Holding the Fort Abroad

SynopsisIn this episode I talk about what you can expect from this podcast and why I am doing it. Extract from the book Holding the Fort Abroad: “Holding the fort, or, in American English, holding down the fort, is an expression that means taking care of things during someone’s absence. In March 2019, as my husband prepared to live in Afghanistan for two years while I stayed in Switzerland, I realised that he has travelled for work throughout our 15-year marriage, albeit not eight weeks at a time, as we were then planning. It would be fair to say I took care of home, family and my own projects while he was away. There have been times when I arrived with our two boys at the location of my husband’s new posting and he was already off on a work trip. In the meantime, I found a home, transitioned the children into a new school and settled in. Or the other way around: he went on to his new job while I sold the house, organised the goodbyes and shipped us all off to our new destination. Over the years, I have had conversations with fellow globally mobile families about the fact that often, a big part of a posting includes work travel. Frequent business travel is mentioned, along with loss of social network, loneliness and resentment as typical stresses of expatriation on the Accompanying Partner. But its impact is rarely looked at separately. It is high time we start talking, in its own right, about life abroad with a travelling partner.”Resources mentioned in the showHolding the Fort Abroad - BookFollow Rhoda at:InstagramSolo parenting expat mums - Facebook groupLinkedIn

20/04/2022 • 06:49

Synopsis:Margaret Ghielmetti knows what it is like to be home alone when she thought she was moving abroad with her husband and not moving abroad waiting for her husband to come home. She talks about her journey from thinking she would be fine to the reality she encountered to finally being open about needing help and creating a life for herself on her own terms.In this Episode:  The metaphorical life handbook we receive from our families.Why Margaret was surprised by the effect of her husband’s travelling although she (thought she) knew what she had signed up for.Supporting each other when not in the same place. Expressing your needs.Sharing the blessing of allowing others to help us.Stop saying ‘I’m fine’.Deciding non-negotiables for you! Keeping soft boundaries.Casting a wide net.Feeling lonely when you feel you should be feeling lucky.Resources Mentioned in the Podcast:     Brene Brown/The Anatomy of TrustGuidebook ‘Asking for help’ Contact Margaret:‘Bravi(ish): A Memoir of a Recovering Perfectionist’www.margaretghielmetti.com

20/04/2022 • 36:48

Synopsis:Helen is NOT an expat, she is the mother of expats, a long distance grandparent and the author of a series of books on distance relationships between grandparents, distance sons and daughters and distance grandchildren. One of Helen’s children was an expat with a travelling partner. This episode is a conversation being a distance grandparent when your expat child is solo parenting.In This Episode:The importance of generations understanding each other in distance familiesBeing available but keeping boundariesDistance Parents/in Laws are all different ! Advice for Distance Parents How a Distance Child can use this advice to ask their parents/in laws for helpWhat if you have a difficult relationship with Parents/In Laws ?Resource Mentioned in the Episode:Being a Distance Grandparent by Helen Ellis5 Love Languages by Gary ChapmanIt's All About Relationships by Karen L Rancourt

24/05/2022 • 33:17

Synopsis:Claire Hauxwell is a professional badass (accompanying supportive spouse), writer, and coach. A trained Supply Chain professional and ex-spreadsheet lover, she now puts her Type A personality to work by deconstructing the nuances of expat life. With more than a decade of global living experience, Claire shares her wisdom on the blog – My Theory On Blooming, and coaches female expat accompanying spouses to create fulfilling and intentional lives abroad. If she’s not roaming the aisles of the grocery store or meandering the forest with her dogs, you’ll find her sweating it out at CrossFit or having cocktails with friends. Claire and her family currently live in Switzerland, but return to the shores of Muskegon, Michigan every summer for a taste of home. On this podcast she shares her expat story through the lens of life with a partner who travels for work. In this Episode:    Claire begins her story as an accompanying spouse with a newborn and a toddler in a new city with a husband gone for work most of the time. Missing birthdays and big dates(stay tuned, this comes up again at 30)The importance of organising help with childcare. Transitions when your partner comes home from a trip.Keeping your partner in the loop when they are awayWhat Claire would say to a new mum, in a new place, with a partner who travels. Mentioned in this Episode: Guidebook ‘Asking for help’

