Best Compassionate Immigration Stories Podcasts (2025)

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Making the World a Funnier Place- with Alan McElroy (Ireland) 42:05

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12d ago42:05

42:05

Click here to get in touch Hi everyone, Please welcome with me Alan McElroy from Ireland. Alan is an Irish comedian who is sharing his story of how he got into comedy and how he made his way to New Zealand around 15 years ago. In this episode, we talk about how his comedy career began in Ireland, what brought him to the other side of the world, and…

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How to Change Your Life One Step at a Time- with Jennifer Bowers (US) 41:14

26d ago41:14

41:14

Click here to get in touch Hi everyone, Please welcome with me Jennifer Bowers alias Shea Love from the US. The first episode of her own podcast called "Being: from Atlanta to Auckland", has recently dropped and describes parts of her journey of moving countries. Now, she is navigating her new life and is sharing her experience with us. In this ins…

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The Brown Kid: A journey with my friend Tony 1:39:12

3M ago1:39:12

1:39:12

In this special episode of The People We Meet, host Ty Bruner interviews his long-time friend Tony Sequina, embarking on a journey through the decades of their shared experiences. An unexpected deep conversation with his daughter sets the stage for this heartfelt narrative, as Ty reflects on how simple format changes can unveil new insights. With h…

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Leaving Argentina to call Middle-earth home- with Juan Rossi (Argentina) 40:51

3M ago40:51

40:51

Click here to get in touch Hi everyone, Please welcome with me Juan Rossi from Argentina. In need of a change Juan moved to New Zealand in 2010 and calls this beautiful place on earth now home. In this episode, Juan shares his journey from Argentina to New Zealand, blending his passion for travel with his love of geography and adventure. He begins …

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From the Mean Streets Of Hillyard: Ricky Welliver's Boxing Journey 55:56

3M ago55:56

55:56

Join Ty Bruner in an inspiring conversation with Ricky "The Pitbull" Welliver, a boxing legend known for his dedication to the sport and his community. Born into a lineage of fighters, Ricky shares his journey from the gritty neighborhoods of Spokane to becoming a revered mentor in the boxing world. Throughout the episode, Ricky recounts the pivota…

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Voices Of the Kids: A 10-Year-Old Bowling Prodigy's Journey 30:00

3M ago30:00

30:00

In this captivating episode of "The People We Meet," host Ty Bruner introduces us to Gleason Garske, a remarkable 10-year-old bowling prodigy with an extraordinary story to tell. As the first episode of "The Voices of the Kids" series, this narrative delves into the life of Gleason, a fourth-grader with a zest for life, who effortlessly balances sc…

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How moving abroad can shape relationships- with Almaz Bergk and Dominik Feiler (Germany) 44:51

3M ago44:51

44:51

Click here to get in touch Hi everyone, Please welcome with me Almaz Bergk and Dominik Feiler from Germany. The couple came to New Zealand in 2014 and made it their home. An inspiring journey of evolving as a couple while moving abroad. Sacrifices, compromises, growths and lessons. In this episode, I sit down with Almaz and Dominik to talk about th…

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BONUS: Holding Each Other’s Stories, Discovering Some Truth with Genny Lim and Andi Wong 11:40

4M ago11:40

11:40

Though Angel Island began with Del Sol Quartet’s collaboration with composer Huang Ruo, poet Genny Lim and arts educator Andi Wong are essential to everything the project has become and continues to be. We are thrilled to share that since the time of this podcast, Genny has been inaugurated as San Francisco poet Laureate. She's the first Chinese Am…

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Breaking the Healthcare Mold: A New Era of Patient-Centered Care 1:30:56

4M ago1:30:56

1:30:56

In this captivating episode of "The People We Meet," host Ty Bruner sits down with Dr. Jake Deakins, a physician who dared to step away from corporate medicine to pursue a more patient-focused approach. From the EMT trenches to establishing a thriving wellness clinic, Dr. Deakins shares his journey through the complex landscape of healthcare, highl…

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From Brooklyn to the PBA Tour: Eddie Williams' Journey 1:03:54

4M ago1:03:54

1:03:54

Join host Ty Bruner as he sits down with Eddie Williams, a professional bowler from Spokane, Washington. In this episode of "The People We Meet," Eddie shares his fascinating journey from a young boy in Brooklyn to becoming a bowling pro in Southern California. Discover how his family's love for the sport shaped his passion and led to a lifetime de…

