Shows
The Bittersweet LifeThe BIttersweet Past: The Irresistible Call of VietnamKaty's father Dale and sister Sara join us on this episode from our archives to look back on their past family travels to Southeast Asia, specifically Vietnam. Katy, who was not a travel-lover as a younger person, asks her dad if he invited her to join him on his frequent trips to Vietnam in order to expand her world through travel. His answer surprises her. Dale Sewall explains why he's been drawn to Vietnam for more than half his life, and he describes the electrifying reaction he had the first time he touched down in the country.2025-07-2533 min
The Bittersweet LifeEpisode 591: Where Would You Go if You Had Six Months to Travel? (with Katy's sisters Dana and Sara)Where would you go if you only had about six months left before travel would be out of the question for health reasons? Most people will never be forced to answer this question, but today's guest was recently asked this question by her husband, as they prepare and plan for the end of her life, after a devastating termincal cancer diagnosis. In this episode, Katy is joined by her sisters Sara and Dana. Dana talks about the surprising realization she came to when confronted with this practical question, as her priorities shifted away from adventure...2025-07-1445 min
The Bittersweet Life[THE BITTERSWEET PAST] Katy Explores the Rich Culture of BaliIn a world that is becoming ever more homogenized, what sets places apart? What are the blaring indicators that communicate we are in a place vastly different from anywhere we've ever been before? In this episode from our archives, Katy recounts her magical and sometimes maddening week in Bali. She lays out the ways the island delighted and surprised her, the aspects that felt wholly different from what she is used to, and discusses with Tiffany how they compare with the cities of Rome and Seattle. ***The Bittersweet Life podcast has been on the air...2025-07-1144 min
The Bittersweet Life[PATREON PREVIEW] What Were Katy and Tiffany Like as Kid Travelers?After Monday's episode about traveling with teens, Tiffany and Katy continue the conversation on this bonus episode by turning the spotlight on themselves. What were we like as annoying teen travelers? Did we drive our parents crazy with our boredom and apathy like the "kids today"? (Spoiler: yes.) And what did our parents do about it? This is just a snippet of the full-length bonus episode. Want to hear more? Become part of the Bittersweet Life community by supporting just on Patreon! For as little as $5 per month—less than the price of a c...2025-06-1104 min
The Bittersweet Life[PATREON PREVIEW] Update on Katy's Sister DanaOn this bonus episode, available exclusively to our Patreon supporters, Katy gives an update on her sister Dana's stage 4 agressive brain cancer. This is just an excerpt, and if you want to hear more, become part of the Bittersweet Life community by supporting just on Patreon! For as little as $5 per month—less than the price of a coffee in some places—you will have access to multiple bonus episodes every single month. You'll hear conversations that would never take place on the main show, you'll be part of our new chat community, you'll have access...2025-04-2307 min
The Bittersweet Life[THE BITTERSWEET PAST] Where Are all the Accordions?When you come back after several years to a city where you used to live, what do you notice? What has change? What has stayed the same? What have you forgotten about in your time away? In this episode from our archives, Katy arrives in Rome after four years away, and immediately notices something that—once ubiquitous on the streets of Rome—is now missing: accordionists. This sparks a conversation about what we notice, what we take for granted as being an eternal aspect of the city, and how a city can change before your very eyes. 2025-04-1817 min
The Bittersweet LifeEpisode 577: Clive vs. Constance: An Unfortunate Journey Begins The Bittersweet Life Podcast went on an unexpected and unprecedented month-long hiatus. As you can imagine, only something life-threatening could have caused us to take this break. Katy sits down with her sisters Dana and Sara to have an honest and vulnerable conversation about the tragedy that has occurred in their family, and why it’s a journey that’s only beginning. And a journey with an unknown ending. ***Katy's sister Dana has recently been diagnosed with stage 4 agressive brain cancer. To help with the staggering medical costs—her specialist is outside...2025-04-0755 min
The Bittersweet LifeEpisode 569: To Cruise or Not to Cruise?To cruise or not to cruise? Most travelers have strong opinions about cruising, and can be easily divided into two factions: the cruise-lovers and the never-cruisers. But what is travel for if not to park your biases and open your mind a little? Is it possible that a never-cruiser could actually (gasp!) enjoy a cruise? On this episode, Katy describes how she was roped into going on a cruise with her sisters, in order to participate in their annual sisters' trip "Sisterfest," an unmissable event in Katy's year. And you know what? She...2025-01-2734 min
Town Hall Seattle Arts & Culture Series283. Edward Burns with Katy Sewall: A Kid from Marlboro RoadEdward Burns is known for his work as an actor and filmmaker, and now he’s debuting his novel-writing skills in A Kid from Marlboro Road. Set in the 1970s, his novel follows an Irish-American family living on Long Island––elements inspired by Burns’s own childhood. This coming-of-age tale explores the impacts of family history, the growing independence in early adolescence, death and grief, and dynamic family relationships. Burns tells the story through the eyes of a 13-year-old boy, Kneeney, who opens the tale at the wake of his beloved grandfather, Pop. The wake’s overflowing crowd of ch...2024-10-091h 11
