Starting a New Career: The Time Is Now! Are you an EFM looking for meaningful and profitable work that has longevity? World-renowned Marketing Coach Amel Derragui joins Katie Fowle and Sharoya to discuss how EFMs can turn their passions into portable businesses. Katie and Sharoya share their personal stories of creating businesses that are rewardin…

We are glad to welcome international tax expert for this episode. Alex has a great deal of expertise to share with us in the diplo community. https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/talking-expat-taxes/id1753694329 Find Alex here: https://mcgowintax.com/ Learn how to fill out international forms here: https://www.youtube.com/@McGowinTax…

Should I accept an overseas post with my current medical condition? What are my options? This is the episode on Med Services you ALL want to hear. Let's talk about specifics on general medical clearances and mental health. Join us to consider your own choice in how to connect your medical needs to the work/location you are considering. Expert insig…

Does living in different places shape or shift your perspective on political leanings? Join us to talk about what we've noticed. In this talk, Jenni and Angi are considerate of varied opinions across the board. This discussion aims to be inclusive for all, while we all decide our politics as individuals. Especially how this works within families an…

Budgeting genius, Heather Emerick is here to share her knowledge with us! If you're ready for accountability and upleveling your budget- check out this episode and her website here. Check out: www.diplobudgets.com Take some of the stress out of life by planning ahead for your own spending habits. Angi Solley is a Life Coach for Teens: www.teenlines…

Jennie, Katie and Susie share a very personal story of diplo life, facing a medical challenge. Talk to Jennie at www.theexpatmom.com Talk to Katie at www.learningtoflourish.org Talk to Susie at www.healthyexpatparent.com Find us all and give us your ideas for the next show topic at: www.thebigpurpleblob.com…

Find out more about working with Sharoya and Jennie at www.thebigpurpleblob.com Book discussed: Anxious generation by Jonathan Haidt https://www.amazon.com/Anxious-Generation-Rewiring-Childhood-Epidemic/ Resources mentioned: Raising an adult, by Julie Lythcott-Haims https://www.amazon.com/How-to-Raise-an-Adult-audiobook/ Free Range Kids by Lenore S…

A challenging topic for our overseas community to experience at a distance and when we are living in the US. See important resources below or visit us at The Big Purple Blob to share your ideas. www.thebigpurpleblob.com https://www.healthyexpatparent.com/post/again-use-your-words American Tragedy Documentary: https://www.imdb.com/title/tt10914182/ …

Bidding can be pretty overwhelming. Talk it through with experienced adults who understand. Join Sharoya Ham and Susie Czor-Brown. Work with us at www.thebigpurpleblob.com Resources mentioned in this episode: Below link to online version of the FSI Post Info to Go boxes that can be super useful for bidding considerations. https://online.fsi.state.g…

Sometimes healthcare isn't simple and easy overseas. Join us for a discussion on Mammograms. Visit us at TheBigPurpleBlob.com Jennie: www.theexpatmom.com Susie: www.healthyexpatparent.comThe Big Purple Blob

Lucca joins us to share his first-hand experience and ideas for going to University as he returns for a second year. Susie leads a through parent-student talk to share insider tips for other TCKs and parents in our audience. Thanks for being part of our Purple Blob community. Find out more at: www.thebigpurpleblob.com…

Angi & Jennie share their stories of learning how to navigate the UNPREDICTABILITY of pet ownership as a nomad. Have an interesting experience you want to share with our wider community? Join us for a chat. Please join us and share your ideas at www.thebigpurpleblob.com Connect with Jennie: www.theexpatmom.com Connect with Angi: www.teenlines.com…

Living overseas sometimes means that we miss out on important life events for family members because we are at a distance. What do you do when your child marries someone you don't know really well because you live so far away? In this episode, Sharoya chats with another veteran EFM. They share their emotional journey to accept what is and embrace t…

Two parents share their experience in connecting (and sometimes convincing) their kids to talk to someone. What to consider when finding the right person to work with your teen or kid. To work with Angi check out: www.teenlines.com To work with Jennie check out: www.theexpatmom.comThe Big Purple Blob

Join Susie and Jennie to discuss some of the unexpected adjustments to having your kid (adult?) return to stay with you for the summer. Jennie Linton: www.theexpatmom.com Susie Czorz-Brown: www.healthyexpatparent.comThe Big Purple Blob

Susie and Sharoya share some helpful insights for parents of Teens. Find out more at www.thebigpurpleblob.com To work with Sharoya: www.embracebehaviorchange.com To work with Susie: www.healthyexpatparent.comThe Big Purple Blob

