The Bittersweet Life

Latest Episodes:

Episode 198: MICRO (with Beth Ann Fennelly) Mar 26, 2018

Show notes

Today we learn to write micro-memoirs. These are short stories that really capture the essence of an experience, sometimes in just one sentence. Whether you write a blog, post on Instagram, or just want to process the details of your day-to-day life in a new way, this show will give you fun exercises to try. Our guest is Beth Ann Fennelly, author of Heating & Cooling: 52 Micro-Memoirs. She's also the poet laureate of Mississippi.

Thanks to Stackry.com for supporting this program. Shop any US retailer and ship anywhere for less money. Bittersweet Life listeners get 10% off when you try it! Just use the coupon code: MANGIA

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SPONSOR! Reach expats and future expats living all over the world. Send us an email to get the conversation started.

DONATE! Open your laptop and visit The Bittersweet Life and click the donate button on the right side of the page. The show needs your support to continue.

SAY HI! If you have a question or a topic you want us to address, send us an email. Write to: bittersweetlife@mail.com

You can also talk to us through Twitter, Facebook and Instagram - Tag #thebittersweetlife with your story for a chance to be featured!

NEW TO THE SHOW? Don't be afraid to start with Episode 1:OUTSET

Episode 197: BOOK! Mar 19, 2018

Show notes

Tiffany's first book, Midnight is the Piazza, is out! We talk about what it is like to achieve a long-held goal, and how to start writing if you want to but you're stalled.

Thanks to Stackry.com for supporting this program. Shop any US retailer and ship anywhere for less money. Bittersweet Life listeners get 10% off when you try it! Just use the coupon code: MANGIA

Check out Estrella Gomez (*star intern) at La Casabloga

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SPONSOR! Reach expats and future expats living all over the world. Send us an email to get the conversation started.

DONATE! Open your laptop and visit The Bittersweet Life and click the donate button on the right side of the page. The show needs your support to continue.

SAY HI! If you have a question or a topic you want us to address, send us an email. Write to: bittersweetlife@mail.com

You can also talk to us through Twitter, Facebook and Instagram - Tag #thebittersweetlife with your story for a chance to be featured!

NEW TO THE SHOW? Don't be afraid to start with Episode 1:OUTSET

Episode 196: RETURN Mar 12, 2018

Show notes

When you travel, do you always go somewhere new, or do you revisit the same places again and again? What personality factors determine whether you prefer novelty or familiarity on the road? Host Tiffany Parks thinks life is short and the world is big. Why wouldn't you try to see as much as possible? Host Katy Sewall prefers returning to already visited locations. Is Tiffany just a bolder traveler?

Thanks to Stackry.com for supporting this program. Shop any US retailer and ship anywhere for less money. Bittersweet Life listeners get 10% off when you try it! Just use the coupon code: MANGIA

LIVE SHOW IN SEATTLE! On Friday, March 16, 2018, we celebrate the release of Tiffany's book Midnight in the Piazza with a live performance of The Bittersweet Life. It's at 7:30pm at the Greenwood Senior Center (525 N 85th St, Seattle, WA 98103). Get tickets here!

TIFFANY'S OTHER EVENTS: See a complete listing of book appearances here.

SAY HI! If you have a question or a topic you want us to address, send us an email. Write to: bittersweetlife@mail.com

You can also talk to us through Twitter, Facebook and Instagram - Tag #thebittersweetlife with your story for a chance to be featured!

DONATE! Open your laptop and visit The Bittersweet Life and click the donate button on the right side of the page. The show needs your support to continue.

NEW TO THE SHOW? Don't be afraid to start with Episode 1:OUTSET

SPONSOR! Reach expats and future expats living all over the world. Send us an email to get the conversation started.

Episode 195: GUNS Mar 05, 2018

Show notes

How does violence in Italy compare to gun violence in the United States? We discuss guns, international gun regulations, and the privilege of living in less armed countries.