25/05/2022 • 39:41

Synopsis:Robert has many different skills, he’s been in the military, he’s been a teacher, he is trained as an engineer and he is the dad of two wonderful girls. He gives us his perspective as a Holding the Fort Dad and gives some fantastic tips on parenting too !In This Episode:      Robert’s life before becoming a Holding the Fort DadBeing the only dad in Mother & Toddler groupsStagging on & Staffing off: the importance of getting rest. The value of retrainingTop tips on having a female au pair when mum is the one travellingBatch cookingTaking care of an elderly parent as wellAdvice to dads whose partner is about to be away a lot for workThe importance of having other adult contactResources:www.mumsnet.com - a wonderful resource for getting answers to questionsDyscalculia

26/05/2022 • 43:51

SynopsisVivian is the founder of Expat Nest, an online counselling service for internationals. She is a registered psychologist with Master’s degrees in both Child & Adolescent Psychology and Health Psychology. She was recognised in 2020 as one of the 100 most influential women in the world by Women appreciating Women. She is bicultural with family all over the world, Vivian is familiar with the international community and inspired by its diversity. In this episodeVivian’s goal - providing an empathetic and comforting environment in which expats feel heard and understood and helping deal with the challenges of expat life. Multi-lingual and expat specialised: how and why Expat Nest works. Difficulties that Vivian often sees with people living in split locations. Vivian’s top tips for couples and families living in split locations.Why get in touch with a therapist?Vivian’s top recommended resources.Resources Mentioned‘Third Culture Kids: Growing Up Among Worlds’ book by David C. Pollock & Ruth E. van RekenFamilies In Global Transition ‘Belonging Everywhere and Nowhere’ book by Lois J. Bushong‘Holding The Fort Abroad’ book by Rhoda Bangerter ‘Solo Parenting Expat Mums’ Facebook groupThe Tandem Nomad Podcast by Amel Derragui'In Transit’ (formerly Expat Happy Hour) podcast with Sundae Bean Contact VivianExpat Nest

27/05/2022 • 36:51

SynopsisSharoya Ham is a behaviour change specialist and founder of Embrace Behavior Change. She is also a licensed teacher with over 25 years of experience working with at-risk students and their families. Her favourite career, however, was as a stay-at-home mom. She attributes her three amazing sons who are now 18, 20, and 23 for teaching her endless lessons about parenting. Sharoya is an American who hails from the state of New Jersey. Over the past 15 years, she and her husband and their three sons have lived in six African countries. Sharoya’s husband travelled a lot over the years so she knows what it is like to be home alone with the children.In this Episode:Sharoya’s general approach: working with parents at their wit’s end when nothing works to see relationships transform.Acknowledging what is going right and creating a vision.Embracing your own behaviour changes. Building what we want to see in our children in five/ten years from now. The difference between a compliment and building confidence. Focusing on positive behavioursSharoya’s personal journeyRecognising it is a lot! We keep asking our bodies and emotions more than they can handle. What dads say about parenting How we can invite our travelling partners to parent.Resources mentioned in the Episode:1.    Personal permission card set "I give myself permission to ..." 2.    Marco Polo appContact SharoyaWebsite: Embrace Behavior ChangeFacebook: Embrace Behavior ChangeInstagram: parentcoachsharoyaTwitter: Sharoya Ham

20/06/2022 • 53:49

SynopsisKerry is a researcher, collaborator and entrepreneur in aging, care and connection. She is the Founder of The Long Distance Grandparent, a mission driven business, helping grandparents build strong bonds with their grandchildren – no matter the distance between.In this Episode The Long Distance Grandparent Society (1:10)Nurturing the relationship: similarities in maintaining connection between grandparents and grandkids and maintaining connection with travelling parents & their children (6:30)The Five Pillars to Connection (11:40)The importance of having a vision for the relationship (11:50)The Connection Loop (30:37)Starting early (39:11)Grief (40:20)Spontaneity(42:09)Two of Kerry’s favourite resources for parenting (44:34)Resources mentioned in the episodePeaceful Parenting Raising Adventurous EatersPeekabondContact Kerrywww.thelongdistancegrandparent.comKerry has a lot of different blogs on connecting, various topics, inspiration and ideas for staying connected. She sends out a weekly email with those kinds of tips. and you can find out more about the membership at that website as well.

