Flourish In The Foreign

01/05/2025

🌍✨ Season 6 of Flourish In the Foreign is a wrap! ✨🎉

Despite the wild blackout across Spain, Portugal, and parts of France earlier this week (yes, I still got the episode out—albeit late 😅), I’m incredibly proud to celebrate the end of another phenomenal season of my award-winning podcast, Flourish In the Foreign!

🎙️ With 150+ episodes and my 5th podcast anniversary just 10 days away, I’m feeling deeply grateful—for the journey, the growth, and especially for the brilliant women I had the honor of interviewing this season.

Season 6 explored aging abroad with vulnerability, candor, grace, and humor. Thank you to everyone who trusted me with your stories. You made this season unforgettable.

The final episode—a special AMA (Ask Me Anything)—is live now! I answer your questions about:

✈️ Moving abroad as a creative

🏢 Navigating corporate jobs overseas

💰 Managing international finances

❤️ Handling partner hesitations around relocation

…and much more!

Listen to the podcast on Apple, Spotify, YouTube, and across all podcast platforms.

https://open.spotify.com/episode/0yKdDABALckvXyTbjJxMSS?si=bceDy51kTy2iXzu3A-d1ew

And as I close out this chapter, I’m shifting focus to my Substack, where I’ll be pouring my energy into sharing the behind-the-scenes of my author journey, creative projects, and more.

💌 Subscribe here to stay in touch: https://christinejob.substack.com/

Thank you all for supporting Flourish In the Foreign—whether you've listened to 1 episode or 100. Here's to continuing to explore what it means to cultivate a life well-lived abroad. 🌱

Creator of the award-winning podcast "Flourish in the Foreign", amplifying Black women thriving abroad. Based in Valencia, I explore how global living fosters wellness, identity, and growth. I’m now writing "Flourish in the Foreign", my debut book. Click to read Flourish in the Foreign: Truths n' ...

21/04/2025

In this episode of , Ava LaTanya Hilton shares her remarkable journey from growing up in Detroit during the height of Motown to living in Valencia, Spain.

She reflects on the challenges and triumphs of her childhood, pivotal experiences like her senior class trip abroad, her academic and professional accomplishments, and the profound impact of dance on her life. Ava discusses how living abroad has influenced her personal wellness, her marriage, and her family's dynamics, culminating in her and her husband's decision to make Valencia their permanent home.

This Episode Covers:

First International Experience

University and Dance Journey

Professional Life and Global Adventures

Living Abroad: England and France

Living Abroad: South Africa and Saudi Arabia

Dance: A Lifelong Passion

Life in Valencia

And much more!

Listen to the full episode on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, YouTube, and all podcast platforms.

Learn more about Ava at https://www.flourishintheforeign.com/ava

14/04/2025

Special Series: Aging Abroad

In this episode of , past podcast guest shares her journey of moving to with her family and the challenges and triumphs they faced over the years. She reflects on her son's educational struggles and successes, her daughter's adaptation to Spanish life, and the cultural differences they've embraced.

Lori discusses her professional shift from academia to creating a community for BIPOC women writers and her achievements in fostering creative connections. She candidly speaks about the concept of aging, both personally and for her family, and highlights the importance of wellness, self-care, and planning for the future.

This Episode Covers:

Settling into Life in Spain

Launching a Child into University

Affirming Black Identity Abroad

Motherhood Abroad: Evolution and Reflections

Professional Evolution and Leaving Academia

Pursuing a Creative Life Abroad

Building a Writing Community

Reflections on Aging Abroad

And so much more!

Listen to the full episode on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, YouTube, and all podcast platforms.

Learn more about Lori at https://www.flourishintheforeign.com/lori-2

07/04/2025

In this episode of Flourish In the Foreign, Emely Rumble ( ), a bibliotherapist and author of "Bibliotherapy in the Bronx", explores the concept of bibliotherapy, the history, and role of literature in emotional healing, and provides book prescriptions for life abroad.

This Episode Covers:
Becoming a Bibliotherapist
The Essence of Bibliotherapy
Cultural Roots and Identity
Literature as a Bridge to Home
The Art of Bibliotherapy: Prescribing Books for Healing
Understanding Client's Emotional Roots
Tailoring Book Prescriptions to Reader Preferences
Neurodiversity and Literature: Embracing Different Ways of Thinking
Grief, Migration, and Cultural Disconnection
Hypothetical Book Prescriptions for Life Abroad

Listen to the full episode on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, YouTube, and all podcast platforms.

Learn more about Emely at https://www.flourishintheforeign.com/episodes/bibliotherapy-in-the-bronx

31/03/2025

In this episode of , Thea ( ) discusses her journey from studying abroad to living in Italy. She shares her experiences navigating the Italian health system during her pregnancy, the challenges and joys of raising a bilingual and multicultural child, and her entrepreneurial journey of helping others move to Italy.

This Episode Covers:
Studying Abroad and Life After
Moving to Italy and Overcoming Challenges
Intercultural Relationships and Dating
Reflections on Longevity and Sustainability Abroad
The Birth of 'Doing Italy'
Pregnancy and Healthcare in Italy
Raising a Multicultural Child in Italy
Reflections on Aging Abroad
And Much More!


Listen to the full episode on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, YouTube, and all podcast platforms.

Learn more about Thea at https://flourishintheforeign.com/episodes/thea

24/03/2025

In this episode of , Heather Thomas shares her story of living abroad for over six years in countries like Japan, Australia, and Ireland. She discusses her upbringing in rural Ohio, her educational journey, and the various struggles and triumphs she has encountered along the way. Heather also explores themes of identity, wellness, and the difficulties of reintegrating into the U.S. after living abroad.

