Transcontinental Overload shines a spotlight on expats’ life stories, and the realities of leaving your home country and making a new life abroad. Host Stephanie Cook talks to fellow expats, global nomads and professionals about their personal journeys and observations, discussing the complexities, wonders, heartache and richness of living abroad. The podcast goes hand in hand with her blog on www.transcontinentaloverload.com.


Transcontinental Overload

<a target="_blank" href="https://www.buzzsprout.com/twilio/text_messages/872791/open_sms">Send us a text</a>Happy Anniversary, Transcontinental Overload Podcast!  While the current abysmal state of affairs is nothing to be cheerful about, I'm trying to keep a positive mindset and am celebrating that my podcast is 5!Let's use all our anger and despair and fear and create a strong community - long live the resistance! Es lebe der Widerstand! (deutsche Version beginnt 16:13).In the coming weeks and months, you'll find more content on and beyond the podcast, as I'm working through a stack of ideas for you, including collaborations, Zoom meets and Q&As.I'm also busy editing the first draft of my memoir, and since multitasking is not one of my strengths, I hope you forgive me for going radio silent from time to time. I'm all about mindfulness, enjoyment, recharging, and definitely not rushing around. If that's your vibe, join the club!Find and follow me on my <a href='https://transcontinentaloverload.com/'>website</a>, <a href='https://www.instagram.com/overloadedsteph/'>Instagram</a>, <a href='https://substack.com/@sxcook'>Substack</a> and/or <a href='https://bsky.app/profile/overloadedsteph.bsky.social'>Bluesky</a>, so you don't miss any important updates.Lots of love from me to all of y'all!Die deutsche Version beginnt ab Minute 16:13. Mwah!

73. 5th Anniversary Episode - Steph's Take

<a target="_blank" href="https://www.buzzsprout.com/twilio/text_messages/872791/open_sms">Send us a text</a>Heute gibt's mal wieder eine Folge auf Deutsch! Mein Gast ist Andrea aus Hamburg, die sich nach mehreren Jahren in den USA wieder in Deutschland eine Karriere und ein neues Leben aufgebaut hat. Andrea arbeitet im internationalen Schulwesen und als Coach und Mentor für Rückkehrer nach Deutschland, insbesondere mit Kindern, und natürlich bekommen wir jeden Menge Tipps und Perspektiven, was den Neustart im alten Land angeht. Wir sprechen über bestimmte Strategien, die bei der Rückkehr helfen und auch darüber, was nicht hilft, wie wichtig es ist, zu trauern und was so mit der eigenen Identität passiert, wenn man nach einem Auslandsaufenthalt in die alte Heimat zurückkehrt. Und noch vieles mehr! Wer sich mit Andrea in Verbindung setzen will, macht das am besten über <a href='https://www.linkedin.com/in/andrea-zahrte/'>LinkedIn</a>, <a href='https://www.instagram.com/andreazahrte/'>Instagram</a> oder direkt auf ihrer <a href='https://andreazahrte.com/'>Website</a>. Wenn du Lust hast, selbst bei mir Gast zu sein (oder jemanden kennst, der Lust darauf hätte), bitte melde dich! Am besten über <a href='https://www.instagram.com/overloadedsteph/'>Instagram</a> oder meine <a href='https://transcontinentaloverload.com/'>Website</a>.

72. Abenteuer Rückkehr - mit Andrea Zahrte

<a target="_blank" href="https://www.buzzsprout.com/twilio/text_messages/872791/open_sms">Send us a text</a>Just a quick note to say THANK YOU!!!  It's been a great year, and here's to a happy and productive 2025! In case you want the definition of RSD (Rejection Sensitive Dysphoria): Rejection sensitive dysphoria (RSD) is when you experience severe emotional pain because of a failure or feeling rejected. This condition is linked to ADHD and experts suspect it happens due to differences in brain structure. Those differences mean your brain can’t regulate rejection-related emotions and behaviors, making them much more intense.In 2025, I will bombard you with a host of other human conditions, both neurodivergent and neurotypical. You're welcome.

