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

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

It's a debate as old as time, and today Katy and Tiffany are tackling it:

Which are better: dogs or cats?

And perhaps more importantly, which make better pets? Is the loving loyalty of a dog a more important trait in a pet than the independent, l... more

Are you tired of watching every one you know go to Italy?

Florence-based food blogger and culinary tour guide Coral Sisk was, and she penned a viral complaint about it for the popular online foodie publication Eater, with the specific complaint tha... more

Do you write in a journal? If you don't know, have you ever done so in the past? Have you ever used a journal as a means of self-therapy?

These and other similar questions come to us in a two recent email from two long-time listeners, and we decide... more

On a past Bittersweet Moment, Tiffany remembered accidently smearing a bit of lipstick on the doorframe of one of the buildings she lived in her first months in Rome, and how that red streak is still there, 18 years later. And how, somehow, every tim... more

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Recent Guests

Andrea Scher
Writer, artist, and life coach; author of Wonder Seeker
Creative Superheroes Podcast; Wonder Seeker
Episode: The Bittersweet Past: Seeking Wonder (with Andrea Scher)
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)
Sara Kohl
Dana's sister, sister to Katy
Family of the hosts
Episode: Episode 640: Planning for the End (with Katy's sisters)
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)
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

Hosts

Katy Sewall
Host of The Bittersweet Life; collaborator on travel, culture, and storytelling topics.
Tiffany Parks
Co-host; co-creator focusing on travel, language, and personal storytelling.

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 States8 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.

Fans note the Italy/Rome focus alongside broader global life experiences.
Audiences appreciate the production quality and the varied topics beyond travel.
The show is a great blend of travel insight and personal storytelling with strong guest mix.
Listeners praise warmth and candid conversations that feel like chats with friends.

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?

The show focuses on life abroad, relocation, and living with the bittersweet parts of travel, culture, and personal growth. Conversations frequently explore expat and cross-cultural experiences, language, storytelling, and how people shape home across continents, with a warm, anecdotal, and often collaborative vibe around guests who bring creative, linguistic, or mobility perspectives. Noteworthy traits include a long-running, listener-driven community, a strong emphasis on travel and Italy (especially Rome), and episodes that blend practical tips with candid personal updates, making it approachable for both prospective expats and travel enthusiasts.

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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. Fresh Air
2. Kimberly's Italy
3. ITALIAN, FOR SURE | Conversations with Italians in Italy About Italian Culture
4. Travel with Rick Steves
5. Stories from a Stranger

How many episodes of The Bittersweet Life are there?

The Bittersweet Life launched 12 years ago and published 1022 episodes to date. You can find more information about this podcast including rankings, audience demographics and engagement in our podcast database.

How do I contact The Bittersweet Life?

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. Andrea Scher
2. Julian Shapiro-Barnum
3. Sara Kohl
4. Dana Zaller
5. David Epstein
6. Martyn Stewart
7. Felipe Salles
8. Robert Fulghum

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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