainbow Relocation Strategies
@rainbowrelo on Instagram
Book: How To Move Abroad 

Your host, Jessica Drucker, can be found online at jessicadrucker.com

The Adventure Calls podcast is a bi-weekly podcast that seeks to empower queer folks to move, live and thrive abroad with interviews with relocation experts, queer expats and other organizations that give a lens on the LGBTQ+ experience in the world.

In this solo episode, Jess pulls back the curtain on Rainbow Relocation Strategies, sharing her personal journey and passion for empowering queer folks to thrive abroad. Discover the vision behind creating a global, supportive community and learn about a unique opportunity to join the first-ever expat cohort launching this August.

Key takeaways from today's episode:

• Community Focus: Jess emphasizes the importance of building a supportive and empowering community for queer expats through Rainbow Relocation Strategies and the Queer Expats Worldwide Facebook group.
• Specialized Support: Jess outlines her decision to focus on working with queer clients and corporations to address the unique needs of LGBTQ individuals relocating abroad, highlighting the gaps in knowledge and support from traditional corporate relocation services.
• Challenges and Advocacy: The episode discusses the unique challenges queer individuals face when moving abroad, including discriminatory practices and lack of support, illustrated by a high-level employee's experience.
• 90-Day Exit Strategy Program: Jess introduces the first-ever cohort of a 90-day program designed to help future queer expats plan their move abroad, providing hands-on coaching, community support, and actionable tasks. Book now to start August 7th, 2024 and finish just ONE day before the US election.
• Vision for the Future: Jess shares her broader vision for the future of Rainbow Relocation Strategies, aiming to create global pathways and networks for queer individuals, enabling them to thrive in an interconnected world shaped by global mobility and interdependence.

Links mentioned in the podcast:

[time sensitive] 90-Day Exit Strategy Cohort (by August 7th or waitlist!)

Queer Expats Worldwide Community
Rainbow Relocation Strategies
@rainbowrelo on Instagram
Book: How To Move Abroad 

Your host, Jessica Drucker, can be found online at jessicadrucker.com

The Adventure Calls podcast is a bi-weekly podcast that seeks to empower queer folks to move, live and thrive abroad with interviews with relocation experts, queer expats and other organizations that give a lens on the LGBTQ+ experience in the world.

In this episode of Adventure Calls, host Jess Drucker sits down with Ivonne Paavan, founder of Host Relocation, to uncover the reality of safety and acceptance for LGBTQ+ expats and the local community in Mexico. 

Discover why more Americans are choosing to relocate south of the border and how Ivonne's expert insights can make your move seamless and stress-free. Jess and Ivonne discuss the realities of life in Mexico, from safety, the actual cost of living, the importance of learning Spanish how to get a visa to Mexico, what schools children can attend, what part of Mexico to move to, and more. 

We talk about life in cities like, Mexico City, Queretaro, Puerto Vallarta, Cancun
Playa del Carmen, Monterrey and Guadalajara. 

Below are the key takeaways from this episode:

• Safety for the LGBTQ Community: Mexico offers significant safety and acceptance for LGBTQ individuals, sometimes even more so than in the US.
• Comprehensive Relocation Services: Host Relocation Mexico provides a range of services including residency, housing, and multicultural training to facilitate smooth transitions for expats.
• Learning Spanish: Adapting to life in Mexico is easier with Spanish proficiency, and Host Relocation offers pre-departure Spanish classes via Zoom.
• Cost of Living: Although gentrification has raised prices, the cost of living in Mexico generally remains lower than in the US, particularly for dining and entertainment.

About Ivonne Paavan + Host Relocation
Ivonne Paavan is the founder of Host Relocation, a leading relocation company based in Querétaro, Mexico with teams in all major areas of the country. With a wealth of experience working with international companies, Ivonne understands the unique challenges faced by expats. Her company offers comprehensive services, including residency, housing, and multicultural training, to ensure a smooth transition to life in Mexico. Ivonne is committed to making sure all clients, particularly those in the LGBTQ community, feel safe and supported in their new home.

Host Relocation Introduction Visa video:  https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=z2gSwIsFabU&t=30s
Website: https://hostrelocation.com.mx
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/hostrelocation
YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@hostrelocationmexico

Rainbow Relocation Strategies

The Adventure Calls podcast is brought to you by Jess Drucker and the Rainbow Relocation Strategies team, the first and only LGBTQ+ centered company focused on creating international relocation strategy for those look to take the leap and follow their call to adventure.

Website: www.rainbowrelo.com
Website: Jessicadrucker.com
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/rainbowrelo
Book: How To Move Abroad 

The Adventure Calls podcast is a bi-weekly podcast that seeks to empower queer folks to move, live and thrive abroad with interviews with relocation experts, queer expats who have successfully relocated and other organizations that give a lens on the LGBTQ+ experience in the world.