Dr Teneshia Taylor's study of the experince of kids' of color, comparing US schools with international schools. In this Blob episode we are talking about mitigating the problem, helping kids of all colors have the educational experience they deserve. Dr. Taylor is researching the current events around anti-black racism. She has conducted a direct s…

Eligible Family Members, Direct Hires, MoHs and TCKS....we have to factor in ALL the things when scoping out our next possible Post. How do you choose? Jennie and Angi share their process and ideas. To work with Jennie directly check out: http://www.expatmom.com Angi works with teens who could use support in goal setting and emotional processing: w…

Thoughts from a 16year old young man who has grown up around the world(Turkey, Bulgaria, Costa Rica, Azerbaijan, Ukraine and Laos). This is his positive outlook on the advantages and disadvantages of growing up third culture style. To support your own Teen in discovering their own strengths and advantages check out: www.teenlines.com and www.thebig…

Susie shares some wisdom and helpful guidance on more mindfulness in our often-chaotic lifestyle. Find out how to access MORE of Susies wisdom and personal support here: www.healthyexpatparent.com and www.thebigpurpleblob.comThe Big Purple Blob

Life can really throw a major WRENCH at you from time to time. How do we manage just keeping up with the basics in holding balance together when hard things happen? Let's talk about how we handle tough times in Diplo living. Susie, Katie and Angi are all available to work directly with you and your family if you're seeking an accountability, check-…

When your child is standing up against you and REFUSING to go to school, you can find yourself in a cycle of arguments, exhaustion, confusion and sometimes everyone starts feeling like a failure. Help is HERE for you. Even if this hasn't happened in your home...chances are you know someone who has mentioned this recently or may be struggling with t…

Let's talk about Co-parenting. When two people (or more, when step-parents are involved) are working at raising children....we won't always agree on how to parent. Sharoya and Susie have some insight and ideas for you. Sharoya-- www.embracebehaviorchange.com Susie-- www.healthyexpatparent.com Find out more at: www.thebigpurpleblob.com…

A teen perspective on the college application process. Living OVERSEAS while applying to US schools. Sports, Volunteerwork, and more. Do grades really matter? SATs: are they essential? Do I need to tour and interview? Should I apply Early Decision? If you have a high school student who might be looking at the application process soon: grab some pop…

Drugs when living in the US and Abroad Navigating drugs in overseas schools and when coming back to the US - join Katie and Susie as they share their perspectives on raising teens both at home and abroad. Teens Overseas: Rules for tuk-tuks, drinking and more Talking to Your Teens About Drugs Opiods in Fairfax County…

Great information from expert, Dr Geoffrey Jones, Deputy Chief Medical Officer for Clinical Programs In this episode we are talking about Health Unit services, local services, briefly about the new Medical Clearance process coming out, Medcare Mangement as well as the Med Connect option for appointments stateside and Askmed@state.gov. Find out how …

Angie Collins and Susie Czorcz-Brown discuss the EMOTIONAL and FINANCIAL load that come with setting kids up at a four year University as Diplo parents. To find out more check out: www.thebigpurpleblob.comBig Purple Blob

Luke Beer is finding his path in change at his first posting. Luke shares his insights and wisdom on balancing parenting, work and being part of the highly mobile community. In this episode, Luke recounts his growth trajectory, from a single man with a paying job to a married, Foreign Service, stay-at-home dad, and new work found at the embassy. Fo…

Join brilliant women Hillery Midkiff, Lisa Tilstra, Morgan Loosli, Susie Csorsz Brown Four brilliant women share an honest discussion on everything fitness & health. Age? Having kids? Hard to get a routine with constant travel? Menopause? Good genes? Vegan diet? Not a How To Manual- just thoughtful talk with smart women who have figured a few thing…

Are you curious about MORE work options for EFM and those of us in the "trailing spouse" universe. The Big Purple Blob is here with some insight. Join Jennie Linton, TheExpatMom.com and Rona Jobe, the founder of LVL Up--a company that trains and hires expat trailing spouses. Rona also works with small businesses for expats. She has all the informat…

Sharoya Ham is a trained expert with experience in raising children overseas. Sharoya has the unique perspective of someone who knows what she's doing professionally as well as personally to create strong interactions for struggling young people. To work with Sharoya check out: www.embracebehaviorchange.com…

Resilient Partners are essential in nomadic living. Creating community, seeking support, and prioritizing what matters - listen in on how Jessica Hayden has overcome the big and small challenges of 20 years in Foreign Service life, including an unaccompanied tour, evacuation from Ukraine, and raising three children through multiple moves. Jessica h…

Two additional questions for Mom and Son: considering the decision to seek therapy. This mini-episode is a follow up to Episode 142- To hear the full story of how this family dealt with facing serious racism at a young age while living overseas, check out Episode 142 Sharoya can help your family: www.embracebehaviorchange.com Angi works with Teens …

