I guess 2020 has been a weird year for everyone. Being an expat during these times hasn’t exactly made things easier. In order to get a new perspective and take my mind off of things, I’ve been listening a lot to podcasts lately. I came across a ton of expat topics and found them really enjoyable and relatable. It gave me a feeling of belonging and the certainty that others share the same feelings and experiences.
This list is only a starting point, but here are 7 inspiring expat podcasts you have to listen to now.
1. Meet The Expats
Pauline’s podcast is pretty new and actually a result of covid boredom. It already offers a great variety of expat stories, from Ireland, China, Botswana and Singapore to different cities in the US.
She has moved around a fair bit herself so she can definitely relate to the expat life. Besides interesting expat stories, you will always get recommendations for the best bars and restaurants and other must-see spots in the respective countries and cities.
I recently was a guest on her podcast talking about our life in Melbourne and the move to California. Check it out here.
2. The Germany Experience
Shaun is originally from South Africa and has been living in Germany with his family for over 10 years. He explores all aspects of life in Germany as seen through the eyes of outsiders. His funny personality and unique voice make it so enjoyable to listen to the podcast. Plus, the guests and topics are diverse, interesting and entertaining. The focus is on the experience in Germany. But even if you are not living or planning to live in Germany it’s still worth listening to.
Ever since I started listening to this podcast I’ve been reflecting a lot about my country and what it means to be German. Am I a typical German? What is typical German anyway? I had to agree with a lot of things he discussed.
Fasching (German carnival)? I also don’t understand what the fuss is all about. Most popular music artists? Still blows my mind how some artists made it to that official list.
But it also made me appreciate a lot of things about Germany, that I might have taken for granted, basic things like safety, infrastructure and health care but also more specific things such as maternity leave, vacation days and work/life balance.
thegermanyexperience.de
3. The Expat Cast
Nicole’s podcast was the first expat podcast I came across and I was fascinated by the stories and experiences. It gives you a great insight into foreigners’ struggles and experiences and typical German behaviors and traditions.
Nicole and Shaun both discuss similar topics in their podcasts – which is kind of a given considering they both focus on Germany – but it is still worth listening to both because they are unique in their own way. They refer to each other as rivals, but in reality they get along well and were both guests on each others shows. When Nicole was a guest on The Germany Experience they discussed German stereotypes. Are Germans really always on time? Do they like rules and order? Listen to their episode to find out 🙂
Another reason I like listening to this podcast: Nicole lives in Freiburg, which is very dear to my heart as I lived there for a short period myself.
4. Expat Hour
Austyn Smith is an American expat in the Netherlands sharing inspiring life stories from around the world. In her podcast, not only adult expats get a say but also expat teens. I find their perspective especially fascinating because these experiences often happen during a very formative time of their life and influence their path in life significantly.
I really like Austyn’s personality. She has a very kind demeanour asking her guests the right questions but leaving them enough room to tell their story.
expathour.com
5. Expat Focus
Kylie is an Australian expat in France and shares a great variety of expat stories, from tips on how to move to a certain country to useful insights and stories.
More expat resources and information are also on the respective website: expatfocus.com
6. Transcontinental Overload
Steph is a German married to a Brit and has been living abroad for most of her adult life moving between the UK and the US. In her podcast and also on her website she talks about everything expat related. From moving and adapting to a new culture to raising Third Culture Kids. Steph is a language nerd like me, so I especially enjoy it, when she talks about language differences.
transcontinentaloverload.com
7. The Expat Repat Podcast
An important yet often forgotten part of expat life can be repatriation. The seemingly easy process of going home after your stay abroad. Yet this often turns out to be the most complicated part of the whole expat journey.
Lindsey McLean was an expat in Switzerland herself. She talks about her difficult transition back to the USA and explores different aspects of repatriation with her guests.
After taking a little break, Lindsey will be back with new interviews soon! Can’t wait for all the new stories she has to share.
expatrepat.ch
So these are my 7 Inspiring Expat Podcasts you have to listen to now. I know that there are so many more out there that I by no means claim that this list is complete or perfect. But these podcasts were the ones I first came across and I’ve been really enjoying them.
I’m always on the lookout for new, exciting expat podcasts (or expat blogs), so please let me know what your favorite expat podcasts or blogs are.
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