As the Dinesens Turn

 For years, we told ourselves—and everyone else—that our move to Portugal might only be temporary. First it was six months. Then maybe two years. But here we are, more than three years later, and we're still here.In this episode of As the Dinesens Turn, we reflect on why we chose to stay. It's not just about Portugal itself. It's about the unexpected ways our priorities changed, how our family life evolved, and why we discovered that the life we wanted looked very different from the one we had planned.We talk about raising kids in Portugal, finding a healthier work-life balance, navigating healthcare, feeling safe, building businesses in a new country, and how our definition of success has changed along the way. We also discuss the difficult first year, why the "honeymoon phase" eventually ends for most expats, and what finally convinced us that Portugal had become home.Whether you're dreaming of moving abroad, already living overseas, or simply wondering how major life decisions reshape your priorities, this episode offers an honest look at what happens after the adventure begins.In this episode:Why our original plan changedThe challenges of the first year abroadRaising children in PortugalHealthcare, safety, and quality of lifeHow our careers and priorities evolvedWhy we no longer see ourselves moving backIf you've ever wondered whether a big life change was worth it, this conversation is for you.

After more than three months away, we're back!Life got busy—but for good reasons. In this episode of As the Dinesens Turn, Jason and Tracy return with a practical discussion about one of the biggest questions they get from people considering a move abroad:"If you could do it all over again, what would you do differently?"Looking back after more than three years living in Portugal, we share nine lessons we wish we'd known before making the move. Some are practical, some are financial, and some are simply about mindset—but all of them come from real experience.In this episode, we discuss:Learning the local language before you arriveWhy driving a manual transmission can matterChoosing the right location—not just the right countryPlanning realistically for financesFinding the right schools and family supportStarting the decluttering process much earlierWhen hiring local experts is worth every euroAdjusting to a different culture and bureaucracyWhy, despite everything, we'd still encourage people to take the leapThis isn't a "Portugal is perfect" episode, nor is it a list of complaints. It's an honest conversation about what surprised us, what challenged us, and what we'd tell anyone thinking about moving overseas.Whether you're dreaming of Portugal, another European country, or simply wondering what life as an expat is really like, we hope these lessons help you make a more informed—and less stressful—transition.Next episode: Why, after all the challenges, we decided to stay. 

In this episode of As the Dinesens Turn, we talk about what we actually miss after moving from the U.S. to Portugal in 2023.Some of it is small and even sort of humorous:--Gigantic drinks from QT--Casey’s breakfast pizza--Being able to find jalapeños and green onions whenever you wantSome of it is more practical:--The ease of running everyday errands--Driving that… makes sense--The ability to quickly travel back and see familyAnd some of it runs deeper:--Community--Colleagues--The intellectual energy of teaching and working alongside othersBut the surprising part is, we don’t miss nearly as much as we thought we would. We’ve built a new life, a new routine, and a new perspective. And while there are tradeoffs, this experience has reinforced something important: there’s no perfect place, only the place that fits the life you want to build.If you’ve ever thought about moving abroad—or just making a big life change—this episode is an honest look at what that really means.🎧 Listen now and join the conversation.

Moving abroad can seem like the perfect solution to burnout, politics, or simply wanting a fresh start. But does relocating actually fix your problems?In this episode of As the Dinesens Turn, Jason and Tracy talk honestly about what life is really like after moving from Iowa to Portugal. They discuss the “honeymoon phase” of living abroad, the reality of navigating unfamiliar systems, and the identity shifts that come with leaving your career and home country behind.While Portugal has brought major benefits—greater safety, better healthcare access, and more work-life balance—the move also created new challenges: bureaucracy, cultural differences, and the emotional work of rebuilding a life from scratch.If you’re thinking about moving abroad, this episode offers a candid look at the trade-offs and what it actually takes to make the transition work.

Nearly three years ago, we packed up our lives and moved from Iowa to Portugal. We expected some changes. We planned for others. But a lot of what actually shifted happened slowly — quietly — and in ways we didn’t fully notice until recently.In this episode of As the Dinesens Turn, we reflect on who we were when we arrived and who we are now. We talk about how living in Portugal has changed our relationship with time, work, guilt, identity, parenting, and even ourselves — and what hasn’t changed at all.This isn’t a “pros and cons of moving abroad” episode. It’s a conversation about identity, control, and what happens when you step into a different system with different values and let it reshape you.In this episode, we talk about:How moving abroad slowly changes you in ways you didn’t planLetting go of control — and why that was harder than we expectedWhy we feel calmer, more present, and less defined by our jobsWhat Portugal has taught us about time, illness, and permission to stopHow our kids have changed by learning to be “the other”And why we’re no longer apologizing for who we areIf you’ve ever thought about moving abroad — or if you’ve felt the pull to change your life but weren’t sure what that would cost or give back — this episode is for you.🎧 As the Dinesens Turn chronicles the ongoing adventures of an ordinary family who decided to do something a little extraordinary.👉 Subscribe for new episodes and short clips👉 Share this episode with someone who’s feeling stuck or curious about what’s next

