Expat Experts

About Expat Experts

Almost Local is a podcast about the honest, human side of building a life somewhere new. Hosted by Marc Alcobé, the show goes beyond visas, moving checklists, and picture-perfect foreigner stories to explore what it really means to live abroad. Through thoughtful conversations with people around the world, Almost Local looks at belonging, identity, culture shock, loneliness, community, and the slow process of turning an unfamiliar place into something that feels like home. These are stories of living between cultures, redefining where you’re from, and discovering who you become when life takes you elsewhere. Whether you’re already living abroad, planning a move, or simply curious about life in another country, Almost Local is a space for reflection, connection, and real experiences beyond borders. New episodes every two weeks on Mondays, featuring personal stories from around the world, shared with honesty, depth, and nuance.

Publisher

Marc Alcobé Talló

Category

society & culture

Language

en

Explicit

No

First episode

18 Aug 2021

Latest episode

5 Oct 2026

Latest episodes

97 episodes in the feed.

1. 

   5 Oct 2026

   #74 - Why Changing Cities Doesn’t Fix What You’re Running From with Tracey Zhang

   The conversation delves into the emotional side of moving abroad, exploring the impact of major life transitions, navigating emotional loneliness, and the use of somatic practices for emotional healing. It also addresses the myths and realities of loneliness, emphasizing the importance of self-love, belonging, and the power of softness. Key topics Loneliness is a natural part of the human experience Belonging is something you build, not something you find Softness and self-love are sources of true power 🎙️ The guest: Tracey Zhang Tracey is a somatic coach and practitioner who helps people navigate the emotional challenges of relocation and major life transitions. Drawing on her own experience of living across multiple cities, she supports people through loneliness, grief, identity shifts, and the process of building an inner sense of home. 🔗 Guest Links www.traceyzhang.com (http://www.traceyzhang.com) https://www.instagram.com/traceyz7501 (https://www.instagram.com/traceyz7501) 💼 Start Your Remote U.S Business: Register Your U.S. Business in 2 Days: https://tidd.ly/469FwfR (https://tidd.ly/469FwfR) Create a Virtual Mailbox: https://tidd.ly/4iCOaen (https://tidd.ly/4iCOaen) Check the Complete Digital Nomad Kit: https://tidd.ly/4r0vg39 (https://tidd.ly/4r0vg39) Secure Your Employer Identification Number (EIN): https://tidd.ly/4ylxOeu (https://tidd.ly/4ylxOeu) What we discuss: 00:00 The Emotional Side of Moving Abroad 01:32 The Unplanned Journey 03:13 The Impact of Major Life Transitions 04:10 Navigating Emotional Loneliness 08:45 The Relocation Loop 11:47 Building an Inner Home 21:44 Somatic Practices for Emotional Healing 31:57 Myth vs. Reality: Loneliness Check and subscribe to the The Almost Local Letter 🗞️: https://almostlocal.riverside.com/newsletter (https://almostlocal.riverside.com/newsletter)

2. 

   21 Sept 2026

   #73 - Brain Fitness Explained: The Missing Skill for Rebuilding After Shock with Arnold Beekes

   Arnold Beekes shares how a global corporate career, a series of moves across Vietnam, Hungary, Romania, and Paraguay, and a deep family crisis shaped his work on brain fitness. This conversation is about more than living abroad - it’s about how people handle shock, identity shifts, and the invisible limits that keep them stuck. We explore why adaptability matters more than rigid resilience, how brain fitness differs from simple positive thinking, and why lasting change has to be personal rather than copied from someone else’s playbook. Key topics Years of corporate travel across Europe and the US led him to want to actually live abroad, not just pass through it. Why Vietnam didn’t work for him, why Budapest felt right, and how Hungary’s startup energy and scene made it a strong fit for him. A sister’s depression and a failed therapy system pushed him to question mental health care and start thinking about prevention instead of treatment alone. Brain fitness as psychological and physiological well-being where a person uses their uniqueness, handles challenges, learns continuously, and contributes to the world. The “invisible strait jackets” that limit people, especially the feeling of “I’m not good enough,” which Arnold sees as a common barrier across many lives. 🎙️ The guest: Arnold Beekes Brain Athletes founder and brain fitness advocate who helps people build mental and emotional resilience through self-awareness, adaptability, and practical training. He’s also a seasoned global traveler who has lived across multiple countries and turned his own life shocks into a framework for personal growth. 🔗 Guest Links https://twitter.com/ArnoldBeekes (https://twitter.com/ArnoldBeekes) https://www.linkedin.com/in/arnoldbeekes (https://www.linkedin.com/in/arnoldbeekes) https://youtube.com/@ArnoldBeekes (https://youtube.com/@ArnoldBeekes) https://www.facebook.com/arnold.beekes (https://www.facebook.com/arnold.beekes) https://braingym.fitness/ (https://braingym.fitness/) https://www.brainathletes.club/ (https://www.brainathletes.club/) What we discuss: 00:00 - Introducing Arnold Beekes 02:07 - How Arnold’s international career began 05:42 - The financial crisis that pushed him out of the Netherlands 09:06 - Why Vietnam did not work out but Budapest did 10:25 - Caring for his mother for eight years 11:06 - Why Romania felt like the next move, and then Paraguay 14:19 - Where brain fitness entered the story 15:25 - The family crisis that changed everything 19:19 - Brain fitness as prevention, not just recovery 22:34 - The “invisible strait jackets” people get trapped in 24:50 - Why self-help formulas often fail 27:31 - Why context matters more than generic advice 38:32 - The three brains: head, heart, and gut 44:24 - Where to find Arnold and Brain Athletes Check and subscribe to the The Almost Local Letter 🗞️: https://almostlocal.riverside.com/newsletter (https://almostlocal.riverside.com/newsletter)

