Fleeing Russia. Starting over in a new country is hard enough — doing it under pressure comes with a cost most people never talk about.

In this episode, I sit down with Anna and Sergey as they share the story of fleeing Russia with only three days’ notice and seeking asylum in the United States. Their journey is raw, emotional, and full of moments that reveal what relocation really feels like when it isn’t a choice but a necessity.

We talk about:

• the emotional shock of leaving everything behind overnight
• how legal migration can still feel unpredictable and unsafe
• the resilience it takes to rebuild a life from scratch after separation.

A reminder that behind every immigration headline is a human being trying to survive, adapt, and hold onto hope.

If this episode opened your eyes to the emotional side of relocation, follow the show and leave a quick review. It helps more women find these conversations when they need them most.

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Sometimes the bravest thing you can do as an expat is admit that you’re ready to go home.

In this episode, I share the story of a friend who, after twenty years in the USA, realized she was done pushing through corporate pressure, cultural exhaustion, and the constant feeling of being “the different one.” Her decision to return to England wasn’t about giving up — it was about choosing a life that finally matched her values.

I talk about:
the cultural pull that never really goes away
the emotional cost of staying somewhere that no longer fits

I also share a few gentle tips for transitioning home with intention — from planning your timeline to letting go of what no longer belongs in your next chapter.

If you’ve ever wondered whether it’s time to return to your country of origin, this episode will help you listen to the part of you that already knows the answer.

If this episode made you think about your own next chapter, follow the show and leave a quick review. It helps more women find these conversations when they need them most.

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How do you rebuild an entire life from zero—no job, no family, no network—after fleeing a country you can never return to?

If you’re an expat woman trying to feel grounded, connected, or at home in the USA, this episode reveals the real emotional, practical, and spiritual challenges that come with starting over—and the one element that makes the transition radically easier.

You are going to discover

• How genuine community can dissolve fear, isolation, and the emotional weight of starting over.
• The powerful mindset shift that helps you integrate faster, build support, and feel like you truly belong.

Press play now to learn how to build the kind of community that transforms survival into belonging and turns your new country into a real home.

Here is a podcast about courage—the courage to transform your life and to tell your own story. Here, we dive into the journeys of expat / immigrant women who've left their countries of origin for adventure or the American dream. Together, we explore the ache of homesickness, the challenge of cultural differences, and the search for identity—while sharing practical tips and inspiring success stories. This isn't just about living overseas. It's about finding resilience, purpose, and belonging. It's creating a home wherever you are. This is your space to learn, connect, and gather tools to navigate the emotional cost of building a life in the USA.

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When you’ve tried the meetups, the coffee chats, the parent groups, the playground conversations… and still feel unseen

This episode is for every expat and immigrant woman who has ever wondered, “Is it me?”

 It’s not you. It’s the journey.

 This episode will help you:

• Release assumptions about who your friends “should” be
• Recognize red flags and protect your emotional energy
• Cast your net wider with intention
• Stay open to the people who can genuinely feed your spirit
• Understand that friendship is a mutual gift, not something to chase

In this episode, I walk you through the process of redefining friendship on your own terms as an expat woman in America.
You’ll hear how I cast my net wide — church for spiritual nourishment, pro bono work for intellectual stimulation, a post‑grad course for cultural diversity, shared workspaces for unexpected joy.

Each space fed a different part of me. Each one lifted the loneliness a little more.
And slowly, I found my people — beautifully varied in race, origin, language, and spirit. People who weren’t fascinated by my accent or my background, but who were simply interested in a fellow soul.

Listen now if you’re navigating friendship as an expat or immigrant woman in the USA and feeling discouraged.
 

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re you an expat woman struggling to make real friendships in America, feeling out of place, or wondering if you need to change who you are just to belong?

Dasha moved to the USA from Russia for love. She landed in Lubbock, Texas. In this episode, she shares her journey from small-town rejection to finding meaningful connections in San Francisco. Her story shows that the expat experience touches all of us—no matter where we come from. What matters most is having the strategies and tools to work through it.

You’ll discover:

• How cultural expectations in the U.S. shape friendship-building—and why intentionality matters more here than anywhere else
• Why therapy can be a critical tool for navigating identity loss, culture shock, and the emotional cost of starting over

Press play to discover the mindset shifts and practical insights every expat woman needs to create community, connection, and a true sense of home in the United States.

Share your own migration story or feedback: [email protected]

Here is a podcast about courage—the courage to transform your life and to tell your own story. Here, we dive into the journeys of expat / immigrant women who've left their countries of origin for adventure or the American dream. Together, we explore the ache of homesickness, the challenge of cultural differences, and the search for identity—while sharing practical tips and inspiring success stories. This isn't just about living overseas. It's about finding resilience, purpose, and belonging. It's creating a home wherever you are. This is your space to learn, connect, and gather tools to navigate the emotional cost of building a life in the USA.

https://www.instagram.com/placeswecallhomepod

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Done with shallow interactions or unsure how to build real connection? You’re not alone. 

How do you become part of the  social circle when you keep getting the cold shoulder, where friendship isn’t spontaneous, and emotional safety isn’t guaranteed?

This episode unpacks what’s really behind the struggle—and how to bridge the cultural gap with clarity and courage.

You’ll walk away with three things:

• Key cultural insights into how Americans form adult friendships—and how to use that knowledge to connect more easily
• Simple, actionable ways to meet people through volunteering, routines, and community spaces that feel natural and authentic
• Mindset shifts to help you release self-blame, embrace patience, and build friendships that actually last

Press play for tips and tools to try. 