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BONUS: Building a Future of Inclusion and Belonging Amidst the Complexities of the Immigrant Experience with Ed Tepporn 18:11

4M ago18:11

18:11

Immigration is a hot-button topic for many nations around the world, and especially in the United States. The Angel Island Immigration Station Foundation is one organization that not only seeks to preserve the history of immigration through Angel Island, but also to steward a culture that recognizes the complexities of immigration and works to buil…

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Facing the Shadows: TJ Gaia's Journey Through War and Healing 1:43:24

4M ago1:43:24

1:43:24

In this episode of "The People We Meet," host Ty Bruner sits down with TJ Gaia, a man whose life story unfolds like a tapestry woven with threads of resilience, courage, and introspection. Born in Las Vegas and transplanted to the quieter town of Moscow, Idaho, TJ shares his early life struggles, the absence of a father, and a mother's tireless eff…

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Benefits of house sitting around the world- with Annie Ciampaglia (US) 39:15

4M ago39:15

39:15

Click here to get in touch Hi everyone, Annie is back! Please welcome with me Annie Ciampaglia from the US, who has moved over to New Zealand in 2018 and has just recently made another big move to the neighboring country. After first joining us in Episode 15, she's now sharing her latest chapter — a big move from New Zealand to Australia. In this e…

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Resilience and Brotherhood: Navigating PTSD in the Fire Service 1:22:04

4M ago1:22:04

1:22:04

Welcome to 'The People We Meet,' where host Ty Bruner dives into extraordinary stories of resilience and courage. In this episode, Ty sits down with his friend and colleague, Chris Muñoz, in Medical Lake, Washington, to explore the profound impact of working in the fire service and the implications of PTSD. Join the conversation as Chris shares his…

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From Combat to Compassion: D's Global Odyssey 1:14:22

4M ago1:14:22

1:14:22

Join Ty as he dives into a captivating conversation with his charismatic friend, Daddy D, in this riveting episode of 'The People We Meet.' D's extraordinary journey, which spans adventures in 87 countries, tales from Desert Storm as a U.S. Marine, and the battles he's faced both abroad and at home. From a rebellious high schooler to the battlefiel…

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BONUS: Living and Working on Angel Island with Casey Dexter-Lee 31:43

4M ago31:43

31:43

Casey Dexter-Lee is a state park interpreter who has dedicated 23+ years to Angel Island. Casey has been an invaluable resource for coordinating our world premiere on Angel Island and subsequent Angel Island Concert Series. In this bonus episode, Del Sol violinist Hyeyung Sol Yoon talks with Casey on location about what it's like to visit, live, an…

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A Voice From the Third Reich: Elfriede Bruce's Story 36:06

4M ago36:06

36:06

Join Ty Bruner as he delves into the compelling life of Elfreida Bruce, a now 95-year-old woman who grew up in Freiburg, Germany, during World War II under the shadow of the Third Reich. As an impressionable 10-year-old, Elfriede looked upon Hitler as a savior and hero while her parents remained adamantly opposed to his quest for global conquest. A…

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Breaking Down Barriers: Sam Smith on Immigration, Identity, and Legal Pathways 1:30:56

5M ago1:30:56

1:30:56

In this episode of 'The People We Meet,' host Ty Bruner sits down with Sam Smith, an accomplished immigration attorney from Spokane, Washington, to uncover the human stories behind the immigration headlines. Born into a family of attorneys, Smith's journey is interwoven with personal convictions and experiences shaped by his unique upbringing. Toge…

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Saving the bees: The global importance of bee health- with Dr. Marc Schaefer (Germany) 40:24

5M ago40:24

40:24

Click here to get in touch Hi Everyone, Please welcome with me Dr. Marc Schaefer from Germany. Marc has discovered his passion to travel at a young age and started combining his career in science with the opportunity of exploring different countries and cultures. As the leader of the National Reference Laboratory of Bee Diseases in Germany, Marc is…

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Bikepacking through Europe and Southeast Asia- with Emily Sopers (New Zealand) 58:38

