The Bittersweet Life

The Bittersweet Life

Expat, Repat, Travel, Rome, Seattle, Books, Art, Italy, Wonder

Episodes 995
Avg. Duration 26m
Activity Highly Active
Apple Rating 4.7 (297)
Since Mar 2014
Latest Episode Jun 2026

Publishing Details

Schedule
Every Few Days
Format
Episodic
Consistency
71%
Hosting
rss.libsyn.com

Contact & Outreach

About This Podcast

Life doesn't have a script. At least, it doesn't have to. Hosts Katy Sewall and Tiffany Parks explore the challenges and joys of moving abroad and moving home. Whether you're living overseas, or not — or not yet — join us weekly for unadulterated conversation. Get to know Rome. Laugh at our embarrassments and insights. Most of all, imagine the possibilities for your own life (and meet some famous authors along the way).

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Recent Episodes

The Bittersweet Past: Black Cake (with Charmaine Wilkerson)

Jun 12, 2026 35m

Formerly close but now estranged siblings, two girls with a passion for swimming in the sea, a death that reveals long hidden secrets, a voice message from beyond the grave, and a tradtional…

S14E632 Episode 632 (Part 2): Can what You Like in Seattle Inform what You Like in Rome?

Jun 10, 2026 30m

Today we bring you Part 2 of Monday's Episode 632 in which we are inspired by a recent article, the Seattle Times to predict what Seattleites would enjoy in Rome based on what they like to do in…

S14E632 Episode 632: Can what You Like in Seattle Inform what You Like in Rome? (Part 1)

Jun 08, 2026 30m

In a recent article, the Seattle Times attempts to predict what Seattleites would enjoy in Rome based on what they like to do in Seattle. But, frankly, as Roman Seattleites ourselves, we think we can…

The Bittersweet Past: Which Roman Neighborhood Should You Live in?

Jun 05, 2026 35m

Tiffany gives you the low-down on Rome's neighborhoods, particularly from the expat perspective. Which neighborhoods are the prettiest? Where are they located? How high are the living expenses there…

Bittersweet Peek: Yearning to Return to the Analog World

Jun 03, 2026 3m

Do you ever wish you could scrap all this new technology and return to the analog world? When you actually owned your own films and music? When you didn't have to have a subscription to use your own…

S14E631 Episode 631: When Moving Abroad Equals Too Many Visitors

Jun 01, 2026 30m

Picture it: you dreamed of moving abroad for years, and you've finally done it! You are settling into your new country, and just starting to get the swing of things, with exciting travel plans with…

The Bittersweet Past: Wild Game (with Adrienne Brodeur)

May 29, 2026 35m

Can you keep a secret? Author Adrienne Brodeur was asked to keep an explosive secret at just fourteen years old when her mother confided in her about her extramarital affair. From that moment on,…

S14E245 Bittersweet Moment #245: The Best Travel Moments Are not on a Check-list

May 27, 2026 11m

The most fulfilling travel cannot be found on any check-list. A meaningful trip can never be summed up by list of "top ten" things to see or do. And no influencer has the secrets to make the perfect…

S14E630 Episode 630: Is Manifesting Really a Thing? Katy and Tiffany Discuss.

May 25, 2026 25m

There's lots of buzz out there lately about manifesting, and how if we can somehow harness this practice, we can effortlessly make all of our desires a reality. But does it really work? And perhaps…

The Bittersweet Past: The Lost Art of Punctuality

May 22, 2026 32m

Is it important to be on time? What does it say about you if you are often late? What does it say about you if it really bothers you when others are late? On this episode from our archives, we delve…

Bittersweet Peek: Did the Dog Destroy the House (and other Updates)

May 20, 2026 6m

On this week's bonus episode, we update our Patreon supporters on a bunch of personal stories. How is the new Roman puppy working out? What's happening with Tiffany's piano-fueled feud with her…

S14E629 Episode 629: The Great Manifestation Debate (with Felix Lee Lerma)

May 18, 2026 51m

Psychic mediums believe in a lot of things that can't be seen or touched, but rather only sensed, so it makes sense that they would be on board when it comes to the idea of manifestation. But Katy is…

The Bittersweet Past: The Five Victims of Jack the Ripper (with Hallie Rubenhold)

May 15, 2026 43m

Since Victorian times, people have been obsessed with Jack the Ripper. There are endless volumes full of history about him and the gory deaths of his five victims. What's missing is information about…

S14E244 Bittersweet Moment #244: Escape the Crowds in Rome's Quiet Neighborhoods

May 12, 2026 15m

Your big Rome trip is coming up and all you can see on social media are terrifying videos of massive crowds filling every, street, piazza, and museum. Did you make a mistake planning a trip to Rome…

S14E628 Episode 628: When Moving Abroad Makes Coming Home Unaffordable

May 11, 2026 31m

Lots of Americans move abroad to a lower-cost-of-living country in hopes of making their salary stretch further. And if they manage to continue earning an American salary from abroad (even a modest…

Bittersweet Past: The Borgias: The Original Crime Family

May 08, 2026 42m

On this episode from our archives, we tell a true story of corruption, evil, and avarice... A powerful, unscrupulous man whose two greatest vices are greed and lust. He's close to his…

Bittersweet Peek: A New Family Member

May 06, 2026 4m

Tiffany's household has been shaken up by a surprising new family member. What do you think? Are you surprised? This is just a sneak peek of a much longer bonus episode that drops today, available…

S627E14 Episode 627: The Challenge of Finding Love as an Expat (with Maddalena Vario)

May 04, 2026 30m

When you leave your home country and move abroad as a young person, you probably have a plan for finding a place to live, securing employment, maybe even getting health insurance. But what about when…

The Bittersweet Past: A German Adventure (with Dana Newman)

May 01, 2026 40m

In this episode from our archives, we chat with expat, author, and vlogger Dana Newman, an American living in Germany. Dana moved to Europe back in 2008, first to Prague, then later to Munich, where…

S14E626 Episode 626: Happy Accidents

Apr 27, 2026 30m

When an unpleasant hitch seems to ruin your best-laid plans, sometimes, just sometimes, you discover later that it was all for the best. That something better than you could have ever imagined was in…

Frequently Asked Questions

How many episodes does The Bittersweet Life have?

The Bittersweet Life has published 995 episodes since March 2014, covering topics in Arts, Books.

Is The Bittersweet Life still active?

The Bittersweet Life is currently highly active with new episodes every few days. Average episode length is 26m.

How do I contact The Bittersweet Life for sponsorship or guest appearances?

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