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Artwork for The Bittersweet Life
Rome
Italy
Expat Life
Travel
Seattle
Covid-19
Language Learning
Cultural Differences
Christmas
Rome, Italy
Patreon
United States
Florence
Bilingualism
Italian Language
Caravaggio
Social Media
Japan
Moving
Tourism

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 ... more

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Artwork for The Bittersweet Life

Latest Episodes

On this episode from our archives, we tell a true story of corruption, evil, and avarice...

A powerful, unscrupulous man whose two greatest vices are greed and lust. He's close to his family...perhaps too close (particularly his daughter). He has m... more

Tiffany's household has been shaken up by a surprising new family member. What do you think? Are you surprised?

This is just a sneak peek of a much longer bonus episode that drops today, available exclusively to our generous Patreon supporters.

... more

When you leave your home country and move abroad as a young person, you probably have a plan for finding a place to live, securing employment, maybe even getting health insurance.

But what about when it comes to finding love?

Dating offers unique... more

In this episode from our archives, we chat with expat, author, and vlogger Dana Newman, an American living in Germany. Dana moved to Europe back in 2008, first to Prague, then later to Munich, where she married a German and still lives today.

On he... more

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Recent Guests

Maddalena Vario
Dating and relationship coach for women who are expats
Self-employed / Maddalena Vario dating coach
Episode: Episode 627: The Challenge of Finding Love as an Expat (with Maddalena Vario)
Dana Newman
American living in Germany; author of You Go Me on the Cookie, Learning Deutsch, Mein Abenteuerlicher Weg
Author; Wanted Adventure YouTube channel
Episode: The Bittersweet Past: A German Adventure The (with Dana Newman)
Emma Stephenson
Indie pop musician, Aussie expat in New York
Indie pop duo with Oli Nelson
Episode: The Bittersweet Past: The Creative Lives of Expats
Oli Nelson
Indie pop musician, Aussie expat in New York
Indie pop duo with Emma Stephenson
Episode: The Bittersweet Past: The Creative Lives of Expats
Victoria Montes
Writer and teacher, long-time expat living in Guantanamo Bay, Cuba
Episode: Episode 625: What's It Like to Live in Guantanamo Bay? (with Victoria Montes)
Sarah Gladding
Teacher living in Madrid, discussing filing taxes from abroad
Madrid, Spain (teacher)
Episode: Episode 623: Taxes, Taxes, Taxes!
Ben Gladding
Husband of Sarah, discusses handling taxes from abroad
Madrid, Spain (teacher)
Episode: Episode 623: Taxes, Taxes, Taxes!
Drek Baker
Resident in Florence commenting on visa status and taxes
Florence, Italy
Episode: Episode 623: Taxes, Taxes, Taxes!
Paul Theroux
Renowned travel writer and novelist
Author of On the Plain of Snakes, A Mexican Journey; books include The Mosquito Coast, Dark Star Safari
Episode: The Bittersweet Past: Tales of a Travel Writing Legend (with Paul Theroux)

Hosts

Katy Sewall
Host with long-running involvement in the show focusing on travel, culture, and personal narratives about life in Rome and Seattle.
Tiffany Parks
Co-host known for insightful conversations about expatriate life, travel, and cultural observations, often featuring guests and field reporting.

Reviews

4.7 out of 5 stars from 397 ratings
  • Rome, Florence, Seattle

    This is genius. I can’t believe I didn’t start following them earlier. But, hey, plenty to binge!

    Apple Podcasts
    5
    Seattle Yakyuu
    United States4 months ago
  • If you love Italy and travel don’t miss this podcast

    I have been listening for a few years and love the content. The episodes about Italy travel and relocation are my favorite but all of them are interesting. You bring interesting perspectives to travel, culture, the expatriate life, and life in general. Keep up the amazing work.

    Apple Podcasts
    5
    birdsdurango
    United Statesa year ago
  • Such a warm listen!

    I’m new to the podcast, which was recommended by Katy Lee from the podcast The Europeans, and I’ve really enjoyed the hosts’ candor. It’s such a comforting listen. Their honest discussions about living abroad and their experiences are a pleasure to hear. I’m so glad I found it!

    Apple Podcasts
    5
    snežinkaaaaaa
    United Statesa year ago
  • Consistently good

    I’ve been a listener from the beginning and am amazed at how each episode continues to be interesting. I often refer to things I’ve heard either from the banter between the hosts or from their guests. I count on this podcast to keep me entertained during my walks and hope they keep making it for a long time.

