Almost Local: Living Abroad Stories

The conversation delves into the emotional side of moving abroad, exploring the impact of major life transitions, navigating emotional loneliness, and the use of somatic practices for emotional healing. It also addresses the myths and realities of loneliness, emphasizing the importance of self-love, belonging, and the power of softness. Key topics Loneliness is a natural part of the human experience Belonging is something you build, not something you find Softness and self-love are sources of true power 🎙️ The guest: Tracey Zhang Tracey is a somatic coach and practitioner who helps people navigate the emotional challenges of relocation and major life transitions. Drawing on her own experience of living across multiple cities, she supports people through loneliness, grief, identity shifts, and the process of building an inner sense of home. 🔗 Guest Links www.traceyzhang.com https://www.instagram.com/traceyz7501 💼 Start Your Remote U.S Business: Register Your U.S. Business in 2 Days: https://tidd.ly/469FwfR Create a Virtual Mailbox: https://tidd.ly/4iCOaen Check the Complete Digital Nomad Kit: https://tidd.ly/4r0vg39 Secure Your Employer Identification Number (EIN): https://tidd.ly/4ylxOeu What we discuss: 00:00 The Emotional Side of Moving Abroad 01:32 The Unplanned Journey 03:13 The Impact of Major Life Transitions 04:10 Navigating Emotional Loneliness 08:45 The Relocation Loop 11:47 Building an Inner Home 21:44 Somatic Practices for Emotional Healing 31:57 Myth vs. Reality: Loneliness Check and subscribe to the The Almost Local Letter 🗞️: https://almostlocal.riverside.com/newsletter

Arnold Beekes shares how a global corporate career, a series of moves across Vietnam, Hungary, Romania, and Paraguay, and a deep family crisis shaped his work on brain fitness. This conversation is about more than living abroad - it’s about how people handle shock, identity shifts, and the invisible limits that keep them stuck. We explore why adaptability matters more than rigid resilience, how brain fitness differs from simple positive thinking, and why lasting change has to be personal rather than copied from someone else’s playbook. Key topics Years of corporate travel across Europe and the US led him to want to actually live abroad, not just pass through it. Why Vietnam didn’t work for him, why Budapest felt right, and how Hungary’s startup energy and scene made it a strong fit for him. A sister’s depression and a failed therapy system pushed him to question mental health care and start thinking about prevention instead of treatment alone. Brain fitness as psychological and physiological well-being where a person uses their uniqueness, handles challenges, learns continuously, and contributes to the world. The “invisible strait jackets” that limit people, especially the feeling of “I’m not good enough,” which Arnold sees as a common barrier across many lives. 🎙️ The guest: Arnold Beekes Brain Athletes founder and brain fitness advocate who helps people build mental and emotional resilience through self-awareness, adaptability, and practical training. He’s also a seasoned global traveler who has lived across multiple countries and turned his own life shocks into a framework for personal growth. 🔗 Guest Links https://twitter.com/ArnoldBeekes https://www.linkedin.com/in/arnoldbeekes https://youtube.com/@ArnoldBeekes https://www.facebook.com/arnold.beekes https://braingym.fitness/ https://www.brainathletes.club/ What we discuss: 00:00 - Introducing Arnold Beekes 02:07 - How Arnold’s international career began 05:42 - The financial crisis that pushed him out of the Netherlands 09:06 - Why Vietnam did not work out but Budapest did 10:25 - Caring for his mother for eight years 11:06 - Why Romania felt like the next move, and then Paraguay 14:19 - Where brain fitness entered the story 15:25 - The family crisis that changed everything 19:19 - Brain fitness as prevention, not just recovery 22:34 - The “invisible strait jackets” people get trapped in 24:50 - Why self-help formulas often fail 27:31 - Why context matters more than generic advice 38:32 - The three brains: head, heart, and gut 44:24 - Where to find Arnold and Brain Athletes Check and subscribe to the The Almost Local Letter 🗞️: https://almostlocal.riverside.com/newsletter

The conversation covers a range of topics including changes in infrastructure, safety, and lifestyle in Poland, as well as the evolution of podcasting as a business. It also delves into the use of AI in podcast production and the challenges of maintaining multiple podcasts. The conversation with Roy Coughlan covers various aspects of podcasting, including the benefits of podcasting, strategies for success, public speaking tips, and podcasting equipment recommendations. Roy also shares insights on hosting multiple shows, the importance of preparation, and the value of short-form clips for marketing. Additionally, he emphasizes the significance of systemizing the podcasting process and provides advice on engaging with listeners and guests. Key topics Infrastructure improvements in Poland have led to better roads and city development. Safety and lifestyle in Poland are highlighted as positive aspects of living there. Podcasting has evolved from a hobby to a business, with a focus on engagement and monetization. The use of AI in podcast production has streamlined processes and improved efficiency. Commit to podcasting for at least a year to see the benefits Preparation and systemization are key to successful podcasting Short-form clips and interactive content can enhance audience engagement 🎙️ The guest: Roy Coughlan Roy is a seasoned podcaster and coach who has built a flexible, fully online media business around multiple shows, consistency, and smart systems. He comes across as practical, experienced, and candid, with a strong focus on simplicity, resilience, and helping creators avoid common podcasting mistakes. 🔗 Guest Links https://roycoughlan.com/ https://va.world/ https://brainupgrade.org https://www.facebook.com/roycoughlan https://www.instagram.com/roy_coughlan/ https://www.youtube.com/@roycoughlan https://www.linkedin.com/in/roycoughlan/ What we discuss: 00:00 Introduction 03:13 Safety and Lifestyle in Poland 05:22 Evolution of Podcasting as a Business 22:28 Challenges and Automation in Podcast Production 31:24 Benefits of Podcasting 35:13 Strategies for Success 35:28 Public Speaking Tips 47:51 Podcasting Equipment Recommendations 54:50 Hosting Multiple Shows Check and subscribe to the The Almost Local Letter 🗞️: https://almostlocal.riverside.com/newsletter

