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Portugal has been at the top of almost every 'Best Places to Move Abroad' list for the last several years...but is it really?
Anything that receives so much attention can't be real... can it? Well, it just might be! If you are interested in moving to Portugal, get out your pen and paper and get ready to take some serious notes, because this is everything you need to know to move to Portugal in 2025.
In this episode of Adventure Calls, host Jess Drucker chats with expert relocation consultant Rossana Veglia, who shares invaluable insights on successfully moving to Portugal. From visa navigation to housing and community integration, you will get to the bottom of advice from an actual expert on how to actual move to Portugal.Rossana Veglia is the Chief Mobility Officer at Global International Relocation, offering extensive relocation services in Portugal from offices in Porto, Lisbon, and the Algarve. Originally from Venezuela, Rossana has lived in the US, Spain, and Portugal, bringing vast personal and professional expertise in immigration and relocation. Her company supports various visa categories and helps individuals transition smoothly to life in Portugal. With a deep understanding of the visa systems and housing market, Rossana is an invaluable resource for anyone looking to move abroad.
Below are the key takeaways from this episode:
Visa Processes: Applications take approximately 90 days, requiring thorough documentation, such as proof of financial means and accommodation.Housing and Moving: Post-approval, moving takes 5-8 months. Lisbon is pricier, while coastal and smaller town options like the Algarve and Silver Coast offer more affordable real estate.LGBTQ Inclusivity: Portugal is welcoming to LGBTQ expats, especially in Lisbon’s Príncipe Real and Bairro Alto, with active communities and inclusivity programs.Relocation Support: Companies like Global International Relocation offer comprehensive support, from visas to finding accommodations, with significant presence in key Portuguese cities.Affordability: Despite rising city costs, Portugal remains affordable for expats, with smaller towns providing a balance of cost, quality of life, and investment opportunities.Find Rossana Veglia:
Website: https://global.pt/en/homepage-en/
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/rossanaveglia/?originalSubdomain=ptRainbow Relocation Strategies:
Queer Expats Worldwide Facebook Community
Rainbow Relocation Strategies
@rainbowrelo on Instagram
Book: How To Move Abroad
Your host, Jessica Drucker, can be found online at jessicadrucker.com
The Adventure Calls podcast is a bi-weekly podcast that seeks to empower queer folks to move, live and thrive abroad with interviews with relocation experts, queer expats who have successfully relocated and other organizations that give a lens on the LGBTQ+ experience in the world.
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Should we stay or should we go now? That’s the question that LGBTQ+ folks and their families have been asking over the last several months of this 2024 election cycle. If Trump wins, are we safe? And just how bad will Project 2025 be for the LGBTQ+ community if he does win?
Make no mistake about it. There is a tangible, intentional ecosystem created to scapegoat and marginalize queer folks in a quest for power from the right, says Spencer Macnaughton, our guest. Spencer is a Gracie Award-winning and Emmy-nominated journalist. He has written and produced for 60 Minutes+, The Wall Street Journal, The New York Times, Vice, Vox, Time, NBC News, The Guardian, and Rolling Stone. He is also an Adjunct Professor at New York University where he teaches a course about LGBTQ journalism. Macnaughton is now the Founder and Editor-in-Chief of Uncloseted Media, an investigative LGBTQ news publication that will launch September 3rd.
Contribute to the growth of Uncloseted Media here: https://www.paypal.com/donate/?cmd=_s-xclick&hosted_button_id=PFPHZ5CHP35TG&ssrt=1715262419710Below are the key takeaways from this episode:
Project 2025: The episode highlights the Heritage Foundation's Project 2025, a document with anti-LGBTQ policies that could affect the community under a Trump administration.Anti-LGBTQ Legislation: There is concern over new anti-LGBTQ laws in states like Texas and Florida, which may serve as models for federal policies.Activism and Relocation: Jess and Spencer stress the importance of voting and activism, along with discussing the choice between staying to fight for LGBTQ rights or relocating to more progressive countries.Uncloseted Media Launch: Spencer announces the September 3 launch of Uncloseted Media, an LGBTQ news publication aimed at providing rigorous journalism on LGBTQ issues.Find Spencer Macnaughton + Uncloseted Media
Instagram @unclosetedmedia
TikTok @unclosetedmedia
X.com
Facebook
LinkedIn: Uncloseted Media
UnclosetedMedia.comLinks from the episode:
Project 2025: https://static.project2025.org/2025_MandateForLeadership_FULL.pdf
Heritage Foundation https://www.heritage.org/
Outspoken (an LGBTQ right-wing publication) https://getoutspoken.com/Rainbow Relocation Strategies
90-Day Exit Strategy Cohort ( join the waitlist for our next cohort - more information coming mid September)Queer Expats Worldwide Facebook Community
Rainbow Relocation Strategies
@rainbowrelo on Instagram
Book: How To Move AbroadYour host, Jessica Drucker, can be found online at jessicadrucker.com
The Adventure Calls podcast is a bi-weekly podcast that seeks to empower queer folks to move, live and thrive abroad with interviews with relocation experts, queer expats and other organizations that give a lens on the LGBTQ+ experience in the world.
