Untold Secrets of Living Overseas

About Untold Secrets of Living Overseas

The Untold Secrets of Living Overseas is your go-to podcast for all things related to moving abroad, remote working, and a digital nomad lifestyle. Join us every week as we interview entrepreneurs, digital nomads, and remote workers, uncovering their best-kept insider tips and tricks for a successful and happy life overseas. Hosted by Shawna Lum, a digital who left the US to explore vibrant Spanish culture and now she helps others live their dream lives abroad. Get inspired by her journey at https://moveoverseasnow.com/ Follow her on IG @shawnalumm: https://www.instagram.com/shawnalumm/

Publisher

Shawna Lum

Category

business

Language

en

Explicit

No

First episode

22 Sept 2023

Latest episode

20 Oct 2026

Latest episodes

45 episodes in the feed.

1. 

   20 Oct 2026

   Spain Arraigo Explained: How to Get Residency & Work Authorization After Your Visa Expires

   For many Americans who want to move to Spain, navigating immigration rules can feel like a maze. And with changes to Spanish immigration regulations, understanding your options has become more important than ever. But what if there's a residency pathway you've never heard of? In this episode of Untold Secrets of Living Overseas, Shawna sits down with Max, a Move Overseas Now Academy relocation coach, who shares his personal journey from teaching English in Spain through the NALCAP program to successfully obtaining residency and work authorization through Arraigo Social. After spending two years teaching English in Málaga, Max encountered unexpected complications when trying to transition from his previous immigration status to a work permit. Instead of giving up on his dream of living in Spain, he explored an alternative legal pathway. And after navigating the paperwork, legal requirements, and immigration process, he got approved! Today, Max lives in Barcelona and has authorization to work in Spain, including self-employment. 🇪🇸 What is Arraigo in Spain? — Understanding this exceptional residency pathway and when it may be available. 📋 The 3 types of Arraigo discussed — Arraigo Social, Arraigo Sociolaboral, and Arraigo Socioformativo, and how their purposes differ. 🎓 NALCAP and Spanish residency — Why Max originally moved to Spain as an English teaching assistant and the complications he encountered when trying to stay longer. 💼 Getting work authorization in Spain — How Max navigated a rejected work permit application and eventually obtained approval through Arraigo Social. ⏳ Application timelines and bureaucracy — What Max experienced when gathering documents, working with lawyers, and waiting for his residency approval. 🌍 Other ways to move to Spain legally — Why the Digital Nomad Visa, qualifying student programs, and Non-Lucrative Visa may be better starting points depending on your circumstances. Max's experience demonstrates why choosing the right visa from the beginning, and understanding what happens when that visa expires, is so important. If you're dreaming about moving to Spain, working remotely from Europe, studying abroad, or eventually obtaining long-term residency, you don't have to navigate everything alone. The Move Overseas Now Academy provides step-by-step relocation guidance, visa resources, expert connections, coaching, and a community to help you make informed decisions about your move. Max is also part of the Academy coaching team, helping members navigate relocation questions and prepare for life abroad. ✈️ Ready to Make Your Move Abroad? If you’re serious about moving to Europe or Latin America in under a year, join Shawna’s FREE Abroad in a Year Masterclass. You’ll learn how to navigate visas, finances, and relocation step-by-step—without wasting months researching or making costly mistakes. 🎟 Save your free spot (limited seats): ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://moveoverseasnow.com/abroad-in-a-year-masterclass-live/⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ (https://moveoverseasnow.com/abroad-in-a-year-masterclass-live/) 🙋♀️ Still Have Questions About Moving Abroad? If you’re thinking about moving to Europe or Latin America but keep getting stuck on visas, money, healthcare, housing, or where you should even go, join Shawna’s LIVE & FREE Move Abroad Q&A. Bring your questions and get real answers so you can start figuring out what your next step could actually look like. 🎟 Join the FREE Q&A:⁠ https://moveoverseasnow.com/free-qa/⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ (https://moveoverseasnow.com/free-qa/) 🧭 Ready to Get Serious About Your Move Abroad? If moving abroad is no longer a “someday” idea and you’re ready to figure out how to make it happen for your specific situation, book a personalized Relocation Roadmap strategy session with a relocation advisor on Shawna’s team. You’ll talk through your goals, timeline, finances, and potential relocation pathways. 📅 Book your session:⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://moveoverseasnow.com/move-overseas-now-action-plan-calls-6/⁠ (https://moveoverseasnow.com/move-overseas-now-action-plan-calls-6/)

