Packing Up & Peacing Out

A recent article in The Wall Street Journal caught our attention: “Americans Are Leaving the U.S. in Record Numbers.”So… what’s going on?In this episode of Packing Up & Peacing Out, we talk about why more Americans are seriously considering moving abroad—and why the traditional American Dream may not feel so attainable anymore.From rising costs of living to burnout culture, many people are asking a big question: Is a better life actually easier to build outside the United States?As two Americans who did exactly that, we break down what we’re seeing, what surprised us about living abroad, and why more people are starting to rethink where they want to build their future.Why more Americans are considering leaving the U.S.Whether the American Dream is actually deadParts of the “dream life” that are easier to achieve abroadThe biggest misconceptions about moving overseasOur best tips for Americans who want to make moving abroad a realityIf you’ve ever wondered whether life could be better outside the U.S., this episode is for you.🌍 Join our community: Dream Life Abroad by PUPOConnect with expats and future expats, ask questions about moving abroad, and chat directly with hosts Lili and Taylor.https://www.facebook.com/share/g/1GJM3RsfRH/?mibextid=wwXIfr💜 Love the show? Leave a review on Apple Podcasts or Spotify—it helps other Americans dreaming about moving abroad find the show.📸 Follow the hosts:Podcast: https://www.instagram.com/packuppeaceout/Taylor: https://www.instagram.com/taylortakespragueLili: https://www.instagram.com/arichwomansworld

Think moving abroad will solve all your problems? Many expats discover that mental health challenges don’t disappear when you move abroad — and sometimes living abroad can make anxiety, loneliness, or depression even more intense.In this episode, we’re talking about mental health for expats and people who move abroad with Jamie Martindale, a licensed counselor based in Prague who works closely with the international community. If you’ve ever moved abroad and found yourself thinking, “Wait… why am I not as happy as I thought I’d be?” — this conversation is for you.Jamie shares what makes expat mental health unique, why culture shock can affect your wellbeing, and how to find therapy and mental health support while living abroad.Jamie works with Prague Integration, an organization that connects internationals with qualified mental health professionals who understand the expat experience — and can support clients in their native language. For many people living abroad, finding therapists and support groups who truly “get it” can make all the difference.If you’re struggling while living abroad, know this: you’re not the only one, and it doesn’t last forever.Learn more about Prague Integration: https://pragueintegration.cz/Connect with Jamie: https://pragueintegration.cz/?therapists=jamie-martindale 🌍 Join our Facebook community — YOUR DREAM LIFE ABROAD by PUPO: Connect with expats and future expats, ask questions about moving abroad, and chat with Lili and Taylor directly: https://www.facebook.com/share/g/1GJM3RsfRH/?mibextid=wwXIfr💜 Love the show? Leave us a review on Apple Podcasts or Spotify—it helps other expats and future expats find us!📸 Follow the pod: https://www.instagram.com/packuppeaceout/ 📸 Follow Taylor: https://www.instagram.com/taylortakesprague 📸 Follow Lili: https://www.instagram.com/arichwomansworld

When you tell people you've moved abroad, the assumptions start flying. "You must be rich." "Are you running away from something?" "So you just didn't like America?" This week, we're breaking down the most common assumptions people make about expats and immigrants—and sharing whether we think they're true, false, or somewhere in between.As two American women who moved to Europe (Taylor in Prague, Lili in London), we've heard it all. In this episode, we get honest about the stereotypes, the misconceptions, and the questions we're tired of answering - plus the ones that actually have some truth to them.In this episode, we discuss:The assumption that expats are wealthy or running from somethingThe idea that moving abroad is just an extended vacationWhy people assume living abroad is always glamorousThe reality of being an American abroad in 2026This episode is for you if:You're thinking about moving abroad and wondering what to expectYou're an expat tired of explaining your life choicesYou're curious about what it's really like to leave your home countryYou want to hear honest expat experiences from real peopleConnect with Us:🌍 Join our Facebook community — YOUR DREAM LIFE ABROAD by PUPO: Connect with expats and future expats, ask questions about moving abroad, and chat with Lili and Taylor directly: https://www.facebook.com/share/g/1GJM3RsfRH/?mibextid=wwXIfr💜 Love the show? Leave us a review on Apple Podcasts or Spotify—it helps other expats and future expats find us!Follow the pod: https://www.instagram.com/packuppeaceout/ Follow Taylor: https://www.instagram.com/taylortakespragueFollow Lili: https://www.instagram.com/arichwomansworld