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In this solo episode, Jess pulls back the curtain on Rainbow Relocation Strategies, sharing her personal journey and passion for empowering queer folks to thrive abroad. Discover the vision behind creating a global, supportive community and learn about a unique opportunity to join the first-ever expat cohort launching this August.
Key takeaways from today's episode:
Community Focus: Jess emphasizes the importance of building a supportive and empowering community for queer expats through Rainbow Relocation Strategies and the Queer Expats Worldwide Facebook group.Specialized Support: Jess outlines her decision to focus on working with queer clients and corporations to address the unique needs of LGBTQ individuals relocating abroad, highlighting the gaps in knowledge and support from traditional corporate relocation services.Challenges and Advocacy: The episode discusses the unique challenges queer individuals face when moving abroad, including discriminatory practices and lack of support, illustrated by a high-level employee's experience.90-Day Exit Strategy Program: Jess introduces the first-ever cohort of a 90-day program designed to help future queer expats plan their move abroad, providing hands-on coaching, community support, and actionable tasks. Book now to start August 7th, 2024 and finish just ONE day before the US election.Vision for the Future: Jess shares her broader vision for the future of Rainbow Relocation Strategies, aiming to create global pathways and networks for queer individuals, enabling them to thrive in an interconnected world shaped by global mobility and interdependence.Links mentioned in the podcast:
[time sensitive] 90-Day Exit Strategy Cohort (by August 7th or waitlist!)Queer Expats Worldwide Community
Rainbow Relocation Strategies
@rainbowrelo on Instagram
Book: How To Move AbroadYour host, Jessica Drucker, can be found online at jessicadrucker.com
The Adventure Calls podcast is a bi-weekly podcast that seeks to empower queer folks to move, live and thrive abroad with interviews with relocation experts, queer expats and other organizations that give a lens on the LGBTQ+ experience in the world.
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In this episode of Adventure Calls, host Jess Drucker sits down with Ivonne Paavan, founder of Host Relocation, to uncover the reality of safety and acceptance for LGBTQ+ expats and the local community in Mexico.
Discover why more Americans are choosing to relocate south of the border and how Ivonne's expert insights can make your move seamless and stress-free. Jess and Ivonne discuss the realities of life in Mexico, from safety, the actual cost of living, the importance of learning Spanish how to get a visa to Mexico, what schools children can attend, what part of Mexico to move to, and more.
We talk about life in cities like, Mexico City, Queretaro, Puerto Vallarta, Cancun
Playa del Carmen, Monterrey and Guadalajara.Below are the key takeaways from this episode:
Safety for the LGBTQ Community: Mexico offers significant safety and acceptance for LGBTQ individuals, sometimes even more so than in the US.Comprehensive Relocation Services: Host Relocation Mexico provides a range of services including residency, housing, and multicultural training to facilitate smooth transitions for expats.Learning Spanish: Adapting to life in Mexico is easier with Spanish proficiency, and Host Relocation offers pre-departure Spanish classes via Zoom.Cost of Living: Although gentrification has raised prices, the cost of living in Mexico generally remains lower than in the US, particularly for dining and entertainment.About Ivonne Paavan + Host Relocation
Ivonne Paavan is the founder of Host Relocation, a leading relocation company based in Querétaro, Mexico with teams in all major areas of the country. With a wealth of experience working with international companies, Ivonne understands the unique challenges faced by expats. Her company offers comprehensive services, including residency, housing, and multicultural training, to ensure a smooth transition to life in Mexico. Ivonne is committed to making sure all clients, particularly those in the LGBTQ community, feel safe and supported in their new home.Host Relocation Introduction Visa video: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=z2gSwIsFabU&t=30s
Website: https://hostrelocation.com.mx
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/hostrelocation
YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@hostrelocationmexico
Rainbow Relocation StrategiesThe Adventure Calls podcast is brought to you by Jess Drucker and the Rainbow Relocation Strategies team, the first and only LGBTQ+ centered company focused on creating international relocation strategy for those look to take the leap and follow their call to adventure.
Website: www.rainbowrelo.com
Website: Jessicadrucker.com
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/rainbowrelo
Book: How To Move AbroadThe Adventure Calls podcast is a bi-weekly podcast that seeks to empower queer folks to move, live and thrive abroad with interviews with relocation experts, queer expats who have successfully relocated and other organizations that give a lens on the LGBTQ+ experience in the world.
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In part two of our interview with Hannah Dixon, we welcome back Hannah Dixon, a queer, British-American digital nomad currently based in Mexico. In this episode, we discuss her journey to becoming the founder of Digital Nomad Kit and her Virtual Excellence Academy - and why becoming a Virtual Assistant is a way for people to gain location independence and live anywhere.