The Bittersweet LifeEpisode 549: A Documentary about The Bittersweet Life!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...2024-09-0946 minTown Hall Seattle Arts & Culture Series263. Patric Gagne with Katy Sewall: SociopathWhat is it like to grow up as a sociopath? Is it possible to lead a normal, successful life after such an earth-shattering diagnosis? In her memoir, Sociopath, Patric Gagne sheds light on the often misunderstood disorder. From a young age, Gagne grappled with feeling different from her peers, unable to experience emotions like fear, guilt, or empathy. This disconnect led her down a tumultuous path of theft, deception, and violence in search of something to replace the emptiness she felt. Despite being diagnosed as a sociopath in college, Patric faced a bleak prognosis with n...2024-07-271h 01
The Bittersweet LifeEpisode 532: Same Same but Different: Katy Visits BaliIn a world that is becoming ever more homogenized, what sets places apart? What are the blaring indicators that communicate we are in a place vastly different from anywhere we've ever been before? After a magical and sometimes maddening week in Bali, Katy lays out the ways the island delighted and surprised her, the aspects that felt wholly different from what she is used to, and discusses with Tiffany how they compare with the cities of Rome and Seattle. ------------------------------------- ADVERTISE WITH US: Reach expats, future expats, and travelers all over the world...2024-05-1344 min
The Bittersweet LifeEpisode 508: Discovering Rome's Secrets with our ListenersOn this episode, we bring you along with us on the final tour of our amazing Rome Adventure last month! During breaks between the sites of this super-secret Rome walk, Katy pulls out her microphone and interviews a few of our guests. She asks them about their impressions of Rome, the city's soundscape, the art that inspires them, the subjects that they now plan to explore further, as well as their take-aways from the trip we planned for them. One of our guests has even decided to change way she travels! Katy also captures a few snippets...2023-11-2746 min
Town Hall Seattle Civics Series336. Franklin Foer with Katy Sewall: Reflecting on the First Two Years of the Biden PresidencyUpon taking the oath, every president is met both with endemic issues that persist over time, as well as a unique set of challenges of the day. Many presidents step into historically difficult and divisive times, and our current era is no different. When Joe Biden took office in 2021, his economists were already warning him of an imminent financial crisis, and his party, the Democrats, had the barest of majorities in the Senate. On top of this, Americans were still sick with COVID-19 and the country felt more socially divided than ever. Franklin Foer, an...2023-10-201h 02
The Bittersweet LifeBittersweet Moment #192: Gifting Someone their PastThe art of letter-writing is not lost! Not if you, like Katy, choose to keep it alive. On this mini-episode, we hear from Katy's mom, who describes an wonderful keepsake from someone she wrote letters to for decades, and now she's passing on the tradition. Also, Katy reads some postcards she wrote to her mom while she was living in Rome. And remember, anyone who donates to this podcast—once or regularly—receives a hand-written letter from Katy. ------------------------------------- ADVERTISE WITH US: Reach expats, future expats, and travelers all over the world...2023-02-0211 min
The Bittersweet LifeEpisode 454: Trying New Things, Opera EditionWhen you decide to try something new, you might as well go all the way. That's what Katy was thinking when she bought opera tickets for the first time ever, and that the opera was by Wagner. Tiffany (who has a bit more experience with opera) was, understandably, concerned. Will Katy adore it? Will she detest it? Will Seattle Opera's new production of Tristan und Isolde turn Katy into an opera-lover? You'll have to listen to find out. Hear reaction from before, during, and after Katy's opera adventure on this week's episode. What new thing wi...2022-11-1440 min
The Bittersweet LifeBittersweet Moment #170: Left, Right, SurpriseWhat more unexpected magic in your life? Try playing "Left, Right, Surprise," a game invented by author Robert Fulghum which appears in his book Third Wish, a personal favorite of Katy. On this mini-episode, Katy lays out how to play this interesting game, which will help you discover not just a new place or detail, but also a new nugget of insight into the person you are with. ***Want more?*** Listen to Katy's brilliant interview with Robert Fulghum here. Hear more about the unexpected magic of Italy here. -------------------------------------2022-09-0106 min
The Bittersweet LifeBittersweet Moment #164: Covid, Keats, and the Italian Air"I was in Italy at Lake Como when I learned I had Covid." So begins an original piece by our own Katy Sewall, which recounts her health adventure getting Covid after two full years of pandemic isolation and extreme precaution, just as she finally departed on her first international trip since the coronavirus outbreak. She muses on the irony of the timing, the wisdom of traveling right now according to experts (better news than you might expect!), and the historic precedent for convalescing in Italy. This radio piece was originally created for KUOW...2022-07-2110 min
The Bittersweet LifeEpisode 432 [Summer in Rome]: Rome Through All the SensesKaty finally tests negative for Covid and these two long-separated friends are reunited at last! Katy and Tiffany grab a spot on the steps of the fountain in Piazza Santa Maria in Trastevere for a totally unplanned, unscripted conversation. It turns into an exploration of Rome through the senses, particularly, what Katy's heightened senses are picking up after over four years away. Sometimes they are obvious things, like the constant buzz of scooters or the smell of cigarettes, and sometimes they are things that are so subtle, Tiffany, who is so used to Rome, cannot even perceive them. 2022-06-1331 min