3. 

   7 Sept 2026

   #72 - How Podcasting Became a Business Model for Living Abroad with Roy Coughlan

   The conversation covers a range of topics including changes in infrastructure, safety, and lifestyle in Poland, as well as the evolution of podcasting as a business. It also delves into the use of AI in podcast production and the challenges of maintaining multiple podcasts. The conversation with Roy Coughlan covers various aspects of podcasting, including the benefits of podcasting, strategies for success, public speaking tips, and podcasting equipment recommendations. Roy also shares insights on hosting multiple shows, the importance of preparation, and the value of short-form clips for marketing. Additionally, he emphasizes the significance of systemizing the podcasting process and provides advice on engaging with listeners and guests. Key topics Infrastructure improvements in Poland have led to better roads and city development. Safety and lifestyle in Poland are highlighted as positive aspects of living there. Podcasting has evolved from a hobby to a business, with a focus on engagement and monetization. The use of AI in podcast production has streamlined processes and improved efficiency. Commit to podcasting for at least a year to see the benefits Preparation and systemization are key to successful podcasting Short-form clips and interactive content can enhance audience engagement 🎙️ The guest: Roy Coughlan Roy is a seasoned podcaster and coach who has built a flexible, fully online media business around multiple shows, consistency, and smart systems. He comes across as practical, experienced, and candid, with a strong focus on simplicity, resilience, and helping creators avoid common podcasting mistakes. 🔗 Guest Links https://roycoughlan.com/ (https://roycoughlan.com/) https://va.world/ (https://va.world/) https://brainupgrade.org (https://brainupgrade.org) https://www.facebook.com/roycoughlan (https://www.facebook.com/roycoughlan) https://www.instagram.com/roy_coughlan/ (https://www.instagram.com/roy_coughlan/) https://www.youtube.com/@roycoughlan (https://www.youtube.com/@roycoughlan) https://www.linkedin.com/in/roycoughlan/ (https://www.linkedin.com/in/roycoughlan/) What we discuss: 00:00 Introduction 03:13 Safety and Lifestyle in Poland 05:22 Evolution of Podcasting as a Business 22:28 Challenges and Automation in Podcast Production 31:24 Benefits of Podcasting 35:13 Strategies for Success 35:28 Public Speaking Tips 47:51 Podcasting Equipment Recommendations 54:50 Hosting Multiple Shows Check and subscribe to the The Almost Local Letter 🗞️: https://almostlocal.riverside.com/newsletter (https://almostlocal.riverside.com/newsletter)

Who has been a guest on Expat Experts

Names identified in recent episode analyses. Showing up to five guests.

• Douglas Brouwer
• Mike Oppenheim
• Chiara Tonello

Reach and audience

Public platform figures. Ratings count people who left a rating, not total listeners.

YouTube views

259,936

Score snapshot 15 Sept 2025

Spotify

5.0 / 5

9 ratings

Podcast Authority Score: 66 / 100

A composite of feed quality, social presence, YouTube performance and engagement. Read the methodology.

Quality

67

Social presence

91

YouTube

82

Engagement

32

Contact Expat Experts

Guest appearances

Does not typically book guests

Based on episode analysis; this does not confirm that the show is currently accepting guests.