If you love the show and you'd like to support it directly you can tip the host here https://imperfect-adulting.captivate.fm/supportIn this episode of The Art of Imperfect Adulting, Amy Stone speaks with Stephanie Benedetto about the transformative journey of moving from the United States to Portugal. Stephanie shares how an unexpected insight sparked her international move. Through vulnerability and humor, she details the emotional decisions, logistical hurdles, and personal growth that accompanied her leap into expatriate life, offering inspiration and practical lessons for anyone contemplating a major life change or cross-continental relocation.About Stephanie Benedetto:Steph (DragonHeart) Benedetto is a creative catalyst, transformative coach, and storyteller devoted to awakening the creative fire in visionary entrepreneurs, artists and their communities.Through The Awakened Business and her new body of work, Steph DragonHeart, she guides creators to bring their soul’s work to life — without the hustle, hype, or pretending.Steph has over two decades of experience in conscious business, creative entrepreneurship, and coaching transformation. A born storyteller and lifelong lover of dragons, she blends deep presence, irreverent humor, and fierce compassion to reveal the brilliance already within you.Main Topics Covered:The power of personal insight in making major life decisions—including moving abroad for love rather than logistics.Deconstructing the myth of extensive pre-planning: how taking action sometimes precedes clarity.Practical challenges of expatriate relocation: visas, residency, travel, and navigating foreign bureaucracy.Navigating endings—with partners, leases, and homes—and the emotional complexities of starting anew.Building community in a new country, including the role of shared interests like pole dancing and remote work networks.Cultural shocks and self-awareness—what it means to be an American abroad and adapting to new norms.Finding your footing financially and professionally while adjusting to a new environment.Following the call of your passions to create joyful, meaningful community.Quote from the Episode:"I had seen enough at that point to know that if I want something different on the outside, the place to really look is in me and how I'm showing up." — Stephanie BenedettoTimestamps:00:23 Introduction to Stephanie Benedetto and context for her move to Portugal02:54 Stephanie shares her initial lack of intention or planning to move abroad04:01 The inner insight that catalyzed Stephanie’s life change05:07 The book “Sane: Getting Real with Reality” and its influence06:44 Shifting from external to internal locus of control07:38 Life upheaval: new insights, surrender, and giving up expectations08:14 Age, season of life, and the impact of not owning property10:12 Navigating relationship changes before moving12:42 Going to Portugal as a tourist and the reality of remote/self-employed work13:04 New relationship develops during travel in Portugal14:54 Decision to stay and the visa process begins17:51 Ending rental lease and financial/logistical challenges19:40 Visa application difficulties and emotional impact22:09 Navigating tourist visas, back-and-forth travel, and timing24:17 The remote worker visa and changing residency rules in Portugal26:14 Relationship and cultural challenges as the biggest hurdles29:00 Observing and adapting to cultural differences as an American in Portugal31:01 How pole dancing led to unexpected community and friendships33:10 Navigating food and vegan options in Portuguese cuisine35:37 Stephanie’s coaching business and professional focus37:52 Light-hearted fun questions: daily rituals, self-care, and podcast recommendationsABOUT THE SHOW: The Art of Imperfect Adulting elevates the voices of experience by sharing real stories from real people figuring out adult life. Every episode features honest conversations about life's choices, changes, and challenges—interviews with individuals (not celebrities) who share their personal experiences and insights. Through these authentic stories, listeners find validation, motivation, and inspiration for navigating their own path through modern life. Because there's a big difference between expert advice and shared experience, and hearing another person's lived experience helps us feel less alone in our own situations.CONNECT WITH THE GUEST: https://www.theawakenedbusiness.com/GET STEPHANIE'S SPECIAL OFFER: The Paid to Be You Workshop: Realign Your Business to Create a Life You LoveIn The Paid to Be You workshop, you’ll design a business that feels like it was made for you, one that funds the life you love and lets you do your work with joy.Value: $33 It's free here: https://www.theawakenedbusiness.com/paidNote from the show: Guest offers are almost always limited-time and limited quantity. If you have any trouble redeeming the offer please reach out directly to the guest for support.Never Miss a Moment of Imperfect AdultingWe invite you to join our email community and let us bring the podcast directly to you! As a subscriber, you'll receive notifications about new episodes, exclusive offers from our amazing guests, and easier access to any of the important links mentioned on the show—no more scrambling to write down websites or remember special codes.Why subscribe?Stay up-to-date without checking your podcast appGet guest offers delivered straight to your inboxAccess all important links in one convenient placeCatch the highlights even when you don't have time to listenAre you ready? Join us at https://www.imperfectadulting.comIf you have a story to share and you'd like to be a guest on The Art of Imperfect Adulting, here are the steps for how you can make that happen. Pitch yourself at https://www.imperfectadulting.com/be-a-guestHere are a few resources that Amy uses to make all this great content. These are affiliate links :-)For livestreaming and recording ECamm https://www.ecamm.com/mac/ecammlive/?fp_ref=amy69Podcast hosting and distribution: Captivate FM https://www.captivate.fm/signup?ref=ntczmwi Website hosting with Siteground https://www.siteground.com/?referrer_id=9115590Ai Transcription Tool: Castmagic https://get.castmagic.io/ugrmjjrt8ofjFor Email I recently switched to Beehiiv https://www.beehiiv.com?via=Amy-Stonebefore that I used Kit. Books I like and books written by show guests on Bookshop.org https://bookshop.org/lists/podcast-guest-authors