2. 

   9 Oct 2026

   Taxes in Spain for Americans: Double Taxation, Beckham Law & What You Need to Know Before Moving

   Thinking about moving to Spain but worried about how much you'll pay in taxes? 🇪🇸 Will you be taxed twice on your American income? What happens to your Social Security or retirement savings? And could Spain's Beckham Law actually help you save thousands? For many Americans dreaming of moving to Spain, taxes are one of the biggest reasons they hesitate. But moving to Spain doesn't automatically mean paying double taxes or losing half your income. In this episode of Untold Secrets of Living Overseas, Shawna sits down with Daniel Vicente, a Barcelona-based tax attorney and founder of Placitum, who has worked in taxation since 2005. Whether you're planning to retire in Spain, move on a Digital Nomad Visa, or relocate while continuing to work remotely for a U.S. company, this conversation will help you understand the questions you should be asking before you move. In this episode, you'll learn: 🇪🇸How taxes in Spain work for Americans. 💰Will you be taxed twice? 🏡The 183-day tax residency rule. 👴Taxes for American retirees in Spain. 💻Digital Nomad Visa taxes. 📊Spain's Beckham Law explained. 🏦Spain's Wealth Tax. 🏠Selling your U.S. home before moving . 📈Tax planning for freelancers and business owners. 📩 Get expert tax advice Want to understand how moving to Spain could affect your specific financial situation? Connect with Daniel Vicente and Placitum for professional guidance on Spanish taxation, international tax planning, and relocating to Spain. 👉🏼⁠https://placitum.es/⁠ (https://placitum.es/) Disclaimer: This episode is for educational purposes only and does not constitute individualized legal or tax advice. Tax laws, rates, and eligibility requirements can change. Consult a qualified tax professional familiar with both U.S. and Spanish tax rules before making financial or relocation decisions. ✈️ Ready to Make Your Move Abroad? If you’re serious about moving to Europe or Latin America in under a year, join Shawna’s FREE Abroad in a Year Masterclass. You’ll learn how to navigate visas, finances, and relocation step-by-step—without wasting months researching or making costly mistakes. 🎟 Save your free spot (limited seats): ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://moveoverseasnow.com/abroad-in-a-year-masterclass-live/⁠⁠⁠⁠ (https://moveoverseasnow.com/abroad-in-a-year-masterclass-live/) 🙋♀️ Still Have Questions About Moving Abroad? If you’re thinking about moving to Europe or Latin America but keep getting stuck on visas, money, healthcare, housing, or where you should even go, join Shawna’s LIVE & FREE Move Abroad Q&A. Bring your questions and get real answers so you can start figuring out what your next step could actually look like. 🎟 Join the FREE Q&A:⁠⁠⁠⁠https://moveoverseasnow.com/free-qa/⁠⁠⁠⁠ (https://moveoverseasnow.com/free-qa/) 🧭 Ready to Get Serious About Your Move Abroad? If moving abroad is no longer a “someday” idea and you’re ready to figure out how to make it happen for your specific situation, book a personalized Relocation Roadmap strategy session with a relocation advisor on Shawna’s team. You’ll talk through your goals, timeline, finances, and potential relocation pathways. 📅 Book your session:⁠⁠⁠⁠https://moveoverseasnow.com/move-overseas-now-action-plan-calls-6/⁠ (https://moveoverseasnow.com/move-overseas-now-action-plan-calls-6/)

3. 