The Bittersweet LifeEpisode 431 [Summer in Rome]: Katy Arrives!... with CovidAfter more than two years of staying close to home during the pandemic, being as careful to avoid infection as one could possibly be, with no international travel to speak of, Katy and her husband finally arrive in Italy! And the very first thing that happens... Katy tests positive for Covid Tiffany and Katy are in the same city again for the first time in over four years... and they have to tape their first episode over Zoom. What are the odds? ------------------------------------- ADVERTISE WITH US: Reach expats, future expats, and travelers all o...2022-06-0630 min
In The Moment podcast136. Joel Simon and Robert Mahoney with Katy Sewall: How Censorship and Lies Made the World Sicker and Less FreeAs COVID-19 began to spread around the world in 2020, so did a steady stream of information — and disinformation. Running parallel to the pandemic was an “infodemic,” a digital and physical deluge of information that resulted in mass confusion and censorship. In their new book, The Infodemic, authors Joel Simon and Robert Mahoney lay bare the mechanisms of a modern brand of “censorship through noise” that moves beyond traditional means of state control (jailing critics and restricting the flow of information, for example) to open the floodgates of misinformation. The result? A public overwhelmed with lies and half-truths. Simon and M...2022-05-1648 min
The School of WonderCSP #77 Interview with Wonder Seeker Katy Sewall Katy Sewall is a radio producer and host. When she moved to Rome, it was after 11 years at KUOW Public Radio, NPR Seattle, where she was Senior Producer (and occasional host) of Weekday with Steve Scher. She has interned with RadioLab and toured with A Prairie Home Companion. Her series The Radio Retrospective, about radio's Golden Age, has aired on radio stations all over the United States. She also a writer and a podcast consultant. Reach her at radiokaty at gmail.com.2022-05-1229 min
The Bittersweet LifeBittersweet Moment #149: The Sounds of Katy's OfficeWe recently challenged you to send us sounds you love, or even familiar everyday sounds that elicit a positive feeling or a sense of anticipation. To show you how many sounds surround you, Katy takes you on an audio tour of her office. Don't forget to send in your favorite sounds so we can incorporate them into an upcoming show! Just capture them on your voice recording app and send them to us at bittersweetlifepodcast@gmail.com. ------------------------------------- ADVERTISE WITH US: Reach expats, future expats, and travelers all over the world. Send us...2022-04-0712 min
The Bittersweet LifeBittersweet Moment #138: Behind the Scenes with Midnight MadnessWhen you decide to hop a plane to LA and recreate your favorite childhood film with your sisters, you contact the writers and directors and ask if they'd like to meet up. At least, if you're Katy, that's what you do. As a follow-up to Episode 411: A Sisterly Quest to Midnight Madness, Katy and her sisters sit down with David Wechter and Michael Nankin, the writing/directing team behind the cult classic, Midnight Madness (1980). They are also joined by a surprise guest—a member of the cast. Katy and her sisters get the rare opportunity to...2022-01-2014 min
The Bittersweet LifeBittersweet Moment #131: Perfect Pitch (with Evan Doty and Dana Zahler)Imagine you hear a note—any note—from a ding in an elevator to the whistle of a bird, and somehow, without even having to thing about it, you just know what note it is. F-sharp. B-flat. Middle C. It's just there, as easy as it would be for the rest of us to recognize a color. This phenomenon is a gift shared by very few people on the earth, and one of them is Katy's nephew Evan. He didn't have to study. He didn't have to train his ear. He didn't acquire this ability after years of p...2021-12-0215 min
The Bittersweet LifeThe Three (by Matthew P. Woerner)Today we present a special radio drama, The Three, created by our friends over at AudioImagination77. After the listener response of their earlier show, After Midnight, which we aired back on Episode 346, we have decided to air their most recent production, a chilling true crime drama. Even more intriguing? The script of The Three comes from the pen of our very own Katy Sewall, written back in her early 20s, and edited by her old friend Matthew Woerner. So pour yourself a warm drink, get comfortable, and let your imagination take you away. Created by M...2021-11-0841 min
The Bittersweet LifeResilience, Curiosity, and a Very Important Pig (with Robert Fulghum)As the author of 21 books and a career that has spanned multiple decades, how to you stay curious about the world around you? This is just one of the things we discover on this week's episode, a deep and intimate conversation with author Robert Fulghum, who just happens to be a personal friend of Katy. Katy's also explores Fulghum's uncanny ability to attain resilience in the face of what some would deem to be disaster, why Robert dismisses the "meaningless" idea of personal authenticity, how travel shapes your life (and why he makes sure never to dress...2021-10-2543 min
The Bittersweet LifeBittersweet Moment #123: Katy's First Days in RomeLast week we heard from Tiffany about her very first days living as an expat in Rome 17 years ago. Today, it's Katy's turn. She digs into the daily journal she kept back in the fall of 2013, when she moved to Rome with not only no ability to speak the language, but also no clear idea of what she would do there, or even who she would be. In this intimate mini-episode, hear from Katy's own experiences how moving abroad is not always rainbows and roses—especially not at first. The Artist's Way by Julia Cameron, the book Ka...2021-10-0711 min
