Podcast appearances and mentions of tiffany parks

A number of years back, expat podcast Expat Sandwich produced a documentary episode all about... us! As we prepare to launch our 12th season (can you believe it?), we've decided to air the episode in its entirety here on our show. According to Expat Sandwich's show notes for the episode, "Veteran public radio producer Katy Sewall and writer Tiffany Parks have been friends since the sixth grade. Together they host The Bittersweet Life, a podcast they created four years ago when Katy spent a year in living in Rome, and where Tiffany has lived for the last thirteen years. "Their conversational podcast is NOT short on substance by any means—they take deep dives into some pretty emotional terrain on universal topics such as joy, loneliness, heartbreak, relationships and much more, as events unfold in their daily lives. In this episode, we share some of our favorite shows from their podcast as well as learn more about Katy and Tiffany—where they've been and what lies ahead." If you're a relatively new listener and the clips shared on this compilation are unfamiliar to you, take it as a suggestion to dig back into the archives for our early shows—or maybe even start all the way back at Episode One. You can find the original Expat Sandwich episode here. ------------------------------------- ADVERTISE WITH US: Reach expats, future expats, and travelers all over the world. Send us an email to get the conversation started. BECOME A PATRON: Pledge your monthly support of The Bittersweet Life and receive awesome prizes in return for your generosity! Visit our Patreon site to find out more. TIP YOUR PODCASTER: Say thanks with a one-time donation to the podcast hosts you know and love. Click here to send financial support via PayPal. (You can also find a Donate button on the desktop version of our website.) The show needs your support to continue. START PODCASTING: If you are planning to start your own podcast, consider Libsyn for your hosting service! Use this affliliate link to get two months free, or use our promo code SWEET when you sign up. SUBSCRIBE: Subscribe to the podcast to make sure you never miss an episode. Click here to find us on a variety of podcast apps. WRITE A REVIEW: Leave us a rating and a written review on iTunes so more listeners can find us. JOIN THE CONVERSATION: If you have a question or a topic you want us to address, send us an email here. You can also connect to us through Twitter, Facebook, and Instagram. Tag #thebittersweetlife with your expat story for a chance to be featured! NEW TO THE SHOW? Don't be afraid to start with Episode 1: OUTSET BOOK: Want to read Tiffany's book, Midnight in the Piazza? Learn more here or order on Amazon. TOUR ROME: If you're traveling to Rome, don't miss the chance to tour the city with Tiffany as your guide!  