This Episode Covers:

Life in Japan: First Impressions and Experiences
Returning to the U.S. and Transition to Art School
Challenges and Decisions: From Chicago to Australia
Graduate School in Australia
Navigating Cultural Differences in Australia
Moving to Japan: Teaching and Living Experiences
Re-Entry Challenges: Returning to the States
Living Abroad Again: Japan and Beyond
Studying in Ireland: Challenges and Comparisons
Redefining Wellness Through Migration

Listen to the full episode on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, YouTube, and all podcast platforms.

Learn more about Heather at https://flourishintheforeign.com/episodes/heather

17/03/2025

In this episode of Flourish In the Foreign ( ), Robin Allison Davis on Davis, details her decision to move abroad, her experience of adapting to life in Paris, her battle with breast cancer, and the importance of community and support systems. Robin also touches on dating in Paris, navigating French politics, and gaining French citizenship.

Her memoir, 'Surviving Paris: A Memoir of Healing in the City of Light,' is set to be released on September 16th, 2025.

This Episode Covers:
Arriving in Paris
First-Year Challenges and Triumphs
Navigating the French Job Market
Navigating Medical Challenges Abroad
Coping with Depression and Finding Support
Building a Community in Paris
Writing a Memoir: Surviving Paris
Dating Experiences in Paris
Becoming a French Citizen
Experiences as a Black American Woman in Paris

Listen to the full episode on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, YouTube, and all podcast platforms.

Learn more about Robin at https://flourishintheforeign.com/episodes/robin

14/03/2025

Quick reminder that the Expat Well: Financial Forum happens THIS WEEK!

FOR YOU IF:
You are a future or early stage expat

Need strategies on how to plan and protect your wealth while living an international lifestyle.

These dynamic conversations will make it easier to get your international finances straight - and it’s happening on March 15 & 16, 2025.

Be sure to grab your ticket: https://expatwell.heysummit.com/?ac=3JdlEDOR

10/03/2025

In this episode of Flourish in the Foreign, Emmanuelle, a 37-year-old French-Cameroonian woman living in South Italy shares her experiences growing up in Bordeaux, France, and studying Italian, which led her to move to Italy. She discusses her time in Bologna and her observations on race and identity in different European countries, including France, Germany, and the UK.

This Episode Covers:
A French Cameroonian in Italy
Defining Home and Childhood Influences
University Life and the Erasmus Experience
Living in Bologna: Identity and Racism
Post-University: From Italy to Germany
Cultural Reflections and Dating in Germany
Accents and Cultural Differences in London
Working in Fashion
Finding Community and Connection in Italy
Exploring Blackness and Family Dynamics

Listen to the full episode on Apple podcasts, Spotify, YouTube and across all podcast platforms.

Learn more about Emmanuelle at https://www.flourishintheforeign.com/episodes/emmanuelle

04/03/2025

In this episode of , Adriel Sanders ( ), a fashion enthusiast living in Paris, shares her journey from St. Louis, Missouri to Paris, including her struggle with a career in law, a life-changing brain injury, and the bold decision to move abroad.

She discusses the cultural adjustments, her experiences with fashion in Paris, and the importance of finding a personal style.

This Episode Covers:
⚖Realizing Law Isn't the Path
↪️The Turning Point: Brain Injury and Burnout
🇫🇷The Move to Paris
🥖Belonging in Paris
🤳Journey into Content Creation
👠Style Advice for Moving Abroad
And much more!

Listen to Flourish in the Foreign on Apple podcasts, Spotify, YouTube and across all podcast platforms.

Learn more about Adriel at https://www.flourishintheforeign.com/episodes/adriel

25/02/2025

In this episode of , Artemis Peacock () shares her incredible journey of living abroad across multiple countries, including Turkey, Greece, and the Netherlands.

She discusses her upbringing, the challenges she faced with bureaucracy and healthcare, the process of learning languages, and how her experiences have shaped her identity as a Black woman and an entrepreneur.

She also talks about her experience as a digital nomad and a storyteller on TikTok.

This Episode Covers:
🇹🇷First International Move: Turkey
🇬🇷Unexpected Move to Greece
💬Cultural Differences and Adaptations
🫶Marriage and Teamwork Abroad
🗣Learning Multiple Languages
💊Healthcare Experiences Across Countries
🤳Realities of Content Creation Abroad
And much more!

Listen to Flourish in the Foreign on Apple podcasts, Spotify, YouTube and across all podcast platforms.

Learn more about Artemis at https://www.flourishintheforeign.com/episodes/artemis

18/02/2025

In this episode of , we delve into the story of Jo-Ann, a 30-year-old Black Surinamese Dutch woman currently living in Amsterdam.

Jo-Ann shares her complex journey from her hometown in Culemborg, the challenges of racial identity, and her decision to move abroad to Spain.

She discusses the intricacies of building community, her experiences dating as a Black woman in Spain, and how immigrating has influenced her sense of wellness and personal growth.

With candid insights, Jo-Ann sheds light on how living abroad can be both liberating and challenging, ultimately leading her to return to the Netherlands with newfound peace and purpose.

This Episode Covers:
🇸🇷Surinamese Maroon Heritage
🇳🇱Growing Up in the Netherlands
🇪🇸Journey to Spain
😷First Year in Spain and COVID-19 Lockdown
🤝Experiencing Racism and Seeking Community
✊🏿Navigating Black Identity in Spain
👩‍❤️‍💋‍👩Dating Experiences in Spain
💼Professional Challenges and Decisions
👋Returning to the Netherlands
And much more!

Listen to Flourish in the Foreign on Apple podcasts, Spotify, YouTube and across all podcast platforms.

Learn more about Jo-Ann at https://www.flourishintheforeign.com/episodes/joann