   9 Sept 2026

   Retiring in Italy at 74: How Jan Moved to Florence on the Elective Residency Visa

   Is 74 too late to pack up your life and start over in Italy? For Jan Weber, the answer was simple: “If not now, when?” In this episode of Untold Secrets of Living Overseas, Shawna sits down with Jan, a retired mortgage broker who left Bainbridge Island, Washington, and moved across the world to start a new chapter in Florence, Italy. At 74 years old. On her own. 🇮🇹 Jan had built a good life in the U.S. But she was healthy, had some savings, lived within her means, and felt like she still had one more adventure in her. Instead of waiting for the “perfect” time, she decided to take the leap. In this episode, Jan shares what the process of retiring in Italy and applying for the Italian Elective Residency Visa actually looked like, from choosing Florence and preparing for her consulate appointment to finding an apartment, learning Italian, making friends, and adjusting to everyday life abroad. We talk about: Why Jan chose Italy over Spain, Portugal, and other destinations What inspired her to move abroad in her 70s How she organized and prepared for her Elective Residency Visa Her experience trying to secure an appointment with the Italian Consulate The documents and apostille process she navigated before applying Why having a step-by-step roadmap made such a difference Finding a long-term apartment in Florence What everyday life in Florence actually looks like Learning Italian in her 70s and immersing herself in the local culture Moving abroad alone and dealing with the fear of loneliness Why she believes there’s never going to be a perfect time to move abroad Jan’s story is a powerful reminder that moving overseas doesn’t have an expiration date. You don’t have to be 25. You don’t have to have everything perfectly figured out. And you don’t have to wait until you feel completely ready. Sometimes you just need the courage to decide that the next chapter of your life is worth pursuing. If you’ve been dreaming about retiring in Italy, moving to Florence, or starting a new life abroad later in life, this episode is for you. ✈️ Ready to Make Your Move Abroad? If you’re serious about moving to Europe or Latin America in under a year, join Shawna’s FREE Abroad in a Year Masterclass. You’ll learn how to navigate visas, finances, and relocation step-by-step—without wasting months researching or making costly mistakes. 🎟 Save your free spot (limited seats): ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://moveoverseasnow.com/abroad-in-a-year-masterclass-live/⁠⁠⁠ (https://moveoverseasnow.com/abroad-in-a-year-masterclass-live/) 🙋♀️ Still Have Questions About Moving Abroad? If you’re thinking about moving to Europe or Latin America but keep getting stuck on visas, money, healthcare, housing, or where you should even go, join Shawna’s LIVE & FREE Move Abroad Q&A. Bring your questions and get real answers so you can start figuring out what your next step could actually look like. 🎟 Join the FREE Q&A:⁠⁠⁠https://moveoverseasnow.com/free-qa/⁠⁠⁠ (https://moveoverseasnow.com/free-qa/) 🧭 Ready to Get Serious About Your Move Abroad? If moving abroad is no longer a “someday” idea and you’re ready to figure out how to make it happen for your specific situation, book a personalized Relocation Roadmap strategy session with a relocation advisor on Shawna’s team. You’ll talk through your goals, timeline, finances, and potential relocation pathways. 📅 Book your session:⁠⁠⁠https://moveoverseasnow.com/move-overseas-now-action-plan-calls-6/⁠ (https://moveoverseasnow.com/move-overseas-now-action-plan-calls-6/)

Who has been a guest on Untold Secrets of Living Overseas

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

• Jessica Metcalf
• Arlene McCullough
• Kaila Sharlene

Reach and audience

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

Apple Podcasts (US)

5.0 / 5

8 ratings

Spotify

5.0 / 5

9 ratings

Podcast Authority Score: 44 / 100

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

Quality

60

Social presence

0

YouTube

0

Engagement

71

Contact Untold Secrets of Living Overseas

Guest appearances

Books guests

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