CLASHISTS unpacks culture shock in all its most chaotic forms—from moving countries and switching communities to catastrophic breakups and incomprehensible cultural crazes. Hosted by two women who uprooted their lives in NYC and crash landed in Paris, the podcast explores the highest highs (and lowest lows) of driving yourself off a proverbial cliff 🏁 and embracing the unknown. One clash at a time.
From Accounting to Artist: What it's Actually Like to Paint for a Living in Paris - GUEST EP: Leah Alexander (Painter)
CLASH: GOING FROM CORPORATE TO CANVAS. We invite Paris-based painter Leah Alexander on the pod to chat about what happens when you outgrow the life you're supposed to want. She starting on a path many might envy (spoiler alert, it involves Deloitte) and all the stability and structure that came with it, AND YET sunsetted those pursuits in favor of a full-time career following her primary passion: painting.
We get into the surprisingly early age at which we decide we're "good at" something, how those identities shape the careers we eventually choose, and why it can be so difficult to admit that the version of success we've built no longer fits us (note: it helps if you're on the verge of insanity!) Leah shares how she found the confidence to leave a "conventional" career, how blending seemingly unrelated chapters of your life can lead to a more sustainable path forward, what drew her to Paris in the first place, and- maybe more importantly- what convinced her to stay.
TL;DR - how to thoughtfully navigate a major life pivot without setting everything on fire.
• Shop Leah's prints, keep an eye on her famed upcoming retreats*, and learn more about Paris Food Club (which she runs in partnership with friend of the pod, Sutanya Dacres) here: https://leahpaintsparis.com/?srsltid=AfmBOopLqeYk_Fc5yJ7Eesae8N-JKVeS0Aje0Q3ag1kcRws0hQVUxRRQ (https://leahpaintsparis.com/?srsltid=AfmBOopLqeYk_Fc5yJ7Eesae8N-JKVeS0Aje0Q3ag1kcRws0hQVUxRRQ)
• Follow Leah on IG @leahpaintsparis (https://www.instagram.com/leahpaintsparis)
• * Leah will be announcing her next retreat AND releasing a new art collection of originals this summer -so watch the spaces linked above!
10 Jun 2026
When Your Curiosity Outpaces Your Career
CLASH: CAREER REINVENTION. This week, we sit down with recent Paris transplant and the unofficial queen of the career pivot, Paige Mueller. From reality TV producer to beauty marketer to fashion brand founder, she's built a career that's anything but linear—and somehow made every reinvention look intentional. We get into the psychology of career change: what draws us to jobs in the first place? what finally pushes us to leave them? and how to find that elusive throughline that gives our stories meaning? Also: the surprisingly stressful feeling of walking away from a career that feeds your ego (and gives you a killer 10-second introduction). Plus, Paige shares what inspired her move to Paris and whether she thinks Paris has a good reality show in her (spoiler alert: YES). As always, we wrap with our Clashes of the Week, from Paris riots to bike paranoia.
Paige's IG: https://www.instagram.com/apaigemueller/ (https://www.instagram.com/apaigemueller/)
Paige's brand, Très Gelée: https://www.instagram.com/tresgelee/ (https://www.instagram.com/tresgelee/)
27 May 2026
Why Certain Cities Make You Feel Socially Insane
CLASH: SOCIAL ETIQUETTE. Today we're chatting about the strange phenomenon of not understanding the social norms of a new city – whether that means inadvertently offending someone, or (in Gabby's case) being unintentionally offended yourself (we're looking at you: LA residents!!) Why are certain social quirks and behaviors tolerated in one city, and judged and shunned in another?? Why is it OK to flash your wealth in Miami? Brag about your success in NYC? Social climb sans pretence in LA? Throw around your cultural weight in Paris? And what do these social norms have to do with the root value system of that city? Lots of social clashes ahead! Plus - the angsty act of dressing in your 30s, and why dating apps have become even more unhinged (heh).
Who has been a guest on Clashists
Names identified in recent episode analyses. Showing up to five guests.
Caitlin Gunther
Sarah Donnelly
Clark Moore
Beatriz Lopez
Jessamy Holland
Reach and audience
Public platform figures. Ratings count people who left a rating, not total listeners.
Apple Podcasts (US)
5.0 / 5
4 ratings
Spotify
4.8 / 5
36 ratings
Podcast Authority Score: 22 / 100
A composite of feed quality, social presence, YouTube performance and engagement. Read the methodology.
Quality
24
Social presence
0
YouTube
0
Engagement
51
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