The Bittersweet LifeA Hurricane Strikes... Or Does It?In the wake of menacing Hurricane Ida, Katy relives her own experiences with hurricanes in the Big Easy. When she was living in New Orleans several years ago, Hurricane Nate mercifully missed the city, but being in its path brought about both fear and cultural revelation for one temporary resident, your intrepid host Katy Sewall. It also brought about an unexpected interview with BBC radio. ***This episode was sponsored by LUGZ, offering comfortable, versatile and affordable footwear, from stylish boots to canvas shoes. Visit Lugz.com and enter our promo code BITTERSWEET for an extra 30% off.*** ...2021-09-0227 min
Garden of EdenKaty Sewall on Broadcasting & PodcastingKaty Sewall is a true radio connoisseur. She's spent much of her career at KUOW, and for the past 6 years has co-hosted the podcast "The Bittersweet Life". What does the future of radio look like? How do you conduct a good interview? These questions, and many others, will be answered today. 2021-03-0641 min
The Adventure Calls PodcastThe Bittersweet Life in Rome with Katy Sewall + Tiffany ParksKaty 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 in...2021-02-1636 min
The Bittersweet LifeVirtual Tour of Rome with Special GuestsKaty and Tiffany take to the streets of Rome once again, and this time, they encounter a slew of fascinating and important people, all former guests of the show! Through the magic of radio—a cache of Rome sounds, snippets from old interviews, and Katy's brilliant sound-mixing skills—this walking tour of Rome was taped NOT on the streets of Rome as it seems, but in Katy and Tiffany's own homes, across the ocean from each other. Don't miss our previous virtual tour of Rome, created during Italy's super-strict lockdown in the spring of 2020. ...2021-02-0133 min
The Bittersweet LifeBittersweet Moment #84: Biden Wins!Katy and Tiffany send voice memos back and forth across the Atlantic as one of the most consequential presidential elections in American history is finally called for Joe Biden. For Katy, it's early on a Saturday morning, for Tiffany, it's almost dinnertime, and once again they wonder if the time of day that something happens makes a difference in how you experience it. But most of all, they share their feelings, hopes, and reactions as this historic election is finally called, and what they think might happen next. **This episode was sponsored by Clyde Hill...2020-11-1214 min
The Bittersweet LifeBittersweet Moment #83: Election Night 2020If you live abroad, sometimes you have to stay up all night in order to keep an eye on the fate of your home country. And then there are the rare occasions when you have to stay up all night even if you are in the states. No one said 2020 was going to be an easy year. On this week's mini-episode, Tiffany and Katy comunicate with each other via voice memo as the results of the 2020 US election come in. For Tiffany, this happened beginning at one in the morning, for Katy, the more reasonable hour of 4...2020-11-0515 min
The Bittersweet LifeA World AwayIt's the eve of the US presidential election, what the vast majority of Americans consider to be the most important election of their lifetimes. But what happens when you're an expat, living across the world while something so important is happening? Even if you exercise your right to vote from abroad, it can still be challenging for expats to be so far away when something enormously consequential is going on at home. On this episode, Tiffany explains what it feels like to be so far from home at a time like this, and Katy can...2020-11-0231 min
The Bittersweet LifeBittersweet Moment #82: Rat Laughter and StorytellingIt's almost Halloween, and to assuage the fears of anyone who is afraid of rats (like Tiffany, see previous episode!) Katy shares a fascinating and little-known recording of rat laughter (yes, you read that right). On this mini-episode, she also shares a touching piece of short fiction she wrote during lockdown that most likely many of our listeners can relate to in some way. **This episode was sponsored by Clyde Hill Publishing—partner and publisher for founders, innovators, thinkers, and tinkerers. Today Katy reads an excerpt from their newest release Facing Death: Finding Dignity, Hope, and...2020-10-2909 min
The Bittersweet LifeCute and Cuddly"All things cute and cuddly" was the surprising topic requested by listener Sara, who supports us at the $50 level on Patreon. Choosing the topic of an episode is just one of many bonuses we offer our Patreon supporters, and as this episode proves, we take that pledge seriously and hold no veto power. The sky is the limit! In delving into this unexpected topic, we attempt to answer many questions: Why does Tiffany hate cuddly things—and the very word "cuddly" itself? What is the cutest thing Katy ever saw on a plane? And how did the wo...2020-10-1936 min
The Bittersweet LifeBittersweet Moment #76: Smoke and Good News!Katy, and all of our fellow-West Coast listeners, are seeing massive tracts of their states destroyed, smoke blotting out the sun, and highly hazardous breathing conditions. If they couldn't go out to dinner or to a pub during lockdown, now they can't even take a walk around their block or sit in their backyard. But after filling listeners in on what's going on in her world, Katy is thrilled to dive back into the listener mail bag and read two extremely welcome pieces of good news. She shares them on today's mini-episode. She even got a hand-written...2020-09-1712 min
The Bittersweet LifeSummer Game: This or That?Sometimes you just need to tune out the cacophony of terrifying news and the anxiety over an uncertain future, and play a silly game. Don't you agree? This week, Katy and Tiffany take a much-needed break from the craziness that is life in 2020 to play an old favorite: This or That? And in this case, it's a summer themed version! Find out Tiffany and Katy's preferences on all things summer, and see if you can guess what they'll say. --------------------------------------- ADVERTISE WITH US: Reach expats, future expats, and travelers all over the world...2020-08-1040 min
