The Bittersweet Life

By: Expat Repat Travel Rome Seattle Books Art Italy Wonder
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  • Summary

  • WARNING: This show might change your life. What began as a podcast about what it means to live abroad has become a dynamic examination of what it means to live. Public Radio’s Katy Sewall and Italy expert, Tiffany Parks, guide you on a vulnerable, entertaining journey to discover a more wondrous and adventurous life. Their famous guests, topic-based conversations, and visits to Rome will tweak how you see the world, keep you company, and expand your life view.
    Katy Sewall/Tiffany Parks
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Art Literary History & Criticism Social Sciences Travel Writing & Commentary
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Episodes
  • [PATREON PREVIEW] Disaster and Loss in LA

    [PATREON PREVIEW] Disaster and Loss in LA
    Jan 15 2025
    On this week's exlusive bonus episode, we talk about the catastrophic fires that are, as of recording time, still raging in the Los Angeles area, and how they are affecting some of Tiffany's closest family members. 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 to Patreon-only content in addition to bonus episodes, and you'll be invited to join us for regular live meet-ups. But most importantly, you'll be doing your part to help keep this show alive—an independent podcast with no corporate support. (You'll also help keep it virtually ad-free!) Check our our Patreon page for all the details, and consider joining us at the $5 level or above. We are eternally grateful! ------------------------------------- COME TO ROME WITH US: For the third year in a row, we are hosting an intimate group of listeners for a magical and unforgettable week in Rome, this October 2025! Discover the city with us as your guides, seeing a side to Rome tourists almost never see. Find out more 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!
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    4 mins
  • Episode 566: What if Moving Abroad Isn't Great? (with Darlene Sullivan)

    Episode 566: What if Moving Abroad Isn't Great? (with Darlene Sullivan)
    Jan 13 2025
    You've dreamed of moving to Italy since you were 16 years old, and after years of scheming and planning, you finally made it happen. But... you're not happy. Could it be that you made a mistake in moving abroad? Or maybe you're just not in the right town. Longtime listener Darlene Sullivan joins us this week to talk about what happens when expat reality doesn't quite live up to your dreams—but how that doesn't necessarily mean you've made a mistake. Sometimes you just need to recalibrate and find a living situation that matches your personality. Another important lesson: don't underestimate how trauma might be souring your expat experience. Just because something bad happens in your adopted country, doesn't mean you're not supposed to be there. If you haven't already, go back and listen to our first interview with Darlene, shortly after her move to Bolzano, Italy back in 2020, Episode 435: When Expat Dreams Come True. Darlene is a freelance textile designer. Find her work at her website. Or find her on Instagram here. If you're interested in reading her Master's thesis, Flocking Together, which she mentions in the episode, it's available 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!
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    41 mins
  • [THROWBACK] Living Life in a Foreign Language

    [THROWBACK] Living Life in a Foreign Language
    Jan 10 2025
    Have you ever wondered how speaking a second or third language more often than your native tongue can reshape your thinking? In this episode from the archives of The Bittersweet Life, Tiffany reflects on 15 years of living abroad and how it has transformed the way she communicates—even in her first language. We dive into the surprising cognitive and emotional challenges of navigating life in a foreign language, especially for writers, who rely so heavily on nuanced expression. Plus, we explore how bilingual or multilingual couples often gravitate toward one shared language in their relationship—and how this dynamic might shift dramatically when raising a child in a multilingual household. Tune in to discover the fascinating ways language shapes identity, relationships, and the thought-process. Language is one of our most popular topics! You might be interested in these past episodes about language: Episode 476 Italy Bans the English Language Episode 430 Does Language Shape Thinking? Episode 355 Losing Language Episode 63 LANGUAGE, Part 3 (with J J Michael) Episode 19 LANGUAGE, Part 2 Episode 2 LANGUAGE, Part 1 Bittersweet Moment #96: Disappearing Languages Bittersweet Moment #54: Learning to Read in Two Languages at Once Bittersweet Moment #3: LANGUAGE ------------------------------------- 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!
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    39 mins

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