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PODCAST

The Bittersweet Life

Expat, Repat, Travel, Rome, Seattle, Books, Art, Italy, Wonder

Life doesn"t have a script. At least, it doesn"t have to. Hosts Katy Sewall and Tiffany Parks explore the challenges and joys of moving abroad and moving home. Whether you"re living overseas, or not — or not yet — join us weekly for unadulterated conversation. Get to know Rome. Laugh at our embarrassments and insights. Most of all, imagine the possibilities for your own life (and meet some famous authors along the way).

society & culture places & travel

All Episodes

01:05:07

Episode 639: How Constraints Make Us Better (with...

The Bittersweet Life ·

2026/07/27

Today we sit down with David Epstein, environmental scientist, investigative journalist, and author of the new book, Inside the Box: How Constraints Make Us Better. He joins us for a special interview to discuss a modern paradox that is plaguing today's society: how seemingly infinite choices and the illusion of absolute freedom bring overwhelm, paralysis, and uncertainty. David Epstein uses science to explain how we can benefit from narrowing our options, and how, as contrary as it might

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33:20

The Bittersweet Past: Contronyms—Do They Mean what...

The Bittersweet Life ·

2026/07/24

We all know what synonyms are, and probably antonyms too. But have you ever heard of contronyms? In this episode from our archives, Tiffany and Katy have a little fun playing with these controdictory words, which launches a discussion on learning a foreign language, including what makes learning English hard, and how it differs from a language like Italian. Tiffany also reveals the one Italian gramatical rule she still can't wrap her head around. ***The Bittersweet Life podcast has been on the air

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33:28

Episode 638: Reverse Culture Shock: New York Edition

The Bittersweet Life ·

2026/07/20

When you've lived abroad for as long as Tiffany has (22 years and counting), every trip back to your country of origins brings with it a hefty dose of reverse culture shock. But on her most recent trip to the US, Tiffany, along with her husband and son, spent some time in New York City, for the first time in several years. What shocked Tiffany about being back in New York? What aspects of the city surprised her? And what aspects of life in the United States in general, and New York in particular,

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46:09

The Bittersweet Past: The Listening Planet (with...

The Bittersweet Life ·

2026/07/17

What does it take to capture the sounds of the world's rich and diverse wildlife? On this extraordinary interview from our archives, we are joined by sound and nature recordist Martyn Stewart. Stewart has one of the largest collections of natural sounds in the world, having recorded more than 90,000 different sounds in more than 55 different countries for a total of over 60,000 hours of natural sounds. Stunningly, Martyn reveals that two thirds of what he has recorded is now extinct. He talks about

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50:35

Episode 637: A Musical Immigration Story (with Felipe...

The Bittersweet Life ·

2026/07/13

As hard as it is to succeed and thrive as a professional jazz musician, how much more challenging is it when the journey leads you to a new country—with new laws, new social customs, and a system that creates roadblocks nearly every step of the way? Today we sit down with jazz saxophonist and music professor Felipe Salles to talk about his journey from an international student at a major conservatory in Boston "fresh off the boat" (as he puts it) from Brazil, to a working musician living in New York

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26:52

The Bittersweet Past: The Friend, the Bread, and the...

The Bittersweet Life ·

2026/07/10

When you're a longtime expat, do your friends back home move on? We discuss on this episode from our archives. Expats often make friends with other expats in their adopted country. That can be great, but it also means that it's very likely that your new friends will, sooner or later, move away and you'll be back to square one. It's typical, therefore, for expats to consider their friends back home as their "real friends." But do those same friends feel the same way about them? While an expat may

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46:56

Episode 636: How to Live Abroad Part-time (with...

The Bittersweet Life ·

2026/07/06

What happens when you dream of living by the sea in Italy but you are deeply connected to your home town and community? If you are like this week's guest, Laurel Attanasio, you compromise: buy your dream house on the Calabrian coast and live there for just part of the year. Best of both worlds, eh? But there's a catch: living in Italy even part-time brings endless bureaucratical issues (perhaps even more than living there full-time). Case in point: you can't buy a car without car insurance, but you

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43:24

The Bittersweet Past: Resilience, Curisotiy, and a...

The Bittersweet Life ·

2026/07/03

Robert Fulghum is the author of 21 books and a writer whose career that has spanned multiple decades. On this episode from our archives, we share a deep and intimate conversation with him, asking questions like: how do you stay curious about the world around you? 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

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01:03:24

Episode 635 Dana's Koalas: An Update on Katy's Sister

The Bittersweet Life ·

2026/06/29

In an episode that is worth sharing with others in your life, Katy's sister Dana joins us to give an update on her health, dealing with a glioblastoma brain cancer, as well as an amazing device that she has created to keep her mind focused on things that offer consolation rather than desolation. It's a surprisingly simple idea that helps her focus on the true prioriities in her life, rather than all the scary and anxiety-producing things about facing major change in your health. And she does it is

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25:17

Bittersweet Past: Solo Travel—Is It for You?

The Bittersweet Life ·

2026/06/26

Traveling all alone... does sound like a nightmare or a fantasy? Or perhaps the idea intrigues you but you're a little too scared to try it. Thanks to a listener question, we delve into the realities of solo travel on this episode, the good, the bad, the perks, the challenges, the dangers, and the unexpected joys. We also share some of the wonderful and not-so-nice things that have happened to us on our own solo voyages, as well as a few hacks on how to make the most of it (and not get too lonely)

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12:55

Bittersweet Moment #246: Bittersweet Endings (with...

