In this episode of My Simplified Life, host Michelle Glogovac interviews Steve Hoffman, a tax preparer turned memoirist. Steve shares his unique dual career, how he transitioned from language and literature studies to tax preparation, and his family's adventurous decision to move to a small village in southern France. His recent memoir, A Season for That: Lost and Found In The Other Southern France, is a deep dive into their experiences living abroad, the challenges they faced, and the growth they experienced as a family.
What we’re talking about
The interesting parallels between mastering language grammar and understanding tax codes
The importance of immersing oneself in a new culture when living abroad
The value of stepping out of your comfort zone and embracing the unknown
The interesting parallels between mastering language grammar and understanding tax codes
Steve's language and literature studies background laid a foundation for his tax preparation career, a connection most wouldn't typically make. He shares how his love for the linear rule-based elements of grammar translates to understanding and applying the United States tax code. His ability to empathize, listen, and translate complex tax language into plain English for his clients underscores the significance of his humanities training in his work.
The importance of immersing oneself in a new culture when living abroad
The Hoffmans' move to a small village in southern France wasn't just a geographical change but a cultural immersion. Steve and his family were initially outsiders in the tight-knit community of 800 residents, but their determination to be part of the community gradually earned them acceptance. This experience underscores the importance of immersing oneself in a new culture when living abroad rather than merely observing from a distance.
The value of stepping out of your comfort zone and embracing the unknown
