Almost Local: Living Abroad Stories

Almost Local #47 | The Emotional Cost of Expat Life: Loneliness, Identity & Burnout

Expat life isn’t always an adventure. In this episode of Expat Experts, clinical psychologist Dr. Elefant-Yanni reveals the hidden emotional cost of living abroad, identity shifts, and the pressure expat couples face.Living abroad can be exciting — but it can also be emotionally exhausting. In this episode of Expat Experts, I sit down with Dr. Veronique Elefant-Yanni, a Clinical Psychologist (PhD) who works with expatriates, international couples, and globally mobile families, to explore the less visible emotional realities of expat life.Together, we talk about:✔️ The hidden emotional and psychological cost of living abroad✔️ Why expats often experience identity loss and emotional disorientation✔️ The extra pressure expat life puts on couples and relationships✔️ Why “starting over” can be mentally draining✔️ How to build emotional safety while living far from home✔️ The biggest myths about expat mental health✔️ How 3D Human Therapy® helps expats reconnect with clarity and self-trust🎙️ Guest: Dr. Elefant-YanniDr. Elefant-Yanni is the founder of Psychology Experts, an international online therapy practice supporting expats across Europe and Asia. She is also the creator of 3D Human Therapy®, a holistic framework that helps people understand their internal functioning through tension, activation, and emotional states — without labels.🔗 Guest LinksWebsite: https://psychologyexperts.onlineInstagram: https://www.instagram.com/psychologyexpertsLinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/veroniqueelefantyanniFacebook: https://www.facebook.com/psychologyexperts📘 FREE RESOURCEDownload Dr. Elefant-Yanni’s free guide:“3D Human Therapy®: A User Guide to Who You Are”: https://psychologyexperts.online/3DSend us a message!PodMatchLike a dating app by matching hosts and guests for podcast interviews with process automations.Level8 LuggagesUse code LEVEL8Expat10 at checkout for 10% off your next travel companion!Slate and KeyThe Key To Your New Life. A experience to curate the life of your dreams in the Portugal.StartAbroadPersonalized relocation services for professionals, retirees, families, and digital nomads.Disclaimer: This post contains affiliate links. If you make a purchase, I may receive a commission at no extra cost to you.Support the showCheck the episodes in video in Youtube 🎥:https://www.youtube.com/@almostlocalstoriesFollow us on social media 📲:https://www.instagram.com/almostlocalstories⁠https://www.tiktok.com/@almostlocalstories⁠https://www.facebook.com/almostlocalstories 🌎✈️ Join our Almost Local Network now and connect with a global community of like-minded adventurers!

Almost Local #46 | Moving to Costa Rica: The Real Cost, Visas & "Pura Vida" Reality

Thinking of moving to Costa Rica? It’s not just beaches and sloths. In this episode of Almost Local, Zach Gerth from Start Abroad breaks down the honest reality of relocating to Central America.From his time in the Peace Corps to building a life in Kenya and now Costa Rica, Zach shares the "Expat Curve" that everyone goes through—from the honeymoon phase to the "what have I done" panic. We discuss the real cost of living (it's not as cheap as you think!), the frustrations of bureaucracy, and the specific residency hacks—including how having a child in Costa Rica can fast-track your citizenship.If you are considering moving to Costa Rica, Panama, or Portugal, this conversation is your reality check on what it really takes to build a home abroad.🎙️ Guest: Zach GerthCo-founder of Start Abroad, an international relocation service that helps individuals and families navigate the complexities of moving to Costa Rica, Panama, and Portugal. Drawing from his own experiences living in the Dominican Republic, Kenya, and now Costa Rica, he specializes in guiding expats through the emotional and logistical realities of building a new life overseas.🔗 Guest LinksInstagram: https://www.instagram.com/start_abroad/Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/StartAbroad/YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@startabroad4592LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/startabroad/Website: https://startabroad.com/aff/almostlocal/🔗 StartAbroad 5% couponWebsite: https://startabroad.com/aff/almostlocal/Code: ALMOSTLOCASend us a message!StartAbroadPersonalized relocation services for professionals, retirees, families, and digital nomads.Slate and KeyThe Key To Your New Life. A experience to curate the life of your dreams in the Portugal.Level8 LuggagesUse code LEVEL8Expat10 at checkout for 10% off your next travel companion!PodMatchLike a dating app by matching hosts and guests for podcast interviews with process automations.Disclaimer: This post contains affiliate links. If you make a purchase, I may receive a commission at no extra cost to you.Support the showCheck the episodes in video in Youtube 🎥:https://www.youtube.com/@almostlocalstoriesFollow us on social media 📲:https://www.instagram.com/almostlocalstories⁠https://www.tiktok.com/@almostlocalstories⁠https://www.facebook.com/almostlocalstories 🌎✈️ Join our Almost Local Network now and connect with a global community of like-minded adventurers!

Almost Local #45 | New York vs Paris: Lifestyle, Career & Quality of Life Compared