In part two of our interview with Hannah Dixon, we welcome back Hannah Dixon, a queer, British-American digital nomad currently based in Mexico. In this episode, we discuss her journey to becoming the founder of Digital Nomad Kit and her Virtual Excellence Academy - and why becoming a Virtual Assistant is a way for people to gain location independence and live anywhere. 

With a background in virtual assistance, she has successfully trained 30,000 people in 150 countries and transitioned to a focus on teaching and recruitment. 

Hannah has also recently founded Rainbow Remote, an initiative celebrating queer people in business and entrepreneurship, and she is dedicated to building inclusive communities and supporting individuals in living flexible, location-independent lives.

Below are the key takeaways from this episode:

• Entrepreneurial Freedom: Dixon emphasized the freedom to change various aspects of life that entrepreneurship provides.
• Community Building Challenges: She discussed the difficulties of building an online community on LinkedIn and is considering a return to Facebook for better engagement.
• Virtual Assistant Training: Through Digital Nomad Kit, Hannah has trained over 30,000 virtual assistants globally, highlighting the benefits of remote work.

Hannah Dixon

Instagram: @digitalnomadkit
LinkedIn: Hannah Dixon
Digital Nomad Kit Website 

Rainbow Relocation Strategies

The Adventure Calls podcast is brought to you by Rainbow Relocation Strategies, the first and only LGBTQ+ centered company focused on creating your international relocation strategy for when you're ready to move abroad.

Rainbow Relocation Website
Instagram: @rainbowrelo

Jessica Drucker can be found online at:

Jessicadrucker.com
Book: How To Move Abroad
Shop: JessicaDrucker.com/Shop

The Adventure Calls podcast is a bi-weekly podcast that seeks to empower queer folks to move, live and thrive abroad with interviews with relocation experts, queer expats who have successfully relocated and other organizations that give a lens on the LGBTQ+ experience in the world.

In this episode of  the Adventure Calls podcast, Hannah Dixon takes us through her journey of becoming a digital nomad and online entrepreneur, to her life in Thailand, Italy and currently as an official permanent resident in Mexico. Discover her insights on obtaining residency and the resilience needed to thrive abroad.

Hannah Dixon is a Business Coach, Recruiter, and the creator of The Virtual Excellence Academy, a leading program and diverse global community that has honed the skills and confidence of over 30,000 virtual assistants. Committed to ethical hiring practices, she also provides VIP recruitment services. Hannah views freelancing and self-leadership as potent tools for social change, empowering anyone, anywhere, to unlock potential and create life-changing opportunities. She collaborates with NGOs and governments to ensure her training reaches those who need it most. As a 16-year digital nomad, she speaks internationally, demonstrating progressive business and lifestyle approaches, and powerfully compelling audiences to action.

Below are the key takeaways from this episode:

• Relocation to Mexico: Hannah and her wife moved to Mexico, where they successfully obtained residency and found a supportive community, emphasizing the crucial role of feeling safe and welcome as a queer couple.
• Why Hannah became an entrepreneur: As a seasoned digital nomad, Hannah went from jobbing to becoming a business founder of Digital Nomad Kit and the Virtual Excellence Academy, training aspiring virtual assistants and freelancers, and shared her extensive travel experiences across over 60 countries.

Find Hannah Dixon:

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/digitalnomadkit/
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/dixonhannah/
Digital Nomad Kit: https://digitalnomadkit.com/

Rainbow Relocation Strategies

The Adventure Calls podcast is brought to you by Rainbow Relocation Strategies, the first and only LGBTQ+ centered company focused on creating your international relocation strategy for when you're ready to move abroad.

Website: www.rainbowrelo.com

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/rainbowrelo

Your host, Jessica Drucker, can be found online at:

Jessicadrucker.com

Book: How To Move Abroad 

Guide: Adventure Calls Global Relocation Guide

The Adventure Calls podcast is a bi-weekly podcast that seeks to empower queer folks to move, live and thrive abroad with interviews with relocation experts, queer expats who have successfully relocated and other organizations that give a lens on the LGBTQ+ experience in the world.

Happy Pride, y'all! It's important to remember that Pride  is a protest, first and foremost. In this powerful episode, Latoya Nugent shares her emotional journey from renown LGBTQ+ advocacy in Jamaica to finding safety in Canada through Rainbow Railroad. (Latoya's interview starts at 9:59). 