In this episode of As the Dinesens Turn, Jason and Tracy talk about what Christmas season is really like in Portugal — from festive lights and roasted chestnuts to Christmas markets, baking traditions, and big travel dreams for the future.They share what makes the holidays feel special abroad, how Portuguese Christmas culture compares to back home, and why this season has sparked a renewed commitment to saying “yes” to the things they’ve always wanted to do.Along the way, the conversation takes a fun turn into Christmas baking for Portuguese students, bread-and-cheese obsessions, Spanish Christmas markets, whiskey discoveries, and the early seeds of a possible new podcast idea: Jason on the Rocks 🥃Christmas lights, markets, and the smell of roasted chestnuts in PortugalVisiting Vigo, Spain for one of Europe’s biggest Christmas light displaysPortuguese vs. American holiday traditionsChristmas baking (and stress baking) abroadSharing American treats with Portuguese studentsBread, cheese, mulled wine, and holiday food favoritesA new idea: mixing whiskey tastings with tax talkDream travel plans for 2026 (London, Barcelona, Denmark & more)Why this season is all about finally doing the things you keep talking about00:00 – Welcome to As the Dinesens Turn00:20 – Christmas time in Portugal01:30 – Christmas markets & holiday vibes01:49 – Trip to Vigo, Spain03:36 – Mulled wine, bread & cheese04:28 – Christmas baking traditions06:01 – Whiskey discoveries in Portugal06:25 – “Jason on the Rocks” podcast idea08:55 – Making 2026 a year of experiences10:07 – Travel dreams & future plans12:28 – Wrap-upAs the Dinesens Turn chronicles the adventures of a family from Iowa who decided to pack up their lives and move to Portugal — sharing the joys, challenges, culture shock, and everyday moments along the way🎙️ What You’ll Hear in This Episode:⏱️ Chapters / Timestamps:📌 About the Podcast:

We’re finally back! After four months, Jason and Tracy return to share what’s been happening behind the scenes — from residency renewals to navigating Portugal’s bureaucracy, adjusting to culture and climate, raising teens abroad, and rebuilding life after burnout.This episode is an honest look at our family’s journey, nearly three years into living in Portugal. What’s changed? What’s surprised us? And why does life feel so different (in a good way) now?More episodes coming soon. Thanks for sticking with us ❤

From late-night dinners and roundabout rules to greeting customs and the mysterious art of Portuguese bureaucracy, join us as we share the culture shocks, funny moments, and unexpected lessons we’ve picked up along the way. After living here for 2 1/2 years, we've learned some things.Whether you’re planning a trip, thinking about moving here, or just curious about everyday life in Portugal, you’ll get real stories, practical tips, and plenty of laughs.📍 This episode covers:0:00 Intro1:15 First cultural surprises we faced5:40 Dining hours & coffee etiquette9:20 Driving differences you should know13:55 Seasonal rhythms of life here18:30 Stories we learned the hard way21:45 Our “It’s good, it’s normal, it’s okay” mantra💬 Question for you: What’s the biggest culture shock you’ve ever experienced traveling or living abroad? Tell us in the comments!🎙 About As the Dinesens Turn:We’re Jason & Tracy, a couple from Iowa who decided life was too short not to try something big. Follow our adventures — and misadventures — as we navigate life, culture, and coffee in Portugal.👍 Like, subscribe, and turn on notifications to join us for future episodes!

We’re back after a two-and-a-half-month break with a jam-packed episode full of updates, laughs, and a little heat-induced delirium.Tracy shares what it was like recovering from hernia surgery (surprise! She had a congenital diaphragm defect), and dives into her pottery residency—complete with raku firings, monoprinting on clay, and the all-important sardine jewelry.Jason gives a sneak peek at what's happening with Dinesen Media Ventures, including the launch of Portugal Chronicle, the long-awaited arrival of Jason in Portugal, and the bureaucratic maze of renewing visas and setting up utilities. Spoiler: it’s not for the faint of heart.We talk about the chaos of August in Portugal when the town triples in size, grocery store parking becomes a blood sport, and rules of the road are mere suggestions.Also in this episode:• Updates on our kids’ school year• Reflecting on burnout and finding balance• Upcoming summer adventures (including a ham museum!)• Why we love it here—even when it’s 105°FGot questions for us? Drop them in the comments—we’re planning future listener Q&A episodes!