With a background in virtual assistance, she has successfully trained 30,000 people in 150 countries and transitioned to a focus on teaching and recruitment.
Hannah has also recently founded Rainbow Remote, an initiative celebrating queer people in business and entrepreneurship, and she is dedicated to building inclusive communities and supporting individuals in living flexible, location-independent lives.Below are the key takeaways from this episode:
Entrepreneurial Freedom: Dixon emphasized the freedom to change various aspects of life that entrepreneurship provides.Community Building Challenges: She discussed the difficulties of building an online community on LinkedIn and is considering a return to Facebook for better engagement.Virtual Assistant Training: Through Digital Nomad Kit, Hannah has trained over 30,000 virtual assistants globally, highlighting the benefits of remote work.Hannah Dixon
Instagram: @digitalnomadkit
LinkedIn: Hannah Dixon
Digital Nomad Kit WebsiteRainbow Relocation Strategies
The Adventure Calls podcast is brought to you by Rainbow Relocation Strategies, the first and only LGBTQ+ centered company focused on creating your international relocation strategy for when you're ready to move abroad.
Rainbow Relocation Website
Instagram: @rainbowreloJessica Drucker can be found online at:
Jessicadrucker.com
Book: How To Move Abroad
Shop: JessicaDrucker.com/ShopThe Adventure Calls podcast is a bi-weekly podcast that seeks to empower queer folks to move, live and thrive abroad with interviews with relocation experts, queer expats who have successfully relocated and other organizations that give a lens on the LGBTQ+ experience in the world.
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In this episode of the Adventure Calls podcast, Hannah Dixon takes us through her journey of becoming a digital nomad and online entrepreneur, to her life in Thailand, Italy and currently as an official permanent resident in Mexico. Discover her insights on obtaining residency and the resilience needed to thrive abroad.
Hannah Dixon is a Business Coach, Recruiter, and the creator of The Virtual Excellence Academy, a leading program and diverse global community that has honed the skills and confidence of over 30,000 virtual assistants. Committed to ethical hiring practices, she also provides VIP recruitment services. Hannah views freelancing and self-leadership as potent tools for social change, empowering anyone, anywhere, to unlock potential and create life-changing opportunities. She collaborates with NGOs and governments to ensure her training reaches those who need it most. As a 16-year digital nomad, she speaks internationally, demonstrating progressive business and lifestyle approaches, and powerfully compelling audiences to action.Below are the key takeaways from this episode:
Relocation to Mexico: Hannah and her wife moved to Mexico, where they successfully obtained residency and found a supportive community, emphasizing the crucial role of feeling safe and welcome as a queer couple.Why Hannah became an entrepreneur: As a seasoned digital nomad, Hannah went from jobbing to becoming a business founder of Digital Nomad Kit and the Virtual Excellence Academy, training aspiring virtual assistants and freelancers, and shared her extensive travel experiences across over 60 countries.Find Hannah Dixon:
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/digitalnomadkit/
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/dixonhannah/
Digital Nomad Kit: https://digitalnomadkit.com/Rainbow Relocation Strategies
The Adventure Calls podcast is brought to you by Rainbow Relocation Strategies, the first and only LGBTQ+ centered company focused on creating your international relocation strategy for when you're ready to move abroad.
Website: www.rainbowrelo.com
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/rainbowrelo
Your host, Jessica Drucker, can be found online at:
Jessicadrucker.com
Book: How To Move Abroad
Guide: Adventure Calls Global Relocation Guide
The Adventure Calls podcast is a bi-weekly podcast that seeks to empower queer folks to move, live and thrive abroad with interviews with relocation experts, queer expats who have successfully relocated and other organizations that give a lens on the LGBTQ+ experience in the world.
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Happy Pride, y'all! It's important to remember that Pride is a protest, first and foremost. In this powerful episode, Latoya Nugent shares her emotional journey from renown LGBTQ+ advocacy in Jamaica to finding safety in Canada through Rainbow Railroad. (Latoya's interview starts at 9:59).
Latoya Nugent is the Head of Engagement at Rainbow Railroad. Originally from Jamaica and currently residing in Toronto, Canada, Latoya was relocated from her home country due to the threatening environment created by her queer, feminist activism. In Jamaica, the legislative framework and societal attitudes lead to widespread violence, persecution, and discrimination against the LGBTQ+ community. Now, in Toronto, Latoya continues her work advocating for and supporting LGBTQ+ rights on a global scale with Rainbow Railroad.
