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Armchair Expat Podcast
Inspiring Stories & Real Talk for Americans Dreaming of Moving Abroad
The Armchair Expat podcast is your go-to audio guide for navigating life beyond the U.S. borders. Hosted by Shannon, Founder of Bargain Homes Abroad, this podcast features candid conversations with Americans who’ve made the leap and now live abroad.
Each episode dives into the realities of moving overseas—from choosing the right country and securing a visa, to finding housing, building community, and adjusting to a new culture. Whether you're planning your own international move or just daydreaming for now, Armchair Expat offers honest insights, expert tips, and real-life stories to help you explore what’s possible.
If you're searching for podcasts about moving abroad, expat life, digital nomad journeys, or international living for Americans, you've found your place.
Listen to Armchair Expat for:
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Inspiring interviews with expats and global citizens
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Practical advice for relocating abroad
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Deep dives into international real estate, visas, and cultural shifts
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The mindset and courage it takes to start over in a new country
Ready to turn your move abroad dream into a real plan?
Wherever You Go, There You Are: Lessons from a Life Abroad with Laura Baringer
In this episode of Armchair Expat, Shannon sits down with Laura Baringer to explore a deeply thoughtful, non-linear international journey that spans Italy, Guatemala, Nigeria, Rwanda, the UK, and now the Netherlands. Laura shares how growing up between cultures shaped her identity, why moving abroad doesn’t magically solve everything, and how clarity, values, and long-term vision matter far more than picking the “perfect” country.
This conversation goes beyond visas and logis
The Expat Tax + Financial Survival Guide with Arielle Tucker
This expert episode breaks down the biggest tax and financial mistakes U.S. expats make—and how to avoid them. Certified Financial Planner and Enrolled Agent Arielle Tucker shares her own journey through life abroad in Switzerland and Germany, plus essential strategies for managing taxes, residency, retirement planning, and building your expat “financial team.”
HOW TO MOVE TO ITALY: Lessons from ViaMonde Founder Jennifer Sontag
Jennifer Sontag didn’t follow a straight line to Italy. Her journey began in China, an unexpected first step that reshaped everything. In this episode, she shares how she rebuilt her life, found a path to Sicily, and now helps others relocate through her agency, ViaMonde. If you’re waiting for the “perfect” route abroad, this conversation may change your thinking.
What Happens When You Move Abroad Sight Unseen with Mary Alice
What happens when you sell everything and move to a country you’ve never even visited?
For Mary Alice, a fractional COO and business strategist from Philadelphia, that leap led her family to a new life in the South of France. In this episode, she shares how a casual pandemic conversation turned into a one-way flight to Montpellier — complete with a child, a dog, a cat, and zero French language skills.
Mary Alice, a fractional COO and business strategist from Philadelphia, h
DON’T BANK ON IT: The Smarter Way to Move Your Money Abroad with Kelly Cutchin of Moneycorp
Most Americans don’t realize their bank may be quietly taking a 2–10% margin on international transfers. In this episode, Armchair Expat host Shannon Acton talks with Kelly Cutchin of Moneycorp about how to save thousands when buying property abroad, what forward contracts are, and why transparency in currency exchange can make all the difference when moving your money overseas.
What No One Tells You About Moving Abroad with Stacy Ennis
Moving abroad looks dreamy online—but behind the scenic reels lies a real, messy, beautiful truth. In this episode, bestselling author and book coach Stacy Ennis shares what it’s really like to live abroad, from visa struggles and culture shocks to building a thriving career overseas. With homes in four countries and lessons from each, Stacy offers both inspiration and a grounded reality check for anyone dreaming of a life abroad.
EXPAT TAXES MADE SIMPLE: Insights from MyExpatTaxes Founder Nathalie Goldstein
Filing U.S. taxes from abroad doesn’t have to be overwhelming. In this episode of Armchair Expat, I sit down with Nathalie Goldstein, founder of MyExpatTaxes, to break down what every American overseas needs to know. We cover the October 15th deadline, how to avoid double taxation, FBAR and FATCA rules, common mistakes, and tips for freelancers and returnees. If you’re living abroad, this conversation will help you file smarter and stress less.
CROSS-BORDER MOVES: Building a Life (and Business) Abroad with Global Tax Advisor Nicolas Castillo
Thinking about moving abroad but worried about taxes and financial pitfalls? In this episode of Armchair Expat, Shannon talks with global tax advisor Nicolas Castillo about life in Madrid, the realities of U.S. expat taxation, and why countries like France and Italy may be more business-friendly than you think.
Can I Afford to Move Abroad? A Conversation with Expat Financial Planner Alex Ingrim
Can you really afford to move abroad? In this episode of Armchair Expat, financial planner and expat Alex Ingrim breaks down the true costs of living in Europe, the tax surprises Americans don’t expect, and how early planning can make your dream of moving abroad a financial reality. From Italy to Spain, France to Portugal, Alex shares candid insights on budgeting, double taxation, and what it actually takes to thrive overseas.