One of the hardest things about expat life is when your friends inevitably leave. For some expats, this happens like clockwork every single year (usually in June), causing heartache, disappointment, and a sense of continually having to begin again with a fresh set of expat friends. An article on The Culture Blend (that was mentioned to us by one of our expat listeners) details this phenomenon perfectly, describing the three types of expats: Stayers, Goers, and Newbies?  Which one are you? Or is there, as Tiffany believes, a fourth category: Lifers? Or are those people no longer expats? Join us for this thought-provoking episode! ------------------------------------- ADVERTISE WITH US: Reach expats, future expats, and travelers all over the world. Send us an email to get the conversation started. BECOME A PATRON: Pledge your monthly support of The Bittersweet Life and receive awesome prizes in return for your generosity! Visit our Patreon site to find out more. TIP YOUR PODCASTER: Say thanks with a one-time donation to the podcast hosts you know and love. Click here to send financial support via PayPal. (You can also find a Donate button on the desktop version of our website.) The show needs your support to continue. START PODCASTING: If you are planning to start your own podcast, consider Libsyn for your hosting service! Use this affliliate link to get two months free, or use our promo code SWEET when you sign up. SUBSCRIBE: Subscribe to the podcast to make sure you never miss an episode. Click here to find us on a variety of podcast apps. WRITE A REVIEW: Leave us a rating and a written review on iTunes so more listeners can find us. JOIN THE CONVERSATION: If you have a question or a topic you want us to address, send us an email here. You can also connect to us through Twitter, Facebook, and Instagram. Tag #thebittersweetlife with your expat story for a chance to be featured! NEW TO THE SHOW? Don't be afraid to start with Episode 1: OUTSET BOOK: Want to read Tiffany's book, Midnight in the Piazza? Learn more here or order on Amazon. TOUR ROME: If you're traveling to Rome, don't miss the chance to tour the city with Tiffany as your guide! ------------------------------------- EPISODE TRANSCRIPT: Katy Hello. This is the bittersweet life. I'm Katy Sewall. Tiffany I'm Tiffany Parks. Katy Tiffany is in Rome. Katy is in Seattle. I am a goer. Tiffany is a stayer. I once was a newbie, and we're going to explain to you what that means. This is from an article that was sent to us by one of our listeners, Sara. Sara, you sent this quite a long time ago. Thank you. This is letting you know that it was always on our radar. We just hadn't gotten to it yet. This is an article about the kind of transitions that expats go through all year long, every year, but also especially during the month of June. And so we figured we'd tackle it right now. Sara sent us an article that has the title the transition that never ends, the ongoing cycle of expat stayers, goers, and newbies. We'll post the link in the show notes. It's from a website called the Culture Blend. There's no author listed, so thank you. Whoever wrote this, I just want to read you a little bit of this article just to kind of lay out our premise. Whoever wrote this wrote I hate June. There's a reason for that. Where I live, people come and go a lot. That's the part that they don't put in the brochure. When you move abroad, quote adventure of a lifetime, explore exotic lands, learn new languages, say goodbye to 20% of your friends every summer and random others throughout the rest of the year. Please sign here. It's a big, painful part of the expat experience, though transition that is not the expected ones, like culture shock or bumbling language mistakes. We saw those coming a mile away. We read books and blogs about those and then jumping ahead, she he says. But here's the kicker. As long as you live abroad, transition never stops. Ever. The big ones on either end are significant, to be sure, but it's the little ones in the middle that will get you the incessant ones, the ongoing ones, the cynical shifts, the annual flip flops that never stop, that you never saw coming. We are stayers, goers and newbies figuring out life together. The stayers don't stay forever. That's me, I guess I'm all of these. The stayers don't stay forever, the goers, but don't go immediately. The newbies need some time to adjust. So that is basically what this article is getting at, is the annual expat exodus, as they put it, the people who come in, the people who flow out, and that this is just an ongoing thing, year after year, month after month. But maybe particularly when a school year ends in an expats planning on going, that's the time to go. So I really wanted to think about this, and they say that they have all these kind of silly graphs in here that are illustrating this point that it can be such a cycle. It's parties welcoming a person, saying goodbye to a person when they announce on Facebook that they're leaving, when they promise to come visit later, friends leaving, new people coming, adjusting decisions, announcements, farewells. They have all these things listed in here about the ongoing cycle that is never ending. And we've touched on this a little bit before in the past because I mentioned that as a newbie when I first got to Rome and then as a person who was obviously going to leave. Some of the longtime expats I had met really didn't have that much interest toward the end of my time in spending time with me anymore because what was the .1 of them said, which I thought at the time was very rude. The longer I have explored this as a topic, I understand more and more why, why they didn't want to do this. But Tiffany, do you have an initial reaction? And then I'll read part of Sara's email talking about why this is an article that she revisits year after year as an expat. Tiffany My initial reaction is it sounds like she's more of a corporate expat. If I had to just guess. I mean, I'm saying she, it sounds like a woman for some reason, but that might not be true. So I'll just say she, and forgive me if it's not a she. You know, with the farewell parties and the, you know, and the constant exodus, the high turnover, it sounds like somebody who is in the corporate world, you know, a multinational corporation where lots of people are there from around the world and they come and they go. And if you did work there and you worked there long term, I can see how that would be extremely difficult, especially, you know, these are your colleagues. These are people who you're spending a lot of time with, and probably they become your social circle as well because you're an expat. So you have a handicap when it comes to meeting people. So you're going to automatically begin to socialize with those same people, and you're working with them, you're socializing with them. And that would be very hard. And I don't have that experience because, a, I'm not, and I never have been a corporate expat. And secondly, because of the situation that I'm in now as a married wife of a local, mother of a local, and now a citizen myself, I feel like so many of my friends are in the same position, and none of us seem to be going anywhere. I mean, especially if you're, I don't know. I just feel like a lot of us are, not all of us. I have friends who are single moms, too, and in different situations and lots of friends who aren't in relationships and aren't mothers, but most of the ones who are, they're with someone who has a job that, being Italian, they don't want to leave because that's a typical Italian thing which we've talked about. And maybe there's a good reason for that. Maybe it's a great job. Expats famously don't have great jobs, usually, unless they're corporate expats. And so they're often relying on their partner to be the main income earner. And so I was just talking to a newish friend of mine last night. She was talking about when she had kids, she was like, oh, I wish I could live in the countryside, and I wish I could have space and a big yard and this and that and this and that. But, you know, my husband's job, it ties us to Rome. And that's just the case for so many people that I know. And I feel like none of us are really going anywhere. Katy And it's interesting because it's actually kind of changed in time. Like, I feel like you knew more of these people when you were younger and you were kind of in the churn of. Yes, because there is that energy, too. That's like a whole bunch of young people moving, like, whether or not it's for college, you know, for a college, a semester abroad, or it's a bunch of young people living their year abroad or something. But it seems like when you're in your twenties, this kind of churn could also be equally more normal. Certainly I think a lot of young. Tiffany People come to Europe, whatever the city that they fall in love with is. And it might not be Europe, it might be South America, who knows? Could be anywhere. But in my experience, I've met a lot of people who at 22, at 24, at 27, whatever year it is, they're like, oh, yes, I love Rome. I went there on vacation or I studied there. I want to go and live there. And a lot of people go, and especially British people who at that time, before Brexit, could easily go and live in Italy if they wanted to and work. And they have their experience. They have their year abroad or two years abroad, but their sort of footloose and fancy free at that time. They're not married. They don't have kids. They don't have a steady job. And so it kind of eventually, you know, the typical thing that happens is that people get kind of bored of that, or they're like, okay, I want to, like, settle down. I have so many friends who are like, I'm going to go back to Britain and settle down and get a real job or go back to the states and get a real job that has benefits and not do any of this, you know, crazy expat life anymore. Katy Yeah. Tiffany And so I had it. It was a lot. I had a lot. I feel like I lost a lot of people in my life those first few years, people that I adored and that I sadly don't keep in touch with as much as I would like to. And I miss. And I think about those times. I think about those early Rome years and how many great, fun people I knew and hung out with on a regular basis and how sad I am that they're not here anymore. But I don't, you know, what I don't agree with in this article is that, you know, the stayers never stay or the stayers don't stay forever. I feel like they do not, I wouldn't say it's a majority, but there's a certain, you know, there's a certain subset of expats who actually stay forever. And I think having, getting married and having kids is kind of what seals the deal. And it doesn't mean that they will definitely stay forever, but it's a much bigger likelihood that they will. Katy Yeah, I do think that. I agree with you what you were just saying, but I do think that when you are a goer, say, like I was, or even like your friends that you were talking about that do their one to two years abroad, and then they are like, I've got to go put down roots. My experience really was like, it was hard to. There's a certain detachment from life that is both freeing, but it also gets to be a point when you kind of know, like, I'm not going to set down roots here that you kind of start to feel a tug inside of you that's like, I've gotta go figure some stuff out now. You know, it's funny, because I never thought I'd get tired of sort of the wandering around, exploring, trying new things type thing, but I do. I recognize very strongly. You know, I think I almost recognize it more strongly from the time when we were in San Francisco. And, like, whatever, a year or so in, I realized this cannot be where I end up living. It's too expensive. It's impractical. I don't have enough connections here. I don't feel, like, the tug of love toward this city that will make me want to work as hard as it's going to take for me to make inroads here. And then I just started feeling like a pull of, like, all right, you know, you've spent a lot of time exploring this city and walking around and seeing everything there is to see and getting little jobs here and there. And then I just started feeling this pull of, like, I want to get back to doing something with people I can do stuff with. You know, like, I don't even know what. It's. I'm kind of. It's just hard to sort of explain that feeling where you're just like, I just want to get back to it. And that was when I started talking about moving back to Seattle, because I was just thinking, like, where do I have connections? Where do I have deeper friendships? Where do I have business ties? And I want to get going again. And it felt like if I didn't come back here so I can get that two year kick about how it can start to feel like, this is great, but surely there must be something more than this. Tiffany Yeah, I get that. I get that. That makes total sense. That's the same reason why I feel like sometimes, like, I could never leave Rome. Not because I have. I do love Rome. That's established. But it's not just because I love Rome and I love the city. Part of it is like, oh, my gosh, it was so much work to establish myself here. Like, now I have to go do it somewhere else. I can figure some other place out, make new friends, make new connections. No way. Katy I can handle that. Tiffany I can't handle. I can't handle the idea of doing that again. I mean, I think I would do it, but it would have to be, you know, it'd have to be the right circumstance. But it feels daunting. Katy Yeah, well, and I think that it's almost like once you. For me, anyway, if I do this long enough where I feel, like, rooted and I'm making some kind of progress, then it's equally possible that, you know, I'll start to be like, you know what? I want to have that footloose and fancy free time again, you know, and maybe I'll take off and start anew. It just felt like, you know, after about ten years of feeling like I was constantly starting anew, it becomes less novel, you know, it becomes more irritating or like that you're kind of wasting time somehow, you know, I can totally see that. Even though you totally see that. Yeah. So let me read a little more. Let me first read a little bit of what Sara said when she sent this article. She sent it after we were talking about, we did an episode on friendships that made her think about this article. And she said it was an article that she read during her first year living in Morocco. I just want to read a couple paragraphs that she wrote. She wrote, a friend shared it with me as I experienced the turnover at the end of our first school year here. It groups expats into the categories newbies, stayers, and goers, and it has been a helpful framework as we navigate the constant transition that each school year brings. I come back to this article every year. There's so much to explore with friendships abroad. And then she also says, the main reason my husband and I are stairs is because we don't want to leave Morocco until we've experienced it outside of the bar of parenthood. A friend who is leaving Morocco this spring recently asked us what's left on our Morocco bucket list. And we said, everything. That's not entirely true. We've done some traveling, we've learned a fair amount of Arabic, and we have several moroccan friends. But so much of our days is spent in the monotony of parenting younger children. We feel like we can't leave until we've really lived in this country instead of just existing here. Tiffany I remember that message. I remember when she sent that. It was quite a while ago now, like you said, but I remember reading that and I. Yeah, that makes sense. I think she might be a schoolteacher at an international school, which would definitely explain why she identified with this article, because I could see how an international school setting would be similar to a corporate expat setting with people coming and going, not necessarily rooted to the place, but maybe doing an experience of teaching abroad for a couple of years. And yet there are people who do that long term and stay for, quote unquote, ever. I have a friend who is a parent of kids in an international school