71. A little end of year note - Steph's Take

<a target="_blank" href="https://www.buzzsprout.com/twilio/text_messages/872791/open_sms">Send us a text</a>Today's episode takes us to a city close to my heart: Austin, the capital of Texas. My guest Viktoria, originally from Germany, tells us how she ended up in the Lone Star State, and you'll find out why we are expat twins!   Viktoria tells us about her early days in the US, her food truck business, and her move to Texas just before the pandemic. Since we recorded this in September, which is technically still summer in Austin, we also talk a lot about Texas weather. In true German fashion, we don't mince our words and discuss everything from politics to religion, and if you're an American listener, you might be surprised by our viewpoints from time to time. This is a very European episode. Enjoy at your peril. You can find Viktoria on <a href='https://www.instagram.com/worldscollidepod/'>Instagram</a>, and follow her Worlds Collide podcast wherever you listen to your podcasts! Don't hesitate to contact her if you feel like being a guest on her show, she's a great host. Here's a <a href='https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/stephs-expat-story-moving-around-within-the-us/id1682067381?i=1000670771553'>link</a> to that time I was a guest on the Worlds Collide Pod.

70. US culture shocks - with Viktoria Daute

<a target="_blank" href="https://www.buzzsprout.com/twilio/text_messages/872791/open_sms">Send us a text</a>We're off to South America again! Today, we're travelling to Huaraz, the hiking capital of Peru. Ami, a student from the UK, takes us to her favourite spots and talks us through some interesting food and drinks she encountered during her stay. Some points of interest mentioned: <a href='https://www.lonelyplanet.com/peru/huaraz-and-the-cordilleras/huaraz/restaurants/cafe-andino/a/poi-eat/454839/363408'>Café Andino</a>Wool shop “Los Gemelos” (Ami and I are both avid knitters)Shopping tips:<a href='https://www.theglobeandmail.com/life/article-every-adventurer-should-visit-this-peruvian-mountain-town/'>https://www.theglobeandmail.com/life/article-every-adventurer-should-visit-this-peruvian-mountain-town/</a><a href='https://www.lonelyplanet.com/peru/huaraz-and-the-cordilleras/shopping'>https://www.lonelyplanet.com/peru/huaraz-and-the-cordilleras/shopping</a><a href='https://www.peru.travel/en/destinations/ancash'>Ancash mountain region</a> <a href='https://www.laidbacktrip.com/posts/pastoruri-glacier-day-trip-huascaran'>Pastoruri Glacier</a> ​​Village of <a href='https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Carhuaz'>Carhuaz</a> (ice cream) on the way<a href='https://kittiaroundtheworld.com/a-guide-to-visiting-laguna-paron-in-huaraz-peru/'>Laguna Parón</a><a href='https://www.lonelyplanet.com/peru/parque-nacional-huascaran/attractions/lagunas-llanganuco/a/poi-sig/1592080/1327140'>Lagunas Llanganuco</a><a href='https://www.britannica.com/event/Ancash-earthquake-of-1970'>City of Yungay</a> (earthquake)<a href='https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Trujillo,_Peru'>City of Trujillo</a> & seaside surf resort <a href='https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Huanchaco'>Huanchaco</a>  Food/drink:<a href='https://www.eatperu.com/ponche-de-huevo-peruvian-eggnog/'>Ponche</a> (eggy milk drink)<a href='https://www.thespruceeats.com/clasico-pisco-sour-cocktail-recipe-3029217'>Pisco Sour</a> (cocktail using grape-based Peruvian or Chilean brandy) <a href='https://www.eatperu.com/chicha-morada/'>Chicha Morada</a> (purple corn drink)<a href='https://www.splendidtable.org/story/2016/06/10/huancaina-sauce'>Huancaina</a> SauceCuy chactado = Guinea pig

69. Destination Special: Huaraz, Peru - with Ami Furness

<a target="_blank" href="https://www.buzzsprout.com/twilio/text_messages/872791/open_sms">Send us a text</a>I have something very different for you today. This episode is just a little outburst that needed to find an audience - I'm working on new projects, but while I don't have a finite home for them yet, this podcast is my temporary host. For comments, please find me on Instagram! I absolutely welcome feedback, especially at this work-in-progress stage.

