Away We Go We Go

In this episode of Away We Go We Go, we’re celebrating a big milestone: our twins just turned three! Between birthday cake, ice cream, and a little less sleep than usual, we share what life has been like lately and reflect on how far we’ve come as parents. There are plenty of sweet moments (and funny ones) that remind us what raising twins abroad is all about.We also finally braved the giant Carrefour after two years in France, and it did not disappoint. From long-missed ingredients to pantry staples we’d almost forgotten about, it felt like striking gold. Along the way, we dive into school choices, building community, and why finding real connections matters so much as parents in a new country.Plus, we answer your questions about the best times to visit Provence, mom networks in Europe, and the markets you won’t want to miss.If you’ve been enjoying these glimpses into our daily life, or have questions of your own, don’t forget to subscribe and leave a review. We’d love to hear from you. And for more updates and behind-the-scenes moments, follow us on Instagram @the_eptonsLinks:https://www.mailegusa.com/https://barjac-foire-antiquites-brocante.org/ https://www.mothereuro.com/Contact info:Website: https://sophieepton.com/ Instagram: @thesophiepton@jordanepton-Intro and outro music produced by Jeremy Silver- 

Hey everyone, it’s Jordan here today, flying solo for this episode.Today, I take a reflective journey back to my post-college years and the transformational experience of living in Argentina. From nervous beginnings with only basic Spanish, teaching jobs, and diving headfirst into a new culture, I share personal stories about fumbling through language, building unlikely friendships, and learning to navigate the daily challenges of being a true outsider. The episode explores not just the excitement of travel, but how discomfort, uncertainty, and a little humility can unlock deep personal growth. As I draw connections between my time in Argentina and my current life in France with my family, this episode becomes a heartfelt look at how bold moves create lifelong skills and memories. You'll hear about small victories, mistakes that turn into funny stories, and the powerful lessons that come from saying yes to the unfamiliar. I'd love for you to share your own travel memories or moments where stepping into something new changed your life. Whether you're considering a big move or looking back at a defining chapter, join the conversation by reaching out on our Instagram or leaving a comment. Subscribe, share, and help us build a community of fellow adventurers and storytellers.Contact info:Website: https://sophieepton.com/ Instagram: @thesophiepton@jordanepton-Intro and outro music produced by Jeremy Silver-

In this episode, we open up about our journey of moving to France, sharing stories from our day-to-day lives as we try to balance parenthood, work, and the French lifestyle. We chat about the cultural differences between French and US approaches to wellness, fitness, food, and mental health. From long lunches and embracing built-in movement to the adventure of shopping for everyday staples, we reflect on how slowing down and savoring moments has helped us find more gratitude and peace. Plus, we discuss the realities of accessing familiar wellness products, the French spa culture, and even our misadventures trying to track down the right cottage cheese!We’d love to hear your own stories about how moving or traveling has changed your wellness routines or perspective. Join us in the conversation on, and let us know what resonated with you from this episode. If you enjoyed the discussion, don’t forget to subscribe, rate, and leave us a review. We can’t wait to connect!Contact info: Website: https://sophieepton.com/ Instagram: @thesophiepton@jordanepton-Intro and outro music produced by Jeremy Silver- 

On this episode of Away We Go We Go, I have the pleasure to sit down with Salem Cone, founder of Gallivant and Gather, a sought-after women’s retreat experience in the heart of Provence. Salem shares her journey from a fast-paced career in advertising to creating transformative retreats that blend movement, mindfulness, connection, and the magical charm of southern France. Salem takes us inside her thoughtfully curated retreats, designed for women seeking meaningful adventures, rest, and the delight of French countryside living. She highlights the joy of building friendships, savoring local food, exploring markets, and the power of investing in yourself through travel. We also chat about the realities of planning in France and creating experiences that encourage breakthroughs and lasting memories.If you’ve dreamed of a rejuvenating escape where every detail is planned, this episode is for you. Salem has a few last-minute openings for her fall Provence retreats, so be sure to check out Gallivant and Gather for your chance to join. Don’t forget to follow, rate, and review the show. Connect with us for more inspiration and adventures! LINKS:https://gallivantandgather.com/https://www.instagram.com/gallivantandgather/Contact info: Website: https://sophieepton.com/ Instagram: @thesophiepton@jordanepton-Intro and outro music produced by Jeremy Silver- 