and it's interesting because her. I mean, her situation is totally different from mine because her husband. She and her husband are both American, and their kids were born in America, and they lived in the states until they were, I think, kindergarten, second grade was the age they were when they moved over here. They definitely have Italian friends, but it's a totally different life than the life that I'm leading. And I was talking to her the other day, and I discovered that her kids don't really speak Italian, and they lived here for five years. I was kind of shocked at that. But then again, I was like, well, yeah, they go to international school. It makes perfect sense. All their friends are international. English is their. Is their language in common. But what made me think about them, actually, was we were talking and she said, yeah, I think we'll go back. She's like, we've decided to stay for two more years, and then we're going to go back. Because then her son will be able to start high school in the states, and she wants him to have an American high school experience, and her daughter will be in 11th grade. And I said, how does she feel about that? Because, you know how close you get to your friends when you're in high school, middle school and high school, and, you know, to have to leave them all at 11th grade, I mean, it just sounds traumatic to me. And also to leave a place like Rome. I mean, Rome is a pretty amazing place to live, and they live in an incredibly amazing spot in the city. And so I just thought, what does. Katy She feel about this? Tiffany And she kind of just said, my friend just sort of said, oh, well, everyone always leaves around 11th grade. Everyone always leaves. Katy The way that she said it was. Tiffany Almost like, why would she have a problem with it? Everyone leaves it around that age. Katy Don't be draft, Tiffany. Yeah, yeah. Tiffany I was like, well. And then I came back to it, and I was like, well, but how does she feel? Because even if everyone leaves in 11th grade, whatever, I don't even remember what the conclusion of that conversation was, but it definitely brought home that there are vastly different expat experiences. And mine is really. I guess not. It's no longer an expat experience. It's an immigrant experience. It's a I've started a new life here experience, and I'm no longer just floating around and, okay, we'll stay another year, or maybe not. Or, you know. Yeah, yeah. I mean, I guess. I guess that's why this article doesn't. Doesn't ring true to me, is because I guess I'm not really an expat anymore. Katy Yeah. I mean, you. You've been one of those people that maybe you thought about going at some point, and you're certainly a newbie, but you are now, you're even beyond a stayer. Like you said, you're. Tiffany I'm a lifer. Katy You're a lifer. Yeah. Where's the fourth category, Tiffany? Want to go to Rome in 2024?  Tiffany here, just popping in. If you are dreaming of coming to Italy, and specifically to coming to Rome, you're probably thinking to yourself, I don't really want to be in those huge groups of tourist hordes trudging through the Vatican museums, sweltering under the sun, inside the coliseum, wandering around the busy tourist streets, seduced into a tourist trap restaurant, just because you don't know where else to go, and you're tired and you're hot, looking at amazing things, but not really knowing what you're seeing. What's the point of going all the way to Rome and not really seeing it? Not seeing the true city, not experiencing what Rome has to offer and really getting to know the city? Because if you don't know Rome very well, or maybe you've been to Rome and you were a little bit overwhelmed by it, couldn't really take it all in, or maybe you've never been there and you don't really know what all the fuss is about. It can be easy to be overwhelmed by a city like Rome. But if you come in October with Katy and me, we can guarantee you that you will get to know this city on a much deeper level. And when you do that, no matter where you're traveling, it makes that time so much more valuable and so much more worthwhile. And I don't know about you, but when I go deep into a place, that place stays with me. So I wanted to share just a little bit with you about what we're gonna be doing in October. We're not gonna be going to the Vatican. We're not gonna be going to the Colosseum or the forum. Although if you wanna go to those places, we will absolutely make that happen for you, and we can set up tours for you. Or if you don't want to go on a tour, you want to go by yourself, we can help you get the tickets. We are happy to do that, but we won't be going there together. We are going to be discovering the lesser known side of Rome. Now, the thing about Rome, what makes Rome so unique as a city, is that some of the churches in this city, some of the small museums and piazzas if they were in any other city in the world, they would be absolutely the top attractions. But because Rome has so much, Rome has an embarrassment of riches that even the second, 3rd, 4th tier sites, even those places that hardly anybody goes to are so incredible. Anywhere else in the world, they would be your number one site. So those are the kind of places we're going to be going. We're going to be seeing medieval frescoes, we're going to be seeing mosaics, we're going to be seeing incredible works of baroque architecture, paintings by Caravaggio, by Filippino Lippi, by Raphael, churches that are incredibly beautiful, but just far enough off the tourist track that nobody goes there and will be there alone and will experience these sights in a completely different way than you experience a very, very crowded, busy city. There are some piazzas and streets and narrow alleyways in Rome that even in the height of high season, when you walk down them, you feel like you're in a small medieval city. After living in Rome for it will be 20 years by October. I know where to go. I know where to take you. I have the greatest, amazing secret places that I have been collecting and cataloging and quite frankly, in a lot of situations, sort of keeping to myself because I don't want them to be ruined, but I do want to share them with you. If you're interested in coming to Rome, if that's something that you've been dreaming of doing for a while, consider coming with Katy and myself this coming October 2024. Because we are going to spend six nights, five days exploring the unknown, the secret side of Rome. I'm going to be telling the city's stories and really sharing with you what makes this city so unique and really what makes it the way that it is, why Rome is what it is. So if you're interested, the dates are the 6th to the 12 October. You can just get in touch with us by email. If you'd like more information, email us at bittersweetlifepodcast@gmail.com. That's bittersweetlifepodcast@gmail.com. We have sold out about half of the rooms, and it's a very small trip, so we don't have a lot of rooms available, but we do have a few left. Please get in touch if you feel like you might be interested in joining us for that magical, unforgettable week. Back to the show. Katy Let me just throw out a couple more ideas before we're out of here from this article. So they have, like, these two sections that says, everybody has something at risk. Of these three categories, everyone is at risk. So it says a stayer is at risk. When a stayer stops engaging newbies because it's going to be too painful to say goodbye, it is a matter of time before the community will grow up behind them and they will be the ones trying to break back in, which is interesting. So it's like if the stayer disengages with the goers and the newbies, I guess, is saying, well, you might find yourself left out. They say the goers are at risk because the mental and emotional shifts begin long before the physical one. So basically, once you make an announcement that you're about to leave, they say the stayers and the newbies will start to figure out what life looks like without you and adjust accordingly. And that sometimes that means, means that the goer starts to check out even early. Like, I'm already on my way out. And it's kind of like that woman telling me, well, you know, it's a little too late for us to get to know each other now. It's just sort of like, well, you know, you're about to be gone, so who cares? And then the newbies, they say the newbie is at risk because the newbies lend a fresh set of eyes and fabulous new ideas to stagnant or stressed environments, often before they can be heard. And so they do this example of like, hey, guys, you know, hey, guys, what about doing this? And everyone's like, I'm Bob, by the way. And in short, the newbies may see what's wrong before anyone is ready to listen. And so for a newbie, patience is the key to sticking it out and staying in the group, I guess. So. I don't know, kind of three interesting perspectives. It does kind of give credibility to your thought that this is maybe about a corporate expat environment. Tiffany I can't even remember the last time I met a newbie expat in Rome. It's a rare breed in my world. Katy Isn't that interesting? I mean, yeah, we're gonna have to completely redo the conceit of this show. Thanks, Sara. Yeah, just joking. Tiffany Yeah, thanks for that. Katy Well, we'll put this out there for the people. For those of you who are more in this situation, let's end with a little bit of what this article says. So those are your risks. That's where you might find yourself socially, depending on what category you consider yourself in. And I'm, of course, if you can't tell Tiffany and those of you listening, I'm basically kind of skipping around and paraphrasing what this person is writing a lot, but they also have another section that just says everyone has something unique to give. So, stayers, the suggestion is that what you have to give. And Tiffany, I can put you in this category in case you meet any goers or newbies in the outskirts of Rome. Stayers give stability to the whole situation, to this whole churn. They suggest in this article that if you are a stayer, rather than disengaging with the whole emotional churn, that is, people coming and going, maybe consider watching a goers children while they're packing up or showing the newbies where the cucumbers are, as they say in this. So that is the stayers. Goers, they say, give understanding. So for. I don't know what they mean by that. Let's look a little deeper. For goers, going is the most consuming thing in their lives. For stayers, the going of the goers may be a big deal, but it's not generally all consuming. So goers who have expectations that stayers will drop everything to be consumed by their six month departure are failing to see the broader picture. There are always going to be goers. So you need to provide the understanding that this is unique to you, but it's not unique to the people who are staying behind. And so, yes, have a quality farewell with the people that you love that are staying. But don't be too precious about it, I guess is my paraphrase of what this person is saying. And then the newbies, the newbies, what do you bring? According to this article, you bring humility. And, boy, do I know that. I don't even have to read that paragraph to know that. I don't know if you learned anything about humility from watching me struggle, Tiffany, when I moved to Rome, but I. Tiffany Went through it, too, Katy. I was a newbie once, too. I remember it too well. Katy So, yes, it can be very frustrating to be brand new in a brand new city, in a brand new place, whether you're abroad or not. And I guess you have to be patient with the new, humble place that you are standing in because, yeah, you are the person who doesn't know anything and you're just starting to figure it out. And if you can connect yourself to some of those stairs and approach them and ask them where the cucumbers are, that is probably not a terrible thing. Luckily I had you, Tiffany. Tiffany Yeah. Yes, and I had you because the, you know, I always say the absolute best thing to happen to an expatriate is for a friend from home to move to their city. It's like, it's like winning the expat jackpot to have one of your old hometown friends come and move to your city. But sadly, you left. Katy Yeah. I guess that's my final question then. And thank you again, Sara, for sending this article. It will be in the show notes. If you want to actually read it instead of hear me just make up what it's about. Was it the jackpot that was sort of like, you win the $400, roll in the dice at the craps table, and then you decide, well, I'll just put it back in and play another couple rounds. And then all of a sudden, that $400 is now gone. And it makes everything feel a little bit worse because you were up and now you're down. Tiffany Well, Katy, don't make yourself too precious. Katy No, just kidding. I'm already ignoring the advice from this article. No, as a goer, I became too all encompassing. Tiffany Yes, you were my reason for living for that year, Katy. No, it was worth it. And I wouldn't have had it any other way. I'm the kind of person, though, like, I will accept inevitable heartbreak in order to have a great experience. I will. I'm happy to do it. And I've been like that in love situations, friend situations. And, you know, I remember, not to go too off topic, but one of my close friends, I wouldn't say closest, but a close friend of mine, we are only friends, and we've been friends forever. We only met each other and encountered each other because she was in my city. She's from France. She was in my city as like a foreign exchange student for like a summer or a month. And we knew someone in common and we became friends. And I never thought for a second, I'm not going to get attached to this person because they're just going to leave. I think that if there's a true connection, the distance does not matter. You will be friends with that person no matter what. Katy And even if it weren't, that month might have been worth it. That wonderful month of time together, for sure. Yeah, I like that. Well, you can take a step back in time with us if you want to. Come with us to Rome in October, October 6 to the 12th. We're taking a group, a very small group of people, to Rome on a week long trip. But we'll take you on walking tours every morning of secret Rome. And if you're a huge fan of the show, some of that secret Rome might be showing you where my apartment was when I did live there ever so briefly at that period ten years ago, right up the street from where Tiffany also lived. And we can show you that apartment as well. But we'll also be showing you, I almost said the major sites of Rome, but I'm not the major sites of Rome, the minor, but just as cool, just as important. I think of some of the places that we visit on the tour and that we're planning on going this year as even more important than some of the major sites. Quite honestly. Tiffany Some of them, I think some of. Katy Them are, I agree, but they are the often overlooked, often undiscovered places, places that I think are far more fun to visit than the Colosseum. But that's just my own personal opinion. Tiffany But you can go to the Coliseum too, though. Like, it's not like you won't have time. You will absolutely be able to go to the top sites as well. And we will pepper a couple of top sites in like I'll take you to Piazza Navona and, you know, we'll set you up with tickets to other sites and even tour guides if you want, for your free time. So it's not just secret room, it's both. It's secret roam with us and then free time. If you want to do top sites, you can do that too. Katy I mean, if you want to get to know intimately one of the ancient, most important cities in Europe, this is a great way to go from nothing to knowing so much in one single week. I really can't express how much you will discover if you come with us in October. Just send us an email. Bittersweetlifepodcastmail.com bittersweetlifepodcastmail.com. if you want to learn some more information, possibly join us in October. And until next time, this is the bittersweet life. I'm Katy Sewall. Tiffany I'm Tiffany Parks. Katy Join us again. Bye.

