Humor, heart and wisdom shared through storytelling, reflections, and fruit!
For those living abroad, dreaming about moving abroad, or just those ready to forge their own path.
From practical advice for navigating the logistics of making a big move to deeper conversations about the challenges and joys of building a life in an unfamiliar place, join me every other Friday at 12 pm ICT.
eight ways my life has improved since moving to thailand
CW: I talk about my experience with an E.D. (binge eating, body image, weight) from 3:50-21:01. If you are currently struggling or have struggled with these topics, please please please skip this section.
In the season finale of Fruit Friday, we're turning away from the challenges to talk about eight ways in which my life has significantly improved since moving to Thailand and the stories behind each one of those transformations.
1. I overcame an eating disorder and healed my relationship with food.
2. I started living a more balanced life.
3. I significantly lowered my stress levels.
4. I changed my relationship with money.
5. I discovered a new love for travel.
6. I realized I had an opportunity to get creative with my life.
7. I started exploring spirituality.
8. I met a new version of myself that I am so proud to know.
Thank you so much for all of your support throughout the first season of this podcast. It has been such a pleasure to create and share this with you.
7 Aug 2026
reunions and goodbyes as a constant
When you live abroad, you constantly exist in an endless cycle of hello and goodbye. On the other side of every hard goodbye is a sweet hello, but following every sweet reunion is an inevitable separation that never seems to get easier. In this episode, I’m discussing both sides of this experience, both the reunions and goodbyes at home, as well as the reunions and goodbyes in the new place you are living and how to be present in the moments that you have.We’ll talk about the transient nature of immigrant communities and how not to let the inevitable goodbyes harden your heart and close you off from connection.In this episode, I also share this beautiful piece (https://lalagirmain.substack.com/p/if-you-see-your-loved-ones-twice?open=false#%C2%A7the-illusion-we-all-carry) by LaLa Girmain. Check her out on Substack!
24 Jul 2026
visiting home
In this episode, we're talking about visiting home for the first time (and all the times after that) after moving abroad. I'll share the pros and cons of different types of visits, and the 'sweet spot' for having the most enjoyable trip and feeling satisfied without feeling desperate to leave. I also share some of the biggest reverse culture shocks and things I struggle to adjust back to when returning to the US, as well as the science behind changing relationships and what to do about relationships that naturally drift.
10 Jul 2026
unexpected identity crisis and bridging the gap
This week, I'm opening up about one of the biggest challenges I've faced since moving abroad, and one that I didn't expect to have: the identity crisis that comes when you never truly belong, and the fear of never truly being known. We talk about how your identity changes in more ways than one when you move abroad, and the challenges that come with each shift.This was an extremely difficult episode to film and edit because the subject matter is so complex. It took me seven rounds of filming and three full rounds of edits to get this episode to a point where I felt like I thoughtfully articulated my own experiences while also (hopefully) being relatable to and mindful of the experiences of others. If you've shared these experiences or had different experiences, I would love to continue the conversation.
26 Jun 2026
guilt and grief while living abroad
This week, I'm getting real about what it's like to grieve abroad and how grief from a distance often means grieving alone, twice. I also talk about the guilt that comes with not being home for these moments, as well as other milestones in the lives of loved ones. And after nearly seven years abroad and counting, I share my best advice for managing both based on my own experiences.
12 Jun 2026
the joys and challenges of dating abroad
One of the things I get asked about most often, and the topic of this week's episode, is what it's like to date abroad. I'm sharing some of my own experiences as a foreign woman dating in Thailand and the joys and challenges that come with.I'll talk about the three segments of the dating pool abroad, the pros and cons of each once. Plus I'm offering my five best tips for cross-cultural dating and how my perspective on dating has changed after six years living abroad.
29 May 2026
dealing with loneliness and finding community abroad
In this episode, we're talking about the inevitable feelings of loneliness that come with moving to a new place, what to do about FOMO at home, and how to approach making new friends.
I'll tell you about the types of people you'll meet and my best advice for finding and creating community in a new place. Plus, you'll hear a few of my stories, good and not so good!
15 May 2026
cultural integration and how to do it right
In this episode, I sat down with Magie (my best friend) to indulge in our favorite fruit, durian. We talk you through the right and wrong ways to eat it and how that translates to the right and wrong ways to integrate into a new culture.
It's non-stop laughter as we reflect on the mistakes people have made (ourselves included), as well as methods for integrating with intention, such as acting like a guest and giving as much as you take.
This episode is my favorite yet, and I hope you enjoy listening to it as much as we did!
Shownotes:Book: Never Give Up (https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/24996.Never_Give_Up): Vignettes from Sub-Saharan Africa in the Age of AIDS Volunteer Opportunity: WWOOF (https://wwoof.net/) (Worldwide Opportunities on Organic Farms)
8 May 2026
the humbling experience of starting over and how to integrate with intention
In this episode, we're diving into the heart of what this season is all about: the unspoken challenges that come with moving abroad or even just moving away from home for the first time.
First up, the humbling experience of starting over in a new place and what it's really like to be a beginner again. I'll share stories about my first days/weeks in Thailand and offer my best tips for integration so that you, too, can start to find your footing in a new place.
1 May 2026
the logistical challenges of moving abroad
This week is all about the initial challenges you face when moving abroad. In this episode, I outline many of these hurdles and my advice for overcoming them both when preparing to move and after you arrive.
This includes everything from gathering paperwork, navigating visa applications, and choosing the right insurance company to finding a place to live and accessing your finances while abroad.
I also talk about navigating transitions once you’re already abroad, using my own experience transitioning from teaching to working full-time online as an example and talking for the first time about how and why I decided to make that change.
24 Apr 2026
recognizing burnout and knowing when it’s time to make a change
This week, we’re taking a step back to talk about recognizing when it’s time to make a big change and how to explore your options before moving forward. Plus, papaya!
If you’re dreaming about moving or traveling abroad, this episode is packed with stories, tips, and tricks to help you turn that dream into a reality.
17 Apr 2026
starting before you're ready & taking that first step
We're kicking off this season with mango, a few of my favorite stories, and my thoughts on why it's so important to start before you're ready. Plus, advice for taking those first steps.Whether you want to move abroad or you are itching to make another big change, this episode might be just the push you need to get started.
20 Mar 2026
an intro to the podcast
Welcome to Fruit Friday!
While this isn't the official release of FRUIT FRIDAY, this quick teaser episode is a quick introduction to me and what this podcast is all about.
For anyone dreaming of making a big move, but isn't sure where to begin...
For those currently navigating that big transition and struggling to find their footing...
Or for those who have been living the immigrant life for years, but have struggled to put the experience into words...
This podcast is for you!
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
5.0 / 5
13 ratings
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