Thanks to Stackry.com for supporting this program. Shop any US retailer and ship anywhere for less money. Bittersweet Life listeners get 10% off when you try it! Just use the coupon code: MANGIA

TIFFANY'S OTHER EVENTS: See a complete listing of book appearances here.

SAY HI! If you have a question or a topic you want us to address, send us an email. Write to: bittersweetlife@mail.com

You can also talk to us through Twitter, Facebook and Instagram - Tag #thebittersweetlife with your story for a chance to be featured!

DONATE! Open your laptop and visit The Bittersweet Life and click the donate button on the right side of the page. The show needs your support to continue.

NEW TO THE SHOW? Don't be afraid to start with Episode 1:OUTSET

SPONSOR! Reach expats and future expats living all over the world. Send us an email to get the conversation started.

Episode 194: GEMS, Part 2 Feb 26, 2018

Show notes

If you're planning a trip to Rome with kids, this is the episode for you. Lots of fun, spooky ideas to keep kids and teens entertained in the eternal city. But, adults! You'll love this too. These ideas are pretty fun for us grownups too.

Thanks to Stackry.com for supporting this program. Shop at any US retailer and ship anywhere for less money. Bittersweet Life listeners get 10% off! Just use the coupon code: MANGIA

Locations mentioned in the show:

Gianicolo Hill Cannon
Quirinale Palace - Changing of the Guard
The Nerja Caves (Spain side trip!)
Catacombs along the Appian Way
The Crypts of the Capuchin Monks
Santa Maria dell'Orazione e Morte
The Pharmacy Museum in Trastevere
Luneur Amusement Park
Explora Children's Museum
The Time Elevator
Palazzo Valentini
Pizza! Visit Dar Poeta or La Gatta Mangiona
Tour companies for kids: Mamma Mia, Ciao Bambino, and Context Travel. (Mentioned but not reviewed.)

SAY HI! If you have a question or a topic you want us to address, send us an email. Write to: bittersweetlife@mail.com

You can also talk to us through Twitter, Facebook and Instagram - Tag #thebittersweetlife with your story for a chance to be featured!

DONATE! Open your laptop and visit The Bittersweet Life and click the donate button on the right side of the page. The show needs your support to continue.

NEW TO THE SHOW? Don't be afraid to start with Episode 1:OUTSET

SPONSOR! Reach expats and future expats living all over the world. Send us an email to get the conversation started.

Episode 193: GEMS, Part 1 Feb 19, 2018

Show notes

Planning a trip to Rome? Today we explore the lesser known gems of the city. These are amazing places tourists often miss (though they shouldn't). Listening will make your trip is incredible. And if you're not planning a trip, this will be like traveling to Rome at home.

LIVE SHOW! MARK YOUR CALENDARS! On Friday, March 16, 2018, we celebrate the release of Tiffany's book Midnight in the Piazza with a live performance of The Bittersweet Life in Seattle. It's at 7:30pm at the Greenwood Senior Center (525 N 85th St, Seattle, WA 98103).

Get tickets here.

Locations mentioned in the show:

The Portico d'Octavia
Stadium of Domitian
Galleria Doria Pamphilj
Galleria Colonna (only open Saturday morning)
Baths of Diocletian
Villa Farnesina
Ostia Antica (outside Rome)
Casa di Santa Francesca Romana (aka Tor de Specchi convent) - March 9th only!
Santo Stefano Rotondo

SAY HI! If you have a question or a topic you want us to address, send us an email. Write to: bittersweetlife@mail.com

You can also talk to us through Twitter, Facebook and Instagram - Tag #thebittersweetlife with your story for a chance to be featured!

DONATE! Open your laptop and visit The Bittersweet Life and click the donate button on the right side of the page. The show needs your support to continue.

NEW TO THE SHOW? Don't be afraid to start with Episode 1:OUTSET

SPONSOR! Reach expats and future expats living all over the world. Send us an email to get the conversation started.

