PODCAST · education
This Expat Life
by Amanda Maxime
While life abroad is often amazing, it is not only rainbows & butterflies - as all experienced expats very well know. From the pleasures of drinking from fresh coconuts to dealing with a personal crisis, This Expat Life opens up space for all facets of life abroad. And more importantly: what you can do to thrive in it.Certified coach, former diplomat and forever globetrotter Amanda Molenaar dives into the good, the bad & the ugly of expat life. Expect hands-on tips, deep dives, and relatable stories by fellow expats. Whether you're about to take off on your first international adventure or have been repatted already: This Expat Life is your place to find real understanding and to grow from the inside out.Find more about Amanda and her programs here: https://www.amandamaximecoaching.com.
Episodes
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#120 Dealing with the pre-move chaos + a personal update
Two weeks before moving to Mexico, I’m deep in the pre-move chaos & overwhelm. If you’ve moved abroad (or back home again), you know what I’m talking about! In this episode I share my simple but effective way for dealing with the chaos, one that you can apply yourself to any busy season of your...
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#119 Why should you hire a coach as an expat?
If you’ve been a listener of the show and heard me talk about working together, perhaps you were thinking: “But I don’t need help with the expat things in my life”. Yes - AND... I would still tell you to hire a coach. In this episode I tell you why I believe every expat should work with a coach -...
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#118 How to strengthen your intuition - 5 practical tips
“Make your big decisions more with your intuition” but what if you don’t know what your intuition is saying?! I got this question in different variations in the last weeks so I’m dedicating an episode to it. Because when you are a global citizen moving around, you have a ton of decisions to make,...
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#117 Feeling like an outsider with old friends? 3 tips
What if you’re increasingly feeling like an outsider with your old friends from back home? This is not an episode where I give you practical tips on how to stay in touch - instead we’re looking at the undertow that might be happening in the dynamic between you and the group. And I give you 3 tips...
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#116 12 mid-year questions to reflect on what’s been - and what you’re calling in
Grab your pen and journal! This isn’t a regular episode where you get to listen, but one where I’m prompting you to reflect. The episodes where I ask you two sets of questions at the end of the year are always popular, and since I very much enjoyed my own mid-year review, I’m now bringing back…
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#115 Why is it that so many expats start to question their life choices in summer? (+ tips)
Why is it that so many expats start to wonder about their life choices in summer? I’m bringing back a popular episode from two years ago in which I give my perspective - plus tips on what to do with it, of course. And would you like support to move out of expat decision limbo, decide on what's…
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#114: Can you raise a child and still live free? Elke van Eijk's story
Before we dive in, last chance: doors to The Space - my DIY solo retreat for expats - close in a few days, on July 31st! For years, business coach Elke van Eijk has built an international life shaped by curiosity, courage, and a willingness to embrace change, and based on one core value: freedom....
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#113: Am I on track for my 3 big 2026 goals?
At the halfway point of the year, I opened my journal, looked back at the 3 big goals I'd set in January, and asked myself one simple question: Am I becoming the person I wanted to become? In this episode, I'm taking you behind the scenes of my first six months of 2026. I'm sharing where I've…
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Oh FAQ! Your questions about The Co-Pilot, answered [episode available till Wednesday]
By popular demand, I put the replay of my masterclass Out of Expat Decision Limbo back up! Listen here. Available till Tuesday. And then in this episode, I'm answering: - Will you host another round? Because this is not the right time for me. - What is the group like? - When do we start? - What…
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Still doubting? This is what you're getting inside The Co-Pilot [doors close this Tuesday]
By popular demand, I put the replay of my masterclass Out of Expat Decision Limbo back up! Listen here. Available till Tuesday. Lol 'a quick episode' has never been my thing but here's an episode with everything you wanted to know about The Co-Pilot before joining! You'll hear: - What exactly...
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#112: From Berlin to a new beginning: Laura’s year of transformation
Laura had been living in Berlin for more than nine years, but after returning from a three-month sabbatical, she realized she couldn't ignore the feeling anymore. She was deeply unhappy in her corporate job and knew she wanted to move back to the UK - but instead of taking action, she found…
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#111: The most expensive mistake high-functioning expats make
What is the most expensive mistake I see high-functioning expats make? In this episode I share my observations! Links & resources: Visit my website Book a call for The Co-Pilot Get out of expat decision limbo with my new FREE mini-journey The Roundabout Exit
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#110: From the Expat Waiting Room to a new country: Soraya’s intentional move
Before we dive in, last chance to get your DIY solo retreat designed for expats! Get your two-day reset for just €149 (forever access). Doors close on July 31st. Sign up here: https://www.amandamaximecoaching.com/the-space Soraya - a Belgian coach living in Spain - rated her life abroad as a 7…
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#109: Who’s driving your expat life? The autopilot of your crossroads
Have you ever felt stuck at a crossroads, unable to make a decision no matter how much you think about it? In this episode of This Expat Life, I explore something I see over and over again with expats and globally mobile professionals: the hidden autopilots that quietly influence our decisions....