68. Authenticity and connection in a crazy world - Steph's Take

<a target="_blank" href="https://www.buzzsprout.com/twilio/text_messages/872791/open_sms">Send us a text</a>Today we're travelling to the Silver City! Catriona Turner, author of "Nest - a Memoir of Home on the Move", former guest on this podcast and recent repatriate to Scotland, takes us around her beautiful hometown of Aberdeen. If you haven't read it yet, Catriona's book <a href='https://thefrustratednester.com/buy-nest/'>Nest - A Memoir of Home on the Move</a> is widely available everywhere and a really good read. You can also listen to <a href='https://www.buzzsprout.com/872791/episodes/14043178-55-turning-your-expat-journey-into-a-book-with-catriona-turner.mp3?download=true'>our previous podcast conversation</a> to find out more about Catriona's story. Please also check out her <a href='https://thefrustratednester.com/'>website</a>, and <a href='https://www.instagram.com/catrionaturnerbooks/'>Instagram</a> with links to the wonderful writing initiative #May on the Move! Here are a few mentions in case you're planning a trip: Bars: <a href='https://www.no10aberdeen.co.uk/'>Number 10</a> the <a href='https://www.dutchmill.co.uk/'>Dutch Mill</a> <a href='https://www.underthehammeraberdeen.co.uk/'>Under the Hammer</a> Cafes: <a href='https://www.cornertreecafe.co.uk/'>Corner Tree Cafe</a> <a href='https://booksandbeans.co.uk/'>Books & Beans</a> Cafe, <a href='https://theinversnecky.co.uk/'>Inversnecky Cafe</a> Restaurants: <a href='https://travancorerestaurant.co.uk/'>Travancore restaurant</a> (South Indian) <a href='https://www.thesilverdarling.co.uk/'>The Silver Darling</a> (fish restaurant) In and around Aberdeen: Albert Terrace <a href='https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Union_Terrace_Gardens'>Union Terrace Gardens</a> <a href='https://www.aberdeencity.gov.uk/AAGM/plan-your-visit/aberdeen-art-gallery'>Aberdeen Art Gallery</a> (artist <a href='https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Louise_Bourgeois'>Louise Bourgeois</a>) Belmont Street  <a href='https://2024.nuartaberdeen.co.uk/'>Nuart</a>: Street art festival Old Aberdeen/University Campus <a href='https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/St_Machar%27s_Cathedral'>St Machar's Cathedral</a> & <a href='https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Seaton_Park'>Seaton Park</a> <a href='https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Brig_o%27_Balgownie'>Brig o' Balgownie</a> <a href='https://www.codonas.com/'>Codona's fun fair</a> The fishing village of <a href='https://www.visitabdn.com/listing/fittie-footdee'>Footdee</a> (Fittie) <a href='https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Torry'>Torry</a> <a href='https://www.greyhopebay.com/'>Greyhope Bay</a> Further afield: Royal Deeside <a href='https://balmoralcastle.com/'>Balmoral</a> <a href='https://www.visitscotland.com/info/see-do/falls-of-feugh-p2568521'>Falls of Feugh</a> near <a href='https://www.visitscotland.com/info/towns-villages/banchory-p237821'>Banchory</a> <a href='https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Braemar'>Braemar</a> <a href='https://www.visitcairngorms.com/'>Caerngorms</a> mountains <a href='https://thefifearms.com/'>Fife Arms</a> Hotel The market town of <a href='https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Stonehaven'>Stonehaven</a> The ruins of <a href='https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Dunnottar_Castle'>Dunnottar Castle</a> <a href='https://www.visitabdn.com/listing/slains-castle'>Slains Castle</a> - inspiration for Dracula Food/Recipes: <a href='https://www.cookipedia.co.uk/recipes_wiki/YumYums'>Yumyums</a> <a href='https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Haggis'>Haggis</a> <a href='https://www.bbc.co.uk/food/recipes/millionaires_shortbread_76712'>Millionaire's Shortbread</a>

67. Destination Special: Aberdeen - with Catriona Turner

<a target="_blank" href="https://www.buzzsprout.com/twilio/text_messages/872791/open_sms">Send us a text</a>Have you ever felt lonely in your expat adventure? My guest today is Sarah, a German in London, who used her own loneliness to establish a business as a "Loneliness Coach". Friendships, and how to make friends and keep them, is our overall topic, but of course we also talk a lot about cultural differences, especially between the UK and Germany. Sarah mentions Brooke Castillo's <a href='https://www.thelifecoachschool.com/podcasts/the-life-coach-school-podcast-2'>The Life Coach School Podcast</a>, which is a great resource, not only if you're interested in coaching in general. There's a lot of wisdom there. You can find out more about Sarah via <a href='https://www.instagram.com/lonelyabroad/'>Instagram</a> or head straight to her <a href='https://linktr.ee/Lonelyabroad'>Linktree</a> and find all the links to her resources, including a quiz to find out how lonely you really are, and ways to turn it into your biggest strength.