In this episode, we celebrate two incredible years since moving to France and reflect on all the ways life has changed. We talk about navigating culture shock, building a community, parenting twins abroad, and finding gratitude in the small pleasures of city markets, scenic walks, and delicious local food. From the charm of a historic French apartment to weekend market adventures and our kid’s recovery after surgery, our everyday stories highlight both the beautiful and challenging aspects of settling into a new country.We share our honest experiences—the joys of travel, the delight of raising bilingual kids, and the peace of a slower pace, as well as the hurdles of bureaucracy, language barriers, missing conveniences, and the sometimes baffling world of French customer service. Through it all, we remind ourselves and our listeners that building a new life is a journey filled with growth, resilience, and lots of learning.If you’ve ever dreamed of making a big move or are craving a fresh start, we hope our stories encourage and inspire you. Take a moment to reflect on the adventures you want to create, and join in our journey by subscribing, leaving a review, and following us on Instagram. Let’s keep growing and learning together!Contact info:Website: https://sophieepton.com/ Instagram: @thesophiepton@jordanepton-Intro and outro music produced by Jeremy Silver- 

In this episode, we share what it’s really been like moving to France with our young twins. From funny family moments to the ups and downs of settling into a new country, we talk about what’s changed since we left Austin. With help from new friends and family, our weekend felt full of small wins and a growing sense of community.We also look back at some of the “what if” moments that shaped our path, what life might have looked like if we hadn’t made the move. We touch on everything from finding a home, adjusting to new routines, figuring out healthcare, and building a new support system. It’s an honest, lighthearted conversation about starting fresh, with plenty of laughs and appreciation for this chapter of our lives.If you’ve ever thought about moving abroad or making a big life change, this one’s for you. DM us with your thoughts or questions, and don’t miss next week’s episode, as it’s our two-year anniversary in France! Subscribe, leave a review, and follow us on Instagram. We’re glad you’re here with us! Contact info:Website: https://sophieepton.com/Instagram: @thesophiepton@jordanepton-Intro and outro music produced by Jeremy Silver-

In this episode, we talk about what daily life in France has been like for our family. We share personal moments, from everyday routines to Luca’s recovery after surgery. We also describe how national holidays like Bastille Day shape the rhythm of our days.We also dive into the feelings that come with visiting California after building a new life in France. We chat about the emotional tug-of-war that comes from being between cultures, missing certain comforts of home like convenient groceries and beloved snacks, but also finding gratitude in slower-paced routines and the rituals that make France special. Reflections on car culture, walking-friendly towns, and the magic of fresh markets highlight what we cherish about both worlds.If you want to hear more about the reality of expat life, family adventures, and honest conversations about the beauty and challenges of starting over, this episode is for you.Contact info:Website: https://sophieepton.com/Instagram: @thesophiepton@jordanepton-Intro and outro music produced by Jeremy Silver-

In this special episode of Away We Go We Go, we share one of the wildest weeks of our lives, navigating our son Luca’s open chest surgery in France, all while managing jet lag, travel hiccups, and family chaos. We get into the emotional rollercoaster of being split between hospital rooms and home, the challenges (and surprising miracles) in Luca's recovery, and how it feels to handle a major medical event abroad.We also take you behind the scenes of French healthcare, breaking down the realities of hospital care in Marseille, how it compares to our experiences in the U.S., and the little things that made a huge difference for our family. From language barriers to hospital food, we keep it honest, hopeful, and, of course, a little humorous - as Luca himself makes a special guest appearance!Listen in, and don’t forget to subscribe, rate, and share your thoughts with us. We love hearing from you and are so grateful to have you in our community as we figure it all out together! Links: https://turbli.com/Contact info:Website: https://sophieepton.com/ Instagram: @thesophiepton@jordanepton-Intro and outro music produced by Jeremy Silver- 