04/07/2022 • 44:49

SynopsisFor many years, Matthijs de Rave worked as Sales Director for well known, worldwide insurance companies and was also an author of children’s books. One day, he had an airplane epiphany and founded Expat Valley. I talk to him about being the first Ombudsman for International Children, and what it was like being an travelling dad.In this EpisodeWhat is an Ombudsman for International Children, what Matthijs does and who are international children. (1:19)His personal experience of travelling a lot for work and being a dad. (5:59)The impact on his children. (6:51)His airplane epiphany. (8:11)The Trip Kit.(11:25)Phone calls home (20:41)What Matthijs would say to someone who is just starting to travel a lot for work. (21:55).The importance of hearing other people’s stories around business travel and being more open about talking about it. (26:16)Matthijs’ favourite resources for life and parenting. (35:22)Resources mentioned in the episodeThe Biggest Little Farm Contact Matthijs de RaveExpat ValleyLinkedIn

18/07/2022 • 41:27

SynopsisShellee Burroughs is a UK Registered Art Therapist. She has 10+ years’ experience counselling within the education sector, specialising in trauma and sexual abuse therapy.She is an experienced child and adolescent counsellor using a range of approaches from Creative Arts and Play/Sand Tray Therapy, Child Accelerated Trauma Therapy, Narrative Therapy, and Strengths Based Psychology. She also knows all about Third Culture Kids! In this EpisodeShellee’s personal and professional story. Her main takeaways of living split location during Covid with teens I ask Shellee if she sees any benefits to this life What would say to a family who is about to live it or who is living? With teens? How art therapy can help us with this lifestyle' (even for non-artists).Shellee shares about her post it notes.A favourite resourceResources Mentioned in EpisodeThe Emotions’ Wheel Good for when you're struggling to name how you feel.Families in Global Transition Contact Shellee BurroughsInstagramWebsite Email  

06/09/2022 • 43:54

Synopsis:International adoptee, born in Sri Lanka and holder of a French passport, Florence Chabert d’Hieres specialises in cross-cultural training and coaching from 6 years old kids to top management.In 2009, she created Coach4expat. She is the author of “I'm a citizen of the world” for parents and children to help them succeed in their expat adventure. During the pandemic, she created Expat Village an online village, allowing a one stop shop for the personal and professional needs for expats and their families.In This Episode:More about Expat Village and Florence’s workHow she has experienced having a partner who is away a lot for work.What Florence would say to families with little children/older children? What she has found works for this type of lifestyle.Brain Gym and how it has helped Florence and her family (specifically with being away from each other)Apart from Brain Gym, Florence shares a life/parenting resource that she has found really helpfulMentioned in the Episode:Brain GymExpat VillageContact Florence:Coach4Expat

19/09/2022 • 48:46

SynopsisIn this episode, I share a little about my burnout in January 2021, the panic attacks I experienced and the exhaustion that set in after a series of difficult situations accumulated. I share how I recovered and the lessons learned from that incredibly difficult time. If you feel that you have been stressed for a long time, this might be worth a listen. If you are experiencing panic attacks, stop listening if it is triggering for you. In these shownotes are the techniques and tools that helped me. I am so grateful that during that time I had access to emotional and practical help from professionals and from family and friends. In this EpisodeWhat happened that led to burnout Lessons learnedBring your stress levels as low down as possible as often as possibleCheck your hormone levelsCheck your vitamin and mineral levels (low B12 & Low Magnesium) Self-havening, Progressive Muscle Relaxation to relaxTime your panic attackResources Mentioned in the EpisodeSelf havening Dr Caroline Leaf Spikey ballProgressive Muscle Therapy Vivian Chiona at Expat NestContact Rhodarhoda@amulticulturallife.com       www.amulticulturallife.com to sign up for newsletter

