You know? I'd say that this pod episode is one where I reflect in real-time on the journey of self-discovery and creativity while living in Italy for the past (nearly) two years.

Without overthinking the share, I just sat down and turned on the mic and let things flow. If you feel like hearing a bit of the challenge I face with starting new projects or actually listening to everything the gurus and coaches have told me over the years - this one might be for you.

I'm reminded of how important it is to follow my own alignment (which is to follow my excitement) and shared a bit about anew project I'm in the midst of! (And it's one I'm SOO excited about) I'll be sharing more about that here with you soon!

xoxo

laura

Chapters

00:00 The Journey to Starting a Podcast

02:49 Embracing Excitement and Overcoming Overwhelm

05:42 Listening to Your Own Voice

08:57 The Power of Journaling and Self-Reflection

11:51 Creative Projects and Following Excitement

14:38 Living in Italy: Grounding and Adventure

18:01 The Birth of a Children's Book Series

20:51 Weekly Souvenirs and Future Aspirations

podcast, Italy, self-discovery, creativity, children's books, personal growth, excitement, journaling, life lessons, storytelling

Cycles that repeat, friendships that heal, and what life in Italy is really teaching me.

A new little Series inside WMTI - Learning to Local: Episode 1

When we moved to Italy, I thought I’d be sharing about my big adventures here every week. Instead, this past year has looked very different — quieter, slower, more internal. As it turns out, that makes sense: I’ve been living through my 12th house profection year, a season in astrology that’s all about retreat, reflection, and preparing for what comes next.

In this episode, I share a bit about how that cycle has shaped my life here in Florence — from pausing travel to finding unexpected community in our neighborhood, to the gift of a deep friendship with my 88‑year‑old bestie, Giovanna. What started as 'we moved to Italy, now what? ' has really become 'we live in Italy, now what?' And for me, the answer has been: pay attention.

This is the first episode of the new series I’m calling Learning to Local — snapshots of the hidden, everyday moments that shift how we see ourselves and the season we’re in.

If you’ve ever felt like you “should” be doing more but life is asking you to go inward, or if you’re curious about how astrology can frame the season you’re in, I think you’ll find something here.

A presto :)

xo

laura

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And in case you're curious now about what I mentioned in the episode, here's a super brief, cheat-sheet style recap of the

12 Profection Years with Ages and Themes:

1st house: ages 0, 12, 24, 36, 48, 60, 72, 84 — self, body, identity, beginnings
2nd house: ages 1, 13, 25, 37, 49, 61, 73, 85 — money, resources, self-worth
3rd house: ages 2, 14, 26, 38, 50, 62, 74, 86 — communication, siblings, local life
4th house: ages 3, 15, 27, 39, 51, 63, 75, 87 — home, family, roots
5th house: ages 4, 16, 28, 40, 52, 64, 76, 88 — creativity, pleasure, romance
6th house: ages 5, 17, 29, 41, 53, 65, 77, 89 — daily work, health, routines
7th house: ages 6, 18, 30, 42, 54, 66, 78, 90 — relationships, partnerships
8th house: ages 7, 19, 31, 43, 55, 67, 79, 91 — shared resources, intimacy, transformation
9th house: ages 8, 20, 32, 44, 56, 68, 80, 92 — travel, study, beliefs, expansion
10th house: ages 9, 21, 33, 45, 57, 69, 81, 93 — career, reputation, public role
11th house: ages 10, 22, 34, 46, 58, 70, 82, 94 — friendships, groups, hopes
12th house: ages 11, 23, 35, 47, 59, 71, 83, 95 — rest, retreat, hidden matters

p.s. they all go WAY deeper than this, but at least this gives you a start to see what year you're living now :)

Hi friends, heads up! There's no intro music on this one - because in this episode, Laura jumps right into it and shares her journey of starting a podcast while living in Italy. From figuring out her identity in a new country to sharing everyday stories and experiences, Laura opens up about the real-life challenges and joys of podcasting. Whether it's a funny encounter or a personal insight, she invites you to join her in this honest and relatable exploration of life and storytelling. Whether you're a seasoned podcaster or just curious about the art of storytelling, this episode is perfect for anyone curious about starting a podcast or just looking for a genuine connection. Don't miss out on this heartfelt exploration of life, growth, and the power of sharing stories.

