Not the world you see on the evening news: The International Living Podcast explores safe, welcoming, beautiful—and often little-unknown—spots on the planet. Places where you could live richer, travel more, invest for profit, and enjoy a jet-set life...for less than it costs to stay home.
Host Jim Santos talks with IL’s magazine writers and with a cast of thoughtful characters living interesting lives abroad—from Penang to Porto, Cuenca to Madrid. Smart ideas for richer living in a bigger, better world.
If you have an idea for an episode or a question you’d like us to answer, email us at mailbag@internationalliving.com.
Available anywhere you listen to podcasts, including Spotify, Google Podcasts, and Apple Podcasts.
“I’m too old to learn a new language!” is a phrase we hear a lot at International Living. But it’s based on a misconception. Janet Buell didn’t swallow the old line about it being difficult. Instead, she enrolled in a full-immersion Italian class in the picturesque Tuscan city of Siena.
Want to know how to travel the world and get paid to write about it? Join Jim Santos and Noreen Kompanik in this episode of the Bigger Better World podcast. (And maybe grab a pen—you might want to take notes!)
Jim Santos delves deeper into Todd and Damon’s experience of cultures around the world. As a gay couple, did they encounter prejudice? As a Black man, did Damon feel any sense of discrimination in the countries he and Todd spent time in?
Armed with a sheaf of notes they’d taken from an International Living conference, and an ambitious desire to see and experience more of the world, Todd and Damon quit their jobs, sold their home, let go of their old lives, and set off. Friends thought they were crazy. Family members cried. Colleagues figured they’d soon be back…
Sensitive and insightful, evocative and inspiring, Sarah’s article portrays an island nation that may not enjoy the same wealth or development as some of its neighbors, but which makes up for all that with benefits—friendliness, acceptance, wonderful weather, a distinctive culture—that are more valuable than any GDP score. We had to invite her onto the podcast for a more detailed look into life on Grenada.
In this week’s podcast, host, Jim Santos speaks to expat Donna Stiteler. For many years, Donna served as International Living’s Ecuador Correspondent from the city of Cuenca, Ecuador. Cuenca, a highland city built in a steep-sided valley deep in the Andes mountains, is an established expat location. In fact, many would claim that it’s the world’s premier expat city.
Caribbean or Pacific? Old-World Colonial or Modern International? Dry and dramatic or green and lush? In the end, it came down to a battle between Puerto Vallarta on Mexico’s Pacific coast, and Playa del Carmen on the Caribbean Riviera Maya.
In this week’s podcast, host, Jim Santos speaks to International Living France Correspondent Tuula Rampont, who transplanted her life from Southern California to Southern France back in 2010.
Sometimes, events make decisions easier. For Jen Wittman, the lockdowns, election cycle, and social upheaval she experienced in 2020 were enough to convince her that it was time to leave her home in California and search for greener pastures overseas.
Whether it’s the respect for their elders, the reverence for good food and wine, or the relaxed enjoyment of a life well-lived, something about the Italians they met in Rieti made Chip and Shonna fall in love; with the place, with the people, and with each other all over again.