10/10/2022 • 14:45

Synopsis:Dr Neeta is a US licensed psychologist living, practicing, and consulting internationally. Her online private practice includes therapy and coaching services for expats, first gens, interculturalists, digital nomads, diplomats, humanitarian workers, military veterans, third culture kids, and globally mobile folx. Her approach is integrative and humanistic, with a focus on solutions for growth and holistic wellness. In This Episode:Emotional numbing and the wall between the partner who was away and the rest of the family. No place for stoicism!An invitation to doing deeper inner workThe flip side of being strongHonoring the family systemThe importance of experimentingA bubble bath a day is not going to take away the lonelinessGetting out of your headPreparing for a split locationRecommended resourcesResources mentioned in the episode:Hold me Tight book by Dr Sue Johnson Self Compassion - website for Dr. Kristin NeffContact Dr Neeta:Website

31/10/2022 • 41:06

Synopsis:Today my guest is Bruna Toubia. She is multicultural, multilingual. She has lived in Europe, the Middle East and Asia. And she is trained in  impressive array of holistic, process-orientated and goal-orientated methods. First she is going introduce systemic constellations and then she will help us see how they can be a powerful tool in situations where you are geographically separated from your spouse. In this Episode: Bruna explains constellations. How can constellations help for someone who has a partner who is often absent with some examples of scenarios. How constellations can help decide on a posting away from the family or help when time apart Can a parent use it if there is a situation with a child? How can someone set up a constellation with BrunaBruna shares with us a life or parenting resourceResources mentioned in the episode:Book - Love’s Hidden Symmetry: What Makes Love Work in Relationships? by Bert HellingerContact Bruna:WebsiteEmailTel Number: +41 76 406 53 55

14/11/2022 • 27:10

Synopsis:Today my guest is Richelle Futch. Richelle has built and scaled multiple ventures across technology, education, nonprofit and service based industries. She is a sponsorship specialist, an author, a public speaker and a trainer. Richelle is a former Marine, current military spouse and advocate for military employment, preventative mental health care and reform. She has worked with congress members on policy reform and has been invited to the White House on behalf of her work and advocacy efforts.Together we explore some of the similarities between a military family and a family where a partner is a humanitarian for example. We touch on the aspect of calling, or vocation which means physical separation from spouse and children. Non-Military families can learn from what helps military families succeed. In this Episode:Richelle explains why she wrote her post (which later went viral) She shares challenges military families experience.What Richelle thinks military families need to succeed.Richelle gives us what she has learned in her solo parenting journey.What Richelle would say to the family of a humanitarian going to a country at war for example.Resources mentioned in the episodeBerry's acculturation model (see example here)Dialectical Behavior Therapy (see explanation here)www.herruck.com Contact RichelleLinkedInRichelle’s LinkedIn Post: Full Text – Posted on 16 August 2022 "This past week I've been seeing some harsh posts in some social media groups about military spouses.I have seen quite a few folks completely obliterate military spouses for identifying as military spouses. Saying "You don't serve." Or ask, "Why do you put that on your profile or resume?" Followed by hurtful bashing remarks disguised as humor.Just some insight from my experience as both a veteran and military spouse...When I say my spouse is active duty, I am not trying to say his accomplishments are mine. Not at all. What I am conveying is, as the spouse of someone who has been to war... multiple times, has a high optempo job, is dealing with a lot of stuff they can't always control or discuss, and is gone... a lot, I am impacted by this and it requires me to pivot my plans last minute, solo parent for months at a time, adjust, re-adjust, be emotionally intelligent, maintain my interests/career/friends/boundaries/ all knowing that the needs of the military comes first ...so, my plans while good in theory really are never completely solid. That is quite a mouthful, so it is easier to say I'm a military spouse and hope that the person receiving that understands 'Oh there are outside factors impacting their life that are different (or the same) as mine'. There is transparency in that statement. It means my family belongs to a culture you may or may not understand. My point is, identifying as a military spouse is not stolen valor.That is all :)Richelle Futch, LICSW• 1st Entrepreneur & Founder: Sponsorship Specialist. Veteran. Mental Health Counselor. Trainer