Want to save thousands to fund your move abroad? Or work in a stunning US National Park while figuring out your next adventure? Seasonal work might be the answer you're looking for.In this episode, we chat with Jaxton Bloemhard, who spent last summer working in Glacier National Park in Montana and has used seasonal jobs to fund his travels all over the world. We cover everything from how to find seasonal work, what it's actually like to live and work in a National Park, and how to use seasonal employment as a launchpad for living abroad.In this episode, we cover:What is seasonal work and how does it work?How Jax found his job at Glacier National ParkThe reality of living and working in a National Park (housing, pay, social life)How to use seasonal jobs to save money fastBest seasonal work platforms and companies hiring nowHow seasonal work can help you travel and move abroadTips for first-time seasonal workersResources Mentioned: https://www.coolworks.com/ https://www.xanterra.com/ If you’re applying to a job with Jax’s company Xanterra, put him down as a referral it helps you and him out!Follow Jax on TikTok YOUR DREAM LIFE ABROAD by PUPO: the Facebook Group for the PUPOers! It will be a space to meet other people living in your city, ask questions about moving abroad, share your opinions on the week’s topic, and have a direct line to Lili and Taylor. Join the group here: https://www.facebook.com/share/g/1GJM3RsfRH/?mibextid=wwXIfr Love the show? Please leave us a review on your podcast app – it helps us reach more expats and listeners living abroad!Follow the pod on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/packuppeaceout/Follow Taylor: https://www.instagram.com/taylortakesprague Follow Lili: https://www.instagram.com/arichwomansworld

You move abroad and think things will be a certain way. But, guess what? A lot isn’t as it seems! So in this episode of Packing Up & Peacing Out we are digging into the things that have surprised us. ALSO Lili shares some big news about her life in London. And Taylor shares some career growing pains she is having. YOUR DREAM LIFE ABROAD by PUPO: the Facebook Group for the PUPOers! It will be a space to meet other people living in your city, ask questions about moving abroad, share your opinions on the week’s topic, and have a direct line to Lili and Taylor. Join the group here: https://www.facebook.com/share/g/1GJM3RsfRH/?mibextid=wwXIfr Love the show? Please leave us a review on your podcast app – it helps us reach more expats and listeners living abroad!Follow the pod on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/packuppeaceout/Follow Taylor: https://www.instagram.com/taylortakesprague Follow Lili: https://www.instagram.com/arichwomansworld

We are so excited to announce YOUR DREAM LIFE ABROAD by PUPO: the Facebook Group for the PUPOers! It will be a space to meet other people living in your city, ask questions about moving abroad, share your opinions on the week’s topic, and have a direct line to Lili and Taylor. Join the group here:  https://www.facebook.com/share/g/1GJM3RsfRH/?mibextid=wwXIfr⁠ Have you spent hours a day doomscrolling seeing other people with their fun friend groups abroad… but you don’t have that? First of all, to compare is to despair! Secondly, you can absolutely make friends through your phone, but only if you follow our tips. This episode of Packing Up & Peacing Out is something Lili and Taylor are experts in, using social media to make friends. Whether its by DMing your favorite micro creator in your city, going to an event you found on Instagram, or hosting your own event- we have the tips to help you do it right way. Love the show? Please leave us a review on your podcast app – it helps us reach more expats and listeners living abroad!Join our Facebook Group: https://www.facebook.com/share/g/1GJM3RsfRH/?mibextid=wwXIfr Follow the pod on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/packuppeaceout/Follow Taylor: https://www.instagram.com/taylortakesprague Follow Lili: https://www.instagram.com/arichwomansworld

Grabbing a pint after work with colleagues seems normal, right? Until it's 2am and you've said things that will haunt your Monday morning meeting.In this episode, Taylor and Lili dive into the surprising differences in drinking culture across Europe and the US. From London's legendary pub culture to Spain's relaxed relationship with sangria and Prague's beer-obsessed bars, they explore how moving abroad changed their relationship with alcohol.Taylor shares why two glasses of wine is now her limit, and Lili reveals why trying to keep up with her British boyfriend at the pub is always a mistake.Whether you're an American living in Europe, planning your move abroad, or just curious about how different cultures approach drinking, this convo covers everything from workplace happy hours to navigating social pressure as an expat.In this episode:How drinking culture differs between the US, UK, Spain, and Czech RepublicThe unwritten rules of pub culture and after-work drinks abroadPersonal stories about adjusting alcohol habits as expatsWhy Americans find European drinking culture surprisingLove the show? Please leave us a review on your podcast app – it helps us reach more expats and listeners living abroad!Follow the pod on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/packuppeaceout/Follow Taylor: https://www.instagram.com/taylortakesprague Follow Lili: https://www.instagram.com/arichwomansworld

So you moved to Europe and all the sudden you have to take off your shoes in the house and fit all of your condiments in a fridge the size of a backpack? Welcome to our lives! Sometimes moving abroad is really just moving house. Your house will just be a lot more different than before! Taylor and Lili cover all the major differences (some you expect, others you don’t) and discuss their gripes with European and American households. Love the show? Please leave us a review on your podcast app – it really helps us reach more expats and expat-curious listeners!Follow the pod on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/packuppeaceout/Follow Lili:⁠ https://www.instagram.com/arichwomansworld⁠Follow Taylor: https://www.instagram.com/taylortakesprague 