The Bittersweet LifeBittersweet Moment #69: How's Coping Going?In response to a listener question, Katy talks about what she's doing during the pandemic and the ensuing lockdown to keep her spirits up and get through the day. On this intimate and personal mini-episode, Katy shares the books she's been reading, the podcasts she's listening to, and the writing projects she's working on. She even shares the opening of an essay she wrote the last time she was in Rome, juxtaposing the languishing demise of poet John Keats with the sudden death of a close friend. --------------------------------------- ADVERTISE WITH US: Reach expats, f...2020-07-3014 min
The Bittersweet LifeBittersweet Moment #62: Quarantine in Trastevere (with Amy Knauff)You've heard all about how Katy and Tiffany spent their quarantines (or are still spending them, in Katy's case), but what was quarantine like for a someone living alone in Rome's lively and quaint Trastevere neighborhood while working from home? On this mini-episode, Tiffany checks in with her friend Amy Knauff (who appeared on Episode 27: UNSURE, way back in Season One), about her experiences with a completely solitary quarantine in the very heart of Rome. --------------------------------------- ADVERTISE WITH US: Reach expats, future expats, and travelers all over the world. Send us an email...2020-06-1113 min
The Bittersweet LifeBittersweet Moment #59: MEMORIZATION (with Katy's dad, Dale)Memory is the buzz word on The Bittersweet Life this week! Monday's episode was all about autobiographical memory, and on this mini-episode, Katy's dad Dale stops by to talk about the challenges and rewards of memorizing a speech of prose as opposed to rhyming rhythmic poetry. He also explains why he chooses to memorize things and what it means to want to have the words in him. He explains how, even after years of not revisiting a poem or speech he's memorized, parts of it never leave him, and continue to reinforce who he is. ...2020-05-2120 minIn The Moment podcast63. Gillian Andrews and Katy Sewall: Surviving the Digital RevolutionIn this week’s interview, correspondent Katy Sewall talks with digital security trainer Gillian “Gus” Andrews, who aims to help us relax and overcome our digital helplessness to achieve online mindfulness and escape the feeling that technology is out of our control. Andrews outlines online stressors, from the proliferation of fake news to the threat of identity theft to the overwhelming avalanche of online content. She delves into the reasons media and technology stress us out in the first place, and grants us empowering tools so we can conserve our attention, take charge of our security and privacy, and live o...2020-05-1136 min
The Bittersweet LifeBittersweet Moment #57: DISPATCH FROM SEATTLEWhat's going on in Seattle right now? More to the point, what's going on with Katy in Seattle? On this mini-episode, Katy checks in with what's in store for the city in the near future, as well as how she's doing, and what she's doing to stay safe, sane, and well during this crazy time. She also talks about how and why Seattle is one of the cities in the US that has been first to begin to flatten the curve, and she muses on why that might be. Find the New Yorker...2020-05-0709 min
The Bittersweet LifeA Day in the Life under Quarantine, Part 2In the second part of this Day in the Life episode, Katy offers a rare glimpse into what it’s like to edit and a long piece of tape, extracting its gems to transform it into something engaging. Karen, a US expat in the Dolomites, cycles home from work, hoping not to be stopped by the Carabinieri, to Jill in Oregon spots a hummingbird and looks for the silver lining in the midst of chaos. From Steve and Linda in Orvieto making homemade pizza to Simon from Melbourne as he walks his dog to Valentina in...2020-04-0620 min
The Bittersweet LifeBittersweet Moment #46: QUESTINGIf you could have an encounter with any animal in the wild, which would you pick? For author and actress Jane Alexander, it was the exotic Himalayan Monal pheasant. She got her wish in the mountains of Bhutan and told Katy about it. On Monday’s episode we talked about quests, and Katy mentioned she’d like to embark on a quest that has to do with seeing animals in the wild, and that made her think of Jane and a conversation they had a while back. Listen to Katy’s full interview with Ja...2020-02-2709 min
The Bittersweet LifePERSONALITYDo you know your personality type? On this week’s episode, Katy sits down with personality consultant Leslie McDaniel, who diagnoses Katy's personality type through a series of probing and sometimes difficult questions. Leslie believes that knowing your personality type—specifically the Myers-Briggs Type indicator—can help you reach your full potential, and it might even help you determine what kind of travel you’d enjoy most. By the end of this episode, not only will you know Katy’s personality type, you’ll probably know Katy even better than she knows herself. Find Leslie...2020-02-1733 min
The Bittersweet LifeVIETNAMKaty's father and sister join us this week to look back on their family travels to Southeast Asia, specifically Vietnam. Katy, who was not a travel-lover as a younger person, asks her dad if he invited her to join him on his trips there in order to expand her world through travel. His answer surprises her. Dale Sewall explains why he's been drawn to Vietnam for more than half his life, and he describes the electrifying reaction he had the first time he touched down in the country. ---------------------------------------- ADVERTISE WITH US: Reach e...2020-01-2733 min
Migratory Patterns#048: Documenting Her 'Bittersweet Life' | Katy SewallKaty 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...2019-11-1100 min