(Donate to the Solidarity In Pride fundraising effort here)Below are the key takeaways from this episode:
Rainbow Railroad's Impact: The episode highlights Rainbow Railroad’s vital role in helping LGBTQ+ individuals from countries that criminalize being LGBTQ+, and their ongoing efforts to support those in need of international relocation and domestic resettlement.Navigating Legislation and Relocation: Latoya Nugent discusses the varying degrees of acceptance and legal support for LGBTQA+ people across the US and how anti-trans laws are prompting relocations within the country and to places like Canada.Latoya's Advocacy in Jamaica: Latoya shares her work in Jamaica, organizing pride events and advocating for LGBTQ+ visibility, despite facing significant legal and social challenges.Community and Financial Support: Emphasis is placed on the necessity for both financial contributions and volunteer efforts to support the resettlement and integration of LGBTQ+ refugees, including Rainbow Railroad's current fundraising goals.Find Rainbow Railroad + Latoya online
Rainbow Railroad: www.rainbowrailroad.org
Solidarity In Pride Fundraising Campaign ($2million goal this June)
Volunteer with Rainbow Railroad
Latoya’s story https://youtu.be/R7XnmT7X2UARainbow Relocation Strategies
The Adventure Calls podcast is brought to you by Rainbow Relocation Strategies, the first and only LGBTQ+ centered company empowering queer folks and their families to move, live and thrive abroad.Rainbow Relocation Strategies www.rainbowrelo.com
Instagram: @rainbowrelo
Community: Queer Expats Facebook Group
Book: How To Move Abroad
Host: Jessicadrucker.comThe Adventure Calls podcast is a bi-weekly podcast that seeks to empower queer folks to move, live and thrive abroad with interviews with relocation experts, queer expats who have successfully relocated and other organizations that give a lens on the LGBTQ+ experience in the world.
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Ever been in a new town or city and wondered where all the queers are? Charlie Sprinkman is here to help us with that!
On this episode of the Adventure Calls podcast, we talk to the founder of the world's first interactive map that catalogs LGBTQ+ owned businesses around the world - 12,500 are listed so far, and counting!
Learn how Charlie Sprinkman’s job visiting 47 out of 50 states in 2019 kicked off this sneaking suspicion that there are queer folks and queer-owned businesses to be found everywhere, and how his move to Oregon allowed him to create the popular Everywhere Is Queer website and app, whose exponential growth has brought on over 12,500 listings around the world on the site. Charlie has filled such a need that we didn’t know we could have. App downloads hit over 75,000 in the first nine weeks with $0 spent in marketing.Below are the key takeaways from this episode:
Community Growth and Sustainability: Charlie Sprinkman discusses the impressive growth of the Everywhere Queer app, which had 75,000 downloads in just 9 weeks, and his goal to build a sustainable job while preventing burnout by 2024.Income Generation and Future Plans: The app generates revenue through premium listings and Instagram partnerships. Charlie is exploring funding, donations, and merchandise sales to support the venture.Supporting Queer-Owned Businesses: The Everywhere is Queer platform now has over 12,000 listings globally, with specific categories for nonprofits and local community groups, supporting the visibility and viability of queer-owned businesses worldwide.Personal and Professional Journey: Charlie Sprinkman shares his personal experience of coming out in a conservative small town environment and his professional background, which includes extensive travel and a passion for connecting with queer communities.Empowering the Queer Community Abroad: Jess and Charlie discuss how the platform helps queer individuals and their families find community and safe spaces when relocating, reinforcing the essential role of community support in thriving abroad.For all of you looking to find queer community in your move abroad, this resource is becoming a priceless tool for you.
Find Charlie Sprinkman:
Website: everywhereisqueer.com
Shop: everywhereisqueer.com/shop
TikTok: @everywhereisqueer
Instagram: @everywhereisqueer
Brought to you by Rainbow Relocation Strategies
The Adventure Calls podcast is brought to you by Rainbow Relocation Strategies, the first and only LGBTQ+ centered company focused on creating your international relocation strategy for when you're ready to move abroad.Website: www.rainbowrelo.com
Instagram: @rainbowreloThe Adventure Calls podcast host, Jessica Drucker, can be found online at:
Website: Jessicadrucker.com
Book: How To Move Abroad
Guide: Global Relocation Guide -
Ever wondered what would happen if you just quit your job, packed your stuff and moved to the beach in Costa Rica?
Jay and Aaron Quinn have done just that. In the first months of 2024, the couple quit their jobs and moved from the US state of Georgia to Samara, Costa Rica without ever having set foot in the country. They had never even used their passports together as a couple, and they have been together for 12 years.
So, just who are these daredevils, you ask?
In reality, Aaron (they/them) and Jay (she/her) knew that the move to Costa Rica was all a part of their higher mission to continue their healing journey that intensified during the pandemic. They have experienced the joy in making their decision work - becoming content creators, authors, and founders of the More Love More Kindness Summit this June at the Fenix hotel.