MOVING ABROAD FOR A CHANGE OF PACE: From New York City to Small-Town Italy with Caroline Chirichella
What happens when you swap the nonstop pace of New York City for life in a 5,000-person Italian town? In this episode of Armchair Expat, Caroline Chirichella shares her expat journey—navigating Italian citizenship, raising kids abroad, and building a PR agency—while discovering the rewards of small-town life in Italy.
Moving to Portugal: Real Estate, Residency & the Golden Visa with Erin Charlotte
Thinking of moving to Portugal? In this episode, real estate agent Erin Charlotte shares expert tips on buying property, Portugal’s Golden Visa, and building a new life abroad.
FLOURISHING IN SPAIN: Christine Job on Finding Home, Purpose & Herself Abroad
In this episode of Armchair Expat, Christine Job shares her journey from burnout in Atlanta to building a fulfilling life in Spain. We explore cultural differences between the U.S. and Spain, the power of the Camino de Santiago, and how expat life can support personal growth, wellness, and creativity. Christine also discusses launching Flourish in the Foreign, a podcast amplifying the voices of Black women thriving abroad.
FRANCE CHOSE HER: Moving to France with Purpose and Passion with Jeannette Ceja
Meet Jeannette Ceja—award-winning bilingual travel journalist, international speaker, and fierce advocate for women and Latinos in travel.
From her earliest passport stamp at 9 months old to speaking on stages around the world, Jeannette has built a career fueled by curiosity, courage, and connection. Now living in the south of France and pursuing a master’s in international relations, she shares how she followed her intuition (and a few astrological nudges) to make the leap
MANIFESTING A MOVE ABROAD: How Ziza Manifested Her Move to Italy
Ziza talks about the lifelong dream that led her to Italy, her experience navigating the dual citizenship process, and how she used manifestation, intuition, and practical planning to make her move happen. We dig into the logistics of moving abroad as well as the mindset shifts, identity changes, and moments of trust that unfold along the way.
How to Prepare for a Successful Move Abroad: A psychologist’s take on navigating fear and the unknown with Dr. Colleen Crowley
Dr. Colleen Crowley is a psychologist, expat, and global traveler who has spent the last 30 years living around the world—while also raising a family and supporting others through major life changes. Drawing on over two decades of clinical experience, she now helps individuals and families navigate the emotional and logistical complexities of starting a new life overseas.
She Thrives Abroad: From Fear to Freedom Abroad with Lauren McDonnell
Lauren McDonnell of She Thrives Abroad shares her journey from the U.S. to the Netherlands, detailing the motivations behind her family's...
Early Retirement in Italy: Choosing Meaning Over Money in Midlife with Dan Kidson
In this episode of the Armchair Expat podcast, Dan Kidson shares his journey from a corporate career in the U.S. to pursuing his dream...
Renovating Life: An American Family’s Move to Portugal with Allison Baxley
In this episode of the Armchair Expat podcast, Shannon interviews Allison, an American expat living in Portugal. They discuss Allison's...
Move Overseas Now: Real Talk on Visas, Mindset & Building a Life Abroad with Shawna Lum
In this episode of the Armchair Expat podcast, Shawna shares her journey from growing up in Los Angeles to living in Spain and helping...
Reinventing Life and Work in France with Andrew Guck
In this episode, guest Andrew Guck shares his remarkable journey from upstate New York to building a life in southern France, where he’s...
How NOT to Retire Abroad: One Couple’s Story of Moving to Portugal
In this episode, I'm joined by Matt and Dawn — better known as The Unretirees — who traded their big-city grind for a brand-new life on...
Doing Italy: Life Lessons from a Female Founder with Thea Duncan
In this episode of the Armchair Expat podcast, Shannon chats with Thea Duncan, the founder of Doing Italy. The conversation explores...
How to Move Abroad (Without Forcing It): The Power of Intuition & Divine Timing with Nicolle Merrilyne
What if your next big move—whether it’s across the world or deep within—wasn’t about figuring it out , but about feeling it through ? In...
Astrocartography 101: Finding the Best Place to Live, Love & Thrive with Helena Woods
What if your birth chart could tell you where in the world you're meant to thrive? In this episode of Armchair Expat , Shannon chats with...
How to Move Abroad At Any Age with Cepee of She Hit Refresh
🎧 Episode 2: In this episode of Armchair Expat, Cepee shares how a restless career path and a big leap abroad led her to create She Hit...
Wanna Move Abroad? Your Exit Strategy Starts Here with Jen Barnett
After four years of dreaming, procrastinating, and wondering if I’d ever hit publish—I finally did it. The Armchair Expat podcast is...
Introducing the Armchair Expat Podcast
For years, Bargain Homes Abroad has been about more than just real estate. We’ve shared international homes and the possibilities of...
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