So happy to have you here!

Ready for a laugh?! Bc nothing says 'we're back' like a little unexpected guest episode!

We're kicking off this Spring season with some good laughs and life in Italy updates. And *SURPRISE!* I brought Andrés on to talk about his hilarious recent experience with driver's ed (spoiler: it's as chaotic as you'd imagine).

I also share a quick catch-up on what I've been up to, to get back into the storytelling mode! We're back to stayyy! Here's to fresh starts, fun convos, and more episodes coming your way soon!

Thanks for being here -- I missed you!

And if you enjoyed this episode, please subscribe to follow along! Would be honored to have you with me as this sweet little journey unfolds in real time.

:) your amica,

Laura

Welcome (back) to the soft relaunch of the podcast!

After an unexpected five-month pause, I'm returning with a new energy, a new mini-series called Local Letters, and a deeper commitment to showing up imperfectly.
This episode is raw, heart-led, and completely unfiltered—no intro, no outro, just me and you.
I'm sharing the messy, honest journey of learning how to express myself without getting tangled in perfectionism, comparison, and performance. I even share a story I've never told about how self-doubt once led me to accidentally build an entire business.

So - if you've ever felt like you have to have it all figured out before you can be seen, this one's for you.

Timestamps:

• [00:00] - A soft hello and an honest return

• [01:30] - Why I ghosted and why I'm not mad about it

• [03:45] - Letting it be messy: chit chat over performance

• [06:20] - The trap of self-editing and comparison

• [08:10] - Introducing Local Letters: sharing the internal shifts

• [10:45] - How perfectionism keeps sneaking in (even now)

• [13:20] - A little story about turning an identity crisis into a business

• [16:00] - How past patterns shaped my creative life

• [17:50] - Why showing up imperfectly still feels scary—but worth it

• [19:15] - How learning my astrology chart helped me love my patterns

A hilariously unexpected mystery involving a missing name tag, a (possibly) passive-aggressive neighbor, and one slightly dramatic rosemary plant heist.

Beyond the comedy, this episode dives into deeper lessons about life lived abroad: the charm of imperfection, the unspoken rules of a place, and how small, awkward moments shape the journey of belonging.

Tune in for reflections on fumbling through cultural nuances, learning to laugh at yourself, and finding connection in unexpected ways.

Episode Chapter Markers

If you enjoyed this episode, please subscribe to follow along!

And please, comment below to let me know what part of this story resonated most with you or what you’d like to hear about next.

Thanks for listening, and happy holidays from Italy! 🍋

:) your pal,

Laura

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p.s. have your own neighbor mystery or cultural misstep? Share it with us! Hearing your stories makes creating this show even more fun.

Reach us via [[email protected]].

It's not just about moving... it's about learning to live.

We moved to Italy... now what? In this very first episode of We Moved to Italy, Now What, host Laura unpacks what it really means to build a life in a new country. From navigating cultural differences to wondering who she even is there, it’s been a humbling and exciting journey—complete with small wins like befriending her local barista and her adopted Florentine Nonno.

She shares what it’s like moving beyond survival mode, how everyday moments (like choosing pasta sauce) can spark unexpected self-reflection, and why starting this podcast is her way of saying yes to imperfection.

Whether you’re dreaming of a big move, finding your own 'now what' moment, or just want to hang out and hear a friend’s story, welcome. We’re all figuring it out together, one step at a time.

Episode Chapter Markers

• ​0:00–0:53: "We moved to Italy… now what?" Intro and why this podcast exists.
• ​0:54–2:03: Moving abroad and the mirror it holds up to your beliefs.
• ​2:04–4:00: The reality of navigating life in a new culture: small wins, big lessons.
• ​4:01–5:30: Stories from the first year: finding housing, making friends, and Florentine challenges.
• ​5:31–7:00: The transition from survival mode to truly living.
• ​7:01–8:45: Small moments of belonging—baristas, farmers' markets, and a Florentine Nonno.
• ​8:46–9:34: Why this podcast is imperfect and why that’s okay.
• ​9:36–End: Closing thoughts: showing up messy, dreaming big, and taking the next steps.

If you enjoyed this episode, subscribe to follow along!

And please, comment below to let me know what part of this story resonated most with you or what you’d like to hear about next.

:) your pal,

Laura