ABROADly Speaking

This one is completely raw and unfiltered.

I talk about my recent visit to the US and how my move abroad has changed my viewpoint on 'normal' and the shock I had when I couldn't make it to the local diner less than a mile away without a car.

Moving abroad means packing your life into suitcases, boxes, and maybe some tears — especially when it comes to your stuff. In this episode, Mistelle gets real about the emotional and practical challenges of sorting, shipping, selling, and letting go of belongings before an international move.

From sentimental heirlooms to that stack of “maybe someday” junk, you’ll learn a simple three-bucket system to keep your sanity and your memories intact. Plus, hear true stories, brutal truths, and Mistelle’s no-nonsense tips for making space—both physically and emotionally—for your new life abroad.

If you’re overwhelmed b...

What if summer didn’t feel like unpaid overtime with a side of mom guilt?

In this episode of Abroadly Speaking, I pull back the curtain on what summer really looks like when you leave the U.S.—and no, it’s not all white linen beach photos and perfect sunsets.

I share my own story of swapping a spreadsheet full of “free” activities (that still cost $75) for a life where summer isn’t something to survive. From six-week school breaks and paid vacation that actually lets you rest, to day camps that teach independence instead of j...

You ever scroll Instagram and see yet another shiny post about “just moving abroad”... and wonder: At what cost?

Not just your cost—but what it costs the people who already live there?

Yeah, we’re going there.

In this episode of ABROADly Speaking, I’m tearing into the part nobody wants to talk about: how moving abroad (yes, even when you’re broke, burned out, or desperate to get your kid somewhere safer) still comes from a place of privilege ...and how to do it without being the tone-deaf, colonizing, “loud-in-English-only” American everyone complai...

If I had a euro for every time someone said, “Just get a remote job and move abroad,” I could buy a cappuccino on a cobblestone street and retire early.

In this episode of ABROADly Speaking, I’m breaking down the toxic myth that you need a remote job to leave the U.S. and build a life abroad. Spoiler alert: You don’t. I didn’t. And most people I help don’t either.

The remote job fantasy is a polished half-truth that looks great in TikToks and Pinterest boards but collapses the second you actually...

Ever been told you’re being dramatic for wanting to leave the U.S.? That things will “calm down after the next election”? Or that “every country has its problems”? Yeah… no.

In this episode, I’m diving headfirst into the myth that wanting to leave the U.S. makes you unpatriotic, overly sensitive, or delusional. Spoiler alert: it doesn’t. You’re not overreacting — you’re just awake.

If you’ve hit that point where you’re done coping and ready to actually go, this one’s for you. I’ll walk you through the four-part framework I use...

In this episode, Mistelle goes all in on the brutal hypocrisy of “Make America Healthy Again”, the rebranded wellness rhetoric that’s gutting food assistance for poor and working-class families.

We talk about why this cruelty is making families question if the U.S. is still a place they can raise their kids safely and with dignity.

From WIC cuts and school lunch rollbacks to the slow suffocation of SNAP, she exposes how this administration weaponizes “health” to shame, starve, and control.

If you’re pissed off, you’re paying attention.

If you’re stuck in the “one day I’ll move” mindset—waiting for more money, more clarity, the next election, or for your kids to magically turn into adults overnight—Estelle is here to lovingly shake you out of it. This isn’t a motivational fluff piece. It’s a reality check with sass, a splash of sarcasm, and zero tolerance for your excuse parade.

We’re talking:

This one’s for you if you’re staring down the chaos in the U.S., feeling broke as h*ll, and wondering if moving abroad is even possible (spoiler alert: it is).

In this episode, I’m walking you through what it really looks like to start planning your escape—from that first gut-punch of a realization that something has to change, all the way to researching visas without falling into a Reddit rabbit hole.

We’ll talk:

If you've been job hunting so you can move abroad and you're still stuck, this one's for you. Because here's the truth: you're not jobless because you're lazy. You're jobless because you're focusing on the wrong sh*t. And someone had to say it.

This week, I'm unpacking the five biggest mistakes I see Americans make when job searching for roles abroad—mistakes that waste your time, kill your momentum, and keep you broke (and still stateside). I’m calling out fantasy scrolling, fake productivity, and why your Pinterest board of European apartments isn’t a strategy.

W...

In this unscripted episode of Abroadly Speaking, I’m pulling back the curtain on exactly how I landed my first job abroad without a single sponsorship, raise, or relocation package in sight. (Spoiler: it involved a lot of 4am French conference calls, a couple of cats, and a very persuasive email to HR.)

People always ask, “How do I get a job abroad?” And the truth? There’s no one-size-fits-all answer. But I’m walking you through my very real, very non-linear path, from North Carolina to Switzerland (and a few pit stops in between), so you can see ho...

If you've ever found yourself 47 tabs deep in a visa rabbit hole, sobbing into a PDF last updated during the Obama administration, this episode is for you.