The Bittersweet LifeBittersweet Moment #15: BEHIND THE SCENES, Part 2It takes more than one mini-episode to go behind the scenes at The Bittersweet Life! We’re joined again this week by Sara Johnson who turns the tables on Katy to interview her about everything that goes into producing this show every week. Specifically, Katy reveals valuable insight for anyone hoping to start their own podcast one day. From basic advice like what equipment you need, to more probing questions, like, how do you know your idea would make a good podcast? Katy shares her expert advice and answers more questions about the podcast on this week’s mi...2019-06-2715 min
The Bittersweet LifeBittersweet Moment #14: BEHIND THE SCENES, Part 1On this week's Bittersweet Moment, we offer a peek behind the curtain as Katy's sister Sara—one of our most ardent fans—interviews Katy about everything that goes into the podcast that listeners don't see (or hear). Learn how the name was chosen, how long it takes Katy to edit a single episode, the most challenging episode she ever taped and much more. Bonus: Katy offers some valuable words of advice for all the neophyte podcasters out there. -------------------------------------------- ADVERTISE WITH US: Reach expats, future expats, and travelers all over the worl...2019-06-2015 min
The Bittersweet LifeRESOLVEWhat happens when you dig out the resolutions you made at the beginning of the year just as you are about to make some new ones for the year to come? Tiffany and Katy find out the hard way. Plus, in honor of Tiffany, Katy takes on a few extra resolutions, and Tiffany takes a page out of Katy's book by resolving to do something that can be accomplished in a single day. And they both try not to cringe at last year's often-over-ambitious resolutions. What will you resolve to do in the year ahead? ------------------------------------------------------------------- 2018-12-3133 min
The Bittersweet LifeWHITEMerry Christmas from your friends at The Bittersweet Life! This Christmas, we're gifting you with a sweet, sentimental, and surprising piece of radio created by your host, Katy Sewall the Christmas she spent in Rome, way back in 2013. If you love the song White Christmas and have always wondered about its origins (or maybe you've never wondered, but now we've piqued your interest), listen to this show. So grab a comfy seat (ideally in front of a roaring fire with snow falling right outside), cuddle up to your favorite person and/or your...2018-12-2413 min
The Bittersweet LifeEIGHTEENOn this week's episode, Katy and Tiffany reminisce about their first experiences leaving home—when they went away to college at age eighteen. Why was Katy’s experience so bad and Tiffany’s so awesome? Was it really only luck? How do you cope with debilitating homesickness? And does having a boyfriend make a big difference? What makes one homebody want to stay close to home, and another want to go as far away as possible? We discuss all this and more on our latest episode, EIGHTEEN. Today’s take-away message is a bit of advice f...2018-11-0535 min
The Bittersweet LifeARRIVEDERCIIn this introspective episode, Katy says goodbye to Rome the night before she flies back to the States. And as she contemplates the end of another chapter, her thoughts turn to John Keats. Why John Keats, you ask? At the start of her time in Rome, Katy visited the Non-Catholic Cemetery and the grave of the Young English Poet. On her last day, she happened to find herself standing in front of the museum dedicated to him and his contemporary Percy Shelley. She decided to go in. On their final episode of the season {ARRIVEDERCI...2018-09-1722 min
The Bittersweet LifeARTIST (with Samuel Webster)Katy interviews Samuel Webster, versatile artist, Australian expat in a small town in Italy, and host of Fool’s Paradise podcast. They discuss what it means to be an “artist.” Does adopting that title make you pretentious, or is it just an honest representation of your craft? What about if you practice numerous arts? Webster identifies as a writer, a photographer, a poet, a podcaster, and much more. But does practicing one art form take away from the others? If you qualify yourself as a photographer, what does that say about your writing degree? Beyond that, how do you go abo...2018-05-2844 min
The Bittersweet LifeNICE (with Steve Scher)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: MAN...2018-04-1632 min
The Bittersweet LifeRETURNWhen you travel, do you always go somewhere new, or do you revisit the same places again and again? What personality factors determine whether you prefer novelty or familiarity on the road? Host Tiffany Parks thinks life is short and the world is big. Why wouldn't you try to see as much as possible? Host Katy Sewall prefers returning to already visited locations. Is Tiffany just a bolder traveler? 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 us...2018-03-1237 min
The Bittersweet LifePACINGWhat determines the pace of your life? Is it the city you live in? How many connections you have? What happens when you live in a country with a slower pace than you're used to? Hosts Tiffany Parks and Katy Sewall discuss. MARK YOUR CALENDARS! On Friday, March 16, 2018, we celebrate the release of Tiffany's book Midnight in the Piazza with a live performance of The Bittersweet Life in Seattle. If you're in Seattle, we want to see you! Location TBA. If you have a question or a topic you want us to address, send us an e...2018-02-1235 min
The Bittersweet LifeAESTHETICSHow important are the decorations around you? Travelers frequently live in environments designed by other people. Some people can work anywhere, but for others, aesthetics are really important. While moving to San Francisco, host Katy Sewall realized her productivity suffered from living in uninspired temporary housing. Decorating styles differ from country to country too. Host Tiffany Parks isn't a big fan of Italian hostess gifts called Bomboniere. While most Italians save every trinket they ever receive at a party, she throws them away. Check out Twitter, Facebook and Instagram to see pictures of Ka...2018-01-2146 min