01/12/2022 • 44:11

Synopsis:Becky Grappo is an educational consultant. She works with families throughout the United States and around the world on planning their children's education. Her husband was a career foreign service officer for 27 years in the US Diplomatic Service. During that time and with three young children at home, she went back to school and got her graduate degree in education. She taught in several international schools before going back to the US and working in a US public school. Then she worked at the State department helping to guide foreign service families as they were planning the education for their children. Throughout her husband's career, they faced several unaccompanied tours.In This Episode:What Becky does for work nowA new baby (not what you think!) during an unaccompanied tourWhat couples need to have in place before being geographically separatedYou are not the only family living apart in your organisation. Is there any way of getting together? Can you ask your partner’s organisation for support as a group?Resources Mentioned in this Episode:Monday Morning Emails - Book by Terry Anne Wilson & Jo Parfitt Standardized Regulations (DSSR) - Department of State Contact Becky:Email

12/12/2022 • 44:24

Synopsis:Wiebke Anton is a relationship coach for people living abroad. In this episode, we talk about being a couple who moves and how we can prioritise our relationship.In This Episode:Typical scenarios that Wiebke sees in her work with couples who move abroadWhat Wiebke focuses on during relationship care sessions, exercises that she uses, and how these apply to couples who are geographically separatedSome advice and fun ideas for keeping romance alive even when geographically separated, and how to have stress reducing conversations with your partner.How to navigate phases of being reunited, when the travelling partner returns home, and examples of questions to ask each other.The balance between sharing with your partner and keeping the relationship as carefree as possible. For example: am I using my partner's absence as an emotional blackmail or weapon in our arguments? How do I address negative feelings in an appropriate manner?Resources mentioned in the episode:Kate Galloway podcast with Wiebke Anton The BeReal app. Paula Hall books: https://www.paulahall.co.uk/books/ How to Express Intense Emotions in a Healthy Way – Dr. Leaf (drleaf.com)Wiebke's questions: for returning home:When I come home or when you come home, what is your best way to unwind yourself from the journey and from the scenery change?Do you need some buffer time and do you need, for instance, the first evening for yourself?Do I want to be picked up from the airport? Yes or no?Is it important for me that the house is cleaned, yes or no?Do you want to cook? Shall we cook together? Do you want to come home and everything is prepared?Contact Wiebke:Website Instagram (@wiebke.help4love)LinkedIn 

26/12/2022 • 43:40

Synopsis:Today my guest is Arlette Chatlein. She is no stranger to living far from her partner. Born in Curaçao, Arlette moved to The Netherlands when she was 19 years old to study Economics at the University of Rotterdam. Little did she know that it would only be her first move. Her and her husband have lived apart at three different times. Listen to her share what they have learned.In This Episode:Her three different experiencesWhat they have learnedWhat have you put in place, maybe even subconsciously that makes it work? Do you think it's mindset? Do you think this life is for anyone or does it take a special kind of person? Resources Mentioned in This Episode:Tips on reaching out to people in a new context (see Arlette’s website) Contact Arlette:WebsiteFaceBookInstagram

11/01/2023 • 36:57

Synopsis:In this episode I share my acronym GREAT which helps to remember the five strategies to make business travel work for you and your family. Whether your partner is gone Monday to Friday, or months at a time. Resources Mentioned in this Episode:Workbook - How to ask for help and get the help you need. Take the time out to figure out:what stops you from asking for helpwhat help you needwho to ask Contact Rhodawww.amulticulturallife.comSign up for my newsletter for information on upcoming events and new resources.