Marc Alcobé speaks with Anthony Muiruri, a Kenya-born author, speaker, and MC now based in Athens, Greece. The conversation explores what it really takes to adapt to life in Greece, from language and culture to work, healthcare, and the realities of bureaucracy. Key topics He shares what life was like growing up in Kenya, including walking 5 kilometers to school each way and helping on the farm with animals. Anthony explains how Greece became his first real move abroad, even though he had originally dreamed of going to the U.S. He describes the early culture shock in Athens, especially language barriers. Anthony talks about how his professional path started to take shape in Greece through personal development. He explains how TikTok during lockdown accelerated his visibility and pushed him toward writing. He describes the Kenyan community in Greece as small but highly supportive. He compares life in Kenya and Greece across cost of living, work culture, and healthcare and more. 🎙️ The guest: Anthony Muiruri A Kenya-born author, speaker, and MC based in Athens, Greece, where he shares his journey of adapting to life abroad through personal development and community building. He is also the creator of Be Good for Good and the host of Abroad Experience, where he explores what it means to belong, grow, and thrive across cultures. 🔗 Guest Links https://www.anthonymuiruri.com/ https://www.instagram.com/anthonymuiruri/ https://www.tiktok.com/@anthony_muiruri/ https://www.youtube.com/c/AnthonyMuiruri https://www.facebook.com/anthonysmuiruri/ What we discuss: 00:00 — Intro 02:13 — Growing up in central Kenya 03:27 — Athens is the first place he lands in Greece 05:50 — Europe vs expectation; Athens polished and rough 07:18 — Learning Greek and the “head nod” confusion 08:25 — How personal development led to speaking and MC work 10:30 — The push to write and publish his first book 12:54 — The Kenyan community in Athens 15:32 — Biggest cultural adjustment: saying sorry 18:03 — How he made friends and built community 19:17 — Learning Greek through everyday life and cartoons 21:21 — Cost of living in Kenya vs Greece 23:30 — Finding housing with help from the community 25:57 — Work culture and standard salaries 27:20 — Getting around Athens 28:07 — Healthcare in Greece 30:17 — Bureaucracy and paperwork 32:13 — Best and worst part of Greece: the weather 34:28 — Advice for people moving to Greece 36:26 — How to contact Anthony 39:39 — Closing remarks and season finale Check and subscribe to the The Almost Local Letter 🗞️: https://almostlocal.riverside.com/newsletter

In this episode, Thomas Patton shares his journey from industrial farming to regenerative land management in Panama, explaining how his approach aims to combine ecological sustainability with community living. Listen to discover how land, food security, and innovative community models like Lega Vera are transforming lifestyles and farming practices. Key topics Thomas Patton’s background: Growing up in Panama with US roots, and his transition from bodybuilding to regenerative farming The principles of regenerative land management: Moving away from industrial farming, focusing on soil health and ecosystem balance The evolution from traditional farming to a multi-species, soil-fed farm system The concept of farm-to-table and how farming integrates with community storytelling The benefits and challenges of regenerative farming: Costs, learning curve, and the importance of holistic collaboration Lifestyle trade-offs: The balance between city convenience and rural authenticity, and the hybrid living model in Panama The cultural and social aspects of life in Panama: Diversity, language, social life, and work culture The vision for Lega Vera: Supporting sustainable farmers, reducing reliance on external inputs, and building resilient communities 🎙️ The guest: Thomas Patton A regenerative land manager and farmer in Panama who has transformed his family’s agricultural operation into a holistic, multi-species system focused on soil health, food security, and sustainability. He blends practical business thinking with a deep respect for nature, moving away from industrial farming toward a more resilient model that includes farm-to-table food, agrotourism, and the development of Lega Vera, a farm village designed to support like-minded people who want a closer relationship with land and food. 🔗 Guest Links https://www.instagram.com/thomaspatton_/ https://www.instagram.com/legaverafarmvillage/ https://www.instagram.com/coquirasoil/ https://legavera.com/ What we discuss: 00:00 — Episode introduction 2:15 — Introducing Thomas Patton “I am a regenerative land manager” 6:05 — Coming back to the farm after university 7:30 — Discovering the farm was doing everything wrong 9:18 — Guests reacting to agrotourism and farm life 12:45 — What “regenerative operation” actually means 15:08 — Why nature and economics are not separate 16:40 — Why Lega Vera was created 18:37 — Turning the farm into a restaurant and story 21:30 — What Lega Vera is as a private farm village 26:50 — The learning curve and trade-offs of regeneration 49:57 — How to contact Lega Vera and what it stands for Check and subscribe to the The Almost Local Letter 🗞️: https://almostlocal.riverside.com/newsletter