The Bittersweet Life ·

2026/06/24

On Monday's new episode, we discuss the bittersweet feeling that so often comes with endings and new beginnings. Excitement tinged with nostalgia and a sense of what will be missed. What brought up these thoughts? Aurelio recently finishing elementary school and all the emotions that that brought up, particularly for his mom! (If you missed that episode, be sure to go back and listen here!) On this mini-episode, Aurelio weighs in. What does HE feel about leaving the school and teachers he's gotten

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35:31

Episode 634: Beginnings and Endings (Elementary...

The Bittersweet Life ·

2026/06/22

It's happened: Tiffany's son Aurelio has "graduated" from elementary school and is on his way to big-kid land. How is his mom handling it? And why is it that endings, no matter what they are, tend to be so bittersweet? ------------------------------------- COME TO ROME WITH US: Our 4th annual Bittersweet Life Roman Adventure is taking place this year from 1 to 7 November 2026! If you'd like to be part of an intimate group of listeners on a magical and unforgettable journey to Rome, discovering the

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29:18

The Bittersweet Past: Objects to Love, Objects to...

The Bittersweet Life ·

2026/06/19

Ever had a souvenir that you grew to hate? Something that you'd love to get rid of, but can't bear to because you carried it across the world? Or what about the things you wish you had bought, but didn't? Objects that—whether because they were too expensive, too impractical, or simply too hard to get home—you failed to buy and have always regretted it? For this conversation about the souvenirs we love, loathe, and left behind, we invited our regular Patreon and PayPal supporters to a live episode

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08:07

Bittersweet Peek: A Notable Anniversary

The Bittersweet Life ·

2026/06/17

Tiffany and her husband Claudio celebrated a (relatively) big anniversary last month. On this bonus episode available exclusively to our Patreon supporters, Tiffany talks about what they did to mark the day, and how that connects with our big Rome trip coming up in November! This is just a sneak peek of a much longer bonus episode that drops today, available exclusively to our generous Patreon supporters. Want to hear the whole episode and many many more like it? Become part of the Bittersweet

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30:13

Episode 633: The Rise of Traveling Sheep

The Bittersweet Life ·

2026/06/15

Lately it seems that people go on vacation just for the pleasure of standing in line. What's going on? We blame social media and viral influencers who would have many uninformed tourists believe that there's only ONE place to get the "best" espresso, the "best" pizza, the "best" tiramisù, and they are more than willing to line up for hours need be to be able to say they've had the "best." But is it really the best? Is it even close? (More often than not, it isn't.) And in reality, in big cities

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35:44

The Bittersweet Past: Black Cake (with Charmaine...

The Bittersweet Life ·

2026/06/12

Formerly close but now estranged siblings, two girls with a passion for swimming in the sea, a death that reveals long hidden secrets, a voice message from beyond the grave, and a tradtional Caribbean cake that ties it all together. These are the ingredients for Black Cake, the bestselling new novel by Charmaine Wilkerson, who joins us on this episode from our archives. In this fascinating author interview, we talk about family, memory, identity, loss, secrets, and so much more. Wilkerson reveals

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30:23

Episode 632 (Part 2): Can what You Like in Seattle...

The Bittersweet Life ·

2026/06/10

Today we bring you Part 2 of Monday's Episode 632 in which we are inspired by a recent article, the Seattle Times to predict what Seattleites would enjoy in Rome based on what they like to do in Seattle. Listen in to get ideas and tips for what to see and do on your trip to Rome (whether you're from Seattle or not), and you might be surprised to discover just how many things Rome and Seattle have in common! If you haven't already, be sure to listen to Part 1 first

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30:04

Episode 632: Can what You Like in Seattle Inform what...

The Bittersweet Life ·

2026/06/08

In a recent article, the Seattle Times attempts to predict what Seattleites would enjoy in Rome based on what they like to do in Seattle. But, frankly, as Roman Seattleites ourselves, we think we can do a better job with this topic. Listen in to get ideas and tips for what to see and do on your trip to Rome (whether you're from Seattle or not), and you might be surprised to discover just how many things Rome and Seattle have in common! Turns out we had so much to say, this episode turned into a

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35:38

The Bittersweet Past: Which Roman Neighborhood Should...

The Bittersweet Life ·

2026/06/05

Tiffany gives you the low-down on Rome's neighborhoods, particularly from the expat perspective. Which neighborhoods are the prettiest? Where are they located? How high are the living expenses there and what kind of expat (typically) lives there? Also—what's the most important landmark in each neighborhood and what kind of food can you get there? We answer all these questions and more. If you're planning a move to Rome (or just daydreaming about one), this episode is for you! ***The Bittersweet Life

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03:06

Bittersweet Peek: Yearning to Return to the Analog World

The Bittersweet Life ·

2026/06/03

Do you ever wish you could scrap all this new technology and return to the analog world? When you actually owned your own films and music? When you didn't have to have a subscription to use your own printer? When you didn't have AI constantly trying to predict what you're trying to do? From someone who's conducting research for her next book at the public library (Katy) and someone who is planning on going back to listening to CDs only (Tiffany), we have a feeling we're not the only ones. This is

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