In this fun episode of Away We Go We Go, I take you through my crazy week as I balance work, parenting, and getting everything ready for a last-minute family trip to California. I open up about the wild ride of raising twins in France, like late-night photo shoots in lavender fields and the toddler tantrums that come with keeping kids up past bedtime for one great family moment.I also talk about why Jordan and I decided to raise our kids outside the U.S. We love the benefits of bilingualism, living abroad, affordable childcare, universal healthcare, and the slower, family-centered pace of life in France. I share what French parenting and school life are really like, from how kids are taught to be independent, to the funny paperwork systems, and of course, the amazing food. I even share some of our favorite things to do with kids in beautiful Provence.If you’ve ever thought about moving abroad with your family, want a glimpse into expat life, or just need a little parenting support, this episode is for you!  Links:https://www.aixenprovence.fr/Promenade-de-la-Torse https://pontdugard.fr/fr https://www.carrieres-lumieres.com/fr https://lesgorgesduverdon.fr/ https://avignon-tourisme.com/offres/le-petit-train-touristique-davignon-visite-avignon-lieutaud-avignon-fr-4143767/ https://en.lesbainsgardians.com/post/la-balade-a-cheval-sur-la-plage-en-camargue-un-plaisir-accessibleContact info:Website: https://sophieepton.com/Instagram: @thesophiepton@jordanepton-Intro and outro music produced by Jeremy Silver-

In this episode, we share what life has been like for us living in France. From dealing with the hot summer without air conditioning to finding great coffee spots, we talk about the ups and downs of everyday life. We also tell fun behind-the-scenes stories from our recent trips to Paris and London—like tasty food, funny rental check-ins, and enjoying the flowers at the Chelsea Flower Show.We talk about what it’s like raising twin toddlers during the long French school breaks, a recent health scare that reminded us how thankful we are for good healthcare, and we answer your questions about things like family activities, safety in southern France, and if it’s better to rent or buy a home here. You’ll hear honest thoughts, some laughs, and tips for living (and thriving) as expats.If you enjoyed our real take on living abroad, make sure to subscribe, rate, and review the podcast! Follow us on Instagram for daily updates and behind-the-scenes fun. Have questions for our next episode? Send us a message, we love hearing from you! Contact info:Website: https://sophieepton.com/Instagram: @thesophiepton@jordaneptonLinks:Airbnb Paris: https://www.booking.com/hotel/fr/appartement-des-archives.htmlLiza: https://www.restaurant-liza.com/Le Petit Marche: https://www.lepetitmarche.eu/Petersham Nurseries: https://petershamnurseries.com/Bubala: https://www.bubala.co.uk/Sketch: https://sketch.london/Florattica: https://floratticalondon.co.uk/Cafe Yoyo: https://www.instagram.com/cafeyoyo_aix/Fondation Vasarely: https://www.fondationvasarely.org/Gorges du Verdon: https://lesgorgesduverdon.fr/-Intro and outro music produced by Jeremy Silver-  

In this episode of the Away We Go We Go podcast, I sit down with Kyong Millar at her beautifully renovated home, Maison de Frederic, in Provence. Kyong shares her incredible journey as a Korean immigrant who moved to the US as a child and ultimately found her way back to Europe to fulfill her dream of living in the south of France. From the challenges of buying and renovating a historic property during the pandemic, to adapting to a slower, richer pace of life, Kyong opens up about the joys and hardships of making a home abroad.Together, we dive into the realities behind the picture-perfect images of life in France, talking about everything from French bureaucracy and language barriers to the thrill of antique hunting and the importance of community support. Kyong gives honest advice for anyone dreaming of owning property in France and reflects on how the experience changed her, highlighting the grit, patience, and scrappiness it takes to create a dream life overseas.If you’ve ever considered moving abroad, renovating a home, or just love stories of bold transformation, this episode is a must-listen! Contact info:Website: https://sophieepton.com/Instagram: @thesophiepton@jordaneptonLinks:https://maisondefrederic.com/https://www.instagram.com/maisondefrederic/https://www.koodeker.com/https://www.instagram.com/koodeker/https://www.neptune.com/en-fr-Intro and outro music produced by Jeremy Silver-