5M ago58:38

58:38

Click here to get in touch Hi everyone, Please welcome with me Emily Sopers from New Zealand. Emily and her partner Hugo are passionate cyclists and decided to go on a 9 months adventure by bikepacking through Europe and Southeast Asia. In this episode, Emily shares how they embraced the bikepacking lifestyle, carrying all their essentials on their…

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BONUS: Transforming Place Through Performance with Susan Moffat 28:52

5M ago28:52

28:52

Del Sol’s relationship with Susan Moffat began as a chance encounter at a spontaneous street performance during the pandemic. In this bonus episode, hear how that meeting blossomed into impactful collaborations at the Albany Bulb and Angel Island, and an entire curriculum of programming at UC Berkeley, A Year on Angel Island. Susan highlights the b…

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How it started vs how it is going- with Ashley Russell, Part 2 (New Zealand) 38:07

6M ago38:07

38:07

Click here to get in touch Hi everyone, Please welcome back with me Ashley Russell from New Zealand who moved to the UK 1.5 years ago. She made a rare family visit over the Christmas holidays and I was fortunate enough to get her back on the show to talk about her new life in the UK. The last time we spoke (Episode 13), she was preparing for the bi…

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BONUS: Following Your Own Artistic Voice with Emiko Ono, Hewlett Foundation 10:29

6M ago10:29

10:29

This is for young artists, musicians, new ensembles, and anyone seeking to take on bigger or more complex projects in their creative work! Emiko Ono is the Director, Performing Arts Program at The William and Flora Hewlett Foundation. And it is safe to say that without the Hewlett Foundation’s 50 Arts Commission, there may never have BEEN an Angel …

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Sky Soldier: The Mike Jones Story 25:11

6M ago25:11

25:11

"Sky Soldiers" is the nickname for the 173rd Airborne Brigade. Mike Jones served in 1st Battalion, 50th Infantry (Mechanized) attached to the 173rd during Operation Cochise Green in May of 1968. He was wounded on 25 May, 1968 near Trung Hoi, Vietnam. I got a chance to chat with Mike and he shared his story.…

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Dustoff Pilot Rising: The Bill Burke Story 1:12:26

6M ago1:12:26

1:12:26

Bill Burke served three tours during the Vietnam conflict. Two in the Special Forces and one as a helicopter Medevac pilot. I met Bill in Costco and he shared his story with me. His wife even joined us for awhile to share her experience as the wife of a career warrior. We chatted about his experience and about his generation, my generation, and tho…

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Episode 44: Voices of Immigrants in the United States of America 3:15

6M ago3:15

3:15

Every immigrant has a voice and deserves to be heard. Here are three hard-working immigrants and English learners who are using their emerging English skills to introduce themselves to the world.

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How to be a professional solo traveler- with Lindsay Mukaddam (US) 39:57

6M ago39:57

39:57

Click here to get in touch Hi everyone, Please welcome with me Lindsay Mukaddam from the US. Lindsay is a passionate solo traveler who also curates incredible group trips, primarily for women—but anyone is welcome to join. Her mission is to inspire people to stop waiting for friends or family to travel with them and instead take the leap to book th…

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BONUS: Embracing the Unknown and Bringing People Together with Composer Huang Ruo 42:59

6M ago42:59

42:59

“My hope is not to divide, but to bring people together. Because only when we know about the history, then we can see our present and can learn [from] mistakes and to do better.” So says composer and conductor Huang Ruo on his vision for Angel Island. This bonus is Charlton’s full conversation with Huang Ruo recorded in a friend’s apartment in New …

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My Third Trip to Home Depot & The Unexpected Journey to Podcasting 17:42

6M ago17:42

17:42

What does Home Depot have to do with starting a podcast? More than you’d think. In this debut episode, host Ty Bruner shares the unexpected moment that pushed him to launch this show—a podcast dedicated to telling real, unfiltered stories from everyday people. 📌 #RealStories 📌 #StorytellingPodcast 📌 #TrueStories 📌 #LifeStories 📌 #PersonalGrowth 📌 #…

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BONUS: Join Del Sol on spring tour! 0:33

6M ago0:33

0:33

We’re going on tour in March 2025! We’ll be engaging in performances and residencies in Lincoln, Nebraska; Kansas City, Missouri, and Iowa CIty, Iowa. And in April we’ll be at the Library of Congress in Washington D.C. Check out our calendar for more details at Calendar — Del Sol QuartetBy Del Sol Quartet

