Rephonic
Artwork for The Bittersweet Life
Rome
Travel
New Year's Resolutions
Roman Crypt
Borromini
Bernini
Santa Maria Dell'orazione E Morte
Singapore
Books
Post-Pandemic Socialization
Vatican Museum
Outdoor Activities
Switzerland
Social Media
Kaveh Akbar
Expat Life
Henry James
Creativity
Communication Changes
Road Trips

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

PublishesDailyEpisodes944Founded12 years ago
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Artwork for The Bittersweet Life

Latest Episodes

On this mini-episode, we talk about one of the most over-looked and underappreciated sites in the entire city. It has it all: glorious medieval mosaics (some of the oldest you'll find in the city), exquisite works of proto-baroque statuary, hidden fr... more

On the occassion of Valentine's Day, The Bittersweet Life looks at the many different kinds of love, from family love to romantic love to the love you feel for your pets.

Katy sits down with her sisters Dana and Sara to talk about the love that bin... more

"All things cute and cuddly" was the surprising topic requested by listener Sara, who supports us at the $50 level on Patreon. Choosing the topic of an episode is just one of many bonuses we offer our Patreon supporters, and as this episode proves, w... more

Romans love the story of the young Renaissance noblewoman Beatrice Cenci. It's an absolutely gruesome and horrific story (for all you true crime fans) and now, it's also a huge disappointment in Tiffany's life.

Find out why on this week's exclusive... more

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Recent Guests

Beth Ann Fennelly
Author of The Irish Goodbye, a collection of micro memoirs. Poet laureate of Mississippi from 2016 to 2021.
Episode: Episode 614: When You Move Abroad and the Locals Don't Like You (with Beth Ann Fennely)
Riley Morton
Freelance documentary producer and cinematographer
Endless Earth
Episode: The Bittersweet Past: The Art of Documenting Travel (with Riley Morton)
Michael Maren
Filmmaker and writer, former war correspondent
Siren Land
Episode: The Bittersweet Past: The Life of an International War Correspondent (with Michael Maren)
Cyndie Burkhardt
Photographer and visual storyteller
Episode: The Bittersweet Past: Around the World in Twelve Months (with Cyndie Burkhardt)
Lauren Mouat
Writer, editor, tour guide, and founding member of the Florence Literary Society.
Florence Literary Society
Episode: Episode 611: Creating a Literary Life in Florence (with Lauren Mouat)
Scott Gurian
Host and producer of the podcast Far From Home
Far From Home
Episode: The Bittersweet Past: The Wild Ride of the Mongolian Rally (with Scott Gurian)
Aarin Wright
Recent college graduate discussing his journey on the Camino de Santiago.
Episode: The Bittersweet Past: Walking the Camino de Santiago (with Aarin Wright)
Sarah McColl
Author of 'Joy Enough', a memoir reflecting on love, loss, and the relationship with her mother
Episode: The Bittersweet Past: Finding Your Joyous Life (with/Sarah McColl)
Tom Vanderbilt
Writer and contributing editor at Wired in the UK, Outside and Art Forum.
Episode: The Bittersweet Past: The Illusion of Choice (with Tom Vanderbilt)

Hosts

Katy Sewall
Co-host and creative force behind engaging narratives on expat life and cultural exploration. Often shares personal stories that resonate with the audience's experiences.
Tiffany Parks
Co-host known for her warm approach and engaging storytelling, particularly around themes of friendship, travel, and cultural insights. Shares relatable experiences as an expat.

Reviews

4.7 out of 5 stars from 396 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 Statesa month 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 States8 months 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 States10 months 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.

Many find the insights into Italian culture enriching and educational, identifying it as both a travel and a life podcast.
Listeners appreciate the hosts' ability to balance humor with thoughtful discussions on serious topics.
The podcast is praised for its relatable and candid conversations about the expat experience, making listeners feel connected even from afar.
Listeners love the strong friendship between the hosts, noting that their rapport makes the listening experience enjoyable and engaging.

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: The Art of Documenting Travel (with Riley Morton)
Q: Is there any way that this pandemic has made you more of a wary traveler than you would have been prior?
Yes, I think I might be less inclined to spend hours in crowded environments and more cautious about proximity to others.
The Bittersweet Past: The Art of Documenting Travel (with Riley Morton)
Q: What do you think travel is going to actually look like post-pandemic?
Post-pandemic travel will likely be slower and more thoughtful, with travelers being more deliberate about their experiences.
The Bittersweet Past: The Art of Documenting Travel (with Riley Morton)
Q: How would you say social media has affected you as a filmmaker or affected travel in general?
Social media has changed the way we travel, impacting genuine experiences as many travelers are focused on getting the perfect photo.
Episode 614: When You Move Abroad and the Locals Don't Like You (with Beth Ann Fennely)
Q: Do you remember what you did to cope in this period of time?
Fennelly coped by writing poetry and reading many books, despite feeling isolated.
Episode 614: When You Move Abroad and the Locals Don't Like You (with Beth Ann Fennely)
Q: What were you expecting when you thought, okay, I'll do this?
She envisioned a romanticized life filled with cafe writing and cultural engagement, which starkly contrasted with her reality.

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 podcast offers a candid exploration of the experiences, joys, and challenges associated with living abroad, particularly focusing on expat life in Italy. Through discussions filled with humor and personal anecdotes, the hosts provide insights into navigating cultural differences, addressing personal growth, and fostering meaningful connections as they reflect on their own journeys based in Rome and Seattle. Notable episodes tackle diverse themes ranging from art and literature to travel tips and emotional experiences like expat guilt and health challenges, creating a rich tapestry of topics that resonates with a broad audience. Uniquely, it blends humor with heartfelt discussions, making it both informative and relatable, and is likely... more

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How many listeners does The Bittersweet Life get?

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Which podcasts are similar to The Bittersweet Life?

These podcasts share a similar audience with The Bittersweet Life:

1. Untold Italy travel podcast
2. Fresh Air
3. The Interview
4. Travel with Rick Steves
5. The Book Review

How many episodes of The Bittersweet Life are there?

The Bittersweet Life launched 12 years ago and published 944 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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Our systems regularly scour the web to find email addresses and social media links for this podcast. We scanned the web and collated all of the contact information that we could find in our podcast database. But in the unlikely event that you can't find what you're looking for, our concierge service lets you request our research team to source better contacts for you.

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What guests have appeared on The Bittersweet Life?

Recent guests on The Bittersweet Life include:

1. Beth Ann Fennelly
2. Riley Morton
3. Michael Maren
4. Cyndie Burkhardt
5. Lauren Mouat
6. Scott Gurian
7. Aarin Wright
8. Sarah McColl

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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