The Bittersweet Life

Life is full of major transitions. When Katy moved to Rome in 2013, then back to Seattle less than a year later, the transition was hard to say the least. In this episode from our archives, Katy sits down with psychiatrist and former expat John Wynn to explore why change is so hard. He also shares his insight on how to

Katy recently attended her high school reunion. In this bonus episode—available only to our Patreon supporters—she breaks down all the unexpected drama from the night. This just a sneak peak at one of our hundreds of bonus episodes. Want to hear more? Become part of the Bittersweet Life community by supporting just on 

We've all heard it. We've all said it. But what does "when in Rome" really mean?  Katy reveals the somewhat surprising origin of this ubiquitous catch-phrase, which has become the title of more Rome-based rom-coms and expat memoirs than we could count. Tiffany and Katy have different opinions of the meaning of this cli

Twenty years ago, on August 29th 2005, Hurricane Katrina hit New Orleans. The Category 5 storm and its aftermath devastated the city, and the consequences still last today. Listen in as Katy takes you on a journey of remembrance to mark the occasion. You’ll hear some of the New Orleans voices she has never forgotten in

When Tiffany's husband Claudio takes a photo with the karate instructor of his youth, Tiffany realizes that by being an expat, it can sometimes feel like her life has no continuity. She can't revisit old teachers and places. She never unexpectedly stumbles upon people and objects from her childhood, and maintaining rel

Have you ever received a sign to do something? Did you listen to it? Do signs even exist?   What about bad and good omens? Are they real or a product of our imagination?   Katy and Tiffany share their experiences and those of our listeners on this episode from our archives.   The Bittersweet Life podcast has been on th