31/01/2023 • 13:45

Synopsis:Today my guest is Colleen Higgs. She and her husband have five children. As a professional turned mum, she knows what it is like to be frustrating when parenting is efficient! In her blog Unpacking Parenting, she challenges us to stop using measures used for efficiency and look at parenting in a completely different way. Colleen also knows what it is like to live abroad and have a travelling partner. She is just about to finish a solo-parenting stint of two years. She shares with us some of her insights on this life and what has helped her. In This Episode:Applying (or not) to parenting the principles we learn in our professional life.Transition timesDon’t compare How does living in your season look likeSome practical tipsSign up to Colleen's Newsletter:www.unpackingparenting.com

21/02/2023 • 32:24

Synopsis:Carole Hallett is an expat expert and host of the Expat Ability Chat podcast and founder of Expat child. After having lived as an expat, she is now living in her home country while her husband moves on assignment. In her coaching practice she has often seen that frequent business travel is a part of the expat experience.In This Episode:Carole explains about her various moves as an expat in Japan, Germany and South Africa. She tells of how she met her husband and came to live the expat life as a couple too.       How companies do and don’t support families in overseas assignments, scenarios to be aware of and what to put in place to put the odds in your favour, such as building up a support network.The importance of clearly communicating each partner’s needs, especially in a relationship where one partner is often travelling.The challenges of moving with teens, how to change school systems with older children.Resources Mentioned in the Episode:Expat ChildExpatability Chat podcast Contact Carole:LinkedInEmail

06/03/2023 • 38:32

Synopsis:Mariam Navaid Ottimofiore is a Pakistani expat author, writer, researcher and economist. She has lived in ten countries as both a TCK and an expat adult: The Kingdom of Bahrain, the United States, Pakistan, the United Kingdom, Germany, Denmark, Singapore, the United Arab Emirates, Ghana and Portugal. She is the author of the expat guidebook This Messy Mobile Life: How a MOLA can help globally mobile families create a life by design (Summertime Publishing 2019) which equips international families to navigate a life abroad. She is also the blogger behind the expat blog And Then We Moved To in which she explores expat life and raising multicultural and multilingual children in her East-meets-West marriage.In This Episode:Mariam’s life as a mum of a globally mobile family. Her experience of this lifestyle with young children and children of differing ages.The unique struggle living and coping in cultures where one partner is entirely dependent on the travelling partner, with very little rights of their own (visa, finances, etc.)The need for flexibility when one partner travels for work, as well as working together as a team.The importance of asking for help, having a backup adult, and good self-care. To have realistic expectations of yourself.Mum vs Dad travelling: the upsides and society’s double standards.Navigating the return of the travelling parent and how to reintegrate them into family life and routine.Ideas and strategies for keeping the travelling partner emotionally present in the home/with the kids.The importance of good communication within the couple, sharing each other’s experiences.How knowing all the travelling partner’s travel details can be vitally important, especially when dealing with high-risk situations Contact Mariam:Website InstagramFacebook LinkedIn

27/04/2023 • 37:51

Synopsis:Angelic is a Holistic Health Practitioner, Mindfulness Coach and author from San Diego, CA. She is also a volunteer with the Myositis Support and Understanding organization where she moderates mindfulness conversations on clubhouse and advocates for myositis, a rare auto immune disease that has affected her own life. She also knows what it is to live as an expat. In this interview, she talks about her expat journey and her new book ‘Women Thrive’. We discuss how we can live wellness with a partner who works away from home.In This Episode:Angelic tells of her move to England with her partner, and the emotional challenges she faced in relation to her new situation, such as losing her sense of purpose.How she came to discover the world of therapy and life coaching and then launching her own business in the field. Angelic talks about volunteer work helping her regain purpose.Angelic tells of her experience being diagnosed with and then managing a rare autoimmune disease.What mindfulness is and how it can help to overcome false narratives and the stresses of lifePractical tips for practising mindfulness and other life tipsAngelic talks about her book ‘Women Thrive’Resources Mentioned:Women Thrive: Inspiring True Stories of Women - by Angelic IngramContact Angelic:Website Instagram LinkedInLinktree

