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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

46:57

The Bittersweet Past: Conversations with a Lab Girl...

The Bittersweet Life ·

2025/10/17

Writer and scientist Hope Jahren, author of the New York Times best-seller Lab Girl, joins us on this episode from our archives to challenge how we experience the plants of the world. She also tackles the difficulties of being a female scientist and why us laymen can often feel intimidated by people who study the natural world. ***The Bittersweet Life podcast has been on the air for an impressive 10+ years! In order to help newer listeners discover some of our earlier episodes, every Friday we are

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17:23

Bittersweet Moment #231: The Passetto of the Borgo:...

The Bittersweet Life ·

2025/10/15

Another mini-episode, another amazing little-known Roman site that Tiffany explores on our listeners' behalf. Did you know there is an escape route—hidden inside a medieval wall built in the 9th century—that has been used by popes to flee attacks on the Vatican? The Passetto del Borgo is an 800-meter raised tunnel that stretches from the Apostolic Palace in the Vatican all the way to the safety of Castel Sant'Angleo. It's a place steeped in history and mystery alike. Come along with us as Tiffany

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44:16

Episode 599: Staying and Going in the International...

The Bittersweet Life ·

2025/10/13

What's it like to have children in a foreign country, only to uproot your family and move to a whole new country? Today's guest tells us all about it on this eye-opening interview. Longtime listener of The Bittersweet Life and international teacher Sara Gladding sits down with us to tell us her fascinating story. After living for a short time in France and moving back to the States for a period, Sara and her husband decide on a whim to move to Casablanca, Morocco to teach in an international school

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26:16

The Bittersweet Past: Wild Animals I Have Known

The Bittersweet Life ·

2025/10/10

Travelers and expats often encounter animals. From the humble, common pigeon to a monkey or a great white shark. On this episode from our archives, we share animal stories from all over the world. Special guest stars: Andrew Blechman, author of Pigeons: The Fascinating Saga of the World's Most Revered and Reviled Bird and Clark and Evalea Beck, pigeon rescuers. ***The Bittersweet Life podcast has been on the air for an impressive 10+ years! In order to help newer listeners discover some of our

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04:22

Bittersweet Peek: Big News!

The Bittersweet Life ·

2025/10/08

Katy has news—big news! And this bonus episode is the first place she's sharing it. This is just a sneak peek of a much longer bonus episode, available exclusively to our generous Patreon supporters. 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

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29:42

Episode 598: Why Are Italians so Loud?

The Bittersweet Life ·

2025/10/06

If you've ever spent any significant amount of time in Italy or around native Italians, you will soon have discovered: Italians are loud. A recent trip to the peaceful Austrian Alps, in which she was confronted with lots and lots of Italians on vacation in a place outisde of Italy, brought home this reality to Tiffany more than ever before. Turns out, when Italians are in a non-Italian context, they seem even louder. Is there a genetic reason Italians talk more loudly, or is it simply because they

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21:45

The Bitterswseet Past: What's It like to Grow up Abroad?

The Bittersweet Life ·

2025/10/03

On this fun episode from our archives, we sit down with three American sisters living in Orvieto, Italy. Giulia (age 13), Paloma (age 11), and Viola (age 8) have been expats their whole lives. How do they view the United States from afar? Do they feel like they fit in with the local kids their age? This interview was taped over a decade ago! What are Giulia, Paloma, and Viola up to now? Should we do a follow-up episode? ***The Bittersweet Life podcast has been on the air for an impressive 10+ years

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19:17

Bittersweet Moment #230: Exploring Majestic Palazzo...

The Bittersweet Life ·

2025/10/01

Palazzo Farnese is one of the most magnificent palaces in Rome—and until recently, one of the most difficult to visit. But that has changed and Tiffany took the opportunity to visit this incredible site while her mom was in town recently. In this mini-episode, she talks about the palace's history, the scandalous way the Farnese family rose to prestige in the Renaissance, and the glorious art that you can admire inside. Aurelio also pops in to share his thoughts on visiting this marvelous palace

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49:18

Episode 597: Think Better, Live More (with Therese...

The Bittersweet Life ·

2025/09/29

We all think we know what wil make your brain sharper, faster, and more agile. But what does the neuroscience actually say on the subject? There's no one better to answer that question that Therese Huston, cognitive scientist, and author of Sharp: 14 Simple Ways to Improve Your Life with Brain Science. And today we are lucky to sit down with Therese and get into the nitty-gritty of brain science and what actually helps—small changes that in most cases can be accomplished in just 5 minutes a day

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50:26

The Bittersweet Past: When a Comedian Moves Abroad...

