The Bittersweet Life

Do Americans need more positive feedback than the French? French expat Sabine explains the communication issues she and her American husband face. She also explains why her French friends sometimes feel sorry for her and what she makes of the 2nd amendment given all the mass shootings in America. Would you trade Paris for New Orleans? For Sabine, living in NOLA is like taking a tropical vacation - well, some of the time.

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You would think living in Rome would be fantastic but "Rome squashes some of my joy" co-host Tiffany Parks says in this episode.

Over in New Orleans, co-host Katy Sewall keeps encountering local residents claiming they're able to be more their authentic selves in The Big Easy. This has Katy questioning the influence of her long-time Seattle hometown.

Can moving to a new place make you... well, more YOU? Are frequent travelers searching for a place where they their most authentic? Have you moved and discovered a richer, more authentic personal life? If so, tell us in the comments or through social media.

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NEW TO THE SHOW? Don't be afraid to start with Episode 1:OUTSET

SPONSOR: Reach thousands of expats and travelers all over the world by sponsoring The Bittersweet Life. Write the at [email protected] to get the conversation going.

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Does life have any meaning? What is the purpose of living? If you are asking these questions, you might be experiencing an existential crisis.

To tackle grief, loss and these huge life questions, New Orleans writer Anne Gisleson formed the Existential Crisis Reading Group. Along the way, the book group discovered writers like Dante, James Joyce, Franz Kafka and Clarice Lispector. They even creatively reenacted the Stations of the Cross.

Anne's book The Futilitarians: Our Year Thinking, Drinking, Grieving, and Reading explores the grief of losing two younger siblings to suicide, as well as the beloved father who forbid writing about their deaths before his own. It is a deep, beautifully written book.

While reading, host Katy Sewall really latched onto one quote by the Greek philosopher Epicurus writing about death.

He wrote:

Against all other things it is possible to obtain security, but when it comes to death we human beings all live in an unwalled city.

Anne Gisleson invited Katy into her Bywater, New Orleans home to discuss life, death, and how we make meaning along the way.

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Hurricane Nate missed New Orleans in October, but being in it's path brought about both fear and cultural revelation for new resident - our host Katy Sewall. It also brought about an unexpected interview with BBC radio.

• BBC Radio 5 Live
• Katy's most famous BBC News article: The girl who gets gifts from birds

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SPONSOR: Reach thousands of expats and travelers all over the world by sponsoring The Bittersweet Life. Write the at [email protected] to get the conversation going.

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Mortician Caitlin Doughty joins us to talk about death practices around the world. Discover where you'd like to die and what countries deal with mortality best.

• Caitlin Doughty Homepage
• The Order of the Good Death

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SPONSOR: Reach thousands of expats and travelers all over the world by sponsoring The Bittersweet Life. Write the at [email protected] to get the conversation going.

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Sad days after Tiffany's father dies. She struggles with the guilt many expats feel about being far away and not seeing him as much as she might have if she lived closer.

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SPONSOR: Reach thousands of expats and travelers all over the world by sponsoring The Bittersweet Life. Write the at [email protected] to get the conversation going.

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Visit New Orleans with us! Host Katy moves into her new (temporary) home and discovers crime, a muggy heat and a great dance partner.

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SPONSOR: Reach thousands of expats and travelers all over the world by sponsoring The Bittersweet Life. Write the at [email protected] to get the conversation going.

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Jorge Moreno, beloved bartender from the reality show Bachelor in Paradise, gives us a behind-the-scenes look at the show and explains how expats can accidentally ruin a town they love.

• Book a Tour with Jorge! Nayarit Uncovered

Follow him on Facebook, YouTube, Instagram, Twitter and Trip Advisor

NEVER HEARD THE SHOW? Don't be afraid to start with Episode 1:OUTSET

SPONSOR: Reach thousands of expats and travelers all over the world by sponsoring The Bittersweet Life. Write the at [email protected] to get the conversation going.

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When expat Sara Sullivan's baby got sick in Botswana, a medical transfer by private jet was required. What was that like? And what is it like to be able to afford a level of medical care that local residents can't?

• Outland-ish: Honest Tales from Overseas by Sara Sullivan

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SPONSOR: Reach thousands of expats and travelers all over the world by sponsoring The Bittersweet Life. Write the at [email protected] to get the conversation going.

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Mongol Rally participants drive from London to Mongolia at their own pace and their own peril. Radio Producer Scott Gurian survived the 11,000 mile journey in his tiny, 1 liter car and joins us to talk about it.

• Far from Home podcast homepage
• Sign up for the Mongol Rally

NEVER HEARD THE SHOW? Don't be afraid to start with Episode 1:OUTSET

SPONSOR: Reach thousands of expats and travelers all over the world by sponsoring The Bittersweet Life. Write the at [email protected] to get the conversation going.

JOIN THE CONVERSATION

Connect with us on Twitter, Facebook or write us @ [email protected].

©Web and show content can only be used with written permission.