In today’s rant-slash-reality check, I dismantle the myth that moving abroad is just a "research problem" and get real about why it feels so impossibly hard to do something that Instagram influencers make look effortless. Spoiler alert: it’s not because you’re bad at adulting, it’s because immigration systems were literally designed to confuse, delay, and deny.

We talk red tape, random visa rejections, emotional labor, a...

Moving abroad isn’t just about chasing the views or sipping cappuccinos on cobblestone streets — it’s about finding your people too. Because spoiler alert: you’re gonna need more than Instagram-worthy mountains when real life hits.

In today’s episode, I’m diving into one of the hardest (and most important) parts of expat life: building your community abroad.

I’ll walk you through:

Let’s be real—moving abroad isn’t just a logistics checklist of visas, boxes, and Google Translate tabs. It’s a complete mental overhaul. In today’s episode, I’m breaking down the mindset shifts that absolutely no one warns you about—but trust me, they matter more than your suitcase weight limit.

I’m diving into:

Sick of endlessly scrolling through job listings that all feel the same? Yeah, same. This week on Abroadly Speaking, I’m spilling the tea on unconventional (but totally legit) ways to land a job abroad without relying on the usual suspects like LinkedIn, Glassdoor, or soul-crushing online applications.

We’re talking about:

In today’s episode, I’m answering the question that’s on everyone’s mind: How much do you really need to move abroad? Spoiler alert: Not as much as you think.

I’ll break down how to live comfortably on a budget while moving abroad, including housing, healthcare, food, and transportation costs. Plus, I’ll share tips on how to adjust your lifestyle to avoid breaking the bank.

If you missed the Don’t Go Broke Abroad challenge, don’t worry—the replays are available until April 15th. Grab them before they’re gone, or catch them when I...

If the government thinks you're just borrowing from your mom to get through the visa process, they’re going to see right through it—and deny your visa. So, let’s talk about proof of funds: what it is, why it matters, and how to make sure you have what you need (without resorting to sketchy money moves).

In this episode of Abroadly Speaking, we’re breaking down:

✔️ What proof of funds is and why some countries require it

✔️ How much money you actually need (hint: it depends!)

✔️ The right way to prepare so you’re...

So, you’re ready to move abroad—but you’d prefer not to survive on instant ramen for six months? Fair enough.

In this episode, we’re diving into real ways to cut costs before, during, and after your move—without extreme couponing or moving back into your parents’ basement. We’re covering:

✔️ Visa & paperwork hacks that actually save you money

✔️ The best ways to score cheap flights (hint: forget weekends)

✔️ Smart shipping tricks that won’t drain your bank account

✔️ How to avoid the “Oh $%&!, I’m broke” moment after landing

💡 Bonus: My...

Don't Go Broke Abroad Challenge: Register HERE

Moving abroad isn’t just about booking a plane ticket and packing a few suitcases. If you’re not prepared for the hidden expenses lurking in the shadows, they’ll devour your budget faster than you can say "visa application fee." In this episode, we’re uncovering the sneaky costs that catch so many expats off guard—documentation fees, visa costs, banking nightmares, short-term housing expenses, and more.

But don’t panic! I’m giving you the inside scoop on how to avoid these budget busters (without having...

Looking for a job abroad? Buckle up, because today we're diving into the reality of international job hunting. Forget the myths—just showing up in a new country or assuming your English skills alone will land you a job isn’t the golden ticket you think it is. In this episode, we’ll break down the most common misconceptions about working abroad and give you actionable strategies to actually land a job.

What You’ll Learn in This Episode:

Leaving your pet behind when you move abroad? Yeah, that’s not happening. If you’re a pet parent planning an international move, this episode is for you. I moved abroad in 2013 with two cats (who, at the time, were my only family), so I get how stressful this can be. From breed restrictions to airline fees, microchips to health certificates—there’s a lot to consider when taking your furry friend with you.

In this episode, we’ll cover: ✅ The first steps to take when planning your pet’s move ✅ The ‘paw-sport’ (yes, really) and paperwork they’ll need ✅ Count...

Ever dreamed of living abroad but don’t want to risk deportation or, you know, breaking international law? In this episode, I’m breaking down the real, legal ways to move abroad—no fake marriages or under-the-table gigs required.

From freelancer and digital nomad visas to traditional work sponsorships and even golden visas for the bougie among us, I’ll walk you through the options, the loopholes, and what you definitely shouldn’t do unless you want to be on a first-name basis with immigration officials.

So, if you’re ready to pack your bags legally, hit...

A lot of people think they have to be fluent in a new language before moving abroad—but is that actually true? In this episode of Abroadly Speaking, I share my own experience moving to a German-speaking region with barely any German, how I learned to navigate daily life, and what truly helped me become fluent over time.