Episode 192: PACING Feb 12, 2018

Show notes

What determines the pace of your life? Is it the city you live in? How many connections you have? What happens when you live in a country with a slower pace than you're used to? Hosts Tiffany Parks and Katy Sewall discuss.

MARK YOUR CALENDARS! On Friday, March 16, 2018, we celebrate the release of Tiffany's book Midnight in the Piazza with a live performance of The Bittersweet Life in Seattle. If you're in Seattle, we want to see you! Location TBA.

If you have a question or a topic you want us to address, send us an email. Write to: bittersweetlife@mail.com

You can also talk to us through Twitter, Facebook and Instagram - Tag #thebittersweetlife with your story for a chance to be featured!

DONATE! Open your laptop and visit The Bittersweet Life and click the donate button on the right side of the page. The show needs your support to continue.

NEW TO THE SHOW? Don't be afraid to start with Episode 1:OUTSET

SPONSOR! Reach expats and future expats living all over the world. Send us an email to get the conversation started.

Episode 191: ADVICE, Part 2 Feb 05, 2018

Show notes

"How does one choose their path without regrets?" That's one big question circling through listener Darlene's head as she listens to The Bittersweet Life podcast. Is the expat life for the unattached? Can it be too late to move? Are artist-types always dissatisfied? Katy and Tiffany debate these huge concepts and attempt to give some good advice.

If you have a question or a topic you want us to address, send us an email like Darlene did. Write to: bittersweetlife@mail.com

You can also talk to us through Twitter, Facebook and Instagram - Tag #thebittersweetlife with your story for a chance to be featured!

DONATE! Open your laptop and visit The Bittersweet Life and click the donate button on the right side of the page. The show needs your support to continue.

NEW TO THE SHOW? Don't be afraid to start with Episode 1:OUTSET

SPONSOR! Reach expats and future expats living all over the world. Send us an email to get the conversation started.

Episode 190: ADVICE, Part 1 Jan 29, 2018

Show notes

Dreaming of moving abroad but love your job? We discuss the hazards of giving up your career. Tiffany also gives listener Darlene practical tips to keep in mind when moving to Rome, Italy. Future expats, this is the show for you.

Thanks for textile designer Darlene in Brooklyn, NY for writing the letter that prompted this conversation. If you have questions you want us to debate -- WRITE US! Send us an email at bittersweetlife@mail.com

You can also talk to us through Twitter, Facebook and Instagram - Tag #thebittersweetlife with your story for a chance to be featured!

DONATE! Open your laptop and visit The Bittersweet Life and click the donate button on the right side of the page. The show needs your support to continue.

NEW TO THE SHOW? Don't be afraid to start with Episode 1:OUTSET

SPONSOR! Reach expats and future expats living all over the world. Send us an email to get the conversation started.

Episode 189: AESTHETICS Jan 21, 2018

Show notes

How important are the decorations around you? Travelers frequently live in environments designed by other people. Some people can work anywhere, but for others, aesthetics are really important.

While moving to San Francisco, host Katy Sewall realized her productivity suffered from living in uninspired temporary housing.

Decorating styles differ from country to country too. Host Tiffany Parks isn't a big fan of Italian hostess gifts called Bomboniere. While most Italians save every trinket they ever receive at a party, she throws them away.

Check out Twitter, Facebook and Instagram to see pictures of Katy's aesthetic peculiarities and to see the one bomboniere Tiffany did keep. * Post pictures of where you live too!*

Also, if you missed our show with housing designer Rebecca West, you can listen to it here.

DONATE! Open your laptop and visit The Bittersweet Life and click the donate button on the right side of the page. The show needs your support to continue.

WRITE US! Tell us your aesthetic preferences. We are dying to know. Send us an email at bittersweetlife@mail.com

NEW TO THE SHOW? Don't be afraid to start with Episode 1:OUTSET

SPONSOR! Reach expats and future expats living all over the world. Send us an email to get the conversation started.

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