{Season 2 is coming on Mar 26, 2025!}
This is a podcast where I interview Self-Made Expats from all over the world. We talk about how they moved to a new country and what they did to achieve their dreams and goals. This podcast is to inspire and motivate other expats and aspiring expats across the globe.
S2-08 Professor Danny Kessler - The US to South Korea
In this episode, I had the pleasure of speaking with Professor Danny Kessler, an American expat 🇺🇸 who has built an incredible career and life in South Korea 🇰🇷.
Professor Kessler is an Assistant Professor at Dongseo University’s International College, where he teaches, mentors, and develops innovative programs like the Workplace Wellness Micro-Degree and the Workplace Wellness Research Lab. Recently, him and his student won an all-expenses-paid trip to Dubai for their winning idea at the Shark Tank of Wellness competition!
Before entering academia, Danny was an entrepreneur, and he’s also the author of several books.
In this episode, we talked about what it’s like to live and work in South Korea as an expat, how his early entrepreneurial spirit shaped his approach to teaching, and why he continues to explore, learn, and inspire others through everything he does.
🎧 Listen now to here Professor Kessler's journey from the US to South Korea!
⏰ Timestamps
00:00 Intro
00:32 Meet Professor Kessler
01:27 Life in South Korea
03:14 From Entrepreneurship to Academia
06:22 The Journey into Wellness Tourism
18:11 Preparing Students for Success
22:18 The Drive Behind Continuous Learning
26:00 Daily Rituals and Life Mantras
👉 Connecting with Professor Kessler on LinkedIn (https://www.linkedin.com/in/dannykessler)
👉 Connecting with Lucy on LinkedIn (https://linkedin.com/in/lucyjeon)
25 Sept 2025
S2-07 The Expat Mind: Insights with Psychologist Gabriela Encina
In this episode, I had the pleasure of speaking with Gabriela Encina (https://gabriela-encina.com/), a psychologist for expats and internationals, who helps people navigate the emotional and psychological challenges of living abroad.
Gabriela walks us through the 4 chapters of expat life that so many of us quietly experience, and whether you’re in your first year abroad or ten years in, you’ll likely recognize yourself in one of these stages. If you're going through any of these emotions, be sure to know that you're not alone. 💛
If you want to hear more about Gabriela's expat journey, be sure to listen to the Season 1 Episode 31! She shared her journey from Chile 🇨🇱 to Austria 🇦🇹 and now Spain 🇪🇸 and brings fresh insights to help expats name their challenges, embrace change, and move forward with confidence.
🎧 Enjoy :)
⏰ Time Stamps
00:00 Meet Gabriela
02:02 The Honeymoon Phase of Expat Life
06:00 Emotional Preparation for Moving Abroad
09:33 Navigating Cultural Differences at Work
22:27 Is This the Right Country for Me?
32:36 Adapting and Settling In
37:57 Deciding Between Staying or Moving Back
45:35 Final Thoughts and Advice for Expats
✨ Connect with Gabriela ✨
Website (https://gabriela-encina.com/)
LinkedIn (https://www.linkedin.com/in/psgabrielaencina)
Instagram (https://www.instagram.com/gabriela.encina.psychologist/)
🌎 Connect with Lucy 🌎
Website (https://lucyjeon.com)
LinkedIn (https://linkedin.com/in/lucyjeon)
24 Jul 2025
S2-06 From Iran to Australia, Qatar, Scotland, and Denmark - Sara Mehrabi
In this episode, I had the absolute pleasure of speaking with Sara, a purpose-driven leader in data analytics and digital transformation with 20+ years of experience spanning engineering, science, and organizational psychology to the table.
Sara began her career in hydrogeology and has taken her across continents, industries, and roles - from completing her PhD in Hydrogeology/Groundwater transport modelling/Nanoscience and participating in mining projects in Australia, to a metro system in Hanoi and Doha, to her current role in data leadership in Copenhagen.
Born in Iran, Sara shared powerful reflections on leaving her home country, navigating life, and the unplanned path that led her to where she is today. Throughout our conversation, she shared the challenges and beautiful things about starting over, the importance of a supportive partner, and why flexibility over rigidity has become her life mantra.
🎧 Tune in hear Sara's inspiring journey through career pivots, cross-cultural living, and embracing the unknown with curiosity and courage.
⏰ Time stamps
00:00 Meet Sarah: From Hydrogeology to Data Leadership
01:21 Sarah's Early Career and Transition to Engineering
06:45 Sarah's Passion for Science and Engineering
10:12 From Iran to Australia: Sarah's Journey
32:27 Hanoi Metro Project Experience
34:32 Move to Qatar
41:28 Relocation to the UK and Glasgow Life
44:17 Settling in Copenhagen
45:30 The Importance of a Supportive Partner
52:08 Life Mantra: Flexibility and Openness
👉 Sara on LinkedIn (https://www.linkedin.com/in/drsaramehrabi)
👉 Lucy on LinkedIn (https://linkedin.com/in/lucyjeon)
Reach and audience
Public platform figures. Ratings count people who left a rating, not total listeners.
YouTube views
101,250
Score snapshot 15 Sept 2025
Apple Podcasts (US)
5.0 / 5
1 ratings
Spotify
5.0 / 5
3 ratings
Podcast Authority Score: 34 / 100
A composite of feed quality, social presence, YouTube performance and engagement. Read the methodology.
Quality
20
Social presence
0
YouTube
86
Engagement
32
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