Find out about their LGBTQ+ healing summit here: https://fenixretreatcenter.com/
Mentioned in the podcast:
Book: Seven and a Half Lessons About the Brain
Book: The Mountain Is You
Find Momma Jay:
Website: Askmommajay.com
TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@askmommajay
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/askmommajay/reels/
Rainbow Relocation Strategies***The Adventure Calls podcast is brought to you by Rainbow Relocation Strategies, the first and only LGBTQ+ centered company focused on creating your international relocation strategy for when you're ready to move abroad. ***
Website: www.rainbowrelo.com
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/rainbowrelo
Your host, Jessica Drucker, can be found online at:
Jessicadrucker.com
Book: How To Move Abroad
Guide: Adventure Calls Global Relocation Guide -
Join us as host Jess Drucker and Relocate Now Costa Rica Founder, Sarah Elena, discuss relocating to Costa Rica, from navigating visas, the housing market, education and local culture.
Hailing originally from Virginia, Sarah Elena has called Costa Rica her home for nearly a decade. Having navigated the paths of relocation herself, she founded Relocate Now Costa Rica to guide others looking for a seamless transition to this tropical LGBTQ-friendly paradise.
Below are the key takeaways from this episode:
Sarah Elena, founder of Relocate Now Costa Rica, shares her expertise in assisting individuals and families with a seamless relocation experience to Costa Rica, placing emphasis on housing, education, and adapting to the local lifestyle.Sarah Elena discusses the many visa options, including the advantages and disadvantages of a perpetual tourist visa versus a digital nomad visa, among many other options. As an LGBTQ-friendly nation, Costa Rica offers a welcoming environment for queer expats, and Sarah's services are tailored to aid in navigating the relocation process, with insights into the friendliness of the community.For families relocating with school-age children, Sarah Elena discusses the diversity of educational opportunities in Costa Rica, such as Waldorf, Montessori, and accredited international schools.Sarah illustrates the nuances of Costa Rica's visa and residency options, advising on the importance of periodically reevaluating one's residency status, especially when owning property or during travel restrictions.Comprehensive resources for potential expats to Costa Rica are discussed, including Sarah's website, YouTube channel, and a Facebook group offering support and information to those considering the move.Find Sarah and Relocate Now online:
Website: https://www.lasarahelena.com
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/sarah-blanks
Move To Costa Rica Facebook Group: https://www.facebook.com/groups/movetocostarica
YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCalHokE9PKivEfGDwBuj3aw
Finding Family Video: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MhFB6mz8oh8
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/la_sarah_elena
Find Jessica Drucker online:Website: https://rainbowrelo.com
Coaching: www.jessicadrucker.com/coaching
How To Move Abroad Book: www.jessicadrucker.com/book
Global Relocation Guide: www.jessicadrucker.com/guide
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/rainbowrelo -
Join us on Adventure Calls as we traverse the evolving landscape of LGBTQ travel media with industry pioneer Matt Skallerud. Uncover the pivotal intersection of marketing and true queer-friendly destinations, discovering if the places that woo you as a traveler are ready to embrace you as a local. Dive into a compelling conversation that redefines the meaning of inclusive tourism and genuine welcome.
In this episode of Adventure Calls, we're delighted to feature Matt Skallerud, a luminary in LGBTQ online media and the president of Pink Media. His 30-year journey began with the pioneering gaywired.com and shewired.com and led to working with an extensive network of LGBTQ-focused online destinations. A former board chairman of the International Gay and Lesbian Travel Association (IGLTA), Matt has lent his expertise to multiple boards including Travel Gay Canada. Today, he heads Pink Media and the impactful #ILoveGay Network, which aids queer-owned companies in reaching LGBTQ demographics through refined content marketing and social media strategies. An advocate for LGBTQ businesses globally, Matt shares his insights on what it takes to craft queer-friendly travel destinations that resonate with both locals and visitors alike. Join us as we explore the intersection of marketing and genuine LGBTQ-friendly spaces with industry authority, Matt Skallerud.