What is it really like to live in Paris as an American expat? 🇫🇷 In this episode of the Expat Experts Podcast, Marc sits down with Paul Island, originally from New York City and now living in Paris, France. After traveling to 54 countries, Paul decided to turn his traveler’s mindset into a full expat life — and he shares the real story behind that transition.In this episode, we talk about:🏥💶🏠 Healthcare, cost of living, finding an apartment & French bureaucracy🧑‍🤝‍🧑🇫🇷 The reality of making friends in Paris as an expat🌍✈️ How traveling 54 countries prepared Paul for expat life✊🏾🌍 Being a Black American expat living in Europe🗽☕ The differences between New York City and Parisian lifestylePaul is also the co-host of the Rhythm & Roam Podcast, where he and his co-hosts explore travel, culture, and identity from a global perspective. If you love real, unfiltered stories about living abroad, this episode is for you.🎙️ Guest: Paul IslandNew York City–born traveler, expat, and co-host of the Rhythm & Roam podcast who has explored over 54 countries and now lives in Paris, France. He shares honest stories about culture, identity, and what it really means to turn a life of travel into a grounded expat lifestyle.🔗 Guest LinksInstagram: https://www.instagram.com/rhythmroambptYouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@RhythmRoamBPT Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/RhythmRoamBPT/Website: https://rhythmandroam.com/Send us a message!PodMatchLike a dating app by matching hosts and guests for podcast interviews with process automations.Level8 LuggagesUse code LEVEL8Expat10 at checkout for 10% off your next travel companion!Slate and KeyThe Key To Your New Life. A experience to curate the life of your dreams in the Portugal.StartAbroadPersonalized relocation services for professionals, retirees, families, and digital nomads.Disclaimer: This post contains affiliate links. If you make a purchase, I may receive a commission at no extra cost to you.Support the showCheck the episodes in video in Youtube 🎥:https://www.youtube.com/@almostlocalstoriesFollow us on social media 📲:https://www.instagram.com/almostlocalstories⁠https://www.tiktok.com/@almostlocalstories⁠https://www.facebook.com/almostlocalstories 🌎✈️ Join our Almost Local Network now and connect with a global community of like-minded adventurers!

Almost Local #44 | Why We Chose Portugal After 15 Years Abroad (Spain, Korea, Saudi)

Thinking about moving to Portugal? In this episode, American expat Kalie reveals the honest reality of living in Porto as a family, breaking down the exact cost of living, the SEF bureaucracy nightmare, and why you should come with "no expectations."After 15 years living abroad in Spain, South Korea, Saudi Arabia, and Singapore, Kalie and her family settled in Porto. But is the "Portugal Dream" all it's cracked up to be? We discuss the pros and cons of Portuguese life, the differences between Porto and Lisbon, and the specific challenges of raising a "third culture kid" in Europe.🎙️ Guest: KalieKalie is a seasoned American expat and "serial mover" who has lived in five countries (Spain, Korea, Saudi Arabia, Singapore, Portugal) over 15 years. Currently settled in Porto with her husband and daughter, she advocates for a "zero expectations" mindset to navigate the messy realities of life abroad.🔗 Guest LinksInstagram: https://www.instagram.com/expatseverywhereYouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@ExpatsEverywhere Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/expatseverywhereWebsite: https://slateandkey.com/ and https://www.expatseverywhere.com/📚 Guest Webinarhttps://slateandkey.com/free-webinar/Send us a message!PodMatchLike a dating app by matching hosts and guests for podcast interviews with process automations.Slate and KeyThe Key To Your New Life. A experience to curate the life of your dreams in the Portugal.Level8 LuggagesUse code LEVEL8Expat10 at checkout for 10% off your next travel companion!StartAbroadPersonalized relocation services for professionals, retirees, families, and digital nomads.Disclaimer: This post contains affiliate links. If you make a purchase, I may receive a commission at no extra cost to you.Support the showCheck the episodes in video in Youtube 🎥:https://www.youtube.com/@almostlocalstoriesFollow us on social media 📲:https://www.instagram.com/almostlocalstories⁠https://www.tiktok.com/@almostlocalstories⁠https://www.facebook.com/almostlocalstories 🌎✈️ Join our Almost Local Network now and connect with a global community of like-minded adventurers!

Almost Local #43 | Living in Indonesia as a Foreigner: Daily Life, Culture & Reality

🎧 In this episode of Expat Experts, I’m joined by Australian-born filmmaker, storyteller and podcast host Chris Baron. Now based in Indonesia, Chris takes us behind the scenes of his extraordinary journey—from filmmaking in extreme environments to launching his podcast “No Ordinary Monday”, relocating abroad and re-imagining life on his own terms.We talk about:🌍 Why moving abroad can be the ultimate life hack for growth & freedom🎬 Making the leap from a traditional film career to remote creative work✈️ Living as an expat in Indonesia: culture-shock, mindset shift, and daily wins💻 Practical advice for building a location-independent career and working from anywhere⚠️ The hidden challenges of expat life & how to turn them into opportunities💬 Real talk: cost of living, finding your place, navigating visas and local culture  If you’re thinking about relocating abroad, switching careers into something more adventurous or creative — or simply curious what real expat life looks like — this episode is for you.🎙️ Guest: Chris BaronA globetrotting documentary filmmaker and storyteller who, drawing on a background in science and a taste for adventure, travels the world capturing real‑life stories and unusual career paths from volcanoes to remote wild kitchens for his podcast No Ordinary Monday.🔗 Guest LinksInstagram: https://www.instagram.com/noordinarymondaypodcast/Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/people/No-Ordinary-Monday-Podcast/YouTube:  @noordinarymonday  TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@noordinarymondaypodcastWebsite: https://www.noordinarymonday.com/Send us a message!PodMatchLike a dating app by matching hosts and guests for podcast interviews with process automations.Level8 LuggagesUse code LEVEL8Expat10 at checkout for 10% off your next travel companion!Slate and KeyThe Key To Your New Life. A experience to curate the life of your dreams in the Portugal.StartAbroadPersonalized relocation services for professionals, retirees, families, and digital nomads.Disclaimer: This post contains affiliate links. If you make a purchase, I may receive a commission at no extra cost to you.Support the showCheck the episodes in video in Youtube 🎥:https://www.youtube.com/@almostlocalstoriesFollow us on social media 📲:https://www.instagram.com/almostlocalstories⁠https://www.tiktok.com/@almostlocalstories⁠https://www.facebook.com/almostlocalstories 🌎✈️ Join our Almost Local Network now and connect with a global community of like-minded adventurers!