In this episode of the Away We Go We Go podcast, we sit down with Scott Barker for an inspiring conversation about making bold life transitions. Scott opens up about his recent decision to step away from building a successful venture capital fund, sell almost all his possessions, and embark on an open-ended journey of travel and self-discovery across the world. From his beginnings in Vancouver, adventures playing rugby in Australia, and the realization that life’s “someday” thinking can be a trap, Scott shares the mindset shifts and hurdles he's facing in real time, with genuine humor and vulnerability.Together, we explore themes like letting go of material identity, battling burnout, and the powerful stories behind life-changing decisions. Scott also introduces his upcoming project, ‘The Wake Up Call’, aimed at helping people reevaluate success and meaning before life forces them to. The conversation is filled with practical advice for anyone feeling stuck, from decluttering your life to moving past analysis paralysis when contemplating big moves.Feeling inspired or curious about making a change of your own? Tune in, and if Scott’s story resonated, reach out or share your own journey. We’d love to hear from you!Contact info:Website: https://sophieepton.com/ Instagram: @thesophiepton@jordaneptonFind Scott on LinkedIn here: https://www.linkedin.com/in/ssbarker/ Find Scott's newsletter, The Wake Up Call, here: https://thewakeupcallnewsletter.substack.com/-Intro and outro music produced by Jeremy Silver- 

In this episode of the Away We Go We Go podcast, we open up about the mindset shifts and daily practices that helped us take the leap and move abroad to France. From battling unexpected challenges—like relentless allergies and adjusting to a new culture with our young twins—to learning how to embrace change, adaptability, and let go of control, we share honest stories and practical tips that can help make any big move more manageable. We break down the essential frameworks and daily habits that kept us on track during our journey, touching on the importance of setting small, consistent goals, staying growth-minded, and building a support system of like-minded friends. Whether it was celebrating little wins or developing new problem-solving skills when plans went sideways, these lessons made our transition not just possible, but transformational.If you’re dreaming about making a big move or just want to shake up your life, we hope our insights inspire you to take the first step. Don’t forget to subscribe and leave a review if you enjoyed the show. Contact info:Website: https://sophieepton.com/  Instagram: @thesophiepton@jordanepton -Intro and outro music produced by Jeremy Silver-

In this episode of the Away We Go We Go podcast, we dive into the mindset shifts that made our move abroad possible. We reflect on the whirlwind of the past few weeks, share our excitement for upcoming travels (especially a kid-free trip to London!), and open up about how adjusting our thinking transformed dreams into reality. Through personal stories, including how we faced big challenges like our son’s health journey, we illustrate how intention, visualization, and positive self-talk can help anyone take on life-changing adventures. We chat about overcoming limiting beliefs, refusing to be held back by fear or circumstance, and how to reframe setbacks as growth opportunities. By swapping “I wish” for “I am,” we show just how powerful it is to claim your goals and start living as if your dreams are already in motion. We also talk about letting go of worst-case scenarios, the importance of community, and why it’s never too late to reshape your future. If you’ve ever felt the urge to move abroad or make a big change but didn’t know where to start, this episode is for you! We hope our journey inspires you to believe in yourself and take those first steps. Don’t forget to tune in next week for part two! Contact info:Website: https://sophieepton.com/  Instagram: @thesophiepton@jordanepton -Intro and outro music produced by Jeremy Silver-

In this episode of the Away We Go We Go podcast, we chat with a special guest - Sam Ritter, Sophie’s cousin - who shares his amazing journey from Colorado to a small town in Sweden, where he now works as a blacksmith and musician. Sam talks about his creative childhood, the big moments that led him to move overseas, and how following his heart brought him a life full of adventure and meaning. We also discussed with Sam what it’s really like to move to Sweden. He shares helpful tips about getting a work permit, dealing with Swedish paperwork, learning the language, and adjusting to a new culture. He also explains why slowing down and enjoying life the Swedish way has made a big difference for him. If you’ve ever thought about moving abroad, starting fresh, or just love hearing inspiring stories, this episode is for you. Tune in, get inspired, and don’t forget to subscribe, leave a review, and share the podcast with a friend who loves adventure! LinksSam Ritter Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/ritterforge/ Contact info:Website: https://sophieepton.com/  Instagram: @thesophiepton@jordanepton -Intro and outro music produced by Jeremy Silver-