If you listened to my last episode, you heard the story of my friend Jamie Yuenger, an American who moved from New York City to the Netherlands and was struggling to make the transition and figure out how to fit in. Following up on that theme, today I'm sharing a recent episode from my friends at The Bittersweet Life podcast, where co-host Tiffany Parks looks back at the past nearly two decades she's spent in Italy and discusses the milestone she's just reached of having now officially lived in Rome longer than she's lived anywhere else. If you enjoy this conversation, you can find The Bittersweet Life wherever you get your podcasts or delve into their archives of nearly 500 shows on their website, thebittersweetlife.net ————- On Far From Home, award-winning public radio journalist Scott Gurian documents fascinating stories from far-flung places like Iran, Chernobyl, and Mongolia. For more info, visit farfromhomepodcast.org

Would ever read excerpts of your personal journal live on air? That's what Katy's doing on this mini-episode. She cracks opens some of her old journals (including a diary from when she was 11) and reads some of the most interesting snippits. From bird- and duck-watching as a wee girl (yes, she's been going out to see what the birds are doing for a very long time), to an early mention of her "friend Tiffany Parks" and the 100-page letter she received from her, from her observations upon arriving at the Cape Town airport to minute descriptions of white sharks when she was in a shark cage and an encounter with the late great Desmond Tutu. It can be deeply revealing to read our old journals, and sometimes very, very funny. Also, so many valuable memories would be lost if we didn't write about them at the moment, so dig back into your old journals (if you have any) and discover something about yourself that you wouldn't remember otherwise. And if you've never kept a journal, why not start now? ------------------------------------- ADVERTISE WITH US: Reach expats, future expats, and travelers all over the world. Send us an email to get the conversation started. BECOME A PATRON: Pledge your monthly support of The Bittersweet Life and receive awesome prizes in return for your generosity! Visit our Patreon site to find out more. TIP YOUR PODCASTER: Say thanks with a one-time donation to the podcast hosts you know and love. Click here to send financial support via PayPal. (You can also find a Donate button on the desktop version of our website.) The show needs your support to continue. START PODCASTING: If you are planning to start your own podcast, consider Libsyn for your hosting service! Use this affliliate link to get two months free, or use our promo code SWEET when you sign up. SUBSCRIBE: Subscribe to the podcast to make sure you never miss an episode. Click here to find us on a variety of podcast apps. WRITE A REVIEW: Leave us a rating and a written review on iTunes so more listeners can find us. JOIN THE CONVERSATION: If you have a question or a topic you want us to address, send us an email here. You can also connect to us through Twitter, Facebook, and Instagram. Tag #thebittersweetlife with your expat story for a chance to be featured! NEW TO THE SHOW? Don't be afraid to start with Episode 1: OUTSET BOOK: Want to read Tiffany's book, Midnight in the Piazza? Learn more here or order on Amazon. TOUR ROME: If you're traveling to Rome, don't miss the chance to tour the city with Tiffany as your guide!

