Podcast
Your Favorite Expats
Hosted by Your Favorite Exes · EN
Welcome to Your Favorite Exes, a podcast where two best friends from America navigate life abroad.
We’re Hope and Victoria, two 30-somethings who met in college in Boston and bonded over red velvet cupcakes, terrible weather, and nonstop talking. After over a decade of friendship, we’re both in Barcelona, figuring out life abroad—one tapa at a time.
We’ll share what it really means to start over in a new country—beyond the Pinterest board. Whether you're here for the stories, a travel lover, or trying to get the hell out of where you are, grab a glass of cava and meet your new favorite exes.
10episodes
Episodes
Newest firstAll episodes
Diagnosis: Confused (But Covered?)
Jun 1000:47:19Tap to summarizeSay Ahhh...broad! American healthcare: expensive, complicated, familiar. European healthcare: affordable, efficient, confusing. Is there no co-pay, or did I just doctor-and-dash? Should I stock up on children’s Tylenol on my next trip back to the US? From kids’ checkups in a foreign language to adult-sized confusion at the pharmacy, we’re sharing what it’s like to be sick (or just slightly concerned) in a brand-new system. Join the conversation—DM us your expat stories & questions!Website: https://www.yourfavoriteexes.com/Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/yourfavoriteexpats/Tik Tok: https://www.tiktok.com/@yourfavoriteexesYoutube: https://www.youtube.com/@YourFavoriteExes
Transcribe →Passport, Suitcase, Identity Crisis
Jun 3, 202500:57:45Tap to summarizeAre you still you if your zip code, friend group, language, and grocery store snacks have all changed?In this episode, we dive into the complicated question of identity abroad. From subtle shifts in how we speak or dress to major parenting pivots—we're figuring out whether moving abroad rewrites your personality—or just edits it in a different font.Join the conversation—DM us your expat stories & questions!Website: https://www.yourfavoriteexes.com/Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/yourfavoriteexpats/Tik Tok: https://www.tiktok.com/@yourfavoriteexesYoutube: https://www.youtube.com/@YourFavoriteExes
Transcribe →Lost in Translation
May 30, 202500:55:03Tap to summarizeMoving abroad sounds exciting—until you’re at the doctor’s office or a parent-teacher meeting with zero clue what’s going on. In this episode, we get real about what it’s actually like to learn a new language while building a life in a new country. From awkward conversations and unexpected wins to feeling guilty about not being fluent “yet,” we talk about what helps, what doesn’t, and why asking for support isn’t a weakness—it’s survival. Whether you’re mixing up verbs or just trying to make a friend, this one’s for you.Join the conversation—DM us your expat stories & questions!Website: https://www.yourfavoriteexes.com/Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/yourfavoriteexpats/Tik Tok: https://www.tiktok.com/@yourfavoriteexespodcast?_t=ZT-8wJxwJENG4k&_r=1Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/@YourFavoriteExes
Transcribe →Interview Series Part 2 - Expat Mom Life, Unpacked
May 22, 202500:57:23Tap to summarizeHope is Google Translating her way through parenting abroad. In Part 2 of our interview series, Victoria’s asking all the questions about being a mom in a foreign country. How do you choose a school from halfway across the world? And is that toddler babble—or a Spanish word we just haven’t learned yet?We dig into what it’s like to sort through unfamiliar parenting norms—deciding which ones to embrace, and which to toss out with the stale breadsticks.It’s an honest look at raising kids far from home: new challenges, new snacks, and the weirdly wonderful ways discomfort builds resilience (for both you *and* your tiny humans).If you’re thinking about parenting in a place where you don’t even know the word for “diaper,” this one’s for you.Join the conversation—DM us your expat stories & questions!Website: https://www.yourfavoriteexes.com/Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/yourfavoriteexpats/Tik Tok: https://www.tiktok.com/@yourfavoriteexespodcast?_t=ZT-8wJxwJENG4k&_r=1Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/@YourFavoriteExes
Transcribe →Interview Series Part 1 - Clocking In, Abroad
May 13, 202500:33:51Tap to summarizeWelcome to part one of our two-part interview series!This week, Hope channels her inner journalist and puts Victoria in the hot seat to talk all things working abroad. From Corporate America to Café Culture, we unpack what it’s really like to live and work in Spain—and how it shapes everything from career goals to daily routines. Spoiler: slower doesn’t mean slacking.Next week, we flip the mic. Victoria will interview Hope about parenting abroad (yes, we’re talking navigating the school system in a second language).If you've ever wondered what it’s like to quit the grind and take your laptop to Europe—this one’s for you.Join the conversation—DM us your expat stories & questions!Website: https://www.yourfavoriteexes.com/Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/yourfavoriteexpats/Tik Tok: https://www.tiktok.com/@yourfavoriteexespodcast?_t=ZT-8wJxwJENG4k&_r=1 Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/@YourFavoriteExes
Transcribe →What Do You Mean My Apartment Doesn’t Have a Fridge?
