Expat life with Malin and Helena

Spring is here and for many expats this means planning for a new destination. If you had a golden ticket allowing you to relocate anywhere, where would you choose? Join us on a journey around the world where factors like earthquakes, happiness, job opportunities, dangerous wildlife, and seasonal changes influence our decisions. We'll also delve into the top expat destinations according to Expat Insiders, a survey of 12,000 participants, only to find that none of our dream destinations made the top 10 list. Please share you love on IG or Spotify if you enjoy listening to our podcast. I would mean alot!

With life comes changes in our professional life regardless of whether we are expats or not, but being an expat means that you may be more exposed in certain life transitions. In this episode we discuss some of these changes   and why it is both common and perfectly normal to feel lost and/or lonely  during times of changing jobs, being fired, becoming a homemaker and returning to work after spending years at home. As long term  expats we have felt both lost and lonely at times-a warm welcome to listen to this episode to see if anything is relatable to your life!

This year there is no end of new beginnings for Helena, and although Malin isn't particularly fond of open waters and boats, she has developed a newfound interest in the Polar circles.In this episode, we delve into the dynamics of embarking on something new and venturing far beyond one's comfort zone. For us, that venture is our podcast, but it could be anything. With the release of our 10th episode, we extend an invitation for you to join us behind the scenes, where we share the highs and lows of the podcaster's life. Like any self-assessment, we may not entirely agree on the grades we assign ourselves, but one thing is certain—this is just the beginning!A warm welcome to listen to our anniversary episode and join in the celebration with a few laughs (almost) guaranteed!

In this episode, we're sharing our top tips and highlights from this year. Whether you're traveling, waiting at the airport, or simply enjoying some time off, our recommendations, spanning books, series, TED Talks, podcasts, games, a songs, and travel destinations, promise to add inspiration and enjoyment to your holidays. Join us as we craft a delightful bouquet of suggestions for the holiday season! Cheers to 2023!

In this episode, we explore how to find one's voice as an expatriate in a foreign land. Is it essential to master the local language, or can one navigate without it? Helena shares her memorable experiences from Ibiza, expressing her love for raisins, and shedding light on the hurdles of securing employment in Spain as a non Spanish speaker. Meanwhile, Malin reveals her fondness for urban planning, American cookies, and recounts the experience of depending on her children while getting settled in a new country.How do you communicate as a global  mind in your local setting?  We would love to hear from you. Please share your comments/experiences  with us on  https://www.instagram.com/expatlifewithmalinandhelena/?igshid=YmMyMTA2M2Y%3D

In this episode, we chat about the significance of routines and how they can be both liberating and challenging. Helena excitedly shares a new routine she's incorporated into her life, while Malin draws connections between starting fresh in a new location and the world of entrepreneurship.  The “plan” for an upcoming Masterclass is revealed and the question is whether Helena is up for the challenge?Are there any routines you've adopted that have made a positive difference? We would love to hear from you. Please share your comments/experiences  with us on  https://www.instagram.com/expatlifewithmalinandhelena/?igshid=YmMyMTA2M2Y%3D

In this episode, we dig into the concept of "home." What defines home? Is it our place of origin, a physical location, or perhaps something more profound? And can the notion of home evolve and shift over time?Helena shares how her children's school instills a connection to her native country, while for Malin, something as simple as chicken stock and crispbread trigger a sense of home.Perhaps  some of it  resonates with you or do you have a different perspective of home? We would love to hear from you. Please share your comments/experiences  with us on  https://www.instagram.com/expatlifewithmalinandhelena/?igshid=YmMyMTA2M2Y%3D

In this episode we discuss the adjustment-acceptance phase in the expat life cycle. This is the stage in which  we as expats slowly learn to swim in our new waters. In addition, we give our best hands on tips on how to  make the transition from chaos to stability easier. Helena shares the significance of  the newsstands in Madrid and Malin has the similar feeling about a proper French baguette. Happy listening!We would love to hear from you. Please share your comments/experiences  with us on  https://www.instagram.com/expatlifewithmalinandhelena/?igshid=YmMyMTA2M2Y%3D

In this episode we speak about the expat life cycle which is similar to a rollercoaster of life.  Apart from discussing preparations, honeymoons  and cultural shocks, Malin also  reveals how she is getting friendly with Jeff and Helena with scorpions.  It may sound more  like a dating podcast but NO-it is still a podcast for everyone with a global mindset. Please share your comments/experiences  with us on  https://www.instagram.com/expatlifewithmalinandhelena/?igshid=YmMyMTA2M2Y%3D

In this episode we speak about some of the Easter traditions in Spain and Sweden. In Spain processions fill the cities with life and  in Sweden the Easter witches  travel sustainably on a broom to Blåkulla. Happy Easter everyone!

In this episode Malin talks about her baby steps  in Copenhagen and Helena shares her bold steps in New York. We speak about settling in, why we ended up in Copenhagen and New York and our expectations when going there. Helena found herself living in an obscure place and Malin shares what her son has in common with the bridge in Öresund.

In our very first episode we talk about what an expat is, who we are and how we ended up in Madrid. Helena brings us to Africa drinking soft drinks for breakfast and Malin shares how she was chased with baseball bats in the US. We also do a touch down in Paris, Milan, Copenhagen, New York and Abu Dhabi.