Share your own migration story or feedback: [email protected]

Here is a podcast about courage—the courage to transform your life and to tell your own story. Here, we dive into the journeys of expat / immigrant women who've left their countries of origin for adventure or the American dream. Together, we explore the ache of homesickness, the challenge of cultural differences, and the search for identity—while sharing practical tips and inspiring success stories. This isn't just about living overseas. It's about finding resilience, purpose, and belonging. It's creating a home wherever you are. This is your space to learn, connect, and gather tools to navigate the emotional cost of building a life in the USA.

https://www.instagram.com/placeswecallhomepod

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Wondering where to find the kind of female friendships that actually feed your soul?

You’re not wrong for craving more than surface-level connection. We're talking about loneliness, cultural shifts, and the quiet ache of being unknown in a new country.

Forming meaningful friendships can feel like a second full-time job. 

You’ll walk away with:

• Science-backed reasons why female friendships improve mental health, reduce stress, and protect your wellbeing
• A practical first step to identify the kind of friendship you actually need—so you stop wasting energy on groups that don’t nourish you
• Actionable tips and rituals to start building mutual, vulnerable connections in the USA—based on what’s worked for other expat women

Press play for a mini-roadmap to finding and nurturing female friendships in the USA—so you can feel seen, supported, and less alone.

Here is a podcast about courage—the courage to transform your life and to tell your own story. Here, we dive into the journeys of expat / immigrant women who've left their countries of origin for adventure or the American dream. Together, we explore the ache of homesickness, the challenge of cultural differences, and the search for identity—while sharing practical tips and inspiring success stories. This isn't just about living overseas. It's about finding resilience, purpose, and belonging. It's creating a home wherever you are. This is your space to learn, connect, and gather tools to navigate the emotional cost of building a life in the USA.

https://www.instagram.com/placeswecallhomepod

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What if I fail? What if I don’t belong? 

Are these questions keeping you from moving abroad for the life you dream of?

This episode is your expat woman’s masterclass on moving abroad without letting fear win. Host Yolanda shares real experiences and what helped her prepare for a new life in the USA.

If you can’t shake your own fears or answer the “How are you going to make it work?” questions from well-meaning friends, this one is for you.

Press play to uncover the unfiltered truth about forging a new identity as an expat or immigrant—and gain the insights you need to thrive emotionally and mentally in your journey to the U.S.

Email [email protected].

Here is a podcast about courage—the courage to transform your life and to tell your own story. Here, we dive into the journeys of expat / immigrant women who've left their countries of origin for adventure or the American dream. Together, we explore the ache of homesickness, the challenge of cultural differences, and the search for identity—while sharing practical tips and inspiring success stories. This isn't just about living overseas. It's about finding resilience, purpose, and belonging. It's creating a home wherever you are. This is your space to learn, connect, and gather tools to navigate the emotional cost of building a life in the USA.

https://www.instagram.com/placeswecallhomepod

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Hands up if you want to stay stuck in a job you hate, with dreams unfulfilled! 

No soul wants that. We want to succeed. We want adventure, to be seen, heard, felt. We want purpose, love. And most of all, we want to be remembered. 

I'm sitting down with guest and new friend, Samira Kawar, who left Jordan when there were no universities, and political unrest in neighboring countries cut short a bright, ambitious girl's vision. 

Her connections brought her to the USA but it was her talents and tenacity that took this expat woman to palaces.  

Press play for wisdom and insight. 

• Hear how education and integrity can change your destiny
• For a life with no regrets, choose passion over practicality. 

Here is a podcast about courage—the courage to transform your life and to tell your own story. Here, we dive into the journeys of expat / immigrant women who've left their countries of origin for adventure or the American dream. Together, we explore the ache of homesickness, the challenge of cultural differences, and the search for identity—while sharing practical tips and inspiring success stories. This isn't just about living overseas. It's about finding resilience, purpose, and belonging. It's creating a home wherever you are. This is your space to learn, connect, and gather tools to navigate the emotional cost of building a life in the USA.

https://www.instagram.com/placeswecallhomepod

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Why does starting over hurt so much when you move abroad? 

Dive into the emotional truth behind relocation and how expat women can turn that pain into personal growth, confidence, and belonging.

If you’ve ever relocated, battled homesickness, or struggled to find your place in a new culture, this episode speaks directly to you. 

Drawing insights from the 2024 Global Expat Survey, host Yolanda reveals how expat women in the USA and around the world can transform the challenges of cultural adaptation, identity shifts, and relocation stress into opportunities for reinvention and leadership.

you’ll learn:

• The real reason starting over abroad hurts — and why that pain means you’re growing.
• How expat women find purpose, joy, and belonging after moving overseas.
• Why relocation is not a loss, but a portal to empowerment and legacy-building.

 Download now.

To share your own migration story or feedback email  [email protected] 

This compelling podcast dives into Expat and immigrant women (and men) stories. Those who immigrate to the USA, tackling the struggles of homesickness, identity crisis, and culture shock in the USA while adjusting to expat life and navigating cultural differences. Through conversations on starting over, reinventing yourself, and finding purpose, it highlights success stories of women's tenacity, and the resilience of expats in the USA. It offers insights into bicultural identity, language barriers, and the challenges of living overseas. The podcast emphasizes the importance of a strong support system and wellbeing for women in pursuit of the American dream.

https://www.instagram.com/placeswecallhomepod