Katy Sewall and Tiffany Parks of the Bittersweet Life Podcast relay tales about the ghosts of Beatrice Cenci and Olimpia Maidalchini, who still wander the bridges in the city of Rome, Italy. However, these podcast hosts have additional, personal ghost stories from their original home town of Seattle, WA.Follow our guests on social: Instagram: instagram.com/thebittersweetlifepodcastTiffany's personal Instagram: instagram.com/tiffanyparksromeTwitter: twitter.com/bittersweetpodFacebook: facebook.com/bittersweetlifepodcastwebsite: thebittersweetlife.netApple podcast link: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/the-bittersweet-life/id843351111Want to take a decadent bath that will make you feel like the Queen of the Damned? Check out the wares at https://www.witchbabysoap.com and use code Homespun for 15% off!Support our podcast's Patreon at https://patreon.com/homespunhaints

This month URSA brings you news on Monkeypox - the media rhetoric, the facts, and the vaccine. We also explore the current heatwave hitting Europe, how countries like Spain, Italy and Portugal are faring, and how Germany's bureaucracy is potentially standing in the way of a swifter response. Our first feature piece comes from local podcast Another Berlin about how the fall of the Berlin wall shaped the city's squatting scene, and how that shaped the future of the city. You'll also be hearing an excerpt of an episode from the Bittersweet Life - where listeners shared their favorite sounds from Rome, Matera, and even Casablanca!Then, we have our food correspondent, Jane Silver of Exberliner, who joins us to chat about Berlin's pizza scene! And Alice O'Brien, Lola Magazine's Digital Editor and the Bear Radio Newsletter Manager shares what culture August has in-store, including Night of the Museums, Meteor Showers, a celebration of Tresor and some of the festivals reachable with your final 9EUR ticket.Finally, this month's artist spotlight showcases fictional poetry from writer and editor, Ceri Savage. Our theme music is from Lucas Carey, with audio from Epidemic Sound. Cover art by Sian Amber Fletcher. This episode is brought to you by Bear Radio. Special thanks to our featured producers Katarina and Cody of Another Berlin, and Katy Sewall and Tiffany Parks of The Bittersweet Life. Thanks also to our Food & Culture correspondents, Jane Silver of Exberliner and Alice O'Brien of LOLA. If you're a producer based in Europe and have an idea for an URSA story, we'd love to hear from you! We're always accepting new pitches.If you enjoyed this episode of URSA and would like to hear more, help us make that happen by signing up to our Patreon!

What mistakes do museum visitors make? Tiffany Parks, a regular museum visitor and someone who has led tours through the Vatican Museums upwards of a thousand time, shares her expert tips to make your museum visit more enjoyable. We also debate which is better, taking pictures of everything or putting the camera away and living in the moment? ------------------------------------- ADVERTISE WITH US: Reach expats, future expats, and travelers all over the world. Send us an email to get the conversation started. BECOME A PATRON: Pledge your monthly support of The Bittersweet Life and receive awesome prizes in return for your generosity! Visit our Patreon site to find out more. TIP YOUR PODCASTER: Say thanks with a one-time donation to the podcast hosts you know and love. Click here to send financial support via PayPal. (You can also find a Donate button on the desktop version of our website.) The show needs your support to continue. SUBSCRIBE: Subscribe to the podcast to make sure you never miss an episode. Click here to find us on a variety of podcast apps. WRITE A REVIEW: Leave us a rating and a written review on iTunes so more listeners can find us. JOIN THE CONVERSATION: If you have a question or a topic you want us to address, send us an email here. You can also connect to us through Twitter, Facebook, and Instagram. Tag #thebittersweetlife with your expat story for a chance to be featured! NEW TO THE SHOW? Don't be afraid to start with Episode 1: OUTSET BOOK: Want to read Tiffany's book, Midnight in the Piazza? Learn more here or order on Amazon. TOUR ROME: If you're traveling to Rome, don't miss the chance to tour the city with Tiffany as your guide!

In this episode of the Expat Empire Podcast, we will be hearing from Tiffany Parks. Tiffany is an author, travel writer, podcaster, and tour guide. She has called Rome home since 2004, and her debut novel, LA Times bestseller Midnight in the Piazza, is a Middle Grade art mystery set in contemporary Rome, published by HarperCollins in 2018. Tiffany is the co-creator and co-host of The Bittersweet Life, a podcast that explores the rewards and challenges of the expat experience.   In this episode, you will learn:   - How to go out into the world and achieve your teenage dreams   - Tips for making friends, relationships, and raising a family in Rome   - The truth about what it’s really like to live in the dream country of Italy   - Why right now is the best time to move to Italy (and how you can do it!)   ...and much more! You can find Tiffany on:   - Twitter: https://twitter.com/TiffanyParks_   - Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/tiffanyparksrome/   - Website: https://www.tiffany-parks.com/   - Amazon Books: https://www.amazon.com/Midnight-Piazza-Tiffany-Parks/dp/0062644521   You can find the Bittersweet Life on:   - Apple Podcasts: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/the-bittersweet-life/id843351111   - Twitter: https://twitter.com/bittersweetpod   - Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/thebittersweetlifepodcast/   - Website: https://thebittersweetlife.net/   Eli Hermit produced the music for this episode, please check him out on Bandcamp at elihermit.bandcamp.com/.    Please leave us a review at ratethispodcast.com/expatempire.   Learn more about Expat Empire and schedule your free consulting call to plan your move abroad at expatempire.com!

Katy Sewall and Tiffany Parks run the celebrated podcast, The Bittersweet Life. Tiffany has lived in Rome for over 15 years, while Katy, an NPR veteran, co-hosts and produces the show from Seattle. The childhood friends reunited for one year in Rome in 2013, when Katy moved with her husband there for his fellowship. Katy and Tiffany launched the podcast then and have never looked back. At first, it was a show to examine life abroad in Rome, but it's become a much deeper look into what it means to live... to be alive. The podcast is one of the most inspiring and insightful shows about life abroad today. Find The Bittersweet Life Website Apple podcasts Instagram Twitter Tiffany Parks on Instagram Tiffany Parks on Twitter Katy Sewall on Twitter About Adventure Calls An immersive podcast about life abroad, Adventure Calls is produced, edited and written by me, Jess Drucker, a four-time expat, world-traveler and author of How To Move Abroad And Why It's The Best Thing You'll Do. Essentially a masterclass in book form, the book (available on Amazon in paperback and ebook) distills 15 years' experience living abroad into 300 pages of practical step-by-step advice and inspiration for anyone looking to follow their own call to adventure.Find Jess DruckerOn InstagramOn TwitterOn FacebookExpat Life CoachingHow To Move Abroad BookAdventure Calls Podcast

Lois Reitzes talks with playwright Pearl Cleage about the Palefsky Collision Project, which teaches teenagers how to write plays; singer/songwriter Rhonda Ross Kendrick about discovering her own voice; andauthor Leesa Cross-Smith about her book "Whiskey and Ribbons." Summer Evans interviews Tiffany Parks about her documentary "The Jazz Age: An African American Perspective";

A dreamy tour of Rome with the hosts of The Bittersweet Life by Katy Sewall and Tiffany Parks, a creaky dulcet spin on bittersweet. http://thebittersweetlife.net/ This is the original episode- be sure to give it a listen! http://thebittersweetlife.net/episode-313-virtual-tour-of-rome I support Podcasts in Color https://podcastsincolor.com/ Black Lives Matter. I cannot create a safe place for everyone without stopping to pause and look at what changes I need to make to support that fact. When I say “you deserve a good night’s sleep” it means black lives matter. I have a lot more work to do to back up my words with my body, mind, heart, and spirit. I am trying to gather more resources here- https://linktr.ee/dearestscooter Here is a list of Anti-racism resources- http://bit.ly/ANTIRACISMRESOURCES Here is one place you can find support during this or any crisis. If you have more please share them! https://www.crisistextline.org/ (You can find all of our sponsors or become a patron on our new website http://www.sleepwithmepodcast.com story starts at about 20:00) Commission a song from the Mystery Bard over at http://www.jonathanmann.net This week’s podcast is sponsored by- Theragun- the handheld percussive therapy device that releases your deepest muscle tension using a scientifically-calibrated combination of depth, speed, and power - and now, and as quiet as an electric toothbrush. Try Theragun RISK-FREE for THIRTY-DAYS. There is no substitute for the Theragun Gen FOUR - with an OLED screen, personalized Theragun app, and the quiet and POWER you need. Go to www.theragun.com/sleep. HoMedics® UV-CLEAN Phone Sanitizer- kills up to 99.9% of bacteria and viruses at the DNA level using no harmful chemicals or liquids. Go to www.getuvclean.com and use promo code "sleepwith" at checkout for FREE SHIPPING and $20 off a future order. Helix Sleep- makes personalized mattresses made right here in America, shipped straight to your door with free no-contact delivery, free returns, and a 100-night sleep trial. Just go to helixsleep.com/sleep, take their two-minute sleep quiz, and they’ll match you to a customized mattress that will give you the best sleep of your life. Sunsoil- makes pure and simple CBD products at an unbeatable price. Sunsoil makes CBD oil that is USDA certified organic. They grow hemp on their farms in Vermont, and they never use pesticides, herbicides or GMOs. Go over to sunsoil.com/sleep for 30% off your FIRST order. Daily Harvest- delivers delicious, clean food right to your door. It takes just a few minutes to prepare and I never have to question if the food I’m eating is good for me. Use SLEEPWITHME for $25 off your FIRST box at dailyharvest.com.