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#108: Unmasking the driven expat: Martina Gastaldello’s road to alignment
Before we dive in, did you know that doors to The Space - my DIY solo retreat package for expats - are open just for the month of July? 😌 Book it here! Doors close on the 31st. A few years ago, Martina and I met when she joined one of my coaching programs. At the time, she was deep in a burnout....
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#107 The joy of returning home: Charlotte van ‘t Wout’s story unfolds
From being a desert girl in Sedona, Arizona to now a single mom by choice of two back in Amsterdam, with a stop in NYC in between: in this episode I catch up with Charlotte van ‘t Wout. Charlotte (also known as Celine Charlotte on Instagram) is a multiple 7-figure entrepreneur and has lived a...
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#106: A 3AM text, a Santa Barbara harbor, and a dream project - How to know when to say yes to a big investment
How do you know when to say yes to a big investment, scary step or invitation? I was in California when I got a text at 3AM from a friend: he needed to make a decision around a financial investment - could I advise him? Coincidentally, that day I too had to make a decision about a big investment....
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#105 Amplifying your most authentic self with Rianne Klein Geltink
Wow, I absolutely loved this interview. I met Rianne at my business conference in April last month where she delivered a talk on how you can use two Dutch words to amplify your most authentic self the next time you need to perform. And she blew us away. So I knew I had to get her on the show....
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#104 The #1 quality high-functioning expats have in common (and why it’s also your trap)
What’s the ONE quality high-achieving expats have in common? As a coach having worked with 240+ expats personally (aside from my DIY courses), I see this one quality again and again. And… I also see where it’s becoming a trap. In this episode I share what I see and how it’s holding you back, plus...
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#103 How to keep momentum when you aren’t feeling good
A question came in from someone inside The Co-Pilot recently for our hot seat coaching call - and the moment I read it, I knew it needed its own episode. Because I've been there myself, more than once, and I have a feeling at least one of you listening right now will recognize yourself in it too....
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#102 A new chapter requires a new you
Most expats focus on the decision or crossroads that’s in front of them: should I stay or should I go, apply for a new role, relocate, or go for my big scary goal? And it makes sense that most of your attention goes here, but… what few people don’t look at beforehand is who you need to be to…
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#101 How to not feel lonely when you arrive somewhere new
In this episode, I’m answering a question I recently received while I was in Mexico City: how do you not feel lonely when you arrive somewhere new on your own? It’s such a real question - and if you’ve ever moved abroad, even temporarily, you’ve probably felt this too. I’ve experienced this many...
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#100! A personal conversation on outgrowing places, letting go, and following your inner compass
And then you’ve reached episode 100, wow! To celebrate this special episode, for the first time ever, I’m the one being interviewed on my own podcast 👀 Tune in to hear how my dear friend Coco Hofs (one of the very first guests on the show) interviews me and asks me some deep questions that…
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#99 When a decision stops weighing on you (+ sharing my own!)
Before we dive in, did you know that doors to The Space - my DIY solo retreat package for expats - are open just for the month of July? Book it here! Doors close on the 31st. There’s something about when a decision has actually been made. Not just knowing what you want… But actually committing to...
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#98 The 3 things I say to myself to stay my course after a decision
Before we dive in, did you know that doors to The Space - my DIY solo retreat package for expats - are open just for the month of July? You get your two-day reset, forever access, and a live call late August for just €149. Book it here! Doors close on the 31st. There’s a phase in expat life I see...
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#97 Navigating expat life decisions as a couple, with Wiebke Anton
What if you’re navigating an expat life decision… But you’re not doing that alone? In this episode of This Expat Life, I sit down with Wiebke Anton, a relationship coach who works specifically with expat couples and internationally mobile professionals. Together, we explore what really happens...
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#96 My 3 goals and a big decision for 2026!