The Bittersweet LifeNEW YEARTiffany and Katy discuss resolutions for the New Year as 2018 kicks off. Tiffany needs your help with hers. Also, host Katy Sewall makes a big announcement about where she is going from here. The RECIPE Tiffany talks about compliments of Smitten Kitchen: Pasta e ceci (pasta and chickpeas) What are you resolving to do in 2018? We'd love to hear your goals. It might even inspire Katy to come up with a good resolution! Reach us on Instagram, Twitter, Facebook, or write us @ bittersweetlife@mail.com. NEVER HEARD THE SHOW? Don't be afraid...2018-01-0130 min
The Bittersweet LifeDANTEThe magician Dante joins us with his amazing story of reinvention - from landing in prison to busking for huge crowds in the streets of Europe. As he puts it, "It's not about what has happened, it's about what we do next." Dante learned magic to make sure he'd alway be free; able to work for himself and not someone else. Later, he picked up the trumpet and now performs regularly with The Dapper Dandies in New Orleans. He explains how making a fool of yourself can be great thing - and takes us on a...2017-12-1850 min
The Bittersweet LifeMETOOThe #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 t...2017-12-1126 min
The Bittersweet LifeDISASTERDuring the Sack of Rome in 1527, thousands of citizens were killed or raped. The city's treasures were pillaged. Beyond the trauma and loss, the sack also crippled the Italian Renaissance for good. When Hurricane Katrina hit New Orleans in 2005, over 1500 people died and thousands lost everything they had. A huge percentage of the displaced population never returned. Those who stayed were forever changed. Many locals mark time in NOLA as life "before Katrina" and life after. Hosts Tiffany Parks (in Rome) and Katy Sewall (in New Orleans) explore how cities are forever altered by the na...2017-12-0446 min
The Bittersweet LifeAUTHENTICYou 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 u...2017-11-2027 min
The Bittersweet LifeEXISTENTIAL (with Anne Gisleson)Does life have any meaning? What is the purpose of living? If you are asking these questions, you might be experiencing an existential crisis. To tackle grief, loss and these huge life questions, New Orleans writer Anne Gisleson formed the Existential Crisis Reading Group. Along the way, the book group discovered writers like Dante, James Joyce, Franz Kafka and Clarice Lispector. They even creatively reenacted the Stations of the Cross. Anne's book The Futilitarians: Our Year Thinking, Drinking, Grieving, and Reading explores the grief of losing two younger siblings to suicide, as well as the bel...2017-11-1337 min
The Bittersweet LifeHURRICANEHurricane Nate missed New Orleans in October, but being in it's path brought about both fear and cultural revelation for new resident - our host Katy Sewall. It also brought about an unexpected interview with BBC radio. BBC Radio 5 Live Katy's most famous BBC News article: The girl who gets gifts from birds 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 CO...2017-11-0628 min
The Bittersweet LifeEpisode 152: COOKING Part 2The cooking discussion continues. Katy and Tiffany discuss their own cooking habits in response to last week's episode with Francesca Montillo of Lazy Italian Culinary Adventures. What happens when Italians express love through food, but you don't like to cook? Tiffany tackles that, and makes a great joke about being a mom. Francesca Montillo's Lazy Italian Culinary Adventures: http://www.thelazyitalian.com/ New to the show? Come along for the whole journey by starting with Episode One: OUTSET. DONATE: If you love the show, please help pay for it. Your donation keeps the show alive! Visit...2017-03-2700 min
The Bittersweet LifeSEX (with Emily Witt)Is part of exploring the world exploring sex? Host Katy Sewall talks with journalist (and former expat) Emily Witt about her book Future Sex. Warning: Sexual content. 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...2017-02-1333 min
The Bittersweet LifeCRITTERS (with Jane Alexander)Actress and conservationist Jane Alexander (Kramer vs. Kramer) joins host Katy Sewall on stage to explore the world and the amazing creatures in it. Thanks to Town Hall Seattle for hosting this event. 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 s...2017-01-1641 min
The Bittersweet LifeSETTLEROn 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 Tw...2016-07-0420 min
The Bittersweet LifeGOALS, Part 2It 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.co...2016-05-0937 min
The Bittersweet LifeREALITYReality always intrudes on fantasy. Is that always a bad thing? Hosts Tiffany Parks and Katy Sewall discuss. 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.2016-03-2827 min
The Bittersweet LifeFANTASYHow much of life is us trying to fulfill the fantasies of our youth? Hosts Tiffany Parks and Katy Sewall explore this 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 writ...2016-03-2129 min
The Bittersweet LifeGUILT (with Jessica Scott-Reid)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...2016-03-0729 min
The Bittersweet LifeCIRCUS (with Andrea Conway and Wayne Doba)Circus performers often become travelers and expats because of their work. Host Katy Sewall visits Teatro Zinzanni (Seattle's circus/dinner theater) to meet Andrea Conway and Wayne Doba, a married couple who specialize in comedy, tap dance and acrobatics. 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 @ bi...2016-02-2936 min
The Bittersweet LifeROOTSWhen 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. J...2016-02-1521 min
The Bittersweet LifeMILESTONEHosts 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.2016-02-0826 min