As the world is consumed by COVID-19, I check in with author and American expat Tiffany Parks, who lives on the outskirts of Rome, to get a sense of what things are like in Italy right now. Then, in my quest to find positive stories to share in this dispiriting time, I play an episode of The Bittersweet Life — the travel podcast Tiffany co-hosts with her friend Katy Sewall — about so-called travel angels, the unsung, everyday heroes who assist in small and not-so-small ways when we’re in a foreign place and need a helping hand. This episode includes the song “Impromptu in Blue,” which was licensed from composer Kevin MacLeod under a Creative Commons Attribution license. Far From Home is a podcast where award-winning public radio journalist Scott Gurian visits parts of the world that most people never think about and tells stories they've never heard. For more info, visit farfromhomepodcast.org

In this truncated episode, celebration of Women's History Month continues with a SpokenWord Spotlight performance by published poet Tiffany Parks (4:48). Later, Reck and his G-Ma have a dialogue that illustrates the impact of colorism has had on the perception of beauty within the Black community for generations (8:35). If you are interested in recording a response to this episode (or any other), please visit anchor.fm/wowthatsdeep/message to submit your comments/questions! Happy Women's History Month! Reckommendations WASH YA GOT DAMN HANDS (Your Bathroom) The Evolution to Womanhood: Stories Told with Poetic License by Tiffany Parks (Amazon) --- This episode is sponsored by · Anchor: The easiest way to make a podcast. https://anchor.fm/app

Tiffany Parks is an American expat living in Rome, co-host of The Bittersweet Life Podcast, and author of "Midnight in the Piazza." Jeremy Siegel is a host for POLITICO Dispatch. Irene Noguchi is the executive producer of POLITICO audio. Jenny Ament is the senior producer of POLITICO audio.

This week I've got some more bonus content to share with you: a recent episode of The Bittersweet Life podcast. On my last episode I spoke with co-host Katy Sewall about her journey from a safe career with NPR to expat, to podcasting entrepreneur, and we touched on some of the themes that come up often in her show. In essence, I tried to do in about 40 minutes what she and her co-host, Tiffany Parks, have done over 275 episodes (so far). So I thought that it might be a good idea to share an example of the kinds of conversations that they have each week. On the episode that you're about to hear, Tiffany has just returned from a visit to the U.S. and reflects on the things about American life and culture that never fail to surprise her every time she goes back. She also reveals the surprising reaction she had upon flying back to Rome, as well as a thought she hasn’t had in all her 15 years of the #ExpatLife.   Find The Bittersweet Life wherever you get your podcasts, or check out their website to learn more: http://thebittersweetlife.net/about   Follow the show on social media:   Twitter Facebook Instagram   Get in touch with comments, suggestions or interview recommendations:   Twitter: @zax2000 eMail: mike.shaw@migrationmedia.net   Check out all of the shows in the Migration Media network on the web (www.migrationmedia.net) and please take a moment to "Like" us and leave a review on Apple Podcasts, Podbean or wherever you get your podcasts... and subscribe!

Katy Sewall used to be, as she says, one of those "get-a-great-job-and-hang-onto-it" kind of people. That is, until she got an opportunity to move to Rome where her best friend from childhood, Tiffany Parks, had been living for several years. A senior producer at NPR's Seattle affiliate, Katy decided to jump at the chance for adventure and turn her experience into creating a podcast. Their show, The Bittersweet Life, has been "on the air" ever since and has become one of the most popular shows about the #ExpatLife as it's documented their respective journeys as migrants. Katy talks with me about what it was like to make the transition from a person with a career to life as a podcasting entrepreneur, the hesitancy of long-term expats to get to know short-term folks, her migration back to and within the US, and how her show has evolved - with her- to not so much ask, "What's it like to live overseas?" as it asks, "What's it like to live, and what kind of life do you want for yourself?"   Find The Bittersweet Life wherever you get your podcasts, or check out their website to learn more: http://thebittersweetlife.net/about   Follow the show on social media:   Twitter Facebook Instagram   Get in touch with comments, suggestions or interview recommendations:   Twitter: @zax2000 eMail: mike.shaw@migrationmedia.net   Check out all of the shows in the Migration Media network on the web (www.migrationmedia.net) and please take a moment to "Like" us and leave a review on Apple Podcasts, Podbean or wherever you get your podcasts... and subscribe!

Do you love to travel but get inordinately stressed out when it comes time to book your reservations? Are you a typically chill person who wakes up in cold sweats because you're afraid the tickets you were looking at have doubled in price—or worse—sold out? Do you find it nearly impossible to decide where and when to travel, and sometimes even how you want to get there? Do you long to take off on a new adventure but inexplicably wait until the last minute to book? Or is Tiffany the only one? This week Tiffany opens up about her recently self-diagnosed case of travel anxiety. As a generally serene and laid-back person, she realized while planning her summer travels that something about the trip-planning process paralyzes her with anxiety and consumes her with procrastination...even when (especially when?) it's a trip she desperately wants to go on. On this episode, Katy helps Tiffany try to figure out why this is happening, and what she can do to avoid travel anxiety in future. -------------------------------------------- If you're looking for ways to cope with anxiety and improve your wellness, or better plan for you're upcoming trip, here are some resources:  How to Survive August in Rome by Tiffany Parks  Learn how CBD oil reduces anxiety Visiting Florence? Here are 23 anxiety reducing tips (Girl in Florence)  --------------------------------------------   ADVERTISE WITH US: Reach expats, future expats, and travelers all over the world. Send us an email to get the conversation started. BECOME A PATRON: Pledge your monthly support of The Bittersweet Life and receive awesome prizes in return for your generosity! Visit our Patreon site to find out more. DONATE: Prefer a one-time donation? Click here to send financial support via PayPal. (You can also find a Donate button on the desktop version of our website.) The show needs your support to continue.  JOIN THE CONVERSATION: If you have a question or a topic you want us to address, send us an email at bittersweetlife@mail.com. You can also connect to us through Twitter, Facebook, and Instagram. Tag #thebittersweetlife with your expat story for a chance to be featured! NEW TO THE SHOW? Don't be afraid to start with Episode 1: OUTSET SUBSCRIBE: Subscribe to the podcast to make sure you never miss an episode. Click here to find us on a variety of podcast apps. WRITE A REVIEW: Leave us a rating and a written review on iTunes so more listeners can find us. BOOK: Want to read Tiffany's book, Midnight in the Piazza? Learn more here or order on Amazon. TOUR ROME: If you're traveling to Rome, don't miss the chance to tour the city with Tiffany as your guide! 