03/05/2023 • 38:54

Synopsis:Kate is British, married to a Frenchman and they currently live in France. She is a Facilitator, Certified Coach and Mentor. Her husband has been travelling Monday-Friday for about a year now. We talk about her family’s experience with this lifestyle, and what she has put in place.In This Episode:How Kate came to end up in France and the kind of coaching work Kate doesHow learning to navigating change is a vital skill for all humans, especially expatsWhat Kate and her family put in place to enable business travel for her husband and to make it work for the whole family The pros and cons of Monday-Friday business travel and Kate experience of navigating this modelThe importance of listening to yourself, to your body, to set limits and expectations, and then constantly adapting to what works for you.Contact Kate:WebsiteEmailInstagram FacebookLinkedIn

18/05/2023 • 32:46

Synopsis:Jennie Linton is a certified life coach, about to complete a clinical mental health counselling program, she is a mom to 4 daughters and married to a US diplomat. She’s lived on 4 continents and in 7 countries. She is part of the team on the Big Purple Blob, an online platform for US Diplomatic community and she is also the host of her own podcast, The Expat Mom. She is passionate about helping moms feel emotionally healthy so they can be the kind of mom they want to be.In This Episode:Jennie’s journey as an expat and her struggles related to her children’s mental health, and the importance of a positive mindset in how we perceive the world and our situationHow to identify the narratives in your head and transform them into a constructive thought processDifferent practical tools to improving psychological and emotional healthJennie walks us through a series of common beliefs about the expat life and holding down the fort abroad, and how to process the thoughts and counter them with facts and encouraging truthResources in the Episode:‘Myths That Threaten Split-Location Marriages’ free cheat sheet: https://forms.aweber.com/form/25/1425643925.htmContact Jennie:WebsiteEmail: jennie@theexpatmom.com InstagramFacebookPodcast: The Expat Mom

30/05/2023 • 44:49

Synopsis:Karina is an adult third culture kid, a psychologist, a sex therapist, and a mother. She helps expatriated cross-cultural and frequent traveling couples and families to thrive. We will talk first about her research that she's doing on becoming mothers abroad, and then she's going to give us her insights into frequent business travel. When you are a mom, this is a topic that hasn’t yet been addressed on this podcast, and one that comes up a lot in questions about frequent business travel.In this Episode:About Karina’s background and researchMatrescence, the process of becoming a motherCombining motherhood and travel – Is it possible? Karina and Rhoda talk about what to consider in your decision-making and what to put in place if you decide to travel.How each situation is different - be it moms, dads, or children – and how that should impact us. How to help each other in spite of differences.Role models in children’s lives and the importance of being emotionally present.Children’s developmental stages and the importance for attachment.You don’t need to be perfect!Resources Mentioned in the Episode:Help Karina’s research by filling in her survey below.As a pioneering thesis in Sensory Processing Sensitivity, exploring some aspects of our personality as possible preventive factors during adjustment to motherhood, I need two large groups; expatriated and non-expatriate European mothers. So every mom is welcome to participate.PARTICIPATION IS 100% ANONYMOUS AND VOLUNTEER.FOR EXPATRIATED MOMS FOR NON-EXPATRIATED EUROPEAN MOMS Megan Meeker books:Strong Mothers, Strong SonsStrong Fathers, Strong DaughtersContact Karina:EmailLinkedIn

21/06/2023 • 57:00

Synopsis:Elizabeth has founded many businesses, she is a mentor, an author. She founded growatyourpace.com where you can find transformational courses. She is also the founder of Spoken Lives, where women share. She will tell us a little more about what she is doing now and Elizabeth has kindly agreed to share with us what it is like to travel for business when you are a mum and what she did that worked.In This Episode:About Elizabeth and the different projects she is involved inElizabeth’s first business trips as a young mum, how she experienced it and what practical things she put in place for her children to feel her presence. The different roles in house management for the stay-at-home and the travelling partnerEquipping your children to be independent and resourcefulCreating a space for children to talk with their parentsResources Mentioned in the Episode:https://growatyourpace.com/ (online courses - free ones, too! (Mountain of Ideas & Baby Focus would be helpful))https://spokenlives.com/ (Toronto based women's speaker series)https://www.amazon.com/Raising-Self-Reliant-Children-Self-Indulgent-World/dp/0761511288 resource mentioned in episodewww.yourapplauseacademy.com (online course - how to plan, launch and make money with your own speaker series)www.officementors.com (business mentoring)https://lidialae.com/ Contact ElizabethWebsite (book information and survey)Email  Linkedin

