Rephonic
Artwork for The Bittersweet Life
Rome
Italy
Travel
Rome, Italy
Expat Life
Covid-19
Seattle
Language Learning
Cultural Differences
United States
Italian Language
Caravaggio
Patreon
Florence
Social Media
Moving
Self-Discovery
Mental Health
Culture
Therapy

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

Last week we aired a fascinating and inspiring conversation with Julian Shapiro-Barnum about his new book How to Grow up without Becoming a Grown-up and his strategies for resisting the pull of what can often end up being a constrictive and joyless a... more

In this episode from our archives, we ask our listeners: What are the sounds you truly love, not for how beautiful they are, but for what they mean? Sounds that, for whatever reason, make you happy? Sounds that, when you hear them, you know something... more

What can kids teach us about how to live? This is a topic close to the heart of today's guest, Julian Shapiro-Barnum. An actor and comedian, Julian is perhaps most known for his web series Recess Therapy, in which he interviews children playing outsi... more

Does the language that we speak influence the way that our thoughts work?

An article in the New York Times by Guy Deutcher, Does Your Language Shape How You Think? explores this topic in depth.

Taking inspiration from the article, Katy and Tiffan... more

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Recent Guests

Julian Shapiro-Barnum
Author of How to Grow Up without Becoming a Grown-up; creator/host of Recess Therapy
Author; Recess Therapy
Episode: Episode 641: How to Grow Up without Becoming a Grown-Up (w/Julian Shapiro-Barnum)
Dana Zaller
Dana Zaller, sister of Katy, diagnosed with glioblastoma stage 4
Family of the hosts
Episode: Episode 640: Planning for the End (with Katy's sisters)
Sara Kohl
Dana's sister, sister to Katy
Family of the hosts
Episode: Episode 640: Planning for the End (with Katy's sisters)
David Epstein
Author of Inside the Box, How Constraints Make Us Better
Author
Episode: Episode 639: How Constraints Make Us Better (with David Epstein)
Martyn Stewart
Sound and nature recordist
Independent researcher/artist; The Listening Planet
Episode: The Bittersweet Past: The Listening Planet (with Martyn Stewart)
Felipe Salles
Musician, professor
University of Massachusetts Amherst
Episode: Episode 637: A Musical Immigration Story (with Felipe Salles)
Robert Fulghum
Writer and author of the Third Wish series, storyteller
Writer
Episode: The Bittersweet Past: Resilience, Curisotiy, and a Very Important Pig (with Robert Fulghum)
Dana Zoller
Dana Zoller, Katy's sister, longtime guest; diagnosed with glioblastoma
Personal health journey
Episode: Episode 635 Dana's Koalas: An Update on Katy's Sister
Charmaine Wilkerson
Former journalist whose award-winning short stories have appeared in various magazines and anthologies
Author of Black Cake
Episode: The Bittersweet Past: Black Cake (with Charmaine Wilkerson)

Hosts

Katy Sewall
Host of The Bittersweet Life; frequents topics about expat life, travel, and storytelling with a focus on Rome and Seattle.
Tiffany Parks
Co-host and creator, focused on expat life, travel stories, and creative discussions with guests; sometimes listed with the hosting team as core to the show.

Reviews

4.7 out of 5 stars from 400 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 States7 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 States2 years 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.

Listeners praise candid, warm conversations and the sense of friendship between hosts as a hallmark.
Fans appreciate practical travel tips blended with personal storytelling and humor.
Many note the show's relatable take on expat life, travel, and cultural curiosity, plus strong guest lineups.

Chart Rankings

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

Talking Points

Recent interactions between the hosts and their guests.

Episode 641: How to Grow Up without Becoming a Grown-Up (w/Julian Shapiro-Barnum)
Q: What real-world impact do you hope readers take away from applying childlike approaches to adulthood?
To adopt the mindset of play, curiosity, and action—break small, non-harmful rules; pursue passions; and engage with others openly—to create more joyful, connected, and resilient lives.
Episode 641: How to Grow Up without Becoming a Grown-Up (w/Julian Shapiro-Barnum)
Q: Why did you choose the two-to-nine age range for interviewing kids?
Two-year-olds are too chaotic, older kids can be too self-conscious, but ages four to eight speak clearly and are un-self-censoring, which makes their insights both honest and deeply imaginative.
Episode 639: How Constraints Make Us Better (with David Epstein)
Q: What does your research say about the balance between freedom and constraint for creativity?
Freedom alone isn't enough; deliberate constraints and preconditions can actually catalyze more creative outcomes by forcing attention, focus, and problem framing in productive ways.
Bittersweet Past: Solo Travel—Is It for You?
Q: All right, she writes, I hope to visit my family in South Carolina this May. And then I have a trip planned for Italy in September that cannot come soon enough. Do you have any tips for the person traveling alone for the first time?
We suggest having a plan for the day to avoid aimlessness, choosing activities that align with your interests, and being open to meeting people while also embracing solitude. It's normal to feel loneliness, but preparation, small social steps like in-hostel settings or courses, and having a good book or activity can help make the solo trip enjoyable and safe.
Bittersweet Moment #246: Bittersweet Endings (with Aurelio)
Q: What was the hardest part of finishing elementary school besides missing friends?
The long breaks and losing the chance to play recess, which he equates with more limited free time and the end of a routine he's known for years.

Audience Metrics

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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 life abroad, cultural exchange, and the bittersweet moments of relocation, with conversations that mix practical travel wisdom, personal storytelling, and creative work across borders. Episodes frequently feature expats, writers, artists, and researchers who illuminate how place, language, and community shape identity, relationships, and everyday life. A standout aspect is the candid, friendship-driven banter between two hosts who often bring in guests with deep experiential or historical expertise, offering listeners both actionable tips and reflective storytelling. The format tends to blend travel guidance, cultural insight, and creative pursuits, making it appealing to people curious about living abroad, travel, lang... more

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Which podcasts are similar to The Bittersweet Life?

These podcasts share a similar audience with The Bittersweet Life:

1. Kimberly's Italy
2. Travel with Rick Steves
3. ITALIAN, FOR SURE | Conversations with Italians in Italy About Italian Culture
4. Hidden Brain
5. TED Radio Hour

How many episodes of The Bittersweet Life are there?

The Bittersweet Life launched 12 years ago and published 1016 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. Julian Shapiro-Barnum
2. Dana Zaller
3. Sara Kohl
4. David Epstein
5. Martyn Stewart
6. Felipe Salles
7. Robert Fulghum
8. Dana Zoller

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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