The Bittersweet Life ·

2025/09/26

Comedian Marsha De Salvatore brings humor to a discussion on living abroad with a serious blood disease in this interview from our archives. We also touch on socialized health care systems, modern day dating, comedy and the differences between American and Italian women. ***The Bittersweet Life podcast has been on the air for an impressive 10+ years! In order to help newer listeners discover some of our earlier episodes, every Friday we are now airing an episode from our vast archives! Enjoy!***

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04:26

Bittersweet Peek: Tiny Listener Questions

The Bittersweet Life ·

2025/09/24

Sometimes we get tiny questions from listeners. They are fun topics to talk about but not large enough for an entire episode. On our latest bonus episode, we tackle several of these little quandaries. This is just a sneak peek of a much longer bonus episode, available exclusively to our generous Patreon supporters. 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

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26:22

Episode 596: Running to Somewhere vs Running Away

The Bittersweet Life ·

2025/09/22

Our interview last week with brand-new expat Jennie Spohr brought up lots of thoughts and ideas on our part, so we've decided to weigh in together on this follow-up episode. What struck us most was the idea of running AWAY from somewhere as opposed to running TO somewhere? ------------------------------------- COME TO ROME WITH US: Our third annual Bittersweet Life Roman Adventure is all sold out for 2025! If you'd like to join us in 2026, and be part of an intimate group of listeners on a magical

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25:46

The Bittersweet Past: Are Expats Running away from...

The Bittersweet Life ·

2025/09/19

A common stereotype is that expats are maladjusted and running away from real life. But is it really true? In this episode from our archives, Katy Sewall sits down with psychiatrist, author and former expat John Wynn to discuss this interesting topic. Later, Tiffany shares her own story. ***The Bittersweet Life podcast has been on the air for an impressive 11+ years! In order to help newer listeners discover some of our earlier episodes, every Friday we are now airing an episode from our vast

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30:18

Bittersweet Moment #228: Back to School, Italian Style

The Bittersweet Life ·

2025/09/17

After a seeminly endless summer (nearly 3 and a half months!), Aurelio is finally back to school this week! In this informative mini-episode, Tiffany lays out all the ways Italian school—and elementary school in particular—is different from American school, from the early introduction of cursive to summer homework, to the ubiquitous grembuile (school smock). If you've ever wondered what school is like across the pond, listen in and find out! ------------------------------------- COME TO ROME WITH

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33:02

Episode 595: Would You Move Abroad for Political...

The Bittersweet Life ·

2025/09/15

There are many reasons a family might choose to move abroad. In the case of Americans, that reason is generally motivated by a desire for adventure, change, new scenery, unfamiliar culture, a slower pace of living, or just plain fun. But not always. Today we sit down with friend of the show and past guest Jennie Spohr, a Seattleite historical fiction writer who chose to pack up her life, leave her home country, and move to Ireland with her family for political reasons. And there's a plot twist..

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27:50

The Bittersweet Past: Why Change is Hard (with John...

The Bittersweet Life ·

2025/09/12

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 handle transitions in a healthy and productive way. ***The Bittersweet Life podcast has been on the air for an impressive 10+ years! In order to help newer listeners discover some of

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06:01

Bittersweet Peek: The After Report: Drama at the High...

The Bittersweet Life ·

2025/09/10

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 Patreon! For as little as $5 per month—less than the price of a coffee in some places—you will have access to two bonus episodes every single month. You'll hear conversations that

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31:52

Episode 594: When in Rome

The Bittersweet Life ·

2025/09/08

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 cliché expression, and we end up down a rabbit hole discussing the correct way to use it. (And if Tiffany lives by it, since she does, in fact, live in Rome.) She also reveals some of the

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16:32

Bittersweet Moment #228: The Storm Remade: Hurricane...

The Bittersweet Life ·

2025/09/03

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 the intervening decades. ------------------------------------- COME TO ROME WITH US: For the third year in a row, we are hosting an intimate group of listeners for a magical and

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22:27

The Bittersweet Past: In Search of Continuity

The Bittersweet Life ·

2025/09/01

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 relationships longterm takes extra effort. Is this just one of the side effects of moving abroad indefinitely? How important is a sense of continuity when it comes to life? Hosts Katy

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