The Bittersweet LifeEVICTEDHost Katy Sewall is greeted by sad news when she returns to Seattle from Rome. Host Tiffany Parks is also facing new restrictions on her life. Does it pay to return home? 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...2016-02-0122 min
The Bittersweet LifeNATALEHosts 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.2015-12-2114 min
The Bittersweet LifeTRASTHosts Tiffany Parks and Katy Sewall take you on a walking tour of Trastevere, their favorite neighborhood in Rome. 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.2015-12-1437 min
The Bittersweet LifeMOMSHosts 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...2015-12-0738 min
The Bittersweet LifeMAFIA (with Ugo Barbara)Journalist Ugo Barbara joins host Katy Sewall to talk about Italian mobsters, the Roma (aka gypsies), sexual slavery in Italy, and immigration issues. They also explore why Berlusconi came to power and why Ugo was Katy's only Italian friend while living 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...2015-11-3035 min
The Bittersweet LifeINFLUENCEMovies and books can have a big influence on personal actions. Some even inspire a move to a foreign country. What art influenced you? Hosts Tiffany Parks and Katy Sewall share their personal picks. 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...2015-11-2331 min
The Bittersweet LifeMISSINGMissing important events and people is part of living abroad or traveling a lot. Host Katy Sewall missed her 20 year high school reunion to visit Rome. Now she is feeling regretful. Together, Tiffany and Katy reflect on the difficult life choices expats make. 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...2015-11-1626 min
The Bittersweet LifePARKHost Katy Sewall and her husband Derek kick back in the Villa Borghese park to reflect on being back in Rome. While there, they are visited by Abdul, a immigrant from Bangladesh with roses to sell. 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....2015-10-1929 min
The Bittersweet LifeCITIZENHosts Tiffany Parks and Katy Sewall are together again in Rome, Italy on a very special day. Listen as Tiffany finally gets her Italian citizenship. 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 writ...2015-10-1219 min
The Bittersweet LifeSHERMAN (with Sherman Alexie)Native American author Sherman Alexie joins Katy Sewall live on stage with veteran NPR host Steve Scher to talk about urban animal encounters. A longer episode that will delight those who love great storytelling and the creatures in our midst. Contains explicit language. 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 wri...2015-10-051h 41
The Bittersweet LifeREFUGEE, Part 1 (with Jennifer Rumbach)Jennifer Rumbach works with refugees all over the world. Lately her focus has been on the special needs of LGBTI refugees. She joins host Katy Sewall before a live studio audience for a funny and fascinating conversation that goes from Ghana, to Iraq, to the earthquake in Nepal. 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 Conn...2015-09-071h 06
The Bittersweet LifeADDICT (with Rashmi Dalai)What makes the expat lifestyle so addictive? Rashmi Dalai, an American writer in Asia, explores that question with host Katy Sewall. 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.2015-07-2027 min
The Bittersweet LifeREPAT, Part 1 (with Debra Bruno)Repatriating is hard. Going home can lead to depression, isolation and wistfulness. Debra Bruno, freelance journalist for the Wall Street Journal, joins us to talk about her article Repatriation Blues: Expats Struggle with the Dark Side of Coming Home. Host Katy Sewall shares her own depression and struggles. 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 Conne...2015-05-2531 min
The Bittersweet LifeZONESLiving 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 c...2015-03-2524 min
The Bittersweet LifeFLIGHTY (with John Wynn)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.co...2015-03-1625 min
The Bittersweet LifeFLUX (with John Wynn)Life is full of major transitions. For host Katy Sewall, moving to Rome then back to Seattle has been hard. She speaks with psychiatrist and former expat, John Wynn, about why change is tough and how to do transitions well. 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...2015-03-0926 min
The Bittersweet LifeCROWS (with Gabi Mann)Gabi (age 8) regularly feeds crows and they bring her shiny things in return. Katy's story about Gabi was instantly viral. Hear Gabi as she shows host Katy Sewall her crow-gift collection. We'll also discover why crows give gifts and how you can earn gifts too! Show guests: Gabi Mann, her mother Lisa, John Marzluff (corvid expert), Tony Angell (artist, crow imitator) 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 ...2015-02-2324 min
The Bittersweet LifeHOMEFor 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.2015-02-1625 min
The Bittersweet LifeGOODBYEKaty's last morning arrives. Tiffany and Katy spend their final moments together before Katy is no longer an expat. Taped during Katy's final 20 minutes in Rome. 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...2015-01-1925 min
The Bittersweet LifeDATINGIf 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...2014-04-1426 min
The Bittersweet LifeHOMESICKHomesickness. It eventually strikes everyone who moves overseas. Tiffany Parks and Katy Sewall share their coping mechanisms and examine what they are actually missing when they miss home. 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 use...2014-04-0719 min
The Bittersweet LifeOUTSETThe premiere episode looks at the challenges of expat life from a short-term and long-term perspective. Hosts Katy Sewall and Tiffany Parks describe the fear and liberation of moving abroad. They also tackle the question: If you're not happy, is a city's beauty enough reason to stay? 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...2014-03-1830 min