In this episode of As the Dinesens Turn, Jason and Tracy catch up after a few weeks away, sharing tales of sun, stitches, and undercarriage misadventures! Jason recaps his annual accounts payable conference at Universal Studios, while Tracy dives into her recent surgery saga — from hidden hernias to the calm and competence of Portuguese healthcare.They chat about:🌴 Florida vs. Disney: The Universal Studios experience⚙️ Hernia revelations & post-surgery recovery🚗 Car inspections and the comedic joys of expat life🎢 Next year’s Epic Universe plans (Super Nintendo World!)💬 Should they share more of their Portugal life online?

In this episode of As the Dinesens Turn, we're diving into a whirlwind week of medical procedures and ... car inspections.When you're a teacher on break, what better way to spend your time than getting your gallbladder removed? Join us as we walk through a surprisingly smooth and surreal experience with the Portuguese private health system, from late-night surgery to morning coffee and jam on bread (no fuzzy hospital socks, though).We compare this experience with surgery in the U.S., touching on differences in care, costs, and pain management (spoiler: no opioids here). Plus, there's a surprise twist involving the GNR (Portuguese National Republican Guard) and a 250€ car inspection fine we didn’t see coming.👉 Don’t forget to like, comment, and subscribe for more real-life expat stories and slice-of-life episodes from our lives in Portugal.📌 As the Dinesens Turn — because something is always turning, and it’s usually us.#ExpatLife #PortugalHealthcare #GallbladderSurgery #AsTheDinesensTurn #LifeInPortugal #GNR #LivingAbroad #MedicalStorytime

We survived the power outage in Portugal on Monday the 28th.

What we're looking forward to as springtime springs in Portugal.

March 16th was our two-year anniversary in Portugal. All of us -- kids included! -- reflect on it.

On this episode, we discuss the challenges and triumphs of language learning. Jason discusses if Duolingo is helpful or not. Jason and Tracy debate the merits of striving for an A in school versus "just get through it."

We've been here almost 2 years now, and while most people think it's cool (we do too!) it's not all fun and games. We have to work, and we experience homesickness. The worst was after 6 months. This episode dives deeper into how we dealt with the homesickness and are still dealing with it.

It's a grab-bag episode of Valentine's Day in Portugal, the power of the sunshine here, and Jason's language adventures.

We talk about the weather in our part of Portugal. Sometimes a 50-degree day can be very uncomfortable, and as crazy as it may sound, a 0-degree day in the Midwest can almost be more comfortable (if you're inside).

Tis the season for illnesses. We also talk about our experiences with the Portuguese health system and compare it to the U.S.

Our journey with burnout continues to evolve. We still are not "cured," but we are in a better headspace now than we were before we moved.

In this episode we come back to why we moved, how we feel now, and we discuss our ever-present burnout and trying to find solutions.

After a 9-month hiatus, we are back! This episode gives an update on what we've been up to. We are back to weekly episodes now, so more to come!

We talk about how tax season went -- it went pretty well. We also talk about how there are clearly things that need to change in the future.

Hard to believe for us, but we've been here for 1 year now.

We were both horribly burned out before we moved to Portugal. Burnout, in fact, is really our "why" as to why we moved. We've talked about it before, and we talk about it again here.

Yes, we stayed up to watch the Super Bowl, til around 5 am our time.

We had to take a few weeks off because we've all been battling colds and such. Tracy and Jason talk about having a cold in Portugal, going to the doctor, the costs (or lack thereof compared to America) of everything, etc.

Jason is still in business as an accountant. We talk about how that will work.

Back in the swing of episodes for season 2. We talk about the holidays, moving around Christmastime, and what 2024 holds in store.

We've been off for a few weeks in large part due to technical difficulties (we had 2 episodes recorded that got lost in a computer crash). Anyway, we are back with an episode about December in Portugal, what the holidays here look like, and what holiday plans are.

This episode is about fall, Halloween, and what life in general is like when the days get darker -- and very, very, very rainy!

When one moves overseas, whether it's moving your home like us, or it's a semester-long study abroad or such, there's a honeymoon period. For us, this period lasted about 6 months. Now, the honeymoon is over and we're in the "this is the real world" phase of living here. Not necessarily bad, but a definite shift in the vibe.