Spoiler alert: You don’t need to be fluent before you go! But you do need the right mindset, strategies, and willingness to immerse yourself.

I’ll cover:

✅ The myth of needing to know the language...

So many people make the mistake of choosing where to move abroad based on visa requirements alone. But if you're going to uproot your life and start fresh, you want to ensure you’re building a life you actually love. In this episode of Abroadly Speaking, I walk you through the real first step of moving abroad: deciding what kind of life you want to live.

Drawing from her own experiences moving across multiple countries and continents, I share practical insights on how to choose the right place based on your lifestyle, values, and must-haves. From job op...

Trigger Warning: Between timestamp 3:27 to 4:38, Mistelle discusses medical history. If you prefer to avoid this, please skip during this part.

In this episode of Abroadly Speaking, Mistelle takes a deep dive into the healthcare systems she’s experienced while living in the US, Switzerland, and Austria. She compares her personal journey through (TRIGGER WARNING- personal health) treatment in the US with the healthcare experiences she's had in Switzerland and Austria, highlighting the stark differences in cost, accessibility, and approach.

Mistelle shares the financial challenges she faced while undergoing extensive treatment in the US despite having ex...

In this heartwarming and insightful episode of Abroadly Speaking, Mistelle sits down with a very special guest—her 7-year-old daughter (affectionately called "Monkey"). Together, they dive into what it’s really like to grow up as an expat kid in Switzerland.

What you’ll hear in this episode:

In this episode of Abroadly Speaking, we dive into one of the unexpected challenges of expat parenting: managing life when your safety net—family, close friends, or a trusted tribe—is thousands of miles away. What do you do when your child gets sick, and there's no grandma or best friend nearby to step in?

Mistelle shares her personal experiences of parenting abroad, from navigating a chickenpox outbreak with her toddler to the added complexities of managing work and childcare during COVID lockdowns. Learn how cultural differences, workplace policies, and a bit of creativity helped her juggle it a...

Navigating the holiday season as an expat comes with its own set of challenges, especially when you're living thousands of miles away from family. In this episode of Abroadly Speaking, I'm diving into how my family and I have celebrated Christmas over the years while living abroad, from renting cozy ski chalets in Switzerland to inviting everyone to us instead of flying across the U.S.

I share stories of juggling long-haul flights with a small child, the magic of European Christmas markets, and how we've found joy in creating new traditions while staying connected to loved...

Welcome to another episode of Abroadly Speaking, where we unravel the exciting, challenging, and sometimes tedious details of moving and living abroad. In today’s episode, we dive deep into the not-so-glamorous but absolutely crucial topic of visas—what they are, why they’re essential, and how to tackle the paperwork without losing your sanity.

If you’re daydreaming about starting a life overseas, this episode is packed with practical tips to make sure your visa process goes smoothly (or at least as painlessly as possible).

Here’s what you’ll learn:

In this episode, I dive into one of the heaviest parts of expat life: the guilt that comes with being far from family.

For anyone who’s moved abroad or is considering it, the decision is often clouded by questions like, Will I miss out on time with my parents? Will my kids know their grandparents? What happens if there’s an emergency?

I share my personal experiences, including the emotional challenges of being an ocean away when family emergencies happen. I'll open up about how I cope with these feelings, ways my family has stay...

In this special Thanksgiving episode, I'll reflect on the tradition that means the most to me and how we've made it work thousands of miles from home.

As an expat living in Switzerland, I share my journey of keeping the Thanksgiving spirit alive, even though the holiday doesn’t officially exist here. Discover the origins of my "Nomad Thanksgiving," an annual feast that brings together a melting pot of friends from all over the world, each bringing comfort foods from their own cultures. It's a tradition we call framily—friends who have become family.

Listen in a...

One of the biggest fears I hear about moving abroad is not being able to speak the language. It holds so many people back from taking the leap to move, but is it really that big of a problem?

In this episode, we'll talk about why NOT knowing the language before you move is NOT a problem.

You'll also hear three ways that I found that helped me go from not speaking any German (the language where I live) to fully fluent quickly.

No more excuses. No more fears. If you're feeling the...

Ever feel like you're just not ready to make the leap abroad? Today, I'll unpack one of the biggest myths around moving overseas: the idea of being “ready.”

With over a decade of experience and three international moves under my belt, I share why “readiness” is more a mental block than a real milestone, and offer practical steps to start your journey even if you’re feeling unprepared.

From planning your budget to connecting with expat communities in your future destination, my tips are all about making your dream a reality without waiting for the elusive “p...

Let's discuss one step you can take today to move abroad, even if you're not quite ready to move abroad... yet.

Reminiscing about things that maybe we could have done differently when we moved, I'm sharing with you some ideas of different things to consider when you're considering the move.

We'll explore different options for shipping your goods (air and sea shipments) as well as consider what the various things to consider when you're moving your things.

So whether you're ready to start packing or you're just in the start of your journey...