FS Kids of Color: The joys, challenges, & triumphs Have you ever wondered how FS kids of color experience life abroad? Our special guests, Kene and his mom, Nimo, share how they responded when Kene's school environment went from enjoyable to toxic. You'll also hear how the U.S. Embassy community rallied together to bring about change at Kene's scho…

TCKs face unique challenges in a highly mobile lifestyle. Katie understands that on a professional level as well as being a parent who has managed this with her own children. If you know your child needs some additional learning tools- contact Katie. She can work with you or point you towards other professionals with the expertise to help your chil…

Moving frequently can seriously impact a partnership with added stress and constant change. In this episode we feature ways to build in stronger connections to overcome the hardship of nomadic life. To work with Jennie check out: www.theexpatmom.comBig Purple Blob

Katie, author and mother of two went through a challenging time when one of her children (grade six) refused to attend school. To schedule a time to talk to Katie: www.learningtoflourish.org Sharoya, expert behavior theraplist has helped families work through this issue. Together Katie and Sharoya have written a book to help parents navigate School…

Let's talk about positive Masculinity with Luke Beer! For more info check us out: www.thebigpurpleblob.comThe Big Purple Blob

Angi & Jennie consider the sacrafices that Eligible Family Members are often expected to make as part of a Diplomatic partnership. Angi --- www.teenlines.com Jennie -----www.theexpatmom.comPurple Blob

Starting a New Career: The Time Is Now! Are you an EFM looking for meaningful and profitable work that has longevity? World-renowned Marketing Coach Amel Derragui joins Katie Fowle and Sharoya to discuss how EFMs can turn their passions into portable businesses. Katie and Sharoya share their personal stories of creating businesses that are rewardin…

Living Overseas and working when a family member in the continental US dies suddenly is a hard circumstance to face. Paperwork, family, logistics, travel, time-limits and State law are all a consideration that converge all at the same time. It's NOT easy. Join Susie and Angi for a personal story in their experience. We hope this information will al…

Holiday Stress sneaks in even when we try to avoid it. Join us for a discussion on how our Overseas Families manage to find some sanity in November and December. Find out how to work with us at The Big Purple Blob: www.thebigpurpleblob.comThe Big Purple Blob

Join Susie to consider Gratitude this week. Sharing some wellness....since we all need a bit more of that in today's world. Work with Susie at: http://www.healthyexpatparent.com For a deeper dive into GRATITUDE you can check out: https://www.verywellmind.com/how-to-teach-children-gratitude-4782154 https://greatergood.berkeley.edu/article/item/ten_w…

This is a process to help kids deal with grief. As parents, we can help our kids process their emotions (we can't prevent them from having emotions). This is one way to help our kids who may be struggling with the challenges in the world today. Jennie Linton can talk with you- find out more at www.theexpatmom.com Send us your ideas for our next top…

Blob Book Club: Join us to check in with Mental Health as we discuss the book What Happened to You : Conversations on Trauma, Resilience, and Healing by Dr. Bruce Perry and Oprah WinfreyThe Big Purple Blob

We survived growing up TCK!! At ages 25 and 22 Billie and Jeremiah are living their young adult lives and ready to reflect on their THIRD CULTURE CHILDHOODs. Each family must make the right choices for their own unique needs and tck life isn't right for everyone. In this episode we find many benefits of diplo living. Both of these successful and in…

Ever wonder if it's the right time for you to leave the the Diplo life? This episode explores the consdierations and logistics of choosing a new path. Join Katie & Susie for a thoughtful discssion on leaving the FS life. Katie can help families with children who are having difficulty mastering reading. www.Learningtoflourish.org Susie helps familie…

I know...I know...we also cringe at the term "trailing spouse" but when titling podcasts...what's an equally and understood term? Can we start making "traveling partner" a thing? Or "freelance partner"? Send your suggestions to thebigpurpleblob@gmail.com Insights from Luke & Tim: Tim Claver Photography: https://www.timcalver.com/ Luke Beer is a fir…

A discussion on newly arrived at post and experienced overseas living. Luke & Tim share their perspectives. Tim Claver Photography: https://www.timcalver.com/ Luke Beer is a first-tour EFM living in Armenia along with his wife a USAID FSO, and their 4-year-old daughter. A Canadian-born, rural character who recently became a naturalized American, he…

Third Culture Kid researcher, Tanya Crossman joins the Big Purple Blob for this episode. Tanya is sharing the latest research about TCKs and their Mental and Emotional Health Tanya Crossman Jennie Linton at The Expat Mom.com Find more episodes at www.thebigpurpleblob.comThe Big Purple Blob