    Apple Podcasts
    5
    Jpagaran
    United Statesa year ago
  • New listener but glad I’ve found you!

    I’m so excited to have found this podcast. Initially I started listening as I was looking to find a podcast on ideas/what to do/what not to do in becoming an expat in Italy. I’ve listened to like 20 episodes in the last few days and love not only hearing the good, the bad, but the in between as well. You ladies have done a great job making it feel like it isn’t just informative but also entertaining. I like that you keep it fairly short but in that short amount of time a lot of info comes throug... more

    Apple Podcasts
    5
    WilliMia
    United States2 years ago

Listeners Say

Key themes from listener reviews, highlighting what works and what could be improved about the show.

The content is consistently engaging with diverse topics, from art history to expat experiences, and listeners appreciate the hosts' genuine curiosity and humor.
Listeners describe the show as warm, insightful, and candid, often feeling like chats between friends who are genuinely interested in travel, culture, and life abroad.
Many fans praise production quality and the ability to make complex travel and relocation topics approachable and relatable.

Chart Rankings

How this podcast ranks in the Apple Podcasts, Spotify and YouTube charts.

Talking Points

Recent interactions between the hosts and their guests.

The Bittersweet Past: A German Adventure The (with Dana Newman)
Q: You moved to Germany not knowing German. Is that right?
Yes, I began with a beginner's approach, took intensive courses after arriving, and gradually built fluency while living in Munich and Prague, which shaped both the book and my perspective on language learning.
The Bittersweet Past: A German Adventure The (with Dana Newman)
Q: So what is the full title of your book?
The book is You Go Me on the Cookie, Learning Deutsch, mein Abenteuer Weg (German subtitle), with the English rendering used in publicity; it explains German idioms and how learning language unfolds in real life.
Episode 625: What's It Like to Live in Guantanamo Bay? (with Victoria Montes)
Q: What is life like day-to-day in Guantanamo Bay, Cuba?
Victoria describes a mix of base life with surprising normalcy: limited exits, routine amenities like the galley, constant awareness of being on a military base, and ways she negotiates both the privileges and restrictions of living there.
The Bittersweet Past: Tales of a Travel Writing Legend (with Paul Theroux)
Q: What tips do you have for normal travelers who want to travel close to the ground like you do?
Take public transportation, travel slowly, and be prepared to spend more time in places to truly absorb and understand them, rather than rushing between destinations.
Bittersweet Peek: Random Questions Answered (with special guest Dana Zahler)
Q: Tiffany, what do you wear to sleep?
Tiffany is prompted to share, but the exchange mostly leads to a light, playful moment about personal habits and boundaries around the random questions.

Audience Metrics

Listeners, social reach, demographics and more for this podcast.

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Frequently Asked Questions About The Bittersweet Life

What is The Bittersweet Life about and what kind of topics does it cover?

This show centers on travel, relocation, and life transitions, often through intimate conversations with people who have lived abroad or across cultures. Episodes mix personal storytelling with practical insights about adapting to new places, managing cultural expectations, and finding meaning in the bittersweet moments of moving, aging, parenting, and pursuing new passions. A standout trait is the duo's warm, candid dynamic and their ability to blend travel lore with deeper cultural observations, often featuring guests who bring expertise on art, expat life, relationship coaching, or documentary storytelling. Listeners can expect approachable, conversational episodes that feel like listening in on two longtime friends who guide you through... more

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Which podcasts are similar to The Bittersweet Life?

These podcasts share a similar audience with The Bittersweet Life:

1. Join Us in France Travel Podcast
2. The Earful Tower: Paris
3. The Happiness Lab with Dr. Laurie Santos
4. Death, Sex & Money
5. Kimberly's Italy Travel

How many episodes of The Bittersweet Life are there?

The Bittersweet Life launched 12 years ago and published 980 episodes to date. You can find more information about this podcast including rankings, audience demographics and engagement in our podcast database.

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What guests have appeared on The Bittersweet Life?

Recent guests on The Bittersweet Life include:

1. Maddalena Vario
2. Dana Newman
3. Emma Stephenson
4. Oli Nelson
5. Victoria Montes
6. Sarah Gladding
7. Ben Gladding
8. Drek Baker

To view more recent guests and their details, simply upgrade your Rephonic account. You'll also get access to a typical guest profile to help you decide if the show is worth pitching.

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