The start of a new year is always very exciting to me as I set 3 big goals for the year that I can't wait to work on. But sitting here in Mexico City, beginning 2026 far away from my usual routines, I’ve been reflecting deeply on what this new chapter is asking of me - and what I’m finally ready…
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#95 Part 2 - Getting ready for the New Year - 12 questions to set yourself up for a great 2026
How can you make this year different from the last? I’m always incredibly intentional about how I want to start the new year, so that I can ensure my continuous growth and avoid autopilot mode. Many set new year’s resolutions, but these are designed to fail. In this episode I share 12 questions...
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#94 Part 1: Getting ready for the New Year - 12 questions for expats to reflect on 2025
Back by popular demand after I did this last year! Here are 12 reflection questions that help you make sense of your year, who you've become and what you want to bring forward (and let go of). I'm answering the same questions for myself and they are already bringing the insights 🔥 If you want to...
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#93 2026 fresh start energy: How to create it before January arrives
I’ve been thinking about the way we treat January 1st as if it’s some kind of magical reset button - a clean slate, a fresh start, the moment everything finally falls into place. And I’ve definitely done that myself! But the truth is… nothing actually resets at midnight. Not your nervous system....
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#92 Are you living in the Expat Waiting Room?
Lately, I’ve been thinking a lot about those chapters in life where everything looks “fine” from the outside - yet something deep inside whispers that this isn’t really your place anymore. Not because anything is dramatically wrong, but because you know you’re meant for something different…...
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#91 What to do when you’re not okay (and can’t quite explain why)
Have you ever had one of those weeks where nothing is technically wrong… but your body, your emotions, and your brain are all just slightly out of sync? That was me last week. In this solo episode of This Expat Life, I open up about a very wobbly, very real week - one where I felt exhausted,...
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#90 How I learned Spanish & Portuguese - Tips to overcome language obstacles
Have you ever felt like language is the one thing standing between you and truly belonging abroad? In this episode, I dive into a question from a listener about how to overcome language obstacles — not from a technical perspective, but from the inside out. Because learning a new language isn’t…
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#89 I didn’t see this coming: the intuitive download that changed the game
This week, I’m sharing a very personal story - one that honestly still feels a little raw. Out of nowhere, during an ordinary bike ride home, I got the clearest intuitive nudge: “Pause one-on-one coaching.” There was no plan, no logic, no strategy behind it - just a deep knowing that it was time…
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#88 The framework I teach expats to make confident decisions
Have you ever found yourself stuck in the same loop of overthinking - waiting for “the right moment” or a lightning bolt of clarity before making a big life decision? In this solo episode of This Expat Life, I share the 4-part framework that I use myself and have taught to dozens of overthinking...
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#87 The 6 mistakes expats make when facing big decisions
Have you ever found yourself lying awake at night, circling the question: “Should I stay or should I go?” In this solo episode of This Expat Life, I uncover the six most common mistakes career-driven expats make when facing big life decisions - mistakes I’ve seen over and over again in my…
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#86 Should I stay or should I go? The Expat Dilemma
Have you ever found yourself lying awake at night, whispering the question: “Should I stay or should I go?” I bet you have! In this solo episode of This Expat Life, I dive into one of the biggest dilemmas expats face: the tug-of-war between staying where you are, moving on to a new chapter, or...
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#85 When an expat goes back- but it's not the same
Have you ever gone back to a place where you once lived, only to feel both comforted and strangely disconnected? In this solo episode of This Expat Life, I share my recent experiences of returning to Rio de Janeiro and London, two cities that were once deeply important in my global journey. What…
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#84 What this summer taught me about living an authentic global life - Personal reflections after a season of traveling
It feels like forever since my last solo episode! After our wonderful Global Woman Summer Series, I'm back with some deeply personal reflections from what has been the most amazing and intensive summer. This summer was intense, inspiring, and unforgettable. Between road-tripping through…
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#83 Anne & Amanda on dating abroad, long-distance relationships & rethinking motherhood
The last episode of The Global Woman Summer Series! --- In this honest, open-hearted conversation, Anne and I swap the kind of stories you usually only share with a trusted friend: love bombing, ghosting, dating culture shocks, and the relief of finally meeting someone who’s just as intentional…
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#82 Anne Verhoeven on the in-between spaces of expat life, love, and taking leaps into the unknown | The Global Woman Summer Series
Episode 5 of The Global Woman Series! This summer, every week you’ll get to listen to an honest conversation with a woman navigating life between worlds. The women I interview are inspiring, authentic and an example in leading themselves - all in their own way - and I can’t wait to share the...