Given all the sh*t going down in the USA right now, we figured no better time to talk about the itching feeling a lot of Americans are feeling right now. Should you leave? Now obviously we support you leaving the USA- but what happens if everyone does? And how do you even go about it? ALSO will you just feel guilty? All things we discuss in this episode. Love the show? Please leave us a review on your podcast app – it really helps us reach more expats and expat-curious listeners!Follow the pod on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/packuppeaceout/Follow Taylor: https://www.instagram.com/taylortakesprague Follow Lili: https://www.instagram.com/arichwomansworld

Some Move Abroad HOT TAKES. If you’ve moved abroad, you probably have some of these. Maybe you think men don’t move abroad. Or that moving to England doesn’t count. Well, Lili and Taylor sure have some! In this episode we catch up on our holiday breaks as a lot has happened since we last recorded. Taylor had her first Christmas with her British boyfriend. Lili’s British boyfriend met her family. And of course we cover our top 3 move abroad hot takes! Love the show? Please leave us a review on your podcast app – it really helps us reach more expats and expat-curious listeners!Follow the pod on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/packuppeaceout/Follow Taylor: https://www.instagram.com/taylortakesprague Follow Lili: https://www.instagram.com/arichwomansworld

What a light topic to cover… just body image and body standards. No, we definitely don’t have a lot of learned issues about this!!JKJK after all we are just two white American girls who grew up during the rise of social media. So basically we (like you we assume) are scr*wed and thats ok! So this episode is all about unpacking those body images and standards in the context of moving abroad. Cause, guess what? Every country has its own standards, and that impacts how you feel also. Lili shares how being a curvacious gal in Spain was not for the weak. Taylor dishes something insane statistics she learned. Love the show? Please leave us a review on your podcast app – it really helps us reach more expats and expat-curious listeners!Follow the pod on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/packuppeaceout/Follow Taylor: https://www.instagram.com/taylortakesprague Follow Lili: https://www.instagram.com/arichwomansworld

 2026 is here, and this episode is all about setting goals and dreams for the year ahead! It's easy to forget about goal-setting after you've accomplished a big dream like moving abroad, but creating intentions for the new year is a must to keep growing in your expat journey. Whether you goal is to finally move abroad this year, or if you already have and its to find a new apartment or try a new hobby, this episode is here to relate and inspire all the PUPOers this new years!Join Taylor and Lili for their 2026 vision boards- while this episode is perfect for listening, our YouTube has the video with the photos we’ve used for better visuals. And you can check out our instagram for the pics and to get the template to make your own! Follow the pod on Instagram for the visual and the Canva template to make your own https://www.instagram.com/packuppeaceout/Love the show? Please leave us a review on your podcast app – it really helps us reach more expats and expat-curious listeners!Follow the pod on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/packuppeaceout/Follow Taylor: https://www.instagram.com/taylortakesprague Follow Lili: https://www.instagram.com/arichwomansworld

Have you found yourself in a… long distance relationship? Oh no! Just kidding that's amazing, but you may have some things to learn to help the relationship. Or have you ever wondered how tf people can do it? In this episode of PUPO you’ll hear from the experts themselves on why it happens, how to do it, and finally closing the distance gap. Elaine and Abe of Love is in the Air podcast joined us to talk about their long distance relationship that started with a Facebook dm slide and took 8 years to go from long distance in a commuter marriage to finally living together! While Elaine and Abe don’t live abroad, they still are the perfect guests as not only did they do long distance but Elaine is a marriage and family therapist. Check out Love is in the Air Podcast: https://open.spotify.com/show/2GbAZtk3CbC7NoU7MWJAHM?si=c5618ac3d1e14a17 Check out their new podcast since they closed the distance, Marriage is a Joke: https://open.spotify.com/show/5FAi9zu7T4eDxAYkOYN8ok?si=a1e28b88c45f4797 Follow their new podcast on Insta: https://www.instagram.com/marriage.isajoke/  Please do give us a review on your podcast app, it really helps us out! Follow the pod on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/packuppeaceout/Follow Taylor: https://www.instagram.com/taylortakesprague Follow Lili: https://www.instagram.com/arichwomansworld

Taylor moved with her boyfriend, Lili moved solo… so which is best?? Which is easier? Which have you done? This week on Packing Up & Peacing Out we chat about the ins and outs of moving single or as a couple: the pros, cons, things that come up, and how you should do it! Things we cover: building a social life, navigating logistics, dealing with loneliness, and what to consider before you book that one-way flight solo or with your bf/gf/wife/hubby/partner! Please do give us a review on your podcast app, it really helps us out! Follow the pod on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/packuppeaceout/Follow Taylor: https://www.instagram.com/taylortakesprague Follow Lili: https://www.instagram.com/arichwomansworld