66. Making friends and the power of loneliness - with Sarah Siegert

<a target="_blank" href="https://www.buzzsprout.com/twilio/text_messages/872791/open_sms">Send us a text</a>Heute geht's auf die Insel! Mein Gast ist Vanessa, eine Engländerin, die lange in Österreich gelebt hat und seit 10 Jahren wieder in ihrer alten Heimat Hertfordshire lebt. Vanessa arbeitet als interkulturelle Trainerin und Sprachlehrerin, und natürlich sprechen wir ausgiebig über das Sprachenlernen und die Unterschiede zwischen Englisch und Deutsch. Außerdem geht’s ums Umziehen mit Teenagern, die Zweisprachigkeit, verschiedene Schulsysteme, Tee, Schokolade und Chips, sowie den Unterschied zwischen "Handy" und "Handy". Wenn ihr mehr über Vanessa wissen wollt, findet ihr sie am besten auf <a href='https://www.instagram.com/paisleycommunication/'>Instagram</a>, oder natürlich direkt auf ihrer <a href='https://paisley-communication.com/'>Website</a>.

65. Mehr als Worte: Sprachen lernen, Kulturen verstehen - mit Vanessa Paisley

<a target="_blank" href="https://www.buzzsprout.com/twilio/text_messages/872791/open_sms">Send us a text</a>My guest today is a true ATCK - an adult third culture kid. Third Culture Kids are people who were raised in a culture other than their parents' or the culture of their country of nationality, and also live in a different environment during a significant part of their child development years. Shakti is also the author of <a href='https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/55999168-colours-of-a-cultural-chameleon?from_search=true&from_srp=true&qid=DT0K1DRmie&rank=1'>Colours of a Cultural Chameleon: "Where are you from?" Life. gets interesting when one has no simple answer.</a> Born in the Netherlands to a Belgian father and an Indian mother, Shakti has known cross-cultural living from an early age, moving to Delhi, India on several occasions, and also Boston, USA, for a year, before returning to the Netherlands, where she lives today with her husband and son. We talk about writing in general, and writing and publishing your own work, but mainly we talk about what it's like to constantly bridge two or more cultures, what it means to belong, the power of celebrations, and the gift of multillingualism.  You can find Shakti on <a href='https://www.instagram.com/coloursculturalchameleon/'>Instagram</a>, or go straight to her <a href='https://shaktihannie.com/'>website</a> for more information about her writing, travel and publishing tips.

64. Celebrating life as an Adult TCK - with Shakti Hannie

<a target="_blank" href="https://www.buzzsprout.com/twilio/text_messages/872791/open_sms">Send us a text</a>For my very first Destination Special, we're travelling to South America! Nikki Palazzo, born in the US and a former expat in Germany, is showing off the city she's called home for the last 18 months: Asunción, the capital of Paraguay.  Join us on our virtual weekend through this colourful and friendly city and find out where to eat, drink cocktails and watch the sunset. We also venture out of town, and there are tips and anecdotes galore! Make sure you eat something before listening, as you'll be ravenous once you've heard Nikki describe Paraguayan food.   From <a href='https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Terer%C3%A9'>Tereré</a> to <a href='https://latinarepublic.com/2022/06/27/paraguay-celebrates-fiesta-de-san-juan/'>San Juan Festivals</a> and the joys of parallel parking, I promise you won't get bored hearing all about this secret little place that usually ranks pretty high on the list of happiest countries in the world. For more information, get in touch with Nikki on <a href='https://www.instagram.com/nikkineedstomove/'>Instagram</a>, or listen to her on this podcast - she was my guest for <a href='https://www.buzzsprout.com/872791/7733398-27-finding-home-and-your-expat-super-power-in-an-unexpected-place-with-nicole-palazzo.mp3?download=true'>Episode 27</a>! If you want to find out about her previous experiences in Germany, she still has her <a href='https://www.instagram.com/theexpatcast/'>Expat Cast</a> links available. Some other things Nikki mentions: <a href='https://www.facebook.com/ElCafedeAca/'>El Café de Acá</a> <a href='https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Mbeju'>Mbeju</a> food <a href='https://www.gpsmycity.com/attractions/parque-de-la-salud-(health-park)-46991.html'>El Parque de la Salud</a> <a href='https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/%C3%91u_Guas%C3%BA_Park'>Nu Guasú Park</a> <a href='https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Guarani_language'>Guaraní</a> language <a href='https://mylatinlife.com/2022/11/30/san-bernardino-paraguay-city-guide/'>San Bernardino</a> town and lake <a href='https://www.ogaucho.com.py/'>O Gaucho restaurant</a> <a href='https://www.laidbacktrip.com/posts/best-things-to-do-ciudad-del-este-paraguay'>Ciudad del Este</a>: gateway to the <a href='https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Iguazu_Falls'>Iguazu Falls</a> <a href='https://www.laidbacktrip.com/posts/jesuit-missions-paraguay'>Encarnación</a>: Unesco World Heritage Site <a href='https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Chaco_(Paraguay)'>The Chaco</a>: the "green hell"