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Expats interviewing expats: Expat Experts Podcast- with Marc Alcobé Talló (Spain) 45:15

6M ago45:15

45:15

Click here to get in touch Hi everyone, Please welcome with me Marc Talló Cobé from Spain. Marc has been living abroad for the past 8 years and started his journey as an expat in Germany, moved on to Greece and is currently moving to Italy. He has made it his mission to interview other expats and also share their story and expertise with the world …

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Episode 43: A Return to the Immigrantsinthe.US Podcast 4:04

6M ago4:04

4:04

Welcome back to the Immigrants in the United States Podcast. We are back after a nearly 4-month break. During this time we switched our podcasting platform to RSS.com, which we hope is a significant improvement. We're happy to continue sharing our episodes with you. Welcome to the Immigrants in the USA Podcast, part of the www.immigrantsinthe.us we…

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BONUS: Staging Angel Island in NYC by Engaging With the Spirits with Matthew Ozawa 11:00

7M ago11:00

11:00

How do we learn from the past to change the future? This bonus is an excerpt of Charlton’s interview with Matthew Ozawa, stage director for the New York premiere of Angel Island at BAM produced by Beth Morrison Productions. In this clip, Matthew shares how his first experience on Angel Island and personal family history inspired the staging of the …

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Introducing...Interviews with Immigrants 1:14

7M ago1:14

1:14

Discover the heart, humor, and humanity behind immigration stories with Interviews With Immigrants. Hosted by immigration attorney Andrea Szew, this podcast takes a lighthearted yet insightful approach to celebrating the diverse journeys and contributions of immigrants. Through real stories, engaging conversations, and unique perspectives, Andrea s…

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BONUS: Singing in Chinese with Sidney Chen 23:41

7M ago23:41

23:41

One of the complexities of Angel Island by Huang Ruo is that vocal parts are alternately in English and Chinese. For American choral groups, who are familiar with practicing Italian, German, French, and Latin diction, Chinese is not a common language with which they often have experience. And for this project, it was important to get it right. This…

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BONUS: Making Magic with Del Sol Quartet from The Creative Impostor Podcast 1:00:57

8M ago1:00:57

1:00:57

Hear our behind the scenes conversation about producing the award-winning season 1 of Sounds Current with our producer and editor, Andrea Klunder, from her podcast The Creative Impostor. But, wait! This episode isn’t just about creating a podcast. It’s about the joys and tension of being part of a chamber ensemble, pushing yourself to do something …

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Being an English teacher in Cambodia- with Angela Geeves (New Zealand) 45:41

8M ago45:41

45:41

Click here to get in touch Hi everyone, Please welcome with me Angela Geeves from New Zealand. Angela lived in Cambodia from 2016 to 2020, where she worked as an English teacher, and returned home just as the world’s borders closed due to the Covid-19 pandemic. In this episode, I sit down with Angela, to explore her transformative journey of living…

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How to navigate the struggles of returning home after living abroad?- with Anaïs Ruel (France) 45:10

9M ago45:10

45:10

Click here to get in touch Hi everyone, Please welcome with me Anaïs Ruel from France. Anaïs is helping people to readjust to the life in their home country after living abroad. This is a result of her own struggles she faced when returning home after her first abroad experience and the lack of support she felt. In this episode, I chat with Anaïs, …

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Can we outrun depression by moving abroad?- with Maria Jenckel (Germany) 38:18

9M ago38:18

38:18

Click here to get in touch Hi everyone, Please welcome with me Maria Jenckel from Germany who left her home to move all the way to Australia. Maria has a PhD in Science and due to her international reputation as a scientist she was able to land a great job in Down Under. She is proud to now be a citizen of Australia. In this episode, I sit down wit…

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Episode 42: Amazing Road Trips in the United States of America 14 13:07

10M ago13:07

13:07

Episode 42: Amazing Road Trips in the United States of America 14 Don't forget to visit our official website at: https://www.immigrantsinthe.us as well as our official YouTube Channel at https://www.youtube.com/@immigrantsintheus . Access our books for learning American English at https://amzn.to/3yN9QiT as well as our other podcasts: https://immig…

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Episode 41: Job Search Success Strategies for Immigrants in the USA 14 8:29