Gone are the days of working for one company for your whole career, and this is especially true for those of us that move abroad. Right now, both Taylor and Lili are going through some growing pains in their career. But luckily, Colleen and Kristine of Embrace the Squiggle podcast are here to help! In this slightly different episode than usual, we get the chance to discuss our career with these two career coaches. Whether you're job hunting abroad, considering a pivot, or just feeling a little lost, this episode is for you.Listen to Embrace the Squiggle Podcast: https://open.spotify.com/show/7COTSLNnYSaYiIdsVJv8Ap?si=81e78674ab86416e Follow on TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@embracethesquiggle Connect with Colleen: https://www.linkedin.com/in/comara Connect with Kristine: https://www.linkedin.com/in/kristinethody Please do give us a review on your podcast app, it really helps us out! Follow the pod on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/packuppeaceout/Follow Taylor: https://www.instagram.com/taylortakesprague Follow Lili: https://www.instagram.com/arichwomansworld

Picture this: every weekend a new European city! A big trip every other month! That’s what your life abroad is gonna look like… right? We hate to break it to you, but probably not! And thats OK! Don’t get us wrong, we travel a lot more than most Americans, but our travel routines have changed since we moved abroad. And this episode is all about how traveling can change when you finally make the leap to move abroad. Follow the pod on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/packuppeaceout/Follow Taylor: https://www.instagram.com/taylortakesprague  Follow Lili: https://www.instagram.com/arichwomansworld

One of the biggest ways your life changes when you move abroad starts at your lips… and not its not French kissing. It’s food!  This episode of Packing Up & Peacing Out, Taylor and Lili discuss their favorite subject, food! We cover European vs American food, stigmas about American food, if European food cures all, and how kitchens change (get worse) when you leave America. Follow the pod on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/packuppeaceout/Follow Taylor: https://www.instagram.com/taylortakesprague Follow Lili: https://www.instagram.com/arichwomansworld

Do you try to go home for every major holiday? Or are you more of a enjoy the place you live person? There is no right answer! And in this episode, given the impending holiday season, Taylor and Lili discuss all things holidays when you live abroad. They both have kinda different perspectives, so this one will have a little something for everyone! We discuss how to get out of going home, celebrating new holidays, weird traditions we don’t understand as immigrants, and how being a dead dad club member ruined Christmas for us both! Follow the pod on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/packuppeaceout/Follow Taylor: https://www.instagram.com/taylortakesprague Follow Lili: https://www.instagram.com/arichwomansworld

Do you vote in your home country from your home abroad? In today's episode, we discuss how we stay politically engaged with your home country while living abroad. As we recorded on U.S. election day, we shared our personal experiences and practical advice on voting and staying engaged with politics from thousands of miles away.We dig into:The surprising statistics about Americans eligible to vote abroadWhy staying engaged matters (even when you're far away)Navigating "survivor's guilt" and frustration when watching political developments from afarGetting involved in your new country's politics (even when you can't vote)Center for U.S. Voters Abroad - Makes it super easy to know how to vote from abroad as a U.S. citizen regardless of what country you live inRemember: American citizens have the right to vote no matter how long they've lived abroad!Follow the pod on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/packuppeaceout/Follow Taylor: https://www.instagram.com/taylortakesprague Follow Lili: https://www.instagram.com/arichwomansworld

You watched Notting Hill, dreamed of your own Colin Firth moment, and somehow manifested an actual British boyfriend? In your dreams or in reality- either way this episode is for you!Lili and Taylor dive into the reality of dating British men as American women. From cultural misunderstandings to navigating different communication styles, they share their unfiltered experiences of transatlantic romance.(Note: There's a minor sound issue on Lili's end, but the conversation was too good to re-record!)In this episode, you'll discover:The full, never-before-shared story of how Lili met "Lime Bike" her boyfriend in London (spoiler: it wasn't the meet-cute she imagined)Taylor's favorite perks of dating a British man The real differences between American and British dating cultures that no rom-com prepares you forHow to navigate holidays, family traditions, and long-term planning when you're from different sides of the AtlanticCommunication pitfalls when British understatement meets American directnessWhether you're already in an international relationship, dreaming of your own British love story, or just curious about how romance works across cultures, this episode delivers the unfiltered reality behind those Hugh Grant fantasies!Follow the pod on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/packuppeaceout/Follow Taylor: https://www.instagram.com/taylortakesprague Follow Lili: https://www.instagram.com/arichwomansworldTags: dating British men, international relationships, American women dating abroad, cultural differences in relationships, expat dating, intercultural relationships, dating locals abroad, British American couples, international romance, cross-cultural dating, expat love stories