63. Destination Special: Asunción - with Nicole Palazzo

<a target="_blank" href="https://www.buzzsprout.com/twilio/text_messages/872791/open_sms">Send us a text</a>My guest today is Sabine, a fellow German transplant in New Jersey, who's lived in the US since 2010. Her story is truly harrowing and amazing at the same time: Sabine talks about how a life-altering emergency made her expat journey take a 180, and how her life has changed since then. We talk about how an emergency situation like this affects your family in and outside of your country, what consequences a medical diagnosis can have for your residency status, and we discuss different health systems, and the importance of grandparents in your children's lives. Apart from being an active fundraising coordinator, speaker and advocate, Sabine functions, amongst other things, as a volunteer leadership advisor for the <a href='https://www.abta.org/'>American Brain Tumor Association</a>, sits on the advisory council of the <a href='https://braintumor.org/'>National Brain Tumor Society</a>, and serves on the Board of Directors of <a href='https://www.epicexperience.org/'>Epic Experience</a>, a Colorado-based nonprofit that organizes camps for adult cancer survivors. She recommends their <a href='https://www.epicexperience.org/campfires-of-hope/'>podcast</a>: Campfires of Hope - Living beyond Cancer.To connect with Sabine, find her on <a href='https://www.instagram.com/sabine_nj/'>Instagram</a>!

62. When expat dreams turn into a fight for survival - with Sabine Schwab

<a target="_blank" href="https://www.buzzsprout.com/twilio/text_messages/872791/open_sms">Send us a text</a>Today's guest is a true nomad - Iliana, a Living Abroad Strategist, writer and scientist, born and raised in Bulgaria, and currently living in Chicago. Iliana left life behind the Iron Curtain for adventure in the US just before the millennium and has since lived in five countries on three continents. We talk about the transience of life, making friends all over the world, what it means to have a relationship with a country, and how to keep a glass-half-full attitude through the darker times. To connect with Iliana, find her on <a href='https://www.instagram.com/ilianagenkova'>Instagram</a>, <a href='https://www.linkedin.com/in/iliana-genkova-9485965/'>LinkedIn</a> or via her websites, <a href='https://www.olivemaps.com/'>www.olivemaps.com</a>, and <a href='https://www.iliana.us/'>www.iliana.us</a>, where you'll find the writer's side of this free spirit.

61. Notes from a romantic expat - with Iliana Genkova

<a target="_blank" href="https://www.buzzsprout.com/twilio/text_messages/872791/open_sms">Send us a text</a>Und weiter geht's mit den deutschen Folgen! Mein heutiger Gast ist Susann Reiner, alias Madame Süsette, Vintage-Liebhaberin und Geschäftsfrau mit Herz. Susann ist ursprünglich aus Thüringen, und floh mit ihrem damaligen Mann kurz vor der Wende in den Westen, wo sie sich in der Nähe von Stuttgart niederließen.Susann war ausgebildete Krankenschwester, bevor sie ihren Beruf an den Nagel hängte und in vielen Bereichen tätig wurde - unter anderem führte sie zehn Jahre lang eine Second-Hand-Boutique, zunächst in Deutschland und dann in Malaga, Südspanien, wo sie heute mit ihrem Mann bereits zum zweiten Mal lebt. Momentan arbeitet sie hauptsächlich online, und führt außerdem Vintage-Touren durch ihre Herzensstadt. Susann liebt Spanien, die Sonne, Kleider und natürlich vor allem Vintage-Mode und alles was mit Nachhaltigkeit zu tun hat, außerdem hat sie es sich zur Aufgabe gemacht, Frauen zu unterstützen. Ihre positive Grundeinstellung und Energie kann man schon beim Zuhören spüren!Mehr über Susann und ihr Leben findet ihr auf ihrer Madame Süsette <a href='https://madame-suesette.webflow.io/'>Website</a>,  und natürlich auf <a href='https://www.instagram.com/madame_suesette/'>Instagram</a>.

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