Below are the key takeaways from this episode:
Matt Skallerud of Pink Media shares his journey from starting one of the first LGBTQ websites, gaywired.com, to now helping companies target the LGBTQ demographic through social media and content marketing.Destinations around the world seek Matt's expertise to market themselves as LGBTQ-friendly and appeal to queer travelers, highlighting the importance of authenticity in their marketing strategies.The discussion explores the difference between destinations that are LGBTQ-friendly for tourists versus being truly welcoming and inclusive for locals and expats who are part of the LGBTQ community.Matt reflects on the evolution of LGBTQ travel and how the concept of "gayborhoods" is changing as the community becomes more integrated into mainstream society.The episode touches upon the distinct travel and living experiences of the LGBTQ population and emphasizes the ongoing need for safe, inclusive, and welcoming destinations globally.Find Jessica Drucker online:
Website:www.rainbowrelo.com
How To Move Abroad Book: www.jessicadrucker.com/book
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/rainbowrelo
Facebook: www.facebook.com/groups/queerexpatsFind Matt online:
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/mattskal/
PinkMedia: https://www.pinkmedia.lgbt/
Website: https://dot.cards/mattskal -
In this episode of Adventure Calls, you'll hear American expat Elissa Johnsen in her own words, as she narrates through her incredible journey of relocating with her family to New Zealand during COVID, offering an inspiring firsthand account of embracing change and creating a new life abroad.Elissa is a Maryland native turned New Zealander who embarked on a life-altering journey two years ago with her close-knit family. She and her husband, together with their three young children, who at the time were roughly six, a toddler and a one-month old —left the familiarity of their United States home for a bit of an adventure in the lush landscapes of New Zealand.Initially only for a year or two, the family set their roots roots a bit south of Auckland in the picturesque city of Tauranga, and Elissa and her family embraced the diverse culture and stunning environment of their adopted country. After spending two years assimilating and growing as a unit amidst Tauranga's coastal charm, Elissa and her family decided they had no intention of returning to the United States, and made the vibrant capital city of Wellington their home. Elissa's journey represents a unique blend of adventure and family, showcasing her courage and commitment to providing a rich life full of experiences for her children. Now settled in Wellington, she continues to navigate the rewards and challenges of life abroad with grace and determination.
Below are the key takeaways from this episode:
Elissa Johnsen, an American expat living in New Zealand, shared her journey of relocating with her family and working as a nurse in New Zealand during the COVID-19 pandemic.The decision to move to New Zealand was driven by the desire for a better, less stressful environment for their family, particularly for their children, and the opportunities for their careers.Elissa highlighted the significant differences in the healthcare system and societal environment between the United States and New Zealand, emphasizing the reduced stress and anxiety she experienced living in New Zealand.The importance of downsizing and preparation for moving abroad was underscored as Elissa shared her experience of moving with children and the support she found in the expat community.Elissa's TikTok account, KiwiFroyo, not only documents her family's life in New Zealand but also serves as a platform to share insights and advice with those interested in a similar move.Find Jessica Drucker online:
Website: www.jessicadrucker.com
Coaching: www.jessicadrucker.com/coaching
How To Move Abroad Book: www.jessicadrucker.com/book
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/rainbowrelo
Find Elissa online:
TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@kiwifroyo
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Bridget Romanes is the visionary principal of Mobile Relocation, a consultancy that aids people in the complex process of moving and settling into New Zealand life. Born and raised in New Zealand herself, Bridget's early life was anything but ordinary. Her father, a mountaineer who ascended the Himalayas with the legendary Sir Edmund Hillary, infused Bridget's childhood with a spirit of exploration and a global perspective. Her home often buzzed with intriguing guests from various walks of life, enriching her understanding of the world.
Tune in to hear how the allure of New Zealand's community and breathtaking landscapes could be your family's next chapter on this episode of Adventure Calls.
From a young age, Bridget's vacations were a tapestry of experiences that spanned trekking in Fiji's rugged highlands to sailing across the azure waters of the Maldives. These adventures weren't common in the seventies and eighties, setting Bridget and her family apart as uniquely proactive global citizens.
It comes as no surprise that Bridget, influenced by her unconventional upbringing, would eventually carve out a niche in helping others navigate the life of an expatriate. Today, she intertwines her rich heritage of travel and cultural immersion with her professional acumen, serving as a guiding force for those embarking on their own journeys to new horizons. Bridget Romanes is not just a name but a synonym for cultural fluency and the passion to make the world one's home.Perceived Social Liberalism and Safety in New Zealand: "once they get here, they do feel safe in a way that they haven't felt before." - Bridget Romanes
Find Jessica Drucker online:
Website: www.jessicadrucker.com
Coaching: www.jessicadrucker.com/coaching
How To Move Abroad Book: www.jessicadrucker.com/book
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/rainbowreloFind Bridget online:
Connect with Bridget on LinkedIn
Visit Mobile's website to learn about working with us to set up a new life in New Zealand
Access 100+ articles about relocating to New Zealand
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Join Jess Drucker in the return of Adventure Calls as she shares her personal journey of expanding her family and launching a new company, and reveals the exciting new direction of the podcast focused on the adventures, challenges, and triumphs of LGBTQ folks and their families relocating internationally.
Below are the key takeaways from this episode:
The podcast will now have a specific focus on the interests and needs of LGBTQ folks and their families looking to relocate internationally.The host's new company, Rainbow Relocation Strategies, aims to help LGBTQ individuals and their families move, live, and thrive abroad.The podcast will feature interviews with relocation consultants, immigration specialists, thought leaders in LGBTQ spaces, and successful queer expats living abroad.The host emphasizes the importance of looking at moving abroad with a sense of adventure, despite the challenges and the need for backup plans.The episode concludes with a message of empowerment to the LGBTQ community and encourages them to follow their call to adventure and consider relocating abroad.Living Abroad Challenges: "It's actually quite challenging to live abroad, but it's those challenges that shape us and give us life skills and tools that we wouldn't have otherwise.” - Jess Drucker
Find Jessica Drucker online:
Rainbow Relocation: www.rainbowrelo.com
Relocation Guide: www.jessicadrucker.com/guide
Coaching: www.jessicadrucker.com/coaching
How To Move Abroad Book: www.jessicadrucker.com/book
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On Adventure Calls, we talk to international American expats living around the world and on today’s episode you’ll meet Chase Warrington, an American expat currently based in Spain.