03/07/2023 • 35:12

Synopsis:Franziska is the founder of Be Happy Abroad. She's a coach, passionate about supporting internationals. She has experience of frequent business travel, and after an initial conversation about what she does now and her experience, we're going to talk about nutrition, intuitive eating more specifically, which is a key element for anyone, but especially important to pay attention to when there is a lot going out. In This Episode:Franziska’s journey as an expat and the effect that has on identityFranziska tells a bit about the Happy Abroad summit, how and why she founded it and the story behind the nameFranziska’s experience of her husband’s frequent business travelFranziska explains the four basic principles of intuitive eating, what they are and how to incorporate them into everyday life so as to have a healthy nutrition which fulfills your needs.Contact Franziska:Email FacebookLinkedin

17/07/2023 • 36:19

Synopsis:Today my guest is Kirsten Pontius. Kirsten is an expat, she is a wellness specialist. She works with individuals on their personal wellbeing but she also works with staff in international schools who are often forgotten! Kirsten and I met a few years ago in a workshop and we have recently reconnected. She gives us her insights and shares tools we can use when we are overwhelmed, which can definitely happen when our partner’s are away and we are the only adult at home. In This Episode:We're meant to have that kind of elevated stress response, 1%-3% of our lives01:55 Helping families of staff of international schools04:40 Kirsten’s story: from long-distance dating to 15 years abroad to holistic support09:15  How can we break up the stress response so that we are not living in it all day every day. Especially when we feel there is no time to stop.  Reclaim time Flexing the breath muscle with a breath pointTelling your body you are safeUse a 3-min timer24:20 Plan B as a  BaselineBuiding minimums Building routine and automation to reduce decision fatigue when we live transient and changing lives32:33 Achievable morning and evening routines as downtime 36:38 Considering what we are modeling38:49 It’s not the expat ‘holding the fort’ lifestyle41:00 Food intolerances and travelResources mentioned in the episode:Progressive Muscle Relaxation Grounding Habit stackingBook - Moving abroad with your health and sanity by Kirsten PontiusKirsten’s next Refresh Program will run: Sept 13 - Oct 18, 2023Contact KirstenWebsiteInstagram

04/09/2023 • 45:00

Synopsis:Dr Laura Anderson is a clinical psychologist and the founder of Common Chord Psychologist Services. She provides consultation services for multi-racial families, adoptive families, and families with gender expansive members, as they overcome barriers, derive strength from their differences and thrive. Additionally, she has a particular area of interest in supporting third culture children and families who may need support with the stresses associated with living out of their countries of origin. Today with Dr. Laura, we're going to be talking about how intercultural dynamics play out when distance is involved, how to be a family when not living under the same roof, and coping with uncertainties, which is very much part of this life when travel date changes, when there are emergencies, or when there's risk involved when the parent is in a hostile in environment.In This Episode:Dr Laura Anderson explains the name Common ChordShe explains her work among expat families and families in split locations, working with all age ranges.She gives practical tips for understanding kid brain and strategies for coping with change.She discusses how to talk about feelings and emotions with children and teens.Rhoda and Dr Anderson discuss the importance of rituals and of keeping the traveling parent in the loop, as well as how to engage your child in conversation.Navigating the return home of the travelling parent. Dr Anderson touches on anxiety, and teaches us how to recognize the early symptoms, and how this can help in dealing with the root issues and reacting better.Parents in dangerous locations and the importance of explaining in an age appropriate way the situation and the reasons behind the decision.Contact Dr LauraWebsiteEmail InstagramFacebook LinkedIn

18/09/2023 • 55:15