May 6, 202500:35:34Tap to summarizeMoving to Barcelona and realizing unfurnished means literally four walls and a prayer.In this episode, we take you behind the scenes of our chaotic journeys to find apartments abroad—complete with mystery rental contracts and miscommunication.We navigate second-hand shopping like it’s a scavenger hunt, debate whether a couch is a luxury or a necessity, and slowly unravel the complicated and beautiful world of European rental life.It’s part travel diary and part therapy session.Spain/European Home Store options for furnishing an unfurnished apartment Join the conversation—DM us your expat stories & questions!Website: https://www.yourfavoriteexes.com/Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/yourfavoriteexpats/Tik Tok: https://www.tiktok.com/@yourfavoriteexespodcast?_t=ZT-8wJxwJENG4k&_r=1Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/@YourFavoriteExes
Transcribe →Where to Next?
Apr 29, 202500:38:35Tap to summarizeEver wonder how to choose the right country to live in? It’s not just about picking somewhere "cool" — there’s a lot more to consider when making a big move abroad! In this episode, we dive into the how-to of picking the perfect place, from finances and language barriers to figuring out how often you’ll want to fly back home.We’ll chat about the realities of travel vs. living somewhere long-term, and why some cities (even if they’re dreamy) just might not be worth the price tag. We also discuss important things to consider, like whether you want to live in the suburbs, a city, or rural areas, and how to test out the vibe of a place—from public transport to language barriers and getting lost in a new neighborhood. Ready to start your own adventure? Tune in to get all the advice you need before you pack your bags!Join the conversation—DM us your expat stories & questions! Website: https://www.yourfavoriteexes.com/Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/yourfavoriteexpats/Tik Tok: https://www.tiktok.com/@yourfavoriteexespodcast?_t=ZT-8wJxwJENG4k&_r=1 Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/@YourFavoriteExes
Transcribe →What do I come back for?
Apr 22, 202500:54:43Tap to summarizeGoing back home after moving abroad isn’t always as simple as booking a flight. From juggling family expectations to squeezing in time with friends (all while trying to enjoy your trip), visiting home can be an emotional, financial, and logistical challenge.In this episode, we unpack the pressures of returning home—who gets priority, what events you feel obligated to attend, and whether you “owe” more visits because you left. We also dive into the trade-offs of using vacation time to go home versus exploring new places and how to set boundaries to make visits more enjoyable and less exhausting.If you’ve ever struggled with homecoming guilt or felt torn between two places, this one’s for you.Join the conversation—DM us your expat stories & questions!Website: https://www.yourfavoriteexes.com/Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/yourfavoriteexpats/Tik Tok: https://www.tiktok.com/@yourfavoriteexespodcast?_t=ZT-8wJxwJENG4k&_r=1Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/@YourFavoriteExes
Transcribe →The International Friendship Playbook
Apr 15, 202500:42:21Tap to summarizeMaking friends as an expat? It’s like speed dating - except instead of romance, you’re desperately searching for someone who knows where to buy a decent couch. Some friendships fizzle after a quick coffee, while others take you all the way to a wedding dance floor.Let’s be real: keeping long-distance friendships alive across time zones is an extreme sport. Good communication is essential, but way harder than it sounds. And inter-continental girls’ trips can’t fully ease the heartbreak of constantly saying goodbye.The upside? You build a global crew that spans cultures and continents, and create group chats that never sleep. Bonus? You’ll have a couch to crash on wherever you land. 🌍✨Book mentioned - Platonic: How the Science of Attachment Can Help You Make--and Keep--Friends Join the conversation—DM us your expat stories & questions!Website: https://www.yourfavoriteexes.com/Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/yourfavoriteexpats/Tik Tok: https://www.tiktok.com/@yourfavoriteexespodcast?_t=ZT-8wJxwJENG4k&_r=1Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/@YourFavoriteExes
Transcribe →My Sh*t Needs To Get There
Apr 8, 202500:45:48Tap to summarizePacking up your life and moving abroad is equal parts exciting and overwhelming. In this episode, we unravel the brain-melting chaos of deciding what to take, sell, or leave behind. Google Sheets Girlies - grab your laptop and a glass of wine.From shipping vs. storage to must-know packing hacks, we’ve got you covered. Moving is a team sport. We’ll dive into how friends can make the process smoother and how social media can help you set up life in a new country - without ever boarding the plane.Oh, and if you're bringing a pet along? We’ve got some stories (and tips) for you too.Link to Vacuum sealed bags for packing/traveling - For more must have items click here.Join the conversation—DM us your expat stories & questions!Website: https://www.yourfavoriteexes.com/Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/yourfavoriteexpats/Tik Tok: https://www.tiktok.com/@yourfavoriteexespodcast?_t=ZT-8wJxwJENG4k&_r=1Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/@YourFavoriteExes
Transcribe →