Chase Warrington is the Head of Remote at Doist, a remote-first company with 100 employees based in 30+ countries spanning all time zones.
He's lived in a handful of countries and has been working remotely from around the world for 13 years. He is an instructor, writer, and speaker and host of the About Abroad podcast, dedicated to exploring all elements of life beyond your borders.
On this episode, Chase and I talk about the importance of following your call to adventure, living abroad, and how your community will appear when you take the leap. We also talk about the shift to remote work, and the growth of remote-first companies.
Find Chase Warrington online
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/chase-warrington/
Twitter: https://twitter.com/dcwarrington
Podcast: www.AboutAbroad.com
Find Jessica Drucker online
Website: www.jessicadrucker.com
Coaching: www.jessicadrucker.com/coaching
How To Move Abroad Book: www.jessicadrucker.com/book
2022 Global Relocation Guide: www.jessicadrucker.com/guide
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/jessicadrucker
*Get Your Free Move Abroad Checklist at www.jessicadrucker.com/checklist* -
Diem is a social knowledge sharing app for women and non-binary folks founded by Emma Bates, an international branding and marketing rockstar originally from the UK who grew a blog to over 100,000 followers at age 19, and continued on to become Head of Global Marketing at Away.
On this International Impact episode of Adventure Calls, Emma talks about living and thriving in New York City as an expat entrepreneur, and how the impact of living abroad guided her to create this safe space that focuses on tackling the inequality that exists for women and non-binary folks IRL and on social media.
The International Impact series includes interviews with expat builders, creators and entrepreneurs whose products and services not only impact the world, but the key ingredient is the time spent abroad by the company’s founder.
Find Diem
Website: https://www.askdiem.com/
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/askdiem/
Twitter: https://twitter.com/askdiem
Find Emma Bates
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/emma-bates-288a89a0
Find Jessica Drucker
Website: www.jessicadrucker.com
Coaching: www.jessicadrucker.com/coaching
How To Move Abroad Book: www.jessicadrucker.com/book
2022 Global Relocation Guide: www.jessicadrucker.com/guide
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/jessicavdrucker
Linkinbio: https://linktr.ee/jessicavdrucker
*Get Your Free Move Abroad Checklist at www.jessicadrucker.com/checklist* -
Everyone seems to be talking about remote work and moving abroad. Is it really so easy? In some countries it is! In others, like Denmark, it's not so simple.
In Denmark, life is good. Really good. Danes report an exceptionally high level of satisfaction with work-life balance, food, culture and quality of life in general. Foreigners who live here also report higher satisfaction in Denmark over their home countries, but they also have a hard time truly feeling accepted and settled in.
In this episode, we hear from Career Consultant Kate Dahl, an American who has lived in Denmark for five years. After spending nearly seven years in neighboring Germany, Kate took the leap for love and moved to Denmark with her now husband.
After realizing the challenges that expats were having in their international job search, she set up her career consultancy to help international job seekers find and secure jobs in Denmark.
Find Kate Dahl
Company website: Career Denmark www.careerdenmark.dk
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/careerconsultant4internationals
Find Jessica Drucker
The Adventure Calls podcast explores the Art + Science around taking big risks and creating a life filled with Adventure. Host Jess Drucker is a queer expat coach and consultant who helps LGBTQ+ folks move, live and thrive abroad.
Website: www.jessicadrucker.com
Coaching: www.jessicadrucker.com/coaching
How To Move Abroad Book: www.jessicadrucker.com/book
2022 Global Relocation Guide: www.jessicadrucker.com/guide
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/jessicadrucker
Linkinbio: https://linktr.ee/jessicavdrucker
*Get Your Free Move Abroad Checklist at www.jessicadrucker.com/checklist*
Episode Sponsors:
Stay safe abroad and get 10% off at HelpYouFind.Me at https://helpyoufind.me/adventurecalls -
This week on Adventure Calls, I talk to Katheryn Gronauer, Founder of Thrive Tokyo, a company based in Tokyo that helps expats transition successfully to life in Japan. With a Japanese mother and an American father, Katheryn was raised between Florida and Tokyo, and has spent her life dissecting how different value systems have shaped her identity and world view.
We talk about everything from Katheryn's own journey, to challenges foreigners find in Japan (misreading the label and using hemorrhoid cream instead of toothpaste, anyone?!) and about the comfort that Katheryn has always found in the Japanese Sento, or bathhouse - the subject of her recent TEDx talk.