Thanks to Stackry.com for supporting this program. Shop any US retailer and ship anywhere for less money. Bittersweet Life listeners  get 10% off when you try it! Just use the coupon code: MANGIA **** Sometimes a person comes into your life—just a chance encounter—and yet you never forget them. Maybe their impact is strong, maybe it's insignificant, yet for some reason, the memory of that person stays with you for the rest of your life. Katy and Tiffany discuss their own unforgettable encounters with people who have probably long since forgotten them.   SPONSOR! Reach expats and future expats living all over the world. Send us an email to get the conversation started.  DONATE! Open your laptop and visit The Bittersweet Life and click the donate button on the right side of the page. The show needs your support to continue.  SAY HI! If you have a question or a topic you want us to address, send us an email. Write to: bittersweetlife@mail.com  You can also connect to us through Twitter, Facebook and Instagram - Better yet, tag #thebittersweetlife with your story for a chance to be featured! NEW TO THE SHOW? Don't be afraid to start with Episode 1:OUTSET BOOK! Need a copy of Tiffany's book Midnight in the Piazza? Order here!   TOUR ROME! If you're traveling to Rome, don't miss the chance to tour the city with Tiffany Parks as your guide!    ©Web and show content can only be used with written permission.

Thanks to Stackry.com for supporting this program. Shop any US retailer and ship anywhere for less money. Bittersweet Life listeners  get 10% off when you try it! Just use the coupon code: MANGIA **** Planning a trip to Rome? Use your Chinese horoscope sign as a guide to plan your itinerary. What animal are you? A snake, a dragon, a rat, a dog? Listen to episode 204 of The Bittersweet Life podcast to discover a Roman location that suits your personality perfectly. You might learn something about yourself in the process! Read Tiffany's blog post on the same topic! What's your Chinese zodiac sign? Find out here. SPONSOR! Reach expats and future expats living all over the world. Send us an email to get the conversation started.  DONATE! Open your laptop and visit The Bittersweet Life and click the donate button on the right side of the page. The show needs your support to continue.  SAY HI! If you have a question or a topic you want us to address, send us an email. Write to: bittersweetlife@mail.com  You can also connect to us through Twitter, Facebook and Instagram - Better yet, tag #thebittersweetlife with your story for a chance to be featured! NEW TO THE SHOW? Don't be afraid to start with Episode 1:OUTSET BOOK! Need a copy of Tiffany's book Midnight in the Piazza? Order here!   TOUR ROME! If you're traveling to Rome, don't miss the chance to tour the city with Tiffany Parks as your guide!    ©Web and show content can only be used with written permission.

Thanks to Stackry.com for supporting this program. Shop any US retailer and ship anywhere for less money. Bittersweet Life listeners  get 10% off when you try it! Just use the coupon code: MANGIA **** An overheard conversation between two American students in Rome causes Katy to reflect on the idea of pretension. Why do some expats—even those who have only lived in a place for a few months—tend to feel superior to tourists whose experiences are necessarily more superficial? And does it follow that long-term expats feel superior to short-term expats? We muse on unintentional pretension, and what we can do to stop ourselves from falling into the trap of becoming an expat-snob. SPONSOR! Reach expats and future expats living all over the world. Send us an email to get the conversation started.  DONATE! Open your laptop and visit The Bittersweet Life and click the donate button on the right side of the page. The show needs your support to continue.  SAY HI! If you have a question or a topic you want us to address, send us an email. Write to: bittersweetlife@mail.com  You can also talk to us through Twitter, Facebook and Instagram - Tag #thebittersweetlife with your story for a chance to be featured! NEW TO THE SHOW? Don't be afraid to start with Episode 1:OUTSET BOOK! Need a copy of Tiffany's book Midnight in the Piazza? Check it out!   TOUR ROME! If you're traveling to Rome, don't miss the chance to tour the city with Tiffany Parks as your guide!    ©Web and show content can only be used with written permission.

Thanks to Stackry.com for supporting this program. Shop any US retailer and ship anywhere for less money. Bittersweet Life listeners  get 10% off when you try it! Just use the coupon code: MANGIA **** Katy and Tiffany reunite in Rome for the first time in two and a half years to kick of Season 5 of The Bittersweet Life. Tiffany talks about her recent trip to the States, including her book tour to LA and Seattle (during which she lost her voice!), her father's celebration of life complete with whale sighting, and a frightening—but unfortunately not uncommon—moment during one of her school visits. SPONSOR! Reach expats and future expats living all over the world. Send us an email to get the conversation started.  DONATE! Open your laptop and visit The Bittersweet Life and click the donate button on the right side of the page. The show needs your support to continue.  SAY HI! If you have a question or a topic you want us to address, send us an email. Write to: bittersweetlife@mail.com  You can also talk to us through Twitter, Facebook and Instagram - Tag #thebittersweetlife with your story for a chance to be featured! NEW TO THE SHOW? Don't be afraid to start with Episode 1:OUTSET BOOK! Need a copy of Tiffany's book Midnight in the Piazza? Check it out!   TOUR ROME! If you're traveling to Rome, don't miss the chance to tour the city with Tiffany Parks as your guide!    ©Web and show content can only be used with written permission.

Traveling alone to Nice, France helped former public radio host, Steve Scher, overcome a long-held hangup from high school. Has traveling helped you shed a negative belief about yourself? Steve worked side-by-side with host Katy Sewall for 9 years at KUOW Public Radio in Seattle. Now they are both on a quest for discovery and wonder. The two friends meet-up in Seattle for today's long-promised episode.  Thanks to Stackry.com for supporting this program. Shop any US retailer and ship anywhere for less money. Bittersweet Life listeners  get 10% off when you try it! Just use the coupon code: MANGIA **** SPONSOR! Reach expats and future expats living all over the world. Send us an email to get the conversation started.  DONATE! Open your laptop and visit The Bittersweet Life and click the donate button on the right side of the page. The show needs your support to continue.  SAY HI! If you have a question or a topic you want us to address, send us an email. Write to: bittersweetlife@mail.com  You can also talk to us through Twitter, Facebook and Instagram - Tag #thebittersweetlife with your story for a chance to be featured! NEW TO THE SHOW? Don't be afraid to start with Episode 1:OUTSET BOOK! Need a copy of Tiffany's book Midnight in the Piazza? Check it out!   TOUR ROME! If you're traveling to Rome, don't miss the chance to tour the city with Tiffany Parks as your guide! 

We explore the concept of synchronicity live on stage in Seattle. We also take audience questions as we celebrate the 200th episode of The Bittersweet Life podcast and the release of Tiffany Parks' new book Midnight in the Piazza.  WATCH! See the VIDEO of the live show!   COVID-19 keeping you home? Explore SpotMe to create your own virtual event! **** SPONSOR! Reach expats and future expats living all over the world. Send us an email to get the conversation started.  Thanks to Stackry.com for supporting this episode. Shop any US retailer and ship anywhere for less money. Bittersweet Life listeners  get 10% off when you try it! Just use the coupon code: MANGIA DONATE! Open your laptop and visit The Bittersweet Life and click the donate button on the right side of the page. The show needs your support to continue.  SAY HI! If you have a question or a topic you want us to address, send us an email. Write to: bittersweetlife@mail.com  You can also talk to us through Twitter, Facebook and Instagram - Tag #thebittersweetlife with your story for a chance to be featured! NEW TO THE SHOW? Don't be afraid to start with Episode 1:OUTSET BOOK! Need a copy of Tiffany's book Midnight in the Piazza? Check it out!  