10M ago8:29

8:29

Episode 41: Job Search Success Strategies for Immigrants in the USA 14 Don't forget to visit our official website at: https://www.immigrantsinthe.us as well as our official YouTube Channel at https://www.youtube.com/@immigrantsintheus . Access our books for learning American English at https://amzn.to/3yN9QiT as well as our other podcasts: https://…

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Episode 40: Steps to Achieving the American Dream: A Guide for Immigrants in the USA 14 11:33

10M ago11:33

11:33

Episode 40: Steps to Achieving the American Dream: A Guide for Immigrants in the USA 14 Don't forget to visit our official website at: https://www.immigrantsinthe.us as well as our official YouTube Channel at https://www.youtube.com/@immigrantsintheus . Access our books for learning American English at https://amzn.to/3yN9QiT as well as our other p…

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Studying in Rome: Exploring culture’s influence on personality- with Theresa Helbano (New Zealand) 44:01

10M ago44:01

44:01

Click here to get in touch Hi everyone, Please welcome with me Theresa Helbano from New Zealand. Theresa studied Theology in Rome for three years through Opus Dei and is sharing her insightful experience with us all. In this episode, we discuss the experiences of Theresa who studied abroad in Rome through Opus Dei, where her faith played a signific…

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Episode 39: Amazing Road Trips in the United States of America 13 8:16

10M ago8:16

8:16

Episode 39: Amazing Road Trips in the United States of America 13 Don't forget to visit our official website at: https://www.immigrantsinthe.us as well as our official YouTube Channel at https://www.youtube.com/@immigrantsintheus . Access our books for learning American English at https://amzn.to/3yN9QiT as well as our other podcasts: https://immig…

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Episode 38: Job Search Success Strategies for Immigrants in the USA 13 9:46

10M ago9:46

9:46

Episode 38: Job Search Success Strategies for Immigrants in the USA 13 Don't forget to visit our official website at: https://www.immigrantsinthe.us as well as our official YouTube Channel at https://www.youtube.com/@immigrantsintheus . Access our books for learning American English at https://amzn.to/3yN9QiT as well as our other podcasts: https://…

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Episode 37: Steps to Achieving the American Dream: A Guide for Immigrants in the USA 13 7:15

10M ago7:15

7:15

Episode 37: Steps to Achieving the American Dream: A Guide for Immigrants in the USA 13 Don't forget to visit our official website at: https://www.immigrantsinthe.us as well as our official YouTube Channel at https://www.youtube.com/@immigrantsintheus . Access our books for learning American English at https://amzn.to/3yN9QiT as well as our other p…

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Episode 36: Amazing Road Trips in the United States of America 12 16:20

10M ago16:20

16:20

Episode 36: Amazing Road Trips in the United States of America 12 Don't forget to visit our official website at: https://www.immigrantsinthe.us as well as our official YouTube Channel at https://www.youtube.com/@immigrantsintheus . Access our books for learning American English at https://amzn.to/3yN9QiT as well as our other podcasts: https://immig…

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Episode 35: Job Search Success Strategies for Immigrants in the USA 12 9:54

10M ago9:54

9:54

Episode 35: Job Search Success Strategies for Immigrants in the USA 12 Don't forget to visit our official website at: https://www.immigrantsinthe.us as well as our official YouTube Channel at https://www.youtube.com/@immigrantsintheus . Access our books for learning American English at https://amzn.to/3yN9QiT as well as our other podcasts: https://…

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Episode 34: Steps to Achieving the American Dream: A Guide for Immigrants in the USA 12 11:22

10M ago11:22

11:22

Episode 34: Steps to Achieving the American Dream: A Guide for Immigrants in the USA 12 Don't forget to visit our official website at: https://www.immigrantsinthe.us as well as our official YouTube Channel at https://www.youtube.com/@immigrantsintheus . Access our books for learning American English at https://amzn.to/3yN9QiT as well as our other p…

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Insights from an expat and mindset coach- with Anna Roberts (UK) 59:44

10M ago59:44

59:44

Click here to get in touch Hi everyone, Please welcome with me Anna Roberts from the UK. Anna is an expat and mindset coach who has made it her mission to help other people who are living abroad to have the best possible experience. Her path of becoming an expat coach was a result of her own experience of living in France for 10 years and knowing h…