Find Katheryn Gronauer
On the TEDx stage:https://youtu.be/iJHD7EKetAA?t=1721
Online: https://www.thrivetokyo.com
On Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/katheryngronauer
Find Jessica Drucker
Adventure Calls host Jess Drucker is a queer expat coach and consultant who helps lgbtq+ folks move, live and thrive abroad. She believes you can't be what you can see and is dedicated to sharing the art and science behind taking big risks and creating a life full of adventure.
Website: www.jessicadrucker.com
Coaching: www.jessicadrucker.com/coaching
How To Move Abroad Book: www.jessicadrucker.com/book
2022 Global Relocation Guide: www.jessicadrucker.com/guide
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/jessicadrucker
Linkinbio: https://linktr.ee/jessicavdrucker
*Get Your Free Move Abroad Checklist at www.jessicadrucker.com/checklist*
Episode Sponsors:
Get Your Wanderfest Tickets at www.wanderfestevent.com/adventurecalls
Stay safe abroad and get 10% off at HelpYouFind.Me at https://helpyoufind.me/adventurecalls -
Lauren Pelkey is a children's book author, blogger and entrepreneur based in Bogota, the capital of Colombia and one of the highest capital cities in the world at 8,661 feet above sea level.Lauren is no stranger to living life at the extremes.
In today’s interview, Lauren talks about applying for an Australian visa, getting approved only hours later and then quitting her job in fashion moving to Melbourne, Australia without knowing a soul. She talks about the time she stayed with a Hmong family in a one room house in the far north of Vietnam as a solo traveler.
What's more, she has had luck and adventure in her career as well, who has had to figure out how to create products, like her Wally the Wandering Wallaby children’s books and stuffed animal, all on her own.
She gained the street smarts and confidence to follow her instincts thanks to her time on the road. Lauren is originally from Massachusetts but has lived in Rome, Melbourne and now calls Bogotá, Colombia home.
In this episode, we talk about:
Lauren's solo travel experience in Sa Pa, Vietnam
http://www.wanderluluu.com/sa-pa-vietnam
Lauren's inclusion of a Peters Projection Map in her new children's book https://www.oxfordcartographers.com/our-maps/peters-projection-map
We talked about Gabby Beckford, who has been on the Adventure Calls show
https://open.spotify.com/show/262MsKEG23EoC1rfv2jEnI
Find Wally the Wandering Wallaby
On Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/wallywanderingwallaby
On Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/WallyWanderingWallaby
On the website: https://www.wallywanderingwallaby.com
Find Lauren Pelkey + Wanderluluu
On Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/wanderluluu/
On Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/wanderluluu
On the website: http://www.wanderluluu.com
On LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/lauren-mae-pelkey-10196014
Find Jessica Drucker
Website: www.jessicadrucker.com
Coaching: www.jessicadrucker.com/coaching
How To Move Abroad Book: www.jessicadrucker.com/book
2022 Global Relocation Guide: www.jessicadrucker.com/guide
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/jessicadrucker
Linkinbio: https://linktr.ee/jessicavdrucker
* Get Your Free Move Abroad Checklist at www.jessicadrucker.com/checklist *
Episode Sponsor: Wanderful Women's Travel Community
Get Your Wanderfest Tickets at www.wanderfestevent.com/adventurecalls -
Christine Job is a business strategist and the award-winning podcaster behind the Flourish in the Foreign podcast. She went from following all the 'right' steps toward the American Dream in the United States to taking a sabbatical to walk Spain's 500-mile Camino de Santiago pilgrimage, connecting with Spanish life, and relocating to Barcelona.
Her podcast was recently shortlisted for the 2021 International Women's Podcasting Awards and won the Black Podcasting Awards 2021 Best International Podcast award.
As a business strategist, Christine helps Black women and WOC to leverage their expertise and talents into viable and sustainable businesses in order to feel professionally fulfilled and financially abundant while pursuing thriving lives abroad.
Find Christine Job
Podcast: https://www.flourishintheforeign.com
On Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/flourishforeign
On Twitter: https://www.twitter.com/flourishforeign
On Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/flourishforeign
On LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/christinejob
Find Jessica Drucker
Website: www.jessicadrucker.com
Coaching: www.jessicadrucker.com/coaching
How To Move Abroad Book: www.jessicadrucker.com/book
2022 Global Relocation Guide: www.jessicadrucker.com/guide
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/jessicadrucker
Linkinbio: https://linktr.ee/jessicavdrucker
*Get Your Free Move Abroad Checklist at www.jessicadrucker.com/checklist*
Episode Sponsors:
Get Your Wanderfest Tickets at www.wanderfestevent.com/adventurecalls
Stay safe abroad and get 10% off at HelpYouFind.Me at https://helpyoufind.me/adventurecalls - Visa fler