Latoya Nugent is the Head of Engagement at Rainbow Railroad. Originally from Jamaica and currently residing in Toronto, Canada, Latoya was relocated from her home country due to the threatening environment created by her queer, feminist activism. In Jamaica, the legislative framework and societal attitudes lead to widespread violence, persecution, and discrimination against the LGBTQ+ community. Now, in Toronto, Latoya continues her work advocating for and supporting LGBTQ+ rights on a global scale with Rainbow Railroad.

(Donate to the Solidarity In Pride fundraising effort here)

Below are the key takeaways from this episode:

• Rainbow Railroad's Impact: The episode highlights Rainbow Railroad’s vital role in helping LGBTQ+ individuals from countries that criminalize being LGBTQ+, and their ongoing efforts to support those in need of international relocation and domestic resettlement.
• Navigating Legislation and Relocation: Latoya Nugent discusses the varying degrees of acceptance and legal support for LGBTQA+ people across the US and how anti-trans laws are prompting relocations within the country and to places like Canada.
• Latoya's Advocacy in Jamaica: Latoya shares her work in Jamaica, organizing pride events and advocating for LGBTQ+ visibility, despite facing significant legal and social challenges.
• Community and Financial Support: Emphasis is placed on the necessity for both financial contributions and volunteer efforts to support the resettlement and integration of LGBTQ+ refugees, including Rainbow Railroad's current fundraising goals. 

Find Rainbow Railroad + Latoya online

Rainbow Railroad: www.rainbowrailroad.org
Solidarity In Pride Fundraising Campaign ($2million goal this June)
Volunteer with Rainbow Railroad
Latoya’s story https://youtu.be/R7XnmT7X2UA

Rainbow Relocation Strategies
The Adventure Calls podcast is brought to you by Rainbow Relocation Strategies, the first and only LGBTQ+ centered company empowering queer folks and their families to move, live and thrive abroad. 

Rainbow Relocation Strategies www.rainbowrelo.com
Instagram: @rainbowrelo
Community: Queer Expats Facebook Group
Book: How To Move Abroad
Host: Jessicadrucker.com

The Adventure Calls podcast is a bi-weekly podcast that seeks to empower queer folks to move, live and thrive abroad with interviews with relocation experts, queer expats who have successfully relocated and other organizations that give a lens on the LGBTQ+ experience in the world. 

Ever been in a new town or city and wondered where all the queers are? Charlie Sprinkman is here to help us with that!

On this episode of the Adventure Calls podcast, we talk to the founder of the world's first interactive map that catalogs LGBTQ+ owned businesses around the world - 12,500 are listed so far, and counting! 

 Learn how Charlie Sprinkman’s job visiting 47 out of 50 states in 2019 kicked off this sneaking suspicion that there are queer folks and queer-owned businesses to be found everywhere, and how his move to Oregon allowed him to create the popular Everywhere Is Queer website and app, whose exponential growth has brought on over 12,500 listings around the world on the site. Charlie has filled such a need that we didn’t know we could have. App downloads hit over 75,000 in the first nine weeks with $0 spent in marketing.

Below are the key takeaways from this episode:

• Community Growth and Sustainability: Charlie Sprinkman discusses the impressive growth of the Everywhere Queer app, which had 75,000 downloads in just 9 weeks, and his goal to build a sustainable job while preventing burnout by 2024.
• Income Generation and Future Plans: The app generates revenue through premium listings and Instagram partnerships. Charlie is exploring funding, donations, and merchandise sales to support the venture.
• Supporting Queer-Owned Businesses: The Everywhere is Queer platform now has over 12,000 listings globally, with specific categories for nonprofits and local community groups, supporting the visibility and viability of queer-owned businesses worldwide.
• Personal and Professional Journey: Charlie Sprinkman shares his personal experience of coming out in a conservative small town environment and his professional background, which includes extensive travel and a passion for connecting with queer communities.
• Empowering the Queer Community Abroad: Jess and Charlie discuss how the platform helps queer individuals and their families find community and safe spaces when relocating, reinforcing the essential role of community support in thriving abroad.

For all of you looking to find queer community in your move abroad, this resource is becoming a priceless tool for you.

Find Charlie Sprinkman:

Website: everywhereisqueer.com
Shop: everywhereisqueer.com/shop
TikTok: @everywhereisqueer 
Instagram: @everywhereisqueer

Brought to you by Rainbow Relocation Strategies
The Adventure Calls podcast is brought to you by Rainbow Relocation Strategies, the first and only LGBTQ+ centered company focused on creating your international relocation strategy for when you're ready to move abroad. 

Website: www.rainbowrelo.com
Instagram: @rainbowrelo

The Adventure Calls podcast host, Jessica Drucker, can be found online at:

Website: Jessicadrucker.com
Book: How To Move Abroad
Guide: Global Relocation Guide