Jason and Tracy continue their discussion of 5 things they wish they knew before they moved to Portugal, and 5 things they have discovered they are glad for. In this episode: Things they wish they knew: --Don't be naive about language --It can be oddly hard to find certain things such as green onions and jalepenos, and delivery drivers have a bizarrely hard time finding you Things we are glad for: --Services available --Time, people's relationship to time and working to live ---------- Recap Things we wish we knew: 1. Driving is total chaos; also, you need to know how to drive a manual transmission 2. Red tape and bureaucracy 3. The cost of living is not necessarily lower here 4. Don't be naive about language 5. It can be oddly hard to find certain things, and delivery drivers have an oddly hard time finding you Things we have discovered we love: 1. Work-life balance and people's attitude towards life 2. The people are wonderful 3. The flip side of not necessarily saving money on purchases: quality seems to be better 4. Services available 5. People's relationship to time, "work to live rather than live to work" -- related to #1 but something vital to us

In this podcast, we start talking about the 5 things we wish we knew about Portugal before moving, and 5 things we have discovered we love. In this episode, we cover the first 3 things, and next week we will cover the final 2 items. 3 Things We Wish We Knew: --Driving in Portugal is utter and complete chaos --Red tape, bureaucracy --The cost of day-to-day living is not necessarily lower than in the U.S. -- do not move to "save money" because it might not work out that way 3 Things We Have Discovered We love --Work-life balance and people's attitudes toward life --The people are wonderful --The flip side of costs not necessarily being lower -- things seem to be higher quality

Jason and Tracy discuss having U.S. jobs in Portugal, and how Tracy is joining Jason on the dark side and becoming a tax preparer.

School starts soon (September 15th). Last week the boys talked briefly about their thoughts on school starting, and how the summer went. This week, Jason and Tracy talk more about school starting.

In this short podcast, we talk to the kids for as long as we could (**8 minutes!) about getting ready to start school next week.

Jason and Tracy cover a lot of ground on language learning. Jason talks about his philosophy when he was in school -- get B's because people leave you alone, getting A's is a lot of work with no real tradeoff, but getting C's means people hassle you. Plus does Duolingo work? And Jason tells the story about the first time his dad "took them outside the U.S." on vacation. DETAILS: 0:32-1:55 Jason on his philosophy towards school — get Bs; getting As is a lot of work without a lot of great payoff; getting Cs means people hassle you, so get Bs because then people leave you alone. 3:31-4:07 Jason on how useful Duolingo is (or isn’t) in learning a foreign language 5:08-5:43 Tracy on how Jason and Tyler had the same instructor, who is an excellent teacher. 5:50-7:13 Jason (and Tracy) on the Portuguese classes they have taken. 7:13-7:31 Tracy (former language instructor) on adults learning a second language 8:12-8:51 Jason on Tracy leaving him alone at the checkout counter at FNAC (store in Portugal somewhat like Best Buy) and how he had to muddle through the checkout by himself in Portuguese 8:58-9:44 language levels, A1-B2 and how it works with getting residency 9:58-12:25 Jason on his only experience outside of the U.S. when he was a kid (he thinks this story is humorous) 12:25-12:48 Jason on his grandfather’s philosophy of wanting a “bucket of Shelby County dirt under his feet.” 12:48-16:35 General language discussion 16:35-17:25 Jason on how his accent is changing, how the kids’ language skills are changing 17:25-18:00 Jason and Tracy on if Midwesterners have an accent or not 18:40-end When does school start?

Our journey of recovering from severe professional (and personal) burnout continues. We talked about this subject a few episodes ago, but our views on burnout continue to evolve -- and we have a lot to say about this topic -- so here is another episode! Tracy also talks about pottery, and how working with clay has helped her mental state.

August is vacation month for a lot of folks in Portugal, and our little town has lots of visitors. We also talk about driving and how it is (to an American) absolute chaos on the roads (always, even when vacationers aren't around).

We've had a lot of help from people here in Portugal, and we seem to get what we need, when we need it.

Tracy and Jason try to put burnout into words. They will be talking about burnout periodically, because their relationship with burnout, and ability to put it into words, changes daily.

Tracy and Jason received their residency cards last week. This podcast discusses what that means, and what the process was.

Jack recently got back from an overnight field trip. He didn't want to talk on the podcast, so Jason and Tracy talk about his trip. Plus we talk about taking Portuguese classes, and whether Duolingo is helpful or not in learning a language.

How does it work, working for U.S. clients while living in Portugal? How on earth did a move during tax season actually work? We discuss in this podcast.

We took our first vacation in Portugal recently, and recap where we went. Plus, we talk about the weather, regional differences we have observed, and we talk about trying to break the consumer mentality of "let's go to the mall and buy stuff."

Tyler (age 11) joins us to discuss his thoughts on Portugal as we are now past the 3-month mark living here.

This episode is all about school. Our kids attended public school the last 3 months of the school year, and we talk about how we got them enrolled and what their experiences were.

We are now official tax residents of Portugal! This podcast is all about the paperwork and the process.

Living in 300 square feet in Portugal, versus living in 3,000 square feet in the U.S. That is the topic of Episode 2 of As the Dinesens Turn.