Former Town Hall Programing Director Katy Sewall and children’s author and travel writer Tiffany Parks invite you to a special live installment of The Bittersweet Life podcast. The episode centers on Tiffany Parks’ new book for young readers Midnight in the Piazza, an all-ages adventure following a young girl in Rome racing to solve a centuries-old unsolved mystery and navigate a world of unscrupulous ambassadors, tricky tutors, and international art thieves! The Bittersweet Life podcast explores the streets and culture of Rome and the wonder and frustration of living as an expat or repat, contrasting the hosts’ two very different points of view on the bitter dolce vita. Sit in with Sewall and Parks for a live recording of The Bittersweet Life, as these two stellar hosts trade insights about Rome, uproarious personal stories, and previews of Parks’ exciting new family-friendly mystery thriller! Katy Sewall is a radio producer and host, as well as a journalist and a podcast consultant. She has worked at KUOW Public Radio, NPR Seattle, since 2003—spending nine of those years as the Lead Producer (and occasional host) of “Weekday” with Steve Scher. She has also worked with RadioLab and A Prairie Home Companion. She’s the creator and editor of The Bittersweet Life podcast, which she’s been co-hosting with Tiffany parks since 2014.     Tiffany Parks is a writer. She heads the editorial department at Where Rome magazine and with the Eternal City as her muse, she has just completed Midnight in the Piazza, an art mystery for young readers set in Rome. In her spare time, she shares her passion for Rome’s history on her blog The Pines of Rome and takes tourists on private walking tours. Recorded live at Greenwood Senior Center by Town Hall Seattle on Friday, March 16, 2018.

Tonight on Tim Conway Jr. we have our Monday Book Club, which is fantastic since the man doesn't read! Bestselling author Brad Meltzer and debut children's writer Tiffany Parks charm with their yarns. But that's not all! OJ's confession interview, baby bald eagles, and The Simpson's also have their time.

The #MeToo movement has taken over the news in the United States and much of the world. After Hollywood movie producer Harvey Weinstein was outed by the New York Times for a history of assaulting women, more accusations - and firings - have followed. Now all men are reexamining their workplace behavior and women are rethinking their memories, reactions, and often their acceptance of questionable male/female dynamics. In this episode hosts Katy Sewall and Tiffany Parks revisit Episode 10 of The Bittersweet Life, a show that focused on sexual assault abroad. One of the dangers of traveling to foreign lands is not recognizing when you're in danger. Katy and Tiffany share stories of what happened to them.  If you have thoughts (or a #metoo story) to share - TELL US! If we get enough responses, we'll do a follow up show on the matter.   And if you want to hear more, the conversation goes on in Part 2 and Part 3 If you've 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 bittersweetlife@mail.com to get the conversation going. JOIN THE CONVERSATION Connect with us on Instagram, Twitter, Facebook, or write us @ bittersweetlife@mail.com. ©Web and show content can only be used with written permission.  

We talk with veteran public radio producer Katy Sewell and writer Tiffany Parks, hosts of the podcast The Bittersweet Life. Laugh, cry, and learn about life and Rome in the process!

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.  Connect with us on Instagram, Twitter, Facebook, or write us @ bittersweetlife@mail.com. 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 bittersweetlife@mail.com to get the conversation going.   ©Web and show content can only be used with written permission.

On July 4th (Independence Day in the USA), many immigrants get their citizenship. In their honor, we rebroadcast the day (host) Tiffany Parks finally became a citizen of Italy. (Other host) Katy Sewall was in Rome to record it, and meet Tiffany's new baby, Aurelio.    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 bittersweetlife@mail.com to get the conversation going. JOIN THE CONVERSATION Connect with us on Twitter, Facebook or write us @ bittersweetlife@mail.com. ©Web and show content can only be used with written permission.

It feels good to accomplish goals, even tiny, silly ones. Hosts Katy Sewall and Tiffany Parks talk about the goals they've accomplished and those they no longer wish to do. Listen to Goals, Part 1 before this episode.   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 bittersweetlife@mail.com to get the conversation going. JOIN THE CONVERSATION Connect with us on Twitter, Facebook or write us @ bittersweetlife@mail.com. ©Web and show content can only be used with written permission. .

Expats often feel guilt. What happens when you should go home, but don't? Guest Jessica Scott-Reid (Wall Street Journal Expat Blog) joins hosts Katy Sewall and Tiffany Parks to talk about it.    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 bittersweetlife@mail.com to get the conversation going. JOIN THE CONVERSATION Connect with us on Twitter, Facebook or write us @ bittersweetlife@mail.com. ©Web and show content can only be used with written permission.

When Tiffany's husband Claudio takes a photo with the Karate coach of his youth, Tiffany realizes that by being an expat, her life has no continuity. She can't revisit old teachers and places. How important is a sense of continuity when it comes to life? Hosts Katy Sewall and Tiffany Parks explore the idea.    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 bittersweetlife@mail.com to get the conversation going. JOIN THE CONVERSATION Connect with us on Twitter, Facebook or write us @ bittersweetlife@mail.com. ©Web and show content can only be used with written permission.

Hosts Katy Sewall and Tiffany Parks mark the 100th episode by talking about milestones.   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 bittersweetlife@mail.com to get the conversation going. JOIN THE CONVERSATION Connect with us on Twitter, Facebook or write us @ bittersweetlife@mail.com. ©Web and show content can only be used with written permission.

Hosts Katy Sewall and Tiffany Parks get ready for the holidays.    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 bittersweetlife@mail.com to get the conversation going. JOIN THE CONVERSATION Connect with us on Twitter, Facebook or write us @ bittersweetlife@mail.com. ©Web and show content can only be used with written permission.

Hosts Katy Sewall and Tiffany Parks meet Katy's expat friend, Cassi Griesbach, at an outdoor cafe in Rome. Cassi is a mother of three, currently expecting a 4th. She gives new mom, Tiffany, some much needed advice.    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 bittersweetlife@mail.com to get the conversation going. JOIN THE CONVERSATION Connect with us on Twitter, Facebook or write us @ bittersweetlife@mail.com. ©Web and show content can only be used with written permission.

What mistakes do museum visitors make? Tiffany Parks gives tips to make your museum visit more enjoyable. We also debate which is better, taking pictures of everything or putting the camera away and living in the moment?    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 bittersweetlife@mail.com to get the conversation going. JOIN THE CONVERSATION Connect with us on Twitter, Facebook or write us @ bittersweetlife@mail.com. ©Web and show content can only be used with written permission.

Living in a different time zone than your family and friends can change relationships. Katy Sewall and Tiffany Parks explore how, and that leads to a discussion on irrational fears.    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 bittersweetlife@mail.com to get the conversation going. JOIN THE CONVERSATION Connect with us on Twitter, Facebook or write us @ bittersweetlife@mail.com. ©Web and show content can only be used with written permission.

A common stereotype about expats is they're maladjusted and running from real life. Is that true? Host Katy Sewall speaks with psychiatrist and former expat, John Wynn, about it, and host Tiffany Parks shares her own story.   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 bittersweetlife@mail.com to get the conversation going. JOIN THE CONVERSATION Connect with us on Twitter, Facebook or write us @ bittersweetlife@mail.com. ©Web and show content can only be used with written permission.

For travelers and expats, what feels like home changes sometimes. Katy Sewall and Tiffany Parks share their experience with home and homesickness.    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 bittersweetlife@mail.com to get the conversation going. JOIN THE CONVERSATION Connect with us on Twitter, Facebook or write us @ bittersweetlife@mail.com. ©Web and show content can only be used with written permission.

Learn how Tiffany Parks ended up as an expat in Rome, Italy and how she used her love of opera to connect with the Italian language. You'll also learn her four methods for learning the language, two tips for avoiding dangerous situations in Italy and how she got the ball rolling on her move to a new country.

If an expat dates a local, does that improve their social standing? Do all cultures flirt in the same way?Tiffany Parks and Katy Sewall discuss dating abroad.   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 bittersweetlife@mail.com to get the conversation going. JOIN THE CONVERSATION Connect with us on Twitter, Facebook or write us @ bittersweetlife@mail.com. ©Web and show content can only be used with written permission.