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#81 Erica Reitman on rerouting your expat path and creating an inspiring life that reflects the real you - The Global Woman Summer Series
Episode 4 of The Global Woman Series! This summer, every week you’ll get to listen to an honest conversation with a woman navigating life between worlds. The women I interview are inspiring, authentic and an example in leading themselves - all in their own way - and I can’t wait to share the...
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#80 Elle McPherson on navigating love & identity abroad - The Global Woman Summer Series
Episode 3 of The Global Woman Series! This summer, every week you’ll get to listen to an honest conversation with a woman navigating life between worlds. The women I interview are inspiring, authentic and an example in leading themselves - all in their own way - and I can’t wait to share the...
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#79 Brigette Muller on navigating grief abroad - The Global Woman Summer Series
Episode 2 of The Global Woman Series! This summer, every week you’ll get to listen to an honest conversation with a woman navigating life between worlds. The women I interview are inspiring, authentic and an example in leading themselves - all in their own way - and I can’t wait to share the...
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#78 Mickelle Weber on changing the relationship with our roots - The Global Woman Summer Series
We’re kicking off The Global Woman Summer Series of This Expat Life! (or Winter Series if you live in the southern hemisphere :)). This summer, every week you’ll get to listen to an honest conversation with a woman navigating life between worlds. The women I interview are inspiring, authentic and...
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Everything you want to know about The Co-Pilot 2.0
You can now sign up for the priority list of The Co-Pilot: https://www.amandamaximecoaching.com/priority-co-pilot
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#77 Building your dream (and guilt-free!) expat life with Ana Tello
The Co-Pilot are now open! Join us now, our first call is on February 17th >> Ana Tello, a Panamanian expat in Germany, had it all: a successful career, a nice apartment, a fancy car - but on the inside, she felt sad and lost. She had secret dreams but didn’t know where to start. If you see her...
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#76 Where Should I Spend Fall? The 4 Pillars Behind Big Expat Decisions
Where should I go this fall? A couple of weeks ago I asked you this on Instagram as I want to spend a few months abroad again - and I got a long list of suggestions. And it seems I made my decision… In this episode, I break down the process of how I got to it, so you can understand how I use my...
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#75 Navigating love & dating in a global life with Candice Gallagher
Candice and I are organizing a Global Girls Supper Club in London on September 4th - join us for a coaching workshop, fun and new connections! Tickets are going fast, get them here. If you are single, in a situationship or navigating dating in your global life, this episode is for you! Candice...
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[business talk] The 4 pillars for the successful Globetrotter CEO
Almost weekly I get requests from other coaches and (aspiring) business owners if I can have a virtual coffee with them because they want to hear how I set up my business, work on my online presence and more. And almost always I decline them (simply because my focus is elsewhere - the people...
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ABOUT THIS SHOW
While life abroad is often amazing, it is not only rainbows & butterflies - as all experienced expats very well know. From the pleasures of drinking from fresh coconuts to dealing with a personal crisis, This Expat Life opens up space for all facets of life abroad. And more importantly: what you can do to thrive in it.Certified coach, former diplomat and forever globetrotter Amanda Molenaar dives into the good, the bad & the ugly of expat life. Expect hands-on tips, deep dives, and relatable stories by fellow expats. Whether you're about to take off on your first international adventure or have been repatted already: This Expat Life is your place to find real understanding and to grow from the inside out.Find more about Amanda and her programs here: https://www.amandamaximecoaching.com.
HOSTED BY
Amanda Maxime
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Frequently Asked Questions
How many episodes does This Expat Life have?
This Expat Life currently has 127 episodes available on PodParley. New episodes are automatically indexed when they're published to the podcast feed.
What is This Expat Life about?
While life abroad is often amazing, it is not only rainbows & butterflies - as all experienced expats very well know. From the pleasures of drinking from fresh coconuts to dealing with a personal crisis, This Expat Life opens up space for all facets of life abroad. And more importantly: what you...
How often does This Expat Life release new episodes?
This Expat Life publishes regularly with 127 episodes available. Check the episode list for the typical release schedule.
Where can I listen to This Expat Life?
You can listen to This Expat Life on PodParley by clicking any episode. We provide an embedded audio player for direct listening, and you can also subscribe via your preferred podcast app using the RSS feed.
Who hosts This Expat Life?
This Expat Life is created and hosted by Amanda Maxime.
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